A Time period of Adjustment
Oops! That giant hissing sound is the gaming balloon that experienced been increasing in excess of the several years, gradually losing air. But, it has not been a tide that decreased all ships even so, as some rising and expanding gaming jurisdictions showed sturdy growth in 2008.
Total, the commercial and racetrack casino sectors (excluding Indian gaming), experienced a 3.5 % drop in gaming revenues for 2008, generating a total of $36.2 billion, down some $800 million from 2007. It was the Racino sector that has tempered this drop, as they showed a achieve of nearly $1 billion in 2008, thus bringing the Industrial sector market place drop to $1.eight billion, or 6.7 p.c. Nevada was the greatest loser in 2008, dropping virtually $one.3 billion, much more than half of which stemmed from the Las Vegas Strip segment.
Hunkering Down
For the most component, on line casino operators had been caught reasonably flat-footed by the extent of the 2008 profits downturn, as it was not right up until the third and fourth quarters when it genuinely nosedived. Driving the crest of year above 12 months market place progress across the country and the availability of enough credit history and fairness funds, new building and enlargement proliferated in current years. These days, faced with the realities of declining, or at greatest stagnant demand, numerous of these initiatives are now regarded as in excess of-leveraged and/or over-sized. As a result numerous gaming firms are making an attempt to renegotiate their personal debt – produced more tough by decrease valuations – although also paring down operational charges. The latter has grow to be a very problematic conundrum when dealing with the competitiveness, especially in those jurisdictions that are now vying for industry shares with new emerging on line casino initiatives in neighboring locations. A subject we go over more fully in the State by Point out evaluation part of this publication.
As a result of these problems the gaming sector landscape is now strewn with impending fatalities. Among the much more noteworthy troubled corporations are Station Casinos, Empire Resorts, Harrah’s Enjoyment, Greektown Holdings, Legends Gaming, Tropicana Leisure, Herbst Gaming and the record grows each and every week.
“How long will these economic conditions persist, and are we at the bottom however?” are questions no one seems to be answering however. What is obvious even so 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 licensed casinos and pari-mutuel shops that offer casino games, and not Indian gaming functions, card rooms, or modest non-casino type slot areas. The entire article, which includes income tables is available on our net page.
Input/Output Product
A important facet that appears to have arisen from the ashes of this current trend is that numerous casino assignments had been just way too big to assist them selves. The enter, in phrases of investment decision bucks, was not proportional to the output, in terms of internet profit after credit card debt services, in comparison to previously attained final results. A lot more and/or even bigger is not constantly far better. Observing the rise in non-gaming revenue at the Las Vegas Strip resorts, gave impetus to the advancement of more extensive features in a lot of other jurisdictions. The flaw in this approach however is that the fees related with widening market penetration and occasioned-use, are significantly greater than these incurred to draw in the base market.
As daytripper marketplaces turn out to be far more competitive, on line casino venues will have to rely more and more on their in-property lodge patrons, and size their homes (and expectations) appropriately. While Steve Wynn started out a major trend in producing up-market place mega-locations, there simply was not sufficient demand on the Strip to warrant the several other comparable projects that adopted that aimed at the same market.
The trick is to strike a content medium in venture configurations which of system need significantly less of a ‘seat-of-pants’ strategy, and 1 that is far more researched. A shameless plug for advancement consultants like ourselves.
Other Gaming Actions
Although there are no released comprehensive information of American Indian gaming revenues, anecdotal proof appears to advise that this section has been as tough strike as the Industrial sector. The two Connecticut Indian gaming installations report slot earnings of $1.six billion in 2008, symbolizing a drop of about 7 percent, or virtually $114 million, more than doubling the three.5 % drop from the yr before. This market place is evidently still reeling from the ripple-influence of a on line casino expansion in Rhode Island, and the opening of slot functions in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Arizona Division of Gaming reports that contributions dependent on a gaming profits formula from the state’s 23 Indian gaming casinos, have been declining each and every quarter in 2008 in contrast to the prior yr reducing .8 percent in the first quarter, 7.5 p.c in the next quarter, 9.five p.c in the 3rd quarter, and sixteen.one % in the fourth quarter.
Some SEC reporting Indian gaming properties report similar decreases. Seneca Gaming, which operates 3 Course III casinos in upstate New York, studies that whilst calendar yr 2008 showed an almost 2 % development fee in gaming revenues, there was an eight.seven per cent decline in the 3rd quarter and an practically 10 percent drop in the fourth quarter of 2008, in contrast with 2007. Gaming earnings developments at nearby Niagara Falls, Ontario had been down 1.5% in 2008 compared with 2007.
It’s been a blended-bag for condition lotteries throughout the country. The North American Association of Condition & Provincial Lotteries reports that U.S. lotteries produced a overall of $sixty.six billion in income in fiscal 2008, up about 3 p.c from the prior year yet some jurisdictions reported decreases, most notably California, which confirmed an eight percent drop. Inasmuch as some of these states are on a variety of fiscal 12 months finishes, it would seem that the knowledge does not mirror the impact of 3rd and/or fourth quarter final results.
According to knowledge presented by Equibase, horse racing pari-mutuel revenues keep on their downward spiral, falling 7 % to $thirteen.seven billion in 2008, as opposed to $14.7 billion in 2007.
Planned & Proposed New Expansions
As earlier famous, it has been new gaming jurisdictions that have spawned considerably of the progress in once-a-year on line casino/racino revenues above the a long time, and their effect is apt to continue into the near potential.
Florida
Miami Dade voters approved a ballot issue that makes it possible for each of three pari-mutuels to have a casino facility of up to 2,000 slot machines. The Flagler Pet Keep track of and Miami Jai-Alai are reportedly planning opening in late 2009 or early 2010, although the Calder installation in Miami Gardens has yet to announced its ideas. There are quite a few other proposals currently being considered that would further increase casino growth during the state.
Illinois
The condition last but not least got around to reissuing its tenth license, late in December, 2008 awarding it to Midwest Gaming & Leisure, LLC for a one,200+ match casino situated in Des Plaines just east of O’Hare. The new facility is not very likely to open until finally 2010. There has also been some dialogue about permitting an increase in for every location gaming positions and slots at racetracks, though neither initiative appears to have any traction at this time.
Kansas
The state’s expanded lottery plan that permits for the development of 4 casino gaming zones and slots at current horse and canine tracks appears mired, as only one facility is presently beneath development, although 3 other proposals were rescinded. The only bidder on the Cherokee County agreement, claimed it could not compete with the new Quapaw tribal on line casino in Oklahoma, which is situated so close to the condition line that its parking whole lot is in Kansas. The Boot Hill On line casino Vacation resort in Dodge Town is planing a December 2009 opening with 575 slots and 10 table games, together with a 2nd period due to open in 2011 with 875 slots and 20 table game titles. The point out has extended the software procedure for the other a few zones until April, 2009.
Kentucky
There is still a good deal of ‘jockeying’ likely on, but the prospect of as numerous as eight slot parlors and racinos seems to be back again on the front-burner, but probably not fixed throughout the existing legislative session.
Las Vegas
There are about 14,000 rooms scheduled to come on line in 2009, with the most current getting the 390 area M Resort in Henderson. There are expansions underway at each Caesars Palace and Hard Rock and new accommodations contain two elements of the City Middle undertaking, and the Fountainebleau.
Louisiana
Pinnacle Entertainment’s new casino advancement projects in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, whilst delayed, are documented to even now be on-keep track of for opening this 12 months and/or early 2010.
Maine
There is a monthly bill beneath 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 keep track of. Scarborough Downs, which has been unsuccessful in convincing regional citizens to allow slots, may be considering relocating to a a lot more hospitable town.
Maryland
A referendum was authorized in November, 2008 that enables for the improvement of 5 casinos with a overall of 15,000 slots, and now the bidding war is afoot even though it is not as intensive as the point out experienced expected.
Mississippi
Grand Soleil On line casino Vacation resort in Natchez experienced been slated to open in 2008, but has operate into numerous funding troubles and whilst the hotel portion is open up, the riverboat is documented to open in the Spring of ’09. Harrah’s Margaritaville On line casino in Biloxi, even though scaled back again considerably, is nevertheless on monitor to open up this yr.
New England
Massachusetts, a sleeping-giant in conditions of marketplace prospective, is still maneuvering to open up casinos/racinos, and/or a Course III Indian gaming facility, but cannot look to muster the political help. A modern review finished by Dartmouth University estimates that Massachusetts resident put in more than $920 million last 12 months at Connecticut casinos and slot device parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. The New Hampshire legislature not too long ago declined an selection to produce casinos, nevertheless the matter is most likely to be revisited, particularly if Massachusetts decides to go forward. There are also makes an attempt in Maine to rethink its possibilities.
New Jersey
Atlantic City’s casinos have imposed their political will on staving off the addition of slot devices at racetracks by just lately agreeing to carry on augmenting purses with an further tax. The governor nonetheless, has appointed a new panel to examine the state’s sagging racing plan which ironically, can only be preserved by allowing the tracks to have slot equipment specifically at the Meadowlands. (See The Nor’easter Squeeze part)
New York
Just when it looked as if Aqueduct’s four,500 VLT facility would finally be designed, the successful bidder indicated an inability to make the required $370 million payment, citing the existing lending weather, and throwing the task again into the lap of the governor. Though Systems Academy in the spot could be regarded fairly sturdy, the prospect of added competitors from nearby Belmont could have an effect on Aqueduct’s underlining economic feasibility, especially thinking about that marginally significantly less than 30% of the internet get is retained by the operator.
Plans to relocate Monticello Raceway into a resort complex are being reconsidered perhaps owing to both the possible opening of at least one or perhaps two racino functions in the NY metro region, and the resurfacing of initiatives to development a Class III Indian gaming facility in the Catskills.
Ohio
But an additional gaming proposal is being set forth in Ohio, following last year’s edition was turned down by the voters. This prepare calls for one casino each and every in the state’s greatest cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. There would be a bare minimum expense required of $250 million, as effectively as an original licensing payment of $fifty million, and a 33 per cent tax on gaming profits.
Pennsylvania
The Sands in Bethlehem is because of to open in the Spring of ’09, and the new Rivers project in Pittsburgh is anticipated to be operational in August, ’09 although Philadelphia’s two slot facilities nonetheless wallow in a political mire, but are expected to start building this year.
South Dakota
The Lodge at Deadwood is slated to open up in the Fall of 2009, and include three hundred games, one hundred forty rooms and a extensive assortment of facilities.
Texas
Legislators are proposing a voter referendum that would amend the condition constitution to permit casino gambling in specified regions, as effectively as permit 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 individual bankruptcy, but has a new suitor in Marriott Resorts, who have reportedly tendered an supply. Point out authorities has proffered the idea of permitting the vacation resort to provide casino online games, but this work is in way too early a stage to have any traction 1 way or yet another.
Indian Gaming
A current Supreme Court docket ruling that restricts the taking of lands into trust on behalf of federally acknowledged American Indian tribes has additional stymied some new Class III gaming tasks throughout the place. Moreover, there were eleven Indian on line casino assignments rejected by the DOI last year because of its new rule that casinos must be in close proximity to enough to a reservation that tribal customers can perform at them. It has been advised that the new Obama administration may possibly be far more sympathetic to the growth of Indian gaming initiatives, but this issue has yet to be resolved.
In the meantime, there are other Course III initiatives in the various phases of growth. The Seneca casino undertaking in Buffalo, NY, while functioning a little momentary facility, has delayed an currently underneath building permanent facility right up until the industry rebounds. They have also expressed an desire in building a on line casino in the Catskills. The state gaming compact with Seminoles in Florida is becoming challenged, and could impact their ideas for bigger initiatives. There are new Indian gaming projects established to open up in Michigan and Oklahoma this yr, and other folks are in the arranging stage. Texas may possibly let the reopening of Indian gaming amenities and permit other venue and there are plans afoot by the Navajos in Arizona to assemble further casinos. California is poised to open two to 3 new Course III casinos in 2009/10.
The Nor’easter Squeeze
Whole gaming earnings in Atlantic Town has declined seven.six per cent, from $4.9 billion in 2007 to $four.5 billion in 2008 with decreases continuing into 2009, as the metropolis is locating by itself in an intensive comp-war with the Pennsylvania venues. At one particular time the only casinos in the Northeast ended up found in Atlantic Town, the place it looked as if it might really even eclipse the Las Vegas Strip’s yearly gaming revenues.
Slowly and gradually nonetheless its market place share was becoming encroached on, first by the advancement of a big Course III gaming operation in Connecticut, and then one more slots functions in Rhode Island, and then video clip lottery terminals at New York racetracks, racinos in West Virginia and Delaware, and most lately Pennsylvania.
Now, with the prepared opening of slot functions in Maryland, the impending opening of a new on line casino in Bethlehem, PA, and at some point two operations in Philadelphia, the noose is tightening close to Atlantic City’s long term prospective customers. It is reliance on working day-trippers lulled it into a false feeling of safety, and it now finds by itself getting to redefine its mission statement to “spot resort.”
The only issue with this strategy nevertheless is that it is ill-outfitted to pull it off. For all intents and reasons, Atlantic Town is below-roomed and/or above-gamed. There is simply not adequate day-tripper market to go about, and their successful buying and selling area is tightening, as the peripheral populations northward now/will have far more all set access to a widened source in New York (Yonkers, and shortly at Aqueduct and perhaps Belmont), westward in Pennsylvania and southward in Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland.
Other than the ocean entry, the city’s only genuine competitive benefits are its lodge potential and the availability of desk games, although the latter is very likely to eventuate in Pennsylvania, and potentially Delaware. In purchase to sufficiently contend as a destination resort the metropolis needs to create added guest rooms and not necessarily gaming potential. By comparison, the Las Vegas Strip qualities – true gaming locations, in that they do not have considerably of a working day-journey market, other than for the ‘locals’ – have an regular of .87 gaming positions for every guest room whilst Atlantic City’s regular is two.74 positions for every guest room.
It is not a coincidence that Atlantic City’s two largest lodges, the Borgata and Harrah’s Marina, equally of which extra new rooms in 2008, were the minimum impacted by the most current downturn. The Borgata seasoned a gaming earnings fall of 1.six p.c, even though Harrah’s Marina reported a four.9 percent improve compared to 2007. Furthermore, the hardest hit venues, namely the AC Hilton, Resorts and the Trump Marina, also have the smallest quantity of rooms. In the meantime some of the venues are teetering on viability, like the the Trump homes and Resorts with the hoped for sale of the Tropicana has been more delayed, and getting rid of valuation.
With a regular increase in gaming revenues by way of 2006, the city seemed prime for more growth, which precipitated arranging for four new vacation resort projects, every of which have now been indefinitely delayed. Revel Leisure Group’s $two.five billion venture stays an iron skeleton, Pinnacle Amusement has introduced it may look for to promote its razed Sands internet site, MGM Mirage has shelved its on line casino plans, and Penn National seems to have stopped its pursuit of the Bader Area airport web site.