Category Archives: Massachusetts

Caesars’ shell game; Setback in Japan

Posted on October 21, 2014 by David McKee

“Extend and pretend.” Those are the words of gaming analyst Alan Woinski, describing the debt-management practices of Caesars Entertainment and CEO Gary Loveman: “they extended out the maturities and just put new debt on top of old debt, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wynn blocked in Boston?

Posted on October 17, 2014 by David McKee

While we wait for Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh to pile on, the City of Revere and Local 103 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have done the inevitable and filed suit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, demanding that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Tying the knot in Vegas and other diversions

Posted on October 16, 2014 by David McKee

Nevada‘s constitutional ban on gay marriage having been deemed unconstitutional, wedding chapels are kicking into high gear to prepare for a wave of same-sex nuptials. How is the casino industry responding to this sudden $50 million (projected) jackpot? Both Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Tying the knot in Vegas and other diversions

Showdown at Chukchansi; Turnover at Caesars

Posted on October 14, 2014 by David McKee

As though the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino didn’t have enough problems, it’s been closed following an armed confrontation on the casino floor. U.S. District Judge Lawrence O’Neill ordered the shutdown, seconded by the National Indian Gaming Commission, which deemed … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Showdown at Chukchansi; Turnover at Caesars

Show Me some results; Wynn vindicated

Posted on October 10, 2014 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expressed disappointment with last month’s gaming revenues from Missouri. Even a 5%  increase in spending couldn’t offset an 8% decline in foot traffic. A bright spot was that, for the quarter, Pinnacle Entertainment beat J.P. Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Show Me some results; Wynn vindicated

Scandal brushes Wynn Boston

Posted on October 3, 2014 by David McKee

Federal and Massachusetts state authorities have filed charges against three men who sold land to Wynn Resorts for its Everett casino project. Mob associate Charles Lightbody, Anthony Gattineri and Dustin DeNunzio have been indicted on a spectrum of felonies that include … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Scandal brushes Wynn Boston

Sinatra 1, Pandas 0

Posted on October 2, 2014 by David McKee

Euphemisms have a way of sanitizing everything. For instance, there are no longer mercenaries — instead they are “contractors,” which makes them sound like somebody you’d have install your pool deck. And in Las Vegas we don’t have celebrity impersonators, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, G2E, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sinatra 1, Pandas 0

Wynn: Think big; Genting: Spend big

Posted on October 1, 2014 by David McKee

When Steve Wynn opened The Mirage in 1989, it was the beginning of the end of the era when the casino was the dominant revenue source in Las Vegas resorts. Restaurants, shows and hotel rooms all became profit centers. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Florida, G2E, Genting, Harrah's, history, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, New York, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Wynn: Think big; Genting: Spend big

Revel: Straub loses

Posted on October 1, 2014 by David McKee

Bids are in for Revel and the white elephant goes to … Brookfield Asset Management, owner of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. (The fund is obviously fond of problem children.) Brookfield’s winning bid was $110 million, leaving stalking-horse … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Morgans Hotel Group, Penn National, Regulation, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 3 Comments

Sanguine at Penn; Serrano goes Italian

Posted on October 1, 2014 by David McKee

Executives from Penn National Gaming were hosted by J.P. Morgan analysts this week at Global Gaming Expo and gave a fairly mellow outlook on business. Nationally, commerce is seen as stabilizing but not having bottomed out yet, although Penn is “holding … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Election, G2E, Harrah's, history, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Sanguine at Penn; Serrano goes Italian

Wynn basks in victory

Posted on September 24, 2014 by David McKee

Having crushed his opposition in the Boston area, Steve Wynn can afford to be magnanimous — as he was in a flying visit to Beantown to mend fences and bask in the glow of victory … and to give a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation | Comments Off on Wynn basks in victory

Taking it to the streets in Massachusetts, New York

Posted on September 24, 2014 by David McKee

While polls show casino repeal losing by larger and larger margins, MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming are taking no chances. (Wynn Resorts, cravenly, is sitting it out.) In the first TV salvo of the fall campaign, MGM Springfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, TV | Comments Off on Taking it to the streets in Massachusetts, New York

Icahn to rescue Taj?

Posted on September 24, 2014 by David McKee

Always unpredictable, Carl Icahn has thrown Trump Entertainment Resorts a lifeline. He’s talking about making a $100 million purchase of the failing property, rolling his $286 million marker into equity … but he’s demanding what are described as “sizeable concessions” from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colorado, Election, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Icahn to rescue Taj?

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 22, 2014 by David McKee

“I think we need intervention from the people who appointed [the Massachusetts Gaming Commission]. They’ve clearly gone beyond their duty.” — Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh, raging at the MGC for choosing to award a casino license to Wynn Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: The good, the bad and the very ugly

Posted on September 22, 2014 by David McKee

Taking a glass-half-full view of Atlantic City, CEO of MGM Resorts International Jim Murren wanted back in. Why not, when it means having half of by far the dominant joint in town, Borgata? Now that MGM has been vetted and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City: The good, the bad and the very ugly

Why is this man smiling?; The daffy world of Glenn Straub

Posted on September 19, 2014 by David McKee

“Restructure! Restructure! Restructure! That’s all he ever does because that’s all he can do!” That was a friend of mine, speaking in exasperation of Donald Trump. However, today the remark could be updated to refer to Gary Loveman. The CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, IGT, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Revel, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

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

Caesars inspires legislation; Decision time for Wynn

Posted on September 18, 2014 by David McKee

As New Jersey forces the issue of sports betting, two lawmakers are offering the major leagues the one thing they can’t resist: money. State Sen. James Whelan (D) and Asm. Vincent Mazzeo (D) are propounding a quarter-of-a-percent tax on all wagers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Revel, Sports, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Caesars inspires legislation; Decision time for Wynn

Foxwoods: Woody exits; Eldorado’s big gains

Posted on September 18, 2014 by David McKee

Foxwoods Resorts Casino‘s financial problems could hardly be called “solved,” but CEO Scott “Woody” Butera plans to leave next month anyway for a non-gaming job. He will continue to advise Foxwoods from his new perch, though, even dickering with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Boston: Wynn wins!; Changing horses at Boyd

Posted on September 17, 2014 by David McKee

Although the Massachusetts Gaming Commission put Wynn Resorts through the wringer this past week, when the chips were down Wynn emerged the winner by a 3-1 vote. The positive verdict comes with some conditions, so a second vote will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Election, Horseracing, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boston: Wynn wins!; Changing horses at Boyd