Category Archives: Marketing

Mohegan Sun shines

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations to Mohegan Sun on being named ‘Best Hotel’ by readers of USA Today. I’ve never stayed there but would reckon this is quite a coup and shows yet again that tribal casinos don’t yield the palm to private-sector ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 28, 2018 by David McKee

“New luxury guests are willing to spend, but at the same time appreciate good value. They want luxurious elements within the guest experience and they are willing to pay for them. At the same time, they understand value and are … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

“Your brand is how and what your customers and target audiences think and feel when they see or hear your name, your communications, and your stories. It comes across in your tone, manner, images, and interactions.  A properly formed brand … Continue reading →

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FanDuel goes “George”; So long, Lucky Dragon

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

While the week is young, it hardly seems premature to hail FanDuel as our “George of the Week” after it agreed to honor erroneously generated 750-1 odds on the outcome of yesterday’s Denver Broncos/Oakland Raiders tilt. (Hey, Las Vegas, how … Continue reading →

Posted in Lucky Dragon, Marketing, New Jersey, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on FanDuel goes “George”; So long, Lucky Dragon

Boyd captures Valley Forge; An historic first at the Plaza

Posted on September 19, 2018 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming is officially in the Pennsylvania market, having closed its $280.5 million purchase of Valley Forge Casino Resort. The company now gets to grapple for a piece of the crowded Philadelphia market. And don’t think Harrah’s Philadelphia won’t tout … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Caesars hailed; Wynn Resorts for sale?

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse has initiated coverage of Caesars Entertainment, citing it as its “Top Pick” in the gaming sector. Why? “It recently re-emerged from bankruptcy and is one of the largest US gaming operators, with eight Las Vegas Strip and 22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Caesars hailed; Wynn Resorts for sale?

Resort fees rethought; Yokohama rejects casinos

Posted on September 6, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations, Scott Roeben. Analyst Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is a Vital Vegas reader and cites it in his latest investor note. He also mentions a publication with which I’m not familiar, LV Locally, when writing “that several Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Indiana, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

State of D-nile; Red-tag sale at Caesars

Posted on September 5, 2018 by David McKee

Xstal Campbell, a former dancing barmaid at The D, will be testifying before the Nevada Gaming Control Board today, along with other, unidentified casino workers. The subject will be sexual harassment. Ms. Campbell, who also will try her case before … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Marketing, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on State of D-nile; Red-tag sale at Caesars

MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

It seems Springfield has a tornado to thank for MGM Resorts International‘s interest in the city, the beginning of a seven-year quest that climaxed with the Budweiser Clydesdales leading a parade to the new megaresort. CEO Jim Murren was window-shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Election, history, International, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Station Casinos | Comments Off on MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

‘Net, sports betting slow to ramp in Pennsylvania; Enter the Dragons

Posted on August 20, 2018 by David McKee

Three casinos in Pennsylvania have been cleared for Internet gambling. Of the trio, tiny Mount Airy Casino may loom the largest, being affiliated with both 888 and also PokerStars, which has  been having a few issues of late. (Interestingly, Presque Isle … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip | Comments Off on ‘Net, sports betting slow to ramp in Pennsylvania; Enter the Dragons

When in Rome …

Posted on August 16, 2018 by David McKee

… don’t advertise sports betting. Actually you can’t, thanks to a new “Dignity Decree” that was the first priority of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte‘s right-wing government. The provocation was a proliferation of gaming advertising during Italy‘s World Cup games. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, California, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, International, Marketing, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on When in Rome …

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 9, 2018 by David McKee

“One of the best lessons we learned was from the mistakes that daily fantasy sports made back in 2015, certainly when it came to the issue of advertising responsibly. They got way out ahead of their skis in 2015 with … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Marketing, Regulation, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More woes for Wynn; Unlucky 13 in Macao

Posted on August 3, 2018 by David McKee

Update: All charges in this case were dismissed, as the alleged rape was found to be a fabrication. Wynn Las Vegas‘ status as the poster child for sexual assault on the Las Vegas Strip just got another boost. SoCal dentist Poria … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Economy, Election, Georgia, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Politics, Sexual misconduct, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on More woes for Wynn; Unlucky 13 in Macao

MGM gets panned; Eldorado reaps laurels

Posted on August 3, 2018 by David McKee

First, the good news. Park MGM generated $9 million across the last three quarters, which is pretty good when you consider that it’s essentially a construction site. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff opines that this partly makes up for “weak” … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Illinois, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Racinos, Reno, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM gets panned; Eldorado reaps laurels

Murren steps in it (again); More casinos join sports-betting arms race

Posted on August 1, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International has decided that it made a faux pas … not by suing victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre but by not explaining to employees what it was doing, leaving them open, says CEO Jim Murren, to “media … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, e-sports, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting | Comments Off on Murren steps in it (again); More casinos join sports-betting arms race

NBA picks MGM; Station impresses Wall Street

Posted on August 1, 2018 by David McKee

In what is a first of its kind, an American sporting league has an “official gaming partner.” The NBA has tapped MGM Resorts International to be the casino face of the league. This would mean, according to Bloomberg, “MGM will … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, GLPI, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on NBA picks MGM; Station impresses Wall Street

MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is targeting Hartford (and five other media markets) with its initial TV spot for MGM Springfield, whose opening is now less than a month away. The ad, which you can see for yourself, has shoutouts to virtually … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

New era in Atlantic City

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City is already feeling the benefits from the double-barreled openings of Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort. While June’s gambling revenues were up 1.5% on a same-store basis, add the newcomers and the increase is 5%. (Both casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

The name of the game; New look at Palms

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

We don’t cover lotteries much but Pennsylvania‘s has fought the state’s casino industry to a draw. The latter would like to see iLottery (powered by Scientific Games) immobilized, viewing it as a threat to online casino gambling. The Department of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Internet gambling, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Station Casinos | Comments Off on The name of the game; New look at Palms

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana