A Interval of Adjustment

Oops! That big hissing seem is the gaming balloon that experienced been developing in excess of the a long time, slowly losing air. But, it has not been a tide that lowered all ships nonetheless, as some emerging and increasing gaming jurisdictions confirmed strong growth in 2008.

Total, the business and racetrack casino sectors (excluding Indian gaming), experienced a 3.5 per cent decline in gaming revenues for 2008, creating a complete of $36.2 billion, down some $800 million from 2007. It was the Racino sector that has tempered this fall, as they confirmed a obtain of practically $1 billion in 2008, therefore bringing the Industrial sector market drop to $1.8 billion, or six.seven percent. Nevada was the most significant loser in 2008, dropping nearly $1.three billion, more than fifty percent of which stemmed from the Las Vegas Strip segment.

Hunkering Down

For the most portion, casino operators were caught comparatively 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. Driving the crest of year more than 12 months industry progress across the place and the availability of enough credit and equity funds, new building and expansion proliferated in latest several years. Today, faced with the realities of declining, or at ideal stagnant demand, many of these assignments are now considered in excess of-leveraged and/or more than-sized. As a result many gaming companies are attempting to renegotiate their credit card debt – produced far more challenging by reduced valuations – while also paring down operational expenses. The latter has grow to be a quite problematic conundrum when dealing with the competitiveness, particularly in individuals jurisdictions that are now vying for industry shares with new emerging casino initiatives in neighboring regions. A topic we talk about much more totally in the State by Condition evaluation part of this publication.

As a result of these circumstances the gaming market landscape is now strewn with impending fatalities. Amid the more notable troubled firms are Station Casinos, Empire Resorts, Harrah’s Enjoyment, Greektown Holdings, Legends Gaming, Tropicana Enjoyment, Herbst Gaming and the listing grows every 7 days.

“How long will these financial conditions persist, and are we at the bottom nevertheless?” are queries no one particular seems to be answering nevertheless. What is clear nevertheless is that most gaming jurisdictions will have to understand how to deal with a smaller pie.

Note:
This analysis involves only gaming revenues of accredited casinos and pari-mutuel retailers that provide on line casino games, and not Indian gaming functions, card rooms, or small non-on line casino kind slot locations. The total write-up, such as income tables is obtainable on our web web page.

Input/Output Design

A crucial facet that seems to have arisen from the ashes of this existing development is that a lot of on line casino initiatives had been just also huge to assistance themselves. The enter, in phrases of investment pounds, was not proportional to the output, in terms of internet earnings right after debt service, in contrast to previously achieved benefits. A lot more and/or larger is not often better. Seeing the rise in non-gaming revenue at the Las Vegas Strip resorts, gave impetus to the development of far more complete features in several other jurisdictions. The flaw in this strategy even so is that the fees linked with widening industry penetration and occasioned-use, are substantially increased than people incurred to entice the base market.

As daytripper marketplaces grow to be a lot more competitive, casino venues will have to depend more and a lot more on their in-residence lodge patrons, and measurement their homes (and expectations) accordingly. Whilst Steve Wynn began a major trend in generating up-market mega-places, there simply was not adequate desire on the Strip to warrant the several other equivalent assignments that adopted that aimed at the identical area of interest.

The trick is to strike a happy medium in venture configurations which of course demand much less of a ‘seat-of-pants’ method, and a single that is more researched. A shameless plug for development consultants like ourselves.

Other Gaming Pursuits

Although there are no released comprehensive data of American Indian gaming revenues, anecdotal proof seems to recommend that this segment has been as difficult hit as the Business sector. The two Connecticut Indian gaming installations report slot revenue of $one.6 billion in 2008, representing a fall of about 7 p.c, or almost $114 million, much more than doubling the 3.5 per cent drop from the calendar year prior to. This market is apparently even now reeling from the ripple-result of a on line casino expansion in Rhode Island, and the opening of slot functions in New York and Pennsylvania.

The Arizona Section of Gaming stories that contributions dependent on a gaming income formulation from the state’s 23 Indian gaming casinos, have been declining each and every quarter in 2008 compared to the prior calendar year reducing .eight per cent in the 1st quarter, seven.5 percent in the 2nd quarter, nine.5 % in the 3rd quarter, and 16.one p.c in the fourth quarter.

Some SEC reporting Indian gaming qualities report similar decreases. Seneca Gaming, which operates 3 Course III casinos in upstate New York, stories that even though calendar calendar year 2008 confirmed an nearly 2 per cent progress rate in gaming revenues, there was an eight.7 p.c decrease in the third quarter and an virtually 10 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 2008, when compared with 2007. Gaming profits developments at close by Niagara Falls, Ontario ended up down one.five% in 2008 in contrast with 2007.

It is been a combined-bag for condition lotteries across the place. The North American Association of Condition & Provincial Lotteries stories that U.S. lotteries created a complete of $60.six billion in product sales in fiscal 2008, up about 3 percent from the previous year however some jurisdictions noted decreases, most notably California, which confirmed an eight per cent drop. Inasmuch as some of these states are on various fiscal calendar year ends, it would appear that the information does not reflect the effect of third and/or fourth quarter final results.

