Category Archives: New Jersey

Urban One loses; Station thinks big; NFL gets into the slot biz

Posted on November 3, 2021 by David McKee

Richmond voters narrowly chose to cut off their nose to spite their face, voting 51.5% against the Urban One casino proposal. Since casinos were approved by at least 65% in four other Virginia cities in 2020, the resounding question is … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Caesars Entertainment, California, Dining, DraftKings, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Iowa, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Palms, Politics, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State | 6 Comments

Rockin’ hard; Miller gives anti-smokers hope; Packer’s wrist slapped

Posted on October 29, 2021 by David McKee

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen (left) is bullish on the New York City market, if not downright aggressive. In maybe the highlight to come out of the East Coast Gaming Congress, Allen asserted his company’s interest in a New … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Animals, Atlantic City, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, China, Crown Resorts, Election, Genting, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, James Packer, Kentucky, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pahrump, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Crown 18, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Baccarat cools Las Vegas a bit; Boyd sets records; Reno bans whips

Posted on October 27, 2021 by David McKee

Stimulus cash may be petering out somewhat and international tourism has yet to open the floodgates, so September found Nevada on something of a cusp between the supercharged recovery of the summer and the hoped-for travel rebound in 4Q21. Still, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Conventions, Culinary Union, Downtown, FanDuel, Hawaii, Health, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marketing, Nevada, New Jersey, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Baccarat cools Las Vegas a bit; Boyd sets records; Reno bans whips

Pennsylvania rebounds; Mega-jottings

Posted on October 20, 2021 by David McKee

After grappling with the effects of gaming saturation for several months, Pennsylvania flexed its muscles in September, up 9% from 2019. The gross was $283 million. On a same-store basis (i.e., discounting the effects of new casinos), the Keystone State … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Drugs, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: Boardwalk boffo, sports betting bigger still; DeSantis wins

Posted on October 19, 2021 by David McKee

September was a breakout month for Atlantic City casinos, which surged 11% over 2019 to $248.5 million. Slot win was 14% higher on 13% more coin-in and table games garnered 4% more on 4% greater wagering, so luck was with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Philippines, PointsBet, Real Estate, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, Texas, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

G2E, The morning after: Guarded optimism

Posted on October 7, 2021 by David McKee

Exhibitors are folding their tents and weary journalists are packing it in as another Global Gaming Expo draws to a close, having kicked off inauspiciously with an anti-vaccine riot by “Covidiots” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Looking back on … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Aristocrat, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, DraftKings, Economy, Everi, G2E, IGT, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Macao fears overdone?; Dispatches from Atlantic City

Posted on September 27, 2021 by David McKee

After a long bout with the flu, we’re back with our usual persiflage. One of the stocks that was on the sickbed last week was Las Vegas Sands, bedridden from proposed new restrictions on Macao casinos. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, China, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, New Jersey, Palms, PointsBet, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wall Street meets Vegas, likes what it hears

Posted on September 14, 2021 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts, led by Joseph Greff, are touring Las Vegas ahead of Global Gaming Expo and seem to like what they’re hearing. For instance, they met with Station Casinos CFO Steven Cootey and were told that demand continues to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, China, Conventions, Economy, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Palms, Penn National, Problem gambling, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Texas, Tribal, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 3 Comments

Bargains galore at Caesars; Station savages Culinary; Mega-Jottings

Posted on August 24, 2021 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment is holding a fare sale across its non-Las Vegas properties, a possible signal that the stimulus-fueled recovery may be cooling (in economics, what goes up must come down). In Atlantic City you have your choice of such starting … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arizona, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Dining, Downtown, Health, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, Marketing, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Palms, Peninsula Pacific, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Atlantic City catches up; MGM confronts Covid; AAA salutes Circa

Posted on August 17, 2021 by David McKee

It took a while but the Boardwalk is finally even with 2019 numbers. July saw a gambling gross of $277 million, flat with two years ago. Slot win was up 6% on 2% more coin-in but tables declined 14% on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 5 Comments

