Caesars, Wynn Offer Perks, Including Sports Betting, for Investors, Say Analysts

Posted on: October 19, 2020, 10:25h. 

Last updated on: October 19, 2020, 01:35h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) and Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) are among the gaming names offering investors stout upside potential. While sports betting is all the rage in the industry these days, analysts see more to the stories with the two operators.

Wynn Las Vegas
The Wynn and Encore on the Las Vegas Strip. Analysts like this name and Caesars among gaming equities. (Image: Bloomberg)

Caesars stock is up a jaw-dropping 813 percent from its March lows. An impressive run considering the company’s sizable Las Vegas Strip footprint.

The operator of 53 domestic gaming properties, Caesars depends on the Strip for 45 percent of 2021 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring or rent costs (EBITDAR). Regional venues, which are performing better than Las Vegas casinos, will drive 55 percent of that metric next year, according to Morningstar.

Harrah’s operator is still digesting the transaction that created the company in its current form, making it the largest gaming company by the number of venues in the US.

As a result of the acquisition of the legacy Caesars business by Eldorado, Caesars holds more than a 10% revenue share of the domestic casino gaming market,” notes Morningstar.

Wall Street is bullish on the name, citing synergies created by the merger that closed in July and opportunities in the online casinos and sports betting spaces.

Caesars’ Sports Betting Empire

With a pending $3.69 billion offer for William Hill (OTC:WIMY), Caesars is in the process of creating a sports betting powerhouse. The casino empire is the largest US sportsbook operator.

Some analysts argue that although sports wagering (excluding iGaming) will account for $550 million in revenue for Caesars next year that growth isn’t fully factored into the stock at current levels. The total turnover is almost six percent.

The operator has several components in its favor including a heavy domestic focus and a regional portfolio that positions the company to capitalize as more states legalize sports wagering.

“Caesars recently agreed to acquire British-based gambling group William Hill for $3.7 billion in a large bet on the fast-growing sports-betting market,” notes Morningstar. “Acquiring one of the world’s leading betting and gambling companies could prove to be a fortuitous move for Caesars, as it coincides with the acceleration of gaming legislation and growing adoption by consumers.”

Winning with Wynn?

Shares of Wynn Resorts nearly doubled from the March trough. But the rebound faces headwinds due to still slack visitation and gross gaming revenue (GGR) figures in Macau, the company’s biggest market. The Chinese territory accounts for 76 percent of the operator’s EBITDA, compared to just 24 percent from its three US venues.

On the Strip, the company owns the iconic Wynn and Encore integrated resorts. Thus far, Wynn has been a quiet player in the sports betting arena, but it is cobbling together deals in various states to bolster that footprint.

“The firm is going all-in on the sports-betting market. It recently rolled out its digital sports-betting platform, Wynn Sports mobile app, muscling its way into the playground,” says Morningstar. “The company plans to expand Wynn Sports’ digital sports-betting offer to Colorado and Indiana in partnership with Scientific Games. More recently, Wynn tied up with GAN, an Internet gambling software supplier, allowing the latter to provide the platform for Wynn’s online sports betting and casino gaming.”