As the global gambling market continues to flourish, a few casino companies are stealing the show. Last year, casinos raked in $115 billion in gross gaming yield. While this sounds impressive, it’s only a fraction of the $495 billion global gambling market. This surprising disparity has forced major casino companies to take a different approach to reel in customers. By staying on top of consumer trends and adapting accordingly, they have managed to continue dominating their niche of the market.
Every year competition becomes more advanced online, so casino groups are upping the ante to stay relevant. This includes shying away from purely adult entertainment and creating integrated resorts that can accommodate families. By creating sprawling venues that boast a premium selection of entertainment options, they are able to offer amenities that online casinos can’t. This is the main objective of casino groups in 2019 since they can’t compete with the easy access of online gambling. As online gaming becomes more delicate, so are the methods of casino groups to stay relevant.
To showcase this epic tug of war between modern and traditional gambling, we compiled a list of the most powerful casino groups. On top of generating billions of dollars in revenue, these corporations are pioneering a new generation of land-based casinos. Their contributions to the industry are too large, which is why we have them on this list. Each entry boasts of a staggering amount of achievements, so you will get a glimpse of these larger-than-life companies!
Biggest Casino Companies
Casino Group #3: SJM Holdings Ltd.
This tourism and entertainment company is a key player in Asia’s booming gambling industry. Ever since it was founded by Stanley Ho in 1962, it has fought to maintain open gambling in Asia. Up until 2002, STDM Holdings was the only company allowed to own casinos in Macau. This advantageous position allowed it to transform into an empire.
Even though Macau issues more casino licenses, STDM is the owner of 14 out of its 30 casinos. This includes the Grand Lisboa, which is one of the most revered casinos in Macau. Fueled by over 16 satellite casinos, STDM Holdings raked in $4.38 billion in 2018 revenue. While recent crackdowns cast doubts on the future, there’s no denying that this company is the king of Asia’s gambling industry.
Casino Group #2: Caesars Entertainment Corporation
This massive gaming corporation embodies America’s unbreakable entrepreneurial spirit. Through epic acquisitions and outrageous financial disasters, this is still the second most powerful casino group in the world. While it has gone through multiple owners, it’s currently owned by a consortium of private equity firms that are led by Apollo Global Management and TPG Capital.
Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2015, the future still looks bright for Caesars Entertainment Corporation. After this seemingly disastrous financial move, they managed to sell Playtika for $4.4 billion in 2016 and make $4.85 billion in 2017. This impressive amount of revenue is the product of the 50 plus casinos and hotels that they oversee. In 2017, they bought out Centaur Gaming and announced plans to construct a convention center in Las Vegas. These bold plans showcase the fact that this group has managed to transition to the ever-changing market in style.
Casino Group #1: Las Vegas Sands
Boasting a staggering 2017 revenue of $12.88 billion, this is the undisputed largest casino corporation in the world. When this company was founded in 1988, it took the casino industry by storm through a series of shrewd investments. From bringing modern casinos to the Las Vegas Strip to integrated resorts in Asia, this group has implemented innovative ideas that continue to echo throughout the industry.
On top of owning Las Vegas attractions the Venetian and The Palazzo, Las Vegas Sands has a strong presence in Asia. This is due to their majority-owned subsidiary Sands China, which owns several casinos in Macau. Their financial prowess has broken borders and allowed the land-based casino industry to adapt. By tapping into Asia’s booming gambling market and renovating America’s established hot spots, this company embodies the resilience of the global gambling industry.
