Category Archives: Regulation

Caesars on the brink; MGM gives Massachusetts a surprise

Posted on September 24, 2015 by David McKee

For want of $2 billion from Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., creditors are withholding their support for the reorganization scheme CEOC intended to present in bankruptcy court. A last-minute solution seems unlikely, if only because junior bondholders like Appaloosa Management and Tennenbaum Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Scientific Games, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

This just in …

Posted on September 18, 2015 by David McKee

It’s a big day for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Much sooner than expected, the Interior Department took 321 acres of Massachusetts land into trust for the tribe. Most of that acreage (170 of it) is in Mashpee but another 151 … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, history, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on This just in …

Tohono O’oh no!; Backlash in Macao

Posted on September 18, 2015 by David McKee

Judge David Campbell accepted the Tohono O’odham Nation‘s assertion that it could make as much money from Class II electronic-bingo machines as it could from conventional slots. And that’s bad news for the tribe. While it can open a Class … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Economy, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Tohono O’oh no!; Backlash in Macao

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 18, 2015 by David McKee

“These regulations, you had me at hello. They really touched a personal note to me.” — Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Tony Alamo Jr., getting all emotional over skill-based slot games.

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

Water, water everywhere at Revel

Posted on September 17, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub has a new problem at Revel: water. Oh, he doesn’t lack for it. There’s standing water in Revel’s 47 stories of pipes. But what if cold temperatures come and Straub hasn’t gained control of ACR Energy Partners‘ heating … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Glenn Straub, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Revel | Comments Off on Water, water everywhere at Revel

Asia, land of opportunity

Posted on September 17, 2015 by David McKee

Asia “can comfortably absorb” the 30 new casinos that are slated to open between now and 2020, says a CLSA Ltd. report. The region is trending toward the bigger-is-better approach, as many of the new casinos are megaresorts that could … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, South Korea, Tribal, Vietnam | Comments Off on Asia, land of opportunity

A lesson from Ohio; Murren goes to Georgia; Big changes at Sands

Posted on September 16, 2015 by David McKee

Two years ago, Ohio was grappling with what J.P. Morgan analysts called “a sluggish ramp” for its casino industry. He may have been against casinos before he was for them but Gov. John Kasich‘s supersized version of predecessor Ted Strickland‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on A lesson from Ohio; Murren goes to Georgia; Big changes at Sands

China is the watchword; Atlantic City rebounds

Posted on September 16, 2015 by David McKee

Builders of $135 million Lucky Dragon Casino, across Sahara Avenue from the former Circus Circus RV park, are fast-tracking the project for a mid-2016 opening. Financed with EB-5 visa contributions, Lucky Dragon hopes to be a one-stop shop for Chinese players … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on China is the watchword; Atlantic City rebounds

Trouble in Fantasyland

Posted on September 15, 2015 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports leagues have gotten awfully brazen since pairing with major sports leagues, inundating TV airwaves with advertising, and this has gaming regulators in some states looking askance at DFS. The first shot across the bow came from Nevada, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Detroit, Kansas, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sports, TV | 1 Comment

Culinary Union declares war on Deutsche Bank; The NFL’s dirty hands

Posted on September 14, 2015 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank, in its role as 25% shareholder in Station Casinos, continues to draw fire from the Culinary Union. Let’s clear up a couple of things first. Yes, the Culinary still has an axe to grind with Station over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sports, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Tribal | Comments Off on Culinary Union declares war on Deutsche Bank; The NFL’s dirty hands

Gural doubles down; Royal brouhaha

Posted on September 11, 2015 by David McKee

Jeffrey Gural wants a casino in New York State so bad he can taste it — or at least invest $82 million of his own money in it. It’s refreshing when a developer makes that kind of equity commitment. Gural’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, New York, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Gural doubles down; Royal brouhaha

Tribe outfoxes Arizona; Macao is glutted

Posted on September 11, 2015 by David McKee

Rather than continue waiting for Arizona casino czar Daniel Bergin to reverse himself and give them permission to open a Class III casino, the Tohono O’odham Nation has done an end run. It will open with 1,089 Class II electronic … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Culinary Union, Galaxy Entertainment, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Palms, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Uncategorized, Wall Street | Comments Off on Tribe outfoxes Arizona; Macao is glutted

Bluhm restless in Massachusetts; Adelson’s latest innovation

Posted on September 10, 2015 by David McKee

Few regulatory bodies move as slothfully as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and it’s got one would-be developer, Neil Bluhm, kind of antsy. “I’ve got other things to do,” he told the Boston Globe, adding, “Do I want to be here? Yes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Caesars, Detroit, New York & Steve Wynn

Posted on September 9, 2015 by David McKee

In one of the industry’s more bizarre developments, Harrah’s Tunica will become an assisted-living facility if buy TJM Properties has its druthers. Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. has asked a bankruptcy court to approve the sale. It won’t bring in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, G2E, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation | Comments Off on Case Bets: Caesars, Detroit, New York & Steve Wynn

Potential free-for-all in Massachusetts; Tribal triumph in Alabama

Posted on September 4, 2015 by David McKee

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey took time out from impeding Steve Wynn‘s Everett casino to run a cart and horses through the Legislature’s carefully crafted three-casinos-and-one-slot-parlor formula. She approved a ballot question that seemed tailor-made to give Suffolk Downs racino status, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Delaware, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Potential free-for-all in Massachusetts; Tribal triumph in Alabama

Turmoil along the Boardwalk

Posted on September 1, 2015 by David McKee

Cult figure Glenn Straub is back in the news again, if indirectly. Stockton University has received Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez‘s blessing to sell the former Showboat and Mendez has enjoined the obstreperous Straub from challenging the sale. Stockton is thereby … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, history, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Wynn gets one step closer; Those insidious resort fees

Posted on September 1, 2015 by David McKee

“At moments like this, there is certainly a feeling of gratification and forward movement. It lifts our spirits and energizes us.” Thus spake Steve Wynn after Wynn Everett cleared another hurdle on its way to completion. A 27-page memo from Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Maryland to players: Drop dead

Posted on August 27, 2015 by David McKee

If you suddenly find that you’re in a Free State casino and your gambling budget doesn’t go as far as it once did, you can thank the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission. It’s prepared to vote on a staff-recommended change that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Environment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, South Dakota, Tribal, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Atlantic City profits grow; Good and bad news for Caesars

Posted on August 26, 2015 by David McKee

Second-quarter operating profits in Atlantic City were up everywhere except for — you guessed it — Trump Taj Mahal. The Taj swung from a $2 million profit in 2Q14 to a $900,000 loss, another testament to CEO Bob Griffin‘s inspiring leadership. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Genting, Georgia, Harrah's, history, International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City profits grow; Good and bad news for Caesars

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 26, 2015 by David McKee

“Indian gaming, unfortunately, is the 800-pound gorilla in every room, in every discussion, on every Indian policy, including recognition. Mostly recognition.” — lobbyist Arlinda Locklear, on how tribal policymaking in Washington, D.C., is complicated by politicians and interest groups who … Continue reading →

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