Las Vegas Sands has reported the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

“We continued to execute our strategic objectives during the quarter as we delivered growth in both Singapore and Macao while continuing to increase the return of capital to shareholders,” said Patrick Dumont, chairman and chief executive officer.

“Looking ahead, we remain confident that our people, our products and our focus on delivering outstanding service, hospitality and entertainment experiences to our customers will drive growth for the company and deliver strong returns to our shareholders in the years ahead.”

Net revenue was $3.59 billion, compared to $2.86 billion in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $904 million, compared to $609 million in the prior year quarter. Net income in the first quarter of 2026 was $641 million, compared to $408 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Consolidated adjusted property EBITDA was $1.42 billion, compared to $1.14 billion in the prior year quarter.

Sands China Ltd. Consolidated Financial Results

On a GAAP basis, total net revenues for SCL increased 23.6% to $2.10 billion, compared to the first quarter of 2025. Net income for SCL increased 45.5% to $294 million, compared to $202 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $188 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $174 million in the prior year quarter. The weighted average debt balance was $16.0 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to $13.86 billion during the first quarter of 2025. The weighted average borrowing cost was 4.6% during the first quarter of 2026, compared to 4.9% during the first quarter of 2025.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2026 was 14.3%, compared to 13.4% in the prior year quarter. The income tax rate for the first quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by a 17% statutory rate on the Singapore operations.

Stockholder Returns

“During the first quarter of 2026, we repurchased $740 million of our common stock (approximately 13 million shares at a weighted average price of $56.64). The remaining amount authorized under our share repurchase program was $817 million as of March 31, 2026. Since the resumption of our share repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2023 through March 31, 2026, we have repurchased 14.3% of our outstanding shares, approximately 109 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $47.95, for a total investment of $5.24 billion. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the company’s financial position, earnings, legal requirements, other investment opportunities and market conditions,” the Company reported.

Las Vegas Sands announced that Patrick Dumont will become the company’s chairman and chief executive officer effective March 1, 2026. Mr. Dumont will succeed Robert G. Goldstein, who becomes a senior advisor to the company through March 2028.

Sands’ board of directors had previously indicated Mr. Dumont would be the likely successor to Mr. Goldstein. Mr. Dumont was also appointed chairman of Sands China Ltd., the company’s Hong Kong-listed subsidiary.

“It is a true honor for me to serve as chairman and CEO of this iconic company founded by one of the industry’s greatest visionaries. Under the leadership of Sheldon Adelson and Rob Goldstein, Sands has reached tremendous heights, and I welcome the opportunity to build on that legacy in the years ahead. I am excited about our company’s future and look forward to getting started in this new role,” Mr. Dumont said.

Mr. Dumont was appointed president and chief operating officer of Sands in January 2021 and has been a member of the board of directors since 2017. He joined the company in 2010 and has focused on creating long-term growth for the business and its stakeholders in roles with responsibility for operations, properties and capital allocation strategy. Mr. Dumont has more than 25 years of experience in management, development, operations and corporate finance.

Under his leadership, Sands has undertaken transformative investment programs in Macao and Singapore to elevate its product offerings, enhance customer experience and increase long-term earnings potential. He is responsible for the company’s new development in Singapore, an $8 billion ultra-luxury project that broke ground in July 2025.

“We are fortunate to have the best assets in the best markets in our industry. Our core leadership team has been together for many years, and we are highly focused on maximizing ongoing investments in our properties, people and local communities. Through our more than 41,000 deeply dedicated Team Members and our priority on delivering unparalleled experiences for discerning leisure and business guests, we remain focused on creating positive economic impact for our host regions and strong returns for our shareholders,” Mr. Dumont added.

Mr. Dumont received an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Dumont resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and children.

Leading gambling companies Caesar’s Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, and Las Vegas Sands have recently been spotlighted in the 2025 “Low-Wage 100” report. This annual publication by the Institute for Policy Studies and Inequality.org identifies S&P 500 companies that show the smallest median wages for their employees compared to the large earnings of their top executives.

The financial figures reveal significant disparities in compensation. In 2024, Caesar’s CEO Tom Reeg earned $18.4 million, while the average U.S. employee at the company received just $43,880, resulting in a salary gap of 419 to 1. MGM’s CEO Bill Hornbuckle earned $15.8 million, sharply contrasting the company’s median employee salary of $47,607, creating a 332 to 1 ratio. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Sands’ Robert Goldstein took home $21.9 million, dwarfing the $42,426 earned by the typical worker and leading to a 516 to 1 pay disparity.

These pay gaps have sparked ongoing criticism of the casino industry. Since 2019, the top executive pay at Caesar’s has more than doubled, surpassing the 40% wage increase seen among its workforce. Though MGM and Las Vegas Sands have also raised executive salaries at a faster rate than employee wages, their growth was less dramatic compared to Caesar’s.

Experts argue that this imbalance extends beyond optics. The report examines billions spent on stock buybacks which inflate share prices and executive compensation, while funding for employee wages and training remains insufficient. For instance, MGM invested over $9.5 billion in buybacks last year—more than twice what was spent on upgrading its properties.

This uneven pay structure is not limited to major companies in the S&P 500. Smaller gaming firms reveal similar trends. Penn Entertainment reported a striking 734 to 1 gap, with its CEO earning $26.6 million and the average employee making $36,322. Boyd Gaming followed with a 304 to 1 ratio, and Golden Entertainment showed a 155 to 1 difference.

Industry critics suggest these pronounced salary gaps damage employee morale and complicate talent retention, ultimately hindering long-term growth. Calls for reform include proposals to increase taxes on companies with large pay disparities and to levy higher taxes on stock buybacks.

Despite these controversies, these companies remain among Nevada’s top employers and hold substantial influence within the global gambling market. Nevertheless, the study concludes that the industry’s focus on rewarding shareholders and executives over workers will likely persist without regulatory intervention.