CNTY Century Casinos Inc

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Century Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNTY) (Vienna Stock Exchange: CNTY) reported net operating revenues of $22,673,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, compared to net operating revenues of $11,869,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Casino revenue increased by $10,229,000 or 91% for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 over the same 2006 period, primarily due to the opening of the casino in Central City, Colorado on July 11, 2006, the opening of the casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 17, 2006 and the opening of a new casino in Newcastle, South Africa in December 2006. For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported net earnings of $1,041,000 or $0.05 per share compared to net earnings of $1,331,000 or $0.06 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. The decrease is primarily due to increased interest charges and increased depreciation charges resulting from our new properties. Adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of 2007 was $4,590,000 compared to $2,214,000 in the second quarter of 2006, a 107% increase. For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, earnings from operations increased $1,328,000, or 126%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2006, primarily the result of the opening of the three casinos mentioned above. On a Company-wide basis, casino operating margins** for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 were 60.6% compared to 61.3% for the same period in 2006 primarily due to increased marketing efforts and associated expenses at our casinos. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported net earnings of $2,583,000, or $0.11 per basic share, compared to net earnings of $3,021,000, or $0.13 per basic share, for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The Company reported a 105% increase in net operating revenue to $43,734,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 from $21,345,000 in the same 2006 period. Adjusted EBITDA* for the six month period was $9,796,000 in 2007 compared to $4,606,000 in the same 2006 period. The decrease in net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is primarily due to increased interest charges and depreciation charges relating to our new properties. Management believes that a string of severe winter storms negatively affected our businesses in Colorado for approximately seven straight weeks beginning in December 2006 and ending in January 2007, which consequently had a negative impact on year to date reported earnings and adjusted EBITDA*. Cripple Creek, Colorado Three months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 Net operating revenue at Womacks Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado increased to $4,440,000, or 11.9%, for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $3,968,000 reported for the same period in 2006. Total operating expenses increased $272,000, or 9.4%, to $3,156,000 in the second quarter of 2007 from $2,884,000 in the second quarter of 2006. Casino operating margins** decreased to 69.2% for the second quarter of 2007 from 73.4% for the same 2006 quarter due primarily to increased marketing efforts and related expenses. Net earnings reported for Womacks in the second quarter of 2007 were $793,000 compared to $616,000 in the second quarter of 2006. Womacks' adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of 2007 was $1,678,000 compared to $1,494,000 in the second quarter of 2006. Six months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 Womacks' casino revenue was $9,350,000 for the first six months of 2007 compared to $8,642,000 for the first six months of 2006. Casino expenses increased from $2,363,000 in the 2006 period compared to $2,928,000 for the 2007 period, primarily due to the increase in gaming revenues and increased casino marketing efforts. Net earnings reported for Womacks for the first six months of 2007 were $1,347,000 compared to $1,169,000 for the first six months of 2006. As part of the effort to provide our guests with the latest exciting games in a new, relaxed and convenient atmosphere, the casino is currently undergoing a $1.4 million renovation project expected to be completed for the Christmas season. Central City, Colorado Three months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 We opened a casino and hotel in Central City, Colorado on July 11, 2006. Prior to July 11, 2006, operating expenses consisted primarily of pre-opening and non-capitalizable construction expenses. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, net operating revenue at this facility was $5,060,000. Casino operating margins** were 62.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2007, which continues to be below our expectations. Although revenues have not yet met our expectations, gaming revenue has grown consistently since opening, with our highest monthly revenue occurring in June 2007. Management is continuing to evaluate methods to increase revenues at the property. Management has focused on the development of the casino's player club memberships, with results being better than expected. We now have approximately 63,000 players in our player club database. Having built this database through customer visits, management's marketing strategy will focus on direct marketing to these players. The Central City operation reported net earnings of $50,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Central City's adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of 2007 was $1,078,000. Six months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 For the six months ended June 30, 2007, net operating revenue at this facility was $9,575,000, the highest at any of our properties. Casino operating margins** were 61.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The Central City operation reported a net loss of $5,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Central City's adjusted EBITDA* for the first six months of 2007 was $2,133,000. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Three months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 We opened a casino and hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 17, 2006. Prior to this date, operating expenses for this segment consisted primarily of pre-opening and non-capitalizable construction expenses. Edmonton reported $4,480,000 in net operating revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Casino operating margins** were 64.2% in the second quarter of 2007. Due to poor attendance, the dinner theater has been closed. Management's current plan is to reopen the facility as a conference center/showroom. Edmonton reported net earnings of $298,000 and adjusted EBITDA* of $1,162,000 in the second quarter 2007. Six months ended June 30, 2007 Edmonton reported $8,632,000 in net operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Casino operating margins** were 62.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Delays in opening the property's hotel hampered hotel, food and beverage revenues for the period. The hotel opened in March 2007. Operating results of the hotel subsequent to opening have been below our expectations, primarily a result of low weekday occupancy rates. Management is currently reviewing the cost and staffing structure of the operation to bring them in line with current revenue levels. In addition, the casino has received permission from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to gradually increase the number of slot machines by nine percent, from 600 to a total of 654, until the beginning of September 2007. We expect to have 654 machines in operation by September 2007. Caledon, South Africa Three months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 A deterioration of the Rand, quarter over quarter, has had a significant impact on the results reported in dollars. As a result, Caledon's casino revenue decreased 3.2% to $3,810,000 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $3,934,000 reported in the second quarter of 2006. Casino revenue, in Rand, increased by 7.7% to ZAR 27,096,000 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to ZAR 25,167,000 in the second quarter of 2006 primarily from slot machine win and a 4% increase in the average number of slot machines for the quarter. The Caledon recently increased the number of slot machines on the floor to 370. Casino expenses decreased 4.2% from the second quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2007 primarily the result of the deterioration of the Rand. Casino expenses, in Rand, increased 5.8% to ZAR 10,564,000 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to ZAR 9,985,000, primarily due to incremental fees on gaming revenues and increased advertising expenses. Casino operating margins** (based on the Rand) were 61.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to 60.3% for the same period in 2006. Net earnings in the second quarter of 2007 were $844,000 compared to $736,000 in the second quarter of 2006, primarily the result of the property's ability to leverage its overhead. In addition, dividends of $57,000 were paid to preference shareholders during the second quarter of 2007. Caledon's adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of 2007 was $1,797,000 compared to $1,665,000 in the second quarter of 2006. Six months ended June 30, 2007 vs. 2006 Caledon's casino revenue in USD decreased by $547,000 to $7,457,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007, the result of the deterioration of the Rand. Casino revenue, in Rand, increased by 6.3% during the first six months of 2007 to ZAR 53,433,000 compared to ZAR 50,268,000 in 2006. Casino expenses, in Rand, increased by ZAR 1,723,000, or 9.1% during the first six months of 2007 compared to 2006. Casino operating margins**, excluding the effect of the Rand/Dollar conversion rate, declined to 61.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 from 62.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net earnings for the first six months of 2007 were $1,509,000 compared to $1,882,000 for the first six months of 2006. The decrease in net earnings is primarily due to the payment of dividends to preference shareholders of approximately $276,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and the impact of the deterioration of the Rand. Newcastle, South Africa Three months ended June 30, 2007 vs. June 30, 2006 We acquired our interest in Newcastle, South Africa on April 1, 2006. Between April 1, 2006 and December 2, 2006, the operations of the casino were limited and our efforts were focused on the construction of a new facility. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, net operating revenue at the new facility was $3,057,000 compared to net operating revenues of $2,050,000 at the original property. Casino operating margins** for the three months ended June 30, 2007 were 60.8%, generally consistent with our other South Africa property. The Newcastle operation provided the Company with net earnings of $276,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 compared to $270,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The increase in net earnings is primarily due to increased earnings from operations at the new property offset by increased interest charges incurred on the debt used to construct the new casino and the deterioration of the Rand versus the Dollar. Newcastle's adjusted EBITDA* for the three months ended June 30, 2007 was $1,087,000 compared to $686,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006. Six months ended June 30, 2007 For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Newcastle's casino operating revenues were $5,050,000. Casino operating margins** for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were 58.4%. The casino provided the Company with net earnings of $537,000 and adjusted EBITDA* of $1,978,000 for the period ended June 30, 2007. The Company will post a slide show presentation of the results of operations for the second quarter of 2007 on its web site at http://www.centurycasinos.com/ on Thursday, August 9, 2007. On Friday, August 10, 2007, Century Casinos will host a "Q2 2007 Earnings" conference call, at 9:00am EDT; 3:00pm CET respectively. US domestic participants please dial +1-800-909-5202, all other international participants please use +1- 785-830-7975 to dial-in. For a recording of the call, please visit our website at http://www.cnty.com/corporate/investor/financial-results/. * See discussion of adjusted EBITDA below. ** See discussion of casino operating margins below. CENTURY CASINOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) Amounts in thousands, except for share information For The Three Months For The Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Operating Revenue: Casino $21,489 $11,260 $41,378 $20,406 Hotel, food and beverage 2,979 1,272 5,846 2,354 Other 446 321 939 470 24,914 12,853 48,163 23,230 Less promotional allowances 2,241 984 4,429 1,885 Net operating revenue 22,673 11,869 43,734 21,345 Operating Costs and Expenses: Casino 8,473 4,357 16,568 7,654 Hotel, food and beverage 2,542 1,000 5,125 1,830 General and administrative 6,984 4,516 12,785 7,559 Impairments and other write-offs, net of (recoveries) 40 7 25 15 Depreciation 2,304 933 4,323 1,705 Total operating costs and expenses 20,343 10,813 38,826 18,763 Earnings from Unconsolidated Subsidiary 54 - 54 - Earnings from Operations 2,384 1,056 4,962 2,582 Non-Operating Income (Expense): Interest income 443 319 717 597 Interest expense (1,699) (411) (3,631) (615) Other (expense) income, net (41) 225 787 319 Non-operating (expense) income, net 1,297 133 (2,127) 301 Earnings before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Preferred Dividends 1,087 1,189 2,835 2,883 Provision for income taxes 304 105 628 461 Earnings before Minority Interest and Preferred Dividends 783 1,084 2,207 2,422 Minority interest in subsidiary losses, net 315 247 652 599 Preferred dividends issued by subsidiary (57) - (276) - Net Earnings $1,041 $1,331 $2,583 $3,021 Earnings Per Share: Basic $0.05 $0.06 $0.11 $0.13 Diluted $0.04 $0.06 $0.11 $0.13 Reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA* Net Earnings $1,041 $1,331 $2,583 $3,021 Minority interest (315) (247) (652) (599) Interest income (443) (319) (717) (597) Interest expense 1,699 411 3,631 615 Income tax expense 304 105 628 461 Depreciation 2,304 933 4,323 1,705 Adjusted EBITDA $4,590 $2,214 $9,796 $4,606 CENTURY CASINOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) Amounts in thousands June 30, December 31, 2007 2006 Assets Current Assets $19,752 $41,167 Other Assets 168,248 156,693 Total Assets $188,000 $197,860 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities 22,293 35,991 Non-Current Liabilities 61,469 61,442 Shareholders' Equity 104,238 100,427 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $188,000 $197,860 *Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and minority interest, is not considered a measure of performance recognized under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management believes that adjusted EBITDA is a valuable measure of the relative performance among its operating segments. The gaming industry commonly uses adjusted EBITDA as a method of arriving at the economic value of a casino operation. Management uses adjusted EBITDA to compare the relative operating performance of separate operating units by eliminating the interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization and minority interest expense associated with the varying levels of capital expenditures for infrastructure required to generate revenue, and the often high cost of acquiring existing operations. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is used by our lending institutions to gauge operating performance. The Company's computation of adjusted EBITDA may be different from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similar measures used by other companies. **We define casino operating margins as casino revenues less casino expenses divided by casino revenues. Management uses this measure to evaluate the efficiency of our casino operations. About Century Casinos, Inc: Century Casinos, Inc. is an international casino entertainment company that owns and operates the Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado, the Century Casino & Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; operates the casinos aboard the Silver Cloud, The World of ResidenSea, and the vessels of Oceania Cruises; owns a 65% interest in, and has a management contract for, Century Casino & Hotel in Central City, Colorado. Through its subsidiary Century Casinos Africa (Pty) Limited, it owns and operates The Caledon Hotel, Spa & Casino near Cape Town, South Africa, as well as 60% of, and provides technical casino services to, Century Casino Newcastle, in Newcastle, South Africa. Furthermore, the Company's Austrian subsidiary, Century Casinos Europe GmbH, owns and operates the Century Casino Millennium in the Marriott Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic; and holds a 33.3% ownership interest in Casinos Poland Ltd, the owner and operator of seven casinos and one slot arcade in Poland. The Company continues to pursue other international projects in various stages of development. For more information about Century Casinos, visit our new website at http://www.centurycasinos.com/. Century Casinos' common stock trades on The NASDAQ Capital Market(R) and the Vienna Stock Exchange under the symbol CNTY. This release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of Century Casinos based on information currently available to management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" under Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2007. Century Casinos disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by it or on its behalf. DATASOURCE: Century Casinos, Inc. CONTACT: Peter Hoetzinger, Co CEO & President, +1-719-689-5813, +43 664 355 3935, , or Larry Hannappel, Senior Vice President, +1-719-229-6448, , both of Century Casinos, Inc. Web site: http://www.centurycasinos.com/

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