Category Archives: Politics

MGM wins race in Macao; Wynn complaints proliferate

Posted on February 14, 2018 by David McKee

Whew! For a while it was looking as though MGM Grand Cotai wouldn’t make it out of the starting blocks in time for Chinese New Year. However, the megaresort opened yesterday, with room to spare before the all-important holiday. Architecturally … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM wins race in Macao; Wynn complaints proliferate

MGM’s sincerity challenged; Probe continues at Wynncore

Posted on February 13, 2018 by David McKee

“Is this legislature capable of setting a course and sticking with it?” That’s the very legitimate question posed by the editorial board of The Day, with regard to the Lege’s rather addled behavior on whether to stand by the satellite casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM’s sincerity challenged; Probe continues at Wynncore

Wynn: What’s in a brand?

Posted on February 9, 2018 by David McKee

More than the trouble (and cost) it takes to replace it, experts conclude. Another reason for keeping the founder’s name on Wynn Resorts is one that he would not find flattering: “I think the impact on Wynn Resorts will be short-lived, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Cretins, Donald Trump, Genting, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn: What’s in a brand?

Tribal betrayal in Connecticut; Disappointing year in Schenectady

Posted on February 8, 2018 by David McKee

If the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohicans feel they’ve been screwed they’re right to do so. Connecticut legislators, in a classic white-man-speaks-with-forked-tongue move, are proposing to tear up the bill that gave Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino a satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Tribal betrayal in Connecticut; Disappointing year in Schenectady

Caesars seeks to transform New Orleans skyline

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David McKee

Harrah’s New Orleans was built on the presumption that it would have neither hotel rooms nor restaurant, thereby not sapping the businesses around it. Through some clever — one might even say Machievallian — maneuvers by then-CEO Phil Satre, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Caesars seeks to transform New Orleans skyline

Illinois anemic; MGM flexes pecs in Maryland, Washington, D.C.

Posted on February 6, 2018 by David McKee

Thank God. There is nothing new about Steve Wynn in this morning’s headlines, so we can talk about some good, old-fashioned gambling. Illinois last month saw a 5.5% drop-off for a somewhat anemic gross of $105 million. Foot traffic was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, West Virginia | Comments Off on Illinois anemic; MGM flexes pecs in Maryland, Washington, D.C.

Kentucky legislators try again; Del Lago: The dog ate our revenues

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

Kentucky is resuming its off-again/on-again flirtation with casino gambling. The reasoning was predictable. “The reason this idea has been on the radar for years is that we know we’ve been headed towards very bleak budgets. Well, we’re there now,” said state … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, South Dakota, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Kentucky legislators try again; Del Lago: The dog ate our revenues

Steve Wynn makes his case; Gambling stalemate in Florida

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

It’s no longer enough for employees of Wynn Resorts to reflect well upon the company. No, now Steve Wynn wants their gratitude. His confidential pep rallies have had all the watertight integrity of a colander. By reminding workers that the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wynn loses big-time

Posted on January 30, 2018 by David McKee

Since the Wall Street Journal broke the cone of silence around Steve Wynn‘s sex life, shares of WYNN have fallen 19%. That means that the Wynn Resorts CEO is $463 million the poorer, being so heavily invested in his own … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Macau, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Wynn: The fallout

Posted on January 29, 2018 by David McKee

It’s still early in the apparent downfall of Steve Wynn but already there’s heated pressure being put on both Democrats and Republicans to disown his largesse. Rep. Karen Handel (R) was out in front, giving $2,700 Wynnbucks to “a charity in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn: The fallout

Steve Wynn: Time’s up

Posted on January 27, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the penny dropped on Steve Wynn, as multiple reports of sexual predation made the news. According to the Wall Street Journal, we’re not talking about one or two accusers but “dozens,” over a period of decades. Without diminishing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Adelson: Big is more; MGM misses important deadline

Posted on January 26, 2018 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expected Las Vegas Sands to post cash flow of $718 million last quarter but it blew through the ‘stop’ sign and checked in with $731 million. Even though recovering from three cracked ribs, CEO Sheldon Adelson had … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

New York-New York boosts thrill quotient; Seminoles play with fire

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

As rollercoaster rides go, New York-New York‘s is reassuringly tame. Perhaps in recognition of that, MGM Resorts International is going to kick things up a notch with digital augmentation. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The 3½-minute virtual reality experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn springs a surprise; MGM feeds the needy

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s conference calls tend to be dramatic and yesterday’s was no exception. El Steve announced a 2,500-room hotel for the old New Frontier/Plaza/Alon site. Breaking precedent, he would join it with Wynncore by virtue of the Las Vegas Strip‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Plaza, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn springs a surprise; MGM feeds the needy

Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming receipts ($227 million) were flat last month, although there were a number of little dramas being played out behind that bland façade. Lake Charles was up 7% and Baton Rouge casinos plunged 17%. L’Auberge du Lac was flat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Carnage in Pennsylvania; Fortune Cup takes on Sigma Derby

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

*Slot revenues at Pennsylvania casinos are in and if JP Morgan‘s numbers are correct they were terrible. According to Morgan analysts slot winnings dove 27%, bottoming out at $187.5 million. Worst off was Sands Bethlehem ($25 million), sinking 44%, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Carnage in Pennsylvania; Fortune Cup takes on Sigma Derby

Revel sold (again); Freeman slams Indiana bill

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Glenn Straub wins our Liar Liar Pants on Fire Award hors concours for dissembling about any intentions to sell Revel while negotiating a deal to do precisely that. Give him credit, though, for raising the defunct megaresort’s value: The $200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Iowa, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor goes from strength to strength. Last month, it captured 40% of Maryland market share en route to a $56.5 million gross (for a property record of $1.8 million gross gaming revenue per day). Maryland Live, hanging onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

There’s new life at F-blew; Casinos neglect safety plans

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Contrary to some of his early pronouncements about Fontainebleau, new owner Steven Witkoff isn’t sitting on his asset but is pursuing roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that will be required to finish the eye, er, glittering megaresort. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Genting, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Steven Witkoff, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on There’s new life at F-blew; Casinos neglect safety plans