Category Archives: Problem gambling

Next stop, Antrim?!?; Murren drops out of casino arms race

Posted on November 17, 2017 by David McKee

Ever heard of Antrim Township in Pennsylvania? Probably not. But state Rep. Paul Schemel thinks it’s a new gaming hot spot. One of his reasons for advocating Antrim is its proximity to Charles Town, West Virginia. Now this is precisely … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Slot routes, The Strip, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 15, 2017 by David McKee

“That is of absolutely no value to us at all. There is no win in that for us. Our business is built on healthy customers enjoying themselves, their ability to afford it and their ability to return.” — MGM Resorts International … Continue reading →

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Smooth talk in Bridgeport; Sands Bethlehem for sale (again)?

Posted on October 25, 2017 by David McKee

“Sharp dressed, smooth talker” Uri Clinton met with Bridgeport residents in an effort to convince them that MGM Resorts International has their best interests at heart in its pursuit of Bridgeport as a casino site. Perhaps naively, Clinton hopes that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown Grand, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Smooth talk in Bridgeport; Sands Bethlehem for sale (again)?

Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Posted on October 23, 2017 by David McKee

Researchers at the University of Waterloo‘s Gambling Research Lab are trying to wean gamblers off slot machines, or at least create a more-educated player. They’re focusing on “losses disguised as wins” or LDWs. That’s when you wager $2 and “win” $1.50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Mandalay Bay mystery a labyrinth

Posted on October 6, 2017 by David McKee

As the clouds of war gather again over our great country, we’re finally gaining some clarity regarding Mandalay Bay shooter Stephen Paddock. He was that seeming oxymoron: a video poker “whale,” one who didn’t blanch at wagering $100 a spin. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Harrah's, Illinois, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Texas | Comments Off on Mandalay Bay mystery a labyrinth

Hot numbers in August; MGM Cotai postponed

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

Although visitation to Las Vegas was down 2% in August, room revenues and rates were both up 3% (with a hotel room costing you $125/night on average) and occupancy at 91%. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff credited the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McPherson … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Economy, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno | Comments Off on Hot numbers in August; MGM Cotai postponed

New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump

Posted on September 5, 2017 by David McKee

Even as the number of front-running Japanese cities for casino developers shrinks, Yokohama and Tokyo having evidently opted out, there’s a dark-horse developer entering the sweepstakes. Macao junket operator Suncity is pledging $10 billion against the prospect of a Japanese … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off on New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump

Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

Posted on August 21, 2017 by David McKee

“Let’s not kid ourselves: that barge is concrete. It’s not going anywhere.” With those words, Tilman Fertitta launched one of several broadsides at absurd Louisiana regulations on casinos. Not only do Pelican State casinos still have to sit in water, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Foxwoods, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

It seems frivolous to be discussing casinos when the Korean peninsula could go up in radioactive flames at any moment, but we do what we must. While legalizing casinos in Japan was a slow and agonizing process, they could fade … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, GameCO, Genting, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Land of the Sinking Hopes?; MGM hearts McCain

Posted on August 1, 2017 by David McKee

If Japanese casinos must be majority-owned by local companies, that suits Sega Sammy Holdings just fine. The company is challenging the likes of Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts International for one of the initial casino licenses. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off on Land of the Sinking Hopes?; MGM hearts McCain

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 28, 2017 by David McKee

“[Americans] frequently misunderstand the nature of gambling addiction, seeing it as a symptom of moral weakness rather than a medical condition. [It’s why] people with problems are reluctant to get help.” — National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Keith Whyte on … Continue reading →

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Big Brother lives in Japan; Zinke betrays tribes

Posted on June 21, 2017 by David McKee

Imagine that you had to display your Social Security card every time you visited a casino, and have that data recorded and reported. It would kind of put you off gambling, wouldn’t it? Well, it’s an idea being floated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Florida, Japan, Macau, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, South Korea, Tribal | Comments Off on Big Brother lives in Japan; Zinke betrays tribes

Casino shootout in Manila; Twin Rivers shafts employees

Posted on June 5, 2017 by David McKee

“The work of the ISIS is more cruel and brutal.” With those words, Filipino despot Rodrigo Duterte downplayed a Manila casino shooting that was, in its own way, cruel and brutal. Degenerate gambler Jesse Carlos ran amuck in Resorts World … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island | Comments Off on Casino shootout in Manila; Twin Rivers shafts employees

Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David McKee

As Alon fades into the sunset, Resorts World Las Vegas plans to ramp up in serious fashion. Resorts World President Edward Farrell has announced that construction cranes will be up by August at the latest and work will begin in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, South Dakota, The Strip | Comments Off on Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Caesars pages The Hoff; Riviera sign lives again

Posted on May 22, 2017 by David McKee

Enjoy the fountains and shrubbery in front of Caesars Palace while you still can. Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora plans to celebrate the company’s emergence from bankruptcy by monetizing 90 acres of Las Vegas Strip frontage. To be fair to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, history, International, Japan, Marketing, Problem gambling, Riviera, South Korea, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Caesars pages The Hoff; Riviera sign lives again

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Paradise Park approved; Sweeping compromise in Florida

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Paradise Park is finally a “go,” the Wynn Resorts board having given a downsized version of the resort its blessing, Construction of the 20-acre lagoon and accompanying convention center may begin before the year is out, perhaps as early … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kansas, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?

Posted on April 13, 2017 by David McKee

It’ll take a lot more than an extra weekend day to account for a 7% spike in Atlantic City‘s gaming revenue. When you subtract the corpse of Trump Taj Mahal from the body count, the year over year comparison is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Problem gambling, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?

Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again

Posted on April 3, 2017 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports is expected to be legalized in Florida with little fuss. Resolving the casino-gambling impasse — that’s another story. Next week, a committee of the Legislature will try to reconcile two radically different bills. The state Senate one … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Japan, New Hampshire, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again