Illinois springs to life while Ohio erupts; Mohegan Sun jilted twice over

Posted on August 12, 2021 by David McKee

Stop the presses! Illinois casinos actually outperformed 2019 last month by 4%. That’s downright miraculous. They grossed $120 million, led by Rivers Casino Des Plaines‘ $47.5 million, a 28% vault. Harrah’s Joliet was a distant second with $14.5 million (-1%), … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Arkansas, Bally, BetMGM, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, G2E, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Jack Entertainment, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Rio, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Florida compact sneaks into effect; DraftKings buys out Fertitta

Posted on August 9, 2021 by David McKee

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has jumped the shark. Her department has wisely-washily neither confirmed nor denied the controversial Seminole Tribe compact with the state of Florida, one that gives the Seminoles control over sports betting in the state. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, BetMGM, California, Culinary Union, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, Health, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Boyd beats The Street but charts cautious course

Posted on July 28, 2021 by David McKee

“Massive beat” and “exceptional” results were some of the terms being bandied about after yesterday’s Boyd Gaming 2Q21 earnings call. Wall Street expected $803 million in revenue and Boyd delivered $896.5 million, while profit margins at its Las Vegas locals … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Golden Gaming, Hawaii, Health, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City plays catch-up; Pennsylvania, Michigan flex online muscles

Posted on July 19, 2021 by David McKee

Casinos in Atlantic City are having trouble catching a wave from the Great Reopening. Last month’s brick-and-mortar revenues were $214.5 million, 9% down from 2019. Slot win ($154 million) was 8% lower on 11% less coin-in and luck wasn’t with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Indiana, Missouri stay strong; Mixed feelings about buffets

Posted on July 14, 2021 by David McKee

Casino winnings in Indiana came up just a few increments short of $200 million last month, a 13% gain on 2019. Hard Rock Gary came out of the blocks fast, grossing $26 million, although Horseshoe Hammond climbed 7% to retain … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, PointsBet, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

CityCenter sale applauded; DraftKings sued twice over

Posted on July 9, 2021 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli took a gander at the terms of MGM Resorts International‘s purchase/re-sale of Aria and Vdara, and liked what he saw. He reaffirmed his “buy” rating on MGM shares, with a price target of $54. He … Continue reading →

Posted in BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cretins, DraftKings, Dubai, Election, FanDuel, Health, Iowa, LVCVA, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment

Illinois limps, Ohio races; Flying the friendly skies with Hard Rock

Posted on June 8, 2021 by David McKee

First, the good news. Illinois gaming revenues held steady from April to May. However … they lagged May 2019 by 9.5%, for a gross of $107 million. The shining exception, as ever, was Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which cornered 39% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Genting, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Slot routes, Taxes, Transportation | 1 Comment

Casinos collapse in Texas, advance elsewhere

Posted on May 21, 2021 by David McKee

All Sheldon Adelson‘s horses and all Sheldon Adelson’s men couldn’t put Texas megaresorts together. Or, as they said in Brooklyn (in a non-gaming context), wait ’til next year. Two separate bills to authorize everything from full-service casinos to poker rooms … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Dining, Donald Trump, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Hard Rock, Ocean drub Borgata; Caesars massacres shows

Posted on May 17, 2021 by David McKee

Casinos in Atlantic City grossed $189.5 million last month, 9% behind their 2019 pace. Slots were off 5% and tables 17%. Regular top-grosser Borgata had a terrible month, falling 28%, spurring by lackluster table-game winnings (-34%), with slots tumbling 25%. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, FoxBet, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Silverton, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Wayne F. Newton, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Palms brings $650 million; Murphy flirts with smoking ban

Posted on May 4, 2021 by David McKee

Earlier today, Station Casinos finally confirmed the worst-kept secret in town. It has sold the Palms Casino Resort to a subsidiary of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in an all-cash, $650 million transaction. Thus closes a fairly disastrous … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Dining, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Palms, Penn National, Real Estate, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Palms brings $650 million; Murphy flirts with smoking ban