You can’t fix stupid; Good-bad news on the bayou

Posted on September 25, 2023 by David McKee

We live in an era of “alternative facts” and “false flag” narratives and, boy, are we the worse for it. It was only a matter of time before the gaming industry was on the receiving end of “false facts” and it’s happening, quite unfairly, to Bally’s Casino in Chicago. No, not the permanent megaresort that’s to go up on the city’s west side. We’re talking about Medinah Temple (above), best known as the former hangout of the Shrine Circus and venue for many of the best-sounding Chicago Symphony Orchestra recordings. What it isn’t—and never has been—is a mosque. But don’t let the truth stop a bunch of casino-hating, Islamic fanatics.

Continue reading →
Posted in Architecture, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Cretins, DFS, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting | 2 Comments

If you can’t beat ’em, cheat ’em; Fun & games

Posted on September 23, 2023 by David McKee

No, this isn’t about politics. Or maybe it is. Either way, it’s another chapter in the crony-capitalism, juiced-in deal Washington, D.C.’s puppet government made with Intralot. Along with the Washington D.C. Lottery, Intralot is parent of that malign progeny GamebetDC. The latter recently changed its rules, suddenly imposing bet limits. It claimed to be motivated by problem-gambling worries. The real reason turns out to be that sharps were finding weaknesses in GamebetDC and using them to beat the system at sports wagers. Good for them! Not good enough for our nation’s capital, however …

Continue reading →
Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, history, International, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Silverton, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on If you can’t beat ’em, cheat ’em; Fun & games

Pennsylvania soggy; Epic fail in North Carolina

Posted on September 20, 2023 by David McKee

At first blush, Pennsylvania‘s gambling economy looks all right, up 1% from August of 2019 and 2% from last year. But factor in the plethora of new casinos that have entered the fray and the Keystone State is down 14% from 2019. Clearly, more casinos does not equal more money. At least not if you’re casino owner. For a tax collector it’s a different story. Not even a 5% uptick in table game winnings (or losses, if you happen to be a player) could paint a smiley face on the portrait, despite $286 million in casino win.

Despite being absolutely flat in revenue, Parx Casino held onto its top spot with $50 million in takings. Wind Creek Bethlehem made a brave run at statewide supremacy in July but had to content itself with $45 million and a 10.5% upsurge. Only a few dollars separated Rivers Philadelphia (pictured, +10%) from Philadelphia Live (+4%), deadlocked at $19 million in their seesaw struggle for downtown supremacy. Harrah’s Philadelphia tumbled 15% but remained ahead of upstart Valley Forge Resort (-4%), $12 million to $11 million. To the west, Rivers Pittsburgh (+4.5%) regained market share for $29 million, outpacing Hollywood Meadows ($17 million, +5%) and Pittsburgh Live ($9 million, +1.5%).

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, North Carolina, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports betting, Tribal, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Pennsylvania soggy; Epic fail in North Carolina

Sibella scandal spreads; Supremes forestall Seminoles

Posted on September 19, 2023 by David McKee

Flinging Resorts World Las Vegas CEO Scott Sibella to the wolves might not have saved Genting Group‘s bacon—and may have inflicted collateral damage on MGM Resorts International. According to the New York Post, the Sibella revelations have upset the once-universal assumption that Resorts World New York and MGM Empire City were juiced into casino licenses when ones for the New York City area are (eventually) awarded. Contacted by the Post, Genting elaborated on its previous comments in re Sibella by saying that he was given the chop for  “failing to disclose certain information required under company policies.” Which deepens the mystery rather than explaining it. Genting’s gnomic statement was not elaborated upon.

Although the Post thinks Genting, by scapegoating Sibella, is out of the woods, new evidence (see below) suggests otherwise. The paper continues, “The picture may be more complicated for MGM, which now may have questions to answer about what happened on Sibella’s watch several years ago.” That’s as it should be … but why would Resorts World, where the malfeasances were more recent, get a free pass? “Ethics is going to be a huge deal in deciding who gets the licenses,” said a Post source. “The ethics and the relationships with the communities where they are putting their casinos is where this is going to be fought and won.”

Continue reading →
Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, New York, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Atlantic City rebounds; Sibella dumped; NFL suspicions

Posted on September 18, 2023 by David McKee
Dueling pianos amuse the oldsters at Ocean Casino Resort

Casinos in Atlantic City were up 2% in August, reaching $280 million. Slot winnings were 3% higher, on a commensurate increase in coin-in. The gambling halls weren’t so lucky at the tables, where 5% higher wagering translated into flat win. There were a few have-nots, with Bally’s Atlantic City ($15 million), Tropicana Atlantic City ($25 million) and Resorts Atlantic City ($17.5 million) all slipping 4.5%, while Harrah’s Resort ($24.5 million) ceded 2%. Both Hard Rock Atlantic City ($51 million, +11%) and Ocean Casino Resort ($39.5 million, +8%) were turbocharged, and put even further distance between themselves and the Caesars Entertainment threesome. The only one of the latter to post a gain was Caesars Atlantic City ($22 million), up 1.5%. Borgata, of course, was the dominant property with $73 million to its name, a 1.5% uptick. Golden Nugget remained stuck in last place with $13 million but also gained 1.5%.

Continue reading →
Posted in Alaska, Animals, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Dubai, Fanatics, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Ocean Resort, Palms, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City rebounds; Sibella dumped; NFL suspicions

MGM limping back; Atlantic City follies; Wall Street Jottings

Posted on September 15, 2023 by David McKee
Another KNPR-FM listener

Hobbling back onto the Web today, MGM Resorts International offered a limited version of its normal Internet service. You can do research for your next MGM stay but you can’t book it directly or access MGM Rewards, as of 10 a.m. Our man in Atlantic City confirms that, at noon, he found Borgata‘s reservation system to still be defunct. Borgata was able to contact customers to inform them that four promotional events were being postponed. During yesterday’s edition of State of Nevada, someone identifying themselves as an MGM employee called into say that direct deposits of worker paychecks (due Wednesday) were two days overdue and if there was further delay there would also be “trouble.” (A walkout?) Either CEO Bill Hornbuckle or one of his lieutenants evidently was listening, as Hornbuckle contacted the local dead tree of record to say that paychecks would be issued today. As of lunchtime nobody has made a liar of him. (Speaking of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, it duly tried to spin the crash of Las Vegas Grand Prix hotel rates as nothing much.)

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Entertainment, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Fontainebleau, Hawaii, IGT, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

On and off the radio

Posted on September 14, 2023 by David McKee

During this morning’s stint on KNPR-FM‘s State of Nevada, we were only able to cover a fraction of the scheduled questions. So we had the idea of answering here what was not asked there. Let’s take it away …

Why do you think hackers targeted a major casino company over, say, any other multibillion-dollar company?

Because, as Willie Sutton famously said, “That’s where the money is.”

What MGM Rewards member data might the hackers be so interested in?

What aren’t they interested in? Every bit of personal data that they can get their grubby mitts onto. If we were an MGM Rewards member, we’d be changing computer passwords, etc., nonstop today.

Continue reading →
Posted in Alex Meruelo, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Dubai, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, Golden Gaming, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Palms, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Vici Properties, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on On and off the radio

MGM crippled; Illinois & Indiana report; Bally’s shaky in Chi

Posted on September 13, 2023 by David McKee

Different day, same story for MGM Resorts International, brought to its knees by a cbyer-assault of still-unknown provenance. The FBI has been brought in although, per standard operating procedure, the G-Men aren’t commenting on what went down. MGM is daintily referring to the attack as a “cyber issue,” but its 28 casinos nationwide may face a long road back to recovery. UNLV‘s Yoowhan Kim is of the firm opinion that it was a ransomware raid that MGM was asked for “several million dollars” to resolve the ‘issue,’ one that may have been years in the making. Kim delicately implies that a cost/benefit analysis will come down in favor of paying up.

Continue reading →
Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, DraftKings, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Technology, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM paralyzed; DraftKings debacle; Mount Airy wins

Posted on September 12, 2023 by David McKee

In a new kind of September 11 attack, MGM Resorts International was felled by a massive cybersecurity breach. From disabling digital room keys to kneecapping credit card systems (forcing transactions to be made in cash), it sent MGM back to the mid-20th century. The company Web site had to be taken offline, internal communications were disrupted and—worst of all for some—slot machines were silenced by the thousands. The higher the tech, the worse the vulnerability. For once, nostalgia for Olde Vegas was justified. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was spared because it hasn’t been fully integrated into MGM’s master systems yet.

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, China, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, DraftKings, Dubai, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Bally’s opens, Chicago yawns; MGM, tree murderers

Posted on September 11, 2023 by David McKee

Chicago‘s first casino opened to “dozens of people” Saturday. Only dozens? That’s not a good sign for Bally’s Corp. It’ll need to stir up a lot more excitement than that if it’s to make back its nut on $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago. If Chicagoans couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed for the 8 a.m. debut of a casino conveniently located at Medinah Temple, what does that bode for the megaresort, three years hence? Then again, nobody ever went broke with customers like the gullible group of gamblers who exclaimed, “We’re seniors … We’re in there to get this money.” Still, the images of the early morning opening were distinctly underwhelming. We expected better, frankly.

Continue reading →
Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, DraftKings, Dubai, Environment, FanDuel, Genting, history, Japan, Jim Murren, Las Vegas Raiders, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

New York: Trump out, Bally’s in; North Carolina Lege flops

Posted on September 9, 2023 by David McKee

New York City will be stuck with failed casino owner Donald Trump‘s name on an overpriced public golf course until 2035 … unless Bally’s Corp. can swing a deal to buy the obstreperous mogul out of his lease with the city. This means Bally’s is pivoting back to its first, controversial site choice: Trump Golf Links Ferry Point. Comptroller Brad Lander has already given his thumbs-up to the deal, effective Sept. 21, which gets it over a significant hurdle. After all, the Bill DeBlasio administration had wanted Trump out of their sooner rather than later and the current regime doesn’t seem any less ill-disposed toward the unsavory millionaire. So it’s a done deal, right?

Wrong. The horse is still a long way from the stable. Back in the 1990s, Trump reneged on a franchising deal with the Rank Organization that would have seen Trump Castle rebranded as a Hard Rock casino, an accord that probably would have saved the struggling property. In a fit of caprice (some would say instability), Trump quit the agreement on the night before it was to be announced. The Castle would become Trump Marina, then the Golden Nugget. Could history repeat itself? Given Trump’s insufferable ego, he may well bridle at being quietly ushered out a side door and sabotage the Bally’s agreement. Keep your fingers crossed that he plays well with others this time.

Continue reading →
Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, Colorado, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Health, history, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Security, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Are you ready?; Lombardo’s lunacy; The wrath of Wynn

Posted on September 7, 2023 by David McKee

For some football, that is. NFL season literally kicks off tonight with the much-hyped Detroit Lions visiting the champion Kansas City Chiefs. But the on-field action threatens to be overshadowed by the off-field brouhaha surrounding sports betting. (Nor is it a football-only problem.) The league has been talking out of both sides of its mouth on this issue, decrying wagering by coaches and players, yet raking in the dough from a trio of partnerships with sports betting firms. After spending decades bitching and moaning about the threat to its ‘integrity’ posed by legal wagering, the NFL couldn’t get in on the action fast enough. So it’s ill-qualified to occupy the moral high ground.

That being said, there’s no excuse for the dog-ate-my-homework attitude of players caught with their hand in the betting cookie jar. League rules are pretty simple. Don’t bet on pro football and don’t bet (at all) while at team facilities. That’s not rocket science. And although few NFL players could be accused of being rocket scientists, there’s no excuse for not understanding the betting rules, whose critics would have us believe are an arcane formulation that would put advanced calculus to shame.

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sexual misconduct, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Are you ready?; Lombardo’s lunacy; The wrath of Wynn

Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Posted on September 5, 2023 by David McKee
Rendering of Wynn Al Marjan Island – Interior view

Big Gaming having gotten into bed with one ultra-despotic regime (Red China), why not go for broke? That’s the impression left by the widely reported news that the United Arab Emirates has rolled out its first-ever General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, inevitably to be followed by the promulgation of casino and lottery regulations themselves. By all appearances, the Emirates are serious about doing it right. They’ve tapped former Gaming Labs International counsel Kevin Mullally to be CEO of the new authority. In addition to 39 years of legal and PR experience overall, Mullally can boast of three decades in the gaming industry, including leading Missouri to its first self-exclusion program for problem gamblers whilst executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Continue reading →
Posted in Apollo Management, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cirque du Soleil, Culinary Union, Dining, Dubai, Health, International, Internet gambling, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Arabian nights; New York stasis of mind; Eataly targeted

Labor Day odds & ends

Posted on September 4, 2023 by David McKee

Casino revenue in Ohio dipped 2% in July, reaching $203.5 million. Before anyone goes all Chicken Little on us, that’s 25% higher than gambling win in 2019. So Ohio’s is a nice problem to have. MGM Northfield Park waxed the competition, garnering $27 million and gaining 6.5%. The only other revenue-positive properties were Jack Thistledown ($16 million, +1.5%) and Hollywood Dayton ($13 million, +2%). Best of the rest was Hollywood Columbus, flat at $23 million. Jack Cleveland continues to impress with $22 million, despite a 3.5% slippage. Hard Rock Cincinnati (pictured) slid 5% but still grossed a respectable $21 million. Bunched together were Miami Valley Gaming ($20 million, -2%), Scioto Downs ($20 million, -5%) and Hollywood Toledo ($20 million, -3.5%).

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Jack Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Labor Day odds & ends

Hot July in Vegas; GLPI’s Illinois big gulp; Mega-Jottings

Posted on September 1, 2023 by David McKee

How impressive was the Las Vegas Strip‘s July performance? Pretty damned impressive, considering that it hit a best-ever record on only 1% higher visitation than last year and 4% less than in the halcyon year of 2019. Hotel occupany ran at 85% citywide, in a market whose inventory had increased 2% (151,718 rooms) since four years ago. The record was set without notable help from conventioneers, who were 17% fewer in number than last year and 46% fewer than in 2019. There were only 17 conventions in July against 23 in 2022. Room rates edged up 2%, whilst remaining well below 2019 levels. Not only were weekday occupancies strong (82%), weekend ones were 92.5%. Although road traffic at the Nevada/California border was off 5%, airline passenger loads rose 2%. All in all, a formula for success, although we’re keeping an eye on those drive-in numbers.

Continue reading →
Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Economy, Election, Failsinos, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, New Hampshire, Palms, Problem gambling, Real Estate, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Hot July in Vegas; GLPI’s Illinois big gulp; Mega-Jottings

Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chips

Posted on August 30, 2023 by David McKee
For posterity’s sake.

Fueled by a record July at Reid International Airport, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip surged 8% in July, hitting $835 million. This was the highest single-month haul on the Strip ever, surpassing December 2022 by $20 million. Slot win ($420.5 million) was up 7.5% on an equal surge in coin-in. However, the luck of the house did not carry over to non-baccarat table games, which saw a 9% plunge in revenue, despite a heavier volume of wagering. Fortunately for the casinos, baccarat win rocketed over 40% to $56 million, even though betting was down 1%. The casinos recorded some of their best-ever hold at the game: 24%. Higher holds were also exclusively responsible for an upsurge in locals-derived revenue, up 6% despite 1% lower wagering.

Continue reading →
Posted in Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Downtown, Genting, history, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, North Las Vegas, Politics, Regulation, Reno, The Strip, Tribal, Wendover | Comments Off on Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chips

In case you missed it …

Posted on August 29, 2023 by David McKee

Those of you who still follow us on Twitter, er, X may recall that we promised to share the next Casino Life Editor’s Note with you. Since it’s virtually the only Casino Life content that’s not hyperlinked to the Web, here it is:

It’s noxious. It’s antisocial. And it’s unhealthy. It’s cigar and cigarette smoke in casinos. And it’s got to go.

While I can’t speak for Europe and Asia, here in America less than 13 percent of the population smokes. Although these people are in a very small minority of consumers, the casino industry bends over for them as though they were the only players who mattered. Because of them you have to choke on noxious tobacco fumes every time you cross a casino floor. Nor can you ‘vote with your feet’ because neither the casino across the street nor the one in the next town caters to non-smokers.

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Health, Louisiana, New Jersey, Politics, Rhode Island, The Strip | 3 Comments

Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Posted on August 28, 2023 by David McKee

What do to when there’s no news story that simply dominates the headlines? Bust out an extra-large serving of “Jottings,” of course! For instance, Resorts World Las Vegas should turn it around in the latter half of this year, even if it’s merely the beneficiary of a rising tide lifting all boats in Sin City. Following a disappointing 2Q23 profit statement, owner Genting is projected to do better on the strength of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But so will everybody else. By the same token, Resorts World Sentosa is expected to improve as visitation to Singapore, already impressive, continues to ramp upward … “Impeccable” is what Louisiana‘s top gaming regulator calls Cordish Cos. prior to its pending licensure in the Pelican State. We agree and Diamond Jacks owner Foundation Gaming must be pretty confident, too. It’s scrapped the riverboat casino and torn down the unprepossessing hotel, anticipating approval of owner-to-be Cordish. The latter intends to spend $250 million building a land-based casino, of which the state still has too few … Speaking of Cordish, the first of its intended casino sites in North Carolina cleared rezoning last week, despite loud public opposition. As the casino-legalization debate drags on in the Lege, opponents want to take it to a vote of the people. Given that polling shows as much as 55% support, casino detractors are playing a risky gambit …

Continue reading →
Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Cordish Co., ESPN Bet, Genting, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Bellagio sold again; Atlantic City sob story; Trump busted

Posted on August 27, 2023 by David McKee

It’s getting very difficult to tell the players without a scorecard in the game of the REIT-ification of the Las Vegas Strip. Case in point, Bellagio, which now has three owners. There’s MGM Resorts International, which holds a token 5% stake. Then there’s Blackstone Real Estate, whose ownership has just been diluted to 73%. And now there’s Realty Income, which is paying $950 million for the privilege of owning 22%. $300 million goes toward direct ownership, while the rest is channeled toward yield-bearing preferred equity interest. The deal should be consummated by year’s end and will probably have no discernible effect on your Bellagio experience.

Continue reading →
Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Security, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Horseshoe can’t save Louisiana; Big Brother returns

Posted on August 22, 2023 by David McKee

Despite only grossing $7.5 million last month, Horseshoe Lake Charles was the difference between an unadjusted, 6% decline in gambling revenue for Louisiana and a same-store, 10% declivity (lagging prosperous 2019 by 4%). Even so, the country’s most adverse casino state was led by L’Auberge du Lac ($27 million, -13%), enjoying a temporary edge on Golden Nugget ($26 million, -18%), although Horseshoe is taking a big chomp out of both their backsides. Delta Downs didn’t get through unscathed, either, down 12% to $14 million. The reinvention of Harrah’s New Orleans into a Caesars continues slowly, very slowly, with the casino raking in $17.5 million in July, a 23% plunge. Nobody else seems to have picked up significant business, given that Treasure Chest was off 14% to $7 million and Boomtown New Orleans faded 13% to $9 million. Fair Grounds racino grossed $3 million (-14.5%), Amelia Belle did the same (-12.5%), whilst Evangeline Downs actually went 4% higher to $6.5 million. It’s good to see somebody improving in the Bayou State.

Continue reading →
Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Horseshoe can’t save Louisiana; Big Brother returns