Category Archives: Macau

Odds favor Bloomberg; Hilton returns to Vegas

Posted on February 20, 2020 by David McKee

As Saturday’s Nevada caucus nears, South Point oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro is boldly going where none of his colleagues have gone before, posting presidential odds. We’ll break them down by category. Vaccaro has Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), as expected, winning Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, China, Connecticut, Cretins, Culinary Union, Election, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Hampshire, Politics, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Crime pays; Dream-ing big

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Donald Trump granted executive clemency to four convicted criminals, three of whom had—surprise!—casino connections. Steve Wynn‘s money man Michael Milken benefited from the support not of the tainted Wynn but of Sheldon Adelson. (Mirage Resorts was financed with junk bonds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Downtown, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels | 1 Comment

Mutiny at MGM?; The art of the presidential deal

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business sources say MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren “was forced out by activist investors who had gathered enough support from institutional investors for his ouster.” The reason is not clear, as Murren had been doing everything possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Election special

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David McKee

Such is the Culinary Union‘s clout that Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D, left), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Susie Lee (D) will also be casting their caucus ballots at Culinary-sponsored events, staggered across today through Tuesday. On Wednesday, … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM’s past distinguished, future cloudy; Broken Winds

Posted on February 14, 2020 by David McKee

Yesterday, while noting MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren‘s impending departure, we were remiss in noting some of his accomplishments. On Murren’s 2008-20 watch, the company became synonymous with diversity, environmentalism, LEED certification and community outreach. With becoming modesty, Murren … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Dining, Diversity, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Foxwoods, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Marijuana, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Politicians play casino games

Posted on February 13, 2020 by David McKee

Crusty Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) eked out a victory on sports betting when a veto-override vote in the Maine House of Representatives fell short of a two-thirds majority. The prudish Mills changed her message from an anti-gambling one to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, International, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Singapore, Sports betting | Comments Off

New deadline for Oklahoma; Nevada casinos notch new high

Posted on February 12, 2020 by David McKee

Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy DeGiusti has placed the ball on compact renewal squarely back in Oklahoma‘s court. However, he has—to mix metaphors—split the baby quite fairly. And he’s given everyone a ticking clock to make a deal. Both sides are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Economy, Health, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

The new China syndrome

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David McKee

Junket operators and gaming companies in Macao are donating $22.5 million to help find a coronavirus cure. Good on them. Would that we could say half that about the government of China, which has bungled a localized virus into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Election, Entertainment, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Nevada, Oklahoma, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

“The fix is in”; MGM’s youth movement

Posted on February 10, 2020 by David McKee

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen is trying to have it both ways in Greece, saying that Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment hasn’t been awarded the Hellenikon casino concession but that “the fix is in.” Well, is it or isn’t it? … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Canada, Crown Resorts, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Movies, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Weak quarter at Wynn, worse to come

Posted on February 7, 2020 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts remains our top story today. It missed fourth-quarter cash-flow projections by 4%, partly due to mediocre high-end play in Macao, although the mass-market trade was better (up 4% but lagging the Macanese industry’s 8% gain). Wynn Palace underperformed … Continue reading →

Posted in China, DraftKings, Health, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Macao closed for business; Tribal troubles

Posted on February 5, 2020 by David McKee

In what once seemed unthinkable, Macao has been ordered to close all 41 of its casinos (and presumably its myriad slot parlors) to inhibit the spread of coronavirus. The inciting incident appears to have been a case of the virus … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, China, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, Macau, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, North Dakota, Oregon, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Macao: Worse than expected; New deal on Connecticut table

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

When China gets coronavirus, Macao develops pneumonia. While Wall Street was expecting gaming revenues to dip 2% in January, they fell 11%. Macanese casinos still grossed $2.75 billion, so it’s not like they were hearing crickets. However, February is shaping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Connecticut, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, IGT, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off

Lottery players loyal in Massachusetts; Gamblers shun Macao

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

After a year of casino-on-casino violence in Massachusetts, we have a winner: the state lottery. Ticket sales at outlets near Encore Boston Harbor are reported to be up 15%. “I was thinking positive. Because I knew more people would come … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Derek Stevens, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, history, Japan, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Las Vegas Sands braces for impact; Big Rob’s big scam

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands missed Wall Street expectations in Macao, made up for that in Singapore (partly on the strength of runaway Chinese high rollers) and “was solidly in line” on the Las Vegas Strip, according to JP Morgan analyst Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in California, China, Health, James Packer, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, William Hill | Comments Off

Coronavirus hits Vegas; Connecticut’s massive screwup

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

This just in … It’s here! The Southern Nevada Health District has reported a possible case of coronavirus. More details as we get them. In the meantime, there are at least six confirmed cases in Macao, as gaming stocks suffer … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Oklahoma, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

As expected, Penn National Gaming bought a significant position in Barstool Sports, investing $135 million cash, $28 million PENN shares, and getting 36% of the two board seats and 36% of the company. The remainder is split between Chernin Group … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Problem gambling, Reno, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Packer’s pickle; Sands, MGM, Wynn lauded

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

Crown Resorts, under investigation in New South Wales, evidently decided it could no longer afford to half-ass it without a CEO (a position that had gone unfilled for three years) and elevated CFO Ken Barton to the job. Congratulations … … Continue reading →

Posted in Indiana, James Packer, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Chinese New Year in ruins; LV Locals casinos hacked

Posted on January 27, 2020 by David McKee

Coronavirus is spreading like wildfire. Not only has it cropped up in Beijing, Hong Kong (uh-oh) and Shanghai, cases are being reported in Taiwan, Thailand, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and our own United States. China President Xi Jinping has taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, China, Colorado, Derek Stevens, Downtown, DraftKings, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Twin River | Comments Off

Year of the Rat off to bad start; NLRB spanks Station; JoBro!

Posted on January 24, 2020 by David McKee

Coronavirus has reared its ugly head in the United States, the second case being of a Chicago woman who started manifesting symptoms several days after returning from China. Reports the Boston Globe, “Doctors with the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Health, history, Illinois, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Macao prepares for the worst

Posted on January 23, 2020 by David McKee

Even as coronavirus tiptoed into Macao, casino executives from three companies were bullish on 2020. Their confidence was buoyed by the change of course of one of China‘s biggest economic headwinds, its trade war with the U.S. Some are arguing … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off