FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in connection with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future. Certain statements in this “Financial Condition and Results of Operations” are forward-looking statements.
Results of Operations
Studio City is a world-class integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau and its principal operating activities are the provision of services pursuant to a casino contract and the hospitality business in Macau. The gaming operations of Studio City Casino are focused on the mass market and target all ranges of mass market patrons. The mass market focus of the Studio City Casino is currently complemented with VIP rolling chip operations. The Gaming Operator currently has 259 gaming tables, including 15 tables for VIP rolling chip operations, and 552 gaming machines available for operation at the Studio City Casino pursuant to the Studio City Casino Agreement. In the first quarter of 2024, the Gaming Operator operated an average of approximately 246 gaming tables and 670 gaming machines at the Studio City Casino. Our cinematically-themed integrated resort is designed to attract a wide range of customers by providing highly differentiated non-gaming attractions, including the world’s first figure-8 Ferris wheel, a deluxe night club and karaoke, a 5,000-seat live performance arena, an outdoor and an indoor water park. Studio City features 2,493 luxury hotel rooms, diverse food and beverage establishments and approximately 38,500 square meters of complementary retail space.
Studio City is strategically located in Cotai, as one of the few dedicated Cotai hotel-casino resort stops on the Macau Light Rapid Transit Line, with an access bridge leading to Studio City.
Studio City Casino is operated by the Gaming Operator, one of the subsidiaries of Melco and a holder of a gaming concession, and we operate the non-gaming businesses of Studio City.
Studio City sits within a ring-fenced credit group separate from its shareholders and Studio City’s debt obligations are not guaranteed by its shareholders. In particular, Melco is not a guarantor under the 2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, the 2025 Studio City Finance Notes, the 2027 Studio City Company Notes, the 2028 Studio City Finance Notes or the 2029 Studio City Finance Notes. As such, SCI and its shareholders are not contractually required to provide any additional financial support to Studio City with respect to the Studio City debt obligations.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Total operating revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were US$150.2 million, compared with total operating revenues of US$51.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The change was primarily attributable to the continued recovery in inbound tourism during the first quarter of 2024, and the opening of Studio City Phase 2 in April 2023, which led to an increase in revenue from casino contract and higher non-gaming revenues.
Net loss attributable to Studio City Investments Limited for the first quarter of 2024 was US$18.4 million, compared with net loss attributable to Studio City Investments Limited of US$50.8 million in the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to the increase in revenue from casino contract and higher non-gaming revenues, partially offset by higher operating expenses as a result of increased business volumes and the opening of Studio City Phase 2, as well as higher interest expense due to the cessation of capitalization since April 2023.
Studio City Casino generated gross gaming revenues of US$318.4 million and US$146.7 million for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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