Category Archives: Racinos

GLPI gets a racino; Reckless casino rhetoric

Posted on December 16, 2015 by David McKee

After over a year of litigation, Gaming & Leisure Properties has come to terms with Cannery Casino Resorts over the sale of Meadows Racetrack, near Pittsburgh. (Next step for GLPI, find an operator. Penn National Gaming? Pinnacle Entertainment?) Considering that … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Dining, Election, GLPI, Harrah's, Maryland, Movies, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

‘Jubilee’ axed; DFS banned and reprieved

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was probably a mercy to Ffolliott “Fluff” LeCoque that the Las Vegas showbiz legend died two days before Caesars Entertainment buried a dagger in the heart of Jubilee. LeCoque had been part of the original cast and went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Wynn’s big buy; DFS in retreat

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is $63,800,000 lighter in the wallet this morning, after purchasing one million shares of Wynn Resorts on the open market over the last three days. This brings his total stake in the company to slightly more than 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Wynn’s big buy; DFS in retreat

Indiana: Visiting less, spending more

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David McKee

That’s the verdict of Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, who reports that foot traffic at Indiana casinos was 11% down last month, implying a 7% spending increase. If free play is counted, casino revenues fell 5%, with the southern tier … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Ohio: Caesars effects a turnaround; Heightened scrutiny for MGM Springfield

Posted on December 7, 2015 by David McKee

Although it’s got one foot out the door in Ohio, the management half of Rock Gaming Caesars, i.e.,  Caesars Entertainment, is starting to shore up the recent decline of its casinos in the Buckeye State. Horseshoe Cincinnati and Horseshoe Cleveland … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island | Comments Off on Ohio: Caesars effects a turnaround; Heightened scrutiny for MGM Springfield

Penn charms Wall Street

Posted on December 3, 2015 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff recently sat down with Penn National Gaming COO Jay Snowden and, of course, the big topic of conversation was Plainridge Park. Penn doesn’t see Wynn Everett — when it opens in 2018 — as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Illinois, M Resort, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | 1 Comment

The ubiquitous Packer; The 27% solution

Posted on December 2, 2015 by David McKee

James Packer has already missed his 2015 deadline for breaking ground on Alon and once again he is taking his eye off the Las Vegas ball. He and his Nobu co-investor, Robert DeNiro, have cut a deal with Antigua and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Full House Resorts, International, James Packer, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on The ubiquitous Packer; The 27% solution

Resolution at Revel; MGM turns up the heat on Connecticut

Posted on November 27, 2015 by David McKee

Our long Revel nightmare is at least partially over, now that Glenn Straub has a deal in place to buy the disputed ACR Energy Partners power plant. While ACR pays $15 million to placate bondholders, Straub gets the plant for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Revel, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Big month for Maryland; Much ado about Dotty’s

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Developers of MGM National Harbor have to like what they saw when Maryland busted out its October revenue numbers: 9% growth (to $95 million), with all five casinos in the plus column. Horseshoe Baltimore General Manager Chad Barnhill is defecting … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Dotty's, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

Caesars exiting Ohio with head held high; New Showboat setback

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment may have gotten the boot from its three managerial arrangements with Dan Gilbert in Ohio but it’s spending the waning weeks of its tenure putting up impressive numbers. Horseshoe Cleveland ($18 million) was up 4% and Horseshoe Cincinnati … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Caesars exiting Ohio with head held high; New Showboat setback

Hoosier stasis; Last-minute scramble in Connecticut

Posted on November 9, 2015 by David McKee

Gaming revenues in Indiana were even with 2014 last month, as Hoosier State casinos pulled in $186 million. Foot traffic was down 9% and per-player spend rose 11%. So you’ve got fewer but bigger-spending gamblers: Is that a good thing or not? … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos | Comments Off on Hoosier stasis; Last-minute scramble in Connecticut

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2015 by David McKee

“We will show some love to the clown.” — Eldorado Resorts‘ CEO Gary Carano, promising to bring the Reno iteration of Circus Circus into the 21st century. Eldorado will also rebrand and add a Hampton Inn to its Scioto Downs … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Eldorado Resorts, Ohio, Racinos, Reno | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Seminole resolution in sight?; Murren called on the carpet

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is pursuing a two-track policy in the court of public opinion. On the one hand, it has announced “significant progress” in its talks with lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott (R, left). On the other hand, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole resolution in sight?; Murren called on the carpet

Texas lottery gives guv Grief; The Incredible Shrinking Casino

Posted on October 23, 2015 by David McKee

Those cowpokes who run the Texas Lottery Commission have gotten a bit off the ranch. Of a proverbial fact-finding mission to the Delaware lottery, Executive Director Gary Grief said, “We were particularly interested to learn about your sports betting, Internet wagering … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off on Texas lottery gives guv Grief; The Incredible Shrinking Casino

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 19, 2015 by David McKee

“It’s a shot in the arm. But it’s not the silver bullet that’s going to solve our financial woes.” — Binghamton Mayor Richard David, whose city ranked dead last in civic optimism, on the selection of nearby Tioga Downs for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, New York, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh has Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio “baffled” with his schizoid approach to the hotel-casino. After having an apparently conciliatory meeting with Walsh, DeSalvio was bushwhacked by a McCheese-launched lawsuit to halt construction on Wynn Everett. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Racinos, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Posted on October 7, 2015 by David McKee

Casino and racino revenues in Ohio were up nicely last month, +6.5%. We’re still at least a month away from having a full set of year/year comparisons but Gov. John Kasich‘s decision to supersize a four-casinos-only constitutional amendment into four casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Gambling junkies in Illinois; New thinking in China

Posted on September 28, 2015 by David McKee

Despite having added slot routes to the state’s gambling repertory, gaming-tax revenues are down 6% in Illinois. This occurred despite the continuing addition of slot routes. However, some gambling-tax junkies continue to deny the obvious proof of a saturated market. “I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Illinois, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on Gambling junkies in Illinois; New thinking in China

Asia, land of opportunity

Posted on September 17, 2015 by David McKee

Asia “can comfortably absorb” the 30 new casinos that are slated to open between now and 2020, says a CLSA Ltd. report. The region is trending toward the bigger-is-better approach, as many of the new casinos are megaresorts that could … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, South Korea, Tribal, Vietnam | Comments Off on Asia, land of opportunity