CASINO NEWS: GAMING REVENUES ON THE RISE AT HOME & IN THE USA

Here on home soil, casino operator Star Entertainment Group grew its revenue 6% to A$2.6bn for the year ending 30 June 2018.

Normalised net profit rose 20% to A$258m, while statutory profit improved by 44% to A$148m. Normalised EBITDA increased 14% to A$588m, as statutory EBITDA dropped by 19% to A$484m, which is attributed to a lower win rate.

The boost in revenue and net profit figures have been credited to the return of VIP players to Australian casinos, as VIP turnover grew 54% to A$61.2bn.

In Sydney, gross revenue grew 3% to A$1.88bn, up 17.5%.

Stars Entertainment Chairman and Non-Executive Director John O’Neill said: “The group completed a further year delivering on our growth strategy.”

“Record normalised revenues and earnings for the company in FY2018 reflect ongoing operational improvements across the group and early performance benefits from new and upgraded assets at the Gold Coast and Sydney.”

US commercial casino annual revenue tops $40bn for the first time

US gaming has just come off its best year ever, according to the AGA State of the States report for 2017, recording commercial gaming revenue of over A$54.6bn for the first time.

A total of 20 commercial casino states experienced revenue increases and saw over 360,000 people employed.

Gaming proved to be great for the states coffers, as tax revenue from commercial gaming tax hit A$12.56bn over the 460 casinos nationwide.