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Vici Properties
View on WikipediaVici Properties Inc. is an American real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in casino and entertainment properties, based in New York City. It was formed in 2017 as a spin-off from Caesars Entertainment Corporation as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. It owns 54 casinos, hotels, and racetracks, four golf courses, and 38 bowling alleys around the United States and Canada.
Key Information
History
[edit]Vici Properties was formed as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization of Caesars Entertainment Operating Company (CEOC), the largest division of Caesars Entertainment. After placing CEOC into bankruptcy in January 2015, Caesars proposed splitting CEOC into two companies: a REIT, which would own the company's casinos, and an operating company, which would manage them.[2] The plan was designed to maximize value for CEOC's creditors by taking advantage of favorable tax treatment for REITs.[3] Several members of Congress opposed the plan, calling it an abuse of the REIT laws.[4] They asked the Internal Revenue Service to deny tax-free status to the spin-off, but their protest went unheeded.[4][5]
The spin-off of Vici to CEOC's creditors was completed on October 6, 2017, the day that CEOC emerged from bankruptcy.[6][7][8] Vici began with a portfolio of nineteen casinos and racetracks, all leased to Caesars at a total initial annual rent of $630 million, and four golf courses.[6][9] The company's name was adopted from the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici," commonly attributed to Julius Caesar; vici in Latin means "I conquered".[10]
Vici acquired Harrah's Las Vegas from Caesars in December 2017 for $1.1 billion, and leased it back at an initial annual rent of $87.4 million.[11][12]
MGM Growth Properties, a REIT affiliated with Caesars competitor MGM Resorts International, offered in January 2018 to acquire Vici for an estimated $5.9 billion.[13] Vici's board rejected the offer, deciding instead to proceed with a planned initial public offering.[10] Vici completed its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2018, raising $1.2 billion.[14][15]
The company moved its headquarters to New York City from the Las Vegas area in mid-2018.[16][17]
Vici completed two transactions with Caesars in 2018, purchasing the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace for $508 million and Harrah's Philadelphia for $242 million, and leasing them back to Caesars for $35 million and $21 million per year, respectively.[18]
In 2019, Vici made two purchases in conjunction with Penn National Gaming. Vici bought the real estate of the Margaritaville Resort Casino in Louisiana and Greektown Casino–Hotel in Detroit for $261 million and $700 million, respectively, while Penn bought both properties' operating businesses and leased them from Vici for annual rent of $23 million and $56 million, respectively.[19][20][21] Vici bought a second casino from Greektown seller Jack Entertainment, Jack Cincinnati Casino, in September 2019, paying $558 million for the real estate; Hard Rock International leased the property for $43 million per year.[22][23]
In December 2019, Vici bought three casinos in Missouri and West Virginia from Eldorado Resorts in conjunction with Century Casinos: Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville, and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort.[24] Vici paid $278 million for the real estate assets, and leased them to Century for $25 million per year.[25] A month later, the company bought two more properties from Jack Entertainment, Jack Cleveland Casino and Jack Thistledown Racino, for a total of $843 million, leasing them back for $66 million per year.[26]
In July 2020, Eldorado Resorts acquired Caesars Entertainment, becoming Vici's primary tenant, and renamed itself to Caesars Entertainment.[27] In connection with this acquisition, Vici bought three properties (Harrah's Atlantic City, Harrah's Laughlin, and Harrah's New Orleans) from Caesars for a total of $1.8 billion, and leased them back to the new Caesars for $154 million per year.[28]
Starting in 2020, Vici expanded beyond the gaming sector, largely by providing construction loans for hospitality and entertainment properties, often with an option to purchase the property after completion.[29][30][31] By 2023, Vici had announced financing arrangements for Canyon Ranch spas, Great Wolf Resorts water parks, a Kalahari Resorts water park, Cabot golf resorts, and BigShots Golf driving ranges.[31][32] It also acquired the Chelsea Piers entertainment complex in Manhattan and 38 Bowlero bowling alleys.[33][34]
Vici more than doubled its size in 2022 by acquiring MGM Growth Properties and the Venetian complex on the Las Vegas Strip. Vici purchased the real estate of the Venetian complex from Las Vegas Sands in February 2022 for $4 billion.[35][36] The acquisition included the Venetian and Palazzo casino hotels and the Sands Expo convention center.[36] Apollo Global Management bought the operating business and leased the property from Vici for $250 million per year.[35]
In April 2022, Vici acquired MGM Growth Properties for $17.2 billion (including $5.7 billion in assumed debt).[37][38][39] The purchase added full ownership of thirteen properties to Vici's portfolio, and half ownership of the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay resorts, and increased Vici's annual revenue by $1 billion,[40] along with making it the largest land owner on the Las Vegas Strip, with over 660 acres.[41] Vici bought out the other half of interest in the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay from Blackstone for $1.27 billion plus $1.5 billion in assumed debt in January 2023.[42][43]
Several smaller acquisitions were made in 2022 and 2023. Vici expanded to Canada, acquiring eight casinos in Alberta from Pure Canadian Gaming and Century Casinos for a total of US$363 million.[44][45] It also added Foundation Gaming as a tenant, purchasing two casinos in Mississippi for $293 million, and acquired the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland for $204 million, in conjunction with Century.[46][47]
Properties
[edit]Leased to Caesars Entertainment
[edit]- Caesars Atlantic City – Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Caesars Palace – Paradise, Nevada
- Caesars New Orleans — New Orleans, Louisiana
- Harrah's Atlantic City — Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Harrah's Council Bluffs – Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Harrah's Gulf Coast – Biloxi, Mississippi
- Harrah's Joliet – Joliet, Illinois (80% stake)[48]
- Harrah's Lake Tahoe – Stateline, Nevada
- Harrah's Las Vegas – Paradise, Nevada
- Harrah's Laughlin — Laughlin, Nevada
- Harrah's Metropolis – Metropolis, Illinois
- Harrah's North Kansas City – North Kansas City, Missouri
- Harrah's Philadelphia – Chester, Pennsylvania
- Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe – Stateline, Nevada
- Horseshoe Bossier City – Bossier City, Louisiana
- Horseshoe Council Bluffs – Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Horseshoe Hammond – Hammond, Indiana
- Horseshoe Tunica – Tunica Resorts, Mississippi
Leased to Century Casinos
[edit]- Century Casino Cape Girardeau – Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Century Casino Caruthersville – Caruthersville, Missouri
- Century Casino & Hotel Edmonton – Edmonton, Alberta
- Century Casino St. Albert — St. Albert, Alberta
- Century Downs Racetrack and Casino — Balzac, Alberta
- Century Mile Racetrack and Casino — Edmonton International Airport, Leduc County, Alberta
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort – New Cumberland, West Virginia
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort – Flintstone, Maryland
Leased to MGM Resorts International
[edit]- Beau Rivage – Biloxi, Mississippi
- Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa – Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Excalibur Hotel and Casino – Paradise, Nevada
- Luxor Las Vegas – Paradise, Nevada
- Mandalay Bay – Paradise, Nevada
- MGM Grand Detroit – Detroit, Michigan
- MGM Grand Las Vegas – Paradise, Nevada
- MGM National Harbor – Oxon Hill, Maryland
- MGM Northfield Park – Northfield, Ohio
- MGM Springfield – Springfield, Massachusetts
- New York-New York Hotel and Casino – Paradise, Nevada
- Park MGM – Paradise, Nevada
- T-Mobile Arena – Paradise, Nevada (land only)
- Yonkers Raceway & Empire City Casino – Yonkers, New York
Leased to Pure Canadian Gaming
[edit]- Pure Casino Calgary — Calgary, Alberta
- Pure Casino Edmonton — Edmonton, Alberta
- Pure Casino Lethbridge — Lethbridge, Alberta
- Pure Casino Yellowhead — Edmonton, Alberta
Leased to other companies
[edit]- Caesars Southern Indiana – Elizabeth, Indiana (leased to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
- Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex – Manhattan, New York (leasehold interest; subleased to Chelsea Piers)
- Fitz Casino & Hotel – Tunica Resorts, Mississippi (leased to Foundation Gaming)
- Gold Strike Tunica – Tunica Resorts, Mississippi (leased to Cherokee Nation Businesses)
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati — Cincinnati, Ohio (leased to Hard Rock International)
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown — Detroit, Michigan (leased to Penn National Gaming)
- Jack Cleveland Casino – Cleveland, Ohio (leased to Jack Entertainment)
- Jack Thistledown Racino – North Randall, Ohio (leased to Jack Entertainment)
- Margaritaville Resort Casino – Bossier City, Louisiana (leased to Penn National Gaming)
- The Mirage – Paradise, Nevada (leased to Hard Rock International)
- Sphere – Paradise, Nevada (land only; leased to Sphere Entertainment)
- The Venetian Las Vegas – Paradise, Nevada (leased to Apollo Global Management)
- WaterView Casino & Hotel – Vicksburg, Mississippi (leased to Foundation Gaming)
- 38 bowling alleys (leased to Bowlero)
Golf courses
[edit]The company owns and operates four golf courses:[49]
- Cascata – Boulder City, Nevada
- Chariot Run – Laconia, Indiana
- Grand Bear – Saucier, Mississippi
- Rio Secco – Henderson, Nevada
Former properties
[edit]- Bally's Atlantic City – Atlantic City, New Jersey – Sold in 2020.[50]
- Bluegrass Downs – Paducah, Kentucky – Closed in 2019; donated in 2020.[51]
- Harrah's Louisiana Downs – Bossier City, Louisiana – Sold in 2021.[52]
- Harrah's Reno – Reno, Nevada – Closed and sold in 2020.[53]
- Tunica Roadhouse – Tunica Resorts, Mississippi – Closed in 2020 and demolished.
References
[edit]- ^ Form 10-K: Annual Report (Report). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 20, 2025.
- ^ Howard Stutz (January 16, 2015). "Caesars puts largest unit into bankruptcy; judge OKs routine motions". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
- ^ Tom Hals (March 3, 2015). "Caesars' operating unit files bankruptcy exit plan". Reuters. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ a b Tom Hals (June 1, 2016). "Members of U.S. Congress oppose Caesars' casino REIT plan". Reuters. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Form 8-K: Current Report (Report). Caesars Entertainment. January 6, 2017 – via EDGAR.
- ^ a b "Vici Properties Inc., completes spin-off from Caesars Entertainment Operating Company" (Press release). Vici Properties. October 6, 2017 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Richard N. Velotta (October 6, 2017). "Caesars completes merger, emerges from bankruptcy protection". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Austen Hufford; Chris Kirkham (October 6, 2017). "Caesars Entertainment unit preparing to exit bankruptcy". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Form 10-Q: Quarterly Report (Report). Vici Properties. November 13, 2017. p. 10.
- ^ a b Richard N. Velotta (January 17, 2018). "Caesars trust rejects offer from MGM Growth Properties". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Todd Prince (November 29, 2017). "Caesars to sell real estate under Harrah's to finance acquisition". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes acquisition of Harrah's Las Vegas real property assets and related transactions" (Press release). Vici Properties. December 22, 2017. Retrieved 2018-02-25 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Richard N. Velotta (January 16, 2018). "MGM affiliate bids for real estate trust spun off by Caesars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Todd Prince (February 1, 2018). "Caesars real estate owner raises more money than expected in IPO". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. announces closing of initial public offering and full exercise of underwriters' overallotment option" (Press release). Vici Properties. Retrieved 2018-02-25 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Form 10-Q: Quarterly Report (Report). Vici Properties. May 4, 2018. p. 29 – via EDGAR.
- ^ Form 10-Q: Quarterly Report (Report). Vici Properties. August 2, 2018. p. 34 – via EDGAR.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes acquisition of Harrah's Philadelphia and lease modifications" (Press release). Vici Properties. December 26, 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ^ Sarah Crawford (June 19, 2018). "Margaritaville Resort Casino sale is announced". Shreveport Times. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
- ^ Stacy Wescoe (January 3, 2019). "Penn National acquires Louisiana casino operations". Lehigh Valley Business. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes acquisition of Greektown Casino-Hotel and lease to Penn National Gaming" (Press release). Vici Properties. May 23, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-26 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Madeline Mitchell (September 20, 2019). "Jack Cincinnati Casino sold to Hard Rock International for $745 million". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes acquisition of Jack Cincinnati Casino and lease to Hard Rock International" (Press release). Vici Properties. September 20, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-21 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Bailey Schulz (June 17, 2019). "Eldorado Resorts selling 3 regional properties". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
- ^ "Century Casinos, Inc. enters into a definitive agreement to acquire the operations of three casinos from Eldorado Resorts" (Press release). Century Casinos. June 17, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-21 – via PR Newswire.
- ^ Howard Stutz (January 25, 2020). "VICI finalizes purchase of two Cleveland-area casinos; leases properties back to Jack Entertainment". CDC Gaming Reports. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ Ken Ritter (July 20, 2020). "Eldorado finishes $17.3B buyout of Caesars Entertainment". Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes property acquisitions and lease modifications related to the Eldorado-Caesars merger" (Press release). Vici Properties. July 20, 2020 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Christopher Palmeri (June 8, 2023). "Las Vegas' top landlord looks at spas, water parks for future growth". Financial Post. Bloomberg. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- ^ "Vici Investor Presentation" (PDF). Vici Properties. 2022.
- ^ a b Form 10-K: Annual Report (Report). Vici Properties. February 23, 2023. pp. F-10 – via EDGAR.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. provides construction financing to Kalahari for indoor waterpark resort development in Virginia" (Press release). Vici Properties. December 7, 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Erik Engquist (December 22, 2023). "Vici buys Chelsea Piers, leases vast complex back to Betts". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "Bowlero completes $432.9 million sale-leaseback with Vici Properties". Bowlero. October 19, 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-28 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ a b Michelle Chapman (March 3, 2021). "With sale of the Venetian, Las Vegas Sands exits the Strip". Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ a b Richard N. Velotta (February 23, 2022). "Las Vegas Sands closes $6.4 billion sale of Venetian to Apollo, Vici". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
- ^ Dave Sebastian (August 4, 2021). "Casino owner Vici Properties to buy MGM Growth Properties". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. announces $17.2 billion strategic acquisition of MGM Growth Properties LLC" (Press release). MGM Growth Properties. August 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Eli Segall (May 2, 2022). "Casino landlord Vici closes $17B buyout of MGM Resorts spinoff". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ "Vici Strategic Acquisition of MGP" (PDF). Vici Properties. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
- ^ "VICI Properties buying rival MGM Growth for $17.2 billion, will become Strip's largest landowner". The Nevada Independent. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
- ^ Eli Segall (January 9, 2023). "Casino landlord closes buyout of MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. completes acquisition of remaining 49.9% interest in MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay joint venture" (Press release). Vici Properties. January 9, 2023 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ "Vici Properties Inc. acquires four Canadian gaming properties in sale leaseback transaction with Pure Canadian Gaming Corp" (Press release). Vici Properties. January 9, 2023 – via BusinessWire.
- ^ Robert Fletcher (September 7, 2023). "Vici completes quadruple Alberta casino purchase from Century". iGaming Business. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Rege Behe (December 23, 2022). "Mississippi: VICI acquires real estate assets of Fitz, WaterView hotel-casinos". CDC Gaming Reports. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- ^ "Century Casinos completes acquisition of Rocky Gap Casino Resort operations". The Daily Record. Baltimore, MD. July 26, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- ^ Form 10-Q: Quarterly Report (Report). Vici Properties. November 13, 2017. p. 17 – via EDGAR.
- ^ "Golf Courses". Vici Properties. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ^ Richard N. Velotta (November 18, 2020). "Caesars closes Bally's Atlantic City sale to Rhode Island company". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ Kelly Farrell (November 20, 2020). "It's Bluegrass Downs: McCracken County announces 50-plus acre donation for sports complex". The Paducah Sun. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
- ^ "Caesars Entertainment and Vici Properties complete sale of Harrah's Louisiana Downs" (Press release). Caesars Entertainment. November 1, 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-03 – via PR Newswire.
- ^ Jason Hidalgo (September 30, 2020). "CAI Investments closes deal on purchase of Harrah's Reno building". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Business data for Vici Properties Inc.:
Vici Properties
View on GrokipediaVici Properties Inc. is an S&P 500 experiential real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, acquires, and develops properties focused on gaming, hospitality, entertainment, and leisure destinations across the United States.[1][2]
The company was formed as a REIT and began operations on October 6, 2017, through a spin-off from Caesars Entertainment Corporation, initially leasing properties to Caesars under long-term triple-net agreements that ensure stable cash flows by shifting operational costs to tenants.[3][4]
Vici Properties' portfolio comprises 93 assets, including 54 gaming facilities and 39 other experiential properties, spanning approximately 127 million square feet with around 60,300 hotel rooms and over 500 restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, leased to leading operators like Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Penn Entertainment.[5][6]
Geographically diverse across multiple states, the portfolio emphasizes high-quality, single-tenant assets that generate predictable rental income, contributing to the company's investment-grade credit rating and inclusion in the S&P 500 index.[7][2]
Key achievements include rapid portfolio expansion through strategic acquisitions, such as properties from GLPI and real estate linked to the Venetian Resort, alongside consistent dividend growth reflecting robust financial performance in the experiential real estate sector.[8][9]
History
Formation and Spin-off from Caesars Entertainment (2017)
VICI Properties was formed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) on October 6, 2017, through the spin-off of real estate assets from Caesars Entertainment Operating Company (CEOC), coinciding with CEOC's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings that had commenced in January 2015.[3][10][11] The restructuring separated CEOC's property holdings from its operational casino and hospitality businesses, enabling the parent Caesars Entertainment to concentrate on gaming operations while transferring land, buildings, and related assets to VICI under long-term triple-net lease agreements.[12] This separation aimed to unlock value in the stable, income-generating real estate portfolio, insulated from operational risks, and provided CEOC with liquidity to address approximately $10 billion in secured debt through distributions to creditors.[11] The initial portfolio transferred to VICI encompassed 19 gaming facilities, including prominent properties such as Caesars Palace Las Vegas and Harrah's Las Vegas, along with Harrah's Philadelphia racetrack and casino, all leased back to Caesars under master lease agreements with an initial aggregate annual rent of $630 million.[13][14] These assets, spanning approximately 32.5 million square feet, were selected for their experiential appeal and location in key markets, positioning VICI to generate predictable rental income while Caesars retained operational control and brand equity.[15] The transaction structure facilitated debt reduction for Caesars by monetizing real estate value outside operations, with the spin-off contributing to an overall post-reorganization enterprise value for Caesars of about $20 billion.[11] Following the spin-off, VICI's common stock commenced public trading under the ticker symbol VICI, initially on the OTC Markets Group's Grey Market on October 18, 2017, before listing on the New York Stock Exchange, signaling investor interest in the REIT's focus on high-quality, leased gaming real estate amid Caesars' stabilized finances.[16][14] This debut underscored confidence in VICI's model of owning irreplaceable assets with creditworthy tenants, distinct from the cyclical operating risks borne by Caesars post-bankruptcy.[12]Initial Public Offering and Early Expansion (2018–2020)
VICI Properties completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on February 5, 2018, issuing 69,575,000 shares of common stock at $21.50 per share, which generated gross proceeds of approximately $1.5 billion before underwriting discounts and expenses, netting about $1.4 billion.[17][18] The offering, the fourth-largest REIT IPO in history, provided capital to repay outstanding indebtedness under its credit facilities, redeem second-lien notes, and finance future property acquisitions, enabling VICI to operate independently as a public REIT focused on experiential real estate.[19][20] Post-IPO, VICI pursued accretive sale-leaseback transactions to scale its portfolio rapidly. In June 2018, it agreed to purchase the land and real estate of Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, from Penn National Gaming for $376 million, with the deal closing on January 2, 2019, under a long-term triple-net lease yielding an initial annual rent of about $30 million.[4][21] Earlier in 2018, VICI acquired the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for $508 million and Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania, for $242 million, both from Caesars Entertainment, integrating these assets into long-term leases and broadening its exposure within the gaming sector.[22] In November 2018, VICI committed to buying the real estate of Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, from Jack Entertainment for $700 million as part of a $1 billion joint transaction with Penn National Gaming, which assumed operations under a 15-year lease with 3% annual escalators.[23] Expansion continued into 2019 and 2020 through additional deals with Jack Entertainment, diversifying VICI's geographic footprint into the Midwest. In April 2019, VICI agreed to acquire JACK Cincinnati Casino in Ohio for approximately $780 million (including adjacent Turfway Park Racetrack), closing in September 2019 and leasing it to Hard Rock International.[24][25] Later that October, it announced the $843.3 million purchase of JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino, both in Ohio, finalizing the transaction in January 2020 with Jack Entertainment as tenant under leases generating $65.9 million in initial annual rent.[26][27] These transactions, totaling over $2 billion in real estate value from Jack properties, exemplified VICI's strategy of opportunistic growth via sale-leasebacks with regional operators, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions to the gaming industry, as stable lease structures provided resilience.[28]Growth Through Acquisitions and Diversification (2021–Present)
Following the completion of its initial public expansions, VICI Properties pursued aggressive growth in its core gaming segment through high-profile acquisitions. In February 2022, the company completed the $4 billion purchase of the land and real estate assets associated with the Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Venetian Expo Center, a deal initially announced in March 2021 as part of Las Vegas Sands' divestiture.[29][30] This transaction, structured as a sale-leaseback with Apollo Global Management as the operator, enhanced VICI's presence in the Las Vegas market and contributed to expanding its gaming portfolio beyond 50 properties by integrating additional U.S. assets during the period.[31] Shifting toward diversification, VICI began investing in non-gaming experiential assets starting in 2022. The company entered the destination golf sector in June 2022 via its initial partnership with Cabot, providing financing for Cabot Citrus Farms in Florida—the first U.S. property in Cabot's luxury golf collection—and later expanded this relationship in December 2023 with investments in Cabot properties in Saint Lucia and Scotland, including the Castle Stuart Golf Links.[32][33] In 2023, VICI acquired Chelsea Piers facilities for $342.9 million, broadening into urban sports and entertainment venues.[34] Complementing these moves, VICI expanded internationally with gaming acquisitions, including four Alberta casinos from Pure Canadian Gaming in January 2023 and four more from Century Casinos in May 2023, marking its entry into the Canadian market.[35][36] Subsequent transactions reinforced this strategy, with the July 2023 completion of the Rocky Gap Casino Resort acquisition—leased back to Century Casinos at a 7.6% capitalization rate—further integrating into existing tenant leases.[37][38] In April 2025, VICI closed a $1.3 billion senior unsecured notes offering, comprising $400 million at 4.75% due 2028 and $900 million at 5.625% due 2035, to refinance maturing debt and support ongoing capital deployment.[39] These efforts underpinned financial momentum, as evidenced by second-quarter 2025 revenues reaching $1.0 billion, a 4.6% increase year-over-year, reflecting embedded growth from diversified holdings now spanning 54 gaming and 39 non-gaming experiential properties across 26 U.S. states and one Canadian province.[5][34]Business Model
