Category Archives: Nevada

New deadline for Oklahoma; Nevada casinos notch new high

Posted on February 12, 2020 by David McKee

Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy DeGiusti has placed the ball on compact renewal squarely back in Oklahoma‘s court. However, he has—to mix metaphors—split the baby quite fairly. And he’s given everyone a ticking clock to make a deal. Both sides are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Economy, Health, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Slick Rick cries foul; Re-enter the (former) Dragon

Posted on February 12, 2020 by David McKee

Everybody’s favorite rogue gaming operator, Rick Heidner, is suing the Illinois Gaming Board for an alleged data breach. Heidner charges that “their personal and sensitive financial information was intentionally and illegally leaked by an IGB employee … resulting in significant financial … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Downtown, Election, Health, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Nevada, Regulation, Scientific Games, Transportation | Comments Off

The new China syndrome

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David McKee

Junket operators and gaming companies in Macao are donating $22.5 million to help find a coronavirus cure. Good on them. Would that we could say half that about the government of China, which has bungled a localized virus into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Election, Entertainment, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Nevada, Oklahoma, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

DFS dealt major setback; Mills is grist

Posted on February 10, 2020 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports was dealt a major setback when a New York State court ruled it unlawful. It was deemed that the Lege had exceeded its remit by classifying DFS as a game of skill, not of chance. New York … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, Diversity, DraftKings, FanDuel, Foxwoods, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Maine, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology | Comments Off

Tramway to Encore; Pennsylvania pony pennies pinched

Posted on February 7, 2020 by David McKee

A gondola ride from Everett City Hall to Encore Boston Harbor? It could happen. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria has applied for a $200,000 study grant so that the city can look into the feasibility. He’s picking up the ball from Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Movies, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Transportation, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

As expected, Penn National Gaming bought a significant position in Barstool Sports, investing $135 million cash, $28 million PENN shares, and getting 36% of the two board seats and 36% of the company. The remainder is split between Chernin Group … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Problem gambling, Reno, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Spectrum under the microscope; Super Bowl bets boffo

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

Expected approval of Spectacle Entertainment‘s casino project in Terre Haute came to a screeching halt after revelations that former state Sen. Brent Waltz received illegal campaign contributions from an executive at Spectacle predecessor Centaur Gaming. The disclosure was enough for … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Centaur Gaming, Indiana, Law enforcement, Movies, Nevada, New Jersey, Politics, Regulation, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Westgate LV, William Hill | Comments Off

Casinos seen as gold mine, get the shaft; Oscar odds out

Posted on January 17, 2020 by David McKee

Whenever it’s time to consider a tax increase in Nevada, non-gaming businesses can look forward to continued freeloading. Case in point, the PAC calling itself Nevadans for Fair Gaming Taxes (and what’s unfair about Nevada’s casino tax?) are mounting a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Maine, Mississippi, Movies, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Damp November in Nevada; Dirty dealings in Illinois

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

Could the good times be coming to an end for Las Vegas? The Strip was down 3% last month but, worse still, locals revenue was off by 4%. The prior-year comparison was difficult (+6.5%) but not impossible, while December looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Movies, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Mega-Jottings

Posted on December 13, 2019 by David McKee

What do you do when the news is too short to justify a paragraph but too big to be ignored? How about a big-ass session of … Jottings: Mike Brooks and Tim Brooks, owners of the Emerald Isle Casino are … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, International, Japan, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Penn National, Scientific Games, South Korea, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

Penn a solid bet; New Year’s Eve in Vegas could be better

Posted on December 11, 2019 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming got a rave review from J.P. Morgan gaming analyst Joseph Greff, who wrote that ” we continue to believe PENN offers a favorable risk/reward with an attractive valuation.” Strong fundamentals in the regional-gaming sphere were cited, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Japan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Duterte socks it to casinos; Sports betting battle in California

Posted on December 9, 2019 by David McKee

This is an effective promotional tool. Why aren’t other companies doing it? (We’re looking at you, Caesars Entertainment.) * Philippine strongman Rodrigo Duterte is punching out at Philippines offshore gaming operators (POGOs) over delinquent taxes. He asserted that they had paid … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Small thinking big in Oklahoma; Smoke gets in their lungs

Posted on November 27, 2019 by David McKee

In Oklahoma, Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small went to the mat for Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), backing Stitt’s demand for higher—much higher—exclusivity fees. To his credit, Stitt has put sports betting on the table as an incentive. Small … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Connecticut, Environment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Nevada, Oklahoma, Palms, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off

Scientific fluent in Chinese; William Hill seeks new horizons

Posted on November 25, 2019 by David McKee

It’s not just for China anymore. Scientific Games is reporting success with its Chinese-themed slots, including in North America. Yes, games with titles like Jin Ji Bao Xi, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but is gaining traction with slot players worldwide. “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, China, Economy, Environment, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off

Wynn: Elaine did me dirty; New Jersey rakes it in

Posted on November 12, 2019 by David McKee

On the principle that two wrongs make a right, disgraced casino mogul Steve Wynn is accusing ex-wife Elaine Wynn of stirring up the Wall Street Journal story that ended his career. This comes by way of testimony by one Renée … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Culinary Union, e-sports, Elaine Wynn, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Caution on Scientific, Golden; VIPs passé in Macao

Posted on November 8, 2019 by David McKee

Scientific Games must have been less than thrilled with Credit Suisse analyst Ben Combes‘ report on their third quarter. It was headlined, “Solid Quarter, But Leverage Concerns Keep Us on the Sidelines.” Cash flow of $344 million beat the Wall … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Canada, China, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Lotteries, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Massachusetts Expansion urged; Murren backs right horse

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Blowing through all the economic red lights, Massachusetts state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R) is putting the pedal to the metal on a bill that would create a special casino category for her district, which includes Wareham. Oh-so-coincidentally, that is where … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Washington State | Comments Off

Churchill Downs fights horseracing reform; Mattress Mack doesn’t regret $13M World Series bet

Posted on November 4, 2019 by David McKee

Churchill Downs‘ third-quarter cash flow results were “softer than expected” according to J.P. Morgan analyst Daniel Politzer, who added the “the impact of this was likely mitigated by the company announcing a slew of updates/capital projects which helped placate investors, … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Charity, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Horseracing, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Texas, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Air guitar; Forgiveness urged for Steve Wynn

Posted on October 28, 2019 by David McKee

The much-anticipated opening of Hard Rock International‘s guitar-shaped hotel-casino in Hollywood, Florida, drew celebrities from Hollywood, California (Johnny Depp), as well as ones who would attend the opening of an eyelid (Kim Kardashian). Hard Rock hopes to recreate the iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, International, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scott Butera, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Ocean surges in Atlantic City; Wall Street yawns at MGM sale

Posted on October 17, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City gambling revenue was off 3% last month and we’ll be generous, chalking it up to one less weekend day than last year. The Boardwalk grossed $224.5 million, led by Borgata with $57.5 million (a 5% slippage). Table win … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments