Category Archives: Penn National

Big players accentuate the positive

Posted on September 29, 2015 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli has been a busy man these past few days, meeting with the top companies in gaming. In no special order … Boyd Gaming took the usual line on REIT conversion and acquisitions, basically saying, “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Downtown, Economy, Florida, GLPI, Illinois, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

Asia, land of opportunity

Posted on September 17, 2015 by David McKee

Asia “can comfortably absorb” the 30 new casinos that are slated to open between now and 2020, says a CLSA Ltd. report. The region is trending toward the bigger-is-better approach, as many of the new casinos are megaresorts that could … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, South Korea, Tribal, Vietnam | Comments Off

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

Georgia on their minds; How to kill a casino

Posted on September 14, 2015 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor President Lorenzo Creighton dangles some shiny objects and big numbers before Georgia newspaper readers, promising even bigger things for Atlanta, as MGM Resorts International tries to counter lawmakers’ congenital opposition to gambling with suasion and seductive dollar … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Georgia, Horseracing, International, James Packer, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off

That wild and crazy Glenn Straub strikes again

Posted on September 10, 2015 by David McKee

Now that wacky Glenn Straub is out of the picture, Stockton University says it is fielding offers for the ex-Showboat. What anybody can do other than run it as a hotel (Caesars Entertainment having removed its gaming entitlement but forgotten … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, GLPI, Harrah's, history, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

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

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

Disappointment in Illinois; Wynn’s new crib

Posted on September 8, 2015 by David McKee

One less weekend day doesn’t wholly explain the tepid results from Illinois in August. Harrah’s Joliet was down a dramatic 14%, while Hollywood Aurora was off 10% and Empress Joliet slipped 3%. Even seemingly invulnerable Rivers Casino in Des Plaines … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Maryland to players: Drop dead

Posted on August 27, 2015 by David McKee

If you suddenly find that you’re in a Free State casino and your gambling budget doesn’t go as far as it once did, you can thank the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission. It’s prepared to vote on a staff-recommended change that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Environment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, South Dakota, Tribal, West Virginia | 1 Comment

The Penn National effect strikes again

Posted on August 21, 2015 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming is “making it rain” in Plainview, where it has spent $1.5 million with local vendors since opening. The workforce at Plainridge Park has gone from 100 to 533, with a $14 million payroll. And the state has … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Those tight slots; A birthday for Horseshoe

Posted on August 20, 2015 by David McKee

When one reads that casino revenues were up in, say, Indiana, despite lower foot traffic, you’ve got to wonder how its done. Applied Analysis has the answer: Slot holds are at “all-time highs,” meaning that some of the economic recovery … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Baseball, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Maryland, Penn National, Regulation, Tamares Group, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 5 Comments

It’s Galaxy’s turn to take a hit; Tohono O’odham file suit

Posted on August 20, 2015 by David McKee

Add Galaxy Entertainment to the companies taking on the chin in the Macao economy. The casino firm just posted a 46% drop in cash flow for 2Q15. Leading by example, Chairman Lui Che Woo announced a freeze in executive salaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

SLS: Closed by 2016?

Posted on August 19, 2015 by David McKee

That’s the stark implication of some remarks by owner Stockbridge Capital Partners about SLS Las Vegas, which continues to generate negative return on investment. Howard Stutz took a deep dive into the numbers and he must have required a bathysphere to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, IGT, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Marketing, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: Penn has a hit; Arms race in New York

Posted on August 19, 2015 by David McKee

First-month numbers are in for Plainridge Park and the racino run by Penn National Gaming took in an average of $467/slot/day (including a $6.15 million gross its first week). That’s an absolute blockbuster figure in an industry where $200/day is … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 17, 2015 by David McKee

“I joked with people a year ago no one wanted to be in regional gaming and everyone wanted to be in Macao. And a year later, it has really flipped.” — Penn National Gaming CEO Tim Wilmott, whose company’s stock price … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Penn National, Wall Street | Comments Off

Vegas Club rescued; Straight talk from Steve Wynn

Posted on August 14, 2015 by David McKee

Good news for fans of the Las Vegas Club (and you know who you are): Its long Tamares Group nightmare will soon be over. Tamares has sold the Vegas Club to the D owner Derek Stevens and his brother for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Golden Gaming, Macau, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Midwest shakes off malaise

Posted on August 10, 2015 by David McKee

Yes, there was an extra weekend day this year but let’s look at the glass half-full, as regional gaming markets shook off their malaise. Illinois was up 2% despite mild weakness in the St. Louis market. Empress Joliet (+10%) was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off

Lucky Horseshoe for Maryland; Old McDonald had a casino

Posted on August 6, 2015 by David McKee

What would have been a revenue-negative July for Maryland casinos turned into their biggest month ever, thanks to Horseshoe Baltimore. Gaming revenue rose more $23 million, with all that and more coming from the Caesars Entertainment property. While the casino is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Cretins, Harrah's, Maryland, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Boston: Smackdown for McCheese; Online gaming hopes fade

Posted on August 4, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh got a taste of his own medicine when a Suffolk Superior Court court judge put a beatdown on his sleazy legal tactics. Assertions by Boston attorneys, slipped in at the last minute, that the Massachusetts Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off