Category Archives: Tourism

Bally’s opens, Chicago yawns; MGM, tree murderers

Chicago‘s first casino opened to “dozens of people” Saturday. Only dozens? That’s not a good sign for Bally’s Corp. It’ll need to stir up a lot more excitement than that if it’s to make back its nut on $1.7 billion … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, DraftKings, Dubai, Environment, FanDuel, Genting, history, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Raiders, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Casinos boffo everywhere: Unite-Here dumbassery

Beating Wall Street expectations comfortably, Las Vegas Sands reported cash flow of $973 million yesterday. Wall Street had expected $939 million from the second quarter while a more optimistic Joseph Greff of J.P. Morgan had projected $964 million. Macao-derived revenues … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Singapore, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV, Unite-Here, Wall Street, WInd Creek | 1 Comment

Michigan, Pennsylvania strong online; Mega-Jottings

Our vacation has taken us to the wilds of Michigan, so today’s report will start there. Detroit‘s three casinos raked in $105 million last month, a 1.5% decline from May of last year. But it was a terrific month for … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Racinos, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Michigan, Pennsylvania strong online; Mega-Jottings

Stupid political antics; Baseball boondoggle; Mega-Jottings

American Gaming Association President Bill Miller likes to say—and quite rightly—that communities should welcome casinos because Big Gaming is willing to pay big taxes. Until now, that is. Las Vegas Sands has barely planted its flag in Nassau, New York, … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Baseball, California, Cretins, Crown Resorts, Health, IGT, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, North Carolina, Politics, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Pennsylvania soaked; Texas, Cubed; Mega-Jottings

That old gaming-industry equation that more = more is getting tested in Pennsylvania. On a sheer, gross-gaming-revenue basis, last month’s $297.5 million haul was down 4% from last year but up 7% from the ‘old normal,’ 2019. However, when looked … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vici Properties, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Pennsylvania soaked; Texas, Cubed; Mega-Jottings

Caesars satisfies; Knee-Jerlecki response; Press-ed out

Wall Street analysts rolled over and lit a cigarette after hearing Caesars Entertainment‘s first-quarter earnings call. J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff said the results were pretty much as expected “with Las Vegas Strip upside more (way more) than offsetting a … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Golden Nugget, Health, Indiana, Louisiana, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Pahrump, Penn National, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia, Wall Street, Wendover | 3 Comments

Macao propels MGM; Ohio sports betting scandal (again)

“Mac-Holy-Cau!” So exclaimed Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas about MGM Resorts International‘s 1Q23 earnings statement. Fueled by better than expected grosses in Macao, MGM beat the Wall Street consensus for first-quarter cash flow by 8%. Cash flow was $1.25 billion … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Jack Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Macao propels MGM; Ohio sports betting scandal (again)

Blame it on baccarat; Crime at Hard Rock; Dixie-dumb

The Great American Gambling Craze isn’t abating, although Las Vegas Strip revenues slipped 3% in March, down to $724.5 million. This was paradoxical, as it came in a month in which airline passenger loads into and out of Las Vegas … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Colony Capital, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Mesquite, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wendover, WInd Creek | 1 Comment

Sands hailed; A’s to Vegas; Coney casino razzed; Mega-Jottings

First-quarter numbers for Las Vegas Sands were “nicely ahead” per J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who said Sands’ Macao casinos were firing on all cylinders (mass-market play, VIP action, slots, retail and lodging). He expected Macanese cash flow of $304 … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Bally, Baseball, California, China, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Failsinos, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands hailed; A’s to Vegas; Coney casino razzed; Mega-Jottings

Pennsylvania, Lousiana flagging; All eyes on Macao

Casino winnings in Pennsylvania stuttered last month, hitting $311 million, flat with March 2022. Spreading more gaming wealth among a greater number of properties obviously isn’t helping on a same-store basis. Parx Casino maintained its supremacy with $53 million, despite … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, China, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Ohio‘s gaming industry continues to experience woes. Former lottery director Pat McDonald claims to have resigned for reasons of health. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) cites “HR irregularities.” Either way, McDonald’s out abruptly. Top members of DeWine’s staff personally escorted him … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, China, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illinois, Japan, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tourism | Comments Off on Case Bets

