Caesars Paring Sports Betting Ad Spending, Still on Pace to Sell Vegas Casino

Posted on: February 22, 2022, 07:30h. 

Last updated on: February 23, 2022, 10:19h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

As it gains more market share and looks to stem related losses, Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) is reducing its traditional media spending. Those funds are aimed at acquiring customers for its burgeoning online sports betting operation.

Caesars
Actor JB Smoove in a Caesars Sportsbook commercial. The company is dramatically reducing its traditional media ad spending. (Image: Vivarae News)

CEO Tom Reeg made the announcement earlier today on a conference call with analysts discussing the gaming company’s fourth-quarter results. Noting he’s “not one to spend any money needlessly,” the Caesars boss said the company accomplished its objectives in the sports wagering space, and now it’s time to dial back spending.

You are going to see us dramatically curtail our traditional media spend effective immediately. We have accomplished what we set out to do,” he said. “We set out to become a significant player, and it’s happened significantly quicker than we thought.”

Reeg’s comments arrive as Wall Street continues fretting about the cash online sportsbook operators are doling out in terms of advertising and promotional spending. They are also concerned on how those expenditures are lengthening operators’ time lines to profitability in the still-nascent industry.

Good Idea to Dial It Back

Reeg reiterated that Caesars Sportsbook will post a $1 billion loss this year on the basis of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). That’s largely attributable to recent launches in Louisiana and New York. The chief executive notes the current quarter should mark the top of the sports betting unit’s losses, as the operator works toward reaching profitability in late 2023.

Citing January data for the states thus far reporting, the Caesars boss adds the operator is at 21 percent share of the US sports wagering market. That’s with scant percentages of the major handle markets of Illinois and Pennsylvania, where the gaming company has yet to actively promote its digital offerings.

With Caesars cobbling together impressive market share and investors increasingly demanding profitability from sports wagering, now could be an ideal time for the company to pare its advertising, which hasn’t been well-received among some audiences. Some viewers aren’t fond of the spots featuring actors/comedians JB Smoove and Patton Oswalt.

“So, we’ve gotten to where we need to be. You’re going to see our commercials largely disappear from your screens,” adds Reeg. “There’s some media spend that we couldn’t get out of coming into March Madness in a couple of states. But we will largely be off of traditional media other than in new launch states from here, and launch dates in both iGaming and sports.”

Strip Asset Sale

The chief executive reiterated that Caesars remains on pace to sell one of its Las Vegas Strip venues early this year. But he didn’t specify which property could be on the block. He did, however, reiterate the company’s previously established agreements with VICI Properties (NYSE:VICI).

VICI has rights of first refusal to acquire one of Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally’s Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Should Caesars opt to sell another Sin City asset, VICI has rights of first refusal to buy one of the remainder of the first group and the LINQ Hotel & Casino.

Analysts estimate Caesars could fetch up to $3 billion through the sale of one of its Strip properties.