Category Archives: Marketing

Atlantic City gets good news; Stanley Ho canonized

Posted on June 2, 2020 by David McKee

July 4 could spell independence for Atlantic City casinos, judging by recent statements from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D). In a radio interview he said, “It’s probably still too early to give you a very specific answer but there’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Health, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on May 28, 2020 by David McKee

Unlike Las Vegas, casinos in Atlantic City aren’t being proactive in preparing for a mid-pandemic reopening. Ergo, the public sector is stepping into the void, in the form of state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D, right). Gov. Phil Murphy (D) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dining, Health, Internet gambling, Marketing, Regulation | 2 Comments

Boyd comes clean; Penn Nat’l “upbeat”

Posted on May 20, 2020 by David McKee

“Boyd Clean” has been unveiled by eponymous Boyd Gaming and while nothing in it will come as a shock, it shows the company has been closely following what other companies are doing in terms of safety precautions. You’ll receive a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, FanDuel, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boyd comes clean; Penn Nat’l “upbeat”

“Green shoots” in gaming; Mega-Jottings

Posted on May 18, 2020 by David McKee

According to the American Gaming Association, 82 of 989 casinos in the United States have reopened, many of them in Louisiana starting today. But don’t take our word for it. Use the AGA’s Coronavirus tracker, which keeps you abreast of casino … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Detroit, Dining, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, LVCVA, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Resort fees, Singapore, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Boston buoys Wynn, Penn leans on Barstool

Posted on May 11, 2020 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts was one of three biggies to report 1Q20 results late last week and the Las Vegas Strip was the least of its problems. Wynn Las Vegas and Encore had net revenue of $324 million, down 19% from last … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Gaming, history, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

MGM: Survey says …; Odds favor Harris for VP

Posted on April 27, 2020 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International wants your opinion … well, some of you anyway. In a survey obtained by Scott Roeben of VitalVegas, Leo the Lion poses an array of questions to Platinum- and Noir-tier customers. As Roeben says, it reveals more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Century Casinos, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, FanDuel, Health, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Hornbuckle, Sternlicht send conflicting messages; Virgin is ailing

Posted on April 22, 2020 by David McKee

Add MGM Resorts International to the short list of Las Vegas hoteliers announcing reopening strategies. In a five-minute video presentation, CEO William Hornbuckle summarized many of the company’s charitable efforts during the crisis (bolstered by a $500,000 contribution from Dubai … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Georgia, Health, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, The Strip, Transportation, Virgin Hotels, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Culinary issues demands; Outlasting Coronavirus

Posted on April 13, 2020 by David McKee

In a Thursday media event, the Culinary Union called for casinos to continue paying their inactivated employees for as long as the Coronavirus crisis lasts. Said Unite-Here President D. Taylor, “The industry, obviously, is a very profitable industry. We don’t understand their … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Architecture, California, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Technology, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Culinary issues demands; Outlasting Coronavirus

Las Vegas: What next and when?

Posted on April 10, 2020 by David McKee

While everyone from Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman up to the highest ranks of the federal government trying to rush people back to work, we’re forced to consider what Sin City will look like after the Coronavirus pandemic … and when … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, Health, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Resort fees, Sports, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, Technology, The Strip | 3 Comments

No recovery in Macao

Posted on April 3, 2020 by David McKee

Despite the lifting of a government quarantine, casino revenues in Macao did not bounce back last month, down 80% to $664 million. That’s worse than forecast (70%). Tourism restrictions prompted by a second boomlet of Covid-19 in Macao didn’t help. … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economy, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, PokerStars, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on No recovery in Macao

Harbingers of hope

Posted on April 1, 2020 by David McKee

Tonight, in a gesture of defiance toward Coronavirus, a parade of vehicles will be held up the otherwise-deserted Las Vegas Strip. Led by mobile billboard Balanceville Art Car, “Light Up Las Vegas” will begin from McCarran Sunset Business Park, immediately south … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Charity, Detroit, Downtown, Health, Japan, Marketing, Penn National, Resorts World LV, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Harbingers of hope

Wynn Resorts defended; Trump stiffs hotel employees

Posted on March 24, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff came riding to the aid of Wynn Resorts this week. “COVID-19’s evolving impact has created a lot of share price carnage in the gaming and lodging sector, to state the obvious. Its impact should be … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Environment, Florida, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

A silver lining for gaming?

Posted on March 16, 2020 by David McKee

by Jeff Goldberg, guest contributor With each passing day, if not hour, Covid-19 overwhelms another entertainment institution—including sports. By Thursday afternoon, three major American sports leagues—NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball—had all suspended their seasons. The NCAA March Madness tournament … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Health, Internet gambling, Marketing, New York, Sports | Comments Off on A silver lining for gaming?

Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm doesn’t have an office in Massachusetts. Nor any employees. But Rush Street Gaming‘s Bay State affiliate spent the second-highest amount on lobbying last year. That’d be 662 dimes lavished on the pursuit of the state’s elusive, final casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Health, history, Lotteries, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Resorts World LV, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Reeg savages Caesars; Catskills rescue plan

Posted on February 24, 2020 by David McKee

Having rashly committed $500 million in reinvestments to the Louisiana market (he’ll have to build whole new casinos to spend that much), Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg has to make those forfeited savings back somewhere. Potential sales of Caesars Entertainment‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World LV, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip | 1 Comment

Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

According to the Boston Globe, a “sense of reality” in sinking in at Encore Boston Harbor that it has to appeal to somebody besides high-income demographics. “This shift was evident recently when a bright-red taco truck appeared on the gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Canada, Dining, Georgia, Illinois, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

Case Bets

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

My head feels more disorganized than the Iowa Democratic caucuses (and that’s going some), so take a few Case Bets and call me in the morning … * Our salient recollection of Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas involves taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Dining, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, history, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels | 2 Comments

Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

Yes, the Super Bowl has finally come and gone, and congratulations to those of you who took the under on the total points scored (51) and the number of times Mike Shanahan was shown on camera (0). If there was … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, history, International, Marketing, Mattress Mack, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset