Category Archives: Tourism

Stimulus is here, recovery … who knows?

It’s still not a done deal but what Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) calls “emergency relief” emerged from the Senate yesterday. A few jerks tried to hold it up with the preposterous argument that “the expanded unemployment benefits were overly … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Cretins, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, International, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, South Korea, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Stimulus is here, recovery … who knows?

Wynn Resorts defended; Trump stiffs hotel employees

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff came riding to the aid of Wynn Resorts this week. “COVID-19’s evolving impact has created a lot of share price carnage in the gaming and lodging sector, to state the obvious. Its impact should be … Continue reading

Posted in China, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Environment, Florida, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Notes in the time of Coronavirus

Saying her city “cannot survive” a month-long shutdown, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman (D) wants Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) to drastically reduce his 30-day casino closure. We admire Goodman normally but think she’s out of her depth here or, as … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Cretins, Economy, Election, Genting, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Nevada, New York, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off on Notes in the time of Coronavirus

Life after casinos; Sheldon is george

“The situation continues to evolve and will escalate rapidly and dramatically. These are unprecedented actions in an extraordinary situation, but they could be the difference in saving lives and keeping people safe.” So said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Sunday, … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Cordish Co., e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Tough times return to Atlantic City; KY Derby delayed

As we saw earlier today, Las Vegas and Reno are pretty badly screwed for at least the next month. What about perennial problem child/comeback kid Atlantic City? Just when it’s back on its feet and roaring again, along comes Coronavirus … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, California, Dining, Economy, Election, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New York, North Carolina, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off on Tough times return to Atlantic City; KY Derby delayed

Las Vegas is closed

America‘s favorite 24-hour town has finally caved to the inevitable and done what neither Sept. 11 nor the Great Recession made it do. It has turned out the lights and hung the “Closed for business” sign in the window. Finally … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Las Vegas is closed

Gaming: Too big to fail?; Sports betting gets creative

Casino CEOs have no shame. They are capitalizing on the Coronavirus crisis to go to Congress, palms extended, cadging for a bailout. In an outrage-inducing story in today’s Washington Post, it is reported that the gaming industry’s wish list includes: … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Westgate LV, William Hill | 2 Comments

Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Although it seems supremely beside the point at this grave moment, it’s time to report February’s gaming-revenue numbers from Massachusetts. Casinos in the state grossed some $86 million, with $52.5 million of that made at Encore Boston Harbor, with 61% … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, California, Canada, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Health, Horseracing, International, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Tourism, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Crisis mode hits Las Vegas

Our country is still trying to grasp the ramifications of Coronavirus, as Broadway goes dark, Disneyland and Disneyworld are closed, The Masters and Boston Marathon are postponed, and cancellations of sporting and cultural events (here and abroad) comprise a list longer … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Health, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pets, The Strip, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | 5 Comments

Bad news for Golden Knights, MGM; Lady Gaga honored

T-Mobile Arena is going to be a lot quieter now that the National Hockey League has suspended its season indefinitely. It is leaving the door open to eventual resumption of play, asking constituent arenas to keep ice time available through … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Health, MGM Resorts International, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Bad news for Golden Knights, MGM; Lady Gaga honored

Las Vegas slides toward crisis as market tanks

Coronavirus having been officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, it was only a matter of time before the impact hit Las Vegas. Not much time, either. Late yesterday, the National Association of Broadcasters pulled the plug … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, DFS, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, International, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Gaming stocks by and large didn’t feel the love on Wall Street yesterday, trending slightly downward, not counting 9% rallies for Station Casinos and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (the latter the only Macao operator to bounce back). The market recouped … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Current, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Health, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Reno, Rhode Island, Sahara, South Dakota, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Vermont, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Stitt plays games; Georgia weighs sports betting

Ignoring a court order, voluble Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) decided to negotiate through the media again. Instead of dickering with the Sooner State’s tribes over revenue sharing (which he’s supposed to be doing), Stitt threatened to bring private casinos into … Continue reading

Posted in Connecticut, Cretins, Georgia, Health, International, Oklahoma, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Stitt plays games; Georgia weighs sports betting

Vegas vs. virus II; Illinois, Maryland rally

Two presumed cases of coronavirus have been reported in Nevada. What’s the over/under on when panic sets in? Me, I’m contemplating a trip back to Las Vegas in the near future, so I’m working on my sangfroid. As one tourist … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Health, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Gaming exempt from Wall Street love; Harry-come-lately

Gaming stocks responded indifferently to yesterday’s Wall Street rally. Wynn Resorts was up and down but ultimately flat, MGM Resorts International ticked up 2%, Las Vegas Sands was flat and Melco Resorts & Entertainment slipped a percentage point. So much … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, South Korea, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming exempt from Wall Street love; Harry-come-lately

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

In what can be viewed either as a victory for democracy or simply passing the buck, Massachusetts regulators opened the door to public comments on whether to approve a casino for the southeastern corner of the Bay State. The Massachusetts … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Vietnam, Washington State | Comments Off on Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

“Empty gesture” in Macao; Big deals for Scientific, Hill

Casinos may have reopened in Macao but coronavirus cannot be so easily wished away. Fears of its spread hit U.S. stock markets hard, with the Dow Jones tumbling 840 points, ceding all 2020 gains. Overseas bourses are taking it hard, too, … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, China, Culinary Union, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on “Empty gesture” in Macao; Big deals for Scientific, Hill

Macao closed for business; Tribal troubles

In what once seemed unthinkable, Macao has been ordered to close all 41 of its casinos (and presumably its myriad slot parlors) to inhibit the spread of coronavirus. The inciting incident appears to have been a case of the virus … Continue reading

Posted in Charity, China, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, Macau, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, North Dakota, Oregon, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment