10-Q 1 c26540e10vq.htm QUARTERLY REPORT e10vq
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
(Mark One)    
 
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2008
    or
o
  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. 0-24993
 
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Minnesota   41-1913991
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
130 Cheshire Lane, Suite 101
Minnetonka, Minnesota
  55305
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)    
 
(952) 449-9092
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
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 þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
     
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer þ
Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
As of May 5, 2008, there were 24,915,675 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
 


 

 
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX
 
             
        Page of
        Form 10-Q
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS        
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 30, 2008 (unaudited) and December 30, 2007     3  
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007     4  
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007     5  
    Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements     6  
  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS     21  
  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK     45  
  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES     46  
 
  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS     47  
  RISK FACTORS     47  
  EXHIBITS     48  
 302 Certification of CEO
 302 Certification of CFO
 Section 906 Certification of CEO and CFO


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
                 
    March 30,
       
    2008
    December 30,
 
    (Unaudited)     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
               
(balances include $5.0 million and $3.9 million of WPT Enterprises, Inc.)
  $ 8,644     $ 9,248  
Investments in marketable securities
               
(balances include $8.5 million and $23.0 million of WPT Enterprises, Inc.)
    8,511       53,546  
Accounts receivable
    5,045       3,570  
Notes receivable
    1,133        
Other current assets
    3,367       3,028  
                 
Total current assets
    26,700       69,392  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    16,743       16,633  
                 
Long-term assets related to Indian casino projects:
               
Notes receivable from Indian tribes
    77,899       78,795  
Land held for development
    7,663       7,631  
Intangible assets , net of accumulated amortization of $4.4 million and $2.8 million
    64,987       65,910  
Other
    5,116       5,176  
                 
Total long-term assets related to Indian casino projects
    155,665       157,512  
                 
Other assets:
               
Investments in marketable securities
    38,849       4,200  
Investments in unconsolidated investee
    2,923       2,923  
Deferred tax asset
    4,498       4,878  
Other long-term assets
    530       563  
                 
Total other assets
    46,800       12,564  
                 
Total assets
  $ 245,908     $ 256,101  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,753     $ 1,559  
Income taxes payable
    15,471       16,272  
Accrued payroll and related costs
    2,574       2,788  
Deferred revenue
    1,984       2,870  
Current portion of contract acquisition costs payable, net of $1.3 million and $1.2 million discount
    2,206       1,903  
Other accrued expenses
    2,166       2,074  
                 
Total current liabilities
    26,154       27,466  
                 
Long-term Liabilities:
               
Contract acquisition costs payable, net of $2.2 million and $2.5 million discount
    6,737       7,342  
                 
Total liabilities
    32,891       34,808  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Minority interest in subsidiary
    12,587       13,995  
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Series A convertible, nonvoting preferred stock, $.01 par value with no dividend rights and no liquidation preference; authorized 7,500 shares; 4,458 issued and outstanding at March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007
    45       45  
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 200,000 shares; 24,916 and 24,516 issued and outstanding at March 30, 2008, and December 30, 2007, respectively
    249       245  
Additional paid-in capital
    192,658       190,228  
Retained earnings
    9,861       16,766  
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss)
    (2,383 )     14  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    200,430       207,298  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 245,908     $ 256,101  
                 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 30,
    April 1,
 
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except
 
    per share data)  
    (Unaudited)  
 
Revenues:
               
License fee income
  $ 3,576     $ 3,768  
Host fees, sponsorship, online gaming and other
    1,405       755  
Management, consulting and development fees
    4,580       449  
                 
Total revenues
    9,561       4,972  
                 
Costs and expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative
    10,892       9,741  
Production costs
    2,670       2,152  
Net impairment losses
          331  
Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects
    1,681       3  
Depreciation and amortization
    188       192  
                 
Total costs and expenses
    15,431       12,419  
                 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on notes receivable
    (1,983 )     165  
                 
Loss from operations
    (7,853 )     (7,282 )
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest income
    835       1,138  
Interest expense
    (367 )     (316 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
          (3,830 )
Other
    62       (90 )
                 
Total other income (expense), net
    530       (3,098 )
                 
Loss before income taxes and minority interest in net loss of subsidiary
    (7,323 )     (10,380 )
Income taxes
    688       322  
                 
Loss before minority interest in net loss of subsidiary
    (8,011 )     (10,702 )
Minority interest in net loss of subsidiary
    1,106       881  
                 
Net loss applicable to common shareholders
    (6,905 )     (9,821 )
                 
Other comprehensive earnings (loss):
               
Unrealized gains (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax
    (2,397 )     23  
Change in estimated fair value of derivative
          409  
                 
Comprehensive loss
  $ (9,302 )   $ (9,389 )
                 
Loss applicable to common shareholders per share — basic and diluted
  ($ 0.28 )   ($ 0.43 )
                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted
    24,604       22,970  
                 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 30,
    April 1,
 
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
    (Unaudited)  
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net loss
  $ (6,905 )   $ (9,821 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    253       275  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
          95  
Amortization of debt discount
          33  
Decrease in value of warrant liability
          (2,272 )
Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects
    1,681       3  
Share-based compensation
    461       1,232  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
          2,783  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on notes receivable
    1,983       (1,227 )
Minority interest in net loss of subsidiary
    (1,106 )     (881 )
Deferred income taxes
    380       (112 )
Net impairment losses
          331  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (1,492 )     566  
Other current assets
    (339 )     (783 )
Income taxes payable
    (801 )     34  
Accounts payable
    266       (41 )
Deferred revenue
    (885 )     403  
Accrued expenses
    (125 )     (1,669 )
Contract acquisition costs payable
    (301 )      
                 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (6,930 )     (11,051 )
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of marketable securities
    (13,887 )     (26,630 )
Sale / maturity of marketable securities
    21,877       33,785  
Collections on notes receivable
    276       49  
Increases in long-term assets related to Indian casino projects
    (2,153 )     (6,598 )
Advances on notes receivable
    (1,117 )      
Purchase of property and equipment
    (374 )     (614 )
Increase in other long-term assets
    29        
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    4,651       (8 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Decrease in restricted cash
          12,735  
Repayment of long-term debt
          (105,000 )
Cash proceeds from issuance of common and preferred stock
    1,675       376  
Cash proceeds from sale of notes receivable
          102,114  
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,675       10,225  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (604 )     (834 )
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period
    9,248       9,759  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents — end of period
  $ 8,644     $ 8,925  
                 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
1.   Basis of presentation
 
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lakes Entertainment, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Lakes” or the “Company”), have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to interim financial information. Accordingly, certain information normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States has been condensed and/or omitted. As of March 30, 2008, Lakes owned approximately 61% of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (“WPTE”). Accordingly, Lakes’ unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the unaudited results of operations of WPTE, and a substantial portion of Lakes’ revenues for the periods reported have been derived from WPTE’s business. For further information, please refer to the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, and the related notes included within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, previously filed with the SEC on March 12, 2008, from which the balance sheet information as of that date is derived.
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments. The results for the current interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
Certain minor reclassifications to amounts previously reported have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net loss or shareholders’ equity as previously presented.
 
2.   Fair Value Measurement
 
On December 31, 2007, the Company adopted the methods of fair value as described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), to value its financial assets. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 in the first quarter of 2008 did not impact net income.
 
The Company’s financial instruments that are measured at estimated fair value use inputs from among the three levels of the fair value hierarchy set forth in SFAS No. 157 as follows:
 
Level 1 inputs:  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which prices are available at the measurement date.
 
Level 2 inputs:  Include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e. interest rates, yield curves, etc.) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
 
Level 3 inputs:  Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Management develops these inputs based on the best information available, including internally-developed data.
 
In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible.
 
None of the Company’s financial assets are measured using level 2 inputs.


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Financial assets carried at fair value as of March 30, 2008 are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above:
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 3     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Municipal Bonds(*)
  $ 1,807     $     $ 1,807  
Auction rate securities(*)
          36,756       36,756  
Corporate preferred securities(*)
    7,837             7,837  
Certificates of deposit(*)
    960             960  
Notes receivable from Indian Tribes (**)
          77,899       77,899  
                         
Total assets at estimated fair value (***)
  $ 10,604     $ 114,655     $ 125,259  
                         
 
 
(*) See Note 3.
 
(**) See Note 4.
 
(***) The Company chose not to elect the fair value option as offered by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FAS 115, for its financial assets and liabilities that had not been previously carried at fair value. Therefore, material financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value are still reported at carrying values.
 
For financial assets that utilize Level 1 inputs, the Company utilizes direct observable price quotes in active markets (corporate paper, municipal bond and certificate of deposit markets) for identical assets.
 
Due to the lack of observable market quotes on the Company’s auction rate securities (“ARS”) portfolio, the Company utilizes valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs, including those that are based on management’s estimates of expected cash flow streams and collateral values, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of the Company’s ARS investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties and evolving market conditions that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact the Company’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.
 
In addition, due to the lack of observable market quotes on the Company’s notes receivable from Indian tribes, the Company utilizes valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including those that are based on management’s estimates of expected cash flow streams, casino opening dates and probabilities of casinos opening, projected pre- and post-opening date interest rates, and discount rates. The estimated casino opening date used in the valuation reflects the weighted-average of three scenarios: a base case (which is based on the Company’s forecasted casino opening date) and one and two years out from the base case. The projected pre- and post-opening interest rates are based upon the one year U.S. Treasury Bill spot-yield curve per Bloomberg and the specific assumptions on contract term, stated interest rate and casino opening date. The discount rate for the projects is based on the yields available on certain financial instruments at the valuation date, the risk level of equity investments in general, and the specific operating risks associated with open and operating gaming enterprises similar to each of the projects. In estimating this discount rate, market data of other public gaming related companies is also considered. The probability applied to each project is based upon a weighting of four different scenarios with the fourth scenario assuming the casino never opens. The first three scenarios assume the casino opens but applies different opening dates as discussed above. The probability weighting applied to each scenario captures the element of risk in these projects and is based upon the status of each project, review of the critical milestones and likelihood of achieving the milestones.


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes the activity for those financial assets where fair value measurements are estimated utilizing Level 3 inputs (ARS and notes receivable from Indian tribes) (in thousands):
 
                         
          Notes
       
          Receivable
       
          from
       
    ARS     Indian Tribes     Total  
 
Beginning balance — December 30, 2007
  $ 38,300     $ 78,795     $ 117,095  
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
                       
Included in other comprehensive loss(*)
    (2,419 )           (2,419 )
Included in net unrealized losses on notes receivable
          (1,983 )     (1,983 )
Advances, allocation to intangible, other
          1,087       1,087  
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    875             875  
                         
Ending balance — March 30, 2008 (unaudited)
  $ 36,756     $ 77,899     $ 114,655  
                         
 
 
(*) The Company considers the decline in the estimated fair value of its ARS to be temporary. Accordingly, the related unrealized loss is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet as of March 30, 2008.
 
3.   Investment in marketable securities
 
The Company’s investment portfolio includes investments in ARS. The types of ARS investments that the Company owns are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”), and all of which have credit ratings of AAA or Aaa. As of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007, investments in marketable securities with original maturity dates beyond three months consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
          Gross
       
          Unrealized
    Fair
 
March 30, 2008
  Cost     Gains (Losses)     Value  
    (Unaudited)  
 
Maturity dates less than one year
                       
Short-term municipal bonds
  $ 1,000     $ 2     $ 1,002  
Corporate preferred securities
    6,814       23       6,837  
Certificates of deposit
    672             672  
                         
    $ 8,486     $ 25     $ 8,511  
                         
Final maturity dates greater than one year
                       
Municipal bonds
  $ 800     $ 5     $ 805  
Auction rate securities
    39,175       (2,419 )     36,756  
Corporate preferred securities
    994       6       1,000  
Certificates of deposit
    288             288  
                         
    $ 41,257     $ (2,408 )   $ 38,849  
                         
 


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                         
          Gross
       