Real Estate Investment Trust Structure and Triple Net Leases
VICI Properties Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) under sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code, necessitating the annual distribution of at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to stockholders to qualify for pass-through taxation and avert entity-level federal income or excise taxes.[40] This requirement facilitates tax efficiency by subjecting dividends primarily to shareholder-level taxation rather than corporate rates, with VICI aligning distributions to its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) while targeting compliance to preserve REIT status.[40] Non-compliance could trigger loss of REIT qualification, imposing double taxation and a four-year re-election prohibition.[40] Central to VICI's framework are triple-net lease agreements covering 100% of its portfolio, wherein tenants bear all property-related operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance, capital expenditures, and ground lease obligations.[40][34] This arrangement isolates VICI from direct involvement in day-to-day property management and cost volatility, channeling focus toward ownership, lease oversight, and capital allocation for asset-backed income generation.[40] By shifting these burdens to lessees, typically operators with aligned incentives to maintain properties, the model reduces operational risks and fosters consistent, low-variance revenue streams.[34] Leases incorporate extended terms and escalation mechanisms for enduring cash flow predictability, with a weighted average remaining lease term of 40.1 years as of September 1, 2025, factoring in renewal options.[34] Rent provisions include fixed annual increases of 1% to 2% or consumer price index (CPI)-linked adjustments—applicable to 42% of the rent roll in 2025, rising to 90% by 2035—with caps to balance growth and certainty, thereby hedging inflation and embedding organic revenue expansion without reliance on re-leasing.[40][34] These features underpin resilient, inflation-adjusted income, minimizing exposure to market cycles through contractual longevity and automatic uplifts.[40]Tenant Relationships and Revenue Generation
VICI Properties maintains long-term master lease agreements with a select group of experiential operators, primarily Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, which together account for approximately 74% of its annualized rent as of December 31, 2024.[41] Caesars Entertainment, the largest tenant, operates under multiple master leases covering Las Vegas Strip and regional properties, with initial terms extending to 2035 and featuring tenant guarantees from the parent entity.[41][42] Similarly, MGM Resorts operates under a master lease expiring in 2047, encompassing properties like MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, with comparable cross-default protections and parent guarantees.[41] Other notable tenants include Penn Entertainment, Seminole Tribe of Florida, JACK Entertainment, and Century Casinos, each contributing through dedicated master leases that bundle multiple assets to streamline administration and enforce collective obligations.[43] These triple-net master leases differentiate VICI from traditional property owners by shifting all operational responsibilities—such as maintenance, taxes, and insurance—to tenants, thereby insulating VICI from day-to-day management risks while ensuring steady cash flows.[41] Rent payments typically comprise a fixed base component subject to annual escalators (ranging from 1% to 2%, or the greater of 2% or CPI in later years, with some capped at 3%), supplemented by percentage rent tied to tenant gross revenues in select agreements (e.g., 20-30% of total rent under certain Caesars leases).[41][42] Approximately 40% of annualized rental revenue incorporates CPI-linked adjustments for inflation protection, fostering revenue predictability across the portfolio's weighted average remaining lease term of 40.7 years as of year-end 2024.[41] This structure has enabled 100% contractual rent collection since VICI's inception, with full occupancy across 93 assets leased under 18 agreements.[41] Following its 2017 spin-off from Caesars Entertainment, which initially concentrated exposure on a single tenant, VICI pursued diversification by acquiring assets from varied operators, reducing reliance on any one lessee and mitigating risks associated with tenant-specific downturns.[41] By 2024, the tenant base expanded to 13 operators across gaming, hospitality, and leisure sectors, with over 99% of leasing revenues derived from high-traffic experiential destinations like casinos and entertainment venues that generate resilient demand.[41] This evolution supported $3.85 billion in total 2024 revenues, predominantly from rental income, underscoring the model's efficacy in converting tenant operational success into stable, escalator-protected yields without VICI assuming direct management liabilities.[41][44]Risk Management and Operational Efficiency
VICI Properties employs conservative leverage and disciplined capital allocation to maintain investment-grade credit ratings, including a BBB- rating from S&P Global Ratings with a stable outlook as of mid-2025.[45] This approach targets long-term net leverage within 5.0-5.5x EBITDA, supported by a payout ratio of approximately 66-67% on adjusted funds from operations (AFFO), which preserves flexibility for debt management and growth without excessive distributions.[46] [47] Such strategies mitigate interest rate and refinancing risks inherent to REIT financing, evidenced by upgrades like Moody's to Baa3 in late 2024, reflecting balance sheet quality amid variable economic conditions.[48] Operational efficiency stems from the triple-net lease structure, where tenants bear all property-level costs, including capital expenditures (CapEx), taxes, insurance, and maintenance, resulting in negligible direct CapEx requirements for VICI.[42] General and administrative (G&A) expenses remain low, totaling around $14-21 million per quarter in recent periods and representing 1.5-2.1% of revenues, among the lowest in the REIT sector due to a streamlined portfolio of large, single-tenant assets.[49] [50] Portfolio monitoring emphasizes tenant creditworthiness through long-term leases with master covenants from resilient operators, enabling near-100% cash rent collection even during the 2020 pandemic downturn, when many peers faced deferrals.[51] This resilience underscores causal links between asset quality—focused on experiential properties with durable demand—and operational stability, with proactive oversight via lease escalators tied to CPI for inflation protection.[8]Portfolio of Assets
Gaming and Casino Properties
VICI Properties owns 54 gaming properties across the United States, forming the core of its portfolio and providing stable rental income through ownership of high-traffic casino resorts and related facilities.[5] These assets, located in multiple states including Nevada, New Jersey, and Louisiana, encompass major casino complexes that attract millions of visitors annually, supporting consistent revenue streams backed by long-term leases on experiential real estate.[52] The scale of this segment underscores its role in portfolio resilience, as gaming venues demonstrate enduring demand driven by tourism and entertainment.[5] Prominent holdings include iconic Las Vegas Strip properties such as Caesars Palace, Harrah's Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, and The Mirage, which collectively represent a significant concentration in Nevada and serve as primary revenue contributors due to the region's status as a global gaming hub.[53] This Las Vegas focus, encompassing multiple resorts with extensive gaming floors and amenities, balances the portfolio's geographic diversification while leveraging high occupancy and visitor volumes for operational steadiness.[54] Beyond Nevada, regional casinos and racetracks in states like Louisiana—such as those affiliated with Fair Grounds Race Course—and New Jersey bolster exposure to varied markets, mitigating reliance on any single locale.[55] The gaming portfolio's composition, including both destination resorts and smaller-scale regional operations, enhances overall stability by tapping into diverse revenue sources within the sector, with properties generating rent from casino gaming, hospitality, and ancillary activities.[52] As of June 30, 2025, these 54 assets span approximately 15 states, reflecting strategic expansion that prioritizes proven, high-traffic venues for long-term value preservation.[5]Experiential and Non-Gaming Properties
VICI Properties maintains a portfolio of 39 non-gaming experiential properties, spanning leisure, entertainment, and wellness destinations across 17 states and multiple metropolitan areas, as of September 2025.[34] These assets, totaling approximately 2.4 million square feet, include bowling centers with over 1,520 lanes and 1,113 arcade games, alongside facilities focused on youth sports, waterparks, and lifestyle hubs.[56] The properties operate under triple-net lease structures with extended initial terms—often exceeding 30 years—and escalation provisions tied to the Consumer Price Index, mirroring the stable revenue model of VICI's gaming leases while achieving 100% rent collection since the company's inception, even amid economic disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.[34][57] Key holdings encompass four championship golf courses in Nevada and other U.S. locations, including Cascata Golf Course, Rio Secco Golf Course, Grand Bear Golf Course in Mississippi, and Chariot Run Golf Course in Indiana, managed by an affiliate of Cabot, a developer of luxury golf resorts.[56][58] Urban sports facilities like Chelsea Piers in New York City, acquired outright in December 2023 for an undisclosed amount following an initial loan investment, feature 780,000 square feet of sports amenities, event spaces, production studios, and a marina under a 32-year triple-net lease with a 10-year extension option held by the operator.[57][33] Additional assets include 38 Lucky Strike bowling and entertainment venues purchased in 2023 for $432.9 million, wellness properties like Canyon Ranch facilities, and waterpark resorts operated by Great Wolf Lodge partners.[34] Expansion in this category accelerated through targeted acquisitions and investments from 2023 to 2025, including the Chelsea Piers conversion and Lucky Strike deal in 2023, further commitments to Great Wolf Resorts and Cabot-linked developments in 2024, and increased financing for lifestyle projects like One Beverly Hills in 2025, totaling hundreds of millions in capital deployment.[34][57] These moves diversify revenue streams away from gaming sector volatility, leveraging demand for premium, experience-driven leisure that supports long-term occupancy and escalatory rent growth projected to cover 90% of the rent roll by 2035.[34] By prioritizing operators with proven track records in experiential real estate, VICI enhances portfolio stability without direct operational involvement.International Holdings
VICI Properties marked its initial expansion beyond the United States in January 2023 through the acquisition of four casino properties from PURE Canadian Gaming Corp. in a sale-leaseback transaction valued at approximately C$272 million (US$200 million at prevailing exchange rates).[35] The properties include PURE Casino Edmonton, PURE Casino Yellowhead, PURE Casino Calgary, and PURE Casino Halifax, operated under a long-term triple-net master lease with an initial 25-year term and four five-year renewal options.[35] This transaction established VICI's presence in the Canadian market, focusing on gaming venues in Alberta and Nova Scotia, with annual base rent set at C$14.3 million escalating by 2% annually.[59] In September 2023, VICI further diversified its international portfolio by acquiring the real estate assets of four additional Alberta-based casino properties from subsidiaries of Century Casinos, Inc., for US$163 million in another sale-leaseback deal.[60] These assets, including Casinos of the Rockies - Edmonton, St. Albert, and others in the province, operate under a separate 15-year triple-net lease with two five-year renewal options and an initial annual base rent of C$11.3 million, also escalating at 2% per year.[60] Collectively, these eight properties represent VICI's primary overseas holdings as of 2025, comprising a modest portion of its overall portfolio but serving as a strategic foothold for geographic diversification amid stable North American gaming demand.[61] The lease structures mirror VICI's domestic model, featuring triple-net terms where tenants cover property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, with rents denominated in Canadian dollars but providing USD-equivalent cash flows through fixed escalators and currency hedging considerations.[62] As of December 2024, following the acquisition of PURE Canadian Gaming by Indigenous Gaming Partners, VICI amended the master lease to maintain unchanged economic terms, including an updated annual base rent of C$22.0 million (approximately US$15.5 million), underscoring lease stability despite operator changes.[63] This approach mitigates foreign exchange volatility while aligning with VICI's emphasis on experiential entertainment assets.[64] VICI's Canadian entry positions it to capitalize on regional tourism and gaming growth, with potential for measured international expansion linked to global experiential leisure trends, though the company has prioritized domestic opportunities through 2025 without announcing further overseas deals.[65] These holdings contribute to portfolio resilience by tapping into Canada's regulated gaming sector, which benefits from proximity to U.S. markets and steady visitor traffic.[66]Divestitures and Former Assets
VICI Properties has executed few, if any, significant divestitures since its formation through the spin-off of Caesars Entertainment's real estate assets in 2017 and initial public offering in 2018, reflecting a strategic emphasis on long-term retention of high-quality experiential properties under triple-net lease structures.[42] Public filings and announcements through 2025 indicate no major asset sales, with the company's portfolio growth driven predominantly by acquisitions rather than disposals.[67] This approach has resulted in net acquisitions or neutral activity, preserving stable rental income streams while avoiding the operational disruptions associated with frequent divestments.[68] Minor portfolio optimizations, such as lease amendments or adjustments to ownership interests in joint ventures, have occasionally occurred without constituting outright sales of core real estate holdings. For instance, risk disclosures in annual reports highlight potential future divestiture considerations tied to market conditions or tenant performance, but no such transactions have materially impacted the portfolio's composition or metrics as of the second quarter of 2025.[41] Overall, the absence of notable former assets underscores VICI's confidence in the enduring value of its gaming and non-gaming properties, contributing to consistent revenue growth and portfolio expansion exceeding 90 assets by mid-2025.[5]Financial Performance
Revenue Growth and Earnings Trends
VICI Properties' revenue increased from $2.16 billion in 2020 to $3.85 billion in 2024 and $4.0 billion in 2025, reflecting continued portfolio expansion through acquisitions such as the 2022 purchase of full ownership interests in Venetian Resort Las Vegas and annual rent escalations embedded in long-term triple-net leases averaging 2% or higher.[41][69] This growth outpaced the broader REIT sector, as VICI's focus on high-barrier-to-entry gaming and experiential assets enabled consistent income from creditworthy tenants like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, which contributed over 70% of lease revenues.[52] Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO), a key metric for REIT cash flow that adjusts net income for non-cash items like straight-line rent and depreciation, demonstrated steady expansion, with full-year 2025 AFFO per share reaching $2.38, up 5.1% from $2.26 in 2024.[69] In Q4 2025, AFFO attributable to common stockholders rose 6.8% year-over-year to $642.5 million, and AFFO per share was $0.60, up 5.6% year-over-year from $0.57, highlighting operational leverage from fixed lease payments that insulate earnings from tenant-level volatility.[69] In 2025, revenues reached $4.0 billion, a 4.1% increase from $3.8 billion in the prior year, driven by rent escalators and contributions from recently integrated assets despite reported declines in Las Vegas visitor volumes linked to economic pressures.[69] The triple-net structure mitigated these headwinds, as tenants remain obligated to cover property expenses and base rents, enabling AFFO per share of $2.38 while maintaining low general and administrative expenses at 1.8% of revenues for 2024.[70][41] VICI Properties provided guidance for full-year 2026 AFFO of $2.59–$2.625 billion, or AFFO per share of $2.42–$2.45, implying 1.7%–2.9% per share growth from 2025's $2.38.[69]| Year | Revenue ($ billions) | YoY Growth (%) | AFFO per Share ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.16 | - | 1.65 |
| 2021 | 1.51 | -30.1 | 1.76 |
| 2022 | 2.60 | 72.2 | 1.92 |
| 2023 | 3.61 | 38.8 | 2.15 |
| 2024 | 3.85 | 6.6 | 2.26 |
| 2025 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 2.38 |
