Category Archives: Neil Bluhm

Fourth Massachusetts casino mulled; Hard Rock making hard sell in Japan

Posted on December 20, 2019 by David McKee

While the Boston Globe may call it a “baby step,” the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is doing the right thing by means-testing the market before awarding a full-scale casino license in the southeastern part of the Bay State, which looks pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Hard Rock International, Japan, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Massachusetts: No more casinos; Gilbert sells again

Posted on October 29, 2019 by David McKee

Citing an obvious saturation (already) in the Massachusetts market and the possibility of a tribal casino in Taunton or on Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission punted the award of the state’s final casino license into the indefinite future. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Genting, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off

Police blotter; Brockton gets shut out

Posted on September 24, 2019 by David McKee

Hawaii is one of the last two bastions of anti-gambling in America. Naturally, in such an environment, illegal gambling is going to flourish. Last week federal authorities indicted 15 individuals (seven of whom are on the lam) and seized 60 … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Charity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Illinois, Law enforcement, Marijuana, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Massachusetts: Isn’t that special?

Posted on August 26, 2019 by David McKee

Although the Boston Globe gets a bit overheated about Tom O’Connell aspirations for a Region C casino they don’t get it wrong when they say O’Connell and associates “want to rewrite the rule book to suit their needs.” That means, … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Hooters, Horseracing, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, New York, Oregon, Paragon Gaming, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

What if they built a megaresort and nobody came?

Posted on August 20, 2019 by David McKee

Resorts World Catskills made it into the New York Times and not in a good way. A feature story focused on the $1.2 billion megaresort’s financial difficulties, caused in part by nine-figure loans. Empire Resorts says the casino does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cambodia, CityCenter, Genting, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer expects Churchill Downs to be a winner thrice over in Illinois: first, a lower tax rate on table games, starting in 2020; second, a potential 800 additional gaming positions at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Horseracing, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Mob, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caesars deal takes shape; Carlino out at Penn

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

We hope Anthony Rodio isn’t getting too comfy in his CEO chair over at Caesars Entertainment. News reports have been heating up about at Caesars takeover, with Eldorado Resorts continuing to have the inside track and reportedly planning to replace … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, GLPI, Iowa, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM, Eldorado, Churchill Downs looking up

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse‘s Cameron McKnight flew out to San Francisco to meet with MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren. The biggest headline item would be the eccentricity of Murren choosing to meet in Frisco rather than at MGM HQ in Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, MTR Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm isn’t waiting like some blushing wallflower for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to approve him for a casino in Brockton. He’s spent $430,000 on Beacon Hill to make his $700 million casino project in reality. To put that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Indiana, Iowa, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Tunica blues; Monticello racino folds early

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

“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

Atlantic City sparks controversy; Resort fee change at Cosmo

Posted on December 14, 2018 by David McKee

Faced with a 9% drop in operating profit at Atlantic City casinos, pundits are squaring off as to whether this means doom for the laggards. Analyst Tony Marino told The Press of Atlantic City that it “might be wise to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Arkansas to vote on casinos; Baldwin leaves MGM

Posted on October 16, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the ballot initiative to legalize casinos in Arkansas, will continue to proceed now that the Arkansas Supreme Court has slam-dunked two challenges to the referendum. Religious group Ensuring Arkansas Future claimed that the ballot language was too ambiguous … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Mashpee in for fight of their lives

Posted on October 9, 2018 by David McKee

“Thank God that’s not the test of whether or not people have rights in this country or not, whether or not they pass your look test.” That’s what then-Rep. George Miller (D) said to Donald Trump when the latter was … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, history, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

MGM, Boyd make sports-betting pact; Win-win for Dover Downs

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

“We are in an envious position when it comes to this growth opportunity. Few companies can match our 40 plus years of experience in sports wagering, our significant sports betting infrastructure here in Nevada and our growing geographical footprint across … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Election, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Neanderthals target Wampanoags; Pinball Hall on the move

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

A strange, one-third-of-a-page ad appeared in the July 19 edition of The Hill. “For over 30 years,” it huffed, “the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe sought federal recognition for the specific purposes of opening a CASINO [Horrors! — Ed.] — in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Congress hearts Massachusetts tribe; Who let the dogs out?

Posted on July 24, 2018 by David McKee

Against all odds, a bill to clear away legal challenges to the Mashpee Wampanoags and their Project First Light is set to be heard in the U.S. House of Representatives. A star-studded hearing has been set up by Rep. William … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Warren sides with Wampanoags; Vdara dances The Robot

Posted on July 20, 2018 by David McKee

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) has waded into the Brockton-vs.-Taunton fight for a tribal casino. She’s introducing a bill that would circumvent the inactive Bureau of Indian Affairs and smooth the path of the Mashpee Wampanoags. While we have nothing against … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Big day in New Jersey; Atlantic City slips

Posted on June 14, 2018 by David McKee

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

Illinois doldrums; The dog ate her homework

Posted on June 7, 2018 by David McKee

Although all but two of its casinos were revenue-negative last month, Illinois gaming revenues were flat. The primary driver was Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, leaping 11% to $42 million (or over 1/3 of the state’s $120 million gross). Long-suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, e-sports, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Calm before the storm; Stormy weather in Louisiana

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City was stable last month, defying an unfavorable calendar (one less weekend day) and grossing $191.5 million, while online gambling had its second-best-ever month, pulling in $23 million (+10.5%). Slot handle was down 3.5%, as was revenue, while a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Columbia Sussex, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off