Category Archives: Regulation

Midwest casino follies

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David McKee

Indiana municipalities caught a break when the state House of Representatives voted against scrapping the state’s $3 admission tax, which goes to casino-hosting localities. That keeps $200 million in the kitty of jurisdictions like LaPorte County, home to Boyd Gaming‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Environment, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off

Macao casinos squeezed again; Isle’s clean sweep

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David McKee

First, it was the corruption crackdown. Now, the Chinese government is reviewing visitation levels to Macao. As Macanese Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Alexis Tam put it, “[T]oo many tourists impact residents’ quality of life.” That’s not music to casinos’ ears and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Florida, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Bigamy in New York; Bluster in New Jersey

Posted on February 24, 2015 by David McKee

Empire Resorts‘ Montreign Resort Casino project has two things in common with Rivers Casino & Resort and Lago Resort & Casino (well, three if you count the fact that none has been built yet). All were chosen from among 16 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Technology | 1 Comment

Florida tribe: Casinos or pot. Choose!

Posted on February 23, 2015 by David McKee

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) finds himself in just a bit of a pickle. He’s refused to negotiate with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who want to extend their burgeoning empire of Class II casinos from Alabama into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Florida, Internet gambling, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Caesars foe now its BFF; Suffolk Downs returns

Posted on February 20, 2015 by David McKee

Considering that it is the owner of Caesars Interactive and WSOP.com, one would hardly expect Caesars Entertainment to welcome PokerStars back to the U.S. market. But that is precisely what it has done, proclaiming that “we need to focus on where … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Then there was Resorts …

Posted on February 19, 2015 by David McKee

By tomorrow afternoon, there will be a new player in New Jersey‘s online-gaming industry: Resorts Atlantic City. The casino’s Internet-play site will go online in a limited fashion, gradually ramping up to full capacity over the ensuing week. Resorts execs … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dennis Gomes, Florida, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Regulation, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

That wacky Glenn Straub; Instant racing stumbles; Mongolia or bust

Posted on February 18, 2015 by David McKee

Revel AC has been continuing to negotiate with beady-eyed billionaire Glenn Straub, even after the clock has run out on their purchase agreement. Revel’s incentive is that it wants to avoid Chapter 7 liquidation. Trouble is, Straub is reported to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Idaho, International, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tribal | 2 Comments

Good and bad news for Caesars

Posted on February 17, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s last hopes for a Massachusetts casino are slipping through its fingers. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and cleared Chairman Stephen Crosby of any charges of untoward conduct. Judge David Souter ruled … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Can New York casinos work miracles?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by David McKee

“Do I believe in it? I believe in it. I think Sullivan County is destined for an absolute true turnaround,” says Monticello restaurateur Bill Sipos, when asked about the potential impact of Empire Resorts‘ Montreign (left) on his area. The project … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Environment, Neil Bluhm, New York, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Fisticuffs in Idaho; Wynn woos Bostonians

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

Idaho‘s Coeur d’Alene tribe got a taste of its own medicine when four lawmakers penned a letter to Gov. C.L. Butch Otter and to the U.S. Attorney’s office charging the tribe with being out of compliance with its compact. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Horseracing, Idaho, Massachusetts, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

More trouble for Taj; Revel sale hangs by a thread

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

It seems that Trump Taj Mahal has been rather cavalier about reporting large transactions and suspicious financial activities to FinCEN. For instance, when customers’ names and Social Security numbers didn’t square, Taj management still didn’t pursue the discrepancies. The Taj ‘fessed … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Regulation, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on February 6, 2015 by David McKee

A lengthy bout of bronchitis has kept me out of action, but I’m finally on the mend and apologize for all the news coverage I missed, such as … * First there was Deflategate. Now there’s Menzelgate. Could Idina Menzel … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Iowa, Mississippi, Regulation, South Dakota, Sports | Comments Off

Dismay in Wisconsin; Disorder at SLS

Posted on January 29, 2015 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has managed to bring Democrats and Republicans together — in opposition to his decision to nix a proposed Menominee Nation casino. Lawmakers cited the $250 million bond posted by the Menominee and the tribe’s promise … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Super Bawl

Posted on January 28, 2015 by David McKee

Never mind that it’s one of the biggest weekends in Sin City, the National Football League continues to stick its fingers in its ears when it comes to casinos that dare whisper the words “Super Bowl.” Not only must Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Case Bets: IGT, Hard Rock, Golden Gaming

Posted on January 28, 2015 by David McKee

Profits were slimmer for International Game Technology in 1Q15, with the company reporting $35 million, 56% less than a year ago. IGT, which is in the process of being acquired by GTECH, offered little commentary on the results. CEO Patti … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Columbia Sussex, Dining, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Lyle Berman, Maryland, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Slot routes, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Hard Rock back to A.C.?; Today Massachusetts, tomorrow Vermont?

Posted on January 27, 2015 by David McKee

New investment in Atlantic City has yet to materialize, yet the New Jersey Casino Control Commission‘s holding of a hearing for Hard Rock International is encouraging. It’s a purely theoretical exercise, a determination of suitability. Its goal, however, is for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Nebraska, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Vermont | Comments Off

Possible Pennsylvania cutback?; Prudes pressured Walker

Posted on January 26, 2015 by David McKee

Once casinos move to fill a vacuum, it’s difficult to push them back. But that’s what Pennsylvania state Rep. Will Talman (R) is trying to do. He’s proposing a bill to close Keystone State casinos nightly between 2 a.m. and … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Iowa, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Stir crazy in Massachusetts

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

For all the restrictions it has placed upon its casinos, there’s one restraint the Massachusetts Gaming Commission wants to ease. It has proposed raising the $600 ‘IRS lockdown’ imposed on slot winners: “a player will not be able to play … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Taxes | Comments Off

The man who couldn’t make up his mind

Posted on January 22, 2015 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has become the Hamlet of the casino industry, torn between varying tribal interests and uncommitted to decisive action. He’ll have to make some decision on the Menominee Nation‘s Hard Rock International project in Kenosha by … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Mohegan Sun ambushes Wynn

Posted on January 22, 2015 by David McKee

Pursuing by lawsuit what it could not win on merit, Mohegan Sun has piled onto the scrum of litigation against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for having awarded a Boston-area casino license to Wynn Resorts (which had no comment). Mohegan Tribal Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment