Gambling stock rise on back of DoJ opinion

The surprise clarification delivered by the U.S. Department of Justice on its position on internet gambling late last week has sent share prices on some prominent gambling operators and suppliers on the up this week.

Scientific Games Corp is up a whopping 15.37 percent, Wynn Resorts rose 3.4 percent, International Game Technology up 4.95 percent, MGM Resorts International up 4.62 percent and Bally Technologies is up 1.57 percent on the back of the announcement.

Todd Ellers, an analyst at Roth Capital Research said: “We view the ruling as a significant event for the U.S. gaming and lottery industry that essentially opens the door for states to consider offering internet gaming and lottery products (ex sports wagering)…

“[W]e believe individual state lotteries and vendors like Scientific Games, Gtech, and Intralot will be the first to benefit from selling virtual lottery tickets online. In addition, casino operators with strong brands would also benefit from operating virtual casinos if authorized by enough states. Finally, traditional gaming suppliers like IGT, Bally Technologies, WMS Industries, Aristocrat and Konami should also benefit from providing game content and/or technology to host online casinos.”

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from individual States with Utah lawmaker Representative Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem coming out strongly against any form of internet gambling in the State saying it is a desperate Federal attempt at fixing an ailing economy directly attributed to Obama’s failed fiscal policies.

Sandstrom will submit a bill that will make all online gambling in Utah illegal to the 2012 State Legislative Session.

On the other end of the scale, California has announced its intention of exploring an online lottery channel but would not consider online poker initially.

Massachusetts State Treasurer Steven Grossman will explore the State’s online options via a dedicated online gambling task force and the Illinois Lottery will waste no time planning on selling tickets over the internet by the end of March 2012.

“This is a perfect … progression for any lottery because it’s adapting to new consumer buying habits and new technologies,” said Michael Jones, superintendent of the Illinois Lottery.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton commented: “The idea is to have the lottery function like a modern business using modern technology. In that regard, it’s great to have the federal government’s OK on this, and we now look forward to seeing some results.”

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