Category Archives: New York

Massacre in Maine; South Korea, land of opportunity?

Posted on March 20, 2014 by David McKee

Six gambling-expansion bills were mowed down in Maine‘s state Senate last night. Three of the quashed proposals would have provided some form of Native American gambling.  (A fourth would have allowed racinos to go from 3,000 slots to 4,500.) Pleasant … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Harrah's, International, Maine, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Massacre in Maine; South Korea, land of opportunity?

Louisiana and other Case Bets

Posted on March 19, 2014 by David McKee

Margaritaville ($10 million) was the difference between a positive (1.5%) and negative month in Louisiana, which was down 3% on a same-store basis. Isle of Capri Casinos had an exceptionally good month (+12%) but Pinnacle Entertainment (-3.5%), Boyd Gaming (-5%). … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Louisiana and other Case Bets

Jackie Gaughan remembered; New York’s bullish expansion

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David McKee

Verbal tributes to the late Jackie Gaughan continue to roll in and may not end with yesterday’s funeral. He was remembered as a man who said “Honesty, character and morals are 75 percent of the job. I can teach you … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, history, MGM Mirage, New York, Tribal | Comments Off on Jackie Gaughan remembered; New York’s bullish expansion

What’s this thing called ‘Adelaar’?

Posted on March 14, 2014 by David McKee

A tragic saga for the Concord Resort Hotel could have a belated, sort-of happy ending. Empire Resorts and EPR Properties want to build a new, casino-based resort — called Adelaar — on the site. Empire is a stalking horse for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Genting, New York, Penn National | Comments Off on What’s this thing called ‘Adelaar’?

New York’s challenge; History repeats itself as farce

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

Wasting no time, the New York State Gaming Commission appointed three experienced public servants to the Resort Gaming Facility Location Board and gave them a June deadline to accept bids. That’s light speed compared to Massachusetts. It also overshadowed something … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, International, New Hampshire, New York, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wisconsin | Comments Off on New York’s challenge; History repeats itself as farce

Boyd under siege? Tight (slots) on the East Coast

Posted on March 11, 2014 by David McKee

Yesterday, Elliott Management announced that it owns 5% of Boyd Gaming. Shares of the company, which had closed just under $12, opened at $14. But is this a vote of confidence in Boyd? According to Seeking Alpha, “Elliott has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Florida, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Reno, Technology, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Boyd under siege? Tight (slots) on the East Coast

Boyd: Japan or bust

Posted on March 6, 2014 by David McKee

Well, they weren’t that dramatic about it. But Boyd Gaming executives surprised Wall Street analysts by announcing their interest in having a Japanese casino. For all the ongoing success of Borgata, we still think of Boyd as a small-casino company, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip | 1 Comment

Empire State scramble; Stalemate in Kentucky; Too cozy in Ohio?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by David McKee

Casino expansion continues to speed along in New York State, where college president Mark Gearan (right) has been formally installed as New York State Gaming Commission chairman, filling out the five-member body. Prior to taking office, he was presented with some … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Downtown, Entertainment, Horseracing, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Empire State scramble; Stalemate in Kentucky; Too cozy in Ohio?

Scott makes his move; Sudden death in New Hampshire

Posted on March 5, 2014 by David McKee

Just when it looked like the casino train was going to leave the station without him, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has opened compact renegotiations with the Seminole Tribe. The latter would like to keep blackjack and baccarat, Scott would … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Florida, Genting, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Scott makes his move; Sudden death in New Hampshire

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 26, 2014 by David McKee

““As it moves forward, there’ll be no shortage of bad blood, sniping and hired guns. It’ll get ugly because the stakes are so high. People have already spent millions of their own money.” — John D. Sabini, former chairman of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., New York, Penn National | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Penn, Cordish ready to rumble in Massachusetts, New York

Posted on February 25, 2014 by David McKee

It seems just yesterday that applicants for slot parlor licensees were kicking the tires in Massachusetts and that Suffolk Downs threw its hat into the racino ring. And here we are today, with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission beginning deliberations on … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Penn, Cordish ready to rumble in Massachusetts, New York

Wranglers find new home; Riding El Loco

Posted on February 19, 2014 by David McKee

Having been turfed out of The Orleans, the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team has been bereft of a home. But they’ve paired up with Tamares Gaming in an unusual move. The Wranglers — rink, stands, zamboni and all — will … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Sports, Tamares Group, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Wranglers find new home; Riding El Loco

Massachusetts slams Mohegans, Foxwoods; Mohegan slams Wynn

Posted on February 11, 2014 by David McKee

Following a stinging expose of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino‘s habit of placing liens on the homes of casino debtors. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley was moved to action. She is urging the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to prohibit the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Posted on February 10, 2014 by David McKee

Is Aria getting a little big for its britches? Nevada Gaming Control Board agents say they were harassed at the 4,000-room casino, specifically when trying to monitor the roulette wheel. “The complaint said two state agents who had not identified themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Penn, Parx fold in Maryland; Home rule in N.Y.?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by David McKee

In a rare moment of grace, Penn National Gaming agreed not to sue Prince George’s County over the award of a Maryland casino project to MGM Resorts International. (As expected, Greenwood Racing also signed away its prerogative to litigate.) Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Penn, Parx fold in Maryland; Home rule in N.Y.?

D-Day in Philly; Al Sharpton’s casino-boss buddy; Angst in Maine

Posted on January 27, 2014 by David McKee

It’s death-grapple time in Philadelphia, where five competing proposals will be aired for the final time before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Even a supporter of casino expansion in the city, like Jeffries LLC‘s John Maxwell, concedes there will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Maine, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on D-Day in Philly; Al Sharpton’s casino-boss buddy; Angst in Maine

Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

In a TV interview, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby tipped his hand, indicating that approval of MGM Springfield is far more likely than not. However, the MGC might be making some demands of its own, above and beyond what … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

A ‘bit’ of progress

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

You can’t use bitcoin to gamble in Vegas … yet. But Derek Stevens is bitcoin-enabling both the Golden Gate and The D to accept the cyber-currency in selected parts of his properties, starting Jan. 22. Stevens is crediting customer input … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Indiana, Macau, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on A ‘bit’ of progress

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David McKee

“Hearing over and over and over again that my job was not a quality job, that my job didn’t matter or that I didn’t matter really became very personal.” — Saratoga Springs Casino & Raceway Director of Entertainment Kathleen Anderson, … Continue reading →

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

Nevada 2013: Less bad than before

Posted on January 13, 2014 by David McKee

For a third straight year, Nevada gaming revenues rose. OK, the amount was microscopic ($99 million) overall, but it was something. However, higher expenses — including all-important capex investments –pushed the Silver State into the red. The casino industry reported … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, New York, Racinos, Reno, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Nevada 2013: Less bad than before