Category Archives: Tribal

Vietnam War logic in New Jersey; Tribal corruption in Florida

Posted on March 8, 2016 by David McKee

New Jersey will no longer have the distinction of possessing the second-lowest casino tax rate if Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D, left) gets his way. He’s talking about imposing at least a 40% levy on proposed north New Jersey casinos, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, International, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Vietnam War logic in New Jersey; Tribal corruption in Florida

Trump: The art of failure; Tribal gaming flexes its muscle

Posted on March 4, 2016 by David McKee

During a period (1995-2005) in which the Dow Jones Average Casino Index posted a 160% return on investment, Trump Hotels & Casinos ate dirt to the tune of a negative 89% ROI. By contrast, Boyd Gaming — unloved on Wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Economy, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New York, Ohio, Regulation, Scientific Games, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Trump: The art of failure; Tribal gaming flexes its muscle

Caesars: Frissora gets the nod; Rocky Mountain high point

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Michael Frissora is one step away from a Nevada gaming license, having been unanimously approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Frissora left the meeting grinning from ear to ear, as well he might. Since he comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Colorado, Economy, Harrah's, Kansas, Oklahoma, Regulation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Study: Triads rampant in Macao casinos

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Wow, what a shocker — not. A new study by T. Wing Lo and Sharon Ingrid Kwok of the City University of Hong Kong for the British Journal of Criminology reports that casino operators look for junket partners who have ‘dor’ or … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Rhode Island, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off on Study: Triads rampant in Macao casinos

Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

This morning, Real Estate Alert published a story saying that MGM Resorts International and Dubai World had liquidated Crystals, the high-end retail mall at CityCenter, to Simon Property Partnership. The transaction was valued at $1.1 billion and change, which means … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, CityCenter, Dubai, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Scarlet Pearl a hit; Adelson plays for time

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Gulf Coast casino revenues grew 15% last month, topping the $100 million mark for the first time in eight years. Newbie Scarlet Pearl Casino is getting the credit for growing the market in such a dramatic fashion. Despite a decline … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Mississippi, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Scarlet Pearl a hit; Adelson plays for time

Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Pot or gambling? That’s the choice Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces in newly discovered documents from 2014, in which the Poarch Band of Creek Indians seeks a casino on a one-acre parcel near Pensacola in return of $1 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Politics, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

If at first you don’t succeed …

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

… try, try, try, try, try again. That’s the New Hampshire Lege, making its umpteenth attempt to legalize casino gambling. State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) has crafted a bill that would bring VLTs and table games to Salem. The bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on If at first you don’t succeed …

Taunted in Taunton; Sands’ Chinese generosity

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David McKee

It was bound to happen and finally did: An activist group in Taunton has filed suit to stop the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe from building its dreamt-of casino, Project First Light. The litigants’ argument is as predictable as the filing itself. … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Taunted in Taunton; Sands’ Chinese generosity

Delaware racinos seek relief; Abrupt change at Downtown Grand

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

If a casino is losing money, does that qualify it for state relief? That’s the philosophical question in Delaware, where Dover Downs is pursuing a public bailout. A bill by state Sen. Brian Bushweller (D) would waive table-game franchise fees … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Downtown, Harrah's, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Delaware racinos seek relief; Abrupt change at Downtown Grand

MGM’s brass balls; Seminoles dream big

Posted on February 3, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegans are still in an uproar over MGM Resorts International‘s new pay-for-parking policy. And yet MGM had the gall to issue a press release calling the added fees part of a “strategy to provide significant improvements.” Yes, because paying more … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Florida, MGM Mirage, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s brass balls; Seminoles dream big

Case Bets

Posted on February 2, 2016 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson once called it “a mistake” but Sands Bethlehem is proving to be a bright spot on the Las Vegas Sands balance sheet. Last year, its profitability rose 9%, adding $108 million to Adelson’s coffers. As the CEO would … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Macau, Maine, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets

Gulfport: Not so fast; DFS winning in Florida

Posted on January 29, 2016 by David McKee

In one day, attorney Robert Lubin‘s plan for a new Gulfport, Mississippi, casino went from being the next big thing to “Yes, but …” Lubin, whose speciality is EB-5 visa financing, envisions a two-pronged project: a $140 million casino plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Gulfport: Not so fast; DFS winning in Florida

Meet the candidates; Even when Adelson loses, he wins

Posted on January 28, 2016 by David McKee

One of the many first-ever things that Geoff Freeman has done to remake the American Gaming Association in his image is compile a voting guide for industry workers, walking them through the primary and caucus processes in their states, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Meet the candidates; Even when Adelson loses, he wins

Another card room busted; Station becomes Red Rock

Posted on January 22, 2016 by David McKee

Scarcely was the ink dry on the American Gaming Association‘s proclamation of improved anti-money-laundering compliance than a plea-bargaining agreement was revealed involving the Normandie Casino, a venerable Gardena, California, card room. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Normandie “failed … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Another card room busted; Station becomes Red Rock

Big contract from Wynn; Parking debate continues

Posted on January 19, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts bought locally in its search for a Wynn Everett general contractor. It has let the $1 billion construction contract to Suffolk Construction, biggest in Massachusetts. By choosing a Boston company for this seven-figure deal (plus 4,000 jobs), perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, GLPI, International, Iowa, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on January 15, 2016 by David McKee

The glass at Penn National Gaming‘s Plainridge Park is both half-full and half-empty these days. The win/slot/day ($291) is 50% above the industry’s desired norm. However, Plainridge continues to bleed customers, going from $12 million in revenue in November to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wynn Resorts opens its wallet; Further woes for Macao

Posted on January 14, 2016 by David McKee

The most “george” figure in the casino industry last year would have to be Steve Wynn. Rank-and-file employees at Wynn Macau received a month’s salary as an end-of-year bonus. Senior management is ineligible for bonuses. Now, this is part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn Resorts opens its wallet; Further woes for Macao

Crosby: DFS equals Internet gambling; Macao’s newfound love for slot players

Posted on January 13, 2016 by David McKee

Although state Attorney General Maura Healey continues to draw a road map for daily fantasy sports in Massachusetts, the state’s gambling regulatory body has stepped forward to volunteer its services as an enforcement agent. Yes, DFS would be classified as … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Crosby: DFS equals Internet gambling; Macao’s newfound love for slot players

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 13, 2016 by David McKee

“Right off, the proposal set off a howl of opposition from legislators against any deal that might be seen as ‘an expansion of gambling.’ (As if there’s some moral difference between, say, Floridians losing money while playing the electronic virtual … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day