Category Archives: Politics

Hard Rock rocks Sioux City; Chris Christie’s mighty pen

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

Lost in the loud death rattle of Argosy Belle Sioux City was the opening of its successor — some would say usurper — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. And, contrary to what naysayers would have you believe, it’s bringing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, history, Iowa, Oscar Goodman, Penn National, Politics, Sports, The Mob, Tourism, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

No gold rush in California

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

In a huge setback for Internet gambling, California‘s legislature is calling it a day. State Sen. Lou Correa (D) is not only withdrawing his i-gaming bill from consideration, he’s being termed out at the end of the session, so the cause … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Melco Crown Entertainment, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Packer’s second chance

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David McKee

“You can’t be in the gaming industry and not have a special reverence for Las Vegas — that’s where it all began. While we fell short in past attempts to enter that market, we now have the ideal opportunity.” So said … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cannery Casino Resorts, Donald Trump, Election, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sam Nazarian, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Tribal warfare; Happy ending in Pittsburgh

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David McKee

Congress is fiddling around the edges of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act but, for all the talk of reform, only ‘reservation shopping’ seems to be a real subject of concern. This political bogeyman is cited whenever a tribe wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Don Barden, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off

Flake-ing out over tribal gambling

Posted on July 29, 2014 by David McKee

It must be nice to have two U.S. senators at your beck and call. That’s the case for tribal opponents of the Tohono O’odham Nation casino proposal. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) are introducing a bill that would make … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Glimmers of hope on the Boardwalk

Posted on July 24, 2014 by David McKee

Every morning, Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian (R) rides his bicycle along the Boardwalk. This morning, Guardian must have felt he was carrying a heavier burden than usual. Although Hizzoner has maintained that Atlantic City will come out on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off

Reversal in Phoenix; Flame out

Posted on July 17, 2014 by David McKee

So noxious to some in the Phoenix area is the idea of a Tohono O’odham Nation casino that Arizona‘s congressional delegation has actually tried to get a special law passed to stop it. For five and a half years, the Tohono … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Current, Dining, Downtown, Environment, Politics, Tribal, Westgate LV | Comments Off

So long, Sullivan County

Posted on July 10, 2014 by David McKee

New York State’s Gaming Commission has picked the last two members of the casino-siting committee and it’s pretty bad news for the Catskills region. Both of the finalists are cronies of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), as are the three already-seated … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: Tide’s out?

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

New Jersey can’t add new casino or racino sites until late 2016, per Gov. Chris Christie‘s rescue plan. But lawmakers may not wait that long. A 2015 statewide ballot question to add new gambling jurisdictions is “a very real possibility,” according … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Politics, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Massachusetts: A call to action

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

Casino companies in Massachusetts “could” or “may” team up to fight the repeal effort currently underway. How about “must” or “should”? If ever there were an imperative for joint action, this is it. Perhaps even Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun could … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Freeman’s strange plea; Aristocrat on the move

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

This morning, a strange letter landed upon my cyber-desk, signed by American Gaming Association Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Sara Rayme. However, it’s perfectly congruent with the aggressive tendencies of AGA President Geoff Freeman, so I look upon him … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Internet gambling, Politics, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Massachusetts: The morning after

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David McKee

Although Wynn Resorts is keeping mum on this week’s Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling, others are not taking it lying down. Faced with a do-or-die referendum on casino gambling in the Bay State, MGM Resorts International promised it was “fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Mohegan Sun: It’s us or nobody; Tunica blues

Posted on June 19, 2014 by David McKee

Eastern Massachusetts voters would rather have a Mohegan Sun casino than a Wynn Resorts one. So claims a poll paid for by Mohegan Sun … so draw your own conclusions. It also shows casino-law repeal only getting 35% of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off

Bernhard: Time to get out; Kabuki theater in Japan

Posted on June 19, 2014 by David McKee

After 13 years chairing the Nevada Gaming Commission, it’s quitting time for Pete Bernhard, who’s leaving 10 months before his term expires. Wasting no time, Gov. Brian Sandoval named Dr. Tony Alamo Jr. to fill Bernhard’s chair and Pat Mulroy … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Icebreak in Japan; Discouragement in New York

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Leaving scant room for error, Japan‘s parliament is scheduled to begin debating casino legalization today. “We have to remind ourselves that this is just the start, and until we see gambling become legal, we must keep up our efforts,” said lobbyist … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off

Getting it up in Philadelphia

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s proposed LoSo Entertainment Center, would-be home to Casino Revolution (2,400 slots, 105 tables) has “initiated discussions” with U.S. Thrill Rides about building a 615-foot observation tower as part of the project. That’d be 10 feet taller … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | 1 Comment

Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

Democratic Party lawmaker Yosuke Kondo has casino-legalization in Japan legislation wrapped around his pinkie like a piece of string. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may favor enabling legislation but right now Kondo holds the trump card. The bill is in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Iowa, Japan, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off

Adelson: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson wants to protect America from underage gambling, he might start at his Sands Bethlehem casino. The casino has racked up $305,000 in fines in five years. Six incidents this year have incited the latest fine: $85,000. Casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Detroit, Economy, Election, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

A gentleman and a scholar

Posted on June 6, 2014 by David McKee

There are some blog entries one would rather not write. This is one of those occasions. Gentlemanly attorney Robert Faiss, who literally wrote the book on casino regulation in Nevada, died yesterday at age 79. In in an irony he … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Japan, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off

Adelson winning one-sided war

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

If it appears that Sheldon Adelson is rolling to victory in his jihad against Internet gambling, it’s primarily because his opposition has gone belly-up. First, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called the battle “a fight we cannot win,” then … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off