Category Archives: Macau

Rock in Rio flops; Tighter slots in Maryland?

Posted on June 17, 2015 by David McKee

According to Vital Vegas, the first Strip outing of Rock in Rio might be its last, as the music festival may have lost as much as $28 million. Vital Vegas puts attendance at a dreadful 130,000 (out of a possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pets, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, South Korea, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Rock in Rio flops; Tighter slots in Maryland?

Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

While New Jersey politicians bicker over the timing of a constitutional referendum for adding northerly casinos, Hard Rock International unveiled a detailed picture of its plans for its desired Meadowlands casino (a site favored by 73% of voters polled, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Good April for Vegas; Frankie the Fish and Sister Sandra

Posted on May 29, 2015 by David McKee

Baccarat play on the Las Vegas Strip improved by double-digit numbers for the second month in a row, up 14% in April, contributing to an 8% upward surge on the Strip. Baccarat revenues rose 5%, while all other table games … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off on Good April for Vegas; Frankie the Fish and Sister Sandra

Straub faces reality; Chinese players prefer Vegas

Posted on May 27, 2015 by David McKee

Reality continues to sink in at Revel, where Glenn Straub has thrown in the towel on reopening this summer — raising the prospect of a grand-reopening in the cold-weather months. Not very auspicious, that. Labor Day is the target date … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Revel, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Straub faces reality; Chinese players prefer Vegas

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 27, 2015 by David McKee

“I will never say there are too many tables.” — Galaxy Entertainment Vice Chairman Francis Lui, asked whether the 150-table government allocation for Galaxy Macau Phase Two was sufficient. The casino has the capacity for 500 tables.

Posted in Macau, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Atlantic City rings the cash register; Adelson loses (again)

Posted on May 26, 2015 by David McKee

Operating profits in Atlantic City don’t tell the whole story: The Showboat was notoriously in the black when Caesars Entertainment closed it but the company said it was running at a loss … thanks to interest payments with which CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dennis Gomes, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City rings the cash register; Adelson loses (again)

Louisiana’s bonny April; Nevada Gold now with 100% more Nevada

Posted on May 22, 2015 by David McKee

Golden Nugget Lake Charles continues to be the outboard engine that speeds up Louisiana gaming revenues. The Pelican State was up 4% last month — but 13% when Tilman Fertitta‘s casino is added to the tally. It even made inroads … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Slot routes, South Dakota, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Louisiana’s bonny April; Nevada Gold now with 100% more Nevada

Loveman’s best decision; New face at Bellagio

Posted on May 18, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman‘s decision to pull out of the troubled Baha Mar metaresort may represent one of the best judgment calls he ever made. The $3 billion Bahamas resort has missed three deadlines to open and has received the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Genting, Harry Reid, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sam Nazarian, South Korea, The Strip | 1 Comment

Long road back for Macao; Phua case becomes a federal obsession

Posted on May 13, 2015 by David McKee

Macao‘s status as shorthand for “corruption” got another bump this week when it was announced that former bureaucrat Li Huabo had gambled away $4 million in the casino enclave, then absconded with $16 million in stolen. As deleterious as that … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Philippines, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Vietnam, Wall Street | Comments Off on Long road back for Macao; Phua case becomes a federal obsession

Pence ultimately gets it right

Posted on May 11, 2015 by David McKee

WDRB 41 Louisville News After months of Hamlet-worthy public agonizing, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) did the right thing by doing nothing. Satisfied that it was not his never-defined “expansion” of gambling, he decided to let a casino-reform bill that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Indiana, Kentucky, Macau, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Pence ultimately gets it right

Steve Wynn talks, we listen

Posted on May 5, 2015 by David McKee

Elaine Wynn finds herself underwriting a Steve Wynn colloquy with Jon Ralston. (We may have “the Adelson primary” but we also have “the Ralston primary.”) Bet she didn’t see that coming. As for Steve, he can be combative, God knows, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Macau, Steve Wynn, Taxes, TV | Comments Off on Steve Wynn talks, we listen

Crystals for sale again; Hit-and-run Sheldon

Posted on May 5, 2015 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International isn’t hurting for cash, having just posted a $170 million profit for 1Q15, far outstripping analysts’ projections (and despite an 11% falloff due to Macao). However, its Crystals shopping mall is back on the market, carrying a $1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Crystals for sale again; Hit-and-run Sheldon

Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio cities are trying to use casino revenues to keep pace with Gov. John Kasich‘s austerity regime — and partly succeeding. “It is an important part of the budget, particularly when you look at the fact the state has eliminated almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, history, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

MGM: The lion meows; GLPI: Still hungry

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International needed to increase net revenue this past quarter by 2% to meet Wall Street forecasts and offset inflation. Instead, revenue stayed flat and the Leo the Lion came in $33 million on cash-flow forecasts and down $12 … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, GLPI, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: The lion meows; GLPI: Still hungry

The world according to Wynn

Posted on May 1, 2015 by David McKee

Nobody likes a sore winner and Steve Wynn has nothing but unkind words for Elaine Wynn, a week after she was voted off the Wynn Resorts board. His dismissive attitude toward her criticisms of the board’s composition makes me skeptical … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn frustrated with Macao; Adelson vs. Adelson

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

“Macau giveth and Macau taketh away for Wynn Resorts.” With that sentence the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Richard Velotta pithily summarized the precipitous reliance that Wynn and other Macanese operators have on that unpredictable market. “Our hopes for a turnaround during Chinese … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

With MGM Resorts International having rejected one REIT proposal, in part because it relied too much on asset sales, Union Gaming is teeing up another. It’s not providing specifics but says it would provide “additional financial flexibility without the disruption of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

Not a punch has been thrown yet but already we know some things about the outcome of the hype-driven Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao fight, including the fact that with guaranteed purses for both fighters, they win just … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

When the government of Macao makes a suggestion, it’s more like an order. For instance, last week, Secretary for Economy & Finance Lionel Leong summoned representatives of all six casino concessionaires to a meeting in which he ‘requested’ increased hiring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Economy, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Elaine Wynn has left the building

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

Votes are still being audited but the bottom line from Wynn Resorts‘ board election is this: Elaine Wynn is out and the company’s two preferred candidates have been reelected. “The manner in which the existing board has handled the company’s third-largest … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment