Category Archives: Iowa

Saving Atlantic City; Smokeless in Iowa

Posted on December 4, 2014 by David McKee

In an effort to solve the problem otherwise known as Atlantic City, policymakers are floating a variety of remedies. One would see the city’s casinos make a lump sum payment of $150 million for two years, in lieu of property … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Environment, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes | 1 Comment

Are the feds scrutinizing Wynn … and why?

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Uncle Sam appears to be making a systematic sweep of the Strip, probing all the major players. The latest target, according to the Wall Street Journal, is Wynn Resorts, which denies knowledge of any federal probe. However, according to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International have gone to bed with bwin.party but may wake up with Anaya Gaming Group. That’s one possible outcome of “preliminary discussions with a number of interested parties” and bwin. “Such discussions may or may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sports, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Pacific overtures

Posted on September 25, 2014 by David McKee

Lord knows where they keep coming up with the money for these things, especially with a prepacked bankruptcy being bruited about, but Caesars Entertainment and partner Lippo (a Chinese firm) are beavering away on a South Korea casino complex near … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Colorado, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Singapore, South Korea, Taxes | Comments Off

As Iowa goes, so goes America

Posted on September 17, 2014 by David McKee

If you need any evidence of the increasing American acceptance of casino gambling as an everyday activity, just look to Iowa. Two years ago, 69% of Iowans had gambled in the previous year. Now it’s up to 78%. Mind you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Herbst Gaming, Iowa, Problem gambling, Regulation, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Dispatches from Iowa and Illinois

Posted on September 8, 2014 by David McKee

August was a good month for Iowa, as casino revenues rose 4%. The big winner was Pinnacle Entertainment‘s Ameristar Council Bluffs, up 7% with a $15 million gross. Caesars Entertainment had mixed results, with Horseshoe Casino ($16 million) down 3% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Sold down the river; Wynn makes critical offer

Posted on September 5, 2014 by David McKee

For sale: One casino riverboat, heavily used. Penn National Gaming asked for — and received — dismissal of a bankruptcy petition, opting to sell the Belle of Sioux City on the open market. You might think it would be difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Iowa, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Caesars’ unmagical empire

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment ” hasn’t posted a profit since late 2009″ and it kept that perfect streak alive today, more than doubling its 2Q13 loss of $212 million. The company lost $466 million — and I don’t think we can blame it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Revel, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Hard Rock rocks Sioux City; Chris Christie’s mighty pen

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

Lost in the loud death rattle of Argosy Belle Sioux City was the opening of its successor — some would say usurper — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. And, contrary to what naysayers would have you believe, it’s bringing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, history, Iowa, Oscar Goodman, Penn National, Politics, Sports, The Mob, Tourism, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Argosy Sioux City: 2003-2014

Posted on July 30, 2014 by David McKee

Better get to Argosy Sioux City by 4:59 p.m. if you want to lay down one final bet. The casino will be closing permanently at 5 p.m., in compliance with an Iowa Supreme Court order. The Supremes declined to hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Horseracing, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Texas, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Hawkeye State showdown

Posted on July 28, 2014 by David McKee

That Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission keeps going from the frying pan to the fire. Former Linn County attorney Gene Kopecky is suing the regulatory body for an unfair restraint of trade. His action is prompted by the denial of … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Penn National, Regulation, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Argosy saved … for now

Posted on July 21, 2014 by David McKee

Not only has the Iowa Supreme Court not ruled on Judge Elizabeth Ovrom‘s ruling to close Argosy Sioux City, it hasn’t decided whether or not to hear the case. However, it still has kept the Penn National Gaming riverboat on life … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Iowa, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Take my casino, please; Nail-biter in Iowa

Posted on July 17, 2014 by David McKee

Rather than accept three potential casino closings as a fait accompli, Unite-Here is out beating the bushes for potential buyers. Given, the casinos aren’t Unite-Here’s to sell but there’s no law that says the union can’t play matchmaker. “We want the world … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, GTECH, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Iowa, Penn National, Regulation, Revel, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

The perils of Penn

Posted on July 15, 2014 by David McKee

Argosy Sioux City continues to lurch from crisis to crisis. In the latest twist, Judge Elizabeth Ovrom gave with one hand but took away with the other. In order that the casino can appeal its closure order from the Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Argosy’s charmed life; Paging “Jersey Shore”; Boyd’s (alleged) botch

Posted on June 27, 2014 by David McKee

It’s The Perils of Pauline over at Penn National Gaming‘s Argosy Sioux City. A July 1 closure has been stayed until July 10 while Judge Eliza Ovrom ponders the merits of the case. She’s scheduled final arguments for the 10th, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Cretins, Iowa, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off

The ultimate irony; No luck for Argosy; Borgata lawsuit tossed

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

States have, one after another, approved casino gambling to help prop up their own finances. Now, with crushing irony, Delaware is going from being subsidized by racinos to subsidizing them. Gov. Jack Markell (D) still can’t drum up the support … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Delaware, Harrah's, Iowa, Maryland, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes | 2 Comments

Et tu, Thrillist?; Bed-hopping in N.Y.

Posted on June 23, 2014 by David McKee

Poor Sam Nazarian. He’s still two months away from opening SLS Las Vegas and Thrillist has gone and jumped the gun. It’s crowned The Cromwell “already Vegas coolest hotel.” Not even an unfinished parking garage could dampen their enthusiasm, motivated … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

New York, worker’s paradise; Tough call in Iowa

Posted on June 23, 2014 by David McKee

Casino workers in New York really can be assured of good-paying jobs. According figures released by the New York Hotel & Trades Council, a starting salary of $40,000 is quite plausible. Resorts World New York employees landed a contract last … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Iowa, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

“It amazes me that they keep pushing, but you’re always going to have investors that want more casinos and the government people will say hurray, hurray more tax money. They’re going to drain the local economy.” — UNLV professor of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Iowa, Regulation | Comments Off

Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

Democratic Party lawmaker Yosuke Kondo has casino-legalization in Japan legislation wrapped around his pinkie like a piece of string. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may favor enabling legislation but right now Kondo holds the trump card. The bill is in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Iowa, Japan, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off