Category Archives: Iowa

Park MGM re-closes; Gaming’s 2020 mandate

Posted on November 4, 2020 by David McKee

No, it’s got nothing to do with the smoking ban. Well, maybe. MGM Resorts International, as we mentioned yesterday, has decided it has too much hotel-room inventory going to waste on the Las Vegas Strip. As part of an austerity … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

What ails Illinois?; Trump Plaza comes down

Posted on October 9, 2020 by David McKee

In a month that saw Ohio casino revenues grow 6% and Iowa almost 1% (to $119.5 million), Illinois casinos plummeted 27% to a measly $82 million. Even a sub-50% capacity restriction doesn’t begin to explain away the problem. Predictably, Rivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Twin River | 1 Comment

Barstool buy buoys Penn Nat’l; MGM’s ad blitzkrieg

Posted on September 30, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts upped their near- and long-term cash flow estimates for Penn National Gaming, based on regional trends and sports betting. “While we recognize PENN’s impressive share price outperformance, and many sell-side firms have thrown in the towel with … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The big enchilada

Posted on August 13, 2020 by David McKee

“The Biggest Gaming Opportunity Since Riverboats in the Early ’90s.” That’s how JP Morgan gaming analyst Joseph Greff, a man not given to hype, characterized i-gaming and sports betting today. He described them as “as an emerging and exciting area … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, MTR Gaming, Palms, Penn National, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Silverton, Sports betting, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, William Hill | 2 Comments

It’s Coronavirus’ world, we just live in it

Posted on July 28, 2020 by David McKee

Some days it just doesn’t pay to be Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). He’s lost authority over the eastern half of the Sooner State. How? The U.S. Supreme Court—hardly a hotbed of bleeding-heart liberals—ruled that historical claims by the Muscogee … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Election, Health, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, South Carolina, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Casinos unleash Culinary’s wrath

Posted on July 20, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ casino industry seems to be behaving counterintuitively, reopening casinos and hotels (Vdara is the latest) at a time when visitor demand is softening. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff reports today that, for the July 11-18 period, Clark County … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Health, Hooters, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Paragon Gaming, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Atlantic City gets good news; Stanley Ho canonized

Posted on June 2, 2020 by David McKee

July 4 could spell independence for Atlantic City casinos, judging by recent statements from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D). In a radio interview he said, “It’s probably still too early to give you a very specific answer but there’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Health, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment

“Green shoots” in gaming; Mega-Jottings

Posted on May 18, 2020 by David McKee

According to the American Gaming Association, 82 of 989 casinos in the United States have reopened, many of them in Louisiana starting today. But don’t take our word for it. Use the AGA’s Coronavirus tracker, which keeps you abreast of casino … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Detroit, Dining, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, LVCVA, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Resort fees, Singapore, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 2, 2020 by David McKee

“And above all else, this whole scheme is designed to screw workers. Screw them. Force them into a no-win situation where they have to literally risk their lives and the lives of others, or walk away without a dime of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Iowa | 4 Comments

Midwest: Casinos, interrupted

Posted on April 14, 2020 by David McKee

For some arcane reason, Illinois has not reported casino revenue for March. But we have a couple of neighboring states’ data and can conclude with reasonable certainty that it tracks with the Land of Lincoln. After a March 17 closure … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Missouri, Movies, Oregon, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology | 1 Comment

MGM: The Lion purrs; Tilman in trouble

Posted on April 8, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts parlayed with MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle and CFO Corey Sanders yesterday. Reports Joseph Greff, “We come away with a favorable view and a strong appreciation for Mr. Hornbuckle’s background in casino operations (former MGM COO … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Economy, Foxwoods, Hooters, International, Iowa, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Where do we go from here?

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David McKee

In the process of canceling its 2020 earnings guidance, Marriott International gave some oblique insight into how the casino industry is likely to cope with the Coronavirus quarantine. Occupancy, it said, had fallen to 25%, compared to 70% last year. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Charity, Economy, Health, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Oregon, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Politicians play casino games

Posted on February 13, 2020 by David McKee

Crusty Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) eked out a victory on sports betting when a veto-override vote in the Maine House of Representatives fell short of a two-thirds majority. The prudish Mills changed her message from an anti-gambling one to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, International, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Singapore, Sports betting | Comments Off

Tramway to Encore; Pennsylvania pony pennies pinched

Posted on February 7, 2020 by David McKee

A gondola ride from Everett City Hall to Encore Boston Harbor? It could happen. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria has applied for a $200,000 study grant so that the city can look into the feasibility. He’s picking up the ball from Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Movies, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Transportation, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Penn looking good; From the police blotter

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming reported 4Q19 revenues that aligned with Wall Street projections, with cash flow modestly higher than expected “on a combination of better operations and lower than forecast corporate expenses.” JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff said that Penn was … Continue reading →

Posted in Century Casinos, Colorado, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Florida, Horseracing, Iowa, Law enforcement, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

According to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, Chinese New Year visitation to Macao is now down 69%, with Day 4 bringing an 84% plunge. Santarelli’s opposite number at JP Morgan, analyst Joseph Greff countered that “There’s value for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Colorado, DraftKings, Health, Horseracing, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Mohegan Sun in, Hard Rock out; Hoosiers crave sports betting

Posted on January 16, 2020 by David McKee

In a shocking upset, “a source close to the matter” reports that Hard Rock International has been turned down for the Hellenikon megaresort development in Greece. That means the winning bidder is Mohegan Sun. Hard Rock was apparently faulted both … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Georgia solons mull gambling; DraftKings’ big deal

Posted on December 26, 2019 by David McKee

“I do think there’s momentum for something to happen this session,” state Sen. Brandon Beach (R, below) said of legalizing gambling in Georgia, although solons remain undecided on whether to add sports betting to the package they’ll be proposing. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, Georgia, Horseracing, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

DeSalvio dispatched to Catskills; Stevens thinks big

Posted on December 16, 2019 by David McKee

Former Encore Boston Harbor prexy Robert DeSalvio didn’t have to cool his heels for long. He’s just (the news broke two hours ago) been named president of Genting New York, ousting Ryan Eller. As his title implies, DeSalvio will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Movies, New York, Palms, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Slow News Day, The Sequel

Posted on September 18, 2019 by David McKee

Both Kevin Hart and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are being sued over a sex tape of Hart doing the nasty with actress Monita Sabbag was uploaded onto the Internet. (When in doubt about making a sex tape, don’t.) Hart … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Genting, Iowa, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off