Category Archives: Politics

Tribal tensions in Indiana; Mississippi tapped out?

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

Indiana legislators are making it more difficult for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to reach a compact with Gov. Mike Pence (R), according to the tribe, which charges lawmakers with meddling in the compacting process. The Pokagon Band, which owns … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

“It’s very difficult to make predictions, particularly about the future.” — Sheldon Adelson, delivering the malapropism of the year, with regard to his Macao casinos. In other Adelson news, the mogul’s bromance with Sen. Marco Rubio (R) is heating up.

Posted in Florida, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Revel’s Faustian pact; Hope fades in Florida

Posted on April 22, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub finally got what he wanted, the right to ixnay the contracts of all the tenants at Revel, aka Polo North. After much hesitation during the constipated bankruptcy sale, Judge Gloria Burns finally ruled against the leaseholders, meaning the brawl … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Florida, Glenn Straub, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Revel’s Faustian pact; Hope fades in Florida

Problems for the Pequots, Mohegans; Twin River looks north

Posted on April 22, 2015 by David McKee

A legislative attempt to add three Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan tribal casinos in Connecticut is running into a buzz saw of legal problems … or at least questions. Since the casinos are gift-wrapped for the tribes in question, state Attorney General George … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, South Korea | Comments Off on Problems for the Pequots, Mohegans; Twin River looks north

Phua case goes “poof!”; Texas casinos a mission impossible

Posted on April 20, 2015 by David McKee

A federal case against an unlicensed, do-it-yourself sports book collapsed like a pup tent when a federal judge tossed out both the premise of an FBI search and, by extension, the evidence gathered therefrom. In a warrantless search, G-men cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Texas, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Phua case goes “poof!”; Texas casinos a mission impossible

Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

Although they enjoyed a same-store increase of 1% last month, Atlantic City casinos pulled in 14% less than last year at this time, grossing $191 million (more than some entire Midwestern states, it should be noted). Twelve percent less coin-in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Revel: Crippled giant; Tough choice in Indiana

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

It may feel good for Glenn Straub to spit defiance (“We will never give in to blackmail. Let them dig their own grave, along with endangering other peoples’ lives.”) at the ACR power plant that just cut off water and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

No megaresorts in Florida’s future; Big experiment at Sands Bethlehem

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Bowing to political realities, Florida state Rep. Dana Young (R, left) has Slim-Fasted her omnibus gambling-expansion bill from 300 pages to 60. Among the items gone into the shredder was a provision for two casino megaresorts in South Florida. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Who is Glenn Straub?; Tribal desperation in Texas

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

He’s a specialist in buying and (sometimes) turning around distressed properties, it would seem. He’s also characterized as a hard-charging businessman who leaves bruised feelings in his wake. “He’s not someone who’s going to consider the other person’s point of view. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Glenn Straub, Louisiana, Politics, Revel, Texas, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Who is Glenn Straub?; Tribal desperation in Texas

Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

Now that he’s no longer standing for reelection, Sen. Harry Reid (D) has flung himself fully into the arms of Sheldon Adelson, calling for a ban on online gambling that might even extend to Nevada‘s fledgling I-poker industry (although Reid’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Harry Reid, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling

Disney dives into gambling; Death at M Resort

Posted on April 6, 2015 by David McKee

Gambling really is the all-American pastime now that Walt Disney Co. is buying a $250 million piece of for-money fantasy league DraftKings. The agreement commits Disney to buy $500 million in advertising time and imagery on a variety of ESPN … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, M Resort, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2015 by David McKee

“We believe a federal ban of online gaming is unlikely given legislators’ split views. However, a recent hearing in a House Judiciary subcommittee on [Rep.] Jason Chaffetz’s proposal for a ban suggests it could be gaining momentum. While the bill may … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Macao: What, us worry?; Florida grapples with gambling

Posted on March 30, 2015 by David McKee

Two Hong Kong-based stock analysts recently met with the Macanese Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau. Much to their surprise, when they asked “what positive policy measures can be enacted to help stop the trend of negative gaming revenue growth,” they … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Horseracing, Idaho, Macau, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Macao: What, us worry?; Florida grapples with gambling

Dr. Loveman’s voodoo; Reid hangs it up

Posted on March 30, 2015 by David McKee

Despite having wrought havoc upon Caesars Entertainment, Chairman Gary Loveman — looking alarmingly puffy and ill — manages to still find himself taken seriously as a talking head. He gave CNBC a dosage of his usual spin-doctoring. This includes one … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Harry Reid, history, Japan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, TV, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Dr. Loveman’s voodoo; Reid hangs it up

Elaine Wynn’s credibility problem; Caesars faces tough scrutiny

Posted on March 26, 2015 by David McKee

Elaine Wynn is starting to develop a credibility problem, at least if you read the Bloomberg story that characterizes various instances of Ms. Wynn either passing the buck or being in denial. For instance, she claims not to have known … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, Harrah's, Illinois, Politics, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Elaine Wynn’s credibility problem; Caesars faces tough scrutiny

Saving souls on Capitol Hill

Posted on March 26, 2015 by David McKee

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) finally got to hold his dog-and-pony show on the eeeeeeevils of Internet gambling, after a previous date had been snowed out. As expected, the proceedings “broke little new ground” on the issue. Afterward, Chaffetz condescended to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Internet gambling, New York, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Saving souls on Capitol Hill

The wrath of Icahn; Cautious progress in Indiana

Posted on March 19, 2015 by David McKee

Using the power of the blogosphere, Carl Icahn opened an extra-large can of whup-ass on Unite-Here Local 54 today. While he fleetingly alluded to the ineptitude of Trump Entertainment Resorts management (“The bottom line is that, even without making exorbitant … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Illinois, Indiana, Politics, Slot routes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | Tagged | Comments Off on The wrath of Icahn; Cautious progress in Indiana

Nugget drives Louisiana; Sauce for the goose in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 19, 2015 by David McKee

Subtract the Golden Nugget Lake Charles from last month’s Louisiana gambling revenues and they’re absolutely flat with 2014. Two wannabe REITs went in opposite directions. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s aggregate Pelican State casinos were up 9% while Caesars Entertainment got hammered, down … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Nugget drives Louisiana; Sauce for the goose in Pennsylvania

MGM’s REIT risk; Will Lone Star State go for gambling?

Posted on March 18, 2015 by David McKee

Investor Jonathan Litt‘s proposed conversion of MGM Resorts International isn’t just another random case of REITmania. According to Forbes, MGM is expected to return to profitability this year and “some of those expected profits will leak into government coffers.” REITs are … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Texas, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Elaine Wynn fights on; Floridians heart Seminole casinos

Posted on March 17, 2015 by David McKee

Showing that two can play the press-release game, Elaine Wynn released an open letter to Wynn Resorts shareholders, urging them to vote their gold-colored proxy cards in her favor. Citing her “my immense industry knowledge and expertise, and my role … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Elaine Wynn fights on; Floridians heart Seminole casinos