MGM CEO: ‘Poised To Immediately Take Advantage’ Of Legal Sports Betting
Adam Candee, Apr 26, 2018
MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren pointed to the New Jersey sports betting case as a potential win for investors.
Murren offered his thoughts on the federal sports wagering ban outside of Nevada — PASPA — unprompted at the end of Thursday’s Q1 earnings call. He envisions a win for New Jersey as a victory for MGM — owner of the Borgata in Atlantic City — as well.
“I think there should be great emphasis on what might happen at the Supreme Court,” Murren said. “Our legal experts seem very confident that PASPA will be overturned.”
That echoes what Murren said during last year’s Q4 call.
“If MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren pointed to the New Jersey sports betting case as a potential win for investors.
“If you add to that the fact that the Supreme Court will likely legalize sports betting this year, MGM is really poised to immediately take advantage of that opportunity. Sports as it relates to our performing events here and as it relates to our industry we believe is a significant avenue of growth for MGM Resorts in the future.” add to that the fact that the Supreme Court will likely legalize sports betting this year, MGM is really poised to immediately take advantage of that opportunity. Sports as it relates to our performing events here and as it relates to our industry we believe is a significant avenue of growth for MGM Resorts in the future.”
Why Murren is confident a PASPA repeal bodes well for MGM
Murren highlighted “decades” of “building trust with regulators” in Nevada and the company’s expertise in sports betting as reasons for confidence.
“We intend to be the biggest beneficiary of commercial sports betting if the Supreme Court should overturn PASPA as early as June. We’ll talk to that in great detail at our investor day,” Murren said, speaking of an event planned for May.
MGM’s presence in many states considering sports gambling in case of a PASPA repeal positions it well to benefit. It already offers sports betting via its Nevada properties and has an online sports betting app called playMGM.
Other MGM properties:
Mississippi: Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica
Michigan: MGM Grand Detroit
Massachusetts: MGM Springfield (opening later this year)
Maryland: MGM National Harbor
Illinois: Grand Victoria
Mississippi in particular could be ready to flip the switch within a few months.
MGM placing its faith in the sports world
While Thursday’s call highlighted some of MGM struggles in Las Vegas and saw its stock drop, Murren sounded bullish on sports aiding the company’s future. MGM partnered with AEG to build T-Mobile Arena on the Strip and is heavily invested in the success of the Vegas Golden Knights.
In addition to hockey, MGM purchased the San Antonio WNBA franchise and moved it to Las Vegas. The rebranded Las Vegas Aces begin play at Mandalay Bay Events Center later this month.
Mandalay Bay also stands as the closest resort to the new Raiders stadium being built directly across the interstate. Murren said Thursday he anticipates the resort being the prime destination for football fans before and after Raiders games.
Adam Candee, Apr 26, 2018
MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren pointed to the New Jersey sports betting case as a potential win for investors.
Murren offered his thoughts on the federal sports wagering ban outside of Nevada — PASPA — unprompted at the end of Thursday’s Q1 earnings call. He envisions a win for New Jersey as a victory for MGM — owner of the Borgata in Atlantic City — as well.
“I think there should be great emphasis on what might happen at the Supreme Court,” Murren said. “Our legal experts seem very confident that PASPA will be overturned.”
That echoes what Murren said during last year’s Q4 call.
“If MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren pointed to the New Jersey sports betting case as a potential win for investors.
“If you add to that the fact that the Supreme Court will likely legalize sports betting this year, MGM is really poised to immediately take advantage of that opportunity. Sports as it relates to our performing events here and as it relates to our industry we believe is a significant avenue of growth for MGM Resorts in the future.” add to that the fact that the Supreme Court will likely legalize sports betting this year, MGM is really poised to immediately take advantage of that opportunity. Sports as it relates to our performing events here and as it relates to our industry we believe is a significant avenue of growth for MGM Resorts in the future.”
Why Murren is confident a PASPA repeal bodes well for MGM
Murren highlighted “decades” of “building trust with regulators” in Nevada and the company’s expertise in sports betting as reasons for confidence.
“We intend to be the biggest beneficiary of commercial sports betting if the Supreme Court should overturn PASPA as early as June. We’ll talk to that in great detail at our investor day,” Murren said, speaking of an event planned for May.
MGM’s presence in many states considering sports gambling in case of a PASPA repeal positions it well to benefit. It already offers sports betting via its Nevada properties and has an online sports betting app called playMGM.
Other MGM properties:
Mississippi: Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica
Michigan: MGM Grand Detroit
Massachusetts: MGM Springfield (opening later this year)
Maryland: MGM National Harbor
Illinois: Grand Victoria
Mississippi in particular could be ready to flip the switch within a few months.
MGM placing its faith in the sports world
While Thursday’s call highlighted some of MGM struggles in Las Vegas and saw its stock drop, Murren sounded bullish on sports aiding the company’s future. MGM partnered with AEG to build T-Mobile Arena on the Strip and is heavily invested in the success of the Vegas Golden Knights.
In addition to hockey, MGM purchased the San Antonio WNBA franchise and moved it to Las Vegas. The rebranded Las Vegas Aces begin play at Mandalay Bay Events Center later this month.
Mandalay Bay also stands as the closest resort to the new Raiders stadium being built directly across the interstate. Murren said Thursday he anticipates the resort being the prime destination for football fans before and after Raiders games.
