Category Archives: Nevada

MGM’s China gambit; Mixed quarter for Station

Posted on August 17, 2016 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Pansy Ho are performing a fancy juggling act with MGM stock. The former is going to buy an additional 188 million shares in MGM China, increasing its hold on the property to 56%. In return, Ms. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Culinary Union, Economy, Election, Isle of Capri, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, Palms, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Reno, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 11, 2016 by David McKee

“According to the term, [Sumona] Islam is prohibited from being employed, for instance, as a custodian, at every casino within a 150-mile radius. The agreement’s prohibition of all types of employment with gaming establishments severely restricts Islam’s ability to be gainfully … Continue reading →

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

June in Vegas: The house won; Wynn gets spanked in Macao

Posted on July 29, 2016 by David McKee

While a 10% increase in June gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip fell short of some Wall Street analysts’ projections, it was a healthy month nevertheless. Slot winnings were up 10% ($253 million) on only 1% higher coin-in. Luck … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on June in Vegas: The house won; Wynn gets spanked in Macao

Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Posted on June 30, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend and a tough comparison with last year’s Mayweather-Pacquiao charade translated into a weak May for both the Las Vegas Strip, down 12%, and Nevada casinos in general, 4.5% off the pace. There were some sort of bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Louisiana gets hammered; Three states legalize DFS

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

As we’ve noted before, May was hard on Midwest casino operators, nowhere more so than in Louisiana, where gambling revenue was down 13%. This marks seven months of same-store decline for the Pelican State, an exceptional slump, with the usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

High-stakes legal challenge in Florida; Free-for-all in New York

Posted on June 7, 2016 by David McKee

A relatively obscure dispute in the Florida panhandle could have huge ramifications for the state’s casino industry. Four years ago, voters in Gadsden County approved slot machines for Gretna Racing, a joint venture of two Tallahassee lobbyists and the Poarch Bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, Election, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on High-stakes legal challenge in Florida; Free-for-all in New York

DFS stalls in Illinois; Mississippi casinos rebound

Posted on May 24, 2016 by David McKee

Things were looking up for the daily fantasy sports industry in Illinois, where enabling legislation passed the state Senate 32-22. However, a hold has been put on the bill, which may not make it to the House. Why? Although the legislation … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Delaware, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, Nevada, PokerStars, Politics, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on DFS stalls in Illinois; Mississippi casinos rebound

DFS returns to Nevada; Dustup near the Stratosphere

Posted on March 15, 2016 by David McKee

While DraftKings CEO Jason Robins and FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles insist that their companies are just too special to apply for a Nevada gaming license, entrepreneurs Vic Salerno and Michael Knapp are effectively calling their bluff. They’re seeking a license … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Regulation, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on DFS returns to Nevada; Dustup near the Stratosphere

Virginia is for lovers … of DFS

Posted on March 14, 2016 by David McKee

Score a “win” for daily fantasy sports, as it was legitimized in Virginia. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) applied his signature to the Fantasy Contests Act, which places DFS under the auspices of the state’s  Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service, effective July … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Virginia is for lovers … of DFS

Rosy prospects for Boyd; Victories in Indian Country

Posted on March 10, 2016 by David McKee

Top Boyd Gaming executives sat down with JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff and sketched out their program for the coming year, with includes new restaurant concepts at 12 casinos (including 20 new restaurants this year) and 167 hotel rooms at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, history, Illinois, International, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Philippines, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The party’s over; DFS sniffs at Nevada regulation

Posted on March 8, 2016 by David McKee

It’s no party for two executives at Bwin.Party. The Austrian government has leveled charges of corruption, “breach of trust” and money laundering at Bwin’s Norbert Teufelberger and Manfred Bodner. The indictment was filed two months ago but is only now … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Donald Trump, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation | Comments Off on The party’s over; DFS sniffs at Nevada regulation

Nevada grapples with DFS; Seminole compact dies

Posted on March 7, 2016 by David McKee

Rather than sit on the daily fantasy sports sidelines, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R, below) wants to nudge the Silver State into the game. To that end, he’s the keynote speaker for a specially convened, all-star hearing by the Nevada Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Japan, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off on Nevada grapples with DFS; Seminole compact dies

Winning quarter for Wynn

Posted on February 15, 2016 by David McKee

In the current era of managed expectations of all things related to Macao, the 4Q15 report from Wynn Resorts fell into the “better than anticipated” category, with earnings down ‘only’ 17% (superior to Wall Street consensus) and profits just over … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Georgia, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Winning quarter for Wynn

Illinois beats the odds; MGM goes au naturel

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

Well, here’s a novel piece of news out of Illinois, where it always seems that gloom and doom hold sway. Gaming revenues were up 2% last month. That’s even more impressive when you consider that it’s being measured against a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Illinois beats the odds; MGM goes au naturel

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 2, 2016 by David McKee

“We didn’t kick anybody out. All we said is play by the rules. This board has been progressive toward innovation.” — Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett on the state’s stance toward daily fantasy sports.

Posted in Internet gambling, Nevada, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Strip’s illusory Christmas present; A.C. Trop antes up

Posted on January 29, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenues were up 8% last month but Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli is calling that headline “misleading,” the increase “purely optical.” Volume of table play was down 11% and slot coin-in was 2% less. But increased … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Strip’s illusory Christmas present; A.C. Trop antes up

Big win for Icahn; Boffo year for Pennsylvania

Posted on January 19, 2016 by David McKee

No further obstacles should remain to a Carl Icahn takeover of ailing Trump Taj Mahal after an appeals court found in favor of wage- and health-care rollbacks at the Atlantic City casino. Unite-Here Local 54 and the workers it represents … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Big win for Icahn; Boffo year for Pennsylvania

Rage against DFS; Iowa stays stable

Posted on January 8, 2016 by David McKee

“FanDuel and DraftKings are optimized for power players to rape and pillage regular players over and over again.” So says daily fantasy sports podcaster Gabriel Harber, in the course of a lengthy New York Times expose of the DFS industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Rage against DFS; Iowa stays stable