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The U.S. Commercial Casino Industry generated $34.60BB in Gross Revenue last Year, a 1% increase over the $34.28BB Consumers spent at the Properties in 2009, according to the 2011 State of the States, the American Gaming Association's Annual Report on the Casino Industry.

Though nominal, the 1% Growth stopped a 2 YR. decline in a year-over-year combined Gross Gaming Revenues for the Commercial Casino Market, which peaked at $37.52BB in 2007.

"There's no Question; the last several Years have been challenging for the Commercial Casino Industry," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., President & CEO of the AGA in a prepared statement. "This year's States of the States Report confirms that there's good reason to be optimistic about the future of Gaming. The Industry has made tough choices & implemented new strategies to persevere".

Indeed, some regions performed better than others. Pennsylvania Commercial Casino Revenue grew an astounding 26.4% from $1.97BB in 2009 to $2.49BB in 2010, thanks to the opening of new facilities & the inclusion of Table Games into the Gaming mix. Casinos in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island & South Dakota all experienced year-over-year Growth.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the New Jersey/Atlantic City Commercial Casino Marketplace saw its Revenues decline 9.4% from $3.94BB in 2009 to $3.57BB in 2010, primarily due to increased regional competition from Pennsylvania, Delaware, & New York. Gaming Properties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi & West Virginia also suffered year-over-year declines in Gross Revenue.

Despite its decline, Atlantic City remained the 2nd Largest Casino Market in the U.S., surpassed only by the $5.77BB in Gross Revenue generated by Las Vegas Strip Casinos. Roundig out the list of the 5 Largest U.S. Casino Gaming Markets are Chicago ($2.05BB), Connecticut ($1.38BB) & Detroit ($1.37BB).

For further information & a copy of this Report, visit the American Gaming Association at W:AmericanGaming.org Website!!!

Casino Journal - June 2011 Issue

According to LE's recent Sales & Pricing Trends Report, only 411 Fee Simple Sales took place in 2009 that were Reported in the Public Domain. That is a 75% Decline from the peak Volume Year in 2007.

At $58,296. 2009's Average Selling Price per Room was also a Cyclical Low. Transaction Activity in Q1 2010 continues to show Year-over-Year Volume Declines.

There is ample Evidence that Distressed Real Estate Loans will soon begin to be Resolved at a Faster Pace. Toward the end of 2010 & into early 2011, there should be increased Activity in Loan Sales, Foreclosures, Individual Transactions & an uptick in M&A Activity.

With many Assets coming to Market at Discounted Prices, there should soon be a wealth of Opportunity for Investors who can access Debt and/or Equity. Also, Valuations are at a Cyclical Lows.

Historically, these are the very Conditions that Preface a Surge in Transaction Activity. It should be a period of Great Opportunity for those Investors preparing to Expand their Portfolios.

* Patrick Ford

* Lodging Econometrics