Category Archives: Law enforcement

“It feels like business as usual”

Posted on October 3, 2017 by David McKee

As we mentioned earlier, Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli is in Las Vegas this week. He just released an investor note detailing the atmosphere following the tragic events of October 1. I don’t have much to add, so I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on “It feels like business as usual”

A modest proposal; Boyd on the prowl

Posted on October 3, 2017 by David McKee

Warning: You’re probably not going to like this post. That being said, the catastrophe at Mandalay Bay demands a more proactive response from the casino industry. There is always a certain element of risk in life, but we can ameliorate … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, G2E, Geoff Freeman, history, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Palms, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on A modest proposal; Boyd on the prowl

Mass murder at Mandalay Bay

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

I’m angry today. Angry because, for whatever reason, Las Vegas has become the site of the biggest incident of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, as gunman Stephen Paddock  killed at least 50 people (subsequently updated to 58) at a Mandalay Bay concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, history, Hooters, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

In the casino biz, “pot” is now something other than what you put your poker bets into. It’s a source of money that’s not welcome at Ye Olde Casino (and you thought gambling moguls didn’t care where you got your … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Economy, Environment, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Regulation, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Play dirty; Ayre beats the rap

Posted on July 24, 2017 by David McKee

One of the great things about Nevada‘s gambling industry is that it’s a free market. If you’ve got the capitalization and qualify for a license, any number can play. (Actually, some have gotten licensed only to be exposed as empty … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Law enforcement, Nevada, Regulation | Comments Off on Play dirty; Ayre beats the rap

Louisiana: Hot in June

Posted on July 21, 2017 by David McKee

Gambling revenues in the Pelican State enjoyed a 5% jump last month, reaching $213 million (not counting slot routes). How good was business? The “worst performing” market, Lake Charles, was up 1%. L’Auberge du Lac ($27 million) had an aberrantly … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Louisiana: Hot in June

Wynn: The inevitable happens; Tribes have boffo year

Posted on July 20, 2017 by David McKee

We knew this day had to come: Wynn Resorts is going to charge for self-parking at Wynncore, starting August 7. The fee structure is very much like those of other Strip casinos that have gone the self-parking route, although offering … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Wynn: The inevitable happens; Tribes have boffo year

Two decades in Detroit; Juliano out at Sands

Posted on July 19, 2017 by David McKee

Can it really be 20 years since casinos were legalized in Detroit? (It’s been 18 years since MGM Grand Detroit opened.) Time flies and so does casino lucre — straight into city coffers. Then-Gov. John Engler (R) had to dragged kicking … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, history, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Two decades in Detroit; Juliano out at Sands

Adelson up to new mischief; DFS mega-merger kaput

Posted on July 17, 2017 by David McKee

If you don’t know Rep. Charlie Dent (R), you will soon. Sheldon Adelson has the Pennsylvania congressman by the short and curlies, holding expansion at Sands Bethlehem hostage to passage of Restore America’s Wire Act, his pet cause. Consequently, Dent … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics | Comments Off on Adelson up to new mischief; DFS mega-merger kaput

Cromwell re-do planned; The other Sin City

Posted on July 17, 2017 by David McKee

While the contest to re-name the Cromwell (perhaps as something less puritanical) has gone down the memory hole, that doesn’t mean the boutique casino is off Caesars Entertainment‘s radar. Far from it. The company has announced a fleet of changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Sports, The Mob, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Slot routes thwarted in Pennsylvania; Crown 18 convicted

Posted on July 11, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming issues are holding the Pennsylvania state budget hostage. House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R) is saying ‘no deal,’ even as Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R) is remarking that an agreement is “more or less” in place. The latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, The Crown 18, Wall Street | Comments Off on Slot routes thwarted in Pennsylvania; Crown 18 convicted

Trailer Stations invade Downtown; DFS rejected in Delaware

Posted on July 5, 2017 by David McKee

If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Las Vegas Advisor it’s that our readers love Trailer Stations — or at least reading about them. So, had been inclined to spend your Fourth of July playing slot machines, you could have … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Genting, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Moulin Rouge, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, The Strip | Comments Off on Trailer Stations invade Downtown; DFS rejected in Delaware

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 on Phlegmatic about Macao; New Jersey warns Trump

Wynn: Up in smoke; Mohegan by any other name

Posted on June 16, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts is pursuing a no-tolerance policy toward high-rolling customers associated with corporate cannabis. “I can confirm that I was permanently banned from gambling at Wynn Resorts on June 7, 2017 due to my role as Chairman and CEO of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Downtown, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Vietnam | 1 Comment

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 on Adelson in the catbird seat; Lui has advice for Macao

Casino shootout in Manila; Twin Rivers shafts employees

Posted on June 5, 2017 by David McKee

“The work of the ISIS is more cruel and brutal.” With those words, Filipino despot Rodrigo Duterte downplayed a Manila casino shooting that was, in its own way, cruel and brutal. Degenerate gambler Jesse Carlos ran amuck in Resorts World … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island | Comments Off on Casino shootout in Manila; Twin Rivers shafts employees

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 30, 2017 by David McKee

“The California penal code expressly bars the playing of blackjack as a prohibited game. Yet you can drive down streets and highways in our state and see billboards on which card rooms boldly advertise that they play Las Vegas-style blackjack.” — Yocha … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Law enforcement, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Executive shuffle at Station; Freeman’s bold agenda

Posted on May 25, 2017 by David McKee

Long-serving (some would say long-suffering) Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone has had enough and will resign on May 31. He’ll still be at Station’s service thanks to a one-year consulting agreement — read “non-compete.” He’s served Station well, coming aboard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Executive shuffle at Station; Freeman’s bold agenda

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

“We fully understand the central government’s concerns regarding capital flight. If it is perceived that money is being washed through Macao, it might lead to the tightening of visa restrictions. We need to clearly demonstrate to the central government that … Continue reading →

Posted in Galaxy Entertainment, Law enforcement, Macau, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Solution in search of a problem; Trump causes Macao jitters

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

As it its civic duty, Plainridge Park racino pays into the local Community Mitigation Fund. Now it’s being ill-repaid by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who wants 75 dimes of CMF money to investigate crimes his office says are “stemming directly” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Solution in search of a problem; Trump causes Macao jitters