Category Archives: Harrah's

Caesars seeks to transform New Orleans skyline

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David McKee

Harrah’s New Orleans was built on the presumption that it would have neither hotel rooms nor restaurant, thereby not sapping the businesses around it. Through some clever — one might even say Machievallian — maneuvers by then-CEO Phil Satre, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off

Vici victorious on the Street; Macao monopoly threatened

Posted on February 6, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is definitely going to have to sweeten its offer for Vici Properties after the latter had a hugely successful IPO, hitting $1.2 billion. Shares of the REIT were sufficiently in demand that Vici is going to enlarge … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Wall Street | Comments Off

Illinois anemic; MGM flexes pecs in Maryland, Washington, D.C.

Posted on February 6, 2018 by David McKee

Thank God. There is nothing new about Steve Wynn in this morning’s headlines, so we can talk about some good, old-fashioned gambling. Illinois last month saw a 5.5% drop-off for a somewhat anemic gross of $105 million. Foot traffic was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, West Virginia | Comments Off

Steve Wynn makes his case; Gambling stalemate in Florida

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

It’s no longer enough for employees of Wynn Resorts to reflect well upon the company. No, now Steve Wynn wants their gratitude. His confidential pep rallies have had all the watertight integrity of a colander. By reminding workers that the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on January 30, 2018 by David McKee

When Las Vegas casinos sit down with the Culinary Union this year expect wireless “panic buttons” to be on the table. Labor unions have been pushing for these as a means of summoning security when their members are assaulted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, DFS, Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Station Casinos | 1 Comment

MGM Cotai gets rave review; Cracking the Millennial code

Posted on January 29, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Grand Cotai continues to miss opening deadlines, the latest obstacle being the government’s continued failure to issue a hotel license. “The licence application for the opening of the five-star hotel MGM Cotai and establishments inside the property is still … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Genting, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Technology, TV | Comments Off

Steve Wynn: Time’s up

Posted on January 27, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the penny dropped on Steve Wynn, as multiple reports of sexual predation made the news. According to the Wall Street Journal, we’re not talking about one or two accusers but “dozens,” over a period of decades. Without diminishing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was exuding confidence this week that Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace wouldn’t be nationalized by Macao, telling investors, “We are so stitched into that community, with our employees and our company, that we feel comfortable in this situation.” On … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Freeman: Hands off!; Copperfield in hot water again

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, has been an early proponent of legalized sports betting. But his zeal has gone a little too far. The league proposes to help itself to an “integrity fee” of $1 out of every $100 … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Japan, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming receipts ($227 million) were flat last month, although there were a number of little dramas being played out behind that bland façade. Lake Charles was up 7% and Baton Rouge casinos plunged 17%. L’Auberge du Lac was flat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Monopoly!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by David McKee

“They came. They saw. They were rejected,” wrote Richard Velotta wittily in the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s report of a spurned takeover attempt by MGM Growth Properties of Vici Properties. Yes, the long-dreaded MGM/Caesars merger effort has finally come to pass. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Possible breakthrough in Mandalay Bay shootings; Trump Int’l rated a “s***hole”

Posted on January 17, 2018 by David McKee

Authorities are hinting about an indictment coming down in the Mandalay Bay massacre but are being coy as to whom it will target. Information released thus far by those investigating the crimes suggests that — despite having been out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Centaur Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, IGT, Indiana, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Racinos, Sports, Technology, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off

Casino envy in Pennsylvania; Gilbert Jacks off

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Why do all the bridges in Lehigh County have a “100” rating? Because of the tax money pouring in from Sands Bethlehem. That’s causing some serious envy in Mercer County, which wants a mini-casino. “It’s almost an unfair advantage,” sputters Mercer County … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Carnage in Pennsylvania; Fortune Cup takes on Sigma Derby

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

*Slot revenues at Pennsylvania casinos are in and if JP Morgan‘s numbers are correct they were terrible. According to Morgan analysts slot winnings dove 27%, bottoming out at $187.5 million. Worst off was Sands Bethlehem ($25 million), sinking 44%, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

December put a bit of a chill on the Atlantic City casino economy, down 2% for the month, with an overall gross of $186 million. Over by the fireplace, Internet gambling was nice and warm, up 13%. Slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Florida, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Security, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Hypocrisy, thy name is Penn; Gilbert doesn’t know Jack

Posted on January 12, 2018 by David McKee

Despite making a bunch of hifalutin’ noises about the unconstitutionality of mini-casinos in Pennsylvania, who else but Penn National Gaming won the first license. It did so by virtue of insane overkill, bidding $50 million and change for a license … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Marketing, Maryland, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

State of the Strip; Air Area 51

Posted on January 10, 2018 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli met with a number of casino companies recently and came away with a sanguine prospect for the Las Vegas Strip. As for the operators, “Overall, we felt commentary pertaining to the LV locals market, regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Unlucky Dragon; Gaughan plays Lady Bountiful

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

Business at the semi-defunct Lucky Dragon casino must have really been sucking wind if it closed six weeks before Chinese New Year, which one would expect to be the property’s sweet spot. Lucky Dragon management is putting a brave face … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Japan, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor goes from strength to strength. Last month, it captured 40% of Maryland market share en route to a $56.5 million gross (for a property record of $1.8 million gross gaming revenue per day). Maryland Live, hanging onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off