Additionally, On October 12, 2018, the Company declared its fourth quarter 2018 dividend of $0.68 per common share, payable on December 28, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2018. The company anticipates 2019 annual dividends of approximately $2.72 to $2.76 per share.
Chief Executive Officer, Peter M. Carlino, commented “The successful completion of this transaction demonstrates our ability to create value for our shareholders through complex and unique structures. Additionally, it shows our readiness to partner with our tenants to help them grow and achieve their own strategic goals. Through this transaction, we have added an economic interest in two additional high quality regional gaming facilities, increasing our annual real estate income by $45.3 million. In Boyd, we have added a new tenant that is highly regarded in the gaming space and is an active consolidator of casino assets and operations. Further, in announcing our 2019 dividend guidance, we are pleased to demonstrate our commitment to accretive growth and increasing returns to shareholders.”
About Gaming and Leisure Properties
GLPI is engaged in the business of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators intriple-net lease arrangements, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. GLPI elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for United States federal income tax purposes commencing with the 2014 taxable year and is the first gaming-focused REIT.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “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, as amended, including our relationship with Penn and Boyd, the expected benefits of the transactions with Penn and Boyd, the expected benefits of our recently closed transaction with Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. and Eldorado Resorts, Inc. and our expectations of future growth and dividend payments. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussions of future events, strategies or risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about GLPI and its subsidiaries, including risks related to the following: GLPI’s ability to realize the expected benefits of the transactions; adverse changes in general economic conditions in the regions or the industries in which GLPI, Penn and Boyd operate, or general disruptions in the financial, debt, capital, credit or securities markets; GLPI’s ability to maintain its status as a REIT; the availability of and the ability to identify suitable and attractive acquisition and development opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease those properties on favorable terms; GLPI’s ability to access capital through debt and equity markets in amounts and at rates and costs acceptable to GLPI; changes in the U.S. tax law and other state, federal or local laws, whether or not specific to REITs or to the gaming or lodging industries; and other factors
