Category Archives: history

Borgata behaving badly; Headless body in topless car

On the “george” side of the ledger we find Bally’s Atlantic City, which is offering room rates starting at $29/night through February 28, albeit on “select nights.” Hey, it’s a terrific way to raise awareness of the new-look Bally’s. As … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Morris Bailey, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio | 2 Comments

Seminoles to feds: “F*** off”; Strip casinos drive down employment

In a big “up yours” to the federal judiciary, the Seminole Tribe—after momentarily pausing—has resumed taking sports bets and is effectively daring the courts to do something about it. If that weren’t nervy enough, the Seminoles have asked Judge Dabney … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Florida, history, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

DraftKings talks big, persuades few; Rancor in Richmond

DraftKings divided analysts with its 3Q21 earnings report. Credit Suisse pundit Ben Chaiken said the company was “moving the ball down the field.” That’s despite revenues of $212 million that well undershot Wall Street‘s expected $238 million, rather like a … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Baseball, Canada, Delaware, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Election, Golden Nugget, Health, history, Internet gambling, James Packer, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, TV, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off on DraftKings talks big, persuades few; Rancor in Richmond

Dream comes true; Recovery stays strong; DraftKings’ clock cleaned

If they can scrape together $500 million (which shouldn’t be a problem in this investment climate), developers David Daneshforooz and Bill Shopoff have the Clark County Commission‘s blessing to move forward with the Dream casino-hotel. Despite a raft of security … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Economy, G2E, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Illinois, International, Jack Entertainment, Las Vegas Raiders, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Ohio, Penn National, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Security, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Strip sizzles in August

Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip grossed $626 million last month, 20% better than August 2019. Statewide, the jump was 22% to $1.65 billion but the real overachievers were locals casinos, leaping 41% (to $250 million) with a little help … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Century Casinos, Cretins, Dining, Downtown, G2E, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Indiana, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wendover | 5 Comments

Roundball in Sin City?

Editor’s Note: Yours truly is still on vacation, so today you’re in the capable hands of Jeff Leatherock, who ponders Las Vegas‘ emergence as a major league sports town. Enjoy! I have been a big sports fan for 50 years. … Continue reading

Posted in history, Sports betting | 8 Comments

CC by KK at XV

By Jeff Leatherock, guest contributor CityCenter, the last and largest Las Vegas project by Las Vegas’ largest builder nears 15 years old. The concept probably started before 2006 and completion was a few years later. So, claiming 15 kinda fits … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, history, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Sports, The Strip, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Masks back on, Las Vegas!; All’s right with the REITs

Mincing few words, MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle sent a letter to all employees, urging them to quit dithering and get their Covid-19 vaccinations, if they haven’t already. He pleaded, “In addition to the heart-wrenching thought of more illness … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Delaware, Derek Stevens, Dining, Economy, GLPI, Health, history, Indiana, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Nevada conventions healthy, Nevadans not so much

Tourism to Las Vegas in May was 12% higher than April and June should continue the climb, even if long-awaited World of Concrete was a flop (one-sixth of the expected attendance). Next up was the Nightclub & Bar Show, which … Continue reading

Posted in China, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Health, history, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Merry month of May in Las Vegas; Beehive of activity in Atlantic City

May’s gaming revenues from Nevada are in and they are blockbuster. When the Strip is 26% higher than 2019 (winning $655.5 million) and locals play is 25% stronger it is fair to say the recovery has been achieved—and far sooner … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Connecticut, Cretins, Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Health, history, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Wendover | 4 Comments

Illinois’ surprise; Scandal at Churchill Downs; Palms complications

Gambling revenue of $108 million out of Illinois last month looks pallid at first glance. But consider this: It was only 6% off April 2019’s pace, when casinos were at full capacity and last month they did it at 50% … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Culinary Union, Dining, Diversity, DraftKings, Drugs, Economy, FanDuel, history, Horseracing, Indiana, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Palms, Penn National, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

MGM “roaring back”; LV recovery accelerates

That’s what Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken had to say about MGM Resorts International, citing strength in regional casinos, Las Vegas and sports betting (in that order). First-quarter cash flow exceeded 2019 levels, aided in part by “strong demand reaching … Continue reading

Posted in BetMGM, Charity, Colorado, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Health, history, Macau, Marijuana, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Pennsylvania booms and busts, Massachusetts lags

Casino revenues were $270.5 million last month in Pennsylvania, down 22% from March 2019, another exception to the wave of recovery sweeping the country. Slots accounted for $199 million, tables for $71.5 million. Casinos were held to 50% of capacity, … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colony Capital, Conventions, Cordish Co., Dining, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Pennsylvania booms and busts, Massachusetts lags

Demand, prices way up on the Strip; Big casino push in Texas

Emboldened by a combination of new, 50% capacity limits in Nevada and $1,400 stimulus checks, visitors poured into Las Vegas and resorts were quick to profiteer, er, monetize the nascent demand. The Strat more than tripled room rates, from $50/night … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Harry Reid, Health, history, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Online sports betting was quick out of the gate in Virginia—$59 million in handle in 11 days—although books spent so much money acquiring customers that they took a loss on the month. “Debuting ahead of the NFL’s conference championship games … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Health, history, IGT, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, LVCVA, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Resort fees, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, United Kingdom, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Vegas locals strong, Strip stinks; Economic boom foreseen

Even with $600 extra in their pockets, gamblers could not be lured back to the Las Vegas Strip last month. Strip revenues of $321.5 million represented a 44% implosion from 2020. Statewide, the falloff was 26.5% to $762 million. Once … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Maryland, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Reno, Security, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wendover | 3 Comments

Michigan gaming explodes; Massachusetts droops

Online sports betting and Internet gambling have come to Michigan and they’re a smash hit. In the first 10 days of sports betting, handle was $115 million, with revenues of $13 million. FanDuel led market share with 32% of handle, … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Detroit, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, FoxBet, Health, history, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, M Resort, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Michigan gaming explodes; Massachusetts droops

F-blue returns from the grave; Caesars socks it to you

The Thing That Wouldn’t Die, aka Fontainebleau, is back again. Former owner Steven Witkoff has sold it to Koch Real Estate Investments for an undisclosed price. Considering that Witkoff bought it from Carl Icahn for $600 million and estimated that … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harry Reid, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Resorts World LV, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Station sitting pretty; Missouri booms; All bets off at MGM

Despite fourth quarter revenues that were 28% off the pace ($122 million) in Las Vegas, analysts on Wall Street are liking Station Casinos these days. Native American management fees in 4Q20 were up 21% ($25.5 million) for one thing. JP … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Dining, Economy, Harry Reid, history, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Normality in Ohio, disaster in Illinois; Planet Ho sale mooted

Maybe the ‘skinny stimulus’ helped Ohio. Gross gaming revenues of $153.5 million were only 8.5% off last year’s pace. The gambling houses are still operating at 50% capacity and under a curfew but the number remains impressive. Hollywood Toledo continues … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Georgia, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, South Dakota, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Transportation, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment