Category Archives: Massachusetts

MGM, Boyd make sports-betting pact; Win-win for Dover Downs

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

“We are in an envious position when it comes to this growth opportunity. Few companies can match our 40 plus years of experience in sports wagering, our significant sports betting infrastructure here in Nevada and our growing geographical footprint across … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Election, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Neanderthals target Wampanoags; Pinball Hall on the move

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

A strange, one-third-of-a-page ad appeared in the July 19 edition of The Hill. “For over 30 years,” it huffed, “the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe sought federal recognition for the specific purposes of opening a CASINO [Horrors! — Ed.] — in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Penn bullish on Trop; Boyd wows Wall Street

Posted on July 27, 2018 by David McKee

M Resort and Tropicana Las Vegas are no longer the charity cases of Penn National Gaming. The company made a point of lauding them during this week’s earnings call, with JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff characterizing their performance — along … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Indiana, International, Las Vegas Sands, M Resort, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is targeting Hartford (and five other media markets) with its initial TV spot for MGM Springfield, whose opening is now less than a month away. The ad, which you can see for yourself, has shoutouts to virtually … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Congress hearts Massachusetts tribe; Who let the dogs out?

Posted on July 24, 2018 by David McKee

Against all odds, a bill to clear away legal challenges to the Mashpee Wampanoags and their Project First Light is set to be heard in the U.S. House of Representatives. A star-studded hearing has been set up by Rep. William … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Warren sides with Wampanoags; Vdara dances The Robot

Posted on July 20, 2018 by David McKee

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) has waded into the Brockton-vs.-Taunton fight for a tribal casino. She’s introducing a bill that would circumvent the inactive Bureau of Indian Affairs and smooth the path of the Mashpee Wampanoags. While we have nothing against … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

MGM lawsuit backfires

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International stepped in it — at least momentarily — when it elected to sue victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre in federal court. The Twitterverse briefly arose in #BoycottMGM outrage, but it died down by day’s end and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Environment, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Security, Sports, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn Resorts fights back; Rage against the (slot) machine

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

Not taking charges of promising kickbacks lying down, Wynn Resorts has countersued Anthony Gattineri. The latter has thrown yet another spanner into the Encore Boston Harbor works by suing the company for an $18 million, under-the-table promise he says was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sheldon snuggles up to Commies; Elaine tests her clout

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

If toupée-collecting Sheldon Adelson were offered the chance to build Venetian Tehran he’d immediately become a peacenik regarding Iran, a country he lusts to nuke. Instead of making nice with mullahs, he’s doing the next best thing, warbling sweet nothings to Kim … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Elaine Wynn, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

Damn the laws, full speed ahead: That’s the mentality of Illinois horse tracks as they push for ‘historical racing,’ VLTs where you can bet on the outcome of past races. The Illinois Racing Board voted it through unanimously. “We’re out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes | Comments Off

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Penn, Caesars come together; Big bet in smallest state

Posted on June 19, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming swooped in and bought itself a nice little operating contract in Louisiana, the Margaritaville Casino Resort, for $115 million. Considering that the price translates to 5.5X cash flow, Penn got itself quite a bargain. It’s also a vote … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

East Windsor, Take Two; MGM, Sands eat Ho’s lunch

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

“From the start, we pledged to create a world class facility that will be a draw for people throughout the entire region,” said Mashantucket Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler of the tribe’s satellite casino in East Windsor. Nice try, Mr. Chairman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Leagues greedy for bookie sponsorships; Wynn gets sued

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

Guess what? Major leagues’ opposition to sports betting has melted overnight and now they’re into it for as much money as they can get. Bookmaker William Hill reports being “inundated” with sponsorship requests. Hill is a logical candidate for this, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Current, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sports, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

New Jersey ready for action; Strip club upstages Hard Rock

Posted on June 13, 2018 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) still plans to place his first sports wager at Monmouth Park tomorrow but Borgata is trying to crash the party. The megaresort issued a statement saying “we are moving ahead with all possible speed … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Mohegans sue for Wynn casino

Posted on June 4, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s failure to disclose a $7.5 million paternity settlement may have been the best thing that happened to Mohegan Sun‘s hopes in Massachusetts. The tribal megaresort is suing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for failing to conduct ‘extreme vetting’ of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Economy, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Delaware bests New Jersey; New partner for Ho?

Posted on May 23, 2018 by David McKee

Chris Christie may have to eat his words about New Jersey being the first state to capitalize on the Supreme Court‘s sports-betting ruling. According to NJ Advance Media, “Delaware officials said this week they believe they have the laws and infrastructure … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Delaware, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off

Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Some are blaming bad weather for two months of substantially reduced table-games winnings at Sands Bethlehem. But could casinos in the Catskills finally be having an effect? It’s hard to say, although one suspects the answer is “yes.” Sands Bethlehem tumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Vici Properties strikes again; Mohegan Sun pitches Japan

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

They came, they saw, they bought. Yes, Vici Properties has struck again, inking a bargain-price deal to acquire the Octavius Tower of Caesars Palace and Harrah’s Philadelphia. On paper, Vici is paying $507.5 million and $241.5, respectively, for the two assets. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Société des Bains de Mer, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

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