Gaming Industry: Reasons For Investment & Top Stock-Plays

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Sin stocks, especially the gaming ones, have markedly outperformed the broader market lately. As illustrated in the chart below, stocks of industries biggest companies like Las Vegas Resort (LVS), Wynn Resorts (WYNN), and Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL) have grown 17-, 8- and 7-fold in the last five year. However, the gaming industry stocks have dropped in value lately, making them attractive buy candidates. Will the industry continue to grow? Below, I discuss the reasons for further industry growth along with candidates for superior returns.

Why gaming stocks?
1. The house always wins
With the exception of a few cases, the premise holds true as casinos around the world do everything in their capacity to ensure maximum profitability. They influence behavior and control every little experience that customers have on their premises. From the rules regulating the games to the music playing in the background to interior designs to color of the staff uniform, everything is meticulously planned with the sole objective of getting customers to gamble with as much money, for as long as possible. Gambling floors traditionally confuse the concept of time while enticing setups are put together to improve player stamina.

Apart from psychological influences and physical comfort, the house also implements strategies to benefit from games. Therefore, table games or slot machines have a built-in, adjustable “house edge” in all casinos, whereby profits are drawn from each bet. As unfair it may seem, casinos write the very rules that customers have no choice but to abide by. To top that all, even if at the slightest indication of you having an edge over their system, you are likely to be removed and possibly barred for lifetime in most parts of...

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...plans. It pays a dividend yield at 2.7%, compared with 2.4% yield paid by Wynn. It has continuously grown sales for several years now, and is expected to grow sales and per-share earnings by 16.12% and 31.72%, respectively, this year. Nevertheless, with the addition of another resort to its lone property in Macau, Wynn Resorts is likely to see a more meaningful growth in earnings over the short term.

Whether you approve or not, casinos are hear to stay, and tactfully cheat you out of your money. They are the businesses you wished you owned, and these stocks provide you with that opportunity. But not all stocks are the same; therefore you should carefully pick your investments based on valuations and growth opportunities. With governments’ narratives becoming pro-casino with every passing day, the market for casinos is expected to expand manyfold in upcoming year.

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