As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the casino operator industry, including Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR) 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 slower Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some casino operator stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.2% since the latest earnings results.

Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR)

Founded in 1976, Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR) operates a range of casino resorts and entertainment properties, primarily in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Red Rock Resorts reported revenues of $468 million, up 13.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Red Rock Resorts scored the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 11.1% since reporting and currently trades at $48.51.

Read our full report on Red Rock Resorts here, it’s free.

Best Q3: 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 $961.2 million, up 6.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. The business had a strong quarter with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Boyd Gaming achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 11.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $71.49.

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

Weakest Q3: Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN)

Founded by the former Mirage Resorts CEO, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) is a global developer and operator of high-end hotels and casinos, known for its luxurious properties and premium guest services.

Wynn Resorts reported revenues of $1.69 billion, up 1.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 4.8% since the results and currently trades at $91.06.

Read our full analysis of Wynn Resorts’s results here.

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 $137.9 million, up 3.7% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a decent beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 1.1% since reporting and currently trades at $72.81.

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

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 $161.2 million, down 37.4% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 1.1%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Golden Entertainment had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 7.8% since reporting and currently trades at $33.20.

Read our full, actionable report on Golden Entertainment 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 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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