MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from       to      .

 

Commission File No. 0-22088

 

 

 

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (775) 335-4600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒    No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except shares)

 

 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER  30, 2018

 

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation:

 

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. was incorporated in 1993. Unless otherwise indicated, “Monarch” and the “Company” refer to Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Monarch owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel and casino in Reno, Nevada (the “Atlantis”) and Monarch Casino Black Hawk, a casino in Black Hawk, Colorado. In addition, Monarch owns separate parcels of land located next to the Atlantis and a parcel of land with an industrial warehouse located between Denver, Colorado and Monarch Casino Black Hawk. Monarch also owns Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc. and Monarch Promotional Association, both of which were formed in relation to extended licensure requirements for extended hours of liquor operation in Black Hawk, Colorado.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Monarch and its subsidiaries (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”). Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

 

Interim Financial Statements:

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation are included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments has been determined by the Company, using available market information and valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value; thus, the estimates provided herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

 

The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Additionally, the carrying value of our debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of applicable interest rates and relatively short-term maturity.

 

Debt Issuance Costs:

 

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt agreement. Loan issuance costs are included in “Other assets, net” on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2018, loan issuance cost, net of amortization was $1.5 million.

 

Segment Reporting:

 

The accounting guidance for disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information requires separate financial information to be disclosed for all operating segments of a business. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280 allows individual operating segments to be aggregated for reporting purposes if certain criteria are met. The Company determined that the Company’s two operating segments, Atlantis and Monarch Casino Black Hawk, meet all of the aggregation criteria stipulated by ASC 280-10-50-11. The Company views each property as an operating segment and the two operating segments have been aggregated into one reporting segment.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories, consisting primarily of food, beverages, and retail merchandise, are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined based on the weighted average, which approximates a first-in, first out method.

 

NOTE 2. REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted accounting standard update No. 2014-09 (“ASC 606”) and all the related amendments to all contracts (“new revenue standard”). The Company applied the modified retrospective method and recognized a $4.86 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings with the adoption of the new revenue standard. This adjustment exclusively related to the change in the accounting for the slot club liability from the immediate revenue/cost method to the deferred revenue method. Financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 have not been restated and are reported under the accounting standards in effect during that period.

 

Players’ Club Program: The Company operates a players’ club program under which as players perform gaming activities they earn and accumulate points, which may be redeemed for a variety of goods and services. Points may be applied toward hotel room stays, food and beverage consumption at the food and beverage outlets, gift shop items, as well as goods and services at the spa and beauty salon and for cash in our Monarch Casino Black Hawk property. Points earned may also be applied toward off-property events such as concerts, shows and sporting events. The point balance under the players’ club program is forfeited if the member does not earn or use any points over a twelve-month period.

 

A large portion of our revenues are generated by customers who are members of our players’ club. Given the significance of the players’ club program and the ability for members to bank such points based on their past play, we have determined that players’ club program points granted in conjunction with gaming activity constitute a material right and, as such, represent a performance obligation associated with the gaming contracts.

 

We have determined the points estimated standalone selling prices (“SSP”) by computing the cash redemption value of the points expected to be redeemed by type of good or service. This cash redemption value is determined through an analysis of all redemption activity over the preceding twelve-month period, leveraging the fair market value of the goods and services provided through redemption of points as the means for determining the fair market value of such points as points are not otherwise independently sold. Because of the similarity of gaming and other transactions, we have applied the practical expedient under the portfolio approach as prescribed in ASC paragraph 606-10-10-4 to apply to our loyalty credit transactions.

 

 Prior to the adoption of the ASC 606, at the time points are earned, which occurs commensurate with casino patron play, we recognized a liability for points outstanding based on the average cost of the goods and services expected to be redeemed, with a corresponding increase in casino expenses. After the adoption of the ASC 606, at the time points are earned, we recognize deferred revenue at the standalone selling prices of the goods and services that the points are expected to be redeemed for, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenue. As of September 30, 2018 we had estimated the obligations related to the players’ club program at $9.2 million, which is included in Accrued Expenses in the Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity section in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Estimates and assumptions made regarding breakage rates and the combination of goods and services members will choose impacts the estimated SSP of the points. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or member redemption patterns could produce different results.

 

The majority of the Company’s revenue continues to be recognized when products are delivered or services are performed. For certain revenue transactions (when a patron uses a club loyalty card), a portion of the revenue is deferred until the points earned by the patron are redeemed or expire.

 

The new revenue standard also resulted in reclassifications to or from revenues, promotional allowances and operating expenses. Pursuant to the new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidelines, food and beverage, hotel and other complimentaries are now valued at their retail price and included as revenues within their respective categories, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenues, as the offsetting amount historically included in promotional allowances has been eliminated. In addition, the cost of providing these complimentary goods and services are now included as expenses within their respective categories, resulting in a corresponding decrease in casino expenses. While those changes have resulted in a $35 thousand and $351 thousand increase in net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, the adoption of the new revenue standard had no impact on the net income.

 

 In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, below is a disclosure of the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our consolidated income statement for the period ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands):

 

Casino revenue: Casino revenues represent the net win from gaming activity, which is the difference between the amounts won and lost, which represents the transaction price. Jackpots, other than the incremental amount of progressive jackpots, are recognized at the time they are won by customers. Funds deposited by customers in advance and outstanding chips and slot tickets in the customers’ possession are recognized as a liability until such amounts are redeemed or used in gaming play by the customer. Additionally, net win is reduced by the performance obligations for the players’ club program as discussed above, progressive jackpots and any pre-arranged marker discounts. Progressive jackpot provisions are recognized in two components: 1) as wagers are made for the share of players’ wagers that are contributed to the progressive jackpot award, and 2) as jackpots are won for the portion of the progressive jackpot award contributed by us. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to guests related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue.

Food and Beverage, Hotel and Other (retail) Revenues: Food and Beverage, Hotel and Other Revenues in general are recognized when products are delivered or services are performed. We recognize revenue related to the products and services associated to the players points’ redemptions at the time products are delivered or services are performed, with corresponding reduction in the deferred revenue, at SSP. Other complimentaries in conjunction with the gaming and other business are also valued at SSP. Hotel revenue is presented net of non-third party rebate and commission.

Other Revenues:  Other revenues (excluding retail) primarily consist of commissions received on ATM transactions and cash advances, which are recorded on a net basis as the Company represents the agent in its relationship with the third-party service providers, and commissions and fees received in connection with pari-mutuel wagering, which are also recorded on a net basis.

Sales and other taxes: Sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers on behalf of governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and are not included in revenues or operating expenses. In addition, tips and other gratuities, excluding service charges, collected from customers on behalf of our employees are also accounted for on a net basis and are not included in revenues or operating expenses.

 

NOTE 3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a new accounting standard update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Subsequent to the adoption, the Company records any excess tax benefits or deficiencies from its equity awards in its Consolidated Statements of Income in the reporting periods in which vesting occurs. As a result, the Company’s income tax expense and associated effective tax rate are impacted by fluctuations in stock price between the grant dates and vesting dates of equity awards. This guidance of requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and deficits in the income statement was applied prospectively with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the effect of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 was a decrease of tax expense by $115 thousand and $122 thousand, respectively, resulting in an increase of basic and diluted earnings per share by less than $0.01,  for each of the periods. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the effect of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 was a decrease of tax expense by $744 thousand and $463 thousand, respectively, resulting in an increase of basic and diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 and $0.03, respectively.

 

The Company has elected to keep the accounting policy of estimated forfeitures, rather than account for forfeitures as they occur. The amendments in the guidance that require application using a modified retrospective transition method did not impact the Company. Therefore, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized as of January 1, 2017.

 

ASU No. 2016-09 also changes the classification and presentation of the excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation in the statement of cash flows. The Company applied the amendments in this guidance relating to classification on its consolidated statement of cash flows prospectively.

 

Reported stock-based compensation expense was classified as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-09, which provides guidance about when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications and the disclosure required.

