Category Archives: Nebraska

Tidal Wave in Atlantic City; FanDuel hits paydirt

Is Ocean Casino Resort‘s new leadership sweating comps? Our East Coast correspondent tried to score two for a Boz Scaggs concert, couldn’t, but paid anyway. What did he see? “The concert was far from being sold out. Do you think … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, DraftKings, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, Genting, Georgia, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Flamingo sale? Forget it!; Mega-Jottings

Caesars Entertainment formally took the Flamingo off the sale block yesterday, at least for the foreseeable future. CEO Tom Reeg cited ‘market conditions‘ (odd when the Las Vegas Strip keeps breaking records). There is also the complication that Vici Properties … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Conventions, Cretins, Dan Lee, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Lake Las Vegas, Louisiana, Maine, Marketing, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill | 4 Comments

Atlantic City notes; MGM Singapore?; Mega-Jottings

Ocean Casino Resort has unveiled its pricey new sports book and our Atlantic City correspondent deems it nothing short of “spectacular! In the center is a circular bar, surrounded by TV screens. There is a set of steps (and elevator) … Continue reading

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Bally, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illitch Family, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Real Estate, Singapore, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Unite-Here, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Maryland weaker, Illinois stronger; Mickelson in denial

Even as playing levels normalize from last year, gambling revenues continue their upward tread. Maryland, for instance, was 4% higher in May than a year ago (and 17.5% above 2019). Had there not been one fewer weekend day than in … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DFS, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia, Washington State | 1 Comment

Atlantic City prospers; Inflation vs. gaming: Which prevails?

Liar, liar, pants on fire. That’s what we say to Atlantic City casino executives who predict the coming of the Apocalypse is smoking is banned in their premises. First-quarter gross operating profits were up even by pre-pandemic standards, which hardly … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, Dan Lee, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Gary Goett, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, New York, Ocean Resort, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Philippines, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Meet Lori Leadfoot; Flamingo shopped

A comedy of errors is playing out in Chicago. After Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) was reported by the Chicago Sun-Times to have gift-wrapped the winning bid for Bally’s Corp., Her Honor immediately backpedaled, saying, “We have a very specific process, … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Economy, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 1 Comment

If at first you don’t succeed … sue; Academy Awards odds posted

It’s a tried and true adage of American life that if you can’t get what you want fair and square, take it to court. Case in point: Full House Resorts. Having lost out on the Indiana Gaming Commission‘s selection of … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Bally, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, Election, Full House Resorts, Health, Indiana, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Movies, Nebraska, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on If at first you don’t succeed … sue; Academy Awards odds posted

Encore owns Massachusetts; Online slot players hosed

Massachusetts gaming revenue accelerated to $96 million last month, 23% higher than 2019. Encore Boston Harbor vaulted 37% to $63 million—yes, two-thirds of the statewide gross and well above Deutsche Bank‘s forecast of $55 million. Despite Wynn Resorts‘ dominance, Plainridge … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cretins, Detroit, Economy, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Iowa, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, North Carolina, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Monster monopoly on the Strip?; Caesars wows Wall Street

In a deal that Nevada regulators would block if they had an ounce of spine, MGM Growth Properties proposes to sell itself to Vici Properties, which would put nearly all the prime land on the Las Vegas Strip under one … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Conventions, Dining, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nebraska, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Rio, The Strip, Vici Properties, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment

Resorts World a smash hit; Cranky Maine woman stiffs tribes

Some of us thought Nevada would never regain the giddy gambling heights of 2007. We were wrong. May was the best month in Silver State history, as casinos raked in $1.2 billion. (The previous high was in October 2007, on … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Genting, Health, Maine, Marketing, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Pennsylvania booms and busts, Massachusetts lags

Casino revenues were $270.5 million last month in Pennsylvania, down 22% from March 2019, another exception to the wave of recovery sweeping the country. Slots accounted for $199 million, tables for $71.5 million. Casinos were held to 50% of capacity, … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colony Capital, Conventions, Cordish Co., Dining, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Pennsylvania booms and busts, Massachusetts lags

Welcome to Less Vegas

Caesars Entertainment, aka Eldorado Resorts, has become possessed by the evil spirit of spare-every-expense Columbia Sussex. In one of the most odious of recent cutpurse moves, bartenders have been ordered to short-pour liquor: The ‘new normal’ is .75 ounces per … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Columbia Sussex, Connecticut, Conventions, Cretins, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, Florida, Health, Kansas, Lotteries, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wall Street, Washington State | 1 Comment

Bailout for Tilman; Casinos to the Big Apple; Mega-Jottings

It was a $6.6 billion rescue package that Golden Nugget CEO Tilman Fertitta received, in the form of a merger with FAST Acquisition. Fertitta’s been hard up for cash and forks over a portion of his casino empire in return … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Marketing, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Bailout for Tilman; Casinos to the Big Apple; Mega-Jottings

Mixed readings on Vegas recovery; Trump vs. Titus

How bad is it in Las Vegas? Well, the latest edict from MGM Resorts International is that The Mirage will be closed from Monday at noon to Thursday at noon, INCLUDING the casino. (We felt that news needed a bit … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, CQ Holdings, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, GLPI, Health, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nebraska, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Horseplay in Massachusetts and Monday mega-jottings

At age 86, horse owner Armand Janjigian is as alive and kicking as the thoroughbreds he wants to race in Massachusetts. No, he doesn’t have a track but he’s busily snapping up land for one. He’s also going to need … Continue reading

Posted in California, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Park MGM re-closes; Gaming’s 2020 mandate

No, it’s got nothing to do with the smoking ban. Well, maybe. MGM Resorts International, as we mentioned yesterday, has decided it has too much hotel-room inventory going to waste on the Las Vegas Strip. As part of an austerity … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Election Special: “The biggest political event ever”

An anonymous British financier will have to wait another 24 hours to find out if his $5 million bet on Donald Trump comes up a winner. He’ll pocket $15 million from Curaçao bookies if it does. The flutter, made after … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sports, Tribal, Virginia | 2 Comments

Kings for a day; Covid’s casino kingpin

As you know, DraftKings is the current darling of Wall Street, its stock hovering around $50/share. Today Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken initiated coverage with an “outperform” rating, putting a $76/share price target on the stock. He even went to … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Maryland returns to normal; Caesars offloads assets

Pandemic? What pandemic? Maryland casino revenues were 1% above last September’s, indicating a resumption of normality, at least where gambling is concerned. The statewide gross was $149.5 million. That’s despite restrictions that include keeping the casino floor at 50% of … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Cordish Co., Cretins, Delaware, Diversity, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Health, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Reno, Sports betting, Tribal, Virginia, West Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off on Maryland returns to normal; Caesars offloads assets

It’s Coronavirus’ world, we just live in it

Some days it just doesn’t pay to be Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). He’s lost authority over the eastern half of the Sooner State. How? The U.S. Supreme Court—hardly a hotbed of bleeding-heart liberals—ruled that historical claims by the Muscogee … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Election, Health, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, South Carolina, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on It’s Coronavirus’ world, we just live in it