Century Gaming experienced a blend of outcomes in the second quarter of 2023. Although income surged by 23% in comparison to the corresponding period the previous year, hitting $13.68 billion, earnings faced a decline.
Operational earnings witnessed a 10% drop, and the firm declared a net deficit of $2 million. This stands in stark contrast to the $8 million gain they relished in the second quarter of the preceding year. This downturn can be partially ascribed to their current strategic maneuvers, encompassing the divestment of their Canadian asset and the procurement of Nugget Sparks.
Notwithstanding the decrease in profits, Century Gaming’s co-CEOs, Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, conveyed confidence regarding the future. They emphasized the unprecedented group reservations for Nugget Sparks in the latter part of 2023 and extending into 2024, implying a possible upswing in the approaching months.
This financial period presented a blend of obstacles and victories. Although construction setbacks at our Missouri-based Heightsman and Herculaneum sites did impact earnings negatively, the incorporation of the Golden Nugget Casino Resort into our holdings was a substantial success, generating unprecedented income.
We stand at the precipice of significant expansion as we are currently in the process of securing two additional gaming establishments. Naturally, these developments bring their own set of difficulties, including the ever-looming threat of rising prices affecting salaries, compensation packages, insurance premiums, and even fundamental utilities.
Century Casino garnered attention with two notable transactions this period. Firstly, on May 16th, they divested their quartet of Canadian locations in Alberta to Vici Propco for a substantial CAD$221.7 million (roughly US$167.3 million). This agreement encompassed the Century Casino & Hotel Edmonton, Century Casino St. Albert, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.
The visual you referenced, illustrating Century Casino’s worldwide revenue distribution for 2022 and 2023, truly emphasizes their expansion endeavors.
The second major action was the procurement of the Nugget Sparks for US$1.047 billion on April 3rd, swiftly followed by obtaining a 50% ownership in Smooth Bourbon for US$9.5 million.
And although it technically falls outside this reporting timeframe, we cannot overlook Century Casino’s purchase of the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland, for US$61.2 million on July 25th. They are undeniably on a winning streak!
Just ahead of releasing their second quarter financial results, the company’s stock price finished at $7.93.