Category Archives: Technology

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 9, 2017 by David McKee

“You’re not going to believe it, but those cherries, bars and bells were introduced in the 1880s. We still haven’t changed them. They’re silently telegraphing a message when millennials walk through the casino floor. What it’s saying is, ‘This is not … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Macao resurgence continues; Skill-based slots get second wind

Posted on June 2, 2017 by David McKee

As Galaxy Entertainment CEO Lui-Che Woo is fond of pointing out, it will take two years of positive results before Macao can be said to have recovered from its revenue collapse. That being said, May’s results — 24% up — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, GameCO, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Macao resurgence continues; Skill-based slots get second wind

Hard Rock ups Atlantic City commitment; Japan inspires casino designers

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

Compared to Carl Icahn‘s half-a-loaf policies, Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen is Lady Bountiful, at least as concerns [Trump] Taj Mahal. We put The Donald’s name in brackets because it’s one of the first things to go, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Election, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Technology, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

“The innovative machines were highly touted when they debuted in Atlantic City in November, and since have started appearing on other casino floors. But their initial reception is proving to be largely a bust. Price revealed that 21 of the machines … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Strip survives baccarat drought; Gural reprieves Atlantic City

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming execs can breathe a sigh of relief that April’s 3% decline in revenue, while worse than expected, was as small as it was. After all, they were up against flat baccarat wagering and a revenue plunge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Strip survives baccarat drought; Gural reprieves Atlantic City

Malloy: Stay the course; Wynncore automates

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David McKee

Although the courts may have the final say in the matter, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has scotched the idea of an open-bidding process for a third Nutmeg State casino. He would prefer to keep the bird in the hand that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Foxwoods, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli visited Las Vegas this week and saw signs of life on the North Strip: “Despite limited progress, some recent concrete work is evident on the steel structures at Resorts World. We believe the project remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Fontainebleau, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

In an important win for Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Interior Department said that its position regarding the tribes’ compact with the State of Connecticut remains unchanged. To wit: A third, offsite casino won’t breach the tribes’ obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Posted on May 16, 2017 by David McKee

Despite having one less weekend day this year, April was a good month for Louisiana, as gambling revenue rose 5%. The growth was especially dramatic in the Pelican State market, up 19%. By contrast, Shreveport/Bossier City was down 3%. The increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Higher taxes mooted for Atlantic City; Trump into Philippines?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by David McKee

Someone has belatedly noticed that Atlantic City is, in essence, a tax haven for casino operators. They pay 9.25%, compared to Pennsylvania‘s 55% on slots, for instance, or Maryland‘s patchwork of tax rates, which top out at 60%. That’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, GLPI, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Higher taxes mooted for Atlantic City; Trump into Philippines?

Connecticut tribes go on attack; Adelson discovers 21st century

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is getting hoist on its own petard in a new attack ad, which uses quotes cherry-picked from Massachusetts Casino Commission testimony to show CEO Jim Murren and President Bill Hornbuckle coveting the Connecticut customer base. Naturally, the Mashantucket Pequots … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Connecticut tribes go on attack; Adelson discovers 21st century

Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor took the top spot in Maryland last month, grossing $50 million to Maryland Live‘s $45 million. “We view this as positive/encouraging for MGM, as it shows the property’s momentum has sustained into April,” wrote JP Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

No casino is an Isle-and; Florida fails again

Posted on May 4, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts took another big step toward gaming’s major leagues with its acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, a deal that closed earlier this week. The purchase gives Eldorado 12 more casinos, including a presence in the important Lake Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, history, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Technology | Comments Off on No casino is an Isle-and; Florida fails again

Nevada is #1; Atlantic Club plans dashed

Posted on May 2, 2017 by David McKee

Congratulate yourself, Nevadans. Your state has been deemed “most fun” by WalletHub. This is despite only mediocre rankings in movie theaters and amusement parks per capita (27th and 28th, respectively). Nevada was tops in casinos — big surprise, I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Nevada, Philippines, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Nevada is #1; Atlantic Club plans dashed

Freeman: Sports betting is coming; Second thoughts on Paradise Park

Posted on April 27, 2017 by David McKee

It could be a case of wishing that legalization of sports betting will make it so. Or maybe Geoff Freeman is privy to intelligence that he’s not shared with the rest of us. Either way, he thinks a sports-betting repeal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Dining, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Goldman Sachs, history, Laughlin, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Posted on April 17, 2017 by David McKee

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) leveled the playing field when he allowed third-party racinos to join the juiced-in Penn National Gaming and Caesars Entertainment casinos in the Buckeye State. The question now is how level a playing field is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Genting, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

Remember the Monte Carlo fire and how it was fueled by construction foam? It was much the same story last night when the south “arm” of Bellagio caught on fire, a blaze which raged for 25 minutes. “You can smell that sulfur,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

The Cathedral of St. Al Davis

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

The eternal flame in honor of St. Al is just too much. * Could South Carolina rush in where Georgia has hesitated? The Palmetto State has costly infrastructure problems and Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has indicated he would veto

Posted in Architecture, Georgia, Planet Hollywood, Politics, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

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