Category Archives: James Packer

Cosmo: Now comes the hard part

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO John Unwin is crowing in triumph over Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII‘s staggeringly lavish purchase of the megaresort over which he presides. “This marks the beginning of the next chapter for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Harrah's, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Boston gets bounced; Packer K.O.’s Sri Lanka; Cohen’s good deed

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

It could all wind up in court, further prolonging Wynn Resorts‘ and Mohegan Sun‘s agony, but for now Boston is a surrounding community. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission unanimously struck down Mayor Martin J. Walsh‘s demand for host-community status. Wynn was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off

Genting OK’d for Vegas; James Packer packs a punch

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

So thirsty is the State of Nevada for new casino investment that it may feel pressure not to look too closely at Genting Berhad, as its license application goes before the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Not that we’ve ever heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, New York, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | Comments Off

Well, that’s the end of that; A win for Wynn

Posted on April 28, 2014 by David McKee

Caving to opposition forces, the government of Sri Lanka has reversed course and nixed casinos from three planned resorts. The most prominent was a $550 million Crown Resorts project. Now James Packer has to decide whether it’s worth the investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Dennis Gomes, Entertainment, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Packer sparks protests; Heads roll at Zynga

Posted on April 24, 2014 by David McKee

Just the prospect of a James Packer-owned casino was enough to spur a Buddhist-driven protest march in Sri Lanka. Packer’s Crown Resorts has concessions to develop three resort properties and the Sri Lanka government has been talking out of both … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Kentucky, Lawrence Ho, Maine, New York, Ohio, Politics | Comments Off

The right amount of wrong ideas

Posted on April 22, 2014 by David McKee

When it comes to the U.S. gaming market, there’s nothing that can stand between James Packer and a bad investment, it seems, common sense least of all. According to Australian media reports, Deutsche Bank wants $1.5 billion-$2 billion for The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Dining, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, IGT, International, James Packer, Japan, Macau, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The son also rises; Tight squeeze in Macao

Posted on April 7, 2014 by David McKee

Add James Packer to the list of casino moguls with their eyes on Japan. He’s prepared to commit $5 billion to a resort project in the Land of the Rising Sun. Officials in South Korea, unlike their Japanese brethren, aren’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, James Packer, Japan, Macau, Pennsylvania | Comments Off

Vive la difference; Early ‘Net bets from Jersey; 99 years or bust

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Since before its opening, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has marketed itself to “the curious class,” and you’ll certainly be intrigued — and perhaps a bit befuddled — by its newest ad, which seems to be promoting a new brand … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Internet gambling, James Packer, Marketing, The Strip | 1 Comment

A good week for Packer, Wynn and Caesars

Posted on December 18, 2013 by David McKee

James Packer didn’t get permission to open a casino at his planned, $400 million resort in Sri Lanka (though he may have gotten something better) — but he wasn’t forbidden, either. The Sri Lankan government is keeping its options open even … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Regulation | Comments Off

Most happy fella; Whither the Western?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

If you added Melco Crown Entertainment to your portfolio of stocks, you’ve got a right to be feeling smart right about now. U.S.-traded shares of the stock are up 111% over the course of 2013. Weaker-than-expected high roller play has … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, Tourism | 1 Comment

Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

I never would have believed it after a recent change of CEOs and a major redirection of Revel Resort‘s marketing efforts, but the casino could be put up for sale. The bottom having fallen out of the resale market for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, International, James Packer, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Case Bets: New York, Wynn, Packer, Atlantic City & Reno

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

In a positive omen for Tuesday’s casino vote in New York, shares of Castkills-based Empire Resorts (NYNY) leapt 29%, closing at $5.30/share. The company hopes to bring casino gambling to the Concord Hotel, although jostling for the probable two Catskills … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, International, James Packer, Melco Crown Entertainment, New York, Reno, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 4 Comments

Case Bets: Caesars, Ceylon, Cosmo and clubbing

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

It’s G-Day plus four and questions continue to mount about Caesars Entertainment‘s partnership with the Gansevoort hotel chain. In particular, what didn’t the company’s compliance not know about Arik Kislin and when did they not know it? Suffolk Downs might … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off

Newton’s ship sinks; A land (of plenty) Down Under

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

Bad things have a way of happening to Wayne Newton‘s property. Most recently, his yacht sank at its Lake Mead berth. This inspired the Las Vegas Review-Journal to lead its story with, “Mr. Las Vegas’ yacht sleeps with the fishes.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, James Packer, Tourism, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off

Casino explosion in the Far East

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Now that they’ve seen what Macao and Singapore can do with casino resorts, practically everyone else in the Pacific Rim wants in. Gaming is already big business in the Philippines, but Lawrence Ho and others like him are convinced they … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | Comments Off

Next Stop: Sri Lanka; Terra incognita

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

Launching a pre-emptive strike on the Indian subcontinent, the government of Sri Lanka has gone into casino gambling in a big way. It’s approved a $350 million “mixed development” (that’s what casino-hotels are called over there) by James Packer‘s Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, IGT, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Scientific Games, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 6, 2013 by David McKee

“We remain deeply close friends and incredibly proud parents and our children are our priority going forward” — James Packer, managing to make the announcement of his second divorce sound like an earnings call.

Posted in Current, James Packer | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Half-full or half-empty?; Crosby tips his hand

Posted on August 23, 2013 by David McKee

It depends on which newspaper you read. The Press of Atlantic City took the half-full route, focusing on the profits made by eight of the city’s dozen casinos. The Associated Press pointed to the narrowing margin of aforesaid gross-operating profitability. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Rising son goes to Land of Rising Sun; The man who would be emperor

Posted on August 16, 2013 by David McKee

After a calamitous and incoherent venture into the U.S. gaming industry, James Packer has stuck pretty close to the markets he knows best: Australia and Macao. But he’s feeling his oats again, looking toward Manila, Sri Lanka (which I still … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Regulation, Stanley Ho | Comments Off

Murren disses Adelson; Caesars bows out of Macao; Clerical choler

Posted on August 12, 2013 by David McKee

“Maybe because he’s rich he thinks people care about what he has to say. It’s obvious we know Las Vegas better than he does.” With those wordsMGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren laid a surprisingly blunt smackdown on Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Florida, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments