Category Archives: Station Casinos

Hard Rock to spend big in Atlantic City; Bad news for slot makers

Posted on April 6, 2017 by David McKee

In the biggest vote of confidence Atlantic City has received in a decade, Hard Rock International has announced that it intends to invest $375 million in the former Trump Taj Mahal. On top of the 1,000 projected construction jobs, Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Economy, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments

Palace, soon with 100% less Station; Casinos nixed in North Dakota

Posted on March 21, 2017 by David McKee

Palace Station was the Fertitta Brothers‘ first go at a big locals casino and it is, let’s face it, a little crude in its theming, at least by the standards we have come to expect. That’s OK: The Fertittas got … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Dubai, Harrah's, history, International, MGM Mirage, North Dakota, Politics, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

MGM antes up for Sands Bethlehem; Glenn Straub, man of mystery

Posted on March 9, 2017 by David McKee

Last week’s premature announcement by Sands Bethlehem President Mark Juliano that a sale, probably to MGM Resorts International, may have redounded to Las Vegas Sands‘ benefit. The reported sale price has crept up to $1.3 billion. Since a sale would … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Palms, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

AGA backs Obamacare; “Messy” quarter for Station

Posted on March 8, 2017 by David McKee

OK, the headline is an oversimplification (as headlines tend to be) but the American Gaming Association found itself in disagreement with congressional Republicans after their overhaul of the Affordable Care Act was found to leave mental-health and substance-use-disorder services out in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off

Station, Culinary at it again; Attack of the Russian slot cheats

Posted on February 14, 2017 by David McKee

After reaching a fragile labor peace with Station Casinos, the Culinary Union is heading for another scrum with the company, publishing a petition to “Stations Casino” [sic!], detailing various and sundry workplace complaints, such as “first aid supplies were not … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Culinary Union, Georgia, International, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Politics, South Carolina, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

Given its high profile, MGM National Harbor had to hit a home run for MGM Resorts International and, judging by the numbers, it’s done just that. Last month it grossed $49 million, which — when the numbers are adjusted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Downtown, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Jesus scapegoated for December results; Changing of the guard in New Jersey

Posted on January 11, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli put in some quality time in Las Vegas recently and came away satisfied with the market, particularly MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming and Penn National Gaming, although he had no new intel on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Economy, Foxwoods, Georgia, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | 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: Another failure; Reading the Trump tea leaves

Posted on November 15, 2016 by David McKee

According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the chances of pro-casino legislation passing in Japan this year are “quite low.” Yes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has booted the ball yet again. His big push [sic] to bring casinos to the Land of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Delaware, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, James Packer, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Jacked around in Ohio; Wrong about Trump

Posted on November 8, 2016 by David McKee

At this point, we don’t know jack about Dan Gilbert‘s new “Jack” casino brand. In September, it appeared to be gaining traction with players. Then the bottom fell out. Jack Cleveland‘s $15 million take was a 14% fall while Jack … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Election Special; Station Reno project approved

Posted on November 7, 2016 by David McKee

Preoccupied with stumping for legalized sports betting, the American Gaming Association fell down on the job and failed to deliver a promised (yes, they literally promised us) election roundup. By this shortcoming, the AGA flunked one of its mandates, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Scientific Games, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

MGM hearts Japan; Atlantic City aims for total victory

Posted on November 1, 2016 by David McKee

According to Reuters, if casinos are legalized in Japan, then MGM Resorts International would be willing to build the world’s second $9.5 billion megaresort. (Las Vegas Sands has already brandished $10 billion.) That’s leading with your chin. However, MGM believes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Genting, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

New player in Moulin Rouge saga; Jersey casino backers try to save face

Posted on October 14, 2016 by David McKee

There’s another entrant in the perpetual sweepstakes to redevelop the Moulin Rouge site. This time it’s British firm Psi Key Entertainment. It is proposing a 1,288-room hotel for the acreage. However, Psi Key’s redevelopment plans have to be taken with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hooters, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Palms, Politics, Station Casinos, The Strip, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 13, 2016 by David McKee

“If you’re in this business, you’re in the failure business.” — Scientific Games Senior Vice President of Table Games Roger Snow on the long odds facing the developers of specialty games. One such, Color War, was yanked by Palace Station … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific Games, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Local is beautiful; Adelson loses partner

Posted on October 10, 2016 by David McKee

Motley Fool columnist Travis Hoium says investors are missing a good bet if they overlook Las Vegas locals operators to focus on the big Las Vegas Strip players. He cites Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming and Penn National Gaming (presumably for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, history, Law enforcement, M Resort, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Palms, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Industry braces for post-Reid void

Posted on September 30, 2016 by David McKee

Why has Geoff Freeman become such an outspoken voice in favor of the gaming industry? In part to fill the vacuum soon to be left by retiring Sen. Harry Reid (D). One of the two candidates running to replace him, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Live by baccarat, die by baccarat; Donald Trump, Stiff of the Century

Posted on September 29, 2016 by David McKee

With one less weekend this year and weak baccarat volumes, the Las Vegas Strip got hammered, down 15%. Statewide, gross gaming revenues were off by 5%. Late-July slot win that was reported in August softened the blow, contributing to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Donald Trump, Downtown, Election, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Big Gaming meets the Street

Posted on September 26, 2016 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli has been in town and conducting a busy schedule of meetings. Pride of place must go to Wynn Resorts, which declared the opening of Wynn Palace “very clean,” with “solid” VIP business. Hotel occupancy is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Culinary Union, Economy, Glenn Straub, GLPI, Illinois, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Posted on September 13, 2016 by David McKee

While Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas Review-Journal covered the opening of Wynn Palace from a safe distance, it has sent Richard Velotta to Macao to be on hand for today’s opening of Parisian Macao. What he discovered, among other things, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off