Category Archives: Pennsylvania

Showboat, 1987-2014; Paris, 1999-????

Posted on September 2, 2014 by David McKee

In the end, the Showboat Atlantic City had a good run of it, lasting almost three decades on the Boardwalk. It succumbed, in part, to wounds inflicted by owner Caesars Entertainment, which cut into its customer base by building Harrah’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Caesars has a live one, Revel not

Posted on August 27, 2014 by David McKee

Even though it’s still on pace to close Aug. 31, Showboat‘s last chapter may have yet to be written. Caesars Entertainment spokesman Gary Thompson told reporters that multiple expressions of interest in the property have been received. He added that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Economy, Harrah's, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Revel | Comments Off

Bad ideas never die; The Fugees; Left holding the bag

Posted on August 26, 2014 by David McKee

Politicians are ever-fond of the notion of using casinos as surrogate police, tasking them with collecting delinquent child-support payments. Louisiana has actually been doing this since 2011 and hit the jackpot: $2 million-plus to date. So where do deadbeat dads … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cantor Gaming, Delaware, Harrah's, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Revel, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off

When the punishment doesn’t fit the crime

Posted on August 21, 2014 by David McKee

Matthew Eisenberg is no Jean Valjean. Still, that’s no excuse for levying upon him a fine that is 375 times the amount he stole ($200 in chips) from Rivers Casino. The fault lies not with Rivers but with Pennsylvania laws. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Harrah's, International, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tourism | Comments Off

The contradictions of Sam Nazarian

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David McKee

Is Sam Nazarian becoming a legend in his own mind? You have to wonder when you read that he’s had a statue of himself erected in the front of SLS Las Vegas. Sure, Bob Stupak did the same thing at … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, International, Japan, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Station’s big quarter; Smoke gets in your slots

Posted on August 13, 2014 by David McKee

Although customers are holding their purse strings tighter, Station Casinos registered noteworthy growth in earnings last quarter. Powered by Graton Resort & Casino in California, Station reported revenue of $55 million, up from $7 million a year earlier. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, Environment, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

Caesars’ unmagical empire

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment ” hasn’t posted a profit since late 2009″ and it kept that perfect streak alive today, more than doubling its 2Q13 loss of $212 million. The company lost $466 million — and I don’t think we can blame it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Revel, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Tribal warfare; Happy ending in Pittsburgh

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David McKee

Congress is fiddling around the edges of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act but, for all the talk of reform, only ‘reservation shopping’ seems to be a real subject of concern. This political bogeyman is cited whenever a tribe wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Don Barden, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off

Argosy Sioux City: 2003-2014

Posted on July 30, 2014 by David McKee

Better get to Argosy Sioux City by 4:59 p.m. if you want to lay down one final bet. The casino will be closing permanently at 5 p.m., in compliance with an Iowa Supreme Court order. The Supremes declined to hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Horseracing, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Texas, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Would you let this man rob your casino?

Posted on July 28, 2014 by David McKee

Despite 14 arrests for cheating at a couple dozen Las Vegas casinos, the Nevada Gaming Control Board never saw fit to nominate hall-of-fame cardshap Jubreal Chahine for inclusion in the Black Book, not even after it publicly characterized him as … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Greenwood Racing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Forced to gamble?; SugarHouse goes big

Posted on July 23, 2014 by David McKee

New Jersey‘s Casino Control Commission has been accused of overzealousness in the past (think MGM Resorts International and Pansy Ho). But now some overzealotry is what local politicians want. In a bizarre and probably unconstitutional move, they want the NJCCC to force, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Power play in Vegas; Positive talk in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 22, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands and Bwin shareholder, and all-around string-puller Jason Ader is committing 350 million of (other people’s) dollars to bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Las Vegas. Much of the investment would be realized through the EB-5 visa … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

Argosy saved … for now

Posted on July 21, 2014 by David McKee

Not only has the Iowa Supreme Court not ruled on Judge Elizabeth Ovrom‘s ruling to close Argosy Sioux City, it hasn’t decided whether or not to hear the case. However, it still has kept the Penn National Gaming riverboat on life … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Iowa, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Marrandino returns; Crime and casinos

Posted on July 18, 2014 by David McKee

It’s hard to say which is the more intriguing aspect of the announced reinvention of Lake Tahoe‘s Horizon Casino Resort. Is it the adoption of the Hard Rock brand or the re-emergence of Don Marrandino as the man who’s going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Pennsylvania, Taxes, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Feeling Moody’s

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

Here at S&G, we don’t begrudge anyone their right to build casinos. But, in the larger picture, the evidence suggests that Massachusetts and New York State are sailing into the wind. Moody’s Investors Service surveyed casinos in 15 states and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

What’s in a name?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by David McKee

Quite a lot apparently, if you’re Wynn Boston and you’re going up against local favorite Mohegan Sun. A poll taken by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found voters split between 48% in favor of Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Delaware, Detroit, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Showboat: The autopsy; Penn: We’re outta here!

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Leaving aside the human effect, in cold business calculus, Caesars Entertainment‘s closure of the Showboat Atlantic City makes sense. At least that’s what Mayor Don Guardian is saying echoed by Wall Street. “The closure makes financial sense for Caesars and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, Economy, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The great horse robbery

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David McKee

Pennsylvania‘s horse tracks are on the brink, not from the usual reason — bad business — but due to state malfeasance. According to the State Racing Fund, it’s been sucked dry by the Department of Agriculture, including undocumented personnel costs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Horseracing, Pennsylvania, Regulation | Comments Off

Revel bankrupt … again

Posted on June 20, 2014 by David McKee

Owned by former creditors, Revel Casino Hotel is dropping a bankruptcy on newer creditors. Hopefully this move will stave off the Aug. 18 closing (perhaps as late as Sept. 1.) that was threatened in a letter to employees yesterday, although the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Revel, Rhode Island, Taxes | 1 Comment

Getting it up in Philadelphia

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s proposed LoSo Entertainment Center, would-be home to Casino Revolution (2,400 slots, 105 tables) has “initiated discussions” with U.S. Thrill Rides about building a 615-foot observation tower as part of the project. That’d be 10 feet taller … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | 1 Comment