Nationwide Professional Internet casino & Racino Gaming Revenue Analysis
Poker 88 of Adjustment
Oops! That giant hissing sound is the gaming balloon that experienced been expanding above the years, slowly dropping air. But, it has not been a tide that reduced all ships however, as some emerging and growing gaming jurisdictions confirmed powerful development in 2008.
All round, the industrial and racetrack on line casino sectors (excluding Indian gaming), knowledgeable a 3.five % decrease in gaming revenues for 2008, creating a whole of $36.two billion, down some $800 million from 2007. It was the Racino sector that has tempered this drop, as they confirmed a acquire of nearly $1 billion in 2008, thus bringing the Commercial sector market place drop to $1.8 billion, or 6.7 p.c. Nevada was the greatest loser in 2008, dropping practically $one.3 billion, far more than fifty percent of which stemmed from the Las Vegas Strip section.
Hunkering Down
For the most part, casino operators were caught fairly flat-footed by the extent of the 2008 earnings downturn, as it was not until finally the 3rd and fourth quarters when it truly nosedived. Riding the crest of year over year market progress across the country and the availability of ample credit and fairness money, new development and growth proliferated in recent several years. Today, confronted with the realities of declining, or at ideal stagnant need, a lot of of these projects are now deemed in excess of-leveraged and/or over-sized. As a end result numerous gaming businesses are trying to renegotiate their debt – made much more difficult by reduced valuations – even though also paring down operational fees. The latter has become a very problematic conundrum when working with the opposition, specially in these jurisdictions that are now vying for industry shares with new emerging on line casino initiatives in neighboring places. A subject matter we examine much more completely in the Condition by Condition examination area of this publication.
As a result of these conditions the gaming industry landscape is now strewn with impending fatalities. Among the more notable troubled firms are Station Casinos, Empire Resorts, Harrah’s Enjoyment, Greektown Holdings, Legends Gaming, Tropicana Leisure, Herbst Gaming and the list grows every week.
“How long will these financial conditions persist, and are we at the bottom but?” are queries no 1 seems to be answering but. What is distinct nonetheless is that most gaming jurisdictions will have to find out how to offer with a smaller sized pie.
Note:
This investigation involves only gaming revenues of accredited casinos and pari-mutuel stores that supply on line casino video games, and not Indian gaming operations, card rooms, or tiny non-on line casino variety slot locations. The whole post, which includes earnings tables is offered on our internet website page.
Input/Output Model
A essential factor that seems to have arisen from the ashes of this recent pattern is that numerous on line casino initiatives have been just as well huge to support by themselves. The input, in conditions of expenditure pounds, was not proportional to the output, in phrases of web revenue after personal debt service, when compared to previously reached results. Much more and/or larger is not usually much better. Seeing the rise in non-gaming profits at the Las Vegas Strip resorts, gave impetus to the improvement of a lot more extensive facilities in several other jurisdictions. The flaw in this method even so is that the expenses related with widening industry penetration and occasioned-use, are considerably higher than individuals incurred to entice the base marketplace.
As daytripper marketplaces grow to be much more competitive, casino venues will have to rely more and a lot more on their in-property resort patrons, and dimension their homes (and expectations) accordingly. While Steve Wynn started out a key trend in producing up-marketplace mega-destinations, there simply was not adequate need on the Strip to warrant the several other similar initiatives that adopted that aimed at the very same specialized niche.
The trick is to strike a happy medium in venture configurations which of program require less of a ‘seat-of-pants’ method, and 1 that is a lot more studied. A shameless plug for advancement consultants like ourselves.
Other Gaming Routines
Despite the fact that there are no revealed comprehensive data of American Indian gaming revenues, anecdotal proof appears to recommend that this segment has been as challenging strike as the Professional sector. The two Connecticut Indian gaming installations report slot earnings of $one.6 billion in 2008, symbolizing a drop of about seven p.c, or nearly $114 million, far more than doubling the 3.5 % fall from the yr prior to. This market is evidently nonetheless reeling from the ripple-result of a casino enlargement in Rhode Island, and the opening of slot operations in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Arizona Department of Gaming stories that contributions based mostly on a gaming profits method from the state’s 23 Indian gaming casinos, have been declining every quarter in 2008 in contrast to the previous 12 months decreasing .8 p.c in the initial quarter, 7.five percent in the next quarter, nine.five % in the 3rd quarter, and 16.one % in the fourth quarter.
Some SEC reporting Indian gaming properties report equivalent decreases. Seneca Gaming, which operates three Class III casinos in upstate New York, studies that although calendar yr 2008 showed an practically two % development rate in gaming revenues, there was an eight.seven p.c decrease in the 3rd quarter and an practically 10 per cent decline in the fourth quarter of 2008, in comparison with 2007. Gaming earnings traits at nearby Niagara Falls, Ontario ended up down 1.5% in 2008 compared with 2007.
It’s been a blended-bag for condition lotteries across the region. The North American Association of Point out & Provincial Lotteries reports that U.S. lotteries produced a whole of $sixty.six billion in sales in fiscal 2008, up about 3 % from the previous 12 months however some jurisdictions noted decreases, most notably California, which showed an eight percent fall. Inasmuch as some of these states are on numerous fiscal yr ends, it would look that the data does not replicate the influence of 3rd and/or fourth quarter results.
According to knowledge provided by Equibase, horse racing pari-mutuel revenues continue their downward spiral, falling seven % to $13.seven billion in 2008, versus $14.7 billion in 2007.
Prepared & Proposed New Expansions
As formerly famous, it has been new gaming jurisdictions that have spawned much of the progress in annual on line casino/racino revenues above the a long time, and their affect is apt to keep on into the around long term.
Florida
Miami Dade voters accepted a ballot issue that allows every of three pari-mutuels to have a on line casino facility of up to two,000 slot equipment. The Flagler Puppy Monitor and Miami Jai-Alai are reportedly preparing opening in late 2009 or early 2010, whilst the Calder installation in Miami Gardens has nevertheless to announced its strategies. There are numerous other proposals getting regarded as that would more increase casino advancement throughout the point out.
Illinois
The point out finally obtained close to to reissuing its tenth license, late in December, 2008 awarding it to Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC for a one,two hundred+ match casino located in Des Plaines just east of O’Hare. The new facility is not probably to open till 2010. There has also been some discussion about making it possible for an increase in for every area gaming positions and slots at racetracks, even though neither initiative appears to have any traction at this time.
Kansas
The state’s expanded lottery program that allows for the advancement of four casino gaming zones and slots at current horse and puppy tracks seems mired, as only one particular facility is presently underneath design, while three other proposals have been rescinded. The only bidder on the Cherokee County deal, claimed it could not contend with the new Quapaw tribal on line casino in Oklahoma, which is situated so shut to the point out line that its parking good deal is in Kansas. The Boot Hill Casino Vacation resort in Dodge Metropolis is planing a December 2009 opening with 575 slots and 10 desk games, along with a next section due to open up in 2011 with 875 slots and 20 table games. The state has prolonged the software procedure for the other 3 zones right up until April, 2009.
Kentucky
There is even now a great deal of ‘jockeying’ going on, but the prospect of as numerous as eight slot parlors and racinos appears to be back again on the front-burner, but likely not solved throughout the current legislative session.
Las Vegas
There are about 14,000 rooms scheduled to occur on line in 2009, with the most latest becoming the 390 area M Resort in Henderson. There are expansions underway at equally Caesars Palace and Hard Rock and new hotels include two factors of the Metropolis Middle project, and the Fountainebleau.
Louisiana
Pinnacle Entertainment’s new casino improvement initiatives in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, whilst delayed, are documented to still be on-keep track of for opening this year and/or early 2010.
