Category Archives: Marketing

Caesars: Running numbers; Showboat is back

Posted on March 21, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer ran the numbers on an Eldorado Resorts buyout of Caesars Entertainment and finds it doable. His model is predicated on a $10.50/share purchase of CZR stock, currently trading at $8.56. That’s a pretty good deal for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, DFS, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Missouri, Politics, Reno, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Eldorado explores Caesars takeover; MGM says ‘Play ball!’

Posted on March 19, 2019 by David McKee

Since corporate mergers, once begun, develop a momentum all their all own, it was inevitable that someone would step forward to explore a purchase of Caesars Entertainment, regardless of whether it is a good idea, risking a second bankruptcy. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Eldorado explores Caesars takeover; MGM says ‘Play ball!’

Gaming speaks: Penn, Boyd, Eldorado, Churchill Downs

Posted on March 15, 2019 by David McKee

One of the few CEOs to grace JP Morgan‘s hotel-and-leisure forum was Penn National Gaming‘s Tim Wilmot. He reported that the “regional consumer remains solid and trends are largely consistent with that seen 2018.” Furthermore, Penn is “seeing good growth … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Marketing, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Gaming speaks: Penn, Boyd, Eldorado, Churchill Downs

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 11, 2019 by David McKee

“A more straightforward way to consider relationship/influencer is to begin to link players with their ‘visit partner.’ For example: Find a way to value the wife who is an average table games player, but her husband loves your maximum bet … Continue reading →

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SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Lucina Laam may be the most important person in Macao‘s turbulent casino history. As Wife #2 of Stanley Ho she bore Daisy Ho, Pansy Ho, Lawrence Ho and two other daughters not involved in the gaming biz. Now, in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Environment, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

MGM, Eldorado, Churchill Downs looking up

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse‘s Cameron McKnight flew out to San Francisco to meet with MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren. The biggest headline item would be the eccentricity of Murren choosing to meet in Frisco rather than at MGM HQ in Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, MTR Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

“She felt like a great muse to evoke the brand. Equinox has a certain customer and the new work needed to keep pace with them.” — RanaVerse founder Rana Reeves on why Equinox Hotels chose Naomi Campbell to represent them in … Continue reading →

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Churchill Downs pwns Caesars; Kentucky covets casinos

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

Cold weather helped chill Indiana casino revenues last month, down 6%. The Hoosier State’s casinos and racinos grossed $154 million. Horseshoe Southern Indiana continues to bleed business to Churchill Downs‘ Derby City, hemorrhaging 10% to $16.5 million. Full House Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Monorail to the rescue of Grand Bazaar; Golden Nugget on the block?

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

We thought the Las Vegas Monorail was the biggest charity case on the Las Vegas Strip. However, the Grand Bazaar Shops — where Strip retail finally jumped the shark — is apparently even worse off. We say this because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

“We want to lead by being good, not by being profitable. We think of profits as a byproduct of the new experience.” — SCP Hotels CEO Ken Cruse on his brand’s wellness-oriented, name-your-price business model.

Posted in Colorado, Environment, Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

With 75% of bettors wagering on the New England Patriots, plus a “george” 53-1 side bet for in-store credit, FanDuel got taken to the woodshed during Super Bowl LIII, losing $5 million. “All of this combined to leave New England as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Genting, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, New Jersey, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Super Bowl LIII is over and viewers are left to ponder such existential questions as “Is Julian Edelman a Hall of Famer?” and “Why are all NFL kickers bald?” The New England Patriots did the most important thing, i.e. covering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, history, International, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Paragon Gaming, Sigma Derby, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Posted on February 1, 2019 by David McKee

Despite one less weekend day than 2017, December was good for the Las Vegas Strip. Visitation was up over 2% and room revenues leapt 16% to an average of $104/room. This was particularly impressive given a 23% decline in convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 30, 2019 by David McKee

“With social elements and innovative side bets, blackjack has the potential to draw new players to the casino floor, as well as retain old ones. Starting with the people, from attentive cocktail servers to properly trained dealers, we want players … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Marketing | 1 Comment

Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

In another pure, non-gaming play, Caesars Entertainment has disclosed plans to build a hotel at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Arizona. “The 11-story glass structure, with 266 guest rooms, will be called Caesars Republic Scottsdale and will be the company’s first … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Posted on January 25, 2019 by David McKee

Japan hasn’t issued requests for proposals for casino megaresorts — not that it has stopped companies like Hard Rock International from pitching their product to prefectures. However, the Japanese government is rolling out advertising regulations and they are stringent. The only places … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Technology | Comments Off on Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Massachusetts mulls sports betting

Posted on January 21, 2019 by David McKee

Massachusetts is expected to be one of the prime movers on the sports-betting front and, to that end, three bills have been filed in the Lege, no doubt much to the interest of homeboys DraftKings, the New England Patriots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, IGT, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mississippi, Penn National, Politics, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Massachusetts mulls sports betting

Deifik defects from Atlantic City; Stevens unveils new casino

Posted on January 11, 2019 by David McKee

That was brief. After six months of operation at Ocean Resort, owner Bruce Deifik wants out. Word is he’s found a mystery buyer, one who will invest $70 million in “a new buffet, additional hotel suites, gaming floor improvements and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Colorado, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Marketing, Revel, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation | 2 Comments

Lady Gaga vanquishes the Strip

Posted on January 3, 2019 by David McKee

“Energy and heart.” That’s what Lady Gaga has brought to the Las Vegas Strip, according to early notices of Enigma. If you’ve seen A Star Is Born, you know that the sky’s the limit for Her Ladyship’s talent (even though the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New York, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Lady Gaga vanquishes the Strip

Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Don’t say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Lyle Berman, 77, who was once in on the ground floor of tribal gaming is now purchasing two companies with the purpose of merging them to form an e-sports major … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, Lyle Berman, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, PokerStars, Security, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve