Category Archives: Regulation

Freeman vs. Adelson; Kentucky tries again

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

In a particularly stunning departure from American Gaming Association tradition, new prexy Geoff Freeman took a jab at Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon “Nuke ‘Em” Adelson in the pages of USA Today. Of course, Freeman didn’t mention Adelson explicitly. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Marketing, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Freeman vs. Adelson; Kentucky tries again

Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

If there’s anything murkier than the gambling subculture of Macao, it’s the report on same issued by  U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission. Its conclusion that money laundering “might be out there” won’t come to a shock to anyone. U.S. casino companies … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Foxwoods Massachusetts: All the king’s horses …

Posted on November 20, 2013 by David McKee

In what must be the shortest-lived deal in Penn National Gaming‘s history, its nascent partnership with Foxwoods Resort Casino went down to defeat yesterday. Crossroads Massachusetts, as it was called, didn’t just lose — it was crushed. An unofficial tabulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Foxwoods Massachusetts: All the king’s horses …

Foxwoods finds a partner and, yes, it’s Penn

Posted on November 18, 2013 by David McKee

By the narrowest of odds, Crossroads Massachusetts caught a couple of breaks late last week. The Foxwoods Resort Casino-led project was found “conditionally” suitable to go forward. The condition imposed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was that Foxwoods find the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Foxwoods finds a partner and, yes, it’s Penn

Racing the clock at Foxwoods, in Philly

Posted on November 15, 2013 by David McKee

It’s entirely possible that Milford voters could pink-slip Crossroads Massachusetts next Tuesday. But even if they don’t, Foxwoods Casino Resort CEO Scott “Woody” Butera is watching the project crumble before his very eyes. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission looked at the … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Dining, Election, Foxwoods, Horseracing, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Wall Street | Comments Off on Racing the clock at Foxwoods, in Philly

Looking for a few good gamblers; Loveman lauded

Posted on November 14, 2013 by David McKee

If you live in New Jersey, this may be your lucky day. The state is looking for players to try out its i-gaming system ahead of the Nov. 26 launch. A month into real-money play, New Jersey will permit bonus … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Misery in Missouri; Massachusetts upended; Ho associate nabbed

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s gaming numbers out of Missouri are so depressing I hardly feel like sharing them. Year over year, only two casinos were revenue-positive. One was — no surprise — River City, in St. Louis. The other was — mild surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Twice in the past three years, Steve Wynn has pulled out of a casino project in Philadelphia. I don’t blame him. It’s a saturated market and trying to recoup the costs of a $926 million project in a timely manner … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

One casino for sale, real cheap; Miracle at Cosmo; New wrinkle at Dairyland

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

Colony Capital‘s insolvent Atlantic City Hotel received bankruptcy court permission to keep doing business. Still, the ACH appears to be circling the drain rapidly, telling reporters “the casino said it doesn’t have enough cash to continue to operate for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on One casino for sale, real cheap; Miracle at Cosmo; New wrinkle at Dairyland

Suffolk Downs: Life after Caesars; PokerStars nixed?

Posted on November 8, 2013 by David McKee

Another day, another occasion to scratch one’s head over the casino-averse culture in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe‘s Shirley Leung does her usual Chicken Little routine, lamenting that the Bay State may get no casinos at all. (Fret not, Shirley, somebody … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Election, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Maine, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pokergeddon, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Indiana up and down; Garber agonistes

Posted on November 8, 2013 by David McKee

Casinos in Indiana grossed 3% less last month but still far outperformed ($193 million) neighboring Illinois and Ohio. Patron traffic was 9% down but visitor spend rose 7%. Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg got absolutely hammered by new competition from … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Indiana up and down; Garber agonistes

MGM Springfield keeps its fingers crossed

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

And then there was one … MGM Springfield. But you won’t hear MGM Resorts International execs popping champagne corks or seeing them do victory laps. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has already warned that it’s not required to issue a license. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Horseracing, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Stanley Ho, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MGM Springfield keeps its fingers crossed

Election Special: No surprise in New York, big surprise in Massachusetts

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

Massachusetts may not be ready for casino gambling (unless Steve Wynn is building it). Voters said no and again no yesterday, in a series of referendums. Mohegan Sun is — quite understandably — asking for a recount. Its casino proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

“We understand transactions and licensing agreements. We understand how the [Caesars Entertainment–Gansevoort Hotel Group] relationship worked. Regulators need to be both reasonable and intelligent.” — Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett, criticizing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for “gotcha gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Mob | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Suffolk Downs postscript

Posted on November 4, 2013 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment being out of the Suffolk Downs equation, the would-be racino has been dubbed “a headless horseman” by opponents and faces an uncertain fate at the ballot box. One might well question Suffolk owner Richard Fields on why his … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Current, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Problem gambling, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Suffolk Downs postscript

What makes a ‘surrounding community’?

Posted on November 1, 2013 by David McKee

Google Maps, that’s what. The Massachusetts town of Bolton wants “surrounding community” consideration from Leominster, where Cordish Gaming hopes to built a $203 million slot parlor. As with many towns across the state, Bolton’s concerns center upon traffic. Cordish maintains … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Regulation | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

“Obviously, there’s been an awful lot of activity and drama there. But we like the process, it’s been very transparent to us, and we believe there’s no reason why we will not be found suitable.” — MGM Resorts International CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Congratulations, Suffolk Downs. You’ve been approved as a casino bidder — but the voters might nix the whole shebang. Although Suffolk Downs is bereft of an operator, having given Caesars Entertainment the heave-ho. (The latter remains in deep water, financially, making noises … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Loveman must go

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs executives are trying to move on after severing ties with Caesars Entertainment. At their suitability hearing with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (which is expected to approve them), they played dumb. They not only pleaded ignorance of Arik Kislin‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Mob | 1 Comment

Third degree for Cantor; Suffolk moves ahead

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

Cantor Gaming finds itself in the midst of a giant pincer movement, under investigation by at least five federal agencies and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. When ex-bookie-in-chief Colbert got a slap on the wrist from the feds, I figured … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Third degree for Cantor; Suffolk moves ahead