Category Archives: Iowa

Realism in Iowa, depression in Illinois, paradox in Ohio

Posted on March 7, 2014 by David McKee

“The problem is Iowa is not a free-market system It’s set up to encourage big-dollar investments, so the cannibalization issue is one we have to take into consideration.” — Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission Chairman Jeff Lamberti There you have … Continue reading →

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

Boyd: Japan or bust

Posted on March 6, 2014 by David McKee

Well, they weren’t that dramatic about it. But Boyd Gaming executives surprised Wall Street analysts by announcing their interest in having a Japanese casino. For all the ongoing success of Borgata, we still think of Boyd as a small-casino company, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Sands, Galaxy Gaming, Penn and Churchill Downs

Posted on March 3, 2014 by David McKee

Every time Las Vegas Sands releases more information about the hacking of its Web sites, the news just gets worse. Now it turns out that whoever was behind the assault conducted a smash-and-grab raid of personal data. The potential for … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Churchill Downs, Iowa, Maine, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 28, 2014 by David McKee

“It’s our opinion that the expansion of regional gaming, whether by commercial or Native American providers, is growing at an increasing and unsustainable pace. We draw a parallel in the growth in regional gaming over the prior five to 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Iowa, Regulation | Comments Off

Macao: Who’s the boss?; Iowa racing, gone to the dogs

Posted on February 20, 2014 by David McKee

Jim Murren, Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson may find themselves held hostage to the temper of Sino-American relationships, if chatter from Chinese sources holds true. It’s being put about that casino concessions could be shortened to five years. Stocks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Hard Rock OK’d; Tribal casinos’ power plays; Caesars’ astute move

Posted on February 17, 2014 by David McKee

Instead of being left to rot, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City will be permitted to resume construction, with a view toward a late-summer opening. That good news was handed down from the Polk County District Court bench. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

The Midwest: First the good news …

Posted on February 10, 2014 by David McKee

Casino revenue in the Buckeye State vaulted 56%, as several new racinos came on line. The not such good news is that Ohio casinos are merrily cannibalizing themselves, down 16% on a year/year basis. Hollywood Columbus, in particular, continues to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Iowa: Gone to the dogs

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

It looks like the handwriting is on the wall for dog racing in Iowa. It’s a deplorable sport that brings in negligible revenue: an ancient curiosity kept alive by casino revenue. Dog tracks can’t even get the support of city … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Politics | Comments Off

Biloxi comes back

Posted on January 13, 2014 by David McKee

Time was when Biloxi was considered one of the three premier casino resorts in America. That, of course, was before Hurricane Katrina literally swept the city’s casino fleet from its moorings. The city has been trying to right the ship … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation | Comments Off

Frigid winter for Midwest casinos

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

Blame it on brutal weather or whatever your like but Midwest casino revenues have been dismal in December and it’s my doleful duty to report them. Missouri dipped 11%. Positive performers, like Pinnacle Entertainment‘s River City (+6%) were few. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Rampart Casino: 15 years already?

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

It’s difficult — and sobering — to realize that it’s been 15 years since Swiss Casinos opened The Resort at Summerlin, a costly fiasco now known as Rampart Casino. Certainly, its hoity-toity original owners would have been dismayed beyond measure … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, G2E, Iowa, Japan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Regulation | Comments Off

Second chances for Caesars, Hard Rock

Posted on January 9, 2014 by David McKee

In a bit of good news for Caesars Entertainment, the government of South Korea is considering a relaxation of its casino-bidding rules. Specifically, the requirement of a BBB bond rating may be knocked down a bit — and bond ratings … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Iowa, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Defining a Vegas recovery; Big push in New Hampshire

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

Which would you rather have: More visitors three years straight or more spending per capita? That’s the choice Las Vegas has to make as it defines its recovery. On the bright side, ADRs are catching up with supply, with which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Charity, Current, Economy, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Penn National, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Sioux City mess

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

Hard Rock International and Sioux City Entertainment find themselves in a pickle not of their own making in Iowa. Due to a rupture between Penn National Gaming and nonprofit Missouri River Historical Development, holder of the casino license, Penn found itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Buyers and potential sellers

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Spend a few minutes this morning with Revel Resort CEO Scott Kreeger, even if some of his answers are exquisitely vague. Having been checkmated by voters in Milford, Massachusetts, is no discouragement to Penn National Gaming parent company Gaming & … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel | Comments Off

Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

We’ve come 180 degrees in the evolution of the casino industry in the U.S. State governments once embraced them as what Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment CEO Denis McGlynn calls a “sin-tax pot of gold.” Now they’re flailing amidst overmuch competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caesars’ big bazaar; Psychic powers in Massachusetts; When is a profit not a profit?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

Linq is shaping up handsomely and its Ferris wheel just had its last gondola added yesterday. So, if we can put Caesars Entertainment‘s debt problems aside for a second, the company is doing very nicely in the capex department, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Breaking Boyd

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming missed Wall Street expectations last quarter, posting negative earnings of eight cents a share, compared to the $0.01/share profit the Street was anticipating. Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli blamed “softer-than-expected net revenues … below the low-end of management’s guidance.” Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Environment, Greenwood Racing, history, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Wall Street | Comments Off

On the lighter side

Posted on September 3, 2013 by David McKee

Add Cedar Rapids to the list of cities offering a “Las Vegas flavor” to their citizens — at least if Cedar Crossing Casino goes through as planned, which will include a management team of Peninsula Gaming execs rendered homeless by … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Coming soon to a Sioux City near you

Posted on August 15, 2013 by David McKee

Don’t scoff: This is serious excitement by Iowa standards, enough to justify relocating the Milwaukee Wiener Shop. Virtually the only unhappy camper is Penn National Gaming, which had its Sioux City license taken away. Contractor Conlon Construction must be no … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Hard Rock International, Iowa, Penn National | 1 Comment