Category Archives: Lotteries

Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip rose 4.5% last month, even as locals casinos vaulted 13.5% and the state as a whole was up 6%. Strip casinos grossed $592 million, despite a 27% tumble in baccarat winnings on 29.5% less … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Racinos, Reno, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River | Comments Off

XFL bets taken; Mohegan Sun, Hard Rock clash; Straub arrested

Posted on January 24, 2020 by David McKee

New Jersey has allowed betting on the XFL, the sixth state to do so. But does anybody care? The league hopes that sports betting will spark fan interest in the games. MGM Resorts International already got burned by the Alliance … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, International, James Packer, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Lotteries, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

Land of the Rising Frustration; Gaming hangup in Connecticut

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

We’ve been saying all along that the risk/reward ratio in Japan isn’t that great, especially when you’re expected to build the world’s most expensive casinos, starting at $10 billion. Nothing remotely that costly has been tried in gaming, much less … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on December 9, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas went into the crapper last weekend, with the opening of the Giant Poo Experience in Lyft Art Park. I’m not inventing this. The larger-than-life-size mock-excrement was sponsored by airspray Poo-Pourri. Explained the company, “For over a decade, Poo~Pourri has … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Downtown, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Japan, Lotteries, Marketing, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Norment’s Torment; New hope for Cal-Neva

Posted on December 2, 2019 by David McKee

Virginia state Sen. Tommy Norment (R) hasn’t been paying attention to the performance of MGM National Harbor. Placing a resort casino in northern Virginia would be, he says, “complete folly.” Instead, Old Virginny will have to put its hopes on … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Dubai, Economy, history, Horseracing, International, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Strip soft, locals firm; Big win for DraftKings

Posted on November 26, 2019 by David McKee

At $538 million, last month’s Strip gambling revenue fell 9%. Slot win was 1.5% up on 5.5% more coin-in. However, baccarat win plunged 27% on 20.5% less wagering. Non-baccarat table games were down 19% on 11% less betting. Strip casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Culinary Union, Downtown, DraftKings, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New Hampshire, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Washington State | Comments Off

Desert Diamond sets debut; Paddock’s grim legacy

Posted on November 20, 2019 by David McKee

Controversial Desert Diamond Casino will finally open on Feb. 19, superseding a “big box” temporary casino on the same site. Pride and joy of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond was the bane of Gov. Doug Doucey‘s existence, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Canada, Dining, Florida, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New York, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Big bounce at IGT; Cosmo revises restaurant lineup

Posted on November 15, 2019 by David McKee

“What’s 23% Between Friends?” So asked Credit Suisse analyst Ben Combes as he reported on International Game Technology‘s 3Q19 earnings call. IGT’s $407 million in cash flow exceeded consensus Wall Street expectations by 3%. IGT stock vaulted 23% on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Delaware, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Genting, history, IGT, Indiana, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Lotteries, M Resort, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caution on Scientific, Golden; VIPs passé in Macao

Posted on November 8, 2019 by David McKee

Scientific Games must have been less than thrilled with Credit Suisse analyst Ben Combes‘ report on their third quarter. It was headlined, “Solid Quarter, But Leverage Concerns Keep Us on the Sidelines.” Cash flow of $344 million beat the Wall … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Canada, China, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Lotteries, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Rhode Island lottery scandal worsens

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

That casino scandal in Rhode Island continues to deepen. Gov. Gina Raimondo‘s chief of staff, Brett Smiley, is accused of making threats against Twin River Casino. When the governor pitched a no-bid, sweetheart lottery contract for International Game Technology, Smiley … Continue reading →

Posted in IGT, Lotteries, Politics, Rhode Island, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

The Drew makes bold promises; GLPI gleeful

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

Steven Witkoff buried the lead when announcing that Bobby Baldwin had been called out of retirement to become CEO of The Drew. Witkoff’s PR peeps said that the project was in “final preparations for construction,” which is the first movement … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Fontainebleau, G2E, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Michigan, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | Comments Off

Cosmo does it again; Georgia ponders casinos

Posted on October 24, 2019 by David McKee

It happened again. Smoke billowed over the Las Vegas Strip from an electrical fire at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas last night. No one was injured, thank God, and the damage appears to be minor. But it’s the second fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Foxwoods, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, International, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Scientific rebuffed in R.I.; Golden, Boyd deliver

Posted on October 23, 2019 by David McKee

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) doubled down on her commitment to International Game Technology to run the state’s lottery by rebuffing an offer from Scientific Games, in tandem with Twin River Casinos. The Scientific proposal promised 1,100 jobs or … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Hawaii, IGT, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Palms, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Illegal slots run amuck in Missouri

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

With the casino industry so entrenched in Missouri you wouldn’t think there was a market for black-market slots. You’d think wrongly. The Missouri Gaming Commission has received 84 complaints alleging 200 instances of rogue machines. Casinos aren’t the only ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Florida, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off

IGT at center of Rhode Island scandal; #MeToo spreads

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

Gina Raimondo (D) may be friends with Michelle Obama but that’s not going to get out of the International Game Technology lottery scandal. Gov. Raimondo was at the state capital a week ago to defend her controversial decision, a move … Continue reading →

Posted in IGT, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Money laundering, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct | Comments Off

Maryland good, Illinois becalmed, MGM furious

Posted on September 9, 2019 by David McKee

Maryland‘s casino industry showed continued health last month, up 5.5%. MGM National Harbor had 40.5% of market share while Maryland Live corralled 34.5% of trade. MGM grossed $62.5 million, with low-tax table games up 10% as opposed to only 4% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, South Dakota, Sports, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Sports betting: Survey says …

Posted on September 3, 2019 by David McKee

Trying to help the gaming industry get its arms around the onslaught of sports betting, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming did a consumer survey of the newly legitimate recreation. “For all of the hype surrounding the spread of regulated sportsbooks, there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, DFS, Environment, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Eldorado’s bad quarter; Crown fights back

Posted on August 6, 2019 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts might want to put its own house in order before engorging Caesars Entertainment. Quarterly results are out and Eldorado came in low in every category except corporate costs. Revenue misses included the West ($128 million) -$18 million, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, IGT, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Regulation, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM stymied Down East; Trade war dings Macao

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hopes for MGM Resorts International in Connecticut may be fading now that lawmakers are proposing a tribally owned casino in Bridgeport, part of an omnibus gaming expansion. The bipartisan Connecticut Jobs & Revenue Act would authorize a casino in Bridgeport owned by … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Downtown, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Dotty’s to rescue Moulin Rouge; Hard Rock’s big plans

Posted on June 27, 2019 by David McKee

Bonafide rescue may be in sight for the acreage upon which the Moulin Rouge once stood. Dotty’s may use some of its considerable cash flow to buy up the land and the Las Vegas City Council is sufficiently eager to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dotty's, Downtown, e-sports, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, International, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment