Category Archives: Lawrence Ho

Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Put me in the one-third of Americans surveyed who wouldn’t give up their annual bonus to see their team win the Super Bowl. That’s one of the findings of a WalletHub study that, incredibly (at least to me) ranks Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, California, Entertainment, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Vegas ranks high for New Year’s Eve; MGM Springfield initiates bus service

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

WalletHub is out with a New Year’s Eve survey that ranks Las Vegas as the fifth-best city in which to celebrate the holiday, New York City (of course) led the list, followed by Los Angeles, Atlanta (see, we need casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Georgia, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Hampshire, New York, Philippines, Problem gambling, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Vegas ranks high for New Year’s Eve; MGM Springfield initiates bus service

Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

Posted on October 18, 2018 by David McKee

Here we go again. Illinois solons will once more take up the question of casino expansion in the Land of Lincoln. However, other and more pressing gambling concerns may take priority. In addition to Internet gambling there is the quick … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Economy, GLPI, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Illinois tries, tries again; I, robot

Casino revenues surge (almost) everywhere

Posted on August 8, 2018 by David McKee

Maryland casino business continues to boom, up 5.5% last month. MGM National Harbor led the pack with $58 million. It will, however, be a source of dismay to ownership that play continues to trend toward highly taxed (60%) slots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Casino revenues surge (almost) everywhere

Murren steps in it (again); More casinos join sports-betting arms race

Posted on August 1, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International has decided that it made a faux pas … not by suing victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre but by not explaining to employees what it was doing, leaving them open, says CEO Jim Murren, to “media … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, e-sports, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting | Comments Off on Murren steps in it (again); More casinos join sports-betting arms race

Overexposed in Macao; Hard Rock firing on all cylinders

Posted on June 19, 2018 by David McKee

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

The Doctor is all-in; Morpheus a wake-up call

Posted on June 18, 2018 by David McKee

Sports betting is off and running at Borgata, having been inaugurated by Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who put down $5 on the Philadelphia Eagles to win a second straight Super Bowl. “I got a chance to look at the board … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Revel, Sports, Technology | Comments Off on The Doctor is all-in; Morpheus a wake-up call

East Windsor, Take Two; MGM, Sands eat Ho’s lunch

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

“From the start, we pledged to create a world class facility that will be a draw for people throughout the entire region,” said Mashantucket Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler of the tribe’s satellite casino in East Windsor. Nice try, Mr. Chairman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on East Windsor, Take Two; MGM, Sands eat Ho’s lunch

Delaware bests New Jersey; New partner for Ho?

Posted on May 23, 2018 by David McKee

Chris Christie may have to eat his words about New Jersey being the first state to capitalize on the Supreme Court‘s sports-betting ruling. According to NJ Advance Media, “Delaware officials said this week they believe they have the laws and infrastructure … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Delaware, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Delaware bests New Jersey; New partner for Ho?

“Ready to roll”

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

That’s what the leading gaming powers in California are now that the Supreme Court has scotched the Bradley Act. If National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens is correct, Internet gaming is so yesterday in the Golden State and sports … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DFS, Election, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on “Ready to roll”

‘Tis the season for buying; Putin drives out Ho

Posted on December 27, 2017 by David McKee

Carl Icahn could make another big score soon: Tropicana Entertainment has been cited as a likely takeover candidate by Wall Street analysts. The combination of saturated markets and low interests has led stock pickers to predict that the industry will … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on ‘Tis the season for buying; Putin drives out Ho

MGM National Harbor rules; Beating the eye in the sky

Posted on December 6, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor dominated Maryland yet again, garnering 39% of market share and grossing $50.5 million. The balance of revenue continues to creep toward the (punitively taxed) slot side of the casino, so MGM won’t be completely thrilled with November’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Golden Gaming, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on MGM National Harbor rules; Beating the eye in the sky

Senators have hissy fit; Vegas: Back to normal or not?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by David McKee

With Pennsylvania having joined the roster of Internet-gambling jurisdictions, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) are pushing the panic button, hard. In a concession to the reality that the Senate won’t be able to rewrite the Wire Act, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Senators have hissy fit; Vegas: Back to normal or not?

Ex-cons working casino floors?; Kansas casinos set record

Posted on October 13, 2017 by David McKee

You’d think casinos in Massachusetts, where job applicants far outnumber available positions, could get by without hiring convicted criminals. Think again. A bill before the Lege would open a loophole for people with criminal records to hold down jobs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, G2E, GameCO, Harrah's, IGT, International, Kansas, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Ex-cons working casino floors?; Kansas casinos set record

Adverse Golden Week in Macao; Ho, Caesars jockey for position in Japan

Posted on October 11, 2017 by David McKee

Golden Week is an important holiday for Macao casinos and it failed to deliver this year. Visitor traffic was down 1%, causing stocks of both Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment Group to be punished on Hong Kong‘s Hang Seng Index. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adverse Golden Week in Macao; Ho, Caesars jockey for position in Japan

Pugilism pays off for Vegas; Ho dissed by son

Posted on October 4, 2017 by David McKee

Those tomato cans Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor were very good for business when they battled on August 26. “It could be a while before we see money like this bet on a fight again,” said Betfair‘s Katie Baylis. Indeed. Betfair … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Mesquite, Sports, Stanley Ho, The Strip | Comments Off on Pugilism pays off for Vegas; Ho dissed by son

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 4, 2017 by David McKee

“Everywhere we build integrated resorts, our mantra is always to build the coolest thing. And Japan will easily be the coolest; we’ll experiment with the latest in technology, latest in building methods, latest in engineering. But in order to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Resorts & Entertainment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM gets potty-mouthed; New York casino flops

Posted on September 22, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s casinos-without-gaming new ad campaign is playing to divided opinions. For instance, the company has 100,000 square feet of gaming at Bellagio but you won’t spot so much as a pair of dice in the ad, yet MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Genting, International, Lawrence Ho, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Philippines, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Fontainebleau plans take shape; Newton blitzes sports books

Posted on September 5, 2017 by David McKee

Fontainebleau continues to make news. First off, lead investor Steven Witkoff and his partners plan to re-name the unfinished resort. Good idea, as “Fontainebleau” brings nothing but bad karma and negative associations to anyone who frequents the Las Vegas Strip. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Environment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, history, Lawrence Ho, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sports, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Strip disappoints, locals casinos dominate; Indiana ignores tribal casino

Posted on August 30, 2017 by David McKee

Poor table play punished the Las Vegas Strip last month, driving revenues down 8%. Locals casinos, by contrast, were up 13%, possibly helped by some end-of-June coin lingering in the slot hoppers. But, if so, what’s the Strip’s excuse for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Charity, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Strip disappoints, locals casinos dominate; Indiana ignores tribal casino