Category Archives: Politics

SLS: What’s in a name?

Posted on May 30, 2017 by David McKee

Quite a lot, from the looks of things. Back in 2014, then-U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D) prophesied that, in a few years, nobody would be talking about the Sahara anymore; they’d all be talking about SLS Las Vegas. Guess not, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harry Reid, James Packer, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Connecticut‘s controversial satellite casino has been voted through the state Senate. This prompted a swift response from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, which promised a lawsuit (probably financed by MGM Resorts International). Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) threw his support behind the satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

Executive shuffle at Station; Freeman’s bold agenda

Posted on May 25, 2017 by David McKee

Long-serving (some would say long-suffering) Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone has had enough and will resign on May 31. He’ll still be at Station’s service thanks to a one-year consulting agreement — read “non-compete.” He’s served Station well, coming aboard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Executive shuffle at Station; Freeman’s bold agenda

Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David McKee

As Alon fades into the sunset, Resorts World Las Vegas plans to ramp up in serious fashion. Resorts World President Edward Farrell has announced that construction cranes will be up by August at the latest and work will begin in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, South Dakota, The Strip | Comments Off on Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Tables buoy Pennsylvania; Oregon poker rooms in peril

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

It was table games to the rescue in Pennsylvania, in a record-setting performance, which saw casino winnings up 10% last month at the tables, while slots were down 1.5%. State leader was, as usual, Parx Casino, grossing $49 million for … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oregon, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | Comments Off on Tables buoy Pennsylvania; Oregon poker rooms in peril

Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

In an important win for Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Interior Department said that its position regarding the tribes’ compact with the State of Connecticut remains unchanged. To wit: A third, offsite casino won’t breach the tribes’ obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Solution in search of a problem; Trump causes Macao jitters

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

As it its civic duty, Plainridge Park racino pays into the local Community Mitigation Fund. Now it’s being ill-repaid by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who wants 75 dimes of CMF money to investigate crimes his office says are “stemming directly” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Solution in search of a problem; Trump causes Macao jitters

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Freeman: Let my people bet!

Posted on May 11, 2017 by David McKee

Undistracted by the current shenanigans in Washington, D.C., the American Gaming Association‘s Geoff Freeman is staying on course about legalized sports betting. The AGA recently commissioned a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll that concluded — surprise! — that most Americans favor legalized … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Freeman: Let my people bet!

No casino is an Isle-and; Florida fails again

Posted on May 4, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts took another big step toward gaming’s major leagues with its acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, a deal that closed earlier this week. The purchase gives Eldorado 12 more casinos, including a presence in the important Lake Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, history, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Technology | Comments Off on No casino is an Isle-and; Florida fails again

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 4, 2017 by David McKee

“Anyone who owns a poker room in Portland lives in a state of high anxiety.” — Save Oregon Poker‘s Chris Vetter on a recently passed bill to outlaw poker rooms in the state. Having lost in the House of Representatives, card … Continue reading →

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Ho upbeat on Macao, Japan; Showdown for Gun Lake Tribe

Posted on May 3, 2017 by David McKee

Macao could be a $45 billion-a-year market again, says Lawrence Ho, who calls himself extremely bullish on the enclave’s prospects. He’s not been snorting coke, according to Union Gaming Group analyst Grant Govertsen, who calls it “achievable target for Macao … … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ho upbeat on Macao, Japan; Showdown for Gun Lake Tribe

Warming trend continues in Macao; Shifty dealings in Maine

Posted on May 2, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming revenues in Macao rose 16% in April, a result that Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli deemed “modestly better than expected.” That’s damning with faint praise. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff also shrugged off the numbers as “about as expected.” … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Horseracing, International, Macau, Maine, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Warming trend continues in Macao; Shifty dealings in Maine

Paradise Park approved; Sweeping compromise in Florida

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Paradise Park is finally a “go,” the Wynn Resorts board having given a downsized version of the resort its blessing, Construction of the 20-acre lagoon and accompanying convention center may begin before the year is out, perhaps as early … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kansas, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Freeman: Sports betting is coming; Second thoughts on Paradise Park

Posted on April 27, 2017 by David McKee

It could be a case of wishing that legalization of sports betting will make it so. Or maybe Geoff Freeman is privy to intelligence that he’s not shared with the rest of us. Either way, he thinks a sports-betting repeal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Dining, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Goldman Sachs, history, Laughlin, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 21, 2017 by David McKee

“This is Senator Lou D’Allesandro’s (D) 19th attempt to legalize casino gaming in the state, and each successive bill’s annual defeat in the House has become something of a New Hampshire tradition, a bit like Rochester Fair but less fun.” … Continue reading →

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

Conservatives diss Adelson; Penn loses court battle

Posted on April 21, 2017 by David McKee

If Attorney General Jeff Sessions goes ahead with a ban on Internet gambling, he could be in for a world of hurt. Never mind the states with online casinos. He’d be messing with the states that have online lotteries, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | 1 Comment

Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

Compared with a flood-plagued March of 2015, business was booming  at Louisiana casinos, up 10%, especially Baton Rouge (+20.5%), although New Orleans was flat. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff is predicting less salubrious results in April, blaming the Easter Bunny, among … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, South Korea, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

“They passed Keno and they passed the online buying of lottery tickets so they must like gambling.” — ever-optimistic New Hampshire state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) on the Granite State’s Legislature, where the House of Representatives has voted down casinos 19 … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, New Hampshire, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day