Category Archives: Politics

Prospects and pitfalls in Connecticut; Roulette makes a comeback

Posted on April 18, 2017 by David McKee

Could the East Windsor satellite casino be a Machiavellian plot to extract the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegan Tribe from their obligations to the State of Connecticut? Probably not but state Attorney General George Jepsen has already opined that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

“As a Republican, [Attorney General Jeff Sessions] should also favor letting people and the states that represent them make their own decisions and be very cautious about setting a dangerous anti-federalism precedent, not just for online gambling, but for any number … Continue reading →

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Surveying Indian Country

Posted on April 13, 2017 by David McKee

In Massachusetts, the disputed Aquinnah Wampanoag casino is “on” again, following a federal appeals court’s reversal of a lower court ruling that nixed the project. The appellate court found that, in the words of The Associated Press, “the Aquinnah Wampanoag … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Surveying Indian Country

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 12, 2017 by David McKee

“For years the tribes have carried the burden of bringing gaming to the state and they’ve come close and have never got it and right now out-of-state corporations have claimed a monopoly here in the state, and I’m glad for … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Governors to Sessions: Butt out!

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

If Attorney General Jeff Sessions was thinking about re-reinterpreting the Federal Wire Act, he might want to think again. The National Governors Association composed a letter to Sessions in which it said, “States are best equipped to enforce and regulate … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Iowa, Minnesota, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Governors to Sessions: Butt out!

The Cathedral of St. Al Davis

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

The eternal flame in honor of St. Al is just too much. * Could South Carolina rush in where Georgia has hesitated? The Palmetto State has costly infrastructure problems and Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has indicated he would veto

Posted in Architecture, Georgia, Planet Hollywood, Politics, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Warm spring in the Midwest; Vegas Vic gets political

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Don’t believe anyone who says the economy is bad: Casino takings are up all across the Midwest. The biggest gain was in Ohio, where casino win rose 7%, even though players continue to blow off Jack Cleveland ($18 million, -8%). … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Animals, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, California, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Politics, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Warm spring in the Midwest; Vegas Vic gets political

Exit Trump, enter Hard Rock; Casinos in Cuba again?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Hard Rock International is putting its money where its mouth is, judging from the preview it gave of the Hard Rocked Trump Taj Mahal. The most obvious changes will be on the exterior, where all the tiki-tacky Trump theming will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again

Posted on April 3, 2017 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports is expected to be legalized in Florida with little fuss. Resolving the casino-gambling impasse — that’s another story. Next week, a committee of the Legislature will try to reconcile two radically different bills. The state Senate one … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Japan, New Hampshire, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again

What’s in a name?

Posted on April 3, 2017 by David McKee

Quite a lot, if you happen to be the late Sen. Pat McCarran (D). Not only is Nevada‘s largest airport named after you (not inaptly — the anti-New Deal, pro-fascist McCarran’s signature achievements included splitting off the Air Force as a … Continue reading →

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Shawn The Sham; Cal-Neva in limbo

Posted on March 31, 2017 by David McKee

“They got the signatures to put it on the ballot and they are going to be spending millions of dollars on advertising, probably six weeks prior to this Election Day in November, to convince people to vote for it. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, South Korea, Technology | Comments Off on Shawn The Sham; Cal-Neva in limbo

Reading Trump’s tea leaves; Paper to MGM: Give us your money — or else!

Posted on March 27, 2017 by David McKee

What does the nascent Trump administration bode of tribal gaming? That question is vigorously bandied about in the new issue of Global Gaming Business. Although fairly circumspect in his opinions, National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens Jr. sees cause … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, history, Indiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off on Reading Trump’s tea leaves; Paper to MGM: Give us your money — or else!

Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Posted on March 24, 2017 by David McKee

Just a few months ago, the idea of a Donald Trump-branded casino on the Las Vegas Strip would have seemed like a joke. Trump’s brand equity in gaming had dwindled to zilch and the man himself was out of gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Slim hope for North Dakota casinos; Russians hack U.S. slot machines

Posted on March 22, 2017 by David McKee

North Dakota lawmakers are still averse to the idea of state-owned casinos (which caused a fair number of birthing pains for Kansas) but they split the baby on casino expansion this week. While the House Judiciary Committee still stamped “do … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, International, Law enforcement, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Slim hope for North Dakota casinos; Russians hack U.S. slot machines

Palace, soon with 100% less Station; Casinos nixed in North Dakota

Posted on March 21, 2017 by David McKee

Palace Station was the Fertitta Brothers‘ first go at a big locals casino and it is, let’s face it, a little crude in its theming, at least by the standards we have come to expect. That’s OK: The Fertittas got … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Dubai, Harrah's, history, International, MGM Mirage, North Dakota, Politics, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Freeman attacks Yucca Mountain; Brawl in Connecticut

Posted on March 20, 2017 by David McKee

Back when Frank Fahrenkopf was its president, the American Gaming Association was little seen or heard, as Fahrenkopf played a flawless defensive game behind the scenes. Washington, D.C., never laid a glove on Big Gaming (although eugenicist and sometime Congressman Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, history, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, South Korea, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Westgate LV | Tagged | Comments Off on Freeman attacks Yucca Mountain; Brawl in Connecticut

Pennsylvania: Land of confusion

Posted on March 15, 2017 by David McKee

When it comes to making gaming policy in Pennsylvania, handwringing Gov. Tom Wolf (D) is no help at all. He wants another $100 million in gaming revenue — but only if it doesn’t come at a cost to existing casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Detroit, Internet gambling, Kansas, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Pennsylvania: Land of confusion

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 14, 2017 by David McKee

“The Florida Senate is setting up a buffet of glutinous proportions. Proposed legislation calls for the biggest expansion of gambling in Florida’s history. It literally would recreate our state in Nevada’s image, with casinos popping up in communities from the … Continue reading →

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Adelson ban bombs with conservatives

Posted on March 13, 2017 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson was hoping to be hailed at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference, he got a rude surprise. Attendees blew a raspberry to his pet cause, Protect America’s Wire Act. One dissident, Institute for Liberty President Andrew Langer … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson ban bombs with conservatives

AGA backs Obamacare; “Messy” quarter for Station

Posted on March 8, 2017 by David McKee

OK, the headline is an oversimplification (as headlines tend to be) but the American Gaming Association found itself in disagreement with congressional Republicans after their overhaul of the Affordable Care Act was found to leave mental-health and substance-use-disorder services out in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on AGA backs Obamacare; “Messy” quarter for Station