Category Archives: Problem gambling

Maryland sags; Dustup at Red Rock; Sands’ big NY play; The dangers of Fanatic-ism

Posted on January 6, 2023 by David McKee

Whilst 2022 may have come in like a lion for casinos, it’s going out like a lamb, despite an extra weekend day last month. Revenues in Maryland dipped 4.5% to $165 million statewide in December, still 11% better than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Dining, Diversity, DraftKings, Genting, Golden Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Transportation | 2 Comments

Christmas on the Boardwalk; Miller smacks Gray Lady

Posted on December 22, 2022 by David McKee

We begin today with kudos to a non-casino entrepreneur, Bart Blatstein, who has erected a 150-foot Christmas tree in front of the Showboat. It’s said to be the first large-scale tree in Boardwalk history. Thank you, sir. And to get … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Golden Nugget, Indiana, Politics, Problem gambling, West Virginia | 3 Comments

MGM carries Maryland; Steve Wynn, racketeer?

Posted on December 7, 2022 by David McKee

Casino revenues in Maryland continue to trend just a bit favorably, with a 2% increase in November—mostly on the back of one casino—reaching $163.5 million overall. Cordish Cos.’ Maryland Live ceded 2% for a $57 million tally. MGM National Harbor … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Australia, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Cretins, Golden Gaming, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Penn National, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM carries Maryland; Steve Wynn, racketeer?

DraftKings tumbles big-time; Big Gaming bets on red

Posted on November 7, 2022 by David McKee

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” said Walt Disney. For the leadership of DraftKings, “the impossible” would include finding a path to near-term profitability. DKNG reported 3Q22 numbers late last week and J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff called … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Jim Murren, Kansas, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Mattress Mack, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Justice for German; MGM gets some Wall Street love

Posted on September 8, 2022 by David McKee

Clark County Administrator Robert Telles (D) is in custody for the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German in what has all the appearance of a revenge killing. Good work by Las Vegas Metro, despite a set of … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Fontainebleau, Hawaii, Horseracing, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kansas, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Crimes and misdemeanors

Posted on September 6, 2022 by David McKee

Whoever killed reporter Jeff German may not be too terribly smart. Las Vegas Metro released photos of its prime suspect, dressed in “a bright orange reflective long-sleeve shirt, a pair of jeans and a straw hat that covered much of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, International, Kansas, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Crimes and misdemeanors

Vegas insanity; Penn’s bad boy; Lake Mead in peril

Posted on August 22, 2022 by David McKee

Imagine an 8.5-mile Las Vegas Strip. You may not have to because “experts” say “it’s in the cards.” What’s the cause of this crazed optimism? No, it’s not the economy. The prospect of a baseball stadium at Sahara Avenue and … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cambodia, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, CQ Holdings, Economy, Election, Environment, Everi, Failsinos, Golden Nugget, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Nebraska, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, United Kingdom | 3 Comments

Pennsylvania: Parx back on top; Gov’t milks problem gambling

Posted on August 18, 2022 by David McKee

Despite a 12.5% dropoff in revenue from July 2021, Parx Casino outpaced the rest of the Pennsylvania pack last month, booking $51 million in revenue. The only other casino to come close was Wind Creek Bethlehem, riding a 13.5% surge … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Centaur Gaming, China, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tribal | 2 Comments

Maryland weaker, Illinois stronger; Mickelson in denial

Posted on June 7, 2022 by David McKee

Even as playing levels normalize from last year, gambling revenues continue their upward tread. Maryland, for instance, was 4% higher in May than a year ago (and 17.5% above 2019). Had there not been one fewer weekend day than in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DFS, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia, Washington State | 1 Comment

Resorts World sheds a problem; Big Gaming fleeced in N.Y.

Posted on June 3, 2022 by David McKee

With the discreet closure of Tacos El Cabron, splashy Resorts World Las Vegas finds itself down one restaurant—and happy to be so. Evidently in their haste to get everything on line, Resorts World management didn’t fully perform their due diligence … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, China, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New York, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Unite-Here, Virginia | Comments Off on Resorts World sheds a problem; Big Gaming fleeced in N.Y.

