Category Archives: Politics

Canaries in the coal mine, casinos in the slums

Posted on August 14, 2019 by David McKee

Stocks nose-dived yesterday after “an odd bond market phenomenon that has been a reliable indicator of economic recessions. Investors, worried about the state of the economy, rushed to long-term safe haven assets, pushing the yield on the benchmark 30-year Treasury bond … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, International, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Rowdy night in Boston; Stitt’s standoff

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

All hell broke loose at Encore Boston Harbor in the wee hours of Monday morning. The first brawl broke out as nightclub patrons were leaving Mémoire. It was so bad that police had to call in backup. According to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

China is calling for the Philippines to crack down on its gambling industry, which Beijing considers a lawless enterprise, rife with human trafficking and worse. “It said citizens’ rights were being violated and dozens were kidnapped, tortured and physically abused … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Florida, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 9, 2019 by David McKee

“Very often, the problem gambling issue becomes more about politics than people, way too often.”—anonymous casino industry consultant, on the difficulties of treating problem gambling.

Posted in Politics, Problem gambling, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Maryland just fine; Next stop, Hartford?

Posted on August 7, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming revenues were up 2% last month in Maryland, good for $149 million. $61 million of that was won by MGM National Harbor (+4%). Market share was dominated by MGM (41%) and Maryland Live (33%). The Cordish Gaming property grossed $49 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Cretins, Crown Resorts, e-sports, Foxwoods, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland just fine; Next stop, Hartford?

MGM stymied Down East; Trade war dings Macao

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hopes for MGM Resorts International in Connecticut may be fading now that lawmakers are proposing a tribally owned casino in Bridgeport, part of an omnibus gaming expansion. The bipartisan Connecticut Jobs & Revenue Act would authorize a casino in Bridgeport owned by … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Downtown, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on MGM stymied Down East; Trade war dings Macao

Caesars nixes Strip project; IGT in New England brawl

Posted on August 2, 2019 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment has officially spiked the Kind Heaven immersive experience, part Blade Runner and part Jungle Book. VitalVegas author said of the Perry Farrell pipe dream, when it was unveiled last year, that the details ranged “from breathtakingly original to laughably … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, IGT, Illinois, Law enforcement, Politics, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River, Wendover, William Hill | Comments Off on Caesars nixes Strip project; IGT in New England brawl

Wynn tops in U.S. casinos; Crown in hot water again

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David McKee

Steve Wynn got some love from the contributors to TripAdvisor, whose top-three-ranked casinos in America are Wynn Las Vegas, Encore and Beau Rivage, a vindication of Wynn’s spare-no-detail approach. However, Bellagio may be showing its age, clocking in at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Eldorado’s Caesars gamble; Chicago casino not welcomed

Posted on July 29, 2019 by David McKee

For those of you who are beginning to have misgivings about the Eldorado Resorts takeover of Caesars Entertainment, add The Motley Fool‘s Travis Hoium. The latter is almost never wrong, so we pay attention when he writes that “The final … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Illinois, New York, Politics, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 24, 2019 by David McKee

“The terrible art of the candidate is to coddle the self-deception of the stooge.”—new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Posted in International, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer expects Churchill Downs to be a winner thrice over in Illinois: first, a lower tax rate on table games, starting in 2020; second, a potential 800 additional gaming positions at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Horseracing, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Mob, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

Chicago‘s permanent casino could take “months or years” to achieve, even if Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) says “I’m hoping we can get [the site selection] done relatively soon, so we can start the process.” Casino booster Sen. Terry Link (D) is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | Comments Off on Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Genting’s been working on the railroad; California solons pitch sports betting

Posted on July 3, 2019 by David McKee

Genting Group evidently hasn’t given up on its casino aspirations in south Florida. The company is teaming with BYD Motors of China to propose a monorail between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Genting owns waterfront real estate in Miami it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Florida, Genting, Japan, Macau, Pokergeddon, Politics, Problem gambling, Security, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Genting’s been working on the railroad; California solons pitch sports betting

Caesars: Buyers remorse; Cubbies want to lay some action

Posted on June 27, 2019 by David McKee

In a move that will surprise no one, Caesars Entertainment is reportedly ready to put Bally’s Atlantic City on the auction block and—failing that—to close it outright. It dodged a bullet when Revel opened (and closed) but luck might not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Macau, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars: Buyers remorse; Cubbies want to lay some action

Arkansas casino nixed; Casino industry picks political winners, losers

Posted on June 17, 2019 by David McKee

Moving rapidly, the Arkansas Racing Commission unanimously granted a license to the Quapaw Tribe to build a casino in Jefferson County. (The tribe responded that it would be equally prompt in building $350 million Saracen Casino Resort. In the meantime slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Full House Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Arkansas casino nixed; Casino industry picks political winners, losers

Twain returns; Sports betting set for New York

Posted on June 17, 2019 by David McKee

Shania Twain‘s Colosseum residency was one of the shortest in memory but Caesars Entertainment evidently still has confidence in the midriff-baring C&W icon. It’s booked Twain into the cavernous Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, starting Dec. 6, although you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Internet gambling, Maryland, New York, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Twain returns; Sports betting set for New York

Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Connecticut casino legislation was yet another exercise in futility this session, with the Lege gaveling the end of business without any gaming bills being passed. However, a special session is anticipated, mainly to address an unrelated litigation settlement. Perhaps then … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Illinois, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Runaway greed in Illinois

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

Existing operators in Illinois are picking themselves up off the floor following an exponential expansion of casino gambling in the Land of Lincoln, achieved in the waning hours of the legislative session. Caesars Entertainment, Penn National Gaming, Boyd Gaming, Eldorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, International, Penn National, Politics, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

More Lawrence Ho at Crown Resorts means less James Packer, as the publishing heir sold down his stake to 25%, spinning the decision thusly: “I am still vitally interested in Crown’s success as a world-class resort and gaming business. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Casinos, DFS wrangle in Massachusetts; Harrah’s wins in Louisiana

Posted on May 31, 2019 by David McKee

Debate over sports betting in Massachusetts has brought out a ruction between Boston-based DraftKings, representing the forces of online gambling, and brick-and-mortar casinos, which want to be the sole purveyors of Internet sports bets, with maybe five to seven ‘skins’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Entertainment, Genting, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Casinos, DFS wrangle in Massachusetts; Harrah’s wins in Louisiana