This week The Press of Atlantic City reported that “the number of visitors to the resort increased by more than 260,000, the casino industry employed nearly 6,700 more people and gaming revenue was up by $54.8 million.” Sounds good to us. The 
positive news including gambling-revenue gains of 12% in July and 23% (!) in August. Casino employment passed the 300,000 mark for the first time in almost four years. Greater Atlantic City Chamber President Joseph Kelly said, “The casino industry is and always has been an economic engine for the city, state and region. This economic growth will continue as the casino industry strengthens its commitment to the community through new job training initiatives and employment opportunities.”
Vehicular traffic to the seaside resort town also increased on a sequential basis through the summer months, a possible indicator of Continue reading
you liking those 0-3 Raiders now?) Anthony Prince saw the glitch-born 750-1 line and put down a $110 wager that will now bring him winnings of $82,000. Other computer misfires caused betting disputes for FanDuel patrons. The company took the high road — after a little chit-chat with New Jersey gambling regulators — saying, “Above all else, sports betting is supposed to be fun. As a result of a pricing error this weekend, it wasn’t for some of our customers.” One hopes that FanDuel is now vetting its software … and considering the virtues having odds set by human beings.
open while struggling MGM Cotai has three nights of vacancies (and this without its full complement of rooms). Having saturated the market with hotel rooms, Sands China has seven nights’ worth of vacancies at Venetian Macao, Cotai Central and new show horse Parisian. In related news, companies promoting sustainability (like MGM Resorts International) will have a harder time of it now that China has decided to stop accepting recyclables from the U.S., another casualty of the current trade war.
(+13%). The loudest “Boom!” came from the Lake Charles market, exploding 18.5% higher. The Golden Nugget, surging 30%, caught and passed L’Auberge du Lac (up 11%). The Nugget grossed $29 million, L’Auberge $27 million. Delta Downs leapt 27.5% to $15 million but Isle Grand Palais lost business, down 2% to $8.5 million. You think Caesars isn’t chagrined that Gary Loveman evacuated the Lake Charles market in order bankroll a failsino in Biloxi?
won’t tout its Total Rewards as superior to controversy-enshrouded B Connected. (Boyd really kicked over a hornet’s nest when it redid that loyalty program mid-year.) Boyd plans to enlarge the 600-slot, 50-table casino floor, 
affiliate that the casino would be closed indefinitely after being flooded. Fortunately, he said, all hotel guests were accommodated elsewhere. Five tournaments, including the Arizona State Poker Championship, which some players had paid $2,200 to enter, fell victim to the closure, which was expected to last at least until August 19.
and 25,000 on weekdays. For the moment MGM Resorts International is being cagey about the gross and September’s revenue report won’t give us a full picture, the casino having opened partway through the month. As casino prexy Mike Mathis said, “Nothing meaningful, in our view, can be taken from such a short window.” The news, however, must deal a blow to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, who are stuck in the mud in East Windsor with no sign of their slot barn, er, satellite casino being anything more than a pipe dream anytime soon.
community during times like this, so we want to do our part by providing somewhere safe, warm and dry to those impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said owner Bruce Deifik. If you’ve got a driver’s license and proof that you’re in an area impacted by Florence that’s your ticket to a free stay at Ocean Resort. Deifik is to be commended for his philanthropy — and for giving many people 
company that made $2 billion in profit last year is offering a few thousand in recompense. As one commentator 
million. (Some predict it could surpass Las Vegas by 2023.) This month will provide the true test of Boardwalk sports betting as the NFL season kicks into high gear and MLB playoffs loom. Caesars Entertainment lost market share, down to 29%, and is spending less on promotion. This raises the chicken-and-egg question of whether Caesars is getting less business because it cut back on marketing or vice versa. CEO Mark Frissora has no great love for Atlantic City and his cut-and-run strategy would seem to reflect this.
league
want to get on the wrong side of City Hall but certain operators seem to be inclined to stretch their luck. Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, usually a slowpoke, was first out of the gate at Ponte 16. It was followed by Studio City. If you don’t get your application in by Sept. 28 then the regulatory guillotine will fall and you can’t qualify for a smoking lounge under the new restrictions, which go into effect Jan. 1. Existing smoking lounges will have to retrofitted with upgraded HVAC equipment. Inspections of smoking lounges are exponentially higher than a year ago. Macao means business and casinos had best wake up to that fact.
major amounts of revenue.) Maryland hopped 6.5% with MGM National Harbor leading the pack at $58 million, a 10% gain. The property’s revenue-per-day continues to grow sequentially, getting tantalizingly close to $2 million/day. On the plus side, it has 40% market share in the Free State. On the downside, the mix of revenue is tilting more and more toward (insanely taxed) slots, which wasn’t in MGM’s plans and I’ll bet even Bill Hornbuckle would tell you that.
the Linq Promenade 
CZR is a pioneer of loyalty marketing, and its Total Rewards program is a significant advantage.” Analyst Cameron McKnight writes that Caesars “is reducing costs across the business, it is cash generative and should continue to deleverage. Valuation is very attractive relative to close peer MGM.” On the downside, “CZR is locked into expensive leases and sale-leasebacks.” He projects cash-flow growth in the next year, partly fueled by efficiency drives within the company. McKnight appends a $13/share price target on Caesars, which currently trades around a mere $9.70.
taking the land into trust for gaming purposes. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young had relied upon Carcieri v. Salazar precedent to block the casino, saying the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act took priority over the tribe’s desire for federal recognition. “The decision by the Trump administration to move forward with denying the Mashpee Wampanoag a right to their ancestral homeland and to keep their reservation is an injustice,” wrote Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) and Sen. Ed Markey (D) in a response to the Bureau of Indian Affairs‘ abandonment of the Wampanoag.