Category Archives: Taxes

Stanley upstages Terry; Restaurant fees disputed

Posted on November 12, 2019 by David McKee

MGM China will be dropped from the Hong Kong bourse. Casino.org announced the change with this photo of Stanley Ho and Pansy Ho at the MGM Grand Macau opening. Somebody had a wicked sense of humor, cropping former CEO J. Terrence … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Pansy Ho, Resort fees, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Wynn: Elaine did me dirty; New Jersey rakes it in

Posted on November 12, 2019 by David McKee

On the principle that two wrongs make a right, disgraced casino mogul Steve Wynn is accusing ex-wife Elaine Wynn of stirring up the Wall Street Journal story that ended his career. This comes by way of testimony by one Renée … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Culinary Union, e-sports, Elaine Wynn, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Live like The Donald; Growing pains in Pennsylvania

Posted on November 8, 2019 by David McKee

For sale: One casino riverboat, heavily used. The former Trump Princess, now Majestic Star II, is on the market for $6 million, along with its sister ship, also costing $6 million. If you want to live large like Donald Trump, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Colorado, Cordish Co., Don Barden, Donald Trump, Election, Genting, Georgia, Indiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

MGM’s architecture lauded; Sands number one in Asia

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Congratulations to MGM China, whose MGM Cotai has won the annual Skyscraper Award from Emporis. We quite agree. MGM Cotai is the most striking casino-hotel design since Marina Bay Sands, a bold statement on behalf of modernity. (Sands, by contrast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Genting, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Why does Massachusetts suck?

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Did the casino industry drink its own bathwater vis-a-vis Massachusetts? The Boston Globe asks “whether the industry didn’t fully understand how tough it would be to attract gamblers in a regional market that has become increasingly competitive.” Both Encore Boston … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Economy, Fontainebleau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Steven Witkoff, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

The Drew makes bold promises; GLPI gleeful

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

Steven Witkoff buried the lead when announcing that Bobby Baldwin had been called out of retirement to become CEO of The Drew. Witkoff’s PR peeps said that the project was in “final preparations for construction,” which is the first movement … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Fontainebleau, G2E, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Michigan, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Good riddance. It’s not like Mr. Trump paid taxes here anyway.”—New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), reacting to the news that Donald Trump is moving to Florida to take advantage of its lack of state income tax.

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Florida, New York, Taxes | Comments Off

Air guitar; Forgiveness urged for Steve Wynn

Posted on October 28, 2019 by David McKee

The much-anticipated opening of Hard Rock International‘s guitar-shaped hotel-casino in Hollywood, Florida, drew celebrities from Hollywood, California (Johnny Depp), as well as ones who would attend the opening of an eyelid (Kim Kardashian). Hard Rock hopes to recreate the iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, International, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scott Butera, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cosmo does it again; Georgia ponders casinos

Posted on October 24, 2019 by David McKee

It happened again. Smoke billowed over the Las Vegas Strip from an electrical fire at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas last night. No one was injured, thank God, and the damage appears to be minor. But it’s the second fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Foxwoods, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, International, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Oklahoma, tribes ready to talk; Don’t geofence me in

Posted on October 22, 2019 by David McKee

Oct. 28 is the date appointed for Oklahoma gaming tribes to meet with Attorney General Mike Hunter and find out just what Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) wants from them. As one chief put it, “We’re anxiously awaiting what their proposal is.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Dan Lee, DFS, Election, Full House Resorts, G2E, Genting, history, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Oregon, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Scandal in Illinois (Where else?); Screwup in Florida

Posted on October 19, 2019 by David McKee

With no private developer willing to step up to the plate for a Chicago casino, Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) is now pitching a city/state partnership. Why not? There won’t be any profits to divide. State Rep. Greg Harris (D), for … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Florida, Illinois, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob | Comments Off

Big Hoosier handle; Caudill empire expands

Posted on October 11, 2019 by David McKee

Indiana sports books generated $35 million in handle last month, translating to $8.5 million in revenue, taxed at 9.5%. “Indiana’s sportsbooks are in their infancy, but their ability to capitalize on the Chicago market did not take long to produce … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Diversity, Downtown, El Cortez, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Real Estate, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Terry Caudill, The Mob, The Strip, Wayne F. Newton, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Suncoast for sale?; Downtown, Trump Int’l stuck in 20th century

Posted on October 10, 2019 by David McKee

In a cryptic real estate listing, LoopNet has Suncoast emblazoned across the top of its splash page. However, the company says “This listing is not currently being advertised on LoopNet.com” So what the Sam Hill is it doing there? Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Donald Trump, Downtown, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Real Estate, Resort fees, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 2 Comments

Dog ate Parx’s homework; Atlantic City Hilton sold … again

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David McKee

Parx Casino is out $1 million after overpaying its taxes and missing the deadline to file for a refund. So says a Pennsylvania judge. Parx had three years to rectify the overpayment and missed the deadline by a whopping six months. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Colony Capital, G2E, Genting, Greenwood Racing, history, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Security, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Doldrums, hope in Baton Rouge; AGA inducts three

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David McKee

It’s 25 years ago this month that casino gambling came to Baton Rouge. The mood, however, is far from celebratory as the city’s riverboats remain mired in a two-year slump, thanks to the Baton Rouge smoking ban. Some also blame … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arkansas, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, history, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Police blotter; Brockton gets shut out

Posted on September 24, 2019 by David McKee

Hawaii is one of the last two bastions of anti-gambling in America. Naturally, in such an environment, illegal gambling is going to flourish. Last week federal authorities indicted 15 individuals (seven of whom are on the lam) and seized 60 … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Charity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Illinois, Law enforcement, Marijuana, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Chicago casino tax damned; Kerkorian epoch ends

Posted on September 19, 2019 by David McKee

That Illinois casino expansion went back to the drawing board—the Illinois Gaming Board, to be exact. The topic of its ire was the 33% “privilege tax” hung around the neck of the Chicago casino (bringing its effective tax rate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Foxwoods, history, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Rush Street Gaming, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

MGM selling crown jewels

Posted on September 17, 2019 by David McKee

It’s almost a done deal. MGM Resorts International will monetize its two most iconic properties by selling MGM Grand and Bellagio to Blackstone Group. The latter would lease the two megaresorts back to MGM, which would probably roll the sale … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Near-ideal month in Atlantic City

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos were, despite an extra weekend day in August, up only 6%. But, more importantly, all except one either stood their ground or grew business. They grossed $286.5 million, with symmetrical increases in slot and table revenue. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Detroit, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Squeezed in Schenectady; Seminoles step up

Posted on September 10, 2019 by David McKee

One of the goofs New York State made when authorizing upstate casinos was not to establish a level playing field of taxation. Rivers Casino Schenectady is hardest hit, paying 45% on its slot revenues and it’s finally decided to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off