Indiana wins big, Missouri too; Pennsylvania guv blows smoke

While the American economy overall may be a disappointment for some, Big Gaming has nothing of which to complain. Indiana is coming off another bully month, up 16% from 2019, for an overall gross of $201 million, driven in no small part by new Hard Rock Gary. It pulled in $29.5 million. Not to be outdone, Horseshoe Hammond won $33 million, albeit 4% off its 2019 pace. Ameristar East Chicago gained 24% but remained a solid third with $21 million. Blue Chip slipped 7.5% to $12 million. Elsewhere the numbers were good for almost everyone, although “everyone” wouldn’t include French Lick Resort, going down 15% to $6.5 million. Rising Star also set, -10% to $4 million.

All other casinos and racinos were revenue-positive, such as Indiana Grand, up 13% to $23.5 million, while Hoosier Downs cantered +17% to $18.5 million. Caesars Southern Indiana, now under Cherokee management, didn’t miss a step either, up 16% to $19.5 million. Tropicana Evansville was remotely in this league, with $13 million, an 11.5% gain, and although Hollywood Lawrenceburg only budged +1.5% that was good enough for $13.5 million. Belterra Resort nudged +3.5% to $8 million, rounding out the southern tier.

Sports betting handle was $355.5 million, with high hold meaning that operators kept $34 million. FanDuel was the winner with $11 million, followed by DraftKings with $7 million and BetMGM‘s $4.5 million. Also-rans were Caesars Sportsbook ($4 million) and Barstool Sports ($3 million). Despite garnering 37% handle, luck was not with DraftKings, compared to the bang FanDuel got for its 22% share. Other operators making noise were Caesars (14%), BetMGM (also outperforming, with 11%) and Barstool (5%). “Football remains king, even when the Colts get off to a slow start as they did in September,” said PlayUSA analyst Nicole Russo. “A busy schedule of Indiana, Notre Dame, and Purdue football certainly helped boost interest, too.” And don’t forget the renascent Cincinnati Bengals, popular with downstate punters, such as those who flocked to the wickets at Hollywood Lawrenceburg, the state’s most favored walk-up book with handle of $11.5 million, more than Ameristar ($5 million) and Horseshoe ($4 million) combined.

Although Missouri revenue gains weren’t as dramatic (+9%) as Indiana’s, they impressed nonetheless. The gross was $152 million, driven by an 11% growth in slot win, while tables lagged -5%. (They’re small potatoes: $20 million.) Like Indiana, win/day was up 3% from August, “indicating a healthy consumer backdrop and limited impact from the delta variant,” wrote JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff. Outpacing the market, Ameristar St. Charles gained 10% to $24 million while malign neglect may be catching up with Lumiere Place, down 1.5% to $12 million. Penn National Gaming shook off its recent run of bad luck in St. Louis, winning $19.5 million at Hollywood St. Louis (+2.5%) and the same at River City (+5.5%).

In Kansas City, it was a tie between Harrah’s North Kansas City (-1%) and Ameristar Kansas City (above, -6.5%), both winning $14.5 million. Players flocked to Bally’s Kansas City, catapulting 98% to $10 million, while Argosy Riverside rounded out the market with $14 million (+8.5%). Out in the sticks, Isle of Capri Boonville led with $7.5 million (+19%), while Century Casinos won $6 million in Cape Girardeau (+18%) and $4 million in Caruthersville (+31%). Players obviously aren’t holding that no-buffets policy against Century. Mark Twain Casino grossed $3 million (+16.5%) and St. Jo Frontier one-upped it with $3.5 million (+8%).

Americans for Nonsmokers Rights is trying to make a big deal out of a very milquetoast remark by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D). What did the guv say that was so earth-shaking? “The Administration would welcome a discussion about updating the Clean Indoor Air Act.” Who there, Tom! Don’t rush out on a limb like that. Mind you, Wolf isn’t proposing to do anything nor lean any way. He’s just open to “discussion.” Yes, for God’s sake let’s temporize while casino workers (and patrons) continue to choke on secondhand smoke. No profile in courage for you, Tom.

Executives at Global Gaming Expo were clearly drinking the cryptocurrency Kool-Aid. Somebody should e-mail blast them this cautionary National Review piece that points out that A) digital currency has been here a long time and B) its traditional form is a lot safer than what’s being touted now as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Despite print reports to the contrary (repeated here, alas), James Bond does not play any baccarat—in Monte Carlo or elsewhere in—in No Time to Die. 007 may have no time to expire but the 163-minute movie certainly does. Without delving into spoilers, let’s just say it’s both too much and not enough. Les jeux son fait.

Quote of the Day: “The opportunity to build a new casino, a new brick and mortar casino, at any scale, the economics are upside down. This has been the capital of the gaming universe for decades, and we are losing. We’re not going to see a new brick and mortar casino here for a long, long time.”—MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle, breaking with his colleagues by advocating Internet gambling in Nevada.