Category Archives: Sports

Atlantic City impresses; MGM plays lacrosse

Posted on January 15, 2020 by David McKee

In a de facto win for Atlantic City, gaming revenue held steady in December, despite one less weekend day to bring in the gamblers. The Garden State also closed out the year with over $4.5 billion in sports-betting handle, economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Election, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Ocean Resort, Scott Butera, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta | 3 Comments

Grumpy old Dems; A Titan-ic sports book win

Posted on January 13, 2020 by David McKee

Prude of the Month has to go to Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), who certainly looks like a cranky old battle-axe. She vetoed a bill that would have legalized sports betting in her state, sniffing, “the majority of Maine people … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, China, DraftKings, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Maine, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Movies, New Hampshire, Sports, Sports betting, Vermont, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 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

Stitt escalates Oklahoma conflict; The new N-word

Posted on January 6, 2020 by David McKee

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt‘s jihad against the state’s gaming tribes has claimed its first casualty. Secretary of Native American Affairs Lisa Billy resigned, writing that the governor was “committed to an unnecessary conflict … [You have] remained intent on breaking faith with them,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Genting, Hooters, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Marketing, Massachusetts, Movies, New York, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Pacific Rim shots

Posted on January 3, 2020 by David McKee

A lengthy visit by President Xi Jinping may have had something to do with it but, whatever the case, December casino revenue in Macao sucked wind by Macanese standards, down 14%. High rollers were in short supply and continued protests … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, TV | Comments Off

Trop sold (we think); Angels in the casino

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

After fielding multiple offers for the Tropicana Las Vegas, one has been accepted by Penn National Gaming and negotiations are underway. All this comes by way of Scott Roeben‘s VitalVegas, which pegs the sale price at $700 million, making a tiny … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Conventions, DraftKings, Laughlin, M Resort, Maine, Massachusetts, Movies, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

End-of-Year Case Bets

Posted on December 30, 2019 by David McKee

In a retrospective mood, the American Gaming Association has chosen the top eight gaming stories of the past year, ranked here in descending order. They are: The Caesars Entertainment takeover by Eldorado Resorts. ‘Nuff said. Allegations that Encore Boston Harbor is … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Tribal gambling rampant in Oklahoma?; Penn National gets swindled

Posted on December 18, 2019 by David McKee

Could “casinos and smoke shops soon begin popping up on every corner of downtown Tulsa?” So wondered Indian Country Today about a Supreme Court case that could dramatically alter the complexion of tribal gaming in Oklahoma. (Serves Kevin Stitt right.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, Tribal, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

DeSalvio dispatched to Catskills; Stevens thinks big

Posted on December 16, 2019 by David McKee

Former Encore Boston Harbor prexy Robert DeSalvio didn’t have to cool his heels for long. He’s just (the news broke two hours ago) been named president of Genting New York, ousting Ryan Eller. As his title implies, DeSalvio will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Movies, New York, Palms, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Pritzker in denial; Get Mobbed on New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 13, 2019 by David McKee

“This is the voice of delusion,” said an S&G source of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and his stated optimism of getting a casino in Chicago, an idea that has drawn a cavernous yawn from the gaming industry. He tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Illinois, Japan, Kansas, Macau, Marijuana, New Jersey, Sports, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Mob, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

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

Illinois up, Maryland flat, Palms sued

Posted on December 6, 2019 by David McKee

Enjoy it while it lasts, Illinois. Gaming revenues shot up 8%, a welcome bit of good news. One extra weekend day surely helped although we find it hard to believe that entirely accounts for the variance. The overall gross was … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, FanDuel, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Law enforcement, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Virginia, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Norment’s Torment; New hope for Cal-Neva

Posted on December 2, 2019 by David McKee

Virginia state Sen. Tommy Norment (R) hasn’t been paying attention to the performance of MGM National Harbor. Placing a resort casino in northern Virginia would be, he says, “complete folly.” Instead, Old Virginny will have to put its hopes on … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Dubai, Economy, history, Horseracing, International, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

‘Sharp’ criticism of Congress; MGM a popular stock pick

Posted on December 2, 2019 by David McKee

Newly elected National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp wasted no time in opening a can of whup-ass on the U.S. Congress. Speaking to the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Oversight, Sharp … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Scientific fluent in Chinese; William Hill seeks new horizons

Posted on November 25, 2019 by David McKee

It’s not just for China anymore. Scientific Games is reporting success with its Chinese-themed slots, including in North America. Yes, games with titles like Jin Ji Bao Xi, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but is gaining traction with slot players worldwide. “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, China, Economy, Environment, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off

Wynn Resorts chastened; Living the high life at the Cosmo

Posted on November 25, 2019 by David McKee

Boston is quite a different animal from Las Vegas and Macao—or so Wynn Resorts has learned. Despite healthy table games revenues it is lowering the minimum-bet limits from $50 to $15 at Encore Boston Harbor. In a remarkable mea culpa before … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, China, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Election, Environment, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Raiders, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maine, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Palms, Penn National, Regulation, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Sports betting burgeons in Pennsylvania

Posted on November 19, 2019 by David McKee

Pennsylvania sports-betting handle was $241 million last month, which translated into $19 million in revenue (a quarter of which promptly went to the state). Mobile wagering accounted for $199 million or 82% of the wagering, up from 65% last July. “Most encouraging … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Law enforcement, Michigan, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sexual misconduct, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Smoke gets in Boston’s eyes; Penn receives important award

Posted on November 14, 2019 by David McKee

Shuttles for Encore Boston Harbor are stirring up some local ire, due to the fumes they generate while idling at the Wellington MBTA Station curb. This has generated the threat of a lawsuit from the Conservation Law Foundation. It’s not just … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Encore, Entertainment, Illinois, Japan, Massachusetts, Movies, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Terry Caudill, The Mob, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 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

MGM Nat’l Harbor takes a hit; Venetian revises restaurant row

Posted on November 6, 2019 by David McKee

Just when MGM National Harbor looked impervious to market forces it hit an October speed bump. Gaming revenues tumbled 18.5% to $60 million. The Free State was down 9% as a whole. MGM got hammered at the tables, plunging 36%, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Dining, Genting, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, South Korea, Sports, The Strip, West Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off