Category Archives: Pennsylvania

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Big win for Wynn; Murren in the spotlight; Lies, damned lies and Sheldon Adelson

Posted on November 1, 2013 by David McKee

In a disappointing but entirely predictable result, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that Nevada law permits employers to confiscate and redistribute tips received by employees (euphemistically referred to as “tip sharing”). Now, if a I stuck a gun in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Palms, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 3 Comments

Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“A great pick.” That’s what Seeking Alpha says about Isle of Capri Casinos. Like so many regional operators, it hasn’t been posting lights-out numbers lately but its 16-casino portfolio makes it a bargain play for some. “It’s hard not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, history, Isle of Capri, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

The importance of being Steve Wynn; Sheldon’s fan club

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“Even the Red Sox aren’t that popular in Everett,” says Steve Wynn, alluding to recent poll numbers. Heady stuff. So, while he comes down off Cloud Nine, let’s look at a pretty impressive 3Q13 — if not as boffo as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“[B]asically these states are asking us to come and spend billions of dollars. Now if we were any other business, they would stand on their head and spit wooden nickels to get billions of dollars invested from any other business. … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Sheldon hits paydirt; Culinary Union talks trash

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson, especially when your company is notching one record-setting month after another. Revenue for 3Q13 rose 32% and net profit shot 79% upwards. Next year, shareholders can look forward to a 60 cent bump in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Singin’ the blues in Pennsylvania, Louisiana

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

Even slight improvements in consumer spending weren’t enough to help Pennsylvania. Gross gambling revenue fell 6%. Thanks to strong table play, Sands Bethlehem was able to buck the trend, staying flat for September. By contrast, Harrah’s Philadelphia — in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

And the winner is … Borgata; Black eased out; Kudos to Sands

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Leading the field, Borgata received New Jersey‘s first Internet-gambling license and will begin test play on Nov. 21. Congratulations to Boyd Gaming and partner bwin.party for having their ducks in a row. Understated Borgata prexy Tom Ballance, “It’s always nice … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Learning to love the Boardwalk again

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a surprising — but not unwelcome — turn of events two Philadelphia casino investors are looking at getting into Atlantic City. It’s amazing the effect legalized Internet betting can have. Business partners George Miller and Kevin Flynn own 0.5% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

New York: Lies, damned lies and ballot language

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

Seemingly bereft of urgency, the scrum over gambling expansion in New York State has yet to become a real fight. The Empire State’s Catholic bishops, while deeming gambling “a morally neutral act,” urged parishioners to “very carefully consider” the consequences … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling | Comments Off

Bad day for Tomato King and Wynn

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

While the City of Philadelphia is officially neutral on who should get the last gambling license for the area, it’s not above giving the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board a not-so-gentle-nudge. At a hearing led by Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, International, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | Comments Off

Wall Street comes to the Strip, meets the big boys

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

Investment firms like J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank have been sending emissaries to Las Vegas this week, to meet with all the major gaming firms during Global Gaming Expo. Since the latter is being held at Sands Expo Center, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, G2E, Isle of Capri, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

This is a joke, right?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s casino bid in Philadelphia is fast becoming the clown car at the circus. Every time he opens its door, a zillion putty-nosed faces come tumbling out. His newest gambit has been to announce a vast theme … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tomato King Procacci | Comments Off

Trouble in another paradise; Sheldon’s sex shoppe

Posted on September 14, 2013 by David McKee

Overruling Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley (D), a Bay State court has issued an injunction allow signature-gatherers to keep collecting voters’ John Hancocks on a petition to repeal 2011’s casino-enabling legislation. Considering the land purchases, to say nothing of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Lady Unlucky; Struggling in Ohio; Big deal at MTR

Posted on September 10, 2013 by David McKee

Isle of Capri Casinos appears to have laid an egg with Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and is now having to lay off 15% of the workforce. Much of the blame properly goes with the State of Pennsylvania‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation | 1 Comment

Beantown Brawl: Wynn vs. Menino

Posted on September 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wasn’t exactly a Profile in Courage day for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission yesterday. It told the cities of Everett and Boston to work out their feud over a proposed Steve Wynn casino between themselves. Now what do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci | 2 Comments

I’m shocked, shocked!

Posted on September 4, 2013 by David McKee

If you thought Pennsylvania‘s casino-selection process was more than a bit fishy, you’re not alone. Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. Ralph Periandi (ret.) tried to probe whether then-Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and “members of his administration and others in state … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off

Case Bets: Seneca scandal; Atlantic City brings on the girls; Still no help for Mashpee

Posted on August 27, 2013 by David McKee

Well, that didn’t take long. Scarcely was the ink dry on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s deal with the state’s gaming-enabled tribes than the Seneca Indian Nation stepped right into a scandal. $5 million of an $8 million development deal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Half-full or half-empty?; Crosby tips his hand

Posted on August 23, 2013 by David McKee

It depends on which newspaper you read. The Press of Atlantic City took the half-full route, focusing on the profits made by eight of the city’s dozen casinos. The Associated Press pointed to the narrowing margin of aforesaid gross-operating profitability. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn hearts Atlantic City; A pointless election

Posted on August 22, 2013 by David McKee

Update: Penn National Gaming has been tipped as a potential buyer for disqualified Plainridge Racecourse. The city has already scheduled a Sept. 10 vote on a slot parlor, so Penn would have less than three weeks to negotiate the essential … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments