MTR Gaming Group (MNTG) Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MNTG) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights and Subsequent Events

• Net revenue growth of 9.3%, including net revenue growth of 15.2% for Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort
• Record Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $20.0 million
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.3%, a 110 basis point increase from the prior-year quarter
• In January 2012, Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack received its conditional gaming license to install and operate video lottery terminals, and construction is progressing on schedule at the facility

“We are pleased with our fourth quarter 2011 results, which saw a considerable increase in revenue, record Adjusted EBITDA and improved Adjusted EBITDA margin, which was the result of our focus on targeted marketing programs at our facilities, optimizing our cost structure, improving economic conditions in the region and favorable weather in the latter part of the fourth quarter,” said Jeffrey J. Dahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. “Looking forward into 2012, we have already received our conditional license to install and operate video lottery terminals (“VLTs”) at our Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack and are pleased to note that construction is proceeding on schedule for an anticipated second quarter 2012 opening. Once completed, we believe the casino will have a significant beneficial impact on the Columbus, Ohio area in terms of entertainment, job opportunities and economic growth, as well as provide long-term value for our stockholders.”

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company’s total net revenues were $103.6 million, an increase of 9.3% compared to $94.8 million in the same period of 2010. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $20.0 million, up 15.9% compared to $17.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The fourth quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.3% compared to 18.2% in the prior-year quarter.

The Company reported a net loss of $6.0 million for the quarter, or $0.21 per diluted share (which included income of $0.8 million from discontinued operations), compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the same period of 2010, due primarily to increased interest expense associated with the Company’s debt refinancing in the third quarter of 2011.

Net revenues at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort increased 15.2% to $55.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $48.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Revenues from slots were $41.9 million compared to $36.4 million in the same quarter of 2010, while table gaming at Mountaineer generated $7.2 million of revenues compared to $6.1 million in the prior-year period. The property saw Adjusted EBITDA increase to $11.7 million from $9.0 million in the comparable quarter of 2010. The Adjusted EBITDA margin at Mountaineer increased to 21.0% compared to 18.6% in the prior-year quarter. As previously mentioned, the increase in net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA was attributable to targeted marketing programs and operating efficiencies at Mountaineer, as well as improving economic conditions and milder winter weather in the latter part of 2011.

Net revenues at Presque Isle Downs & Casino increased 3.2% to $47.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $46.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2010. Table gaming at Presque Isle Downs generated $5.4 million of revenues compared to $4.7 million in the prior-year period, while slot revenue increased by $0.8 million compared to the same quarter of 2010. The property generated Adjusted EBITDA of $10.9 million compared to $10.4 million in the same quarter of 2010, with the Adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to 23.0% compared to 22.6% in the prior-year period. The increase in net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was primarily attributable to the milder winter weather and operating efficiencies.

Corporate overhead costs increased by 21% to $2.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $1.9 million in the prior-year period, due primarily to increases in compensation-related expenses.

Full Year 2011 Highlights

For the year ended December 31, 2011, MTR’s total net revenues increased approximately 1% to $428.1 million compared to $424.9 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased 6.7% to $82.6 million (which includes $2.1 million received from a mineral rights lease bonus payment) from $77.4 million last year (which includes $1.4 million of project-opening costs and $1.7 million of severance costs). For the year ended December 31, 2011, net loss was $50.4 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, and includes a $34.4 million pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment associated with MTR’s refinancing, a pre-tax charge of $5.9 million representing an estimate of the Company’s obligations associated with its estimated proportionate assessment of amounts due under an Administrative Order executed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on July 11, 2011 and other related assessments, income tax expense of approximately $4.0 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and $0.8 million in income from discontinued operations. Absent these charges and discontinued operations, the net loss would have been $6.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. In the same period last year, the Company reported net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, which included a loss of $0.2 million from discontinued operations.

See attached tables, including reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations and income (loss) from discontinued operations, GAAP financial measures, to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP financial measures.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2011, MTR had $85.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, $130.1 million of funds that are held for construction of the video lottery terminal gaming facility at Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack, and $548.9 million in total debt, net of discount. In addition, the Company has $20 million available for borrowing under its revolving credit facility.

Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings (losses) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain (loss) on the sale or disposal of property, loss on asset impairment, loss on debt modification and extinguishment, other regulatory gaming assessment costs and equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture, to the extent that such items existed in the periods presented. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), are unaudited and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations or operating margin as indicators of our operating performance, or cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin have been presented as supplemental disclosures because they are widely used measures of performance and basis’ for valuation of companies in our industry. Management of the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as primary measures of the Company’s operating performance and as components in evaluating the performance of operating personnel. 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. Moreover, other companies that provide EBITDA and/or Adjusted EBITDA information may calculate EBITDA and/or Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. A reconciliation of GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations and GAAP income (loss) from discontinued operations to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin, is included in the financial tables accompanying this release.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results and corporate developments today at 4:30 p.m. EST. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (888) 713-3595. Please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and ask for the MTR Gaming call (conference ID #3987455).

The conference call will be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.mtrgaming.com. To listen to the live webcast please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen to the live call, the conference call will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

A replay of the call will be available two hours following the end of the call through midnight EDT on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at www.mtrgaming.com and by telephone at (877) 870-5176; passcode 3987455.

About MTR Gaming Group

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. is a hospitality and gaming company that through subsidiaries owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia; Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania; and Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.mtrgaming.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things the prospects for improving the results of our operations at Mountaineer, Presque Isle Downs and Scioto Downs, including the success and growth of table gaming at Presque Isle Downs and Mountaineer and the successful implementation of video lottery terminals at Scioto Downs. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the statements made to be incorrect and/or for actual results to differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of new competition for Mountaineer and Presque Isle Downs (including casino gaming and video lottery terminals in Ohio), the establishment of video lottery terminals at Scioto Downs, pending the receipt of required regulatory approval, the effectiveness of our marketing programs, the enactment of future gaming legislation in the jurisdictions in which we operate (including the implementation of casino gaming in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio and the implementation of video lottery terminals at racetracks in Ohio), changes in, or failure to comply with, laws, regulations or the conditions of our gaming licenses, accounting standards or environmental laws, including adverse changes in the gaming tax rates that the Company currently pays in its various jurisdictions, general economic conditions, disruption (occasioned by weather conditions or work stoppages) of our operations, our ability to improve our operating margins, our continued suitability to hold and obtain renewals of our gaming and racing licenses, our ability to fulfill our obligations and comply with the covenants associated with our various debt instruments and/or our ability to obtain additional debt and/or equity financing, if and when needed, and other factors described in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. The cautionary advice in this paragraph is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
					Three Months Ended											Year Ended
					December 31											December 31
					2011					2010						2011					2010
					(unaudited)											(unaudited)
Revenues:
Gaming					$	94,122				$	85,986					$	385,300				$	382,514
Pari-mutuel commissions						1,929					2,117						10,206					11,181
Food, beverage and lodging						7,881					7,056						32,617					32,265
Other						2,609					1,961						11,058					8,737
Total revenues						106,541					97,120						439,181					434,697
Less promotional allowances						(2,951	)				(2,357	)					(11,095	)				(9,806	)
Net revenues						103,590					94,763						428,086					424,891
Operating expenses:
Expenses of operating departments:
Gaming:
Operating costs						58,266					53,933						238,343					238,594
Other regulatory assessments						167					–						5,925					800
Pari-mutuel commissions						2,252					2,126						11,411					11,276
Food, beverage and lodging						5,670					5,227						23,701					23,249
Other						1,468					1,321						6,271					6,144
Marketing and promotions						2,931					2,801						12,609					12,788
General and administrative						12,992					12,114						52,963					54,068
Project opening costs						36					–						197					1,365
Depreciation						6,863					7,162						27,939					28,733
Impairment loss						685					–						685					40
Loss on the sale or disposal of property						682					30						470					75
Total operating expenses						92,012					84,714						380,514					377,132
Operating income						11,578					10,049						47,572					47,759
Other income (expense):
Interest income						75					15						145					37
Interest expense						(17,162	)				(13,383	)					(60,159	)				(54,120	)
Loss on debt extinguishment						–					–						(34,364	)				–
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes						(5,509	)				(3,319	)					(46,806	)				(6,324	)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes						(1,256	)				529						(4,347	)				1,361
Loss from continuing operations						(6,765	)				(2,790	)					(51,153	)				(4,963	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest						787					(41	)					787					(234	)
Benefit for income taxes						–					14						–					82
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before non- controlling interest						787					(27	)					787					(152	)
Non-controlling interest						1					–						1					(1	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations						788					(27	)					788					(153	)
Net loss					$	(5,977	)			$	(2,817	)				$	(50,365	)			$	(5,116	)
Net loss per share – basic:
Loss from continuing operations					$	(0.24	)			$	(0.10	)				$	(1.84	)			$	(0.18	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations						0.03					–						0.03					(0.01	)
Net loss					$	(0.21	)			$	(0.10	)				$	(1.81	)			$	(0.19	)
Net loss per share – diluted:
Loss from continuing operations					$	(0.24	)			$	(0.10	)				$	(1.84	)			$	(0.18	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations						0.03					–						0.03					(0.01	)
Net loss					$	(0.21	)			$	(0.10	)				$	(1.81	)			$	(0.19	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic						27,940,702					27,655,526						27,835,649					27,549,546
Diluted						27,940,702					27,655,526						27,835,649					27,549,546

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31								December 31
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net revenues:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort		$	55,766			$	48,408			$	224,103			$	228,784
Presque Isle Downs & Casino			47,505				46,048				201,148				193,005
Scioto Downs			298				285				2,750				2,963
Corporate			21				22				85				139
Consolidated net revenues		$	103,590			$	94,763			$	428,086			$	424,891
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort		$	11,718			$	9,012			$	47,449			$	48,451
Presque Isle Downs & Casino			10,949				10,413				45,778				41,047
Scioto Downs			(402	)			(300	)			(1,476	)			(1,217	)
Corporate			(2,290	)			(1,884	)			(9,160	)			(10,874	)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	19,975			$	17,241			$	82,591			$	77,407
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations			626				(41	)			626				(232	)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA		$	20,601			$	17,200			$	83,217			$	77,175
_______________________________________________________________________
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations and income (loss) from discontinued operations, GAAP financial measures, to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP financial measures.
_______________________________________________________________________
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31								December 31
		2011				2010				2011				2010
ADJUSTED EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort:
Income from continuing operations		$	8,732			$	1,549			$	35,653			$	22,526
Interest (income) expense, net			(2	)			9				22				142
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			–				4,211				(4	)			12,328
Depreciation			2,786				3,223				11,831				13,383
Impairment loss			204				–				204				–
(Gain) loss on the sale or disposal of property			(2	)			20				(257	)			72
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	11,718			$	9,012			$	47,449			$	48,451
Net revenues		$	55,766			$	48,408			$	224,103			$	228,784
Adjusted EBITDA margin			21.0	%			18.6	%			21.2	%			21.2	%
Presque Isle Downs & Casino:
Income from continuing operations		$	4,548			$	1,431			$	19,491			$	15,160
Interest (income) expense, net			(3	)			7				4				28
Provision for income taxes			1,268				5,240				3,927				10,553
Other regulatory gaming assessment			167				–				5,925				800
Depreciation			3,873				3,725				15,292				14,503
Impairment loss			412				–				412				–
Loss on the sale or disposal of property			684				10				727				3
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	10,949			$	10,413			$	45,778			$	41,047
Net revenues		$	47,505			$	46,048			$	201,148			$	193,005
Adjusted EBITDA margin			23.0	%			22.6	%			22.8	%			21.3	%
Scioto Downs:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(557	)		$	(222	)		$	(2,164	)		$	(1,355	)
(Capitalized interest) interest expense, net			(37	)			16				(20	)			70
Benefit for income taxes			–				(295	)			–				(733	)
Depreciation			192				201				767				801
Gain on debt extinguishment			–				–				(59	)			–
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	(402	)		$	(300	)		$	(1,476	)		$	(1,217	)
MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31								December 31
		2011				2010				2011				2010
ADJUSTED EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (continued):
Corporate:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(19,488	)		$	(5,548	)		$	(104,133	)		$	(41,294	)
Interest expense, net of interest income			17,129				13,336				60,008				53,843
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(12	)			(9,685	)			424				(23,509	)
Depreciation			12				13				49				46
Impairment loss			69				–				69				40
Loss on debt extinguishment			–				–				34,423				–
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	(2,290	)		$	(1,884	)		$	(9,160	)		$	(10,874	)
Consolidated:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(6,765	)		$	(2,790	)		$	(51,153	)		$	(4,963	)
Interest expense, net of interest income and capitalized interest			17,087				13,368				60,014				54,083
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			1,256				(529	)			4,347				(1,361	)
Other regulatory gaming assessment			167				–				5,925				800
Depreciation			6,863				7,162				27,939				28,733
Loss on the sale or disposal of property			682				30				470				75
Impairment loss			685				–				685				40
Loss on debt extinguishment			–				–				34,364				–
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations		$	19,975			$	17,241			$	82,591			$	77,407
Net revenues		$	103,590			$	94,763			$	428,086			$	424,891
Adjusted EBITDA margin			19.3	%			18.2	%			19.3	%			18.2	%
ADJUSTED EBITDA FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	788			$	(27	)		$	788			$	(153	)
Interest (income) expense			(162	)			–				(162	)			3
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			–				(14	)			–				(82	)
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations		$	626			$	(41	)		$	626			$	(232	)

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
					December 31					December 31
					2011					2010
					(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					$	85,585				$	53,820
Restricted cash						1,146					1,143
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $383 in 2011 and $386 in 2010						4,554					2,790
Amounts due from West Virginia Lottery Commission						122					–
Inventories						3,503					3,476
Deferred financing costs						1,622					4,106
Deferred income taxes						494					–
Prepaid expenses and other current assets						5,366					5,177
Total current assets						102,392					70,512
Property and equipment, net						299,579					314,484
Funds held for construction project						130,114					–
Goodwill						–					494
Other intangibles						85,577					85,529
Deferred financing costs, net of current portion						9,919					8,113
Deposits and other						1,902					1,984
Non-operating real property						11,207					12,215
Assets of discontinued operations						181					178
Total assets					$	640,871				$	493,509
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable					$	1,461				$	1,887
Accounts payable – gaming taxes and assessments						8,854					7,968
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes						4,114					3,861
Accrued interest						27,072					16,702
Accrued income taxes						958					546
Other accrued liabilities						10,741					9,052
Construction project and equipment liabilities						3,732					136
Deferred income taxes						–					64
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations						–					1,255
Liabilities of discontinued operations						223					217
Total current liabilities						57,155					41,688
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion						548,933					376,830
Other regulatory gaming assessments						5,408					–
Deferred income taxes						11,048					6,756
Total liabilities						622,544					425,274
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock						–					–
Additional paid-in capital						62,804					61,910
(Accumulated Deficit) retained earnings						(44,288)					6,359
Accumulated other comprehensive loss						(404)					(251)
Total stockholders’ equity of MTR Gaming Group, Inc.						18,112					68,018
Non-controlling interest of discontinued operations						215					217
Total stockholders’ equity						18,327					68,235
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity					$	640,871				$	493,509