Category Archives: Lotteries

Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player

This is a head-scratcher. Despite sports betting sweeping our great country, Scientific Games is opting out of the sports-wagering business. And the lottery biz, too, even though that remains a robust market segment. Reported JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, “management … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Churchill Downs, Cirque du Soleil, CQ Holdings, Dining, Environment, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player

Maryland heats up; Vegas restaurants rebound; Rivers is george

Casinos in the Free State jetted 13% above 2019 levels, grossing $172 million, a new record. MGM National Harbor led with $68.5 million (+16%) and 40% market share. Maryland Live was up 15% to $61.5 million for 35.5% market share, … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Lotteries, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Station: No more buffets, less free play; Covid? What Covid?

Said JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff “not to worry, money losing buffets are not coming back” to Station Casinos. We can take this as gospel, since he got it from CEO Frank Fertitta III, Vice Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta and CFO … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, California, Colorado, Crown Resorts, Dining, DraftKings, Drugs, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Health, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Silverton, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | 3 Comments

Michigan sports betting, i-gaming surge; AGA chases renegade slots

Say what you like about Michigan, it’s giving New Jersey and Pennsylvania a literal run for their money in Internet gambling. Win/day is just over $3 million, close behind the Keystone State’s $3.15 million and challenging the Garden State’s $3.65 … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kansas, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Resorts World LV, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City disappoints, Internet gambling doesn’t

We’re going to have revise our prediction that Atlantic City would recover from Covid-19 faster than Las Vegas. Not at the rate things are going. March casino win was down 17% from 2019, coming in at $185 million. The Caesars … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, China, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

It’s DraftKings’ world, we just live in it; Musk tunnel panned

While Coronavirus and the ensuing shut-ins were very good for DraftKings by virtually every metric, CEO Jason Robins says the fun is just beginning. He told the Boston Globe that the pandemic has ratified his business model, which presumed the … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DFS, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Lotteries, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Security, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on It’s DraftKings’ world, we just live in it; Musk tunnel panned

Demand, prices way up on the Strip; Big casino push in Texas

Emboldened by a combination of new, 50% capacity limits in Nevada and $1,400 stimulus checks, visitors poured into Las Vegas and resorts were quick to profiteer, er, monetize the nascent demand. The Strat more than tripled room rates, from $50/night … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Harry Reid, Health, history, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Online sports betting was quick out of the gate in Virginia—$59 million in handle in 11 days—although books spent so much money acquiring customers that they took a loss on the month. “Debuting ahead of the NFL’s conference championship games … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Health, history, IGT, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, LVCVA, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Resort fees, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, United Kingdom, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Mixed signals from Vegas; It’s all good in Atlantic City

Is the new year bringing a Las Vegas comeback? If you set store by anecdotal evidence, things look relatively normal on Fremont Street. God knows Downtown could use a dose of normality, especially after a December devoutly to be forgotten. … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Architecture, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Election, Golden Nugget, Hawaii, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, United Kingdom, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Boyd better than expected; Marching through Georgia

Boyd Gaming leaked January data, what Wall Street calls “offered an encouraging commentary,” to help put an upbeat spin on its 4Q20 numbers. It worked like a charm. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff moved his price target up $8 to … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Georgia, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resort fees, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tony Hsieh, Tourism, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Welcome to Less Vegas

Caesars Entertainment, aka Eldorado Resorts, has become possessed by the evil spirit of spare-every-expense Columbia Sussex. In one of the most odious of recent cutpurse moves, bartenders have been ordered to short-pour liquor: The ‘new normal’ is .75 ounces per … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Columbia Sussex, Connecticut, Conventions, Cretins, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, Florida, Health, Kansas, Lotteries, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wall Street, Washington State | 1 Comment

In case you missed it …

Pennsylvania closed all its casinos Sunday, starting with Rivers Casino Pittsburgh at 12 a.m. The shutdown is to last until Jan 4. The Keystone State joins Michigan (until Dec. 20, probably longer) and Illinois (indefinite). In Nevada, although Covid-19 is … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Conventions, Downtown, FanDuel, Foxwoods, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Tex Adelson rides again

Fresh from trying to afflict the country with another four years of Donald Trump, mega-mogul Sheldon Adelson is turning his eyes upon Texas. He’s readying a crack team of lobbyists, including Karen Rove, to descend upon the Lege when it … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Horseracing, International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marijuana, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 2 Comments

Uneasy lies the head that wears Crown; IGT’s cautious future

Executives at Crown Resorts had better rethink that scheme to buy Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas assets. The company, which has played fast and loose with money-laundering rules, has been provisionally denied permission to open its multibillion-dollar casino in Sydney. Regulators … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cretins, Crown Resorts, Health, IGT, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Money laundering, New Jersey, Ohio, Regulation, South Dakota, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Horseplay in Massachusetts and Monday mega-jottings

At age 86, horse owner Armand Janjigian is as alive and kicking as the thoroughbreds he wants to race in Massachusetts. No, he doesn’t have a track but he’s busily snapping up land for one. He’s also going to need … Continue reading

Posted in California, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Not all that is Golden glitters; Scientific’s cause for concern

Golden Gaming reported earnings today and there was sufficient good news to be upbeat about the stock—except in Nevada. Casino revenue fell 15% in 3Q20 to $115 million. Slot routes, which ought to be trending upwards, tumbled 31% to $48 … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Maryland, Nevada, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on Not all that is Golden glitters; Scientific’s cause for concern

Kings for a day; Covid’s casino kingpin

As you know, DraftKings is the current darling of Wall Street, its stock hovering around $50/share. Today Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken initiated coverage with an “outperform” rating, putting a $76/share price target on the stock. He even went to … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Covid-19 rattles oddsmakers; No joy in Vegas

Before the ink was dry on a deal for BetMGM to become the official wagering partner of the Tennessee Titans, inescapable Covid-19 rippled through the Titans’ ranks, forcing indefinite postponement of a tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Incidences like this … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Florida, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Twin River, Wall Street, William Hill | 3 Comments

Maryland rebounds; Penn wows Wall Street; Trump to play Lucky Dragon

In a near-miraculous development, Maryland gambling revenues were only 6% off the pace last month. Between cabin fever and the belated delivery of those $1,200 stimulus checks, we’re not entirely surprised that Free State punters had both the desire and … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Georgia, Golden Gaming, Health, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Giant dildo at large in Sin City; Scientific pleases, disappoints

Who was that masked man anyway? A daring thief casually strolled into Deja Vu Love Boutique, made his way over to “Moby,” a giant dildo (approximately three feet long) and walked right out the door with it. The whale-sized self-pleasuring … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Baseball, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment