| January 7, 2009 |
November 9, 2007 12:00 PM
Century Casinos Reports Record Net Operating Revenue in Third Quarter 2007 |
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - Century Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ Capital Market and the Vienna Stock Exchange: CNTY) today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007. Third Quarter 2007 On a US GAAP ("Generally Accepted Accounting Principles") basis, the Company reported net earnings of $1,949,000, or $0.08 per basic share. The 2007 third quarter reflects increases in depreciation charges and net interest charges, primarily related to the opening and financing of three new casino operations in 2006. In addition, stock-based compensation expenses increased $354,000 primarily due to the issuance of stock options and restricted stock in July 2007. US GAAP net earnings for the 2006 third quarter were $1,851,000, or $0.08 per basic share. The 2006 third quarter includes pre-opening expenses of $604,000 and a recovery of approximately $400,000 of previously written off loans in conjunction with the sale of our interest in a casino project located in South Africa. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 On a US GAAP basis, the Company reported net earnings of $4,532,000, or $0.20 per basic share for the first nine months of 2007. The 2007 results reflect increases in depreciation charges and net interest charges, primarily related to the opening and financing of three new casino operations in 2006. US GAAP net earnings for the first nine months of 2006 were $4,872,000, or $0.21 per basic share. The 2006 results include pre-opening expenses of $2,116,000 and a recovery of approximately $400,000 of previously written off loans in conjunction with the sale of our interest in a casino project located in South Africa. Recent Developments Property Results Womacks' net operating revenue was $13,510,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $12,534,000 for the first nine months of 2006. Womacks' Adjusted EBITDA* for the first nine months of 2007 was $4,804,000 compared to $4,947,000 in the same 2006 period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA* is primarily due to approximately $329,000 in increased marketing charges primarily related to a special marketing promotion in the third quarter of 2007. Century Casino and Hotel (Central City) - Gaming revenue at the Century Casino and Hotel in Central City, Colorado has grown consistently since opening, with our highest monthly revenue occurring in September 2007. Net operating revenue at the Century Casino and Hotel increased 27% to $5,954,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $4,688,000 reported for the same period in 2006. Adjusted EBITDA* for the third quarter of 2007 was $1,769,000 compared to $949,000 in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA* is primarily due to improved revenues and a reduction in marketing expenditures. Marketing charges for the three months ended September 30, 2006 were higher than usual due to the opening of the casino in July 2006. Adjusted EBITDA* for the three months ended September 30, 2006 excludes approximately $315,000 of pre-opening expenditures. The Century Casino and Hotel's net operating revenue was $15,529,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $4,688,000 for the first nine months of 2006. The property commenced operations in July 2006. The Century Casino and Hotel's Adjusted EBITDA* for the first nine months of 2007 was $3,902,000 compared to $1,622,000 in the same 2006 period. Century Casino and Hotel (Edmonton) - We opened the casino in November 2006 with 600 slot machines and have since increased the number of machines on the floor to 654. Net operating revenue and Adjusted EBITDA* for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $4,930,000 and $1,503,000, respectively. Net operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $13,562,000 and Adjusted EBITDA* was $3,651,000. The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino (Caledon, South Africa) - Net operating revenue at the Caledon increased 4% to $4,526,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $4,350,000 reported for the same period in 2006. Adjusted EBITDA* for the third quarter of 2007 was $1,886,000 compared to $1,795,000 in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA* is primarily due to a decrease in professional fees and property taxes. Dividends of $59,000 were paid to preference shareholders during the third quarter of 2007. The Caledon's net operating revenue was $13,324,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $13,783,000 for the first nine months of 2006. The decrease was due to the weakening of the South African Rand ("Rand") versus the US Dollar on a year to date basis. Net operating revenue in Rand was ZAR 95,213,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to ZAR 90,503,000 for the first nine months of 2006. The Caledon's Adjusted EBITDA* for the first nine months of 2007 was $5,317,000 compared to $5,631,000 in the same 2006 period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA* is primarily due to the weakening of the Rand versus the US Dollar on a year to date basis and the payment of $335,000 in dividends to preference shareholders. Century Casino and Hotel (Newcastle, South Africa) - We acquired our 60% ownership interest in Newcastle, South Africa on April 1, 2006. Net operating revenue increased 53% to $2,885,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $1,891,000 reported for the same period in 2006. Newcastle's Adjusted EBITDA* for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $693,000 compared to $607,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. We opened a new casino facility in December 2006. Prior to this date, casino operations were held in a temporary facility. Management believes that the increases in net operating revenues and Adjusted EBITDA* are directly related to the opening of our new facility, which management believes is superior to the old facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Newcastle's net operating revenues were $8,595,000 compared to $3,941,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The casino provided the Company with Adjusted EBITDA* of $2,756,000 for the period ended September 30, 2007. Other Operations - The Company's other operating segments, which include the Century Casino Millennium in Prague and the Company's ship based casinos, contributed net operating revenues of $1,375,000 and Adjusted EBITDA* of $206,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to net operating revenues of $1,318,000 and Adjusted EBITDA* of $281,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Our other operations contributed net operating revenues of $3,888,000 and $3,352,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our other operations contributed Adjusted EBITDA* of $479,000 and $706,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decline in Adjusted EBITDA* is primarily due to the reduction of the number of ship-based casinos and the write-off of costs associated with a contract that the Company decided not to pursue. On Friday, November 9, 2007, Century Casinos will host a "Q3 2007 Earnings" conference call, at 9:00am EST; 3:00pm CET respectively. US domestic participants please dial +1-800-862-9098, all other international participants please use +1-785-424-1051 to dial-in. For a recording of the call, please visit our website at www.cnty.com/corporate/investor/financial-results/. For the Company's condensed consolidated Statements of Earnings and Balance Sheets, please see the press release. <- Back to: Corporate |