Category Archives: Problem gambling

End-of-Year Case Bets

Posted on December 30, 2019 by David McKee

In a retrospective mood, the American Gaming Association has chosen the top eight gaming stories of the past year, ranked here in descending order. They are: The Caesars Entertainment takeover by Eldorado Resorts. ‘Nuff said. Allegations that Encore Boston Harbor is … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Greed is good (Not!); Miller looks back on 2019

Posted on December 19, 2019 by David McKee

Most gaming CEOs are wearing hair shirts and taking vows of poverty compared to bet365 CEO Denise Coates, the new poster girl of greed. She awarded herself $422 million in compensation (no, that’s not a typo). In 2015-6 Coates scraped … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, China, Cosmopolitan, Dining, International, Macau, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Greed is good (Not!); Miller looks back on 2019

Wynn writes $20M check; Japan wants your winnings

Posted on December 3, 2019 by David McKee

Settlement of a shareholder lawsuit against Wynn Resorts will be covered in large part by Steve Wynn himself, paying $20 million, with insurers chipping in $21 million. The suit accused the Wynn Resorts board of directors of complicity in Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economy, Environment, Japan, Macau, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn writes $20M check; Japan wants your winnings

Norment’s Torment; New hope for Cal-Neva

Posted on December 2, 2019 by David McKee

Virginia state Sen. Tommy Norment (R) hasn’t been paying attention to the performance of MGM National Harbor. Placing a resort casino in northern Virginia would be, he says, “complete folly.” Instead, Old Virginny will have to put its hopes on … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Dubai, Economy, history, Horseracing, International, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Small thinking big in Oklahoma; Smoke gets in their lungs

Posted on November 27, 2019 by David McKee

In Oklahoma, Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small went to the mat for Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), backing Stitt’s demand for higher—much higher—exclusivity fees. To his credit, Stitt has put sports betting on the table as an incentive. Small … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Connecticut, Environment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Nevada, Oklahoma, Palms, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on Small thinking big in Oklahoma; Smoke gets in their lungs

Desert Diamond sets debut; Paddock’s grim legacy

Posted on November 20, 2019 by David McKee

Controversial Desert Diamond Casino will finally open on Feb. 19, superseding a “big box” temporary casino on the same site. Pride and joy of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond was the bane of Gov. Doug Doucey‘s existence, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Canada, Dining, Florida, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New York, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Desert Diamond sets debut; Paddock’s grim legacy

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 18, 2019 by David McKee

“Our customers are worried about gambling ads on TV – and we understand their concerns. That’s why we’ve committed to limiting the amount of gambling ads on Sky and better protecting those vulnerable to problem gambling.” — Sky UK CEO Steven … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Marketing, Problem gambling, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 13, 2019 by David McKee

“There’s also an argument to be made that in a state with such high poverty rates—almost half the state’s residents are on Medicaid and one in four is on food stamps—it’s unconscionable to offer folks yet another avenue to lose … Continue reading →

Posted in New Mexico, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Massachusetts: No more casinos; Gilbert sells again

Posted on October 29, 2019 by David McKee

Citing an obvious saturation (already) in the Massachusetts market and the possibility of a tribal casino in Taunton or on Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission punted the award of the state’s final casino license into the indefinite future. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Genting, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off on Massachusetts: No more casinos; Gilbert sells again

State of 888

Posted on October 25, 2019 by David McKee

Recently we sat down with Yaniv Sherman, senior vice president for business development at 888.com. The following are some outtakes from our conversation. How is your sponsorship of the New York Jets doing and will we see similar partnerships in … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, New York, Problem gambling, Sports, Sports betting, TV | Comments Off on State of 888

Bad news all around

Posted on October 9, 2019 by David McKee

Oyo, owner of the former Hooters Casino Hotel, is trying to get out of debt by … incurring more debt. The company raised $2 billion in debt last summer, including a $700 million infusion from company founder Ritesh Agarwal. Oyo’s strategy … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Colorado, Hooters, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off on Bad news all around

Caesars: What sauce!; Macao underwhelms

Posted on October 8, 2019 by David McKee

With more than a bit of nerve, Caesars Entertainment is jacking up resort fees again. Caesars Palace and Nobu Hotel will have $51.01 in levies (the highest on the Las Vegas Strip, I think; is this a status thing?), while … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, China, Economy, Macau, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Resort fees, the bane of customers to Las Vegas, are inspiring some congressional action. Lawmakers Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R) are collaborating on a bill that would outlaw resort fees (it’s the Hotel Advertising Transparency … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Resort fees, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

NCAA meddling again; Slots struggle in Massachusetts

Posted on September 23, 2019 by David McKee

After the Supreme Court threw out the Bradley Act, there were a few grumbles on Capitol Hill about federal regulation of sports betting. However, American Gaming Association President Bill Miller, in his capacity as gaming’s premier lobbyist, took the temperature … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Hard Rock International, IGT, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on NCAA meddling again; Slots struggle in Massachusetts

Like a Virgin: Mohegan Sun comes to Vegas

Posted on September 17, 2019 by David McKee

It’s official: Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will be the casino manager of Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. “Aligning the MGE brand with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas extends our growing reach into yet another legendary global entertainment capital. Together with Virgin Hotels, experience seekers all … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, International, Mohegan Sun, Problem gambling, Security, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Heard along the Strip

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

Circus Circus, the casino Jim Murren said he would never, ever sell (because his kids liked it so much) is reported to be on the auction block. The Murren kids are grown and MGM Resorts International has never formulated a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Eldorado Resorts, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Twin tragedies in California; Upgrades at Borgata

Posted on September 11, 2019 by David McKee

Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day (and of the innumerable politicians who try to shake me down for money, only Rep. Ilhan Omar [D] had the stones to raise the taboo topic.) As though to underline the issue, this week was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Tribal | 3 Comments

Sports betting vexed in Massachusetts; Start spreading the news, they’re leaving today—and how!

Posted on August 30, 2019 by David McKee

Don’t expect sports betting in Massachusetts: Not now, maybe never. Why? Two words: Rhode Island. That state counted on $23 million in tax revenue from sports wagers—a ludicrous figure—and got $2 million. Bay State lawmakers are not only sobered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Connecticut, Economy, Environment, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Sports betting vexed in Massachusetts; Start spreading the news, they’re leaving today—and how!

Rowdy night in Boston; Stitt’s standoff

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

All hell broke loose at Encore Boston Harbor in the wee hours of Monday morning. The first brawl broke out as nightclub patrons were leaving Mémoire. It was so bad that police had to call in backup. According to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

China is calling for the Philippines to crack down on its gambling industry, which Beijing considers a lawless enterprise, rife with human trafficking and worse. “It said citizens’ rights were being violated and dozens were kidnapped, tortured and physically abused … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Florida, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest