Gambling Companies' Stocks Soar in Recent Months

May 14th, 2009 | 4:08 pm

Adding to the recent speculation that some land-based casino's are looking into entering the profitable online gambling market, a recent look at stock market prices for land based casino companies shows an interesting rising trend in the past few months.

An interesting trend has been emerging in the stock market. Ever since the election of Democrat President, Barack Obama in November 2008, online gambling companies have seen their stock prices soar, in some cases even doubling. This is of course good news to shareholders of those companies that were badly affected by the UIGEA.

Leisure and Gaming Stock +125% Increase

Leisure and Gaming (LON:LNG): 125% increase since November 4th 2008

888 Stock +30% Increase

888 (LON:888) owns such brands as Pacific Poker and Littlewoods. It has had a 30% valuation since last November

PartyGaming Stock +100% Increase

Stock prices for online gambling companies have not yet reached pre-UIGEA values, but anyone who invested in PartyGaming (LON:PRTY) back in November is now looking at a 100% increase in the value of its shares since November of last year

Sportingbet Stock +126% Increase

Sportingbet (LON:SBT) owns Paradise Poker, their stock has been flying high for the past months.

But where the story gets interesting, is when you start looking at land based casino companies, such as the Wynn or MGM. Their stock prices have seen a huge increase in recent weeks, no doubt under much speculation that they might be entering the online market once the UIGEA is repealed.

Harrah's Entertainment for one has been spending over $400,000 in the first quarter of 2009 in lobbying for Barney Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act.

Wynn Resorts Stock +217% Increase

Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN): 217%

MGM Mirage Stock +573% Increase

MGM Mirage (NYSE:MGM): 573%

Las Vegas Sands Stock +374% Increase

At an increase of 374% since March, the Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) would have been a great investment

In a bleak economic environment, it is interesting to see how well Gaming companies, both land-based and online perform in the markets.

Bloomberg has an interesting segment on this