Posted on: February 9, 2021, 10:45h.
Final up to date on: February 9, 2021, 11:20h.
Bally’s Corp. (NYSE:BALY) inventory is likely one of the most scintillating tales amongst gaming equities over the previous yr. With that torrid tempo come dangers, however one analyst believes buyers are conscious of the potential pitfalls and that the identify nonetheless gives upside.

In a notice to shoppers, Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski reiterates a “maintain” score on the regional gaming operator. That’s a tepid grade, however the analyst lifts his worth goal to $60 from $50. After greater than doubling within the span of simply 90 days, Bally’s inventory is flirting with $60 at present after hitting an all-time of $59.47 earlier within the session.
Bally’s is leveraging acquisitions to evolve right into a digital gaming drive. However land-based casinos are nonetheless a pivotal a part of the funding thesis. Bally’s will quickly function 15 gaming properties in 11 states when pending transactions are finalized. That’s a number of the danger buyers should face with the identify, says Wieczynski.
Consensus estimates for This fall have been drifting decrease throughout our broader regional operator protection, as rising circumstances and state restrictions/closures have been a sequential headwind since Q3 earnings,” mentioned the analyst.
He factors out that fourth-quarter income in Rhode Island — at present Bally’s largest market — might be slack as a result of the corporate’s two gaming venues there have been shuttered from Nov. 30 via Dec. 22. He provides that’s the case with other regional operators, as energy within the South/Southeast ought to increase smooth ends in different areas.
For Bally’s Inventory, It’s In regards to the Future
The coronavirus is now a part of day-after-day within the US for a yr, indicating many market individuals are possible at peace with what are dismal 2020 outcomes for gaming and leisure firms.
Wieczynski estimates Bally’s will put up a 2020 lack of 84 cents a share on income of $375.9 million. He forecasts earnings of $2.19 a share on gross sales of $929.4 million this yr, as earnings earlier than curiosity, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) greater than triples. He’s extra bullish on 2022, modeling for per share revenue of $3.33 on turnover of $1.25 billion.
“We predict the chance to This fall earnings is pretty understood by buyers by this level, and anticipate the main target to stay on 1) the 2022E outlook for the land-based enterprise (the place we’re elevating estimates), and a pair of) preliminary shade on BALY’s distinctive and compelling on-line gaming technique,” mentioned the analyst.
On-line Metamorphosis
Only a yr in the past, Bally’s was a small regional gaming outfit with only a handful of properties with scant footprints within the quickly rising iGaming and sports activities betting industries. That sleepy standing is rapidly altering.
With yesterday’s news that it’s buying free-to-play video games and gaming enterprise software program supplier SportCaller, Bally’s has introduced three acquisitions since mid-November that push it additional into the sports activities betting expertise and day by day fantasy sports activities segments. These add to an settlement with Sinclair Broadcasting to place the Bally’s model on 21 regional sports activities networks (RSNs).
Backside line: Bally’s does have apparent conventional on line casino publicity. However buyers and Wall Avenue are more and more it as an internet gaming/sports activities betting thought.
“Administration continues to place collectively a singular and compelling on-line technique, just lately saying acquisitions of the fastest-growing DFS web site and a F2P video games supplier,” mentioned Wieczynski.