Category Archives: Tribal

Caesars gets nuked; Jerry Brown gets spanked

Posted on November 18, 2015 by David McKee

“It’s the ultimate nuclear option to try to go after debtors’ counsel.” That’s what Seton Hall University boffin Stephen Lubben says of junior bondholders’ latest ploy in their knock-down, drag-out fight with Caesars Entertainment. They’re accusing law firm Kirkland & … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, International, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars gets nuked; Jerry Brown gets spanked

Banks gun-shy on DFS; Aquinnah tribe suffers major defeat

Posted on November 16, 2015 by David McKee

Another day, another crisis for daily fantasy sports. This week, banks will be soul-searching, grappling with the question of whether to process DFS transactions or not. Market Watch polled some of the major financial institutions and found them taking a … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Banks gun-shy on DFS; Aquinnah tribe suffers major defeat

Good news in Massachusetts for DFS and tribe

Posted on November 13, 2015 by David McKee

Home team DraftKings (headquartered in Boston) got a vote of confidence from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), who opined that daily fantasy sports is a game of skill, not of chance. Last weekend, Baker tried a little DraftKings wagering himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Good news in Massachusetts for DFS and tribe

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

“I hate slots. It’s all up to luck. It’s boring, and I can’t control what happens. The only time I would ever even consider playing is to pretend I am so I could score free drinks.” — Arizona State University student … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Marketing, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Tohono O’odham win again; Union tackles REIT craze

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

Forces opposed to the Tohono O’odham Nation‘s attempts to build a casino (due to open Dec. 20) suffered yet another defeat — the 18th, by the tribe’s count — when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out a particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, GLPI, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Tohono O’odham win again; Union tackles REIT craze

Bluhm thinks big in Massachusetts; Cautious optimism in Illinois

Posted on November 6, 2015 by David McKee

Never accuse Neil Bluhm of thinking small. His Mass Gaming & Entertainment has published some eye-popping projections as part of a 200-page casino application to the State of Massachusetts. Despite nearby competition from Plainridge and Rhode Island, Bluhm is projecting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Bluhm thinks big in Massachusetts; Cautious optimism in Illinois

The (Nathan) Deal they can’t refuse; Decision time in Connecticut

Posted on November 3, 2015 by David McKee

Casino companies like to complain about high taxation … unless they’re trying to get into a jurisdiction, in which case they’ll agree to anything. In Georgia, they’ve upped the ante from a proposed 12% tax rate to 20%. It’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Regulating DFS; So long, Harrah’s Tunica

Posted on November 3, 2015 by David McKee

Although he doesn’t think state government ought to “impede one’s enjoyment of fantasy sports,” New Jersey state Sen. James Whelan (D, right) thinks it’s time for the Garden State to regulate daily fantasy sports. In a letter to the Division of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | 1 Comment

Adelson sleeping with the enemy

Posted on November 2, 2015 by David McKee

In his mania to ban Internet gaming, Sheldon Adelson has let the worst of anti-gambling zealots to slither into bed with him. Dr. James Dobson-founded Focus on the Family has gotten behind Rep. Jason Chaffetz‘s faltering bill. So-called “social liberal” Adelson … Continue reading →

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Harrah’s auction scrapped; Airport casino nixed

Posted on October 28, 2015 by David McKee

Almost nobody wants the defunct remnants of Harrah’s Tunica Casino. Owner Caesars Entertainment has scratched a planned auction of the property because nobody except stalking horse TJM Properties has shown an interest in the building. TJM specializes in senior-living facilities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Marketing, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Scientific Games, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Harrah’s auction scrapped; Airport casino nixed

Seminole resolution in sight?; Murren called on the carpet

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Florida‘s Seminole Tribe is pursuing a two-track policy in the court of public opinion. On the one hand, it has announced “significant progress” in its talks with lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott (R, left). On the other hand, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole resolution in sight?; Murren called on the carpet

Caesars: (Almost) everything must go; More angst in Macao

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Well, it had to happen eventually. In order to escape bankruptcy, Caesars Entertainment is putting Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. on the market. There are some who are calling this a bluff and others who can’t afford to get in on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2015 by David McKee

“The [casino] bubble burst a long time ago. Now it’s just day-to-day business. We have to be looking at trends, interests and how people are spending ancillary dollars. If mudbogging becomes really popular, then we’ll have to make a mud hole.” … Continue reading →

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

All’s well at Penn; Mulroy’s misdeed; Discomfort at Studio City

Posted on October 22, 2015 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming pleasantly surprised Wall Street, reporting third-quarter revenue of $739 million and $210 million in cash flow, exceeding projections by $8 million and $11 million, respectively. It paid out $109 million in rent to Gaming & Leisure Properties … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Illinois, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on All’s well at Penn; Mulroy’s misdeed; Discomfort at Studio City

Pennsylvania edges toward ‘Net bets; The forbidden dance

Posted on October 20, 2015 by David McKee

There’s nothing like a budget crisis and a partial government shutdown to focus lawmakers’ minds on gaming expansion. That’s the case in Pennsylvania, where House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R, right) says, “We need to come to a conclusion on liquor … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Mad slot skillz; Tribes at war with one another

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Skill-based slot games are a long way from deployment but that didn’t discourage The Motley Fool‘s Jeff Hwang from scouting the Global Gaming Expo show floor in search of entertaining product. The games he saw the greatest potential in were … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, G2E, IGT, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Mad slot skillz; Tribes at war with one another

McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh has Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio “baffled” with his schizoid approach to the hotel-casino. After having an apparently conciliatory meeting with Walsh, DeSalvio was bushwhacked by a McCheese-launched lawsuit to halt construction on Wynn Everett. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Racinos, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Doubling down on Philadelphia; Baltimore throws a Horseshoe

Posted on October 7, 2015 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming got the go-ahead to start building its Packer Avenue casino in Philadelphia. The news came on the same as a bulletin that should give Cordish pause, with SugarHouse casino reporting a 4% drop in slot revenues. Given the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Tribal | Comments Off on Doubling down on Philadelphia; Baltimore throws a Horseshoe

MGM sends emissary to Springfield; Florida tribe takes a loss

Posted on October 5, 2015 by David McKee

Undoubtedly realizing that it laid a public-relations egg with its scaled-down redesign of MGM Springfield, parent company MGM Resorts International is sending President William Hornbuckle to Springfield to mend fences with Mayor Domenic Sarno. Actually, Sarno has been in MGM’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Economy, Florida, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM sends emissary to Springfield; Florida tribe takes a loss

Turning point for Wynn; Breakthrough for PokerStars

Posted on October 1, 2015 by David McKee

Earlier this week, the Everett Planning Board unanimously assented to Wynn Everett‘s site plan. The Medford Patch described this vote as “the most critical local permit needed by Wynn.” The resort-to-be can start pulling building permits now, with the actual … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment