Category Archives: Politics

Adelson out of stadium deal; Tepid December on Strip

It didn’t take long for Sandoval’s Folly, the mooted [your city here] Raiders stadium to blow up in the governor’s face. With characteristic irascibility, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson withdrew from the project, taking his $650 million with him. … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Cordish Co., Cretins, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Japan, Laughlin, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Adelson out of stadium deal; Tepid December on Strip

Florida to Seminoles: F@&k you!

Although we’ve yet to hear from the Seminole Tribe, it’s a pretty strong bet that they’re not going to like Florida state Senate President Bill Galvano‘s proposed gaming-expansion legislation one darn bit. In a unanimous vote, Galvano’s Senate Regulated Industries … Continue reading

Posted in Florida, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe | 2 Comments

New Deal; Same old same-old at Wynncore

In a dramatic semi-reversal, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) has said he is open “to keep the discussion going” on casinos in the state. The governor’s sudden open mindedness comes with several caveats, including the assurance that casino gambling won’t detract … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Delaware, Donald Trump, Election, Georgia, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on New Deal; Same old same-old at Wynncore

Crescendo of criticism in Connecticut; Adelson has solid 3Q17

“These legislators have it right, and they are proposing what Connecticut should have done from day one: put in place a process that is fair, open, transparent, reliable, and competitive,” said MGM Resorts International spokesman Alan Feldman, as opposition to … Continue reading

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Election, Foxwoods, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Crescendo of criticism in Connecticut; Adelson has solid 3Q17

Plainridge Park defies the odds; Gaming advocate’s conflict unearthed

States with lotteries are loath to let casinos in their borders. It’s an idea that’s D.O.A. in Nevada and Kansas protected its flank by making the casinos the property of the state lottery. However, a study by the Massachusetts Gaming … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off on Plainridge Park defies the odds; Gaming advocate’s conflict unearthed

Caesars liberated from bankruptcy; Wynn pitches tantrum

It’s not the end, nor the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning for the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy, to paraphrase Winston Churchill.  So protracted has the bankruptcy been that its quiet resolution comes as an anticlimax.”I’ve never … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Politics, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM’s big rake in Washington; Resort projects power Massachusetts

It should come as no surprise that Washington, D.C., the land of smoke-filled rooms where sleazy deals are made, should be deliver a bumper crop of players to MGM National Harbor‘s 39-table poker room. Even with a truncated month of … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, Vietnam, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Online gambling continues to be a hit with New Jersey players, up 31% to $18 million in December. Resorts Digital‘s market share has eked past Tropicana Entertainment‘s but Golden Nugget is far and away the leader, with 26%. Enjoy it … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Economy, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Jesus scapegoated for December results; Changing of the guard in New Jersey

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli put in some quality time in Las Vegas recently and came away satisfied with the market, particularly MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming and Penn National Gaming, although he had no new intel on … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Economy, Foxwoods, Georgia, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Jesus scapegoated for December results; Changing of the guard in New Jersey

National Harbor boffo for MGM; Icahn keeps them guessing

In its first month, MGM National Harbor has been both good and bad for Maryland. Although the MGM Resorts International property, acclaimed by some as being Las Vegas Strip-caliber, did blockbuster numbers, the rest of the Maryland casino industry was … Continue reading

Posted in Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Icahn amputates nose, spites face; Casinos for Carolina?

In a “So there!” move, Carl Icahn has petitioned, as part of a sale process, to have a five-year deed restriction placed on the Trump Taj Mahal, preventing anyone from reopening it as a casino until 2022. He’s also surrendering … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Moulin Rouge, North Las Vegas, Politics, SLS Las Vegas, South Carolina, Sports, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Icahn amputates nose, spites face; Casinos for Carolina?

Freeman gets Christmas wish; Florida lawmakers: Let’s make a deal

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman could hardly have asked for a better present, all wrapped in a big, dollar-bill bow: The IRS has abandoned a set of proposed casino-reporting “reforms” that would have been intrusive, onerous and costly. (Of … Continue reading

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Japan goes all in; Adelson, Davis on the outs?

In an uncharacteristic flurry of activity, the normally tortoise-powered Shinzo Abe got casino enabling legislation through both houses of the Japanese Diet prior to adjournment. “To us the opportunity is thoroughly Japanese and thoroughly delicious,” said a lip-smacking Steve Wynn. … Continue reading

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Japan, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Japan goes all in; Adelson, Davis on the outs?

What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

The good Dr. David G. Schwartz ponders the significance of Lucky Dragon Casino and begins with one salient milestone: “Lucky Dragon is the first genuinely new property to open in the tourist corridor since The Cosmopolitan six years ago.” That’s … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Genting, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Ohio‘s four main casinos performed weakly last month, with Dan Gilbert‘s Jack Cleveland ($16 million, -4%) and Jack Cincinnati ($15 million, -7%) still not validating their new brand. Ironically, the once-superfluous Thistledown Racino is saving Jack’s bacon, up 13% to … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off on Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Japan: Hold your horses!

Contrary to a press report over the weekend — and too credulously picked up by S&G — casino gambling is far from out of the woods in the Japanese Diet. True, it was voted out of committee in the lower … Continue reading

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Japan: Hold your horses!

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Caesars: No free ride; Straub sues New Jersey

In an utterly predictable move, Caesars Entertainment will begin charging for parking at its Las Vegas Strip casinos in late December, at the same when MGM Resorts International‘s paid-parking regime is expected to go wide, encompassing locals. (December 29 is … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Reboot for Wynn Palace; Does Trump still heart sports betting?

Gaming analysts confirm reports of a slow opening at Wynn Palace in Macao, likening its performance to that of the early days of Studio City — not the sort of comparison Wynn Resorts probably wanted to hear. Room rates have … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Ducey: Let’s make a deal; Trump = legal sports betting?

It looks like the State of Arizona may be ready to throw in the towel in its losing fight against the Tohono O’odham Nation over its Desert Diamond casino. Gov. Doug Ducey (R) has inked a new compact with 10 … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Arizona, Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Politics, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Ducey: Let’s make a deal; Trump = legal sports betting?