A Time period of Adjustment
Oops! That large hissing seem is the gaming balloon that experienced been increasing over the a long time, little by little getting rid of air. But, it has not been a tide that reduced all ships nevertheless, as some emerging and growing gaming jurisdictions showed powerful development in 2008.
All round, the professional and racetrack casino sectors (excluding Indian gaming), knowledgeable a 3.five percent decline in gaming revenues for 2008, generating a complete of $36.two billion, down some $800 million from 2007. It was the Racino sector that has tempered this fall, as they confirmed a gain of virtually $1 billion in 2008, thereby bringing the Business sector industry decrease to $1.eight billion, or 6.seven p.c. Nevada was the most significant loser in 2008, dropping practically $one.3 billion, a lot more than 50 percent of which stemmed from the Las Vegas Strip segment.
Hunkering Down
For the most part, casino operators have been caught reasonably flat-footed by the extent of the 2008 profits downturn, as it was not until finally the 3rd and fourth quarters when it really nosedived. Riding the crest of 12 months more than calendar year market place expansion across the place and the availability of enough credit history and fairness resources, new construction and enlargement proliferated in current a long time. Right now, faced with the realities of declining, or at greatest stagnant demand, many of these assignments are now considered more than-leveraged and/or in excess of-sized. As a consequence numerous gaming businesses are trying to renegotiate their financial debt – created more difficult by reduced valuations – even though also paring down operational fees. The latter has turn out to be a really problematic conundrum when dealing with the competition, specially in those jurisdictions that are now vying for industry shares with new rising casino initiatives in neighboring locations. A subject we examine a lot more entirely in the State by Point out examination segment of this publication.
As a consequence of these conditions the gaming market landscape is now strewn with impending fatalities. Amid the more notable troubled corporations are Station Casinos, Empire Resorts, Harrah’s Entertainment, Greektown Holdings, Legends Gaming, Tropicana Entertainment, Herbst Gaming and the listing grows every 7 days.
“How long will these financial problems persist, and are we at the bottom yet?” are concerns no 1 seems to be answering yet. What is clear nevertheless is that most gaming jurisdictions will have to understand how to offer with a smaller sized pie.
Note:
This investigation includes only gaming revenues of accredited casinos and pari-mutuel shops that offer casino online games, and not Indian gaming functions, card rooms, or modest non-casino sort slot areas. The entire report, which includes revenue tables is available on our web web page.
Enter/Output Product
A essential element that looks to have arisen from the ashes of this recent development is that several casino tasks ended up just as well big to support by themselves. The input, in conditions of investment decision bucks, was not proportional to the output, in phrases of internet profit following financial debt provider, when compared to beforehand accomplished outcomes. More and/or greater is not usually far better. Observing the rise in non-gaming earnings at the Las Vegas Strip resorts, gave impetus to the growth of more comprehensive features in many other jurisdictions. The flaw in this technique nevertheless is that the costs connected with widening market penetration and occasioned-use, are drastically higher than these incurred to appeal to the foundation market.
As daytripper marketplaces turn into more competitive, on line casino venues will have to count a lot more and a lot more on their in-property lodge patrons, and measurement their properties (and anticipations) appropriately. Even though Steve Wynn started a major craze in creating up-market place mega-destinations, there just was not ample demand on the Strip to warrant the several other equivalent initiatives that followed that aimed at the identical specialized niche.
The trick is to strike a content medium in undertaking configurations which of system demand considerably less of a ‘seat-of-pants’ technique, and 1 that is much more studied. A shameless plug for advancement consultants like ourselves.
