Category Archives: Philippines

Balmy August in Indiana; The coming crisis in Vegas; MGM talks up prospects

Posted on September 13, 2021 by David McKee

There are signs that the regional gaming recovery is cooling (Missouri was up just 1% last month) but Indiana‘s August numbers, while not as hot as July’s, were a balmy 10% higher than 2019 as casinos grossed $203 million. Horseshoe … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Indiana, Missouri stay strong; Mixed feelings about buffets

Posted on July 14, 2021 by David McKee

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

Atlantic City disappoints, Internet gambling doesn’t

Posted on April 19, 2021 by David McKee

We’re going to have revise our prediction that Atlantic City would recover from Covid-19 faster than Las Vegas. Not at the rate things are going. March casino win was down 17% from 2019, coming in at $185 million. The Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, China, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Virginia sports betting debuts large; ‘CSI’ back in Vegas

Posted on April 2, 2021 by David McKee

Virginia has now had two full months of sports betting and February handle was an impressive $266 million—not quite the explosion that Michigan was but still noteworthy as the second-biggest debut in U.S. history. Reacted PlayUSA analyst Dustin Gouker, “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Genting, Health, Indiana, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Carolina, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, TV, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on July 24, 2020 by David McKee

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

Adelson quits Japan; Caesars vague on relaunch

Posted on May 13, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has come through the Covid-19 crisis with two things most of us don’t have: A) a boatload of cash and B) a desire to acquire other businesses. The rumor mill says he has his … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Current, Georgia, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Vietnam, Wall Street, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Las Vegas breakthrough; Shoot the messenger

Posted on April 28, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas-based Avidium Labs says it has developed a Covid-19 test that has been validated at laboratories in California and New York. Said CEO Evan Louie, “Our team is diligently working on getting our tests to a wide range of … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Dining, Genting, Health, Idaho, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Money laundering, Philippines, Resorts World LV, South Korea, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on April 21, 2020 by David McKee

For decades, Pagcor has dabbled in both regulating and running casinos (imagine Caesars Entertainment having disciplinary oversight of the rest of the U.S. casino industry). In recent years it has made intermittent noises about selling off its 47 casinos and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, Internet gambling, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Rio, Virgin Hotels, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Case Bets

Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Posted on March 17, 2020 by David McKee

Although it seems supremely beside the point at this grave moment, it’s time to report February’s gaming-revenue numbers from Massachusetts. Casinos in the state grossed some $86 million, with $52.5 million of that made at Encore Boston Harbor, with 61% … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Canada, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Health, Horseracing, International, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Tourism, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Turnaround in Springfield; Coping with Covid-19

Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

Posted on March 16, 2020 by David McKee

We’re far from knowing the full ramifications of widespread sports cancellations and postponements upon the gaming industry. However, the impact upon sports betting looks to be deep and dire. Last March, Nevada casinos saw $499 million in handle and $39.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Philippines, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

Gambling approved in Virginia, ixnayed in Louisiana

Posted on March 10, 2020 by David McKee

Gambling’s fate in Virginia now rests in Gov. Ralph Northam‘s hands, as the General Assembly has sent a casinos-and-sports-betting bill to his desk. In an eleventh-hour compromise to preserve the legislation, betting on Virginia collegiate teams will be forbidden, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Marijuana, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Philippines, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on Gambling approved in Virginia, ixnayed in Louisiana

Panic in The Street, Vegas calmer

Posted on March 9, 2020 by David McKee

A stock market “circuit breaker” was deployed for the first time since the crash of 2008, when Wall Street opened for trading and stocks promptly nosedived. All major casino stocks are trading down, especially Wynn Resorts, Eldorado Resorts and Station Casinos. … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Diversity, Eldorado Resorts, Health, IGT, International, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Philippines, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Panic in The Street, Vegas calmer

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!

Posted on January 28, 2020 by David McKee

According to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, Chinese New Year visitation to Macao is now down 69%, with Day 4 bringing an 84% plunge. Santarelli’s opposite number at JP Morgan, analyst Joseph Greff countered that “There’s value for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Colorado, DraftKings, Health, Horseracing, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wall Street to Coronavirus: Buy!

Big MGM payday; Halting casino extortion; Wynn scammed

Posted on January 14, 2020 by David McKee

Betting the farm on Japan, CEO of MGM Resorts International Jim Murren has realized his goal of selling MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. The price was a sweet $4.6 billion it will only cost MGM $292 million a year to lease … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Big MGM payday; Halting casino extortion; Wynn scammed

Sports wagering booms in Pennsylvania; Casino crime wave in Philippines

Posted on December 17, 2019 by David McKee

Spurred by mobile wagering, the Pennsylvania sports-betting market exceeded $300 million in handle last month. Said PlayPennsylvania.com analyst Dustin Gouker, “Plagued with relatively high gaming taxes and early hurdles to its online launch, Pennsylvania’s future as a legal sports betting jurisdiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tourism | 1 Comment

Looking for love in Macao; Resorts World LV’s big bet

Posted on December 12, 2019 by David McKee

“All of the juice has been squeezed out of the orange. Macao is starting to resemble more mature competitive markets such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City.” Ouch! That was Bloomberg Intelligence contributing analyst David Bonnet, taking an exceptionally gloomy view … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Century Casinos, Economy, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Vietnam | 2 Comments

What gives, Indiana?; Galaxy ousted from Philippines

Posted on December 11, 2019 by David McKee

Despite the excellent November performance of surrounding Midwest states, Indiana casinos were up only 1% last month. Factor in an extra weekend day this year and that’s a pretty underwhelming result. In its last full month of service, riverboat Glory of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Dining, DraftKings, Eldorado Resorts, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on What gives, Indiana?; Galaxy ousted from Philippines

Duterte socks it to casinos; Sports betting battle in California

Posted on December 9, 2019 by David McKee

This is an effective promotional tool. Why aren’t other companies doing it? (We’re looking at you, Caesars Entertainment.) * Philippine strongman Rodrigo Duterte is punching out at Philippines offshore gaming operators (POGOs) over delinquent taxes. He asserted that they had paid … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Duterte socks it to casinos; Sports betting battle in California

Scientific fluent in Chinese; William Hill seeks new horizons

Posted on November 25, 2019 by David McKee

It’s not just for China anymore. Scientific Games is reporting success with its Chinese-themed slots, including in North America. Yes, games with titles like Jin Ji Bao Xi, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but is gaining traction with slot players worldwide. “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, China, Economy, Environment, Florida, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off on Scientific fluent in Chinese; William Hill seeks new horizons