          Unrealized
    Fair
 
December 30, 2007
  Cost     Gains (Losses)     Value  
 
Maturity dates less than one year
                       
U.S. treasury and agency securities
  $ 1,000     $     $ 1,000  
Auction rate securities
    38,300             38,300  
Short-term municipal bonds
    1,000       1       1,001  
Corporate preferred securities
    12,464       9       12,473  
Certificates of deposit
    672             672  
                         
    $ 53,436     $ 10     $ 53,446  
                         
Maturity dates greater than one year
                       
Municipal bonds
  $ 1,827     $ (3 )   $ 1,824  
Corporate preferred securities
    1,985       7       1,992  
Certificates of deposit
    384             384  
                         
    $ 4,196     $ 4     $ 4,200  
                         
 
During the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 the amount of unrealized gains (losses) previously reported as other comprehensive income that were realized and included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss were not material.
 
As a result of current liquidity issues surrounding the Company’s ARS, the Company’s ARS were reclassified from short-term to long-term investments in marketable securities as of March 30, 2008.
 
4.   Long-term assets related to Indian casino projects — notes receivable
 
The majority of the assets related to Indian casino projects are in the form of notes receivable due from the Indian tribes pursuant to the Company’s development, financing, consulting and management agreements. The repayment terms of the loans are specific to each Indian tribe and are dependent upon the operating performance of each gaming facility. Repayments of the loans are required to be made only if distributable profits are available from the operation of the related casinos. In addition, repayment of the loans and the development, financing, consulting and management fees under contracts are subordinated to certain other financial obligations of the respective operations. Generally, the order of priority of payments from the casinos’ cash flows is as follows: a certain minimum monthly priority payment to the Indian tribe; repayment of senior debt associated with construction and equipping of the casino with interest accrued thereon; repayment of various debt with interest accrued thereon due to Lakes; development, financing, consulting and management fees to Lakes; and other obligations, with the remaining funds distributed to the Indian tribe.

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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Information with respect to the estimated fair value of notes receivable activity primarily related to three separate projects for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (“Pokagon Band”), Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (“Shingle Springs Tribe”) and the Jamul Indian Village (“Jamul Tribe”) is summarized in the following table (in thousands):
 
                                         
          Shingle
                   
    Pokagon
    Springs
    Jamul
             
    Band     Tribe     Tribe     Other     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2006
  $ 100,544     $ 40,912     $ 20,754     $ 2,098     $ 164,308  
Advances
          5,321       5,606       2,639       13,566  
Sale of Pokagon Band notes receivable
    (102,114 )                       (102,114 )
Allocation to intangible assets
          (1,536 )     (2,212 )     (641 )     (4,389 )
Consulting contracts
                      195       195  
Changes in estimated fair value(*)
    1,570       8,895       (2,742 )     (494 )     7,229  
                                         
Balance, December 30, 2007
  $     $ 53,592     $ 21,406     $ 3,797     $ 78,795  
Advances
          656       1,085       161       1,902  
Allocation to intangible assets
          (146 )     (565 )     (47 )     (758 )
Consulting contracts
                      (57 )     (57 )
Changes in estimated fair value(*)
          (962 )     (975 )     (46 )     (1,983 )
                                         
Balance, March 30, 2008
  $     $ 53,140     $ 20,951     $ 3,808     $ 77,899  
                                         
 
 
(*) The changes in estimated fair value of notes receivable related to Indian casino projects are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
 
Pokagon Band.  Lakes has a five-year contract to manage the Four Winds Casino Resort for the Pokagon Band in New Buffalo Township, Michigan near Interstate 94. Lakes began managing the Four Winds Casino Resort when it opened to the public on August 2, 2007. The Four Winds Casino Resort is located near the first Interstate 94 exit in southwestern Michigan and approximately 75 miles east of Chicago. The facility features approximately 3,000 slot machines and approximately 85 table games as well as multiple restaurants and bars, a parking garage, a hotel and other facilities.
 
