Category Archives: Regulation

Massachusetts: Penn’s back in; New market for Adelson?

Posted on July 19, 2013 by David McKee

When the city of Springfield finally stopped fence-sitting and decided against going with Penn National Gaming, I knew it was only a matter of time before Penn emerged somewhere else in Massachusetts. Boy, has it ever. Operating with speed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Current, Environment, Hard Rock International, International, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Massachusetts: Penn’s back in; New market for Adelson?

Hail, Caesars; Some roads lead to Foxwoods; Bluhm disappoints

Posted on July 18, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not every day that Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman has a good idea. But when he does, it’s a real brainwave. Such has proven to be the case with Caesars’ purchase of social-gaming Web firm Playtika. The latter has … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Mob, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Hail, Caesars; Some roads lead to Foxwoods; Bluhm disappoints

Springfield: MGM wins again; Barton: Congressman or con artist?

Posted on July 17, 2013 by David McKee

As predicted, voter turnout was low but a victory is a victory, and MGM Resorts International went home a winner yesterday. Springfield voters ratified an agreement between MGM and the city, 58% to 42%. Scarcely had the last vote been … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Caesars: You only buy twice; To Russia with Ho; Land in (dis)trust

Posted on July 12, 2013 by David McKee

Do you already own stock in Caesars Entertainment? Congratulations. Thanks to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, you will have an opportunity to pay a second time for some of Caesars’ assets. Although it hopes to raise $1.2 billion from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Florida, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Ohio, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Barton delivers; Penn takes the initiative

Posted on July 12, 2013 by David McKee

It was a somewhat mixed victory for the casino industry. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX, left) revived a 2012 initiative, in the form of his Internet Poker Freedom Act, legislation that he’s been promising for a couple of election cycles now. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: Bluhm, Penn pounce; Galaxy gets bounced

Posted on July 12, 2013 by David McKee

From the You Read It Here First file, yes, it’s indeed true that Neil Bluhm‘s Rush Street Gaming is descending upon the town of Millbury as its next prospective site for a slot parlor. Bluhm surrogate Greg Carlin says the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Current, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New Hampshire, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: It’s where the action might be; Where there’s smoke, there’s Sheldon

Posted on July 9, 2013 by David McKee

Update/Correction: I’m reliably informed that dog racing (see below) is illegal in Massachusetts and will remain so, praise be. Also, Neil Bluhm is now wooing Millbury for a slot-parlor site. Except for Raynham Park, all slot-parlor applicants are under the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Environment, history, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

Accord in Kentucky; Atlantic City on the move; James Packer’s comeback

Posted on July 5, 2013 by David McKee

But there are still some stirrings of activity on the casino front. For starters, Bwin.Party has agreed to fork over $15 million to Kentucky. According to the company the payment “resolves the only remaining litigation … that stems from our … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Accord in Kentucky; Atlantic City on the move; James Packer’s comeback

SkyVue kaput?; Wowing them in Massachusetts

Posted on July 3, 2013 by David McKee

That’s the unavoidable conclusion, despite the increasingly comical protestations of local developer Howard Bulloch‘s sidekicks. Caesars Entertainment‘s rival Ferris wheel may be in a terrible location, it may be progressing slowly but — but — it is progressing. SkyVue has … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Wynn wins big; Foxwoods and Mohegans try harder

Posted on June 24, 2013 by David McKee

As expected, voters in Everett, Massachusetts, went to the polls, expressed their approval of Wynn Resorts‘ proposed resort — and it wasn’t even close. Opposition was obliterated, 86% to 14%. Where the burghers of tony Foxborough had turned up their … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

It’s looking that way. Amounts donated by Wynn Resorts and Wynn affiliates toward this weekend’s referendum: $465,000. Amount spent in opposition: $0. That’s right, nothing. Steve Wynn has also been careful not to stir up potential anti-casino ire by avoiding media … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Galaxy fights back

Posted on June 20, 2013 by David McKee

What do you do if you’re Galaxy Gaming CEO Robert Saucier? A judge in California has called you “evasive and … intentionally dishonest.” (Or, in plain English, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”) You’re under scrutiny for a laundry list of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Galaxy fights back

Ohio: A disappointment, not a flop

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

Editor’s note: On June 20, J.P. Morgan lowered its price-per-share target for Penn National Gaming, citing “the sluggish Ohio ramp,” along with cannibalization of business in neighboring states. On May 22, legislators in Ohio voted to limit payouts from “sweepstakes … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MTR Gaming, New Hampshire, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio: A disappointment, not a flop

Vegas: Bullishness is back; Getting high at the Trop

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

While we’re still a few years from seeing Resorts World Las Vegas come to fruition, in the meantime, Genting Group would like to tease our interest. It’s asking Clark County for permission to build a couple of “preview centers” on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Colorado, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism | 1 Comment

Macao: Light and darkness

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David McKee

If you read Bloomberg News last week, Macao is tantamount to Disneyland, at least if you visit Venetian Macao, which is “home to a fake grand canal, crooning gondoliers and brands from McDonald’s to Dior.” The amenity-laden style of Sheldon … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 1 Comment

Pinnacle folds; Kansas City rebounds

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David McKee

Wow. I am stunned. Despite defiant proclamations that he would fight the Federal Trade Commission in court, Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Anthony Sanfilippo capitulated in swift order. This morning, J.P. Morgan reported that Pinnacle had reached an agreement in principle to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | 2 Comments

Wynn gets serious in Massachusetts; Little racino bests Caesars

Posted on June 14, 2013 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is engaging a multi-pronged effort to clinch the favor of voters in Everett. Of course, if the Massachusetts Gaming Commission takes time off from generating paperwork to stop and be impressed by Wynn’s campaign, so much the better. Wynn’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Pinnacle: First the good news …; Cuomo strikes again

Posted on June 13, 2013 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment has lined up $2.9 billion in financing for its takeover of Ameristar Casinos. (Wouldn’t it have been awkward if Wall Street had said, “No thanks”?) In case you’re wondering, the deal values Ameristar at 8X cash flow, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Harrah's, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson’s troubles mount; Rage at Wynncore

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands has been losing one court case after another, whether in Macao or at home in Las Vegas. But the sands really hit the fan today with the revelation that Sheldon Adelson‘s company is under the scrutiny by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, International, LVCVA, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wall Street visits Vegas: Wynn, Sands & MGM

Posted on June 3, 2013 by David McKee

Like the pig in a ham-and-egg breakfast, Deutsche Bank is committed to Las Vegas, while many of its brethren (like the chicken) merely hold an interest. However, DB’s $4 billion grubstake fortunately does not preclude analyst Carlo Santarelli from dropping … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, International, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wall Street visits Vegas: Wynn, Sands & MGM