EXHIBIT 99.1
NEWS RELEASE Lakes Entertainment, Inc. 130 Cheshire Lane, Suite 101 Minnetonka, MN 55305 952-449-9092 952-449-9353 (fax) www.lakesentertainment.com (NASDAQ: LACO) | ||
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy J. Cope 952-449-7030
Timothy J. Cope 952-449-7030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday November 7, 2007
Wednesday November 7, 2007
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ANNOUNCES
RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER 2007
RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER 2007
MINNEAPOLIS — November 7, 2007 — Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: LACO)announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. Revenue for the quarter totaled $7.0 million compared to $5.9 million for the third quarter ended October 1, 2006. Losses from operations were $6.3 million for the current-year quarter compared to earnings from operations of $1.0 million for the prior year comparable period. Net losses for the third quarter of 2007 were $5.2 million, and basic and diluted losses were $0.21 per share. This compares with net earnings of $3.0 million, and basic and diluted earnings of $0.13 per share and $0.12 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2006.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 include management fees from the existing Cimarron Casino in Oklahoma which is owned by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and management fees for approximately eight weeks of operations from the Four Winds Casino Resort (Four Winds) in New Buffalo, Michigan, which is owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (Pokagon Band), and opened to the public on August 2, 2007. In accordance with the management contract with the Pokagon Band, pre-opening expenses totaling approximately $15 million incurred during the construction phase of the project are shared proportionately by Lakes during the first twelve months of Four Winds’ operations. The combined management fees, which are net of Lakes’ share of these pre-opening expenses, were $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2007. No management fees were recognized during the third quarter of 2006.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2006 were derived primarily from television license fees related to the World Poker Tour (WPT) television series of Lakes’ majority-owned subsidiary, WPT Enterprises, Inc. (WPTE). Revenue from this license fee income decreased during the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 as a result of the delivery of no episodes of the Professional Poker Tour (PPT) television series in the 2007 period, versus the delivery of nine episodes of the PPT in the third quarter of 2006, and the delivery of three episodes of season five of the WPT television
Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Announces Results For Third Quarter 2007
series in the third quarter of 2007, versus the delivery of one episode of season five of the WPT in the 2006 period.
Net unrealized gains and (losses) on notes receivable were ($0.6) million and $5.8 million for the third quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The net unrealized losses in the third quarter of 2007 related to unrealized gains on Lakes’ notes receivable from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (Shingle Springs Tribe) in the amount of $1.2 million and unrealized losses of $1.8 million on the Lakes’ notes receivable from the Jamul Indian Village (Jamul Tribe). These notes receivable are adjusted to estimated fair value based upon the current status of the related tribal casino projects. The increase in fair value of the notes receivable from the Shingle Springs Tribe relates primarily to continued progress on the construction of this project, which is currently within budget and on schedule. The decrease in fair value of the notes receivable from the Jamul Tribe relates primarily to an increase in the discount rate which resulted from a decrease in current estimated win per unit for this project.
Net unrealized gains of $5.8 million during the third quarter of 2006 included $2.6 million related to the adjustment to fair value of notes receivable from the Shingle Springs Tribe due to favorable events occurring during the third quarter of 2006. The remainder of the net unrealized gains during the three months ended October 1, 2006, related primarily to increases in fair value of notes receivable from the Jamul Tribe and the Pokagon Band.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $10.1 million during the third quarter of 2007 compared to $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2006. The increase primarily related to additional costs associated with WPTE’s online gaming efforts as well as increased costs associated with WPTE’s launch of the WPT China National Traktor™ Poker Tour.
Included in costs and expenses for the third quarter of 2007 is amortization of intangible assets of approximately $1.1 million associated with the casino project with the Pokagon Band. This amortization began when the Four Winds Casino Resort opened on August 2, 2007, as discussed above.
Other income for the third quarter of 2007 was $0.7 million compared to other income of $5.3 million for the same period of 2006. Other income in the third quarter of 2006 included a $4.5 million realized gain on the sale of WPTE’s remaining 450,000 shares of PokerTek, Inc. (PokerTek) common stock.
The decrease in the income tax provision of $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the three months ended October 1, 2006, was due primarily to the realized gain on WPTE’s sale of PokerTek common stock which increased the provision during the third quarter of 2006.
Chief Executive Officer Lyle Berman stated, “The opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort in Michigan was a significant milestone for Lakes, and we are now focused on the successful management of this property. Initial casino win was somewhat
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Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Announces Results For Third Quarter 2007
disappointing. However, Four Winds’ results, and our related management fees have continued to improve as a result of modifications which were made in a number of areas to meet customer demands and to improve operating efficiencies. We have continued to be very pleased with guest count numbers since Four Winds’ opening, and as a result, key performance metrics continue to improve. We believe this property is in a class by itself in its market, and we look forward to its future performance.”
President and Chief Financial Officer Tim Cope stated, “Construction continues on the Foothill Oaks Casino project with the Shingle Springs Tribe near Sacramento, California, and the project is currently on schedule and within budget. We continue to expect, and are looking forward to, an opening date late in the fourth quarter of 2008.”
Conference Call
Lakes Entertainment invites you to join its third-quarter 2007 conference call today at 1:00 p.m. Central time. Hosting the call will be Lyle Berman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, and Tim Cope, president and chief financial officer. To participate in the call, please dial 866-862-3928 at least five minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Lakes Entertainment third-quarter 2007 conference call, or on the Internet, go to Lakes’ Web site, www.lakesentertainment.com, and click on “Conference Call”. If you are unavailable to participate on the live call, a replay will be available through November 14, 2007, at 11:59 p.m. central time. To access the replay, dial 800-408-3053, enter conference ID 3240947, and follow the prompts. The replay will also be available on Lakes’ Web site for 30 days.
Lakes Entertainment invites you to join its third-quarter 2007 conference call today at 1:00 p.m. Central time. Hosting the call will be Lyle Berman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, and Tim Cope, president and chief financial officer. To participate in the call, please dial 866-862-3928 at least five minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Lakes Entertainment third-quarter 2007 conference call, or on the Internet, go to Lakes’ Web site, www.lakesentertainment.com, and click on “Conference Call”. If you are unavailable to participate on the live call, a replay will be available through November 14, 2007, at 11:59 p.m. central time. To access the replay, dial 800-408-3053, enter conference ID 3240947, and follow the prompts. The replay will also be available on Lakes’ Web site for 30 days.
About Lakes Entertainment
Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management agreements with five separate Tribes for casino operations in Michigan, California, and Oklahoma, for a total of eight separate casino sites. In addition, Lakes has announced plans to develop a company owned casino resort project in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The company also owns approximately 61 percent of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE), a separate publicly held media and entertainment company principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of gaming themed televised programming including the World Poker Tour® television series, the operation of an online gaming website, the licensing and sale of branded consumer products and the sale of corporate sponsorships.
Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management agreements with five separate Tribes for casino operations in Michigan, California, and Oklahoma, for a total of eight separate casino sites. In addition, Lakes has announced plans to develop a company owned casino resort project in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The company also owns approximately 61 percent of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE), a separate publicly held media and entertainment company principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of gaming themed televised programming including the World Poker Tour® television series, the operation of an online gaming website, the licensing and sale of branded consumer products and the sale of corporate sponsorships.
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Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Announces Results For Third Quarter 2007
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Lakes Entertainment, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, need for current financing to meet Lakes’ operational and development needs; those relating to the inability to complete or possible delays in completion of Lakes’ casino projects, including various regulatory approvals and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before completion of these projects; possible termination or adverse modification of management or development contracts; Lakes operates in a highly competitive industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance on continued positive relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of amounts owed to Lakes by Indian tribes; continued contracts with the Pawnee Nation as a result of the change in its business council membership; possible need for future financing to meet Lakes’ expansion goals; risks of entry into new businesses; reliance on Lakes’ management; and the fact that the WPTE shares held by Lakes are currently not liquid assets, and there is no assurance that Lakes will be able to realize value from these holdings equal to the current or future market value of WPTE common stock. There are also risks and uncertainties relating to WPTE that may have a material effect on the company’s consolidated results of operations or the market value of the WPTE shares held by the company, including WPTE’s significant dependence on the Travel Channel as a current source of revenue and GSN as a future source of revenue, and the risk that GSN will not exercise its options to air seasons of the WPT series beyond Season Six; difficulty of predicting the growth of WPTE’s online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that WPTE’s television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE’s television programming; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE’s relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE’s dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
September 30, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (balances include $4.5 million and $8.4 million of WPT Enterprises, Inc.) | $ | 7,921 | $ | 9,759 | ||||
Restricted cash | — | 12,738 | ||||||
Investments in marketable securities (balances include $21.4 million and $24.3 million of WPT Enterprises, Inc.) | 51,572 | 52,901 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 4,453 | 2,963 | ||||||
Notes receivable — current | 3,029 | — | ||||||
Other current assets | 3,087 | 2,706 | ||||||
Total current assets | 70,062 | 81,067 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 16,857 | 17,460 | ||||||
Long-term assets related to Indian casino projects: | ||||||||
Notes receivable from Indian tribes | 79,278 | 164,308 | ||||||
Land held for development | 7,597 | 16,790 | ||||||
Intangible assets , net of accumulated amortization of $1.1 million at September 30, 2007 | 66,942 | 54,279 | ||||||
Other | 5,615 | 8,450 | ||||||
Total long-term assets related to Indian casino projects | 159,432 | 243,827 | ||||||
Other assets: | ||||||||
Investments in marketable securities | 9,004 | 6,962 | ||||||
Investments | 2,923 | 2,923 | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 6,333 | 6,248 | ||||||
Debt issuance costs | — | 1,972 | ||||||
Other long-term assets | 546 | 717 | ||||||
Total other assets | 18,806 | 18,822 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 265,157 | $ | 361,176 | ||||
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,348 | $ | 5,345 | ||||
Income taxes payable | 16,632 | 14,593 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and related costs | 2,395 | 2,480 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 4,458 | 4,740 | ||||||
Current portion of contract acquisition costs related to Indian casino projects, net of $1.2 million discount | 1,850 | — | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 2,209 | 2,191 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 29,892 | 29,349 | ||||||
Long-term Liabilities: | ||||||||
Long-term debt, other, net of unamortized discount of $0.9 million at December 31, 2006 | — | 104,471 | ||||||
Long term portion of contract acquisition costs related to Indian casino projects, net of $2.8 million discount | 7,923 | — | ||||||
Warrant liability | — | 5,816 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities | 7,923 | 110,287 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 37,815 | 139,636 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Minority interest in subsidiary | 14,570 | 16,764 | ||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Series A preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 7,500 shares; 4,458 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively | 45 | 45 | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 200,000 shares; 24,456 and 22,949 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively | 245 | 229 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 189,148 | 171,710 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 23,353 | 33,250 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (19 | ) | (458 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 212,772 | 204,776 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 265,157 | $ | 361,176 | ||||
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 | October 1, 2006 | September 30, 2007 | October 1, 2006 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
License fee income | $ | 2,695 | $ | 4,672 | $ | 12,535 | $ | 18,098 | ||||||||
Host fees, sponsorship, online gaming and other | 1,732 | 1,221 | 4,158 | 5,315 | ||||||||||||
Management, consulting and development fees | 2,580 | 15 | 3,415 | 345 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 7,007 | 5,908 | 20,108 | 23,758 | ||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 10,058 | 8,772 | 29,747 | 26,787 | ||||||||||||
Production costs | 1,355 | 1,737 | 6,594 | 8,333 | ||||||||||||
Loss on abandonment of online gaming assets | — | — | 2,270 | — | ||||||||||||
Net impairment losses | — | — | 331 | — | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects | 1,121 | 6 | 1,126 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 192 | 158 | 573 | 431 | ||||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 12,726 | 10,673 | 40,641 | 35,557 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on notes receivable | (600 | ) | 5,788 | 8,503 | 38,911 | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from operations | (6,319 | ) | 1,023 | (12,030 | ) | 27,112 | ||||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 981 | 1,209 | 7,613 | 2,299 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, related party | — | — | — | (137 | ) | |||||||||||
Interest expense, other | (330 | ) | (360 | ) | (646 | ) | (5,000 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | — | (139 | ) | (95 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | — | (3,830 | ) | (6,821 | ) | ||||||||||
Gain on sale of investment | — | 4,541 | — | 10,216 | ||||||||||||
Other | 50 | 5 | 78 | 81 | ||||||||||||
Total other income, net | 701 | 5,256 | 3,120 | 188 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net (earnings) loss of subsidiary | (5,618 | ) | 6,279 | (8,910 | ) | 27,300 | ||||||||||
Income taxes | 453 | 2,195 | 1,142 | 8,742 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before minority interest | (6,071 | ) | 4,084 | (10,052 | ) | 18,558 | ||||||||||
Minority interest in net (earnings) loss of subsidiary | 859 | (1,035 | ) | 3,035 | (3,383 | ) | ||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | (5,212 | ) | 3,049 | (7,017 | ) | 15,175 | ||||||||||
Stock warrant inducement discount | — | — | 1,444 | — | ||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders | (5,212 | ) | 3,049 | (8,461 | ) | 15,175 | ||||||||||
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders per share — basic | ($0.21 | ) | $ | 0.13 | ($0.36 | ) | $ | 0.67 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders per share — diluted | ($0.21 | ) | $ | 0.12 | ($0.36 | ) | $ | 0.62 | ||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic | 24,393 | 22,876 | 23,758 | 22,720 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents | — | 1,752 | — | 1,826 | ||||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — diluted | 24,393 | 24,628 | 23,758 | 24,546 | ||||||||||||