GlobeNewswire Inc | Oct 25, 2021 04:02PM EDT

October 25, 2021

RENO, Nev., Oct. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRI) (Monarch or the Company) today reported record operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, as summarized below:

($ in thousands, except per share data and percentages)

2020 comparison

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Increase 2021 2020 IncreaseNet $ 111,630 $ 59,869 86.5 % $ 284,309 $ 126,036 125.6 %revenue Net 22,314 10,745 107.7 % 48,617 8,418 477.5 %income AdjustedEBITDA^ $ 40,279 $ 20,664 94.9 % $ 98,279 $ 29,263 235.8 %(1) Basicearnings(losses) $ 1.20 $ 0.59 103.4 % $ 2.62 $ 0.46 469.6 %pershareDilutedearnings(losses) $ 1.15 $ 0.57 101.8 % $ 2.51 $ 0.44 470.5 %pershare

2019 comparison

For the benefit of our stockholders, we also include the below comparison to 2019 to show pre-COVID information:

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2019 Increase 2021 2019 IncreaseNet $ 111,630 $ 65,585 70.2 % $ 284,309 $ 187,086 52.0 %revenue Net 22,314 9,326 139.3 % 48,617 25,620 89.8 %income AdjustedEBITDA^ $ 40,279 $ 17,351 132.1 % $ 98,279 $ 47,545 106.7 %(1) Basicearnings $ 1.20 $ 0.52 130.8 % $ 2.62 $ 1.42 84.5 %pershareDilutedearnings $ 1.15 $ 0.50 130.0 % $ 2.51 $ 1.37 83.2 %pershare

(1)Definitions, disclosures and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial information are included later in the release.

CEO Comment John Farahi, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch, commented: Monarch again delivered record financial results as our third quarter benefited from the strong ongoing pandemic recovery, economic and population growth in Denver and Reno, and the notable impact of the removal of betting limits in Colorado. Our focus on operational excellence and market-leading amenities has enabled us to leverage these tailwinds and drive consistent growth. Labor shortages and wage pressure, as well as supply chain constraints and price inflation, remain headwinds.Atlantis operation in Reno was impacted by unhealthy air quality from the California fires and Nevadas decision to reinstate indoor mask mandates.

Net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2021 were $111.6 million and $40.3 million, respectively, reaching all-time highs for the second consecutive quarter, as each of our properties generated record net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. For the second quarter in a row, we also achieved a record Adjusted EBITDA margin of 36.1%.

Our Black Hawk operations are ramping up, and we are working diligently to complete the legacy facility transformation by year-end. This addition will increase casino space by approximately 25% and restaurant seating by approximately 35%. In just a short time, the property has established itself as the leading casino resort in the greater Denver market, and we continue to grow market share. The May 2021 removal of the Colorado table game bet limit and the addition of Baccarat to our table game mix have resulted in an increase in new customer visitation, particularly high value players from across the Front Range. We have been able to manage the labor shortages and operate the hotel, and food and beverage outlets at full capacity on our busiest nights.

At Atlantis, we continue to see strong demand across all segments of our business and higher customer spend. That said, Atlantis results were negatively impacted by the California fires which lowered air quality in the Reno area to unhealthy levels for at least 26 days. We also saw additional negative impact to visitation beginning on July 30, when mask mandates were again instituted across Nevada. Our ongoing investments in the property continue. We intend to commence a complete renovation of the hotel rooms in the first tower beginning early next year, to ensure that we meet the high standards that our guests have come to expect from Atlantis.

With the Monarch Black Hawk construction project nearing completion, we are evaluating acquisition opportunities where we can fully leverage our development expertise and operational excellence. The Company has the discipline and balance sheet to continue to deploy capital in a manner that consistently builds shareholder value.

