Category Archives: Technology

Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the initiative to legalize casino gambling at four Arkansas locations, looks like it will score a come-from-behind victory in less than a week. Early polling had it down, 41% to 48%, but it’s now turned the tide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Election, Environment, Genting, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Racinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Adelson prospers in Macao; Instant racing upheld

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

Excepting a slight downturn in Las Vegas Strip revenues, it was a pretty good 3Q18 for Las Vegas Sands. Mass-market revenue in Macao was up 18.5% and VIP revenues rose 15%. In Singapore the numbers were mixed. Mass-market win was … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson prospers in Macao; Instant racing upheld

Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

Posted on October 18, 2018 by David McKee

Here we go again. Illinois solons will once more take up the question of casino expansion in the Land of Lincoln. However, other and more pressing gambling concerns may take priority. In addition to Internet gambling there is the quick … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Economy, GLPI, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

Indiana fails to impress; Big setback for non-smokers

Posted on October 12, 2018 by David McKee

It’s too soon to say that regional gaming’s economic honeymoon is over but Indiana was down 4% last month, grossing $177.5 million. (It was up 6% this time last year.) Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg took a 15% header, grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colony Capital, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Full House Resorts, G2E, Indiana, Louisiana, Majestic Star, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Wall Street, West Virginia, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Indiana fails to impress; Big setback for non-smokers

SLS gets new look; Automation targets women, minorities

Posted on October 10, 2018 by David McKee

Alex Meruelo has begun exorcising the unclean spirit of Sam Nazarian from SLS Las Vegas. In a giant gesture of faith, Meruelo will invest $100 million in a property makeover, starting with those oh-so-excessively-trendy hotel rooms. Next week Meruelo will get … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, CityCenter, Culinary Union, MGM Resorts International, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on SLS gets new look; Automation targets women, minorities

Maryland & other case bets

Posted on October 8, 2018 by David McKee

Growth in Maryland continued last month, if not at the spectacular rates we’ve seen previously. Gaming revenue rose 7% to $144 million. The leader, of course, was MGM National Harbor, jumping 10% to $54.5 million, which translates to $1.8 million/day. … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Florida, Golden Gaming, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland & other case bets

Las Vegas: The good, the bad, the resort fees

Posted on October 4, 2018 by David McKee

Mark it on your calendar. According to Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight, long-awaited, tantalizingly delayed Resorts World Las Vegas will debut in late 2020, a date “recently … affirmed” by Genting Group. In other good news for Sin City, convention and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Economy, G2E, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, New York, Resort fees, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Hard Rock A.C. changes bosses; Westworld, the casino

Posted on October 3, 2018 by David McKee

It was our impression that Hard Rock Atlantic City was firing on all cylinders. Imagine our surprise to read that prexy Matt Harkness (pictured) was out and veteran Joe Lupo had taken his place. Harkness came to Hard Rock from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Hard Rock International, Idaho, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

“Austin has become, in no uncertain terms, really an extension of Silicon Valley. All of the giants that devour engineers on a daily basis, like Google, like Apple, and companies that are in our space, like Scientific Games, or adjacent … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific Games, Technology, Texas | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Congress: Listen to the ladies (it’s not what you think)

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

We predicted a kangaroo court for sports betting on Capitol Hill last week and our fears were confirmed when influential Rep. James Sensenbrenner opined that “We’re going to be in for huge amounts of trouble in the future.” Nothing like stacking … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Economy, G2E, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Congress: Listen to the ladies (it’s not what you think)

Big Brother gets caught

Posted on September 20, 2018 by David McKee

In what might be the improbable casino scandal ever, Rivers Casino stands accused of using the eye in the sky to capture personal information from the cellphone screens of two patrons. Why? Supposedly to pass the data on to a … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Movies, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Security, Technology | Comments Off on Big Brother gets caught

Boyd captures Valley Forge; An historic first at the Plaza

Posted on September 19, 2018 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming is officially in the Pennsylvania market, having closed its $280.5 million purchase of Valley Forge Casino Resort. The company now gets to grapple for a piece of the crowded Philadelphia market. And don’t think Harrah’s Philadelphia won’t tout … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Talking Stick mystery solved, sorta

Posted on September 18, 2018 by David McKee

Talking Stick is finally speaking, after having kept mum about a power failure that kept the casino closed for over a month and cost it god knows how many millions in revenue. It will reopen on Sept. 24 and promotions … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Indiana, Japan, Kentucky, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Talking Stick mystery solved, sorta

The mystery of Talking Stick; Okada strikes again

Posted on September 17, 2018 by David McKee

On August 11, the latest in a series of monsoons wiped out the primary and backup generators at Talking Stick Resort. The casino was expected to reopen later last month but hasn’t, leaving some asking questions. Talking Stick Resort Public Relations … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, International, Kazuo Okada, Ohio, Philippines, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on The mystery of Talking Stick; Okada strikes again

Shelter from the storm; Eldorado enters Atlantic City

Posted on September 14, 2018 by David McKee

Looking for someplace to ride out the storm. Ocean Resort is full through September 15 but comped rooms will be available after that. “We completely understand the concern for families and the community during times like this, so we want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Carl Icahn, Charity, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Shelter from the storm; Eldorado enters Atlantic City

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 14, 2018 by David McKee

“We have banks of computers in the break room, but many employees have challenges accessing them. They don’t know how to use a keyboard or a mouse. That still exists. Everybody doesn’t work on the East or West Coasts, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

In a development that is sure to be followed with interest by sports book operators, predictive system Swarm AI outdid human oddsmakers in a trial run. During a 20-week slice of the NHL season, Swarm AI correctly predicted the outcome … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

Japan fever; A Rose by any other computer program

Posted on August 22, 2018 by David McKee

“I want to properly nurture the tourism industry in Osaka as one of its pillars,” says Gov. Ichiro Matsui of the prefecture. To that end, Yumeshima island has been set aside for a prospective casino resort. And Las Vegas and Macao … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Japan fever; A Rose by any other computer program

A bright shining turkey

Posted on August 15, 2018 by David McKee

“We didn’t plan to open until March. So this is, literally, found money. We didn’t even budget for it. Wait and see what happens when we get this engine fully running.” That was the excuse made by a Resorts World … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, New York, Penn National, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on A bright shining turkey

Pols slow to move on sports betting

Posted on August 14, 2018 by David McKee

We thought we’d check up on what some of our favorite state legislators are doing about sports betting, now that it’s theoretically legal in their state (well, it’s complicated). In New York, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D) intends to introduce a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Foxwoods, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Pols slow to move on sports betting