Category Archives: Technology

Wynn thinks even bigger; Showdown looming in Atlantic City

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

Perhaps to provide a diversion from a flat first quarter, Steve Wynn has been tinkering with the plans for Wynn Paradise Park, making them more grandiose. That modest little island in the middle of the lagoon has swelled into an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Genting, James Packer, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Complications at the Riviera; PokerStars a hit in New Jersey

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

Implosion of the Riviera could occur as early as June, so doesn’t hesitate to have your picture taken in front of it. However, the timeline could be extended by a number of complications. Now that a demolition firm has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

That impersonal touch; Big day for MGM

Posted on March 18, 2016 by David McKee

What is almost completely missing from this commercial? Caesars Entertainment guests are lengthily shown drinking, dining, riding the High Roller (which could use the traffic) and — as a very brief afterthought — gambling. So the company’s definitely on the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Detroit, Dubai, Genting, Harrah's, International, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Riviera, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Nevada casinos wrangle with Buffett; Mashpee Wampanoag take the lead

Posted on March 8, 2016 by David McKee

We’ve written about the solar-panel installation atop Mandalay Bay‘s convention center and now the 20-acre array — soon to be the United States‘ largest — is making international headlines. The high priority on solar power at MGM Resorts International puts a … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

This morning, Real Estate Alert published a story saying that MGM Resorts International and Dubai World had liquidated Crystals, the high-end retail mall at CityCenter, to Simon Property Partnership. The transaction was valued at $1.1 billion and change, which means … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, CityCenter, Dubai, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

End of an Atlantic City era; Has Macao bottomed out?

Posted on March 1, 2016 by David McKee

Last weekend saw Trump Taj Mahal pass into the hands of Carl Icahn, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Tropicana Entertainment. That is cause for optimism at the Taj, which has gone from being one of Atlantic City‘s three top … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MTR Gaming, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Wall Street | Comments Off

Scientific’s surprising results; Gaming advancing in Georgia

Posted on February 26, 2016 by David McKee

An upturn in the replacement cycle (8,990 slots shipped) helped Scientific Games post a 10% revenue increase last quarter. A mix of impairment charges, writedowns and consolidation costs led the mega-supplier to a $128 million loss for the quarter, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Georgia, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Problem gambling, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

Will a Horseshoe by any other name earn as much? We’re going to find out because Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is going to rebrand his casinos under the Jack Entertainment banner, presumably a tip of the hat to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

One year and millions of pages of documents later, we’re nearing resolution in Richard Davis‘ investigation of the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy. His report on the company’s attempted restructuring is due at year’s end. At its heart will be several controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off

Wall Street loves it some Boyd; Wolf at the door

Posted on February 17, 2016 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming came out with its figures for 4Q15 and Wall Street is fairly singing the company’s praises. “We believe that BYD’s diversified, domestic regional gaming portfolio should continue to benefit from continued U.S. jobs growth and lower gas prices. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 15, 2016 by David McKee

“We need a product that converts the new generation to poker. If you had a choice between BlizzCon or a Las Vegas casino, you’re going to BlizzCon. The status quo must change.” — entrepreneur Alexandre Dreyfus, on his brainchild, the Global … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Comments Off

Illinois beats the odds; MGM goes au naturel

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

Well, here’s a novel piece of news out of Illinois, where it always seems that gloom and doom hold sway. Gaming revenues were up 2% last month. That’s even more impressive when you consider that it’s being measured against a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Major policy change strikes Philippines entrepreneurs

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Just when Melco Crown Entertainment and other operators have gone heavily into the Manila market, they stand to take a hit from a potential Philippine Amusement & Gaming policy change that would end the Pagor’s monopoly on casino gambling outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Kazuo Okada, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Technology | Comments Off

Strip’s illusory Christmas present; A.C. Trop antes up

Posted on January 29, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenues were up 8% last month but Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli is calling that headline “misleading,” the increase “purely optical.” Volume of table play was down 11% and slot coin-in was 2% less. But increased … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Big contract from Wynn; Parking debate continues

Posted on January 19, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts bought locally in its search for a Wynn Everett general contractor. It has let the $1 billion construction contract to Suffolk Construction, biggest in Massachusetts. By choosing a Boston company for this seven-figure deal (plus 4,000 jobs), perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, GLPI, International, Iowa, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Stick ’em up!

Posted on January 15, 2016 by David McKee

Addressing concerns about the quantity and proximity of parking to the T-Mobile Arena, executives at MGM Resorts International are busting out plans for a $54 million parking garage, to be built on the northwest corner of the Excalibur “campus,” cannibalizing … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Gaming forecast: Moderately sunny; Adelson + R-J = bad news

Posted on January 12, 2016 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli hung out along the Las Vegas Strip last week and “found few signs of caution as forward indicators remain favorable in most key areas.” Both New Year’s Eve business and convention calendars for the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Good news in Indian Country

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

It’s a happy day for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, which got the go-ahead from the National Indian Gaming Commission to reopen its long-troubled Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. The NIGC was feeling so generous, in fact, that it suspended a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Adelson’s Capitol Hill puppet show

Posted on December 11, 2015 by David McKee

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) held another kangaroo court on Internet gambling and was in his best Sheldon Adelson-like Luddite form, scoffing at geofencing software. “It’s naive at best to think you can put a wall on the Internet,” said the willfully ignorant … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Delaware, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Technology | Comments Off

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off