Category Archives: Technology

G2E, The morning after: Guarded optimism

Exhibitors are folding their tents and weary journalists are packing it in as another Global Gaming Expo draws to a close, having kicked off inauspiciously with an anti-vaccine riot by “Covidiots” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Looking back on … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Aristocrat, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, DraftKings, Economy, Everi, G2E, IGT, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Strip sizzles in August

Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip grossed $626 million last month, 20% better than August 2019. Statewide, the jump was 22% to $1.65 billion but the real overachievers were locals casinos, leaping 41% (to $250 million) with a little help … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Century Casinos, Cretins, Dining, Downtown, G2E, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Indiana, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wendover | 5 Comments

Atlantic City slumps, as does Pennsylvania; Culinary kabuki theatre

Casinos along the Boardwalk continue to be impervious to the economic recovery that is prevalent in the gaming industry. Atlantic City was down 8% last month compared to 2019, grossing $262.5 million. Sports betting brought in $52 million (+32% from … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wayne F. Newton, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Balmy August in Indiana; The coming crisis in Vegas; MGM talks up prospects

There are signs that the regional gaming recovery is cooling (Missouri was up just 1% last month) but Indiana‘s August numbers, while not as hot as July’s, were a balmy 10% higher than 2019 as casinos grossed $203 million. Horseshoe … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Ida hits coastal casinos; Case Bets

Gulf Coast casinos are currently weathering Hurricane Ida and can be optimistic—at least in Mississippi—that it will not be a replay of Hurricane Katrina, now that all the coastal casinos are onshore. However, garages are flooding and casino doors are … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Ocean Resort, Oregon, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Westgate LV, William Hill, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Maryland goes, goes, goes; Penn flips out; SEC scrutinizing DraftKings

We Americans sure do love us some gambling. Maryland‘s July numbers just came in and it’s 20.5% (!) ahead of 2019. Casinos won $180 million and two extra weekend days obviously helped the tally. MGM National Harbor led with $72 … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pahrump, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland goes, goes, goes; Penn flips out; SEC scrutinizing DraftKings

Torrid summer in Ohio; Kiddies for sports betting

We’ve been a busy bee of late. You can read our interview with Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment‘s Pacific viceroy, Bobby Soper, see our preview of Resorts World Las Vegas or look back on 2020, the year that wasn’t in gaming. … Continue reading

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, South Korea, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player

This is a head-scratcher. Despite sports betting sweeping our great country, Scientific Games is opting out of the sports-wagering business. And the lottery biz, too, even though that remains a robust market segment. Reported JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, “management … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Churchill Downs, Cirque du Soleil, CQ Holdings, Dining, Environment, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Scientific Games goes on a diet; BetMGM stiffs player

Same to you, fella; Mega-Jottings

We were stumped for a lead item until we got this snap from our Atlantic City bureau. One has to puzzle at Borgata‘s cretinous idea of a welcome, particularly its implicit slap at women. Did property President Melonie Johnson sign … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, Diversity, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal, William Hill | Comments Off on Same to you, fella; Mega-Jottings

Case Bets

Colorado closed out its first full year of sports betting with an April decline, presaging a summer slump that is likely to prevail until football season. Handle was $244.5 million, which left $10.5 million in revenue after promotional credits ($6.5 … Continue reading

Posted in Colorado, Donald Trump, Health, Law enforcement, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Caesars looking good; Amtrak covets Vegas; Bally’s underwhelms

Joseph Greff and his fellow JP Morgan analysts looked at recent trends in Las Vegas and any place not named Atlantic City, and liked what they saw, raising their price target on the stock five bucks to $101/share. Positive factors … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Golden Nugget, Harry Reid, Health, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Regulation, Reno, Station Casinos, Technology, Texas, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Caesars Saints?; Mattress Mack returns

Don’t like the misshapen circles which now represent Caesars Entertainment? Well, get used to them, especially if you’re a New Orleans Saints fan. The casino giant is dickering with the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for naming rights, although Saints and New Orleans … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Colorado, DraftKings, Florida, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Louisiana, Mattress Mack, Politics, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming | Comments Off on Caesars Saints?; Mattress Mack returns

Strip sux but locals steadfast; Virgin LV loses its virginity

Things simply have to get better on the Las Vegas Strip. Not even a Feb. 15 capacity increase saved some casinos from perdition. Let’s hope February represented a bottoming-out of gaming revenues, as tourists starting flocking back this month. Strip … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Dining, Downtown Grand, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Wendover | 1 Comment

New Yorkers want more casinos; More death on the Strip

While the last round of casino expansion in New York State was no better than a succes d’estime, Empire Station residents are still behind a planned 2023 enlargement that would bring three new resorts. Given the choice of casinos, higher … Continue reading

Posted in California, DFS, DraftKings, Genting, Georgia, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Racinos, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tennessee, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on New Yorkers want more casinos; More death on the Strip

Mixed signals from Vegas; It’s all good in Atlantic City

Is the new year bringing a Las Vegas comeback? If you set store by anecdotal evidence, things look relatively normal on Fremont Street. God knows Downtown could use a dose of normality, especially after a December devoutly to be forgotten. … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Architecture, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Election, Golden Nugget, Hawaii, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, United Kingdom, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

A tale of two Nevadas

October was a tale of two Nevadas, one of which (the north) did quite well whilst the other did not. Gaming revenue statewide was down 19.5%, with the Las Vegas Strip acting as a drag anchor, minus 30% at $375 … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Downtown, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Health, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Palms, Real Estate, Reno, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Wendover, Westgate LV, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Biden, vaccine give tourism hope; Cirque du Soleil in crisis

With as many as three Covid-19 vaccines on the way (Pfizer‘s seems to be the favorite horse in the race) and a new presidency two months away, things are looking up, according to people in the tourism industry. “I honestly … Continue reading

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Donald Trump, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Election, Entertainment, Health, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Vegas recovery a Mirage; Illinois closes … again

More from the Too Much, Too Soon? file: MGM Resorts International, despite its long pause in reopening The Mirage has evidently decided it jumped the gun. Hotel rooms there and at Mandalay Bay will be closed Mondays-Thursdays through December at … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Environment, Health, history, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, Technology, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

First Amendment 1, Sahara 0; Pennsylvania sets record

In what must have been an easy call for jurisprudence, a Clark County judge has ash canned the Sahara‘s frivolous lawsuit against Vital Vegas author Scott Roeben. “Ill-considered” was about the nicest thing Judge Trevor Atkin had to say in … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Twin River | 3 Comments

Kings for a day; Covid’s casino kingpin

As you know, DraftKings is the current darling of Wall Street, its stock hovering around $50/share. Today Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken initiated coverage with an “outperform” rating, putting a $76/share price target on the stock. He even went to … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment