Category Archives: Sheldon Adelson

Walker finally acts; Pessimistic about Japan

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

After numerous delays, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) finally was roused from inaction on the proposed Menominee Nation casino for Kenosha. The governor’s response to the tribe was a firm “no,” predicated upon forecasts of revenue losses from the state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, International, Japan, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Sands scores in Pennsylvania; More nonsense from Trump

Posted on January 19, 2015 by David McKee

Pennsylvania isn’t anywhere near done with building casinos but it is feeling market saturation. A $40 million decline in slot winnings pushed casinos to sub-2013 levels. The proliferation of casino product did not help. “When I came here six years ago, there were … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Donald Trump, Macau, Massachusetts, Michael Gaughan, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, TV | Comments Off on Sands scores in Pennsylvania; More nonsense from Trump

Fly Mohegan; End of an era; Washington takes up i-gaming

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David McKee

“Never before has a traveler been able to leave New York City, fly to Mohegan [Sun], enjoy a world class show, have a terrific dining experience, play in the casino and be back home … by midnight.” So says Fly Blade … Continue reading →

Posted in Dubai, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | 1 Comment

Gaming board yields to Cuomo’s pressure; Indian givers in Florida

Posted on January 12, 2015 by David McKee

By leaning on the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board, Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to have persuaded it to reopen the bidding process for a casino in the state’s Southern Tier. However, if Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural thought he’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Gaming board yields to Cuomo’s pressure; Indian givers in Florida

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off on Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Reid’s treachery and Adelson’s myopia

Posted on December 15, 2014 by David McKee

As predicted here, Sen. Harry Reid (D) stuck a knife in erstwhile allies Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, embracing Sheldon Adelson instead. If Sheldon, who holds all the cards at this point, cedes to a carve-out for online poker, Reid … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Reid’s treachery and Adelson’s myopia

Et tu, Harry?

Posted on December 10, 2014 by David McKee

Internet gambling dodged a bullet when the federal government’s omnibus spending bill was sent to the floor without Restoring America’s Wire Act tacked on like a flea riding a dog. “If we can’t get it into the omnibus, it won’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Taxes | Comments Off on Et tu, Harry?

Indiana giveth, Ohio taketh away; Atlantic City fix finds wide support

Posted on December 9, 2014 by David McKee

Depending on whether or not you count free play as taxable revenue, Indiana was down 6% or 7% last month, with customers spending 3% more but visiting 9.5% less. Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg took cross-border competition particularly hard, falling … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Harrah's, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Cokehead gets Nevada casino license; Cosmo sale near

Posted on December 4, 2014 by David McKee

Goodwill generated by the opening of SLS Las Vegas just went up Sam Nazarian‘s nose. The Los Angeles nightclub operator admitted to doing cocaine last April while living it up in Mexico. This is the kind of revelation casino pundits … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, history, Macau, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Adelson keeps coming; Eternal frustration in Florida

Posted on November 26, 2014 by David McKee

Let’s face it: Sheldon Adelson is old, distrusts computers and clearly fears Internet gambling’s encroachment on his mammoth brick-and-mortar casinos. Which means that even if he fails to get the Restore America’s Wire Act bill passed in Congress’ lame-duck session, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson keeps coming; Eternal frustration in Florida

Good news from the Boardwalk; Leven leaves

Posted on November 25, 2014 by David McKee

Rid of the Atlantic Club Hotel, Showboat, Trump Plaza and Revel, cash flow at Atlantic City casinos shot upward 7%, or $147.5 million. Once that unhappy quartet is removed from the year-over-year comparison, the percentage increase falls to 3% but … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Good news from the Boardwalk; Leven leaves

Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Casino legalization fell on its sword in Japan when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly dissolved the Diet, in order to call for elections. According to Reuters, “That means lawmakers cannot pass regulatory legislation next year, making it highly unlikely any … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Transportation | Comments Off on Failure in Japan … on to South Korea

New Jersey cuffed; Adelson stirs controversy

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

In a development of no great surprise, federal District Court Judge Michael Shipp enjoined Monmouth Park (and anybody else in New Jersey) from offering sports betting. And he made the injunction permanent, decreeing that the Garden State’s unregulated sports wagering … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on New Jersey cuffed; Adelson stirs controversy

Are the feds scrutinizing Wynn … and why?

Posted on November 24, 2014 by David McKee

Uncle Sam appears to be making a systematic sweep of the Strip, probing all the major players. The latest target, according to the Wall Street Journal, is Wynn Resorts, which denies knowledge of any federal probe. However, according to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Are the feds scrutinizing Wynn … and why?

Big Ease; The Mirage, 25 years later

Posted on November 20, 2014 by David McKee

Even with 19 non-tribal casinos and racinos to support, the Louisiana market continues to rebound. It was up 4% last month, with even 2% growth in the crowded Shreveport/Bossier City marketplace. El Dorado was the second-highest grosser and the percentage leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Downtown, GLPI, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Paul pounds Sands; Caesars’ Eight

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

If he used a computer — which he doesn’t — Sheldon Adelson would have to delete Ron Paul from his list of Facebook “friends.” The libertarian gadfly is the latest U.S. citizen to take umbrage a Adelson’s do-gooder (and dubiously … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Paul pounds Sands; Caesars’ Eight

Impossible choice at Trump Taj; Ultimate Poker busts

Posted on November 14, 2014 by David McKee

Ownership of Trump Taj Mahal has handed down to workers a choice that might be described as being between bad and worse: accept the loss of their health and pension benefits or, if Unite-Here continues to pursue an appeal in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Michael Gaughan, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 2 Comments

Station mixes candor, optimism; Adelson: What’s next?

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone wasn’t showing his cards in yesterday’s conference call with analysts. He would only say that, in the wake of Proposition 48‘s defeat in California, Station and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians would explore “other … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Station mixes candor, optimism; Adelson: What’s next?

Seminole talks to restart; Churchill Downs’ big play

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Now that he’s assured of four more years, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) can tidy up some unfinished business … like compact negotiations with the Seminole Tribe. The $1 billion/five-year deal currently before the two parties would reward that tribal … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, Current, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Seminole talks to restart; Churchill Downs’ big play

Penn: The world according to GARP

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

Observing stability in regional gaming markets, Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli is out with a bullish investor note on Penn National Gaming today, declaring “the worst appears over.” He sets a $17 target price for the stock (currently trading just below … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn: The world according to GARP