Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Operating Results

UNCASVILLE, Conn., Dec. 22, 2020 /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, Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, the MGE Niagara Resorts in Niagara Falls, Canada and INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea, announced today operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020.

"The MGE team and our property portfolio performed remarkably well during the fiscal fourth quarter. Despite re-opening the majority of our properties in the summer with COVID-related reductions in capacity and entertainment offerings, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the September quarter was only down modestly compared to last year, demonstrating the overall resilience of our business and the strength of our product and brand," said Mario Kontomerkos, President & Chief Executive Officer of MGE. "Importantly, excluding the impact of the MGE Niagara Resorts, which were closed during the period, same-store adjusted EBITDA grew 15.9% over the prior year, while same-store Adjusted EBITDA margins improved over 800bps. Recent steep increases in infections in virtually all of our markets globally has resulted in temporary weakness in business volumes at our operations and has slowed progress in both the construction of Inspire Korea and in the re-opening of the MGE Niagara Resorts and the Mohegan Sun Casino in Las Vegas. Looking beyond the virus, however, we remain quite positive as our business has been optimized to benefit from what we foresee to be significant pent-up demand for leisure consumption in the months and years ahead." 

Selected consolidated operating results for the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2020 and prior year period (unaudited):

• Net revenues of $294.0 million vs. $414.0 million in the prior year period, a 29.0% decrease;
• Income from operations of $50.2 million vs. $15.7 million in the prior year period, a 219.7% increase; and
• Adjusted EBITDA of $82.8 million vs. $89.4 million in the prior year period, a 7.4% decrease.

Consolidated net revenues decreased 29% driven primarily by the continued closure of MGE Niagara Resorts along with declines in retail, F&B and entertainment revenues at Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Pocono. These declines can be largely attributed to COVID-related closures and reductions in capacity or similar protocols. Declines in revenue were partially offset by positive growth in gaming revenues at Mohegan Sun. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.4% during the quarter, reflecting the impact of the continued closure of MGE Niagara Resorts. Excluding the impact of Niagara Resorts, which were closed during the quarter, consolidated net revenues decreased by 12.8% and Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.9%, reflecting stronger EBITDA performance both from Mohegan Sun and in the Management, Development and Other segment. Margin performance was driven by lower overall payroll and marketing expenses, permanently reducing the overall cost structure at MGE.  

Net revenues declined 15.2% during the quarter, driven by declines in non-gaming revenues due to COVID-related closures and voluntary reductions in non-gaming capacity. Declines in non-gaming revenues were partially offset by a 4.8% increase in gaming revenues during the period. Slot volumes declined 9.7%, while table volumes decreased 4.8%, with declines in volumes offset by a 71 basis point and 234 basis point increase in net hold rate, respectively, highlighting the reduction in the promotional activity in the period. Adjusted EBITDA increased during the quarter, reflecting significantly better margin performance due to declines in overall labor, marketing and promotional expenses. Overall EBITDA margin at the property improved to 37.8%, up 1,189 basis points from 25.9% in the prior year quarter. Assuming stable revenues, we expect to retain a material portion of this expense improvement going forward.

Net revenues declined 12.6% during the quarter, primarily driven by declines in non-gaming revenues which were adversely impacted by COVID-related closures and mandated reductions in capacity. Gaming revenues experienced a more modest 1.9% decline, reflecting positive contributions from iGaming and Unibet Sportsbook. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8.1% during the quarter, reflecting better margin performance due to declines in overall labor, marketing and promotional expenses. Assuming stable revenues, we expect to retain a material portion of this expense improvement going forward.

EBITDA losses at MGE Niagara reflect the impact of the property being temporarily closed for the three months ending September 30, 2020, due to restrictive COVID-19 mandated measures implemented by the Ontario Government. Despite the decline in Adjusted EBITDA, cash flows from the MGE Niagara Resorts during the quarter were approximately breakeven, as the properties continue to receive both the Fixed Service Provider Fee as well as Permitted Capital Expenditures while closed. Additionally, Fallsview rent payments have been deferred to the end of the initial lease term while closed, minimizing the overall cash flow impact on MGE during the quarter and while the property is closed. Efforts to reopen the properties continue, but we are unable to predict when they will reopen at this time.

Net revenues increased due to continued growth in management fees from ilani, driven by continued EBITDA growth at the property despite several disturbances during the quarter in the nearby Portland, Oregon feeder market and COVID-related impacts. EBITDA performance also reflects higher expenses associated with ongoing domestic and international development efforts.

The decline in Adjusted EBITDA was principally due to the impact of certain non-recurring payroll and consulting credits in the prior year.

Other Information

Liquidity
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, MGE held cash and cash equivalents of $112.7 million and $130.1 million, respectively. Inclusive of letters of credit, which reduce borrowing availability, MGE had $50.8 million of borrowing capacity under its senior secured revolving facility and line of credit as of September 30, 2020.

About Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment

MGE is primarily engaged in the ownership, operation and development of integrated entertainment facilities, both domestically and internationally, including: (i) Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, (ii) Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, (iii) Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Niagara and the 5,000-seat Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre, all in Niagara Falls, Canada, (iv) Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, (v) ilani Casino Resort in Clark County, Washington, (vi) Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana and (vii) INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, a first-of-its-kind, multi-billion dollar integrated resort and casino under construction at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. 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, 2019, 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.