Category Archives: Regulation

Hey, big spenders

Posted on February 21, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International has only just handing in its plans for National Harbor, near Washington, D.C., and already the tin cups are rattling. The project doesn’t sound half-fancy: “a 300-suite glass-tower hotel, 3,600 slot machines, 140 gaming tables, a concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation | Comments Off on Hey, big spenders

Sheldon’s boys; Tough questions for the industry

Posted on February 21, 2014 by David McKee

Improbably, Sheldon Adelson has found two U.S. senators to carry water for him on Capitol Hill as he tries to stem the tide of Internet gambling. Both Sen. Dean Heller (R) and Sen. Harry Reid (D) are working to reinstate … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | Comments Off on Sheldon’s boys; Tough questions for the industry

Case Bets: GLPI, Macao, Louisiana, Ely

Posted on February 21, 2014 by David McKee

Gaming & Leisure Properties, parent company of Penn National Gaming, held its first conference and discussed what Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli, in a Freudian slip, called “key tenants [sic] of the … bull case.” We’re already seeing how GLPI intends … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Case Bets: GLPI, Macao, Louisiana, Ely

Macao: Who’s the boss?; Iowa racing, gone to the dogs

Posted on February 20, 2014 by David McKee

Jim Murren, Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson may find themselves held hostage to the temper of Sino-American relationships, if chatter from Chinese sources holds true. It’s being put about that casino concessions could be shortened to five years. Stocks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao: Who’s the boss?; Iowa racing, gone to the dogs

And then there were three; Atlantic City under pressure again

Posted on February 20, 2014 by David McKee

Nevada gaming authorities will have to start reporting the Silver State’s online-gambling revenue now that South Point has entered the lists under its Real Gaming banner. (We won’t get the numbers until late March.) The site ” is offering tournament play … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Michael Gaughan, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on And then there were three; Atlantic City under pressure again

Hard Rock OK’d; Tribal casinos’ power plays; Caesars’ astute move

Posted on February 17, 2014 by David McKee

Instead of being left to rot, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City will be permitted to resume construction, with a view toward a late-summer opening. That good news was handed down from the Polk County District Court bench. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Casinos behaving badly

Posted on February 14, 2014 by David McKee

Reno‘s Peppermill Casino is going to be $1 million lighter in the wallet, after it ‘fessed up to spying on other casinos’ proprietary data. Peppermill analyst Ryan Tors was caught at the Grand Sierra using a tool known as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Ohio, Regulation, Reno, Revel, Technology | Comments Off on Casinos behaving badly

Market8 endorsed; Web casinos raided; Gridlock in Kentucky, Florida

Posted on February 12, 2014 by David McKee

Market8 is emerging as the frontrunner in the competition for a Philadelphia casino license. Three area politicians have come forward in support of Ken Goldenberg‘s project, which will be run by Mohegan Sun. As part of a joint communique, First … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Market8 endorsed; Web casinos raided; Gridlock in Kentucky, Florida

Massachusetts slams Mohegans, Foxwoods; Mohegan slams Wynn

Posted on February 11, 2014 by David McKee

Following a stinging expose of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino‘s habit of placing liens on the homes of casino debtors. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley was moved to action. She is urging the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to prohibit the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 1 Comment

Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Posted on February 10, 2014 by David McKee

Is Aria getting a little big for its britches? Nevada Gaming Control Board agents say they were harassed at the 4,000-room casino, specifically when trying to monitor the roulette wheel. “The complaint said two state agents who had not identified themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Penn, Parx fold in Maryland; Home rule in N.Y.?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by David McKee

In a rare moment of grace, Penn National Gaming agreed not to sue Prince George’s County over the award of a Maryland casino project to MGM Resorts International. (As expected, Greenwood Racing also signed away its prerogative to litigate.) Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Penn, Parx fold in Maryland; Home rule in N.Y.?

The many faces of Steve Wynn

Posted on February 4, 2014 by David McKee

It’s great sport following the tortuous circumlocutions through which Wynn Resorts is putting itself, trying to square its varying positions on Internet gambling. El Steve declared himself against it in an interview with Jon Ralston, although he game himself a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Super Blowout

Posted on February 4, 2014 by David McKee

And, no, I don’t mean what happened on the field last Sunday at the Super Bowl. Nevada‘s sports books surpassed last year’s record $99 million handle and it wasn’t even close — $119 million. The nearly $20 million in profit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Super Blowout

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 4, 2014 by David McKee

““We’re talking about something that would turn back the clock on states like New Jersey. I’m stunned that this is a position that any attorney general would take. It essentially endorses a federal power grab to come in and tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The hypocrisy of Steve Wynn

Posted on February 3, 2014 by David McKee

Like a couple of crotchety codgers sitting in their rocking chairs, Steve Wynn has joined Sheldon Adelson in the “You kids get off my lawn” club when it comes to Internet gambling. (Not that he has allowed this to stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on The hypocrisy of Steve Wynn

Double whammy in Beantown, feeding frenzy in Philly

Posted on January 31, 2014 by David McKee

Should casino opponents succeed in getting a repeal of the state’s gambling law onto the November ballot — and win — Massachusetts will lose out on tax revenue it’s booked for the next fiscal year. It may also have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Indiana, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off on Double whammy in Beantown, feeding frenzy in Philly

A fistful of intangibles

Posted on January 30, 2014 by David McKee

A produce warehouse and a fistful intangibles. That’s what Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci says will enable him to get his casino proposal up and running six months ahead of any rival bidder. Touting his ‘juice’ in the community, the Tomato … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Greenwood Racing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal | 1 Comment

Revel: Has Loveman gone insane?; East St. Louis gets the shaft

Posted on January 29, 2014 by David McKee

You’d think Caesars Entertainment had its hands full with four active casinos in Atlantic City and the defunct Atlantic Club Hotel. But no, CEO Gary Loveman is reported to be considering a bid for $2.6 billion Revel Resort, which Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Illinois, Missouri, Racinos, Regulation, Revel | Comments Off on Revel: Has Loveman gone insane?; East St. Louis gets the shaft

Another thousand slot machines

Posted on January 28, 2014 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming — sort of a “favorite son” candidate for a Philadelphia casino — is first up in presentations to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fifth Philly-area casino license. Bart Blatstein‘s and Isle of Capri Casinos‘ $700 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Economy, Greenwood Racing, Isle of Capri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tomato King Procacci | 2 Comments

No fun in Florida; Playing it safe in Illinois; Big flush at Borgata

Posted on January 27, 2014 by David McKee

Gov. Rick Scott (R, left) doesn’t want any gambling-expansion talk cluttering up his reelection bid, spoiling the fun for the rest of us. So no racinos, Naples or Palm Beach, no new gambling offerings, Seminole Tribes, and no destination resorts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on No fun in Florida; Playing it safe in Illinois; Big flush at Borgata