As someone who likes to throw the dice on occasion, I'd find it interesting to visit a place like Macau and enjoy a new place to gamble, though the cost associated with the trip makes it nearly impossible. Las Vegas, on the other hand, is an affordable destination from most of the United States, making it much easier for the casual gamer to find a table at the variety of casinos on and off the Vegas Strip.
My Foolish colleague Travis Hoium made the argument that MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) is relying on its operations in Macau, and I do not disagree. As its recent quarterly earnings show, revenue growth is driven primarily by growth in Asia. However, MGM is betting big on CityCenter in Las Vegas.
Show me the money
MGM has spent much of the last two years developing and building CityCenter, an almost 18 million-square-foot mixed-use complex. At nearly $9.2 billion, it is the largest privately financed development in the United States. It sold half of the project to Dubai World, which will help share the current losses while waiting for future gains. With more than $12 billion in long-term debt, MGM really needs CityCenter to start making some money to help the company deleverage and overcome what some have called the worst investment in gaming.
Not all about Vegas
Some losses from CityCenter are recovered elsewhere in the USA, though MGM faces stiff competition from Penn National Gaming, Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), and Pinnacle Entertainment, which tend to operate smaller casinos in places outside the traditional gaming mecca of Nevada. MGM owns casinos in Detroit and Mississippi and also has 50% ownership in the Grand Victoria Casino outside of Chicago. It licensed the use of the MGM Grand name to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut for the operation of MGM Grand at Foxwoods, my personal favorite casino.
Can't forget about Asia
The majority of gaming revenues shifted overseas to Asia, where Macau pulls in four times the revenue of the casinos in Las Vegas. This could be because Macau is still growing and the luxury has yet to wear off. Although it hasn't invested nearly as heavily in Macau as Wynn Resorts (Nasdaq: WYNN), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) or Melco Crown (Nasdaq: MPEL) have, MGM does own a 51% stake in the MGM Macau. Furthermore, it entered into an agreement with Asian Coast Development in Vietnam to develop MGM Grand Ho Tram, which will further expand the MGM Grand brand in Asia.
What does this mean for Fools?
CityCenter may not save Las Vegas by itself, but its success could get more people returning to Vegas, continuing as a much cheaper alternative than Macau for the casual gamer at least. However, as with any industry that relies on discretionary income, the economy's current malaise greatly affects business in Las Vegas. To keep an eye on this exciting industry, add these companies to My Watchlist.
