Category Archives: Politics

Suffolk Downs fights back; Scrum in New Jersey Lege

Posted on January 5, 2016 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh may well have thrown in the towel in his lawsuit against Wynn Everett (technically against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission) but a quartet of Suffolk Downs workers aren’t letting Judge Janet Sanders‘ dismissal of aforesaid lawsuit go … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Another day in Adelsonia

Posted on January 5, 2016 by David McKee

After a weeks of ham-handed “managing” of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, controversial executive Michael Schroeder got the heave-ho, the apparent price of having brought unwanted attention to Sheldon Adelson‘s ownership. He was also an ethical cancer on the R-J, having … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Harrah's, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Another day in Adelsonia

What’s Sheldon’s game?; Penn struggles at Plainridge

Posted on December 30, 2015 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s apparent use of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporters to get back at Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez is putting him and his purchase of the newspaper under the microscope of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Casino owners aren’t barred from owning … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Horseracing, Kansas, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on What’s Sheldon’s game?; Penn struggles at Plainridge

Florida compact decried; Reprieve for Atlantic City?

Posted on December 23, 2015 by David McKee

Despite being at the epicenter of Florida‘s gaming industry, the Miami Herald has come out against Gov. Rick Scott‘s compact with the Seminole Tribe, wringing its hands and seeing a slot machine under every bed. “This is a major expansion … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Florida, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Florida compact decried; Reprieve for Atlantic City?

Malice on the Strip; Tribal foes routed

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

For people with evil in their hearts, the Las Vegas Strip represents a target-rich environment. Most vulnerable are the pedestrians who clog the sidewalks, prey for all manner of harm. Last weekend, it took the form of a rampaging automobile … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Harrah's, International, Lake Las Vegas, Law enforcement, Politics, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Malice on the Strip; Tribal foes routed

Reid delivers for REITs; Packer calls it quits

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

Sen. Harry Reid (D) may not see as well as he used to, but he’s still got plenty of ‘juice’ on Capitol Hill. He delivered an early Christmas present for campaign donor (and Caesars Entertainment co-owner) David Bonderman, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Politics, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Reid delivers for REITs; Packer calls it quits

Gaming expansion in Garden State moving fast; Mashpee Wampanoags challenged

Posted on December 18, 2015 by David McKee

New Jersey lawmakers are wasting no time getting a casino-expansion question onto next year’s election ballot. Enabling legislation fairly shot out of committee in both houses of the Lege. The Assembly version would devote 33% of tax revenue from two gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Genting, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Gaming expansion in Garden State moving fast; Mashpee Wampanoags challenged

All Adelson, all the time; Full House on the move

Posted on December 18, 2015 by David McKee

(Update: The Adelson-influenced meddling has already begun.) Now that Sheldon Adelson owns the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the paper’s prime topic of coverage has become … itself. There’s no shortage of entrail-reading, as pundits try to parse the casino mogul’s intentions. … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Lee, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Adelson’s new toy; MGM: ‘Zarkana’ out, architectural innovation in

Posted on December 17, 2015 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ worst-kept secret is out: Sheldon Adelson is the new owner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He’s claiming that the clumsy subterfuge was needed so as not to “distract from the important role Nevada continues to play in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip | 4 Comments

Boston: Has Wynn finally won?; Massachusetts mulls i-poker

Posted on December 15, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh seems to have finally put his grandstanding aside and is making conciliatory noises about Wynn Resorts. Has the smackdown of his lawsuit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission finally brought Walsh to his senses? Or is this … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Boston: Has Wynn finally won?; Massachusetts mulls i-poker

RAWA bombs on Capitol Hill; DFS currently on the wane

Posted on December 15, 2015 by David McKee

It’s looking more and more like Rep. Jason Chaffetz‘s effort to move his (actually Las Vegas Sands‘) “Restoration of America’s Wire Act” has hit a dead end. Last week’s hearing found widespread skepticism, even hostility, among the members of Chaffetz’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Georgia, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

Casinos progress in Georgia, New Jersey

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

Almost without overt human effort, the movement toward casino gambling in Georgia appears to be snowballing. Prime mover behind the low-key, but seemingly inevitable process is state Rep. Ron Stephens (R, left), whose bill would not only put two casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Election, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Casinos progress in Georgia, New Jersey

‘Jubilee’ axed; DFS banned and reprieved

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was probably a mercy to Ffolliott “Fluff” LeCoque that the Las Vegas showbiz legend died two days before Caesars Entertainment buried a dagger in the heart of Jubilee. LeCoque had been part of the original cast and went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Adelson’s Capitol Hill puppet show

Posted on December 11, 2015 by David McKee

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) held another kangaroo court on Internet gambling and was in his best Sheldon Adelson-like Luddite form, scoffing at geofencing software. “It’s naive at best to think you can put a wall on the Internet,” said the willfully ignorant … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Delaware, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Technology | Comments Off on Adelson’s Capitol Hill puppet show

No misery in Missouri; Packer’s Vegas venture in question

Posted on December 10, 2015 by David McKee

November was a tranquil month for Missouri casinos, exemplified by Penn National Gaming‘s Argosy Riverside, in Kansas City, dead even with last year. Statewide, foot traffic was down 5% and spending up 6%, particularly at table games, where winnings rose … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

DFS attempts end run; Mississippi’s new showplace

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports firms DraftKings and FanDuel took their case to New York State lawmakers yesterday, appearing at a hearing convened by a consortium of Assembly committees. The DFS providers said they’d accept regulation but stopped well short of outlining … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off on DFS attempts end run; Mississippi’s new showplace

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Wynn’s big buy; DFS in retreat

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is $63,800,000 lighter in the wallet this morning, after purchasing one million shares of Wynn Resorts on the open market over the last three days. This brings his total stake in the company to slightly more than 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Wynn’s big buy; DFS in retreat

Scott, Seminoles make a deal; Reid does Caesars’ bidding

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David McKee

Just things were threatening to get ugly between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott (R) has emerged from the cone of silence to disclose a new, $3 billion revenue-sharing agreement with the Seminoles. The pact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Scott, Seminoles make a deal; Reid does Caesars’ bidding

Crisis point in Atlantic City; Alabama casino bill abandoned

Posted on December 7, 2015 by David McKee

Atlantic City‘s immediate future is teetering over whether it can persuade Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International to parcel a $161 million tax refund over an extended period of time. If not, warns Mayor Don Guardian (R), the city will … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Crisis point in Atlantic City; Alabama casino bill abandoned