Category Archives: The Strip

Crime pays; Dream-ing big

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Donald Trump granted executive clemency to four convicted criminals, three of whom had—surprise!—casino connections. Steve Wynn‘s money man Michael Milken benefited from the support not of the tainted Wynn but of Sheldon Adelson. (Mirage Resorts was financed with junk bonds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Downtown, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels | 1 Comment

Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

Posted on February 18, 2020 by David McKee

There used to be a saying that Nevada was at the top of all the bad lists and the bottom of all the good ones. How do you feel about this one? WalletHub has ranked Nevada as the “most sinful” … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

Mutiny at MGM?; The art of the presidential deal

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business sources say MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren “was forced out by activist investors who had gathered enough support from institutional investors for his ouster.” The reason is not clear, as Murren had been doing everything possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Election special

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David McKee

Such is the Culinary Union‘s clout that Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D, left), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Susie Lee (D) will also be casting their caucus ballots at Culinary-sponsored events, staggered across today through Tuesday. On Wednesday, … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City looking good; Murren calls it quits

Posted on February 13, 2020 by David McKee

An extra weekend day helped nudge Atlantic City casinos up 8% last month, for a $192 million gross. Tables were relatively sluggish (+1%) but slots were hot (+11%). Borgata gained 8.5% on the strength of 4.5% more table win—despite 3% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Conventions, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Morris Bailey, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 3 Comments

The new China syndrome

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David McKee

Junket operators and gaming companies in Macao are donating $22.5 million to help find a coronavirus cure. Good on them. Would that we could say half that about the government of China, which has bungled a localized virus into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Election, Entertainment, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Nevada, Oklahoma, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on The new China syndrome

“The fix is in”; MGM’s youth movement

Posted on February 10, 2020 by David McKee

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen is trying to have it both ways in Greece, saying that Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment hasn’t been awarded the Hellenikon casino concession but that “the fix is in.” Well, is it or isn’t it? … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Canada, Crown Resorts, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Movies, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Weak quarter at Wynn, worse to come

Posted on February 7, 2020 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts remains our top story today. It missed fourth-quarter cash-flow projections by 4%, partly due to mediocre high-end play in Macao, although the mass-market trade was better (up 4% but lagging the Macanese industry’s 8% gain). Wynn Palace underperformed … Continue reading →

Posted in China, DraftKings, Health, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Weak quarter at Wynn, worse to come

Billboards in the eye of the beholder; Betting on Trump

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

One of the greatest scourges of drivers in Las Vegas is mobile billboards, 79 of which tool up and down the Strip. It’s been a nuisance for years but something might finally be done about it, now that the casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, DraftKings, Election, Politics, Regulation, The Strip | 1 Comment

Penn looking good; From the police blotter

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming reported 4Q19 revenues that aligned with Wall Street projections, with cash flow modestly higher than expected “on a combination of better operations and lower than forecast corporate expenses.” JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff said that Penn was … Continue reading →

Posted in Century Casinos, Colorado, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Florida, Horseracing, Iowa, Law enforcement, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn looking good; From the police blotter

MGM, Cordish boom in Maryland; Here come the robots

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

Turns out the Maryland market hasn’t quite been saturated, after all. January saw 6% growth in gambling revenue, led by MGM National Harbor‘s $58.5 million (+4%). Slots at MGM were up 10% but table win down 2%. MGM had 40% … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Japan, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on MGM, Cordish boom in Maryland; Here come the robots

Case Bets

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

My head feels more disorganized than the Iowa Democratic caucuses (and that’s going some), so take a few Case Bets and call me in the morning … * Our salient recollection of Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas involves taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Dining, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, history, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels | 2 Comments

Lottery players loyal in Massachusetts; Gamblers shun Macao

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

After a year of casino-on-casino violence in Massachusetts, we have a winner: the state lottery. Ticket sales at outlets near Encore Boston Harbor are reported to be up 15%. “I was thinking positive. Because I knew more people would come … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Derek Stevens, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, history, Japan, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Lottery players loyal in Massachusetts; Gamblers shun Macao

Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

Yes, the Super Bowl has finally come and gone, and congratulations to those of you who took the under on the total points scored (51) and the number of times Mike Shanahan was shown on camera (0). If there was … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, history, International, Marketing, Mattress Mack, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset

Penn/Barstool deal a home run; Blatstein lightens Showboat ship

Posted on January 31, 2020 by David McKee

Shares of Penn National Gaming jumped 12% on news of its 36% acquisition of Barstool Sports. Penn plans to unroll a Barstool-branded line of sports books, online applications and mobile-wagering services. Barstool, in turn, will promote Penn until 2060 … … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip rose 4.5% last month, even as locals casinos vaulted 13.5% and the state as a whole was up 6%. Strip casinos grossed $592 million, despite a 27% tumble in baccarat winnings on 29.5% less … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Racinos, Reno, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River | Comments Off on Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Las Vegas Sands braces for impact; Big Rob’s big scam

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands missed Wall Street expectations in Macao, made up for that in Singapore (partly on the strength of runaway Chinese high rollers) and “was solidly in line” on the Las Vegas Strip, according to JP Morgan analyst Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in California, China, Health, James Packer, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, William Hill | Comments Off on Las Vegas Sands braces for impact; Big Rob’s big scam

Coronavirus hits Vegas; Connecticut’s massive screwup

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

This just in … It’s here! The Southern Nevada Health District has reported a possible case of coronavirus. More details as we get them. In the meantime, there are at least six confirmed cases in Macao, as gaming stocks suffer … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Oklahoma, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Coronavirus hits Vegas; Connecticut’s massive screwup

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

“As we look across the whole landscape, we think that there are many, many regional assets where we think the cap rate should not only be the equivalent of a luxury Las Vegas resort like a Bellagio, but could potentially … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

According to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, Chinese New Year visitation to Macao is now down 69%, with Day 4 bringing an 84% plunge. Santarelli’s opposite number at JP Morgan, analyst Joseph Greff countered that “There’s value for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Colorado, DraftKings, Health, Horseracing, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!