Category Archives: history

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

“Finally, on this date in 1953, in the middle of the Red Scare in the US, a woman on the Indiana Textbook Commission called for removing all references to Robin Hood from textbooks because he advocated robbing the rich to give to … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Indiana | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Posted on November 13, 2018 by David McKee

Election Night seems far behind us but its meaning for gaming is still sinking in, as in Arkansas, where sports betting has also been approved. In addition, two Oklahoma-based tribal entities are likely to feel entitled to the casinos green-lit … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Election, Entertainment, Florida, history, Idaho, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2018 by David McKee

“The Old Farmer’s Almanac says handshakes date to medieval times, when people met on a path and extended a hand to show that they weren’t going to draw a sword. Others say handshakes originated in 5 BC in Greece, and … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

Posted on October 29, 2018 by David McKee

There’s light at the end of Wynn Resorts‘ tunnel in Massachusetts. Trouble is, it won’t arrive until December and it will take the form of an investigative report, nearly a year in the making, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (postponed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, International, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

Tilman covets Roman empire; Bellagio turns 20

Posted on October 18, 2018 by David McKee

Tilman Fertitta is the maverick among mavericks in the casino industry, beating veteran operators at their own game and doing it as some one who entered the industry as a novice and immediately began to strike gold. More recently, he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Dining, Economy, history, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 13, 2018 by David McKee

“What goes on in Las Vegas?” “Everything, doctor. It’s an education.” Exchange between two movie-studio flunkies in Sullivan’s Travels (1942) by Preston Sturges.

Posted in history, Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Churchill Downs stands pat; Borgata honored at G2E

Posted on October 11, 2018 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Daniel Politzer met with top execs from Churchill Downs and found a company pretty satisfied with where it is now. It “has yet to see any cracks in fundamentals at its regional casino properties or among its … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, history, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, South Korea, Sports betting, Tribal | Comments Off on Churchill Downs stands pat; Borgata honored at G2E

Ohio up, Missouri down and Caesars tries harder

Posted on October 10, 2018 by David McKee

Although it will forever be a mystery why Caesars Entertainment evacuated Ohio, now that gaming revenues in the Buckeye State are on the upswing, it’s understandable that CEO Mark Frissora would want to get back in. Last month, gross gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Dining, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, history, Isle of Capri, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tribal | Comments Off on Ohio up, Missouri down and Caesars tries harder

Mashpee in for fight of their lives

Posted on October 9, 2018 by David McKee

“Thank God that’s not the test of whether or not people have rights in this country or not, whether or not they pass your look test.” That’s what then-Rep. George Miller (D) said to Donald Trump when the latter was … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, history, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Mashpee in for fight of their lives

Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gamblers were living large in August, leaving 9% more than last year in the slots and on the tables, some $212 million in total. This was especially good for Caesars Entertainment (+12%) and even more so for Boyd Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Georgia, GLPI, history, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Case Bets

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Remember the XFL? NFL Europe? The USFL? Well here comes the Alliance of American Football, a springtime league with teams from Orlando to San Diego. A three-year corporate sponsor will be MGM Resorts International. We don’t often go against CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Dispatches from the front lines

Posted on September 5, 2018 by David McKee

Already MGM Springfield is spurring external economic stimulus in Springfield. A new (and rather fugly) Hilton has been proposed for an adjacent site, costing $15 million and boasting 100 hotel rooms once finished. For the city, the cancellation of MGM’s planned hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Environment, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Penn National, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Dispatches from the front lines

Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

Luxor‘s display of Titanic relics has hit an iceberg in the form of a bankruptcy court auction against owner Premier Exhibitions. It’s likely the collection will be kept intact, not dispersed to the four winds, although the latter might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Hard Rock International, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

In a development that is sure to be followed with interest by sports book operators, predictive system Swarm AI outdid human oddsmakers in a trial run. During a 20-week slice of the NHL season, Swarm AI correctly predicted the outcome … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

It seems Springfield has a tornado to thank for MGM Resorts International‘s interest in the city, the beginning of a seven-year quest that climaxed with the Budweiser Clydesdales leading a parade to the new megaresort. CEO Jim Murren was window-shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Election, history, International, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Station Casinos | Comments Off on MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

John S. McCain, 1936-2018

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

America lost one of its great statesmen this week, one of the few I would call a personal hero, and gaming lost a great friend. Not only was Sen. John McCain (R) an avid craps player and boxing patron (the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, history, Politics, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on John S. McCain, 1936-2018

MGM Springfield opens

Posted on August 24, 2018 by David McKee

Several years and $960 million later, it’s finally opening day for MGM Springfield. Here’s the 411 on what it offers, along with copious traffic directions — access is clearly the front-of-mind concern as gaming madness comes to Springfield. Amidst all … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dining, Genting, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

“NV casinos weren’t originally in sports betting, with bets taken at small standalone books called ‘turf clubs’ – some of which were speculated to earn $2mm of weekly profits … In 1949! ” — Credit Suisse gaming analyst Cameron McKnight.

Posted in history, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Missouri becalmed; Scientific smackdown

Posted on August 13, 2018 by David McKee

One less weekend day was costly to Missouri casinos in July, when their revenue declined 2% to $150.5 million. The Kansas City market had the worst of it, off nearly 4%. Slot revenues ($128.5 million) were down 2% and table … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Bally Technologies, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, history, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Missouri becalmed; Scientific smackdown

Wynn Resorts fights back; Rage against the (slot) machine

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

Not taking charges of promising kickbacks lying down, Wynn Resorts has countersued Anthony Gattineri. The latter has thrown yet another spanner into the Encore Boston Harbor works by suing the company for an $18 million, under-the-table promise he says was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment