Category Archives: Regulation

Eldorado: Small is beautiful; Fire sale in the Philippines

Posted on September 14, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg just had a sit-down with Joseph Greff and his JP Morgan colleagues, and clued them into Eldorado’s plans. “We came away encouraged by management’s upbeat tone and positive commentary on Reno trends … and long-term plan … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Eldorado: Small is beautiful; Fire sale in the Philippines

Blitzkrieg

Posted on September 13, 2017 by David McKee

(This is one in an occasional series of CEO interviews.) One of the products you’ll undoubtedly see at Global Gaming Expo is an 84-inch touchscreen, multi-game product called Jackpot Blitz. It’s an effort to bring fresh and younger players to … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn scolds Japan; Dan Gilbert gets something right

Posted on September 11, 2017 by David McKee

Despite height restrictions and an indifferent (at best) local government, Steve Wynn seems hellbent on putting a casino in Tokyo. Like everybody else, he’s also looking at Yokohama and Osaka — likelier finalists in the Japan casino derby. In an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Internet gambling, Japan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, South Dakota, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 8, 2017 by David McKee

“By ordering New Jersey to maintain prohibitions on sports gambling that its state legislature has considered and repealed before, Congress is coercing the State of New Jersey to govern according to Congress’s instructions.” — Rep. Frank Pallone (D), in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump

Posted on September 5, 2017 by David McKee

Even as the number of front-running Japanese cities for casino developers shrinks, Yokohama and Tokyo having evidently opted out, there’s a dark-horse developer entering the sweepstakes. Macao junket operator Suncity is pledging $10 billion against the prospect of a Japanese … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Vietnam | Comments Off on New player in Japan; Culinary slams Trump

Strip disappoints, locals casinos dominate; Indiana ignores tribal casino

Posted on August 30, 2017 by David McKee

Poor table play punished the Las Vegas Strip last month, driving revenues down 8%. Locals casinos, by contrast, were up 13%, possibly helped by some end-of-June coin lingering in the slot hoppers. But, if so, what’s the Strip’s excuse for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Charity, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Strip disappoints, locals casinos dominate; Indiana ignores tribal casino

Odds move toward Mayweather; MGM coy about Cotai plans

Posted on August 25, 2017 by David McKee

As Las Vegas gears up for the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor clash of the tomato cans, rationality is starting to manifest itself in the betting lines. Several large wagers — two as big as $1 million — presumably from ‘sharps,’ began hitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Marijuana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Odds move toward Mayweather; MGM coy about Cotai plans

Adelson goes to London — sorta; Comanches zing Zinke

Posted on August 24, 2017 by David McKee

Having taken forever to build Sands Cotai Central, owner Sheldon Adelson is wasting no time re-doing it. According to Macau Business Daily, the metaresort’s four hotels — St. Regis, Sheraton Grand, Conrad and Holiday Inn — will be redecorated in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dennis Gomes, Environment, Internet gambling, Macau, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson goes to London — sorta; Comanches zing Zinke

Culinary frets over Hard Rock; Puck jilts Caesars for MGM

Posted on August 24, 2017 by David McKee

What does Bethany Khan know that we don’t? Although Brookfield Asset Management has said nothing overt about selling the Hard Rock Hotel, the Culinary Union is obviously convinced that a sale is imminent and is ringing the alarm bell. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Culinary Union, Dining, Drugs, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

SCOTUS sports betting throwdown spurs excitement; Trump’s Mafia ties resurface

Posted on August 22, 2017 by David McKee

Legal wonks are getting all worked up about the Supreme Court‘s upcoming hearing of Christie v. NCAA, with one saying it had the “markings of a sleeper blockbuster.” Wrote Virginia Solicitor General Elbert Lin and deputy Thomas M. Johnson Jr., “The parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Regulation, Sports, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on SCOTUS sports betting throwdown spurs excitement; Trump’s Mafia ties resurface

Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

Posted on August 21, 2017 by David McKee

“Let’s not kid ourselves: that barge is concrete. It’s not going anywhere.” With those words, Tilman Fertitta launched one of several broadsides at absurd Louisiana regulations on casinos. Not only do Pelican State casinos still have to sit in water, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Foxwoods, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

Japan sets casinos up for failure; Renegade card room in California closed

Posted on August 18, 2017 by David McKee

About the nicest thing Jim Murren had to say about Japan‘s casino market is that it’s “unclear at the moment.” Casino developers are bracing themselves for delivery of a 130-page report from the Expert Committee, laying out proposed regulations for megaresorts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, California, Cretins, Donald Trump, Election, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Maine, MGM Mirage, Pets, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia | Comments Off on Japan sets casinos up for failure; Renegade card room in California closed

McCarran under siege; Japan to ban poker?

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

Sen. Pat McCarran (D) is making more posthumous news. State Sen. Tick Segerblom (D) is renewing his push to rename McCarran International Airport. Since the real–life McCarran was a racist, xenophobe and anti-Semite, the urge to efface his name is understandable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Harry Reid, history, Horseracing, Japan, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on McCarran under siege; Japan to ban poker?

MGM changes Macao strategy; Protest at the Hard Rock

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International isn’t counting on the whales to make ends meet at its Cotai Strip™ casino. “Our business model is not predicated on the VIP business. Our strategic plan is built on catering to this tremendously emerging more-affluent Chinese customer, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, Culinary Union, George Maloof, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Marnell Gaming, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 16, 2017 by David McKee

“I think it’s a little hypocritical that we can have a state lottery or horse racing in Texas but we can’t let people play poker.” — state Sen. José Menendez (D) on the legal penumbra in which Texas card clubs … Continue reading →

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

Cuomo’s experiment disappoints; Caesars sweet on Japan

Posted on August 14, 2017 by David McKee

Whatever marketing studies drove the conclusion that upper New York State was ripe for gambling expansion have proven to be have been seriously off the mark. Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s three-casino addition to upstate gaming options are disappointing Albany with their … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Japan, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vietnam | 1 Comment

#5,001

Posted on August 14, 2017 by David McKee

Yes, this is the 5,001st Stiffs & Georges post and let me start with a big  thank-you to all of you, the readers, for making it possible. If it weren’t for your support I’d probably have hung it up long … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, James Packer, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

“The two things we have to really ensure to keep going with these clubs is that poker is taking place in a private place and that other than of skill or luck there is no economic benefit to anybody. That … Continue reading →

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

House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

It seems frivolous to be discussing casinos when the Korean peninsula could go up in radioactive flames at any moment, but we do what we must. While legalizing casinos in Japan was a slow and agonizing process, they could fade … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, GameCO, Genting, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

In the casino biz, “pot” is now something other than what you put your poker bets into. It’s a source of money that’s not welcome at Ye Olde Casino (and you thought gambling moguls didn’t care where you got your … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Economy, Environment, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Regulation, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed