Category Archives: Regulation

Japan: Vegas meets the Yakuza

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

“Everybody says we have the leading position to win a Japanese gaming license because of my background,” remarked Sheldon Adelson modestly when casinos were voted in by the Diet. Over at MGM Resorts International, CEO Jim Murren played the social-responsibility … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Neanderthals target Wampanoags; Pinball Hall on the move

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

A strange, one-third-of-a-page ad appeared in the July 19 edition of The Hill. “For over 30 years,” it huffed, “the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe sought federal recognition for the specific purposes of opening a CASINO [Horrors! — Ed.] — in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Culinary loses sense of decency; Inhumanity in Macao

Posted on July 27, 2018 by David McKee

Terry Caudill and the Culinary Union have come to terms on labor pacts for Binion’s Gambling Hall and the Four Queens. The agreement awaits ratification by the 650 employees affected. In the meantime, the Culinary stepped way over the line … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Culinary Union, Downtown, Election, Internet gambling, Macau, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | Comments Off

MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is targeting Hartford (and five other media markets) with its initial TV spot for MGM Springfield, whose opening is now less than a month away. The ad, which you can see for yourself, has shoutouts to virtually … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM lawsuit shaky; Sports betting slow to gain traction

Posted on July 24, 2018 by David McKee

If MGM Resorts International thinks its federal lawsuit against victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre will be a speedy way of disposing of all pending cases, it may be in for a rude surprise. Legal experts say the matter could … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Ohio, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

Sheldon’s sphere; Macao renewal delayed

Posted on July 23, 2018 by David McKee

In a wise move, Las Vegas Sands is investing $75 million in the event sphere being built behind Venelazzo by Madison Square Garden Co. By taking an equity position in the innovative venue, Sands presumably gains the potential to redeploy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Iowa, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Warren sides with Wampanoags; Vdara dances The Robot

Posted on July 20, 2018 by David McKee

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) has waded into the Brockton-vs.-Taunton fight for a tribal casino. She’s introducing a bill that would circumvent the inactive Bureau of Indian Affairs and smooth the path of the Mashpee Wampanoags. While we have nothing against … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Sport of kings on wobbly legs; Sports betting races ahead in N.J., N.Y., flags in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

Were it not for racinos, we’d probably be talking about the sport of kings in the past tense. Handle at racetracks has fallen 50% in the last 15 years. However, slot machines have infused a billion dollars a year, keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DFS, Dining, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

Elaine backs Satre; MGM running for cover

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business has revealed that National Center for Responsible Gaming President Phil Satre was the hitherto-undisclosed candidate that Elaine Wynn was proposing for the Wynn Resorts board chairmanship. Said board rejected Satre — a short-sighted move that reeks of insecurity. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Elaine Wynn, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Busted!

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Former New York Knicks great Charles Oakley fouled out big-time at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The veteran roundballer, who made $46 million during his playing career, wound up in the clink over a $100 casino chip. Oakley tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, history, Law enforcement, Macau, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, The Strip | 1 Comment

New era in Atlantic City

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City is already feeling the benefits from the double-barreled openings of Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort. While June’s gambling revenues were up 1.5% on a same-store basis, add the newcomers and the increase is 5%. (Both casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Casa Shenandoah closes; Culinary escalates tactics

Posted on July 12, 2018 by David McKee

Call it a day for another Wayne Newton business venture. Mr. Las Vegas is closing Casa Shenandoah to the public, no reason given (although a recent break-in might have influenced the decision). “It is the Applicant’s intent that the property revert … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Election, history, Horseracing, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wayne F. Newton, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Indian giver; Casinos in India?

Posted on July 11, 2018 by David McKee

We’ve warned against turning the tribal-recognition process over to Congress and a bill singling out a California tribe for special treatment would seem to be an object lesson in the “Why.” Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R) wants to reinstate Ruffey Rancheria, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, history, International, Internet gambling, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Sheldon snuggles up to Commies; Elaine tests her clout

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

If toupée-collecting Sheldon Adelson were offered the chance to build Venetian Tehran he’d immediately become a peacenik regarding Iran, a country he lusts to nuke. Instead of making nice with mullahs, he’s doing the next best thing, warbling sweet nothings to Kim … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Elaine Wynn, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Churchill Downs deal goes south; Robocops at Pechanga

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

Early yesterday, Churchill Downs and Eldorado Resorts announced that they were deep-sixing the sale of Eldorado’s Lady Luck Vicksburg, although Churchill Downs’ purchase of Presque Isle Downs remains in play. Evidently, Churchill Downs was uncomfortable with Federal Trade Commission inquiries … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marijuana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Security, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Caesars gets swatted; Remembering Rappaport

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

While the Caesars Entertainment takeover of Centaur Gaming is still expected to go through, it won’t be without some pain for Caesars. The Roman Empire has agreed to pay a $1 million for improperly attempting to influence Hoosier State regulators … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 25, 2018 by David McKee

“No operator has a clear sense of this process … Another comment we heard was that foreign players/interest will still be meaningful since it may be easier to control foreigners than the local guys.” — JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, just … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off

“Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Posted on June 20, 2018 by David McKee

Could Chinese players go for gambling if the winnings aren’t monetary? That’s the wager resort owners on the island of Hainan plan to make if the central government gives them a much-hoped-for exception. Just as players wager for trinkets in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, DFS, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Overexposed in Macao; Hard Rock firing on all cylinders

Posted on June 19, 2018 by David McKee

If you’re a Wynn Resorts shareholder and you’re following rising trade tensions with China, you’ve a right to be nervous. Wynn derives 69% of its revenue from Macao, giving a certain truth to Steve Wynn‘s old quote that “We’re really … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off