Category Archives: Wall Street

Icahn power play at Caesars?; Big plans for Borgata

Posted on January 14, 2019 by David McKee

We all know that Carl Icahn has a sharp eye for undervalued assets. Caesars Entertainment stock fell 46% last year, making it ripe for the plucking. And pick it Icahn did, scarfing up enough to spur a 11.5% rally in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DFS, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Virginia, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Clouded future for Ocean; Wynn keeps fighting

Posted on January 14, 2019 by David McKee

While the mainstream media has gone quiet over the sudden change of ownership at Ocean Resort, Global Gaming Business is reporting that lead owner Bruce Deifik didn’t leave voluntarily but was kicked out by other investors. Luxor Capital Group supposedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

FanDuel fumbles; Cuomo beats Senecas

Posted on January 10, 2019 by David McKee

“It has been a dominant season for the Crimson Tide and our traders have seen enough.” With those words, FanDuel proceeded to pay out $400,000 to University of Alabama bettors, even though the national collegiate championship game had not yet … Continue reading →

Posted in history, MGM Resorts International, New York, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM gets new admirer; Okada busted again

Posted on January 8, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan has initiated analyst-focus coverage of MGM Resorts International “as we see an increasingly favorable setup for 2019” that includes “relatively low expectations in Las Vegas.” Morgan analyst Joseph Greff applauded the upcoming pogrom of the MGM workforce, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Philly Live shows signs of life; Sports betting no cure-all

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming‘s $700 million Philadelphia casino project (now with 100% less Watouche “Bob” Manoukian) has been postponed two years. However, in a sign of forward progress, Cordish has signed a general contractor and pledged “substantial completion” by 2020. It remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cordish Co., Horseracing, Louisiana, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Business was booming last month on the Las Vegas Strip. Gaming revenues shot up 10% to $534.5 million. Statewide, the increase was 6.5% to $967 million. Driving those Strip numbers was a mind-boggling 53% explosion in baccarat win on 26% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Wynn at risk; Christmas stocking for Station, Boyd, etc.

Posted on December 26, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn might want to think twice about buying back into Wynn Resorts. Stock analyst Frank Fantini thinks the company’s Macao holdings might be made an example in the U.S./China trade war. Fantini believes Beijing could target “companies that are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Golden Gaming, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pansy Ho, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Bad idea refuses to die; E-sports comes to the Boardwalk

Posted on December 20, 2018 by David McKee

Sens, Chuck Schumer (D) and Orrin Hatch (R), forever in search of bad ideas to espouse, it would seem, have introduced the Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act of 2018. There’s no mention of Hatch’s cockamamie notion of individual states having … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Dining, e-sports, Economy, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Scientific pays up; Clouds over Macao

Posted on December 14, 2018 by David McKee

“While we firmly believe that the jury decision was wrong, we are pleased with the outcome of the settlement and that this matter will be resolved for good,” said Scientific Games Chief Legal Officer James Sottile, trying to spin a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, Economy, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Xi caught in the act; Vegas economy looking up

Posted on December 13, 2018 by David McKee

If Donald Trump wants to get tough on Chinese President Xi Jinping, he may just have been handed an excuse courtesy of Starwood. Indeed, White House retaliation may already be teed up like a golf ball at Mar-A-Lago. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Economy, history, International, Law enforcement, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Ruffin over Miami; Satre to state Wynn’s case

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

“I look forward to entering the Miami gaming market through this acquisition. We have exciting plans for Casino Miami that we will be revealing in the near future.” With those words Phil Ruffin took possession of the $155 million casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

18 Fremont’s cover blown; Resorts World LV delayed yet again

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

Last week, Ryan Hess stole Derek Stevens‘ thunder, posting a stunning rendering for 18 Fremont on Twitter and linking to an EB-5 visa Web page that included more sexy pictures — six swimming pools — of the Stevens brothers’ upcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Genting, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Majestic Star, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM, Cordish clean up in Maryland; Pennsylvania a cash cow

Posted on December 7, 2018 by David McKee

It was another good month at MGM National Harbor, which grossed almost $2 million per day in November, an above-average take for the pleasure palace. Slots were up 15% (to $31 million) while table games leapt 46%, grossing $26 million. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DFS, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Resorts World LV delayed (again); Lady Gaga reigns supreme

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David McKee

Resorts World Las Vegas has reached the 39th of a projected 60 floors. However, Genting Group is cautiously hedging its bet, telling Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight the resort will be finished “by 2020,” not late 2019, as stated previously. Somehow … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Wall Street | 2 Comments

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

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

Churchill Downs aims for Nashville; Goodbye, Sigma Derby

Posted on November 19, 2018 by David McKee

Late last week, Churchill Downs was awarded a racing license in Oak Grove, Kentucky, putting CHDN within an hour’s drive of the Nashville market. The plan is to invest $150 million in a racing oval, a hotel and — most … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Entertainment, Genting, Georgia, history, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Trop defies Atlantic City odds; Massachusetts underachieves

Posted on November 16, 2018 by David McKee

October was good for Atlantic City‘s new casinos, with the overall market up 8%, but bad for the incumbents, down 11.5%. Terrestrial gambling win totaled $200.5 million, with mixed messages all over the place. Slot win was up 5% but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

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

Midwest doldrums; Turning a page at Wynn

Posted on November 9, 2018 by David McKee

Slot routes continue to bleed Illinois casinos, which were 1.5% down in October. Two properties withstood the decline. Eldorado Resorts seems to be already turning things around at Grand Victoria, which was up 2% ($13 million). Rivers Casino, coveted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dubai, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off