A Time period of Adjustment
Oops! That large hissing seem is the gaming balloon that experienced been expanding more than the many years, slowly shedding air. But, it has not been a tide that decreased all ships even so, as some emerging and increasing gaming jurisdictions showed strong progress in 2008.
All round, the professional and racetrack casino sectors (excluding Indian gaming), skilled a 3.five % decline in gaming revenues for 2008, producing a total of $36.two billion, down some $800 million from 2007. It was the Racino sector that has tempered this drop, as they showed a gain of almost $one billion in 2008, thereby bringing the Industrial sector marketplace decrease to $one.8 billion, or 6.seven per cent. Nevada was the most significant loser in 2008, dropping nearly $one.3 billion, far more than half of which stemmed from the Las Vegas Strip section.
Hunkering Down
For the most component, casino operators had been caught relatively flat-footed by the extent of the 2008 earnings downturn, as it was not until finally the third and fourth quarters when it actually nosedived. Riding the crest of 12 months in excess of year industry expansion throughout the region and the availability of enough credit history and fairness money, new building and expansion proliferated in latest a long time. Right now, confronted with the realities of declining, or at ideal stagnant demand from customers, many of these tasks are now regarded as above-leveraged and/or over-sized. As a consequence numerous gaming companies are attempting to renegotiate their debt – manufactured far more challenging by lower valuations – while also paring down operational fees. The latter has turn into a really problematic conundrum when dealing with the competitors, specially in individuals jurisdictions that are now vying for market place shares with new rising on line casino assignments in neighboring places. A subject matter we talk about far more entirely in the Point out by Condition evaluation segment of this publication.
As a end result of these problems the gaming sector landscape is now strewn with impending fatalities. Among the far more notable troubled companies are Station Casinos, Empire Resorts, Harrah’s Leisure, Greektown Holdings, Legends Gaming, Tropicana Leisure, Herbst Gaming and the record grows every single week.
“How long will these economic problems persist, and are we at the base yet?” are queries no one particular appears to be answering however. What is yoursite.com is that most gaming jurisdictions will have to learn how to offer with a scaled-down pie.
Notice:
This analysis consists of only gaming revenues of accredited casinos and pari-mutuel outlets that offer casino games, and not Indian gaming operations, card rooms, or little non-on line casino kind slot locations. The total write-up, which includes earnings tables is obtainable on our internet web page.
Enter/Output Product
A crucial aspect that looks to have arisen from the ashes of this current pattern is that a lot of casino tasks ended up just also massive to support by themselves. The enter, in terms of expense bucks, was not proportional to the output, in terms of internet profit soon after financial debt support, in contrast to formerly attained results. A lot more and/or larger is not usually better. Observing the rise in non-gaming profits at the Las Vegas Strip resorts, gave impetus to the advancement of more complete facilities in many other jurisdictions. The flaw in this approach even so is that the costs related with widening industry penetration and occasioned-use, are considerably larger than those incurred to appeal to the foundation industry.
As daytripper markets become far more competitive, on line casino venues will have to depend a lot more and a lot more on their in-home resort patrons, and dimension their properties (and anticipations) appropriately. While Steve Wynn began a major craze in creating up-market place mega-locations, there just was not adequate need on the Strip to warrant the a lot of other equivalent initiatives that followed that aimed at the identical niche.
The trick is to strike a happy medium in undertaking configurations which of course demand much less of a ‘seat-of-pants’ strategy, and a single that is more researched. A shameless plug for development consultants like ourselves.
Other Gaming Pursuits
Despite the fact that there are no revealed detailed knowledge of American Indian gaming revenues, anecdotal evidence seems to propose that this section has been as hard hit as the Commercial sector. The two Connecticut Indian gaming installations report slot earnings of $one.six billion in 2008, symbolizing a drop of about seven %, or nearly $114 million, much more than doubling the three.five percent drop from the 12 months just before. This industry is apparently nonetheless reeling from the ripple-result of a on line casino expansion in Rhode Island, and the opening of slot operations in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Arizona Office of Gaming reviews that contributions based on a gaming income method from the state’s 23 Indian gaming casinos, have been declining each and every quarter in 2008 compared to the preceding 12 months reducing .eight per cent in the initial quarter, seven.five p.c in the next quarter, 9.five per cent in the third quarter, and 16.1 per cent in the fourth quarter.
Some SEC reporting Indian gaming homes report similar decreases. Seneca Gaming, which operates three Course III casinos in upstate New York, stories that although calendar calendar year 2008 showed an almost two percent expansion price in gaming revenues, there was an eight.seven p.c drop in the third quarter and an practically ten percent drop in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with 2007. Gaming revenue developments at close by Niagara Falls, Ontario have been down one.five% in 2008 in comparison with 2007.
It really is been a blended-bag for state lotteries across the region. The North American Affiliation of State & Provincial Lotteries stories that U.S. lotteries created a whole of $60.6 billion in revenue in fiscal 2008, up about three percent from the earlier 12 months but some jurisdictions reported decreases, most notably California, which showed an eight percent drop. Inasmuch as some of these states are on various fiscal year finishes, it would seem that the data does not replicate the effect of 3rd and/or fourth quarter benefits.
According to information offered by Equibase, horse racing pari-mutuel revenues continue their downward spiral, slipping seven p.c to $13.seven billion in 2008, vs . $fourteen.seven billion in 2007.
Prepared & Proposed New Expansions
As beforehand observed, it has been new gaming jurisdictions that have spawned considerably of the expansion in yearly on line casino/racino revenues more than the a long time, and their effect is apt to proceed into the in close proximity to potential.
Florida
Miami Dade voters accredited a ballot problem that permits each of a few pari-mutuels to have a casino facility of up to two,000 slot equipment. The Flagler Canine Observe 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 several other proposals becoming regarded as that would additional broaden casino growth through the condition.
Illinois
The point out last but not least obtained close to to reissuing its tenth license, late in December, 2008 awarding it to Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC for a one,200+ match casino positioned in Des Plaines just east of O’Hare. The new facility is not very likely to open up till 2010. There has also been some discussion about enabling an boost in for each 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 improvement of four on line casino gaming zones and slots at present horse and puppy tracks seems mired, as only one facility is presently underneath development, although three other proposals were 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 positioned so near to the state 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 10 table games, together with a next phase thanks to open in 2011 with 875 slots and twenty table games. The state has prolonged the application method for the other 3 zones right up until April, 2009.
Kentucky
There is nonetheless a whole lot of ‘jockeying’ going on, but the prospect of as many as 8 slot parlors and racinos seems to be again on the front-burner, but most likely not resolved during the existing legislative session.
Las Vegas
There are about fourteen,000 rooms scheduled to occur on line in 2009, with the most current being the 390 space M Resort in Henderson. There are expansions underway at the two Caesars Palace and Challenging Rock and new accommodations contain two components of the Town Centre task, and the Fountainebleau.
Louisiana
Pinnacle Entertainment’s new casino improvement projects in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, although delayed, are noted to nevertheless be on-observe for opening this yr and/or early 2010.
Maine
There is a bill below consideration that could much more than double Penn National’s slot devices to three,000, as well as a proposal that would remove the restriction that slots be situated in five miles of the observe. Scarborough Downs, which has been unsuccessful in convincing nearby citizens to enable slots, could be considering shifting to a far more hospitable town.
Maryland
A referendum was authorized in November, 2008 that permits for the improvement of five casinos with a overall of 15,000 slots, and now the bidding war is afoot despite the fact that it is not as intense as the point out experienced expected.
Mississippi
Grand Soleil Casino Vacation resort in Natchez experienced been slated to open in 2008, but has run into a variety of funding troubles and whilst the lodge part is open up, the riverboat is described to open in the Spring of ’09. Harrah’s Margaritaville On line casino in Biloxi, even though scaled again fairly, is still on track to open up this year.
New England
Massachusetts, a sleeping-giant in conditions of industry possible, is still maneuvering to open casinos/racinos, and/or a Course III Indian gaming facility, but can not appear to muster the political support. A current review completed by Dartmouth College estimates that Massachusetts resident invested a lot more than $920 million previous yr at Connecticut casinos and slot device parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. The New Hampshire legislature recently declined an selection to build casinos, nonetheless the topic is likely to be revisited, specially if Massachusetts decides to go forward. There are also attempts in Maine to reconsider its choices.
New Jersey
Atlantic City’s casinos have imposed their political will on staving off the addition of slot machines at racetracks by lately agreeing to continue augmenting purses with an added tax. The governor however, has appointed a new panel to study the state’s sagging racing system which ironically, can only be preserved by enabling the tracks to have slot devices specially at the Meadowlands. (See The Nor’easter Squeeze area)
New York
Just when it seemed as if Aqueduct’s 4,500 VLT facility would last but not least be developed, the profitable bidder indicated an incapability to make the required $370 million price, citing the current lending local climate, and throwing the venture back again into the lap of the governor. Though the industry desire in the spot could be considered quite robust, the prospect of additional opposition from nearby Belmont could have an affect on Aqueduct’s underlining economic feasibility, particularly taking into consideration that somewhat significantly less than thirty% of the web get is retained by the operator.
Ideas to relocate Monticello Raceway into a resort complex are currently being reconsidered probably owing to the two the possible opening of at minimum 1 or possibly two racino operations in the NY metro region, and the resurfacing of initiatives to growth a Course III Indian gaming facility in the Catskills.
Ohio
However an additional gaming proposal is being set forth in Ohio, right after final year’s edition was turned down by the voters. This strategy phone calls for 1 casino each and every in the state’s greatest towns: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. There would be a minimal expenditure necessary of $250 million, as well as an initial licensing fee of $fifty million, and a 33 per cent tax on gaming earnings.
Pennsylvania
The Sands in Bethlehem is due to open up 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 nevertheless wallow in a political mire, but are expected to start off building this yr.
South Dakota
The Lodge at Deadwood is slated to open in the Fall of 2009, and incorporate three hundred video games, a hundred and forty rooms and a broad assortment of facilities.
Texas
Legislators are proposing a voter referendum that would amend the state constitution to enable on line casino gambling in selected areas, as effectively as permit gambling on American Indian lands in Texas and at present racetracks.
West Virginia
The Greenbriar, the state’s venerable resort facility has submitted for personal bankruptcy, but has a new suitor in Marriott Lodges, who have reportedly tendered an provide. Condition govt has proffered the idea of making it possible for the vacation resort to provide on line casino online games, but this energy is in way too early a stage to have any traction a single way or yet another.
Indian Gaming
A current Supreme Courtroom ruling that restricts the getting of lands into trust on behalf of federally regarded American Indian tribes has more stymied some new Course III gaming initiatives throughout the place. Moreover, there ended up eleven Indian on line casino tasks rejected by the DOI final 12 months since of its new rule that casinos need to be in close proximity to enough to a reservation that tribal customers can operate at them. It has been recommended that the new Obama administration might be a lot more sympathetic to the improvement of Indian gaming tasks, but this situation has but to be addressed.
Meanwhile, there are other Class III tasks in the a variety of stages of growth. The Seneca on line casino project in Buffalo, NY, whilst running a little short term facility, has delayed an already below design long lasting facility until finally the industry rebounds. They have also expressed an curiosity in developing a casino in the Catskills. The condition gaming compact with Seminoles in Florida is currently being challenged, and could affect their plans for more substantial initiatives. There are new Indian gaming tasks set to open in Michigan and Oklahoma this yr, and other folks are in the organizing phase. Texas may allow the reopening of Indian gaming services and let other venue and there are plans afoot by the Navajos in Arizona to assemble additional casinos. California is poised to open two to three new Class III casinos in 2009/ten.
The Nor’easter Squeeze
Overall gaming profits in Atlantic Town has declined 7.6 p.c, from $4.9 billion in 2007 to $4.five billion in 2008 with decreases continuing into 2009, as the city is locating by itself in an powerful comp-war with the Pennsylvania venues. At one time the only casinos in the Northeast were found in Atlantic City, exactly where it looked as if it may possibly in fact even eclipse the Las Vegas Strip’s yearly gaming revenues.
Slowly however its market share was being encroached on, 1st by the improvement of a massive Class III gaming operation in Connecticut, and then yet another slots operations in Rhode Island, and then movie lottery terminals at New York racetracks, racinos in West Virginia and Delaware, and most not too long ago Pennsylvania.
Now, with the planned opening of slot operations in Maryland, the impending opening of a new casino in Bethlehem, PA, and eventually two operations in Philadelphia, the noose is tightening around Atlantic City’s long term prospective customers. It is reliance on day-trippers lulled it into a fake perception of stability, and it now finds alone having to redefine its mission assertion to “destination resort.”
The only dilemma with this strategy however is that it is sick-outfitted to pull it off. For all intents and needs, Atlantic Town is below-roomed and/or more than-gamed. There is basically not enough working day-tripper industry to go around, and their successful trading region is tightening, as the peripheral populations northward now/will have much more completely ready obtain to a widened source in New York (Yonkers, and quickly at Aqueduct and possibly Belmont), westward in Pennsylvania and southward in Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland.
Other than the ocean obtain, the city’s only true competitive positive aspects are its hotel capacity and the availability of desk games, even though the latter is likely to eventuate in Pennsylvania, and possibly Delaware. In order to sufficiently contend as a destination vacation resort the town needs to build further visitor rooms and not necessarily gaming capability. By comparison, the Las Vegas Strip homes – correct gaming locations, in that they do not have much of a day-trip market, apart from for the ‘locals’ – have an average of .87 gaming positions per visitor room whilst Atlantic City’s common is two.seventy four positions for every guest space.
It is not a coincidence that Atlantic City’s two largest resorts, the Borgata and Harrah’s Marina, both of which added new rooms in 2008, ended up the minimum impacted by the most current downturn. The Borgata knowledgeable a gaming earnings fall of 1.six percent, although Harrah’s Marina noted a four.nine p.c improve in comparison to 2007. Additionally, the toughest strike venues, specifically 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, including the the Trump qualities and Resorts with the hoped for sale of the Tropicana has been even more delayed, and getting rid of valuation.
With a steady rise in gaming revenues via 2006, the town appeared key for further improvement, which precipitated planning for 4 new vacation resort assignments, every single of which have now been indefinitely delayed. Revel Enjoyment Group’s $2.five billion undertaking continues to be an iron skeleton, Pinnacle Amusement has declared it might find to offer its razed Sands website, MGM Mirage has shelved its casino ideas, and Penn Nationwide seems to have stopped its pursuit of the Bader Subject airport site.