News
Boyd Gaming Reports Third-Quarter 2018 Results
Reading Time: 10 minutes
— Las Vegas Locals Delivers Adjusted EBITDA, Margin Growth for 14th Straight Quarter
— Midwest & South Continues Same-Store Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA Growth
— Company Acquires Five New Properties; Enters Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania
— Company Expands Sports Betting Operations, Strikes Partnership with FanDuel Group
Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.
Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, said: “Over the last several months we significantly bolstered our Company’s long-term growth prospects with the acquisition of five new properties in four states, further expanding our geographic reach and significantly strengthening our robust free cash flow. In addition, our recent strategic partnership with FanDuel Group puts us in strong position to take full advantage of emerging sports-betting and interactive gaming opportunities that will expand our appeal to new groups of customers nationwide.”
Commenting on the Company’s operating performance, Smith added: “Positive operating trends remained firmly in place throughout our business in the third quarter. As a result of our ongoing efforts to drive marketing and operational efficiencies throughout the business, we continued to deliver same-store Adjusted EBITDA growth in both the Las Vegas Locals and Midwest and South segments. In addition, Companywide operating margins reached their highest third-quarter levels since 2005. This was yet another great quarter for our Company, and I remain confident in our future prospects as we successfully execute a well-balanced strategic plan to create long-term value for our shareholders.”
Boyd Gaming reported third-quarter revenues of $612.2 million, up 3.5% from $591.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. The Company reported net income of $11.8 million, or $0.10 per share, for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $23.2 million, or $0.20 per share, for the year-ago period. Project development, preopening and writedown expenses increased $15.6 million over the prior-year period due to acquisition and development-related activities and the launch of the Company’s redesigned player loyalty program. Interest expense increased $11.4 million, largely due to debt incurred to fund the Company’s recent acquisitions.
Total Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $148.8 million, up 5.8% from $140.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted Earnings(1) for the third quarter 2018 were $26.7 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to Adjusted Earnings of $25.7 million, or $0.22 per share, for the same period in 2017.
(1) |
See footnotes at the end of the release for additional information relative to non-GAAP financial measures. |
Operations Review
Las Vegas Locals
In the Las Vegas Locals segment, third-quarter 2018 revenues were $208.8 million versus $209.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Third-quarter 2018 Adjusted EBITDA was $60.0 million, up 6.6% from $56.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, as operating margins improved nearly 200 basis points year-over-year.
The segment delivered its 14th consecutive quarter of Adjusted EBITDA growth and margin improvement, driven by ongoing marketing and operational refinements, as well as continued strength in the regional economy. Strong operating trends continued throughout the segment, with revenues reflecting continued initiatives to drive increased profitability through refined marketing programs.
Downtown Las Vegas
In the Downtown Las Vegas segment, revenues were $59.2 million in the third quarter of 2018, up from $58.8 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA was $11.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $11.6 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting an increased loss of approximately $900,000 at the Company’s Hawaiian charter service due largely to higher fuel costs.
The Company’s three downtown properties performed at record levels during the third quarter, due to continued strength in visitation throughout the downtown area and strong business volumes from the Company’s Hawaiian customer base. These strong operating trends were offset by the increased charter-service loss, as well as continued disruption from nearby project development and freeway construction.
Midwest and South
In the Midwest and South segment, revenues were $344.3 million, increasing from $323.1 million in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $97.8 million, up 8.5% from $90.1 million in the year-ago period. Results for the segment include $3.5 million in combined Adjusted EBITDA contributions from Valley Forge Casino Resort, acquired on September 17, 2018, and Lattner Entertainment, acquired on June 1, 2018.
On a same-store basis, results reflect broad-based growth in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, as segment operating margins improved nearly 90 basis points. Segment results benefited from ongoing efficiencies in marketing and operations, as well as healthy economic conditions across the Company’s regional markets.
Balance Sheet Statistics
As of September 30, 2018, Boyd Gaming had cash on hand of $441.0 million, and total debt of $3.60 billion. Cash and debt balances reflect the Company’s issuance of $700 million in 6.000% Senior Notes due 2026, completed in June 2018.
Full-Year 2018 Guidance
For the full year 2018, Boyd Gaming projects total Adjusted EBITDAR(1) of $660 million to $675 million. This projection confirms the Company’s previously provided guidance, and includes the impacts of the recent acquisitions.
Conference Call Information
Boyd Gaming will host a conference call to discuss third-quarter 2018 results today, October 25, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The conference call number is (888) 317-6003, passcode 2917968. Please call up to 15 minutes in advance to ensure you are connected prior to the start of the call.
The conference call will also be available live on the Internet at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/964/27969
Following the call’s completion, a replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 today, October 25, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and continuing through Thursday, November 1, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The conference number for the replay will be 10125633.
BOYD GAMING CORPORATION |
|||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
|||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
|||||||||||
Revenues |
|||||||||||||||
Gaming |
$ |
446,760 |
$ |
428,852 |
$ |
1,335,011 |
$ |
1,309,922 |
|||||||
Food and beverage |
86,006 |
84,996 |
259,006 |
259,245 |
|||||||||||
Room |
47,984 |
47,600 |
145,330 |
142,284 |
|||||||||||
Other |
31,446 |
30,094 |
95,760 |
94,280 |
|||||||||||
Total revenues |
612,196 |
591,542 |
1,835,107 |
1,805,731 |
|||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses |
|||||||||||||||
Gaming |
197,435 |
188,044 |
580,461 |
569,597 |
|||||||||||
Food and beverage |
82,179 |
82,942 |
246,488 |
251,717 |
|||||||||||
Room |
22,288 |
21,845 |
64,875 |
64,594 |
|||||||||||
Other |
21,149 |
19,966 |
63,599 |
62,500 |
|||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
88,054 |
91,288 |
263,678 |
275,938 |
|||||||||||
Maintenance and utilities |
32,927 |
30,244 |
89,526 |
82,507 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
54,688 |
55,201 |
159,887 |
161,728 |
|||||||||||
Corporate expense |
25,055 |
19,339 |
74,975 |
63,388 |
|||||||||||
Project development, preopening and writedowns |
18,588 |
2,975 |
27,829 |
8,731 |
|||||||||||
Impairments of assets |
— |
— |
993 |
— |
|||||||||||
Other operating items, net |
265 |
758 |
2,196 |
1,707 |
|||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
542,628 |
512,602 |
1,574,507 |
1,542,407 |
|||||||||||
Operating income |
69,568 |
78,940 |
260,600 |
263,324 |
|||||||||||
Other expense (income) |
|||||||||||||||
Interest income |
(2,189) |
(452) |
(3,168) |
(1,367) |
|||||||||||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized |
54,670 |
43,309 |
143,888 |
129,711 |
|||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt |
— |
319 |
61 |
853 |
|||||||||||
Other, net |
16 |
(139) |
(388) |
531 |
|||||||||||
Total other expense, net |
52,497 |
43,037 |
140,393 |
129,728 |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
17,071 |
35,903 |
120,207 |
133,596 |
|||||||||||
Income tax provision |
(5,234) |
(12,746) |
(28,373) |
(47,671) |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
11,837 |
23,157 |
91,834 |
85,925 |
|||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
— |
— |
347 |
21,392 |
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ |
11,837 |
$ |
23,157 |
$ |
92,181 |
$ |
107,317 |
|||||||
Basic net income per common share |
|||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
0.81 |
$ |
0.74 |
|||||||
Discontinued operations |
— |
— |
— |
0.19 |
|||||||||||
Basic net income per common share |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
0.81 |
$ |
0.93 |
|||||||
Weighted average basic shares outstanding |
114,410 |
114,836 |
114,443 |
115,108 |
|||||||||||
Diluted net income per common share |
|||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
0.80 |
$ |
0.75 |
|||||||
Discontinued operations |
— |
— |
— |
0.18 |
|||||||||||
Diluted net income per common share |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
0.80 |
$ |
0.93 |
|||||||
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding |
115,070 |
115,501 |
115,147 |
115,768 |
__________________________________________ |
|
(a) |
Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method. |
BOYD GAMING CORPORATION |
|||||||||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION |
|||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income |
|||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
|||||||||||
Total Revenues by Reportable Segment |
|||||||||||||||
Las Vegas Locals |
$ |
208,781 |
$ |
209,666 |
$ |
650,930 |
$ |
648,580 |
|||||||
Downtown Las Vegas |
59,163 |
58,781 |
180,833 |
179,360 |
|||||||||||
Midwest and South |
344,252 |
323,095 |
1,003,344 |
977,791 |
|||||||||||
Total revenues |
$ |
612,196 |
$ |
591,542 |
$ |
1,835,107 |
$ |
1,805,731 |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA by Reportable Segment |
|||||||||||||||
Las Vegas Locals |
$ |
60,021 |
$ |
56,296 |
$ |
201,299 |
$ |
185,510 |
|||||||
Downtown Las Vegas |
11,368 |
11,595 |
38,129 |
37,841 |
|||||||||||
Midwest and South |
97,837 |
90,135 |
290,593 |
278,178 |
|||||||||||
Property Adjusted EBITDA |
169,226 |
158,026 |
530,021 |
501,529 |
|||||||||||
Corporate expense (b) |
(20,475) |
(17,480) |
(57,375) |
(53,850) |
|||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
148,751 |
140,546 |
472,646 |
447,679 |
|||||||||||
Other operating costs and expenses |
|||||||||||||||
Deferred rent |
275 |
290 |
825 |
977 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
54,688 |
55,201 |
159,887 |
161,728 |
|||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
5,367 |
2,382 |
20,316 |
11,212 |
|||||||||||
Project development, preopening and writedowns |
18,588 |
2,975 |
27,829 |
8,731 |
|||||||||||
Impairments of assets |
— |
— |
993 |
— |
|||||||||||
Other operating items, net |
265 |
758 |
2,196 |
1,707 |
|||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses |
79,183 |
61,606 |
212,046 |
184,355 |
|||||||||||
Operating income |
69,568 |
78,940 |
260,600 |
263,324 |
|||||||||||
Other expense (income) |
|||||||||||||||
Interest income |
(2,189) |
(452) |
(3,168) |
(1,367) |
|||||||||||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized |
54,670 |
43,309 |
143,888 |
129,711 |
|||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt |
— |
319 |
61 |
853 |
|||||||||||
Other, net |
16 |
(139) |
(388) |
531 |
|||||||||||
Total other expense, net |
52,497 |
43,037 |
140,393 |
129,728 |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
17,071 |
35,903 |
120,207 |
133,596 |
|||||||||||
Income tax provision |
(5,234) |
(12,746) |
(28,373) |
(47,671) |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
11,837 |
23,157 |
91,834 |
85,925 |
|||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
— |
— |
347 |
21,392 |
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ |
11,837 |
$ |
23,157 |
$ |
92,181 |
$ |
107,317 |
__________________________________________ |
|
(a) |
Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method. |
(b) |
Reconciliation of corporate expense: |
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
|||||||||||
Corporate expense as reported on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations |
$ |
25,055 |
$ |
19,339 |
$ |
74,975 |
$ |
63,388 |
|||||||
Corporate share-based compensation expense |
(4,580) |
(1,859) |
(17,600) |
(9,538) |
|||||||||||
Corporate expense as reported on the above table |
$ |
20,475 |
$ |
17,480 |
$ |
57,375 |
$ |
53,850 |
BOYD GAMING CORPORATION |
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION |
|||||||||||||||
Reconciliations of Net Income to Adjusted Earnings |
|||||||||||||||
and Net Income Per Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share |
|||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
2018 |
2017 (a) |
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ |
11,837 |
$ |
23,157 |
$ |
92,181 |
$ |
107,317 |
|||||||
Less: income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
— |
— |
(347) |
(21,392) |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
11,837 |
23,157 |
91,834 |
85,925 |
|||||||||||
Pretax adjustments: |
|||||||||||||||
Project development, preopening and writedowns |
18,588 |
2,975 |
27,829 |
8,731 |
|||||||||||
Impairments of assets |
— |
— |
993 |
— |
|||||||||||
Other operating items, net |
265 |
758 |
2,196 |
1,707 |
|||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt |
— |
319 |
61 |
853 |
|||||||||||
Other, net |
16 |
(139) |
(388) |
531 |
|||||||||||
Total adjustments |
18,869 |
3,913 |
30,691 |
11,822 |
|||||||||||
Income tax effect for above adjustments |
(4,038) |
(1,387) |
(6,612) |
(4,267) |
|||||||||||
Adjusted earnings |
$ |
26,668 |
$ |
25,683 |
$ |
115,913 |
$ |
93,480 |
|||||||
Net income per share, diluted |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
0.80 |
$ |
0.93 |
|||||||
Less: income from discontinued operations per share |
— |
— |
— |
(0.18) |
|||||||||||
Income from continuing operations per share |
0.10 |
0.20 |
0.80 |
0.75 |
|||||||||||
Pretax adjustments: |
|||||||||||||||
Project development, preopening and writedowns |
0.16 |
0.02 |
0.24 |
0.08 |
|||||||||||
Impairments of assets |
— |
— |
0.01 |
— |
|||||||||||
Other operating items, net |
— |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
|||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt |
— |
— |
— |
0.01 |
|||||||||||
Other, net |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|||||||||||
Total adjustments |
0.16 |
0.03 |
0.27 |
0.10 |
|||||||||||
Income tax effect for above adjustments |
(0.03) |
(0.01) |
(0.06) |
(0.04) |
|||||||||||
Adjusted earnings per share, diluted |
$ |
0.23 |
$ |
0.22 |
$ |
1.01 |
$ |
0.81 |
|||||||
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding |
115,070 |
115,501 |
115,147 |
115,768 |
__________________________________________ |
|
(a) |
Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method. |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Regulation G, “Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” prescribes the conditions for use of non-GAAP financial information in public disclosures. We believe that our presentations of the following non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures of operating performance to investors: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (Adjusted EPS). The following discussion defines these terms and why we believe they are useful measures of our performance. We do not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding forward-looking GAAP measure due to our inability to project special charges and certain expenses.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR
EBITDA is a commonly used measure of performance in our industry that we believe, when considered with measures calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), provides our investors a more complete understanding of our operating results before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes and facilitates comparisons between us and our competitors. Management has historically adjusted EBITDA when evaluating operating performance because we believe that the inclusion or exclusion of certain recurring and non-recurring items is necessary to provide a full understanding of our core operating results and as a means to evaluate period-to-period results. We refer to this measure as Adjusted EBITDA. We have chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform comparisons of past, present and future operating results and as a means to evaluate the results of core on-going operations. We have historically reported this measure to our investors and believe that the continued inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA provides consistency in our financial reporting. We use Adjusted EBITDA in this press release because we believe it is useful to investors in allowing greater transparency related to a significant measure used by our management in their financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted EBITDA is among the more significant factors in management’s internal evaluation of total company and individual property performance and in the evaluation of incentive compensation related to property management. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure in the evaluation of potential acquisitions and dispositions. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by management in the annual budget process. Externally, we believe these measures continue to be used by investors in their assessment of our operating performance and the valuation of our company. Adjusted EBITDA reflects EBITDA adjusted for deferred rent, share-based compensation expense, project development, preopening and writedown expenses, impairments of assets, loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt and other operating items, net. Following the Company’s acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2018 of properties subject to a master lease with a real estate investment trust, the Company will begin presenting Adjusted EBITDAR, which will reflect Adjusted EBITDA further adjusted for rent expense associated with the master lease.
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EPS
Adjusted Earnings is net income before project development, preopening and writedown expenses, impairments of assets, other items, net, gain or loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt, other non-recurring adjustments, net, and income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EPS are presented solely as supplemental disclosures because management believes that they are widely used measures of performance in the gaming industry.
Limitations on the Use of Non-GAAP Measures
The use of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations. Our presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS or certain other non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the presentation used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. Depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, income taxes and other items have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR do not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation and amortization, interest and income taxes, capital expenditures and other items both in our reconciliations to the historical GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other operating performance measure prescribed by GAAP, nor should these measures be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures reflect additional ways of viewing our operations that we believe, when viewed with our GAAP results and the reconciliations to the corresponding historical GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. Management strongly encourages investors to review our financial information in its entirety and not to rely on a single financial measure.
Forward-looking Statements and Company Information
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements contain words such as “may,” “will,” “might,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “continue,” “pursue,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and may include (without limitation) information regarding the Company’s expectations, goals or intentions regarding future performance. In addition, forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: the benefits from the Company’s recently completed acquisitions of five new properties and the strategic partnership with FanDuel Group, progress in positioning the Company to keep creating long-term shareholder value, progress towards executing on its strategic plan, and the overall direction of the Company and all of the statements under the heading “Full-Year 2018 Guidance.” Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the Company’s operating results; recovery of its properties in various markets; the political climate and its effects on consumer spending and its impact on the travel industry; the state of the economy and its effect on consumer spending and the Company’s results of operations; the timing for economic recovery, its effect on the Company’s business and the local economies where the Company’s properties are located; the receipt of legislative, and other state, federal and local approvals for the Company’s development projects; whether online gaming will become legalized in various states, the Company’s ability to operate online gaming profitably, or otherwise; consumer reaction to fluctuations in the stock market and economic factors; the fact that the Company’s expansion, development and renovation projects (including enhancements to improve property performance) are subject to many risks inherent in expansion, development or construction of a new or existing project; the effects of events adversely impacting the economy or the regions from which the Company draws a significant percentage of its customers; competition; litigation; financial community and rating agency perceptions of the Company and its subsidiaries; changes in laws and regulations, including increased taxes; the availability and price of energy, weather, regulation, economic, credit and capital market conditions; and the effects of war, terrorist or similar activity. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in the Company’s other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
About Boyd Gaming
Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading geographically diversified operator of 29 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states. The Company currently operates 1.76 million square feet of casino space, approximately 38,000 gaming machines, 900 table games, more than 11,000 hotel rooms, and 320 food and beverage outlets. With one of the most experienced leadership teams in the casino industry, Boyd Gaming prides itself on offering its guests an outstanding entertainment experience, delivered with unwavering attention to customer service.
Source: Boyd Gaming Corporation
Source: European Gaming Media
Latest News
Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know
The iGaming industry is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by technological innovation and evolving player expectations. Itai Zak, Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, emphasizes the importance of bridging client aspirations with customized business solutions. Key trends shaping the future of iGaming include live dealer games, blockchain integration, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), enhanced personalization, and shifting regulatory environments. Let’s delve into how these trends influence the industry, presenting new opportunities while paving the way for future growth.
A Closer Look at Emerging Trends
- Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are revolutionizing the online gaming experience, blending the best aspects of land-based casinos with the convenience of virtual gaming. Players can now engage with real-life dealers via high-definition video streams, enhancing the social component of online gambling. This bridge between physical and virtual casinos introduces interactive features like live chat and immersive gameplay. Industry leaders like Evolution Gaming and NetEnt are setting new standards in player engagement with innovative game formats and top-tier studio setups, redefining the realism and appeal of live gaming.
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration
Blockchain technology is transforming iGaming by offering unparalleled transparency and security. With blockchain’s ability to enable provably fair gaming, players can verify that each round is fair via an immutable ledger. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum facilitate faster, more secure transactions, catering to tech-savvy players who value privacy. Platforms like Bitcasino.io are leading the way, leveraging blockchain to ensure fairness and seamless payments. However, the rise of blockchain also attracts regulatory attention, requiring operators to balance innovation with compliance as governments navigate this new technology.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and ML are instrumental in enhancing player experience and operational efficiency. AI algorithms analyze player behavior in real-time, offering personalized game recommendations and promotions. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots provide instant customer support, improving user satisfaction. AI-driven predictive analytics also help operators fine-tune marketing strategies based on player preferences. Companies like Bet365 are already using these technologies to stay ahead of the competition, offering more personalized and efficient gaming experiences.
- Richer Personalization and Engagement
Personalization has become crucial for iGaming operators looking to boost player satisfaction and retention. By leveraging data analytics, companies can offer tailored game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and individualized promotional offers. This level of engagement enhances the player experience and strengthens loyalty. Industry pioneers like DraftKings and FanDuel push the envelope by offering highly customized features, such as personalized fantasy sports leagues and bespoke betting options.
