Category Archives: Racinos

New York: Trump out, Bally’s in; North Carolina Lege flops

Posted on September 9, 2023 by David McKee

New York City will be stuck with failed casino owner Donald Trump‘s name on an overpriced public golf course until 2035 … unless Bally’s Corp. can swing a deal to buy the obstreperous mogul out of his lease with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, Colorado, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Health, history, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Security, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Posted on August 28, 2023 by David McKee

What do to when there’s no news story that simply dominates the headlines? Bust out an extra-large serving of “Jottings,” of course! For instance, Resorts World Las Vegas should turn it around in the latter half of this year, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Cordish Co., ESPN Bet, Genting, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Bellagio sold again; Atlantic City sob story; Trump busted

Posted on August 27, 2023 by David McKee

It’s getting very difficult to tell the players without a scorecard in the game of the REIT-ification of the Las Vegas Strip. Case in point, Bellagio, which now has three owners. There’s MGM Resorts International, which holds a token 5% … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Security, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wall Street: Station soft; DraftKings impresses, Bally’s doesn’t

Posted on August 4, 2023 by David McKee

“If you were surprised you haven’t been paying attention.” So wrote Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli of yesterday’s Station Casinos earnings release. He added, “it should come as no surprise that RRR reported results that were softer than our forecasts,” which were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Conventions, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Michigan, Pennsylvania strong online; Mega-Jottings

Posted on June 23, 2023 by David McKee

Our vacation has taken us to the wilds of Michigan, so today’s report will start there. Detroit‘s three casinos raked in $105 million last month, a 1.5% decline from May of last year. But it was a terrific month for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Racinos, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Pennsylvania soaked; Texas, Cubed; Mega-Jottings

Posted on May 19, 2023 by David McKee

That old gaming-industry equation that more = more is getting tested in Pennsylvania. On a sheer, gross-gaming-revenue basis, last month’s $297.5 million haul was down 4% from last year but up 7% from the ‘old normal,’ 2019. However, when looked … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vici Properties, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Fanatics and freeloaders; Texas fails twice over

Posted on May 15, 2023 by David McKee

In its frenetic effort to gain market share in the U.S., Fanatics has cut a deal with outgoing PointsBet. For the relatively cheap price of $150 million, it is buying the American (but not Canadian) operations of PointsBet, which tells … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Failsinos, FanDuel, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Missouri, New York, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, TV | Comments Off

Macao propels MGM; Ohio sports betting scandal (again)

Posted on May 2, 2023 by David McKee

“Mac-Holy-Cau!” So exclaimed Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas about MGM Resorts International‘s 1Q23 earnings statement. Fueled by better than expected grosses in Macao, MGM beat the Wall Street consensus for first-quarter cash flow by 8%. Cash flow was $1.25 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Jack Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Sands hailed; A’s to Vegas; Coney casino razzed; Mega-Jottings

Posted on April 20, 2023 by David McKee

First-quarter numbers for Las Vegas Sands were “nicely ahead” per J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who said Sands’ Macao casinos were firing on all cylinders (mass-market play, VIP action, slots, retail and lodging). He expected Macanese cash flow of $304 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Bally, Baseball, California, China, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Failsinos, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Maryland dips; Boardwalk bulletin; Biden/BIA overreach

Posted on March 7, 2023 by David McKee

February was moderately unkind to Maryland casinos, which were down 3.5% from last year to reach $157 million. Top-grosser of course was MGM National Harbor, flat at $65.5 million. Reliable runner-up Maryland Live was close behind at $56 million, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Failsinos, Florida, Golden Gaming, Golden Nugget, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Marijuana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Security, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

Caesars hedges on NYC; Buyer’s remorse in Ohio

Posted on February 22, 2023 by David McKee

Although he currently has the frontrunner for a Manhattan casino, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg is waffling a bit. Potentially ceding momentum to deep-pocketed rivals like Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands, Reeg said Caesars wouldn’t get into an “arms … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illitch Family, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

NFL bettors sacked; Strip resort folds; Caesars plan panned

Posted on January 5, 2023 by David McKee

Life at S&G HQ is seriously clouded by the critical illness of a beloved fur baby. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor to gather our thoughts, starting with the consequences for bettors of the life-threatening Damar Hamlin injury on Monday Night Football. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, Failsinos, FanDuel, Florida, Genting, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM: Change partners and dance; 888 TKO’d

Posted on December 2, 2022 by David McKee

It’s Blackstone Group out, Vici Properties in at MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, as Vici exercised its option over the half (OK, 49.9%) that it didn’t already own. Blackstone is $2.8 billion richer as a result, including $700 million in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Florida, Genting, Golden Nugget, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Nebraska, Politics, Puerto Rico, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Vici Properties, Virginia, Wall Street, WInd Creek | Comments Off

Texas casinos pitched; Gaming snubs economy

Posted on November 16, 2022 by David McKee

We’ll shortly see if newly reelected Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) was sincere about being willing to “take a look” at casino gambling in the Lone Star State or if he was stringing Dr. Miriam Adelson along for her money. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Economy, Health, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Texas, Virginia | 1 Comment

Weekend edition

Posted on September 24, 2022 by David McKee

Internet gambling produced more than Detroit‘s casinos did for Michigan last month, $131 million to $104.5 million. Unsurprisingly, BetMGM was dominant with $49 million. Thence came DraftKings ($26.5 million) and FanDuel ($19 million). Smaller fry included BetRivers ($9 million), Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, GLPI, Lake Tahoe, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Tribal, Unite-Here, Vici Properties, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Jottings for the weekend

Posted on September 2, 2022 by David McKee

Aside from the launch of sports betting in Kansas—spearheaded by Hollywood Casino and Kansas Star—it’s been a slow news week. Casino gambling is headed the wrong way in Alabama, where employee-owned GreeneTrack Class II casino was forced to shut down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DraftKings, Florida, history, Kansas, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Nebraska, Penn National, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes | 1 Comment

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

Tidal Wave in Atlantic City; FanDuel hits paydirt

Posted on August 15, 2022 by David McKee

Is Ocean Casino Resort‘s new leadership sweating comps? Our East Coast correspondent tried to score two for a Boz Scaggs concert, couldn’t, but paid anyway. What did he see? “The concert was far from being sold out. Do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, DraftKings, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, Genting, Georgia, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Atlantic City notes; MGM Singapore?; Mega-Jottings

Posted on July 15, 2022 by David McKee

Ocean Casino Resort has unveiled its pricey new sports book and our Atlantic City correspondent deems it nothing short of “spectacular! In the center is a circular bar, surrounded by TV screens. There is a set of steps (and elevator) … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Bally, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illitch Family, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Real Estate, Singapore, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Unite-Here, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

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