Station Casinos grows 3Q revenue

On a conference call to discuss the results, Station Casinos Chief Financial Officer Marc Falcone said the Las Vegas locals gaming market remains challenged by consumer spending habits still muted following the economic downturn.

Casino revenue was flat during the quarter, but Falcone said the company has outperformed the competition. Over the past 14 quarters, he said Station Casinos has increased gaming revenue 7.5 percent. The market as a whole has increased 2 percent. “The behavioral trends of customers have shown slight improvement in spending habits,” Falcone said.

The completion of “restaurant row” at the company’s flagship Red Rock Resort in Summerlin is expected to boost customer spending in other areas of the property, Falcone said. 

Hearthstone Kitchen and Cellar opened last month and an outdoor pedestrian walkway links five restaurants. “We’re seeing a younger clientele and we expect to see a smidgen of improvement in spending levels in other areas of the property,” Falcone said. Station Casinos is expected to open four new restaurants and renovated guest rooms at Green Valley Ranch Resort next year.

Station Casinos’ cash flow increased 11.6 percent to US$ 89.6 million. The cash flow figure excluded Fertitta Interactive, which operates Ultimate Gaming. In September, Ultimate Gaming severed its agreement to manage online gaming operations for the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. The casino filed for bankruptcy. “Needless to say, the online gaming market has been a considerable disappointment,” Falcone said.

The company’s net loss in the quarter was US$ 30.3 million. Station Casinos has publicly traded debt, which was US$ 2.1 billion as of Sept. 30. Falcone said the company posted increases in operating income across all major operating departments.

Station Casinos reported more than US$ 17 million in management fee revenue during the quarter, a 49 percent increase from a year ago. The company manages Indian casinos in California and Michigan, which contributed US$ 10.7 million.

Last week, California voters rejected a statewide ballot referendum that would have allowed a North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians’ casino project that was OK’d by lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown. Station Casinos was expected to help finance and manage the casino. Falcone said the company and the tribe were exploring “other methods of obtaining a compact” to open a casino.