Monarch Casino Reports 2013 First Quarter Results


RENO, NV--(Marketwired - Apr 25, 2013) -  Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI) ("Monarch" or the "Company"), owner of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (the "Atlantis") in Reno, Nevada, and the Riviera Black Hawk Casino ("Black Hawk") in Black Hawk, Colorado, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

This is the fourth quarterly earnings announcement to include results from the Company's Black Hawk Casino which was acquired on April 26, 2012 (the "Acquisition Date"). 

           
    Three months ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease)  
    2013   2012   $   %  
Net revenue                        
  Atlantis   $ 36,048,764   $ 34,868,056   $ 1,180,708   3.4 %
  Black Hawk     11,595,263     -     11,595,263   n/a  
    Total net revenue   $ 47,644,027   $ 34,868,056   $ 12,775,971   36.6 %
                         

Atlantis net revenue for the first quarter of 2013 increased primarily due to higher hotel and food and beverage revenue. Black Hawk net revenue of $11.6 million represents 16.0% growth over the $10.0 million the property generated during the same quarter of the prior year before it was acquired by Monarch.

             
    Three months ended March 31,     Increase/(Decrease)  
    2013     2012     $     %  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)                              
  Atlantis   $ 9,327,000     $ 7,818,152     $ 1,508,848     19.3 %
  Black Hawk     4,016,696       -       4,016,696     n/a  
      13,343,696       7,818,152       5,525,544     70.7 %
  Corporate and other expense     (1,279,487 )     (1,247,714 )     (31,773 )   2.5 %
    Total Adjusted EBITDA   $ 12,064,209     $ 6,570,438     $ 5,493,771     83.6 %
                               

The Company generated record first quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $12.1 million. Atlantis Adjusted EBITDA growth of 19.3%, or $1.5 million, for the 2013 first quarter was due primarily to higher net revenue combined with lower casino operating expense and lower selling, general and administrative ("SG&A Expense") expenses than the prior year first quarter. For the quarter, Atlantis achieved a flow-through percentage (calculated as the increase in Adjusted EBITDA divided by the increase in net revenue) of 127.8%.

Black Hawk Adjusted EBITDA for the 2013 first quarter of $4.0 million represents 53.8% growth over the $2.6 million Adjusted EBITDA reported for Black Hawk during the same quarter in 2012 before it was acquired by Monarch.

Consolidated Operating Expense:
Casino operating expense as a percentage of casino revenue ("Casino Expense Margin") improved to 37.5% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 39.9% for the first quarter of the prior year due primarily to lower Atlantis complimentaries expense and the inclusion of Black Hawk which has a lower Casino Expense Margin than Atlantis. 

Food and beverage operating expense as a percentage of food and beverage revenue for the 2013 first quarter improved to 42.3% as compared to 44.6% for the 2012 first quarter primarily due to operational efficiencies combined with menu pricing strategies in anticipation of higher commodity costs. Hotel operating expense as a percentage of hotel revenue for the 2013 first quarter improved to 26.4% from 29.6% for the comparable prior year quarter due primarily to higher hotel revenue. 

SG&A Expense for the 2013 first quarter increased $2.3 million due primarily to $2.5 million from the Black Hawk operation for which the first quarter of the prior year reflects no expense. The primary drivers of the remaining $200 thousand decrease are lower Atlantis bad debt and utilities expense. 

Credit Facility:
During the 2013 first quarter, the Company made net principal payments of $9.3 million reducing the outstanding credit facility to $71.8 million at March 31, 2013. Capital expenditures of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 were funded out of operating cash flow and primarily represent architectural and engineering fees related to the Black Hawk master development plan and costs associated with the redesign and upgrade of the Black Hawk facility.

Interest expense for the 2013 first quarter increased to $566 thousand from $329 thousand for the first quarter of 2012 due to higher amounts of debt outstanding under the credit facility in the 2013 first quarter compared to the 2012 first quarter. The higher outstanding debt was the result of borrowing to fund the Black Hawk acquisition.

John Farahi, Monarch CEO Comment:
Monarch's CEO and Co-Chairman John Farahi commented: "We were very pleased with our first quarter results from both properties. Atlantis Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.5 million or 19.3% by not only increasing net revenue, but by simultaneously reducing operating expense. I'm very proud of the result produced by our Atlantis team."

Referring to the Company's Black Hawk operation, Mr. Farahi added: "Our Black Hawk team continues to deliver impressive results. Our Black Hawk net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 16.0% and 53.8%, respectively, over the prior year's first quarter results under prior ownership." 

Mr. Farahi continued: "We are in the process of completely redesigning and upgrading the existing Black Hawk facility, and we recently received zoning approval for our expansion plans, subject to certain conditions, from the Black Hawk City Council. The approved master plan, once completed, would nearly double the existing casino space and convert the facility into a full-scale, high end, resort through the addition of a 335 foot hotel tower with 507 guest rooms and suites, a resort quality spa and pool facility, four restaurants, additional bars, associated support facilities and a new ten story parking structure, that together with existing parking, would provide 1,551 parking spaces. Once the detailed design and construction plans are completed, we will finalize the cost estimate and timeline for the expansion project. We expect to announce that estimate and timeline in late 2013."

About Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI):
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada, and the Riviera Black Hawk casino in Black Hawk, Colorado. Black Hawk is approximately 40 miles west of Denver. For additional information on Monarch, visit Monarch's website at www.MonarchCasino.com.

The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 824 guest rooms; eight food outlets; two espresso and pastry bars; a 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 38 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge and a poker room. The Company and its predecessors have operated a facility on the Atlantis site since 1972. For more Atlantis Casino Resort Spa information, please visit www.atlantiscasino.com or call 800.723.6500. Also see Atlantis on Facebook, www.facebook.com/AtlantisCasinoResortSpa, or on Twitter at @AtlantisCasino.

The Riviera Black Hawk Casino, which opened in 2000, is the first casino encountered by visitors arriving from Denver on Highway 119 and features approximately 32,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 700 slot machines, 10 table games, a 250 seat buffet-style restaurant, a snack bar and a parking structure with approximately 500 spaces. Monarch owns a 1.5 acre land parcel contiguous to the Riviera Black Hawk Casino which is zoned for gaming and is master planned for future expansion. For more Riviera Black Hawk information, please visit www.rivierablackhawk.com or call 303.582.1000. Also see Riviera Black Hawk on Facebook, www.facebook.com/RivieraCasino, or on Twitter at @RivieraCasino.

Forward-Looking Information:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are subject to change, including, but not limited to, comments relating to (i) future operating performance; (ii) economic and market conditions; (iii) plans, objectives and expectations regarding Black Hawk; (iv) integration of Black Hawk; and (v) plans, construction, completion and opening of new and expanded facilities at Black Hawk. Actual results and future events and conditions may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect all forward-looking statements, including the Company's financial results is included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available on the Company's web site at www.monarchcasino.com.

(1) "Adjusted EBITDA" - see the separate Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity. This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the performance of other companies that report Adjusted EBITDA, although some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

   
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income  
(Unaudited)  
           
        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2013     2012  
        (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
Revenues                
  Casino   $ 38,703,346     $ 25,409,520  
  Food and beverage     12,221,987       10,585,794  
  Hotel     5,311,228       4,368,442  
  Other     2,329,980       2,137,356  
    Gross revenues     58,566,541       42,501,112  
Less promotional allowances     (10,922,514 )     (7,633,056 )
    Net revenues     47,644,027       34,868,056  
Operating expenses                
  Casino     14,505,785       10,133,551  
  Food and beverage     5,175,661       4,725,753  
  Hotel     1,403,878       1,295,194  
  Other     751,643       726,224  
  Selling, general and administrative     13,978,711       11,685,381  
  Depreciation and amortization     4,643,435       3,375,084  
  Acquisition expense     -       74,591  
    Total operating expenses     40,459,113       32,015,778  
    Income from operations     7,184,914       2,852,278  
Other expenses                
  Interest expense     (566,096 )     (328,661 )
    Total other expense     (566,096 )     (328,661 )
    Income before income taxes     6,618,818       2,523,617  
Provision for income taxes     (2,356,816 )     (882,250 )
    Net income   $ 4,262,002     $ 1,641,367  
                     
Earnings per share of common stock                
  Net income                
    Basic   $ 0.26     $ 0.10  
    Diluted   $ 0.26     $ 0.10  
                     
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding                
    Basic     16,147,324       16,138,158  
    Diluted     16,275,208       16,274,355  
                     
                     
                     
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
                 
        March 31,     December 31,  
        2013     2012  
    (unaudited)        
ASSETS                
Current assets                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 19,222,894     $ 19,043,213  
  Receivables, net     2,240,069       2,456,883  
  Inventories     2,364,866       2,382,802  
  Prepaid expenses     3,365,919       2,636,422  
  Deferred income taxes     5,425,848       5,425,848  
    Total current assets     32,619,596       31,945,168  
Property and equipment                
  Land     27,914,847       27,914,847  
  Land improvements     6,561,729       6,561,729  
  Buildings     150,843,298       150,843,298  
  Building improvements     11,681,100       11,681,100  
  Furniture and equipment     135,341,915       132,946,374  
  Leasehold improvements     1,346,965       1,346,965  
          333,689,854       331,294,313  
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     (156,823,265 )     (152,868,719 )
    Net property and equipment     176,866,589       178,425,594  
Other assets                
    Goodwill     25,110,810       25,110,810  
    Intangible assets, net     9,515,803       10,204,691  
    Deferred income taxes     1,214,113       1,214,113  
    Other assets, net     1,143,300       1,219,579  
  Total other assets     36,984,026       37,749,193  
    Total assets   $ 246,470,211     $ 248,119,955  
                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Current liabilities                
  Accounts payable   $ 8,351,876     $ 8,061,570  
  Accrued expenses     18,541,466       17,836,194  
  Income taxes payable     2,431,217       274,401  
    Total current liabilities     29,324,559       26,172,165  
Long-term debt     71,800,000       81,100,000  
    Total liabilities     101,124,559       107,272,165  
                     
Stockholders' equity                
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued     -       -  
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 19,096,300 shares issued;16,147,324 outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012     190,963       190,963  
  Additional paid-in capital     34,599,550       34,363,690  
  Treasury stock, 2,948,976 shares at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, at cost     (48,306,046 )     (48,306,046 )
  Retained earnings     158,861,185       154,599,183  
    Total stockholders' equity     145,345,652       140,847,790  
  Total liability and stockholder's equity   $ 246,470,211     $ 248,119,955  
                   
                   
                   
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (1) to Net Income
(Unaudited)
 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA(1), a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, a GAAP financial measure.

           
        Three months ended March 31,  
        2013     2012  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)                
  Atlantis   $ 9,327,000     $ 7,818,152  
  Black Hawk (a)     4,016,696       -  
          13,343,696       7,818,152  
  Corporate and other expense     (1,279,487 )     (1,247,714 )
    Total Adjusted EBITDA   $ 12,064,209     $ 6,570,438  
                     
Expenses                
  Stock based compensation     (235,860 )     (268,485 )
  Depreciation and amortization     (4,643,435 )     (3,375,084 )
  Acquisition expense     -       (74,591 )
  Interest expense     (566,096 )     (328,661 )
  Provision for income taxes     (2,356,816 )     (882,250 )
      Net income   $ 4,262,002     $ 1,641,367  
                       

(a) We acquired Riviera Black Hawk Casino on April 26, 2012.

(1) "Adjusted EBITDA" consists of net income plus provision for income taxes, stock based compensation expense, other one-time non-cash charges, interest expense, depreciation and amortization less interest income and any benefit for income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity. This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the performance of other companies that report Adjusted EBITDA, although some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Contact Information:

Contacts:
Ron Rowan
CFO of Monarch
(775) 825-4700


John Farahi
CEO of Monarch
(775) 825-4700


For additional information visit Monarch's website at MonarchCasino.com