Category Archives: Reno

Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Although it seems supremely beside the point at this grave moment, it’s time to report February’s gaming-revenue numbers from Massachusetts. Casinos in the state grossed some $86 million, with $52.5 million of that made at Encore Boston Harbor, with 61% … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, California, Canada, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Health, Horseracing, International, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Tourism, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Gaming stocks by and large didn’t feel the love on Wall Street yesterday, trending slightly downward, not counting 9% rallies for Station Casinos and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (the latter the only Macao operator to bounce back). The market recouped … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Current, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Health, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Reno, Rhode Island, Sahara, South Dakota, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Vermont, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Crime pays; Dream-ing big

Donald Trump granted executive clemency to four convicted criminals, three of whom had—surprise!—casino connections. Steve Wynn‘s money man Michael Milken benefited from the support not of the tainted Wynn but of Sheldon Adelson. (Mirage Resorts was financed with junk bonds, … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Downtown, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels | 1 Comment

Turnaround at Station; Suburban sexcapades

Things are looking up for Station Casinos. The latest dispatch from JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff was optimistic, citing “a market that should experience solid 2% to 3% [gross gaming revenue] growth and possesses the ability to harvest margin growth as … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, International, Kentucky, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Pahrump, Palms, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip rose 4.5% last month, even as locals casinos vaulted 13.5% and the state as a whole was up 6%. Strip casinos grossed $592 million, despite a 27% tumble in baccarat winnings on 29.5% less … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Racinos, Reno, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River | Comments Off on Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao

As expected, Penn National Gaming bought a significant position in Barstool Sports, investing $135 million cash, $28 million PENN shares, and getting 36% of the two board seats and 36% of the company. The remainder is split between Chernin Group … Continue reading

Posted in China, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Problem gambling, Reno, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao

Mohegan Sun in, Hard Rock out; Hoosiers crave sports betting

In a shocking upset, “a source close to the matter” reports that Hard Rock International has been turned down for the Hellenikon megaresort development in Greece. That means the winning bidder is Mohegan Sun. Hard Rock was apparently faulted both … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Encore owns Massachusetts; Harrah’s Reno (almost) sold

Massachusetts gaming-revenue numbers are out and Encore Boston Harbor is the story. It’s got 65% market share and $1.75 million casino win per day. MGM Springfield is far behind, with 19% market share and 600 dimes win per day, with … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, history, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Oklahoma, Penn National, Problem gambling, Reno, The Strip, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore owns Massachusetts; Harrah’s Reno (almost) sold

Brandes’ big bet; Skill-based slots catching on

“We think it’s time for Florida to take it out of the shadows and into the sunshine,” said state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R). He was speaking of sports betting which, like daily fantasy sports, is currently illegal in the Sunshine … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, GameCO, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Damp November in Nevada; Dirty dealings in Illinois

Could the good times be coming to an end for Las Vegas? The Strip was down 3% last month but, worse still, locals revenue was off by 4%. The prior-year comparison was difficult (+6.5%) but not impossible, while December looks … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Movies, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Strip soft, locals firm; Big win for DraftKings

At $538 million, last month’s Strip gambling revenue fell 9%. Slot win was 1.5% up on 5.5% more coin-in. However, baccarat win plunged 27% on 20.5% less wagering. Non-baccarat table games were down 19% on 11% less betting. Strip casinos … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Culinary Union, Downtown, DraftKings, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New Hampshire, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Washington State | Comments Off on Strip soft, locals firm; Big win for DraftKings

Vegas tourists, locals flex economic muscle

Both the Las Vegas Strip and Nevada casinos as a whole were up 7% in September, with locals action up a bullish 9.5%. “We think this data suggest less potential gaming-related risk to MGM’s 3Q19 results as well as [Station … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Conventions, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, MGM Resorts International, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas tourists, locals flex economic muscle

Strip buoyant, locals pounded; Tilman strikes again

Thanks in part to some dramatic table-game numbers, Las Vegas Strip revenues leapt 9% last month. It wasn’t baccarat: That highly volatile game was actually pretty stable, with 6% more win on 7% less wagering (the house played lucky). Other … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Dining, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Strip buoyant, locals pounded; Tilman strikes again

Fertitta plays Cassandra; Reach for the sky

Although Atlantic City is coming off its best month in memory, Tilman Fertitta is predicting doom and gloom. “It’s not a nine-casino market, and I don’t understand why nobody realizes that,” he told The Press of Atlantic City. “You could say the … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Election, Fontainebleau, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Nevada, Pahrump, Reno, Steven Witkoff, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 3 Comments

Rio sold; Best casinos named

Despite rumors that Caesars Entertainment has sworn off trying to sell The Rio (again), it turns out that the Roman Empire was still shopping the resort. It’s been tentatively sold to “a principal of Imperial Companies” for $516 million. If … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, TV, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Slow News Day, The Sequel

Both Kevin Hart and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are being sued over a sex tape of Hart doing the nasty with actress Monita Sabbag was uploaded onto the Internet. (When in doubt about making a sex tape, don’t.) Hart … Continue reading

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Genting, Iowa, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Slow News Day, The Sequel

Baccarat hamstrings the Strip

July would have been a good month for the Las Vegas Strip were it not for a wipeout at baccarat: down 26% on 15% less wagering, so luck was definitely not with the house. Overall, Strip revenues were up 1.5% … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Racinos, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Baccarat hamstrings the Strip

Vegas’ baccarat bonanza; New ‘link’ on Strip

Ever unpredictable, the Las Vegas Strip boomed  last month, as gross gaming revenue shot up 18% (propelled by baccarat) to $616.5 million. Statewide, gambling win leapt 11.5% for a grand total of $1 billion. Perhaps it’s coincidental—but surely not—that McCarran … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Baseball, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Golden Gaming, Hawaii, history, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas’ baccarat bonanza; New ‘link’ on Strip

Wynn tops in U.S. casinos; Crown in hot water again

Steve Wynn got some love from the contributors to TripAdvisor, whose top-three-ranked casinos in America are Wynn Las Vegas, Encore and Beau Rivage, a vindication of Wynn’s spare-no-detail approach. However, Bellagio may be showing its age, clocking in at a … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment