Category Archives: Neil Bluhm

Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor took the top spot in Maryland last month, grossing $50 million to Maryland Live‘s $45 million. “We view this as positive/encouraging for MGM, as it shows the property’s momentum has sustained into April,” wrote JP Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

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

Reading Trump’s tea leaves; Paper to MGM: Give us your money — or else!

Posted on March 27, 2017 by David McKee

What does the nascent Trump administration bode of tribal gaming? That question is vigorously bandied about in the new issue of Global Gaming Business. Although fairly circumspect in his opinions, National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens Jr. sees cause … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, history, Indiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off

MGM National Harbor, Maryland Live duke it out

Posted on March 8, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor strapped a jet pack on Maryland gaming revenue, up an eye-popping 38% last month. The bad news for other operators is that, once you subtract MGM, gaming revenues are down 11%. However, the fact that the declivity … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Casino gridlock in Florida; Illinois contemplates “grand bargain”

Posted on March 7, 2017 by David McKee

There’s a saying that a man who wears two watches never knows what time it is. In the case of the Florida Lege, it knows something dramatic needs to be done about gambling policy but is of dramatically different mindsets … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Illinois, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes | Comments Off

Caesars: The comedy is (almost) finished; Lawmaker gets high — on revenue

Posted on February 22, 2017 by David McKee

By merging Caesars Acquisition Co. (which holds most of the goodies) with Caesars Entertainment, the conglomerate may be finally able to ring the curtain on its bankruptcy. It’s been a long-running show, often replete with elements of farce. What seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off

Atlantic City warms up; Tribe puts faith in Trump

Posted on February 15, 2017 by David McKee

Judging by his apparent failure to build brand awareness of Ten, mogul Glenn Straub is going to have trouble cracking the Atlantic City nut. That’s fine by his rivals, who are all doing very well without him. Online gambling continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

Wynn shows Adelson up; Schenectady casino opens tonight

Posted on February 8, 2017 by David McKee

Contrary to crude insinuations by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steve Wynn‘s gift of $7 million in company stock late last year went mainly toward medical research at the University of Iowa’s Wynn Institute for Vision Research ($5 million), while another $1.7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Charity, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Maine, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

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

Crescendo of criticism in Connecticut; Adelson has solid 3Q17

Posted on January 27, 2017 by David McKee

“These legislators have it right, and they are proposing what Connecticut should have done from day one: put in place a process that is fair, open, transparent, reliable, and competitive,” said MGM Resorts International spokesman Alan Feldman, as opposition to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Election, Foxwoods, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Wynn Palace a work in progress; Hawaii ponders i-gaming

Posted on January 27, 2017 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts were pleasantly surprised by the latest results from Wynn Palace, which exceeded expectations. As JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote, the Palace “has reconfigured the main casino floor (mass market), adding new slot/poker sections and opening up … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Plainridge Park defies the odds; Gaming advocate’s conflict unearthed

Posted on January 23, 2017 by David McKee

States with lotteries are loath to let casinos in their borders. It’s an idea that’s D.O.A. in Nevada and Kansas protected its flank by making the casinos the property of the state lottery. However, a study by the Massachusetts Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

Cheerless Christmas in Illinois; Whitewash at Caesars?

Posted on January 9, 2017 by David McKee

Despite two extra weekend days, gaming revenues in Illinois were down 5% last month. For all we know, gamblers may have been saving up for Christmas but we think this points to the increasing prevalence of slot routes (many owned … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Slot routes, Sports, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Pennsylvania gets a second look; Tioga Downs debuts new casino

Posted on December 6, 2016 by David McKee

Funny that we should have been discussing Pennsylvania yesterday. Fitch Ratings analyst Alex Bumazhny made a field trip to Philadelphia and Bethlehem, and came away impressed by the $164 million expansion of SugarHouse. He concluded that its new features, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Golden Nugget now tops; MGM’s holy rollers

Posted on November 16, 2016 by David McKee

There’s a new leader in Atlantic City‘s Internet-gambling arena. Not PokerStars over at Resorts Digital. They’re still in last place. No, grabbing 24.5% of market share, Golden Nugget now heads the pack. Borgata has 22%, Caesars Interactive holds 18% and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

Trump Taj Mahal: End of an era; Wynn joins Atlanta pursuit

Posted on October 10, 2016 by David McKee

“It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend for the final time. I worked here and lived here, it was my whole life and now it’s closing. It’s all been taken away. My whole body is shaking.” So said longtime Trump … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Seminole Tribe, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Pittsburgh pleads with Rivers Casino; Strong numbers from Maryland, Illinois

Posted on October 7, 2016 by David McKee

Pittsburgh is essentially saying “Pretty please” to Rush Street Gaming‘s Rivers Casino, begging the latter to keep voluntarily paying $10 million a year to the city, even though Rush Street is no longer under any legal obligation to do so. Pittsburgh Finance … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 6 Comments