Category Archives: Ohio

DFS: Trouble in paradise; It’s not good to be Dan Gilbert

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

Besieged on all sides, daily fantasy sports operators find themselves in retreat. DraftKings said it “will voluntarily pause” its operations in Hawaii in response to a ruling by state Attorney General Doug Chin that DFS is gambling and therefore illegal … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Hawaii, Indiana, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on DFS: Trouble in paradise; It’s not good to be Dan Gilbert

Penn: Glass nearly full

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Prior to its conference call with analysts, Penn National Gaming shared some earnings guidance and hints of what is to come. Perceptions of the performance of Plainridge Park Casino have become something of a sore point with Penn execs. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Marketing, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn: Glass nearly full

Penn owns Ohio; Adelson expands R-J

Posted on January 7, 2016 by David McKee

Gaining 19% last month, Hard Rock Rocksino reclaimed its top spot in Ohio, grossing almost $19 million and edging aside Horseshoe Casino Cleveland by one decimal point. The latter saw an 11% slippage revenues, while ThistleDown Racino continues to look like … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Penn owns Ohio; Adelson expands R-J

Good news in Indian Country

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

It’s a happy day for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, which got the go-ahead from the National Indian Gaming Commission to reopen its long-troubled Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. The NIGC was feeling so generous, in fact, that it suspended a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Good news in Indian Country

Resolution at Revel; MGM turns up the heat on Connecticut

Posted on November 27, 2015 by David McKee

Our long Revel nightmare is at least partially over, now that Glenn Straub has a deal in place to buy the disputed ACR Energy Partners power plant. While ACR pays $15 million to placate bondholders, Straub gets the plant for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Revel, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City casinos make less, profit more

Posted on November 24, 2015 by David McKee

In a paradoxical development, Atlantic City casinos reported a 61% increase in profitability in Q315. That largesse came even as gross gaming revenues only rose 5%. Cost-containment is credited with being the source of the bounty. Caesars Interactive swung from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Election, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City casinos make less, profit more

The wacky world of Glenn Straub; New York rescuer for DFS

Posted on November 17, 2015 by David McKee

Instead of hassling Stockton University over ownership of the Showboat (and losing), perhaps Glenn Straub should have been developing a long-range plan for heating Revel through the winter, so that the pipes don’t freeze and burst. His solution? Bring in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Hoosier stasis; Last-minute scramble in Connecticut

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Gaming revenues in Indiana were even with 2014 last month, as Hoosier State casinos pulled in $186 million. Foot traffic was down 9% and per-player spend rose 11%. So you’ve got fewer but bigger-spending gamblers: Is that a good thing or not? … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos | Comments Off on Hoosier stasis; Last-minute scramble in Connecticut

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2015 by David McKee

“We will show some love to the clown.” — Eldorado Resorts‘ CEO Gary Carano, promising to bring the Reno iteration of Circus Circus into the 21st century. Eldorado will also rebrand and add a Hampton Inn to its Scioto Downs … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Eldorado Resorts, Ohio, Racinos, Reno | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Caesars loses Ohio; Parking fees on the Strip?

Posted on November 2, 2015 by David McKee

In a lose-lose scenario, Caesars Entertainment is losing its management contracts at Horseshoe Cincinnati, Horseshoe Cleveland and Thistledown Racino. Even with the valuable Horseshoe brand, all three had been losing business in recent months. Caesars had long ago sold its … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Caesars: (Almost) everything must go; More angst in Macao

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Well, it had to happen eventually. In order to escape bankruptcy, Caesars Entertainment is putting Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. on the market. There are some who are calling this a bluff and others who can’t afford to get in on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Bad week for DFS

Posted on October 26, 2015 by David McKee

“What it’s doing is calling fantasy sports what it is. Do you pay money to get into the contest, and do you get money back when you win? And if so, that’s gambling.” So says South Point attorney Barry Leibermann of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Politics, Technology | Comments Off on Bad week for DFS

All’s well at Penn; Mulroy’s misdeed; Discomfort at Studio City

Posted on October 22, 2015 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming pleasantly surprised Wall Street, reporting third-quarter revenue of $739 million and $210 million in cash flow, exceeding projections by $8 million and $11 million, respectively. It paid out $109 million in rent to Gaming & Leisure Properties … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Illinois, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on All’s well at Penn; Mulroy’s misdeed; Discomfort at Studio City

James Packer thinks big; DFS’ self-inflicted wound

Posted on October 19, 2015 by David McKee

One scarcely thinks of Crown Resorts as anything but an upmarket brand. However, as it contemplates debuting in Las Vegas and pines after Japan, Crown is developing a new, luxury brand. The unlikely template will be a $1.1 billion, 90-story … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Delaware, Illinois, James Packer, Japan, Macau, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on James Packer thinks big; DFS’ self-inflicted wound

Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Posted on October 7, 2015 by David McKee

Casino and racino revenues in Ohio were up nicely last month, +6.5%. We’re still at least a month away from having a full set of year/year comparisons but Gov. John Kasich‘s decision to supersize a four-casinos-only constitutional amendment into four casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Caesars on the brink; MGM gives Massachusetts a surprise

Posted on September 24, 2015 by David McKee

For want of $2 billion from Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., creditors are withholding their support for the reorganization scheme CEOC intended to present in bankruptcy court. A last-minute solution seems unlikely, if only because junior bondholders like Appaloosa Management and Tennenbaum Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Scientific Games, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

A lesson from Ohio; Murren goes to Georgia; Big changes at Sands

Posted on September 16, 2015 by David McKee

Two years ago, Ohio was grappling with what J.P. Morgan analysts called “a sluggish ramp” for its casino industry. He may have been against casinos before he was for them but Gov. John Kasich‘s supersized version of predecessor Ted Strickland‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on A lesson from Ohio; Murren goes to Georgia; Big changes at Sands

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 10, 2015 by David McKee

“August was a strong month for Horseshoe Cleveland. We had some exciting summer promotions and there was a lot happening downtown that brought guests in throughout the month.” — Horseshoe spokesperson Shannon Mortland, trying to rationalize the casino’s declining revenues.

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Ohio | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Indiana stumbles; “Green shoots” in Macao

Posted on September 9, 2015 by David McKee

Foot traffic was down 15% in Indiana casinos last month and even though players spent 10%, it wasn’t quite enough to stave off a 7% decline. (The numbers are worse if you don’t count free play as revenue, which Indiana … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Full House Resorts, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Singapore | Comments Off on Indiana stumbles; “Green shoots” in Macao

Ohio: Dan Gilbert’s downfall; Icahn meets Randy the Rat

Posted on September 9, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio‘s slot hoppers have been emptied for August and it was a month marked by some dramatic swings of fate. Belterra Park‘s $6 million haul won’t blow anybody away but, at $145/slot/day, it’s doing an acceptable average and improved 41% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Ohio: Dan Gilbert’s downfall; Icahn meets Randy the Rat