Other operating revenues were $28,547,000 in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to $27,865,000 in the first nine months of 2017. Rooms revenue increased $139,000 to $8,202,000 in the first nine months of 2018 from $8,063,000 in the first nine months of 2017 due to higher convention and tour & travel sales. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease due to the timing of Dover International Speedway’s fall NASCAR race weekend. Food and beverage revenues increased $796,000 to $16,448,000 in the first nine months of 2018 from $15,652,000 in the first nine months of 2017 due primarily to higher sales in Dover Downs’ Frankie’s Italian restaurant, Garden Café, Festival Buffet, banquet department, and the opening of Dover Downs’ new Pearl Oyster Grill. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in catering revenues due to the timing of Dover International Speedway’s fall NASCAR race weekend.
Gaming expenses decreased by $435,000, or 0.4%. Increases from the higher sports betting revenues were offset by a decrease in the state’s share of table game win and lower marketing costs.
Other operating expenses increased to $22,182,000 in the first nine months of 2018 from $21,403,000 in the first nine months of 2017, primarily as a result of increased food and beverage expenses as a result of the higher revenues, increased payroll and benefit costs, and the opening of Dover Downs’ new Pearl Oyster Grill.
General and administrative expenses remained consistent at $4,082,000 in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to $4,024,000 in the first nine months of 2017.
Merger costs relate to legal, accounting and investment banking expenses incurred in connection with the Merger with Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
Depreciation expense increased to $6,200,000 in the first nine months of 2018 from $6,128,000 in the first nine months of 2017 as a result of capital spending.
Interest expense was $598,000 in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to $634,000 in the first nine months of 2017. In 2018, lower outstanding borrowings were partially offset by slightly higher interest rates.
Dover Downs’ effective income tax rate was 44.6% in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to 21.6% in the first nine months of 2017. The 2018 rate resulted from the small pretax loss being impacted by merger costs which are non-deductible for income tax purposes. Additionally, the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) in December of 2017 lowered Dover Downs’ federal income tax rate to 21% beginning in 2018. The 2018 and 2017 rates were impacted by the income tax effects derived from the vesting of restricted stock awards during the first quarter of 2018 and 2017.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2016
Gaming revenues decreased by $4,558,000, or 3.2%, to $138,684,000 in 2017 primarily as a result of lower slot machine play, and to a lesser extent a decline in horse racing commissions and a lower table game hold percentage. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in revenues from sports wagering. Dover Downs believes that its revenues continue to be negatively impacted from the overall increased competition in regional gaming markets.
Other operating revenues were $37,744,000 in 2017 as compared to $38,537,000 in 2016. Rooms revenue decreased $317,000 to $10,515,000 in 2017 from $10,832,000 in 2016 due primarily to lower transient and convention sales, partially offset by higher tour and travel sales. Food and beverage revenues decreased $329,000 to $21,613,000 in 2017 from $21,942,000 in 2016 due primarily to lower banquet sales. Lower concert revenues in 2017 as compared to 2016 also contributed to the decrease in other operating revenues.
Gaming expenses decreased by $3,474,000, or 2.5%, primarily as a result of the lower gaming revenues.
Other operating expenses decreased to $28,944,000 in 2017 as compared to $29,033,000 in 2016, primarily as a result of lower employee wages and benefit costs, partially offset by increased food costs.
General and administrative expenses decreased to $5,321,000 in 2017 as compared to $5,509,000 in 2016 primarily as a result of lower wages and benefit costs.