Land-Based Operator of the Year 2026

MGM Resorts International - MGM Resorts International managed to set a new quarterly record with $4.5bn in Q1 2026 revenue, as casino operations increased 5.6% to nearly $2.4bn, while rooms and food & beverage revenue rose 0.5% and 4.5%, respectively, to $867.9m and $804.8m. The operator also launched an all-inclusive style experience at its Luxor Hotel & Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino properties on the Las Vegas Strip. At MGM National Harbor, the property unveiled a new high-limit area for casino players, while the operator also made strides in both responsible gambling and CSR efforts. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas also completed a $300m transformation of 3,969 entirely new rooms and suites within its main tower, inspired by the "glamour and energy" of the disco era to embrace the property's "vibrant" legacy. 

Wynn Resorts - Cementing its own financial success for Q1 2026, Wynn Resorts increased consolidated revenue by 9.2% for a total of $1.9bn, while the operator’s net income rose 65.6% to $120.5m. Wynn Resorts also managed to increase operating income 5.2% to $282.6m despite 9.9% growth in total operating expenses to $1.6bn, while the operator’s total adjusted property EBITDAR grew 5.5% to $562.4m. Wynn Resorts has formed a partnership with Chef's Table to transform Revelry at Wynn Las Vegas this fall. Construction also continues on Wynn’s Al Marjan Island in the UAE, ahead of the scheduled market launch in 2027.

Caesars Entertainment - While acquisition headlines may dominate talk around Caesars Entertainment, the operator still put together an impressive year after launching new retail sportsbook facilities in Nevada and Ohio, as well as opening a new beachfront destination in Atlantic City. In January, Caesars expanded the premium accommodation offering at Caesars Palace, unveiling two new Colosseum Presidential Villas and 29 Sky Villas in the Octavius Tower. For Q1 2026, Caesars managed to increase net revenue by 2.7% to $2.9bn, as well as improve its net loss by $17m. Along with the increase in net revenue for Q1 2026, Caesars grew adjusted EBITDA by 0.3% to $887m, led by regional operations with $435m. The operator debuted its Harrah’s Oklahoma on April 9, featuring a ribbon-cutting celebration with leadership from the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, honorary first bets and live entertainment.

PENN Entertainment - PENN Entertainment opened a new hotel tower at Hollywood Casino Columbus in 2026, part of a $100m expansion that adds 203 rooms to the Ohio property. The operator also plans to add a high-limit table games room and a speakeasy bar at the property in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Just days after the hotel tower’s launch, PENN Entertainment opened Hollywood Casino and Hotel Aurora, converting a former riverboat gambling site into a land-based resort complex which represented a $360m investment in the Chicago-area market. PENN Entertainment’s Q1 2026 revenue increased 6.2% to $1.78bn, while online operations grew 23.5% to $358.3m.

Hard Rock International - HRI is a leader in gaming and entertainment, operating properties that go far beyond the casino floor. In the past 12 months, Hard Rock has demonstrated exceptional growth and operational ambition. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, a landmark development in California's Kern County, completed phase one in November 2025. The casino includes 150,000 square feet of gaming space with over 2,000 slot machines, more than 60 table games and video poker, making it the second closest Class III casino to Los Angeles. The brand also expanded into Canada with the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, its first fully integrated resort in the country. Key developments include Metropolitan Park in Queens,NY; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, featuring a 42-story guitar shaped hotel tower; and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens.

Bally’s Corporation - For Q1 2026, Bally’s Corporation’s consolidated revenue increased 28.3% to $755.7m, led by casinos & resorts revenue which grew 8.1% to $379.7m. In May, Bally's Chicago Casino Resort reached a significant construction milestone, with a "topping out" ceremony held to mark the completion of the building's structural framework. Bally’s Marquette debuted its new permanent landside facility in Iowa following a $26.2m transformation. The development of its new Marquette facility has created nearly 80 jobs in the local community, as well as strengthened its investment in regional tourism and economic development. The operator was also approved for a commercial casino license in New York, with construction set to begin on a new development in Queens. On the west coast, Bally’s continues work on its new $1.19bn Las Vegas resort destination, which will share residence with the future Las Vegas A’s MLB stadium.

Churchill Downs Incorporated - Churchill Downs hosted the grand opening ceremony for its new Marshall Yards Racing & Gaming facility on February 25, a 23,000 sq ft venue which features 225 historical racing machines, a retail sportsbook and simulcast wagering. Marshall Yards Racing & Gaming will help support purse funding for Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel in Kentucky and represents the eighth historical racing and entertainment venue launched in the state by Churchill Downs. The operator reported record first-quarter net revenue of $663m and 3% growth year-over-year, boosted by impressive showings from live and historical racing. Net income attributable to the operator rose 8% to $83m, while adjusted EBITDA increased 5% to a first-quarter record of $257m. This year’s Kentucky Derby was also another huge success. 

Choctaw Casinos & Resorts - Choctaw Casinos & Resorts unveiled plans for Choctaw Casino & Resort – Pocola to undergo a $140m expansion and renovation project, including a “casino refresh” which will see the property’s gaming floor receive new carpeting and lighting fixtures. The property’s poker room and off-track betting and rewards club will move to upgraded locations, while a new hotel tower is also planned for the expansion and renovation project. In addition, Choctaw Casinos and Resorts partnered with Tangam Systems to help power its table games and slot software at the beginning of 2026, as well as collaborated with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to integrate its four gaming properties into the franchise’s portfolio. Led by Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, each property joined the globally recognized Trademark Collection by Wyndham brand, with Choctaw Nation retaining ownership and management of all four resorts.

J&J Gaming - J&J Gaming is North America’s premier distributed gaming and amusement operator, delivering industry-leading growth and performance. With 23% CAGR since 2021 and 9% YoY growth from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026, J&J powers 5,000+ licensed partner locations and 41,000+ gaming and amusement machines across regulated markets. Since 1929, J&J has grown to 11 states with 1,400+ team members, becoming the largest distributed gaming operator in the United States. J&J is an operator committed to acting with integrity, providing service excellence, fostering partnerships and supporting its communities by creating jobs and producing revenue for our partners. Offering a 24/7, 365-day service model which is powered by local technicians nationwide, J&J ensures maximum machine uptime and revenue potential.

CIRSA - CIRSA has demonstrated exceptional land-based growth across the Americas over the past year, cementing its position as the region's most ambitious operator. Following its landmark IPO on the Madrid Stock Exchange last year (securing a €2.5bn ($2.85bn) valuation and raising €400m ($456m) in fresh capital on its first day of trading) the group recently accelerated its South American expansion with the acquisition of Slots del Sol in Paraguay. With 66 gaming halls across Colombia, a dominant 31-casino presence in Panama, and operations stretching across Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, CIRSA now operates one of the most extensive land-based footprints in the Americas.