Category Archives: Horseracing

Business as usual

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio casinos grossed $155 million last month, a 5.5% increase. Hollywood Toledo was 2.5% to $16 million and Hollywood Columbus rose 3% to $19 million. Hollywood Dayton was also up 3% to $9 million. Hollywood Mahoning Valley leapt 7% to $10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cantor Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, M Resort, Macau, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Business as usual

MGM, Eldorado, Churchill Downs looking up

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse‘s Cameron McKnight flew out to San Francisco to meet with MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren. The biggest headline item would be the eccentricity of Murren choosing to meet in Frisco rather than at MGM HQ in Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, MTR Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sands: Buy Japanese; Gambling to come to Utah?

Posted on February 25, 2019 by David McKee

“It will be highly competitive, but I think the cards are stacked in the favor of those who are prepared, who have been working hard, who will have the best program, best strategy, the best understanding of the country, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, DFS, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Japan, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Sands: Buy Japanese; Gambling to come to Utah?

Iowa weighs sports betting; Miller time

Posted on February 21, 2019 by David McKee

Iowa casinos and DFS would be the winners if a new bill, which just passed out of a Senate State Government Committee, becomes law. Casinos would be given the right to operate terrestrial, mobile and online sports betting, and DFS would … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, DFS, Downtown, Economy, Horseracing, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal, TV, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Iowa weighs sports betting; Miller time

Chronicle of a disaster foretold

Posted on February 19, 2019 by David McKee

It’s time for Caesars Entertainment‘s quarterly earnings call and, by way of a preview, JP Morgan analyst Daniel Politzer took a relatively dim view of selling the company as a cure for whatever ails it. “While we understand activists’ rationale … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Tunica blues; Monticello racino folds early

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

“An aquatic center? A practice soccer field? They could have reconstructed this entire neighborhood.” So says Tunica resident Larry James of the misguided priorities that are leaving the county high and dry as the casino boom implodes. It certainly seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Philly Live shows signs of life; Sports betting no cure-all

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming‘s $700 million Philadelphia casino project (now with 100% less Watouche “Bob” Manoukian) has been postponed two years. However, in a sign of forward progress, Cordish has signed a general contractor and pledged “substantial completion” by 2020. It remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cordish Co., Horseracing, Louisiana, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight hosted three (!) days of investor meetings with Caesars Entertainment and came away giving the company a rave review. “Management’s tone was very good, and long-only interest was high … We think CZR’s business is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the initiative to legalize casino gambling at four Arkansas locations, looks like it will score a come-from-behind victory in less than a week. Early polling had it down, 41% to 48%, but it’s now turned the tide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Election, Environment, Genting, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Racinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Caesars to rebuff Fertitta; No surprise, Culinary endorses Rosen

Posted on October 22, 2018 by David McKee

This just in: Credit Suisse analyst Brian McKnight reports that the Caesars Entertainment board is going to reject Tilman Fertitta‘s reverse-merger offer. However, now that Caesars is in play, McKnight doesn’t think this is the end of the story, mentioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

That Vegas High Roller thing didn’t work out so well for Caesars Entertainment, so now it’s going to try shooting tourists down the Linq Promenade on a 114-foot-high zipline. This quick thrill will be priced at $20-$30 in the daytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Election, Entertainment, Horseracing, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Horseplay in Nebraska; High art in Springfield

Posted on August 21, 2018 by David McKee

It’s early days for the 2020 election but the Ho-Chunk Nation is partnering with The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association on a petition drive to get racinos onto that election-year ballot. As many as six tracks could be affected. One of the, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Horseplay in Nebraska; High art in Springfield

Sport of kings on wobbly legs; Sports betting races ahead in N.J., N.Y., flags in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

Were it not for racinos, we’d probably be talking about the sport of kings in the past tense. Handle at racetracks has fallen 50% in the last 15 years. However, slot machines have infused a billion dollars a year, keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DFS, Dining, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

Casa Shenandoah closes; Culinary escalates tactics

Posted on July 12, 2018 by David McKee

Call it a day for another Wayne Newton business venture. Mr. Las Vegas is closing Casa Shenandoah to the public, no reason given (although a recent break-in might have influenced the decision). “It is the Applicant’s intent that the property revert … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Election, history, Horseracing, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wayne F. Newton, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

Damn the laws, full speed ahead: That’s the mentality of Illinois horse tracks as they push for ‘historical racing,’ VLTs where you can bet on the outcome of past races. The Illinois Racing Board voted it through unanimously. “We’re out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes | Comments Off on I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

High Sierra; This and that

Posted on June 25, 2018 by David McKee

If you want to get away from it all and gamble at the same time, head north — way north — to tiny and isolated Jarbidge, Nevada. That is the home of the Silver State’s newest casino license, that of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Horseracing, International, Macau, Nevada, New York, Racinos, Slot routes, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off on High Sierra; This and that

“Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Posted on June 20, 2018 by David McKee

Could Chinese players go for gambling if the winnings aren’t monetary? That’s the wager resort owners on the island of Hainan plan to make if the central government gives them a much-hoped-for exception. Just as players wager for trinkets in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, DFS, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on “Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Las Vegas thrives; Palms ad backfires

Posted on May 30, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, we spotlit the Debbie Downer view of Las Vegas of one online columnist. And while a lengthy slide in visitation numbers remains a concern, dark and anecdotal snapshots of Sin City are contradicted by the numbers. The latter are … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, George Maloof, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Laughlin, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Palms, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Paddy Power takes on U.S.; Decision time for Freeman

Posted on May 29, 2018 by David McKee

In a story that, frankly, I just didn’t feel like covering last week, Paddy Power Betfair has hitched its wagon to the hitherto-unprofitable DFS star. It has purchased FanDuel, taking a 61% share of the company. The catalyst, obviously, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Charity, DFS, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, PokerStars, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off on Paddy Power takes on U.S.; Decision time for Freeman