Category Archives: Internet gambling

Plainridge Park hits the one-year mark; Pennsylvania casinos spurn booze tax

Posted on July 27, 2016 by David McKee

Recording its first anniversary with a reported $160 million in revenue, against projections closer to $300 million, is Penn National Gaming‘s Plainridge Park a dud? Not so fast. The casino reports the highest win/slot/day by far of any casino for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Revel, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Plainridge Park hits the one-year mark; Pennsylvania casinos spurn booze tax

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 21, 2016 by David McKee

“It is anything but a victimless crime. Just as we have partnered with law enforcement at every level, including the FBI, state attorneys general, sheriffs and chiefs of police, we look forward to supporting efforts of the Ohio Casino Control Commission … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Ohio, Texas | 1 Comment

The card-room hustle; Sheldon, can you spare $6 million?

Posted on July 15, 2016 by David McKee

“In the 16 years we’ve been down there, I’ve paid the city $80.5 million in tax revenue. We saved the city from bankruptcy. We’ve been paying the city payroll including the Police Department for the last 16 years and I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Internet gambling, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on The card-room hustle; Sheldon, can you spare $6 million?

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

Happy ending for casino site; DFS not out of the woods in New York

Posted on July 11, 2016 by David McKee

There’s a happy ending to the saga of Bavarian Brewery, which had been purchased by Columbia Sussex a decade back in hopes that it would be Kentucky‘s first casino. The building has lain fallow ever since and ColSux has gone … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Sports | Comments Off on Happy ending for casino site; DFS not out of the woods in New York

What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Cleveland Cavaliers playoff games were good for Dan Gilbert‘s casino businesses. His Jack Cleveland casino was up 13%, to $16 million last month. It’s far too soon for a verdict on the “Jack” (as in “up yours, asshole”) brand, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes | Comments Off on What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Trump’s tribal treachery

Posted on July 5, 2016 by David McKee

As the press continues to dig into Donald Trump‘s past, it’s uncovering activity that is vile even by Trump’s debased standards. Such is the case in his race-baiting campaign against the casino application of the St. Regis Mohawks. Not man … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Minnesota, New York, PokerStars, Regulation, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Battling along the Boardwalk; Supreme Court gives tribes the brush-off

Posted on July 5, 2016 by David McKee

While the previous record for an Atlantic City casino strike is 34 days, the showdown at Trump Taj Mahal looks like it will go the distance. Neither Local 54 of Unite-Here nor Carl Icahn shows any signs of backing down … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Strike at the Taj; Macao half-full or half-empty?

Posted on July 1, 2016 by David McKee

While Tropicana Entertainment managed to stave off at the very last minute a strike at its eponymous Atlantic City casino, Trump Taj Mahal was not so fortunate. In a 99% predictable outcome, roughly 1,000 Taj workers walked off their jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Philippines, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Posted on June 30, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend and a tough comparison with last year’s Mayweather-Pacquiao charade translated into a weak May for both the Las Vegas Strip, down 12%, and Nevada casinos in general, 4.5% off the pace. There were some sort of bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

The meddlesome Adelson; Wynn Palace postponed again

Posted on June 27, 2016 by David McKee

“Essentially, Pechanga and its allies see no reason to compromise, even an inch,” wrote California Online Poker‘s Steve Ruddock of the intractable position of the Pechanga and Agua Caliente tribes, and their anti-PokerStars allies (who include Sheldon Adelson, meddling in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, California, Churchill Downs, Election, Foxwoods, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on The meddlesome Adelson; Wynn Palace postponed again

Tipping point in Pennsylvania near; Cirque du NFL

Posted on June 23, 2016 by David McKee

“I think gaming expansion money in one form or another is necessary for this budget process to be complete,” spoke Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R). With Gov. Tom Wolf (D, right) having given way on sales-tax and income-tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Tipping point in Pennsylvania near; Cirque du NFL

Doing it the right way

Posted on June 21, 2016 by David McKee

In keeping with the aphorism that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce, Glenn Straub‘s fire-aim-ready attempt to reopen Revel continues to drag on, providing an object lesson in how not to open a casino. As though to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Internet gambling, Macau, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Revel, Stanley Ho, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Revel … still not open; Cautious hope for Internet gambling in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

  Glenn Straub‘s once-bold gambit to reopen Revel has turned into an embarrassing face-plant. Perhaps rushing to market in hopes of beating Bart Blatstein‘s Showboat to the hotel traffic, Straub announced a hasty revival of Revel as a casino-hotel without … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Environment, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Slot routes, Sports, Technology | 1 Comment

Louisiana gets hammered; Three states legalize DFS

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

As we’ve noted before, May was hard on Midwest casino operators, nowhere more so than in Louisiana, where gambling revenue was down 13%. This marks seven months of same-store decline for the Pelican State, an exceptional slump, with the usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Atlantic City goes to pot; MGM, Boyd, Pinnacle, Red Rock Resorts meet The Street

Posted on June 17, 2016 by David McKee

We’ve come a long way from the days of Reefer Madness. Latest case in point: Atlantic City, where Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D) is pushing recreational “tea” as a cure to the city’s penurious condition. Weed would be legalized on the Boardwalk and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Economy, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Palms, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Reno, Scientific Games, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City goes to pot; MGM, Boyd, Pinnacle, Red Rock Resorts meet The Street

The perils of Packer; Straub misses deadline

Posted on June 15, 2016 by David McKee

There’s been another hiccup in the Alon saga, as billionaire James Packer is restructuring his Crown Resorts portfolio “to shield his Australian assets from a prolonged downturn in the Chinese gambling hub” of Macao, according to Bloomberg. Packer’s share of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Revel | Comments Off on The perils of Packer; Straub misses deadline