Online Gambling Stocks Versus Land-Based Casino Stocks In 2021
$5,000 Welcome Bonus
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, land-based casinos were hit hard. Many states forced them to shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus. However, that move greatly benefited online gambling companies as people who usually gamble in brick-and-mortar casinos turned to cyberspace to get their fix.
The choice may seem clear for those who are debating whether to invest in online gambling stocks or land-based casino stocks. Online gambling firms have been the clear beneficiary of the pandemic, while brick-and-mortar casinos have taken a hit. However, things aren't so cut and dry.
ADW Capital had an incredible 2020 with a 119.2% net return for the full year. At a time when most other funds have struggled with relatively low returns, ADW posted double-digit returns in several months of 2020. In December, the fund returned 19.91%, while in November, it posted a return of 39.63%. For the fourth
Soaring prices of online gambling stocks
Aside from the pandemic, another reason that investors have been buying online gambling stocks is because of the momentum. Once things got rolling in 2020, they never really slowed down, which resulted in soaring valuations for names like DraftKings and Penn National Gaming.
These stocks have also benefited from the expansion of online gambling. Sports betting, in particular, has grown rapidly, although many states that have legalized it have limited it to just in-person betting so far. DraftKings stock jumped again this month as New York moved toward legalization of online sports betting. The state could end up being one of the biggest markets for online sports betting in the country.
One problem with online gambling stocks is that some would argue that prices have gotten too high. However, others think that such stocks will keep going up along with the rest of the stock market.
Why you shouldn't write off brick-and-mortar casino stocks yet
Many investors have given up on land-based casino stocks in 2021 due to the pandemic, but this could be the right time to dive in rather than waiting on the sidelines. At some point, casinos will reopen, and people will start pouring through the doors.
The pandemic has created pent-up demand for gambling in 2021, and not everyone wants to turn to new online casinos. The stocks of many companies that will benefit from the economic recovery have started to pop as investors place bets on that recovery. The only question now is how much longer it will be before land-based casinos can reopen at their usual capacity.
Some stocks offer exposure to both online gambling and brick-and-mortar casinos. For example, MGM Resorts International is moving into the sports betting space, and it also operates land-based casinos. Penn National Gaming is also a hybrid company with both online and offline betting operations. The company plans to launch its Barstool Sportsbook app in every state where sports betting is legal by the end of this year.
