Category Archives: Sports

Cheerless Christmas in Illinois; Whitewash at Caesars?

Posted on January 9, 2017 by David McKee

Despite two extra weekend days, gaming revenues in Illinois were down 5% last month. For all we know, gamblers may have been saving up for Christmas but we think this points to the increasing prevalence of slot routes (many owned … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Slot routes, Sports, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Icahn amputates nose, spites face; Casinos for Carolina?

Posted on January 5, 2017 by David McKee

In a “So there!” move, Carl Icahn has petitioned, as part of a sale process, to have a five-year deed restriction placed on the Trump Taj Mahal, preventing anyone from reopening it as a casino until 2022. He’s also surrendering … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Moulin Rouge, North Las Vegas, Politics, SLS Las Vegas, South Carolina, Sports, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Japan goes all in; Adelson, Davis on the outs?

Posted on December 27, 2016 by David McKee

In an uncharacteristic flurry of activity, the normally tortoise-powered Shinzo Abe got casino enabling legislation through both houses of the Japanese Diet prior to adjournment. “To us the opportunity is thoroughly Japanese and thoroughly delicious,” said a lip-smacking Steve Wynn. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Japan, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Ohio‘s four main casinos performed weakly last month, with Dan Gilbert‘s Jack Cleveland ($16 million, -4%) and Jack Cincinnati ($15 million, -7%) still not validating their new brand. Ironically, the once-superfluous Thistledown Racino is saving Jack’s bacon, up 13% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off

Reboot for Wynn Palace; Does Trump still heart sports betting?

Posted on November 30, 2016 by David McKee

Gaming analysts confirm reports of a slow opening at Wynn Palace in Macao, likening its performance to that of the early days of Studio City — not the sort of comparison Wynn Resorts probably wanted to hear. Room rates have … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

(Pot) Smoke gets in their eyes; Enter the Lucky Dragon

Posted on November 21, 2016 by David McKee

Just say “No.” That’s what Nevada gaming regulators are advising casinos who might be tempted to take advantage of the new legality of recreational marijuana in the Silver State. Bowing to federal law, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Trump Taj saves Atlantic City; Barrack resurfaces; Visiting Memory Lane

Posted on November 17, 2016 by David McKee

When we rounded up Atlantic City gaming numbers yesterday, we didn’t get into market-adjusted comparisons and thus buried the lead. The Boardwalk’s surviving casinos saw, on average, a 6% increase in gaming revenue, thanks to the Oct. 10 closing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, PokerStars, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Boyd: The big squish; Trump’s double-dip

Posted on November 2, 2016 by David McKee

“Squishy.” That was how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff described Boyd Gaming‘s third quarter. The soggy verbiage was probably inspired by flooding that has vexed Boyd in Louisiana. The company is also facing stiff, new competition for IP Biloxi on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off

Turnaround in Macao; Trop claims another victim

Posted on November 1, 2016 by David McKee

There’s finally solid ground for optimism with regard to Macao, admittedly a good market to be in even at the worst of times. October gaming revenues surged 9%. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli took the numbers with a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson in trouble again; Trop buoys Penn National numbers

Posted on October 27, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands is under the regulatory magnifying glass again. It’s been alleged that the company tried to make an end run around anti-money-laundering laws by permitting Chinese whales to use front men to place bets on their behalf. Lawyers … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Marketing, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Casino moguls get stadium religion; Macao casinos not a Beijing priority

Posted on October 11, 2016 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren has had a come-to-Jesus moment on Sheldon Adelson‘s proposed NFL stadium. After all, MGM stands the most to benefit from proximity to its all-but-certain Russell Road location. Failing to fund the stadium, Murren told … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Stadium debate heats up; Seminole Tribe ousts boss

Posted on September 30, 2016 by David McKee

While it looked for a moment like the wheels were greased for an NFL stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, financed primarily by hotel-room taxes, there’s a bit less certainty today. For one thing, Sheldon Adelson either assumed or … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | 2 Comments

Adelson expands; Caesars sweetens the pot

Posted on September 23, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands never did get around to building that historical museum it promised Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it finished its hotel in quick-and-dirty (and fugly) fashion. But that doesn’t mean that Sands is still clinging to CEO Sheldon Adelson‘s pronouncement … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Judge to Caesars: Get naked; Bite the wax tadpole

Posted on September 16, 2016 by David McKee

“These folks are going to have to pony up the paper,” said U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Benjamin Goldgar, stripping the fig leaf from Caesars Entertainment owners Marc Rowan, David Bonderman and others. They’ll have to reveal details of their personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Tribal opponents caught in the act; Freeman gets ratings boost

Posted on September 16, 2016 by David McKee

Opponents of the Tohono O’odham casino in Glendale may have really stepped in it. According to the Arizona Republic, “lawyers and lobbyists representing the state and two rival Indian communities held confidential meetings about ways to stop it, according to depositions … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Caesars dips toe in skill-based slots; MGM National Harbor snares Dylan

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment is going on the road, as it were, to test-drive its first foray into skill-based slots. It’s going to install six Gamblit Gaming slot carousels at Harrah’s Rincon, with 36 slated for Las Vegas deployment next year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Hooters, IGT, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV, West Virginia, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Freeman’s crusade; Gilbert struggles in Ohio

Posted on September 7, 2016 by David McKee

To describe the new-look American Gaming Association as “activist” would be an understatement of some magnitude. President Geoff Freeman has put the pedal to the metal in his quest for legalized sports betting. Today, Freeman mounted his bully pulpit in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 2 Comments

The IRS won’t be denied; Philippines a hotbed of uncertainty

Posted on September 6, 2016 by David McKee

Could the federal government have to invade Miccosukee Tribe of Florida land in order to shut down the band’s casino? That’s one possible scenario (placing a lien on gaming revenues is another) if the tribe continues to defy the Internal … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Posted on August 31, 2016 by David McKee

Whales returned to the Strip with a vengeance in July, with baccarat play spurring a 17% revenue increase. The month was probably even bigger but, due to a peculiarity of Nevada casino accounting, slot revenues from the last weekend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Scientific Games, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Icahn intransigent at Taj; Olympic betting a flop; Relief for Caesars

Posted on August 30, 2016 by David McKee

For someone who claims he’s trying to save Trump Taj Mahal, owner Carl Icahn sure acts like he’s hellbent on closing it. A counteroffer from striking Unite-Here that would cost the casino only $1.3 million a year to preserve health … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Westgate LV | 1 Comment