Last year, commercial casino revenues topped $40 billion for the first time ever, maxing out at $40.3 billion. States with casinos will be happy campers, as that windfall meant $9.2 billion in gambling taxes. The revenue surge was 3.5% according to the 
American Gaming Association. Motivating factors were described as “strong macroeconomic trends, job growth and stable operating conditions.” The rising tide did not lift all boats. Outside competition pushed West Virginia down 5% and New Mexico was off 2% thanks to a slumping energy industry. By contrast, Maryland was up 34% (almost exclusively due to MGM National Harbor) and even though New York State‘s new casinos are underperforming, they still contributed to 16% growth in the Empire State. With Las Vegas being flat and reversals in the Midwest, it will take some doing for the industry to repeat the $40 billion feat this year.
* Wynn Macau casinos are outpacing the competition in one vital category: win/table/day. Their performance is 30% higher than the next-best operator. According to a trio of Sanford Bernstein analysts, “Even though Wynn has higher exposure to VIP than other operators, the market is underestimating Wynn‘s strong 
position in premium mass; its superior operation and marketing capability and strong brand; the continued ramp up growth opportunities at Wynn Palace.” VIP tables are averaging $43,200 win/table/day while mass-market ones are doing $13,400 win/table/day. (Just try finding those kind of figures at a U.S. casino.) On a cautionary note, the Bernstein trio added that anti-corruption activities in China are building up on a scale not seen since 2015, always something that causes trepidation in the gaming sector. Nevertheless, Wynn Macau stock traded up on the positive revenue report.
Speaking of Chinese displeasure, Apple felt it from state-run media, which criticized it for offering as many as 25,000 gambling applications on the Apple Store. The company beat a hasty retreat, pulling applications by the dozen and saying contritely, “Gambling apps are illegal and not allowed on the App Store in China.” The squeeze on Apple was part of a wider anti-Internet-gambling crackdown.
* Congratulations to the Cowlitz Tribe on a promise kept. Even before its Ilani Casino saw the first pull on a slot machine the tribe was moving to address the potential for disordered gambling. Now it has three counselors on staff to help troubled customers. Ilani President Kara Fox-LaRose said the tribe was making good on a commitment to “dedicate a portion of gaming revenue to programs and services in support of its dedication to fostering healthy communities.” The help center is off-site but you can get a referral at the Player Services desk or call 360-947-2247. Remember that the next time somebody bashes tribal gaming.
