Category Archives: Politics

Florida: Death by a thousand cuts; New player in Macao

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

Casino expansion in Florida may be nominally on the table for the incoming Lege but it looks D.O.A. Both Senate President Don Gaetz (R) and possibly Speaker of the House Will Weatherford (R) want preferatory constitutional amendments that would require … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Kansas, Macau, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Florida: Death by a thousand cuts; New player in Macao

Genting: We bombed in Miami; Jockeying for position in Massachusetts

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

It took almost no time at all for Genting Group’s latest Miami proposal to draw heavy political criticism. State Sen. Gwen Margolis (D), who represents the area, thinks a slot parlor is too downscale for the neighborhood. She also points … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Transportation | Comments Off on Genting: We bombed in Miami; Jockeying for position in Massachusetts

Tales of New England

Posted on January 9, 2014 by David McKee

While casino approval creeps forward in Massachusetts, a blistering pace is being set in New York State. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has set a June deadline for Catskills applications, with the winner(s) to be chosen by autumn. Peace Corps veteran Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Maine, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Tribal | Tagged | 1 Comment

Toxic overconfidence at Wynn; Persistence in Kentucky

Posted on January 8, 2014 by David McKee

Whoops. It seems like Wynn Resorts was a little coy (or careless) about how it intended to clean up a toxic-waste site  (home to “volatile organic compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, PCBs, and evidence of sulfuric acids and other substances“) in Everett. Bostonians … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Environment, Internet gambling, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 2 Comments

Freeman vs. the Evil Empire

Posted on January 7, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson. That’s who American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is preparing to take on, as the AGA beefs up its lobbying staff. It’s a bipartisan group that includes 2012 Obama campaign guru Jim Messina. Freeman demurs that it isn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Internet gambling, Marketing, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

“I’m worried about a meteor hitting, too. But there’s not much I can do about it.” — Suffolk Downs COO Chip Tuttle, on the prospect of repeal of casino licenses.

Posted in Massachusetts, Politics, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Not your father’s AGA; Harmon’s end

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman continues to show that change is the new order of the day. This morning brings news of five new lobbyists, most of them new to the gaming industry, presaging a big push on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Not your father’s AGA; Harmon’s end

Taiwan in 2019?

Posted on January 3, 2014 by David McKee

It could happen. Enabling legislation to put casinos on Taiwan‘s outer islands has a good chance in parliament, it is reported. Matsu is expected to be the principal beneficiary but, if it can change voters’ minds, Claremont Partners has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Macau, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Taiwan in 2019?

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 2, 2014 by David McKee

“This is our Joe Camel moment … It could very well be the demise of our industry” — Las Vegas Sands Vice President of Government Affairs Andrew Abboud wringing his hands in opposition to Internet gambling at a recent congressional … Continue reading →

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

Revel to be sold?; Ryan weighs in on Menominee

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David McKee

Color me stupid but I figured that, with a new marketing team in place, to say nothing of a new CEO, Revel Resort was going to stay its new course awhile. Turns out the property was dickering with prospective buyers … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Hard Rock International, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Racinos, Revel, Tribal, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Genting, Steve Wynn & so much more

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David McKee

Genting Group has narrowed its price target for finishing Resorts World Vegas. It will spend between $3 billion and $4 billion to complete the project (for which it has already paid $350 million for land). For a post-recession Vegas that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colorado, Current, Dubai, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Rising sun; Falling Poster; Crosby gets funky

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

Japan‘s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been stymied in introducing pro-casino legislation in the Diet, thanks to grumbling, naysaying Buddhist coalition partners. But other parties have been building a casino coalition. According to The Straits Times, a “cross-party group of Japanese … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes | Comments Off on Rising sun; Falling Poster; Crosby gets funky

Freeman vs. Adelson; Kentucky tries again

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

In a particularly stunning departure from American Gaming Association tradition, new prexy Geoff Freeman took a jab at Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon “Nuke ‘Em” Adelson in the pages of USA Today. Of course, Freeman didn’t mention Adelson explicitly. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Marketing, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Freeman vs. Adelson; Kentucky tries again

Election Special: No surprise in New York, big surprise in Massachusetts

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

Massachusetts may not be ready for casino gambling (unless Steve Wynn is building it). Voters said no and again no yesterday, in a series of referendums. Mohegan Sun is — quite understandably — asking for a recount. Its casino proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Sheldon covets Florida … again

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wouldn’t be a week in the gaming industry if Sheldon Adelson didn’t manage to bigfoot one issue or another. This time it’s Florida, where the Legislature is in the preliminary throes of grappling with casino expansion once again. Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Sheldon covets Florida … again

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

After keeping a low profile for most of election season, pro-casino forces sprang into gear, rolling out a bevy of TV ads. In an attempt to neutral potential hostility downstate, one commercial points out that New York City‘s two mayor … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Illinois, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes | Comments Off on War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Posted on October 17, 2013 by David McKee

Illinois legislators continue to butt their heads against Gov. Pat Quinn‘s opposition to casino expansion (and a terrible gambling economy). Impervious to reality, state Rep. Robert Rita (D) is introducing yet another bill for five casinos and airport slot routes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Stanley Ho, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

“Evoking the spirits of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia and Gallagher the Comedian, a small group of antigambling activists demolished a defunct slot machine outside the Capitol on Tuesday in the latest attempt to draw attention to the “No” campaign, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, New York, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day