Category Archives: Maine

A tale of two Penns

Posted on November 16, 2012 by David McKee

Update: Seeking Alpha’s Brad Thomas has run the numbers on the Penn split and doesn’t like the risk/reward scenario. Fifteen years and many consolidations ago, the casino industry was seized by a brain fever. It was set off by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Colorado, Cordish Co., Harrah's, history, Indiana, International, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Election wrap-up: Winners & losers

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

But first, because it will never, ever get old … Also this, from @daveweigel: “[Florida] exit poll: Obama winning Jewish vote by 40 points. 40 points. Nice work, Sheldon Adelson.” We’ll tap dance on Sheldon’s head some more further down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 4 Comments

“Luck” you!; A new gaming bonanza?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by David McKee

Last week, Mandalay Bay hosted an advance screening of the pilot episode of Luck, which debuted on HBO last night. If it was hard to follow on the ginormous MBay screen, I cannot imagine how impenetrable it seemed on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, California, Horseracing, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Racinos, South Carolina, Taxes, Tribal, TV | 5 Comments

Rock, Paper, City; Generosity at Caesars, shopping at Sands

Posted on November 2, 2011 by David McKee

While Massachusetts lawmakers sharpen their scissors in order to cut and paste two versions of the Lege’s casino-enabling bill, the city of Holyoke is happy to find itself between Hard Rock International and Paper City Development. The partnership has its … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Maine, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Domino effects

Posted on October 31, 2011 by David McKee

“Prior to the official opening, a 60-minute opening ceremony was held outside of the main entrance to the casino, where local and state politicians patted each other on the back for finally getting the casino opened, a mere 10 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Culinary Union, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

NIMBY time in Maine

Posted on October 17, 2011 by David McKee

Having gotten the nod from Maine legislators, a third casino could soon be heading the state’s way. Appropriately enough, it will appear on the ballot as Question Three. Opponent Jim Handy has his shorts in a wad over the location … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Economy, Election, Maine, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos | Comments Off on NIMBY time in Maine

Gaming is on the march

Posted on September 9, 2011 by David McKee

Add Kentucky to the states that have casino-style gambling, at least temporarily. Owners of Kentucky Downs found a loophole in Bluegrass State law and galloped through it. “Instant Racing” is the sort of VLT game you might find at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Warner Gaming | 6 Comments

Those evil casinos; Lost in Yonkers; Found in Bethlehem

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Floating down the river of DeNile, Sharron Angle says a senatorial seat that was rightfully hers was filched by “the casinos,” among other malefactors. Of course, this is the same woman who would have subtracted CityCenter from the local tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Election, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Although Maine‘s governor says he’ll veto bills to authorize a pair of racinos and a Lewiston casino, that’s not why S&G gives him the thumbs-up. No, it’s because he’s thwarting legislators from playing favorites. Lawmakers are trying to do an … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, International, Macau, Maine, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

More fun with geography; Langford & The Man; Caesars’ rough week

Posted on March 18, 2011 by David McKee

What’s in a mile? A lot more than you might think, especially if you’re a Maine legislator. Confronted with a pesky requirement that gambling venues in the Pine Tree State must have 100-mile exclusivity zones, some would redefine a “mile” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Don Barden, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Macau, Maine, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment