Category Archives: Marketing

Study: Triads rampant in Macao casinos

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Wow, what a shocker — not. A new study by T. Wing Lo and Sharon Ingrid Kwok of the City University of Hong Kong for the British Journal of Criminology reports that casino operators look for junket partners who have ‘dor’ or … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Rhode Island, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off

Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

Will a Horseshoe by any other name earn as much? We’re going to find out because Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is going to rebrand his casinos under the Jack Entertainment banner, presumably a tip of the hat to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Plainridge bounces back; Unhappy new year in Louisiana

Posted on February 16, 2016 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming has been rather defensive — and understandably so — about the performance of Plainridge Park, which has seen business steadily decline from month to month. However, Penn reversed the slippage last month, increasing revenues 11%. Penn spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

It’s a new day at the Cosmo; Atlantic City’s fate in Borgata’s hands

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

“The bottom line is you have a casino. Instead of downplaying that, let’s celebrate it.” That’s Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO Bill McBeath outlining the besetting sin of his predecessors, ignoring the central role of gambling as the Cosmo’s revenue … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Illinois, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Penn: Glass nearly full

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Prior to its conference call with analysts, Penn National Gaming shared some earnings guidance and hints of what is to come. Perceptions of the performance of Plainridge Park Casino have become something of a sore point with Penn execs. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Marketing, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Seminoles take to the air; Trop exec vanishes

Posted on January 20, 2016 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is taking its case to the people, as its new compact with Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces an uphill slog in the Legislature. The compact is such a Rube Goldberg contraption, with so many moving parts, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Big contract from Wynn; Parking debate continues

Posted on January 19, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts bought locally in its search for a Wynn Everett general contractor. It has let the $1 billion construction contract to Suffolk Construction, biggest in Massachusetts. By choosing a Boston company for this seven-figure deal (plus 4,000 jobs), perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, GLPI, International, Iowa, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Stick ’em up!

Posted on January 15, 2016 by David McKee

Addressing concerns about the quantity and proximity of parking to the T-Mobile Arena, executives at MGM Resorts International are busting out plans for a $54 million parking garage, to be built on the northwest corner of the Excalibur “campus,” cannibalizing … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Wynn Resorts opens its wallet; Further woes for Macao

Posted on January 14, 2016 by David McKee

The most “george” figure in the casino industry last year would have to be Steve Wynn. Rank-and-file employees at Wynn Macau received a month’s salary as an end-of-year bonus. Senior management is ineligible for bonuses. Now, this is part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Crosby: DFS equals Internet gambling; Macao’s newfound love for slot players

Posted on January 13, 2016 by David McKee

Although state Attorney General Maura Healey continues to draw a road map for daily fantasy sports in Massachusetts, the state’s gambling regulatory body has stepped forward to volunteer its services as an enforcement agent. Yes, DFS would be classified as … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Straub’s plans evolve; Martin Walsh, loser

Posted on December 4, 2015 by David McKee

Remember, you read it here first. Glenn Straub intends to sublicense the casino portion of Revel to an outside operator. It will have to be a company with a high tolerance for risk, as Straub is insisting on a 30-year … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Penn charms Wall Street

Posted on December 3, 2015 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff recently sat down with Penn National Gaming COO Jay Snowden and, of course, the big topic of conversation was Plainridge Park. Penn doesn’t see Wynn Everett — when it opens in 2018 — as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Illinois, M Resort, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | 1 Comment

DFS: A patchwork of approaches

Posted on November 18, 2015 by David McKee

Although he’s been dissed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and the NCAA (because his bill would allow daily fantasy sports to include college athletes), state Sen. James Whelan (D, right) presses on in his attempt to regulate DFS … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off

Up and down the Strip

Posted on November 17, 2015 by David McKee

SLS Las Vegas is finally doing better, if by “doing better” you mean losing only $39 million in a full 3Q15 as opposed to the $46 million lost in the truncated (five-week) 3Q14. Stockbridge Capital Partners continues to have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, James Packer, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

“I hate slots. It’s all up to luck. It’s boring, and I can’t control what happens. The only time I would ever even consider playing is to pretend I am so I could score free drinks.” — Arizona State University student … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Marketing, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

SLS gets new patron; Mixed quarter at Caesars

Posted on November 10, 2015 by David McKee

Revolving doors continue to spin, metaphorically, at SLS Las Vegas. No sooner had Hilton Worldwide dropped the property from its Curio brand but Starwood Resorts Worldwide picked up part of the property and slapped its W hotel escutcheon on it. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Caesars exiting Ohio with head held high; New Showboat setback

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment may have gotten the boot from its three managerial arrangements with Dan Gilbert in Ohio but it’s spending the waning weeks of its tenure putting up impressive numbers. Horseshoe Cleveland ($18 million) was up 4% and Horseshoe Cincinnati … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off

Caesars loses Ohio; Parking fees on the Strip?

Posted on November 2, 2015 by David McKee

In a lose-lose scenario, Caesars Entertainment is losing its management contracts at Horseshoe Cincinnati, Horseshoe Cleveland and Thistledown Racino. Even with the valuable Horseshoe brand, all three had been losing business in recent months. Caesars had long ago sold its … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Baccarat buoys the Strip; Last call for Vegas Club

Posted on October 29, 2015 by David McKee

Not only were Nevada gaming revenues up 2% last month, so were Strip revs, propelled by heavy baccarat play. In addition to 17% more being wagered, the house played lucky, winning 24% than last year. That more than made up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Economy, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Reno, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Harrah’s auction scrapped; Airport casino nixed

Posted on October 28, 2015 by David McKee

Almost nobody wants the defunct remnants of Harrah’s Tunica Casino. Owner Caesars Entertainment has scratched a planned auction of the property because nobody except stalking horse TJM Properties has shown an interest in the building. TJM specializes in senior-living facilities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Marketing, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Scientific Games, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off