Category Archives: Macau

Moderate-sized trouble in Little China

Posted on December 12, 2018 by David McKee

There’s trouble ahead for Macao but the casino industry has plenty of time to brace for impact. Credit in China is down 6% year over year. As Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight reports, “Weak credit data is likely to exacerbate … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Moderate-sized trouble in Little China

SJM: Aren’t we special?

Posted on December 11, 2018 by David McKee

Sociedade de Jogos de Macau must think it’s pretty special. While its straggling Grand Lisboa Palace will stock some table games via the ‘cap-and-trade’ formula used by other operators, it has loftily informed the press that it expects the Macao … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on SJM: Aren’t we special?

Ruffin over Miami; Satre to state Wynn’s case

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

“I look forward to entering the Miami gaming market through this acquisition. We have exciting plans for Casino Miami that we will be revealing in the near future.” With those words Phil Ruffin took possession of the $155 million casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Ruffin over Miami; Satre to state Wynn’s case

MGM, Cordish clean up in Maryland; Pennsylvania a cash cow

Posted on December 7, 2018 by David McKee

It was another good month at MGM National Harbor, which grossed almost $2 million per day in November, an above-average take for the pleasure palace. Slots were up 15% (to $31 million) while table games leapt 46%, grossing $26 million. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DFS, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on MGM, Cordish clean up in Maryland; Pennsylvania a cash cow

Big Beaver and other Case Bets

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David McKee

Sands China has upped its capital commitment to Sands Cotai (aka The Londoner) as its Four Seasons is scheduled for a $450 million upgrade. The Sands Cotai makeover is now budgeted at $2.2 billion, a hefty vote of confidence in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Transportation | 1 Comment

Resorts World LV delayed (again); Lady Gaga reigns supreme

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David McKee

Resorts World Las Vegas has reached the 39th of a projected 60 floors. However, Genting Group is cautiously hedging its bet, telling Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight the resort will be finished “by 2020,” not late 2019, as stated previously. Somehow … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Posted on December 5, 2018 by David McKee

That was quick. Downstream Development Authority, a branch of the Quapaw Tribe, has been tapped by local officials to develop a casino in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. If you think the decision precipitate, don’t worry: The Quapaw have been doing outreach … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Economy, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New York, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Case Bets

Posted on December 3, 2018 by David McKee

Taking its own sweet time, Hard Rock Atlantic City will finally have a sports book in early 2019. Malta-based Gaming Innovation Group has been tapped to handle the nuts and bolts. The lack of sports betting in what should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Centaur Gaming, Hard Rock International, history, Indiana, Macau, Majestic Star, New Mexico, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets

Station loses again; Starwood data raided

Posted on November 30, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos continues to be at cross-purposes with the National Labor Relations Board. Its latest misstep was stonewalling the Culinary Union with regard to labor talks at Green Valley Ranch. NLRB Chairman John Ring ruled, “By failing and refusing since … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Sin City still sinful; Pot comes to the Strip

Posted on November 26, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas beat out Los Angeles by a comfortable margin to nab the top spot on WalletHub‘s survey of America‘s most-sinful cities, a category dominated by such activities as pathological gambling and smoking. Casino-enhanced cities dominated the list, with North … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Detroit, DFS, Dubai, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Japan, Macau, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Slot routes, Société des Bains de Mer, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Sin City still sinful; Pot comes to the Strip

CG Technology avoids death penalty; SoCal: The wrath of Kahn

Posted on November 20, 2018 by David McKee

$1.75 million was the magic number to get CG Technology out of detention with the Nevada Gaming Commission. In addition, $250,000 will be laid on the Nevada Council for Problem Gambling, a settlement provision we can totally get behind. It … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cantor Gaming, CityCenter, Environment, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on CG Technology avoids death penalty; SoCal: The wrath of Kahn

Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight hosted three (!) days of investor meetings with Caesars Entertainment and came away giving the company a rave review. “Management’s tone was very good, and long-only interest was high … We think CZR’s business is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Stasis in Missouri; Steve Wynn’s got a secret

Posted on November 13, 2018 by David McKee

Missouri casinos grossed $138 million last month, essentially flat with 2017. The big winner was Eldorado Resorts, up 19% at Lumiere Place (shown, $13 million) but 9% lower at Isle of Capri Kansas City ($5 million). Boyd Gaming had an inauspicious … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Midwest doldrums; Turning a page at Wynn

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

Slot routes continue to bleed Illinois casinos, which were 1.5% down in October. Two properties withstood the decline. Eldorado Resorts seems to be already turning things around at Grand Victoria, which was up 2% ($13 million). Rivers Casino, coveted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dubai, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Midwest doldrums; Turning a page at Wynn

Steve Wynn makes out like a bandit; Smoke ’em while you’ve got ’em

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s liquidation of his stake in Wynn Resorts may have seemed like an act of petulance but — in light of subsequent movement in the stock market — it appears highly astute. Since El Steve’s big sale WYNN has … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Lee, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Georgia, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Wynn lagoon scrapped, company struggles with life after Steve

Posted on November 8, 2018 by David McKee

King Kong is out, Tom Fazio is in. To no one’s great surprise, Wynn Resorts has drained the swamp, er, canceled the Paradise Park lagoon, a colossal (38 acre) waste of water and act of insensitivity to Nevada‘s drought that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Macau, Marketing, Palms, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on November 2, 2018 by David McKee

Anthony Rodio was hardly settled in the CEO’s chair at Affinity Gaming before he was greeted with a rap on the knuckles from the Missouri Gaming Commission. The latter fined Affinity’s Mark Twain Casino $50,000 for repeated incidences of cheating while … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, International, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Regulation, Security | Comments Off on Case Bets

Promising horizon for Penn; Frissora exiting Caesars

Posted on November 2, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming came in from 3Q18 below Wall Street‘s expectations but JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff defends the company, citing high expectations of free cash flow in 2019 (12%) and 2020 (20%), even after capex reinvestments. The addition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Promising horizon for Penn; Frissora exiting Caesars

Churchill Downs: Next stop, Des Plaines

Posted on November 1, 2018 by David McKee

Late last night the news broke that Churchill Downs has purchased 50.1% of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines from a consortium headed by Rush Street Gaming. The company is paying $326 million for a slight majority in an asset valued … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Dining, Economy, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming, Wall Street | Comments Off on Churchill Downs: Next stop, Des Plaines

MGM: The lion meows; Nevada sets sports-betting record

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

“Good quarter against low expectations” pretty well summarizes Wall Street‘s reaction to MGM Resorts International‘s 3Q18. (And we have to say that MGM leadership did a masterly job of minimizing anticipation well ahead of time.) JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff admitted … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, IGT, International, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: The lion meows; Nevada sets sports-betting record