Las Vegas Sands awaits go ahead for Long Island casino
Global leading integrated resorts operator, Las Vegas Sands wants to turn the location of the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island New York into a US $4 billion entertainment centre and resort.
The county’s lawmakers will be voting on the proposed casino this week.
However critics say that the plan will not only hurt local businesses but it will increase crime and traffic pollution. The ‘County Rules Committee’ will vote on the plan first before it goes before the full legislature. The hearing will take place on 24 May.
Nassau Coliseum
The 72-acre land has been leased to Las Vegas Sands by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for a period of 99 years.
LVS pledged that ‘gambling’ would only amount to 10 percent of the proposed Long Island project.
The complaint by protestors states that the NCPC violated New York’s ‘open meeting law’. Amongst the most aggressive opponents is Hofstra University with claims that the arrangement of the deal was not transparent enough with the decision being made ‘behind closed doors’.
In a string of mishandled putative public meetings, the Planning Commission has denied Hofstra University and the public an opportunity to debate serious issues having far-reaching negative consequences for our community.” Hofstra University
Las Vegas Sands no longer operates any commercial casinos in the US and if the project is approved, it will be a landmark site for the company.
New York Casinos nearing reality
The Las Vegas Sands proposed project in downstate New York is only one of a number of proposed casino projects.
The bid by Caesars Entertainment for a Manhattan casino in Times Square has also been criticised. Another group of investors are proposing a casino on Coney Island.
The New York State Gaming Commission is expected to announce the winners later this year following recommendations from the three-member Gaming Facility Location Board. The winning operators will be required to pay a licence fee of US $500 million and have a minimum of US $500 million for capital development.
Q1 2023 results
Since first quarter earnings were reported nearly a month ago, Las Vegas Sands has been underperforming on the S&P 500 with a loss of 1.5 percent.
The company Q1 results however benefitted from an increase in tourist spending following the relaxation of travel restrictions in the region post-COVID-19.
Q1 2023 reported net revenue at US $2.12 billion from US $943 million year-on-year (YOY). Operating income was reported at US $378 million, compared to an operating loss of US $302 million in Quarter 1 2022.
Net income from operations is also on the rise with US$145 million reported for the first quarter of 2023 compared to a net loss of US $478 million for the same quarter YoY. Consolidated adjusted property EBITDA was US $792 million compared to US $110 million YoY.
While travel restrictions and reduced visitation continued to impact our financial performance during the quarter, a robust recovery in travel and tourism spending across our markets is now underway. We remain enthusiastic about the opportunity to welcome more guests back to our properties throughout 2023 and in the years ahead,” Robert G. Goldstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Las Vegas Sands
Capital expenditures during the first quarter totalled US $166 million. This included construction, development and maintenance activities. Cash balance for Q1 2023 was US $6.53 billion with total debt outstanding of US $15.97 million. Las Vegas Sands also has access to credit facilities of US $2.48 billion.
Expenses through income taxes for the first quarter amounted to US $50 million compared to just $2 million for the same quarter YoY. This was due to the rise in profitability of the Singapore business and a statutory income tax rate of 17 percent.
Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) Q1 2023 results compared with same quarter YoY
Singapore
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore continued to recover delivering high levels of performance in mass gaming due to an increased travel and tourism spend from China and the region. Revenues from casinos and F&B totalled US $593 million and US $79 million respectively when compared with US $268 million and US $31 million respectively YoY. Adjusted property EBITDA reached US $ 394 million when compared with US$121 million YoY and gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached a record US $549 million.
Macao
The recovery in Macao demonstrated continued spending acceleration in all gaming and non-gaming segments during Q1. Net revenues from Sands Macao were US$75 million compared with US $20 million YoY. Casino revenues totalled US $67 million compared to the same period last year of US $17 million.
The company will continue to invest in the business and leisure tourism sectors in Macao to build on its appeal to foreign visitors. Growth opportunities will be explored in new markets.
Sands China Consolidated
Total net revenues for Sands China Consolidated (SCL) increased to US $1.27 billion compared to US $547 million in the first quarter of 2022. Net loss for Sands China Consolidated is US $10 million for Q12023 compared to US $336 million YoY.
Las Vegas Sands (LVS:NYSE) 22 May 2023
Share Price
Listed shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) on the New York Stock Exchange are trading at US $60.49. (-0.017 percent).
VGM Score: Las Vegas Sands has a growth and momentum score of B. On the value side it has scored D.
This places the company on the lower 50 percent of this investment strategy model. Overall the VGM score for the company is C.
Las Vegas Sands (LVS: NYSE) Analysts Ratings 22 May 2022
A comparison of the sector in the markets indicates that Las Vegas Sands has performed considerably stronger than its competitors. Trading data is reflected with trading volumes averaging 3.38 million over 10 days. The company’s latest data shows there are 764.00 million outstanding shares.
Equity research analysts are recommending the company as a good investment.
Background
Las Vegas Sands Corporation is an American casino and resort company with corporate headquarters in Paradise, Nevada, United States. Its corporate mission is to create “integrated resorts” which feature a combination of gambling, accommodation, retail, leisure and meeting spaces. The company was established in 1988.
The operator holds several resorts in Asia, including the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which opened in 2010. Through its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China, the company also owns several properties in Macau, including the Sands Macao,The Londoner Macao, The Venetian Macao, The Plaza Macao and The Parisian Macao. As of 2020, it has been ranked as the third-largest casino company worldwide by revenue.
