Category Archives: Internet gambling

In defense of Sheldon Adelson

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

A disclaimer: I tend to agree with Jeffrey Compton that Sheldon Adelson‘s “actions seem nothing but ego-driven overkill.” And by getting into bed with Bible Belt religious conservatives — to whom any form of gambling, not just on the Internet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on In defense of Sheldon Adelson

Case Bets

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

In a risky play, the Missouri Senate voted upon and passed to the General Assembly a bill that would boost Show-Me State casinos’ ability to extend credit. Mind you, all the risk is on the casino. It could lend as … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Economy, Genting, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Case Bets

Massachusetts: Hurry up and wait

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

That’s the message from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which has pushed its decision on the Everett and Revere casino proposals into August, to humor Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The MGC will hold a May 1 meeting on Walsh’s attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 1 Comment

Requiem for megaresorts?; Deferred deadline in Massachusetts

Posted on April 3, 2014 by David McKee

Is the megaresort era over? It had a pretty good run, from 1989 until the Great Recession. That’s a solid two decades. There are still one or two megaresort projects still out there, notably Genting Group‘s Resorts World Las Vegas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Genting, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, Regulation | Comments Off on Requiem for megaresorts?; Deferred deadline in Massachusetts

Adelson: Crassness and classiness; Could online poker flop?

Posted on April 3, 2014 by David McKee

Last weekend’s GOP kaffeeklatsch, hosted by Sheldon Adelson, was such a self-abasing lap dance by the celebrity attendees that this Andy Borowitz satire doesn’t feel like much of a stretch. That being said, Adelson is making his presence felt in … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Adelson: Crassness and classiness; Could online poker flop?

Sheldon Adelson, sacred monster; New Jersey ‘Net

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

In case you hadn’t heard, Sheldon Adelson is a pretty rich fella. A run-up in Las Vegas Sands stock over the last two days has put $2.1 billion extra in his pocket. This, inevitably, has sparked further discussion of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sheldon Adelson, sacred monster; New Jersey ‘Net

(Economic) climate change in New Jersey, Nevada and Iowa

Posted on March 31, 2014 by David McKee

Jobs are coming back to Atlantic City … well, at least a trickle. In a month, casino operators will be required to have their Internet-gambling personnel on site in New Jersey. We’re not talking about large numbers of staff — … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Colorado, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri | 1 Comment

Murren on Japan; Blatstein’s big buy

Posted on March 31, 2014 by David McKee

It’s still a long haul until casinos are legalized in Japan, let alone built, but MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren is waxing confident. He notes that Japan’s tourism is expected to grow 100% by 2020 and another 50% by … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, The Mob, Tourism | Comments Off on Murren on Japan; Blatstein’s big buy

Save the whales; Boffo contract in Wisconsin

Posted on March 28, 2014 by David McKee

824 grand. That’s how much online poker revenue Nevada generated in February, the first month in which it has reported such numbers. (Sheldon Adelson‘s fear of Internet poker is like an elephant cowering before a mouse.) Since online play went … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Save the whales; Boffo contract in Wisconsin

Revel limps forward; Sheldon Adelson’s would-be buddies

Posted on March 28, 2014 by David McKee

President Scott Kreeger is insisting all is well at embattled Revel Resort. On one flank he’s got employees on whose behalf Unite-Here has been pressing for union representation. On the other he has the task of trying to make the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, Wall Street | Comments Off on Revel limps forward; Sheldon Adelson’s would-be buddies

The Adelson caucus

Posted on March 27, 2014 by David McKee

Online gambling is officially under attack, with bills having been introduced in both houses of Congress to eradicate the U.S. industry. (This must be one of those occasions when it’s OK to be “anti-business.”) As reported earlier the Senate version … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on The Adelson caucus

Strange Bedfellows Dept.

Posted on March 24, 2014 by David McKee

It’s hard to know what to make of this. The Republican Jewish Coalition is coming to Las Vegas and its headliner is Jeb Bush. Now, if there is anyone more anti-gambling in the GOP than Jeb, you’d be hard-pressed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, Ohio, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Strange Bedfellows Dept.

Jim Murren’s white flag; More slots in New England

Posted on March 21, 2014 by David McKee

In a moment of weakness upon which Sheldon Adelson is certain to pounce, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called for a cease-fire in the intra-industry war over Internet gambling. In addition to his day job, Murren is chairman of … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Sheldon’s boys

Posted on March 20, 2014 by David McKee

At least one Congressman has rallied to Sheldon Adelson‘s banner, in the form of boyish Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT). He’s introducing a bill to reimpose the pre-2011 interpretation of the Wire Act, banning all forms of online gambling. Chaffetz’s spokeswoman … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Sheldon’s boys

Rebottling a genie

Posted on March 19, 2014 by David McKee

One would hate to think how many businesses in Clark County get by on the revenue from slot routes, rather than from their primary purpose. But county commissioners didn’t think to define “incidental” — an understandable oversight — when making … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Horseracing, Indiana, Internet gambling, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Case Bets: ‘Net-bet wrangle; Showdown on Fremont Street; New England update

Posted on March 17, 2014 by David McKee

Get your tickets now for next week’s  iGaming North America 2014 conference, to be held at Planet Hollywood. The thought of a keynote speech by Ultimate Poker‘s Tom Breitling doesn’t get our pulses racing — but one of the marquee events … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Maine, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Transportation | 1 Comment

Nose candy at Mandalay Bay; Remembering Gaughan

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

It’s a measure of how lucrative nightclubs are that casino companies are willing to run the attendant risks. (Put another way, by contrast to nightclubs, casinos look as staid as banks.) Case in point, MGM Resorts International‘s half-million-dollar settlement with … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Nose candy at Mandalay Bay; Remembering Gaughan

Optimism around the industry

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ premier casino companies have been showing their wares at the  J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum. Among the pilgrims was Wynn Resorts CFO Matt Maddox, who reported that Wynncore is increasing revenue per available room … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Optimism around the industry

Adelson: Sore winner; Good news from Atlantic City

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

Macao’s 2013 casino haul of $45 billion seems pretty mind-boggling on its own merits. That number could be $115 billion by 2018. Much of that growth will be driven by post-2015 projects of Melco Crown Entertainment and Galaxy Entertainment Group. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Itchy trigger fingers in Massachusetts; Boyd besieged

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

After moving with extreme deliberation on terrestrial casinos, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission suddenly has a fire under its butt to do something about Internet gambling. “The time is now … We can’t wait any longer, even though we’re still in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Hawaii, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Itchy trigger fingers in Massachusetts; Boyd besieged