Category Archives: Transportation

Big Beaver and other Case Bets

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David McKee

Sands China has upped its capital commitment to Sands Cotai (aka The Londoner) as its Four Seasons is scheduled for a $450 million upgrade. The Sands Cotai makeover is now budgeted at $2.2 billion, a hefty vote of confidence in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Transportation | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on December 3, 2018 by David McKee

Taking its own sweet time, Hard Rock Atlantic City will finally have a sports book in early 2019. Malta-based Gaming Innovation Group has been tapped to handle the nuts and bolts. The lack of sports betting in what should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Centaur Gaming, Hard Rock International, history, Indiana, Macau, Majestic Star, New Mexico, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

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

Scratch one casino; Adios, Megabus

Posted on November 29, 2018 by David McKee

Tunica continues to hemorrhage casinos. The latest casualty is Tunica Roadhouse. Owner Caesars Entertainment is terminating gambling at the property, although the 135-room hotel will be kept operational. This makes Horseshoe Tunica Caesars’ only remaining casino in the market. The move … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hard Rock International, International, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Regulation, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Uncle Sam wants your sports bet; Strip outperforms Nevada

Posted on November 27, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight had an ominous take on sports betting, as regards federal intervention and “integrity fees.” “Federal action on sports betting sounds more likely, though our contacts disagree on scope,” he warned, adding, “On integrity fees, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, DFS, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Caesars hailed; Macao’s future questioned

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight hosted three (!) days of investor meetings with Caesars Entertainment and came away giving the company a rave review. “Management’s tone was very good, and long-only interest was high … We think CZR’s business is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Horseracing, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Steve Wynn makes out like a bandit; Smoke ’em while you’ve got ’em

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s liquidation of his stake in Wynn Resorts may have seemed like an act of petulance but — in light of subsequent movement in the stock market — it appears highly astute. Since El Steve’s big sale WYNN has … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Lee, Economy, Elaine Wynn, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Georgia, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Adelson eats Wynn’s lunch; Thumbs up for Boyd

Posted on October 26, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight reports that Sands China is stealing Macao market share from Wynn Resorts. Renovated VIP rooms at Sands properties are credited with the shift in business. Also, Sands “stated that while its very confident of [concession] … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

New era in Macao; Joy and misery in Louisiana

Posted on October 23, 2018 by David McKee

Beginning tomorrow, travel to Macao becomes much easier, as the Zhuhai bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macao officially opens. The ribbon is cut at 9 a.m. and several bus services are at the ready to make the half-hour run, compared … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Follow that puck!; Connecticut casino nixed

Posted on October 2, 2018 by David McKee

$216 million. That’s how much sports betting will be worth to the NHL, according to the American Gaming Association‘s Sara Slane. The new revenue will be achieved “as a result of spending from betting operators on advertising, data and sponsorship … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Economy, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Transportation | Comments Off

Dog days on the Strip

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

August numbers are in and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip tanked, down 12.5%. Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight called this result “not as bad as feared,” which prompts one to wonder what a worst-case scenario would look like. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Resort fees rethought; Yokohama rejects casinos

Posted on September 6, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations, Scott Roeben. Analyst Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is a Vital Vegas reader and cites it in his latest investor note. He also mentions a publication with which I’m not familiar, LV Locally, when writing “that several Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Indiana, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Pols slow to move on sports betting

Posted on August 14, 2018 by David McKee

We thought we’d check up on what some of our favorite state legislators are doing about sports betting, now that it’s theoretically legal in their state (well, it’s complicated). In New York, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D) intends to introduce a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Foxwoods, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Neanderthals target Wampanoags; Pinball Hall on the move

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

A strange, one-third-of-a-page ad appeared in the July 19 edition of The Hill. “For over 30 years,” it huffed, “the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe sought federal recognition for the specific purposes of opening a CASINO [Horrors! — Ed.] — in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Casa Shenandoah closes; Culinary escalates tactics

Posted on July 12, 2018 by David McKee

Call it a day for another Wayne Newton business venture. Mr. Las Vegas is closing Casa Shenandoah to the public, no reason given (although a recent break-in might have influenced the decision). “It is the Applicant’s intent that the property revert … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Election, history, Horseracing, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wayne F. Newton, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

East Windsor, Take Two; MGM, Sands eat Ho’s lunch

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

“From the start, we pledged to create a world class facility that will be a draw for people throughout the entire region,” said Mashantucket Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler of the tribe’s satellite casino in East Windsor. Nice try, Mr. Chairman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Culinary confronts Caesars

Posted on May 31, 2018 by David McKee

If Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli is any indicator, Wall Street is sanguine almost to the point of complacency about contract talks in Las Vegas. He calls the chances of a strike “low” although he thinks negotiations could drag on … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Culinary Union, Harrah's, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Texas, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM optimistic on Japan; Culinary blasts casino owners

Posted on May 30, 2018 by David McKee

Japan is one big step closer to casino legalization now that its House of Representatives passed a bill putting problem-gambling countermeasures into place. This was a necessary step before the actual casino-implementation law could go before the Diet. “The pace of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Economy, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Strip land values skyrocket; Second chance for Margaritaville

Posted on May 24, 2018 by David McKee

In a deal not seen since the giddiness of 2007, someone is expected $34 million an acre for Strip land, for a grand total of $540 million. The property in question is a collection of parcels wedged between Planet Hollywood to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Foxwoods, history, IGT, Mississippi, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 3 Comments

Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Some are blaming bad weather for two months of substantially reduced table-games winnings at Sands Bethlehem. But could casinos in the Catskills finally be having an effect? It’s hard to say, although one suspects the answer is “yes.” Sands Bethlehem tumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off