Category Archives: Massachusetts

Covid cramps casino revenues; Trop LV in play … again

Now that the smartest man in the room has left the building permanently, we continue to wait for Wall Street‘s reaction to Sheldon Adelson‘s demise. Hearing none, we move on to varying degrees of decline in regional gaming, once thought … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Carl Icahn, Century Casinos, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Health, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, William Hill | 1 Comment

Miller: Approve stimulus bill; A $7.5 billion Vegas “scam”?

Like many, American Gaming Association President Bill Miller is in favor of the stimulus package overwhelmingly passed by Congress … with reservations. It lacks three key items on Miller’s Christmas wish list: expansion of the CARES Act Employee Retention Tax … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Colorado, Dining, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Environment, Failsinos, Florida, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Laughlin, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Culinary vs. Wynn; Illinois sports betting explodes

Is the Culinary Union cutting off its nose to spite its face? The local had a contractual agreement that all Wynncore members would be keep on full health benefits, even if reduced to part-time status. But when Encore semi-closed, the … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, GLPI, Golden Nugget, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Goodbye, Trump Plaza; Vaccine news boosts Big Gaming

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small (D) has found a nifty way to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City: Auction off the right to push the button that implodes Trump Plaza on Jan. 29. Small hopes … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Charity, Conventions, Cretins, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Health, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

It’s lonely in Massachusetts; A dose of realism

Massachusetts gamblers are night owls. When Gov. Charlie Baker (R) ordered casinos to close at 9:30 p.m. it took a big bite out of November revenues, particularly Encore Boston Harbor, which makes half its revenue after dark. At least you … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Charity, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, El Cortez, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Health, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

In case you missed it …

Pennsylvania closed all its casinos Sunday, starting with Rivers Casino Pittsburgh at 12 a.m. The shutdown is to last until Jan 4. The Keystone State joins Michigan (until Dec. 20, probably longer) and Illinois (indefinite). In Nevada, although Covid-19 is … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Conventions, Downtown, FanDuel, Foxwoods, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Wynn zapped again; Canada boosts DraftKings

“Most of the time we can’t even be honest with ourselves.”—The Commoner in Akira Kurosawa‘s Rashomon. If at first they don’t give you a casino in Massachusetts, litigate. And when that doesn’t work, re-litigate. That’s what pouting Suffolk Downs owner … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Canada, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pets, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Texas, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn zapped again; Canada boosts DraftKings

Sports betting boffo in Illinois; Structural shift at Churchill Downs

Illinois gamblers can’t seem to find their way to a casino nowadays—but they love themselves some sports betting. The state has reached $300 million in handle faster than any in U.S. history—$305 million and change during September. “Illinois’ launch in … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sports betting boffo in Illinois; Structural shift at Churchill Downs

Horseplay in Massachusetts and Monday mega-jottings

At age 86, horse owner Armand Janjigian is as alive and kicking as the thoroughbreds he wants to race in Massachusetts. No, he doesn’t have a track but he’s busily snapping up land for one. He’s also going to need … Continue reading

Posted in California, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Busted!; Sisolak gets sick

If you held out any hope that Project First Light in Taunton would every see day, you can forget about it. The disenrolled Mashpee Wampanoags got slammed with some bad news yesterday as tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell and Rhode Island … Continue reading

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Genting, Health, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Nevada, Tribal | 2 Comments

Wynn winning; Flyover Country keeps Caesars aloft

Wynn Resorts reported 3Q20 results yesterday and the headline item was Macao, where operating results were “soft” but “encouraging,” despite “negative to apathetic investor sentiment,” according to JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff. Mass-market wagering was up 40% and credit issued … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Conventions, Culinary Union, Dining, Diversity, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Reno, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Baker’s casino crackdown; NFL playoffs diluted

No more all-night gambling for you, Massachusetts! Seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has curtailed casino hours. They have to close by 9:30 p.m. until further notice. If you’re buying booze (essential for Election Night) or … Continue reading

Posted in DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Health, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Baker’s casino crackdown; NFL playoffs diluted

You, me and Derek

Being snowed under with unrelated work today, I thought you might enjoy this interview I conducted with Derek Stevens for Casino Life, available as an online PDF. Please advise me if you experience any technical difficulties.

Posted in Derek Stevens, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV | 2 Comments

Massachusetts’ mixed message; Much ado about Circa

Even if Congress beats the odds and passes another megabuck stimulus bill before the election, it won’t provide more than a short-term shot in the arm for gaming, which saw a bubble of increased discretionary spending but is now backsliding. … Continue reading

Posted in Connecticut, Derek Stevens, DFS, Downtown, DraftKings, e-sports, Economy, Foxwoods, Harry Reid, Health, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Security, Sports betting, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Congratulations to Plainridge Park. The Penn National Gaming racino celebrated five years in business and the renewal of its Massachusetts gaming license. The decision was unanimous. (And why not?) While Plainridge Park has seen its revenues cut into by Encore … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Culinary Union makes endorsements; Bad Boyd!

No surprise, the Culinary Union has endorsed the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris ticket. Now we’ll see what shape the Culinary political machine is in after being depleted by Coronavirus. The union is boasting that it “drove turnout” during the 2020 Nevada … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Election, Health, history, M Resort, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Security, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Terry Caudill, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Louisiana hard hit; Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods tops in U.S.

Slammed by a double-whammy of hurricanes, Louisiana was accordingly unfortunate in gambling revenue, which plunged 32% to $148.5 million. The only market spared was Baton Rouge (-12%). Lake Charles bore the brunt of Hurricane Laura and the numbers reflected it. … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Election, Foxwoods, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Penn National, Reno, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Louisiana hard hit; Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods tops in U.S.

Massachusetts strong; Housekeepers under threat

Gambling win was down only 17% in Massachusetts last month for a statewide gross of $71 million. Plainridge Park posted $10 million for an average of $273/win/slot/day (it was $325 the previous August), dropping 16% on 16% less coin-in. So … Continue reading

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Economy, El Cortez, Environment, Health, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Primary special: Markey wins, Trump closes betting gap

In a win for sites like PredictIt, Sen. Edward Markey (D) beat Rep. Joe Kennedy (D) 55% to 45%. The futures market went from 2-to-1 for Kennedy to an even more lopsided favoritism of Markey even before Massachusetts polls showed … Continue reading

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, Internet gambling, Massachusetts | 1 Comment

Dark portent for MGM Springfield; Chicago courts casinos

A thousand MGM Springfield employees have been canned, effective today. A skeleton crew of 800 keeps the casino-resort open, as it writhes in pandemic economic throes. Reports the Boston Globe, “State rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cantor Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Sahara, Silverton, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments