Are Gaming Stocks Still a Good Bet in September?

Stars Group Inc. (TSX:TSGI)(NASDAQ:TSG) and Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (TSX:GC) could present attractive buy-low opportunities for investors on the hunt for growth right now.

In the beginning of the year, I’d recommended two gaming stocks for Canadian investors to zero in on in 2018. Stars Group (TSX:TSGI)(NASDAQ:TSG) stock has climbed 12.6% in 2018 as of close on September 5. This is in spite of a sharp tumble that began in late July. Great Canadian Gaming (TSX:GC) stock has increased 29.5% in 2018 so far.

There are several reasons to remain optimistic about gaming stocks as we head into the fall. Chief among them is the strong economic environment in Canada and the United States. Gambling institutions do their best business during healthy economic environments where patrons have money to spend. Of course, this is not the only factor that should inspire investors to bet on the two stocks above. Let’s dive into both today.

Stars Group

Stars Group stock has plunged 30.9% over the past three months as of close on September 5. Strong quarterly earnings were not enough to beat back the July and August correction. Broader trends have also been falling in a promising direction for the company.

According to a report published by Juniper Research, the value of online betting will rise to $700 billion in 2018 compared to $620 billion in the prior year. Even more tantalizing was the projection that online betting could reach $1 trillion by 2022 with the number of online gamblers rising by over 100% in that period. A key U.S. Supreme Court decision could be a big contributor going forward.

Stars Group celebrated the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a 1992 federal ban on sports betting in May. The decision paves the way for legal sports betting and several states have already begun to move to legalize sports gambling. This is unsurprising ahead of the 2018 NFL season. The NFL attracts the most gamblers across major sports in the United States.

Total revenue at Stars Group rose 34.8% year over year to $411.5 million in the second quarter. Adjusted net earnings also climbed 14.9% to $131 million. The summer dip at Stars Group is an enticing buy-low opportunity for investors on the hunt for a growth stock in gaming.

Great Canadian Gaming

Great Canadian Gaming stock has dropped 20% over a three-month span dating back to early June. In the second quarter, the company benefited from the inclusion of revenues from its GTA Bundle acquisition. Total revenues rose 90% year over year to $305.3 million and adjusted EBITDA surged 98% to $124.6 million.

On August 30, Great Canadian Gaming received all regulatory approvals to open table gaming at Casino Woodbine. Its subsidiary, One Toronto Gaming (OTG), plans to place an additional 50 live dealer tables and 300 slot machines at Casino Woodbine. The company is expected to release its third-quarter results in early November.

Great Canadian Gaming will continue to benefit from the boost in revenue from its GTA Bundle acquisition. Ambitious renovations are underway that will aim to transform the locations into more lucrative assets in the long term. Investors should look for entry points ahead of its Q3 earnings release.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Canopy Growth Stock Is Rising But I’m Worried About This One Thing

Canopy Growth stock is soaring as the legalization effort makes real progress in both Germany and the United States.

Read more »

young woman celebrating a victory while working with mobile phone in the office
Investing

3 Roaring Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

These top TSX stocks are excellent long-term buys, given their multi-year growth potential and solid underlying businesses.

Read more »

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

grow dividends
Investing

Here’s My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Even though the TSX has been rising, there are still some good bargains out there. Here are three top compounding…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Investing

Prediction: This Canadian Growth Stock Could Double by 2030

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a top growth stock that could do well over the next six or so years.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »