Category Archives: Marketing

Gomes out, Adelson in, Japan on the fence

Posted on September 16, 2013 by David McKee

Take a good look at that flapper-era costume. It’s not long for Resorts Atlantic City. Now that the Mohegan Gaming Authority has well and truly taken the reins of the property, the late Dennis Gomes‘ Prohibition Era theming is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dennis Gomes, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off

Revel: It had to happen; Hard Rock on a roll

Posted on August 26, 2013 by David McKee

Revel Resort‘s somewhat disingenuous “You Can’t Lose” promotion was bound to attract a lawsuit and so it has. A pair of players are suing and, though the odds seem against them, it’s worth recalling that Revel’s disclaimer language tap-danced around … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dennis Gomes, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Marketing, Massachusetts, Ohio, Revel | Comments Off

Wackiest casino promotion ever

Posted on August 22, 2013 by David McKee

This Muscogee Creek Casino spot speaks for itself, although I have to say it’s a lot more fun than the casino commercials that are run in Las Vegas (“Table games! Rewards!” Zzzzzzzzz …)

Posted in Marketing, Oklahoma, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Revel’s mixed reviews; All systems ‘go’ in Massachusetts

Posted on August 15, 2013 by David McKee

That controversial “You Can’t Lose” promotion being fielded by Revel Resort is a hit with players even as it’s been panned by pundits. “Whoa, Smarty Jones. Not so fast,” cracked one.) The complexity of the deal is even being credited … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Illinois, International, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 15, 2013 by David McKee

“The casinos in Ohio are in giving free play a serious test run. In July, some of the casinos gave away as much as 30 percent of casino “win” in free play … Those marketing wars are just beginning; over … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing, Ohio | Comments Off

Pinnacle’s done deal; Collateral damage from Ho Tram

Posted on August 14, 2013 by David McKee

Federal Trade Commission approval removed the last obstacle to Pinnacle Entertainment‘s takeover of Ameristar Casinos. The acquisition closed straightaway. Pinnacle informed investors that it expects to have a Lumiere Place sale done by autumn, meeting the last of the FTC covenants … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Election, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: Small problem for Wynn, big trouble for MGM, Plainridge

Posted on August 12, 2013 by David McKee

Boston still has 10 weeks to reach terms with Suffolk Downs on a billion-dollar racino. That may explain Caesars Entertainment‘s apparent lack of urgency in reaching a host-community agreement. Beantown Mayor Thomas Menino‘s administration seems to be expending considerably more … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Cordish Co., Current, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal | Comments Off

July in A.C.: Borgata, Revel triumphant; Cosmo: The right amount of ‘Why?’

Posted on August 9, 2013 by David McKee

Last month was good for Atlantic City in the sense that revenue was only 4% off last year’s pace. The upper-tier properties fared exceptionally, with Borgata ascending 19%, driven by a two-third increase in table win, and Revel, fueled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Revel, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Revel gets forgiveness; Illinois gets hammered

Posted on July 8, 2013 by David McKee

You’ve heard about the “Gamblers Wanted” marketing campaign at Revel that refunds slot refunds over $100 — if you’re a member of the players’ club. There’s another catch: You don’t get a cash refund but additional free play, doled forth … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Revel, Slot routes | 1 Comment

Revel gets the memo; Sheldon Adelson knows what’s good for you

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

Wall Street really hates it when casinos buy business with “promotional allowances” (read: comps) but sometimes — and especially when you’re Revel Hotel-Casino — there’s no choice. In marketing policies as new as its expanded nomenclature, Revel is acknowledging its … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cantor Gaming, Current, Economy, Environment, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

New bosses at Hooters; Caesars: If it worked for Obama … ?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

While nobody wants to buy or even lease the Hooters Hotel, current owners Canyon Capital Realty Advisors at least have found some new gaming expertise for the property. In this case, “new” is a relative term, as the familiar faces … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Delaware, Harrah's, Hooters, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Macao: Light and darkness

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David McKee

If you read Bloomberg News last week, Macao is tantamount to Disneyland, at least if you visit Venetian Macao, which is “home to a fake grand canal, crooning gondoliers and brands from McDonald’s to Dior.” The amenity-laden style of Sheldon … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 1 Comment

Don’t tell Sheldon!; East Coast misadventures

Posted on June 4, 2013 by David McKee

As EuroVegas appears on the verge of collapse, recent bulletins pile another indignity upon Sheldon Adelson. When Barcelona‘s BCN World wanted to add a casino, it reached 3/4 of the way around the globe to recruit … Melco Crown Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Wall Street visits Vegas: Wynn, Sands & MGM

Posted on June 3, 2013 by David McKee

Like the pig in a ham-and-egg breakfast, Deutsche Bank is committed to Las Vegas, while many of its brethren (like the chicken) merely hold an interest. However, DB’s $4 billion grubstake fortunately does not preclude analyst Carlo Santarelli from dropping … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, International, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson: He’s taking it with him; Nevada casinos win one, in principle

Posted on May 29, 2013 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson continues to burn through company at what would — for most ordinary firms — be a frightful clip. Clark County District Judge Rob Bare tacked $31.6 million onto a $70 million jury award to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harry Reid, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off

New Maryland casino a hit; Casino lobbying a flop; Next: Sands Markham?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by David McKee

A thousand people waiting to get into a casino on opening day would be nothing at all in Las Vegas. But at Maryland‘s penultimate casino, Rocky Gap Resort, it’s a positive omen, especially since the mini-sino has but 10 tables … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, International, Internet gambling, Lyle Berman, Marketing, Maryland, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

Bad news for Riv; Losing your gaming license? Come to Nevada!

Posted on May 21, 2013 by David McKee

A spiffy makeover and a nostalgia-themed market position aren’t helping the Riviera as customers gravitate back toward higher-priced hotels. A bad neighborhood, while hardly a new phenomenon, isn’t helping. Having Echelon and Fontainebleau as your neighbors is akin to living … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Fontainebleau, Genting, Herbst Gaming, history, Marketing, Regulation, Riviera, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

PokerStars blows it; Wynn woos Philadelphia

Posted on May 20, 2013 by David McKee

Score one for Colony Capital: It took Rational Group to the cleaners to the tune of $11 million and there’s nothing Rational can do about it. A New Jersey court ruled that the PokerStars parent company had no one to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Nevada: The recovery continues; Elsewhere: Not so much

Posted on May 10, 2013 by David McKee

After a boffo February, the Silver State also posted extraordinary numbers in March. As Deutsche Bank headlined its report, “Different Month, Same Tune.” Analyst Carlo Santarelli cautioned, “we believe the underlying trends are not as strong as the headline would … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Revel, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Retrenchment at Caesars; New brooms at Revel

Posted on May 9, 2013 by David McKee

It was one of the stupefying follies of the Caesars Entertainment LBO that CEO Gary Loveman believed the company could take on $30 billion in debt and continue to expand. Even as he tries to reshuffle old assets into new … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Revel, Tourism, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment