Category Archives: Illinois

Like a Virgin; Chicago casino kaput?

Posted on August 18, 2019 by David McKee

The soon-to-be-ex Hard Rock Hotel is taking an enormous gamble. Instead of trying to operate during the rebranding-and-renovation phase from which it will emerge as Virgin Las Vegas, it is going to close down completely. You read that right. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Genting, Hard Rock Hotel, Illinois, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Like a Virgin; Chicago casino kaput?

Canaries in the coal mine, casinos in the slums

Posted on August 14, 2019 by David McKee

Stocks nose-dived yesterday after “an odd bond market phenomenon that has been a reliable indicator of economic recessions. Investors, worried about the state of the economy, rushed to long-term safe haven assets, pushing the yield on the benchmark 30-year Treasury bond … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, International, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Rock the casbah; The risks of Japan

Posted on August 9, 2019 by David McKee

Although Israel continues to outlaw casinos, undoubtedly to Sheldon Adelson‘s deep regret, the Middle East is pustulent with gaming houses. Yes, the Koran forbids it but that’s hardly stopping anyone. Egypt stands out with roughly 15 casinos, supposedly off-limits to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Movies, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Arkansas casino a ladder out of poverty; Rodio confesses resort-fee addiction

Posted on August 8, 2019 by David McKee

Arkansas‘ evolution into a casino state is coming with surprisingly few growing pains. Which is not to say there isn’t a burden of expectations on the new properties. $350 million Saracen Casino Resort will be expected to alleviate the woes … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Florida, Illinois, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Resort fees, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Arkansas casino a ladder out of poverty; Rodio confesses resort-fee addiction

Paging Steve Wynn; Genting mismanages risk

Posted on August 8, 2019 by David McKee

Somebody alert Steve Wynn. The mega-Walgreens at the northwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue is on the market as a “Once in a Generation High Profile Asset.” OK, the footprint is relatively small but the seller is … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, GLPI, Illinois, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Vegas: The good, the mediocre and the Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 6, 2019 by David McKee

First the good news (for the hospitality industry): Las Vegas hotel occupancy is over 89% and ADRs are $135.23. The relatively bad news is that total visitation will yet again fall short of 2016’s record numbers. The Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Genting, Illinois, Konami, Las Vegas Raiders, Moulin Rouge, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Vegas: The good, the mediocre and the Moulin Rouge

Hooters out, Oyo in?; Crown in hot water

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hooters Hotel Casino, the brand that should have worked in Las Vegas but didn’t, may finally be on the way out. VitalVegas reports that hotelier Highgate may be rechristening Hooters with its Oyo brand. Highgate already operates hotels in the … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Australia, Crown Resorts, Detroit, Diversity, Environment, Hooters, Illinois, James Packer, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Paragon Gaming, Penn National, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip | 2 Comments

Caesars nixes Strip project; IGT in New England brawl

Posted on August 2, 2019 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment has officially spiked the Kind Heaven immersive experience, part Blade Runner and part Jungle Book. VitalVegas author said of the Perry Farrell pipe dream, when it was unveiled last year, that the details ranged “from breathtakingly original to laughably … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, IGT, Illinois, Law enforcement, Politics, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River, Wendover, William Hill | Comments Off on Caesars nixes Strip project; IGT in New England brawl

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 2, 2019 by David McKee

“The sentiment to put the casino in a struggling neighborhood, away from downtown, is well-intended. Too many South and West side communities have emptied due to crime and violence, been hurt by anti-business and high-tax policies and suffered a lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois | 1 Comment

Eldorado’s Caesars gamble; Chicago casino not welcomed

Posted on July 29, 2019 by David McKee

For those of you who are beginning to have misgivings about the Eldorado Resorts takeover of Caesars Entertainment, add The Motley Fool‘s Travis Hoium. The latter is almost never wrong, so we pay attention when he writes that “The final … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Illinois, New York, Politics, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer expects Churchill Downs to be a winner thrice over in Illinois: first, a lower tax rate on table games, starting in 2020; second, a potential 800 additional gaming positions at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Horseracing, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Mob, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Posted on July 12, 2019 by David McKee

Full House Resorts and Spectacle Entertainment are jostling for position in Terre Haute—provided that Vigo County voters approve a casino for the city. But will it beat nearby Danville to the punch? “Pending a positive outcome on the referendum, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Connecticut, Election, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Virginia, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Rivers Casino’s threefold secret

Posted on July 8, 2019 by David McKee

It can be summed precisely as follows: location, location, location. Not only is Rivers Casino Des Plaines proximate to both Chicago and O’Hare International Airport, it sits at the nexus of two interstate highways, literally within a stone’s throw of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Penn National, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Rivers Casino’s threefold secret

Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

Chicago‘s permanent casino could take “months or years” to achieve, even if Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) says “I’m hoping we can get [the site selection] done relatively soon, so we can start the process.” Casino booster Sen. Terry Link (D) is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | Comments Off on Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Caesars: Buyers remorse; Cubbies want to lay some action

Posted on June 27, 2019 by David McKee

In a move that will surprise no one, Caesars Entertainment is reportedly ready to put Bally’s Atlantic City on the auction block and—failing that—to close it outright. It dodged a bullet when Revel opened (and closed) but luck might not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Macau, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars: Buyers remorse; Cubbies want to lay some action

Flattened

Posted on June 25, 2019 by David McKee

Lord knows how I did it but I picked up a nasty bronchial infection whilst in Chicago and am lying flat on my back as I type this. (Maybe it was having to stare at letters two stories high, spelling … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Illinois, Massachusetts, Rush Street Gaming, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Flattened

On vacation

Posted on June 19, 2019 by David McKee

For the next several days my wife and I will be in the Windy City, scouting locations for MGM Chicago (Okay, I made the MGM part up), visiting family and attending a Stargate convention—at least if the schedule ever gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois | 2 Comments

The wrath of Icahn

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Investment bankers BidaskClub aren’t buying Caesars Entertainment. Literally. In an almost-unheard-of development in gaming, Bidask put a “sell” recommendation on low-priced CZR shares. Perhaps this reflects caution over Caesars’ still-massive debt overhang or of the additional debt that would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on The wrath of Icahn

Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Connecticut casino legislation was yet another exercise in futility this session, with the Lege gaveling the end of business without any gaming bills being passed. However, a special session is anticipated, mainly to address an unrelated litigation settlement. Perhaps then … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Illinois, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Record year for U.S. casinos; Boyd lauded

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

While the gaming industry seems to be straining at the limits of how far it can expand in the good old U.S. of A. the numbers don’t lie: The casino industry posted a record $41.7 billion last year. That’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Majestic Star, Penn National, Sports, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Record year for U.S. casinos; Boyd lauded