Category Archives: Washington State

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David McKee

“All the news reporting, all the conversation about this, is really helping. It’s so much less stigmatized.”—Justin Cicero, father of a Seattle Coronavirus victim. His child, happy to report, recovered.

Posted in Health, Washington State | Comments Off

Tough times return to Atlantic City; KY Derby delayed

Posted on March 18, 2020 by David McKee

As we saw earlier today, Las Vegas and Reno are pretty badly screwed for at least the next month. What about perennial problem child/comeback kid Atlantic City? Just when it’s back on its feet and roaring again, along comes Coronavirus … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, California, Dining, Economy, Election, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New York, North Carolina, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off

Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Posted on March 11, 2020 by David McKee

Gaming stocks by and large didn’t feel the love on Wall Street yesterday, trending slightly downward, not counting 9% rallies for Station Casinos and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (the latter the only Macao operator to bounce back). The market recouped … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Current, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Health, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Reno, Rhode Island, Sahara, South Dakota, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Vermont, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caudill casinos recovering; Slick Rick strikes again

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David McKee

It now appears that Terry Caudill‘s two casinos were the victim of a “ransomware” hack that crippled the slot floor, among other debilities. It wrecked last weekend’s business and “scattered outages” were still seen as of Monday. The Nevada Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, Economy, Health, Illinois, International, Japan, Maverick Gaming, Nevada, Oregon, Penn National, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | 1 Comment

Ghost in the (slot) machine; The “evil genius” of resort fees

Posted on March 3, 2020 by David McKee

Electrical troubles are bedeviling Downtown casinos. All the slot machines at the Four Queens and Binion’s Gambling Hall were idled by a mechanical snafu last week. Table games remained operational, as did selected video-poker machines. Terry Caudill clammed up when … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Downtown, IGT, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Regulation, Resort fees, Technology, Terry Caudill, Virgin Hotels, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Massachusetts tries, tries again; Eldorado underperforms

Posted on February 27, 2020 by David McKee

In what can be viewed either as a victory for democracy or simply passing the buck, Massachusetts regulators opened the door to public comments on whether to approve a casino for the southeastern corner of the Bay State. The Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, Tourism, Tribal, Vietnam, Washington State | Comments Off

Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts casinos raked in $80 million last month, 60% of that—or $48.5 million—at Encore Boston Harbor. Holding onto a 26% share was MGM Springfield, grossing $20.5 million, while Plainridge Park won $11 million. That was a 10.5% decline for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Election special

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David McKee

Such is the Culinary Union‘s clout that Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D, left), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Susie Lee (D) will also be casting their caucus ballots at Culinary-sponsored events, staggered across today through Tuesday. On Wednesday, … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM’s past distinguished, future cloudy; Broken Winds

Posted on February 14, 2020 by David McKee

Yesterday, while noting MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren‘s impending departure, we were remiss in noting some of his accomplishments. On Murren’s 2008-20 watch, the company became synonymous with diversity, environmentalism, LEED certification and community outreach. With becoming modesty, Murren … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Dining, Diversity, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Foxwoods, Japan, Kentucky, Macau, Marijuana, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Penn/Barstool deal a home run; Blatstein lightens Showboat ship

Posted on January 31, 2020 by David McKee

Shares of Penn National Gaming jumped 12% on news of its 36% acquisition of Barstool Sports. Penn plans to unroll a Barstool-branded line of sports books, online applications and mobile-wagering services. Barstool, in turn, will promote Penn until 2060 … … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

‘Sharp’ criticism of Congress; MGM a popular stock pick

Posted on December 2, 2019 by David McKee

Newly elected National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp wasted no time in opening a can of whup-ass on the U.S. Congress. Speaking to the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Oversight, Sharp … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Strip soft, locals firm; Big win for DraftKings

Posted on November 26, 2019 by David McKee

At $538 million, last month’s Strip gambling revenue fell 9%. Slot win was 1.5% up on 5.5% more coin-in. However, baccarat win plunged 27% on 20.5% less wagering. Non-baccarat table games were down 19% on 11% less betting. Strip casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Culinary Union, Downtown, DraftKings, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New Hampshire, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Washington State | Comments Off

Massachusetts Expansion urged; Murren backs right horse

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Blowing through all the economic red lights, Massachusetts state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R) is putting the pedal to the metal on a bill that would create a special casino category for her district, which includes Wareham. Oh-so-coincidentally, that is where … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Washington State | Comments Off

Bad news all around

Posted on October 9, 2019 by David McKee

Oyo, owner of the former Hooters Casino Hotel, is trying to get out of debt by … incurring more debt. The company raised $2 billion in debt last summer, including a $700 million infusion from company founder Ritesh Agarwal. Oyo’s strategy … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Colorado, Hooters, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off

Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

WalletHub has been crunching the numbers again and come to the conclusion that Nevada is America‘s most-gaming addicted state. (Utah is the least, while the Silver State is followed by South Dakota, Montana, Mississippi and Oregon.) Casino-rich Florida was an incredibly … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, International, Kansas, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Slot routes, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia | Comments Off

Tunica: Another one bites the dust

Posted on April 18, 2019 by David McKee

Even before Arkansas casinos could clear their holsters, a third Tunica property has bitten the dust. Penn National Gaming took the hit, as Resorts Casino Tunica was announced to close on June 30, leaving six casinos in the rural Mississippi … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, California, Colony Capital, Economy, GLPI, Mississippi, Penn National, Tribal, Washington State | 1 Comment

Good news, big and small

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

Last year, commercial casino revenues topped $40 billion for the first time ever, maxing out at $40.3 billion. States with casinos will be happy campers, as that windfall meant $9.2 billion in gambling taxes. The revenue surge was 3.5% according … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, New York, Problem gambling, Tribal, Washington State, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Culinary loses sense of decency; Inhumanity in Macao

Posted on July 27, 2018 by David McKee

Terry Caudill and the Culinary Union have come to terms on labor pacts for Binion’s Gambling Hall and the Four Queens. The agreement awaits ratification by the 650 employees affected. In the meantime, the Culinary stepped way over the line … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Culinary Union, Downtown, Election, Internet gambling, Macau, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | Comments Off