Category Archives: Kentucky

Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

WalletHub has been crunching the numbers again and come to the conclusion that Nevada is America‘s most-gaming addicted state. (Utah is the least, while the Silver State is followed by South Dakota, Montana, Mississippi and Oregon.) Casino-rich Florida was an incredibly … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, International, Kansas, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Slot routes, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia | Comments Off

Land of confusion

Posted on April 22, 2019 by David McKee

OK, so there are no condos on sale at the Plaza Resort in downtown Las Vegas. That much we have established. But it’s got to be one of the most baffling stories we’ve ever covered. For instance, “TLC” usually is shorthand … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Gilbert sells to Hard Rock; Masters odds are out

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

Hard Rock International exited the Ohio market by one door, then reentered it by another. The tribal giant bought Dan Gilbert out of Jack Cincinnati and Turfway Park. REIT Vici Propreties will own the real estate of the casino and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Iowa, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Gaming speaks: Penn, Boyd, Eldorado, Churchill Downs

Posted on March 15, 2019 by David McKee

One of the few CEOs to grace JP Morgan‘s hotel-and-leisure forum was Penn National Gaming‘s Tim Wilmot. He reported that the “regional consumer remains solid and trends are largely consistent with that seen 2018.” Furthermore, Penn is “seeing good growth … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Marketing, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Sands: Buy Japanese; Gambling to come to Utah?

Posted on February 25, 2019 by David McKee

“It will be highly competitive, but I think the cards are stacked in the favor of those who are prepared, who have been working hard, who will have the best program, best strategy, the best understanding of the country, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, DFS, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Japan, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

Churchill Downs pwns Caesars; Kentucky covets casinos

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

Cold weather helped chill Indiana casino revenues last month, down 6%. The Hoosier State’s casinos and racinos grossed $154 million. Horseshoe Southern Indiana continues to bleed business to Churchill Downs‘ Derby City, hemorrhaging 10% to $16.5 million. Full House Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City’s glass half-full; New Kentucky casino pitched

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

First, the good news: Casino-related employment in Atlantic City rose by 5,749 jobs last year, driven by Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort, which added 6,927 souls to the work force. The bad news? Hiring remains otherwise stagnant, with Hard Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Racinos, South Dakota, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos is bringing two name-brand chefs to the upgraded Palms. Between high-in-the-sky Vetri Cucina and Michael Symon‘s Mabel’s BBQ, I wouldn’t know which to choose. (My mouth is watering as I type this.) Fortunately, Las Vegans riding a burgeoning … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Movies, Palms, Philippines, PokerStars, South Korea, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Vietnam | Comments Off

Churchill Downs aims for Nashville; Goodbye, Sigma Derby

Posted on November 19, 2018 by David McKee

Late last week, Churchill Downs was awarded a racing license in Oak Grove, Kentucky, putting CHDN within an hour’s drive of the Nashville market. The plan is to invest $150 million in a racing oval, a hotel and — most … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Entertainment, Genting, Georgia, history, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight hosted three (!) days of investor meetings with Caesars Entertainment and came away giving the company a rave review. “Management’s tone was very good, and long-only interest was high … We think CZR’s business is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Midwest doldrums; Turning a page at Wynn

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

Slot routes continue to bleed Illinois casinos, which were 1.5% down in October. Two properties withstood the decline. Eldorado Resorts seems to be already turning things around at Grand Victoria, which was up 2% ($13 million). Rivers Casino, coveted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dubai, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Churchill Downs makes a run for the roses

Posted on November 5, 2018 by David McKee

JP Morgan commentator Daniel Politzer got the red-carpet treatment at Churchill Downs, in Louisville. He came away impressed. Churchill Downs is expanding on several fronts. Its Illinois purchase of a majority stake in Rivers Casino will cost CHDN a pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Japan, Kentucky, Marketing, Racinos, South Korea, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson prospers in Macao; Instant racing upheld

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

Excepting a slight downturn in Las Vegas Strip revenues, it was a pretty good 3Q18 for Las Vegas Sands. Mass-market revenue in Macao was up 18.5% and VIP revenues rose 15%. In Singapore the numbers were mixed. Mass-market win was … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Follow that puck!; Connecticut casino nixed

Posted on October 2, 2018 by David McKee

$216 million. That’s how much sports betting will be worth to the NHL, according to the American Gaming Association‘s Sara Slane. The new revenue will be achieved “as a result of spending from betting operators on advertising, data and sponsorship … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Economy, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Transportation | Comments Off

Talking Stick mystery solved, sorta

Posted on September 18, 2018 by David McKee

Talking Stick is finally speaking, after having kept mum about a power failure that kept the casino closed for over a month and cost it god knows how many millions in revenue. It will reopen on Sept. 24 and promotions … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Indiana, Japan, Kentucky, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Suicide squeeze in Macao; Is Atlantic City ready for some football?

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Most of Macao‘s casinos are playing a game of chicken with the local government, daring it to enforce its smoking ban. Only 12 of 47 casinos have installed smoking lounges. Personally, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Project First Light dims; Once and future Horseshoe?

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

After much hemming and hawing, the Trump administration finally came down off the fence on the Mashpee Wampanoag‘s Project First Light casino, saying it couldn’t see a way forward to taking the land into trust for gaming purposes. U.S. District Court … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Playing the Trump card; Manilow renewed

Posted on August 22, 2018 by David McKee

In his latest newsletter, gaming-law expert I. Nelson Rose looks at the impact, real and potential, of retaliatory tariffs on playing cards. Canada and the European Union have imposed 10% import levies on playing cards from the United States, though … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, International, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Lucky Dragon, Macau, New Jersey, Ohio, Paragon Gaming, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, The Crown 18, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off

I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

Damn the laws, full speed ahead: That’s the mentality of Illinois horse tracks as they push for ‘historical racing,’ VLTs where you can bet on the outcome of past races. The Illinois Racing Board voted it through unanimously. “We’re out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes | Comments Off

Churchill Downs hearts casinos; Cleveland still not rocking

Posted on June 8, 2018 by David McKee

Churchill Downs is going all-in on sports betting, planning to leverage its (soon-to-be) access to the Pennsylvania and Mississippi markets, plus its relationship with the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. However, the sky-high tax rate (34%) in Pennsylvania may translate … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, International, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off