Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli visited Macao recently and found “limited signs of help on the way.” For instance, the anti-
corruption campaign continues merrily forward, with arrests up 32% from last year. Give a dearth of VIP play, operators are moving more table games into the mass-market areas in their Cotai projects. There’s also hope, albeit cautious, that a compromise may be worked out in the no-smoking policy whereby smoking lounges could be retained on casino floors.
While Santarelli senses no major decline in business forthcoming, “we found nothing thesis changing and continue to see more potential fundamental and regulatory headwinds than reasons for optimism.” Mass market play was “showing stability” but VIP action was having difficulty hitting bottom. Santarelli experienced “a heightened sense of concern for the retail segment as it pertains to operators ability to fill retail plans for the Cotai projects … as retail sales have declined considerably at existing assets during the downturn.” The mass market remains the main source of hope, with recent revenues better than those seen at the end of last year.
* According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, you are more likely to die from “legal intervention” in Nevada than in most other states. Which means that the police here are liable to shoot your ass. And there I was, thinking that kidney stones were our biggest health menace … Atlantic City patrons need to watch out for septicemia.
* Donald Trump‘s recent publicity-seeking antics have inspired a cottage industry. Sounds like a winner.
