Caesars Entertainment Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) ("CEC," "Caesars," "Caesars Entertainment," or the "Company") today reported fourth quarter and full-year 2019 results as summarized in the discussion below, which highlights certain GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures on a consolidated basis.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Fourth quarter net revenues increased 2.6%, or $54 million, from $2.12 billion to $2.17 billion.
• Fourth quarter income from operations increased 77.0%, or $77 million, from $100 million to $177 million.
• Fourth quarter net income/(loss) decreased $502 million, from income of $198 million to a loss of $304 million.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased 2.8%, or $16 million, from $567 million to $583 million.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, excluding Rio, increased 3.4%, or $19 million, to $572 million.

Full Year Highlights

• Full year net revenues increased 4.2%, or $351 million, from $8.39 billion to $8.74 billion.
• Full year income from operations decreased 16.4%, or $121 million, from $739 million to $618 million.
• Full year net income/(loss) decreased $1.50 billion, from income of $303 million to a loss of $1.20 billion.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased 4.2%, or $97 million, from $2.31 billion to $2.41 billion.

"Caesars Entertainment delivered another quarter of solid operational performance," said Tony Rodio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caesars Entertainment. "Caesars' results were largely driven by the strong demand at our Las Vegas properties, excellent cost controls, and the addition of sports betting in several states which drove increased visitation. In addition, our focus on costs and operating efficiencies across the company contributed to the excellent performance." he added.

Additional Developments

Completed Sale of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

On December 5, 2019, the Company announced it has completed the previously announced sale of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for $516.3 million. Caesars will continue to manage and operate the Rio for a minimum of two years through a lease agreement, and the property will remain part of the Caesars Rewards network during the term of the lease.

Stockholders Approve Merger of Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts

On November 15, 2019, Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts, Inc. announced that at separate Special Meetings of Stockholders, their respective stockholders approved certain actions in connection with the Company's proposed merger with Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (the "Merger"). The transaction is expected to be consummated in the first half of 2020 and remains subject to the receipt of certain regulatory gaming and other approvals, and other closing conditions.

Sale of Harrah's Reno

On January 15, 2020, Caesars Entertainment and VICI Properties Inc. announced an agreement to sell Harrah's Reno for $50 million. The proceeds of the transaction shall be split 75% to VICI and 25% to Caesars. Under the terms of the agreement, Caesars will continue to operate the property upon closing of the transaction, which will allow Caesars to cease operations at the property during the second half of 2020.

Basis of Presentation

Certain additional non-GAAP financial measures have been added to highlight the results of the Company. "Hold adjusted" results are adjusted to reflect the hold we achieved compared to the hold we expected. See the table at the end of this press release for the reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP presentations.

This release also includes the indicators ADR and RevPAR. See Supplemental Information in this release for information regarding how we define ADR and RevPAR. Our definition and calculation of ADR and RevPAR may be different than the definition and calculation of similarly titled indicators presented by other companies.

Financial Results

Caesars views each property as an operating segment and aggregates such properties into three regionally-focused reportable segments: (i) Las Vegas, (ii) Other U.S. and (iii) All Other, which is consistent with how Caesars manages the business. The results of each reportable segment presented below are consistent with the way management assesses these results and allocates resources, which is a consolidated view that adjusts for the effect of certain transactions between reportable segments within Caesars. "All Other" includes managed, international and other properties as well as parent and other adjustments to reconcile to consolidated Caesars results.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, net revenues increased $54 million as compared to 2018 driven by growth in all business verticals, with significant growth in Las Vegas due to healthy consumer demand and a higher cash customer mix. Other U.S. net revenues increased $18 million year over year primarily due to growth in Iowa and Indiana as a result of our new sportsbooks and better results in Atlantic City. All Other net revenues decreased $4 million year over year, primarily due to lower gaming volumes in the UK, offset by one-time payments to CIE for early terminations of WSOP licensing agreements. Across all of our casino properties, hold had a favorable impact of $5 million to $10 million this quarter compared to the prior year, and was $10 million to $15 million above our expectations.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, net revenues increased $351 million as compared to 2018 driven primarily by the acquisition of Centaur in July 2018, strong Las Vegas results and favorable hold. These positive factors were offset by lower gaming volume at our Atlantic City properties as a result of increased competition and inclement weather across some of our properties. Across all of our casino properties, hold had a favorable impact of $60 million to $65 million this year compared to the prior year and was $30 million to $35 million above our expectations.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, income from operations increased $77 million primarily due to a $54 million increase in net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with 2018, as explained above. The decrease in operating expenses of $23 million also contributed to the increase of income from operations. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense of $24 million, due to high accelerated depreciation in 2018 related to certain renovation projects in 2018, and lower impairment charges related to goodwill compared to 2018 and lower impairment charges related to tangible and other intangible assets related to Horseshoe Hammond in 2019. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in property, general, administrative and other primarily due to expenses related to payroll and our sports partnerships.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, income from operations decreased $121 million compared with 2018 due to an increase in operating expenses of $472 million offset by an increase in net revenue of $351 million in 2019 compared with 2018, as explained above. Operating expenses increased $223 million as a result of our acquisition of Centaur in 2018. Impairment of tangible and other intangible assets increased by $406 million due to the recognition of impairment charges in 2019 related to land and buildings and gaming rights. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $151 million in depreciation and amortization expense, excluding Centaur, primarily due to higher depreciation expense in 2018 from disposals of property and equipment related to renovation projects at certain Las Vegas properties and accelerated depreciation of assets.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, net income/(loss) attributable to Caesars decreased $502 million from net income of $198 million to net loss of $304 million due to an increase in other loss of $627 million primarily due to a change in the fair value of the derivative liability related to the conversion option of CEC's 5.00% convertible senior notes maturing in 2024 (the "CEC Convertible Notes"), offset by an increase of $43 million in tax benefit and an increase of $77 million in income from operations, as explained above.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, net income/(loss) attributable to Caesars decreased $1.5 billion from net income of $303 million to net loss of $1.2 billion due to an increase in other loss of $1.38 billion primarily due to a year over year change in the fair value of the derivative liability related to the CEC Convertible Notes. In addition, a $44 million change in the fair value of disputed claims liability related to Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc.'s emergence from bankruptcy in 2017, and an increase in interest expense of $24 million as a result of our failed sale-leaseback financing obligations also contributed to the decrease of net income/(loss) attributable to Caesars. Income from operations also decreased $121 million in 2019 compared with 2018, as explained above. These were partially offset by an increase of $20 million in tax benefit.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, adjusted EBITDA improved $16 million as compared to 2018 driven primarily by the increase in revenues explained above and excellent cost controls across the properties and corporate office, including a reduction in payroll and professional services expenses. This increase was offset by continued investments in sports sponsorships. Across all of our casinos, hold had a favorable impact of $0 to $5 million year over year and was $5 million to $10 million above our expectations. Excluding the performance at Rio, adjusted EBITDA improved $19 million to $572 million as compared to 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, adjusted EBITDA improved $97 million as compared to 2018 due to strong Las Vegas results and the acquisition of Centaur in July 2018, offset by competition in Atlantic City and increased investments in sports sponsorships. Across all of our casinos, hold had a favorable impact of $40 million to $45 million year over year and was $20 million to $25 million above our expectations.

Cash and Available Revolver Capacity

Conference Call Information

Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time Tuesday, February 25, 2020, to discuss its fourth quarter and full year results, certain forward-looking information and other matters related to Caesars Entertainment Corporation, including certain financial and other information. The press release, webcast, and presentation materials will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.caesars.com.

If you would like to ask questions and be an active participant in the call, you may dial 877-637-3676, or 832-412-1752 for international callers, and enter Conference ID 9679718 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/events-and-presentations.

About Caesars

Caesars Entertainment is one of the world's most diversified casino-entertainment providers and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, in 1937, Caesars Entertainment has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions. Caesars Entertainment's resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah's® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars Entertainment's portfolio also includes the Caesars Entertainment UK family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment 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. Caesars Entertainment is committed to its employees, suppliers, communities and the environment through its PEOPLE PLANET PLAY framework. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com/corporate.

