Category Archives: Lawrence Ho

Case bets

Posted on August 4, 2017 by David McKee

After loudly proclaiming that it wasn’t going down the Internet– gambling path, MGM Resorts International has quietly reversed field and is opening a New Jersey Web site called playMGM. (To be fair, the company also inherited a flourishing ‘Net-bet operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Columbia Sussex, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off

Revel sold? Sez who?; Wynn loses his shirt

Posted on August 1, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City may have seen the last of Glenn Straub. Last week, Global Gaming Business Editor Roger Gros took to Twitter to announce that Revel (aka Ten) had been sold, former exec Mark Juliano — late of Sands Bethlehem — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

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

Bonacic: Let’s make a deal; Freeman makes sports-betting case

Posted on June 14, 2017 by David McKee

You could soon be able to play Internet poker in New York State — by going to a casino. That’s the compromise proposed by Senate Racing, Wagering & Gaming Committee Chairman John Bonacic (R). Only casinos and racinos would be eligible to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, New York, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off

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

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

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

Higher taxes mooted for Atlantic City; Trump into Philippines?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by David McKee

Someone has belatedly noticed that Atlantic City is, in essence, a tax haven for casino operators. They pay 9.25%, compared to Pennsylvania‘s 55% on slots, for instance, or Maryland‘s patchwork of tax rates, which top out at 60%. That’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, GLPI, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off

Ho upbeat on Macao, Japan; Showdown for Gun Lake Tribe

Posted on May 3, 2017 by David McKee

Macao could be a $45 billion-a-year market again, says Lawrence Ho, who calls himself extremely bullish on the enclave’s prospects. He’s not been snorting coke, according to Union Gaming Group analyst Grant Govertsen, who calls it “achievable target for Macao … … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Hard Rock to spend big in Atlantic City; Bad news for slot makers

Posted on April 6, 2017 by David McKee

In the biggest vote of confidence Atlantic City has received in a decade, Hard Rock International has announced that it intends to invest $375 million in the former Trump Taj Mahal. On top of the 1,000 projected construction jobs, Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Economy, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments

Wayne Newton, Mr. Convention; Adelson covets Vietnam

Posted on March 1, 2017 by David McKee

If you doubted that the convention business is the new face of Las Vegas, it trotted out the pretty visage of Wayne Newton. The latter’s Casa de Shenandoah is promoting itself as the new place to hold your meeting, offering to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Technology, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Vietnam, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off

Ho taunts Adelson; Turnover at Wynn

Posted on February 23, 2017 by David McKee

Both Sheldon Adelson and Jim Murren have anted up $10 billion for a Japanese megaresort. The fever is catching. Melco Crown International CEO Lawrence Ho went completely off his rocker and vowed to spend any amount whatsoever for a casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Macao: Cautious recovery predicted; Straub sets Revel reopening

Posted on December 30, 2016 by David McKee

“Does the fact that Macao has an Eiffel Tower now bring extra people to the market,” asked Union Gaming Group analyst Grant Govertsen rhetorically. “Yes, but their main activity here will still be gaming.” “They” includes players from as far … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, G2E, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Florida: Scott loses, big time; Coup d’etat in Atlantic City

Posted on November 11, 2016 by David McKee

Fourteen more years. That’s how long the Seminole Tribe can have exclusive rights to blackjack in Florida, thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. It’s a huge win for the Seminoles and not entirely unforeseen, given how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Mixed bag in Indiana; Don’t mess with Massachusetts

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend day in October helped depress casino revenues in Indiana, down 3%. However, individual property results were all over the place, making generalizations perilous. For instance, Majestic Star II in Gary was down 9%, to $5 million, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Election, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

New obstacle for Icahn; Macao’s loss is Packer’s gain

Posted on September 29, 2016 by David McKee

Could Carl Icahn‘s real plan for Trump Taj Mahal be to close it on Oct. 10, then reopen it as a scab property? Not if state Sen. James Whelan (D) has anything to say about it. He’s advancing a bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Win for Wynn; Russia’s Donald Trump

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

So maybe Wynn Palace made a difference, after all. Macao gambling revenue, which analysts expected to be anywhere from 1% up to 3% down last month, actually grew 1%. (Kudos to those analysts who bet the house would win.) With Sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Donald Trump, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Trailer trash in Boston; New crisis looms in Atlantic City

Posted on July 28, 2016 by David McKee

Massachusetts lawmakers may have thought they’d settled the question of casinos in the Bay State when they voted to baptize three resorts and slot parlor. However, thanks to a ruling by state Attorney General Maura Healey, a ballot question here … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maine, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Trump’s tribal treachery

Posted on July 5, 2016 by David McKee

As the press continues to dig into Donald Trump‘s past, it’s uncovering activity that is vile even by Trump’s debased standards. Such is the case in his race-baiting campaign against the casino application of the St. Regis Mohawks. Not man … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Minnesota, New York, PokerStars, Regulation, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment