Category Archives: Regulation

You can’t fix stupid; Good-bad news on the bayou

We live in an era of “alternative facts” and “false flag” narratives and, boy, are we the worse for it. It was only a matter of time before the gaming industry was on the receiving end of “false facts” and … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Cretins, DFS, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting | 2 Comments

Sibella scandal spreads; Supremes forestall Seminoles

Flinging Resorts World Las Vegas CEO Scott Sibella to the wolves might not have saved Genting Group‘s bacon—and may have inflicted collateral damage on MGM Resorts International. According to the New York Post, the Sibella revelations have upset the once-universal … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Atlantic City rebounds; Sibella dumped; NFL suspicions

Casinos in Atlantic City were up 2% in August, reaching $280 million. Slot winnings were 3% higher, on a commensurate increase in coin-in. The gambling halls weren’t so lucky at the tables, where 5% higher wagering translated into flat win. … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Animals, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Dubai, Fanatics, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Ocean Resort, Palms, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City rebounds; Sibella dumped; NFL suspicions

MGM paralyzed; DraftKings debacle; Mount Airy wins

In a new kind of September 11 attack, MGM Resorts International was felled by a massive cybersecurity breach. From disabling digital room keys to kneecapping credit card systems (forcing transactions to be made in cash), it sent MGM back to … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, China, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, DraftKings, Dubai, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Bally’s opens, Chicago yawns; MGM, tree murderers

Chicago‘s first casino opened to “dozens of people” Saturday. Only dozens? That’s not a good sign for Bally’s Corp. It’ll need to stir up a lot more excitement than that if it’s to make back its nut on $1.7 billion … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, DraftKings, Dubai, Environment, FanDuel, Genting, history, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Raiders, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

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

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

Are you ready?; Lombardo’s lunacy; The wrath of Wynn

For some football, that is. NFL season literally kicks off tonight with the much-hyped Detroit Lions visiting the champion Kansas City Chiefs. But the on-field action threatens to be overshadowed by the off-field brouhaha surrounding sports betting. (Nor is it … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sexual misconduct, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Are you ready?; Lombardo’s lunacy; The wrath of Wynn

Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Big Gaming having gotten into bed with one ultra-despotic regime (Red China), why not go for broke? That’s the impression left by the widely reported news that the United Arab Emirates has rolled out its first-ever General Commercial Gaming Regulatory … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo Management, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cirque du Soleil, Culinary Union, Dining, Dubai, Health, International, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chips

Fueled by a record July at Reid International Airport, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip surged 8% in July, hitting $835 million. This was the highest single-month haul on the Strip ever, surpassing December 2022 by $20 million. Slot win … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Downtown, Genting, history, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, North Las Vegas, Politics, Regulation, Reno, The Strip, Tribal, Wendover | Comments Off on Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chips

Mega-Jottings for a Monday

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 on Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Bellagio sold again; Atlantic City sob story; Trump busted

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

Portnoy, Penn splitsville; Full House fire sale?

Like bad sex, the connubial bliss between Penn Entertainment and Barstool Sports ended abruptly. Cretinous Dave Portnoy becomes someone else’s problem child following the second-quarter-earnings revelation that Barstool was being sold back to its founder, jilted in favor of much … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, Colorado, Connecticut, Cretins, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Health, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Portnoy, Penn splitsville; Full House fire sale?

Afterglow at Caesars; Trouble at Resorts World; Gridiron goof

Although Las Vegas numbers from Caesars Entertainment were modestly down in 2Q23, as people visit Sin City more but gamble less, analysts were largely pleased with the results. Why not? A robust, $64 million improvement in the digital sphere of … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Conventions, DraftKings, Georgia, Internet gambling, Iowa, Law enforcement, Mississippi, Nebraska, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Ohio up; Golden struggles; Bay State blunders

Continued strength in casinos was shown by Ohio, which posted $193.5 million in gambling revenue in June. That’s 2% higher than already-strong last year and a whopping 20% over 2o19, which was none too shabby either. Hollywood Columbus came out … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Jack Entertainment, Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, United Kingdom, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio up; Golden struggles; Bay State blunders

Michigan hops, Bally’s flops and Stitt’s in hot water

Detroit casinos continue to be outperformed by their Internet rivals. Last month saw $151 million in online gambling revenue against $102 million from terrestrial, private-sector casinos. Sports betting chipped in $18 million. Revenue for the three Motown casinos was up … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Movies, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Michigan hops, Bally’s flops and Stitt’s in hot water

Walk of Shame; F-blue aflame; More Stitt stupidity

Shame on the District of Columbia. Its embattled leadership has yanked away $200,000 in funding for treatment of disordered gambling. You’d think that would be a priority item for a city whose government is partly funded by sports betting … … Continue reading

Posted in Cretins, Fontainebleau, Health, International, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Walk of Shame; F-blue aflame; More Stitt stupidity

F-blue, Rio approved; Indiana down again; Biden smoked

Fontainebleau owner Jeffrey Soffer and top exec Brett Mufson are certain to be approved after their audition for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. And why not? Aside from an ancient tax issue involving the Town Square mall, there’s nothing untoward … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, DraftKings, Entertainment, Environment, FanDuel, Fontainebleau, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, New York, North Carolina, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Rio, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Missouri buoyant; Caesars sees no evil; Saudis denied

Gambling revenues lifted Missouri‘s riverboats 2% last month, reaching $155 million. Actual visitor spend was flat but 2% more people visited casinos, which is a more-than-acceptable tradeoff. Despite a 1% dip, Ameristar St. Charles (above) was the state leader, grossing … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Kansas, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Marketing, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, PointsBet, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Missouri buoyant; Caesars sees no evil; Saudis denied

Bellagio bargain?; Shame on Maine; Trump seen slumming

Yup, it’s true. Blackstone Group is shopping the real estate assets of Bellagio as it draws down its Las Vegas Strip exposure. At least one Wall Street analyst thinks this would send a signal to the REIT industry that Strip … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Donald Trump, Entertainment, history, Law enforcement, Maine, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Rio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Bellagio bargain?; Shame on Maine; Trump seen slumming

Big Gaming gets its chain yanked, not always unfairly

We apologize for the dearth of hard news lately. Compounding a two-week vacation with the Fourth of July holiday hasn’t been good for keeping you, dear reader, in the loop. This week in particular has been so slow it’s practically … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Florida, G2E, Golden Gaming, Health, history, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Vermont | Comments Off on Big Gaming gets its chain yanked, not always unfairly