Category Archives: Singapore

Life after Revel; Sheldon’s solid quarter

Posted on October 15, 2014 by David McKee

Faced with fewer and fewer casino choices in Atlantic City, players seem to be choosing to stay home. The seaside city saw gaming revenues plummet 17% last month. That’s also the same percentage by which coin-in and slot revenues slipped. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Show Me some results; Wynn vindicated

Posted on October 10, 2014 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expressed disappointment with last month’s gaming revenues from Missouri. Even a 5% increase in spending couldn’t offset an 8% decline in foot traffic. A bright spot was that, for the quarter, Pinnacle Entertainment beat J.P. Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Funeral garb for Harmon; Death blow to Dotty’s?

Posted on October 8, 2014 by David McKee

Although it’s there to protect pedestrian, it’s fitting that the corpse of Harmon Hotel is shrouded in widow’s weeds. MGM Resorts International will be holding a protracted funeral for the first Las Vegas hotel to close without ever housing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dotty's, Golden Gaming, International, MGM Mirage, Politics, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Most happy fella; Grumbling on the Boardwalk

Posted on October 6, 2014 by David McKee

Although Sheldon Adelson was laying covetous eyes upon the Meadowlands last week — and reiterating his risible drivel about the mystical power of brick-and-mortar casinos to deter problem gambling — for the time being Las Vegas Sands is upping its bet … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Dining, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Marketing, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Pacific overtures

Posted on September 25, 2014 by David McKee

Lord knows where they keep coming up with the money for these things, especially with a prepacked bankruptcy being bruited about, but Caesars Entertainment and partner Lippo (a Chinese firm) are beavering away on a South Korea casino complex near … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Colorado, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Singapore, South Korea, Taxes | Comments Off

Decision time in Boston

Posted on September 9, 2014 by David McKee

At last, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is taking up the Steve Wynn vs. Mohegan Sun battle for a Boston-area casino. Hearings began yesterday, with one round going to each challenger. Wynn Resorts surprisingly (given its reputation) lost the swimsuit competition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

MGM courts Japan; More Strip land hits the market

Posted on September 5, 2014 by David McKee

Taking a veiled stab at Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International President William Hornbuckle said that a MGM megaresort in Japan would be “uniquely Japanese, not a copy of an integrated resort from Las Vegas or Singapore.” It … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Entertainment, history, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off

Sheldon goes Korean; More casinos for Maine?

Posted on September 3, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson wants in on any expansion of South Korea‘s casino and he’s not above using a little muscle to do it. According to Managing Director of Global Development George Tanasijevich, his company, Las Vegas Sands would create “a truly iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | Comments Off

The fees that ate Las Vegas

Posted on September 3, 2014 by David McKee

First, the good news. Harrah’s Las Vegas casino floor, one of the most claustrophobic and unpleasant in town is getting a makeover. And, while they’re at it, Caesars Entertainment is converting the space formerly occupied by The Cafe at Harrah’s and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Harrah's, International, Maryland, Ohio, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, The Strip | Comments Off

Loveman’s big score; Slots come to Dayton

Posted on August 28, 2014 by David McKee

“You’re in Baltimore, baby, it says so right there, in big gray block letters on a smokestack at the trash plant just past the entrance.” Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, long celebrated as the wizard of database market, also finds … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Transportation, Vietnam | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on August 21, 2014 by David McKee

Any fears of antitrust litigation in the Scientific Games/Bally Technologies merger were put to rest yesterday when the two companies announced they had cleared the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period ahead of schedule. This is hardly equal to leaping the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Genting, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Ohio, Regulation, Riviera, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, TV | Comments Off

Life after Revel?

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David McKee

Once safely closed — and rid of those pesky employees — Revel could find itself a valuable commodity again. Salaries really are at the crux of the issue. Current ownership is losing $2 million a week and that “black hole” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Macau, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Taxes | 1 Comment

The return of the Strip; Panic over Macao

Posted on August 18, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ recovery from the Great Recession is all but official. To be truthful, a number of us — myself in particular — thought we were being played for suckers when Sam Nazarian closed the Sahara and promised to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Genting, International, James Packer, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 4 Comments

MGM’s comeback; Packer’s presumption

Posted on August 12, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is feeling optimistic about getting back into Atlantic City (at a time when so many are getting out), to the point of talking about it publicly. “Borgata continues to be the market leader. We’re pretty excited to be able … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | 3 Comments

Clouds over Macao

Posted on July 30, 2014 by David McKee

Forbes‘ Muhammad Cohen has been reading the latest tea leaves from the world’s gambling capital and doesn’t like what he sees: a 1H14 revenue increase of 13% (“heady for anywhere but Macau“) but a sequential decline from 1Q to 2Q14 … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Racinos, Singapore, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

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

New York: Promises and excuses

Posted on June 9, 2014 by David McKee

New York casino developers are enumerating the economic benefits for their prospective employees. Make no mistake, many of the jobs will be entry-level, minimum-wage employment. Saratoga Casino & Raceway is predicted a 47%/30% split between unskilled and skilled employees, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Economy, Marketing, New York, North Las Vegas, Racinos, Singapore | 1 Comment

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

Massachusetts: Pay the man; Robbing Peter to wager on Paul

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

If casino gambling is outlawed in a November referendum, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts want their money back. After all, they’ll be out the $85 million application fee and that’s just for starters. They’d also like to be reimbursed … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off