Category Archives: Regulation

Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

We’re far from knowing the full ramifications of widespread sports cancellations and postponements upon the gaming industry. However, the impact upon sports betting looks to be deep and dire. Last March, Nevada casinos saw $499 million in handle and $39.5 … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Philippines, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

Emergency in Rhode Island; Kaos by any other name

Twin River Holdings just got some bad news. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) proclaimed a state of emergency, after four citizens contracted coronavirus. “This is real. This is here. We expect more cases,” said Raimondo. While governments in the … Continue reading

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Health, International, Palms, Regulation, Rhode Island, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Emergency in Rhode Island; Kaos by any other name

Caudill casinos recovering; Slick Rick strikes again

It now appears that Terry Caudill‘s two casinos were the victim of a “ransomware” hack that crippled the slot floor, among other debilities. It wrecked last weekend’s business and “scattered outages” were still seen as of Monday. The Nevada Gaming … Continue reading

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, Economy, Health, Illinois, International, Japan, Maverick Gaming, Nevada, Oregon, Penn National, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | 1 Comment

Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Neil Bluhm doesn’t have an office in Massachusetts. Nor any employees. But Rush Street Gaming‘s Bay State affiliate spent the second-highest amount on lobbying last year. That’d be 662 dimes lavished on the pursuit of the state’s elusive, final casino … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Health, history, Lotteries, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Resorts World LV, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Macao sucks; Massachusetts tribe rebuffed … again

Macao was a ghost town last month, with hotel occupancy an anemic 12%. Gaming analysts, in addition to writing off 1Q20, are predicting a 50% declivity in the second quarter, with recovery not taking hold until October. Casino companies, meanwhile, … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Palms, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Macao sucks; Massachusetts tribe rebuffed … again

Ghost in the (slot) machine; The “evil genius” of resort fees

Electrical troubles are bedeviling Downtown casinos. All the slot machines at the Four Queens and Binion’s Gambling Hall were idled by a mechanical snafu last week. Table games remained operational, as did selected video-poker machines. Terry Caudill clammed up when … Continue reading

Posted in Conventions, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Downtown, IGT, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Regulation, Resort fees, Technology, Terry Caudill, Virgin Hotels, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Caution at Churchill Downs doesn’t impress Wall Street

Churchill Downs‘ stock reacted adversely to a cautious 4Q19 revenue report, as investors worried about the impact of coronavirus on the running of the Kentucky Derby, slated for May 2. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, although one of those staying … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Dining, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Money laundering, Regulation, Resort fees, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off on Caution at Churchill Downs doesn’t impress Wall Street

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

In what can be viewed either as a victory for democracy or simply passing the buck, Massachusetts regulators opened the door to public comments on whether to approve a casino for the southeastern corner of the Bay State. The Massachusetts … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Vietnam, Washington State | Comments Off on Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

Politics as unusual; Macao stocks ailing

A pro-casino group in Pope County, Arkansas, may have committed an electoral no-no. Pope County Majority is accused of making in-kind contributions to two candidates and of making political endorsements, in effect becoming a PAC. PCM, which is trying to … Continue reading

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Election, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Politics as unusual; Macao stocks ailing

Wind of change; Packer “like a car crash”

There’s change in the breeze at Wind Creek Bethlehem. Former general manager Brian Carr “is leaving the organization,” replaced by Kathy McCracken, a longtime veteran of the property, which has underperformed since the Poarch Bank of Creek Indians took ownership. Not coincidentally, … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, James Packer, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Technology, The Mob, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

More Stitt double talk; Tribes try again for Maine casinos

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) continues to bake over $130 million/year in tribal-casino exclusivity fees into his next two budgets, despite A) contending that the state’s Native American casinos are operating illegally and B) raiding those exclusivity fees to pay … Continue reading

Posted in Cambodia, China, Churchill Downs, Economy, Internet gambling, Maine, Oklahoma, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on More Stitt double talk; Tribes try again for Maine casinos

Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

There used to be a saying that Nevada was at the top of all the bad lists and the bottom of all the good ones. How do you feel about this one? WalletHub has ranked Nevada as the “most sinful” … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

According to the Boston Globe, a “sense of reality” in sinking in at Encore Boston Harbor that it has to appeal to somebody besides high-income demographics. “This shift was evident recently when a bright-red taco truck appeared on the gambling … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Canada, Dining, Georgia, Illinois, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

Mutiny at MGM?; The art of the presidential deal

Global Gaming Business sources say MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren “was forced out by activist investors who had gathered enough support from institutional investors for his ouster.” The reason is not clear, as Murren had been doing everything possible … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Election special

Such is the Culinary Union‘s clout that Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D, left), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Susie Lee (D) will also be casting their caucus ballots at Culinary-sponsored events, staggered across today through Tuesday. On Wednesday, … Continue reading

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM’s past distinguished, future cloudy; Broken Winds

Yesterday, while noting MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren‘s impending departure, we were remiss in noting some of his accomplishments. On Murren’s 2008-20 watch, the company became synonymous with diversity, environmentalism, LEED certification and community outreach. With becoming modesty, Murren … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Dining, Diversity, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Foxwoods, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Marijuana, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Slick Rick cries foul; Re-enter the (former) Dragon

Everybody’s favorite rogue gaming operator, Rick Heidner, is suing the Illinois Gaming Board for an alleged data breach. Heidner charges that “their personal and sensitive financial information was intentionally and illegally leaked by an IGB employee … resulting in significant financial … Continue reading

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Downtown, Election, Health, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Nevada, Regulation, Scientific Games, Transportation | Comments Off on Slick Rick cries foul; Re-enter the (former) Dragon

DFS dealt major setback; Mills is grist

Daily fantasy sports was dealt a major setback when a New York State court ruled it unlawful. It was deemed that the Lege had exceeded its remit by classifying DFS as a game of skill, not of chance. New York … Continue reading

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, Diversity, DraftKings, FanDuel, Foxwoods, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Maine, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology | Comments Off on DFS dealt major setback; Mills is grist