Shingle Springs Tribe.  Lakes has contracts to develop and subsequently manage for seven years the Red Hawk Casino, which is being built on the Rancheria of the Shingle Springs Band in El Dorado County, California, adjacent to U.S. Highway 50, approximately 30 miles east of Sacramento, California. The terms and assumptions


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
used to value the notes receivable at estimated fair value related to the Shingle Springs Tribe are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
         
    As of March 30, 2008   As of December 30, 2007
    (Unaudited)    
 
Face value of note (principal and interest)
  $69,661   $67,585
    ($48,287 principal and $21,374   ($47,632 principal and $19,953 interest)
    interest)    
Estimated months until casino opens (weighted-average of three scenarios)
  9 months   12 months
Projected interest rate until casino opens
  7.31%   9.12%
Projected interest rate during the loan repayment term
  9.13%   10.16%
Discount rate
  15%   15%
Repayment terms of note(*)
  84 months   84 months
Probability rate of casino opening (weighting of four scenarios)
  95%   95%
 
 
(*) Note is payable in even monthly installments over the seven-year term of the management agreement subsequent to the casino opening.
 
On April 30, 2007 a construction permit was issued for the U.S. Highway 50 interchange project, which provides direct access to the Red Hawk Casino site. Construction began on the U.S. Highway 50 interchange on May 7, 2007. On June 28, 2007 an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project, and site construction commenced. The Red Hawk Casino is planned to open in late 2008.
 
Jamul Tribe.
 
Lakes has contracts to develop and finance a casino to be built on the reservation of the Jamul Tribe located on Interstate 94, approximately 20 miles east of San Diego, California (the “Jamul Casino”). The terms and


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
assumptions used to value the notes receivable at estimated fair value related to the Jamul Tribe are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
         
    As of March 30, 2008   As of December 30, 2007
    (Unaudited)    
 
Face value of note (principal and interest)
  $44,420   $42,426
    ($31,199 principal and $13,221 interest)   ($30,114 principal and $12,312 interest)
Estimated months until casino opens (weighted-average of three scenarios)
  29 months   29 months
Projected interest rate until casino opens
  7.48%   9.12%
Projected interest rate during the loan repayment term
  10.23%   10.46%
Discount rate
  20.00%   20.00%
Projected repayment terms of note
  120 months   120 months
Probability rate of casino opening (weighting of four scenarios)
  85%   85%
 
The Jamul Casino project has been delayed due to issues with road access to the proposed casino site. The Jamul Tribe has submitted an encroachment permit application to CalTrans, which will result in a project study report to determine the optimal access point for traffic to the Jamul Casino without disruption of traffic on the state highway. The Jamul Tribe has continued construction on their reservation of the driveway road leading to the Jamul Casino site. In addition to its work with CalTrans, the Jamul Tribe has submitted an application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (the “BIA”) for recognition of an access drive across its land to create a second means of access to the site over an Indian reservation road. Lakes and the leaders of the Jamul Tribe are currently evaluating plans for the Jamul Casino to determine when construction of the facility will start and when casino operations will begin. Lakes continues to believe that adequate financing will be obtained and the project will be successfully completed.


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
5.   Other long-term assets related to Indian casino projects
 
Intangible assets.  Intangible assets consist of costs associated with the acquisition of the management, development, consulting or financing contracts related to tribal gaming projects and are periodically evaluated for impairment after they are initially recorded. Information with respect to the intangible assets related to the acquisition of management, development, consulting or financing contracts by project is summarized as follows, (in thousands):
 
                                         
          Shingle
                   
    Pokagon
    Springs
    Jamul
             
    Band     Tribe     Tribe     Other     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2006
  $ 23,573     $ 20,387     $ 9,760     $ 559     $ 54,279  
Allocation of advances
          1,536       2,212       641       4,389  
Acquisition of contract rights
    10,000                   78       10,078  
Amortization(*)
    (2,798 )                 (7 )     (2,805 )
Impairment loss
                      (31 )     (31 )
                                         
Balance, December 30, 2007
  $ 30,775     $ 21,923     $ 11,972     $ 1,240     $ 65,910  
Allocation of advances
          146       565       47       758  
Amortization(*)
    (1,679 )                 (2 )     (1,681 )
                                         
Balance, March 30, 2008 (unaudited)
  $ 29,096     $ 22,069     $ 12,537     $ 1,285     $ 64,987  
                                         
 
 
(*) Amortization expense related to the Four Winds Casino Resort commenced upon opening in August of 2007.
 
