Category Archives: Marketing

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off on Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Fixing Foxwoods, Perryville

Posted on December 16, 2014 by David McKee

Felix Rappaport continues to unveil a new strategy for Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Operations weren’t predecessor Scott Butera‘s strong suit, by the latter’s own profession. So, the restructuring having been done, enter Rappaport to commence the rebranding. Of oncoming competition … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Regulation, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Palace coup at Full House

Posted on December 1, 2014 by David McKee

When you strike at the king, you must kill him — and dissident investor Dan Lee (left) was successful in deposing Andre Hilliou from his throne at Full House Resorts. “I would also like to thank Andre and Mark for their … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Dan Lee, Entertainment, Indiana, Internet gambling, Marketing, Mississippi, New York, PokerStars, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Casino legalization fell on its sword in Japan when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly dissolved the Diet, in order to call for elections. According to Reuters, “That means lawmakers cannot pass regulatory legislation next year, making it highly unlikely any … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Transportation | Comments Off on Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

“Venice without the Italians would not be Venice. If it’s not highly relevant, it won’t succeed.” — Echo Entertainment CEO Matt Bekkier on the importance of an “authentic” casino experience, one that appeals to locals and tourists alike. One hopes … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International have gone to bed with bwin.party but may wake up with Anaya Gaming Group. That’s one possible outcome of “preliminary discussions with a number of interested parties” and bwin. “Such discussions may or may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sports, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Election Special: What’s at stake; Fire sale at Trump

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

We know the big enchilada is Massachusetts, where repeal of the state’s casino law is on the ballot. It looks like it’s going to lose big-time, but anti-gambling sentiment runs deep in parts of the state. We’ve already been over … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Charity, Colorado, Election, Environment, Kansas, Marketing, Massachusetts, Racinos, South Carolina, South Dakota, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Freeman strikes again

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

Here’s the latest chapter in American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman‘s charm offensive: an election-season ad push targeting a few key markets. One can certainly understand why these spots are running in Boston, even Dover (where the horseracing industry wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Geoff Freeman, Indiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, TV | Comments Off on Freeman strikes again

Memo from Macao

Posted on October 23, 2014 by David McKee
Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Memo from Macao

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 15, 2014 by David McKee

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO John Unwin, having stumbled across a new trend on the Las Vegas Strip, tries to spin it as a brilliant master plan. Casino? What casino?

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Marketing, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Most happy fella; Grumbling on the Boardwalk

Posted on October 6, 2014 by David McKee

Although Sheldon Adelson was laying covetous eyes upon the Meadowlands last week — and reiterating his risible drivel about the mystical power of brick-and-mortar casinos to deter problem gambling — for the time being Las Vegas Sands is upping its bet … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Dining, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Marketing, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Most happy fella; Grumbling on the Boardwalk

All Wynn, all the time

Posted on October 1, 2014 by David McKee
Posted in Carl Icahn, Economy, Fontainebleau, G2E, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Taxes | Comments Off on All Wynn, all the time

Inside Sands’ success; Furor in Fresno

Posted on September 19, 2014 by David McKee

The most baccarat tables per casino in the U.S. are to be found at — no kidding — Sands Bethlehem. The casino, which fields 50 baccarat tables grossed $18 million in table game revenue last month, a record amount for … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Greenwood Racing, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Inside Sands’ success; Furor in Fresno

Case Bets: Multimedia, Philadelphia, Maryland

Posted on September 17, 2014 by David McKee

Here’s a vivid account of Multimedia Games‘ reversal of fortune, how a company focused on B-level gaming markets established a presence in Nevada, Atlantic City and Pennsylvania, and improved its value sufficiently to make it a takeover target for Global … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Global Cash Access, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology | 1 Comment

Boston: Wynn takes a stand

Posted on September 16, 2014 by David McKee

Friday will go down as the day Steve Wynn told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission where it could get off. In a letter to the commissioners, Wynn “said Wynn Resorts would not alter the design of their proposed 27-story hotel tower in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Maine, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation | Comments Off on Boston: Wynn takes a stand

Boston: Another agonizing delay; Loveman: Don’t worry, be happy

Posted on September 11, 2014 by David McKee

Just when it looked like the suspense would be ended over who’d get the Boston-area casino, the slow-moving Massachusetts Gaming Commission imposed another week’s delay on the process. Basically, commissioners want Wynn Resorts to do better than it has in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, history, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation | Comments Off on Boston: Another agonizing delay; Loveman: Don’t worry, be happy

Oh no, not again!

Posted on September 4, 2014 by David McKee

Trump Taj Mahal is heading back to a familiar bookmark: Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The casino is in violation of certain loan covenants and talks with creditors have proven unfruitful. The one creditor who really matters is Carl Icahn and he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Election, Entertainment, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Steve Wynn, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Playing the God card

Posted on September 4, 2014 by David McKee

Well, this is … different. The American Gaming Association wants you to know that gamblers don’t just pray when they’re shooting dice at the craps table.

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Marketing | Comments Off on Playing the God card

Revel: A quiet death

Posted on September 3, 2014 by David McKee

“Gaming in Atlantic City isn’t dead, but it has to go on a crash diet to survive.” That’s the coroner’s verdict of the Newark Star-Ledger, in which former Atlantic Club worker Bill Terrigino adds his voice to the chorus that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Atlantic City, Illinois, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Slot routes, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 3 Comments

Loveman’s big score; Slots come to Dayton

Posted on August 28, 2014 by David McKee

“You’re in Baltimore, baby, it says so right there, in big gray block letters on a smokestack at the trash plant just past the entrance.” Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, long celebrated as the wizard of database market, also finds … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Transportation, Vietnam | Comments Off on Loveman’s big score; Slots come to Dayton