Category Archives: Spectacle Entertainment

Boom in the Rust Belt

Posted on February 10, 2020 by David McKee

You’d be forgiven if you did a double take upon seeing the latest casino-revenue numbers out of the Midwest. Business is up—to sometimes-unprecedented degrees. Take Ohio, for instance. It’s always a casino-friendly state … but a 19% upsurge in revenue? … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, DraftKings, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting | 2 Comments

Spectrum under the microscope; Super Bowl bets boffo

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

Expected approval of Spectacle Entertainment‘s casino project in Terre Haute came to a screeching halt after revelations that former state Sen. Brent Waltz received illegal campaign contributions from an executive at Spectacle predecessor Centaur Gaming. The disclosure was enough for … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Centaur Gaming, Indiana, Law enforcement, Movies, Nevada, New Jersey, Politics, Regulation, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Westgate LV, William Hill | Comments Off on Spectrum under the microscope; Super Bowl bets boffo

Big MGM payday; Halting casino extortion; Wynn scammed

Posted on January 14, 2020 by David McKee

Betting the farm on Japan, CEO of MGM Resorts International Jim Murren has realized his goal of selling MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. The price was a sweet $4.6 billion it will only cost MGM $292 million a year to lease … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Big MGM payday; Halting casino extortion; Wynn scammed

Indiana flat, Missouri down, Jones up

Posted on January 13, 2020 by David McKee

Indiana gaming revenues were microscopically down last month, to $186 million, not bad when one considers that December 2018 had one more weekend day. It’s too soon to have numbers from table games at the racinos, so January’s will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Diversity, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Scott Butera, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Churchill Downs, Eldorado power Illinois; Atlantic City upgraded

Posted on January 8, 2020 by David McKee

Santa Claus was generous to Illinois casinos. Despite ever-increasing competition and an unfavorable calendar (one less weekend day) their receipts rose 5.5% last month. The gross was $124 million, with most of that ($94 million) coming from the state’s northern … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Eyes on Atlantic City; ‘Smart chips’ a health menace?

Posted on January 6, 2020 by David McKee

It’s barely 2020 and already The Press of Atlantic City has identified the Boardwalk’s top five stories of the year. They are: 1) The evolving Eldorado Resorts takeover of Caesars Entertainment. Early indications are that Eldorado will try to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Connecticut, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Foxwoods, history, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation | 2 Comments

Mega-Jottings

Posted on December 13, 2019 by David McKee

What do you do when the news is too short to justify a paragraph but too big to be ignored? How about a big-ass session of … Jottings: Mike Brooks and Tim Brooks, owners of the Emerald Isle Casino are … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, International, Japan, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Penn National, Scientific Games, South Korea, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Mega-Jottings

What gives, Indiana?; Galaxy ousted from Philippines

Posted on December 11, 2019 by David McKee

Despite the excellent November performance of surrounding Midwest states, Indiana casinos were up only 1% last month. Factor in an extra weekend day this year and that’s a pretty underwhelming result. In its last full month of service, riverboat Glory of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Dining, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on What gives, Indiana?; Galaxy ousted from Philippines

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 on A swing through the Rust Belt

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 on MGM retrenches; Election wrap-up

What’s in a day?

Posted on October 10, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio and Illinois weathered a September with one less weekend day just fine. Indiana and Missouri, not so much. The Hoosier State was down 2.5% (on a weak comparison). The gross was $173 million. There were some big swings and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Missouri, Penn National, Racinos, Spectacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on What’s in a day?

Stall in Indiana; Adelson, Netanyahu at odds

Posted on September 11, 2019 by David McKee

An extra weekend day in Indiana was no help to casino revenues in Indiana, which were, on average, flat with 2018. The total gross was $186 million. The saving grace, perhaps, was that August 2018 saw revenues grow 5% but … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Las Vegas Raiders, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Spectacle Entertainment, Tribal | Comments Off on Stall in Indiana; Adelson, Netanyahu at odds

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 3, 2019 by David McKee

“If you haven’t been there to find these two boats, you need a map and a compass, because they are really hidden in a very remote location.”—Spectacle Entertainment General Counsel John Keeler, on the cons of Spectacle’s two Majestic Star … Continue reading →

Posted in Indiana, Majestic Star, Spectacle Entertainment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Rough month in Indiana, rougher in Missouri

Posted on August 12, 2019 by David McKee

Indiana gaming revenues nosed down 3% last month, for a total gross of $181 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff blames it on adverse weather from Hurricane Barry, plus intensified competition in the Louisville area. Both racinos were revenue-positive, with Hoosier … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Full House Resorts, Genting, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Rough month in Indiana, rougher in Missouri

Trouble in paradise; Hard Rock comeback

Posted on July 18, 2019 by David McKee

As faithful S&G readers know, we’re coming up on the re-tender of the six casino concessions in Macao. One of the enclave’s most prominent junket operators, Suncity, had hoped to oust an existing concessionaire and take over its casinos. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Diversity, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, New Jersey, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, The Crown 18 | 1 Comment

Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Posted on July 12, 2019 by David McKee

Full House Resorts and Spectacle Entertainment are jostling for position in Terre Haute—provided that Vigo County voters approve a casino for the city. But will it beat nearby Danville to the punch? “Pending a positive outcome on the referendum, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Connecticut, Election, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Virginia, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Ohio prospers, others don’t; Labor trouble at Eldorado

Posted on July 11, 2019 by David McKee

Maryland continues to show signs of casino saturation. Revenue ($143 million) was down 4% last month. Not even MGM National Harbor ($57 million) was immune, off 4%. Slots were up 10% but table games got walloped, down 19%. Still, MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Florida, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Wynn disappoints, MGM expectations managed

Posted on May 13, 2019 by David McKee

Although Wynn Resorts reported $1.6 billion in revenue for 1Q19, Credit Suisse analyst Ben Combes called the numbers “disappointing … We remain Neutral on WYNN, given macro uncertainty and policy risk in Macau and China. Our forward macro indicators are … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Lotteries, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Scientific Games, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn disappoints, MGM expectations managed

Indiana gets it done; Fox puts $$ into sports betting

Posted on May 10, 2019 by David McKee

It’s official. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) has affixed his signature to a bill that will expand gambling in the Hoosier State by approving two new casinos and permitting sports betting, expected to take off by September. (All-important mobile betting … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Indiana, Majestic Star, MGM Resorts International, PokerStars, Politics, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, TV | Comments Off on Indiana gets it done; Fox puts $$ into sports betting

Boyd, Churchill Downs garner raves; Indiana governor seduced

Posted on April 26, 2019 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming got a good review on Wall Street today, lauded both for slightly surpassing revenue expectations and for moving quickly to deleverage in the wake of the Valley Forge, Belterra and Ameristar acquisitions. Downtown continues to be Boyd’s bastion … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Florida, Hawaii, Horseracing, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Palms, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, Westgate LV | 1 Comment