Two Macau casinos received large loans from their US parent companies, helping them weather the latest COVID shutdown. Although, it may be US gamblers and shareholders who pay the price in the end.

Macau casinos shut down again to combat another COVID outbreak. Meanwhile, two casinos got significant loans from their US-based parent companies.  (Image: Chris McGrath/Getty)

Last month, Wynn Resorts provided a $500 million revolving loan to Wynn Macau. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Sands loaned Sands China $1 billion. The US casino parent companies have worked hard to keep the region’s gambling hub afloat, especially since their Macau gambling license renewals are hanging in the balance.

Loans to Macau casinos could cost Vegas gamblers

Las Vegas is on the rebound. In May, the Vegas airport had its third-busiest month in its history. Nevada casinos booked a gaming win of $1.3 billion — the fourth highest of all time. And average daily room rates topped $175. This is good news for casinos, but bad news for bargain hunters.

Usually, Vegas’ triple-digit heat brings about plentiful comps and incentives. This year, however, summer room rates, parking fees and resort fees are near their peak. Granted, the casinos have some losses to make up, given the 2020 COVID shutdowns and subsequent restrictions. But the gouging seems over-the-top this year.

Maybe it’s because Vegas casinos aren’t just making up for their past losses. Many of them are making up for Macau’s current losses. Macau casinos shut down again last Monday due to a COVID outbreak.  Analysts now predict Macau’s 2022 gross gaming revenues (GGR) could be just 20% of their 2019 levels.

MGM Resorts, Wynn, and Las Vegas Sands all have Macau properties. So far, two of the three have floated sizable loans to bail out their Macau casinos. The timing could have been ugly for Apollo Global Management, the new owners of the Venetian and Sands Expo Center. But since it only bought the rights to operate the US assets, it dodged a bullet this time.

The breaking of Apollo’s curse

By many metrics, Apollo Global Management is a successful private equity company. But Apollo’s past association with a Las Vegas-based casino wasn’t pretty.

Apollo was responsible for the biggest casino bankruptcy in history. In 2006, Apollo and TPG Capital, bought Harrah’s Entertainment (later renamed Caesars). Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse.

When the deal finally closed, the US was in the depths of the 2007-08 financial crisis. Apollo shuttered some casinos to reduce costs, but it wasn’t enough to cover its massive debt. In 2015, the casino chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The bankruptcy rattled the industry. In fact, the Nevada Gaming Commission was somewhat reluctant to approve Apollo’s LVS license. During its hearing, the commissioners pressed Apollo to explain why the purchase of LVS wouldn’t end up like Caesars.

Apollo eventually won the approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission. And in a sense, maybe it will finally find good casino karma. After all, the $2.25 billion it paid for LVS’ US properties may help bail out the industry.

Ironically, Caesars — another big player without a Macau property — may fare best in 2022. Apollo sold its remaining stake in Caesars in 2019.

 

Correction: The original article implied Apollo owns LVS. It has since been corrected to make clear Apollo only owns the rights to operate LVS’ former US properties.