In accordance to info offered by Equibase, horse racing pari-mutuel revenues continue their downward spiral, falling seven per cent to $13.seven billion in 2008, as opposed to $fourteen.seven billion in 2007.

Prepared & Proposed New Expansions

As previously mentioned, it has been new gaming jurisdictions that have spawned a lot of the development in yearly casino/racino revenues above the several years, and their effect is apt to continue into the close to long term.

Florida
Miami Dade voters accredited a ballot problem that makes it possible for every of three pari-mutuels to have a casino facility of up to two,000 slot equipment. The Flagler Canine Keep track of and Miami Jai-Alai are reportedly preparing opening in late 2009 or early 2010, even though the Calder set up in Miami Gardens has yet to introduced its ideas. There are many other proposals currently being considered that would additional increase on line casino improvement all through the condition.

Illinois
The condition finally received all around to reissuing its tenth license, late in December, 2008 awarding it to Midwest Gaming & Leisure, LLC for a one,200+ match casino positioned in Des Plaines just east of O’Hare. The new facility is not likely to open up until finally 2010. There has also been some discussion about enabling an improve in for every area gaming positions and slots at racetracks, despite the fact that neither initiative seems to have any traction at this time.

Kansas
The state’s expanded lottery system that enables for the improvement of four casino gaming zones and slots at existing horse and canine tracks seems mired, as only 1 facility is presently below building, while three other proposals were rescinded. The only bidder on the Cherokee County contract, claimed it could not compete with the new Quapaw tribal on line casino in Oklahoma, which is found so shut to the point out line that its parking great deal is in Kansas. The Boot Hill On line casino Vacation resort in Dodge Metropolis is planing a December 2009 opening with 575 slots and ten desk video games, alongside with a next period due to open up in 2011 with 875 slots and 20 desk online games. The condition has prolonged the application approach for the other a few zones right up until April, 2009.

Kentucky
There is nonetheless a whole lot of ‘jockeying’ likely on, but the prospect of as several as 8 slot parlors and racinos appears to be back on the front-burner, but most likely not fixed during the recent legislative session.

Las Vegas
There are about 14,000 rooms scheduled to occur on line in 2009, with the most modern being the 390 place M Vacation resort in Henderson. There are expansions underway at both Caesars Palace and Tough Rock and new resorts incorporate two elements of the Metropolis Middle venture, and the Fountainebleau.

Louisiana
Pinnacle Entertainment’s new on line casino development initiatives in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, while delayed, are reported to even now be on-monitor for opening this calendar year and/or early 2010.

Maine
There is a bill below thing to consider that could far more than double Penn National’s slot devices to three,000, as nicely as a proposal that would take away the restriction that slots be positioned inside five miles of the observe. Scarborough Downs, which has been unsuccessful in convincing regional citizens to allow slots, could be taking into consideration shifting to a far more hospitable town.

Maryland
A referendum was approved 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 powerful as the condition experienced anticipated.

Mississippi
Grand Soleil Casino Resort in Natchez experienced been slated to open up in 2008, but has operate into numerous financing troubles and even though the lodge part is open, the riverboat is documented to open up in the Spring of ’09. Harrah’s Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi, while scaled back again somewhat, is even now on monitor to open up this calendar year.

New England
Massachusetts, a sleeping-giant in terms of market possible, is nevertheless maneuvering to open up casinos/racinos, and/or a Course III Indian gaming facility, but are not able to look to muster the political assistance. A latest examine accomplished by Dartmouth University estimates that Massachusetts resident expended far more than $920 million final yr at Connecticut casinos and slot machine parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. The New Hampshire legislature lately declined an selection to build casinos, even so the subject matter is most likely to be revisited, specifically 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 devices at racetracks by recently agreeing to keep on augmenting purses with an further tax. The governor nevertheless, has appointed a new panel to review the state’s sagging racing program which ironically, can only be preserved by permitting the tracks to have slot machines particularly at the Meadowlands. (See The Nor’easter Squeeze segment)

New York
Just when it looked as if Aqueduct’s 4,500 VLT facility would lastly be designed, the winning bidder indicated an incapacity to make the needed $370 million charge, citing the recent lending local climate, and throwing the undertaking back again into the lap of the governor. Despite the fact that the market place demand in the location could be regarded as quite powerful, the prospect of added competitiveness from close by Belmont could have an affect on Aqueduct’s underlining economic feasibility, specifically considering that marginally considerably less than thirty% of the web win is retained by the operator.

Strategies to relocate Monticello Raceway into a resort complicated are being reconsidered probably owing to equally the probable opening of at least one particular or probably two racino operations in the NY metro area, and the resurfacing of initiatives to advancement a Course III Indian gaming facility in the Catskills.

Ohio
But an additional gaming proposal is currently being put forth in Ohio, right after very last year’s variation was turned down by the voters. This plan phone calls for 1 casino each in the state’s premier cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. There would be a minimum expense needed of $250 million, as nicely as an preliminary licensing payment of $50 million, and a 33 % tax on gaming earnings.

Pennsylvania
The Sands in Bethlehem is owing to open in the Spring of ’09, and the new Rivers undertaking in Pittsburgh is expected to be operational in August, ’09 even though Philadelphia’s two slot amenities nevertheless wallow in a political mire, but are anticipated to start off construction this calendar year.

South Dakota
The Lodge at Deadwood is slated to open up in the Fall of 2009, and contain three hundred video games, 140 rooms and a vast range of features.

Texas
Legislators are proposing a voter referendum that would amend the point out constitution to allow casino gambling in specified regions, as effectively as permit gambling on American Indian lands in Texas and at present racetracks.

West Virginia
The Greenbriar, the state’s venerable vacation resort facility has filed for individual bankruptcy, but has a new suitor in Marriott Lodges, who have reportedly tendered an offer you. Point out government has proffered the idea of making it possible for the resort to offer casino game titles, but this work is in also early a phase to have any traction a single way or an additional.

Indian Gaming
A current Supreme Courtroom ruling that restricts the taking of lands into have faith in on behalf of federally identified American Indian tribes has further stymied some new Class III gaming initiatives across the nation. In addition, there have been eleven Indian on line casino tasks turned down by the DOI last yr since of its new rule that casinos have to be close to sufficient to a reservation that tribal users can perform at them. It has been recommended that the new Obama administration might be much more sympathetic to the improvement of Indian gaming initiatives, but this situation has yet to be dealt with.

In the meantime, there are other Course III initiatives in the different stages of growth. The Seneca casino venture in Buffalo, NY, whilst functioning a little short-term facility, has delayed an already below development permanent facility right up until the industry rebounds. They have also expressed an desire in establishing a on line casino in the Catskills. The point out gaming compact with Seminoles in Florida is being challenged, and could affect their ideas for larger initiatives. There are new Indian gaming assignments set to open up in Michigan and Oklahoma this calendar year, and other folks are in the preparing stage. Texas could allow the reopening of Indian gaming services and allow other venue and there are programs afoot by the Navajos in Arizona to assemble further casinos. California is poised to open up two to a few new Course III casinos in 2009/ten.

The Nor’easter Squeeze

Total gaming earnings in Atlantic Metropolis has declined seven.6 p.c, from $four.9 billion in 2007 to $four.five billion in 2008 with decreases continuing into 2009, as the city is locating alone in an intensive comp-war with the Pennsylvania venues. At สล็อต in the Northeast ended up positioned in Atlantic City, where it seemed as if it may possibly in fact even eclipse the Las Vegas Strip’s yearly gaming revenues.

Gradually however its market share was becoming encroached upon, first by the development of a large Course III gaming procedure in Connecticut, and then yet another slots functions in Rhode Island, and then movie lottery terminals at New York racetracks, racinos in West Virginia and Delaware, and most just lately Pennsylvania.

Now, with the prepared opening of slot functions in Maryland, the impending opening of a new casino in Bethlehem, PA, and at some point two functions in Philadelphia, the noose is tightening around Atlantic City’s future potential customers. It is reliance on day-trippers lulled it into a untrue perception of security, and it now finds itself obtaining to redefine its mission assertion to “destination resort.”

The only dilemma with this strategy nevertheless is that it is ill-geared up to pull it off. For all intents and purposes, Atlantic City is under-roomed and/or above-gamed. There is simply not sufficient day-tripper marketplace to go about, and their effective buying and selling region is tightening, as the peripheral populations northward now/will have more completely ready access to a widened provide in New York (Yonkers, and shortly at Aqueduct and probably Belmont), westward in Pennsylvania and southward in Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland.

Other than the ocean obtain, the city’s only true aggressive advantages are its lodge capability and the availability of table games, though the latter is most likely to eventuate in Pennsylvania, and perhaps Delaware. In purchase to adequately compete as a spot vacation resort the city wants to build added guest rooms and not necessarily gaming ability. By comparison, the Las Vegas Strip qualities – true gaming locations, in that they do not have a lot of a day-vacation industry, other than for the ‘locals’ – have an common of .87 gaming positions per visitor place even though Atlantic City’s common is 2.seventy four positions for each guest place.

It is not a coincidence that Atlantic City’s two greatest lodges, the Borgata and Harrah’s Marina, each of which additional new rooms in 2008, have been the the very least impacted by the latest downturn. The Borgata seasoned a gaming income fall of 1.six percent, even though Harrah’s Marina documented a four.9 % improve when compared to 2007. Furthermore, the most difficult hit 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, such as the the Trump homes and Resorts with the hoped for sale of the Tropicana has been additional delayed, and shedding valuation.

With a steady increase in gaming revenues through 2006, the town appeared primary for even more advancement, which precipitated planning for 4 new vacation resort assignments, each of which have now been indefinitely delayed. Revel Amusement Group’s $two.five billion project stays an iron skeleton, Pinnacle Amusement has declared it might seek out to offer its razed Sands site, MGM Mirage has shelved its casino ideas, and Penn National appears to have stopped its pursuit of the Bader Subject airport internet site.