Category Archives: International

Macao: Dirty money; What Millennial problem?

Posted on September 21, 2016 by David McKee

Is Macao‘s gaming prosperity built on “often shady links to organised crime and racketeering” through the junket business? The South China Morning Post‘s Niall Fraser contends that it is. As of 2013, $202 billion in ill-gotten-gains were flowing through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Harrah's, history, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Macao: Dirty money; What Millennial problem?

Judge to Caesars: Get naked; Bite the wax tadpole

Posted on September 16, 2016 by David McKee

“These folks are going to have to pony up the paper,” said U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Benjamin Goldgar, stripping the fig leaf from Caesars Entertainment owners Marc Rowan, David Bonderman and others. They’ll have to reveal details of their personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Judge to Caesars: Get naked; Bite the wax tadpole

Parisian debuts, Adelson still thinking big

Posted on September 14, 2016 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson™ has refrained from pre-hyping his Parisian Macao, preferring to let the product speak for itself. It opened last night to the customary fireworks display, as well as a dazzling light show on the megaresort’s half-size Eiffel Tower. Additional … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Parisian debuts, Adelson still thinking big

Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Posted on September 13, 2016 by David McKee

While Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas Review-Journal covered the opening of Wynn Palace from a safe distance, it has sent Richard Velotta to Macao to be on hand for today’s opening of Parisian Macao. What he discovered, among other things, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Shady dealing in Massachusetts; Caesars mediation breaks down

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Shadowy casino speculator Eugene McCain is trying to make his coveted Revere slot a fait accompli by having a special election held prior to November in which local voters would express their ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ before statewide voters weigh in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Philippines, Regulation, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Win for Wynn; Russia’s Donald Trump

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

So maybe Wynn Palace made a difference, after all. Macao gambling revenue, which analysts expected to be anywhere from 1% up to 3% down last month, actually grew 1%. (Kudos to those analysts who bet the house would win.) With Sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Donald Trump, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Win for Wynn; Russia’s Donald Trump

Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Posted on August 31, 2016 by David McKee

Whales returned to the Strip with a vengeance in July, with baccarat play spurring a 17% revenue increase. The month was probably even bigger but, due to a peculiarity of Nevada casino accounting, slot revenues from the last weekend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Scientific Games, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

We haven’t been able to confirm for certain whether or not James Packer‘s latest attempt to conquer Las Vegas, the casino-resort Alon, is definitely kaput. It definitely hasn’t evolved beyond some exquisitely vague, bare-bones documents filed with Clark County. However, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Loveman’s chickens come home to roost; Are casinos blowing off a $12 trillion demographic?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

As cheap as it’s been lately, we hope you haven’t bought any Caesars Entertainment stock. Shares dropped 12% and kept falling right after Judge Benjamin Goldgar declined to extend protection of Caesars from creditor litigation any longer, which means that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Genting, Harrah's, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman’s chickens come home to roost; Are casinos blowing off a $12 trillion demographic?

Lucky Dragon gets another step ahead; ETGs a hit at Sands Bethlehem

Posted on August 25, 2016 by David McKee

Lucky Dragon Casino is speeding to completion while Resorts Las Vegas and Alon can’t get out of the starting blocks. (Resorts World did Tweet that it had finished paving its parking garage, making it Las Vegas‘ most high-budgeted place to put … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Dining, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Tax fight in Pennsylvania; Adelson donation goes awry

Posted on August 23, 2016 by David McKee

Sands Bethlehem could soon pocket another $10 million a year but it’s letting Mount Airy Casino do the heavy lifting. The latter is arguing to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that the flat, yearly fee falls disproportionately on small casinos, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Tax fight in Pennsylvania; Adelson donation goes awry

Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by David McKee

Daiwa Securities Group put “sell” ratings on Wynn Macau Ltd. and Sands China, arguing that projections that the Wynn Palace and Parisian megaresorts would reverse declines in Macao gambling “remain overly optimistic.” Analysts Adrian Chan and Jamie Soo wrote that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

Murren minces few words; Wynn Boston Harbor sets opening date

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David McKee

Commiting truth isn’t as rare in the casino business as in politics but MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren was startlingly candid in yesterday’s earnings call, crediting a surge in Las Vegas summer business to a Zika virus outbreak in Florida, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, International, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Riviera, Singapore, South Korea, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Wall Street | Comments Off on Murren minces few words; Wynn Boston Harbor sets opening date

Nevada’s oldest casino turns 85; Flynt doubles down on Lucky Lady

Posted on August 2, 2016 by David McKee

Contrary to the impression of many, yours truly included, the oldest operating casino in Nevada isn’t the Golden Gate but the 85-year-old Railroad Pass, just outside of Boulder City. It even still has its original vault. New owner Joe DeSimone … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, California, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, history, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Nevada’s oldest casino turns 85; Flynt doubles down on Lucky Lady

Mashpee casino blocked; Wynn: Doing more with less

Posted on August 1, 2016 by David McKee

Carcieri v. Salazar and the Indian Reorganization Act have come back to bite the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe in the hindquarters. U.S. District Judge William G. Young has ruled against a Taunton casino project, siding with the contention of a group … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, history, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Mashpee casino blocked; Wynn: Doing more with less

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 1, 2016 by David McKee

“The chief minister should go to Las Vegas and Macao. Macao also has large casinos and is dominated by the casino lobby. The identity of Macao is finished. It is ruled by the casino mafia.Tomorrow they will take over Goa. … Continue reading →

Posted in International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn Boston Harbor a ‘go’; Caesars’ big score

Posted on July 25, 2016 by David McKee

Depending on how peevish Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone is feeling, groundbreaking on Wynn Boston Harbor could be a week away. Wynn Resorts‘ acknowledgement of its latest victory contained just a hint of battle fatigue, saying the rejection of Curtatone’s arguments “hopefully … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, Environment, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on Wynn Boston Harbor a ‘go’; Caesars’ big score

Lean June in Atlantic City; Respect for the riff raff

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

Just when it should have been booming with the summer season, Atlantic City casino revenue fell 4% — $197.5 million — although online casino revenues rose 41% (to $16 million). Resorts Digital — aka PokerStars — is still bringing up the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Lean June in Atlantic City; Respect for the riff raff

Israel moves toward casinos; West Virginia mulls ‘Net betting

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

We’ve been surprised that Sheldon Adelson isn’t overtly pushing for casinos in Israel, especially upon reading that the city of Eilat “smells and feels a little bit like a very small version of Vegas.” It’s well away from the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Israel moves toward casinos; West Virginia mulls ‘Net betting

Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

Spurning Nevada and Delaware, the state of New Jersey is exploring an online-poker compact with the United Kingdom. The deal, if consummated, would allow the two entities to share players and liquidity. “Even when you discount children and non-gamblers, it gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Revel, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy