Category Archives: Pennsylvania

Strip still catching up; Nevada taking bets on the Olympics

Posted on July 21, 2016 by David McKee

While gaming companies on the Las Vegas Strip are fairly sanguine about 2016, a new report by Alex Bumazhny of Fitch Ratings takes a somewhat gloomier view. For one, he notes that revenue per available room “growth during the recovery … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Election, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, The Strip, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Station goes to Reno; Tohono O’odham trip themselves up

Posted on July 15, 2016 by David McKee

Continuing its sudden flurry of activity, Station Casinos is reviving its dormant Reno-area aspirations. The company is acting on its eight-acre parcel opposite the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, a strategic location if ever there were one. The $50 million-$70 million project … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Israel moves toward casinos; West Virginia mulls ‘Net betting

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

We’ve been surprised that Sheldon Adelson isn’t overtly pushing for casinos in Israel, especially upon reading that the city of Eilat “smells and feels a little bit like a very small version of Vegas.” It’s well away from the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off

Shifty speculation in Massachusetts; Hoosiers spend more

Posted on July 8, 2016 by David McKee

Two Boston-area mayors are digging in against a slot parlor proposed for Revere. New Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone (below) have both voiced opposition to the project, which would be near Suffolk Downs (the ballot question is … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Cleveland Cavaliers playoff games were good for Dan Gilbert‘s casino businesses. His Jack Cleveland casino was up 13%, to $16 million last month. It’s far too soon for a verdict on the “Jack” (as in “up yours, asshole”) brand, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes | Comments Off

Battling along the Boardwalk; Supreme Court gives tribes the brush-off

Posted on July 5, 2016 by David McKee

While the previous record for an Atlantic City casino strike is 34 days, the showdown at Trump Taj Mahal looks like it will go the distance. Neither Local 54 of Unite-Here nor Carl Icahn shows any signs of backing down … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Posted on June 30, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend and a tough comparison with last year’s Mayweather-Pacquiao charade translated into a weak May for both the Las Vegas Strip, down 12%, and Nevada casinos in general, 4.5% off the pace. There were some sort of bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Tipping point in Pennsylvania near; Cirque du NFL

Posted on June 23, 2016 by David McKee

“I think gaming expansion money in one form or another is necessary for this budget process to be complete,” spoke Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R). With Gov. Tom Wolf (D, right) having given way on sales-tax and income-tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Revel … still not open; Cautious hope for Internet gambling in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub‘s once-bold gambit to reopen Revel has turned into an embarrassing face-plant. Perhaps rushing to market in hopes of beating Bart Blatstein‘s Showboat to the hotel traffic, Straub announced a hasty revival of Revel as a casino-hotel without … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Environment, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Slot routes, Sports, Technology | 1 Comment

Little relief for Caesars; Atlantic City braces for labor strife

Posted on June 17, 2016 by David McKee

It’s out of the frying pan and straight into the fire for Caesars Entertainment. Federal bankruptcy court has put a temporary halt on litigation against the casino giant, giving it until Aug. 29 to cut a new deal with bondholders. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Slot routes, Sports, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Caesars seeks taxpayer bailout; Sands lawsuit suddenly vanishes

Posted on June 3, 2016 by David McKee

You’ve got to hand it to Caesars Entertainment: It is truly shameless. The company went to the Internal Revenue Service seeking a “a tax-free separation” for REIT-to-be Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., claiming that if it had to pay taxes that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off

Straub: Name my casino!; RAWA breathes its last … for now

Posted on May 27, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub has either thrown up his hands over the task of renaming Revel or is feeling the spirit of democracy. Either way, he’s taking suggestions from the Twitterverse as to potential new monikers, with a $10,000 for the winning … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Revel, Sports, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Sheldon’s big surprise; AGA attacks NFL silliness

Posted on May 25, 2016 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson is feeling bullish on the Las Vegas market these days. Undeterred by the debut of T-Mobile Arena, he is proposing a 17,500-seat concert venue, to be built on underutilized land behind Venelazzo. Adelson has formed a consortium with … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, history, Hooters, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Texas, The Strip | Comments Off

Macao: The 9% solution; It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Steve Wynn

Posted on May 19, 2016 by David McKee

Supply has overrun demand in Macao, where a wave of impending megaresorts is rolling in on an emaciated marketplace. But optimistic noises are being heard at Global Gaming Expo Asia, amid the robotic croupiers and other new toys. “The sentiments … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off

Caesars’ slippery slope; Parx, Sands lead Pennsylvania

Posted on May 19, 2016 by David McKee

In 20 years of covering the gaming industry, I have rarely seen an example of looting a company so brazen as the “sale” of Total Rewards from Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. to parent Caesars Entertainment for $0.00. And since Big … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Posted on May 18, 2016 by David McKee

“My only problem is A.D.D.” read the T-shirt of one of the celebrants at last night’s opening of Top Golf, on the MGM Grand campus. He was certainly in the right place. If you are serious about honing your skills, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Foxwoods, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

Boyd to acquire Cannery?; Signs of movement in Atlantic City impasse

Posted on April 21, 2016 by David McKee

Sleeping giant Boyd Gaming is stirring to life, reportedly on the verge of a $225 million-$240 million buyout of Cannery Casino Resorts, according to Reuters. The latter’s Mike Stone says the deal would “give Boyd a strong foothold in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Election, Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, James Packer, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Derek Stevens’ latest gambit; Hard quarter for Sands

Posted on April 21, 2016 by David McKee

Tilman Fertitta, move over. Derek Stevens is now downtown Las Vegas‘ biggest power player. Even though he has two operational casinos (The D and Golden Gate), plus one in mothballs (the Las Vegas Club), he’s expanded his acreage further by … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip | 2 Comments

Reversal in Jersey City; Tables buoy Pennsylvania grosses

Posted on April 19, 2016 by David McKee

Shoe mogul Paul Fireman‘s plan to build a $4.6 billion megaresort in Jersey City is losing the support of Mayor Steve Fulop (D). New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council President William T. Mullen was sent into a howl of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off

Lobbyists win in Atlantic City fight; Untimely reprimand for Bluhm

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Atlantic City fights to maintain its monopoly on casino gambling in New Jersey, it’s getting a lot of help from casino companies themselves — and lobbyists are making out like bandits. The biggest spender to date has been Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off