Caesars Entertainment Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2017

LAS VEGAS, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) today reported first quarter of 2017 results as summarized in the discussion below, which highlights certain GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures on a consolidated basis.

First Quarter 2017

• Net revenues for CEC increased 1.4% year-over-year to $963 million primarily attributable to strong growth in the Las Vegas region due to improved hotel performance.
• Net loss for CEC, before including the effect of noncontrolling interest, was $524 million compared with a net loss of $274 million in the first quarter of 2016 mainly due to a $466 million accrual related to the restructuring of Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. ("CEOC") compared with an accrual of $237 million in the prior year period.
• Adjusted EBITDA for CEC grew 5.0% year-over-year to $274 million.
• CEC Cash ADR in Las Vegas rose 10% due to increased resort fees, effective hotel yield management and improved pricing due to room product enhancements.
• Subsequent to the end of the quarter, CEOC successfully priced $1.4 billion of senior secured credit facilities, marking another important milestone in the process to complete CEOC's restructuring. The closing is expected to occur in connection with CEOC's emergence from bankruptcy in the second half of the third quarter of 2017, subject to a number of conditions.

"Caesars Entertainment delivered another quarter of successful execution, highlighted by strong growth in hotel revenues fueled by a double-digit percentage increase in Las Vegas Cash ADR. These gains reflect the positive impact of our investments in property renovations," said Mark Frissora, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caesars Entertainment. "Rising hotel revenues combined with increased operating efficiency drove higher EBITDA and supported our continued margin expansion. The conclusion of CEOC's restructuring is on track for the second half of the third quarter and represents an important milestone that will allow us to expand the range of growth opportunities available to us."

Summary Financial Data

The results of CEOC and its subsidiaries are no longer consolidated with Caesars subsequent to CEOC and certain of its United States subsidiaries (the "Debtors") voluntarily filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") on January 15, 2015. In January 2017, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois approved CEOC's Plan of Reorganization.

Supplemental materials have been posted on the Caesars Entertainment Investor Relations website at http://investor.caesars.com/financials.cfm.

First Quarter of 2017 Financial Results

We view each casino property as an operating segment and currently aggregate all such casino properties into two reportable segments based on management's view, which aligns with their own ownership and underlying credit structures: CERP and CGP. On September 23, 2016, CIE sold its social and mobile games business ("SMG Business") and retained only its World Series of Poker ("WSOP") and regulated online real money gaming businesses. The SMG Business represented the majority of CIE's operations and is being classified as a discontinued operation for all periods presented.

Segment results in this release are presented consistent with the way Caesars management assesses these results and allocates resources, which is a consolidated view that adjusts for the impact of certain transactions between reportable segments within Caesars, as described below. Accordingly, the results of certain reportable segments presented in this filing differ from the financial statement information presented in their stand-alone filings. "Other" includes parent, consolidating, and other adjustments to reconcile to consolidated Caesars results. All comparisons are to the same period of the previous year.

CEC

Net revenues increased 1.4% year-over-year to $963 million primarily attributable to improved Las Vegas hotel performance. These areas were partially offset by lower casino revenues as a result of significant unfavorable hold and lower gaming volume primarily at CGP. Income from operations increased $70 million to $158 million in the first quarter of 2017. Net loss, before including the effect of non-controlling interest, was $524 million compared with a net loss of $274 million in the first quarter of 2016 mainly due to a $466 million accrual related to CEC's estimate of the additional amount it will pay to support the restructuring of CEOC compared with an accrual of $237 million in the prior year period. Property EBITDA increased 5.1% to $290 million in the first quarter of 2017 and adjusted EBITDA increased 5.0% to $274 million in the first quarter of 2017 mainly due to higher rooms revenues and improved efficiency initiatives, and was partially offset by lower gaming revenues.

CERP

CERP owns six casinos in the United States and The LINQ promenade, along with leasing Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace Las Vegas to CEOC and gaming space at The LINQ promenade to CGP.

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were $546 million, up 3.4% primarily due to increased rooms and casino revenues. Rooms revenues rose 10.3% in the quarter to $150 million mainly due to higher hotel rates, improved hotel yield and resort fees. Hotel performance benefited as room nights out of service in the first quarter of 2017 dropped to 19,000 compared with 47,000 out of service in the year ago quarter.  Casino revenues were $280 million, up 2.9% from the prior year primarily due to higher gaming volumes partially offset by unfavorable year-over-year hold. Food and beverage revenues were $127 million, down 3.1% versus the year ago quarter.

Income from operations increased $32 million to $110 million, net income increased to $6 million from a loss of $16 million in the year ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.2% to $171 million, mainly due to higher revenues and efficiency initiatives.  Hold was estimated to have an unfavorable effect on operating income in the quarter relative to expected hold and an unfavorable effect of between $5 million and $10 million when compared with the prior year period.

CGP

CGP owns six casinos in the United States, primarily in Las Vegas, as well as CIE. CIE owns and operates regulated online real money gaming and the WSOP tournaments and brand.

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were $421 million, a 1.2% decrease primarily attributable to a decline in casino revenues from unfavorable hold and significant room outages due to our renovation schedule, partially offset by Cash ADR growth of 8%.  Casino revenues were $253 million, down 4.9% from the prior year mainly driven by unfavorable year-over-year hold and weaker gaming volumes in Baltimore.  Room revenues were flat as higher cash ADR offset the impact of room outages. Planet Hollywood was impacted by 38,000 room nights off the market during the quarter related to renovations versus none in the year ago quarter. Food and beverage revenues were $69 million, down 1.4% versus the year ago period.

Income from operations increased $4 million to $55 million mainly due to a 2.4% reduction in operating expenses. Net income decreased from $34 million to $7 million primarily attributable to discontinued operations associated with the sale of the social and mobile games business at CIE and accelerated depreciation due to room renovations at Planet Hollywood, slightly offset by lower stock based compensation at CIE. Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.9% to $109 million year-over-year due to efficiency gains driven by lower operating expenses across marketing and labor. Hold was estimated to have a negative effect on operating income relative to expected hold and an unfavorable effect of between $5 million and $10 million when compared with the prior year period.

CES

Caesars Enterprise Services ("CES") is a joint venture among CERP, CEOC, and a subsidiary of CGP. CES provides certain corporate and administrative services to their casino properties. In addition, effective October 2014 most of the properties owned by CERP and CGP are managed by CES.

Cash and Available Revolver Capacity

CEC is primarily a holding company with no independent operations, employees, or material debt issuances of its own. CEC's primary assets as of March 31, 2017, consist of $115 million in cash and cash equivalents and its ownership interests in CEOC, CERP and CGP. CEC's cash includes $109 million held by insurance captives. Each of the subsidiary entities comprising Caesars Entertainment's consolidated financial statements have separate debt agreements with restrictions on usage of the respective entity's capital resources. CGP is a variable interest entity that is consolidated by Caesars Entertainment, but is controlled by its sole voting member, Caesars Acquisition Company ("CAC"). CAC is a managing member of CGP and therefore controls all decisions regarding liquidity and capital resources of CGP.

CEC has limited unrestricted cash available to meet its financial commitments, primarily resulting from significant expenditures made to defend against litigation related to the CEOC restructuring and to support a plan of reorganization for CEOC. The completion of the merger with CAC is expected to allow CEC to fulfill its financial commitments in support of the restructuring; under the terms of the restructuring, and prior thereto. CEC is permitted to use a portion of the proceeds from the sale of CIE's SMG Business to fund certain expenses incurred related to the restructuring. If CEC is unable to obtain additional sources of cash when needed, in the event of a material adverse ruling on one or all of our ongoing litigation matters, or if CEOC does not emerge from bankruptcy on a timely basis on terms and under circumstances satisfactory to CEC, it is likely that CEC would seek reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Conference Call Information

Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) will host a conference call at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time Tuesday, May 2, 2017, to discuss its first quarter results, certain forward-looking information and other matters related to Caesars Entertainment Corporation, including certain financial and other information regarding CEC's deconsolidated subsidiary CEOC. The press release, webcast, and presentation materials will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.caesars.com.

Participants may access the call by dialing 877-637-3676, or 832-412-1752 for international callers, and enter Conference ID 3912023 approximately 10 minutes before the call start time. A recording of the live call will be available on the Company's website for 90 days after the event.

Supplemental materials have been posted on the Caesars Entertainment Investor Relations website at http://investor.caesars.com/financials.cfm.

