Category Archives: Technology

A Ho no-show; Adelson omnipresent; Revel to close?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by David McKee

There was apparently no Stanley Ho sighting at the Cotai Strip groundbreaking of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau‘s $3.9 billion Lisboa Palace. Ho is 92 and well into his dotage, so a public appearance would have come as a surprise. … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Technology, Vietnam | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

In a TV interview, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby tipped his hand, indicating that approval of MGM Springfield is far more likely than not. However, the MGC might be making some demands of its own, above and beyond what … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

A ‘bit’ of progress

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

You can’t use bitcoin to gamble in Vegas … yet. But Derek Stevens is bitcoin-enabling both the Golden Gate and The D to accept the cyber-currency in selected parts of his properties, starting Jan. 22. Stevens is crediting customer input … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Indiana, Macau, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off

Just when …

Posted on January 20, 2014 by David McKee

You thought Atlantic City had taken its lumps for January, but here comes an additional indignity. Borgata was forced to cancel part of its Winter Poker Open in mid-tourney. Casino surveillance detected the insinuation of fake chips into the tournament’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Sioux City mess

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

Hard Rock International and Sioux City Entertainment find themselves in a pickle not of their own making in Iowa. Due to a rupture between Penn National Gaming and nonprofit Missouri River Historical Development, holder of the casino license, Penn found itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

MGM: Crossing fingers and hoping; Bloodbath in Indiana

Posted on December 10, 2013 by David McKee

After several ups and downs, MGM Resorts International finds itself justthisclose to a casino in Springfield, Massachusetts. The state’s equivalent of the Nevada Gaming Control Board urged a finding of suitability. Whether the circumspect Massachusetts Gaming Commission agrees hangs upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off

Adelson’s bogus poll & other fun with numbers

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

To hear Sheldon Adelson tell it, 70% of Americans share his die-hard opposition to Internet gambling. He even bought a poll from The Tarrance Group to prove its point. Unfortunately for the Sultan of Sands, the monarch has no clothes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Cretins, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Big coup for Lumiere; Where next, Vegas?

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

And Caesars Entertainment‘s March stop on the World Series of Poker is … Lumiere Place?!?!? Yes, a marquee Caesars attraction is being held on Tropicana Entertainment property. The reason is twofold. One, Horseshoe Cleveland isn’t big enough to handle the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Harrah's, Marketing, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Station Casinos, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Dancing at the Downs; Sheldon Adelson, Luddite

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs isn’t going to have to perform the limbo to bring its casino project into zoning conformity but some fancy footwork will be required. Instead of one structure, there will have to be two. Non-gaming amenities will be clustered … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | Comments Off

Mohegan switches sides in Massachusetts; Ghosts in the machine

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not quite official but the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has thrown in its lot with Suffolk Downs, one of the dwindling number of candidates for a Massachusetts casino license (and where a big redesign is well underway). Mohegan Sun wasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, IGT, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Semi-failure to launch; Crackdown in Illinois

Posted on November 22, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not just Obamacare that’s having Web site glitches in its launch. The same goes for New Jersey‘s ‘Net-betting system. Test player Joseph Brennen attempted logging in from within Atlantic City but kept getting error messages. “It’s frustrating knowing you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Economy, IGT, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Technology | Comments Off

SLS arises, Adelson attacks and Atlantic City fights back

Posted on November 20, 2013 by David McKee

“Will the change the game for the north Strip?” So asks the Las Vegas Sun. One could just say “no” and leave it at that, but there’s no getting around that SLS Las Vegas will be in a, um, challenged … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | Comments Off

The little slot company that could; Thinking small in New York; Thinking big in Macao

Posted on November 15, 2013 by David McKee

Earlier this week, Howard Stutz looked into the fascinating story of Multimedia Games, beloved of stock analysts but shunned by share buyers. What’s not to like? Multimedia widened its profit last quarter, to $10 million. Sales in FY13 rose 27%, … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Japan, Macau, New York, Racinos, Stanley Ho, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Foxwoods, Suffolk struggling in Massachusetts

Posted on November 14, 2013 by David McKee

Foxwoods Resorts Casino‘s inability to keep its financial house in order has, as predicted, caught up with it in Massachusetts. The tribally owned casino’s debt burden put it in the hot seat before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Chairman Stephen Crosby … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Racinos, Technology, The Mob, The Strip | 1 Comment

Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

I never would have believed it after a recent change of CEOs and a major redirection of Revel Resort‘s marketing efforts, but the casino could be put up for sale. The bottom having fallen out of the resale market for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, International, James Packer, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Slots and torts; Menominee don’t quit; Caesars scapegoats Suffolk

Posted on October 24, 2013 by David McKee

If you’ve probably seen, if there’s anything the manufacturing sector of the gaming industry likes to do better than make new slot games is to sue one another for patent infringement. The fun may be coming to an end. Rep. … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Great idea, little hope; Another Palms flop

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

“I grew up playing Atari and Nintendo, and I want to believe my skill in these games has some effect on the outcome.” So says American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, lending his support to a new line of skill-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Dining, Foxwoods, G2E, Horseracing, IGT, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Technology | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

“When a television show goes off the air, it only has the longevity or staying power that is commensurate with the charm, intelligence, humour and great acting ability and the principal character.” — Adam West, wryly promoting Aristocrat Technologies new … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, G2E, Technology, TV | Comments Off

Somebody sent us this

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

Aria is sending the message loud and clear that it’s all about The Pretty. You and I need not apply. Let’s face it, there are new target demographics and middle-aged Americans aren’t it. My spy at G2E has been checking … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, G2E, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off

Massachusetts: Victory in Leominster; Mazer makes waves

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming crushed the opposition in Leominster yesterday, winning approval for a slot parlor with 61% of the vote. The campaign was notable for the personal participation of David Cordish, who went door-to-door to drum up support. The whippet-thin senior … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, IGT, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New Hampshire, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Technology, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment