MTR Gaming Group Announces Third Quarter Results

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MNTG) today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. Current and prior-year results reflect the presentation of Running Aces Harness Park, Jackson Harness Raceway, the Ramada Inn and Speedway Casino and Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel as discontinued operations. See attached tables (including Reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to Non-GAAP EBITDA).

For the third quarter of 2009, the Company’s net revenues from continuing operations were $119.5 million, a decline of 9% from $130.8 million in the same period of 2008. EBITDA from continuing operations was $17.2 million, down 24% (after a severance charge of $0.1 million and strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio of $3.7 million) compared to $22.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in EBITDA from continuing operations is directly attributable to the strategic costs associated with Ohio, as well as increased marketing costs at MTR’s West Virginia property in response to increased competition, primarily from the opening of the Rivers Casino in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

During the third quarter of 2009, corporate operating expenses (exclusive of the $3.7 million of strategic costs associated with Ohio) decreased 35% to $2.2 million compared to $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 as a result of cost containment efforts.

The Company reported net income of $577,000 or $0.02 per diluted share, which included a $2.8 million pre-tax loss associated with MTR’s debt refinancing and the aforementioned $3.7 million of strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio, or $0.20 per diluted share in the aggregate. Additionally, net income included income from discontinued operations in the amount of $2.7 million or $0.10 per diluted share, resulting from the reversal of a $2.9 million deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with certain impairment losses that were recorded in the third quarter of 2008. In the same period last year, the Company reported a net loss of $8.2 million or $0.30 per share, of which a loss of $11.7 million or $0.43 per share was from discontinued operations.

Net revenues at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort decreased 11% to $68.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $77.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. Table gaming at Mountaineer generated $11.4 million of revenues compared to $13.2 million in the prior-year period, while revenues from slots decreased by $3.7 million compared to the same quarter in 2008. The decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to competitive pressures and weak economic conditions. The property generated EBITDA of $13.0 million versus $15.5 million in the comparable quarter of 2008.

Net revenues at Presque Isle Downs & Casino decreased 5% to $49.2 million during the third quarter of 2009 compared to $51.5 million during the same period of 2008. The property generated EBITDA of $10.3 million versus $10.8 million in the comparable quarter of 2008. The decrease in EBITDA is attributable to the decline in revenue and $0.4 million of incremental real estate tax expense resulting from an increase in the property’s assessed value, partially offset by operational efficiencies.

“The voters of Ohio approved Issue 3 yesterday, which will increase the competition in our regional markets starting around 2013,” said Robert Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of MTR Gaming Group. “We are considering several different alternatives in order to proactively prepare for the new competition. Although this may appear to be a negative, we believe that it may result in slots at tracks, as the Governor has proposed, with better economic terms than were originally discussed. To that end we are working diligently to have this initiative reintroduced in the state. In terms of our current operations, we are delighted with the results we have seen thus far at Mountaineer since adding free play on September 1, which has enhanced its competitive position in the Ohio Valley.”

For the first nine months of 2009, MTR’s total net revenues decreased 5% to $350.3 million from $369.5 million in the first nine months of 2008. However, EBITDA from continuing operations decreased less than 1% to $56.6 million (after severance costs of $0.4 million and strategic costs associated with lobbying and gaming efforts in Ohio of $4.1 million) from $57.0 million in the same period last year. Absent these one-time charges, EBITDA from continuing operations was up 7% from the prior-year period.

The 2009 year-to-date net income was $1.7 million or $0.06 per diluted share, of which income of $1.4 million or $0.05 per diluted share was from discontinued operations. In the same period last year, the Company reported a net loss of $13.2 million or $0.48 per share, which included a loss of $13.5 million or $0.49 per share from discontinued operations.

Mr. Griffin further added, “We remain focused on increasing revenue and maximizing profits at our current operations, and we believe the advent of free play at Mountaineer is having a positive effect. Looking into next year, we hope that Ohio voters will approve the referendum allowing for video lottery terminals at racetracks.”

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

During the third quarter, MTR successfully completed its offering of $250 million of 12.625% senior secured notes due 2014 at an issue price of 95.248%, with the proceeds used to pay down outstanding debt. On October 13, 2009, MTR completed an additional $10 million offering of the same senior secured notes at an issue price of 96%, and amended its senior secured credit facility to reduce the borrowing capacity from $20 million to $10 million.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results and corporate developments at 4:30 PM EST on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (877) 407-4018. Please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and ask for the MTR Gaming call (conference ID #334841).

The conference call will be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.mtrgaming.com. To listen to the live webcast please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen to the live call, the conference call will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP

EBITDA represents earnings (losses) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of property, loss on debt modification and equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture. EBITDA is not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is unaudited and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or income from operations as an indicator of our operating performance, or cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA has been presented as a supplemental disclosure because it is a widely used measure of performance and basis for valuation of companies in our industry. Uses of cash flows that are not reflected in EBITDA include capital expenditures, interest payments, income taxes, and debt principal repayments. Moreover, other companies that provide EBITDA information may calculate EBITDA differently than we do. A reconciliation of GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations and income (loss) from discontinued operations to EBITDA is included in the financial tables accompanying this release.

About MTR Gaming Group

MTR Gaming Group, Inc., through subsidiaries, owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia; Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania; and Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.mtrgaming.com.

Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things the prospects for improving the results of our operations at Mountaineer and Presque Isle Downs and the prospects for video lottery gaming at Scioto Downs. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the statements made to be incorrect and/or for actual results to differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of new competition for Mountaineer and Presque Isle Downs, the effectiveness of our marketing programs, the enactment of future gaming legislation in the jurisdictions in which we operate (including the recent referendum to permit casino gaming in Ohio), changes in, or failure to comply with, laws, regulations or the conditions of our gaming licenses, accounting standards or environmental laws, including adverse changes in the gaming tax rates that the Company currently pays in its various jurisdictions, general economic conditions, disruption (occasioned by weather conditions or work stoppages) of our operations, the success and growth of table gaming at Mountaineer, the realization of the expected benefits of non-taxable promotional credits at Mountaineer, our ability to improve our operating margins, our continued suitability to hold and obtain renewals of our gaming and racing licenses, our ability to comply with the covenants of our various debt instruments and/or our ability to obtain additional financing, if and when needed, and other factors described in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. The cautionary advice in this paragraph is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30								September 30
			2009				2008				2009				2008
Revenues:
Gaming		$	106,408			$	114,135			$	315,904			$	327,737
Pari-mutuel commissions			4,574				5,151				10,665				11,900
Food, beverage and lodging			9,181				10,648				25,284				28,610
Other			2,285				2,995				6,550				7,343
Total revenues			122,448				132,929				358,403				375,590
Less promotional allowances			(2,970	)			(2,145	)			(8,093	)			(6,076	)
Net revenues			119,478				130,784				350,310				369,514
Operating expenses:
Expenses of operating departments:
Gaming			66,078				71,427				197,459				207,717
Pari-mutuel commissions			4,160				4,672				10,280				11,498
Food, beverage and lodging			6,323				7,942				18,210				22,666
Other revenue			1,698				2,612				4,894				6,888
Marketing and promotions			5,689				4,322				16,637				12,423
General and administrative			18,291				17,156				46,223				51,301
Depreciation			7,443				7,396				22,031				22,394
Loss on disposal of property			31				1				169				1
Total operating expenses			109,713				115,528				315,903				334,888
Operating income			9,765				15,256				34,407				34,626
Other income (expense):
Other			(39	)			-				(39	)			-
Interest income			9				53				448				196
Interest expense			(11,849	)			(10,216	)			(31,729	)			(30,891	)
Loss on debt modification and extinguishment			(2,773	)			-				(2,773	)			(3,356	)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes			(4,887	)			5,093				314				575
Benefit (provision) for income taxes			2,779				(1,622	)			(3	)			(261	)
(Loss) income from continuing operations			(2,108	)			3,471				311				314
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest			(292	)			(12,567	)			(2,294	)			(15,143	)
Benefit for income taxes			2,983				841				3,664				1,625
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before non-controlling interest			2,691				(11,726	)			1,370				(13,518	)
Non-controlling interest			(6	)			15				-				30
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			2,685				(11,711	)			1,370				(13,488	)
Net income (loss)		$	577			$	(8,240	)		$	1,681			$	(13,174	)
Net income (loss) per share - basic:
(Loss) income from continuing operations		$	(0.08	)		$	0.13			$	0.01			$	0.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			0.10				(0.43	)			0.05				(0.49	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.02			$	(0.30	)		$	0.06			$	(0.48	)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted:
(Loss) income from continuing operations		$	(0.08	)		$	0.13			$	0.01			$	0.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			0.10				(0.43	)			0.05				(0.49	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.02			$	(0.30	)		$	0.06			$	(0.48	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic			27,475,260				27,475,260				27,475,260				27,475,260
Diluted			27,475,260				27,475,260				27,475,260				27,475,260

