Category Archives: Sheldon Adelson

Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Some are blaming bad weather for two months of substantially reduced table-games winnings at Sands Bethlehem. But could casinos in the Catskills finally be having an effect? It’s hard to say, although one suspects the answer is “yes.” Sands Bethlehem tumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

Bridgeport lawmakers wasted no time after the adjournment of the Legislature to announce that they’d be back with another bill to open Connecticut to rival casino bids (really a Trojan Horse for MGM Resorts International, not that anyone is fooled). … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

It’s Elaine’s world; Big Uneasiness in Louisiana

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David McKee

When the dust settles from the annual Wynn Resorts board meeting, there will be a directorate that is at least 60% new. Two more longstanding board members bit the dust this week, including former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller (D). One … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, DFS, Elaine Wynn, Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Atlantic City: Calm before the storm; Stormy weather in Louisiana

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City was stable last month, defying an unfavorable calendar (one less weekend day) and grossing $191.5 million, while online gambling had its second-best-ever month, pulling in $23 million (+10.5%). Slot handle was down 3.5%, as was revenue, while a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Columbia Sussex, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

This just in

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

House Republicans are counting on Sheldon Adelson to deliver salvation this year. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) made his pitch last week, then left the room so former senator Norm Coleman could hit Adelson up for seven figures. Whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

MGM, Wynn woo Wall Street

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

This week, in conjunction with the opening of Park MGM, the parent company rolled out the red carpet for Wall Street analysts. “While there were no major announcements/surprises, we felt management put forth a thorough effort to better articulate its … Continue reading →

Posted in Elaine Wynn, Japan, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Last month found the State of Maryland in good health when it came to gaming revenue, up 6%. Most of this was driven — one is tempted to say “of course” — by MGM National Harbor, vaulting 15.5% for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, West Virginia | Comments Off

Las Vegas numbers perplex; Macao shatters expectations

Posted on May 4, 2018 by David McKee

While Las Vegas, as mentioned earlier, is slogging through a 10-month visitation slump, you wouldn’t know it from March’s gaming-revenue numbers, which were 9% higher on the Las Vegas Strip ($574 million), although locals casinos took a 5% hit. Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Colorado, Delaware, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Penn National, Reno, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Culinary, Caesars clash; Resort fees repel visitors

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

It’s collective-bargaining time in Las Vegas and the Culinary Union is dickering with Caesars Entertainment through the media. “Having rooms with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ on for days makes me shaky. I am constantly going into a room that staff hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Palms, Resort fees, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

MGM plays games with tribes, MGM Springfield, as Zinke steps in it

Posted on April 24, 2018 by David McKee

As various non-gaming related scandals gain critical mass around ersatz geologist and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, he’s found himself front and center in a casino mess in Connecticut. Seems that Zinke turned a deaf ear to career Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Mixed report from Japan; Wynn Boston Harbor up for grabs

Posted on April 23, 2018 by David McKee

First, the good news: The casino-regulation bill over which Japan‘s Liberal Democratic Party has slaved, may make it into the Diet by Friday, giving the Nipponese parliament just under two months to consider it. (The Diet adjourns on June 20.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

They gave a casino and nobody came

Posted on April 20, 2018 by David McKee

Yet again the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has held an auction for a mini-casino and not received a single bid. This is a mixed blessing, as the auctions to date have raised far more money than legislators thought they would. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Japan “better than feared.” Mixed bag in Louisiana

Posted on April 17, 2018 by David McKee

How do evolving casino casino regulations in Japan look? Well, how does ‘not as bad as expected’ sound? Trust me, that’s good news. And don’t take my word: Take that of Morgan Stanley. Taxes will be set at 30%, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Marijuana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Bumpy month for Atlantic City; Stanley Ho has left the building

Posted on April 13, 2018 by David McKee

Winter has not been kind to Atlantic City, with gaming revenues down 3.5% in March ($193 million). At least Internet gaming is a bastion of strength, 17.5% more productive last month, with Golden Nugget dominating that sector with 34% market … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, The Mob, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Sands running in Pennsylvania; Zinke inaction irks tribes

Posted on April 9, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands is halfway out the door at Sands Bethlehem but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any unfinished business, like seeking a five-year extension of its gambling license. CEO Brian Carr flashed some impressive numbers before regulators: $1.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Columbia Sussex, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Wynn fights back; Sheldon’s big payday

Posted on April 6, 2018 by David McKee

How can we miss Steve Wynn if he won’t go away? He’s suing a Las Vegas law firm for saying he was “leering” at female performers. Wynn’s defense is that he is legally blind (true enough), although we have found … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, IGT, Macau, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off

MGM owns Maryland; Rumble in Deadwood

Posted on April 5, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor continues to devour the Maryland market, hitting a record 40% market share last month, along with a best-ever $1.95 million/day in gross gaming record, for an overall gross of $60.5 million. Less pleasing for MGM execs: Slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Happy birthday, Ellis Island; SLS in, Sahara out for now

Posted on April 4, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations are in order to Ellis Island Hotel Casino & Brewery (not in that order of priority) on 50 years in business. What started as two menu items has grown into a beloved locals hangout whose karaoke nights are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Architecture, Atlantic City, Dining, Economy, Ellis Island, Greenwood Racing, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 16, 2018 by David McKee

“We are always evaluating our services and the associated fees with the goal of delivering the best guest experience.” — e-mail from Las Vegas Sands, bragging on their tops-in-Vegas resort fees.

Posted in Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Ruthless resort-fee robbery; Minstrel show at NY-NY

Posted on March 14, 2018 by David McKee

What do you do when occupancy declines? Why, raise the resort fees, of course! The odious levies went up 16% in 2016 and 11% last year, for an average of $34/night. Venetian/Palazzo recently upped its impost to $45 and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment