Category Archives: Sheldon Adelson

Is MGM the next REIT?; Bad news for PokerStars

Posted on March 17, 2015 by David McKee

Shares of MGM Resorts International could trade at $55. So thinks hedge-fund boss Jonathan Litt, who has proposed converting MGM into a REIT, a move he says could halve the company’s massive debt. (Asset sales are part of Litt’s plan.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson lackey denounces gambling; Scientific’s stumble

Posted on March 16, 2015 by David McKee

In a surprising display of petulance, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) hung up the phone on members of the National Governors Association when they had the temerity to object to his Restoration of America’s Wire Act bill, which would criminalize state … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Marketing, New York, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

The clock is running in Japan, Florida, Connecticut

Posted on March 11, 2015 by David McKee

Major casino companies are beginning to lose patience with Japan‘s impotent government and are casting their eyes toward South Korea. “This will take leadership. At some point someone is going to have to say ‘this is important to us, let’s push this … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Adelson vs. lottery; Big weekend at SLS

Posted on March 11, 2015 by David McKee

Proving that gaming is the only taxable udder on which the Nevada Legislature dares tug, Assemblyman Harvey Munford has proposed a state lottery. The purported use of lottery proceeds would be to help senior citizens and support public education. “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Belt-tightening in Macao; Adelson gets his wrist slapped

Posted on March 9, 2015 by David McKee

Given the steep plunge in casino revenues over the past eight months, Macao casino operators are talking about taking cost-saving measures. Although its mass-market focus shelters it from the worst of the downturn, Sands China is mulling cuts in its … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Georgia, Horseracing, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Fear and loathing in Washington; New goodies at Borgata

Posted on March 4, 2015 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson sock puppet Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) would be holding his much-ballyhooed hearing on Internet gambling today, had Mother Nature not intervened and forced a postponement. When it happens, it’ll be pretty much the kangaroo court you’d expect. His star witness is rabid and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Naughtiness at Las Vegas Sands; Caesars makes bankruptcy plan official

Posted on March 4, 2015 by David McKee

Sands China could have some stateside problems. Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez is mulling whether or not to slap Sands’ wrist for tampering with evidence. The documents in question are part of a wrongful-termination lawsuit brought by former Sands China CEO Steven … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, IGT, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

Macao in freefall; A RAWA deal

Posted on March 3, 2015 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson can call Macao‘s doldrums “cyclical” until he’s blue in the face but there’s no mistaking that the gambling enclave is having serious problems. Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement when February revenue falls 49%. VIP play is … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

First big hurdle in Indiana cleared

Posted on March 2, 2015 by David McKee

Both the Indiana state Senate and Gov. Mike Pence (R) could still nix the deal, but the Indiana House of Representatives voted 76-19 to put riverboat casinos ashore and OK live dealers at the state’s Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park racinos. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Dakota | Comments Off

Caesars quits Ohio; Adelson’s Iran problem

Posted on March 2, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s portfolio is lighter to the tune of two Ohio casinos and a racino. The beleaguered company sold its 20% in Horseshoe Cleveland, Horseshoe Cincinnati and ThistleDown Racino to majority shareholder Rock Ohio Ventures, giving Dan Gilbert full control … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, GTECH, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, IGT, International, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Warner Gaming | 2 Comments

Macao casinos squeezed again; Isle’s clean sweep

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David McKee

First, it was the corruption crackdown. Now, the Chinese government is reviewing visitation levels to Macao. As Macanese Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Alexis Tam put it, “[T]oo many tourists impact residents’ quality of life.” That’s not music to casinos’ ears and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Florida, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caesars foe now its BFF; Suffolk Downs returns

Posted on February 20, 2015 by David McKee

Considering that it is the owner of Caesars Interactive and WSOP.com, one would hardly expect Caesars Entertainment to welcome PokerStars back to the U.S. market. But that is precisely what it has done, proclaiming that “we need to focus on where … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Good and bad news for Caesars

Posted on February 17, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s last hopes for a Massachusetts casino are slipping through its fingers. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and cleared Chairman Stephen Crosby of any charges of untoward conduct. Judge David Souter ruled … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Can New York casinos work miracles?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by David McKee

“Do I believe in it? I believe in it. I think Sullivan County is destined for an absolute true turnaround,” says Monticello restaurateur Bill Sipos, when asked about the potential impact of Empire Resorts‘ Montreign (left) on his area. The project … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Environment, Neil Bluhm, New York, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

We’re Number One; Adelson goes Disney

Posted on February 13, 2015 by David McKee

Las Vegas is officially the epicenter of the nightclub universe. Seven of the 10 top-grossing clubs in Nightclub & Bar‘s 2014 survey are on the Las Vegas Strip. The honor roll is topped by XS Nightclub, followed by Hakkasan, Marquee … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Palms, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 12, 2015 by David McKee

“PokerStars is one of the only gaming companies that has been actively committed to pursuing a position in the Atlantic City market. Everybody else is running away. So, why would we rebuff a company that wants to make a major investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

One man’s toxic waste …

Posted on February 6, 2015 by David McKee

… is Steve Wynn‘s treasure. Reader thsully1 has supplied us with these photos of Wynn’s casino site in Everett. Mentally superimpose Wynn Las Vegas and decide if you’d like to go there or not. “The site is sandwiched in between … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Philippines, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Weak quarter for Las Vegas Sands; Penn weathers a blow

Posted on January 29, 2015 by David McKee

There was definitely some grit in the 4Q14 financial results for Las Vegas Sands‘ Strip properties. Table play was down $102 million, or 16%. And those players who showed up played lucky. Table revenue was down 26%, or $37 million. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Possible Pennsylvania cutback?; Prudes pressured Walker

Posted on January 26, 2015 by David McKee

Once casinos move to fill a vacuum, it’s difficult to push them back. But that’s what Pennsylvania state Rep. Will Talman (R) is trying to do. He’s proposing a bill to close Keystone State casinos nightly between 2 a.m. and … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Iowa, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Adelson gives himself promotion; Making Macao family friendly

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

With Edward Tracy retiring and Rob Goldstein only undertaking the presidency of Sands China on an interim basis, Sheldon Adelson has named himself CEO of Sands China in addition to Las Vegas Sands. This is viewed as a positive move, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Economy, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off