FANTINI’S FINANCE: Macau Disease Spreads

Just because Chinese high rollers have backed off Macau doesn’t mean they’re going to magically appear in other jurisdictions. In fact, the numbers show that VIP gaming from China...

Published August 17, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Back in Black

The second quarter earnings figures are out and they look encouraging for almost everyone, regionals, REITs and more. And what does the retirement of Robert Evans mean for Churchill...

Published August 3, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Seeking CEOs

The conditions that face every CEO is different, particularly in the gaming industry. Those conditions usually determine the success of the CEO’s strategy. Pinnacle’s Anthony Sanfilippo (l.) has made...

Published July 27, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Turning Tide in Macau?

Is the yearlong nightmare that has engulfed Macau over? The share value of gaming companies located there have jumped in the past couple of weeks and good news is...

Published July 20, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Mystery at MGM

The death of Kirk Kerkorian was met with appropriate tributes to the man who transformed Las Vegas. But what will happen to his stake in MGM Resorts and how...

Published June 29 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Conspicuous Consumption

The point of consumption tax recently imposed in the United Kingdom has negatively impacted revenues from iGaming companies active there. Will it spread to other countries and what are...

Published June 22, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Yes, Virginia!

She may not be Santa Claus, but Virginia McDowell has provided solid leadership through difficult times. Her company, Isle of Capri has performed well, bringing a higher stock price,...

Published June 15, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Down to Business

The opening of the second phase of Galaxy Macau will kick off the second phase of Cotai expansion and begin to answer some questions about how the SAR will...

Published May 25, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Panic Button

The steady bad news emanating from Macau has now taken its toll. Investors are fleeing the companies with operations there. Reality has hit home. But what is the real...

Published May 4, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: U.S. Optimism, Macau Reality

As the first quarter results start rolling in, early returns are showing renewed hope for the U.S. gaming market, and a hard-bitten reality coming from Macau. Outside of the...

Published April 27, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: REIT Fever

The interest in real estate investment trusts has been accelerating in the casino industry. It first started with the smaller companies, but now the gaming giants are getting involved....

Published March 23, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: REIT Madness

An aggressive takeover bid for the assets of Pinnacle Entertainment by Gaming & Leisure Properties shows yet again the value of this bifurcated arrangement. Will Caesars and MGM follow...

Published March 16, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: More Than a Show

At first it was dismissed as just a periodic crackdown, but Beijing’s war against corruption and money laundering is the real thing. With revenues dramatically down and no end...

Published March 3, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Q4: What We Learned

In the reporting for the fourth quarter, regional casinos seem to have benefited from good weather and lower gas prices. Previous cost cutting seems to have also helped. But...

Published February 23, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Regional Roundup

A profitable December has ramped up hopes that the regional casino companies will report good earnings for the fourth quarter and for the year. Will that lead to a...

Published January 26, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Jumping Up

December gaming revenues in the U.S. weren’t half bad, which is something to say after a year of declining numbers. But will it continue?

Published January 19, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Disappointing Year

As 2014 wrapped up last week, investors in gaming stocks are probably saying “good riddance.” Companies with operations in Macau were particularly hard hit.

Published January 5, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: North Jersey: Thanks, New York; Thanks, Carl!

Prospects for a casino in northern New Jersey took a giant step forward last week as two events combined to put one or more gaming halls on the agenda...

Published December 22, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Revenue Rebound?

For the first time in several years, there is hope that the Great Recession is over for U.S. casinos. National gaming revenues grew in October and regional growth continued...

Published December 1, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Evolving Business Models

The changes in the gaming industry keep accelerating on both the operator and vendor sides. Whether it’s the convergence between lotteries and slot companies or the rapid move to...

Published November 24, 2014