Category Archives: Mississippi

Boxing creates boom for Nevada bookmakers

Posted on October 10, 2017 by David McKee

Nevada sports books saw an increase of 1,650% in August wagering. (No, that’s not a typo.) It would be an understatement to say that the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor fight helped. $70 million was wagered on it, with the books keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Genting, Mississippi, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Boxing creates boom for Nevada bookmakers

Penn, Pinnacle to merge?

Posted on October 6, 2017 by David McKee

Writes Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, “according to people familiar with the matter, Penn National has conducted on again off again discussions to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment.” He warns that “a long list of questions, which may or may not make a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Wall Street, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Caesars exits bankruptcy; Station’s California headache

Posted on October 3, 2017 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s long Chapter 11 nightmare is finally at an end. Regulators in Missouri and Louisiana have signed off on a reorganization that will leave Caesars creditors $10 billion lighter in the wallet. The consummation of the deal is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars exits bankruptcy; Station’s California headache

Case bets

Posted on August 4, 2017 by David McKee

After loudly proclaiming that it wasn’t going down the Internet– gambling path, MGM Resorts International has quietly reversed field and is opening a New Jersey Web site called playMGM. (To be fair, the company also inherited a flourishing ‘Net-bet operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Columbia Sussex, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Case bets

Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

Posted on August 3, 2017 by David McKee

Locals might cringe every time the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” cliché is trotted out — in part because what happens there usually finds its way to YouTube within hours, if not minutes. However, the staying power of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, e-sports, Economy, history, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

SLS to get new owner; Boyd outlines strategy

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Having failed to reinvent the north end of the Las Vegas Strip as the new place to party heartily, the owners of $415 million SLS Las Vegas are giving up and selling it to a relatively minor player: Meruelo Group. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Environment, Harrah's, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

REITs Gaming & Leisure Properties and MGM Growth Properties both checked in with Wall Street yesterday, and further acquisitions were on the mind of both. In the case of MGM, its next target of opportunity is MGM National Harbor (“on … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Wynn: Paradise deferred

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David McKee

Perhaps it’s the distraction caused by casino legalization in Japan. Perhaps it’s the cost creep (now up to $2.4 billion) at Wynn Boston Harbor. Whatever the reason, Wynn Resorts has scaled down its plans for Wynn Paradise Park. Rest assured, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Economy, Entertainment, Indiana, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Wynn: Paradise deferred

Temporary relief for Illinois; CityCenter for sale?

Posted on April 7, 2017 by David McKee

As a huge gambling expansion works its way through the Legislature, casino owners in Illinois must feel like condemned men awaiting the execution. At any rate, it behooves them to gather roses while yet they may. Fortunately, gamblers felt like … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Taxes, The Crown 18, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Penn gets bigger; Cool February in Nevada

Posted on March 28, 2017 by David McKee

Not many casino companies would double down on the Tunica market, let alone triple down. However, Penn National Gaming has an appetite for risk plus a track record of taking distressed properties and turning them around. So, in addition to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Downtown, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Maryland, Mesquite, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn gets bigger; Cool February in Nevada

Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Posted on March 24, 2017 by David McKee

Just a few months ago, the idea of a Donald Trump-branded casino on the Las Vegas Strip would have seemed like a joke. Trump’s brand equity in gaming had dwindled to zilch and the man himself was out of gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 20, 2017 by David McKee

“The greater impact would be the effect of completely changing the character of our south Mississippi community, as it would effectively open the floodgates to an indiscriminate proliferation of gaming sites to areas never contemplated or desired.” — Gulfport Mayor … Continue reading →

Posted in Mississippi, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Posted on February 10, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Maryland are entering the fray over sports betting. Unlike their counterparts in New Jersey, they’re not challenging the federal government directly. The proposed law, as drafted, would make sports betting legal in the Free State *if* the Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Delaware, Dining, Donald Trump, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Mixed results in Indiana; New Hampshire tries, tries, tries again

Posted on February 9, 2017 by David McKee

Casino revenue was down 4% last month in Indiana but, with one less weekend than last year and a 6% decline in foot traffic, I’m disinclined to read too much into the results. However, just for the record, let’s look … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Mixed results in Indiana; New Hampshire tries, tries, tries again

MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

Given its high profile, MGM National Harbor had to hit a home run for MGM Resorts International and, judging by the numbers, it’s done just that. Last month it grossed $49 million, which — when the numbers are adjusted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Downtown, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Trump vs. Las Vegas; E-sports is big busine$$

Posted on January 12, 2017 by David McKee

“Donald Trump is the most uninformed president the U.S. has ever had.  This is not an opinion.  It is based on the realities of how human beings communicate:  He does not read.  ‘[Trump] said in a series of interviews that he does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Trump vs. Las Vegas; E-sports is big busine$$

Trump Taj saves Atlantic City; Barrack resurfaces; Visiting Memory Lane

Posted on November 17, 2016 by David McKee

When we rounded up Atlantic City gaming numbers yesterday, we didn’t get into market-adjusted comparisons and thus buried the lead. The Boardwalk’s surviving casinos saw, on average, a 6% increase in gaming revenue, thanks to the Oct. 10 closing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, PokerStars, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

LV Monorail lives; MGM shatters expectations

Posted on November 7, 2016 by David McKee

Whether or not you consider the Las Vegas Monorail a while elephant, its trunk is going to grow a bit longer. Clark County is diligently pursuing the permits that would enable it to extend the Monorail to Mandalay Bay, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Detroit, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Boyd: The big squish; Trump’s double-dip

Posted on November 2, 2016 by David McKee

“Squishy.” That was how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff described Boyd Gaming‘s third quarter. The soggy verbiage was probably inspired by flooding that has vexed Boyd in Louisiana. The company is also facing stiff, new competition for IP Biloxi on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boyd: The big squish; Trump’s double-dip

Adelson in trouble again; Trop buoys Penn National numbers

Posted on October 27, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands is under the regulatory magnifying glass again. It’s been alleged that the company tried to make an end run around anti-money-laundering laws by permitting Chinese whales to use front men to place bets on their behalf. Lawyers … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Marketing, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson in trouble again; Trop buoys Penn National numbers