Category Archives: Regulation

MGM: A class act in Maryland; Sands’ convenient poll

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s presentation last week to the Maryland Video Lottery Terminal Location Commission  lacked the smell of fear that Penn National Gaming exuded last week. Alluding to Penn’s offer to forfeit all profits and to creative accounting, MGM CEO Jim … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MGM: A class act in Maryland; Sands’ convenient poll

MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

Did anyone envision a scenario whereby all three of Massachusetts‘ casinos could be tribally owned? It could happen. Leaving aside the chance of expanded gambling in Connecticut, the prospect that MGM Resorts International will be weighed in the balance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

The importance of being Steve Wynn; Sheldon’s fan club

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“Even the Red Sox aren’t that popular in Everett,” says Steve Wynn, alluding to recent poll numbers. Heady stuff. So, while he comes down off Cloud Nine, let’s look at a pretty impressive 3Q13 — if not as boffo as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“[B]asically these states are asking us to come and spend billions of dollars. Now if we were any other business, they would stand on their head and spit wooden nickels to get billions of dollars invested from any other business. … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New casino in Alabama; Potential new scrutiny for Caesars; Second thoughts for Walker?

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is throttling the life out of the Cotton State’s electronic bingo industry. But, thanks to tribal sovereignty, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been able to this to its advantage. When Wind Creek Wetumpka … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Current, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on New casino in Alabama; Potential new scrutiny for Caesars; Second thoughts for Walker?

War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

After keeping a low profile for most of election season, pro-casino forces sprang into gear, rolling out a bevy of TV ads. In an attempt to neutral potential hostility downstate, one commercial points out that New York City‘s two mayor … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Illinois, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes | Comments Off on War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Slots and torts; Menominee don’t quit; Caesars scapegoats Suffolk

Posted on October 24, 2013 by David McKee

If you’ve probably seen, if there’s anything the manufacturing sector of the gaming industry likes to do better than make new slot games is to sue one another for patent infringement. The fun may be coming to an end. Rep. … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Slots and torts; Menominee don’t quit; Caesars scapegoats Suffolk

Caesars tries to change the subject; Penn makes its case

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

As Caesars Entertainment skulks away from Massachusetts, tail between legs, a campaign of manufactured outrage continues to be mounted on its behalf. At its baseline is an attempt to minimize the reasons why the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was poised to … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, The Mob | Comments Off on Caesars tries to change the subject; Penn makes its case

One scandal in 141 seconds

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

For those of you who want to catch up quickly on the Florida dragnet that snared dozens of Internet betting parlors in a scandal, here’s a one-shot primer.

Posted in Current, Florida, Internet gambling, Regulation | Comments Off on One scandal in 141 seconds

Caesars: Fiasco in Boston

Posted on October 21, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs will be moving forward … without Caesars Entertainment. The track dropped Caesars like a bad habit over the weekend. Caesars tried to make it sound like the decision was its own. Spokesman Stephen Cohen threw a hissy fit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 2 Comments

What’s Steve Wynn thinking?; Best news of the week

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

If Steve Wynn is trying to talk himself out of contention in Massachusetts, he’s doing a good job of it. Yesterday, he told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, “We’re scared to death — not that you won’t pick us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Election, Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Mississippi’s plight and other Case Bets

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

At the risk of sounding apocalyptic, the best years of the Mississippi casino industry may be behind it. This year’s revenue is projected to top out at $2.15 million, well below 2007’s all-time peak of $2.9 million. Admissions were 3.7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Mississippi, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Clean sweep in Maryland; Clobberin’ time in Albany

Posted on October 11, 2013 by David McKee

Not unsurprisingly, MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing (owner of Philadelphia‘s Parx Casino) received the unanimous benediction of the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission this week. Since Penn already operates in the Free State, its approval … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation | Comments Off on Clean sweep in Maryland; Clobberin’ time in Albany

Game time in Massachusetts;

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

Three casino firms got ready to rumble yesterday, as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard pitches from all slot parlor applicants. It was a day characterized as filled with “glitzy renderings and plenty of big promises … soaring music, testimonials, and pictures … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Maryland, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

It’s a good thing that American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman hightailed it to Barcelona this week to give a speech. During Global Gaming Expo, his signature achievement was to stake the AGA’s credibility on a Justin Timberlake movie. Freeman … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Charity, Delaware, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

According to the Wall Street Journal, the founder of Cantor Gaming — Lee Amaitis (left) — is under federal scrutiny for an alleged role in illegal sports wagering. Already one Cantor exec, Michael Cantor, has copped a plea for facilitated the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cantor Gaming, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?

Strike two for Foxwoods, shadow play at Suffolk

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a development that caught the eye of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, former Mashantucket Pequot tribal treasurer Steven Thomas has pleaded out on theft charges one day after resigning from the tribal council. His brother, Michael Thomas, has already been … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation | Comments Off on Strike two for Foxwoods, shadow play at Suffolk

Comeback for Lee; Penn, Mohegans get thumbs-up

Posted on October 3, 2013 by David McKee

Palms Casino Resort, which could use some casino-savvy brainpower at its helm, believes it has found it in new CEO Dan Lee. Out the door, unceremoniously, goes the much-bounced-around Joseph Magliarditi, who ricocheted to the Palms by way of M … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Lee, Dining, Downtown, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

D-Day for Mohegans, Penn; MGM restructures

Posted on October 2, 2013 by David McKee

In Massachusetts, initial approval will be granted or denied to Mohegan Sun and to Penn National Gaming as prospective operators. In both cases, it seems unlikely that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission with unearth any dead bodies. The focus will be … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on D-Day for Mohegans, Penn; MGM restructures

Bad day for Tomato King and Wynn

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

While the City of Philadelphia is officially neutral on who should get the last gambling license for the area, it’s not above giving the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board a not-so-gentle-nudge. At a hearing led by Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, International, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | Comments Off on Bad day for Tomato King and Wynn