Category Archives: Japan

Revel: The great silence; Strangulation in Japan

Posted on July 19, 2017 by David McKee

“Atlantic City casino owner clueless over $220M offer.” So read one of the headlines about the mystery New York City private equity firm that is ostensibly proffering $220 million (up from $200 million) for Revel and owner Glenn Straub‘s professions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, GameCO, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, The Mob, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wynn faces tough path in Japan; Sweetheart deal for Saucier

Posted on July 17, 2017 by David McKee

Things haven’t been going well for Kazuo Okada but he could still play spoiler to Steve Wynn‘s casino aspirations in Japan. Litigation between the two could tarnish Wynn’s image. Already, Wynn is swimming upstream, with MGM Resorts International and Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Florida, Genting, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Cuomo’s missed bet; Next stop, Vietnam

Posted on July 13, 2017 by David McKee

Resorts World Catskills still hasn’t weighed in and yet it’s already looking like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s bet on upstate casinos has crapped out. After an initial flurry of lookie-lous, the first three casinos are struggling to regain their … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Vietnam | Comments Off

Becalmed in Atlantic City; The friends of Sheldon Adelson

Posted on July 13, 2017 by David McKee

Casinos in Atlantic City would have been up 11% last month — were it not for the big, fat zero that is Trump Taj Mahal in same-store revenue comparisons. Instead, they were dead even with June 2016, redeemed only by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

What happens in Vegas goes to France; Big setback for Japan

Posted on July 10, 2017 by David McKee

French President Emmanuel Macron could be collateral damage of a made-in-Vegas scandal involving the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. At the time, Macron was minister of the economy but had the ill judgment to headline a “French Tech Night” that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Wall Street | Comments Off

Best Western Stratosphere?; Atlantic City rescued in nick of time

Posted on July 6, 2017 by David McKee

* Golden Entertainment will be facing a fait accompli when it takes over the Stratosphere and Aquarius Casino Resort from American Casino & Entertainment Properties. Outgoing owner ACEP has inked a pact with Best Western to manage the two flagship … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Economy, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Politics, The Strip | 1 Comment

Okada in the cross-hairs; Oregon poker rooms (sorta) saved

Posted on June 22, 2017 by David McKee

Could it be? Dare we hope? Gamey gaming mogul Kazuo Okada is in danger of losing his Nevada license. (Steve Wynn is quietly celebrating somewhere.) Already he’s been suspended by his own company, Universal Entertainment Corp., and his dreams of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, Westgate LV | Comments Off

Big Brother lives in Japan; Zinke betrays tribes

Posted on June 21, 2017 by David McKee

Imagine that you had to display your Social Security card every time you visited a casino, and have that data recorded and reported. It would kind of put you off gambling, wouldn’t it? Well, it’s an idea being floated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Florida, Japan, Macau, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, South Korea, Tribal | Comments Off

Smoke and mirrors in Maine; Vegas Vickie descends

Posted on June 14, 2017 by David McKee

Surprise, surprise. Shawn Scott is back in the news. The fast-and-loose casino speculator faces queries from the Maine Ethics Commission about where it got its money. Scott’s Capital Seven is pushing a ballot question to put a racino in York … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, history, Japan, Maine, Racinos, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off

Adelson in the catbird seat; Lui has advice for Macao

Posted on June 12, 2017 by David McKee

We’re still a long way from requests for proposals for Japanese megaresorts but one source is already tapping Las Vegas Sands as a finalist. (Hardly a radical prediction, it’s true.) The tip comes from Morningstar Investment Management Asia analyst Chelsey … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Crown Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Oklahoma, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Technology, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Galaxy targets Japan; Tribes expand Connecticut demands

Posted on June 2, 2017 by David McKee

“We believe that Japan has a huge opportunity to create something unique that doesn’t just follow the Vegas model seen in many other markets around the world.” With those words, Galaxy Entertainment President Michael Mecca announced that Galaxy was in … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Taxes | Comments Off

Hard Rock ups Atlantic City commitment; Japan inspires casino designers

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

Compared to Carl Icahn‘s half-a-loaf policies, Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen is Lady Bountiful, at least as concerns [Trump] Taj Mahal. We put The Donald’s name in brackets because it’s one of the first things to go, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Election, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Technology, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Connecticut‘s controversial satellite casino has been voted through the state Senate. This prompted a swift response from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, which promised a lawsuit (probably financed by MGM Resorts International). Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) threw his support behind the satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Caesars pages The Hoff; Riviera sign lives again

Posted on May 22, 2017 by David McKee

Enjoy the fountains and shrubbery in front of Caesars Palace while you still can. Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora plans to celebrate the company’s emergence from bankruptcy by monetizing 90 acres of Las Vegas Strip frontage. To be fair to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, history, International, Japan, Marketing, Problem gambling, Riviera, South Korea, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Posted on May 16, 2017 by David McKee

Despite having one less weekend day this year, April was a good month for Louisiana, as gambling revenue rose 5%. The growth was especially dramatic in the Pelican State market, up 19%. By contrast, Shreveport/Bossier City was down 3%. The increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor took the top spot in Maryland last month, grossing $50 million to Maryland Live‘s $45 million. “We view this as positive/encouraging for MGM, as it shows the property’s momentum has sustained into April,” wrote JP Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 8, 2017 by David McKee

“To us, the opportunity is thoroughly Japanese and thoroughly delicious.” — Dadaist remark by Steve Wynn about casinos in Japan. Is it just us or is Wynn sounding more and more like Mayor Adam West on Family Guy?

Posted in Japan, Steve Wynn, TV | Comments Off

No casino is an Isle-and; Florida fails again

Posted on May 4, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts took another big step toward gaming’s major leagues with its acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, a deal that closed earlier this week. The purchase gives Eldorado 12 more casinos, including a presence in the important Lake Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, history, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Technology | Comments Off