Category Archives: Movies

Rock the casbah; The risks of Japan

Posted on August 9, 2019 by David McKee

Although Israel continues to outlaw casinos, undoubtedly to Sheldon Adelson‘s deep regret, the Middle East is pustulent with gaming houses. Yes, the Koran forbids it but that’s hardly stopping anyone. Egypt stands out with roughly 15 casinos, supposedly off-limits to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Movies, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

One city to rule them all; “Cats” is coming for you

Posted on July 23, 2019 by David McKee

Can you believe that San José, Costa Rica is the seventh-best place to gamble? It might the best casino town of which you’ve never heard, with 30 casinos and “a quite attractive exchange rate.” That’s the conclusion of a TravelTrivia.com … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, International, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Macau, Movies, North Carolina, Problem gambling, Reno, Singapore, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on One city to rule them all; “Cats” is coming for you

Sports wagering, ‘Net bets power New Jersey; Slow month in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

Despite being 7% down on a same-store basis, Atlantic City casino revenues grew 14% last month. The $236 million gross represents a 3.5% downturn in slot winnings (down 8.5% same-store) but a 26% jump at the tables (down 3.5% same-store). … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 13, 2019 by David McKee

“Insurance companies move in mysterious ways. Much like God … only far less generous.” — Standish (Dan Duryea) in The Flight of the Phoenix.

Posted in Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vegas gets first tribal casino

Posted on June 26, 2019 by David McKee

My doctor says it behooves me to take it easy, so that can mean only one thing … news briefs! If you were waiting for Native American tribes to put down roots in Las Vegas, wait no longer. Virgin Hotels … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Animals, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Vegas gets first tribal casino

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

“Racism is the act of a loser. A winner doesn’t need to be a racist. A loser does.” — screenwriter Paul Schrader, author of Taxi Driver.

Posted in Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Merry month of May in Ohio, Missouri; MGM debuts “Hunger Games”

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

Casino revenues were booming last month in Ohio, leaping 10.5% to $169.5 million. People flocked to the racinos, which vaulted 13%. Hollywood Columbus gained 2% to $19 million and Hollywood Toledo inched 1% to almost $18 million. As for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, The Strip | Comments Off on Merry month of May in Ohio, Missouri; MGM debuts “Hunger Games”

Wynn balks at Beantown penalty

Posted on May 6, 2019 by David McKee

Although it was willing to pay at least $20 million to remain licensed in Nevada, it appears that Wynn Resorts is unwilling to take its $35 million dose of castor oil in Massachusetts. “We are in the process of reviewing … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Charity, Cirque du Soleil, Crown Resorts, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Movies, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Resort fees, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn balks at Beantown penalty

War of the Palms; Odds on the Avengers

Posted on April 25, 2019 by David McKee

In its latest salvo against Station Casinos, the Culinary Union has commissioned a study to determine if the Palms will achieve an ROI pleasing to Wall Street. Its conclusion is that the revamped casino-hotel will need to generate cash flow … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Downtown, Kentucky, Movies, Palms, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on War of the Palms; Odds on the Avengers

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2019 by David McKee

“No movie with a fucking rubber fish ever made a dime.” — Ernest Hemingway, dropping the mike on the film adaptation of his The Old Man and the Sea. Obviously Papa did not live to see Jaws.

Posted in Animals, Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Circa rustles up $$; Wynn slammed

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

Despite some distant jingoism in the halls of Congress, Derek Stevens in still putting his money—so to speak—on EB-5 investors. This Web site opens with a slide show of a soon-to-be Downtown icon, Circa, followed by the copy, “We have chosen … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Circa rustles up $$; Wynn slammed

Run for the roses; Friends of Dorothy

Posted on March 28, 2019 by David McKee

I’ve got a horse right here, his name is … no, not Paul Revere but Game Winner and he’s favored to win the annual run for the roses at Churchill Downs. At least that’s what Kentucky Derby Online Betting says. KDOB … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Current, Entertainment, Horseracing, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Palms, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 3 Comments

Business as usual

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio casinos grossed $155 million last month, a 5.5% increase. Hollywood Toledo was 2.5% to $16 million and Hollywood Columbus rose 3% to $19 million. Hollywood Dayton was also up 3% to $9 million. Hollywood Mahoning Valley leapt 7% to $10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cantor Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, M Resort, Macau, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Business as usual

Fearless Oscar recap

Posted on February 25, 2019 by David McKee

New Jersey bookmakers are doubtless shelling out some long green today after Olivia Colman upset their (and my) odds-on pick, Glenn Close at the Academy Awards last night. Despite having the law of averages seemingly in her favor, Close continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, International, Movies, New Jersey, TV | Comments Off on Fearless Oscar recap

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 25, 2019 by David McKee

“I can’t believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!” — Period. End of Sentence co-producer Rayka Zehtabchi, upon winning Best Documentary Short.

Posted in Current, Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Clouds over Macao; What Sheldon wants, Sheldon gets

Posted on February 15, 2019 by David McKee

Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is projecting gambling-revenue flatness in Macao (despite higher tax returns) through 2019 and into 2020, despite a record amount of available credit in China. “Stronger credit data may partially assuage China macro concerns, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Movies, New Jersey, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm isn’t waiting like some blushing wallflower for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to approve him for a casino in Brockton. He’s spent $430,000 on Beacon Hill to make his $700 million casino project in reality. To put that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Indiana, Iowa, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

In another pure, non-gaming play, Caesars Entertainment has disclosed plans to build a hotel at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Arizona. “The 11-story glass structure, with 266 guest rooms, will be called Caesars Republic Scottsdale and will be the company’s first … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Fearless Oscar predictions

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Time for some amusement among all the heavy lifting: How to ace your office’s Oscar pool. While I had intended to declare Christian Bale the even-money favorite for Best Actor, Rami Malek‘s win at the SAG Awards gives him momentum, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Movies | 3 Comments