Border Conflict: New York City Casinos May Endanger New Jersey's Gaming Industry
New York City Casino Licenses Approved: The New York State Gaming Commission has awarded three downstate casino licenses for projects in New York City, including Bally's in the Bronx, Hard Rock near Citi Field, and an expansion of Resorts World in Queens.
Projected Opening Timelines: Resorts World aims to open its full commercial casino by late March 2026, Hard Rock's project may open in phases starting in late 2027, and Bally's Bronx is expected to open in the mid-2030s.
Impact on New Jersey's Casino Industry: The new NYC casinos are anticipated to significantly threaten New Jersey's gaming revenue, with projections suggesting a potential 20% to 30% revenue loss for Atlantic City casinos.
Current Performance of New Jersey Casinos: Despite the looming competition, New Jersey's casino industry has seen a strong performance in 2025, with total gaming revenue increasing by 10.4% year-over-year, reaching $6.38 billion.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on MGM
About MGM
About the author

- Gambling vs. Investing: Mulvaney asserts that buying contracts on prediction markets is essentially gambling, emphasizing the need for increased scrutiny in light of betting activities prior to the Iran war, which could undermine investor confidence.
- Regulatory Role: He argues that the CFTC is not suited to regulate prediction markets as its primary focus is market oversight rather than consumer protection, potentially exposing consumers to risks in these markets.
- National Security Risks: Mulvaney warns that trading in prediction markets could leak classified information, posing a threat to U.S. national security if adversaries glean intelligence that could be used against the nation, necessitating investigation.
- Funding Transparency Issues: When asked about the funding sources for his newly formed coalition,
- Gaming Win Decline: The Las Vegas Strip's gaming win fell 11.0% year-over-year in January to $747.7 million, indicating that pricing concerns and a sharp decline in international tourism are negatively impacting the gaming sector.
- Statewide Performance: Nevada's overall gaming win decreased by 6.6% year-over-year in January to $1.35 billion, highlighting ongoing challenges in the state's gaming market, particularly with the reduction in international visitors.
- Downtown Casino Trends: Downtown Las Vegas casinos experienced a 5.2% decline in gaming win to $79.4 million, reflecting weakness in the downtown market, although some areas like Reno reported growth in gaming revenue.
- Long-Term Outlook: For the fiscal year-to-date through January 2025, Nevada's gaming win has only increased by 0.7%, despite a favorable event calendar for conventions and tourism, suggesting a slow recovery and uncertain industry outlook.
- Investment in Responsible Gaming Research: MGM and BetMGM have jointly committed $1 million, with $450,000 allocated to the International Center for Responsible Gaming for groundbreaking research that examines the impact of sports wagering on player behavior, thereby providing essential data for industry sustainability.
- Community Support Initiatives: In 2026, MGM and BetMGM will contribute over $850,000 to state and national organizations focused on problem gambling prevention and treatment, reinforcing their leadership in responsible gaming initiatives.
- GameSense Program Promotion: The companies will enhance responsible gaming messaging across casinos, sportsbooks, and digital platforms through their GameSense program, increasing employee awareness and ensuring players make informed decisions while enjoying their entertainment.
- Launch of New Campaign: MGM will introduce the “Earn More. Play Smart.” campaign this spring, integrating MGM Rewards with responsible gaming messaging to emphasize member responsibility, thereby enhancing customer safety and gaming experience.
- Research Investment: MGM and BetMGM have jointly committed $450,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming to fund groundbreaking research examining the impact of sports wagering on player behavior, thereby providing essential data to support long-term industry sustainability.
- Community Support: In 2026, MGM and BetMGM will contribute over $850,000 to state and national organizations focused on problem gambling prevention and treatment, further solidifying their leadership in responsible gaming initiatives.
- Employee Training: Through the GameSense program, MGM and BetMGM will train over 2,000 employees to enhance their ability to engage guests in responsible gaming conversations, thereby increasing customer safety and trust.
- New Campaign Launch: MGM will introduce a new campaign, “Earn More. Play Smart.” this spring, integrating MGM Rewards with responsible play messaging to emphasize member responsibility and enhance customer awareness and engagement in responsible gaming practices.
- Strong Profitability: Vici Properties reported $2.8 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, a 4% increase year-over-year, while operating expenses fell by 2.8% to $159 million, demonstrating robust profitability in the casino and hospitality markets, thereby solidifying its position as a high-yield stock.
- Significant Dividend Growth: The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share in Q3 2025, marking a 40% year-over-year increase, which not only far exceeds the average dividend yield of the S&P 500 but also reflects its ongoing ability to grow dividends, attracting more investor interest.
- Low Risk, High Return: As a REIT, Vici Properties is required to distribute 90% of its taxable income as dividends, with a payout ratio of 66.44% indicating ample room for further dividend increases, and its consistent growth over the past seven years showcases strong financial health.
- Market Competitive Advantage: Compared to competitor Gaming and Leisure Properties, Vici's funds from operations reached $732 million in the latest reported quarter, highlighting its leadership position in the market and enhancing its attractiveness as an investment target.
- Dividend Yield Advantage: Vici Properties boasts a dividend yield exceeding 6% with a payout ratio of only 66.44%, indicating a strong capacity for ongoing dividend growth and the potential for increased shareholder returns in the future.
- Strong Profitability: As of Q3 2025, Vici reported revenues of $2.8 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year, while total operating expenses fell by 2.8%, demonstrating the company's excellent cost control and further solidifying its market position.
- Stable Growth Trajectory: Vici Properties has consistently raised its dividend for the past seven years, with the latest quarterly cash dividend announced at $0.45 per share, reflecting a 40% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Market Competitiveness: Compared to competitor Gaming and Leisure Properties, Vici's funds from operations stand at $732 million, highlighting its strong competitive edge in the gambling-focused REIT sector, which further attracts investor interest.