About Caesars

Caesars Entertainment is the world's most diversified casino-entertainment provider and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. CEC is mainly comprised of the following three entities: wholly owned Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties ("CERP"), Caesars Growth Partners, LLC ("CGP"), in which we hold a variable economic interest, and the majority owned operating subsidiary Caesars Entertainment Operating Company ("CEOC") (which was deconsolidated effective January 15, 2015 due to its bankruptcy filing). Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada in 1937, CEC has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions. The Caesars system of properties now operates 47 casinos in 13 U.S. states and five countries. CERP and CGP own a total of 12 casinos. CEC's resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah's®, and Horseshoe® brand names. CEOC's portfolio also includes the Caesars Entertainment UK (formerly London Clubs International) family of casinos.

The Caesars system of properties is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence, and technology leadership. The Company is committed to system-wide environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

Caesars Entertainment Corporation is primarily a holding company with no independent operations of its own. It owns Caesars CERP, an interest in CGP and various other non-operating subsidiaries. It also has majority ownership of CEOC. The results of CEOC and its subsidiaries are no longer consolidated with CEC subsequent to CEOC's Chapter 11 filing on January 15, 2015. Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC ("CES") provides certain enterprise services to properties owned and/or operated by CERP, CGP, and CEOC, and this press release at times refers to system-wide trends and dynamics, inclusive of CEOC and its subsidiaries. In the discussion in this release, the word "CEC" refers to Caesars Entertainment Corporation without its consolidated entities, and the words "Company," "Caesars," "Caesars Entertainment," "CEC," "we," and "our" refer to Caesars Entertainment Corporation and its consolidated entities, and not CEOC unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise.

Forward Looking Information

This release includes "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events. Further, these statements contain words such as "may," "would," "estimate," "focused," "will," "expected," "believe," or "could" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, future actions, new projects, strategies, future performance, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, the restructuring of CEOC, and future financial results of Caesars. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, the actual performance of Caesars may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors, and other factors described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained therein):

• the effects of CEOC's bankruptcy on CEOC and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Caesars Entertainment, and the interest of various creditors, equity holders, and other constituents;
• CEC's limited cash balances and sources of available cash, including CEC's ability (or inability) to secure additional liquidity to meet its ongoing obligations and its commitments to support the CEOC restructuring as necessary and CEC's financial obligations exceeding or becoming due earlier than what is currently forecast;
• the ability to retain key employees during the restructuring of CEOC;
• risks associated with third party motions in the Chapter 11 Case, which may hinder or delay CEOC's ability to consummate the Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan");
• the ability (or inability) of CEC and CEOC to satisfy the conditions to the effectiveness of the Plan that has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court;
• the outcome of currently pending or threatened litigation and demands for payment by certain creditors against CEC;
• adverse effects of the Chapter 11 proceedings and related litigation on Caesars Entertainment's liquidity or results of operations;
• the merger of CEC and CAC, which is contemplated by the Plan may not be consummated or one or more events, changes or other circumstances could give rise to termination of the related Merger Agreement;
• the effects of local and national economic, credit, and capital market conditions on the economy, in general, and on the gaming industry, in particular;
• the ability to realize the expense reductions from our cost savings programs;
• the financial results of our consolidated businesses;
• the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements;
• access to available and reasonable financing on a timely basis, including the ability of the Company to refinance its indebtedness on acceptable terms;
• the ability of our customer tracking, customer loyalty, and yield management programs to continue to increase customer loyalty and same-store or hotel sales;
• changes in laws, including increased tax rates, smoking bans, regulations or accounting standards, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions, disciplines and fines of courts, regulators and governmental bodies;
• our ability to recoup costs of capital investments through higher revenues;
• abnormal gaming holds ("gaming hold" is the amount of money that is retained by the casino from wagers by customers);
• the effects of competition, including locations of competitors, competition for new licenses, and operating and market competition;
• the ability to timely and cost-effectively integrate companies that we acquire into our operations;
• the potential difficulties in employee retention and recruitment as a result of our substantial indebtedness or any other factor;
• construction factors, including delays, increased costs of labor and materials, availability of labor and materials, zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil and water conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters, and building permit issues;
• litigation outcomes and judicial and governmental body actions, including gaming legislative action, referenda, regulatory disciplinary actions, and fines and taxation;
• acts of war or terrorist incidents, severe weather conditions, uprisings or natural disasters, including losses therefrom, losses in revenues and damage to property, and the impact of severe weather conditions on our ability to attract customers to certain of our facilities;
• the effects of environmental and structural building conditions relating to our properties;
• access to insurance on reasonable terms for our assets; and
• the impact, if any, of unfunded pension benefits under multi-employer pension plans.

Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made.  Caesars disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated or, if no date is stated, as of the date of this release.