Category Archives: Politics

This just in

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

House Republicans are counting on Sheldon Adelson to deliver salvation this year. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) made his pitch last week, then left the room so former senator Norm Coleman could hit Adelson up for seven figures. Whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Culinary girds for battle; Let’s get it on

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David McKee

Collective-bargaining-agreement talks between the Culinary Union and 34 casinos must not be going well. The Culinary fired off an e-mail blast yesterday, publicizing the fact that it will hold a strike vote May 22 and, should it pass, will hit … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Outgoing Scientific Games CEO (and Telemundo founder) Kevin Sheehan grew the company beyond recognition, increased revenue, reorganized its internal structure and aggressively paid down debt. So why is he being kicked upstairs to “senior advisor”? Your guess is as good … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Lame nag; Frissora overpaid?

Posted on May 4, 2018 by David McKee

It’s Kentucky Derby time and all that ‘run for the roses’ b.s. can’t hide the stench of decomposition that comes from the Sport of Kings. It’s also a reminder that tracks in many states are hanging in there by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Election, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Kentucky, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

“Go back in your office, get online and you can gamble all you want and you know how much Louisiana gets out of it, NOTHING.” — Louisiana state Sen. Danny Martiny, refuting opponents of land-based casinos in the Bayou State. … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Louisiana, Politics | Comments Off

Elaine calls the shots; Now it’s Encore Boston Harbor

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts has been ceding to the wishes of Elaine Wynn of late but it got its back up when she demanded the removal of board member John Jay Hagenbuch. Ms. Wynn views him as a crony of her ex-husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Moulin Rouge, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

On vacation

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David McKee

There will be considerably less blogohrrea this week, since I’m in the great state of Florida, learning how to snorkel. (If all goes well, I’ll fill you in on the details later.) At the moment, I’m in Jacksonville, overlooking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Politics, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

Boyd weathers challenges; MGM swoons

Posted on April 27, 2018 by David McKee

An alternate headline for Boyd Gaming‘s 1Q18 results might be “better than expected.” Although the company had modeled a $12 million-$15 million cash flow hit at Blue Chip from new, nearby Four Winds Casino, the company’s Midwest revenues came in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Hawaii, Indiana, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Palms, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Resort fees, Sports, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM plays games with tribes, MGM Springfield, as Zinke steps in it

Posted on April 24, 2018 by David McKee

As various non-gaming related scandals gain critical mass around ersatz geologist and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, he’s found himself front and center in a casino mess in Connecticut. Seems that Zinke turned a deaf ear to career Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Mixed report from Japan; Wynn Boston Harbor up for grabs

Posted on April 23, 2018 by David McKee

First, the good news: The casino-regulation bill over which Japan‘s Liberal Democratic Party has slaved, may make it into the Diet by Friday, giving the Nipponese parliament just under two months to consider it. (The Diet adjourns on June 20.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

They gave a casino and nobody came

Posted on April 20, 2018 by David McKee

Yet again the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has held an auction for a mini-casino and not received a single bid. This is a mixed blessing, as the auctions to date have raised far more money than legislators thought they would. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Caesars branches out; Atlantic City’s apron strings loosened

Posted on April 18, 2018 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora is beginning to put his stamp on the company (unless you count imposing parking fees and that was just copying MGM Resorts International.) Caesars has announced a joint venture with Meras Holding to build and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, California, Dubai, Environment, Harrah's, International, Politics, Tribal | 2 Comments

Japan “better than feared.” Mixed bag in Louisiana

Posted on April 17, 2018 by David McKee

How do evolving casino casino regulations in Japan look? Well, how does ‘not as bad as expected’ sound? Trust me, that’s good news. And don’t take my word: Take that of Morgan Stanley. Taxes will be set at 30%, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Marijuana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM Boston?!?; Sports betting proceeds fitfully

Posted on April 16, 2018 by David McKee

According the Wall Street Journal, talks are underway between MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts for the latter to be shot of Wynn Boston Harbor, which has become a regulatory albatross around Wynn’s neck. Although this would mean giving almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Slot routes, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM Connecticut hopes fading … for now

Posted on April 12, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Bridgeport will have to wait a bit. According to Connecticut Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D), the best chance of passage of any gaming-related legislation is narrow. Expressing misgivings about the consequences of further diluting the Nutmeg State’s gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Genting, Indiana, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Study zings MGM; Galaxy resort vetoed

Posted on April 11, 2018 by David McKee

Allowing a fourth casino into Connecticut — and thereby abrogating its gaming compacts — could be extremely costly for the Nutmeg State. That’s the conclusion of a new study by casino pundit Clyde Barrow. He writes that the new casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Economy, Environment, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Majestic Star, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Major leagues’ sticky fingers; They did some bad, bad things

Posted on April 10, 2018 by David McKee

Someone once compared golf’s Skins Game to watching rich people win the lottery. Well, the PGA is at it again, demanding an “integrity fee” from legalized sports betting. (Thankfully, Nevada is in a position to tell the league to bugger off.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Illinois, Nevada, Politics, Sports, Taxes | 1 Comment

Sands running in Pennsylvania; Zinke inaction irks tribes

Posted on April 9, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands is halfway out the door at Sands Bethlehem but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any unfinished business, like seeking a five-year extension of its gambling license. CEO Brian Carr flashed some impressive numbers before regulators: $1.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Columbia Sussex, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Wynn out, MGM in: Is history repeating itself?

Posted on April 9, 2018 by David McKee

Remember when Kirk Kerkorian made Steve Wynn an offer he couldn’t refuse for Mirage Resorts? It looks like history is going to repeat itself with “back-channel approaches” being made by MGM Resorts International to embattled Wynn Resorts. “Wynn Resorts is … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Donald Trump, Elaine Wynn, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Laughlin, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

No bailout for N.Y. casinos; Horseshoe Baltimore gets creative

Posted on April 6, 2018 by David McKee

There’s no question that upstate New York‘s new casinos drank their own bathwater when making their case to the state. Two of them are now squealing like stuck pigs, demanding that the Lege lower their tax rates. Never mind that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 1 Comment