Pursuing Financial Freedom Through Legal Dividend Investments: A Look at VICI Properties' $25 Opportunity

VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI) has captured investor attention as its share price has recently declined, now trading near $25 and offering a compelling dividend yield exceeding 6%—substantially higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.2%. This combination presents an intriguing opportunity for those seeking to build financial freedom through structured dividend investing. But what makes this REIT particularly worthy of consideration? The answer lies in its unique business model and the legal framework that supports it.

Understanding VICI’s Legal Structure: Triple-Net Leases and Predictable Income

At the heart of VICI Properties’ investment appeal is its portfolio of experiential real estate assets—including casinos, bowling entertainment centers, and sports complexes. These properties are leased to operating companies through long-term triple-net (NNN) arrangements, a legal structure with specific significance for investors.

Under NNN leases, tenants assume responsibility for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs, leaving VICI with contractual rights to escalating rental income. This legal framework creates a predictable revenue stream: 46% of current leases include inflation-based rent increases, with that percentage expected to reach 90% by 2035. As an investor pursuing financial freedom, this predictability matters significantly because it reduces income volatility and supports consistent dividend payments.

The REIT distributes approximately 75% of its stable cash flow as dividends to shareholders, reinvesting the remainder to acquire additional income-producing properties. This disciplined capital allocation approach has enabled the company to raise its dividend for eight consecutive years—a track record demonstrating sustained financial health and commitment to shareholder returns.

Building Wealth: How Dividend Growth Powers Your Financial Freedom Strategy

VICI’s dividend growth rate tells an important story. Since its formation, the company has increased its payout at a 6.6% compound annual rate, significantly outpacing the 2.3% average growth rate of comparable NNN-focused REITs during the same period. For investors focused on achieving financial freedom, this outperformance compounds substantially over decades.

The company actively pursues growth through multiple channels. Recently, VICI executed a $1.2 billion sale-leaseback transaction to acquire seven gaming properties, demonstrating its capacity to scale operations while maintaining its disciplined payout policy. Beyond these property acquisitions, the REIT invests in real estate-backed loans and provides funding to existing tenants for property enhancements—strategies designed to drive tenant success and support future rent growth.

Cash Flow Engine and Market Opportunity for Long-Term Growth

What distinguishes VICI from passive dividend plays is the substantial growth runway ahead. The addressable market for U.S. gaming properties alone exceeds $400 billion. Combined with VICI’s established partnerships across leading experiential entertainment companies, the platform has significant opportunity to expand its asset base and supporting cash flow.

This growth potential directly translates to dividend expansion opportunities. As VICI adds higher-quality experiential properties and existing leases escalate with inflation, the cash available for distribution should increase accordingly. For investors building a financial freedom portfolio, rising dividends represent not just current income but compounding wealth over time.

Evaluating the Investment Case: Is VICI Right for Your Financial Goals?

Before committing capital, investors should carefully assess whether VICI aligns with their specific financial objectives and risk tolerance. The recent 15% pullback from recent highs presents a potentially attractive entry point for long-term income investors, though market conditions remain dynamic.

Historical context suggests patience can reward investors in well-selected dividend stocks. Netflix, recommended by The Motley Fool on December 17, 2004, delivered $464,439 on a $1,000 investment. Nvidia, recommended on April 15, 2005, returned $1,150,455 on the same initial stake. While past results don’t guarantee future performance, these examples underscore how long-term dividend and growth investing has historically created significant wealth.

VICI Properties presents a legal, structured approach to building financial freedom through rental escalation mechanics, consistent dividend growth, and access to a massive addressable market. The $25 price point warrants consideration for investors with a multi-decade investment horizon and a commitment to disciplined wealth accumulation through passive income streams.

As of January 26, 2026, historical returns and data reflect Motley Fool research. Individual investors should conduct independent due diligence before making investment decisions.