Summary of 2021 Third Quarter Operating Results In the 2021 third quarter, the Company generated net revenue of $111.6 million, an increase of 86.5% from $59.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Casino, food and beverage (F&B), and hotel revenues increased 71.4%, 102.3% and 162.2% year-over-year, respectively. The increase in revenues was driven primarily by the ongoing ramp up in business at the Companys hotel and expanded casino in Black Hawk. In the third quarter of 2020, Atlantis and Black Hawk revenues were negatively impacted by pandemic-related capacity and other regulatory limitations which remained in effect following the properties reopening.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $21.7 million compared to $15.9 million in the prior-year period, driven primarily by the additional G&A expenses to support the expanded Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk as well as an increase in overall labor expense. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A expense decreased to 19.4% compared to 26.5% in the prior-year period. Casino operating expense as a percentage of casino revenue increased to 33.3% during the third quarter of 2021 from 28.3% in the prior-year period, primarily due to strong casino performance following the properties reopening in 2020. F&B operating expense as a percentage of F&B revenue increased to 77.6% during the third quarter of 2021 from 75.1% in the prior-year period due to increased commodity prices and labor costs. Hotel operating expense as a percentage of hotel revenue decreased to 38.5% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 42.3% in the same period a year ago, primarily due to the ramp-up in hotel operations at Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. Hotel operating expenses were also negatively impacted by the continuing increase in labor costs.

Net income for the third quarter of 2021 increased 107.7% and diluted EPS increased 101.8% compared to the same period last year. The Company generated consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $40.3 million, an increase of $19.6 million, or 94.9%, over the same period a year ago.

Credit Facility and Liquidity Capital expenditures of $9.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 primarily included construction costs related to the ongoing renovation of a portion of the legacy Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk building and ongoing capital spending at Atlantis. Capital expenditures were funded from operating cash flows. The Company expensed $0.9 million of interest in the third quarter of 2021 while all $1.8 million of interest in the third quarter of 2020 was capitalized.

During the third quarter of 2021, the Company made $27.0 million in principal payments on its Term Loan Facility, which included a $2.5 million mandatory payment and $24.5 million in optional prepayments. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had an outstanding principal balance of $108.0 million under the Term Loan and had no borrowings outstanding under its $70.0 million Revolving Credit Facility.

Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "seem," "look," "look forward," "positioning," "considering," "future," "will," "confident" and similar references to future periods. Example of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding: (i) our expected operating results and strength of our balance sheet; (ii) our belief that we have sufficient liquidity to fund ongoing capital expenditures; (iii) our expectations regarding the growth and strength of the Reno and Black Hawk markets and our ability to increase market share and benefit from such growth; (iv) our beliefs regarding the quality of our products and guest services in Reno and Black Hawk, including as a premier destination gaming resort in Colorado; (v) our expectations regarding the renovation of a portion of the legacy Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk and the expected timing of the completion of such construction; (vi) our expectations regarding the commencement of renovation of hotel rooms at the Atlantis; (vii) our expectations regarding the continued ramp up of our expanded casino (including out new poker room), new hotel and enhanced amenities operations at Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk and the opening of the sports lounge and bar and specialty restaurant; and (viii) our expectations regarding our future position in, and share of, the gaming market and the quality of service we provide to our guests. Actual results and future events and conditions may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

-- continuing adverse impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and any variant thereof ("COVID-19") on our business, construction projects, financial condition and operating results; -- continuing actions by government officials at the federal, state and/or local level with respect to steps to be taken, including, without limitation, temporary or extended shutdowns, travel restrictions, mask-covering mandates, social distancing and shelter-in-place orders, in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak; -- any potential decrease in guest visitations following the pent-up demand caused by COVID-19; -- any adverse impact on the U.S. economy which may result from recurring federal government stimulus efforts to address COVID-19 shutdowns and layoffs, such as inflation; -- our ability to manage guest safety concerns caused by COVID-19; -- our ability to effectively manage and control expenses during temporary or extended shutdown periods; -- impact of temporary or extended shutdowns on our ability to maintain compliance with the terms and conditions of our credit facilities and other material contracts; -- access to available and reasonable financing on a timely basis; -- our ability to maintain strong working relationships with our regulators, employees, lenders, suppliers, insurance carriers, customers, and other stakeholders; -- impact of any uninsured losses; -- changes in guest visitation or spending patterns due to health or other concerns; -- construction factors, including delays, disruptions, availability of labor and materials, increased costs of labor and materials, contractor disagreements, zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil and water conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters, building permit issues and other regulatory approvals or issues; -- ongoing disagreements over costs of and responsibility for delays and other construction related matters with our Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk general contractor, PCL Construction Services, Inc., including, as previously reported, the litigation against us by such contractor; -- claims for construction defects, breach of contract, breach of warranty, fraud, fraudulent inducement, negligence or other construction related claims that we may have in connection with construction and completion of Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk and any adverse impacts on operations required to correct the same; -- our filing of affirmative defenses and extensive counterclaims against the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk contractor, PCL Construction Services, Inc., in the above-mentioned litigation in which litigation the parties are currently conducting discovery, and investigation of the claims by and against us is therefore ongoing; -- our potential need to post bonds or other forms of surety to support our legal remedies; -- risks related to development and construction activities (including disputes with and defaults by contractors and subcontractors; construction, equipment or staffing problems and delays; shortages of materials or skilled labor; environmental, health and safety issues; weather and other hazards, site access matters, and unanticipated cost increases); -- our ability to generate sufficient operating cash flow to help finance our expansion plans and subsequent debt reduction; -- the impacts of inflationary pressures on our operating costs and expenses, as well as our ability to pass cost increases along to our customers; -- changes in laws mandating increases in minimum wages and employee benefits; -- changes in laws and regulations permitting expanded and other forms of gaming in our key markets; -- the effects of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general and on the gaming industry and our business in particular; -- the effects of labor shortages and supply chain interruptions on our market position, growth and financial results; -- the potential of increases in state and federal taxation to address budgetary and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; -- the potential of increased regulatory and other burdens to address the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 pandemic; -- guest acceptance of our expanded facilities once completed and the resulting impact on our market position, growth and financial results; and -- competition in our target market areas.

Additional information concerning potential factors that could adversely affect all forward-looking statements, including the Company's financial results, is included in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on our website at www.monarchcasino.com.

About Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada, and the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk in Black Hawk, Colorado, approximately 40 miles west of Denver. For additional information on Monarch, visit the Company's website at www.monarchcasino.com.

The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 818 guest rooms and suites; eight food outlets; two gourmet coffee and pastry bars; a 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,400 slot and video poker machines; approximately 37 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge; and a poker room.

Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, upon completion of its legacy building renovation in 2021, will feature approximately 60,000 square feet of casino space; approximately 1,200 slot machines; approximately 30 table games; a poker room and keno counter. The resort also includes 10 bars and lounges, as well as three new dining options including a twenty-four-hour full-service restaurant, buffet-style restaurant and the Monarch Chophouse (a fine-dining steakhouse). A sports lounge and bar, and specialty restaurant are expected to open later in 2021. The resort offers 516 guest rooms and suites, banquet and meeting room space, a retail store, a concierge lounge and an upscale spa and pool facility located on the top floor of the tower. The resort is connected to a nine-story parking structure with approximately 1,350 parking spaces, and additional valet parking, with total property capacity of approximately 1,500 spaces.

Contacts: John Farahi Chief Executive Officer 775/824-4401 or JFarahi@monarchcasino.com

Joseph Jaffoni, Richard Land, James Leahy JCIR 212/835-8500 or mcri@jcir.com

- financial tables follow -

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(In thousands, except per share data; unaudited)

Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues Casino $ 63,931 $ 37,292 $ 168,515 $ 74,267 Food and 25,971 12,835 64,293 30,491 beverageHotel 17,336 6,613 39,924 14,502 Other 4,392 3,129 11,577 6,776 Net revenues 111,630 59,869 284,309 126,036 Operating expensesCasino 21,297 10,566 53,219 22,836 Food and 20,148 9,635 51,748 24,954 beverageHotel 6,668 2,796 16,308 6,694 Other 2,120 1,249 5,632 3,120 Selling,general and 21,690 15,856 62,222 41,920 administrativeDepreciationand 9,434 3,891 28,308 11,544 amortizationOtheroperating 1,233 2,448 2,799 4,910 items, netTotaloperating 82,590 46,441 220,236 115,978 expensesIncome from 29,040 13,428 64,073 10,058 operations Interest (891 ) - (3,786 ) - expenseIncome before 28,149 13,428 60,287 10,058 income taxesProvision for (5,835 ) (2,683 ) (11,670 ) (1,640 )income taxesNet income $ 22,314 $ 10,745 $ 48,617 $ 8,418 Earnings pershare of common stockBasic $ 1.20 $ 0.59 $ 2.62 $ 0.46 Diluted $ 1.15 $ 0.57 $ 2.51 $ 0.44 Weightedaverage numberof commonshares and potentialcommon sharesoutstandingBasic 18,640 18,218 18,573 18,186 Diluted 19,423 18,861 19,395 18,823

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET(In thousands, except per share data)

September 30, December 31, 2021 2020ASSETS (unaudited) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,036 $ 28,310 Receivables, net 8,628 3,736 Income taxes receivable 21,323 24,894 Inventories 6,117 7,823 Prepaid expenses 6,672 8,393 Total current assets 75,776 73,156 Property and equipment, net 570,903 572,507 Goodwill 25,111 25,111 Intangible assets, net 508 973 Deferred income taxes 130 130 Total assets $ 672,428 $ 671,877 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt $ 20,000 $ 12,500 Accounts payable 14,936 11,655 Construction accounts payable 55,080 49,771 Accrued expenses 44,815 34,705 Short-term lease liability 571 813 Total current liabilities 135,402 109,444 Deferred income taxes 13,221 13,220 Long-term lease liability 13,618 13,984 Long-term debt, net 85,792 167,162 Total liabilities 248,033 303,810 Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 - - shares authorized; none issuedCommon stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000shares authorized;19,096,300 shares issued; 191 191 18,630,776 outstanding at September 30, 2021;18,426,130 outstanding at December 31, 2020Additional paid-in capital 39,423 34,498 Treasury stock, 465,524 shares at September30, 2021; 670,170 shares atDecember 31, (6,086 ) (8,872 )2020Retained earnings 390,867 342,250 Total stockholders' equity 424,395 368,067 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 672,428 $ 671,877

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA TO NET INCOME (In thousands, unaudited)

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, a GAAP financial measure:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,279 $ 20,664 $ 98,279 $ 29,263 (1)Expenses: Stock based (572 ) (897 ) (3,099 ) (2,751 )compensationDepreciation and (9,434 ) (3,891 ) (28,308 ) (11,544 )amortization(Provision) for (5,835 ) (2,683 ) (11,670 ) (1,640 )income taxesInterest expense (891 ) - (3,786 ) - Pre-opening - (951 ) (2 ) (1,941 )expenses (2)Constructionlitigation (1,516 ) (456 ) (2,985 ) (788 )expenses (2)CO legislationlobbying - (550 ) - (1,397 )expenses (2)COVID-19 - (396 ) (108 ) (684 )expenses (2) (3)Litigationproceeds, net 334 - 334 - (2)Insurance claims 100 - 100 - proceeds (2)Gain (loss) ondisposition of (151 ) (95 ) (138 ) (100 )assets (2)Net income $ 22,314 $ 10,745 $ 48,617 $ 8,418

-- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, consists of net income plus loss on disposal of assets, provision for income taxes, stock-based compensation expense, other one-time charges, pre-opening expenses, construction litigation expenses, acquisition expenses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization less interest income, any benefit for income taxes and gain on disposal of assets. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with US GAAP) or as a measure of liquidity. This measure enables comparison of the Company's performance over multiple periods, as well as against the performance of other companies in our industry that report Adjusted EBITDA, although some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and, therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. -- Amount included in the "Other operating items, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Income. -- Includes equipment and supplies directly attributable to the pandemic for reopening of properties; such expenses are incremental to normal operations.