Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Operating Results

UNCASVILLE, Conn., Feb. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment ("MGE" or the "Company"), a master developer and operator of premier global integrated entertainment resorts, including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut and Inspire Korea in Incheon, South Korea, announced today operating results for its first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018. 

"While consolidated first quarter revenues and Adjusted EBITDA were modestly below prior year results, we remain encouraged, as overall gaming volumes at our flagship property, Mohegan Sun, were better than expected following the first full quarter of increased competition in the Northeast gaming market," said Mario Kontomerkos, President & Chief Executive Officer of MGE.  "Additionally, non-gaming revenues in Connecticut improved significantly, reflecting the initial implementation phases of our previously disclosed multi-year profit enhancement initiatives.  Despite the early success of these programs, and the overall outperformance relative to internal and consensus external forecasts, these strategic revenue enhancement and operational cost containment initiatives will continue to ramp up for the foreseeable future.  In addition, we are also excited to embark on the next phase of our integrated gaming and entertainment strategy, having recently announced a strategic partnership with the Kindred Group, a leading international online gaming and sports wagering operator.  This agreement will provide Mohegan Sun Pocono with a total sports wagering solution, including technology and brand support for our brick and mortar sports book operation, along with a complete online sports waging offering.  This announcement comes on the heels of our success at Resorts Atlantic City, which hosts the market leading DraftKings sports book.  These experiences leave us well positioned to react quickly to the prospect for sports wagering legislation in Connecticut as well, to the extent that materializes in this current legislative session."

Selected consolidated operating results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 and prior year period (unaudited):

• Net revenues of $319.5 million vs. $331.5 million in the prior year period, a 3.6% decrease;
• Income from operations of $43.4 million vs. $55.0 million in the prior year period, a 21.1% decrease; and
• Adjusted EBITDA of $71.9 million vs. $76.0 million in the prior year period, a 5.4% decrease.

Consolidated net revenues declined modestly during the quarter, driven by slightly lower gaming revenues at Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono, and continued increases in promotional activities in the Mohegan Sun Pocono gaming market.  These factors, combined with higher slot taxes assessed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and increased healthcare costs, all contributed to the year-over-year decline in Adjusted EBITDA.  

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), on a modified retrospective basis. As such, results for the three month period ended December 31, 2018 in this release are presented under this new guidance, while results for the three month period ended December 31, 2017 remain presented under prior guidance.  For an analysis that provides comparative results under this new guidance, please see our supplemental earnings deck, available on our website (https://mohegangaming.com/financial-information/).

Net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA declined modestly during the quarter, driven by lower overall gaming revenues which were largely offset by stronger non-gaming results.  Slot and table volumes declined a modest 3.7% and 0.9%, respectively, well ahead of internal and industry expectations.  Gaming revenues were also adversely impacted by lower hold for both slots and tables.  Non-gaming revenues increased during the quarter, with increases in almost all segments of the business.  When comparing our first quarter results to the prior period under the new revenue standard, notably our food and beverage revenues increased 11%, while hotel revenues increased 8.0%, reversing last quarter's 2.8% decline.  The decline in Adjusted EBITDA also reflects higher medical expenses.

Net revenues declined during the quarter, driven by lower gaming revenues, which reflect the adverse impact from lower table hold, combined with efforts to increase profitability associated with hotel marketing programs.  Overall, the local gaming market remains characterized by continued aggressive promotional activity from a regional competitor, although December results suggest a return to normalized levels.  Overall, Adjusted EBITDA was adversely impacted from lower revenues, higher slot taxes given a 1% increase in slot taxes assessed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective January 1, 2018, and unusually high medical expenses during the quarter.  These results were partially offset by a reduction in gaming costs and expenses, including lower payroll costs and certain casino marketing and promotional expenses.

The increase in net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher management fees from ilani Casino Resort driven by continued improvement in performance at the property.

Other Information

Liquidity
As of December 31, 2018, MGE held cash and cash equivalents of $101.6 million, compared to $103.9 million as of September 30, 2018.  As of December 31, 2018, $66.0 million was drawn on MGE's $250.0 million revolving credit facility, while no amounts were drawn on MGE's $25.0 million line of credit.  As of December 31, 2018, letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility totaled $2.3 million, of which no amounts were drawn.  Inclusive of letters of credit, which reduce borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility, MGE had approximately $181.7 million of borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility and line of credit as of December 31, 2018.

Conference Call
MGE will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast regarding its first quarter of fiscal 2019 operating results on February, 7^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).

Those interested in participating in the call should dial as follows:

(877) 756-4274
(508) 637-5458 (International)

Conference ID: 6140708

Please call five minutes in advance to ensure that you are connected prior to the initiation of the call. Questions and answers will be reserved for call-in analysts and investors.

Parties who want to listen to the live conference call on the Internet may do so through a web link on MGE's website at www.mohegangaming.com, under the "Financial Information/Financial Updates" section.  Interested parties also may listen to a taped replay of the entire conference call commencing two hours after the call's completion on February 7^th, 2019.  This replay will run through February 21, 2019.

The access number for a taped replay of the conference call is as follows:

(855) 859-2056
(404) 537-3406 (International)

Conference ID: 6140708

About Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is a master developer and operator of premier global integrated entertainment resorts, including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and Inspire in Incheon, South Korea.  The Company is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated entertainment resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Northern Asia, and, beginning in mid-2019, Niagara Falls, Canada.  MGE owns and operates Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the Women's National Basketball Association, and the New England Black Wolves, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League.  For more information on MGE and our properties, visit www.mohegangaming.com.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some information included in this press release may contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements can sometimes be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect" or "intend" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking information may involve important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of MGE. Information concerning potential factors that could affect MGE's financial results is included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, as well as in MGE's other reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. MGE does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. MGE cannot assure that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.