Category Archives: Regulation

Caesars: Frissora gets the nod; Rocky Mountain high point

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Michael Frissora is one step away from a Nevada gaming license, having been unanimously approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Frissora left the meeting grinning from ear to ear, as well he might. Since he comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Colorado, Economy, Harrah's, Kansas, Oklahoma, Regulation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Study: Triads rampant in Macao casinos

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Wow, what a shocker — not. A new study by T. Wing Lo and Sharon Ingrid Kwok of the City University of Hong Kong for the British Journal of Criminology reports that casino operators look for junket partners who have ‘dor’ or … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Rhode Island, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off on Study: Triads rampant in Macao casinos

DFS advances in some markets, retreats in others; Caesars rubs your nose in it

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports, the loud frat brother of sports betting, is close to a signal victory in Virginia. Both houses of the Virginia Assembly have passed DFS legalization with veto-proof majorities and sent the legislation to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kansas, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on DFS advances in some markets, retreats in others; Caesars rubs your nose in it

Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

This morning, Real Estate Alert published a story saying that MGM Resorts International and Dubai World had liquidated Crystals, the high-end retail mall at CityCenter, to Simon Property Partnership. The transaction was valued at $1.1 billion and change, which means … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, CityCenter, Dubai, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Painful progress for Seminole compact; Casinos dead in Georgia

Posted on March 1, 2016 by David McKee

It will be back to the negotiating table for Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), if a state House of Representatives version of the compact with Seminole Tribe is accepted in the state Senate. The compromise version of the compact adds slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Georgia, GLPI, Horseracing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Big change for Tropicana; MGM wins in Springfield

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

Tri-State News, Weather Indiana will have a second land-based casino (three, if Majestic Star gets its way) after the Indiana Gaming Commission looked with favor on the pleas of Tropicana Entertainment and the Evansville city fathers. “That money allows us to buy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Don Barden, Economy, Indiana, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Big change for Tropicana; MGM wins in Springfield

Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

  Will a Horseshoe by any other name earn as much? We’re going to find out because Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is going to rebrand his casinos under the Jack Entertainment banner, presumably a tip of the hat to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Gaming companies seek to hide financial results; Murren bullish on MGM

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

When the gaming industry speaks, Frank Schreck‘s lips move. His latest move is to propose a removal of the transparency that applies to casinos owned by investment banks and funds, such as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and SLS … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip | Comments Off on Gaming companies seek to hide financial results; Murren bullish on MGM

End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

One year and millions of pages of documents later, we’re nearing resolution in Richard Davis‘ investigation of the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy. His report on the company’s attempted restructuring is due at year’s end. At its heart will be several controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off on End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

New Jersey resumes sports-betting push; Sheldon Adelson gets his man

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

New Jersey is hoping the third time is the charm in its attempt to get sports betting OK’d by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. With four major sporting leagues and the NCAA aligned against it, New Jersey’s is a … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on New Jersey resumes sports-betting push; Sheldon Adelson gets his man

Winning quarter for Wynn

Posted on February 15, 2016 by David McKee

In the current era of managed expectations of all things related to Macao, the 4Q15 report from Wynn Resorts fell into the “better than anticipated” category, with earnings down ‘only’ 17% (superior to Wall Street consensus) and profits just over … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Georgia, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Winning quarter for Wynn

It’s a new day at the Cosmo; Atlantic City’s fate in Borgata’s hands

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

“The bottom line is you have a casino. Instead of downplaying that, let’s celebrate it.” That’s Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO Bill McBeath outlining the besetting sin of his predecessors, ignoring the central role of gambling as the Cosmo’s revenue … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Illinois, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on It’s a new day at the Cosmo; Atlantic City’s fate in Borgata’s hands

DFS: Trouble in paradise; It’s not good to be Dan Gilbert

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

Besieged on all sides, daily fantasy sports operators find themselves in retreat. DraftKings said it “will voluntarily pause” its operations in Hawaii in response to a ruling by state Attorney General Doug Chin that DFS is gambling and therefore illegal … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Hawaii, Indiana, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on DFS: Trouble in paradise; It’s not good to be Dan Gilbert

Taunted in Taunton; Sands’ Chinese generosity

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

It was bound to happen and finally did: An activist group in Taunton has filed suit to stop the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe from building its dreamt-of casino, Project First Light. The litigants’ argument is as predictable as the filing itself. … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Taunted in Taunton; Sands’ Chinese generosity

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 2, 2016 by David McKee

“We didn’t kick anybody out. All we said is play by the rules. This board has been progressive toward innovation.” — Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett on the state’s stance toward daily fantasy sports.

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

Gulfport: Not so fast; DFS winning in Florida

Posted on January 29, 2016 by David McKee

In one day, attorney Robert Lubin‘s plan for a new Gulfport, Mississippi, casino went from being the next big thing to “Yes, but …” Lubin, whose speciality is EB-5 visa financing, envisions a two-pronged project: a $140 million casino plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Gulfport: Not so fast; DFS winning in Florida

Meet the candidates; Even when Adelson loses, he wins

Posted on January 28, 2016 by David McKee

One of the many first-ever things that Geoff Freeman has done to remake the American Gaming Association in his image is compile a voting guide for industry workers, walking them through the primary and caucus processes in their states, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Meet the candidates; Even when Adelson loses, he wins

The 7% solution; Grief in Texas

Posted on January 26, 2016 by David McKee

Woe betide the “Borgata Babe” who loses or gains more than 7% of her body weight. Do it and you’re out the door. This archaic — to say nothing of sexist — policy was passively reaffirmed when the New Jersey … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Delaware, Election, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Texas, Vermont | Comments Off on The 7% solution; Grief in Texas

Lean Christmas in Louisiana; Greater vigilance in industry

Posted on January 22, 2016 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming revenues came in for a hard landing (-7.5%) as the Golden Nugget Lake Charles marked its first anniversary. The New Orleans market (-13.5%) took it worst, although Lake Charles was down 12%. The latter continues to be the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Lean Christmas in Louisiana; Greater vigilance in industry

Seminoles take to the air; Trop exec vanishes

Posted on January 20, 2016 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is taking its case to the people, as its new compact with Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces an uphill slog in the Legislature. The compact is such a Rube Goldberg contraption, with so many moving parts, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Seminoles take to the air; Trop exec vanishes