DraftKings spins Wall Street; Penn, Golden post records

Posted on May 9, 2022 by David McKee

That widening chasm between DraftKings‘ revenue projections ($2 billion in 2022) and its elusive profitability may be catching up with Jason Robins‘ company. Red ink from 1Q22 was $468 million, way up from 1Q21’s $346 million. Negative ROI shot up … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, California, Canada, Colorado, DraftKings, Golden Gaming, Horseracing, Laughlin, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City continues to rebound; Chicago casinos lose momentum; Mega-Jottings

Posted on April 19, 2022 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos leapt 17% from March 2021, grossing $216.5 million. Except for Tropicana Atlantic City, which was flat at $19 million, almost everyone posted relatively impressive gains. Borgata‘s $55 million (+18%) predictably topped the market, while Hard Rock Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Charity, Chicago, Derek Stevens, Gary Goett, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Technology, West Virginia | Comments Off on Atlantic City continues to rebound; Chicago casinos lose momentum; Mega-Jottings

Back to the beach; Churchill Downs comes under scrutiny

Posted on April 15, 2022 by David McKee

Golden Nugget Atlantic City was packing them in with a ‘george’ promotion. Let our East Coast correspondent tell the tale: “It was extremely busy Sunday afternoon in their atrium for the BMW X-5 giveaway. They called six names and three … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Churchill Downs, Diversity, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Marketing, New Hampshire, New York, Ocean Resort, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 5 Comments

Optimism in Las Vegas; Bluhm bombs in Chicago

Posted on April 5, 2022 by David McKee

On his way home from Black Hawk, Colorado, gaming analyst Barry Jonas of Truist Securities popped into Las Vegas. He met with various and sundry publicly traded companies, even MGM Resorts International, for which he feels little love. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, DraftKings, Economy, Everi, FanDuel, Florida, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, IGT, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, Palms, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off on Optimism in Las Vegas; Bluhm bombs in Chicago

Boardwalk bulletin; George gesture from Apollo

Posted on March 3, 2022 by David McKee

Pressure to end smoking in New Jersey casinos continues to ramp up on legislators. Said former governor Richard Codey (now a state senator), “When I was governor, we passed smoke-free legislation that covered almost all of our state. Restaurants complained … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Conventions, Dan Lee, Dining, Donald Trump, Genting, Golden Nugget, Health, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Virginia | 1 Comment

Wynn steals its own thunder; Atlantic City hits a downer

Posted on February 17, 2022 by David McKee

Leave it to Wynn Resorts to squelch news of a bad 4Q21—losing $256.5 million—with an, oh by the way, announcement that it was selling Encore Boston Harbor for $1.7 billion (essentially breaking even on construction costs) and leasing it back. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Dining, DraftKings, Dubai, Economy, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, PointsBet, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, Texas, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn steals its own thunder; Atlantic City hits a downer

MGM boffo; Establishment freaks out over sports betting

Posted on February 14, 2022 by David McKee

“Viva Las Vegas” was the headline on Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken‘s recap of 4Q21 earnings from MGM Resorts International. Wall Street expected $2.8 billion in revenue and $705 million in cash flow. MGM delivered $3.1 billion and $821 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Why is this man smiling?

Posted on January 3, 2022 by David McKee

Could it be because MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle came justhisclose to being S&G‘s Executive of the Year? Could it be for his vigorous pursuit of diversity within the lion’s house? Might it be for MGM’s very proactive “Convene … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Diversity, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Chicago reveals all; Rumblings from Macao; Riot in Vegas

Posted on November 22, 2021 by David McKee

The City of Chicago unveiled the applications for its casino license late Friday, effectively burying it at the end of a news cycle, in another triumph for Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and her administration. The five submissions “are in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Barstool Sports, Chicago, China, Cretins, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, IGT, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Maryland, Mattress Mack, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, New York, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments

Ida dampens Louisiana’s day; NFL tackles degenerate gambling

Posted on October 22, 2021 by David McKee

September gaming revenues in Louisiana were expected to be diminished by Hurricane Ida and they certainly were, down 23% on a same-store basis. New Orleans had the worst time of it (-48%), Baton Rouge the easiest (-5%). All comparisons are … Continue reading →

Posted in BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Election, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Illinois, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Virginia | 4 Comments