VICI Properties Expands Las Vegas Footprint with Golden Entertainment Acquisition
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 04 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Transaction Approval: VICI Properties' acquisition of Golden Entertainment has been approved by shareholders, expected to close this quarter, which will enhance its market position in Las Vegas by adding seven Nevada casino properties.
- Portfolio Expansion: Upon completion, VICI's Las Vegas assets will include iconic properties such as Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and The Venetian Resort, reflecting its ongoing investment strategy in high-quality gaming real estate.
- Long-term Lease Agreements: By entering into long-term triple-net lease agreements with strong operators, VICI ensures a stable revenue stream, further solidifying its leadership in the gaming and leisure industry.
- Market Performance: Despite VICI's stock price declining by 8.6% over the past six weeks, its acquisition strategy and strengthened market position may lay the groundwork for future stock price recovery.
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Analyst Views on MGM
Wall Street analysts forecast MGM stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
7 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 37.660
Low
29.00
Averages
40.31
High
56.00
Current: 37.660
Low
29.00
Averages
40.31
High
56.00
About MGM
MGM Resorts International is a global gaming and entertainment company with national and international destinations featuring hotels and casinos, meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and a range of restaurants, nightlife and retail offerings. Its segment includes Las Vegas Strip Resorts, Regional Operations, MGM China, and MGM Digital. Las Vegas Strip Resorts consists of casino resorts: Aria, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, MGM Grand Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, New York-New York, Excalibur, and Park MGM. Regional Operations consists of various casino properties: MGM Grand Detroit in Detroit, Michigan; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Gold Strike Tunica in Tunica, Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey; MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland; MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts; Empire City in Yonkers, New York, and others. MGM Digital is its online gaming portfolio which consists of LeoVegas.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Event Highlights: The inaugural Drink Las Vegas is set to take place from September 24-27, 2026, showcasing an unprecedented assembly of world-class culinary and beverage talent, highlighting Las Vegas's unique food culture.
- Venue Selection: The event will be hosted across more than 30 iconic MGM Resorts venues, including ARIA, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM, further solidifying MGM Resorts' leadership in the global culinary and cocktail scene.
- Industry Impact: Hosted by MGM Resorts International and produced by renowned experiential agency a21, the event is expected to attract numerous industry leaders and global tastemakers, positioning Las Vegas as a global hub for food and beverage.
- Market Potential: By bringing together industry elites and innovative activations, Drink Las Vegas is poised to enhance the local economy while creating new market opportunities for participating brands and businesses, driving regional tourism and consumer growth.
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- Event Highlights: The inaugural Drink Las Vegas is set to take place from September 24-27, 2026, featuring world-class culinary and beverage talent across over 30 MGM Resorts venues, which is expected to attract a large number of visitors and enhance MGM's brand influence.
- Diverse Experiences: The festival will offer a variety of experiences, including intimate chef dinners, cocktail masterclasses, and large-scale tasting parties, aimed at catering to guests at all levels, thereby increasing customer loyalty and driving sales growth.
- Industry Leader Participation: Numerous renowned chefs and mixologists, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Wolfgang Puck, will participate in the event, which is anticipated to elevate the professionalism and appeal of the festival, further solidifying MGM's leadership position in the global culinary industry.
- Charitable Support: The event will benefit Keep Memory Alive, aimed at funding research and treatment for brain disorders, showcasing MGM's commitment to social responsibility while enhancing its brand image.
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- High Dividend Yield: VICI Properties boasts a dividend yield of 6.35%, with a payout ratio of 61.25%, indicating strong management of dividend payments and ensuring stable returns for investors.
- Robust Financial Performance: In Q1 2026, VICI's revenue reached $1 billion, reflecting a 3.5% increase year-over-year, while adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) grew by 5.7% to $650.9 million, demonstrating the company's ongoing profitability.
- Impressive Net Margin: The company maintains a remarkable net profit margin of 78%, up from 70.36% at the end of 2025, showcasing its effectiveness in cost control and profitability enhancement.
- Strong Market Position: As a gambling-focused REIT, VICI owns 61 gambling locations and 39 non-gambling entertainment properties, achieving 100% occupancy across its portfolio, which strengthens its competitive edge in the market.
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- Vici Properties Resilience: Despite economic challenges, Vici Properties (VICI) has achieved eight consecutive years of dividend growth, with a current yield of 6.19%, demonstrating its profitability resilience in adverse conditions.
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- Portfolio Diversification Advice: Given the current economic uncertainty, investors should consider incorporating Vici, Enbridge, and Progressive into their portfolios to secure stable income streams and potential capital appreciation, especially as high-risk growth stocks face pressure.
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- Acquisition Target: MGM Resorts (MGM) is reportedly considering Entain Plc (GMVHF) as a potential takeover target, indicating its strategic intent to expand in the gaming industry, particularly given their existing joint venture.
- Private Equity Interest: Traders have noted that private equity firms CVC Capital and Apollo Global may also be exploring a transaction with Entain, either alongside MGM or independently, highlighting strong market interest and potential competition for the acquisition.
- Advisory Role: Deutsche Bank may be advising and potentially financing one of the buyers for Entain, which not only enhances the feasibility of the transaction but could also expedite the acquisition process, further bolstering MGM's market position.
- Historical Context: Entain previously rejected an all-stock takeover bid from MGM in January 2021, as well as a cash and stock offer from DraftKings in September 2021, reflecting Entain's strong market position and negotiation power.
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- Overview of Vici Properties: As a premier gambling and entertainment REIT, Vici Properties owns 61 gambling locations and 39 non-gambling properties, leasing to 15 tenants while maintaining a 100% occupancy rate, showcasing its strong competitive position in the market.
- Stable Dividend Yield: Vici currently offers a dividend yield of 6.2%, having increased its dividend annually since going public in 2018, and is expected to maintain and raise dividend payments in the future, bolstering investor confidence.
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