Category Archives: Racinos

Freeman gets Christmas wish; Florida lawmakers: Let’s make a deal

Posted on December 30, 2016 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman could hardly have asked for a better present, all wrapped in a big, dollar-bill bow: The IRS has abandoned a set of proposed casino-reporting “reforms” that would have been intrusive, onerous and costly. (Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Ohio‘s four main casinos performed weakly last month, with Dan Gilbert‘s Jack Cleveland ($16 million, -4%) and Jack Cincinnati ($15 million, -7%) still not validating their new brand. Ironically, the once-superfluous Thistledown Racino is saving Jack’s bacon, up 13% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off on Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Macao: Big brother is watching; Quandary in Indiana

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Just as it looked that Macao was beginning to climb out of one government-created crisis, along comes another. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the central government was cutting the maximum withdrawal amount from UnionPay ATMs … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Macao: Big brother is watching; Quandary in Indiana

Pennsylvania gets a second look; Tioga Downs debuts new casino

Posted on December 6, 2016 by David McKee

Funny that we should have been discussing Pennsylvania yesterday. Fitch Ratings analyst Alex Bumazhny made a field trip to Philadelphia and Bethlehem, and came away impressed by the $164 million expansion of SugarHouse. He concluded that its new features, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Reboot for Wynn Palace; Does Trump still heart sports betting?

Posted on November 30, 2016 by David McKee

Gaming analysts confirm reports of a slow opening at Wynn Palace in Macao, likening its performance to that of the early days of Studio City — not the sort of comparison Wynn Resorts probably wanted to hear. Room rates have … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Florida: Scott loses, big time; Coup d’etat in Atlantic City

Posted on November 11, 2016 by David McKee

Fourteen more years. That’s how long the Seminole Tribe can have exclusive rights to blackjack in Florida, thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. It’s a huge win for the Seminoles and not entirely unforeseen, given how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Florida: Scott loses, big time; Coup d’etat in Atlantic City

Mixed bag in Indiana; Don’t mess with Massachusetts

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend day in October helped depress casino revenues in Indiana, down 3%. However, individual property results were all over the place, making generalizations perilous. For instance, Majestic Star II in Gary was down 9%, to $5 million, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Election, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Mixed bag in Indiana; Don’t mess with Massachusetts

Riviera: Now they tell us!; Paddy Power’s bad electoral bet

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

Turns out there was more contaminated soil at the Riviera site than originally estimated … 23 times more. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, what was originally estimated to be 430 tons of toxic dirt turned out to be 9,980. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Movies, Racinos, Riviera, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Riviera: Now they tell us!; Paddy Power’s bad electoral bet

The day after

Posted on November 9, 2016 by David McKee

This morning’s biggest winners are not politicians or pundits (certainly not the pollsters) but the punters who laid their money on a Donald Trump victory when sites like Betfair had him as a one-in-five underdog or worse. Their wallets are … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Jacked around in Ohio; Wrong about Trump

Posted on November 8, 2016 by David McKee

At this point, we don’t know jack about Dan Gilbert‘s new “Jack” casino brand. In September, it appeared to be gaining traction with players. Then the bottom fell out. Jack Cleveland‘s $15 million take was a 14% fall while Jack … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Jacked around in Ohio; Wrong about Trump

Hollywood Jamul opens; Hutchinson opposes Arkansas casinos

Posted on October 13, 2016 by David McKee

While the eyes of the industry were focused on the closing of Trump Taj Mahal, there was another long-awaited event on Monday: the opening of Hollywood Casino Jamul, near San Diego. Combine in-progress road construction with a new casino and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Dining, Election, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, New York, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Indiana does well, Missouri does better

Posted on October 11, 2016 by David McKee

Foot traffic at Indiana casinos was down last month but players wagered more freely, 4.5% up from last year, leading to an almost 2% increase in casino revenues. Penn National Gaming was right in line with overall state performance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Indiana does well, Missouri does better

Ohio: Gilbert to have the last laugh?

Posted on October 7, 2016 by David McKee

It looks like Dan Gilbert is gaining traction with his “Jack” brand (soon to be slathered over Greektown Casino in Gilbert’s native Detroit). Although Jack Cincinnati was flat ($15 million), its counterparts in Cleveland ($17 million) and at ThistleDown Racino … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos | 1 Comment

Pittsburgh pleads with Rivers Casino; Strong numbers from Maryland, Illinois

Posted on October 7, 2016 by David McKee

Pittsburgh is essentially saying “Pretty please” to Rush Street Gaming‘s Rivers Casino, begging the latter to keep voluntarily paying $10 million a year to the city, even though Rush Street is no longer under any legal obligation to do so. Pittsburgh Finance … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 6 Comments

Florida grilled over blackjack games; Caesars’ lucky streak continues

Posted on October 7, 2016 by David McKee

Things are looking grim for Florida Gov. Rick Scott‘s case against the Seminole Tribe. An attorney for the state was described as getting “shellacked” by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. The latter zeroed in on the state’s “designated player games” … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Philippines, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Florida grilled over blackjack games; Caesars’ lucky streak continues

What is “good faith”?; Landslide shaping up in New Jersey

Posted on October 5, 2016 by David McKee

Who broke the compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe? That question is at the nub of a bench trial over the Seminoles’ disputed blackjack games. A win for Gov. Rick Scott (R) could be Pyrrhic, costing … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nevada, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off on What is “good faith”?; Landslide shaping up in New Jersey

Arkansas casino proposal hotly contested; Straub gains support

Posted on September 19, 2016 by David McKee

Although a ballot initiative to legalize casinos in three Arkansas counties could draw some gambling dollars away from Oklahoma, that hasn’t stopped a Sooner State tribe from supporting it. Cherokee Nation Businesses has ponied up $400,000 to support the ballot … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tribal | Comments Off on Arkansas casino proposal hotly contested; Straub gains support

Analysts not sold yet on Macao recovery; Soggy month for Louisiana

Posted on September 16, 2016 by David McKee

They came, they saw, they were unconvinced. “The re-affirmation that mass is improving was pronounced,” reported Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, adding that projections were all over the place. “We get the sense that expectations remain low with respect to … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Analysts not sold yet on Macao recovery; Soggy month for Louisiana

Caesars dips toe in skill-based slots; MGM National Harbor snares Dylan

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment is going on the road, as it were, to test-drive its first foray into skill-based slots. It’s going to install six Gamblit Gaming slot carousels at Harrah’s Rincon, with 36 slated for Las Vegas deployment next year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Hooters, IGT, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV, West Virginia, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 2 Comments