Category Archives: Reno

Shocker: Hard Rock Rocksino sold; New top man at SLS

Posted on April 5, 2018 by David McKee

Despite being the dominant racino operator — hell, gaming operator — in Ohio, it seems that Hard Rock International is throwing in the towel. It’s selling Hard Rock Rocksino to MGM Growth Properties. Early Wall Street speculation is that we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Affinity Gaming, Alex Meruelo, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Las Vegas: Whales to the rescue

Posted on March 30, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenues far overshot projections for last month, finishing 11.5% higher, grossing $603.5 million. This is in large part due to baccarat revenues, a cosmic 82.5% higher on a staggering 59% increase in wagering, “likely reflecting some … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Culinary Union, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Mesquite, New York, North Las Vegas, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Steve Wynn has left the building; Packer out, too

Posted on March 23, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts now has 100% less Steve Wynn now that the mogul has sold his entire stake in the company. At first blush this looks like a passive-aggressive lashing out at a firm that is now moving forward. However, Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, James Packer, Kazuo Okada, Massachusetts, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Indiana suffers, Ohio not so much; Station’s surprise

Posted on March 8, 2018 by David McKee

While its $170 million gross looked a lot better than Illinois‘ $104 million, Indiana saw its gamblers stay home in droves — 24% less foot traffic, although those who showed up seemed to have spent 21%. In any event, gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, George Maloof, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Wynn: It gets worse; More changes for Palms

Posted on February 28, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn may have left Wynn Resorts but the collateral damage keeps careening about like a ricocheting bullet. Yesterday The Associated Press got a hold of two police reports filed against the mogul. The more explosive of the two alleges that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Palms, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Negotiation time in Vegas; MGM China trounces expectations

Posted on February 20, 2018 by David McKee

Yes, it’s that exciting moment when the Culinary Union contract comes due and the local flexes its muscle to get results from the casinos. Frankly, we don’t expect much drama this year, given the excellent state of the Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Downtown, Harrah's, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Reno, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Baccarat slays the Strip

Posted on January 31, 2018 by David McKee

Gaming revenues on the Las Vegas Strip continued to dip in December, down 3% ($571.5 million). Baccarat tore a hole through gaming receipts, with the house plunging 30% on 9% less wagering. Non-baccarat table games fared much better, up 7.5%. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Illinois, Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Reno, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

New investigation of Wynn; Eldorado on the prowl

Posted on January 31, 2018 by David McKee

After several days of uncertainty, it’s definitive: The Nevada Gaming Control Board will investigate the allegations of sex abuse against Steve Wynn. In the past the NGCB has been only too willing to look the other way when prominent Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

State of the Strip; Air Area 51

Posted on January 10, 2018 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli met with a number of casino companies recently and came away with a sanguine prospect for the Las Vegas Strip. As for the operators, “Overall, we felt commentary pertaining to the LV locals market, regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

There’s new life at F-blew; Casinos neglect safety plans

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Contrary to some of his early pronouncements about Fontainebleau, new owner Steven Witkoff isn’t sitting on his asset but is pursuing roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that will be required to finish the eye, er, glittering megaresort. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Genting, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Steven Witkoff, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Strip’s Thanksgiving turkey; Sports betting overhyped?

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Despite a neutral calendar (i.e., same number of weekend days) and a 2% increase in baccarat wagers, the Las Vegas Strip managed to plummet 25% in table game win, pulling overall revenue 6% downward. Had it not been for that game, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Delaware, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | 1 Comment

Strip loses, locals joints win; Aristocrat hooks Big Fish

Posted on November 30, 2017 by David McKee

Given the robustness of October 2017, last month’s Las Vegas Strip revenues ($529 million) were already facing a difficult comparison and the Stephen Paddock shooting spree didn’t help matters. Gambling revenues fell 6% last month along Las Vegas Boulevard. (Statewide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments

Day of the Gun

Posted on November 29, 2017 by David McKee

Bellagio needs to get serious about security. As has happened multiple times in the past, an armed robbery was conducted on the premises, this time at the poker cage, at 3:45 p.m. I wouldn’t say casino security stood idly by but … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, International, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Reno, The Strip | Comments Off

Bullish Boyd; Inside Station’s crystal ball

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli met with Boyd Gaming‘s brain trust and liked what he heard, but I’ll let him tell it in his own words: “Within Las Vegas, management is encouraged by unrated play, particularly in the Downtown segment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Florida, IGT, Internet gambling, Marketing, Palms, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Reno’s bright future; All-time high for Vegas sports books

Posted on November 3, 2017 by David McKee

We love Reno. It has a river in the middle of downtown, nearby mountains and all the charm that Las Vegas so desperately lacks. It also had a gambling market that was written off for dead 15 years ago. Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, International, Nevada, Oklahoma, Paragon Gaming, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on November 2, 2017 by David McKee

In an early Christmas present to gaming historians, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV has unveiled the Harrah’s Entertainment Corporate Archives, focusing on the 1940-2000 period. In other words, it doesn’t just go back to the beginning but before … Continue reading →

Posted in GLPI, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Strip waxes, LV locals wane; Caesars sticks it to you

Posted on October 31, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming revenues inched up 3% in Nevada last August, while the Las Vegas Strip was up 5%, to $568 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote that the latter implied “strong 3Q for MGM table games given WYNN and LVS’ combined 3Q … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Major casino expansion mooted for Pennsylvania; Big wins for Florida, Wisconsin tribes

Posted on October 27, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming expansion is creeping forward in Pennsylvania. The state Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill that would add 10 satellite casinos to the Keystone State. Eldorado Resorts‘ Presque Isle Downs would be juiced in for one … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Mandalay Bay mystery a labyrinth

Posted on October 6, 2017 by David McKee

As the clouds of war gather again over our great country, we’re finally gaining some clarity regarding Mandalay Bay shooter Stephen Paddock. He was that seeming oxymoron: a video poker “whale,” one who didn’t blanch at wagering $100 a spin. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Harrah's, Illinois, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Texas | Comments Off