Category Archives: Macau

Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Casino legalization fell on its sword in Japan when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly dissolved the Diet, in order to call for elections. According to Reuters, “That means lawmakers cannot pass regulatory legislation next year, making it highly unlikely any … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Transportation | Comments Off on Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Are the feds scrutinizing Wynn … and why?

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Uncle Sam appears to be making a systematic sweep of the Strip, probing all the major players. The latest target, according to the Wall Street Journal, is Wynn Resorts, which denies knowledge of any federal probe. However, according to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Are the feds scrutinizing Wynn … and why?

Forcible restraint in Massachusetts; The big winners in Philadelphia

Posted on November 19, 2014 by David McKee

As you’ve read here earlier, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is eyeing the concept of “play management.” It’s a somewhat paternalistic concept wherein players pre-set a loss limit and are rewarded with free-play credits, points or other incentives for staying within … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Technology, Tomato King Procacci | 1 Comment

Paul pounds Sands; Caesars’ Eight

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

If he used a computer — which he doesn’t — Sheldon Adelson would have to delete Ron Paul from his list of Facebook “friends.” The libertarian gadfly is the latest U.S. citizen to take umbrage a Adelson’s do-gooder (and dubiously … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Paul pounds Sands; Caesars’ Eight

Caesars: How do they do it?

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

This just in: Working with “key senior creditors,” Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. is reported to be arranging a prepackaged bankruptcy, with a target date of Jan. 14. How does Gary Loveman keep his job? If he were a cat, he’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Caesars: How do they do it?

Sheldon steps in it again and again

Posted on November 10, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s love of authoritarianism has made him another enemy. At the latest Israel American Conference, Adelson rhapsodized, “God talked about all the good things in life. He didn’t talk about Israel remaining as a democratic state, otherwise Israel isn’t going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 5, 2014 by David McKee

“The policy of the central government in being very, very aggressive about what appeared to be a misconduct and corruption of the government has put a lot of the wealthy businessmen in the foxholes.” — Steve Wynn, on the decline … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Rough times in Macao; The NFL’s double standard

Posted on November 3, 2014 by David McKee

At least in relative, this month is shaping up as the worst in Macao‘s casino history, with the gambling industry looking at a 23% drop in gross receipts. And when 80% of your economy is predicated on casinos, you’ve got … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Boyd impresses the Street, MGM disappoints

Posted on October 31, 2014 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming pleased Wall Street with its 3Q14 results, of which Joseph Greff of J.P. Morgan said “margin improvement was notable and impressive.” He noted modest growth in the Las Vegas locals and downtown segments and better-than-expected regional numbers, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Genting, Hawaii, Macau, MGM Mirage, Reno, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boyd impresses the Street, MGM disappoints

Clashing views on MGM; Shotgun wedding in Pennsylvania

Posted on October 30, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s third quarter was “better than expected” if you were J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff and “disappointing” if you are Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli. It’s a matter of how MGM performed relative to analyst forecasts. While the Las Vegas Strip … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Detroit, GLPI, Harrah's, Macau, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Clashing views on MGM; Shotgun wedding in Pennsylvania

Impatience in Philly; Big sting at Caesars

Posted on October 29, 2014 by David McKee

It’s been eight months since the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board held suitability hearings for awarding Philadelphia‘s second and final casino license. Those deliberations seem to have receded in the hazy yon of the past. It’s a situation that’s not sitting well … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Impatience in Philly; Big sting at Caesars

Wynn confounded; Sands gets tough

Posted on October 29, 2014 by David McKee

During yesterday’s call with gaming analysts, Steve Wynn admitted to being “confused” by a Macao gaming market where revenues in October could fall 20%-23%. “The new regulations in smoking, the turmoil in Hong Kong lately, in the month of October, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn confounded; Sands gets tough

Story time with Grandpa Sheldon

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

Although he’s almost upstaged by his toupee, Sheldon Adelson delivers a fairly absorbing history of the world according to Sheldon.

Posted in Architecture, Internet gambling, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | 1 Comment

Fighting on in New Jersey; One-armed banditry

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

Monmouth Park may have been stayed from offering NFL and World Series bets, among others, but state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D) isn’t giving up fighting the good fight, describing it as “the last hurrah.” Describing an Atlantic City that’s devoid … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harry Reid, Illinois, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Fighting on in New Jersey; One-armed banditry

Players take Vegas to the cleaners

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

Baccarat players stayed home or played smaller last month. The Strip’s most important revenue driver dropped 30% on 12.5% less play. So luck and players’ wallets were both working in the casinos’ disfavor. Despite a 2% increase in coin-in, slot … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Cannery Casino Resorts, Downtown, Economy, Laughlin, Macau, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Players take Vegas to the cleaners

Wild, wild East; Fertitta remembered

Posted on October 24, 2014 by David McKee

Imagine a Las Vegas in which to play you were required to lay out at least $65 … and where the average minimum bet was $270, maybe even $320. You’d have Macao, whose players dwarf Vegas’ ($20 average minimum bet) … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Macau, Michael Gaughan, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Memo from Macao

Posted on October 23, 2014 by David McKee
Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Memo from Macao

Atlantic City: Which way is up?; Sheldon Adelson, prophet

Posted on October 16, 2014 by David McKee

Unburdened of four unprofitable casinos, if the revenue in Atlantic City is counted on a “same store” basis (i.e., leaving Revel, Showboat, the Atlantic Club and Trump Plaza out of the picture), the Boardwalk actually saw a 4% increase in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, G2E, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Life after Revel; Sheldon’s solid quarter

Posted on October 15, 2014 by David McKee

Faced with fewer and fewer casino choices in Atlantic City, players seem to be choosing to stay home. The seaside city saw gaming revenues plummet 17% last month. That’s also the same percentage by which coin-in and slot revenues slipped. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Tempers fray in Macao; Wynn honored

Posted on October 15, 2014 by David McKee

One union’s “industrial action” is another company’s “dialogue.” That’s the Rashomon-like situation playing out at MGM Grand Paradise in Macao. Earlier this month, Forefront of the Macao Gaming announced that a weekend work-to-rule would take place at MGM. Dealers were … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Tempers fray in Macao; Wynn honored