Category Archives: Marketing

Good April for Vegas; Frankie the Fish and Sister Sandra

Posted on May 29, 2015 by David McKee

Baccarat play on the Las Vegas Strip improved by double-digit numbers for the second month in a row, up 14% in April, contributing to an 8% upward surge on the Strip. Baccarat revenues rose 5%, while all other table games … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off

Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

When the government of Macao makes a suggestion, it’s more like an order. For instance, last week, Secretary for Economy & Finance Lionel Leong summoned representatives of all six casino concessionaires to a meeting in which he ‘requested’ increased hiring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Economy, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Tightening the screws on Macao; While we were in recess

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

In what may come as bad news to casino operators, the Macao government is placing a quota on the number of mainland visitors the gaming enclave will allow per year: 21 million. On the other hand, the government is pivoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tourism | 2 Comments

Revel: Crippled giant; Tough choice in Indiana

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

It may feel good for Glenn Straub to spit defiance (“We will never give in to blackmail. Let them dig their own grave, along with endangering other peoples’ lives.”) at the ACR power plant that just cut off water and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

No megaresorts in Florida’s future; Big experiment at Sands Bethlehem

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Bowing to political realities, Florida state Rep. Dana Young (R, left) has Slim-Fasted her omnibus gambling-expansion bill from 300 pages to 60. Among the items gone into the shredder was a provision for two casino megaresorts in South Florida. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Good year for Atlantic City

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Boardwalker boosters like Glenn Straub who says Atlantic City‘s still got plenty of life in it can point to today’s headlines: The city’s casinos increased their operating profit last year by 45%. Unless you count the defunct Revel (-$48.5 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Caesars: Total Rewards value is zilch

Posted on March 20, 2015 by David McKee

You and I might think that Total Rewards is Caesars Entertainment‘s prize asset — so much so that Chairman Gary Loveman built his reputation on it. However, in the current bankruptcy proceeding, Caesars is attributing no equity value to it. That’s one … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Marketing, South Korea, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Nugget drives Louisiana; Sauce for the goose in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 19, 2015 by David McKee

Subtract the Golden Nugget Lake Charles from last month’s Louisiana gambling revenues and they’re absolutely flat with 2014. Two wannabe REITs went in opposite directions. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s aggregate Pelican State casinos were up 9% while Caesars Entertainment got hammered, down … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Roundball is Borgata’s newest draw; Board disses Elaine Wynn

Posted on March 16, 2015 by David McKee

Borgata is ahead of the curve again in Atlantic City. At least it’s thinking progressively, incepting a March Madness-themed free-throw competition as a first step toward skill-based gambling. Four hundred people have already plunked $20 each down to play on ad … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Internet gambling, Marketing, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Adelson lackey denounces gambling; Scientific’s stumble

Posted on March 16, 2015 by David McKee

In a surprising display of petulance, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) hung up the phone on members of the National Governors Association when they had the temerity to object to his Restoration of America’s Wire Act bill, which would criminalize state … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Marketing, New York, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Caesars pensioners find sympathetic ear

Posted on March 13, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s cutoff of payments to several dozen pensioners drew the attention of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, taking up the bulk of Wednesday’s hearing. NGCB Terry Johnson member told Caesars attorneys, “The pensioners are an important matter that should not … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

The clock is running in Japan, Florida, Connecticut

Posted on March 11, 2015 by David McKee

Major casino companies are beginning to lose patience with Japan‘s impotent government and are casting their eyes toward South Korea. “This will take leadership. At some point someone is going to have to say ‘this is important to us, let’s push this … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Trump’s hollow victory; Seminoles make new friends

Posted on March 10, 2015 by David McKee

In a display of either weakness or stupidity, Carl Icahn has caved in to Donald Trump and reached an agreement to keep the TV star’s name on Trump Taj Mahal. As anyone who’s followed the dwindling of the Trump empire from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Florida, Harrah's, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 3 Comments

Pence’s and Markell’s tunnel vision

Posted on February 13, 2015 by David McKee

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) may be swimming against the tide when he opposes casino reforms that he slimes as gambling expansions. For instance, for safety reasons alone, moving riverboat casinos ashore is an idea that was overdue 10 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Lee, Delaware, Indiana, Marketing, Ohio, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off

Whither Bally’s?; Boffo January for Atlantic City

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

From publicly mulling a Horseshoe rebranding to talk of a new hotel tower, Caesars Entertainment has never seemed to know quite what to do with Bally’s Las Vegas, white elephant of its parade of Strip casinos. The Las Vegas Weekly‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Addition in Mississippi; Subtraction in Atlantic City; Gluttony in Las Vegas

Posted on January 29, 2015 by David McKee

It was all there in black and white: $935 million in state and federal taxes paid, and $4 billion in economic. That’s what Mississippi casinos achieved, despite two closures. “The numbers reflect we’re doing OK here in Mississippi,” understated Mississippi Gaming & … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Economy, Glenn Straub, Louisiana, Marketing, Mississippi, Missouri, Revel, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Politicians desert Atlantic City; Cuomo dreams on

Posted on January 20, 2015 by David McKee

Despite four years of yeoman’s work repairing and altering Atlantic City‘s image, the Atlantic City Alliance is being abandoned like an orphan on the church steps. State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D, left) blamed the casinos for killing it off … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caesars bankruptcy stymied; Big Total Rewards payday

Posted on January 19, 2015 by David McKee

Just when it looked like Gary Loveman & Co. were going to get away with murder in the Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. bankruptcy, U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin said, in essence, ‘Not so fast.’ Judge Scheindlin found the movement of assets … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, South Korea, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

“We have hit the tipping point. The industry has embarked upon the unsound strategy of raising the price of the product. I don’t think they want to admit they priced it too high. They keep adding bonusing rounds and top-box … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off

Hello, Yellow Brick Road; Packer’s big plan

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

New York‘s Oneida Indian Nation was quick to counterpunch at last week’s private-sector casino expansion. They plan to open 436-slot, 250-job Yellow Brick Road Casino in L. Frank Baum‘s hometown of Chittenango, N.Y. Thanks to the terms of their compact with the state, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Harrah's, Horseracing, James Packer, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off