Penn National Gaming : Reports Second Quarter Revenue of $701.0 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $85.7 Million

Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN: Nasdaq)

Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN: Nasdaq) (“Penn National Gaming,” “Penn National,” “Penn,” or the “Company”) today reported operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2015, as summarized below.

Review of Second Quarter 2015 Results vs. Guidance and Second Quarter 2014 Results

Timothy J. Wilmott, President and Chief Executive Officer of Penn National Gaming, commented, “Penn National Gaming delivered a very strong second quarter as our consolidated adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted EBITDA, net income and diluted EPS all exceeded guidance. During the quarter, we also significantly advanced our long-term growth strategies with the successful opening of Plainridge Park Casino, our announced agreement to acquire Tropicana Las Vegas, the ongoing development of Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego, and our recent agreements that mark our entrée in digital gaming.

“Our operating results exceeded guidance partially as a result of year-over-year improvements in both customer visits and spend per visit at our properties on a consolidated same-store basis. Additionally, our earnings growth reflects initial contributions from the June 24 opening of Plainridge Park Casino, as well as continued solid contributions from Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Racecourse, both of which opened in the third quarter of last year and more than offset the mid-2014 closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City.

“Overall, second quarter adjusted EBITDA exceeded guidance by $8.7 million with a $15.3 million positive operating segment variance partially offset by a $3.0 million impact related to cash-settled stock based awards and $1.3 million of higher rent and compensation expense related to the strong quarterly performance as well as other charges disclosed in this release.

“During the second quarter, adjusted EBITDAR margin in our operating segments rose slightly on a year-over-year basis to 31.45%. On a consolidated basis, the second quarter adjusted EBITDAR margin of 27.9% reflects higher corporate overhead costs of $9.3 million which were primarily attributable to a rise in cash-settled stock award expense of $6.4 million and increased bonus accruals of $1.8 million due to the improved results.

“We believe that Penn National remains favorably positioned for continued adjusted EBITDA growth in the second half of 2015 based on the disciplined management of our existing properties, growing evidence of an improved operating environment, a full year of operations of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, continued growth and efficiencies at our other recently opened or acquired properties, and a half year of operating results from Plainridge Park Casino.

“During the first 24 hours of operations at Plainridge Park Casino, more than 10,000 patrons from Massachusetts and surrounding states visited the facility, taking advantage of the convenient location near the south I-495 and I-95 interchange. Guest response to Plainridge Park’s unique style of gaming, dining, and entertainment in a clean, comfortable and modern atmosphere remains overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to further building our presence in the community and establishing Plainridge Park as the region’s premier entertainment and gaming facility.

“Construction on Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego reached a milestone in late June as we celebrated the ‘Topping Out’ of the casino, which remains on target to open in mid-2016. We recently increased the overall construction budget by $30 million to $390 million for this state-of-the-art three-story gaming and entertainment facility, which will include more than 1,700 slot machines, 43 live table games, as well as our signature Final Cut Steak & Seafood steakhouse, a noodle bar, an upscale sports bar and posh lounge featuring national and regional entertainment, a beer garden, a four-venue food court, and an eight-story partially subterranean parking garage with over 1,800 parking spaces.

“Penn National expects to participate in Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego’s success through a seven year management contract with the Jamul Indian Tribe which, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, we anticipate will result in a management fee equal to 30% of the casino’s pretax income, a licensing fee of 1.5% of gross gaming revenues for the Hollywood Brand, as well as interest on funds advanced by the Company to develop the project. We are also exploring other financing options to provide more permanent, lower cost terms for the Tribe.

“With our $360 million acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas scheduled to close later this year, we will have achieved a key strategic objective to identify the right resort at a reasonable cost of entry on the Las Vegas Strip to unleash the significant potential of our database of nearly 3 million active customers. Tropicana Las Vegas, which recently underwent more than $200 million in facility upgrades, presents a tremendous opportunity to drive increased visitation to a premier Strip property, while at the same time allowing us to strengthen our competitive position in our regional gaming markets.

“Penn National has developed a two-phase plan to realize the full value of this transaction, which we expect to implement over the next three to five years. In the first phase, we intend to invest approximately $20 million in additional facility improvements and integration activities, including upgrading the existing technology infrastructure to integrate Penn National’s nationwide player loyalty program, Marquee Rewards. In the second phase, we intend to evaluate other potential facility enhancements at the property, such as the addition of retail offerings, food and beverage outlets, additional hotel rooms and enhanced entertainment offerings. The scope, budget and timing of any such expansion and improvements will be determined based upon Penn National’s early operation of the property and customer feedback for additional amenities.

“Notably, during the quarter, we announced our first formal social gaming initiative with the agreement to deploy Scientific Games’ SG Universe product suite at four Penn National properties beginning later this month with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The agreement will allow our customers to access Scientific Games’ Play4Fun social casino platform and its Mobile Concierge next-generation marketing capabilities.

“Our solid second quarter results continue to demonstrate the commitment of our corporate and property level management teams and employees to efficiently operate our highly diversified portfolio of new and well-maintained regional gaming facilities with the goal of enhancing long-term shareholder value.”

Development and Expansion Projects

The table below summarizes Penn National Gaming’s ongoing development projects:

Financial Guidance

Reflecting the current operating and competitive environment, the table below sets forth 2015 third quarter and full year guidance targets for financial results, based on the following assumptions:

• Horseshoe Baltimore, which opened in August 2014, will impact Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races;
• No impact from the anticipated acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas;
• A full year contribution from the Company’s management contract for Casino Rama;
• Full year corporate overhead expenses of $89.4 million, with $20.9 million to be incurred in the third quarter of 2015;
• Full year 2015 rent expense of $435.4 million, with $108.7 million to be incurred in the third quarter of 2015, including an estimated annual rent escalation of $3.9 million at the conclusion of year two of the Master Lease beginning in November 2015 of which $0.65 million will be incurred in the fourth quarter;
• Depreciation and amortization charges in 2015 of $170.3 million, with $43.6 million in the third quarter of 2015;
• Our share of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization expense) associated with our Kansas JV will total $10.3 million for 2015, with $2.5 million to be incurred in the third quarter of 2015;
• Estimated non-cash stock compensation expenses of $8.5 million for 2015, with $2.1 million to be incurred in the third quarter of 2015;
• Interest expense in 2015 of $53.1 million, with $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2015;
• LIBOR is based on the forward yield curve;
• Full year 2015 non-cash accrued interest income on loan to Jamul Tribe of $11.7 million, with $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2015;
• A diluted share count of approximately 90.6 million shares for the full year 2015; and
• There will be no material changes in applicable legislation, regulatory environment, world events, weather, recent consumer trends, economic conditions, oil prices, competitive landscape (other than listed above) or other circumstances beyond our control that may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Other category also includes the Company’s corporate overhead costs, which were $23.7 million and $47.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, as compared to corporate overhead costs of $14.4 million and $30.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Corporate overhead costs included cash-settled stock-based compensation charges of $7.5 million and $16.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $1.1 million and $2.7 million for the corresponding period in the prior year. The reason for the increase was mainly due to stock price increases for Penn and GLPI common stock during 2015 compared to stock price declines in 2014.

Penn’s definition of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR includes our share of the impact of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization) at our joint ventures that have gaming operations. At this time, Kansas Entertainment, the operator of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, is Penn’s only joint venture that meets this definition. Kansas Entertainment does not currently have, nor has it ever had, any indebtedness. We have presented the cash flow distributions we have received from this investment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

Diluted Share Count Methodology

In connection with the spin-off, Penn National Gaming completed its exchange and repurchase transaction with an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, LLC (“Fortress”) on October 11, 2013, which resulted in the repurchase of $627 million of its Series B Preferred Stock and the issuance of 8,624 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, which is equivalent to 8,624,000 common shares upon sale by Fortress to a third party.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR are used by management as the primary measure of the Company’s operating performance. We define adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, stock compensation, debt extinguishment charges, impairment charges, insurance recoveries and deductible charges, depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on disposal of assets, and other income or expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is also inclusive of income or loss from unconsolidated affiliates, with our share of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization) added back for our joint venture in Kansas Entertainment. Adjusted EBITDAR is adjusted EBITDA excluding rent expense associated with our Master Lease agreement with GLPI. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR have economic substance because they are used by management as a performance measure to analyze the performance of our business, and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We also present adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR because they are used by some investors and creditors as an indicator of the strength and performance of ongoing business operations, including our ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value companies within our industry. In addition, gaming companies have historically reported adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to financial measures in accordance with GAAP. In order to view the operations of their casinos on a more stand-alone basis, gaming companies, including us, have historically excluded from their adjusted EBITDA calculations certain corporate expenses that do not relate to the management of specific casino properties. However, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR are not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR information is presented as a supplemental disclosure, as management believes that it is a widely used measure of performance in the gaming industry, is the principal basis for the valuation of gaming companies, and that it is considered by many to be a better indicator of the Company’s operating results than net income (loss) per GAAP. Management uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR as the primary measures of the operating performance of its segments, including the evaluation of operating personnel. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR should not be construed as alternatives to operating income, as indicators of the Company’s operating performance, as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities, as measures of liquidity, or as any other measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR. It should also be noted that other gaming companies that report adjusted EBITDA information may calculate adjusted EBITDA in a different manner than the Company and therefore, comparability may be limited.

A reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR, as well as the Company’s income from operations per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR, is included above. Additionally, a reconciliation of each segment’s income (loss) from operations to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR is also included above. On a segment level, income (loss) from operations per GAAP, rather than net income (loss) per GAAP is reconciled to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR due to, among other things, the impracticability of allocating interest expense, interest income, income taxes and certain other items to the Company’s segments on a segment by segment basis. Management believes that this presentation is more meaningful to investors in evaluating the performance of the Company’s segments and is consistent with the reporting of other gaming companies.

Conference Call, Webcast and Replay Details

Penn National Gaming is hosting a conference call and simultaneous webcast at 9:00 am ET today, both of which are open to the general public. The conference call number is 212/231-2919. Please call five minutes in advance to ensure that you are connected prior to the presentation. Questions will be reserved for call-in analysts and investors. Interested parties may also access the live call on the Internet at www.pngaming.com. Please allow 15 minutes to register and download and install any necessary software. A replay of the call can be accessed for thirty days on the Internet at www.pngaming.com.

This press release, which includes financial information to be discussed by management during the conference call and disclosure and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, is available on the Company’s web site, www.pngaming.com, in the “Investors” section (select link for “Press Releases”).

About Penn National Gaming

Penn National Gaming owns, operates or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. At June 30, 2015, the Company operated twenty-six facilities in seventeen jurisdictions, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario. At June 30, 2015, in aggregate, Penn National Gaming’s operated facilities featured approximately 32,000 gaming machines, 760 table games and 3,100 hotel rooms.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or the negative or other variations of these or similar words, or by discussions of future events, strategies or risks and uncertainties, including future plans, strategies, performance, developments, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and operating results. Actual results may vary materially from expectations. Although the Company believes that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Meaningful factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, risks related to the following: our ability to obtain timely regulatory approvals required to own, develop and/or operate our facilities, or other delays or impediments to completing our planned acquisitions or projects, our ability to secure federal, state and local permits and approvals necessary for our construction projects; construction factors, including delays, unexpected remediation costs, local opposition, organized labor, and increased cost of labor and materials; our ability to maintain agreements with our horsemen, pari-mutuel clerks and other organized labor groups; the passage of state, federal or local legislation (including referenda) that would expand, restrict, further tax, prevent or negatively impact operations in or adjacent to the jurisdictions in which we do or seek to do business (such as a smoking ban at any of our facilities); the effects of local and national economic, credit, capital market, housing, and energy conditions on the economy in general and on the gaming and lodging industries in particular; the activities of our competitors and the rapid emergence of new competitors (traditional, internet and sweepstakes based and taverns); increases in the effective rate of taxation at any of our properties or at the corporate level; our ability to identify attractive acquisition and development opportunities and to agree to terms with, and maintain good relationships with partners/municipalities for such transactions; the costs and risks involved in the pursuit of such opportunities and our ability to complete the acquisition or development of, and achieve the expected returns from, such opportunities; our expectations for the continued availability and cost of capital; the outcome of pending legal proceedings, including the ongoing appeal by the Ohio Roundtable addressing the legality of video lottery terminals in Ohio and litigation surrounding our withdrawal from a gaming project in Western Pennsylvania; changes in accounting standards; the impact of weather; with respect to the proposed Jamul project near San Diego, California, particular risks associated with financing a project of this type, sovereign immunity, local opposition (including several pending lawsuits), and building a complex project on a relatively small parcel; with respect to our Massachusetts project, the ultimate location of the other gaming facilities in the state; with respect to our social and other interactive gaming endeavors, risks related to ultimate profitability, cyber-security, data privacy, intellectual property and legal and regulatory challenges; and other factors as discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, each as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.

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