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," "will," "project," " "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "continue," or "plan," or the negative of these words or other words or expressions of similar meaning may identify forward-looking statements. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, the Merger, future actions, new projects, strategies, future performance, the outcomes of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, 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 Entertainment may differ materially from that 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 Caesars Entertainment'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):

• risks related to the Merger, including, but not limited to: (1) the inability to complete the Merger due to the failure to satisfy certain conditions to completion of the Merger, including the receipt of certain gaming and other regulatory approvals related to the Merger; (2) uncertainties as to the timing of the completion of the Merger and the ability of each party to complete the Merger; (3) disruption of our current plans and operations; (4) the inability to retain and hire key personnel; (5) competitive responses to the Merger; (6) termination fees and unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Merger; (7) the outcome of any legal proceedings instituted against us or our directors related to the Merger Agreement; (8) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Merger; (9) the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, cost savings and synergies from the Merger; (10) delays, challenges and expenses associated with integrating the combined companies' existing businesses and the indebtedness planned to be incurred in connection with the Merger; and (11) legislative, regulatory and economic developments;
• our ability to respond to changes in the industry, particularly digital transformation, and to take advantage of the opportunity for legalized sports betting in multiple jurisdictions in the United States (which may require third-party arrangements and/or regulatory approval);
• development of our announced convention center in Las Vegas, CAESARS FORUM, and certain of our other announced projects are subject to risks associated with new construction projects, including those described below;
• we may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Centaur Holdings, LLC;
• the impact of our operating structure following CEOC's emergence from bankruptcy;
• 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 effect of reductions in consumer discretionary spending due to economic downturns or other factors and changes in consumer demands;
• foreign regulatory policies, particularly in mainland China or other countries in which our customers reside or where we have operations, including restrictions on foreign currency exchange or importation of currency, and the judicial enforcement of gaming debts;
• the ability to realize improvements in our business and results of operations through our property renovation investments, technology deployments, business process improvement initiatives, and other continuous improvement initiatives;
• the ability to take advantage of opportunities to grow our revenue;
• the ability to use net operating losses to offset future taxable income as anticipated;
• the ability to realize all of the anticipated benefits of current or potential future acquisitions or divestitures;
• the ability to effectively compete against our competitors;
• the financial results of our consolidated businesses;
• the impact of our substantial indebtedness, including its impact on our ability to raise additional capital in the future and react to changes in the economy, and lease obligations and the restrictions in our debt and lease agreements;
• the ability to access available and reasonable financing or additional capital on a timely basis and on acceptable terms or at all, including our ability to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms;
• the ability of our customer tracking, customer loyalty, and yield management programs to continue to increase customer loyalty and hotel sales;
• changes in the extensive governmental regulations to which we are subject and (i) changes in laws, including increased tax rates, smoking bans, regulations, or accounting standards; (ii) third-party relations; and (iii) approvals, decisions, disciplines and fines of courts, regulators, and governmental bodies;
• compliance with the extensive laws and regulations to which we are subject, including applicable gaming laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, and the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering laws;
• our ability to recoup costs of capital investments through higher revenues;
• growth in consumer demand for non-gaming offerings;
• 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, growth of online gaming, competition for new licenses, and operating and market competition;
• our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and damages caused to our brands due to the unauthorized use of our brand names by third parties in ways outside of our control;
• the ability to timely and cost-effectively integrate companies that we acquire into our operations;
• the ability to execute on our brand licensing and management strategy is subject to third-party agreements and other risks associated with new projects;
• not being able to realize all of our anticipated cost savings;
• our ability to attract, retain, and motivate employees, including in connection with the Merger;
• our ability to retain our performers or other entertainment offerings on acceptable terms or at all;
• the risk of fraud, theft, and cheating;
• seasonal fluctuations resulting in volatility and an adverse effect on our operating results; <