Category Archives: Pinnacle Entertainment

Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

While Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas Review-Journal covered the opening of Wynn Palace from a safe distance, it has sent Richard Velotta to Macao to be on hand for today’s opening of Parisian Macao. What he discovered, among other things, was … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Freeman’s crusade; Gilbert struggles in Ohio

To describe the new-look American Gaming Association as “activist” would be an understatement of some magnitude. President Geoff Freeman has put the pedal to the metal in his quest for legalized sports betting. Today, Freeman mounted his bully pulpit in … Continue reading

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 2 Comments

Caesars crashes, burns in Louisiana; DFS takes two steps forward, one back

Despite having an extra weekend day, Louisiana casinos saw revenue fall 7% in July. (JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff blames flooding for the waterlogged numbers.) Pinnacle Entertainment did the best among major operators, up 4%, while Caesars Entertainment went into the … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Sports, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Caesars crashes, burns in Louisiana; DFS takes two steps forward, one back

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Indiana gamblers visit less, play more; Rude surprise at Seminole Hard Rock

Indiana casino customers visited less last month but more than made up for it with increased spending, keeping Hoosier State gaming revenues stable. That even-keel figure conceals some big swings and roundabouts at individual property. Horseshoe Hammond had an unaccountably … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Dining, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

We don’t report Iowa casino results very much, partly because the market overwhelmingly consists of small casinos with grosses to match. Given their modest grosses, a minor fluctuation can be magnified. Even so, last month’s 5% bounce is worth discussing. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Scientific Games, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

Pinnacle dominates Louisiana; Trump settles Vegas case

Pulled under by the Shreveport/Bossier City market (-6%), June gaming numbers in Louisiana came in 3% off last year’s. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s Boomtown Bossier ($5 million) far outperformed the competition, up 11%. Hardest hit were the Caesars Entertainment properties, with usually reliable … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Pinnacle dominates Louisiana; Trump settles Vegas case

Shifty speculation in Massachusetts; Hoosiers spend more

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 on Shifty speculation in Massachusetts; Hoosiers spend more

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

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

Louisiana gets hammered; Three states legalize DFS

As we’ve noted before, May was hard on Midwest casino operators, nowhere more so than in Louisiana, where gambling revenue was down 13%. This marks seven months of same-store decline for the Pelican State, an exceptional slump, with the usually … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Little relief for Caesars; Atlantic City braces for labor strife

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 on Little relief for Caesars; Atlantic City braces for labor strife

Atlantic City goes to pot; MGM, Boyd, Pinnacle, Red Rock Resorts meet The Street

We’ve come a long way from the days of Reefer Madness. Latest case in point: Atlantic City, where Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D) is pushing recreational “tea” as a cure to the city’s penurious condition. Weed would be legalized on the Boardwalk and … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Economy, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Palms, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Reno, Scientific Games, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City goes to pot; MGM, Boyd, Pinnacle, Red Rock Resorts meet The Street

Indiana celebrates 20 years of casinos; Racinos gain traction in Nebraska

“I read that one of the steel plants is closing more lines. We have 70 jobs open right now,” says Horseshoe Hammond General Manager Dan Nita, alluding to the resiliency of the Indiana casino industry, which is celebrating 20 years. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Indiana, Iowa, Majestic Star, Marketing, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Indiana celebrates 20 years of casinos; Racinos gain traction in Nebraska

Indiana market battered; Foxwoods branches out

One less weekend of business hit Indiana casinos fairly hard last month. The state’s industry was down 7%, to $186 million. Patrons were spending more — a heartening metric — but foot traffic was off nearly 12%. However, even less … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Mississippi, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Texas, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Caesars’ slippery slope; Parx, Sands lead Pennsylvania

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 on Caesars’ slippery slope; Parx, Sands lead Pennsylvania

Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

An extra month helped Atlantic City post a banner April, up 6%. Citywide, 5% higher slot handle produced a corresponding increase in revenue, while 4.5% table-game wagering translated into 10% more winnings for the house. Borgata ($56 million) was up … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Racinos, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Ohio had a particularly good April, with gaming revenue up 9%. Coin-in rose 8% at the slots while table game revenue was up 5% despite 3% less wagering. Penn National Gaming, Caesars Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment all posted revenue-positive months, … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Warm spring for Indiana; Trouble ahead for Packer and Ho

While Illinois casinos were flat last month, the action was livelier next door in Indiana. Admissions declined 4%, meaning that players were spending 9%, as casino revenues rose 5%. The percentage champion was Tropicana Evansville, up 17% on an $11 … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Straub’s better mousetrap; Sparks Nugget in the clear

By now it is something of an understatement to say that Revel owner Glenn Straub thinks outside the box. Or, as the Philadelphia Inquirer put it, his “plans for the massive property have veered erratically from mud slides to academic … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marnell Gaming, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Reno, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off on Straub’s better mousetrap; Sparks Nugget in the clear

Save the Riviera!; Soggy March in Louisiana; The blacklist

Local preservationist Kelden Engel is trying to fight the power. He’s seeking 51,000 qualified signatures in a petition drive to halt demolition of the Riviera, currently slated for June. Not only is he racing the clock, he may be fighting … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, LVCVA, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Save the Riviera!; Soggy March in Louisiana; The blacklist