Category Archives: Tribal

Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

We’ve come 180 degrees in the evolution of the casino industry in the U.S. State governments once embraced them as what Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment CEO Denis McGlynn calls a “sin-tax pot of gold.” Now they’re flailing amidst overmuch competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

“On non-Indian lands, you have a thousand ways to stop a casino that you don’t want. Why do you need the abrogation of sovereign immunity?” — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, questioning the State of Michigan‘s lawsuit against an … Continue reading →

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

Suffolk Downs: Devil in the details; Wynn exculpated

Posted on November 22, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs has yet to reveal how it will shoehorn a $1 billion casino into the Revere portion of its property. However, its struggle to do so is being made even harder both by opposition groups and Boston politicians who’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Downtown, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Suffolk Downs: Devil in the details; Wynn exculpated

Japan factor overrated?; Gural’s head start

Posted on November 20, 2013 by David McKee

Skepticism is starting to emerge regarding Union Gaming Group‘s projection of $10 billion a year from Japanese casinos, should they be legalized. Among the reasons given are that “whales” from Japan aren’t a major factor in Pacific Rim casinos. Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Marketing, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Scientific Games, Tribal, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off on Japan factor overrated?; Gural’s head start

Case Bets: Scientific, Japan, Pennsylvania, Arizona

Posted on November 19, 2013 by David McKee

Happy trails to Scientific Games CEO Lorne Weil, who got the axe this morning. He was immediately replaced by former Revlon CEO David L. Kennedy. Revlon ower Ronald Perelman takes over as CEO. Kennedy isn’t a newcomer to Scientific: He … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Case Bets: Scientific, Japan, Pennsylvania, Arizona

Foxwoods finds a partner and, yes, it’s Penn

Posted on November 18, 2013 by David McKee

By the narrowest of odds, Crossroads Massachusetts caught a couple of breaks late last week. The Foxwoods Resort Casino-led project was found “conditionally” suitable to go forward. The condition imposed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was that Foxwoods find the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Foxwoods finds a partner and, yes, it’s Penn

Delay in Wisconsin lengthens; Fast action in N.Y.

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) continues to make inscrutable, sometimes self-contradictory remarks about the hotly disputed Kenosha-area Hard Rock casino proposed by the Menominee Tribe for Dairyland Greyhound Park. What was a timeline of a week or two has now … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Delay in Wisconsin lengthens; Fast action in N.Y.

Misery in Missouri; Massachusetts upended; Ho associate nabbed

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s gaming numbers out of Missouri are so depressing I hardly feel like sharing them. Year over year, only two casinos were revenue-positive. One was — no surprise — River City, in St. Louis. The other was — mild surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

N.Y. claims first casualty: Steve Wynn; Walker’s waiting game

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

For the second time, Steve Wynn is pulling out of contention for the one remaining Philadelphia casino license. In a prepared statement, Wynn Resorts said its board had recently met, conducted a feasibility study and “decided that the best course … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Charity, Current, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

I never would have believed it after a recent change of CEOs and a major redirection of Revel Resort‘s marketing efforts, but the casino could be put up for sale. The bottom having fallen out of the resale market for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, International, James Packer, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

One casino for sale, real cheap; Miracle at Cosmo; New wrinkle at Dairyland

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

Colony Capital‘s insolvent Atlantic City Hotel received bankruptcy court permission to keep doing business. Still, the ACH appears to be circling the drain rapidly, telling reporters “the casino said it doesn’t have enough cash to continue to operate for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on One casino for sale, real cheap; Miracle at Cosmo; New wrinkle at Dairyland

Suffolk Downs: Life after Caesars; PokerStars nixed?

Posted on November 8, 2013 by David McKee

Another day, another occasion to scratch one’s head over the casino-averse culture in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe‘s Shirley Leung does her usual Chicken Little routine, lamenting that the Bay State may get no casinos at all. (Fret not, Shirley, somebody … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Election, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Maine, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pokergeddon, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Big score for Station, little one for Caesars

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

Station Casinos has a big hit on its hands in the form of Graton Resort & Casino. So many customers turned out for opening day that the doors swung wide an hour early. Ninety minutes later, admittance was being rationed … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big score for Station, little one for Caesars

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Congratulations, Suffolk Downs. You’ve been approved as a casino bidder — but the voters might nix the whole shebang. Although Suffolk Downs is bereft of an operator, having given Caesars Entertainment the heave-ho. (The latter remains in deep water, financially, making noises … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Let us now praise Scott Walker

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

For someone often regarded as brash and confrontational, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been mediating an intrastate tribal dispute in a judicious, deliberative fashion. He’s extended the timeline on his yea-or-nay decision, the better to sort through varying figures … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Let us now praise Scott Walker

Case Bets: New York, Wynn, Packer, Atlantic City & Reno

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

In a positive omen for Tuesday’s casino vote in New York, shares of Castkills-based Empire Resorts (NYNY) leapt 29%, closing at $5.30/share. The company hopes to bring casino gambling to the Concord Hotel, although jostling for the probable two Catskills … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, International, James Packer, Melco Crown Entertainment, New York, Reno, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 4 Comments

MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

Did anyone envision a scenario whereby all three of Massachusetts‘ casinos could be tribally owned? It could happen. Leaving aside the chance of expanded gambling in Connecticut, the prospect that MGM Resorts International will be weighed in the balance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“A great pick.” That’s what Seeking Alpha says about Isle of Capri Casinos. Like so many regional operators, it hasn’t been posting lights-out numbers lately but its 16-casino portfolio makes it a bargain play for some. “It’s hard not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, history, Isle of Capri, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York