Category Archives: Iowa

Flip-floppery in Iowa; Affleck banned again?

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

Barring an emergency injunction, Belle of Sioux City is doomed to shut down on July 1, a federal bankruptcy judge having been deaf to Penn National Gaming‘s pleas. Penn is arguing that the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission overstepped its authority … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

May challenging for Iowa, disastrous for Illinois

Posted on June 6, 2014 by David McKee

At present, the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission is mulling whether to put a casino in relatively isolated (see video) Jefferson. While they’re weighing that Wild Rose Entertainment project, here’s something else to ponder: The latest set of revenue numbers … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Slot routes | Comments Off

Hot air in Iowa, strong talk in Singapore

Posted on June 2, 2014 by David McKee

Despite the decisive, if not vehement rejection of his casino bid, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett wants another bite of the apple. Why? Because it would a smoke-free casino, which Gov. Terry Branstad (R) supports. It’s Corbett who’s blowing smoke … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Genting, Iowa, Japan, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

Cuomo’s gamble and other Case Bets

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D, right) promised constituents that casino gambling would “fundamentally change the trajectory of the Catskills.” But will it? Or will his administration cut the promised economic recovery off at the knees by favoring one of five … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania | Comments Off

Happy anniversary for Adelson; Penn’s legal woes

Posted on May 13, 2014 by David McKee

Smashed entrance doors, overburdened and broken escalators, and 40,000 customers … it was all in a day’s work when Sands Macao opened — can it really be 10 years ago next week? Time flies when you’re Sheldon Adelson. Although Stanley … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes | Comments Off

MGM blows away Wall Street expectations

Posted on April 29, 2014 by David McKee

Posting more than double Wall Street‘s consensus of earnings per share ($0.21 rather than $0.09), MGM Resorts International had a good quarter, to say the least. Even CityCenter exceeded expectations by 11%. J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff took it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Colorado, Detroit, Downtown, Entertainment, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM’s inspiring, new vision

Posted on April 28, 2014 by David McKee

I’m digging the architecture but what’s with the softcore-porn music? MGM Resorts International has released a new tranche of details on The Park, its mega-project (and substitute for extending CityCenter) that seems to progress in almost imperceptible steps. While CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Racinos, The Strip | 2 Comments

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson

Posted on April 25, 2014 by David McKee

Posting a 21% increase in revenue, Las Vegas Sands reported 97 cents/share in earnings (Wall Street had expected $0.94). No surprise, Macao was the primary driver. Analysts were also pleased by a $810 million buyback of Sands shares, bolstering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Penn manages expectations

Posted on April 24, 2014 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming lowered estimates for cash flow and other metrics today, as well as releasing 1Q14 results that J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote were “generally in line with our … estimates.” According to Penn, player spending has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Penn National, Slot routes, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on April 23, 2014 by David McKee

Former Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll‘s troubles with the law haven’t ended with her resignation from public office. Tens of thousands of dollars of unreported income from Internet-cafe casino operators went unreported and now Carroll has some explaining to do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Internet gambling, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rhode Island, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Smurf this!

Posted on April 22, 2014 by David McKee

Casinos in Ohio are already becoming a veritable laundromat of money laundering. The practice, called “smurfing,” calls for one person — or a group of conspirators — to buy casino chips, then redeem them, “washing” their cash by those means. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sports, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 21, 2014 by David McKee

“Iowa and Illinois are two sides of the same coin; both states have had gaming for over 20 years. The casino industry in each is mature and probably saturated; the gaming industry in each state has suffered any time new … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Illinois, Iowa, Regulation | 1 Comment

Jilted in Iowa

Posted on April 18, 2014 by David McKee

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett is feeling like a swain who got stood up by his best girl. After the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission voted 4-1 against Cedar Crossing Casino, Corbett made a speedy exit from the room and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Internet gambling, Iowa, Regulation | Comments Off

Wynn Boston: Solution or overreach?

Posted on April 16, 2014 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s attempts to buy a former Monsanto chemical plant in Everett have been stymied by the antics of the sleazy characters who own the land. First, there was convicted felon Charles Lightbody, whose hidden ownership had to vacated (saving … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Foxwoods, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

NIMBY in Massachusetts; Hard Rock goes local

Posted on April 15, 2014 by David McKee

Anti-gambling forces in Massachusetts gained an ally yesterday when attorney general candidate Maura Healey (D) came out against casinos and for the repeal of their enabling legislation. This puts her at odds with Attorney General Martha Coakley (D), who holds … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel, Iowa, Marketing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Technology, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Kill Phil and other pleasantries

Posted on April 14, 2014 by David McKee

That’s what Borgata would like to do to poker pro Phil Ivey. It is suing him after he cleaned them out of nearly $10 million at the baccarat tables. The suit contends that Ivey and a co-conspirator discovered a flaw … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Progress and caution

Posted on April 11, 2014 by David McKee

International Game Technology made history yesterday when it unrolled its Powerbucks interstate, progressive jackpot. Under this technological umbrella, IGT games at 22 Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas can be connected with those at five casinos in Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, IGT, Iowa, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

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

(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

Incest in Philadelphia and New Jersey

Posted on March 17, 2014 by David McKee

Pennsylvania‘s one-and-one-third rule for casino ownership is playing hob with applications for the state’s final casino license, in Philadelphia. For instance, frontrunner Market 8 would be one-quarter owned by the ubiquitous Ira Lubert, who already owns half of Valley Forge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Don Barden, Greenwood Racing, Iowa, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off