Category Archives: Sheldon Adelson

Thinking the unthinkable

Posted on July 21, 2014 by David McKee

Could Nevada casino floors go genuinely smoke-free? That’s the idea floated by Deutsche Bank analyst Andrew Zarnett. Although Nevada voters have exempted casino floors from smoking bans, Zarnett thinks that state of affairs could change by 2016 or so, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Environment, Florida, Illinois, Macau, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Transportation | 2 Comments

Paradox at Sands

Posted on July 17, 2014 by David McKee

Only in Macao could Sheldon Adelson report a 27% increase in profit and have it be called disappointing. For the first time in four years, Macanese action dropped last month, down 4%. Dollars to doughnuts, those missing patacas will turn … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

The perils of Penn

Posted on July 15, 2014 by David McKee

Argosy Sioux City continues to lurch from crisis to crisis. In the latest twist, Judge Elizabeth Ovrom gave with one hand but took away with the other. In order that the casino can appeal its closure order from the Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Japan, land of opportunity

Posted on July 14, 2014 by David McKee

“I think it’s a less likely fit for us, because it’s not clear what the complementary set of skills would be in their case,” said Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman of gray-market pachinko parlors. That being the case, he might … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Australia: New promised land?

Posted on July 2, 2014 by David McKee

As Chinese visitation grew 36% in the last year alone, accounting for $7.75 billion dollars of economic impact, Australia is plunging full speed ahead into the race to be the next big gaming thing in the Pacific Rim. Hong Kong … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Australia, James Packer, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Sticky moment in Macao; Debt? What debt?

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

Macao continues to be a large blessing and a small curse upon the U.S. casino industry. Earlier this month, the Internal Revenue Service acknowledged ramped-up scrutiny of the enclave, where money laundering is a persistent fear — especially in Washington, … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson wants to protect America from underage gambling, he might start at his Sands Bethlehem casino. The casino has racked up $305,000 in fines in five years. Six incidents this year have incited the latest fine: $85,000. Casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Detroit, Economy, Election, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

Adelson: Who asked you?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson is fast becoming the #1 buttinski in American politics. He’s not from Florida and doesn’t do business there but that hasn’t stopped him from meddling the state’s electoral process. He’s been seeding an astroturf movement to defeat the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Adelson winning one-sided war

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

If it appears that Sheldon Adelson is rolling to victory in his jihad against Internet gambling, it’s primarily because his opposition has gone belly-up. First, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called the battle “a fight we cannot win,” then … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

May in Macao; Brave new slots

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

Given “softer than expected” numbers out of Macao, expect Wall Street analysts to dial down their expectations for the balance of the year. Gaming revenues rose ‘only’ 9% instead of the expected double digits and there was a surprise leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boulder Strip, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Abboud: Sinners repent!; Loveman’s orphan

Posted on June 4, 2014 by David McKee

Sounding like anti-casino zealot, Las Vegas Sands Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Community Development Andy Abboud had a dire message for Pennsylvania lawmakers: “Gambling was never supposed to be everywhere. It’s not an entitlement; it’s a vice. It needs to be doled … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Japan, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Hot air in Iowa, strong talk in Singapore

Posted on June 2, 2014 by David McKee

Despite the decisive, if not vehement rejection of his casino bid, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett wants another bite of the apple. Why? Because it would a smoke-free casino, which Gov. Terry Branstad (R) supports. It’s Corbett who’s blowing smoke … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Genting, Iowa, Japan, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

Adelson vs. Loveman: Splitting the difference

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

“One of the things I’ve learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another.” So said American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman after getting caught in the crossfire over Internet gambling. So, as the industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Warner Gaming, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Internet gaming: More light than heat; Fieri in your face

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

“We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the market.” Those are the words of 888.com CEO Brian Mattingley, with regard to Internet gambling in New Jersey. How slow is it? So much that 888 is shifting ad dollars from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David McKee

In a less-than-shocking turn of events, Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven has announced his retirement, effective the end of this year. Let the speculation over his successor commence! President of Global Gaming Operations Rob Goldstein would seem the obvious choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Freeman defeated; Caesars renders unto Maryland

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

In a stunning reversal — and a major victory for Sheldon Adelson — American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is ending the lobbying group’s support for Internet gambling. Freeman calls it “an issue that the association cannot lead on,” so the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

More states covet Internet lucre; Steeplechase in New York

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

Pennsylvania is keeping a close eye on Internet gambling in New Jersey. That much is clear from recent testimony before the House Democratic Policy Committee. “It can be regulated and controlled and … the existing technology can accurately locate players to prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

After Adelson … what then?; Hope in Springfield

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

One of the issues that has buzzed around Las Vegas Sands like a shoo-fly is the lack of a line of succession. President/COO Michael Leven was superannuated when he took the job at, at age 76, isn’t getting younger. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Detroit, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off

Fertitta breaks ranks; Roll them bones

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta, 56, may be a Baby Boomer himself, but he’s not satisfied with his Boomer-centric clientele. As he told the Southern Gaming Summit, “One of my scariest things that is young people do not play slot machines.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Geoff Freeman, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

Cosmo: Now comes the hard part

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO John Unwin is crowing in triumph over Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII‘s staggeringly lavish purchase of the megaresort over which he presides. “This marks the beginning of the next chapter for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Harrah's, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment