Category Archives: Tourism

Macao: Worse than expected; New deal on Connecticut table

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

When China gets coronavirus, Macao develops pneumonia. While Wall Street was expecting gaming revenues to dip 2% in January, they fell 11%. Macanese casinos still grossed $2.75 billion, so it’s not like they were hearing crickets. However, February is shaping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Connecticut, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, IGT, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off

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

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

This day in history

Posted on January 9, 2020 by David McKee

On this day in 1493, Christopher Columbus saw three manatees and mistook them for mermaids, much to his dismay. Manatees are gentle, curious creatures who are also an important part of Florida‘s tourism economy. Sadly, they are threatened by everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Environment, Florida, history, Tourism | Comments Off

Stitt robs public purse; Hard Rock blindsided

Posted on January 9, 2020 by David McKee

Oklahoma citizens may find themselves using the term “Indian giver” to describe Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). He’s planning to plunder the state’s rake of tribal gaming revenue to defend against a lawsuit brought by the state’s three biggest tribes. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cirque du Soleil, Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Virginia | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 17, 2019 by David McKee

“You go to the other places to get your bachelor’s, but Las Vegas is where you go for the graduate degree in fun. You warmed up over there. That’s the bullpen. Come here to get in the game.”—University of Nevada-Las Vegas … Continue reading →

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Sports wagering booms in Pennsylvania; Casino crime wave in Philippines

Posted on December 17, 2019 by David McKee

Spurred by mobile wagering, the Pennsylvania sports-betting market exceeded $300 million in handle last month. Said PlayPennsylvania.com analyst Dustin Gouker, “Plagued with relatively high gaming taxes and early hurdles to its online launch, Pennsylvania’s future as a legal sports betting jurisdiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tourism | 1 Comment

Around the gambling world in nine stops

Posted on December 9, 2019 by David McKee

Please welcome new Stiffs & Georges guest contributor Cora Lee, a travel writer whose article on Japan‘s consumer culture was linked to S&G last week. Here is her debut S&G feature. Enjoy! Some places are known for their tropical islands, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Entertainment, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Movies, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Tumult in Atlantic City; Goodell’s exquisite hypocrisy

Posted on December 4, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos have had enough with the town’s mayoral office. They want it eliminated in favor of a city manager. Difficult to argue with that one. Except for Don Guardian, we haven’t seen one A.C. mayor we’ve liked. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Dining, Election, Entertainment, history, Indiana, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Dems court Culinary vote; Scandal in Austria

Posted on December 3, 2019 by David McKee

Democratic presidential candidates are hardly taking the Nevada caucuses for granted. Sen. Kamala Harris (D) has already been once to Las Vegas (in vain) as has Joe Biden. The latter probably endeared himself to Culinary Union members by having a contretemps with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, China, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Election, Foxwoods, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Michigan, Movies, New York, Penn National, Politics, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Strip soft, locals firm; Big win for DraftKings

Posted on November 26, 2019 by David McKee

At $538 million, last month’s Strip gambling revenue fell 9%. Slot win was 1.5% up on 5.5% more coin-in. However, baccarat win plunged 27% on 20.5% less wagering. Non-baccarat table games were down 19% on 11% less betting. Strip casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Culinary Union, Downtown, DraftKings, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New Hampshire, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Washington State | Comments Off

Scientific fluent in Chinese; William Hill seeks new horizons

Posted on November 25, 2019 by David McKee

It’s not just for China anymore. Scientific Games is reporting success with its Chinese-themed slots, including in North America. Yes, games with titles like Jin Ji Bao Xi, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but is gaining traction with slot players worldwide. “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, China, Economy, Environment, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off

Vegas tourists, locals flex economic muscle

Posted on October 31, 2019 by David McKee

Both the Las Vegas Strip and Nevada casinos as a whole were up 7% in September, with locals action up a bullish 9.5%. “We think this data suggest less potential gaming-related risk to MGM’s 3Q19 results as well as [Station … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Conventions, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, MGM Resorts International, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Macao economy flounders; Massachusetts bonanza illusory

Posted on October 18, 2019 by David McKee

Macao got a double-barreled blast of bad news. First off, China‘s gross domestic product has slowed to growth rates not seen in almost 30 years. In fact, the R-word (“recession”) was invoked. Slow investment growth was blamed, as was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, China, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Trail of breadcrumbs; Survey says …

Posted on October 15, 2019 by David McKee

Waiting for “breadcrumbs to fall off the truck.” That’s Gaming & Leisure Properties‘ self-described business plan. GLPI execs, including CEO Peter Carlino (left), were in Las Vegas for Global Gaming Expo and took the opportunity to chat with J.P. Morgan … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Real Estate, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Wall Street rates Vegas, Macao; Tribes skirmish in Illinois

Posted on October 11, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Ben Combes turned his attention to three major Las Vegas companies, starting with MGM Resorts International. He’s staying neutral on the giant, writing, “We see Las Vegas as a cyclical but long-term growth market, given strong leverage … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Conventions, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Fan loses $506K shirt; Adelson cautions Trump

Posted on September 25, 2019 by David McKee

One incautious Cleveland Browns fan made the wrong kind of headline with a $506,000 bet on the team against the Los Angeles Rams. (The Browns lost, 20-13.) The wager was for the Browns to cover the spread, the most meaningful … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Donald Trump, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism | Comments Off

Furor in Illinois; ‘Carmageddon’ in New Jersey

Posted on September 5, 2019 by David McKee

Charles DeGaulle was famous as The Man Who Said No. That nickname may have to be reassigned to Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen. His decision not to seek racino status for Arlington International Racecourse has set the Illinois gaming industry and … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

Cherokee go to D.C. (maybe); Ivey cleaned out

Posted on August 29, 2019 by David McKee

Native American tribes have a hard time being heard in Washington, D.C. So it was past time that the Cherokee Nation took advantage of a treaty provision two centuries old and nominated a delegate to our nation’s capitol. The actual decision … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Dining, Economy, history, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, William Hill, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Baccarat hamstrings the Strip

Posted on August 28, 2019 by David McKee

July would have been a good month for the Las Vegas Strip were it not for a wipeout at baccarat: down 26% on 15% less wagering, so luck was definitely not with the house. Overall, Strip revenues were up 1.5% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Racinos, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off