Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the casino operator stocks, including Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ: GDEN) and its peers.

Casino operators enjoy limited competition because gambling is a highly regulated industry. These companies can also enjoy healthy margins and profits. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the house always wins’? Regulation cuts both ways, however, and casinos may face stroke-of-the-pen risk that suddenly limits what they can or can't do and where they can do it. Furthermore, digitization is changing the game, pun intended. Whether it’s online poker or sports betting on your smartphone, innovation is forcing these players to adapt to changing consumer preferences, such as being able to wager anywhere on demand.

The 9 casino operator stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.9%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 14% since the latest earnings results.

Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ: GDEN)

Founded in 2001, Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ: GDEN) is a gaming company operating casinos, taverns, and distributed gaming platforms.

Golden Entertainment reported revenues of $164.2 million, down 28.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Blake Sartini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden, commented, “Our fourth quarter performance improved sequentially over the third quarter and we anticipate business conditions will continue to improve in 2025. For 2025, we remain focused on investing in our own assets, returning capital to shareholders and pursuing potential strategic opportunities.”

Golden Entertainment delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is down 12.3% since reporting and currently trades at $26.99.

Read our full report on Golden Entertainment here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Monarch (NASDAQ: MCRI)

Established in 1993, Monarch (NASDAQ: MCRI) operates luxury casinos and resorts, offering high-end gaming, dining, and hospitality experiences.

Monarch reported revenues of $134.5 million, up 4.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Monarch scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 12.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $75.29.

Is now the time to buy Monarch? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Bally's (NYSE: BALY)

Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) is a diversified global casino-entertainment company that owns and manages casinos, resorts, and online gaming platforms.

Bally's reported revenues of $580.4 million, down 5.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 15.4% since the results and currently trades at $15.01.

Read our full analysis of Bally’s results here.

MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM)

Operating several properties on the Las Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) is a global hospitality and entertainment company known for its resorts and casinos.

MGM Resorts reported revenues of $4.35 billion, flat year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. More broadly, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 16.9% since reporting and currently trades at $28.57.

Read our full, actionable report on MGM Resorts here, it’s free.

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD)

Run by the Boyd family, Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) is a diversified operator of gaming entertainment properties across the United States, offering casino games, hotel accommodations, and dining.

Boyd Gaming reported revenues of $1.04 billion, up 9.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 4%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 16.1% since reporting and currently trades at $65.90.

Read our full, actionable report on Boyd Gaming here, it’s free.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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