Other Gaming Activities
Despite the fact that there are no released detailed knowledge of American Indian gaming revenues, anecdotal proof appears to advise that this phase has been as tough hit as the Professional sector. The two Connecticut Indian gaming installations report slot profits of $one.six billion in 2008, representing a fall of about 7 per cent, or almost $114 million, more than doubling the 3.five p.c fall from the yr just before. This industry is seemingly nonetheless reeling from the ripple-result of a on line casino enlargement in Rhode Island, and the opening of slot operations in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Arizona Department of Gaming reports that contributions based mostly on a gaming earnings formulation from the state’s 23 Indian gaming casinos, have been declining every single quarter in 2008 when compared to the previous year reducing .eight per cent in the 1st quarter, 7.5 percent in the second quarter, nine.five p.c in the third quarter, and sixteen.one per cent in the fourth quarter.
Some SEC reporting Indian gaming homes report similar decreases. Seneca Gaming, which operates three Class III casinos in upstate New York, reports that while calendar year 2008 confirmed an nearly two % expansion rate in gaming revenues, there was an eight.7 percent decrease in the 3rd quarter and an nearly 10 % drop in the fourth quarter of 2008, in contrast with 2007. Gaming income traits at close by Niagara Falls, Ontario ended up down 1.five% in 2008 when compared with 2007.
It really is been a combined-bag for point out lotteries across the place. The North American Affiliation of State & Provincial Lotteries reports that U.S. lotteries created a complete of $sixty.six billion in income in fiscal 2008, up about three percent from the previous 12 months yet some jurisdictions reported decreases, most notably California, which showed an 8 p.c drop. Inasmuch as some of these states are on different fiscal year ends, it would seem that the knowledge does not replicate the influence of third and/or fourth quarter benefits.
In accordance to information offered by Equibase, horse racing pari-mutuel revenues proceed their downward spiral, falling seven per cent to $thirteen.7 billion in 2008, versus $fourteen.seven billion in 2007.
Prepared & Proposed New Expansions
As previously noted, it has been new gaming jurisdictions that have spawned significantly of the progress in once-a-year on line casino/racino revenues more than the years, and their affect is apt to proceed into the in close proximity to potential.
Florida
Miami Dade voters authorized a ballot problem that permits each and every of three pari-mutuels to have a casino facility of up to two,000 slot equipment. The Flagler Pet Keep track of and Miami Jai-Alai are reportedly planning opening in late 2009 or early 2010, even though the Calder set up in Miami Gardens has however to announced its ideas. There are several other proposals currently being deemed that would even more increase on line casino growth throughout the point out.
Illinois
The state finally received around to reissuing its tenth license, late in December, 2008 awarding it to Midwest Gaming & Enjoyment, LLC for a one,two hundred+ recreation on line casino found in Des Plaines just east of O’Hare. The new facility is not very likely to open up right up until 2010. There has also been some discussion about making it possible for an enhance in for every location gaming positions and slots at racetracks, even though neither initiative appears to have any traction at this time.
Kansas
The state’s expanded lottery plan that makes it possible for for the development of four on line casino gaming zones and slots at current horse and puppy tracks appears mired, as only a single facility is presently below development, even though a few other proposals were rescinded. The only bidder on the Cherokee County agreement, claimed it could not compete with the new Quapaw tribal casino in Oklahoma, which is situated so close to the condition line that its parking lot is in Kansas. The Boot Hill On line casino Resort in Dodge Town is planing a December 2009 opening with 575 slots and ten desk video games, alongside with a second section due to open up in 2011 with 875 slots and twenty desk video games. The condition has extended the software approach for the other a few zones until April, 2009.
Kentucky
There is even now a good deal of ‘jockeying’ going on, but the prospect of as numerous as eight slot parlors and racinos seems to be back on the front-burner, but likely not resolved during the current legislative session.
Las Vegas
There are about fourteen,000 rooms scheduled to appear on line in 2009, with the most modern being the 390 area M Resort in Henderson. There are expansions underway at the two Caesars Palace and Hard Rock and new hotels contain two parts of the Metropolis Center task, and the Fountainebleau.
Louisiana
Pinnacle Entertainment’s new casino growth initiatives in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, although delayed, are described to still be on-observe for opening this year and/or early 2010.
Maine
There is a invoice under consideration that could more than double Penn National’s slot machines to 3,000, as well as a proposal that would eliminate the restriction that slots be found inside of five miles of the observe. Scarborough Downs, which has been unsuccessful in convincing regional residents to allow slots, may possibly be thinking about transferring to a a lot more hospitable town.
Maryland
A referendum was approved in November, 2008 that allows for the growth of five casinos with a complete of fifteen,000 slots, and now the bidding war is afoot though it is not as powerful as the condition had expected.
Mississippi
Grand Soleil Casino Vacation resort in Natchez experienced been slated to open in 2008, but has operate into numerous funding concerns and whilst the resort portion is open up, the riverboat is described to open in the Spring of ’09. Harrah’s Margaritaville On line casino in Biloxi, whilst scaled back again relatively, is nonetheless on monitor to open this year.
New England
Massachusetts, a sleeping-huge in conditions of market place likely, is even now maneuvering to open casinos/racinos, and/or a Course III Indian gaming facility, but can not seem to muster the political assist. A modern research concluded by Dartmouth University estimates that Massachusetts resident expended more than $920 million very last calendar year at Connecticut casinos and slot machine parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. The New Hampshire legislature just lately declined an option to produce casinos, however the matter is probably to be revisited, especially if Massachusetts decides to go ahead. There are also attempts in Maine to rethink its options.
New Jersey
Atlantic City’s casinos have imposed their political will on staving off the addition of slot devices at racetracks by lately agreeing to continue augmenting purses with an additional tax. The governor even so, has appointed a new panel to review the state’s sagging racing plan which ironically, can only be preserved by permitting the tracks to have slot devices specifically at the Meadowlands. (See The Nor’easter Squeeze area)
New York
Just when it looked as if Aqueduct’s four,five hundred VLT facility would last but not least be developed, the profitable bidder indicated an inability to make the required $370 million charge, citing the present lending local climate, and throwing the undertaking back again into the lap of the governor. Although the market place need in the spot could be deemed fairly powerful, the prospect of further competition from close by Belmont could have an effect on Aqueduct’s underlining economic feasibility, specifically thinking about that a bit considerably less than 30% of the internet get is retained by the operator.
Programs to relocate Monticello Raceway into a resort sophisticated are becoming reconsidered possibly owing to equally the possible opening of at the very least one particular or possibly two racino functions in the NY metro location, and the resurfacing of initiatives to improvement a Course III Indian gaming facility in the Catskills.
Ohio
Yet yet another gaming proposal is becoming place forth in Ohio, soon after last year’s model was turned down by the voters. This prepare calls for one particular casino every in the state’s greatest towns: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. There would be a minimum expenditure required of $250 million, as nicely as an initial licensing price of $50 million, and a 33 p.c tax on gaming revenue.
Pennsylvania
The Sands in Bethlehem is owing to open up in the Spring of ’09, and the new Rivers venture in Pittsburgh is anticipated to be operational in August, ’09 although Philadelphia’s two slot services still wallow in a political mire, but are anticipated to start building this calendar year.
South Dakota
The Lodge at Deadwood is slated to open up in the Tumble of 2009, and include 300 game titles, one hundred forty rooms and a wide range of facilities.
Texas
Legislators are proposing a voter referendum that would amend the state constitution to let casino gambling in selected places, as nicely as enable gambling on American Indian lands in Texas and at existing racetracks.
West Virginia
The Greenbriar, the state’s venerable vacation resort facility has submitted for personal bankruptcy, but has a new suitor in Marriott Hotels, who have reportedly tendered an supply. Point out federal government has proffered the idea of allowing the resort to offer on line casino online games, but this hard work is in as well early a stage to have any traction 1 way or another.
Indian Gaming
A modern Supreme Courtroom ruling that restricts the having of lands into believe in on behalf of federally regarded American Indian tribes has further stymied some new Class III gaming initiatives across the region. In addition, there ended up eleven Indian casino tasks rejected by the DOI final calendar year since of its new rule that casinos should be close to ample to a reservation that tribal associates can work at them. It has been suggested that the new Obama administration may be a lot more sympathetic to the advancement of Indian gaming assignments, but this issue has but to be tackled.
In the meantime, there are other Class III projects in the various levels of growth. The Seneca on line casino undertaking in Buffalo, NY, although running a modest temporary facility, has delayed an presently underneath building permanent facility until the market place rebounds. They have also expressed an curiosity in creating a on line casino in the Catskills. The point out gaming compact with Seminoles in Florida is being challenged, and could influence their ideas for larger initiatives. There are new Indian gaming assignments established to open in Michigan and Oklahoma this calendar year, and other people are in the organizing phase. Texas may possibly permit the reopening of Indian gaming facilities and let other venue and there are plans afoot by the Navajos in Arizona to construct additional casinos. California is poised to open up two to 3 new Course III casinos in 2009/10.
The Nor’easter Squeeze
Complete gaming profits in Atlantic Town has declined seven.6 percent, from $4.nine billion in 2007 to $4.five billion in 2008 with decreases continuing into 2009, as the city is obtaining by itself in an intense comp-war with the Pennsylvania venues. At one particular time the only casinos in the Northeast ended up found in Atlantic City, in which it seemed as if it may actually even eclipse the Las Vegas Strip’s once-a-year gaming revenues.
Little by little nevertheless its marketplace share was becoming encroached upon, initial by the development of a big Course III gaming procedure in Connecticut, and then one more slots operations in Rhode Island, and then online 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 ultimately two operations in Philadelphia, the noose is tightening all around Atlantic City’s potential potential customers. It really is reliance on day-trippers lulled it into a false sense of stability, and it now finds alone having to redefine its mission assertion to “vacation spot resort.”
The only problem with this technique however is that it is unwell-outfitted to pull it off. For all intents and purposes, Atlantic Town is below-roomed and/or over-gamed. There is basically not ample day-tripper marketplace to go about, and their successful trading region is tightening, as the peripheral populations northward now/will have much more completely ready access to a widened source in New York (Yonkers, and shortly at Aqueduct and probably Belmont), westward in Pennsylvania and southward in Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland.
oncapan.com/bbs/partner_site/13143 than the ocean obtain, the city’s only true competitive advantages are its lodge ability and the availability of desk video games, although the latter is most likely to eventuate in Pennsylvania, and possibly Delaware. In buy to adequately contend as a location vacation resort the town requirements to produce extra guest rooms and not essentially gaming potential. By comparison, the Las Vegas Strip qualities – accurate gaming locations, in that they do not have significantly of a day-excursion marketplace, apart from for the ‘locals’ – have an average of .87 gaming positions per guest space although Atlantic City’s common is 2.74 positions for every guest room.
It is not a coincidence that Atlantic City’s two biggest hotels, the Borgata and Harrah’s Marina, equally of which additional new rooms in 2008, have been the the very least impacted by the newest downturn. The Borgata experienced a gaming profits drop of 1.6 p.c, while Harrah’s Marina documented a 4.nine p.c improve when compared to 2007. Moreover, the most difficult hit venues, namely the AC Hilton, Resorts and the Trump Marina, also have the smallest number of rooms. In the meantime some of the venues are teetering on viability, like the the Trump houses and Resorts with the hoped for sale of the Tropicana has been even more delayed, and shedding valuation.
With a regular rise in gaming revenues through 2006, the city appeared prime for further development, which precipitated preparing for 4 new vacation resort tasks, every of which have now been indefinitely delayed. Revel Entertainment Group’s $2.five billion project stays an iron skeleton, Pinnacle Amusement has introduced it might look for to promote its razed Sands internet site, MGM Mirage has shelved its on line casino strategies, and Penn Nationwide appears to have stopped its pursuit of the Bader Discipline airport site.