Big month for Strip; Miller’s rapid response; Titus time

Gambling grosses were ultra-boffo on the Las Vegas Strip last month, up 19% over the year previous and leaving 2019 in the dust, +25%. Locals casinos didn’t fare too badly, either if not as spectacularly as their Strip brethren: up … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Bally, Baseball, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Downtown, Election, Jack Binion, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, Marketing, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, United Kingdom, William Hill | Comments Off on Big month for Strip; Miller’s rapid response; Titus time

Tilman keeps his cool; New Jersey woes; Mega-Jottings

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for Tilman Fertitta to break ground on what will probably be a Post Oak Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The mogul is keeping his powder dry, or as Truist Securities analyst Barry … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Colony Capital, Colorado, Conventions, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, New Jersey, Paragon Gaming, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Atlantic City up, Louisiana down; Steve Wynn’s revenge

Gambling revenues inched upward in New Jersey, plus 1% statewide, mainly driven by Internet casinos (+9%). In Atlantic City, slot winnings rose 3.5% to ($159 million) on 4% more coin-in but tables slipped 4.5% to $54 million as wagering dipped … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Chicago, China, Churchill Downs, Columbia Sussex, Conventions, CQ Holdings, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City up, Louisiana down; Steve Wynn’s revenge

Full House flopping; The bull case for gaming and Vegas

We tweeted after the opening of The Temporary at American Place (yes, that’s its cumbersome nomeclature) that it was “a hit.” We were wrong. According to Full House Resorts CEO Dan Lee and CFO Lewis Fanger, The Temporary eked out … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Conventions, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Dining, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, Marketing, Massachusetts, Nevada, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Big Bally’s shakeup; Smoking swatted; Mega-Jottings

Back on Jan. 25, we wrote that Bally’s Corp. CEO Lee Fenton was “possibly laying the groundwork for his own exit,” when he said, The pandemic boosted our business and we continued to hire at full pelt. I now can … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Cretins, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Health, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, United Kingdom, Vici Properties, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Big Bally’s shakeup; Smoking swatted; Mega-Jottings

Wall Street lauds Station, Wynn, MGM

Station Casinos posted impressive 4Q22 numbers—if not as impressive to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli as Boyd Gaming‘s. Still, net revenues were up 2% and cash flow improved 3.5% (Boyd did 7% and 13%, respectively.) Santarelli liked Station’s improved margins … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Architecture, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, California, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Encore, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wall Street lauds Station, Wynn, MGM

Ohio dips; Bally’s unplugged; Macao booms

Here’s one for those of you who believe gambling is facing a recession: Revenue in Ohio fell 2% last month (yes, it took the Buckeye State until February to report December’s numbers). The haul was $193 million, which was still … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Hard Rock International, Jack Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Sports betting, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio dips; Bally’s unplugged; Macao booms

Sands impresses; Trump’s new Mob pal; Boardwalk blotter; Mega-Jottings

Wall Street was in a sunny mood this week after Las Vegas Sands‘ 4Q22 earnings presentation. As Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken summarized, “two large takeaways in our view were strength in Singapore and what we felt was a positive … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Bally, Baseball, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, China, Colorado, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, history, IGT, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Movies, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Texas, The Mob, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV, Vici Properties, Wall Street | 4 Comments

New F-blue CEO; Illinois mostly upbeat, Missouri not

Who in the world is Brett Mufson? Well, he’s the new president and CEO of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Other than that, Jeffrey Soffer‘s company ain’t tellin’ much. We are informed that “Mufson’s instrumental leadership helped steer the company’s re-acquisition of … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, Fontainebleau, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Vici Properties, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | 1 Comment