Land held for development.  Land held for development is comprised of land held for possible transfer to Indian tribes for use in certain of the future casino resort projects. In the event that this land is not transferred to the tribes, the Company has the right to sell it. These assets are evaluated for impairment in combination with intangible assets related to the acquisition of the management, development, consulting or financing contracts and other assets related to the Indian casino projects. As of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007, land held for development related to Indian casino projects was $7.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively, recorded at its cost. As of March 30, 2008, land held for development primarily related to land near the location of the planned Jamul Casino project.
 
Other.  As of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007 other assets related to Indian casino projects were approximately $5.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Included in this category are costs incurred related to the Indian casino projects which have not yet been included as part of the notes receivable because of timing of the payment of these costs. When paid, these amounts will be allocated between notes receivable and intangible assets related to the acquisition of the management, development, consulting or financing contracts and will be evaluated for changes in fair value or impairment, respectively. These amounts vary from period to period due to timing of payment. Also included in this category are receivables from related parties of $4.3 million that are directly related to the development and opening of Lakes’ Indian casino projects.
 
6.   Contract acquisition costs payable
 
Upon opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort, the Company became obligated to pay approximately $11 million to an unrelated third party as part of an agreement associated with the Company obtaining the management contract with the Pokagon Band. The payment is payable quarterly over the term of the five-year management agreement for the Four Winds Casino Resort. The Company is also obligated to pay approximately $3 million over 24 months to a separate unrelated third party on behalf of the Pokagon Band in accordance with the management contract which commenced when the casino opened. These obligations do not have a stated interest rate and have payments terms which extend beyond one fiscal year. As a result, these obligations have been recorded at their net present value with effective interest rates of 16.7% and 14.1%, respectively, and the difference between


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
the face amount and the net present value of the obligations is recorded as a discount, which is amortized to interest expense as the payments are made pursuant to the respective agreements.
 
During 2006, the Lyle Berman Family Partnership (the “Partnership”) purchased a portion of the first obligation discussed above from the unrelated third party and receives approximately $0.3 million per year of the payment stream related to this obligation during the five-year term of the management contract of the Four Winds Casino Resort. Lyle Berman, Lakes’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, does not have an ownership or other beneficial interest in the Partnership. Neil I. Sell, a director of Lakes, is one of the trustees of the irrevocable trusts for the benefit of Lyle Berman’s children that are the partners in the Partnership.
 
7.   Share-based compensation
 
Consolidated share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options was $0.5 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively.
 
No income tax benefit was recognized in Lakes’ unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for share-based compensation arrangements for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007. Management assessed the likelihood that the deferred tax assets relating to future tax deductions from share-based compensation will be recovered from future taxable income and determined that a valuation allowance is necessary to the extent that management currently believes it is more likely than not that tax benefits will not be realized. Management’s determination is based primarily on historical earnings volatility, the relatively short operating history of WPTE, and Lakes’ current stages of planned operational activities.
 
Lakes and WPTE both use a Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value stock options, which requires the consideration of historical employee exercise behavior data and the use of a number of assumptions including volatility of the companies’ stock prices, the weighted-average risk-free interest rate, and the weighted-average expected life of the options.
 
The following values represent the average per grant for the indicated variables used to value options granted during the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively. There have been no significant changes to the assumptions thus far in 2008 and none are expected during the remainder of 2008.
 
Lakes’ stock option plans:
 
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 30,
    April 1,
 
Key valuation assumptions:
  2008     2007 (*)  
 
Expected dividend yield
           
Risk-free interest rate
    3.66 %      
Expected term (in years)
    8.18 years        
Expected volatility
    48.77 %      
Forfeiture rate
           
 
 
(*) There were no options granted during the three months ended April 1, 2007.
 
