Category Archives: MGM Mirage

Stratosphere: From Goldman to Golden; Christmas tree for gamers in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 12, 2017 by David McKee

Goldman Sachs has had enough of the casino business. Either that or the price was right. Whatever the case, Golden Entertainment has just executed the greatest coup of its brief existence. It has purchased Las Vegas icon the Stratosphere. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Internet gambling, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Murren also breaks with Trump; Adios, Vegas Vickie

Posted on June 9, 2017 by David McKee

So far, Donald Trump‘s proposal to zero out the Brand USA program is going over like a lead balloon with the gaming industry. Already American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman has dissed the decision. Now, in a CNN op-ed, MGM Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Rhode Island, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Pennsylvania bill gives some, takes more; MGM discloses new plans

Posted on June 8, 2017 by David McKee

Pennsylvania‘s House of Representatives has passed a gambling-expansion bill that gives with one hand but takes away more with the other. The bill, which still must pass the state Senate would: legalize DFS, pending a 19% tax and $50,000 licensing … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Dan Gilbert, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Slot routes, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM, Caesars join forces; A casino in Cuba

Posted on June 7, 2017 by David McKee

There’s intrigue surrounding Atlantic City‘s H-Tract, which separates Borgata from Harrah’s Resort. That’s adjacent to 15 acres of land Caesars Entertainment has never developed. MGM Resorts International, for its part, has acreage which it has tried and failed to sell, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Illinois becalmed; Freeman breaks with Trump

Posted on June 7, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Illinois obviously don’t care about the future of the state’s 10 extant casinos, considering the next gaming expansion (following slot routes) that they are preparing to ram through. If they bothered to look at the market, they’d see … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Slot routes, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Galaxy targets Japan; Tribes expand Connecticut demands

Posted on June 2, 2017 by David McKee

“We believe that Japan has a huge opportunity to create something unique that doesn’t just follow the Vegas model seen in many other markets around the world.” With those words, Galaxy Entertainment President Michael Mecca announced that Galaxy was in … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Taxes | Comments Off

Macao resurgence continues; Skill-based slots get second wind

Posted on June 2, 2017 by David McKee

As Galaxy Entertainment CEO Lui-Che Woo is fond of pointing out, it will take two years of positive results before Macao can be said to have recovered from its revenue collapse. That being said, May’s results — 24% up — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, GameCO, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off

Hard Rock ups Atlantic City commitment; Japan inspires casino designers

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

Compared to Carl Icahn‘s half-a-loaf policies, Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen is Lady Bountiful, at least as concerns [Trump] Taj Mahal. We put The Donald’s name in brackets because it’s one of the first things to go, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Election, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Technology, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Strip survives baccarat drought; Gural reprieves Atlantic City

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming execs can breathe a sigh of relief that April’s 3% decline in revenue, while worse than expected, was as small as it was. After all, they were up against flat baccarat wagering and a revenue plunge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Technology, TV | Comments Off

SLS: What’s in a name?

Posted on May 30, 2017 by David McKee

Quite a lot, from the looks of things. Back in 2014, then-U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D) prophesied that, in a few years, nobody would be talking about the Sahara anymore; they’d all be talking about SLS Las Vegas. Guess not, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harry Reid, James Packer, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Connecticut‘s controversial satellite casino has been voted through the state Senate. This prompted a swift response from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, which promised a lawsuit (probably financed by MGM Resorts International). Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) threw his support behind the satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Sands Bethlehem sale fizzles; Packer peddles Alon acreage

Posted on May 25, 2017 by David McKee

For the second time, Las Vegas Sands has decided that Sands Bethlehem was too valuable to sell, especially after it set a state record for table game revenue. (Earlier, Sands was bruited to be in talks with Tropicana Entertainment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Malloy: Stay the course; Wynncore automates

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David McKee

Although the courts may have the final say in the matter, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has scotched the idea of an open-bidding process for a third Nutmeg State casino. He would prefer to keep the bird in the hand that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Foxwoods, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Tables buoy Pennsylvania; Oregon poker rooms in peril

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

It was table games to the rescue in Pennsylvania, in a record-setting performance, which saw casino winnings up 10% last month at the tables, while slots were down 1.5%. State leader was, as usual, Parx Casino, grossing $49 million for … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oregon, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | Comments Off

Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli visited Las Vegas this week and saw signs of life on the North Strip: “Despite limited progress, some recent concrete work is evident on the steel structures at Resorts World. We believe the project remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Fontainebleau, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

In an important win for Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Interior Department said that its position regarding the tribes’ compact with the State of Connecticut remains unchanged. To wit: A third, offsite casino won’t breach the tribes’ obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Solution in search of a problem; Trump causes Macao jitters

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

As it its civic duty, Plainridge Park racino pays into the local Community Mitigation Fund. Now it’s being ill-repaid by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who wants 75 dimes of CMF money to investigate crimes his office says are “stemming directly” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Posted on May 16, 2017 by David McKee

Despite having one less weekend day this year, April was a good month for Louisiana, as gambling revenue rose 5%. The growth was especially dramatic in the Pelican State market, up 19%. By contrast, Shreveport/Bossier City was down 3%. The increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off