For the third quarter of 2009, the company’s net revenues from continuing operations were $119.5 million, a decline of 9% from $130.8 million in the same period of 2008. EBITDA from continuing operations was $17.2 million, down 24% (after a severance charge of .1 million and strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio of $3.7 million) compared to $22.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in EBITDA from continuing operations is directly attributable to the strategic costs associated with Ohio, as well as increased marketing costs at MTR’s West Virginia property in response to increased competition, primarily from the opening of the Rivers Casino in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
During the third quarter of 2009, corporate operating expenses (exclusive of the $3.7 million of strategic costs associated with Ohio) decreased 35% to $2.2 million compared to $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 as a result of cost containment efforts.
The Company reported net income of $577,000 or .02 per diluted share, which included a $2.8 million pre-tax loss associated with MTR’s debt refinancing and the aforementioned $3.7 million of strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio, or .20 per diluted share in the aggregate. Additionally, net income included income from discontinued operations in the amount of $2.7 million or .10 per diluted share, resulting from the reversal of a $2.9 million deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with certain impairment losses that were recorded in the third quarter of 2008. In the same period last year, the Company reported a net loss of $8.2 million or .30 per share, of which a loss of $11.7 million or .43 per share was from discontinued operations.
Net revenues at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort decreased 11% to $68.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $77.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. Table gaming at Mountaineer generated $11.4 million of revenues compared to $13.2 million in the prior-year period, while revenues from slots decreased by $3.7 million compared to the same quarter in 2008. The decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to competitive pressures and weak economic conditions. The property generated EBITDA of $13.0 million versus $15.5 million in the comparable quarter of 2008.
Net revenues at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort decreased 11% to $68.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $77.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. Table gaming at Mountaineer generated $11.4 million of revenues compared to $13.2 million in the prior-year period, while revenues from slots decreased by $3.7 million compared to the same quarter in 2008. The decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to competitive pressures and weak economic conditions. The property generated EBITDA of $13.0 million versus $15.5 million in the comparable quarter of 2008.
“The voters of Ohio approved Issue 3 yesterday, which will increase the competition in our regional markets starting around 2013,” said Robert Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of MTR Gaming Group. “We are considering several different alternatives in order to proactively prepare for the new competition. Although this may appear to be a negative, we believe that it may result in slots at tracks, as the Governor has proposed, with better economic terms than were originally discussed. To that end we are working diligently to have this initiative reintroduced in the state. In terms of our current operations, we are delighted with the results we have seen thus far at Mountaineer since adding free play on September 1, which has enhanced its competitive position in the Ohio Valley.”
For the first nine months of 2009, MTR’s total net revenues decreased 5% to $350.3 million from $369.5 million in the first nine months of 2008. However, EBITDA from continuing operations decreased less than 1% to $56.6 million (after severance costs of .4 million and strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio of $4.1 million) from $57.0 million in the same period last year. Absent these one-time charges, EBITDA from continuing operations was up 7% from the prior-year period.
The 2009 year-to-date net income was $1.7 million or .06 per diluted share, of which income of $1.4 million or .05 per diluted share was from discontinued operations. In the same period last year, the Company reported a net loss of $13.2 million or .48 per share, which included a loss of $13.5 million or .49 per share from discontinued operations.
Griffin added, “We remain focused on increasing revenue and maximizing profits at our current operations, and we believe the advent of free play at Mountaineer is having a positive effect. Looking into next year, we hope that Ohio voters will approve the referendum allowing for video lottery terminals at racetracks.”
MTR Gaming Group, Inc., through subsidiaries, owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia; Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania; and Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit www.mtrgaming.com .
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