Category Archives: Politics

New Yorkers want a do-over; Another EuroVegas folds

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

Magnanimously, Traditions at the Glen partner — and losing casino bidder — Peter Walsh is throwing his support to racino mogul Jeff Gural. The latter is trying to pry New York‘s fourth and last new-casino license loose from New York State’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Delaware, Economy, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Big and Little Caesars strike again; Atlantic City’s monopoly in danger

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Last weekend, Caesars Entertainment confirmed what we already expected: It will file bankruptcy for Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. next month, in what the New York Times called “an ignominious milestone for what was one of the biggest buyouts of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, New York, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off

Icahn saves Taj, kinda sorta

Posted on December 18, 2014 by David McKee

Trump Taj Mahal‘s fate seesaws by the day, if not the hour. According to the New York Post, Unite-Here Local 54 “got pretty much what it wanted” from Carl Icahn and “all work rules” will be reinstated. Icahn did persuade Local … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 18, 2014 by David McKee

“Meanwhile, Americans continue to play cards on unregulated, off-shore poker websites. Americans also continue to place wagers through online, unregulated, off-shore sports books. And there are no signs that the collapse of the republic is imminent.” — from a Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Fertitta wins, Taj too close to call

Posted on December 16, 2014 by David McKee

Score one for the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and its peppery owner, Tilman Fertitta. Its threat to “blow up” a property-tax reform deal was sufficient to bring about a compromise acceptable to all sides. Under the original bill and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Et tu, Harry?

Posted on December 10, 2014 by David McKee

Internet gambling dodged a bullet when the federal government’s omnibus spending bill was sent to the floor without Restoring America’s Wire Act tacked on like a flea riding a dog. “If we can’t get it into the omnibus, it won’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Taxes | Comments Off

Indiana giveth, Ohio taketh away; Atlantic City fix finds wide support

Posted on December 9, 2014 by David McKee

Depending on whether or not you count free play as taxable revenue, Indiana was down 6% or 7% last month, with customers spending 3% more but visiting 9.5% less. Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg took cross-border competition particularly hard, falling … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Harrah's, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Walk softly, carry a Talking Stick

Posted on December 3, 2014 by David McKee

There’s a new symbolic benchmark for the economic importance of tribal gaming in the U.S. What was the US Airways Center, in Phoenix, home of the Phoenix Suns, is becoming Talking Stick Resort Arena. It’s a testimony to the financial … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dotty's, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, Tribal | 1 Comment

Death throes at Trump Taj; Casino clash in Maine

Posted on December 2, 2014 by David McKee

Even with a $5 million cash infusion from rich uncle Carl Icahn, that didn’t stop Trump Taj Mahal from going into Death Spiral Mode. Its greatest asset, its new(ish) hotel tower, has been closed and the casino will no longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, GTECH, Horseracing, IGT, International, Lawrence Ho, Maine, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Politics, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Dotty’s on the spot again; Ralston unplugged

Posted on December 2, 2014 by David McKee

When Station Casinos and Golden Gaming say “jump,” Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak asks, “How high?” At least that’s the case when it comes to Dotty’s, a 102-outlet chain of slot parlors that exist within a gray area of state … Continue reading →

Posted in Dotty's, Golden Gaming, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson keeps coming; Eternal frustration in Florida

Posted on November 26, 2014 by David McKee

Let’s face it: Sheldon Adelson is old, distrusts computers and clearly fears Internet gambling’s encroachment on his mammoth brick-and-mortar casinos. Which means that even if he fails to get the Restore America’s Wire Act bill passed in Congress’ lame-duck session, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Casino legalization fell on its sword in Japan when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly dissolved the Diet, in order to call for elections. According to Reuters, “That means lawmakers cannot pass regulatory legislation next year, making it highly unlikely any … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Transportation | Comments Off

New Jersey cuffed; Adelson stirs controversy

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

In a development of no great surprise, federal District Court Judge Michael Shipp enjoined Monmouth Park (and anybody else in New Jersey) from offering sports betting. And he made the injunction permanent, decreeing that the Garden State’s unregulated sports wagering … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

Paul pounds Sands; Caesars’ Eight

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

If he used a computer — which he doesn’t — Sheldon Adelson would have to delete Ron Paul from his list of Facebook “friends.” The libertarian gadfly is the latest U.S. citizen to take umbrage a Adelson’s do-gooder (and dubiously … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Silver breaks ranks; Is NHL a done deal for Vegas?

Posted on November 14, 2014 by David McKee

In a bold, if not completely surprising move, NBA Commission Adam Silver took to the op-ed pages of the New York Times to advocate the nationwide legalization of sports betting. “Times have changed … Gambling has increasingly become a popular and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dotty's, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Station mixes candor, optimism; Adelson: What’s next?

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone wasn’t showing his cards in yesterday’s conference call with analysts. He would only say that, in the wake of Proposition 48‘s defeat in California, Station and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians would explore “other … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Sheldon steps in it again and again

Posted on November 10, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s love of authoritarianism has made him another enemy. At the latest Israel American Conference, Adelson rhapsodized, “God talked about all the good things in life. He didn’t talk about Israel remaining as a democratic state, otherwise Israel isn’t going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism | 1 Comment

Decision time; Failure in Japan

Posted on November 4, 2014 by David McKee

Casino supporters showed up in force in Springfield, Massachusetts, touting the charitable benefits — not to mention the employment ones — that would stem from an MGM Resorts International casino. For instance, MGM would continue its sponsorship of a local … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Mark your ballots; Trump Taj: Welfare queen

Posted on November 3, 2014 by David McKee

Tomorrow we get to exercise that precious franchise, the vote. So don’t oversleep, ‘kay? As everyone knows by now, the big rumble is in Massachusetts, where an attempt to repeal the state’s casino law is failing by a substantial margin in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colorado, Election, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off