 

During the first nine months of 2018, there were no changes to the terms and conditions of the share-based awards that required modification accounting or disclosure.

 

 

NOTE 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the additional dilution for all potentially dilutive securities such as stock options. The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations (shares in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share are options where the exercise prices are greater than the market price as their effects would be anti-dilutive in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, options for approximately 473 thousand and 150 thousand shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, options for approximately 367 thousand and 229 thousand shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation.

 

NOTE 5. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued an ASU to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract should be presented as a prepaid asset in the balance sheet and expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement to the same line item in the statement of income as the costs related to the hosting fees. The guidance in this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted including adoption in any interim period. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. Entities are required to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018, with no impact to our presentation on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that provides clarifying guidance on the presentation of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The guidance clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows and how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018, with no impact to our presentation of cash receipts and payments on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

 In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU, amended January 2017, which addresses the recognition and measurement of leases. Under the new guidance, for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases), at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Further, the new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities, which no longer provides a source for off- balance sheet financing. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The standard permits two approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new guidance with restatement of prior years, and one requiring prospective application of the new guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, amending certain aspects of the new leasing standard. The amendment allows an additional optional transition method whereby an entity records a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption without restating prior periods. We plan to adopt the new lease standard effective January 1, 2019 and apply it prospectively. We do not expect the new lease standard to have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows.

 

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

NOTE 6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The shopping center adjacent to the Atlantis (the “Shopping Center”) is owned by Biggest Little Investments, L.P. (“BLI”). John Farahi and Bob Farahi, Co-Chairmen of the Board and executive officers of the Company, and Ben Farahi are the three largest stockholders (the “Farahi Family Stockholders”) of Monarch and each also beneficially owns limited partnership interests in BLI. Maxum LLC is the sole general partner of BLI, and Ben Farahi is the sole managing member of Maxum LLC. Neither John Farahi nor Bob Farahi has any management or operational control over BLI or the Shopping Center. Until May 2006, Ben Farahi held the positions of Co-Chairman of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

 

On August 28, 2015, Monarch, through its subsidiary Golden Road, entered into a 20-year lease agreement with BLI for a portion of the Shopping Center, consisting of an approximate 46,000 square-foot commercial building on approximately 4.2 acres of land adjacent to the Atlantis (the “Parking Lot Lease”). This lease gives the Atlantis the right to use a parcel, approximately 4.2 acres, comprised of a commercial building and surrounding land adjacent to the Atlantis. The primary purpose of the Parking Lot Lease is to provide additional, convenient, Atlantis surface parking. The Company demolished the commercial building and converted the land into approximately 300 additional surface parking spaces for the Atlantis. The minimum annual rent under the Parking Lot Lease is $695 thousand, commencing on November 17, 2015. The minimum annual rent is subject to a cost of living adjustment increase on each five-year anniversary. In addition, the Company is responsible for payment of property taxes, utilities and maintenance expenses related to the leased property. The Company has an option to renew the Parking Lot Lease for an additional 10-year term. If the Company elects not to exercise its renewal option, the Company will be obligated to pay BLI $1.6 million. For each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid $174 thousand in rent, plus $6 thousand and $15 thousand, respectively, in operating expenses relating to this lease. For each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid $522 thousand in rent, plus $15 thousand and $23 thousand, respectively, in operating expenses relating to this lease.

 

In addition, the Atlantis shares a driveway with the Shopping Center and leases approximately 37,400 square feet from BLI (the “Driveway Lease”) for an initial lease term of 15 years, which commenced on September 30, 2004, at an original annual rent of $300 thousand plus common area expenses.  The annual rent of the Driveway Lease is subject to a cost of living adjustment increase on each five year anniversary of the Driveway Lease. The total cost of the improvements was $2.0 million of which $1.35 million was paid by the Company. The cost of the driveway improvements is being depreciated over the 15-year expected economic life of the asset; some components of the driveway were depreciated over a shorter period of time. Effective August 28, 2015, in connection with the Company entering into the Parking Lot Lease, the Driveway Lease was amended to: (i) make the Company solely responsible for the operation and maintenance costs of the shared driveway (including the fountains thereon); (ii) eliminate the Company’s obligation to reimburse the Shopping Center for its proportionate share of common area expenses; and (iii) exercise the three successive five-year renewal terms beyond the initial 15 year term in the existing Driveway Lease agreement. At the end of the renewal terms, the Company has the option to purchase the leased driveway section of the Shopping Center. For each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid $94 thousand in rent, plus $6 thousand and $8 thousand, respectively, in operating expenses relating to this lease.  For each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid $282 thousand in rent, plus $15 thousand and $19 thousand, respectively, in operating expenses relating to this lease.  

 

We occasionally lease billboard advertising, storage space and parking lot space from affiliates controlled by the Farahi Family Stockholders and paid $42 thousand and $36 thousand, respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $109 thousand and $96 thousand , respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, for such leases.

 

NOTE 7. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

On July 20, 2016, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit facility agreement (the “Amended Credit Facility”), under which our former $100.0 million credit facility (under which as of June 30, 2016 the borrowing capacity had been reduced to $45.5 million as a result of $19.5 million in mandatory reductions pursuant to the agreement and $35.0 million in voluntary reductions, as allowed by the agreement) was increased to $250.0 million, and the maturity date was extended from November 15, 2016 to July 20, 2021.

 

As of September 30, 2018, we had borrowed $69.3 million of the principal under the Amended Credit Facility, and had a $0.6 million standby letter of credit and $180.1 million remaining in available borrowings under the $250.0 million Amended Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2018, there have been no withdrawals from the standby letter of credit.

 

The total revolving loan commitment under the Amended Credit Facility will be automatically and permanently reduced to $50.0 million in the first full quarter after completion of the expansion project at the Monarch Casino Black Hawk (the “Monarch Black Hawk Expansion”) and all then outstanding revolving loans up to $200.0 million under the Amended Credit Facility will be converted to a term loan at such time. We may be required to prepay borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility using excess cash flows depending on our leverage ratio no later than December 31, 2019. We have an option to permanently reduce the maximum revolving available credit at any time so long as the amount of such reduction is at least $0.5 million and in multiples of $50 thousand.

 

Borrowings are secured by liens on substantially all of the Company’s real and personal property.

 

In addition to other customary covenants for a facility of this nature, as of September 30, 2018, we are required to maintain a Total Leverage Ratio (Total Funded Debt divided by EBITDA, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility) of no more than 4.75:1 and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (EBITDA divided by Fixed Charges, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility) of at least 1.15:1. As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio were 1.2:1 and 37.0:1, respectively.

 

The interest rate under the Amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 2.50%, or a base rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Facility) plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 1.50%, or the Prime Rate. The applicable margins will vary depending on our leverage ratio. Commitment fees are equal to the daily average unused revolving commitment multiplied by the commitment fee percentage, ranging from 0.175% to 0.45%, based on our leverage ratio.

 

At September 30, 2018, our interest rate was based on LIBOR and our leverage ratio was such that pricing for borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility was LIBOR plus 1.00%. At September 30, 2018, the one-month LIBOR interest rate was 2.25%. The carrying value of the debt outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility approximates fair value because the interest fluctuates with the lender’s prime rate or other market rates of interest.

 

We may prepay borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility without penalty (subject to certain charges applicable to the prepayment of LIBOR borrowings prior to the end of the applicable interest period). Amounts prepaid may be re-borrowed so long as the total borrowings outstanding do not exceed the maximum principal available.

 

We believe that our existing cash balances, cash flow from operations and borrowings available under the Amended Credit Facility will provide us with sufficient resources to fund our operations, meet our debt obligations, and fulfill our capital expenditure plans over the next twelve months; however, our operations are subject to financial, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or if our cash needs exceed our borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Facility, we could be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing, delaying or eliminating planned capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital.

 

NOTE 8. TAXES

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate was 20.1% and 33.7%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the effective tax rate for the same period in 2017 is primarily attributable to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, that reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to a flat rate of 21%.

On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. During the first nine months of 2018, The Company did not have any significant adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017, related to the re-measurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities. As the Company collects and prepares necessary data, and interprets the Tax Act and any

additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other standard-setting bodies, the Company may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed later in 2018.

 

NOTE 9. STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

 

On October 22, 2014, the board of directors of Monarch authorized a stock repurchase plan (the “Repurchase Plan”). Under the Repurchase Plan, the board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time, in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The Repurchase Plan does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and the plan may be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion, and it will continue until exhausted. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the repurchase program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s stock, general market economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has made no purchases under the Repurchase Plan.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Unless otherwise indicated, “Monarch,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) regarding our expectations and beliefs concerning our Monarch Black Hawk Expansion, including the project scope and timing for completion of various phases, budget and costs, sources of financing and impact of the project; business prospects; business strategies and outlook; additional revenue opportunities as a result of project and budget modifications for our Monarch Black Hawk Expansion; positioning of our properties to benefit from future macro and local economic growth; capital requirements; anticipated sources of funds and adequacy of such funds to meet our debt obligations and capital requirements; financial condition, legal matters and other matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. We note that many factors could cause our actual results and experience to change significantly from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements. When words and expressions such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” “objectives,” “goals,” “aims,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “possible,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “might,” “likely,” “enable,” or similar words or expressions are used in this Form 10-Q, as well as statements containing phrases such as “in our view,” “we cannot assure you,” “although no assurance can be given,” or “there is no way to anticipate with certainty,” forward-looking statements are being made.

 

Various risks and uncertainties may affect the operation, performance, development and results of our business and could cause future outcomes to change significantly from those set forth in our forward-looking statements, including the following factors:

 

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, events or conditions, except as required by law. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ significantly from those forecast in any forward-looking statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Monarch was incorporated in the state of Nevada in 1993. We own and operate the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel and casino in Reno, Nevada (the “Atlantis”) and Monarch Casino Black Hawk, a casino in Black Hawk, Colorado. In addition, we own separate parcels of land located next to the Atlantis and a parcel of land with an industrial warehouse located between Denver, Colorado and Monarch Casino Black Hawk. We also own Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc. and Monarch Promotional Association, both of which were formed in relation to extended licensure requirements for extended hours of liquor operation in Black Hawk, Colorado.

 

We earn revenues, operating income and cash flow from Atlantis and Monarch Casino Black Hawk, primarily through our casino, food and beverage operations and, at Atlantis, our hotel operations. The Monarch Casino Black Hawk does not have a hotel; however, we are in the process of renovations and construction that will include a hotel. We focus on delivering exceptional service and value to our guests. Our hands-on management style focuses on customer service and cost efficiencies.

 

Atlantis: Our business strategy is to maximize revenues, operating income and cash flow primarily through our casino, food and beverage operations and hotel operations. We continuously upgrade our property. With quality gaming, hotel and dining products, we believe the Atlantis is well positioned to benefit from future macro and local economic growth. Businesses continue to relocate to Northern Nevada and local business volume has steadily increased. While such economic activity could ultimately drive additional revenue and profit at Atlantis, we are experiencing the more immediate effect of increased labor costs, which, combined with continued aggressive marketing programs by our competitors, have applied upward pressure on Atlantis operating costs.

 

Monarch Casino Black Hawk:  Since the acquisition of Monarch Casino Black Hawk in April 2012, our focus has been to maximize casino and food and beverage revenues while upgrading the existing facility and working on the major expansion described below. There is currently no hotel on the property. In August 2015, we completed the redesign and upgrade of the existing Monarch Casino Black Hawk, bringing to the facility’s interior the same quality, ambiance and finishes of the ongoing master planned expansion that will transform Monarch Casino Black Hawk into a full-scale casino resort. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we began work on the Monarch Black Hawk Expansion. In November 2016, we completed the first phase, with the opening of our elegant nine-story parking facility with about 1,350 spaces for guest use. Construction of a new hotel tower and casino expansion on the site where the old parking structure was sitting is under way. (See CAPITAL SPENDING AND DEVELOPMENT – Monarch Black Hawk Expansion Plan). Once completed, the Monarch Black Hawk Expansion Plan will nearly double the casino space and will add a 23-story hotel tower with approximately 500 guest rooms and suites, an upscale spa and pool facility, three additional restaurants (increasing the total to four), additional bars and associated support facilities. Our contractor has informed us that expanded casino, restaurants, retail areas and approximately six floors of our new hotel tower will be completed in the second quarter of 2019 and that the remaining hotel tower floors and related amenities will be completed in the third quarter of 2019.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

New Revenue Standard

 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted accounting standard update No. 2014-09 (“ASC 606”) and all the related amendments to all contracts (“new revenue standard”) and have applied the modified retrospective method. The new revenue standard resulted in reclassifications to or from revenues, promotional allowances and operating expenses. Pursuant to the new FASB guidelines, food and beverage, hotel and other complimentaries are now valued at their retail price and included as revenues within their respective categories, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenues, as the offsetting amount historically included in promotional allowances has been eliminated. In addition, the cost of providing these complimentary goods and services are now included as expenses within their respective categories, resulting in a corresponding decrease in casino expenses. While those changes have resulted in a $35 thousand and $351 thousand increase in net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, the adoption of the new revenue standard had no impact on the net income for these periods.  In addition, the revenues by categories and expense margins comparison for the three and nine months periods ended September 30,  2018 are affected by the adoption of the ASC 606.  Financial results for the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2017 have not been restated and, in the following discussion, are reported under the accounting standards in effect during that period. For more information on the impact of the new revenue standard, see Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, our net income totaled $10.9 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share for the same period in 2017, reflecting a 20.3% increase in net income and an 18.4% increase in diluted earnings per share. Those results were impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced the corporate income tax rate to 21%. Net revenues in the three months ended September 30,  2018,  totaled $64.4 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 2.1%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. Income from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $13.9 million compared to $13.3 million for the same period in 2017.

 

Casino revenue decreased 31.0% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017,  due to the adoption of the new revenue standard, which resulted in a reduction of $15.8 million in casino revenues due to certain reclassifications. Under the prior revenue standard, casino revenue increased 1.4%. Casino revenue growth was suppressed by a low table games hold in the third quarter of 2018. Casino operating expense as a percentage of casino revenue decreased from 39.3% in the third quarter of 2017 to 34.2% in the same quarter of 2018 primarily due to the new revenue standard, partially offset by the low table games revenue and an increase in small equipment expense.

 

Food and beverage revenue for the third quarter of 2018 increased 13.0% over the third quarter of 2017, due to a  12.6% increase in food and beverage revenue per cover, partially driven by the effect of the change relating to recognizing revenue for beverage complimentaries at retail price. Food and beverage covers increased by 0.4% quarter over quarter. Food and beverage operating expense as a percentage of food and beverage revenue increased in the third quarter of 2018 to 74.2% compared to 41.0% for the same period in 2017 as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard, partially offset by improvements in product cost.

 

Hotel revenue increased 25.3% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017. Average daily room rate (“ADR”) of $116.06 in the third quarter of 2018 was $28.58 higher than the ADR of $87.48 in the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to changing the complimentaries ADR from a  discounted value in 2017 to the retail value in 2018. Hotel occupancy of 96.3% during the third quarter of 2018 was 1.5 percentage points lower compared to 97.8% during the third quarter of 2017. Revenue per Available Room (“REVPAR”), calculated by dividing total hotel revenue by total rooms available, was $120.92 and $96.51 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Hotel operating expense as a percentage of hotel revenue decreased to 36.2% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 37.4% for the comparable prior year period primarily as a result of the increase in hotel revenue, partially offset by the effect of the adoption of the new revenue standard.

 

Other revenue increased 0.8% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 driven primarily