Category Archives: International

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 21, 2018 by David McKee

“Capitulating to a two-year delay is a pathetic move from a fundamentally weak government. Those who praised the government when the announcement was made will feel badly let down.” — Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson on a postponement of … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics, Problem gambling | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

“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

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 17, 2018 by David McKee

“I also keep thinking of Viktor Orban, the far-right nationalist Prime Minister of Hungary, who has declared the era of liberal democracy to be over. Given the multi-pronged attacks on voting rights in the US, including Monday’s appalling 5-4 Supreme … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

“We declare that any form of nativism, mistreatment, or exploitation is inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ.” — the Southern Baptist Convention, decrying Donald Trump‘s immigration policies.

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

New Jersey ready for action; Strip club upstages Hard Rock

Posted on June 13, 2018 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) still plans to place his first sports wager at Monmouth Park tomorrow but Borgata is trying to crash the party. The megaresort issued a statement saying “we are moving ahead with all possible speed … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 13, 2018 by David McKee

“That’s not a statement I would have made. Statements like that — that he’s a very talented leader — I mean, he’s a brutal dictator. Let’s call it what it is.” — Sen. Jeff Flake (R) on Donald Trump‘s effusive … Continue reading →

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

Churchill Downs hearts casinos; Cleveland still not rocking

Posted on June 8, 2018 by David McKee

Churchill Downs is going all-in on sports betting, planning to leverage its (soon-to-be) access to the Pennsylvania and Mississippi markets, plus its relationship with the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. However, the sky-high tax rate (34%) in Pennsylvania may translate … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, International, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Churchill Downs hearts casinos; Cleveland still not rocking

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

Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Some are blaming bad weather for two months of substantially reduced table-games winnings at Sands Bethlehem. But could casinos in the Catskills finally be having an effect? It’s hard to say, although one suspects the answer is “yes.” Sands Bethlehem tumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

Bridgeport lawmakers wasted no time after the adjournment of the Legislature to announce that they’d be back with another bill to open Connecticut to rival casino bids (really a Trojan Horse for MGM Resorts International, not that anyone is fooled). … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

“Ready to roll”

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

That’s what the leading gaming powers in California are now that the Supreme Court has scotched the Bradley Act. If National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens is correct, Internet gaming is so yesterday in the Golden State and sports … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DFS, Election, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on “Ready to roll”

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 9, 2018 by David McKee

“We view our position in Korea as highly advantageous, as when we open we will be the only true integrated entertainment resort in Northern Asia — an enviable position given our proximity to Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo … some … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Mohegan Sun, South Korea | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Outgoing Scientific Games CEO (and Telemundo founder) Kevin Sheehan grew the company beyond recognition, increased revenue, reorganized its internal structure and aggressively paid down debt. So why is he being kicked upstairs to “senior advisor”? Your guess is as good … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Elaine calls the shots; Now it’s Encore Boston Harbor

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts has been ceding to the wishes of Elaine Wynn of late but it got its back up when she demanded the removal of board member John Jay Hagenbuch. Ms. Wynn views him as a crony of her ex-husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Moulin Rouge, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

MGM sets Springfield date; Adelson hits pay dirt

Posted on April 26, 2018 by David McKee

Even as it’s using MGM Springfield as a catspaw to potentially land Wynn Boston Harbor, that didn’t prevent MGM Resorts International from announcing a date certain for the Springfield opening. Mark August 24 on your calendars, for that is the day … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, history, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM sets Springfield date; Adelson hits pay dirt

MGM plays games with tribes, MGM Springfield, as Zinke steps in it

Posted on April 24, 2018 by David McKee

As various non-gaming related scandals gain critical mass around ersatz geologist and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, he’s found himself front and center in a casino mess in Connecticut. Seems that Zinke turned a deaf ear to career Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Caesars branches out; Atlantic City’s apron strings loosened

Posted on April 18, 2018 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora is beginning to put his stamp on the company (unless you count imposing parking fees and that was just copying MGM Resorts International.) Caesars has announced a joint venture with Meras Holding to build and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, California, Dubai, Environment, Harrah's, International, Politics, Tribal | 2 Comments

Icahn out, Eldorado in; Caesars balks at Hoosier fee

Posted on April 16, 2018 by David McKee

Carl Icahn was in a selling mood last weekend, cashing out of Tropicana Entertainment. The buyer was Eldorado Resorts, which paid Icahn $1.85 billion, then flipped nearly all the physical assets to Gaming & Leisure Properties for $1.2 billion. Not content … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Centaur Gaming, Charity, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Steve, Elaine kiss, make up; Sooner State tribes to get tables

Posted on March 19, 2018 by David McKee

So Steve Wynn‘s downfall wasn’t the product of a massive, Elaine Wynn-led, female conspiracy after all? The mogul and his ex-wife have agreed to terms on their Wynn Resorts stock holdings. They have consented not to contest stock sales by … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Steven Witkoff, Tribal, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment