Last month’s gaming revenues from Ohio and Illinois were flat year/year. Some would look at that as a bad thing but it shows the states aren’t losing significant play to neighboring states. Ohio casinos 
grossed $160 million, with MGM Northfield still tops in the state ($20 million) despite an 11.5% falloff—a consumer vote of no-confidence in new management? Hollywood Columbus came up just shy of $20 million, riding a 2% gain, while Hollywood Toledo slid 6% to $17 million. That was also the gross at the two Jack Entertainment casinos, with Cleveland up 2% and Cincinnati down 4.5%. Jack Thistledown vaulted 12% to $12 million. Scioto Downs fell 8.5% to $14 million, while Belterra Park crept 1.5% ahead to $7.5 million. Churchill Downs‘ investment in Miami Valley Gaming continues to pay off, up 12.5% to $15 million. Hollywood Casino Dayton galloped 6% ahead to $10 million and Hollywood Casino Mahoning Valley gained 3% to $11 million.
Over in the Land of Lincoln, casinos grossed $115 million. Penn National Gaming took a double-whammy, falling 8% at Hollywood Aurora ($9.5 million) and 9% at Empress Joliet ($9 million). Harrah’s Joliet slipped 1% but still grossed $15 million, while Rivers Casino was up 10% to $38 million, a real category-killer. Slot routes continue to bedevil Par-A-Dice, plunging 7% to $6 million, while Eldorado Resorts hasn’t worked its magic yet at Grand Victoria, off 2% to $13 million. Jumer’s Casino Rock Island shed 2.5% to reach $6 million and Harrah’s Metropolis (also $6 million) plummeted 10% and Casino Queen slipped 2% to $8 million. For the moment, Rivers Casino appears to be carrying its brethren, despite a few stable spots here and there.
* Having legalized mobile and online sports betting, Tennessee—and Nashville in particular—could be a powerful new draw for gamblers, and all without having to dip a toe into casinos. “Considering its tourism industry and 
that it is home to the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt, Nashville could become the unofficial legal sports betting destination of America’s most fervent conference fanbase,” reports Gambling.com. And don’t forget Chattanooga, well-positioned to siphon off bettors from the Atlanta area. Buffalo Wild Wings is already touting itself as the de facto home of sports betting in Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee (R) said he “does not believe that the expansion of gambling is best, but he recognizes that many in the legislature found this to be an issue they want to explore further” and so it shall be. It will also be another nail in Tunica‘s coffin. Incidentally, Gaming & Leisure Properties says it still will collect rent on Penn National Gaming‘s closed Tunica casino. It’d be a neat trick GLPI that can pull that off.
* Stricter anti-money-laundering laws are scaring VIP play away from Vancouver casinos. Money wagered on table games at Great Canadian Gaming Corp. properties was 12% lower in 1Q19. Paragon Gaming‘s Parq Vancouver missed an interest payment. And gamblers will have to give up their beloved habit of checking in with hockey bags and suitcases stuffed with cash.
* With Las Vegas and Macao maxed out, casino companies may look to try and grow revenue by dint of acquisitions in the Far East. At least that’s the opinion of some on Wall Street, including Shaw & Partners senior advisor Adam Dawes, who says “some 
of the big U.S. players will probably try growth by acquisition … Macao was the growth engine — that has slowed down. You’ve got Vegas, which is the old world, but that’s not all so fiery” and new markets are hard to find. As for the attempted Wynn Resorts/Crown Resorts merger, “I think that might accelerate some of the companies starting to look at different areas, but I don’t have a timeline on it.” Harry Curtis of Nomura Group disagrees slightly, writing that “there is appetite for individual assets, both on the Las Vegas Strip and in regional markets.” He thinks there may be a number of possible tuck-in acquisitions in the U.S. but few will be accretive to their buyer.
