Category Archives: history

Case Bets

Posted on February 2, 2021 by David McKee

More than 23 million Americans are expected to bet legally or otherwise on the Super Bowl, according to the American Gaming Association, which predicts $4.3 billion in handle. 7.5 million punters will be doing their wagering online, 63% more than … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DFS, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, history, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

The Strip plays Capitol Hill

Posted on January 20, 2021 by David McKee

It was like the good old days of the Las Vegas Strip were back in full flower at President Biden’s inauguration. It featured two Strip headliners-in-limbo, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, as well as former headliner Garth Brooks, crossing party … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on January 18, 2021 by David McKee

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life we celebrate today.

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Tribute to a bad man

Posted on January 12, 2021 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s Horatio Alger success story came to an abrupt end today, when the Boston Globe broke the news of his death from lymphoma at age 87. Adelson had a good run in the industry, longer than most, and his … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Architecture, Conventions, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Macau, Marijuana, Movies, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 12, 2021 by David McKee

“The presidency is an act of faith. Nobody can do it.”—presidential historian and John F. Kennedy biographer Richard Reeves.

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Maryland craters; MGM ‘snow’ job; Mob Museum in your ear

Posted on January 6, 2021 by David McKee

It’s pretty clear that the casino industry is entering its second recession in 10 months and too soon to know if the ‘skinny’ stimulus will bring a January boost. One of the most reliable markets in the U.S., Maryland plunged … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Economy, Golden Gaming, history, Japan, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Oscar Goodman, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Mob, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland craters; MGM ‘snow’ job; Mob Museum in your ear

Cuomo all-in on New York sports betting; Playoff fever begins

Posted on January 6, 2021 by David McKee

There’s nothing like a budgetary dose of Covid-19 to bring some people to reality. Case in point, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). He has been against mobile sports betting for years—much to the state’s detriment—but will embrace it … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Green Christmas; Raiders vindicate oddsmakers, enrage fans

Posted on December 28, 2020 by David McKee

In Las Vegas over Christmas with nothing to do? Try playing the Megabucks slot machines at Suncoast. That’s what “Kevin” (no last name given) did on Christmas Eve and soon found himself $15,491,103 richer—at least until the IRS gets into … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Hawaii, history, IGT, Las Vegas Raiders, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 21, 2020 by David McKee

“This moment is profound when we consider the fact that a former secretary of the interior [Alexander H. H. Stuart] once proclaimed his goal to, quote, ‘civilize or exterminate’ us. I’m a living testament to the failure of that horrific … Continue reading →

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Culinary vs. Wynn; Illinois sports betting explodes

Posted on December 18, 2020 by David McKee

Is the Culinary Union cutting off its nose to spite its face? The local had a contractual agreement that all Wynncore members would be keep on full health benefits, even if reduced to part-time status. But when Encore semi-closed, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, GLPI, Golden Nugget, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Happy birthday, Beethoven

Posted on December 16, 2020 by David McKee

Today is the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), perhaps the single most influential composer in musical history. He’s certainly got staying power. Thanks to health concerns, you probably can’t go to a celebratory concert, so we’re bringing you … Continue reading →

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It’s lonely in Massachusetts; A dose of realism

Posted on December 16, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts gamblers are night owls. When Gov. Charlie Baker (R) ordered casinos to close at 9:30 p.m. it took a big bite out of November revenues, particularly Encore Boston Harbor, which makes half its revenue after dark. At least you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Charity, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, El Cortez, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Health, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 24, 2020 by David McKee

“[During World War II], people back home collected rubber and bacon grease for years, gave up countless liberties and luxuries, and no one ever called the war a hoax, even if they never saw a Nazi in their backyard. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Health, history | 1 Comment

Vegas recovery a Mirage; Illinois closes … again

Posted on November 21, 2020 by David McKee

More from the Too Much, Too Soon? file: MGM Resorts International, despite its long pause in reopening The Mirage has evidently decided it jumped the gun. Hotel rooms there and at Mandalay Bay will be closed Mondays-Thursdays through December at … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Environment, Health, history, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, Technology, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Station, DraftKings, Macao all looking up

Posted on November 13, 2020 by David McKee

So much news … where to begin? Station Casinos got a thumbs-up from analysts at JP Morgan who met with the Fertitta Brothers and CFO Stephen Cootey. “We come away impressed with [Station’s] resolve in maximizing free cash flow at … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, China, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Health, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Palms, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Sean Connery, 1930-2020

Posted on October 31, 2020 by David McKee

Sir Sean Connery, the man who did more than anyone to raise awareness of baccarat, has died in his sleep at age 90, in the Bahamas. That’s the way to go. In death, as in life, Connery was the epitome … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, history, Movies | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 16, 2020 by David McKee

“Truth suffers, but never dies.”—St. Teresa of Avila, whose day it is.

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Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2020 by David McKee

“The [Robert] Bork hearings presented to the public a serious discussion of the meaning of the Constitution, the role of the court and the views of the nominee. Subsequent hearings have presented to the public a vapid and hollow charade, … Continue reading →

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Funny biz at Trump International

Posted on October 13, 2020 by David McKee

With his golf-course-and-hotel empire bleeding cash, Donald Trump needed some quick moolah to juice his 2016 presidential campaign. And where did he get it? From the coffers of Trump International Las Vegas, according to tax documents obtained by the New … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Election, history, Internet gambling, Money laundering, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | 2 Comments

Now for something completely different …

Posted on October 13, 2020 by David McKee

I lucked into this clip from MGM’s It Happened in Brooklyn and it’s too good not to share. Duetting with Kathryn Grayson, Ol’ Blue Eyes isn’t completely idiomatic in his Italian diction (surprisingly) but his classical musicianship is absolutely spot-on. … Continue reading →

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