Category Archives: Technology

Caesars crashes, burns in Louisiana; DFS takes two steps forward, one back

Posted on August 25, 2016 by David McKee

Despite having an extra weekend day, Louisiana casinos saw revenue fall 7% in July. (JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff blames flooding for the waterlogged numbers.) Pinnacle Entertainment did the best among major operators, up 4%, while Caesars Entertainment went into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Sports, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Caesars crashes, burns in Louisiana; DFS takes two steps forward, one back

Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by David McKee

Daiwa Securities Group put “sell” ratings on Wynn Macau Ltd. and Sands China, arguing that projections that the Wynn Palace and Parisian megaresorts would reverse declines in Macao gambling “remain overly optimistic.” Analysts Adrian Chan and Jamie Soo wrote that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

Atlantic City boosters gain momentum; Gamblit takes important step forward

Posted on August 18, 2016 by David McKee

New York State gaming forces are taking a more-than-disinterested view of the upcoming referendum on Atlantic City‘s monopoly on casino gambling in New Jersey. For instance, Genting Group, owner of Resorts World New York, is opposing the measure behind stalking … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Election, Foxwoods, Genting, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Atlantic City boosters gain momentum; Gamblit takes important step forward

Cold comfort for Wynn; Nebraska racino initiative crashes and burns

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Wynn Resorts predicted in its last earnings call, it will get more table games from the Macao government after Wynn Palace opens … 50 tables, phased in over two years. That’s a pretty mingy allocation but is in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Election, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nebraska, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

Better slot play, stronger restaurant business and greater hotel occupancy (which drove up rates) conspired to improve American Casino & Entertainment Properties‘ revenue and profitability in 2Q16. Net revenue — i.e., not profit — is on a 10-month upward roll, … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Animals, Boulder Strip, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Wynn Boston Harbor breaks ground; MGM modestly beats expectations

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has apparently thrown in the towel in his opposition to Wynn Boston Harbor, with the consequence that construction will have begun by this time tomorrow.  The $2.1 billion project’s endurance is a tribute to Bostonian Steve Wynn‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn Boston Harbor breaks ground; MGM modestly beats expectations

Steve Wynn cuts room rates; What kind of slot would *you* play?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Palace is still a few weeks away from opening but it’s already sending mixed signals, in terms of its room rates. Midweek, rooms are listing for $243, down from $256 a night. However, Saturday-night rates have been boosted from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, IGT, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Nevada’s oldest casino turns 85; Flynt doubles down on Lucky Lady

Posted on August 2, 2016 by David McKee

Contrary to the impression of many, yours truly included, the oldest operating casino in Nevada isn’t the Golden Gate but the 85-year-old Railroad Pass, just outside of Boulder City. It even still has its original vault. New owner Joe DeSimone … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, California, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, history, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Nevada’s oldest casino turns 85; Flynt doubles down on Lucky Lady

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 27, 2016 by David McKee

“[W]e’re going to spend millions now marketing to them, because hey, before you know it, it’s 2030, and we’ve missed our shot. It’s like marketing a car to 6-year-olds so they’ll want to drive it when they’re old enough.” — … Continue reading →

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

Casino lingo that’s getting tired

Posted on July 25, 2016 by David McKee

Why is “Millennials” a more overused term than “skill-based slots”? Read more and find out.

Posted in Current, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off on Casino lingo that’s getting tired

Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

Spurning Nevada and Delaware, the state of New Jersey is exploring an online-poker compact with the United Kingdom. The deal, if consummated, would allow the two entities to share players and liquidity. “Even when you discount children and non-gamblers, it gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Revel, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy

Patient, heal thyself!; Copperfield’s new crib

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Seemingly taking its talking points from Gov. Chris Christie (R), the Wall Street Journal opened a can of whup-ass on Atlantic City. (It also tried to drag casino flip-flopper Hillary Clinton into the argument but that was too much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Patient, heal thyself!; Copperfield’s new crib

The meddlesome Adelson; Wynn Palace postponed again

Posted on June 27, 2016 by David McKee

“Essentially, Pechanga and its allies see no reason to compromise, even an inch,” wrote California Online Poker‘s Steve Ruddock of the intractable position of the Pechanga and Agua Caliente tribes, and their anti-PokerStars allies (who include Sheldon Adelson, meddling in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, California, Churchill Downs, Election, Foxwoods, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on The meddlesome Adelson; Wynn Palace postponed again

Revel … still not open; Cautious hope for Internet gambling in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

  Glenn Straub‘s once-bold gambit to reopen Revel has turned into an embarrassing face-plant. Perhaps rushing to market in hopes of beating Bart Blatstein‘s Showboat to the hotel traffic, Straub announced a hasty revival of Revel as a casino-hotel without … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Environment, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Slot routes, Sports, Technology | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 15, 2016 by David McKee

“My sense is that they are likely to be quite dangerous devices and they’re certainly not the kind of thing that’s going to attract your high-rollers and exotic gamblers. James Packer is not going to drop into Canberra Casino in … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, James Packer, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Penn has big plans for Trop; DFS sites feel the heat

Posted on June 14, 2016 by David McKee

High rollers aren’t spending as much as they used to at Penn National Gaming casinos, reports JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, after meeting with CEO Tim Wilmott. Overall, Penn says its springtime revenues have been tracking with its expectations. Greff … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Stanley Ho, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Trump: How to make out like a bandit; Big plans for Station

Posted on June 13, 2016 by David McKee

To give the devil his due, if you visit Trump Taj Mahal and are dismayed because “carpets are frayed and dust-coated chandeliers dangle above the few customers there to play the penny slot machines,” you are not entirely witnessing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Harrah's, IGT, MTR Gaming, Palms, Regulation, Riviera, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

New era at Trump Taj Mahal; Blasphemous gambling promo spanked

Posted on May 24, 2016 by David McKee

He’s been handed a small budget ($15 million) for the task at hand, but new Trump Taj Mahal boss Anthony Rodio has been charged with undoing the damage inflicted on the property during the Bob Griffin era. This includes “reactivating … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Dining, history, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Posted on May 18, 2016 by David McKee

“My only problem is A.D.D.” read the T-shirt of one of the celebrants at last night’s opening of Top Golf, on the MGM Grand campus. He was certainly in the right place. If you are serious about honing your skills, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Foxwoods, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 16, 2016 by David McKee

“We can’t be trapped in a 40-year-old [gaming] paradigm … It very well may be that it is an athletic event.” — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), on the quandary posed by e-sports, which his Nevada Gaming Policy Committee is pondering whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Regulation, Sports, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day