Category Archives: Racinos

Last-minute scramble in New York

Posted on April 22, 2014 by David McKee

Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen (below) must be the optimistic politician alive. She’s not only OK with Saratoga Raceway & Casino taking its expansion plans elsewhere, she actually gave it her blessing, boasting of her city’s “thriving downtown, successful city center, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, New York, Racinos | 1 Comment

Look out, Macao, here comes Crimea

Posted on April 21, 2014 by David McKee

That’s the message from Crimea‘s puppet leader, Rustam Temirgaliyev, who claims that Crimea could outdo Monaco, Las Vegas and even Macao. (It is not recorded whether anyone laughed at his assertion.) “Our task is to create a tourist cluster, which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Much ado about Massachusetts

Posted on April 18, 2014 by David McKee

Stephen Crosby, phlegmatic chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, makes a very unlikely looking lightning rod. But such he has become. He’s already drawn the wrath of Gary Loveman and now Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh wants Crosby to recuse … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Much ado about Massachusetts

Self-delusion in Illinois; Grave-robbing at Penn project

Posted on April 16, 2014 by David McKee

That’s a nice pair of rose-colored glasses that state Rep. Robert Rita (D) must be wearing. He says a 10,000-position Chicago megaresort will “capture the revenue in the Chicago market without creating the cannibalization and oversaturation.” In case he hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Illinois, Internet gambling, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Tribal | Comments Off on Self-delusion in Illinois; Grave-robbing at Penn project

Progress and caution

Posted on April 11, 2014 by David McKee

International Game Technology made history yesterday when it unrolled its Powerbucks interstate, progressive jackpot. Under this technological umbrella, IGT games at 22 Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas can be connected with those at five casinos in Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, IGT, Iowa, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2014 by David McKee

“If we believe so much in the humane treatment of animals, why don’t we realize this industry is dead?” — state Rep. Tom Lee (R) of Florida, on the continuation of greyhound racing in his state.

Posted in Animals, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Belaboring the obvious; Ohio’s growing pains

Posted on April 8, 2014 by David McKee

What is being hailed as a major breakthrough in problem-gambling treatment rests upon some observations that don’t seem to be particularly novel. Disordered gambling is being blamed on the insula area of the brain, crucial to forming emotions. So far, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dining, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on Belaboring the obvious; Ohio’s growing pains

Tribal power; A new contender in Japan

Posted on April 8, 2014 by David McKee

Talking Stick Resort may have only 752 slot machines and 51 blackjack tables but it’s powered an economic bonanza in the Scottsdale, Arizona desert. It’s the focal point of two baseball spring-training facilities (Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies), a 36-hole … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, CityCenter, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nebraska, Racinos, Tribal | Comments Off on Tribal power; A new contender in Japan

East Coast Case Bets

Posted on April 8, 2014 by David McKee

Although talks have been conducted in deep secrecy, a few details of Seminole Tribe compact negotiations have been vouchsafed the public. The tribe is telling the state “don’t push us on this,” reminding it that the Bureau of Indian Affairs … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

New York: It’s getting crowded; Gold at sea

Posted on April 7, 2014 by David McKee

Add another casino project to the hotly contested Southern Tier. Former (unsuccessful) Reno casino operators Ally and Amin Visram have unveiled Binghamton Casino, which from the outside looks more like a monastery than a casino. Hey, anything’s better than a big … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, New York, Racinos, Reno | Comments Off on New York: It’s getting crowded; Gold at sea

Case Bets

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

In a risky play, the Missouri Senate voted upon and passed to the General Assembly a bill that would boost Show-Me State casinos’ ability to extend credit. Mind you, all the risk is on the casino. It could lend as … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Economy, Genting, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Case Bets

Massachusetts: Hurry up and wait

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

That’s the message from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which has pushed its decision on the Everett and Revere casino proposals into August, to humor Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The MGC will hold a May 1 meeting on Walsh’s attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 1 Comment

Saratoga screw-up

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

In its haste to make a statement on gambling, Saratoga Springs may have cut the legs right out from under Saratoga Casino & Raceway. Rules for application, released yesterday, say that “a prospective casino operator must have a resolution of … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, New York, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Saratoga screw-up

Upside down at Cosmo; Casino beggars; Tribal casinos set new record

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

If a 3% ROI is your idea of a good return on a casino, have we got the place for you: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It continues to narrow losses and improved gambling revenues 25%. Last year, the Cosmo’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Delaware, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Kansas, Macau, New York, Oklahoma, Racinos, Singapore, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Massacre in Maine; South Korea, land of opportunity?

Posted on March 20, 2014 by David McKee

Six gambling-expansion bills were mowed down in Maine‘s state Senate last night. Three of the quashed proposals would have provided some form of Native American gambling.  (A fourth would have allowed racinos to go from 3,000 slots to 4,500.) Pleasant … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Harrah's, International, Maine, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Massacre in Maine; South Korea, land of opportunity?

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 19, 2014 by David McKee

“It’s not good public policy in the first place to be bailing out failing businesses. We’re not seeing any detail to show that this money is actually going to save jobs or create jobs. Is this just going to go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Horseracing, Politics, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 17, 2014 by David McKee

“My candid answer is nobody knows what will happen except God and he hasn’t told me.” — state Rep. Robert Elliott (R), on the future of wannabe racino Rockingham Park, in New Hampshire.

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, New Hampshire, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: ‘Net-bet wrangle; Showdown on Fremont Street; New England update

Posted on March 17, 2014 by David McKee

Get your tickets now for next week’s  iGaming North America 2014 conference, to be held at Planet Hollywood. The thought of a keynote speech by Ultimate Poker‘s Tom Breitling doesn’t get our pulses racing — but one of the marquee events … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Maine, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Transportation | 1 Comment

Mega-casino proposed for Chicago; REIT-mania continues

Posted on March 14, 2014 by David McKee

Visualize Foxwoods Resort Casino. Now plunk it down in the middle of Chicago. That’s essentially what state Rep. Robert Rita (D) proposes to do, pitching a 4,000-10,000-position casino for the Windy City. He also would have the State of Illinois … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Florida, Illinois, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Mega-casino proposed for Chicago; REIT-mania continues

New York’s challenge; History repeats itself as farce

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

Wasting no time, the New York State Gaming Commission appointed three experienced public servants to the Resort Gaming Facility Location Board and gave them a June deadline to accept bids. That’s light speed compared to Massachusetts. It also overshadowed something … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, International, New Hampshire, New York, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wisconsin | Comments Off on New York’s challenge; History repeats itself as farce