Category Archives: Slot routes

“Crisis” greed spreads; All that glitters is Golden

Posted on June 12, 2020 by David McKee

When we first heard about a Las Vegas Strip restaurant tacking an “optional” Covid-19 fee onto its diners’ checks we knew that A) this was the beginning of a bad thing and B) it would spread like a virus. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Maryland, Resort fees, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Boston buoys Wynn, Penn leans on Barstool

Posted on May 11, 2020 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts was one of three biggies to report 1Q20 results late last week and the Las Vegas Strip was the least of its problems. Wynn Las Vegas and Encore had net revenue of $324 million, down 19% from last … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Gaming, history, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on April 21, 2020 by David McKee

For decades, Pagcor has dabbled in both regulating and running casinos (imagine Caesars Entertainment having disciplinary oversight of the rest of the U.S. casino industry). In recent years it has made intermittent noises about selling off its 47 casinos and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, Internet gambling, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Rio, Virgin Hotels, Westgate LV | Comments Off

Northam covets slot tax; CEO suddenly out at Foxwoods

Posted on April 16, 2020 by David McKee

In Gov. Ralph Northam‘s Virginia there are two inevitabilities: death from Coronavirus and taxation of black-market slot routes. Northam wants to legitimize the devices (their unsanitary properties notwithstanding) in order to collect taxes off them. He rationalizes the move by … Continue reading →

Posted in e-sports, Economy, Foxwoods, Health, International, Internet gambling, Politics, Problem gambling, Resorts World LV, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off

Feds screw small casinos; Coronavirus detritus

Posted on April 7, 2020 by David McKee

Unless there’s a change in the rules in Washington, D.C., the current pandemic could cut like an economic scythe through small gaming operators and slot routes. The Small Business Administration has fallen back on a pettifogging old rule that businesses … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Dining, Economy, George Maloof, Georgia, Health, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Mississippi, Movies, Oscar Goodman, Slot routes, Sports betting, Transportation, TV | Comments Off

Pandemic … of black-market slots; Jobs market reels

Posted on April 2, 2020 by David McKee

Why didn’t social distancing in casinos work? Reports Frank Legato, “the Centers for Disease Control revealed that the Covid-19 virus can survive up to two or three days on stainless steel, plastic and other nonporous surfaces—like gaming machines. An industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Health, Illinois, International, Law enforcement, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Where do we go from here?

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David McKee

In the process of canceling its 2020 earnings guidance, Marriott International gave some oblique insight into how the casino industry is likely to cope with the Coronavirus quarantine. Occupancy, it said, had fallen to 25%, compared to 70% last year. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Charity, Economy, Health, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Oregon, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Tarnished Golden; Exec blasts Japan

Posted on March 18, 2020 by David McKee

Golden Gaming was coming off a strong 4Q19: Net revenues at its Nevada casinos were 24% higher, to $134 million, and its slot routes were up 4.5% to $73 million. However, JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff warned investors to “stay … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Japan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Singapore, Slot routes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caudill casinos recovering; Slick Rick strikes again

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David McKee

It now appears that Terry Caudill‘s two casinos were the victim of a “ransomware” hack that crippled the slot floor, among other debilities. It wrecked last weekend’s business and “scattered outages” were still seen as of Monday. The Nevada Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, Economy, Health, Illinois, International, Japan, Maverick Gaming, Nevada, Oregon, Penn National, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | 1 Comment

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caution at Churchill Downs doesn’t impress Wall Street

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

Churchill Downs‘ stock reacted adversely to a cautious 4Q19 revenue report, as investors worried about the impact of coronavirus on the running of the Kentucky Derby, slated for May 2. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, although one of those staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Dining, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Money laundering, Regulation, Resort fees, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off

Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

Posted on February 27, 2020 by David McKee

In what can be viewed either as a victory for democracy or simply passing the buck, Massachusetts regulators opened the door to public comments on whether to approve a casino for the southeastern corner of the Bay State. The Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Vietnam, Washington State | Comments Off

Pritzker whistles past graveyard, Ivey more cautious

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David McKee

Casino revenue in Illinois last year was down 1.5% from 2018—and 17% from 2012, the seventh consecutive year of declines. Despite this empirical evidence, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and his commissars for optimism remain hellbent on casino expansion, believing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Election, Health, Illinois, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Penn looking good; From the police blotter

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming reported 4Q19 revenues that aligned with Wall Street projections, with cash flow modestly higher than expected “on a combination of better operations and lower than forecast corporate expenses.” JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff said that Penn was … Continue reading →

Posted in Century Casinos, Colorado, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Florida, Horseracing, Iowa, Law enforcement, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

According to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, Chinese New Year visitation to Macao is now down 69%, with Day 4 bringing an 84% plunge. Santarelli’s opposite number at JP Morgan, analyst Joseph Greff countered that “There’s value for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Colorado, DraftKings, Health, Horseracing, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Sports betting back on in Florida; Genting tipped for Japan

Posted on January 7, 2020 by David McKee

Although Florida voters thought they were cutting the Lege out of gambling legalization, lawmakers may have found a way to weasel their way back in, at least as concerns sports betting. The Sunshine State’s constitution now forbids the Lege from … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, China, FanDuel, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Japan, Law enforcement, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Damp November in Nevada; Dirty dealings in Illinois

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

Could the good times be coming to an end for Las Vegas? The Strip was down 3% last month but, worse still, locals revenue was off by 4%. The prior-year comparison was difficult (+6.5%) but not impossible, while December looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Movies, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

New angle on sports betting; Slot-route throw down in Missouri

Posted on December 9, 2019 by David McKee

Look out FanDuel and DraftKings: Here comes Tradesports. It’s a new wrinkle on U.S. sports wagering: a betting exchange. Say the New England Patriots are playing against the Kansas City Chiefs and you’ve got money on the Pats. Theoretically, you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Derek Stevens, Downtown, International, Macau, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

A swing through the Rust Belt

Posted on November 13, 2019 by David McKee

What does Ohio‘s economy have that other Rust Belt states do not? We’d really like to know, since Ohio consistently outperforms its brethren when it comes to gaming revenue. Last month, casino win was up 5.5% to $158.5 million. Racinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pets, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting | Comments Off

MGM retrenches; Election wrap-up

Posted on November 7, 2019 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International CFO Corey Sanders and Chief Strategy Officer Aaron Fischer met with J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who came “away from these meetings incrementally positive on MGM’s asset monetization plans, ability to meet its 2020 targets, and a healthy … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Colorado, Conventions, Dubai, Election, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Vietnam, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off