Category Archives: Regulation

The Penn National effect strikes again

Posted on August 21, 2015 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming is “making it rain” in Plainview, where it has spent $1.5 million with local vendors since opening. The workforce at Plainridge Park has gone from 100 to 533, with a $14 million payroll. And the state has … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on The Penn National effect strikes again

Those tight slots; A birthday for Horseshoe

Posted on August 20, 2015 by David McKee

When one reads that casino revenues were up in, say, Indiana, despite lower foot traffic, you’ve got to wonder how its done. Applied Analysis has the answer: Slot holds are at “all-time highs,” meaning that some of the economic recovery … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Baseball, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Maryland, Penn National, Regulation, Tamares Group, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 5 Comments

It’s Galaxy’s turn to take a hit; Tohono O’odham file suit

Posted on August 20, 2015 by David McKee

Add Galaxy Entertainment to the companies taking on the chin in the Macao economy. The casino firm just posted a 46% drop in cash flow for 2Q15. Leading by example, Chairman Lui Che Woo announced a freeze in executive salaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on It’s Galaxy’s turn to take a hit; Tohono O’odham file suit

Poker outlawed in Wisconsin; A new game in New York

Posted on August 17, 2015 by David McKee

Score one against private poker games and score one for tribal casinos, which are now the only places in Wisconsin where one can legally play poker. As Poker News put it, ” the fact remains even playing poker for pennies … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Macau, New York, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Vegas Club rescued; Straight talk from Steve Wynn

Posted on August 14, 2015 by David McKee

Good news for fans of the Las Vegas Club (and you know who you are): Its long Tamares Group nightmare will soon be over. Tamares has sold the Vegas Club to the D owner Derek Stevens and his brother for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Golden Gaming, Macau, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Studio City in trouble; Tribal clash in Massachusetts

Posted on August 13, 2015 by David McKee

Melco Crown Entertainment is in Eeyore mood these days, darkly muttering about a “contingency plan” for Studio City if the Macao government doesn’t give it 400 table games. As far back as its 2014 annual report, the company was making … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Studio City in trouble; Tribal clash in Massachusetts

Bluhm presses case in Massachusetts; Lawrence Ho tells it like it is

Posted on August 10, 2015 by David McKee

Despite having to wait at least until early next year to start building, a potential Brockton casino could be “up and running by 2018,” sometime in the second quarter, according to Neil Bluhm. “We are shovel-ready to go.” Unfortunately for … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Illinois, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Tribal | 1 Comment

What’s up, Macao?; Strange plan from Full House

Posted on August 6, 2015 by David McKee

Lawrence Ho minces few words in an interview with Bloomberg News about the autumn opening of Studio City, the $3.2 billion rescue project of Melco Crown Entertainment. It’s difficult to decide what’s strangest about the project. Is it having Batman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Lee, Galaxy Entertainment, Indiana, Kentucky, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Ohio, Regulation, Transportation | Comments Off on What’s up, Macao?; Strange plan from Full House

Lucky Horseshoe for Maryland; Old McDonald had a casino

Posted on August 6, 2015 by David McKee

What would have been a revenue-negative July for Maryland casinos turned into their biggest month ever, thanks to Horseshoe Baltimore. Gaming revenue rose more $23 million, with all that and more coming from the Caesars Entertainment property. While the casino is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Cretins, Harrah's, Maryland, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

McCain, NIGC butt heads; Paper Tiger

Posted on August 3, 2015 by David McKee

U.S. senators put the squeeze on the National Indian Gaming Commission and allies like the National Indian Gaming Association at a recent hearing. Sen. John Barrasso (R) put the gripes in a nutshell when he said, “The commission is not effectively … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on McCain, NIGC butt heads; Paper Tiger

Meet Galaxy Entertainment; The lion grumbles; Steve Wynn gets in touch with inner Scrooge

Posted on July 31, 2015 by David McKee

In Macao, “a pharaonic exercise in overbuilding” may be a canny strategy for a post-crisis economy. Once the Chinese government drives the money launderers from the Macanese temple and develops adjacent Hengqin Island into a family friendly plethora of resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Meet Galaxy Entertainment; The lion grumbles; Steve Wynn gets in touch with inner Scrooge

Shocker in Massachusetts; Successes and setbacks for Penn

Posted on July 27, 2015 by David McKee

In a stunning reversal of fortune, KG Urban Enterprises has ditched its $650 million New Bedford casino project, citing financial difficulties. This ends seven years of grinding effort to gain civic acceptance, which culminated in a landslide electoral victory earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Environment, Florida, Foxwoods, GLPI, Illinois, Internet gambling, Maine, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Shocker in Massachusetts; Successes and setbacks for Penn

MGM’s march to the sea; REITmania explained

Posted on July 24, 2015 by David McKee

Where MGM Resorts International goes, other casino companies are quick to follow — to Atlanta, in this case. Mayor Kasim Reed (pictured) is being coy about who the new suitors are, other than two are domestically based (would Las Vegas Sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Boulder Strip, Genting, Georgia, GLPI, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM’s march to the sea; REITmania explained

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 24, 2015 by David McKee

“What you have put together is a template on how this should be done. “There are good synergies between these two companies.” — Nevada Gaming Commissioner Randolph Townsend, on Golden Gaming‘s takeover of Lakes Entertainment, which was consummated yesterday.

Posted in Golden Gaming, Lyle Berman, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 23, 2015 by David McKee

“Bigger projects’ best hope for success depends on Vietnam’s government changing course, and that’s not a smart money bet.” — Forbes correspondent Muhammad Cohen on the difficulty of large-scale casino development in Vietnam.

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

Vetting the candidates

Posted on July 23, 2015 by David McKee

Although Paddy Power has lengthened his odds for gaining the White House to 12/1, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) would be one of the most supportive — if not the most supportive — candidates toward the gaming industry. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Election, Florida, International, New York, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Vetting the candidates

Panning for gold in Macao

Posted on July 23, 2015 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts succeeded in setting their expectation for Las Vegas Sands performance in Macao so low that the company was able to exceed them despite deep, double-digit declines in revenue, including 14% less revenue per hotel room. Lower marketing costs … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Panning for gold in Macao

Sands hit hard; No toilet paper for you!

Posted on July 22, 2015 by David McKee

Macao‘s recession has affected Las Vegas Sands‘ most recent quarterly results and the news isn’t good. You know things are bad when Sands Bethlehem ($137.5 million, +9%) is the lone bright spot. At least LVS had only mildly adverse news … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands hit hard; No toilet paper for you!

Trump, Trump, pants on fire; Tensions in California

Posted on July 22, 2015 by David McKee

Did Donald Trump lie to casino regulators when he put his net worth at $3.6 million? He told one of his biographers that “I try” to be honest but added that his value “goes up and down with markets, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Economy, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 22, 2015 by David McKee

“As Macau also is painfully aware, what Beijing gives it can readily take away, and it’s difficult to believe the Communist Party has gone to the trouble it has to cut off illicit money flows through the South China Sea … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Macau, Regulation, South Korea | Comments Off on Quote of the Day