Category Archives: Harrah's

Massachusetts: The deadline that wasn’t

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

Yesterday was the day ultimate for filing casino applications in the state’s southeastern region. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe. Only KG Urban Enterprises actually bothered to file. Of course, the region is meant as a set-aside for the Mashpee Wampanoags … but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Tribal | Comments Off on Massachusetts: The deadline that wasn’t

“Mob” exits Trop; Goretorium exiting Vegas?; Adelson keeps losing

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

Having served its purpose in getting the (rather soporific) Mob Attraction off the ground — including forgiving some lease payments — the Tropicana Las Vegas finds itself kicked to the curb. The Attraction will move to a new site (reputedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on “Mob” exits Trop; Goretorium exiting Vegas?; Adelson keeps losing

A good day for Caesars

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

In a preliminary victory for Caesars Entertainment, the vote on its Suffolk Downs racino proposal will be restricted to the East Boston ward. Sentiment is expected to run more heavily pro-Caesars there than in Boston at large. (The company plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Racinos, The Strip | Comments Off on A good day for Caesars

Caesars spooks Wall Street; Florida fumbles

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

Not surprisingly, Caesars Entertainment stock took a dip this morning. Why the lack of surprise? The company is further diluting its value by preparing to issue 10 million additional shares of common stock. “While we would view the announcement as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: Victory in Leominster; Mazer makes waves

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming crushed the opposition in Leominster yesterday, winning approval for a slot parlor with 61% of the vote. The campaign was notable for the personal participation of David Cordish, who went door-to-door to drum up support. The whippet-thin senior … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, IGT, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New Hampshire, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Technology, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

N.Y. GOP boss ixnays casinos

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

“This is not real economic development,” puts New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, declaring his opposition to the pro-casino question on the Nov. 5 ballot. He buttressed his anti-casino stance by declaring gambling to be “a bust” in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Politics, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on N.Y. GOP boss ixnays casinos

Japan’s in; Chaperoned at Caesars; D.C. gridlock strikes again

Posted on September 19, 2013 by David McKee

A pro-casino group of lawmakers plans to introduce gambling-enabling legislation in the upcoming session of the Japanese Diet. Steve Wynn was quick to plunk $4 billion-plus on the table, while MGM Resorts International promises unspecified “billions.” It’s like a gold … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Japan’s in; Chaperoned at Caesars; D.C. gridlock strikes again

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 19, 2013 by David McKee

“Really? Really? Caesars thinks they can do a billion dollars a year? Well. Hmm. If you look at some of the revenues from 2005, ‘06, ‘07, you can find a few individual properties generating those kinds of revenues. Today? Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Massachusetts | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dangerous complacency in New York

Posted on September 16, 2013 by David McKee

Casino advocates and New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) are making a risky wager regarding November’s ballot question that would dramatically expand gambling in upstate New York. They’re playing it cool, keeping most of their chips off the table. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Dangerous complacency in New York

Better times are here

Posted on September 16, 2013 by David McKee

Las Vegas remains lumbered with journalistic dinosaur Sherman Frederick, a grumbling, blogging old fussbudget who predicts doom and gloom as he tucks into his stewed prunes every morning. I’ve never run across anybody who rooted against their home town so … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, International, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Phil Ruffin, The Mob, The Strip | 1 Comment

Trouble in paradise; Eight isn’t enough

Posted on September 14, 2013 by David McKee

That rising clamor you hear along the Strip isn’t just from weekend picketers at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. No, the Culinary Union has significantly ratcheted up the rhetoric against Strip operators MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, and against … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Trouble in paradise; Eight isn’t enough

Motivated in Massachusetts; Naked at Horseshoe

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

If there’s anything to be learned from this week’s Hard Rock International face-plant in West Springfield, it’s not to take anything for granted. HRI made the mistake of believing its own poll, indeed, venerating it like holy writ, and got a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Motivated in Massachusetts; Naked at Horseshoe

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

“It’s still a $3 billion market. It’s still a lot. Not as big as it used to be, but sizable.”– Rick Mazer, newly approved to run Harrah’s Marina, where a new convention center is being built. Parent company Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Harrah's | 1 Comment

Revel resurgent; MGM, Sands to Japan

Posted on September 10, 2013 by David McKee

For all the flack that it’s taken for its misleading “refund” on losses promotion, Revel Resort continues to woo customers back. Its revenues rose 2% in August, pushing the megaresort ahead of Showboat and into the middle tier of Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Donald Trump, Harrah's, International, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

Upturn in Illinois, blindsided in Indiana

Posted on September 10, 2013 by David McKee

Could we finally be seeing “green shoots” in Illinois, up 5% last month? Maybe, although such recovery as there was consisted of the force that is Rivers Casino, up 36%. Penn National Gaming‘s three casinos posted a feeble $29 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Upturn in Illinois, blindsided in Indiana

Lady Unlucky; Struggling in Ohio; Big deal at MTR

Posted on September 10, 2013 by David McKee

Isle of Capri Casinos appears to have laid an egg with Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and is now having to lay off 15% of the workforce. Much of the blame properly goes with the State of Pennsylvania‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 10, 2013 by David McKee

“What we don’t need in Vegas is more hotel rooms and more casino capacity.” — Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, currently the only major CEO adding hotel and gambling capacity along the Strip.

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, The Strip | 1 Comment

Boston capitulates, Wynn wins (for now)

Posted on September 6, 2013 by David McKee

It was eyeball-to-eyeball and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino just blinked. Threatened with the termination of Steve Wynn‘s Everett project were Boston to be deemed a host community, Menino’s administration folded like a pup tent. “Based on the new information provided … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Boston capitulates, Wynn wins (for now)

Linq looking good & other Case Bets

Posted on September 5, 2013 by David McKee

You can’t drive around the Vegas Valley these days without having a clear view of the Las Vegas High Roller, the Ferris wheel that is Caesars Entertainment‘s would-be tourism magnet, which seems to grow overnight. It’s an impressive sight, one … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Revel, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Beantown Brawl: Wynn vs. Menino

Posted on September 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wasn’t exactly a Profile in Courage day for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission yesterday. It told the cities of Everett and Boston to work out their feud over a proposed Steve Wynn casino between themselves. Now what do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci | 2 Comments