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30								September 30
			2009				2008				2009				2008
Net revenues from continuing operations:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort		$	68,882			$	77,255			$	207,716			$	226,663
Presque Isle Downs & Casino			49,173				51,497				139,985				139,237
Scioto Downs			1,402				2,029				2,579				3,605
Corporate			21				3				30				9
Consolidated net revenues from continuing operations		$	119,478			$	130,784			$	350,310			$	369,514
EBITDA from continuing operations:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort		$	12,987			$	15,452			$	37,804			$	41,279
Presque Isle Downs & Casino			10,333				10,755				29,443				26,809
Scioto Downs			(154	)			(87	)			(986	)			(1,074	)
Corporate			(5,927	)			(3,467	)			(9,654	)			(9,993	)
Consolidated EBITDA from continuing operations		$	17,239			$	22,653			$	56,607			$	57,021
EBITDA from discontinued operations:
Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel			(277	)			(32	)			(937	)			(1,543	)
Ramada Inn and Speedway Casino			-				(5	)			43				(755	)
Jackson Racing / Jackson Harness Raceway			480				(213	)			315				(457	)
MTR-Harness / Running Aces Harness Park			(55	)			(11	)			(265	)			(55	)
Consolidated EBITDA		$	17,387			$	22,392			$	55,763			$	54,211
_______________________________________________________________________
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations and income (loss) from discontinued operations, GAAP financial measures, to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure.
_______________________________________________________________________
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30								September 30
			2009				2008				2009				2008
EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort:
Income from continuing operations		$	14,314			$	6,651			$	20,410			$	16,093
Interest expense, net of interest income			1,056				2,253				5,522				6,771
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(6,858	)			2,902				127				7,264
Depreciation			3,672				3,646				10,849				11,151
Loss on disposal of property			30				-				123				-
Loss on debt modification and extinguishment			773				-				773				-
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	12,987			$	15,452			$	37,804			$	41,279
Presque Isle Downs & Casino:
Income from continuing operations		$	12,889			$	4,833			$	18,476			$	10,524
Interest expense, net of interest income			170				361				292				1,221
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(6,287	)			2,122				115				4,751
Depreciation			3,561				3,439				10,560				10,313
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	10,333			$	10,755			$	29,443			$	26,809
Scioto Downs:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(1,093	)		$	(368	)		$	(1,692	)		$	(1,265	)
Interest expense, net of interest income			22				27				70				83
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			675				27				(11	)			(571	)
Depreciation			203				227				608				679
Other			39				-				39				-
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	(154	)		$	(87	)		$	(986	)		$	(1,074	)

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30								September 30
			2009				2008				2009				2008
EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (continued):
Corporate:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(28,218	)		$	(7,645	)		$	(36,883	)		$	(25,038	)
Interest expense, net of interest income			10,592				7,522				25,397				22,620
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			9,691				(3,429	)			(228	)			(11,183	)
Depreciation			7				84				14				251
Loss on disposal of property			1				1				46				1
Loss on debt modification and extinguishment			2,000				-				2,000				3,356
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	(5,927	)		$	(3,467	)		$	(9,654	)		$	(9,993	)
Consolidated:
(Loss) income from continuing operations		$	(2,108	)		$	3,471			$	311			$	314
Interest expense, net of interest income			11,840				10,163				31,281				30,695
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(2,779	)			1,622				3				261
Depreciation			7,443				7,396				22,031				22,394
Loss on disposal of property			31				1				169				1
Other			39				-				39				-
Loss on debt modification and extinguishment			2,773				-				2,773				3,356
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	17,239			$	22,653			$	56,607			$	57,021
EBITDA from discontinued operations:
Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel:
(Loss) from discontinued operations		$	(181	)		$	(21	)		$	(616	)		$	(1,308	)
Interest income, net of interest expense			-				-				-				(29	)
Benefit for income taxes			(96	)			-				(321	)			(879	)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property			-				(11	)			-				673
EBITDA from discontinued operations		$	(277	)		$	(32	)		$	(937	)		$	(1,543	)
Ramada Inn and Speedway Casino:
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations		$	(1	)		$	(11	)		$	29			$	1,477
Interest (income) expense			-				-				(1	)			163
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			1				(7	)			15				1,009
Depreciation			-				-				-				199
Loss (gain) on disposal of property			-				13				-				(3,603	)
EBITDA from discontinued operations		$	-			$	(5	)		$	43			$	(755	)
Jackson Racing / Jackson Harness Raceway:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	24			$	(1,937	)		$	(85	)		$	(2,225	)
Interest expense, net of interest income and non-controlling interest			-				1				-				3
Provision (benefit) for income taxes, net of non-controlling interest			12				(872	)			(44	)			(1,005	)
Depreciation, net of non-controlling interest			-				9				-				25
Loss on disposal of property, net of non-controlling interest			115				-				115				159
Other			153				-				153				-
Impairment loss			176				2,586				176				2,586
EBITDA from discontinued operations		$	480			$	(213	)		$	315			$	(457	)
MTR-Harness / Running Aces Harness Park:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	2,843			$	(9,742	)		$	2,042			$	(11,432	)
Interest expense, net of interest income			2				6				7				8
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(2,900	)			43				(3,314	)			(738	)
Equity in loss of North Metro Harness Initiative, LLC			-				9,682				1,000				12,107
EBITDA from discontinued operations		$	(55	)		$	(11	)		$	(265	)		$	(55	)

MTR GAMING GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
		September 30				December 31
			2009				2008
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	35,895			$	29,011
Restricted cash			373				929
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $302 in 2009 and $125 in 2008			3,713				7,717
Accounts receivable - West Virginia Lottery Commission			1,210				-
Inventories			3,929				4,445
Deferred financing costs			4,027				4,444
Prepaid income taxes			1,702				7,059
Deferred income taxes			346				1,397
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,578				4,528
Assets held for deferred compensation			-				11,529
Assets of discontinued operations			-				36
Total current assets			56,773				71,095
Property and equipment, net			356,054				367,769
Goodwill			1,985				1,985
Other intangibles			68,923				68,819
Deferred financing costs, net of current portion			11,036				2,499
Deposits and other			14,638				14,815
Assets of discontinued operations			234				728
Total assets		$	509,643			$	527,710
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	4,953			$	6,869
Accounts payable - gaming taxes and assessments			4,549				6,848
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes			3,433				3,220
Accrued interest			8,693				4,932
Other accrued liabilities			11,404				14,486
Construction project and equipment liabilities			2,852				1,048
Deferred compensation			-				11,547
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations			8,685				20,498
Liabilities of discontinued operations			414				1,240
Total current liabilities			44,983				70,688
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion			365,628				357,112
Long-term deferred compensation			339				663
Deferred income taxes			1,324				3,644
Total liabilities			412,274				432,107
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock			-				-
Additional paid-in capital			61,859				61,774
Retained earnings			35,694				34,013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(386	)			(386	)
Total shareholders' equity of MTR Gaming Group, Inc.			97,167				95,401
Non-controlling interest of discontinued operations			202				202
Total shareholders' equity			97,369				95,603
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	509,643			$	527,710