Category Archives: Jim Murren

If you can’t beat ’em, cheat ’em; Fun & games

No, this isn’t about politics. Or maybe it is. Either way, it’s another chapter in the crony-capitalism, juiced-in deal Washington, D.C.’s puppet government made with Intralot. Along with the Washington D.C. Lottery, Intralot is parent of that malign progeny GamebetDC. … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, history, International, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Silverton, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on If you can’t beat ’em, cheat ’em; Fun & games

On and off the radio

During this morning’s stint on KNPR-FM‘s State of Nevada, we were only able to cover a fraction of the scheduled questions. So we had the idea of answering here what was not asked there. Let’s take it away … Why … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Dubai, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, Golden Gaming, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Palms, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Vici Properties, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on On and off the radio

Bally’s opens, Chicago yawns; MGM, tree murderers

Chicago‘s first casino opened to “dozens of people” Saturday. Only dozens? That’s not a good sign for Bally’s Corp. It’ll need to stir up a lot more excitement than that if it’s to make back its nut on $1.7 billion … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, DraftKings, Dubai, Environment, FanDuel, Genting, history, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Raiders, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Big Gaming having gotten into bed with one ultra-despotic regime (Red China), why not go for broke? That’s the impression left by the widely reported news that the United Arab Emirates has rolled out its first-ever General Commercial Gaming Regulatory … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo Management, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cirque du Soleil, Culinary Union, Dining, Dubai, Health, International, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Pennsylvania soaked; Texas, Cubed; Mega-Jottings

That old gaming-industry equation that more = more is getting tested in Pennsylvania. On a sheer, gross-gaming-revenue basis, last month’s $297.5 million haul was down 4% from last year but up 7% from the ‘old normal,’ 2019. However, when looked … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vici Properties, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Pennsylvania soaked; Texas, Cubed; Mega-Jottings

Control Board buffoonery; Super-Mega-Jottings

Well, it didn’t take Nevada Gaming Control Board member George Assad long to stick his foot in it. No sooner had we prophetically called him a regulatory “doofus” than news surfaced of some most-unbecoming conduct during an NGCB hearing. Specifically, … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, Cordish Co., Cretins, Detroit, Diversity, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Illinois, Japan, Jim Murren, Kansas, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, PointsBet, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

DraftKings tumbles big-time; Big Gaming bets on red

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” said Walt Disney. For the leadership of DraftKings, “the impossible” would include finding a path to near-term profitability. DKNG reported 3Q22 numbers late last week and J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff called … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Jim Murren, Kansas, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Mattress Mack, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

MGM to sell Mirage; Caesars disappoints Wall Street

At a time when the north Las Vegas Strip is finally heating up, MGM Resorts International has chosen this moment to put The Mirage on the market. Although it’s 32 years old (224 in dog years), The Mirage should fetch … Continue reading

Posted in BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Election, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Palms, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sports betting, The Strip, Vici Properties, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM revisited; Mixed month for Indiana

Today it was Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken‘s turn to weigh in on MGM Resorts International‘s 4Q20 numbers and he found even more to like than did Joseph Greff yesterday. Leading with Macao, Chaiken saw MGM China capturing more of … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Louisiana doldrums; Philadelphia Live sparkles

Does reporting bad news get tedious? You bet! But it comes with the turf. Louisiana casino winnings declined 23% last month, in keeping with the national average. Penn National Gaming casinos got off easiest, slipping 11%, while Boyd Gaming ones … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Bally, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Connecticut, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, FoxBet, Foxwoods, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Tennessee, Wall Street, West Virginia, William Hill | 3 Comments

Las Vegas: First, the bad news …

It’s no wonder October was a bad month for the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown. Visitation to Sin City fell 49.5% and room revenue tumbled 61%. Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg could, for the sake of argument, be right that … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cirque du Soleil, Conventions, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Movies, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

Massacre anniversary brings accord; Stevens wants you

Let the healing begin. An $800 million settlement between MGM Resorts International and victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre has been blessed by a Clark County judge. Said co-plaintiff Stephanie Fraser, “By the grace of God, myself and my family … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Jim Murren, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Security, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

New York game-changer; MGM sticks it to servers

What Jim Murren and Sheldon Adelson couldn’t do, New York state Sen. James Skoufis (D) just might. With four upstate casinos still closed and the state budget pummeled by the economic effects of Coronavirus, Skoufis is proposing that the state … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Economy, Election, Environment, Health, International, Jim Murren, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Unite-Here, Virginia | Comments Off on New York game-changer; MGM sticks it to servers

MGM: Meet the new boss, same as the interim boss

After suffering the indignity of a “thorough national search” to find a possible replacement, interim MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle has been named to the position on a permanent basis. This should have been a no-brainer for MGM, especially … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Downtown, Economy, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sisolak victimizes the vulnerable

During the Great Recession, then-Gov. Jim Gibbons (R, above) committed a depraved act by raiding Nevada‘s problem-gambling fund to plug some holes in the state budget. Not to be outdone, Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) is following in Midnight Jim’s footsteps. … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Culinary Union, Genting, Health, history, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Nevada, Politics, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 2 Comments

Park MGM goes smokeless?; Excalibur returns

Resuming business in mid-pandemic, the casino industry finds itself at a nodal point unlike few in its history. The question: To smoke or not to smoke? Leaving aside our (negative) feelings about tobacco and its side effects, if the casino … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, California, Environment, Health, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Washington State | 3 Comments

Nevada ekes out slim April; Pansy Ho takes charge

Yes, Virginia, there was gaming revenue in Nevada last month, although the casinos were closed. Mobile sports wagering and online poker did the trick, plus expired slot tickets, although the amount realized from the latter is described as “immaterial.” Most … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Downtown, Economy, Health, Jim Murren, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Go to the Convention Center, get a test; Station faces tough recovery

In a win for the Culinary Union, a wide swath of Las Vegas casinos have agreed to test all their employees for Coronavirus before they reopen. University Medical Center, the Culinary Health Fund and the Las Vegas Convention Center are all … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Health, Indiana, Jim Murren, Louisiana, LVCVA, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Palms, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Churchill Downs curbs plans; Murren’s big payday

In its 1Q20 earnings call Churchill Downs announced some significant retrenchments. Although the company is comfortably liquid ($701 million in the kitty) it’s put four expansions on hold: Rivers Casino Des Plaines, an enlargement of Miami Valley Gaming, a $300 … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sanders enters casino fray; MGM execs play the market

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), perhaps in a move to reinvigorate his comatose presidential campaign, has waded into the dispute between the Trump administration and the Mashpee Wampanoag. The origin of the tribe’s newly dissolved, 321-acre reservation is clouded by tribal recognition during … Continue reading

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Genting, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Jim Murren, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment