Category Archives: Seminole Tribe

What is “good faith”?; Landslide shaping up in New Jersey

Posted on October 5, 2016 by David McKee

Who broke the compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe? That question is at the nub of a bench trial over the Seminoles’ disputed blackjack games. A win for Gov. Rick Scott (R) could be Pyrrhic, costing … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nevada, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off

Crisis mode in Pennsylvania; Hard Rock unifies the brand

Posted on October 3, 2016 by David McKee

Although Pennsylvania lawmakers theoretically have three months to amend an “incredibly complex” state law that directs casino revenue to host cities and counties, the grim reality is that the Lege has only eight session days in which to get it … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, G2E, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, International, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

Stadium debate heats up; Seminole Tribe ousts boss

Posted on September 30, 2016 by David McKee

While it looked for a moment like the wheels were greased for an NFL stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, financed primarily by hotel-room taxes, there’s a bit less certainty today. For one thing, Sheldon Adelson either assumed or … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | 2 Comments

Indiana gamblers visit less, play more; Rude surprise at Seminole Hard Rock

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

Indiana casino customers visited less last month but more than made up for it with increased spending, keeping Hoosier State gaming revenues stable. That even-keel figure conceals some big swings and roundabouts at individual property. Horseshoe Hammond had an unaccountably … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Dining, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

High-stakes legal challenge in Florida; Free-for-all in New York

Posted on June 7, 2016 by David McKee

A relatively obscure dispute in the Florida panhandle could have huge ramifications for the state’s casino industry. Four years ago, voters in Gadsden County approved slot machines for Gretna Racing, a joint venture of two Tallahassee lobbyists and the Poarch Bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, Election, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

High-stakes headbutting in Hartford; Pennsylvania grapples with slot routes

Posted on March 11, 2016 by David McKee

All the key players in Connecticut finally butted heads in a showdown in Hartford yesterday. In one corner, you had the casino-ineligible Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. Behind it was its patron, MGM Resorts International, which has a $950 million investment in Springfield, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Nevada grapples with DFS; Seminole compact dies

Posted on March 7, 2016 by David McKee

Rather than sit on the daily fantasy sports sidelines, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R, below) wants to nudge the Silver State into the game. To that end, he’s the keynote speaker for a specially convened, all-star hearing by the Nevada Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Japan, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

Painful progress for Seminole compact; Casinos dead in Georgia

Posted on March 1, 2016 by David McKee

It will be back to the negotiating table for Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), if a state House of Representatives version of the compact with Seminole Tribe is accepted in the state Senate. The compromise version of the compact adds slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Georgia, GLPI, Horseracing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

One year and millions of pages of documents later, we’re nearing resolution in Richard Davis‘ investigation of the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy. His report on the company’s attempted restructuring is due at year’s end. At its heart will be several controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off

Winning quarter for Wynn

Posted on February 15, 2016 by David McKee

In the current era of managed expectations of all things related to Macao, the 4Q15 report from Wynn Resorts fell into the “better than anticipated” category, with earnings down ‘only’ 17% (superior to Wall Street consensus) and profits just over … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Georgia, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM’s brass balls; Seminoles dream big

Posted on February 3, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegans are still in an uproar over MGM Resorts International‘s new pay-for-parking policy. And yet MGM had the gall to issue a press release calling the added fees part of a “strategy to provide significant improvements.” Yes, because paying more … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Florida, MGM Mirage, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Gulfport: Not so fast; DFS winning in Florida

Posted on January 29, 2016 by David McKee

In one day, attorney Robert Lubin‘s plan for a new Gulfport, Mississippi, casino went from being the next big thing to “Yes, but …” Lubin, whose speciality is EB-5 visa financing, envisions a two-pronged project: a $140 million casino plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off

Seminoles take to the air; Trop exec vanishes

Posted on January 20, 2016 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is taking its case to the people, as its new compact with Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces an uphill slog in the Legislature. The compact is such a Rube Goldberg contraption, with so many moving parts, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on January 15, 2016 by David McKee

The glass at Penn National Gaming‘s Plainridge Park is both half-full and half-empty these days. The win/slot/day ($291) is 50% above the industry’s desired norm. However, Plainridge continues to bleed customers, going from $12 million in revenue in November to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 5, 2016 by David McKee

“I don’t think there’s a single person that, no matter how you craft this bill, is going to be 100 percent happy with it. I think the question they’re going to have to ask themselves is, ‘Can I live with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Politics, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

Florida compact decried; Reprieve for Atlantic City?

Posted on December 23, 2015 by David McKee

Despite being at the epicenter of Florida‘s gaming industry, the Miami Herald has come out against Gov. Rick Scott‘s compact with the Seminole Tribe, wringing its hands and seeing a slot machine under every bed. “This is a major expansion … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Florida, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

‘Jubilee’ axed; DFS banned and reprieved

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was probably a mercy to Ffolliott “Fluff” LeCoque that the Las Vegas showbiz legend died two days before Caesars Entertainment buried a dagger in the heart of Jubilee. LeCoque had been part of the original cast and went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

No misery in Missouri; Packer’s Vegas venture in question

Posted on December 10, 2015 by David McKee

November was a tranquil month for Missouri casinos, exemplified by Penn National Gaming‘s Argosy Riverside, in Kansas City, dead even with last year. Statewide, foot traffic was down 5% and spending up 6%, particularly at table games, where winnings rose … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Scott, Seminoles make a deal; Reid does Caesars’ bidding

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David McKee

Just things were threatening to get ugly between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott (R) has emerged from the cone of silence to disclose a new, $3 billion revenue-sharing agreement with the Seminoles. The pact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off