FANTINI’S FINANCE: Isle Transformation

Isle of Capri, a regional gaming company, has posted an impressive debt-to-EBIDTA ratio that portends great things. In Las Vegas, the introduction of an NHL franchise could encourage other...

Published June 20, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Are REITs Real?

The current financing craze in the gaming industry is the real estate investment trust (REIT). Their attraction for investors is mainly the dividend. But exactly how does this work?

Published June 13, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Real Time With REITs

While real estate investment trusts (REITs) and currently the craze in the gaming industry, not all REITs are created equal. The recent creation of MGM Growth Properties is different...

Published May 23, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: The Boyd Strategy

Slow and steady usually wins the race, but Boyd Gaming’s stunning moves over the past two weeks immediately puts the company into a dominant position in the Las Vegas...

Published May 2, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Good Old Days in Vegas

Looks like the recession is over in Vegas. Activity has picked up significantly, with good earnings reports, IPOs, new non-gaming developments and even property sales. Is this just a...

Published April 25, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Comeback or Comedown?

Regional casinos and Las Vegas integrated resorts are making a nice recovery in the past couple of years, but when can we expect the Macau casinos to turn around,...

Published April 18, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Certainly Uncertain

Events of the past week—Amaya’s Baazov being charged with insider trading and William Hill’s responsible rules having financial repercussions—have once again demonstrated that you can’t count on anything in...

Published March 28, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Clear Sailing?

Investors in the gaming industry are seeing the silver lining in the dark clouds, but can you believe it? Also, will Donald Trump as president be the disaster that...

Published March 21, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Strength In Numbers

U.S. regional casinos are continuing a remarkable rally that began last year. The February numbers are out and virtually every market has seen an increase, some more than double...

Published March 14, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: DFS Disaster

The promise of daily fantasy sports has turned into a nightmare. By failing to develop a business plan that actually worked and being blind, deaf and dumb to regulatory...

Published February 29, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Year of the Regionals

A good surge at the end of 2015 has continued into this year, so regional casino companies seem to be on the rebound. Whether it’s Penn National, Pinnacle or...

Published February 15, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: A Wynn Win Situation

Wynn Resorts’ deal with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh was celebrated by both sides—the very definition of a good negotiation. Walsh gets to claim victory, and Wynn can move forward...

Published February 1, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Quarterly Questions

With an uneven year behind us, what will 2016 bring for gaming investors? The fourth quarter reports should give some hints about some of the issues that follow the...

Published January 25, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: The Great Meltdown

High-flying gaming stocks of companies with properties in Las Vegas and Macau have come crashing down to earth. What does the continued slump in Macau mean for shareholders of...

Published January 18, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Figuring the Fed

A rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve seems modest, but what will it mean to the gaming industry, from operators to manufacturers?

Published January 4, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Funny Fundamentals

Two recent cases where casino stocks took huge turns demonstrate how fickle investors can be. The fundamentals of the business in both instances changed not an iota, yet the...

Published December 14, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Bottoming Out in Macau

It’s old news now, but the steep decline of gaming revenue in Macau continues. But has it bottomed out? What impact have two new resorts had on the SAR?...

Published November 30, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Scientific Success

Although doubts remain about the consolidation that created the giant gaming vendor Scientific Games, it’s so far, so good, as synergies, talents and direction have eased worries about debt....

Published November 23, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: A Sporting Chance

The investment of several NBA team owners in a company that provides data to the sports betting industry demonstrates how far we’ve come in the possible legalization of the...

Published November 2, 2015

FANTINI’S FINANCE: No Surprises

When you evaluate companies on a quarterly basis, it’s difficult to find some separation. But each quarter, there are some hints about where each segment of the industry is...

Published October 26, 2015