In a de facto win for Atlantic City, gaming revenue held steady in December, despite one less weekend day to bring in the gamblers. The Garden State also closed out the year with over $4.5 billion in sports-
betting handle, economic stimulation that someone should bring to the attention of tight-ass Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), who just vetoed sports betting in her state. Atlantic City grossed $208.5 million. Table-game winnings were down 6% but slots were up 2.5%, maintaining the revenue status quo. Borgata was off 4%, thanks to a terrible month at the tables: Win plunged 21% on 9.5% less wagering, so Lady Luck was really with the players. Slots were up 5% despite 4.5% less coin-in. In the final tally, Borgata won $55 million.
Elsewhere, the Tropicana‘s poor performance (falling 10%) causes one active worry about what will happen when Eldorado Resorts takes over the three Caesars Entertainment casinos (which held their ground better, down 4%, a banner performance compared to the Trop. Caesars’ table win was down 11% on 5% higher drop and slots slipped 2% on 4.5% less handle. Individually, the Trop’s $23.5 million was still good for fourth place. Caesars Atlantic City grossed $18 million, a 15.5% plunge, Harrah’s Resort won $25.5 million, surging 
9%, and Bally’s eked out $13 million, despite a 9% decline. Ocean Casino Resort continues to post spectacular numbers, its $21 million gross representing a 75.5% increase (we don’t even have an adjective that does justice to the surge). On the other hand, Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta will be even more convinced that Atlantic City has too many casinos after his place fell 13.5% to $14 million. Resorts Atlantic City tightened its grip on last place, tumbling 13% to $12 million, while Hard Rock Atlantic City had an impressive month, up 9.5% to $26 million, in another victory for the newcomers.
Sports betting ($558 million) fell a bit short of November, despite college bowl games and the NFL stretch drive. Casinos and racinos kept $29.5 million, of which nearly $4 million will go to the state. FanDuel 
Sportsbook/PointsBet led in online revenue, with $12 million, with $2 million wagered retail at the Meadowlands. Observed PlayNJ.com analyst Dustin Gouker, “The brands under Resorts Digital have made it a relatively close second in the online market, but it has proven difficult to overcome FanDuel’s advantages, despite the brand recognition that comes from DraftKings and Fox Bet.” Internet-casino revenue was $49 million, unfortunately not broken out by operator.
* Lacrosse is not a sport that immediately springs to mind when betting is concerned. However, MGM Resorts International, which has been most entrepreneurial on the sports-betting front, has inked a pact to be the official gaming partner of the National Lacrosse League, through MGM 
subsidiary Roar Digital. Said interactive-gaming prexy Scott Butera, “Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-scoring, growing sport that presents exciting sports betting opportunities. We are greatly impressed by the management and operations of the NLL as evidenced by its strong roster of team owners.” Explained an official statement, “BetMGM will have commercial visibility and other promotional opportunities throughout the NLL regular season and playoffs. In addition, [it] will create weekly betting lines distributed across all NLL platforms and channels.” Play ball … or whatever you say in lacrosse.
* Faced with oncoming, severe penalties from Major League Baseball, MGM partner Boston Red Sox quickly moved to distance themselves from a cheating scandal (not involving gambling) by firing Manager Alex Cora, whose suspension was inevitable. This should give corporations a pointer about getting out in front of potential regulatory wrath. The BoSox may actually soften the ire of MLB by proactively removing the malefactor-in-chief.
* Presidential candidate Tom Steyer meets with the Culinary Union rank and file tomorrow morning. Steyer got onto last night’s Democratic debate stage in large part by polling well in Nevada. Whether heavy ad buys translate into caucus votes remains to be seen.
* The Clark County Education Association has launched a petition drive to increase Nevada taxes to provide more funding for schools. We’ll follow this story as it develops, although we’ll note that a few increments could be added to the gaming tax and it still would be the lowest in the nation. Just sayin’.
* Last night the wife and I saw Bombshell, a powerful story of our times that has failed to find an audience. In the end, Fox News was bigger than Roger Ailes—just as Wynn Resorts has discovered there is life after Steve Wynn. There’s a lesson in that, especially for companies with CEO cults of personality.
I met with an Ocean investor yesterday. For the rather modest investment that that group made (ie Luxor Capital) being less than $300MM, they are over the moon excited that the place is finally getting a footing in the market. Their investment returns, as of late, are probably better than Hard Rock!
Keep in mind, gross gaming revenues aren’t always the best barometer of success. Ocean may be going gangbusters on GGR, but they are buying a lot of that business with massive incentives which means most of it doesn’t actually translate to profit. On the flip side, Tropicana and Eldorado may be losing GGR, but they are shedding low value, unprofitable customers and actually improving their bottom-line profit. You should look deeper before jumping to conclusions!
AC: Prior to the Great Recession, a Trump Entertainment Executive was quoted in the AC Press: “we don’t want the customers who wear out the carpet”. Trump Entertainment got their wish and shed “low value, unprofitable customers” when they closed their doors. Tom Coates is correct when he states that “brick and mortar casinos are on the way out”. My “baby boomer” generation will soon be shedding casinos everywhere. PA will be providing a substantial locals draw with (South) Philly Live and 5 small casinos in the state plus truck stop slot machines.
Tropicana AC failed years ago when they sharply reduced their services and was closed by the NJ Casino control people. Tillman Fertitta could be correct about too many AC casinos later this year. The Ocean Casino may consider selling a successful casino before the next market contraction.