Category Archives: Iowa

Massachusetts: Now this is interesting; Bluhm’s shameless hypocrisy; Casino John

Posted on May 9, 2012 by David McKee

In an attempt to shave a few months off their casino-approval timeline, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is going to put the horse before the cart. (I guess you’d call it a “Massachusetts Miracle.”) Potential operators’ fiscal and ethical probity will … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Iowa, Kansas, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

St. Louis: Penn in, Harrah’s out

Posted on May 8, 2012 by David McKee

A ways back, the news broke that Caesars Entertainment — being well and truly on its uppers — was trying to shop as many as 10 Southern and Midwest casinos. The goal was to raise at least $500 million to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Lies, damned lies and Illinois statistics; SJM: Still hanging in there

Posted on May 7, 2012 by David McKee

If state Rep. Lou Lang (D), the economic Rasputin of the upper Midwest, and his allies in the horsey set were actually conspiring to topple Illinois‘ casino industry in favor of quick-and-dirty racinos, they’ve done it cunningly. Frontal attacks on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes, Stanley Ho, Wall Street | Comments Off

Gilbert, Caesars hit Ohio speed bump; Maple Leaf misadventure; Rearranging deck chairs on the WesCas

Posted on April 20, 2012 by David McKee

Rub a dub-dub, three companies in a tub called Rock Ohio Caesars. In emulation of Nevada‘s built-first-license-later system, the Ohio Casino Control Commission is just getting around to mulling the bonafides of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland‘s shareholders. Little-publicized minority partner Lyle … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, Detroit, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Iowa, Kansas, Lyle Berman, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Illinois: Visit more, spend less; Harrah’s breaks losing streak

Posted on April 9, 2012 by David McKee

Although recent investor presentations by the major casino and game-making companies would leave one feeling pretty sanguine about the economy, “pallid” is the word for the industry’s performance in Illinois last month. Attendance at casinos rose 21% but spending was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Dan Lee calls it quits; Who let Big Dawg’s out?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by David McKee

Having seen the handwriting on the wall, Dan Lee has sold his Creative Casinos of Louisiana to regional rival Ameristar Casinos for a measly $32.5 million. Bankers were having difficulty computing Lee + Lake Charles = Mojito Pointe. Financing prospects … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Dan Lee, Economy, Georgia, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Cosmo woe; MGM lurves Ameristar

Posted on February 15, 2012 by David McKee

As new casino boss Thomas McCartney tries to stabilize the sinking ship that is The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, he’s tossed overboard some human ballast in the form of casino employees. (Thirty full-time dealers are alleged to have been pink-slipped.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Dan Lee, Dining, Election, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Movies, Ohio, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Fire sale at Caesars; Harvey vs. The Mob

Posted on February 10, 2012 by David McKee

Money problems at Caesars Entertainment are worse than we thought. According to the New York Post, the company is trying to shop as many as 10 Midwestern casinos in order to raise $500 million in development capital. The money would … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Harry Reid, Illinois, Indiana, International, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, The Mob, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Meet Virginia McDowell, Part II: Tales of Trump

Posted on January 18, 2012 by David McKee

In terms of turning around Isle’s financial performance, do you feel the full 180 degrees have been achieved yet? We’ve had a couple off different priorities over the last few years, as far as our strategic initiatives. One was to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Harrah's, history, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Marketing, Missouri, Tourism, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Another domino wobbles; Western, R.I.P.; Fighting over pocket change?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by David McKee

Add South Carolina to the list of states that could be suddenly taking a more favorable view of casino gambling. What the United Keetowa Band of Cherokee Indians is pitching have to be compacted with Gov. Nikki Haley (R, right). … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Downtown, history, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, South Carolina, Tamares Group, Tribal | 2 Comments

Meet Virginia McDowell, Part I

Posted on January 13, 2012 by David McKee

What are your plans for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, in Pennsylvania? We’re still waiting for the appeal process to wind its way through the courts. The original plan called for to build on an existing facility on the Nemacolin property, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, G2E, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 3 Comments

Sheldon Adelson, wuss; MGM pounces; Slipper-y logic; Enter whining

Posted on January 12, 2012 by David McKee

What manner of fool spends $5 million to disseminate a film that he’s never seen and whose content he claims not to endorse? Sheldon Adelson, that’s who. After his latest political favorite got clobbered in the New Hampshire primary, Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Ameristar, Cordish Co., Dan Lee, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Jack Binion, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Belated Christmas presents, Midwest edition

Posted on January 11, 2012 by David McKee

To quote Stephen Sondheim, everything’s coming up roses … or close enough, anyway. Last Friday, strong numbers out of Iowa — of a non-caucus ilk — showed the state’s casinos rebounding to the tune of 16% (on a $121 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Lee, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Adelson vacillates; Macao triumphs; Name of infamy

Posted on January 4, 2012 by David McKee

Showing something less than his usual decisiveness, Sheldon Adelson continues to send mixed signals with regard to his intentions in his native Massachusetts. He’s re-upped with Boston-based lobbyist firm Donoghue Barrett & Singal. However, despite years of scouting the market, … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Rule or ruin in Illinois; A new deal in Detroit

Posted on November 8, 2011 by David McKee

State Rep. Lou “Death Wish” Lang (D, right) continues to dare, then double-dare Gov. Pat Quinn (D) to veto what’s now a 2.6X expansion of the number of gambling positions in the state of Illinois. Lang has offered a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Dan Lee, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Indiana, International, Iowa, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Reno, Slot routes, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Lies, damned lies & Illinois; Casino overboard!

Posted on October 25, 2011 by David McKee

Way to go, Joe Canfora! The Merit Casino CEO shows how impressive a statistic can sound when taken out of context. By stating “there are more slot machines per 100,000 people in Iowa than there are in Illinois,” Canfora craftily … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Regulation | 1 Comment

The trailer was great but the movie tanked

Posted on August 14, 2011 by David McKee

All that’s missing is Megan Fox in a tank top. “OK, politics isn’t being devised for our entertainment — although given the dismal situation, finding the humor often seems the only way to get through the week.” — Paul Krugman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Iowa, Marketing | 1 Comment

Lies, damned lies and smoking

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

Although Illinois‘ casino industry has fallen and can’t get up, the state’s smoking ban has nothing to do with it. Nada! That’s the contention of a study out of Washington University (my brother’s alma mater), which says that players “never … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | 3 Comments

Megaresort opening, Deadwood-style

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

I’m afraid to ask what a “slime plant” does … but Deadwood Mountain Grand‘s repurposing of one into an event center suggests an intriguing new future for America’s relics from its industrial age. Meanwhile, just over the border in Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Iowa, TV | Comments Off

Kasich wins, Caesars caves

Posted on June 13, 2011 by David McKee

Why is this man smiling? Because Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and partner Caesars Entertainment just displayed all the backbone of a wet noodle, conceding to unspecified annual fee payments, so that they can get on with their Cleveland and … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments