Category Archives: Sports betting

Florida compact sneaks into effect; DraftKings buys out Fertitta

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has jumped the shark. Her department has wisely-washily neither confirmed nor denied the controversial Seminole Tribe compact with the state of Florida, one that gives the Seminoles control over sports betting in the state. … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, BetMGM, California, Culinary Union, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, Health, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Maryland goes, goes, goes; Penn flips out; SEC scrutinizing DraftKings

We Americans sure do love us some gambling. Maryland‘s July numbers just came in and it’s 20.5% (!) ahead of 2019. Casinos won $180 million and two extra weekend days obviously helped the tally. MGM National Harbor led with $72 … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pahrump, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland goes, goes, goes; Penn flips out; SEC scrutinizing DraftKings

Wynn “strong” this summer; MGM returning to form

Wynn Resorts released 2Q21 results yesterday and JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff called them “strong” in both Las Vegas and Boston. In Macao, eh, not so much. He began by saying “results by region unsurprisingly reflect differences in vaccination rates … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Monster monopoly on the Strip?; Caesars wows Wall Street

In a deal that Nevada regulators would block if they had an ounce of spine, MGM Growth Properties proposes to sell itself to Vici Properties, which would put nearly all the prime land on the Las Vegas Strip under one … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Conventions, Dining, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nebraska, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Rio, The Strip, Vici Properties, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment

MGM does the right thing; Killer chipmunks in Lake Tahoe

In a very george move, MGM Resorts International is donating two acres of Strip land to be the site of a memorial to the victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre. The acreage, at the corner of Reno Avenue and Giles … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Bally, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Crown Resorts, Dining, Economy, GLPI, Health, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, North Carolina, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Masks back on, Las Vegas!; All’s right with the REITs

Mincing few words, MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle sent a letter to all employees, urging them to quit dithering and get their Covid-19 vaccinations, if they haven’t already. He pleaded, “In addition to the heart-wrenching thought of more illness … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Delaware, Derek Stevens, Dining, Economy, GLPI, Health, history, Indiana, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Boyd beats The Street but charts cautious course

“Massive beat” and “exceptional” results were some of the terms being bandied about after yesterday’s Boyd Gaming 2Q21 earnings call. Wall Street expected $803 million in revenue and Boyd delivered $896.5 million, while profit margins at its Las Vegas locals … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Golden Gaming, Hawaii, Health, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

‘ElDiablo’ rides again; Sports betting on the verge in Massachusetts

Last week, Vegas Message Board hosted a lengthy, detailed and impassioned screed from a self-professed Seven Stars member about a recent trip to Las Vegas and stay with Caesars Entertainment. First, the good news: the player host was extremely obliging, … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Georgia, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Real estate frenzy on the Strip; Barrack busted; Masks redux

Setting foot inside Aztec Inn Casino is not for the faint of heart. But its owners think they’re sitting on a gold mine. It and a gaggle of properties that includes Golden Skull Tattoo and Diversity Tattoo is on the … Continue reading

Posted in BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Fontainebleau, Health, International, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, PointsBet, Real Estate, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Atlantic City plays catch-up; Pennsylvania, Michigan flex online muscles

Casinos in Atlantic City are having trouble catching a wave from the Great Reopening. Last month’s brick-and-mortar revenues were $214.5 million, 9% down from 2019. Slot win ($154 million) was 8% lower on 11% less coin-in and luck wasn’t with … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Massachusetts stumbles, Louisiana cruises; Big blunder at Circa

Shazam! Massachusetts casino revenues for June were $84 million, 67% higher than 2019. But wait … as Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli points out, Encore Boston Harbor wasn’t operational two years ago (it debuted on June 23, 2019), so on … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Derek Stevens, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting, TV, Westgate LV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Indiana, Missouri stay strong; Mixed feelings about buffets

Casino winnings in Indiana came up just a few increments short of $200 million last month, a 13% gain on 2019. Hard Rock Gary came out of the blocks fast, grossing $26 million, although Horseshoe Hammond climbed 7% to retain … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, PointsBet, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Nevada conventions healthy, Nevadans not so much

Tourism to Las Vegas in May was 12% higher than April and June should continue the climb, even if long-awaited World of Concrete was a flop (one-sixth of the expected attendance). Next up was the Nightclub & Bar Show, which … Continue reading

Posted in China, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Health, history, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

CityCenter sale applauded; DraftKings sued twice over

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli took a gander at the terms of MGM Resorts International‘s purchase/re-sale of Aria and Vdara, and liked what he saw. He reaffirmed his “buy” rating on MGM shares, with a price target of $54. He … Continue reading

Posted in BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cretins, DraftKings, Dubai, Election, FanDuel, Health, Iowa, LVCVA, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment

Torrid summer in Ohio; Kiddies for sports betting

We’ve been a busy bee of late. You can read our interview with Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment‘s Pacific viceroy, Bobby Soper, see our preview of Resorts World Las Vegas or look back on 2020, the year that wasn’t in gaming. … Continue reading

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, South Korea, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Maryland keeps booming; Penn panned

Gaming’s recovery continues unabated in the Free State. Maryland gambling revenues for June were $161.5 million, a 13% gain on 2019. $64 million of that went to MGM National Harbor, up 12% and hoarding 39.5% market share. Maryland Live chugged … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, DFS, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Health, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Wall Street, West Virginia | 3 Comments

Case Bets

Crown Resorts is in the soup again. Businessman and fugitive from justice Michael Gu allegedly used Crown Melbourne as a sieve through which to strain $8 million in Ponzi scheme money. “Authorities believe he conned clients by claiming he was … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, China, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Penn National, PointsBet, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Resorts World a smash hit; Cranky Maine woman stiffs tribes

Some of us thought Nevada would never regain the giddy gambling heights of 2007. We were wrong. May was the best month in Silver State history, as casinos raked in $1.2 billion. (The previous high was in October 2007, on … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Genting, Health, Maine, Marketing, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Merry month of May in Las Vegas; Beehive of activity in Atlantic City

May’s gaming revenues from Nevada are in and they are blockbuster. When the Strip is 26% higher than 2019 (winning $655.5 million) and locals play is 25% stronger it is fair to say the recovery has been achieved—and far sooner … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Connecticut, Cretins, Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Health, history, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Wendover | 4 Comments

Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player

This is a head-scratcher. Despite sports betting sweeping our great country, Scientific Games is opting out of the sports-wagering business. And the lottery biz, too, even though that remains a robust market segment. Reported JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, “management … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Churchill Downs, Cirque du Soleil, CQ Holdings, Dining, Environment, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player