Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 now behind us, let’s have a look at Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ:GDEN) and its peers.

Casino operators enjoy limited competition because gambling is a highly regulated industry. These companies can also enjoy healthy margins and profits. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the house always wins’? Regulation cuts both ways, however, and casinos may face stroke-of-the-pen risk that suddenly limits what they can or can't do and where they can do it. Furthermore, digitization is changing the game, pun intended. Whether it’s online poker or sports betting on your smartphone, innovation is forcing these players to adapt to changing consumer preferences, such as being able to wager anywhere on demand.

The 8 casino operator stocks we track reported a weaker Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 1.1%. Investors abandoned cash-burning companies to buy stocks with higher margins of safety, but casino operator stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 4.2% on average since the previous earnings results.

Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ:GDEN)

Founded in 2001, Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ:GDEN) is a gaming company operating casinos, taverns, and distributed gaming platforms.

Golden Entertainment reported revenues of $230.7 million, down 17.5% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 1.4%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.

Blake Sartini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden, commented, “In January, we completed the sale of our Nevada distributed gaming business, completing a year-long process of divesting our non-core assets that also included the sale of our casino resort in Maryland and our Montana distributed gaming business. Following these transactions, our portfolio is comprised of Nevada casino resorts, Nevada locals casinos and Nevada’s largest branded tavern portfolio, all of which are expected to benefit from Nevada’s positive economic trends. The completion of our non-core divestitures generated significant cash proceeds, which strengthened our balance sheet, created strategic and financial flexibility, and facilitates returning capital to our shareholders.”

Golden Entertainment delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is down 2.6% since the results and currently trades at $36.04.

Read our full report on Golden Entertainment here, it's free.

Best Q4: Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN)

Founded by the former Mirage Resorts CEO, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) is a global developer and operator of high-end hotels and casinos, known for its luxurious properties and premium guest services.

Wynn Resorts reported revenues of $1.84 billion, up 83.1% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 5.9%. It was a stunning quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates. However, we note its earnings received a one-time boost from an income tax benefit related to the valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets.

Wynn Resorts delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 6.4% since the results and currently trades at $106.21.

Is now the time to buy Wynn Resorts? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Weakest Q4: PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ:PENN)

Established in 1982, PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ:PENN) is a diversified American operator of casinos, sports betting, and entertainment venues.

PENN Entertainment reported revenues of $1.40 billion, down 12% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 9%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue, EPS and Adjusted EBITDAR estimates.

PENN Entertainment had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is down 19.7% since the results and currently trades at $18.06.

Read our full analysis of PENN Entertainment's results here.

Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR)

Formerly Eldorado Resorts, Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) is a global gaming and hospitality company operating numerous casinos, hotels, and resort properties.

Caesars Entertainment reported revenues of $2.83 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 1.3%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue and earnings estimates.

The stock is up 5.6% since the results and currently trades at $44.

Read our full, actionable report on Caesars Entertainment here, it's free.

Monarch (NASDAQ:MCRI)

Established in 1993, Monarch (NASDAQ:MCRI) operates luxury casinos and resorts, offering high-end gaming, dining, and hospitality experiences.

Monarch reported revenues of $128.2 million, up 6.3% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 8.2%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates but a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.

Monarch delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 6.1% since the results and currently trades at $73.19.

Read our full, actionable report on Monarch here, it's free.

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