Category Archives: Technology

Caesars: Icahn’s web of influence

Posted on March 5, 2019 by David McKee

We continue to learn more about Caesars Entertainment‘s capitulation to Carl Icahn. In addition to having the prerogative of naming his own CEO, if that fails, Icahn can add a fourth member to the Caesars board of directors. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Macau, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars: Icahn’s web of influence

SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Lucina Laam may be the most important person in Macao‘s turbulent casino history. As Wife #2 of Stanley Ho she bore Daisy Ho, Pansy Ho, Lawrence Ho and two other daughters not involved in the gaming biz. Now, in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Environment, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 22, 2019 by David McKee

“The temperature of a freezer or piece of food, humidity, and noise level can actually be measured by a sensor or robot as effectively or more effectively than a human. And those data points could be collected passively by robots … Continue reading →

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

Churchill Downs pwns Caesars; Kentucky covets casinos

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

Cold weather helped chill Indiana casino revenues last month, down 6%. The Hoosier State’s casinos and racinos grossed $154 million. Horseshoe Southern Indiana continues to bleed business to Churchill Downs‘ Derby City, hemorrhaging 10% to $16.5 million. Full House Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Super Bowl LIII is over and viewers are left to ponder such existential questions as “Is Julian Edelman a Hall of Famer?” and “Why are all NFL kickers bald?” The New England Patriots did the most important thing, i.e. covering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, history, International, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Paragon Gaming, Sigma Derby, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

In another pure, non-gaming play, Caesars Entertainment has disclosed plans to build a hotel at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Arizona. “The 11-story glass structure, with 266 guest rooms, will be called Caesars Republic Scottsdale and will be the company’s first … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Put me in the one-third of Americans surveyed who wouldn’t give up their annual bonus to see their team win the Super Bowl. That’s one of the findings of a WalletHub study that, incredibly (at least to me) ranks Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, California, Entertainment, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Posted on January 25, 2019 by David McKee

Japan hasn’t issued requests for proposals for casino megaresorts — not that it has stopped companies like Hard Rock International from pitching their product to prefectures. However, the Japanese government is rolling out advertising regulations and they are stringent. The only places … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Technology | Comments Off on Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Icahn power play at Caesars?; Big plans for Borgata

Posted on January 14, 2019 by David McKee

We all know that Carl Icahn has a sharp eye for undervalued assets. Caesars Entertainment stock fell 46% last year, making it ripe for the plucking. And pick it Icahn did, scarfing up enough to spur a 11.5% rally in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DFS, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Virginia, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Icahn power play at Caesars?; Big plans for Borgata

Indiana, Missouri have good months; Hands-free vibrators conquer Las Vegas

Posted on January 10, 2019 by David McKee

Casinos in Indiana grossed $187 million last month, a 3% increase. Caesars Entertainment would appear to have robbed Peter (Horseshoe Southern Indiana) to pay Paul (its two racinos). Horseshoe was down 8% to $20 million, while Indiana Downs cantered past … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Ellis Island, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Missouri, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Indiana, Missouri have good months; Hands-free vibrators conquer Las Vegas

Frissora postpones departure; Oscar forecast

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

That game of musical chairs known as industry consolidation has left a lot of fine ladies and gentlemen standing when the melody stopped, included Anthony Sanfilippo, a favorite of ours. However, Caesars Entertainment apparently hasn’t heard of any of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Movies, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Sports betting, Technology | Comments Off on Frissora postpones departure; Oscar forecast

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

“The millennial generation, in particular, is expecting to have travel in their lives. So, for hotels ultimately their job is to create a home away from home or an office away from the office. But if hotels are only focused on … Continue reading →

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

Dover Downer; Pilgrims rally to Wampanoags’ side

Posted on December 26, 2018 by David McKee

With an audible “Bah, humbug!”, Dover Downs became the first Delaware racino to operate on Christmas Day. While CEO Denis McGlynn claimed “This was not something we’ve been pushing hard for,” in his negotiations with the state, he didn’t hesitate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, history, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Dover Downer; Pilgrims rally to Wampanoags’ side

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 20, 2018 by David McKee

“In a Bitkom survey, more than half of respondents said they would not use a robot reception and check-in. The majority of respondents are also hostile to controlling lights or music with a smartphone app, or using their smartphone as … Continue reading →

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 19, 2018 by David McKee

“People trust us to allow them to sleep safely and securely. There’s a longstanding tradition of an innkeeper, that we fulfill that commitment to them. Has it extended naturally, with the same diligence, to the digital environment? Not always.” — Hospitality … Continue reading →

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

Atlantic City sparks controversy; Resort fee change at Cosmo

Posted on December 14, 2018 by David McKee

Faced with a 9% drop in operating profit at Atlantic City casinos, pundits are squaring off as to whether this means doom for the laggards. Analyst Tony Marino told The Press of Atlantic City that it “might be wise to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Posted on December 5, 2018 by David McKee

That was quick. Downstream Development Authority, a branch of the Quapaw Tribe, has been tapped by local officials to develop a casino in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. If you think the decision precipitate, don’t worry: The Quapaw have been doing outreach … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Economy, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New York, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Casino comes to Arkansas; Luxury comes at a cost

Station loses again; Starwood data raided

Posted on November 30, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos continues to be at cross-purposes with the National Labor Relations Board. Its latest misstep was stonewalling the Culinary Union with regard to labor talks at Green Valley Ranch. NLRB Chairman John Ring ruled, “By failing and refusing since … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Slow news day

Posted on November 21, 2018 by David McKee

Effects of MGM Springfield on Connecticut tribal casinos are starting to show. To view the glass as half-empty, slot revenues at Mohegan Sun were down 17.5% last month and 15.5% lower at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The glass-half-full perspective is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Slow news day

Churchill Downs aims for Nashville; Goodbye, Sigma Derby

Posted on November 19, 2018 by David McKee

Late last week, Churchill Downs was awarded a racing license in Oak Grove, Kentucky, putting CHDN within an hour’s drive of the Nashville market. The plan is to invest $150 million in a racing oval, a hotel and — most … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Entertainment, Genting, Georgia, history, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments