Category Archives: Politics

Ruffin over Miami; Satre to state Wynn’s case

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

“I look forward to entering the Miami gaming market through this acquisition. We have exciting plans for Casino Miami that we will be revealing in the near future.” With those words Phil Ruffin took possession of the $155 million casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Ruffin over Miami; Satre to state Wynn’s case

Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Posted on December 5, 2018 by David McKee

That was quick. Downstream Development Authority, a branch of the Quapaw Tribe, has been tapped by local officials to develop a casino in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. If you think the decision precipitate, don’t worry: The Quapaw have been doing outreach … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Economy, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New York, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight hosted three (!) days of investor meetings with Caesars Entertainment and came away giving the company a rave review. “Management’s tone was very good, and long-only interest was high … We think CZR’s business is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Posted on November 13, 2018 by David McKee

Election Night seems far behind us but its meaning for gaming is still sinking in, as in Arkansas, where sports betting has also been approved. In addition, two Oklahoma-based tribal entities are likely to feel entitled to the casinos green-lit … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Election, Entertainment, Florida, history, Idaho, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 13, 2018 by David McKee

“It’s a shame that we can’t derive some revenue off the Alabama vs. LSU game.” — Louisiana state Sen. Ronnie Johns (R), on the Leglislature’s failure to approve sports betting.

Posted in Alabama, Louisiana, Politics, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

“Amendment 3 is a pernicious and anti-competitive approach to limiting poker and other gaming in the state of Florida for decades to come. A few exceedingly well-financed special interests are driving a ballot initiative that is mislabeled and anti-consumer in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Politics, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Election Special: Winners and losers

Posted on November 7, 2018 by David McKee

In a victory for the state of Arkansas, voters approved casinos in four locations across the state, 54% to 46%, a convincing mandate by any measure, and a big win for a variety of pro-casino companies that included Warner Gaming and Delaware North. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Election, Florida, Georgia, Harry Reid, International, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Virginia, Warner Gaming, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Special: Winners and losers

Hard Rock, Trop push for sports books; Sands Bethlehem slammed at the tables

Posted on October 22, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City is getting caught up with customers’ fever for sports betting. Both the Hard Rock Atlantic City and Tropicana have applied for licensure of their sports books. Both are outsourcing the operation of the books. The Trop is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Connecticut, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on Hard Rock, Trop push for sports books; Sands Bethlehem slammed at the tables

Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

Posted on October 18, 2018 by David McKee

Here we go again. Illinois solons will once more take up the question of casino expansion in the Land of Lincoln. However, other and more pressing gambling concerns may take priority. In addition to Internet gambling there is the quick … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Economy, GLPI, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

It’s Adelson’s nation, we just live here

Posted on October 17, 2018 by David McKee

If democracy is for sale then Sheldon Adelson appears to have the winning bid. Having already pumped $55 million into the Senate Leadership Fund and Congressional Leadership Fund earlier this year, he’s donating untold millions more in an 11th-hour attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on It’s Adelson’s nation, we just live here

Arkansas to vote on casinos; Baldwin leaves MGM

Posted on October 16, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the ballot initiative to legalize casinos in Arkansas, will continue to proceed now that the Arkansas Supreme Court has slam-dunked two challenges to the referendum. Religious group Ensuring Arkansas Future claimed that the ballot language was too ambiguous … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Arkansas to vote on casinos; Baldwin leaves MGM

Mashpee in for fight of their lives

Posted on October 9, 2018 by David McKee

“Thank God that’s not the test of whether or not people have rights in this country or not, whether or not they pass your look test.” That’s what then-Rep. George Miller (D) said to Donald Trump when the latter was … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, history, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Mashpee in for fight of their lives

Silverton: Pahrump or bust; Bluhm yanks application

Posted on October 8, 2018 by David McKee

Next stop, Pahrump. That’s where Silverton hopes to be heading, proposing Silverton Ranch just off State Route 160. “We like the growth of the area … and we like the Death Valley component, with the number of tourists and tour buses … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Pahrump, Pennsylvania, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Silverton, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Silverton: Pahrump or bust; Bluhm yanks application

Congress: Listen to the ladies (it’s not what you think)

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

We predicted a kangaroo court for sports betting on Capitol Hill last week and our fears were confirmed when influential Rep. James Sensenbrenner opined that “We’re going to be in for huge amounts of trouble in the future.” Nothing like stacking … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Economy, G2E, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Congress: Listen to the ladies (it’s not what you think)

Federal sports-betting regulation bombs

Posted on September 28, 2018 by David McKee

At least one woman was treated with respect yesterday on Capitol Hill and that was the American Gaming Association‘s Sara Slane. We reviewed her prepared testimony yesterday. “Because of the active, robust state and regulatory tribal gaming oversight, gaming is one … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Current, Economy, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip | Comments Off on Federal sports-betting regulation bombs

Culinary, Stevens clash; House lumps sports betting with terrorism

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

Labor contracts with the Culinary Union have long since expired but three casinos continue to hold out. Phil Ruffin‘s Treasure Island is one but there’s been no animus from the Culinary on that front. Where Derek Stevens is concerned it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Architecture, California, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Georgia, Law enforcement, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal | 1 Comment

Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gamblers were living large in August, leaving 9% more than last year in the slots and on the tables, some $212 million in total. This was especially good for Caesars Entertainment (+12%) and even more so for Boyd Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Georgia, GLPI, history, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Suicide squeeze in Macao; Is Atlantic City ready for some football?

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Most of Macao‘s casinos are playing a game of chicken with the local government, daring it to enforce its smoking ban. Only 12 of 47 casinos have installed smoking lounges. Personally, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

That Vegas High Roller thing didn’t work out so well for Caesars Entertainment, so now it’s going to try shooting tourists down the Linq Promenade on a 114-foot-high zipline. This quick thrill will be priced at $20-$30 in the daytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Election, Entertainment, Horseracing, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Project First Light dims; Once and future Horseshoe?

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

After much hemming and hawing, the Trump administration finally came down off the fence on the Mashpee Wampanoag‘s Project First Light casino, saying it couldn’t see a way forward to taking the land into trust for gaming purposes. U.S. District Court … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Project First Light dims; Once and future Horseshoe?