Category Archives: MGM Mirage

D-Day nears for Massachusetts, Maryland

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

This just in: MGM Resorts International has been tentatively approved by the investigative branch of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, pending the satisfaction of certain matters. That moment is drawing nigh at which point the Massachusetts Gaming Commission must rule upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 1 Comment

Adelson’s bogus poll & other fun with numbers

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

To hear Sheldon Adelson tell it, 70% of Americans share his die-hard opposition to Internet gambling. He even bought a poll from The Tarrance Group to prove its point. Unfortunately for the Sultan of Sands, the monarch has no clothes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Cretins, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Imbalances of power; Vegas to Israel?

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

It was another bonny month for Maryland, whose casino revenues grew 55% in November, up to $67 million. It’s not an apples/apples comparison, since neither Rocky Gap Casino nor table games were in play a year ago. Tables were responsible … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Cordish Co., Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pets, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Imbalances of power; Vegas to Israel?

Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

We’ve come 180 degrees in the evolution of the casino industry in the U.S. State governments once embraced them as what Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment CEO Denis McGlynn calls a “sin-tax pot of gold.” Now they’re flailing amidst overmuch competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Online gambling a hit in New Jersey; Crackdown in Singapre

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

Despite some small fits and starts, New Jersey was able to roll out Internet gambling to eager Garden State citizens and with no major issues. Moody’s Investor Service predicted $250 million-$500 million in revenues during the first year, while Gov. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Online gambling a hit in New Jersey; Crackdown in Singapre

Mohegan switches sides in Massachusetts; Ghosts in the machine

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not quite official but the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has thrown in its lot with Suffolk Downs, one of the dwindling number of candidates for a Massachusetts casino license (and where a big redesign is well underway). Mohegan Sun wasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, IGT, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Mohegan switches sides in Massachusetts; Ghosts in the machine

Unwelcome surprise for Steve Wynn

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

A bomb just went off under Steve Wynn‘s $1.3 billion casino project in Everett. Multiple felon Charles Lightbody has been bragging upon his supposedly hidden ownership in the land on which Wynn has taken an option. So say confidential sources. … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 1 Comment

Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

If there’s anything murkier than the gambling subculture of Macao, it’s the report on same issued by  U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission. Its conclusion that money laundering “might be out there” won’t come to a shock to anyone. U.S. casino companies … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Foxwoods Massachusetts: All the king’s horses …

Posted on November 20, 2013 by David McKee

In what must be the shortest-lived deal in Penn National Gaming‘s history, its nascent partnership with Foxwoods Resort Casino went down to defeat yesterday. Crossroads Massachusetts, as it was called, didn’t just lose — it was crushed. An unofficial tabulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Foxwoods Massachusetts: All the king’s horses …

Delay in Wisconsin lengthens; Fast action in N.Y.

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) continues to make inscrutable, sometimes self-contradictory remarks about the hotly disputed Kenosha-area Hard Rock casino proposed by the Menominee Tribe for Dairyland Greyhound Park. What was a timeline of a week or two has now … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Delay in Wisconsin lengthens; Fast action in N.Y.

Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Twice in the past three years, Steve Wynn has pulled out of a casino project in Philadelphia. I don’t blame him. It’s a saturated market and trying to recoup the costs of a $926 million project in a timely manner … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

Indiana up and down; Garber agonistes

Posted on November 8, 2013 by David McKee

Casinos in Indiana grossed 3% less last month but still far outperformed ($193 million) neighboring Illinois and Ohio. Patron traffic was 9% down but visitor spend rose 7%. Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg got absolutely hammered by new competition from … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Indiana up and down; Garber agonistes

Penn overboard!; Macao’s zenith

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

First the good news about Ohio: Gambling revenue was up 47% last month. Now, the bad news. One a same-store basis it was down 2% year/year. Who knew the Buckeye State would get saturated so quickly? The statewide gross was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, MTR Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM Springfield keeps its fingers crossed

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

And then there was one … MGM Springfield. But you won’t hear MGM Resorts International execs popping champagne corks or seeing them do victory laps. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has already warned that it’s not required to issue a license. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Horseracing, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Stanley Ho, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MGM Springfield keeps its fingers crossed

Caesars to Empire State; Colony to Chapter 11

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

When Caesars Entertainment made a discreet donation to the pro-casino campaign in New York State, we should have known that something was up. Sure enough, state Sen. John Bonacic (R) says Caesars is interested in a Sullivan County casino. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Election Special: No surprise in New York, big surprise in Massachusetts

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

Massachusetts may not be ready for casino gambling (unless Steve Wynn is building it). Voters said no and again no yesterday, in a series of referendums. Mohegan Sun is — quite understandably — asking for a recount. Its casino proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Sheldon covets Florida … again

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wouldn’t be a week in the gaming industry if Sheldon Adelson didn’t manage to bigfoot one issue or another. This time it’s Florida, where the Legislature is in the preliminary throes of grappling with casino expansion once again. Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Sheldon covets Florida … again

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Big win for Wynn; Murren in the spotlight; Lies, damned lies and Sheldon Adelson

Posted on November 1, 2013 by David McKee

In a disappointing but entirely predictable result, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that Nevada law permits employers to confiscate and redistribute tips received by employees (euphemistically referred to as “tip sharing”). Now, if a I stuck a gun in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Palms, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 3 Comments