Category Archives: Horseracing

If at first you don’t succeed …

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

… try, try, try, try, try again. That’s the New Hampshire Lege, making its umpteenth attempt to legalize casino gambling. State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) has crafted a bill that would bring VLTs and table games to Salem. The bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Macao ends 2015 quietly; Record visitation not good enough for Vegas

Posted on January 4, 2016 by David McKee

That “squish” you heard from across the sea was Macao‘s gaming market reporting a decrease of 21% last month, practically good news when measured against November’s 32% plunge. Mind you, Macanese casinos were averaging $74 million in win per day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Horseracing, LVCVA, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

What’s Sheldon’s game?; Penn struggles at Plainridge

Posted on December 30, 2015 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s apparent use of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporters to get back at Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez is putting him and his purchase of the newspaper under the microscope of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Casino owners aren’t barred from owning … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Horseracing, Kansas, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

When you wish upon a star

Posted on December 21, 2015 by David McKee

Despite a shakeup by Gov. Greg Abbott (R, below), the Texas Racing Commission still has a death wish when it comes to “instant racing.” When, in keeping with Abbott’s wishes, the TRC held a vote to repeal the VLT gambling, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, history, Horseracing, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off

‘Jubilee’ axed; DFS banned and reprieved

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was probably a mercy to Ffolliott “Fluff” LeCoque that the Las Vegas showbiz legend died two days before Caesars Entertainment buried a dagger in the heart of Jubilee. LeCoque had been part of the original cast and went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Baccarat buoys the Strip; Last call for Vegas Club

Posted on October 29, 2015 by David McKee

Not only were Nevada gaming revenues up 2% last month, so were Strip revs, propelled by heavy baccarat play. In addition to 17% more being wagered, the house played lucky, winning 24% than last year. That more than made up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Economy, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Reno, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Texas lottery gives guv Grief; The Incredible Shrinking Casino

Posted on October 23, 2015 by David McKee

Those cowpokes who run the Texas Lottery Commission have gotten a bit off the ranch. Of a proverbial fact-finding mission to the Delaware lottery, Executive Director Gary Grief said, “We were particularly interested to learn about your sports betting, Internet wagering … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off

Station goes public; Florida compact near?

Posted on October 14, 2015 by David McKee

Having tried and failed to grow the company through an LBO, Station Casinos is returning to the public markets again, citing “favorable economic and market fundamentals” in support of an IPO. An executive shakeup that included the promotion of Rich Haskins … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Horseracing, Internet gambling, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh has Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio “baffled” with his schizoid approach to the hotel-casino. After having an apparently conciliatory meeting with Walsh, DeSalvio was bushwhacked by a McCheese-launched lawsuit to halt construction on Wynn Everett. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Racinos, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

A lesson from Ohio; Murren goes to Georgia; Big changes at Sands

Posted on September 16, 2015 by David McKee

Two years ago, Ohio was grappling with what J.P. Morgan analysts called “a sluggish ramp” for its casino industry. He may have been against casinos before he was for them but Gov. John Kasich‘s supersized version of predecessor Ted Strickland‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Georgia on their minds; How to kill a casino

Posted on September 14, 2015 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor President Lorenzo Creighton dangles some shiny objects and big numbers before Georgia newspaper readers, promising even bigger things for Atlanta, as MGM Resorts International tries to counter lawmakers’ congenital opposition to gambling with suasion and seductive dollar … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Georgia, Horseracing, International, James Packer, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off

Isle trends upward; Free the Texas ponies!

Posted on September 2, 2015 by David McKee

Add Isle of Capri Casinos to the list of companies enjoying a positive turn in their fortunes. It reported an operating profit of $57.5 million, a 15% increase. The biggest cash cow was Isle Pompano Park, hauling in $42 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Horseracing, IGT, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Technology, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Midwest shakes off malaise

Posted on August 10, 2015 by David McKee

Yes, there was an extra weekend day this year but let’s look at the glass half-full, as regional gaming markets shook off their malaise. Illinois was up 2% despite mild weakness in the St. Louis market. Empress Joliet (+10%) was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off

Boston: Smackdown for McCheese; Online gaming hopes fade

Posted on August 4, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh got a taste of his own medicine when a Suffolk Superior Court court judge put a beatdown on his sleazy legal tactics. Assertions by Boston attorneys, slipped in at the last minute, that the Massachusetts Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off

Up in smoke

Posted on July 27, 2015 by David McKee

We know that Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas owner Blackstone Group wanted to change perceptions of the property but I don’t this is what they had in mind. One measly cigarette seems to have been all it took to send the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, history, Horseracing, International, Macau, Monte Carlo fire, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off

Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

While New Jersey politicians bicker over the timing of a constitutional referendum for adding northerly casinos, Hard Rock International unveiled a detailed picture of its plans for its desired Meadowlands casino (a site favored by 73% of voters polled, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

“Saving the horse industry is just as important as saving Atlantic City. There was no way that horse racing could succeed in New York, or ultimately New Jersey, without it being subsidized by another form of gambling.” — Jeffrey Gural, owner … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Horseracing, New York | Comments Off

Christie’s change of mind; Caesars creditors thwarted

Posted on May 29, 2015 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is already throwing in the towel on his five-year plan for Atlantic City. If lawmakers want to put a statewide expansion of casino gambling on this fall’s ballot, Christie would “have absolutely no problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off

Caesars and Gilbert, separate but together

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

Dan Gilbert‘s ThistleDown Racino has been losing business to Hard Rock Rocksino, so Gilbert is pushing back with $70 million in upgrades. “Our initial investment in ThistleDown has been a tremendous success and now we’re ready to introduce a new level … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Ohio, Regulation | Comments Off