Category Archives: MGM Resorts International

Illegal slots run amuck in Missouri

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

With the casino industry so entrenched in Missouri you wouldn’t think there was a market for black-market slots. You’d think wrongly. The Missouri Gaming Commission has received 84 complaints alleging 200 instances of rogue machines. Casinos aren’t the only ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Florida, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on Illegal slots run amuck in Missouri

Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Resort fees, the bane of customers to Las Vegas, are inspiring some congressional action. Lawmakers Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R) are collaborating on a bill that would outlaw resort fees (it’s the Hotel Advertising Transparency … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Resort fees, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

More from the Police Blotter; Adelson, il duce

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Phil Ivey may owe Borgata $10 million for cheating at baccarat but the casino’s not going to overlook the chicken feed he makes in other tourneys. Borgata has set its sights on the $124,410 Ivey won in the last World … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, history, Hooters, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on More from the Police Blotter; Adelson, il duce

Too much, too soon in the East?; The DFS doctor is in

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

At last, someone is expressing skepticism over the pie-in-the-sky attitude U.S. gaming companies exude toward the Pacific Rim. The inescapable Sheldon Adelson said “ten Las Vegases” would not sate demand, But Union Gaming analysts Grant Govertsen and John DeCree think that … Continue reading →

Posted in China, CityCenter, DFS, Economy, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, MGM Resorts International, Sports, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on Too much, too soon in the East?; The DFS doctor is in

Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

Rappers and Vegas don’t mix too well. The latest exhibit is YG, who The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas finds itself being associated with in an alleged assault and robbery. The Cosmo is being sued by one Benjamin Naderi over a beatdown he … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Hooters out, Ruffin in, Sands up

Posted on September 24, 2019 by David McKee

Keeping its signature Os, Hooters Hotel Casino becomes an OYO Hotel property this week, with a full transformation expected by year’s end. (Gotta be ready for New Year’s Eve.) The changes are subtle at first. Hotel management goes over to Highgate … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Hooters, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Paragon Gaming, Phil Ruffin, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Hooters out, Ruffin in, Sands up

NCAA meddling again; Slots struggle in Massachusetts

Posted on September 23, 2019 by David McKee

After the Supreme Court threw out the Bradley Act, there were a few grumbles on Capitol Hill about federal regulation of sports betting. However, American Gaming Association President Bill Miller, in his capacity as gaming’s premier lobbyist, took the temperature … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Hard Rock International, IGT, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on NCAA meddling again; Slots struggle in Massachusetts

Chicago casino tax damned; Kerkorian epoch ends

Posted on September 19, 2019 by David McKee

That Illinois casino expansion went back to the drawing board—the Illinois Gaming Board, to be exact. The topic of its ire was the 33% “privilege tax” hung around the neck of the Chicago casino (bringing its effective tax rate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Foxwoods, history, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Rush Street Gaming, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

MGM selling crown jewels

Posted on September 17, 2019 by David McKee

It’s almost a done deal. MGM Resorts International will monetize its two most iconic properties by selling MGM Grand and Bellagio to Blackstone Group. The latter would lease the two megaresorts back to MGM, which would probably roll the sale … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM selling crown jewels

Two wins for Wynn; Fewer jobs in Atlantic City

Posted on September 17, 2019 by David McKee

Encore Boston Harbor continues to dominate the Massachusetts scene, with 61% of market share, compared to 25% (not bad) for MGM Springfield, the rest going to Plainridge Park. Encore grossed $85.5 million last month, MGM did $21 million and Plainridge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, DFS, Economy, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Two wins for Wynn; Fewer jobs in Atlantic City

Near-ideal month in Atlantic City

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos were, despite an extra weekend day in August, up only 6%. But, more importantly, all except one either stood their ground or grew business. They grossed $286.5 million, with symmetrical increases in slot and table revenue. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Detroit, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Wall Street: The Strip is all right; Rivals pile into Waukegan

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff has just returned from a two-day field trip to Las Vegas. His overall reaction was “incrementally positive.” He said he sensed “a fairly steady trend line in terms of overall spend and net revenue performance.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Wall Street: The Strip is all right; Rivals pile into Waukegan

Heard along the Strip

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

Circus Circus, the casino Jim Murren said he would never, ever sell (because his kids liked it so much) is reported to be on the auction block. The Murren kids are grown and MGM Resorts International has never formulated a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Eldorado Resorts, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on September 12, 2019 by David McKee

Unlike people across the Pearl River Delta in Hong Kong, casino workers in Macao are relatively easy to please. Their latest set of demands will sound very familiar to Americans: a five-day work week, vacation schedules and a smoke-free environment (we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Case Bets

Twin tragedies in California; Upgrades at Borgata

Posted on September 11, 2019 by David McKee

Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day (and of the innumerable politicians who try to shake me down for money, only Rep. Ilhan Omar [D] had the stones to raise the taboo topic.) As though to underline the issue, this week was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Tribal | 3 Comments

Ohio gallops, Missouri trots

Posted on September 10, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio gambling revenues were up 4% last month, coming in at $164.5 million. Most of that was driven by a particularly good month at the racinos. Hollywood Columbus‘ $19 million represented a 4% gain while Hollywood Toledo hauled in $17 … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Horseracing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National | 1 Comment

Squeezed in Schenectady; Seminoles step up

Posted on September 10, 2019 by David McKee

One of the goofs New York State made when authorizing upstate casinos was not to establish a level playing field of taxation. Rivers Casino Schenectady is hardest hit, paying 45% on its slot revenues and it’s finally decided to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Squeezed in Schenectady; Seminoles step up

Lesser is more; Are you ready for some football betting?

Posted on September 9, 2019 by David McKee

It’s been rather vexing to hear the voices in Massachusetts squawking to have the casino-enabling legislation enacted under Deval Patrick torn up and replaced with a series of loopholes. After two years of knowing that Encore Boston Harbor was headed … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Marijuana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, TV | 1 Comment

‘Wynn-wash’ in Boston; MGM, Sahara soak customers

Posted on September 9, 2019 by David McKee

Encore Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio gives us the nitty-gritty (emphasis on gritty) of developing the Massachusetts megaresort. For instance, I’ll bet you didn’t know Wynn Resorts rented 600 railroad cards to—repeatedly—haul arsenic-tainted soil from the site, trucked off to Georgia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cretins, Detroit, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock Hotel, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Nevada, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Resort fees, Sahara, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Terry Caudill, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on ‘Wynn-wash’ in Boston; MGM, Sahara soak customers

Terrorism at Trump; Police blotter

Posted on September 5, 2019 by David McKee

Trump International finally made it back into the news, although not in a good way. WSOP player Kenneth Strauss was arrested there on July 27 after allegedly tweeting terroristic threats, among other malfeasances. Strauss’ reign of error began at Red … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Philippines, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Vietnam, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment