Category Archives: Michael Gaughan

The tax that ate Las Vegas; Dr. King misremembered

A horrible idea for the taxpayer, the economy and for gaming in particular has been resurrected in Congress. Yes, it’s the “national sales tax,” which would lay a double-digit impost on all goods and services, and which only could be … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Cretins, DraftKings, Economy, history, Marketing, Michael Gaughan, Movies, Nevada, Politics, Station Casinos, Taxes | 2 Comments

Station scores; New York OSB boffo … for state, that is; Kosar sacked; Renegade slots reconsidered

Station Casinos is $62 million richer after unloading $56.5 acres of land near South Point to HCA Healthcare, a hospital chain. Don’t worry about Station’s plans to challenge Michael Gaughan for sub-Strip supremacy: It’s still harboring 126 acres of scrubland … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Diversity, DraftKings, FanDuel, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, Movies, New York, Ohio, PointsBet, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Transportation, TV, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Christmas wishes

It’s time to reward those who have been nice and offer appropriate gifts to the naughty. So, without further ado, we play Santa Claus to the casino industry …

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Chicago, China, Crown Resorts, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Derek Stevens, Downtown, DraftKings, Fontainebleau, Full House Resorts, Genting, Georgia, Hard Rock International, James Packer, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Movies, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pahrump, Palms, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Resort fees, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Scott Butera, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Rio, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Christmas wishes

Atlantic City hops; NV regulators take a dive; Vagina monologue

November was a metaphorically warm month for Atlantic City, whose casino revenues grew 4% from last year, reaching $214.5 million. Spoiler alert, Borgata was way out front with $55 million, leaping 14%. Hard Rock Atlantic City dimmed 5% to a … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Puerto Rico, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

MGM: Change partners and dance; 888 TKO’d

It’s Blackstone Group out, Vici Properties in at MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, as Vici exercised its option over the half (OK, 49.9%) that it didn’t already own. Blackstone is $2.8 billion richer as a result, including $700 million in … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Florida, Genting, Golden Nugget, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Nebraska, Politics, Puerto Rico, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Vici Properties, Virginia, Wall Street, WInd Creek | Comments Off on MGM: Change partners and dance; 888 TKO’d

Station goes off its meds; Hochul names casino pickers

Richard Schuetz writes today that “the reality of casino company board rooms is that they are overwhelmed with way too much testosterone.” That certainly seems to be the case at Station Casinos, which has announced seven projects to be executed … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Failsinos, history, Indiana, Michael Gaughan, New York, North Carolina, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Palms, Regulation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Station Casinos, Tribal | 3 Comments

“Standout” at Sands; Station challenges South Point

Despite attenuated revenues of $1.2 billion in the second quarter, Las Vegas Sands was the beneficiary of what one analyst termed “creeping expectations” on Wall Street. Or, as Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli put, “we continue to believe LVS represents one of the … Continue reading

Posted in China, Health, International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, M Resort, Macau, Michael Gaughan, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Security, Singapore, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City strong; Station’s demolition derby; De$anti$ hits jackpot; Mega-Jottings

There’s so much news today we almost don’t know where to begin. But we’ll start with Atlantic City, which reported a 2% increase in casino revenue, to $229 million. Internet gambling and sports betting chipped in another $169 million. One … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, China, Donald Trump, Dotty's, Downtown, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, George Maloof, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wall Street, WInd Creek | 1 Comment

Sands, NY Mets in cahoots; Raiders set to clobber Vegas bookies

Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain. There’s nothing wrong with the idea of a casino megaresort in the Willets Point area, near Citi Field. It’s far preferable to some of the other New York City sites that … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Golden Nugget, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, New York, North Carolina, Ocean Resort, Palms, Philippines, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Urban One loses; Station thinks big; NFL gets into the slot biz

Richmond voters narrowly chose to cut off their nose to spite their face, voting 51.5% against the Urban One casino proposal. Since casinos were approved by at least 65% in four other Virginia cities in 2020, the resounding question is … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Caesars Entertainment, California, Dining, DraftKings, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Iowa, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Palms, Politics, Real Estate, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State | 6 Comments

Further growth projected for Vegas; Arizona sports betting upheld

As we await tomorrow’s reopening of Main Street Station, a set of projections comes from Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli that should have Las Vegas casino owners rubbing their hands with glee. Mind you, Santarelli might be erring on the … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Economy, El Cortez, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, Ohio, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Competitive vitality in Pennsylvania; The politics of casinos

Pennsylvania was late to the casino-recovery party but it’s finally arrived, up 1% in July over 2019 for a gross of $310 million, of which $223 million was won at the slots. The good news may be short-lived, in that … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Centaur Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, FoxBet, Greenwood Racing, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, Marketing, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Taxes, Texas, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Indiana, Missouri stay strong; Mixed feelings about buffets

Casino winnings in Indiana came up just a few increments short of $200 million last month, a 13% gain on 2019. Hard Rock Gary came out of the blocks fast, grossing $26 million, although Horseshoe Hammond climbed 7% to retain … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, PointsBet, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Merry month of May in Las Vegas; Beehive of activity in Atlantic City

May’s gaming revenues from Nevada are in and they are blockbuster. When the Strip is 26% higher than 2019 (winning $655.5 million) and locals play is 25% stronger it is fair to say the recovery has been achieved—and far sooner … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Connecticut, Cretins, Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Health, history, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Wendover | 4 Comments

Hail Caesars; Durango Station green-lit

“Solid … very encouraging … impressive momentum.” Those were some of the things JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff had to say about Caesars Entertainment‘s 1Q21 numbers. Cash flow of $548 million well exceed Greff’s expected $429 million, to say nothing … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Card rooms, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Entertainment, Florida, Health, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Michael Gaughan, New York, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Hail Caesars; Durango Station green-lit

Vegas’ Dream is TSA’s nightmare; MGM disses Chicago

Part Two of our survey of analyst reports on Vegas-based casino companies will have to wait a day, given a bevy of breaking news. First up, a major setback for the planned Dream Las Vegas on the south Strip. Airlines … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Dining, Diversity, Economy, Entertainment, Failsinos, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, New York, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Security, Spectacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Case Bets

Something good came out of Washington, D.C. today. (How often can one type that sentence?) Reps. Dina Titus (D) and Guy Reschenthaler (R) introduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the excise taxes and head taxes (a $50 annual levy on every … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, China, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Michael Gaughan, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Terry Caudill, TV, Virgin Hotels | Comments Off on Case Bets

Casino recovery still mild; Recession: The Sequel

Casinos that have reopened in Las Vegas, Louisiana and Mississippi are seeing fewer customers—but higher value ones. That’s the bottom line of a new report from JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who cites data tracked by Visitdata.org. Foot traffic is … Continue reading

Posted in Brothels, Economy, Health, International, Louisiana, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, Nevada, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

New York state of mind; Moody blues for Las Vegas

Like Massachusetts casinos, those in New York are not expected to reopen until July. Lago Resort & Casino General Manager Lance Young told journalist James Rutherford he’s monitoring reopening protocols as far away as Macao but has received no concrete … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Penn National, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on New York state of mind; Moody blues for Las Vegas

Stitt catches a break; Station, Gaughan step up to the plate

Did the government of Oklahoma screw up the exclusivity agreement that gave it power over tribal gambling? That’s the contention of a new legal brief from the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, who say that the recent expansion of lottery offerings … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Genting, Golden Gaming, Health, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Sahara, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, William Hill | 1 Comment