  •  Expected dividend yield — As the Company does not pay dividends, the dividend rate variable in the Black-Scholes model is zero.
 
  •  Risk free interest rate — The risk free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and with maturities consistent with the expected term of options.
 
  •  Expected term (in years) — The expected term of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. It is based upon an analysis of the historical


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
  behavior of option holders during the period from September 1995 to March 30, 2008. Management believes historical data is reasonably representative of future exercise behavior.
 
  •  Expected volatility — The volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of Lakes’ stock over a two-year period. Management evaluated whether there were factors during that period which were unusual and which would distort the volatility figure if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors.
 
  •  Forfeiture rate — As share-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, expense for grants beginning upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment-Revised 2004 (“SFAS 123R”) will be reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company has reviewed the historical forfeitures which are minimal, and as such will amortize the grants to the end of the vesting period and will adjust for forfeitures at the end of the term.
 
The following table summarizes Lakes’ stock option activity during the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 (unaudited):
 
                                 
    Number of common shares  
                      Weighted-avg.
 
    Options
          Available
    exercise
 
    outstanding     Exercisable     for grant     price  
 
2008
                               
Balance at December 30, 2007
    4,345,650       3,842,200       584,750     $ 6.08  
Authorized
                       
Granted
    196,000             (196,000 )     5.73  
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
                       
Exercised
    (400,000 )                 4.10  
                                 
Balance at March 30, 2008
    4,141,650       3,798,200       388,750     $ 6.25  
                                 
2007
                               
Balance at December 31, 2006
    4,716,400       3,712,350       35,500     $ 6.15  
Authorized
                       
Granted
                       
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
                       
Exercised
    (112,500 )                 5.82  
                                 
Balance at April 1, 2007
    4,603,900       4,025,750       35,500     $ 6.15  
                                 


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes significant ranges of Lakes’ outstanding and exercisable options as of March 30, 2008 (unaudited):
                                                         
    Options outstanding at March 30, 2008           Options exercisable at March 30, 2008  
          Weighted-
                               
          average
          Aggregate
                Aggregate
 
    Number
    remaining
    Weighted-average
    intrinsic
    Number
    Weighted-
    intrinsic
 
Range of exercise prices
  outstanding     contractual life     exercise price     value     exercisable     average price     value  
 
$  (3.25 — 3.63)
    280,200       3.2 years     $ 3.46     $ 313,416       280,200     $ 3.46     $ 313,416  
 (3.64 — 5.45)
    2,010,700       1.5 years       4.23       731,511       1,908,700       4.21       731,511  
 (5.46 — 7.26)
    179,000       8.4 years       6.92             60,000       7.18        
 (7.27 — 9.08)
    1,382,000       5.6 years       8.12             1,357,000       8.13        
 (9.09 — 10.90)
    52,500       8.2 years       10.26             19,950       10.22        
  (10.91 — 12.71)
    72,250       3.0 years       11.51             60,600       11.40        
  (12.72 — 14.53)
    95,000       6.9 years       14.00             66,250       14.03        
  (14.54 — 16.34)
    5,000       6.8 years       16.11             3,000       16.11        
  (16.35 — 18.16)
    65,000       3.6 years       17.91             42,500       18.00        
                                                         
      4,141,650       3.6 years     $ 6.25     $ 1,044,927       3,798,200     $ 6.08     $ 1,044,927  
                                                         
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on Lakes’ closing stock price of $4.58 on March 28, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. Options exercised during the three months ended March 30, 2008 did not have an intrinsic value. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended April 1, 2007 was $0.5 million. As of March 30, 2008, Lakes’ unrecognized share-based compensation was approximately $1.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 30, 2008 was $3.35 per share.
 
WPTE stock option plan:
 
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 30,
    April 1,
 
Key valuation assumptions:
  2008(*)     2007  
 
Expected dividend yield
           
Risk-free interest rate
          4.47 %
Expected term (in years)
          6 years  
Expected volatility
          73.84 %
Forfeiture rate
          12.16 %
 
 
(*) There were no options granted during the three months ended March 30, 2008.
 
