Category Archives: Geoff Freeman

Revel sold (again); Freeman slams Indiana bill

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Glenn Straub wins our Liar Liar Pants on Fire Award hors concours for dissembling about any intentions to sell Revel while negotiating a deal to do precisely that. Give him credit, though, for raising the defunct megaresort’s value: The $200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Iowa, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

MGM goes Gaga; Douchebags drop anchor at Caesars

Posted on December 21, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International gained an infusion of identity (and hipness) for ultra-generic Park MGM by signing Lady Gaga to a 74-concert residency, a real coup for MGM. Her Ladyship tweeted the news herself: “The rumors are true! I will have my own residency … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Sports betting makes its case

Posted on December 5, 2017 by David McKee

Yesterday saw the much-anticipated oral arguments in the case of Christie v. NCAAA, the legal joust that could lead to the downfall of the Bradley Act and open up the land to legalized sports betting. The arguments made before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports | Comments Off

Caesars buys Harrah’s; How it went with SCOTUS

Posted on December 4, 2017 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment created a bit of income for itself, selling Harrah’s Las Vegas to its REIT, Vici Properties for $1.1 billion. That’s quite a tidy sum for Caesars’ dowdiest Strip property, some 43 years old and showing every one. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, Regulation, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off

Tax change roils industry; Head rolls at Rivers Schenectady

Posted on November 14, 2017 by David McKee

Tax legislation currently before Congress has the gaming industry, well, not up in arms but decidedly concerned. The House of Representatives version would close some loopholes for deductibility of interest on growth investments. Rather than take up its argument with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Taxes | Comments Off

Smooth talk in Bridgeport; Sands Bethlehem for sale (again)?

Posted on October 25, 2017 by David McKee

“Sharp dressed, smooth talker” Uri Clinton met with Bridgeport residents in an effort to convince them that MGM Resorts International has their best interests at heart in its pursuit of Bridgeport as a casino site. Perhaps naively, Clinton hopes that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown Grand, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

A modest proposal; Boyd on the prowl

Posted on October 3, 2017 by David McKee

Warning: You’re probably not going to like this post. That being said, the catastrophe at Mandalay Bay demands a more proactive response from the casino industry. There is always a certain element of risk in life, but we can ameliorate … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, G2E, Geoff Freeman, history, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Palms, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

G2E: The show must go on; Real hope for Moulin Rouge site

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

A giant, unstoppable machine, Global Gaming Expo is opening as planned today, despite last night’s bloodbath at Mandalay Bay. G2E officials said they were “closely monitoring the horrific events” of last night, which I hope translates into a higher security … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Moulin Rouge, Taxes | Comments Off

Trump to bigfoot Connecticut controversy?

Posted on September 26, 2017 by David McKee

Could we see heavy-footed federal intervention in the MGM Resorts International vs. Connecticut tribes slugfest? Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim (D) hopes so. A supporter of Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign, he’s hoping the White House will stomp into the Nutmeg State fray, interceding … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off

Hall of Fame game

Posted on September 21, 2017 by David McKee

Inductees to the American Gaming Association‘s Gaming Hall of Fame have sometimes been questionable (mobbed-up Clifford Perlman, for one) but this year’s foursome are unlikely to stir controversy. In a family affair, Paragon Gaming CEO Diana Bennett joins her late father … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, history, Hooters, International, Lake Tahoe, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Paragon Gaming, Riviera, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off

Freeman takes on SCOTUS; Golden Gate expands

Posted on September 6, 2017 by David McKee

No big surprise, the American Gaming Association has submitted an amicus brief in Christie v. NCAA et. al. The brief makes some normative arguments that are unlikely to sway the Supreme Court, which will undoubtedly take a narrow view in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Geoff Freeman, history, International, Louisiana, Movies, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

Freeman hearts Atlantic City; Big win for Martinez

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman gave Atlantic City the thumbs-up this week, pointing to the reinvention of Trump Taj Mahal as Hard Rock Atlantic City and to the as-yet-undisclosed joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Detroit, Dining, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

In the casino biz, “pot” is now something other than what you put your poker bets into. It’s a source of money that’s not welcome at Ye Olde Casino (and you thought gambling moguls didn’t care where you got your … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Economy, Environment, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Regulation, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off

Land of the Sinking Hopes?; MGM hearts McCain

Posted on August 1, 2017 by David McKee

If Japanese casinos must be majority-owned by local companies, that suits Sega Sammy Holdings just fine. The company is challenging the likes of Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts International for one of the initial casino licenses. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off

Next stop, East Windsor; Everybody (in Vegas) must get stoned

Posted on June 29, 2017 by David McKee

“Make no mistake about it – the legislation I signed today is about jobs for the residents of Connecticut, and securing those jobs in our state.” With those words, Nutmeg State Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) affixed his signature approving a … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

The truly big game: Sports betting; Trump vs. tribes … or not?

Posted on June 28, 2017 by David McKee

Going out on a limb, I. Nelson Rose predicts the Supreme Court will rule in New Jersey‘s favor with regard to sports betting. As he notes, “[Chief Justice John Roberts] and the other conservative members of the Court would like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, history, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off

Bonacic: Let’s make a deal; Freeman makes sports-betting case

Posted on June 14, 2017 by David McKee

You could soon be able to play Internet poker in New York State — by going to a casino. That’s the compromise proposed by Senate Racing, Wagering & Gaming Committee Chairman John Bonacic (R). Only casinos and racinos would be eligible to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, New York, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off

Murren also breaks with Trump; Adios, Vegas Vickie

Posted on June 9, 2017 by David McKee

So far, Donald Trump‘s proposal to zero out the Brand USA program is going over like a lead balloon with the gaming industry. Already American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman has dissed the decision. Now, in a CNN op-ed, MGM Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Rhode Island, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Illinois becalmed; Freeman breaks with Trump

Posted on June 7, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Illinois obviously don’t care about the future of the state’s 10 extant casinos, considering the next gaming expansion (following slot routes) that they are preparing to ram through. If they bothered to look at the market, they’d see … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Slot routes, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 4, 2017 by David McKee

“What was most notable to me was the act of owning a casino was never an issue. His ability to manage a casino was a topic of debate, but not his ownership. All this didn’t happen by accident. The industry is … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Election, Geoff Freeman | Comments Off