Press Releases

May 3, 2018

ELDORADO RESORTS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER NET REVENUE OF $440.2 MILLION, OPERATING INCOME OF $54.2 MILLION AND ADJUSTED EBITDA OF $103.5 MILLION

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) (“Eldorado,” “ERI,” or “the Company”) today reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

           
($ in thousands, except per share data)         Total Net Revenue
        Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2018     2017    

2017 Pre-
Acquisition(1)

   

2017
Total(2)

    Change
West         $ 99,579     $ 63,488     $ 32,413     $ 95,901     3.8 %
Midwest           100,795       -       105,958     105,958     (4.9 )%
South           122,800       32,560       98,881     131,441     (6.6 )%
East           116,891       106,287       8,727     115,014     1.6 %
Corporate and Other           127       58       181     239     (46.9 )%
Total Net Revenue (3)         $ 440,192     $ 202,393     $ 246,160     $448,553     (1.9 )%
                             
($ in thousands, except per share data)         Operating Income
        Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2018     2017    

2017 Pre-
Acquisition(1)

   

2017
Total(2)

    Change
West         $ 10,139       $ 1,355       $ 6,816       $ 8,171       24.1 %
Midwest           26,676         -         24,182         24,182       10.3 %
South           13,359         5,918         19,347         25,265       (47.1 )%
East           19,131         15,034         (875 )       14,159       35.1 %
Corporate and Other           (15,111 )       (8,279 )       (6,261 )       (14,540 )     3.9 %
Total Operating Income (3)         $ 54,194       $ 14,028       $ 43,209       $ 57,237       (5.3 )%
                       
($ in thousands, except per share data)         Adjusted EBITDA
        Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2018     2017    

2017 Pre-
Acquisition(1)

   

2017
Total(2)

    Change
West         $ 18,424       $ 6,158       $ 9,591       $ 15,749       17.0 %
Midwest           34,515         -         34,170         34,170       1.0 %
South           32,217         7,850         23,699         31,549       2.1 %
East           26,180         24,070         (162 )       23,908       9.5 %
Corporate and Other           (7,792 )       (4,794 )       (4,267 )       (9,061 )     (14.0 )%
Total Adjusted EBITDA (4)         $ 103,544       $ 33,284       $ 63,031       $ 96,315       7.5 %
Net Income         $ 20,855       $ 945
Basic EPS         $ 0.27       $ 0.02
Diluted EPS         $ 0.27       $ 0.02
                       
1.   Figures are for Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (“Isle”) for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Such figures were prepared by the Company to reflect Isle’s unaudited consolidated historical net revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA for periods corresponding to ERI's fiscal quarterly calendar. Such figures are based on the unaudited internal financial statements and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditors and do not conform to GAAP.
2.   Total figures for 2017 include combined results of operations for Isle and ERI for periods preceding the date that ERI acquired Isle. Such presentation does not conform with GAAP or the Securities and Exchange Commission rules for pro forma presentation; however, we believe that the additional financial information will be helpful to investors in comparing current results with results of prior periods. This is non-GAAP data and should not be considered a substitute for data prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should be viewed in addition to the results of operations reported by the Company.
3.   The prior period presentation has been adjusted for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” effective January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective transition method. See reconciliation table on the last page of this release for further details.
4.   Adjusted EBITDA is not a GAAP measurement and is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure because the Company believes it is a widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming industry. See “Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures” below for a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (loss), which the Company believes is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.
     

“Eldorado’s strong operating and financial momentum continued into 2018, as we delivered Adjusted EBITDA growth at 15 of our 20 properties in the first quarter despite challenging weather that impacted operations nearly system wide in January and February as well as our Reno operations in March,” said Gary Carano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eldorado. “First quarter Adjusted EBITDA rose 7.5% to $103.5 million despite a 1.9% net revenue decline, as our property level Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 180 basis points to 25.3% and our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 200 basis points to 23.5%.

“Our focus on generating profitable revenue across the portfolio has benefited near-term results and further established a foundation for free cash flow growth from our regional gaming platform. We continue to emphasize customer service while we execute on margin enhancement initiatives by lowering customer acquisition, traditional advertising, food and beverage, and labor costs across our property portfolio.

“At the same time, we have generated healthy returns from targeted investments that improve our guests’ experiences and elevate our properties overall competitiveness in their markets. As part of the continuing evolution of the Reno Tri-Properties, we are building a new world-class spa at Silver Legacy. We will have substantially renovated every room at Circus Circus Reno by July and will start the first phase of 300 rooms at Silver Legacy and 42 high-end suites at Eldorado after the busy summer season. In Black Hawk we expect to renovate all 402 hotel rooms this winter. In addition, last week we announced a joint venture with the Cordish Companies for the development of a new world-class, mixed-use entertainment and hospitality destination anchored by our Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

“Last month, we announced the acquisition of Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, IL and the acquisition of seven Tropicana Entertainment properties. We expect both transactions to be immediately accretive to our financial results, including free cash flow, and do not expect to make immediate significant cap-ex investment in the acquired properties. We believe the financing structure for the proposed Tropicana Entertainment acquisition represents an innovative opportunity to drive free cash flow growth and create new value for our shareholders as six of the acquired properties will be subject to a master lease agreement with a real estate investment trust. As we move through the regulatory review process in advance of the expected closings in the fourth quarter for both acquisitions, we are creating detailed integration plans. We expect our experienced management teams and operating discipline will allow us to realize the targeted synergies within the first year of our ownership of the properties. After giving effect to the acquisitions and the planned divestitures of Presque Isle Downs and Lady Luck CasinoVicksburg, our regional gaming operations will include 26 properties and will feature nearly 28,000 slot machines, more than 850 table games and approximately 12,500 hotel rooms.

“Our ability to structure accretive transactions and meet and exceed synergy targets through the application of disciplined operating principles has proven effective in growing and diversifying our operating platform and free cash flow. We believe that our return-focused investments in our portfolio, the formation of a JV to master plan and develop the area surrounding Pompano Park, and our planned acquisitions of Tropicana Entertainment and the Grand Victoria Casino, position us well to continue growing our regional gaming platform and create new value for our shareholders.”

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

At March 31, 2018, Eldorado had $183.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $3.7 million in restricted cash. Outstanding indebtedness at March 31, 2018 totaled $2.2 billion, with no amounts outstanding on the Company’s revolving credit facility. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2018 totaled $21.3 million.

Summary of 2018 First Quarter Region Results

On February 18, 2018, Eldorado announced that the Company entered into definitive agreements to sell Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg and Presque Isle Downs & Casino. The Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg sale is expected to be completed in the second or third quarter of 2018 and the sale of Presque Isle Downs & Casino is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018. The property results will be included in continuing operations until the respective transactions are completed.

West Region(Reno Tri-Properties, Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk and Lady Luck Casino Black Hawk)

Net revenue for the West Region properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased approximately 3.8% to $99.6 million compared to $95.9 million in the prior-year period, while operating income rose to $10.1 million from $8.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.0% to $18.4 million reflecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.5% compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $15.7 million on an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.4% in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA increased year over year at the Reno Tri-Properties and at both Isle Black Hawk and Lady Luck Black Hawk, with the combined Adjusted EBITDA margin for the Black Hawk properties exceeding 30% for the third consecutive quarter.

Midwest Region(Isle Casino Waterloo, Isle Casino Bettendorf, Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville and Isle of Capri Casino Kansas City)

Net revenue for the Midwest Region properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 decreased approximately 4.9% to $100.8 million compared to $106.0 million in the prior-year period, while operating income rose to $26.7 million from $24.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA rose approximately 1.0% to $34.5 million as the Adjusted EBITDA margin for the segment rose 200 basis points to 34.2%. Adjusted EBITDA increased year over year at four of the six Midwest Region properties and was essentially flat at another property. Adjusted EBITDA for the Midwest Region in the prior-year period was $34.2 million reflecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.2%.

South Region(Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Eldorado Shreveport, Isle of Capri Casino Lula, Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg and Isle of Capri Lake Charles)

Net revenue for the South Region properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 declined approximately 6.6% to $122.8 million compared to $131.4 million in the prior-year period, while operating income decreased to $13.4 million from $25.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in operating income for the first quarter 2018 reflects a $9.8 million impairment charge for Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg. Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.1% to $32.2 million as the Adjusted EBITDA margin for the segment rose 220 basis points to 26.2%. Adjusted EBITDA for the South Region in the prior-year period was $31.5 million reflecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.0%. Adjusted EBITDA for Isle of Capri Lake Charles increased more than 19% as the Company continues to execute on opportunities for significant improvement following the termination of the sale agreement for the property in the 2017 fourth quarter.

East Region(Presque Isle Downs and Casino, Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, Eldorado Scioto Downs Racino and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort)

Net revenue for the East Region properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased approximately 1.6% to $116.9 million compared to $115.0 million in the prior-year period, while operating income grew to $19.1 million from $14.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the East Region rose 9.5% to $26.2 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $23.9 million in the prior-year period as the East Region’s Adjusted EBITDA margin improved 160 basis points to 22.4%. Eldorado Scioto Downs generated Adjusted EBITDA growth for the thirteenth consecutive quarter.

Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA (defined below), a non-GAAP financial measure, has been presented as a supplemental disclosure because it is a widely used measure of performance and basis for valuation of companies in our industry and we believe that this non-GAAP supplemental information will be helpful in understanding the Company’s ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA represents operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation, transaction expenses, severance expense, costs associated with the Vicksburg and Presque sales, impairment charges, equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, (gain) loss on the sale or disposal of property and equipment, and other regulatory gaming assessments, including the impact of the change in regulatory reporting requirements, to the extent that such items existed in the periods presented. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”), is unaudited and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as an indicator of our operating performance. Uses of cash flows that are not reflected in Adjusted EBITDA include capital expenditures, interest payments, income taxes, debt principal repayments and certain regulatory gaming assessments, which can be significant. As a result, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. Other companies that provide EBITDA information may calculate EBITDA differently than we do. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as the definitions used in any of our debt agreements.

First Quarter Conference Call

Eldorado will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today. Senior management will discuss the financial results and host a question and answer session. The dial in number for the audio conference call is 719/457-2664, conference ID 7597773 (domestic and international callers). Participants can also access a live webcast of the call through the “Events & Presentations” section of Eldorado’s website at http://www.eldoradoresorts.com/ and a replay of the webcast will be archived on the site for 90 days following the live event.

About Eldorado Resorts, Inc.

Eldorado Resorts is a leading casino entertainment company that owns and operates twenty properties in ten states, including Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In aggregate, Eldorado’s properties feature approximately 21,000 slot machines and VLTs and 600 table games, and over 7,000 hotel rooms. On April 16, 2018, the Company announced that it entered into acquisition agreements for Tropicana Entertainment Inc. and the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, IL. The transactions are expected to close in the 2018 fourth quarter. For more information, please visit www.eldoradoresorts.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our strategies, objectives and plans for future development or acquisitions of properties or operations, as well as expectations, future operating results and other information that is not historical information.When used in this press release, the terms or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “expects,” “might,” “may,” “estimates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “will likely continue,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.Although our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and with what we believe is a reasonable basis, there can be no assurance that these expectations, beliefs and projections will be realized.There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements which are included elsewhere in this press release.Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, but are not limited to:our ability to obtain required regulatory approvals (including approval from gaming regulators and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976) and satisfy or waive other closing conditions to consummate the acquisition of Tropicana and the Grand Victoria Casino and the disposition of Presque Isle Downs and Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg on a timely basis;the possibility that the one or more of such transactions do not close on the terms described herein or that we are required to modify aspects of one or more of such transactions to obtain regulatory approval; our ability to promptly and effectively implement our operating strategies at the acquired properties and integrate our business and the business of the acquired companies to realize the synergies contemplated by the proposed acquisitions;our ability to obtain debt financing on the terms expected, or at all, and timely receive proceeds from the sale of Presque Isle Downs and Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg to fund the acquisitions; the possibility that the business of Tropicana or the Grand Victoria Casino may suffer as a result of the announcement of the acquisition; our ability to retain key employees of the acquired companies;the outcome of legal proceedings that may be instituted as a result of the proposed transactions; our substantial indebtedness and the impact of such obligations on our operations and liquidity; competition; sensitivity of our operations to reductions in discretionary consumer spending and changes in general economic and market conditions; governmental regulations and increases in gaming taxes and fees in jurisdictions in which we operate; and other risks and uncertainties described in our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

In light of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur.These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available on our website or otherwise, and we do not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which the statement is made, except as may be required by law.

 

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

           
          Three Months Ended
          March 31,
          2018     2017 (1)
REVENUES:                        
Casino         $   339,458     $   141,554
Pari-mutuel commissions             4,070         636
Food and beverage             52,198         32,421
Hotel             30,741         19,305
Other             13,725         8,477
Net revenues             440,192         202,393
EXPENSES:                        
Casino             165,850         79,981
Pari-mutuel commissions             3,701         1,207
Food and beverage             44,776         26,018
Hotel             12,506         9,079
Other             7,405         6,169
Marketing and promotions             21,301         10,129
General and administrative             74,202         31,800
Corporate             11,569         6,574
Impairment charges             9,815        
Depreciation and amortization             31,534         15,604
Total operating expenses             382,659         186,561
(LOSS) GAIN ON SALE OR DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT             (706)         32
TRANSACTION EXPENSES             (2,548)         (1,614)
EQUITY IN LOSS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES             (85)         (222)
OPERATING INCOME             54,194         14,028
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                        
Interest expense, net             (31,251)         (12,670)
Total other expense             (31,251)         (12,670)
NET INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES             22,943         1,358
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES             (2,088)         (413)
NET INCOME         $   20,855     $   945
Net Income per share of Common Stock:                        
Basic         $   0.27     $   0.02
Diluted         $   0.27     $   0.02
Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding             77,353,730         47,120,751
Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding             78,080,049         48,081,281
                         
1.   The prior period presentation has been adjusted for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” effective January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective transition method. See reconciliation table on the last page of this release for further details.
     
 

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

SUMMARY INFORMATION AND RECONCILIATION OF

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

($ in thousands)

         
        Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
        Operating

Income

(Loss)

    Depreciation

and

Amortization

    Stock-Based

Compensation

    Transaction

Expenses (3)

      Other (4)     Adjusted

EBITDA

West       $   10,139     $   8,189     $   63     $         $   33     $   18,424
Midwest           26,676         7,645         44                   150         34,515
South           13,359         8,531         25                   10,302         32,217
East           19,131         6,049         5                   995         26,180
Corporate and Other           (15,111)         1,120         3,542         2,548           109         (7,792)
Total       $   54,194     $   31,534     $   3,679     $   2,548       $   11,589     $   103,544
                                                                 
      Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (5)
      Operating

Income

(Loss)

    Depreciation

and

Amortization

    Stock-Based

Compensation

    Transaction

Expenses (3)

      Other (4)     Adjusted

EBITDA

Excluding Pre-Acquisition:                                                              
West     $   1,355     $   4,643     $       $         $   160     $   6,158
Midwest                                                  
South         5,918         1,932                                   7,850
East         15,034         8,880                           156         24,070
Corporate and Other         (8,279)         149         1,733         1,614           (11)         (4,794)
Total Excluding Pre-Acquisition     $   14,028     $   15,604     $   1,733     $   1,614       $   305     $   33,284
                                                               
Pre-Acquisition (1):                                                              
West     $   6,816     $   2,769     $   6     $         $       $   9,591
Midwest         24,182         9,951         37                           34,170
South         19,347         4,252         26         74                   23,699
East         (875)         713                                   (162)
Corporate and Other         (6,261)         275         1,170                   549         (4,267)
Total Pre-Acquisition     $   43,209     $   17,960     $   1,239     $   74       $   549     $   63,031
                                                               
Including Pre-Acquisition:                                                              
West     $   8,171     $   7,412     $   6     $         $   160     $   15,749
Midwest         24,182         9,951         37                           34,170
South         25,265         6,184         26         74                   31,549
East         14,159         9,593                           156         23,908
Corporate and Other         (14,540)         424         2,903         1,614           538         (9,061)
Total Including Pre-Acquisition (2)     $   57,237     $   33,564     $   2,972     $   1,688       $   854     $   96,315
                                                               
1.   Figures are for Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (“Isle”) for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Such figures were prepared by the Company to reflect Isle’s unaudited consolidated historical net revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA for periods corresponding to ERI's fiscal quarterly calendar. Such figures are based on the unaudited internal financial statements and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditors and do not conform to GAAP.
2.   Total figures for 2017 include combined results of operations for Isle and ERI for periods preceding the date that ERI acquired Isle. Such presentation does not conform with GAAP or the Securities and Exchange Commission rules for pro forma presentation; however, we believe that the additional financial information will be helpful to investors in comparing current results with results of prior periods. This is non-GAAP data and should not be considered a substitute for data prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should be viewed in addition to the results of operations reported by the Company.
3.   Transaction expenses represent costs related to the acquisition of Isle for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and costs related to the acquisitions of Grand Victoria Casino and Tropicana Entertainment Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
4.   Other is comprised of severance expense, $9.8 million in impairment charges, (gain) loss on the sale or disposal of property and equipment, equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate, other regulatory gaming assessments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and costs associated with the sales of Vicksburg and Presque Isle Downs for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
5.   The prior period presentation has been adjusted for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” effective January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective transition method. See reconciliation table on the last page of this release for further details.
     
           
          Reconciliation Table

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

         
          As Reported     Adjustments     As Adjusted
Gross Revenues         $ 219,546       $ (17,153 )     $ 202,393
Promotional Allowances           (18,621 )       18,621         -
Net Revenues         $ 200,925       $ 1,468       $ 202,393
Operating Income (Loss)           14,149         (121 )       14,028
Net Income (Loss)           1,021         (76 )       945

 

Eldorado Resorts, Inc.
Thomas Reeg, 775-328-0112
President and Chief Financial Officer
investorrelations@eldoradoresorts.com
or
JCIR
Joseph N. Jaffoni, James Leahy
212-835-8500
eri@jcir.com

Source: Eldorado Resorts, Inc.