Category Archives: Harrah's

End-of-Year Case Bets

In a retrospective mood, the American Gaming Association has chosen the top eight gaming stories of the past year, ranked here in descending order. They are: The Caesars Entertainment takeover by Eldorado Resorts. ‘Nuff said. Allegations that Encore Boston Harbor is … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Strip buoys MGM, Sands

According to JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, second-quarter results for MGM Resorts International “were better than (very subdued) investor expectations” on the Strip and in line with anticipation about Macao. Despite weak baccarat volumes in Las Vegas, the company performed “marginally … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Harrah's, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Rivers Casino’s threefold secret

It can be summed precisely as follows: location, location, location. Not only is Rivers Casino Des Plaines proximate to both Chicago and O’Hare International Airport, it sits at the nexus of two interstate highways, literally within a stone’s throw of … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Penn National, Philippines, Rush Street Gaming, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Rivers Casino’s threefold secret

So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Despite one less weekend day than 2017, December was good for the Las Vegas Strip. Visitation was up over 2% and room revenues leapt 16% to an average of $104/room. This was particularly impressive given a 23% decline in convention … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Tunica blues; Monticello racino folds early

“An aquatic center? A practice soccer field? They could have reconstructed this entire neighborhood.” So says Tunica resident Larry James of the misguided priorities that are leaving the county high and dry as the casino boom implodes. It certainly seems … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

There’s light at the end of Wynn Resorts‘ tunnel in Massachusetts. Trouble is, it won’t arrive until December and it will take the form of an investigative report, nearly a year in the making, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (postponed … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, International, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

Suicide squeeze in Macao; Is Atlantic City ready for some football?

Most of Macao‘s casinos are playing a game of chicken with the local government, daring it to enforce its smoking ban. Only 12 of 47 casinos have installed smoking lounges. Personally, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Elaine backs Satre; MGM running for cover

Global Gaming Business has revealed that National Center for Responsible Gaming President Phil Satre was the hitherto-undisclosed candidate that Elaine Wynn was proposing for the Wynn Resorts board chairmanship. Said board rejected Satre — a short-sighted move that reeks of insecurity. … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Elaine Wynn, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Elaine backs Satre; MGM running for cover

Quote of the Day

“Yeah, and Steve Wynn was the only person doing bad things at Wynn Resorts, and he was also the only casino executive in Las Vegas harassing women, and not a single other person knew about anything he was doing except … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

The gap between the haves and have-nots in Maryland widened last month, as the state’s gaming revenue boomed 14% upward. The good news is that every casino had a revenue-positive month. MGM National Harbor, of course, led the pack, grossing $59 … Continue reading

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Caesars gets swatted; Remembering Rappaport

While the Caesars Entertainment takeover of Centaur Gaming is still expected to go through, it won’t be without some pain for Caesars. The Roman Empire has agreed to pay a $1 million for improperly attempting to influence Hoosier State regulators … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Caesars gets swatted; Remembering Rappaport

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Atlantic City primed for openings; Tokenism at AGA

“Do I think the gaming market ever comes back to close to $6 billion in revenue? No. Not even close,” Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen said of Atlantic City. “If a brand like Hard Rock fails in Atlantic City, the … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 4 Comments

D-Day for Ocean Resort near; MGM’s tax bonanza

Bruce Deifik really is a gambler: He bought Revel sight unseen, lead investor in the $200 million purchase. If Glenn Straub‘s bizarre interregnum as owner was a lesson in how not to behave in Atlantic City, Deifik has been a … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, e-sports, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Revel, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on D-Day for Ocean Resort near; MGM’s tax bonanza

MGM labor pact approved; Juliano resurfaces

It’s unknown how much of a pay increase the Culinary Union extracted from MGM Resorts International but it was enough to persuade workers to ratify the new contract. As with the Caesars Entertainment pact, workers will be issued alarm buttons … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Kansas, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania | 1 Comment

“Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Could Chinese players go for gambling if the winnings aren’t monetary? That’s the wager resort owners on the island of Hainan plan to make if the central government gives them a much-hoped-for exception. Just as players wager for trinkets in … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, DFS, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on “Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Overexposed in Macao; Hard Rock firing on all cylinders

If you’re a Wynn Resorts shareholder and you’re following rising trade tensions with China, you’ve a right to be nervous. Wynn derives 69% of its revenue from Macao, giving a certain truth to Steve Wynn‘s old quote that “We’re really … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Overexposed in Macao; Hard Rock firing on all cylinders

Penn, Caesars come together; Big bet in smallest state

Penn National Gaming swooped in and bought itself a nice little operating contract in Louisiana, the Margaritaville Casino Resort, for $115 million. Considering that the price translates to 5.5X cash flow, Penn got itself quite a bargain. It’s also a vote … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Penn, Caesars come together; Big bet in smallest state

Caesars agreement OK’d; New focus for Hard Rock

It’s official: Workers at Caesars Entertainment have approved a new collective-bargaining agreement, one that includes (unspecified) pay increases and a succession clause to protect jobs in the (unlikely) event Caesars sells its Las Vegas Strip properties to another operator. Details of … Continue reading

Posted in Culinary Union, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Genting, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Big day in New Jersey; Atlantic City slips

Sports betting in New Jersey will go off as planned. As I write this, Monmouth Park is 20 minutes away from taking its first wager, presumably placed on the World Cup by Gov. Phil Murphy (D). “I’m thrilled to be doing … Continue reading

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment