VanEck Vectors Gaming ETF

Casinos’ popularity is growing. This suggests that people like to gamble occasionally. Unfortunately, they don’t always win. For most of the people, the real fun is playing the game—not necessarily winning.

Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management took Harrah’s Entertainment, now Caesars Entertainment, private in a leveraged buyout deal valued at $30.7 billion in 2008.

Casino gambling is spread across major destinations around the world. Casinos, at major destinations, are being influenced by certain factors. This is hampering industry growth.

The casinos in the Las Vegas Strip clearly benefit from high-end Baccarat play. Over the last four years, Baccarat revenue ranged from 43.5% of table games revenue in 2011 to 48.2% in 2013.

On December 22, 2014, CZR and Caesars Acquisition Company (CACQ) entered into a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction.

The initial term of each lease will be for 15 years with four five-year renewals. CZR will guarantee payments and performance of the OpCo’s obligations.

In its merger agreement with Bally Technologies, Scientific Games agreed to acquire all outstanding Bally common stock for $83.3 cash per share.

The executive management team of SGMS includes President and CEO Gavin Isaacs and Executive Vice President and CFO Scott Schweinfurth.

Las Vegas Sands’ adjusted property EBITDA at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore doubled, reaching a property record of $518.5 million, up ~100% year-over-year.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN) earns its revenues through casinos, hotels, food and beverages, and entertainment and retail operations.

MPEL derives ~94% of revenues from casino operations. Its casino business gross margin is 50% for the trailing 12-month period ending September 30, 2014.

On a year-over-year basis, real disposable income increased 2.9%. More disposable income boosts consumer buying power.

An overview of Las Vegas Sands (LVS) shows that the company currently owns 70.1% of Sands China Ltd., which operates LVS’s four Macao properties.

The Macao region relies heavily on the Chinese mainland, as it garners the huge majority (about 67%) of its visitors and VIP gamers from China and its neighboring countries.

Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) incurs direct costs in gaming, food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other areas.