Category Archives: Virgin Hotels

Silence of the ponies; New boss for Virgin, new Mirage hope

Kentucky Derby fallout continues to reverberate around Churchill Downs, leading to a 2Q23 earnings miss. A mass die-off of horses during the Run for the Roses caused the flagship track to be closed and races shifted to Ellis Park. Cash … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Fontainebleau, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Horseracing, Kentucky, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, North Carolina, Politics, South Korea, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

F-blue, Rio approved; Indiana down again; Biden smoked

Fontainebleau owner Jeffrey Soffer and top exec Brett Mufson are certain to be approved after their audition for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. And why not? Aside from an ancient tax issue involving the Town Square mall, there’s nothing untoward … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, DraftKings, Entertainment, Environment, FanDuel, Fontainebleau, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, New York, North Carolina, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Rio, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Rio makeover due; DraftKings stiffs you; Las Vegas deemed #1

Having been spared being the next home of the miserable Oakland Athletics, now The Rio faces the question of whether there’s life after Caesars Entertainment. To that end, owner Dreamscape Cos. is going to try to go it alone as … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, DraftKings, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, history, Illinois, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Minnesota, Palms, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, WInd Creek | Comments Off on Rio makeover due; DraftKings stiffs you; Las Vegas deemed #1

A Dream deferred; Lost Virginity; Tennessee tax trouble

Don’t look now, Las Vegas but we may have another failsino on our hands. Construction has ground to a total halt on Dream, the south-Strip resort project that looked like a sure thing not so long ago. Developer Bill Shopoff … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Detroit, DraftKings, Failsinos, FanDuel, FoxBet, Hard Rock International, Health, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on A Dream deferred; Lost Virginity; Tennessee tax trouble

A Boardwalk Christmas; Mega-Jottings

Most people wouldn’t spend Christmas Day in a casino or two but our East Coast correspondent did. He reports, “At the Golden Nugget on Christmas, Chart House, Lillie’s Asian, the Grotto (Italian), Michael Patrick’s coffee shop, Bean & Bread for … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, Dining, DraftKings, Fontainebleau, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, International, Kentucky, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ohio, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Dog & pony show; Snow job in Massachusetts melts

Yesterday’s Hard Rock International road show before the ostensibly investigative Nevada Gaming Control Board played out pretty much as expected. Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen effectively ran out the clock by dwelling on how Hard Rock would make over The … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Connecticut, Dining, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Lotteries, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Carolina, Palms, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Seminole Tribe, South Carolina, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia | Comments Off on Dog & pony show; Snow job in Massachusetts melts

Bullish for Boyd; Abbott does Texas two-step; D.C. remorse

Bad economy? Not if you’re Boyd Gaming. The regional giant significantly improved third-quarter income, from $843 million in 3Q21 to $877 million this year. Said CEO Keith Smith, “Continuing into October, customer spending has been very consistent with the trends … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Barstool Sports, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, Economy, Election, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Mattress Mack, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Texas, Tourism, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Mirage sold; Big win for Las Vegas; Bluhm, Reinsdorf clash in Chicago

In a billion-dollar coup, MGM Resorts International has sold the operations of The Mirage to Hard Rock International, a huge markup on Steve Wynn‘s 1989 creation—and Hard Rock isn’t even getting the underlying land! All this for 17X EBITDA, an … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Cordish Co., Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, Hard Rock International, Health, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Scott Butera, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels | 4 Comments

MGM resurgent in Maryland; More Mega-Jottings

November was another terrific month for Maryland casinos, as revenues picked up a bit from October, accumulating 14% more than in November 2019.. (If inflation is so bad, where do Marylanders find all this money with which to gamble, one … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Crown Resorts, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, South Korea, Sports, The Rio, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, West Virginia, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Trump banned; Richmond: The fix was in

Donald Trump won’t be opening a casino in Doral. Neither will anyone else. Not if the Doral City Council has its way. It voted unanimously to bar casino gambling within the city, which encompasses The Donald’s struggling resort. This has … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, Health, Iowa, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, William Hill | 3 Comments

Maryland heats up; Vegas restaurants rebound; Rivers is george

Casinos in the Free State jetted 13% above 2019 levels, grossing $172 million, a new record. MGM National Harbor led with $68.5 million (+16%) and 40% market share. Maryland Live was up 15% to $61.5 million for 35.5% market share, … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Lotteries, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Vegas: green shoots galore; Seminoles saluted

Against all odds, it appears that Las Vegas‘ recovery is taking place faster than anticipated (save by a very few). A CNN feature is vaguely euphoric but it does cite several new must-see attractions. For the all-important convention business, which … Continue reading

Posted in Colorado, Derek Stevens, Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Louisiana, LVCVA, Marijuana, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Virgin Hotels | 5 Comments

Virginia sports betting debuts large; ‘CSI’ back in Vegas

Virginia has now had two full months of sports betting and February handle was an impressive $266 million—not quite the explosion that Michigan was but still noteworthy as the second-biggest debut in U.S. history. Reacted PlayUSA analyst Dustin Gouker, “The … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Genting, Health, Indiana, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Carolina, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, TV, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Circa picketed; Sundry green shoots in Vegas; Sports book busted

If you cruise by Circa, you’re liable to see members of Teamsters Local 986 walking a picket line on behalf of the ‘Circa Seven,’ a group of unfortunate warehouse workers. The seven were employed by Derek Stevens‘ Three Corners company, … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Florida, Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Ocean Resort, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Strip sux but locals steadfast; Virgin LV loses its virginity

Things simply have to get better on the Las Vegas Strip. Not even a Feb. 15 capacity increase saved some casinos from perdition. Let’s hope February represented a bottoming-out of gaming revenues, as tourists starting flocking back this month. Strip … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Dining, Downtown Grand, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Wendover | 1 Comment

Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Online sports betting was quick out of the gate in Virginia—$59 million in handle in 11 days—although books spent so much money acquiring customers that they took a loss on the month. “Debuting ahead of the NFL’s conference championship games … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Health, history, IGT, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, LVCVA, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Resort fees, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, United Kingdom, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sports bets a hit in Virginia; Vegas recovery an iffy prospect

Boyd better than expected; Marching through Georgia

Boyd Gaming leaked January data, what Wall Street calls “offered an encouraging commentary,” to help put an upbeat spin on its 4Q20 numbers. It worked like a charm. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff moved his price target up $8 to … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Georgia, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resort fees, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tony Hsieh, Tourism, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street | 3 Comments

F-blue returns from the grave; Caesars socks it to you

The Thing That Wouldn’t Die, aka Fontainebleau, is back again. Former owner Steven Witkoff has sold it to Koch Real Estate Investments for an undisclosed price. Considering that Witkoff bought it from Carl Icahn for $600 million and estimated that … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harry Reid, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Resorts World LV, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Circa debut boosts Downtown; Lots of moving, shaking predicted for ’21

Although casinos across the nation have been swooning in November, results in Nevada—which we feared would take it worse than average—were in line with national trends, a victory of sorts. Statewide, gaming win fell 18% and the Las Vegas Strip, … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Derek Stevens, Dotty's, Downtown, Economy, Failsinos, Fontainebleau, GLPI, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Palms, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Reno, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Rio, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Wendover, William Hill | 2 Comments

End of the honeymoon; Virgin Hotel clings to virginity

Gaming revenue dropped last month in Maryland and precipitously so in Ohio, where the good times had really been rolling. Maryland’s $130.5 million gross represented a 7.5% dip, motivating JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff to write that “We note the … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Economy, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, Las Vegas Raiders, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment