Category Archives: Politics

Casino gridlock in Florida; Illinois contemplates “grand bargain”

Posted on March 7, 2017 by David McKee

There’s a saying that a man who wears two watches never knows what time it is. In the case of the Florida Lege, it knows something dramatic needs to be done about gambling policy but is of dramatically different mindsets … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Illinois, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes | Comments Off on Casino gridlock in Florida; Illinois contemplates “grand bargain”

MGM tipped as Sands Bethlehem buyer

Posted on March 5, 2017 by David McKee

It’s definite: Las Vegas Sands is shopping Sands Bethlehem, no matter what Ron Reese tells you. Company executives visited Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Commissioner Richard G. Jewell with the news, which he confirmed to the Allentown Morning Call. Corroboration came … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Georgia, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on MGM tipped as Sands Bethlehem buyer

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 3, 2017 by David McKee

“We do know that the modern casino industry is influenced by the overall economy. Today, that economy is healthy. But there’s a caveat—the recovery is getting long in the tooth, and no one yet has repealed the business cycle. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The case for cannibalization; Hard Rock buys Taj

Posted on March 2, 2017 by David McKee

There’s still a big budget shortfall in Pennsylvania and state Rep. Mike Sturla thinks he has at least part of the answer: slot routes. Casinos can be expected to decry this proposed solution and some already are. But for Sturla … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harry Reid, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | Comments Off on The case for cannibalization; Hard Rock buys Taj

Wayne Newton, Mr. Convention; Adelson covets Vietnam

Posted on March 1, 2017 by David McKee

If you doubted that the convention business is the new face of Las Vegas, it trotted out the pretty visage of Wayne Newton. The latter’s Casa de Shenandoah is promoting itself as the new place to hold your meeting, offering to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Technology, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Vietnam, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Wayne Newton, Mr. Convention; Adelson covets Vietnam

Huge January in Nevada; Georgia nixes casinos (again)

Posted on March 1, 2017 by David McKee

Sinusitis had us down for the count for a few days but we’re back with a fresh serving of S&G. First off, New Year’s was boffo for Nevada (up 12%) with the Las Vegas Strip pulling in 14% more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Georgia, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, New York, North Las Vegas, Politics, Reno, South Carolina, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Caesars’ highway robbery; Good news for problem gamblers

Posted on February 24, 2017 by David McKee

What do you do when you’ve just lost $435 million? Bust out a new round of resort fees, of course! That’s Caesars Entertainment‘s answer. Keeping up with the Joneses on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars will implement two tiers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars’ highway robbery; Good news for problem gamblers

Smoke got in their eyes; Curious doings at Mohegan Sun

Posted on February 22, 2017 by David McKee

Macao Chief Executive Fernando Chui is denying that his government is abasing itself before casino operators even as his administration rolls out a new policy, proposed but not yet adopted, that would represent a total cave-in on Chui’s drive to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Environment, Idaho, Law enforcement, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Smoke got in their eyes; Curious doings at Mohegan Sun

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 22, 2017 by David McKee

“We’re not talking about giving tax credits to highly lucrative operations. We’re talking about the prospect of casinos not being able to survive.” — Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne (R), proposing tax credits for casinos in return for continued $10 million/year host-community … Continue reading →

Posted in Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Caesars: The comedy is (almost) finished; Lawmaker gets high — on revenue

Posted on February 22, 2017 by David McKee

By merging Caesars Acquisition Co. (which holds most of the goodies) with Caesars Entertainment, the conglomerate may be finally able to ring the curtain on its bankruptcy. It’s been a long-running show, often replete with elements of farce. What seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Caesars: The comedy is (almost) finished; Lawmaker gets high — on revenue

Cool breeze in Singapore; Pennsylvania gets on the sports-betting bandwagon

Posted on February 17, 2017 by David McKee

It seems more unlikely than ever that Singapore will issue casino concessions after gaming revenues laid an egg in 1Q-3Q/16. For the full year, tourism to Singapore reached record heights, but receipts for “sightseeing, entertainment and gaming” dropped 16% in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Dining, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Idaho, International, James Packer, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, The Crown 18, Tribal | Comments Off on Cool breeze in Singapore; Pennsylvania gets on the sports-betting bandwagon

Atlantic City warms up; Tribe puts faith in Trump

Posted on February 15, 2017 by David McKee

Judging by his apparent failure to build brand awareness of Ten, mogul Glenn Straub is going to have trouble cracking the Atlantic City nut. That’s fine by his rivals, who are all doing very well without him. Online gambling continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City warms up; Tribe puts faith in Trump

Station, Culinary at it again; Attack of the Russian slot cheats

Posted on February 14, 2017 by David McKee

After reaching a fragile labor peace with Station Casinos, the Culinary Union is heading for another scrum with the company, publishing a petition to “Stations Casino” [sic!], detailing various and sundry workplace complaints, such as “first aid supplies were not … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Culinary Union, Georgia, International, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Politics, South Carolina, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Station, Culinary at it again; Attack of the Russian slot cheats

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 13, 2017 by David McKee

“This is highly unnecessary. I don’t believe this bill will make it out of committee and I would urge the chairman to reread our laws.” — Idaho state Rep. Paulette Jordan (D), on a bill that would outlaw VLTs at casinos … Continue reading →

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

Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Posted on February 10, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Maryland are entering the fray over sports betting. Unlike their counterparts in New Jersey, they’re not challenging the federal government directly. The proposed law, as drafted, would make sports betting legal in the Free State *if* the Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Delaware, Dining, Donald Trump, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Mixed results in Indiana; New Hampshire tries, tries, tries again

Posted on February 9, 2017 by David McKee

Casino revenue was down 4% last month in Indiana but, with one less weekend than last year and a 6% decline in foot traffic, I’m disinclined to read too much into the results. However, just for the record, let’s look … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Mixed results in Indiana; New Hampshire tries, tries, tries again

Tumult at Golden Gate; Icahn to sell Trump Taj

Posted on February 8, 2017 by David McKee

It’s been a busy week or so for Derek Stevens. Last week, he started turning earth on the La Bayou site, preface to construction of a two-story slot parlor that Stevens expects to have finished by August. (He wastes no … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Glenn Straub, Nevada, Politics, Revel, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Tumult at Golden Gate; Icahn to sell Trump Taj

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

“A comment by U.S. Attorney General-designate Jeff Sessions that he would ‘revisit’ the Department of Justice‘s opinion on the legality of online gaming also has been ‘overblown,’ [Chris Grove and Adam Krejcik] write. Sessions declined to be a co-sponsor in recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

Given its high profile, MGM National Harbor had to hit a home run for MGM Resorts International and, judging by the numbers, it’s done just that. Last month it grossed $49 million, which — when the numbers are adjusted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Downtown, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Next stop, Terre Haute

Posted on February 3, 2017 by David McKee

Now that ex-Gov. Mike Pence (R) has moved on to bigger and better things, casino expansion is back on the table in Indiana. The question seems to be more one of “where” than “if.” Lawmakers are warming to Dan Lee‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Lee, Economy, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Next stop, Terre Haute