Category Archives: Stanley Ho

Packer plays musical chairs; Atlantic City … the rest of the story

Posted on August 13, 2015 by David McKee

A 41% dive in Crown Resorts prompted James Packer to resign his chairmanship of the company, handing his portfolio to Deutsche Bank veteran Robert Rankin. The change appears to be more cosmetic than substantive, seeing as the brawling billionaire will … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cannery Casino Resorts, Harrah's, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Macao: Victory or status quo?; No more soft opening at Linq

Posted on July 1, 2015 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank was predicting a 37% dropoff in Macao gaming revenues for June. They came in 36% under last year’s numbers. Is this good news or not-so-bad news? Probably the latter. The novelty factor of Galaxy Phase II was quick … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Billion-dollar bonanza in Macao; Mob boss returns

Posted on June 24, 2015 by David McKee

Casino investment in the U.S. has largely been a bust for private equity firms. However, two funds — Silver Point Capital and Oaktree Capital Management — could be about to hit the jackpot in Macao. It seems that Melco Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Mob, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Massachusetts enters the fray; Delaware racinos press their case

Posted on June 19, 2015 by David McKee

It’s hard to believe but we’re only a few days from the opening of Plainridge Park Casino, bringing gambling to one of the last major, untapped markets in the U.S.: Massachusetts. While the Penn National Gaming property hasn’t been entirely … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, Florida, Genting, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

While New Jersey politicians bicker over the timing of a constitutional referendum for adding northerly casinos, Hard Rock International unveiled a detailed picture of its plans for its desired Meadowlands casino (a site favored by 73% of voters polled, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

May in Macao: Hey, it could be worse; Wynn in Boston: Why not?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by David McKee

That’s Wall Street‘s spin on a 37% decline in May gambling revenues. Writes Carlo Santarelli of Deutsche Bank, “We view the tightening with forecasts … as a modest positive for the group and an indication of a forming bottom.” In other … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Atlantic City rings the cash register; Adelson loses (again)

Posted on May 26, 2015 by David McKee

Operating profits in Atlantic City don’t tell the whole story: The Showboat was notoriously in the black when Caesars Entertainment closed it but the company said it was running at a loss … thanks to interest payments with which CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dennis Gomes, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Louisiana’s bonny April; Nevada Gold now with 100% more Nevada

Posted on May 22, 2015 by David McKee

Golden Nugget Lake Charles continues to be the outboard engine that speeds up Louisiana gaming revenues. The Pelican State was up 4% last month — but 13% when Tilman Fertitta‘s casino is added to the tally. It even made inroads … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Slot routes, South Dakota, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Tightening the screws on Macao; While we were in recess

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

In what may come as bad news to casino operators, the Macao government is placing a quota on the number of mainland visitors the gaming enclave will allow per year: 21 million. On the other hand, the government is pivoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tourism | 2 Comments

Macao in freefall; A RAWA deal

Posted on March 3, 2015 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson can call Macao‘s doldrums “cyclical” until he’s blue in the face but there’s no mistaking that the gambling enclave is having serious problems. Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement when February revenue falls 49%. VIP play is … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

One man’s toxic waste …

Posted on February 6, 2015 by David McKee

… is Steve Wynn‘s treasure. Reader thsully1 has supplied us with these photos of Wynn’s casino site in Everett. Mentally superimpose Wynn Las Vegas and decide if you’d like to go there or not. “The site is sandwiched in between … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Philippines, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off

Tempers fray in Macao; Wynn honored

Posted on October 15, 2014 by David McKee

One union’s “industrial action” is another company’s “dialogue.” That’s the Rashomon-like situation playing out at MGM Grand Paradise in Macao. Earlier this month, Forefront of the Macao Gaming announced that a weekend work-to-rule would take place at MGM. Dealers were … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Macao glass half-full

Posted on October 7, 2014 by David McKee

Although U.S. casino executives are whooping it up that anti-corruption probes are being curtailed in China, the damage continues to be done, judging by last month’s numbers in the VIP sector. The latter was down 26% while mass market play … Continue reading →

Posted in IGT, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM’s comeback; Packer’s presumption

Posted on August 12, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is feeling optimistic about getting back into Atlantic City (at a time when so many are getting out), to the point of talking about it publicly. “Borgata continues to be the market leader. We’re pretty excited to be able … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | 3 Comments

Slump in Macao; Trump’s latest tantrum

Posted on August 6, 2014 by David McKee

July was unkind to casino operators in Macao, with revenues down 4%. Mass market table win was healthily up, 17%, and slot revenue increased, albeit by 4%. However, VIP revenues were 14% on 13.% less volume of play. This pulled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 4 Comments

Penny pinchers; Tribal warfare in New Mexico; Who’s tops in Macao?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by David McKee

Although the hold on penny slots in Illinois casinos is grotesquely higher than that for quarter slots/video poker, the imaginary value of penny machines makes them by far the most popular genre in the state. Punters dropped $41 million into … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Illinois, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

May in Macao; Brave new slots

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

Given “softer than expected” numbers out of Macao, expect Wall Street analysts to dial down their expectations for the balance of the year. Gaming revenues rose ‘only’ 9% instead of the expected double digits and there was a surprise leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boulder Strip, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Happy anniversary for Adelson; Penn’s legal woes

Posted on May 13, 2014 by David McKee

Smashed entrance doors, overburdened and broken escalators, and 40,000 customers … it was all in a day’s work when Sands Macao opened — can it really be 10 years ago next week? Time flies when you’re Sheldon Adelson. Although Stanley … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes | Comments Off

Genting OK’d for Vegas; James Packer packs a punch

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

So thirsty is the State of Nevada for new casino investment that it may feel pressure not to look too closely at Genting Berhad, as its license application goes before the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Not that we’ve ever heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, New York, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | Comments Off