Maine
There is a bill below thing to consider that could far more than double Penn National’s slot equipment to 3,000, as well as a proposal that would remove the restriction that slots be found in five miles of the observe. Scarborough Downs, which has been unsuccessful in convincing regional people to enable slots, might be thinking about shifting to a far more hospitable town.
Maryland
A referendum was accepted in November, 2008 that allows for the advancement of five casinos with a total of 15,000 slots, and now the bidding war is afoot even though it is not as intensive as the condition had anticipated.
Mississippi
Grand Soleil On line casino Vacation resort in Natchez experienced been slated to open in 2008, but has run into different financing concerns and even though the resort portion is open up, the riverboat is documented to open up in the Spring of ’09. Harrah’s Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi, while scaled again considerably, is nevertheless on observe to open up this yr.
New England
Massachusetts, a sleeping-giant in terms of market likely, is nevertheless maneuvering to open casinos/racinos, and/or a Class III Indian gaming facility, but can not appear to muster the political assistance. A current examine accomplished by Dartmouth College estimates that Massachusetts resident expended far more than $920 million previous yr at Connecticut casinos and slot equipment parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. The New Hampshire legislature just lately declined an selection to build casinos, even so the subject is very likely to be revisited, especially if Massachusetts decides to go forward. There are also attempts in Maine to rethink its choices.
New Jersey
Atlantic City’s casinos have imposed their political will on staving off the addition of slot machines at racetracks by recently agreeing to carry on augmenting purses with an additional tax. The governor even so, has appointed a new panel to examine the state’s sagging racing software which ironically, can only be preserved by permitting the tracks to have slot devices specially at the Meadowlands. (See The Nor’easter Squeeze section)
New York
Just when it looked as if Aqueduct’s 4,five hundred VLT facility would ultimately be developed, the successful bidder indicated an incapacity to make the necessary $370 million charge, citing the existing lending local weather, and throwing the project again into the lap of the governor. Though the market desire in the area could be regarded really robust, the prospect of additional competitiveness from close by Belmont could have an impact on Aqueduct’s underlining economic feasibility, specifically thinking about that marginally less than thirty% of the web earn is retained by the operator.
Programs to relocate Monticello Raceway into a vacation resort intricate are currently being reconsidered possibly owing to equally the probable opening of at the very least one particular or perhaps two racino operations in the NY metro area, and the resurfacing of initiatives to development a Class III Indian gaming facility in the Catskills.
Ohio
Yet one more gaming proposal is currently being place forth in Ohio, right after very last year’s model was turned down by the voters. This strategy calls for one on line casino every in the state’s largest towns: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. There would be a minimum expense necessary of $250 million, as properly as an original licensing fee of $50 million, and a 33 p.c tax on gaming income.
Pennsylvania
The Sands in Bethlehem is because of to open up in the Spring of ’09, and the new Rivers project in Pittsburgh is predicted to be operational in August, ’09 while Philadelphia’s two slot facilities nonetheless wallow in a political mire, but are predicted to begin design this yr.
South Dakota
The Lodge at Deadwood is slated to open in the Tumble of 2009, and include 300 video games, 140 rooms and a wide assortment of amenities.
Texas
Legislators are proposing a voter referendum that would amend the point out structure to let on line casino gambling in selected regions, as effectively as let gambling on American Indian lands in Texas and at existing racetracks.
West Virginia
The Greenbriar, the state’s venerable vacation resort facility has filed for bankruptcy, but has a new suitor in Marriott Hotels, who have reportedly tendered an supply. Condition federal government has proffered the idea of allowing the vacation resort to supply on line casino games, but this work is in too early a phase to have any traction 1 way or an additional.
Indian Gaming
A modern Supreme Court docket ruling that restricts the having of lands into believe in on behalf of federally recognized American Indian tribes has even more stymied some new Class III gaming projects throughout the place. Furthermore, there had been eleven Indian on line casino assignments rejected by the DOI previous 12 months due to the fact of its new rule that casinos have to be around enough to a reservation that tribal members can operate at them. It has been proposed that the new Obama administration may be more sympathetic to the advancement of Indian gaming assignments, but this situation has yet to be dealt with.