- Regulatory Changes and Market Expansion
The constantly evolving regulatory landscape offers both challenges and opportunities for iGaming operators. As more regions legalize various forms of online gambling, companies gain access to new markets. With their large populations and increasing internet penetration, emerging markets like Brazil and Nigeria represent lucrative opportunities. However, navigating the diverse regulations in these markets requires agility and strict compliance with local laws to succeed.
- Enhanced Payment Solutions
With digital transactions becoming the norm, the demand for fast, secure, and flexible payment methods is skyrocketing. From digital wallets to instant banking and cryptocurrencies, players expect payment solutions that offer convenience and security. This growing demand is driving innovation in payment processing, giving operators more opportunities to streamline the transaction process while building trust with users.
Future Implications
The Expanding Role of AI and Blockchain
AI and blockchain are not just current trends, but they are poised to play an even more significant role in iGaming’s future. As AI technology evolves, more sophisticated algorithms will emerge, enabling real-time adaptation to player behavior and preferences. Blockchain’s application may extend beyond transparency and security, transforming game mechanics and player interactions potentially redefining how games are designed and played.
Shifting Player Preferences
Player expectations will continue to evolve toward immersive, interactive experiences. As Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) become more mainstream, they will significantly influence the future of iGaming. Players will demand more engaging, lifelike environments, pushing the industry to create innovative game formats and features that offer deeper immersion and entertainment value.
Regulatory Developments
The regulatory environment will continue to evolve, and iGaming operators must stay agile to navigate future changes. New regulations may increasingly emphasize responsible gaming and player protection, influencing platform design and operational practices. A more harmonized regulatory framework across jurisdictions could provide stability while requiring operators to prioritize compliance.
Integrating Emerging Technologies
Technologies like 5G and edge computing are set to revolutionize iGaming by enabling faster, more reliable connectivity. This will allow for more complex game designs and real-time player interactions, opening new avenues for innovative gaming experiences. As these technologies mature, operators will have greater opportunities to differentiate their offerings. The potential of these emerging technologies to revolutionize iGaming is truly exciting and promising for the industry’s future.
Final Thoughts
The iGaming industry is on the cusp of significant transformations, driven by technological advancements and shifting player demands. Innovations like live dealer games, blockchain integration, AI, ML, and enhanced personalization are just the beginning. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of these trends will be critical for operators looking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment.
At Digicode, we are constantly exploring new technologies and refining our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our focus on adaptability and foresight ensures that our clients are not just keeping pace with the industry—they’re leading it.
The post Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
What makes Turbo Games’ provably fair games so special?
A partnership between game developer Turbo Games and iGaming solution provider and aggregator Slotegrator began in November 2022 via the APIgrator game integration solution. Since then, the collaboration has been developing successfully — and now it’s time to analyze what made it successful.
Turbo Games has noticed how the new technologies spreading throughout the industry can work for the good of brand transparency and player loyalty: “We can already see how blockchain technology has made it possible to make betting checks more accessible to players. All you need is a blockchain-hash and a decoder service. We think we will continue to move in this direction. Many traditional online casinos do not offer the possibility to check the bet. Sooner or later we all have to come to this. Perhaps the development of artificial intelligence will help here, because we are already seeing its involvement in all spheres of human life.”
Turbo Games specializes in provably fair games. Provable fairness is a concept where players can verify their wins or losses using blockchain technology — the outcome of the game is dictated by a smart contract and is absolutely random, barring the possibility of any human involvement. Using cryptographic hashing algorithms, the gambling site and the player’s device both generate seeds (random strings of numbers). Players receive a key that allows them to check the results; if the results are the same as the game round they witnessed, it proves that there was no foul play.
According to statistics from Turbo Games, the audience for provably fair games is mostly between 18 and 25 years old. However, there are also players aged 35-40 who prefer traditional games but would like to try something new, and have turned their attention to provably fair games.
There are good odds that the technology of provably fair games will become more popular, if not even commonplace, because it gives players a feeling of transparency and proves that the business is trustworthy without the need to search through dozens of reviews. Whereas many innovations in iGaming simply add entertainment, provable fairness addresses security concerns and reassures players that they’re not being exploited, which is invaluable.
Provably fair games are beneficial for both players and online casinos. Vadim Potapenko, Head of Sales at Turbo Games, comments: “It often happens that the users are not satisfied with the result, because gambling is not only about big wins, but also possible losses. By allowing them to check the fairness of a bet, we make life easier for platforms and players. Of course, this allows us to communicate with partners and users that we work honestly and that’s why they should trust our games.”
Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, adds that “this type of game is now becoming more and more popular and has great potential for both players and game providers in the future. On the part of the player, the advantage is that the player can always be sure that his game is fair and he can independently check any of his bets. And for the game provider, this also simplifies the process of implementing casino games, since now it will not be necessary to obtain the appropriate certificates from independent laboratories before launching new games, they can immediately enter the market with these games and where anyone can check the result and make sure that that there is no cheating with players. Many game providers are starting to look towards this type of game. And as far as I see, many operators are starting to think about adding these games.”
What do players in 2023 need? The iGaming industry is all about reputation and trust. Players have a huge number of platforms to choose from, making them pickier and pickier. There’s an abundance of forums where players leave reviews, so if players view a brand as untrustworthy, there are plenty of places they can share their opinion. Provable fairness not only stops that from happening, it provides evidence to the contrary, giving players something else to talk about.
Slotegrator also recommends investing time and effort into localization and creating an effective and detailed marketing strategy — before trying provably fair technology players need to get to the platform, and there is no acquisition without marketing.
ABOUT SLOTEGRATOR
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
More information: https://slotegrator.pro/
ABOUT TURBO GAMES
Turbo Games — a provably fair games provider that belongs to Turbo Stars company — has an ambitious goal to establish widespread recognition throughout the iGaming world. Even though it is young, the company consists of professionals who have been working on the brand for over five years and are even planning to introduce a new brand for a wider audience soon.
Turbo Games also works in Europe, India, and South Africa, where the company sees the most potential and expects the same “hype” as in Brazil.
The portfolio of Turbo Games consists of 21 titles, including well-known games like Mines, Crash X, DoubleRoll, Hi-Lo, and Plinko. The studio releases a game every month. However, not all games are developed from scratch. Wicket Blast and Spin Strike, the last two releases, are based on cricket and the Indian Premier League. Crash X remains the most popular fast game in the Turbo Games portfolio, and the studio reports that crash games enjoy stable levels of popularity. Overall, the main focus of the brand is provably fair games.
More information: https://turbogames.io/
Baltics
Games Factory Talents has teamed up with Nordic Game to bring you Nordic Game Talents.
Looking to take your career to the next level in the games industry? Then, Nordic Game Talents is the place to be! Games Factory Talents has teamed up with Nordic Game to bring you Nordic Game Talents.
From Oct 27-29, the online and interactive event is dedicated to recruitment and career building in the creative & games industry within the Nordic region. The event empowers participants to be part of a bigger community and motivates them to explore new paths in achieving their career goals.
Hiring creative & games studios – Supercell, Funcom, Panzerdog, Tactile Games, Gamecan, Fingersoft, Dazzle Rocks, Redhill Games to name a few from the Nordic region will be participating in the event. These studios will share information on their latest projects, work culture and what it takes to be part of their team. The individual games associations from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Estonia will share insights through live sessions on the booming games industry in their respective countries. Career development topics pertinent to job seekers like – How to have a successful first interview, Creative Portfolio reviews will also be discussed.
Experienced game industry professionals and individuals beginning their careers from around the world are welcome to join the event. One-to-one interviews with the hiring studios can be scheduled through the event platform. A great opportunity to get to know the studios and network with game professionals from around the world.
Participating in the event
As a job seeker attending Nordic Game Talents, take a few minutes to fill out a simple registration form. After filling the registration form you will receive a link to the online event platform – PINE, to join the event on 27th October. Participants joining Nordic Game Talents will also receive a free-of-charge pass to the Nordic Game Conference.
To view the complete agenda, please click here and to learn more about the event please visit Games Job Fair
About Games Factory Talents
A Helsinki-based talent attraction agency dedicated to the games & creative industry. Our services include direct recruitment, organizing game job fairs and managing a community of game industry professionals through our GameDev Talent Board.
To learn more about Games Factory Talents visit – Games Factory Talents
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