Category Archives: Ohio

Mohegan Sun strikes again; Magic 8s in Pennsylvania

Posted on February 12, 2018 by David McKee

Even as Steve Wynn was on his way out at Wynn Resorts, the casino he bested for the Boston-area gaming concession, Mohegan Sun, was launching a legal counterattack. It demanded that Wynn Resorts’ license be pulled and the project awarded to Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, International, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Life after Wynn

Posted on February 8, 2018 by David McKee

There may not be much, according to a feature in the New York Times. Wall Street analysts are already circling Wynn Resorts like buzzards. “Elvis has left the building. Mr. Wynn’s value to the company is unarguably profound as its chief visionary … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wynn springs a surprise; MGM feeds the needy

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s conference calls tend to be dramatic and yesterday’s was no exception. El Steve announced a 2,500-room hotel for the old New Frontier/Plaza/Alon site. Breaking precedent, he would join it with Wynncore by virtue of the Las Vegas Strip‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Plaza, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Casino envy in Pennsylvania; Gilbert Jacks off

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Why do all the bridges in Lehigh County have a “100” rating? Because of the tax money pouring in from Sands Bethlehem. That’s causing some serious envy in Mercer County, which wants a mini-casino. “It’s almost an unfair advantage,” sputters Mercer County … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Hypocrisy, thy name is Penn; Gilbert doesn’t know Jack

Posted on January 12, 2018 by David McKee

Despite making a bunch of hifalutin’ noises about the unconstitutionality of mini-casinos in Pennsylvania, who else but Penn National Gaming won the first license. It did so by virtue of insane overkill, bidding $50 million and change for a license … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Marketing, Maryland, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Disney teams with casino owners; Tribes on the march

Posted on January 11, 2018 by David McKee

In the strangest coalition I have ever seen, the anti-casino Disney empire has joined with the Seminole Tribe to author a proposal that would take casino approval out of the hands of the Legislature (which hasn’t done a great job, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Election, Florida, history, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments

Beauregard the Buzzkill; Arkansas tries for casinos

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has detected that Americans are enjoying themselves and it’s got to stop, forthwith. He’s declared war on marijuana-friendly laws across this great land, misguidedly making loco weed his department’s top law-enforcement priority. Beauregard is flying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Caesars gets bigger, Boyd gets smarter

Posted on January 3, 2018 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment doesn’t have a great history with IPOs. But it also has a considerable debt load that isn’t going away without drastic measures. To that end, REIT Vici Properties is mulling a stock offering that aims to drum up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, history, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The Deal of the Year

Posted on December 19, 2017 by David McKee

Ever-ravenous Penn National Gaming gulped down Pinnacle Entertainment over the weekend, paying $2.8 billion for a collection of top-quality gaming assets. Among other benefits, the deal strengthens Penn’s position in its home state, as it gets The Meadows racino, doubling … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, International, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Enter the Aces; Dan Gilbert, failure

Posted on December 12, 2017 by David McKee

With a breathtaking lack of imagination, MGM Resorts International has settled upon a new name for its almost-as-equally-new WNBA franchise. It will be called — wait for it, folks — the Las Vegas Aces. At least it wasn’t “Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dan Gilbert, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

Malaise in Illinois, optimism in Ohio; Frissora’s smooth move

Posted on December 8, 2017 by David McKee

Illinois casinos have never recovered from the double-whammy of the Great Recession and a smoking band, and now they have to contend with slot routes. Last month they were down 2.5% statewide($108.5 million). Taking a closer look, two riverboats were … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Penn, Pinnacle nuptials in the offing; Connecticut sues Trump administration

Posted on December 1, 2017 by David McKee

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Pinnacle Entertainment and Penn National Gaming formally affirmed that they are in merger talks. Among the upsides, Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli cites the alleviation of forced asset sale in Pennsylvania, where the number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Genting, IGT, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Scientific Games, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Penn regroups, Sands expands; Beware the Yakuza

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Santa Claus has come early, in the guise of hardworking Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli. He’s been so busy profiling gaming’s top companies we wonder when he finds time for sleep. His recent visits have included one to Penn National … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Dining, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Japan, Macau, Majestic Star, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Ohio defies the calendar; Pennsylvania vote pricks Adelson’s balloon

Posted on November 8, 2017 by David McKee

Ohio gaming revenues powered up 5.5% last month despite a supposedly “unfavorable” calendar (one less weekend day). Except for a flat outcome at Thistledown Racino ($9.5 million), everyone was revenue positive for the month. Even Jack Cleveland snapped out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Japan, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Tourism | Comments Off

Penn shows Trop little love; Big plans at Caesars

Posted on October 26, 2017 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming‘s quarterly report was about what you’d expect: strength in Ohio, weakness in West Virginia, and negative impacts from Hurricane Nate and the Mandalay Bay massacre. Also, Penn is looking toward the Canada market for expansion. As Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, South Korea, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Case Bets: Ohio and Indiana

Posted on October 11, 2017 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a bonny September in Ohio, up 11% across its four properties. Hollywood Toledo ($16 million) rose 10.5%, Hollywood Columbus ($18 million) gained 9%, Hollywood Dayton ($8 million) was up 12% and Hollywood Mahoning Valley (pictured, $9 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Penn, Pinnacle to merge?

Posted on October 6, 2017 by David McKee

Writes Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, “according to people familiar with the matter, Penn National has conducted on again off again discussions to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment.” He warns that “a long list of questions, which may or may not make a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Wall Street, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Trying again in Kentucky; Trump Taj goes tits up

Posted on September 21, 2017 by David McKee

Casinos and Kentucky politicians have been like oil and water. But there’s nothing like a pension-fund crisis to focus people’s attention and the Bluegrass State faces a $33 million shortfall on its obligations. Hence a proposal for “limited” casino gambling, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Election, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Kentucky, Marijuana, Nevada, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, TV | 1 Comment

Wynn scolds Japan; Dan Gilbert gets something right

Posted on September 11, 2017 by David McKee

Despite height restrictions and an indifferent (at best) local government, Steve Wynn seems hellbent on putting a casino in Tokyo. Like everybody else, he’s also looking at Yokohama and Osaka — likelier finalists in the Japan casino derby. In an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Internet gambling, Japan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, South Dakota, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Illinois lackluster, Ohio strong; New attraction for Strip

Posted on September 8, 2017 by David McKee

Illinois is coming off a flat August. The good news is that it’s an improvement on last year’s 2% decline. The bad news is that the lost business doesn’t appear to be coming back. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off