Category Archives: Politics

That wacky Glenn Straub; Instant racing stumbles; Mongolia or bust

Posted on February 18, 2015 by David McKee

Revel AC has been continuing to negotiate with beady-eyed billionaire Glenn Straub, even after the clock has run out on their purchase agreement. Revel’s incentive is that it wants to avoid Chapter 7 liquidation. Trouble is, Straub is reported to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Idaho, International, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tribal | 2 Comments

Good and bad news for Caesars

Posted on February 17, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s last hopes for a Massachusetts casino are slipping through its fingers. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and cleared Chairman Stephen Crosby of any charges of untoward conduct. Judge David Souter ruled … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Good and bad news for Caesars

Adieu, Riviera?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by David McKee

Is Las Vegas‘ oldest Strip casino facing a date with the wrecking ball? Last week, LVA broke the news that — at least according to one of our sources — the Riviera was being sold to the Las  Vegas Convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, LVCVA, New Hampshire, PokerStars, Politics, Riviera, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

“PokerStars is one of the only gaming companies that has been actively committed to pursuing a position in the Atlantic City market. Everybody else is running away. So, why would we rebuff a company that wants to make a major investment … Continue reading →

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

Fisticuffs in Idaho; Wynn woos Bostonians

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

Idaho‘s Coeur d’Alene tribe got a taste of its own medicine when four lawmakers penned a letter to Gov. C.L. Butch Otter and to the U.S. Attorney’s office charging the tribe with being out of compliance with its compact. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Horseracing, Idaho, Massachusetts, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Fisticuffs in Idaho; Wynn woos Bostonians

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 11, 2015 by David McKee

“We were told this was about saving the horse racing industry. I find it somewhat ironic that two of the three racetracks that have instant racing have never been live horse-racing tracks. This is not about live racing. This is about casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Horseracing, Politics, Racinos, Tribal | 1 Comment

Dismay in Wisconsin; Disorder at SLS

Posted on January 29, 2015 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has managed to bring Democrats and Republicans together — in opposition to his decision to nix a proposed Menominee Nation casino. Lawmakers cited the $250 million bond posted by the Menominee and the tribe’s promise … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Dismay in Wisconsin; Disorder at SLS

Hard Rock back to A.C.?; Today Massachusetts, tomorrow Vermont?

Posted on January 27, 2015 by David McKee

New investment in Atlantic City has yet to materialize, yet the New Jersey Casino Control Commission‘s holding of a hearing for Hard Rock International is encouraging. It’s a purely theoretical exercise, a determination of suitability. Its goal, however, is for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Nebraska, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Vermont | Comments Off on Hard Rock back to A.C.?; Today Massachusetts, tomorrow Vermont?

Possible Pennsylvania cutback?; Prudes pressured Walker

Posted on January 26, 2015 by David McKee

Once casinos move to fill a vacuum, it’s difficult to push them back. But that’s what Pennsylvania state Rep. Will Talman (R) is trying to do. He’s proposing a bill to close Keystone State casinos nightly between 2 a.m. and … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Iowa, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Possible Pennsylvania cutback?; Prudes pressured Walker

Possible rescue for Delaware tracks; New boss in Atlantic City

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

Going against Gov. Jack Markell (D), Delaware lawmakers are wrapping up a relief package for the state’s beleaguered racino industry. The tax rate on table games would be cut from 29% to 15% and the $3 million licensing fee would … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Delaware, Harrah's, Maryland, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Possible rescue for Delaware tracks; New boss in Atlantic City

Walker finally acts; Pessimistic about Japan

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

After numerous delays, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) finally was roused from inaction on the proposed Menominee Nation casino for Kenosha. The governor’s response to the tribe was a firm “no,” predicated upon forecasts of revenue losses from the state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, International, Japan, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Straub wins again; Delaware, racinos at an impasse

Posted on January 22, 2015 by David McKee

Revel is Glenn Straub‘s — if he wants it. HQ nightclub, ACR Energy Partners and other Revel tenants saw their objections swept aside at a bankruptcy hearing yesterday. Judge Jerome Simandle wrote that “the court notes that, the palpable risk … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Glenn Straub, Politics, Racinos, Revel, Taxes | 1 Comment

Politicians desert Atlantic City; Cuomo dreams on

Posted on January 20, 2015 by David McKee

Despite four years of yeoman’s work repairing and altering Atlantic City‘s image, the Atlantic City Alliance is being abandoned like an orphan on the church steps. State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D, left) blamed the casinos for killing it off … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Politicians desert Atlantic City; Cuomo dreams on

Casinos slump in Illinois, boom in Arkansas

Posted on January 20, 2015 by David McKee

Never mind that Illinois casino admissions were down 1.4 million last year and the state’s gambling houses brought in $87 million less than in 2013. Politicians are preparing to try and ram another big gaming expansion through the Legislature, counting … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Economy, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Casinos slump in Illinois, boom in Arkansas

Indian givers in D.C.; Mixed bag for Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun

Posted on January 19, 2015 by David McKee

Arizona‘s congressional delegation continues to single out the Tohono O’odham Nation for being too successful. Sens. John McCain (R) and Jeff Flake (R), and Reps. Trent Franks and Paul Gosar are trying yet again to legislate the Tohono O’odham’s $400 … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on Indian givers in D.C.; Mixed bag for Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun

Atlantic City hangs in there; Mississippi mulls i-poker

Posted on January 15, 2015 by David McKee

When it comes to Atlantic City it literally is a question of whether the glass is half-empty or half-full. The city’s casinos are 48% off their 2006 high of $5.2 billion. In 2014, the decline was slowed somewhat by $123 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Mississippi, Politics, Revel, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City hangs in there; Mississippi mulls i-poker

Caesars’ hand forced; Pick a peck of Packer

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David McKee

Efforts by Appaloosa Management and others to push Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. into an involuntary bankruptcy have lit a fire under Caesars. The company is moving its planned bankruptcy filing up from Jan. 20 to tomorrow.  Appaloosa and cohorts Tennenbaum Capital Partners … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, James Packer, Movies, Philippines, Politics, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars’ hand forced; Pick a peck of Packer

Fly Mohegan; End of an era; Washington takes up i-gaming

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David McKee

“Never before has a traveler been able to leave New York City, fly to Mohegan [Sun], enjoy a world class show, have a terrific dining experience, play in the casino and be back home … by midnight.” So says Fly Blade … Continue reading →

Posted in Dubai, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | 1 Comment

That wily Glenn Straub

Posted on January 9, 2015 by David McKee

Freed by Judge Gloria Burns of encumberances, Revel is Glenn Straub’s for the taking — provided he’s willing to pay $95 million. Ir sounds like Straub’s position is softening. Although he has the power to evict Revel’s remaining tenants, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Politics, Revel, South Dakota, Sports, Taxes, Transportation | 2 Comments

Wynn faces sore loser in Boston

Posted on January 6, 2015 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was finally able to close a $35 million deal on the site of his Everett, Massachusetts, casino project. That’s good, because Wynn has to deal with new perfidy from Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh. The latter’s long silence … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Technology | 1 Comment