Category Archives: Regulation

Steve Wynn: Time’s up

Posted on January 27, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the penny dropped on Steve Wynn, as multiple reports of sexual predation made the news. According to the Wall Street Journal, we’re not talking about one or two accusers but “dozens,” over a period of decades. Without diminishing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Adelson: Big is more; MGM misses important deadline

Posted on January 26, 2018 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expected Las Vegas Sands to post cash flow of $718 million last quarter but it blew through the ‘stop’ sign and checked in with $731 million. Even though recovering from three cracked ribs, CEO Sheldon Adelson had … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was exuding confidence this week that Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace wouldn’t be nationalized by Macao, telling investors, “We are so stitched into that community, with our employees and our company, that we feel comfortable in this situation.” On … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 24, 2018 by David McKee

“The framework seems to become more restrictive by the day and when coupled with what are likely to be astronomical project costs, could result in some of the biggest operators sitting this one out. In other words, Japan is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Regulation, South Korea, Vietnam | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming receipts ($227 million) were flat last month, although there were a number of little dramas being played out behind that bland façade. Lake Charles was up 7% and Baton Rouge casinos plunged 17%. L’Auberge du Lac was flat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 22, 2018 by David McKee

“On January 12, 2018, Governor Sandoval’s Office announced that Becky Harris would fill the vacant position of chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. I applaud Governor Sandoval for making this decision and suggest it is a nice start, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Nevada, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

SLS sale accelerates; New corruption worry for Macao

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Lucky Dragon Casino‘s sudden demise had a dramatic effect on the sale of SLS Las Vegas, getting owner Stockbridge Capital Partners — no doubt newly aware of its precarious position — back to the bargaining table with Meruelo Group. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on SLS sale accelerates; New corruption worry for Macao

Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

December put a bit of a chill on the Atlantic City casino economy, down 2% for the month, with an overall gross of $186 million. Over by the fireplace, Internet gambling was nice and warm, up 13%. Slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Florida, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Security, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Beauregard the Buzzkill; Arkansas tries for casinos

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has detected that Americans are enjoying themselves and it’s got to stop, forthwith. He’s declared war on marijuana-friendly laws across this great land, misguidedly making loco weed his department’s top law-enforcement priority. Beauregard is flying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Beauregard the Buzzkill; Arkansas tries for casinos

Unlucky Dragon; Gaughan plays Lady Bountiful

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

Business at the semi-defunct Lucky Dragon casino must have really been sucking wind if it closed six weeks before Chinese New Year, which one would expect to be the property’s sweet spot. Lucky Dragon management is putting a brave face … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Japan, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Caesars gets bigger, Boyd gets smarter

Posted on January 3, 2018 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment doesn’t have a great history with IPOs. But it also has a considerable debt load that isn’t going away without drastic measures. To that end, REIT Vici Properties is mulling a stock offering that aims to drum up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, history, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

There’s new life at F-blew; Casinos neglect safety plans

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Contrary to some of his early pronouncements about Fontainebleau, new owner Steven Witkoff isn’t sitting on his asset but is pursuing roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that will be required to finish the eye, er, glittering megaresort. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Genting, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Steven Witkoff, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on There’s new life at F-blew; Casinos neglect safety plans

Strip’s Thanksgiving turkey; Sports betting overhyped?

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Despite a neutral calendar (i.e., same number of weekend days) and a 2% increase in baccarat wagers, the Las Vegas Strip managed to plummet 25% in table game win, pulling overall revenue 6% downward. Had it not been for that game, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Delaware, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on December 27, 2017 by David McKee

“The Trump administration seems a lot more aggressive on wanting to get this done,” says Ho-Chunk tribal President Wilfrid Cleveland. “This” is a new casino, plus water park and retail mall in Beloit, Wisconsin. Says Cleveland, “The atmosphere is changing. Even in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colorado, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, M Resort, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Case Bets

Rethinking riverboats in Louisiana; Santa hearts Boyd; High and dry

Posted on December 21, 2017 by David McKee

Baton Rouge is one of the markets that hews to the archaic practice of mandating that godless gambling be conducted over water. H2O has remarkable cleansing properties on filthy casino lucre, it seems. At any rate, even though L’Auberge Baton … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Current, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Posted on December 19, 2017 by David McKee

Revel/Ten may have yet another name soon, now that wannabe buyer Bruce Defik has done what Glenn Straub wouldn’t: apply for a New Jersey gaming license. Straub continues to assert that there is no deal in place but “a court … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Mohegan Sun commits million-dollar boner; Seminoles nettled

Posted on December 15, 2017 by David McKee

Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs made Pennsylvania history in a manner it would rather not, having been slapped with the biggest casino fine in Keystone State history for a slot-machine scam. Already, President Robert Soper had resigned in disgrace last winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Florida, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Mohegan Sun commits million-dollar boner; Seminoles nettled

New York: Turning the page; Cal-Neva is on the clock

Posted on December 15, 2017 by David McKee

‘Wait three years’ is the new rationale coming out of Albany, now that three new casinos in upstate New York have failed to meet Year One revenue projections. Taking the glass-half-full perspective, state Sen. John Bonacic says that the casinos were … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment