Bally's Corporation Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) (the "Company" or "Bally's"), today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 and Recent Highlights

• Income from operations of $29.5 million represents strongest quarter since second quarter 2019
• Adjusted EBITDA of $52.5 million is up $30.4 million, or 137.9%, from the same period in 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA margins of 27.29% represent an increase of 708 bps year-over-year
• Announced transformational agreement to acquire Gamesys Group plc to further omni-channel strategy
• Strengthened consumer confidence, limited entertainment options and disciplined operating strategy contributed to record results at many properties

George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally's Corporation, said, "This was a remarkable first quarter for Bally's. As COVID-19 vaccinations rolled out, and capacity restrictions and other protocols loosened, we experienced a strong rebound in demand that led to a significant increase in visitation. As a result, we achieved record Adjusted EBITDA and continued margin expansion. As we approach historical operating levels, we are encouraged by the performance at many of our properties this quarter, which when coupled with ongoing capital initiatives, offer tremendous growth opportunities and the potential to deliver strong results over the coming quarters."

Papanier continued, "During this quarter, we also continued to implement our disciplined M&A strategy. We closed our acquisition of Monkey Knife Fight, the fastest growing daily fantasy sports site in North America, and acquired SportCaller, a leading global B2B free-to-play game provider. We also announced an agreement to acquire Gamesys, a leading, global online gaming operator and the number one provider of bingo and casino games in the UK. The Gamesys transaction marks a transformational step in our drive to become the first truly, integrated, omni-channel gaming company with a B2B2C business model."

First Quarter 2021 Results

Revenue for the first quarter of 2021 increased 76.2% to $192.3 million from $109.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. Throughout the quarter, the Company experienced increased demand resulting from a rise in consumer confidence and reduction in COVID-19 restrictions. The incremental revenues of Casino KC, Casino Vicksburg, Bally's Atlantic City and Eldorado Shreveport, which were acquired in the second half of 2020, also positively impacted revenue for the first quarter of 2021.

The Company also continued to see strong operational efficiencies that positively impacted margins; a trend that has benefited the Company since re-opening from the pandemic. Income from operations in the first quarter of 2021 increased $32.6 million, or 1,030.1%, year-over-year to $29.5 million, while operating margins increased 1823 bps to 15.33% compared to the same period last year. Labor savings, reduced marketing and promotional spend, and the reduction in revenue on lower margin amenities continued to drive margin improvements.  

Net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was $10.7 million, an increase of $1.8 million, or 20.6%, from net loss of $8.9 million in the first quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 was $52.5 million, an increase of $30.4 million, or 137.9%, from Adjusted EBITDA of $22.1 million in the first quarter 2020.

Diluted loss per share for the first quarter of 2021 was $0.30 per share compared to diluted loss of $0.28 per share for the comparable period in 2020. Adjusted EPS was $0.28 for the first quarter of 2021 compared to a loss per share of $0.07 during the same period in 2020.

Other Financial Information

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $151.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash. In addition, the Company had $250.0 million of available borrowings under its credit facility and total debt of $1,167.7 million.

Interest expense, net of interest income, for the first quarter of 2021 increased $9.3 million to $20.8 million. This increase primarily resulted from the increase in debt obligations outstanding in each respective period coupled with timing and differences in interest rates.

Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the financial information presented on a generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") basis, the Company has included in this earnings release non-GAAP financial measures for Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, gross gaming revenue, and adjusted earnings per diluted share, which exclude certain items described below. The Company believes these measures represent important measures of financial performance that provide useful information that is helpful in understanding the Company's ongoing operating results. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables appearing below.

"Adjusted EBITDA" is earnings, or loss, for the Company, or where noted the Company's reporting segments, before, in each case, interest expense, net of interest income, (benefit) provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-operating income, acquisition, integration and restructuring expense, expansion and pre-opening expenses, goodwill and asset impairment, share-based compensation, rebranding, change in fair value of naming rights liabilities, professional and advisory fees associated with capital return program, credit agreement amendment expenses, gain from insurance recoveries, net of losses, sports and iGaming licensing, Bet.Works and Sinclair, SportCaller and Monkey Knife Fight (MKF) transactions, and certain other gains or losses as well as, when presented for the Company's reporting segments, an adjustment related to the allocation of corporate costs among segments. Adjusted EBITDA margin is measured as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

"Gross gaming revenue" represents total gaming revenue adjusted for the State of Rhode Island's and the State of Delaware's respective shares of net terminal income, table games revenue and other gaming revenue, and is being presented by the Company to reflect the unique structure of the Company's operations in those states where each state's share of the Company's revenues is retained at the gross revenue level rather than through taxes. Management believes that the presentation of gaming revenue on a gross basis allows for comparisons to gross gaming win data provided throughout the gaming industry.

"Adjusted EPS" represents net income, or loss, per diluted share before acquisition, integration and restructuring expense, goodwill and asset impairment, credit agreement amendment expenses, expansion and pre-opening expenses, rebranding, change in value of naming rights liabilities, other non-operating (income) expense, gain on insurance recoveries, net of losses, sports and iGaming licensing, Bet.Works and Sinclair, SportCaller and MKF transactions professional and certain other gains or losses.

Management has historically used Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted EPS when evaluating operating performance because the Company believes that the inclusion or exclusion of certain recurring and non-recurring items is necessary to provide a full understanding of the Company's core operating results and as a means to evaluate period-to-period performance. Management also believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a measure that is widely used for evaluating operating performance of companies in our industry and a principal basis for valuing resort and gaming companies like the Company. Management of the Company believes that while certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS may be recurring in nature and should not be disregarded in evaluating the Company's earnings performance, it is useful to exclude such items when comparing current performance to prior periods because these items can vary significantly depending on specific underlying transactions or events that may not be comparable between the periods presented or they may not relate specifically to current operating trends or be indicative of future results. Neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Adjusted EPS should be construed as an alternative to GAAP net income or GAAP diluted EPS, respectively, as an indicator of the Company's performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EPS as used by the Company may not be defined in the same manner as other companies in the Company's industry, and, as a result, may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures of other companies

First Quarter Conference Call

The Company's first quarter 2021 earnings conference call and audio webcast will be held today, Monday, May 10, 2021 at 8:00 AM EDT. To access the conference call, please dial (833) 570-1160 (U.S. toll-free) and reference conference ID number 7824207. The webcast of the call will be available to the public, on a listen-only basis, via the Internet at the Investors section of the Company's website at www.ballys.com. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 120 days. Supplemental materials have also been posted to the Investors section of the website, under Events & Presentations.

About Bally's Corporation

Bally's Corporation currently owns and manages 12 casinos across eight states, a horse racetrack and 13 authorized OTB licenses in Colorado. With more than 6,000 employees, the Company's operations include 13,300 slot machines, 457 game tables and 3,342 hotel rooms. Following the completion of pending acquisitions, which include Tropicana Evansville (Evansville, IN), Jumer's Casino & Hotel (Rock Island, IL), Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada) as well as the construction of a land-based casino near the Nittany Mall in State College, PA, Bally's will own and manage 16 casinos across 11 states. Bally's also maintains a multi-year market access partnership with Elite Casino Resorts through which it will provide mobile sports betting in Iowa. The Company also maintains a temporary sports wagering permit to conduct online sports betting in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BALY".

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements as to matters that are not historical facts, and include statements about Bally's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are based on Bally's current expectations and assumptions. Although Bally's believes that its expectations and assumptions are reasonable at this time, they should not be regarded as representations that Bally's expectations will be achieved. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the time of this document and Bally's does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.

Important factors beyond those that apply to most businesses, some of which are beyond Bally's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and assumptions include, without limitation:

• uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including limitations on Bally's operations, increased costs, changes in customer attitudes, impact on Bally's employees and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on general economic conditions;
• unexpected costs, difficulties integrating and other events impacting Bally's recently completed and proposed acquisitions and Bally's ability to realize anticipated benefits;
• risks associated with Bally's rapid growth, including those affecting customer and employee retention, integration and controls, and whether Bally's recently announced combination with Gamesys will be completed and its timing for completion;
• risks associated with the impact of the digitalization of gaming on Bally's casino operations, Bally's expansion into iGaming and sports betting and the highly competitive and rapidly changing aspects of Bally's new interactive businesses generally;
• the very substantial regulatory restrictions applicable to Bally's, including costs of compliance;
• restrictions and limitations in agreements governing Bally's debt could significantly affect Bally's ability to operate our business and our liquidity; and
• other risk factors as detailed under Part I. Item 1A.("Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 10, 2021.

The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive and does not include matters like changes in general economic conditions that affect substantially all gaming businesses.

You should not place undue reliance on Bally's forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Bally's Corporation; Gamesys Group plc

Related Links

http://www.ballys.com