Category Archives: International

Eldorado’s clearance sale

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts continues to slim down as it prepares for a takeover of Caesars Entertainment. Assuming the deal as a fait accompli, it is ditching Isle of Capri Kansas City in favor of Harrah’s North Kansas City. It is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, International, Japan, Mississippi, Missouri, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Twin River, William Hill | Comments Off on Eldorado’s clearance sale

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

Wynn stirs Boston melting pot

Posted on July 9, 2019 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts is already changing the face of Boston. As reported by the Boston Globe, unprecedented diversity is manifesting itself at Encore Boston Harbor. Mad props to Wynn for bringing people of all colors and creeds together in this fashion. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Diversity, Economy, International, Massachusetts, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn stirs Boston melting pot

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

“Chinese tourists are a high-spending source market and their visitation numbers to the US have been growing rapidly in recent years.”—from a GlobalData report on the expansion of the China-driven, luxury-hotel market in the U.S., music to Las Vegas‘ ears.

Posted in International, Marketing, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Whales super-lucky on the Strip; New Jersey tops Nevada

Posted on June 28, 2019 by David McKee

Last month was the busiest in McCarran International Airport history, seeing 4,590,539 arrivals and departures. Unfortunately for the casinos, this did not translate into record prosperity. Far from it. Gross gaming revenue toppled 11% to $517.5 million. Slots were a bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Culinary Union, Downtown, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, William Hill | Comments Off on Whales super-lucky on the Strip; New Jersey tops Nevada

Dotty’s to rescue Moulin Rouge; Hard Rock’s big plans

Posted on June 27, 2019 by David McKee

Bonafide rescue may be in sight for the acreage upon which the Moulin Rouge once stood. Dotty’s may use some of its considerable cash flow to buy up the land and the Las Vegas City Council is sufficiently eager to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dotty's, Downtown, e-sports, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, International, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on June 14, 2019 by David McKee

* Shares in Australian casino company Star Entertainment tumbled after it disclosed that the U.S./China trade war is impinging on profitability. “The very large VIPs continue to travel but they don’t take as many risks as they have in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Canada, Economy, Genting, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New Mexico, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Case Bets

Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

A federal judge dealt a major defeat to the Justice Department in its efforts to reinterpret the Federal Wire Act as a ban on Internet gambling. Nope, only sports betting ruled Judge Paul Barbadoro. The ruling is a boon to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Palms, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Runaway greed in Illinois

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

Existing operators in Illinois are picking themselves up off the floor following an exponential expansion of casino gambling in the Land of Lincoln, achieved in the waning hours of the legislative session. Caesars Entertainment, Penn National Gaming, Boyd Gaming, Eldorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, International, Penn National, Politics, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Soggy month in Louisiana; IGT on firm ground

Posted on May 21, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming revenues were down 5.5% last month in the Bayou State, particularly unimpressive when you consider that they fell 8% in the same month last year.  The statewide gross was $199.5 million. The Shreveport/Bossier City market suffered least, down 3%, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, IGT, International, Lotteries, Louisiana, Penn National, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Soggy month in Louisiana; IGT on firm ground

The age of austerity?

Posted on May 16, 2019 by David McKee

While Station Casinos CEO Frank Fertitta III won’t be mistaken for a pauper anytime soon, he’s the most restrained of Las Vegas‘ top six gaming CEOs when it comes to compensation. On top of his $1 million base salary, his … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on The age of austerity?

Putting problem gaming on notice; Station has a hit

Posted on May 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Whilst the vast majority of our customers enjoy our products responsibly, it is high time that the industry did more to protect its customers from potential harm.” Thus spake GVC CEO Kenny Alexander in a dramatic change of policy. Along … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Kazuo Okada, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Palms, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports, Station Casinos, TV, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off on Putting problem gaming on notice; Station has a hit

Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

WalletHub has been crunching the numbers again and come to the conclusion that Nevada is America‘s most-gaming addicted state. (Utah is the least, while the Silver State is followed by South Dakota, Montana, Mississippi and Oregon.) Casino-rich Florida was an incredibly … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, International, Kansas, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Slot routes, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia | Comments Off on Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 16, 2019 by David McKee

“Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature … Continue reading →

Posted in history, International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Rosenstein rebutted; Kiddie slots in U.K.

Posted on April 15, 2019 by David McKee

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein received a smackdown from a federal court. Judge Paul Barbadoro ruled that not only had Rosenstein failed to convince him that New Hampshire‘s online lottery wasn’t covered under the new interpretation of the Federal Wire … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Dining, e-sports, Georgia, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Problem gambling, Puerto Rico, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Rosenstein rebutted; Kiddie slots in U.K.

Casino expansion in Indiana; Wynn nixes Crown deal

Posted on April 11, 2019 by David McKee

Mike Pence having gone to Washington, D.C., we miss his existential debates over what does and does not represent an “expansion” of gambling in Indiana. Doubtless he would come down on the “does” side of a state House proposal to—rather than move … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Entertainment, Indiana, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Majestic Star, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Casino expansion in Indiana; Wynn nixes Crown deal

Free-market forces in Atlantic City; Wire Act flip-flop

Posted on April 10, 2019 by David McKee

As one might anticipate in a highly competitive free market, the upsized Atlantic City casino industry saw 15% less cash flow last year. This is only to be expected with the addition of Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort. Far … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ocean Resort, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tilman Fertitta, TV | 1 Comment

Gilbert sells to Hard Rock; Masters odds are out

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

Hard Rock International exited the Ohio market by one door, then reentered it by another. The tribal giant bought Dan Gilbert out of Jack Cincinnati and Turfway Park. REIT Vici Propreties will own the real estate of the casino and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Iowa, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Gilbert sells to Hard Rock; Masters odds are out

Puerto Rico grabs sport-betting lifeline; Hotel economy at peak power

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

If you’re Puerto Rico, still—still!—digging out from Hurricane Maria, to expect help from the U.S. government is like waiting for Godot. Except I’ll give odds that Mister Godot shows up first. Making necessity the mother of dire invention, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Economy, Genting, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Singapore, Sports betting, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Puerto Rico grabs sport-betting lifeline; Hotel economy at peak power