Nevada Gold & Casinos Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Nevada Gold & Casinos Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE MKT:UWN) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2016.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company reported net revenues of $18.5 million compared to $16.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Operating expenses were $18.3 million compared to $15.1 million in the prior year period.  Operating income was $0.3 million compared to $1.0 million, and net income was $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to net income of $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, in the prior year period.

Net revenues from the Washington state gaming operations decreased to $13.2 million, from $13.7 million in the prior year period, and adjusted EBITDA decreased to $1.5 million compared to $2.0 million in the prior year. Although general business volumes were stable, a lower table games hold percentage, although normal, was responsible for approximately $0.2 million in both the revenue and EBITDA shortfalls.  As a result of declining poker business, the Company decided to consolidate its poker operations and closed the poker tables at two locations.  Poker revenue represented approximately $0.3 million in both the revenue and EBITDA declines in the quarter.

The state of Washington passed a ballot measure increasing the minimum wage to $11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2017.  The Company anticipates that current payroll expense will increase by approximately $1.2 million in calendar year 2017.  The Company has identified numerous cost and operating initiatives intended to offset approximately $0.8 million of this wage impact.  At the end of November, a competitor in the tri-cities market in eastern Washington, which generated approximately $2.4 million in annual gaming revenue, ceased operations.  The Company operates two of the remaining three facilities in that market and anticipates an increase in business as a result of this closure.

Club Fortune revenues were $3.1 million and adjusted EBITDA was $0.1 million.  Road construction outside the facility, which was completed the last week of October, continued to negatively impact revenue during the quarter.  With the construction completed, November revenues returned to pre-construction levels. 

South Dakota slot route operations net revenue was $2.2 million compared to $2.4 million in the prior-year period and adjusted EBITDA was $213,000 compared to $252,000.

On a consolidated basis, adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 million, compared to $1.7 million in the prior-year period.  The Company paid down $1.0 million in debt during the quarter.  The unrestricted cash balance at October 31, 2016 was $10.2 million, and total outstanding borrowing was $15.5 million.

In July 2016, the Board authorized a $2.0 million stock repurchase program.  During the quarter the Company acquired 189,788 shares for $344,372, an average cost of $1.81.  Approximately $1.7 million remains available under this authorization.

“Despite some of the challenges we experienced in the first half of the year, we are encouraged by the changes and catalysts now in place for both Washington and Club Fortune casino operations as we enter the seasonally stronger portion of the year,” stated Michael P. Shaunnessy, President and CEO. “We continue to pay down debt, have been active with our share repurchase program, and are focused on cost reductions and efficiencies to increase shareholder value.”

For the six month period, net revenues were $36.8 million compared to $32.1 million in fiscal year 2016. Operating expenses were $36.5 million compared to $30.3 million in the prior year. Operating income was $0.4 million compared to $1.8 million in fiscal 2016.  Net income was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call at 4:30 PM ET (1:30 PM PT) on December 15, 2016 to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update.  The call can be accessed live by dialing (888) 282-4019.  International callers can access the call by dialing (913) 312-0653.

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available after 7:30 PM ET and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921.  International callers can access the replay by dialing (412) 317-6671; the pin number is 2469123.  The replay will be available through December 22, 2016.

Non-GAAP Information
The term “adjusted EBITDA” is used by us in presentations, quarterly earnings calls, and other instances as appropriate.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, change in swap fair value, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges, write-offs of project development costs and acquisition expenses, litigation charges, non-cash stock grants, non-cash employee stock purchase plan discounts, amortization of deferred rent, and net losses/gains from asset dispositions. Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account greater or less than expected hold percentages in the gaming operations. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a required component of financial ratios reported by us to our lenders, and it is also frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties, in addition to and not in lieu of, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) results to compare to the performance of other companies that also publicize this information.  Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA reconciliations for the three months and six months ended October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 are shown below:

Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net income:
    For the three months ended
    October 31, 2016   October 31, 2015
             
Net income   $ 150,022   $ 617,988
Adjustments:            
Net interest expense and change in swap fair value   64,103     91,125
Income tax expense     70,842     301,122
Depreciation and amortization     773,510     488,709
Acquisition expenses         80,660
Stock compensation and employee stock purchases   85,143     80,300
Loss on sale of assets     5,546     2,050
Amortization of deferred rent     9,455     4,952
Adjusted  EBITDA   $ 1,158,621   $ 1,666,906
             

    For the six months ended
    October 31, 2016   October 31, 2015
             
Net income   $ 50,450   $ 1,075,985  
Adjustments:            
Net interest expense and change in swap fair value   281,833     191,232  
Income tax expense     22,854     528,634  
Depreciation and amortization     1,550,022     999,503  
Acquisition expenses     113,900     260,780  
Stock compensation and employee stock purchases   115,606     110,495  
Loss (gain) on sale of assets     13,916     (161,430 )
Amortization of deferred rent     21,955     12,863  
Adjusted  EBITDA   $ 2,170,536   $ 3,018,062  
             

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our ability to increase income streams, to grow revenue and earnings, and to obtain additional gaming and other projects. These statements are only predictions and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are identified and described in the Company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Nevada Gold & Casinos

Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE MKT:UWN) of Las Vegas, Nevada is a developer, owner and operator of 9 gaming operations in Washington (wagoldcasinos.com), a locals casino in Henderson, Nevada (clubfortunecasino.com) and a slot route operation in Deadwood, South Dakota (dakotaplayersclub.com). For more information, visit www.nevadagold.com.

 
Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
 
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    October 31,   October 31,   October 31,   October 31,
    2016     2015     2016     2015  
Revenues:                    
Casino   $ 16,412,381     $ 14,262,197     $   32,650,083     $   28,360,893  
Food and beverage     3,329,915       2,479,077         6,631,308         4,922,187  
Other     547,545       455,212         1,088,260         907,884  
Gross revenues     20,289,841       17,196,486         40,369,651         34,190,964  
Less promotional allowances       (1,747,069 )       (1,062,273 )       (3,529,902 )       (2,113,975 )
Net revenues     18,542,772       16,134,213         36,839,749         32,076,989  
Expenses:                         
Casino     9,490,195       7,929,335         18,715,421         15,924,636  
Food and beverage     1,482,778       1,295,320         3,015,120         2,608,689  
Other     70,394       63,000         154,403         110,999  
Marketing and administrative     5,163,876       4,114,503         10,434,156         8,325,058  
Facility     547,370       492,066         1,080,705         985,221  
Corporate     724,136       738,995         1,520,869         1,488,462  
Depreciation and amortization       773,510         488,709         1,550,022         999,503  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets       5,546         2,050         13,916         (161,430 )
Total operating expenses       18,257,805         15,123,978         36,484,612         30,281,138  
Operating income       284,967         1,010,235         355,137         1,795,851  
Non-operating income (expenses):                        
Interest income       23,124         24,749         46,092         50,630  
Interest expense and amortization of loan issue costs       (150,812 )       (94,027 )       (304,331 )       (213,620 )
Interest rate swap expense       (33,591 )       (12,714 )       (70,056 )       (30,326 )
Change in swap fair value       97,176         (9,133 )       46,462         2,084  
Income before income tax expense       220,864         919,110         73,304         1,604,619  
Income tax expense       (70,842 )       (301,122 )       (22,854 )       (528,634 )
Net income   $   150,022     $   617,988     $   50,450     $   1,075,985  
Per share information:                        
Net income per common share – basic and diluted   $   0.01     $   0.04     $   0.00     $   0.07  
                         
                         

 

Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
         
    October 31,   April 30,
    2016     2016  
    (unaudited)
     
             
ASSETS
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 10,237,713     $ 11,583,107  
Restricted cash     1,518,888       1,433,728  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances     468,795       665,549  
Prepaid expenses     1,529,350       1,206,825  
Notes receivable, current portion     620,929       208,294  
Inventory and other current assets     406,144       416,022  
Total current assets     14,781,819       15,513,525  
             
Real estate held for sale     750,000       750,000  
Notes receivable, net of current portion     7,500       900,775  
Goodwill     18,025,059       18,025,059  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization     4,534,399       5,003,981  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation     14,850,636       15,147,061  
Deferred tax asset     2,325,445       2,348,299  
Other assets     70,000       70,000  
Total assets   $   55,344,858     $   57,758,700  
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:            
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 1,331,378     $ 1,702,366  
Accrued payroll and related     1,852,582       2,094,250  
Accrued player’s club points and progressive jackpots     1,886,958       1,872,566  
Total current liabilities     5,070,918       5,669,182  
Long-term debt     15,209,829       16,839,148  
Other long-term liabilities     856,920       881,426  
Total liabilities     21,137,667       23,389,756  
             
             
Stockholders’ equity:            
Common stock, $0.12 par value per share; 50,000,000            
shares authorized; 18,625,167 and 18,571,693 shares issued and
17,652,542 and 17,788,856 shares outstanding at October 31,
2016, and April 30, 2016, respectively
    2,235,028       2,228,612  
Additional paid-in capital     27,441,270       27,315,517  
Retained earnings     11,807,300       11,756,850  
Treasury stock, 972,625 and 782,837 shares at October 31, 2016 and April 30, 2016,            
respectively, at cost     (7,276,407 )     (6,932,035 )
Total stockholders’ equity     34,207,191       34,368,944  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 55,344,858     $ 57,758,700  
             

Contacts:  Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. Michael P. Shaunnessy / James Meier (702) 685-1000  Stonegate Capital Partners Casey Stegman (214) 987-4121