Category Archives: Massachusetts

Rowdy night in Boston; Stitt’s standoff

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

All hell broke loose at Encore Boston Harbor in the wee hours of Monday morning. The first brawl broke out as nightclub patrons were leaving Mémoire. It was so bad that police had to call in backup. According to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

China is calling for the Philippines to crack down on its gambling industry, which Beijing considers a lawless enterprise, rife with human trafficking and worse. “It said citizens’ rights were being violated and dozens were kidnapped, tortured and physically abused … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Florida, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

El Paso, Dayton … Las Vegas?

Posted on August 12, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas, if you’ll pardon the pun, dodged a bullet when the FBI apprehended a man bent on killing large numbers of Jews and gay people. Conor Climo, the alleged bomber, has been linked to the white-supremacist netherworld and supposedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Current, Downtown, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off

Rough month in Indiana, rougher in Missouri

Posted on August 12, 2019 by David McKee

Indiana gaming revenues nosed down 3% last month, for a total gross of $181 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff blames it on adverse weather from Hurricane Barry, plus intensified competition in the Louisville area. Both racinos were revenue-positive, with Hoosier … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Full House Resorts, Genting, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Wynn, Station disappoint Wall Street

Posted on August 7, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff took a look at Wynn Resorts‘ second-quarter numbers and deemed them “a mixed bag.” The good news: Cash flow in Las Vegas, expected to be $109 million, manifested itself at $137 million. The sorta-bad news: There … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Golden Gaming, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Palms, Slot routes, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM stymied Down East; Trade war dings Macao

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hopes for MGM Resorts International in Connecticut may be fading now that lawmakers are proposing a tribally owned casino in Bridgeport, part of an omnibus gaming expansion. The bipartisan Connecticut Jobs & Revenue Act would authorize a casino in Bridgeport owned by … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Downtown, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Hooters out, Oyo in?; Crown in hot water

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hooters Hotel Casino, the brand that should have worked in Las Vegas but didn’t, may finally be on the way out. VitalVegas reports that hotelier Highgate may be rechristening Hooters with its Oyo brand. Highgate already operates hotels in the … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Australia, Crown Resorts, Detroit, Diversity, Environment, Hooters, Illinois, James Packer, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Paragon Gaming, Penn National, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip | 2 Comments

Sands: Waiting for Japan; I-gaming raids hit Singapore, Vietnam

Posted on August 1, 2019 by David McKee

It’s difficult to imagine investors being impatient with Las Vegas Sands but The Motley Fool‘s Travis Hoium suggests that they are. “Unless a new market like Japan hits, that cash flow machine is all Las Vegas Sands has to offer,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Horseracing, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pets, Singapore, Sports betting, Vietnam, Wall Street | Comments Off

Strip buoys MGM, Sands

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

According to JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, second-quarter results for MGM Resorts International “were better than (very subdued) investor expectations” on the Strip and in line with anticipation about Macao. Despite weak baccarat volumes in Las Vegas, the company performed “marginally … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Harrah's, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore cleared of cheating charge; Linq goes green

Posted on July 19, 2019 by David McKee

Score one for Encore Boston Harbor. Its slot-payout and blackjack rules were upheld by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. That’s a win for 6:5 blackjack and a loss for players. “There exists a ‘6 to 5 blackjack variation,’ which is a particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Massachusetts, Regulation, Scientific Games, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer expects Churchill Downs to be a winner thrice over in Illinois: first, a lower tax rate on table games, starting in 2020; second, a potential 800 additional gaming positions at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Horseracing, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Mob, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore accused of cheating players

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

It didn’t take long for Encore Boston Harbor‘s first scandal to accrue. A class-action lawsuit against the casino is challenging its practices, particularly with regard to that eternal flashpoint, 6:5 blackjack. The suit contends that Encore is not complying with … Continue reading →

Posted in Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore Boston Harbor opens hot

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff has initiated coverage of Massachusetts and his first dispatch is a corker: Encore Boston Harbor generated $17 million in a single, debutant week of play. That includes $9 million of slot revenue. Wynn Resorts execs … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Cosmo in play; Wynn looking robust

Posted on July 11, 2019 by David McKee

Always a step ahead of the mainstream media, VitalVegas reports that The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been sold. No details are available and the story hasn’t made the wire services, but that’s not going to stop us from speculating. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dan Lee, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Resort fees, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Wynn stirs Boston melting pot

Posted on July 9, 2019 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts is already changing the face of Boston. As reported by the Boston Globe, unprecedented diversity is manifesting itself at Encore Boston Harbor. Mad props to Wynn for bringing people of all colors and creeds together in this fashion. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Diversity, Economy, International, Massachusetts, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

Chicago‘s permanent casino could take “months or years” to achieve, even if Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) says “I’m hoping we can get [the site selection] done relatively soon, so we can start the process.” Casino booster Sen. Terry Link (D) is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | Comments Off

Encore plays it safe; Wynn is for the birds

Posted on July 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Fifty shades of beige.” That’s the Boston Globe‘s verdict on the hotel rooms at Encore Boston Harbor. “There was nothing unpleasant about it, but that meant nearly every design choice was incredibly safe. Before the hotel opened, Encore Boston Harbor … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Election, Environment, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

At long last, Encore

Posted on June 28, 2019 by David McKee

After much regulatory spilkes and political infighting, Encore Boston Harbor has come to market and early auguries are good. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff got one of the first looks at the property and was “impressed. In short, we think it takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Dotty’s to rescue Moulin Rouge; Hard Rock’s big plans

Posted on June 27, 2019 by David McKee

Bonafide rescue may be in sight for the acreage upon which the Moulin Rouge once stood. Dotty’s may use some of its considerable cash flow to buy up the land and the Las Vegas City Council is sufficiently eager to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dotty's, Downtown, e-sports, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, International, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment