Category Archives: Politics

Straub’s plans evolve; Martin Walsh, loser

Posted on December 4, 2015 by David McKee

Remember, you read it here first. Glenn Straub intends to sublicense the casino portion of Revel to an outside operator. It will have to be a company with a high tolerance for risk, as Straub is insisting on a 30-year … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

‘Net betting in Massachusetts?; Fast track for skill-based slots

Posted on December 3, 2015 by David McKee

Pressure to legalize Internet gambling has emerged from an unexpected quarter — Massachusetts. State Sen. Bruce Tarr (R) has proposed a bill that would allow Web casinos to piggyback onto existing brick-and-mortar ones. True, Wynn Resorts is averse to ‘Net … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Scientific Games, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

The ubiquitous Packer; The 27% solution

Posted on December 2, 2015 by David McKee

James Packer has already missed his 2015 deadline for breaking ground on Alon and once again he is taking his eye off the Las Vegas ball. He and his Nobu co-investor, Robert DeNiro, have cut a deal with Antigua and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Full House Resorts, International, James Packer, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off

Resolution at Revel; MGM turns up the heat on Connecticut

Posted on November 27, 2015 by David McKee

Our long Revel nightmare is at least partially over, now that Glenn Straub has a deal in place to buy the disputed ACR Energy Partners power plant. While ACR pays $15 million to placate bondholders, Straub gets the plant for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Revel, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City casinos make less, profit more

Posted on November 24, 2015 by David McKee

In a paradoxical development, Atlantic City casinos reported a 61% increase in profitability in Q315. That largesse came even as gross gaming revenues only rose 5%. Cost-containment is credited with being the source of the bounty. Caesars Interactive swung from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Election, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

DFS: A patchwork of approaches

Posted on November 18, 2015 by David McKee

Although he’s been dissed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and the NCAA (because his bill would allow daily fantasy sports to include college athletes), state Sen. James Whelan (D, right) presses on in his attempt to regulate DFS … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off

The wacky world of Glenn Straub; New York rescuer for DFS

Posted on November 17, 2015 by David McKee

Instead of hassling Stockton University over ownership of the Showboat (and losing), perhaps Glenn Straub should have been developing a long-range plan for heating Revel through the winter, so that the pipes don’t freeze and burst. His solution? Bring in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Good news in Massachusetts for DFS and tribe

Posted on November 13, 2015 by David McKee

Home team DraftKings (headquartered in Boston) got a vote of confidence from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), who opined that daily fantasy sports is a game of skill, not of chance. Last weekend, Baker tried a little DraftKings wagering himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Phil Ruffin, International Man of Mystery; Another day, another DFS probe

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

So now we know where those The Mirage-is-for-sale rumors were coming from. Seems that the place really was not for sale, although Phil Ruffin wished it was, to the tune of $1.3 billion. And, as badly as MGM Resorts International … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, GLPI, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Big month for Maryland; Much ado about Dotty’s

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Developers of MGM National Harbor have to like what they saw when Maryland busted out its October revenue numbers: 9% growth (to $95 million), with all five casinos in the plus column. Horseshoe Baltimore General Manager Chad Barnhill is defecting … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Dotty's, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

Caesars exiting Ohio with head held high; New Showboat setback

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment may have gotten the boot from its three managerial arrangements with Dan Gilbert in Ohio but it’s spending the waning weeks of its tenure putting up impressive numbers. Horseshoe Cleveland ($18 million) was up 4% and Horseshoe Cincinnati … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off

New blows to Adelson, SLS; Seminoles’ air war

Posted on November 6, 2015 by David McKee

Ex-Sands China CEO Steven Jacobs‘ wrongful-termination case will still proceed under the gavel of Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez. The Nevada Supreme Court, in an unpublished opinion, reaffirmed Gonzalez’s standing in the case and also ordered Las Vegas Sands to pony up … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, TV | Comments Off

Bluhm thinks big in Massachusetts; Cautious optimism in Illinois

Posted on November 6, 2015 by David McKee

Never accuse Neil Bluhm of thinking small. His Mass Gaming & Entertainment has published some eye-popping projections as part of a 200-page casino application to the State of Massachusetts. Despite nearby competition from Plainridge and Rhode Island, Bluhm is projecting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

The (Nathan) Deal they can’t refuse; Decision time in Connecticut

Posted on November 3, 2015 by David McKee

Casino companies like to complain about high taxation … unless they’re trying to get into a jurisdiction, in which case they’ll agree to anything. In Georgia, they’ve upped the ante from a proposed 12% tax rate to 20%. It’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Regulating DFS; So long, Harrah’s Tunica

Posted on November 3, 2015 by David McKee

Although he doesn’t think state government ought to “impede one’s enjoyment of fantasy sports,” New Jersey state Sen. James Whelan (D, right) thinks it’s time for the Garden State to regulate daily fantasy sports. In a letter to the Division of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | 1 Comment

Adelson sleeping with the enemy

Posted on November 2, 2015 by David McKee

In his mania to ban Internet gaming, Sheldon Adelson has let the worst of anti-gambling zealots to slither into bed with him. Dr. James Dobson-founded Focus on the Family has gotten behind Rep. Jason Chaffetz‘s faltering bill. So-called “social liberal” Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Harrah’s auction scrapped; Airport casino nixed

Posted on October 28, 2015 by David McKee

Almost nobody wants the defunct remnants of Harrah’s Tunica Casino. Owner Caesars Entertainment has scratched a planned auction of the property because nobody except stalking horse TJM Properties has shown an interest in the building. TJM specializes in senior-living facilities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Marketing, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Scientific Games, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Seminole resolution in sight?; Murren called on the carpet

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is pursuing a two-track policy in the court of public opinion. On the one hand, it has announced “significant progress” in its talks with lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott (R, left). On the other hand, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Illinois to act on DFS

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Today, a bill is anticipated to be put in the hopper of the Illinois Legislature to regulate daily fantasy sports. The brainchild of Rep. Mike Zalewski (D), “it would create standards for auditing daily fantasy companies that want to do business … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Illinois, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off

Japan: Keep moving, nothing to see here; Crisis at Studio City

Posted on October 26, 2015 by David McKee

Despite much chumming of the waters by Union Gaming Securities Asia‘s Grant Govertson, it’s the same old same-old in Japan, where casino legalization has been delayed yet again and probably should be under a news blackout until substantial progress is achieved. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Pets, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off