Category Archives: Maryland

Sports books get thumped; National Harbor rules

Posted on November 6, 2018 by David McKee

Nevada sports books are reeling from an NFL Week 9 that stands to see them lose as little as $7 million and as much as $10 million. Bettors, meanwhile, are crying all the way to the bank. Among the games … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Hill, Cordish Co., Election, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

The merger of mergers?; Hooters up for grabs

Posted on November 5, 2018 by David McKee

This morning Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight reported that MGM Resorts International is “possibly” looking into a buyout of Caesars Entertainment, news that is certain to have a salutary effect on the latter’s stock price. What should be of more … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Hooters, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

MGM: The lion meows; Nevada sets sports-betting record

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

“Good quarter against low expectations” pretty well summarizes Wall Street‘s reaction to MGM Resorts International‘s 3Q18. (And we have to say that MGM leadership did a masterly job of minimizing anticipation well ahead of time.) JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff admitted … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, IGT, International, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

New era in Macao; Joy and misery in Louisiana

Posted on October 23, 2018 by David McKee

Beginning tomorrow, travel to Macao becomes much easier, as the Zhuhai bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macao officially opens. The ribbon is cut at 9 a.m. and several bus services are at the ready to make the half-hour run, compared … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Maryland & other case bets

Posted on October 8, 2018 by David McKee

Growth in Maryland continued last month, if not at the spectacular rates we’ve seen previously. Gaming revenue rose 7% to $144 million. The leader, of course, was MGM National Harbor, jumping 10% to $54.5 million, which translates to $1.8 million/day. … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Florida, Golden Gaming, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off

Hot in August

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Regional casinos were the big story last month, with four crucial jurisdictions all posting gains. (So, too, did Iowa but we rarely cover it in S&G because so few of the innumerable casinos make major amounts of revenue.) Maryland hopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Iowa, Majestic Star, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

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

Good news, big and small

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

Last year, commercial casino revenues topped $40 billion for the first time ever, maxing out at $40.3 billion. States with casinos will be happy campers, as that windfall meant $9.2 billion in gambling taxes. The revenue surge was 3.5% according … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, New York, Problem gambling, Tribal, Washington State, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Casino revenues surge (almost) everywhere

Posted on August 8, 2018 by David McKee

Maryland casino business continues to boom, up 5.5% last month. MGM National Harbor led the pack with $58 million. It will, however, be a source of dismay to ownership that play continues to trend toward highly taxed (60%) slots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caesars excels, MGM disappoints; So long, Paradise Park

Posted on August 2, 2018 by David McKee

You know how I thought May’s visitation numbers representing Las Vegas finally finding bottom in a visitation decline? Never mind. June was down 1%, mainly driven (pardon the pun) by fewer drive-in visits from California. Fortuitously for the casinos, luck … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Detroit, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Wendover, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

The gap between the haves and have-nots in Maryland widened last month, as the state’s gaming revenue boomed 14% upward. The good news is that every casino had a revenue-positive month. MGM National Harbor, of course, led the pack, grossing $59 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 6, 2018 by David McKee

“In gaming, everyone plays blackjack the same way, they all have the same odds, everyone has a roulette wheel. The difference is what’s around it.” — Cordish Cos. Chairman David S. Cordish, stating an obvious but too often unremarked fact … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Maryland | Comments Off

Sports betting: Winners and losers; MGM mulls more Strip buys

Posted on June 6, 2018 by David McKee

According to gaming-law expert I. Nelson Rose, the Supreme Court‘s ruling on sports betting goes far, far beyond gambling: “For the first time in American history, the U.S. Supreme Court expressly held that the federal government cannot order states, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cordish Co., DFS, Dubai, Fontainebleau, Genting, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Marijuana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Sports, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Sports betting: A new era

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated ruling in Murphy v. NCAA and it was pure win for states and casinos itching to offer legalized sports betting, although there was some predictable disapproval. As Arizona Attorney General Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Outgoing Scientific Games CEO (and Telemundo founder) Kevin Sheehan grew the company beyond recognition, increased revenue, reorganized its internal structure and aggressively paid down debt. So why is he being kicked upstairs to “senior advisor”? Your guess is as good … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Last month found the State of Maryland in good health when it came to gaming revenue, up 6%. Most of this was driven — one is tempted to say “of course” — by MGM National Harbor, vaulting 15.5% for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, West Virginia | Comments Off

MGM sets Springfield date; Adelson hits pay dirt

Posted on April 26, 2018 by David McKee

Even as it’s using MGM Springfield as a catspaw to potentially land Wynn Boston Harbor, that didn’t prevent MGM Resorts International from announcing a date certain for the Springfield opening. Mark August 24 on your calendars, for that is the day … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, history, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM Boston?!?; Sports betting proceeds fitfully

Posted on April 16, 2018 by David McKee

According the Wall Street Journal, talks are underway between MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts for the latter to be shot of Wynn Boston Harbor, which has become a regulatory albatross around Wynn’s neck. Although this would mean giving almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Slot routes, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Study zings MGM; Galaxy resort vetoed

Posted on April 11, 2018 by David McKee

Allowing a fourth casino into Connecticut — and thereby abrogating its gaming compacts — could be extremely costly for the Nutmeg State. That’s the conclusion of a new study by casino pundit Clyde Barrow. He writes that the new casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Economy, Environment, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Majestic Star, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

No bailout for N.Y. casinos; Horseshoe Baltimore gets creative

Posted on April 6, 2018 by David McKee

There’s no question that upstate New York‘s new casinos drank their own bathwater when making their case to the state. Two of them are now squealing like stuck pigs, demanding that the Lege lower their tax rates. Never mind that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 1 Comment