Category Archives: Regulation

Loveman waffles on Philly … again; Sands and Galaxy surge

Posted on September 2, 2011 by David McKee

After getting into, then out of the incompetent Lewis Katz/Ed Snider casino consortium in Philadelphia, “direct discussions” are being held by Caesars Entertainment to reenter the moribund project. Its backers are asking for — guess what? — yet another two-month … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Musical chairs; Perry’s hypocrisy

Posted on August 26, 2011 by David McKee

Those who go around, come around. The newly unveiled management team for the Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi has a distinct aura of déja vu. CEO Tom Brosig used to be Lyle Berman‘s right-hand man at Grand Casinos, whose Biloxi casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Louisiana, Lyle Berman, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism | 4 Comments

Thaw in Massachusetts? Hilton has left the building

Posted on August 25, 2011 by David McKee

After screwing the pooch in the previous legislature, it looks as though Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) and state lawmakers are finally on the same page regarding casino expansion in the Bay State. Analyst Joseph Greff rates the solons’ chances of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Genting, Horseracing, IGT, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming, WMS Industries | 2 Comments

Pain in the ACH

Posted on August 12, 2011 by David McKee

In the shrinking Atlantic City market, where most of the casinos are operating in the red, it was inevitable that one or two of the so-called “parasitic” ones would bite the dust. While the ex-Atlantic City Hilton (preposterously rebranded as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Harrah's, history, Marketing, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 3 Comments

Boob job

Posted on August 5, 2011 by David McKee

Bankrupt, 38-year-old Hooters Hotel got a two-month reprieve yesterday, as owners obtained a judge’s permission to keep spending creditors’ monies to keep the place open for an additional two months. That will at least give employees time to update their … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Hooters, IGT, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 7 Comments

Lost: Steve Wynn’s marbles

Posted on July 21, 2011 by David McKee

Oh Christ, Steve Wynn, grow up already. Busy Wall Street analysts were held hostage to a 433-word talk-radio tirade while they were probably itching to write up quarterly earnings reports. When other CEOs might have been bragging on an “amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boyd Gaming, California, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism | 5 Comments

If you liked CityCenter …

Posted on July 14, 2011 by David McKee

… you’ll lurve the “ghost cities” of China. Actually, they look more like something Sheldon Adelson would design — if Adelson were doing mile-long lines of cocaine, that is. He and others like him who own casinos in Macao better … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, International, Jack Binion, Macau, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 2 Comments

Sheldon Adelson, stiff?

Posted on July 13, 2011 by David McKee

Why would a man whose company shells out $2.5 million a year for a personal security detail balk at paying an extra hundred grand? (Las Vegas Sands has an interesting defense: We didn’t break the law … and, if we … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Economy, Harry Reid, Macau, Regulation, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

“Family friendly Vegas” is back; Putting the “gone” in Longoria; A mess in Mississippi

Posted on July 13, 2011 by David McKee

Actually, it never left, as any casual visit to the Strip will prove. But, strapped for a marketing position, Trump International is going for the wholesome niche with a vengeance. Stuck with a lemon, Trump marketing execs are making lemonade … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

So it begins

Posted on July 6, 2011 by David McKee

Slow news day: There wasn’t much worth noting yesterday, other than some preliminary numbers out of Pennsylvania (i.e., slot revenues). Table games money could change the picture but, so far, June is looking like a good month for Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, M Resort, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Restarting in Ohio

Posted on July 1, 2011 by David McKee

Now that Penn National Gaming and Rock Ohio Caesars have waved the white flag to Gov. Jon Kasich‘s monetary demands, work is resuming at their once-stalled Ohio casinos. In the case of ROC’s Cleveland casino, Rock Ventures and Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Harrah's, Horseracing, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes | 1 Comment

ACH-ooo!; The Admiral’s last voyage

Posted on July 1, 2011 by David McKee

For the second time in a week, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has stripped its name from a Colony Capital casino-hotel. First to go was the Las Vegas Hilton, to be known next year as [your logo here]. Today comes news … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dennis Gomes, Economy, Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Lies, damned lies and smoking

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

Although Illinois‘ casino industry has fallen and can’t get up, the state’s smoking ban has nothing to do with it. Nada! That’s the contention of a study out of Washington University (my brother’s alma mater), which says that players “never … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

“As an economy based almost solely on tourism and entertainment, Nevada — and especially Las Vegas — should accept reality, embrace the inevitable, repeal the state’s ban on gay marriage, and scarf up on the tourism bonanza that would result … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Hawaii, New York, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Illinois: Optimism or suicide?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

It doesn’t matter to state Rep. Lou Lang (D, right) that Illinois‘ casino revenues are puny compared to those of neighboring Indiana or that St. Louis-area players are defecting in droves. He wants racinos and more casinos, by golly, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | 2 Comments

Raw deal

Posted on June 18, 2011 by David McKee

In the end two, casino operators bent over, grabbed their ankles and took it hard from Gov. John Kasich (R), who can claim a near-unqualified victory — and in blistering time. With money and pilings already sunk into Ohio, neither … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 3 Comments

Shopping spree: Boyd, Melco, Sands; Trouble in Adelsonia

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

For those of you waiting for Boyd Gaming to do something with all its undrawn credit, the moment has arrived. Having surveyed the chips on the board, Boyd has pounced upon … IP Casino Resort Spa (née Imperial Palace Biloxi) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, history, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Shopping spree: Boyd, Melco, Sands; Trouble in Adelsonia

Where would Jesus play? Harrah’s!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David McKee

In one of the most surprising press releases I have ever received, the 2011 Believe Crusade is coming to Harrah’s Tunica. Or rather, to “Harrah’s Mid-South Convention Center,” as the promotional materials euphemistically term it. Featuring every C-list African American … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, Regulation, Reno, Tourism | 3 Comments

They’ve seen the future …

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

… and it’s Singapore. That’s good news if you’re Sheldon Adelson, less auspicious if you’ve got a weak track record as a developer (coughCaesars Entertainmentcough). And if Chad Mollman‘s correct, does this mean Steve Wynn has soured on his proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

“[Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Michael] Lawton said the taxes were up despite revenue being down because of credit play and collections from prior months. Lawton said that when players lose money gambling on casino credit, casinos tally the monthly … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day