Category Archives: International

Day of the Gun

Posted on November 29, 2017 by David McKee

Bellagio needs to get serious about security. As has happened multiple times in the past, an armed robbery was conducted on the premises, this time at the poker cage, at 3:45 p.m. I wouldn’t say casino security stood idly by but … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, International, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Reno, The Strip | Comments Off on Day of the Gun

Curtains for Trump Plaza; Prez “downright dumb” about tribes

Posted on November 22, 2017 by David McKee

It’s dynamite time for Trump Plaza in Atlantic City — and about time. The pertinent question seems to be how owner Carl Icahn is going to get rid of this eyesore or, more specifically, how he’s going to pay for it. Rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Minnesota, Politics, Sam Nazarian, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 21, 2017 by David McKee

“My vision is of Naga as a dragon. It curves around China … and the north-eastern part of Russia, and the north of Mongolia.” — NagaCorp CEO Chen Lip Keong, whose Cambodian casino company is in talks with the governments of … Continue reading →

Posted in International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Bumpy ride in Missouri; Scott vaporized in Maine

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Missouri casinos dipped 3% last month (4% in the St. Louis area), a figure that seems bigger than the “unfavorable calendar” excuse covers. Pinnacle Entertainment took a 7.5% haircut at River City ($18 million) while its Ameristar St. Charles was off … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Maine, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Vietnam | Comments Off on Bumpy ride in Missouri; Scott vaporized in Maine

Reno’s bright future; All-time high for Vegas sports books

Posted on November 3, 2017 by David McKee

We love Reno. It has a river in the middle of downtown, nearby mountains and all the charm that Las Vegas so desperately lacks. It also had a gambling market that was written off for dead 15 years ago. Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, International, Nevada, Oklahoma, Paragon Gaming, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Strip waxes, LV locals wane; Caesars sticks it to you

Posted on October 31, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming revenues inched up 3% in Nevada last August, while the Las Vegas Strip was up 5%, to $568 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote that the latter implied “strong 3Q for MGM table games given WYNN and LVS’ combined 3Q … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Strip waxes, LV locals wane; Caesars sticks it to you

Tally-ho, friends!; NY State casinos cry uncle

Posted on October 30, 2017 by David McKee

As Sigma Derby games at MGM Grand and The D continue to eke out a perilous existence, getting by on spare parts cannibalized from other machines, they have a new rival. Konami Gaming has taken note of the enduring popularity … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Derek Stevens, Dining, Economy, Genting, IGT, International, Jeff Guard, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 27, 2017 by David McKee

“I don’t want to say that I know exactly what Asians think is a period of mourning that’s appropriate, but I’ve heard that it’s sometimes a period of three months, four months, in that range.” — Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Tourism | 1 Comment

Penn shows Trop little love; Big plans at Caesars

Posted on October 26, 2017 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming‘s quarterly report was about what you’d expect: strength in Ohio, weakness in West Virginia, and negative impacts from Hurricane Nate and the Mandalay Bay massacre. Also, Penn is looking toward the Canada market for expansion. As Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, South Korea, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Penn shows Trop little love; Big plans at Caesars

Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Posted on October 23, 2017 by David McKee

Researchers at the University of Waterloo‘s Gambling Research Lab are trying to wean gamblers off slot machines, or at least create a more-educated player. They’re focusing on “losses disguised as wins” or LDWs. That’s when you wager $2 and “win” $1.50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 17, 2017 by David McKee

“To fear the world we have organized and led for three-quarters of a century, to abandon the ideals we have advanced around the globe, to refuse the obligations of international leadership and our duty to remain ‘the last best hope … Continue reading →

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

Ex-cons working casino floors?; Kansas casinos set record

Posted on October 13, 2017 by David McKee

You’d think casinos in Massachusetts, where job applicants far outnumber available positions, could get by without hiring convicted criminals. Think again. A bill before the Lege would open a loophole for people with criminal records to hold down jobs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, G2E, GameCO, Harrah's, IGT, International, Kansas, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Ex-cons working casino floors?; Kansas casinos set record

Atlantic Club sold … again; Jackpot Blitz deemed a winner

Posted on October 12, 2017 by David McKee

Late last month, the porte cochere of the Atlantic Club collapsed. As metaphors for the long-suffering property go, you can’t get much better than that. Despite this recent debacle, owner TPM Properties has actually found a buyer for the bounced-around … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Entertainment, G2E, GameCO, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Paragon Gaming, Technology, The Strip, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Hot numbers in August; MGM Cotai postponed

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

Although visitation to Las Vegas was down 2% in August, room revenues and rates were both up 3% (with a hotel room costing you $125/night on average) and occupancy at 91%. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff credited the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McPherson … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Economy, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno | Comments Off on Hot numbers in August; MGM Cotai postponed

Trump to bigfoot Connecticut controversy?

Posted on September 26, 2017 by David McKee

Could we see heavy-footed federal intervention in the MGM Resorts International vs. Connecticut tribes slugfest? Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim (D) hopes so. A supporter of Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign, he’s hoping the White House will stomp into the Nutmeg State fray, interceding … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Trump to bigfoot Connecticut controversy?

MGM gets potty-mouthed; New York casino flops

Posted on September 22, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s casinos-without-gaming new ad campaign is playing to divided opinions. For instance, the company has 100,000 square feet of gaming at Bellagio but you won’t spot so much as a pair of dice in the ad, yet MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Genting, International, Lawrence Ho, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Philippines, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Hall of Fame game

Posted on September 21, 2017 by David McKee

Inductees to the American Gaming Association‘s Gaming Hall of Fame have sometimes been questionable (mobbed-up Clifford Perlman, for one) but this year’s foursome are unlikely to stir controversy. In a family affair, Paragon Gaming CEO Diana Bennett joins her late father … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, history, Hooters, International, Lake Tahoe, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Paragon Gaming, Riviera, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Hall of Fame game

Blitzkrieg

Posted on September 13, 2017 by David McKee

(This is one in an occasional series of CEO interviews.) One of the products you’ll undoubtedly see at Global Gaming Expo is an 84-inch touchscreen, multi-game product called Jackpot Blitz. It’s an effort to bring fresh and younger players to … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Freeman takes on SCOTUS; Golden Gate expands

Posted on September 6, 2017 by David McKee

No big surprise, the American Gaming Association has submitted an amicus brief in Christie v. NCAA et. al. The brief makes some normative arguments that are unlikely to sway the Supreme Court, which will undoubtedly take a narrow view in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Geoff Freeman, history, International, Louisiana, Movies, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on Freeman takes on SCOTUS; Golden Gate expands

New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump

Posted on September 5, 2017 by David McKee

Even as the number of front-running Japanese cities for casino developers shrinks, Yokohama and Tokyo having evidently opted out, there’s a dark-horse developer entering the sweepstakes. Macao junket operator Suncity is pledging $10 billion against the prospect of a Japanese … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off on New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump