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The Majestic Star Casino, LLC Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

2008-08-14 20:02:00

    LAS VEGAS, Aug. 14 /EMWNews/ -- The Majestic Star Casino, LLC today

released financial results for the three and six months ended June 30,

2008. The Majestic Star Casino, LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the

"Company") operate two adjacent dockside gaming facilities ("Majestic Star"

and "Majestic Star II" and together the "Majestic Properties") located in

Gary, Indiana, and two Fitzgeralds brand casinos located in Tunica,

Mississippi ("Fitzgeralds Tunica") and Black Hawk, Colorado ("Fitzgeralds

Black Hawk").



    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the

financial information contained herein.



    Consolidated Results: Three Months Ended June 30, 2008



    For the three months ended June 30, 2008, consolidated net operating

revenues were $85.3 million compared to $92.8 million for the three months

ended June 30, 2007, a decrease of approximately $7.5 million, or 8.0%. Net

revenues decreased $4.1 million at the Majestic Properties, $2.2 million at

Fitzgeralds Tunica and $1.1 million at Fitzgeralds Black Hawk. Our

consolidated net revenues were negatively impacted by the slow down in the

economy, higher gasoline prices, increased competition in our markets, a

smoking ban in Colorado and other factors discussed below, all of which

reduced visitations to our properties and limited the gambling budgets of

our customers.



    Operating income was $7.1 million, a decrease of $4.3 million, or

37.4%, compared to $11.4 million for the prior year.



    The Company incurred a net loss of $8.2 million for the three months

ended June 30, 2008 compared to a net loss of $3.9 million for 2007.



    For the three months ended June 30, 2008, adjusted EBITDA was $15.5

million compared to $20.3 million for 2007, a decrease of approximately

$4.8 million, or 23.4%. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the three months

ended June 30, 2008 was 18.2% compared to 21.8% for 2007. The table at the

end of this press release reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and

adjusted EBITDA and sets forth a detailed explanation as to the usefulness

and limitations of using EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure.



    Consolidated Results: Six Months Ended June 30, 2008



    For the six months ended June 30, 2008, consolidated net operating

revenues were $174.3 million compared to $184.3 million for 2007, a

decrease of approximately $10.0 million, or 5.4%. Net revenues decreased

$7.7 million at the Majestic Properties and $2.3 million at Fitzgeralds

Black Hawk. Net revenues were unchanged at Fitzgeralds Tunica. Our

consolidated net revenues were negatively impacted by the slow down in the

economy, higher gasoline prices, increased competition in our markets, poor

weather and a smoking ban in Colorado, all of which reduced visitations to

our properties and limited the gambling budgets of our customers.



    Operating income was $15.0 million, a decrease of $6.8 million, or

31.2%, compared to $21.8 million for the prior year.



    The Company incurred a net loss of $15.6 million for the six months

ended June 30, 2008 compared to a net loss of $8.6 million for the six

months ended June 30, 2007.



    For the six months ended June 30, 2008, adjusted EBITDA was $31.7

million compared to $38.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, a

decrease of $7.2 million, or 18.4%. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the six

months ended June 30, 2008 was 18.2% compared to 21.1% for 2007.



    Debt outstanding at June 30, 2008 totaled $572.8 million, which

includes $71.7 million drawn on our Senior Secured Credit Facility, $300.0

million of Senior Secured Notes, $200.0 million of Senior Notes and $1.2

million of capital leases and other debt. As of June 30, 2008, we had

unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $27.7 million and there was $8.3

million available under our Senior Secured Credit Facility.



    Majestic Properties



    We experienced softness in our revenues primarily due to the increased

competition from a nearby Native American property which opened in the

third quarter of 2007. Our casino revenues were impacted the most,

particularly our slot revenues, as they declined 15.3% and 14.2%, from the

three months ended June 30, 2007 and the six months ended June 30, 2007,

respectively. This decline was primarily due to a decline in slot coin-in

of 8.5% and 9.7% and a decrease in the slot hold percentage of 0.6

percentage points and 0.4 percentage points from the three months ended

June 30, 2007 and the six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. Table

games revenue, which includes poker revenue, increased by 9.0% from the

three months ended June 30, 2007 and 5.2% from the six months ended June

30, 2007. Our table games volume increased by 5.8% compared to the three

months ended June 30, 2007, and our table games hold percentage increased

by 1.1 percentage points. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our table

games volume increased by 12.1% from the prior year; however, our table

games hold percentage decreased by 0.7 percentage points. Partly

contributing to increased table games volumes during the first half of 2008

was play from higher worth customers. Food and beverage revenues and hotel

revenues both reflected decreases over the prior year. Our decision to

utilize promotional credits in place of promotional cash coupons mailed to

our customers caused a decrease in promotional allowances of $3.3 million

and $6.5 million, from the three months ended June 30, 2007 and the six

months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, which is also reflected in the

decline in slot revenues as these promotional credits, unlike promotional

cash coupons, are not included in slot revenue.



    Adjusted EBITDA for the Majestic Properties decreased to $12.6 million

from $15.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, and the

adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2008

compared to 24.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2007, primarily due

to a decrease in net revenues of 6.5% while expenses decreased 4.1%.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $23.8 million from $29.7 million for the six

months ended June 30, 2007, and the adjusted EBITDA margin was 20.1% for

the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 23.6% for the six months

ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in net revenues of 6.1%

while expenses decreased 2.4%.



    Fitzgeralds Tunica



    The general economic downturn, increased competitive pressures and

higher gas prices have affected our volumes at Fitzgeralds Tunica.

Additionally, in May 2008, a major competitor re-branded its gaming

property, and as such, increased its marketing efforts and player

reinvestment. This property caters to a similar clientele as the

Fitzgeralds Tunica. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, our table

games volumes decreased by 16.0% from the same period in the prior year,

and our table games hold percentage decreased 2.7 percentage points. During

the six months ended June 30, 2008, our table games volumes decreased by

5.8% from the same period in the prior year, offset by an increase in our

table games hold percentage of 2.5 percentage points. Slot revenues

decreased 7.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2007, due to a decrease

in slot coin-in of 6.0% and a slight decrease in the slot hold percentage.

Slot revenues decreased 1.3% from the six months ended June 30, 2007, due

to a decrease in the slot coin-in of 2.9% partially offset by an increase

in the slot hold percentage of 0.1 percentage points. The reduced gaming

volumes occurred mainly as a result of fewer visits from our junket program

players, especially toward the end of the three months ended June 30, 2008.

Not only have higher gas prices impacted our drive-in customers, but they

have also increased the costs of bringing in players on our junket

programs. Rooms revenues increased 3.5% from the three months ended June

30, 2007 and increased 11.9% from the six months ended June 30, 2007, due

to an increase in complimentary rooms offered to our casino customers and

an increase in rooms available for sale resulting from a room remodel

project that took rooms out of service during the first quarter of 2007.

Food and beverage revenues decreased 12.2% from the three months ended June

30, 2007 and decreased 3.6% from the six months ended June 30, 2007, due to

a decrease in complimentary food and beverage offered to our casino

patrons. Promotional allowances decreased 6.1% from the three months ended

June 30, 2007, resulting from a corresponding decrease in complimentaries,

and increased 2.8% from the six months ended June 30, 2007, resulting from

greater levels of complimentaries provided to our customers during the

first quarter of 2008.



    EBITDA for Fitzgeralds Tunica decreased to $3.2 million from $4.7

million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, and the EBITDA margin was

16.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 21.0% for the

three months ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in revenues

of 9.9% while expenses decreased 2.8%. EBITDA increased to $8.6 million

from $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, and the EBITDA

margin was 20.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 19.2%

for the six months ended June 30, 2007.



    Fitzgeralds Black Hawk



    The state-wide smoking ban that was enacted in Colorado on January 1,

2008 and higher fuel prices have negatively impacted our volumes at

Fitzgeralds Black Hawk and the Black Hawk market overall. We have recently

completed the expansion of Fitzgeralds Black Hawk, hosting a soft-opening

in June. These factors, together with the economic slowdown generally, have

impacted our casino volumes as we have seen slot volumes decline 16.1% from

the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 14.7% from the six months ended

June 30, 2007 and table games volumes decline 15.4% from the three months

ended June 30, 2007 and 15.5% from the six months ended June 30, 2007. In

order to drive casino visitation we continue to increase our marketing and

promotional efforts.



    EBITDA for Fitzgeralds Black Hawk decreased to $1.1 million from $2.1

million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, and the EBITDA margin was

16.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 28.0% for the

three months ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in revenues

of 14.8% while expenses remained unchanged. EBITDA decreased to $2.3

million from $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, and the

EBITDA margin was 17.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to

28.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to a decrease

in revenues of 14.5% while expenses decreased only slightly.



    Forward Looking Statements



    This press release may contain 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. These

statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events

and financial performance. Although these statements reflect our reasonable

judgment based on current information, actual results may differ materially

from those expected because of various risks and uncertainties, including,

but not limited to: our significant indebtedness; the availability and

adequacy of our cash flow to service our debt and other liquidity needs;

failure to meet the financial covenants contained in the Loan and Security

Agreement; increased competition in existing markets or the opening of new

gaming jurisdictions; the ability to fund capital improvements and

development needs; any adverse effect of legislation prohibiting smoking;

other adverse conditions, such as adverse economic conditions in the

Company's markets, changes in general customer confidence or spending,

increased fuel and transportation costs, or travel concerns that may

adversely affect the economy in general and/or the casino and gaming

industry in particular; our limited ability to purchase slot machines

resulting in a greater number of slot machine leases; our potential

liability to the City of Gary, Indiana for additional economic incentive

taxes; changes or developments in laws, regulations or taxes in the casino

and gaming industry; union related issues; issues relating to licenses,

permits or approvals; and adverse determinations of issues related to

disputed taxes. The foregoing and other risks and uncertainties are

discussed in the Company's reports filed by or furnished to the Securities

and Exchange Commission ("SEC") including its most recent Annual Report on

Form 10-K. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance

on any such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we

assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even

though our situation may change in the future. All future written and

verbal forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting

on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary

statements contained or referred to in this press release and in our

reports filed with or furnished to the SEC.



    Additional Information; Earnings Conference Call



    Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Jon S.

Bennett, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, at

(702) 388-2400.



    The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter

and year-to-date earnings results at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (1:00 PM Eastern

Time) on Friday, August 15, 2008. The call can be accessed by calling (888)

299-4099 and providing the verbal pass code, Majestic Star. Until August

22, 2008, a complete replay of the conference call can be accessed by

dialing (800) 355-2355, pass code 86252#.




Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Operating Results by Entity and Reconciliations of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by Property and in Total Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) For The Three Months Ended For The Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 OPERATING REVENUES: Casino $85,850,488 $96,137,813 $175,202,784 $191,268,373 Rooms 3,012,893 3,049,522 6,001,624 5,594,467 Food and beverage 5,838,436 6,911,077 12,295,469 12,786,332 Other 1,980,430 2,018,884 4,020,439 3,901,360 Gross revenues 96,682,247 108,117,296 197,520,316 213,550,532 Less promotional allowances 11,333,371 15,359,054 23,177,970 29,278,417 Net operating revenues 85,348,876 92,758,242 174,342,346 184,272,115 OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES: Casino 23,405,648 23,156,182 48,303,180 46,814,819 Rooms 599,720 752,652 1,179,734 1,557,836 Food and beverage 2,169,739 2,699,585 4,266,416 5,370,194 Other 355,941 480,076 798,863 983,197 Gaming taxes 20,653,548 22,158,447 41,667,879 44,466,391 Advertising and promotion 5,401,355 5,848,645 11,087,294 11,158,301 General and administrative 13,991,867 13,943,275 28,735,898 28,149,185 Corporate expense 1,398,020 1,748,592 3,033,739 3,471,794 Economic incentive tax - City of Gary 1,765,797 1,712,176 3,518,751 3,465,765 Depreciation and amortization 8,381,888 8,031,727 16,666,547 16,201,379 Loss on disposal of assets 83,757 820,288 70,479 808,563 Total operating costs and expenses 78,207,280 81,351,645 159,328,780 162,447,424 Operating income 7,141,596 11,406,597 15,013,566 21,824,691 OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: Interest income 64,915 161,869 174,639 374,046 Interest expense (13,420,520) (13,718,247) (26,854,237) (27,296,937) Interest expense - debt pushed down from Majestic Holdco (1,976,883) (1,762,465) (3,865,132) (3,446,879) Other non- operating expense (6,447) (15,701) (21,598) (50,366) Total other expense (15,338,935) (15,334,544) (30,566,328) (30,420,136) Net loss $(8,197,339) $(3,927,947) $(15,552,762) $(8,595,445) Operating Results by Entity (Unaudited) For The Three For The Six Months Ended Months Ended June 30, June 30, ($ in thousands) 2008 2007 2008 2007 Casino revenues Majestic Properties $58,743 $65,802 $118,056 $132,270 Fitzgeralds Tunica 19,672 21,912 42,010 42,018 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 7,435 8,424 15,137 16,980 Total $85,850 $96,138 $175,203 $191,268 Net revenues Majestic Properties $58,648 $62,717 $118,086 $125,761 Fitzgeralds Tunica 20,197 22,406 42,924 42,926 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 6,504 7,635 13,332 15,585 Total $85,349 $92,758 $174,342 $184,272 Operating income (loss) Majestic Properties $7,824 $9,657 $14,227 $19,367 Fitzgeralds Tunica 394 2,024 2,912 2,875 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 376 1,505 1,021 3,115 Corporate (1,452) (1,779) (3,146) (3,532) Total $7,142 $11,407 $15,014 $21,825 Net income (loss) Majestic Properties $7,846 $9,776 $14,309 $19,666 Fitzgeralds Tunica 398 2,040 2,926 2,904 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 372 1,515 1,021 3,128 Corporate (16,813) (17,259) (33,809) (34,293) Total $(8,197) $(3,928) $(15,553) $(8,595) EBITDA Majestic Properties $12,594 $14,340 $23,766 $28,900 Fitzgeralds Tunica 3,237 4,713 8,628 8,234 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 1,090 2,134 2,320 4,364 Corporate (1,398) (1,749) (3,034) (3,472) Total $15,523 $19,438 $31,680 $38,026 Adjusted EBITDA Majestic Properties $12,594 $15,160 $23,766 $29,720 Fitzgeralds Tunica 3,237 4,713 8,628 8,234 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 1,090 2,134 2,320 4,364 Corporate (1,398) (1,749) (3,034) (3,472) Total $15,523 $20,258 $31,680 $38,846 Operating margin Majestic Properties 13.3% 15.4% 12.0% 15.4% Fitzgeralds Tunica 2.0% 9.0% 6.8% 6.7% Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 5.8% 19.7% 7.7% 20.0% Total 8.4% 12.3% 8.6% 11.8% EBITDA margin Majestic Properties 21.5% 22.9% 20.1% 23.0% Fitzgeralds Tunica 16.0% 21.0% 20.1% 19.2% Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 16.8% 28.0% 17.4% 28.0% Total 18.2% 21.0% 18.2% 20.6% Adjusted EBITDA margin Majestic Properties 21.5% 24.2% 20.1% 23.6% Fitzgeralds Tunica 16.0% 21.0% 20.1% 19.2% Fitzgeralds Black Hawk 16.8% 28.0% 17.4% 28.0% Total 18.2% 21.8% 18.2% 21.1% Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by Property and in Total (Unaudited) EBITDA (and adjusted EBITDA) is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it is a widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming industry, and a principal basis for valuation of gaming companies. Management defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-usage fees on the $80.0 million credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for the write-down and loss on disposal of slot machines. Management uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA measures to compare operating results among properties and between accounting periods. The use of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is specifically relevant in evaluating large, long-lived hotel and casino projects because the measure provides a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separate from substantial, non-operating depreciation and financing costs of such projects. Additionally, management believes that some investors and lenders consider EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to be useful measures in determining the Company's ability to service or incur debt and for estimating the Company's underlying financial performance before capital costs, taxes, capital expenditures and other non-routine costs. The Loan and Security Agreement ("Agreement") governing the Company's $80.0 million credit facility, as amended, requires that the Company maintain certain minimum EBITDA levels as defined in the Agreement, as amended. Other companies may calculate EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to operating income, as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity, or as any other measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America. The Company has significant uses of cash including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA. Reconciliations of net income (loss) to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are presented below:
For The Three For The Six Months Ended Months Ended June 30, June 30, (in thousands) 2008 2007 2008 2007 Majestic Properties Net income $7,846 $9,776 $14,309 $19,666 Interest income (29) (120) (89) (303) Interest expense 7 2 8 4 Depreciation and amortization 4,770 4,682 9,538 9,533 EBITDA 12,594 14,340 23,766 28,900 Loss on disposal of slot machines - 820 - 820 Adjusted EBITDA $12,594 $15,160 $23,766 $29,720 Fitzgeralds Tunica Net income $398 $2,040 $2,926 $2,904 Interest income (4) (16) (13) (28) Depreciation and amortization 2,843 2,689 5,715 5,358 EBITDA $3,237 $4,713 $8,628 $8,234 Fitzgeralds Black Hawk Net income $372 $1,515 $1,021 $3,128 Interest income (1) (11) (4) (13) Interest expense 4 - 4 - Depreciation and amortization 715 630 1,299 1,249 EBITDA $1,090 $2,134 $2,320 $4,364 Corporate Net loss $(16,813) $(17,259) $(33,809) $(34,293) Interest income (31) (14) (68) (29) Interest expense 15,386 15,479 30,707 30,740 Depreciation and amortization 54 30 114 60 Other non-operating expense 6 15 22 50 EBITDA $(1,398) $(1,749) $(3,034) $(3,472) Consolidated Net loss $(8,197) $(3,928) $(15,553) $(8,595) Interest income (65) (161) (174) (373) Interest expense 15,397 15,481 30,719 30,744 Depreciation and amortization 8,382 8,031 16,666 16,200 Other non-operating expenses 6 15 22 50 EBITDA 15,523 19,438 31,680 38,026 Loss on disposal of slot machines - 820 - 820 Adjusted EBITDA $15,523 $20,258 $31,680 $38,846

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