Category Archives: Kazuo Okada

Pols slow to move on sports betting

Posted on August 14, 2018 by David McKee

We thought we’d check up on what some of our favorite state legislators are doing about sports betting, now that it’s theoretically legal in their state (well, it’s complicated). In New York, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D) intends to introduce a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Foxwoods, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Illinois takes a dive; Okada gets nabbed

Posted on August 7, 2018 by David McKee

Illinois casinos had been bumping along nicely in the Trump economy until they hit a plain old speed bump last month, with revenues down almost 4%, on a gross of $119 million, $39 million of which was generated by Rivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Economy, GLPI, Illinois, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street, Wendover, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Steve Wynn has left the building; Packer out, too

Posted on March 23, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts now has 100% less Steve Wynn now that the mogul has sold his entire stake in the company. At first blush this looks like a passive-aggressive lashing out at a firm that is now moving forward. However, Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, James Packer, Kazuo Okada, Massachusetts, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sands Bethlehem becomes Wind Creek; Brazil nixes casinos

Posted on March 12, 2018 by David McKee

Sands Bethlehem‘s buyers are letting no grass grow beneath their feet. The Poarch Bank of Creek Indians will rename the megaresort Wind Creek Bethlehem. It remains to be seen whether they’ll have to deal with unionizing the work force: So … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Paradise lost; MGM contemplates CityCenter buyout

Posted on March 9, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s executive chair isn’t even cold yet and already Wynn Resorts is shifting its priorities, evidently. Yesterday Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli wrote that he believes the company “is likely to complete its convention space at Paradise Park and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Dubai, Florida, Illinois, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Louisiana stutters; MLB rigs the odds

Posted on February 16, 2018 by David McKee

Gambling in Louisiana was a bit off the pace last month, down 4% ($187 million). Most of that was due to a terrible Baton Rouge market, tumbling 21%, while Lake Charles (+2%) remained immune. New Orleans (-2%) and Shreveport/Bossier City … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

December put a bit of a chill on the Atlantic City casino economy, down 2% for the month, with an overall gross of $186 million. Over by the fireplace, Internet gambling was nice and warm, up 13%. Slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Florida, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Security, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Eldorado: Small is beautiful; Fire sale in the Philippines

Posted on September 14, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg just had a sit-down with Joseph Greff and his JP Morgan colleagues, and clued them into Eldorado’s plans. “We came away encouraged by management’s upbeat tone and positive commentary on Reno trends … and long-term plan … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

SCOTUS sports betting throwdown spurs excitement; Trump’s Mafia ties resurface

Posted on August 22, 2017 by David McKee

Legal wonks are getting all worked up about the Supreme Court‘s upcoming hearing of Christie v. NCAA, with one saying it had the “markings of a sleeper blockbuster.” Wrote Virginia Solicitor General Elbert Lin and deputy Thomas M. Johnson Jr., “The parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Regulation, Sports, The Mob, The Strip, 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

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

Phlegmatic about Macao; New Jersey warns Trump

Posted on June 19, 2017 by David McKee

* Wall Street analysts have been descending upon Macao and we’re told to expect a rebranding of Sands Cotai Central “as its brand doesn’t have traction like Venetian, Wynn, and City of Dreams,” writes JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Crown 18, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Japan: The impossible happens

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Just when even Wall Street analysts were giving up hope — and ahead of schedule — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe got a casino-legalization bill through the Diet. This isn’t the end of the process, although casinos are now legal, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Land of the Rising Hopes; Delaware racinos struggle

Posted on August 1, 2016 by David McKee

It will take a constitutional amendment to make it happen but casinos could be back on the political agenda in Japan. In a promising development, he strengthened his position in the Diet, apparently freeing his Liberal Democratic Party from its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Delaware, Florida, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Tribal gaming reaches new high; New concept for Railroad Pass

Posted on July 21, 2016 by David McKee

Last year was the best ever for tribal casinos, up 5% from 2014, coming in just a bit shy of $30 billion. Recent efforts to align tribal and private-sector casino interests come at a time when the tribal sector could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dubai, Economy, Election, Indiana, Kazuo Okada, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nebraska, Philippines, Regulation, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Major policy change strikes Philippines entrepreneurs

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Just when Melco Crown Entertainment and other operators have gone heavily into the Manila market, they stand to take a hit from a potential Philippine Amusement & Gaming policy change that would end the Pagor’s monopoly on casino gambling outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Kazuo Okada, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Technology | Comments Off

McCain, NIGC butt heads; Paper Tiger

Posted on August 3, 2015 by David McKee

U.S. senators put the squeeze on the National Indian Gaming Commission and allies like the National Indian Gaming Association at a recent hearing. Sen. John Barrasso (R) put the gripes in a nutshell when he said, “The commission is not effectively … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Et tu, Harry?; It’s a new era in Manila

Posted on May 12, 2015 by David McKee

Now that Sen. Harry Reid (D) has one foot out the door on Capitol Hill, he’s turning on the casino companies — particularly Caesars Entertainment — that helped him stay in power five years ago. Just when Sen. Lindsey Graham‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Genting, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | Comments Off

Case Bets: Okada, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ruffin

Posted on March 20, 2015 by David McKee

It’s been a good week for Kazuo Okada. The boss of Universal Entertainment Corp. announced that investigations of him in Japan and the Philippines had closed and given him a clean bill of health. The probes were set off by … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Japan, Kansas, Kazuo Okada, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Phil Ruffin, Philippines, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off