In the meantime, there are other Class III assignments in the numerous phases of improvement. The Seneca on line casino task in Buffalo, NY, while operating a modest short term facility, has delayed an already beneath construction long term facility until the industry rebounds. They have also expressed an desire in creating a casino in the Catskills. The point out gaming compact with Seminoles in Florida is currently being challenged, and could influence their plans for larger projects. There are new Indian gaming assignments set to open up in Michigan and Oklahoma this 12 months, and other individuals are in the preparing stage. Texas might allow the reopening of Indian gaming services and permit other location and there are strategies afoot by the Navajos in Arizona to build additional casinos. California is poised to open up two to a few new Course III casinos in 2009/ten.
The Nor’easter Squeeze
Total gaming revenue in Atlantic Metropolis has declined 7.six per cent, from $4.9 billion in 2007 to $four.five billion in 2008 with decreases continuing into 2009, as the town is obtaining by itself in an extreme comp-war with the Pennsylvania venues. At a single time the only casinos in the Northeast have been found in Atlantic City, where it looked as if it may possibly really even eclipse the Las Vegas Strip’s annual gaming revenues.
Gradually even so its industry share was being encroached on, very first by the growth of a big Class III gaming procedure in Connecticut, and then yet another slots functions in Rhode Island, and then video lottery terminals at New York racetracks, racinos in West Virginia and Delaware, and most lately Pennsylvania.
Now, with the planned opening of slot operations in Maryland, the impending opening of a new on line casino in Bethlehem, PA, and sooner or later two operations in Philadelphia, the noose is tightening all around Atlantic City’s future prospective customers. It’s reliance on working day-trippers lulled it into a fake feeling of security, and it now finds itself possessing to redefine its mission assertion to “location resort.”
The only issue with this approach even so is that it is sick-equipped to pull it off. For all intents and purposes, Atlantic Metropolis is beneath-roomed and/or more than-gamed. There is simply not enough day-tripper marketplace to go close to, and their efficient investing region is tightening, as the peripheral populations northward now/will have more prepared entry to a widened provide in New York (Yonkers, and soon at Aqueduct and possibly Belmont), westward in Pennsylvania and southward in Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland.
Other than the ocean access, the city’s only genuine competitive advantages are its lodge capacity and the availability of desk online games, although the latter is very likely to eventuate in Pennsylvania, and possibly Delaware. In get to sufficiently contend as a vacation spot resort the town wants to produce further guest rooms and not always gaming ability. By comparison, the Las Vegas Strip homes – correct gaming places, in that they do not have much of a day-excursion marketplace, besides for the ‘locals’ – have an average of .87 gaming positions per visitor area even though Atlantic City’s common is two.74 positions for every guest area.
It is not a coincidence that Atlantic City’s two greatest hotels, the Borgata and Harrah’s Marina, equally of which additional new rooms in 2008, were the the very least impacted by the latest downturn. The Borgata knowledgeable a gaming income fall of 1.6 p.c, although Harrah’s Marina described a 4.nine per cent increase in comparison to 2007. In addition, the toughest hit venues, particularly the AC Hilton, Resorts and the Trump Marina, also have the smallest amount of rooms. In the meantime some of the venues are teetering on viability, such as the the Trump homes and Resorts with the hoped for sale of the Tropicana has been further delayed, and dropping valuation.
With a continual rise in gaming revenues by means of 2006, the city seemed primary for even more improvement, which precipitated organizing for four new resort initiatives, each of which have now been indefinitely delayed. Revel Leisure Group’s $two.five billion undertaking continues to be an iron skeleton, Pinnacle Enjoyment has introduced it may well seek to sell its razed Sands site, MGM Mirage has shelved its casino ideas, and Penn Nationwide appears to have stopped its pursuit of the Bader Subject airport internet site.