Category Archives: Regulation

Case Bets

Posted on March 26, 2019 by David McKee

It’s try, try again time for New Hampshire‘s Legislature, as it attempts to enact casino gambling. The state senate has narrowly passed a casino-enabling bill but it still needs to go through the lower house and receive the signature of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, DFS, Entertainment, history, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting | Comments Off

Astral sighting; Cuomo nixes Gotham casinos

Posted on March 25, 2019 by David McKee

Urban blight along the Las Vegas Strip could be (partially) giving way to new casino development. Resort entrepreneur Asher Gabay has found the Promised Land in Las Vegas, where he hopes to take a run at the boutique-hotel concept. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off

MGM covets Caesars; Rio up for grabs … again

Posted on March 14, 2019 by David McKee

As Carl Icahn continues to up his stake in Caesars Entertainment, the already-tortuous saga has developed some new complexities. For one, outgoing CEO Mark Frissora has revealed he wasn’t jumped, he was pushed. “The board has stated that they would like … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, e-sports, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, LVCVA, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, New Mexico, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Controversy embroils Wynn in Massachusetts

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s old sparring partner, Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez, was ruling on a Steve Wynn lawsuit last week, dismissing litigation against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in light of the latter’s abject subjugation, er, settlement with Wynn. “The commission executed this action … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Busy week for MGM; Adelson’s grim prognosis

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David McKee

Congratulations to MGM Resorts International on becoming the official casino sponsor of the Boston Red Sox (known around my house as “the Evil Empire”). I’m not sure how I feel about the MGM logo going up on the Green Monster, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Eldorado Resorts, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Politics, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Regulation, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, William Hill | 1 Comment

Business as usual

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio casinos grossed $155 million last month, a 5.5% increase. Hollywood Toledo was 2.5% to $16 million and Hollywood Columbus rose 3% to $19 million. Hollywood Dayton was also up 3% to $9 million. Hollywood Mahoning Valley leapt 7% to $10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cantor Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, M Resort, Macau, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Bowing to Wynn; Mixed views on Las Vegas

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Today the Massachusetts Gaming Commission meets to finalize its disgraceful prostration, er, litigation settlement with Steve Wynn and presumably to lay the groundwork for levying some manner of fine on Wynn Resorts now that Nevada has set a $20 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, California, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wendover, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn Resorts walloped

Posted on February 27, 2019 by David McKee

We’ve been down for a day and half for maintenance but S&G is back now with a doozy of a news dispatch: The good news for Wynn Resorts is that it gets to keep its Nevada gaming license. The bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, history, Massachusetts, Politics, Prostitution, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caesars dominates Louisiana; Steve Wynn wins in Beantown

Posted on February 22, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming revenue in Louisiana was flat last month, with strength in Shreveport and New Orleans making up for weakness in (mainly) Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. It’s difficult to account for the 3% dip in Lake Charles, aside from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | Comments Off

Iowa weighs sports betting; Miller time

Posted on February 21, 2019 by David McKee

Iowa casinos and DFS would be the winners if a new bill, which just passed out of a Senate State Government Committee, becomes law. Casinos would be given the right to operate terrestrial, mobile and online sports betting, and DFS would … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, DFS, Downtown, Economy, Horseracing, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal, TV, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Danger, Will Robinson!

Posted on February 20, 2019 by David McKee

At a time when states are suing the Trump administration to preserve their online lotteries, a Florida legislator is moving in the opposite direction. State Rep. Will Robinson has introduced a bill that would permit only in-person sales of Florida … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Internet gambling, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off

Caesars: The Icahn factor; Troubled Tilman; Brownout

Posted on February 18, 2019 by David McKee

If you’re a company that wants to prove that its stock is undervalued, you’ve got a definitive case when Carl Icahn buys into your company. And if you’re Caesars Entertainment and Icahn suddenly holds 10% of your stock, you’re officially … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Don Barden, Eldorado Resorts, International, Japan, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Security, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Taxes, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off

Clouds over Macao; What Sheldon wants, Sheldon gets

Posted on February 15, 2019 by David McKee

Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is projecting gambling-revenue flatness in Macao (despite higher tax returns) through 2019 and into 2020, despite a record amount of available credit in China. “Stronger credit data may partially assuage China macro concerns, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Movies, New Jersey, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Chicago or bust?; Ocean Resort in deep water

Posted on February 12, 2019 by David McKee

With Illinois gaming revenue stuck at 2006 levels, some sense is finally filtering into legislative discussion of a Chicago casino. Could that idea have passed its sell-by date? The inability of Rivers Casino, however successful, and slot routes to move … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Illinois, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, TV, West Virginia | 2 Comments

A change of heart on loco weed; Miller briefs Congress

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

In a development certain to make Nevada resort owners grind their teeth in envy, cannabis is predicted to be this year’s wellness trend. As you know, Nevada gaming regulators have hung a “Do Not Enter” sign on the recreational-marijuana industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, AGA, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, history, Japan, Marijuana, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Taxes | 2 Comments

Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm isn’t waiting like some blushing wallflower for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to approve him for a casino in Brockton. He’s spent $430,000 on Beacon Hill to make his $700 million casino project in reality. To put that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Indiana, Iowa, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Posted on February 1, 2019 by David McKee

Despite one less weekend day than 2017, December was good for the Las Vegas Strip. Visitation was up over 2% and room revenues leapt 16% to an average of $104/room. This was particularly impressive given a 23% decline in convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Vegas: Locals outperform the Strip; Sisolak nuked

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

Nevada gaming revenue was up 4% last month, just a few hundred thousand shy of an even billion dollars, even though the Las Vegas Strip was relatively stagnant. Strong baccarat win by the house (jumping 14.5%) was offset by 3% … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Aristocrat, Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Downtown, Environment, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Scientific Games, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wynn finishes strong

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

If Wynn Resorts wanted to change the subject of conversation, at least on Wall Street, away from the damning Nevada Gaming Control Board report on sexual harassment it found a magical elixir in its fourth-quarter report. Net revenue at Wynncore … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Wynn: The settlement; Paddock explained, somewhat

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

We’re into Day Two of the Wynn Resorts settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board and some details are starting to make their way into the public discourse. Forbes enumerates the charges and they include: “Employee 1 claimed that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Genting, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments