Category Archives: Regulation

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore cleared of cheating charge; Linq goes green

Posted on July 19, 2019 by David McKee

Score one for Encore Boston Harbor. Its slot-payout and blackjack rules were upheld by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. That’s a win for 6:5 blackjack and a loss for players. “There exists a ‘6 to 5 blackjack variation,’ which is a particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Massachusetts, Regulation, Scientific Games, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Trouble in paradise; Hard Rock comeback

Posted on July 18, 2019 by David McKee

As faithful S&G readers know, we’re coming up on the re-tender of the six casino concessions in Macao. One of the enclave’s most prominent junket operators, Suncity, had hoped to oust an existing concessionaire and take over its casinos. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Diversity, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, New Jersey, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, The Crown 18 | 1 Comment

Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

Chicago‘s permanent casino could take “months or years” to achieve, even if Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) says “I’m hoping we can get [the site selection] done relatively soon, so we can start the process.” Casino booster Sen. Terry Link (D) is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | Comments Off

Caesars is dead, long live Caesars

Posted on June 26, 2019 by David McKee

After much flirtation, Eldorado Resorts has consummated its courtship of Caesars Entertainment. In a deal that values the latter at $18 billion (or $12.75/share), Eldorado will buy Caesars for $8.6 billion in cash, plus the assumption of debt. Two previous … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Charity, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Internet gambling, Nevada, New Hampshire, Regulation, Reno, Scientific Games, Station Casinos, The Mob, TV, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 3 Comments

Arkansas casino nixed; Casino industry picks political winners, losers

Posted on June 17, 2019 by David McKee

Moving rapidly, the Arkansas Racing Commission unanimously granted a license to the Quapaw Tribe to build a casino in Jefferson County. (The tribe responded that it would be equally prompt in building $350 million Saracen Casino Resort. In the meantime slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Full House Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Eldorado’s clearance sale; Atlantic City takes the lead

Posted on June 17, 2019 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts may be getting closer to a Caesars Entertainment acquisition (accounts differ) but it’s already clearing the decks for a big expenditure. It just offloaded three casinos to—irony alert—Caesars’ Vici Properties for $385 million. The trio is Mountaineer Casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, Marketing, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Pets, Regulation, Sports betting, Unite-Here, Wall Street, West Virginia | 2 Comments

The wrath of Icahn

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Investment bankers BidaskClub aren’t buying Caesars Entertainment. Literally. In an almost-unheard-of development in gaming, Bidask put a “sell” recommendation on low-priced CZR shares. Perhaps this reflects caution over Caesars’ still-massive debt overhang or of the additional debt that would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

A federal judge dealt a major defeat to the Justice Department in its efforts to reinterpret the Federal Wire Act as a ban on Internet gambling. Nope, only sports betting ruled Judge Paul Barbadoro. The ruling is a boon to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Palms, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Secret deal in Bridgeport?; Packer/Ho sale threatened

Posted on June 4, 2019 by David McKee

“There is no ‘either/or’ solution when it comes to East Windsor and Bridgeport, and we shouldn’t be playing two Connecticut communities against each other.” That’s what tribal spokesman Andrew Doba said after it was revealed that Bridgeport was flirting with Foxwoods Resort … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Cirque du Soleil, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, e-sports, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

More Lawrence Ho at Crown Resorts means less James Packer, as the publishing heir sold down his stake to 25%, spinning the decision thusly: “I am still vitally interested in Crown’s success as a world-class resort and gaming business. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

April unkind to Strip; Expansion scramble in Illinois

Posted on May 29, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip revenues were down 3.5% last month but for once baccarat was blameless. Luck was with the casinos in the highly volatile game, which saw the house win 5.5% more on 17% higher wagering. Players avoided other table … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Detroit, Downtown, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Reno, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore firms up opening date; Bionic money

Posted on May 28, 2019 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business has revealed that Wynn Resorts was so desperate to exit Everett it even held talks with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry to bail it out from the megaresort. Even if the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved that arrangement (a long … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Foxwoods, G2E, Genting, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Encore Boston Harbor sale nixed

Posted on May 22, 2019 by David McKee

“We think the best course of action is to discontinue discussions concerning this opportunity.” Just like that, MGM Resorts International left Wynn Resorts at the altar, trying to find a new beau for Encore Boston Harbor. Backlash in Springfield seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Regulation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Harrah’s wants its money back; Lucky Dragon investors grumble

Posted on May 22, 2019 by David McKee

They’ve got brass balls at Harrah’s New Orleans. Not only do they want an early extension of their terra forma monopoly, which expires in 2024, they want a big-ass tax rebate to go with it. At stake is a 2001 … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Resort fees, Taxes | Comments Off

Maddox’s mess; Big Gaming gets image-conscious

Posted on May 20, 2019 by David McKee

“Boston is not up for sale. I like that market. I found the land. I pursued that deal. I entered the agreement with the host community five years ago. I liked that market then. I like that market today.” So … Continue reading →

Posted in Lucky Dragon, Marijuana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn cuts and runs

Posted on May 18, 2019 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts might be willing to pay $20 million to remain licensed in Nevada but $35 million in Massachusetts was Just Too Much evidently to hang onto $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor. In one of the most precipitate decisions in memory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on May 17, 2019 by David McKee

Need a scorecard to keep up with the progress of sports betting? Never fear, the American Gaming Association has provided one. It shows sports-betting legislation on the docket in 15 states, including casino-averse Texas and Vermont. States that have rejected … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Dining, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Pennsylvania, Pets, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos | Comments Off

MGM, Adelson tussle for Japan; Wynn pouts over fine

Posted on May 13, 2019 by David McKee

Everybody wants to be in Osaka, now that it’s open for casino development and the Osakanese government strongly covets a casino, one hopefully that would be open in time for the 2025 World Expo. Among the entrants, Las Vegas Sands, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Singapore, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

The biggest loser

Posted on May 13, 2019 by David McKee

Donald Trump‘s casino years are back in the news again, thanks to a New York Times exposé of his tax records that described the 1985-94 period as “an era of fevered acquisition and spectacular collapse.” During a two-year period in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Donald Trump, Entertainment, history, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sports, Wall Street | 3 Comments