Category Archives: New York

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David McKee

“This is turning out to be who can generate the most revenue for the state.” — disgruntled Liberty, N.Y., town supervisor Charlie Barbuti on casino expansion. Like, duh!

Posted in Economy, New York, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Shakeup at Downtown Grand

Posted on July 31, 2014 by David McKee

I’ll be staying at the Downtown Grand this weekend and it looks like I won’t be the only novitiate. Ownership has installed a new management team, too, casting a wide net. CFO Marie Ramsey comes over from the Tropicana Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Current, Delaware, Downtown, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Shakeup at Downtown Grand

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 30, 2014 by David McKee

“The initial proposal from the developers was that this is going to be a world-class destination resort. Now we all know no one is flying into East Greenbush or Rensselaer County to go gambling. This is not a resort area.” … Continue reading →

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Wall Street: Viva Las Vegas

Posted on July 29, 2014 by David McKee

“Results could be lackluster, even if more states allow casinos, as is the case in Ohio, which we estimate cannibalized roughly one-third of its revenues from surrounding states.”  So wrote Fitch Ratings Service analyst Michael Paladino, assessing the gaming industry’s national … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, history, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Racinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Wall Street: Viva Las Vegas

Russian roulette in Boston

Posted on July 16, 2014 by David McKee

Due to Boston Mayor Martin Walsh‘s refusal to go to arbitration with Wynn Resorts, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission finds itself in an unexpected role. It’s mulling other surrounding-community agreements from around the state and trying to measure the economic impact … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Foxwoods, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Regulation, Rhode Island, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Russian roulette in Boston

N.Y.: We’re poorer than you; Shame at the Plaza

Posted on July 14, 2014 by David McKee

That casino battle in New York State is evolving into a war of words. At stake is who can prove they’re poorer than the next guy. A study commissioned by the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development reached the perverse point of … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, New York, Regulation, Tamares Group | 2 Comments

So long, Sullivan County

Posted on July 10, 2014 by David McKee

New York State’s Gaming Commission has picked the last two members of the casino-siting committee and it’s pretty bad news for the Catskills region. Both of the finalists are cronies of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), as are the three already-seated … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

For sale: One casino, slightly used

Posted on July 9, 2014 by David McKee

Having walked into a PR buzzsaw with its announced closure of the Showboat, in Atlantic City, owner Caesars Entertainment is trying to salve the wound. “We’re willing to sell if we receive a reasonable offer from a responsible buyer,” said company … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, New York, Revel, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

Feeling Moody’s

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

Here at S&G, we don’t begrudge anyone their right to build casinos. But, in the larger picture, the evidence suggests that Massachusetts and New York State are sailing into the wind. Moody’s Investors Service surveyed casinos in 15 states and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Feeling Moody’s

What’s in a name?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by David McKee

Quite a lot apparently, if you’re Wynn Boston and you’re going up against local favorite Mohegan Sun. A poll taken by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found voters split between 48% in favor of Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Delaware, Detroit, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on What’s in a name?

Isle for sale; N.Y. deluged in casino bids

Posted on July 1, 2014 by David McKee

Consolidation’s march has reached the doorstep of Isle of Capri Casinos. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Isle is reported as having peddled itself to several potential buyers over the last several months. Now it’s “weeks away” from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Delaware, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Isle for sale; N.Y. deluged in casino bids

D-Day in New York

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Today’s the day to get formal bids in on New York State casinos. In the process, the search criteria have been stood on their head by comparatively affluent Orange County, which now dominates the bidding, economic regeneration be damned. Liberty … Continue reading →

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Showboat: The autopsy; Penn: We’re outta here!

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Leaving aside the human effect, in cold business calculus, Caesars Entertainment‘s closure of the Showboat Atlantic City makes sense. At least that’s what Mayor Don Guardian is saying echoed by Wall Street. “The closure makes financial sense for Caesars and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, Economy, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

So long, Showboat

Posted on June 27, 2014 by David McKee

Normally, when a federally mandated WARN Act notice goes out to casino employees, executives downplay as a mere formality. Not so for Showboat Atlantic City where theoretical closure became actual shutdown in less than 24 hours. Despite having recently posted … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Revel, Taxes | 1 Comment

Et tu, Thrillist?; Bed-hopping in N.Y.

Posted on June 23, 2014 by David McKee

Poor Sam Nazarian. He’s still two months away from opening SLS Las Vegas and Thrillist has gone and jumped the gun. It’s crowned The Cromwell “already Vegas coolest hotel.” Not even an unfinished parking garage could dampen their enthusiasm, motivated … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Et tu, Thrillist?; Bed-hopping in N.Y.

New York, worker’s paradise; Tough call in Iowa

Posted on June 23, 2014 by David McKee

Casino workers in New York really can be assured of good-paying jobs. According figures released by the New York Hotel & Trades Council, a starting salary of $40,000 is quite plausible. Resorts World New York employees landed a contract last … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Iowa, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on New York, worker’s paradise; Tough call in Iowa

Gentlemen, grab your joysticks; Massachusetts: Another day, another poll

Posted on June 20, 2014 by David McKee

Video-game/slot hybrids have been licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission and will be on display for your entertainment at the next Global Gaming Expo. The lucky winner was Gamblit Gaming, which is owned by American Capital by way of Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Technology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Gentlemen, grab your joysticks; Massachusetts: Another day, another poll

Icebreak in Japan; Discouragement in New York

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Leaving scant room for error, Japan‘s parliament is scheduled to begin debating casino legalization today. “We have to remind ourselves that this is just the start, and until we see gambling become legal, we must keep up our efforts,” said lobbyist … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off on Icebreak in Japan; Discouragement in New York

N.Y.: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

Orange County in New York State could get a casino by default, as Catskills-area projects continue to fall by the wayside. The latest one to drop out is Foxwood Resort Casino‘s joint-venture bid to redevelop the old Grossinger’s Hotel site. … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Tribal | Comments Off on N.Y.: Another one bites the dust

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

“We’re probably not getting elected again, any one of us.” — East Greenbush Councilwoman Sue Mangold, after voting to endorse a Saratoga Casino & Gaming/Churchill Downs casino project for the New York town.

Posted in Churchill Downs, Election, New York | Comments Off on Quote of the Day