  •  Expected dividend yield — As WPTE does not pay dividends, the dividend rate variable in the Black-Scholes model is zero.
 
  •  Risk free interest rate — The risk free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and with maturities consistent with the expected term of options.
 
  •  Expected term (in years) — Due to WPTE’s limited operating history including stock option exercises and forfeitures, WPTE calculated expected term for each grant using the “Simplified Method” in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletins 107 and 110.
 
  •  Expected volatility — As WPTE has a relatively short operating history and no definitive peer or peer groups, expected volatility was based on historical volatility of WPTE’s stock price since it began trading in August 2004.


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
  •  Forfeiture rate — As share-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, expense for grants beginning upon adoption of SFAS 123R will be reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. WPTE used historical data to estimate employee departure behavior in estimating future forfeitures.
 
The following table summarizes WPTE stock option activity during the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 (unaudited):
 
                                 
          Number of common shares  
                      Weighted-avg.
 
    Options
          Available
    exercise
 
    outstanding     Exercisable     for grant     price  
 
2008
                               
Balance at December 30, 2007
    2,920,857       1,322,206       267,150     $ 5.66  
Authorized
                       
Granted
                       
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
    (83,600 )           83,600       4.33  
Exercised
                       
                                 
Balance at March 30, 2008
    2,837,257       1,412,373       350,750     $ 5.70  
                                 
2007
                               
Balance at December 31, 2006
    2,318,166       1,050,200       983,501     $ 6.76  
Authorized
                       
Granted
    287,000             (287,000 )     4.80  
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
    (90,466 )           90,466       8.49  
Exercised
                       
                                 
Balance at April 1, 2007
    2,514,700       1,010,533       786,967     $ 6.47  
                                 
 
The following table summarizes significant ranges of WPTE outstanding and exercisable options as of March 30, 2008 (unaudited):
 
                                                         
    Options outstanding     Options exercisable  
          Weighted-avg.
    Weighted-
    Aggregate
                Aggregate
 
Range of
  Number
    remaining
    avg. exercise
    intrinsic
    Number
    Weighted-
    intrinsic
 
exercise prices
  outstanding     contractual life     price     value     exercisable     avg. price     value  
 
$ 0.0049
    111,340       3.91     $  0.0049     $ 168,691       111,340     $  0.0049     $ 168,691  
$ 1.87 — 4.80
    1,260,350       9.25       3.43             119,533       4.44        
$ 5.18 — 9.92
    1,305,566       6.73       7.56             1,107,166       7.86        
$11.95 — 14.51
    154,000       7.37       12.18             70,000       12.47        
$15.05 — 19.50
    6,001       7.31       15.79             4,334       16.08        
                                                         
      2,837,257       7.77     $ 5.70     $ 168,691       1,412,373     $ 7.20     $ 168,691  
                                                         
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on WPTE’s closing stock price of $1.52 on March 28, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. No options were exercised during the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively. As of March 30, 2008, WPTE’s unrecognized share-based compensation was approximately $2.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
of 2.7 years. There were no options granted during the three months ended March 30, 2008. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended April 1, 2007 was $3.27 per share.
 
Both Lakes and WPTE issue new shares of common stock upon the exercise of options.
 
8.   Loss per share
 
For all periods, basic loss applicable to common shareholders per share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Stock options that could potentially dilute the loss applicable to shareholders per share in the future of 4,141,650 and 4,603,900 shares were not included in the computation of diluted loss applicable to common shareholders per share for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively, because the effects would have been anti-dilutive for those periods due to net losses.
 
9.   Income Taxes
 
Management has evaluated all evidence and determined that historical net losses (excluding net realized and unrealized gains on notes receivable) generated over the past five years, outweighed the current positive evidence that the Company believes exists surrounding its ability to generate significant income from its long-term assets related to Indian casino projects. Therefore, the Company has recorded a 100% valuation allowance against deferred tax assets arising from net operating loss carryforwards and other ordinary items at March 30, 2008, and December 30, 2007, as management has concluded that is it more likely than not that the tax benefits will not be realized in the foreseeable future.
 
The Company also has deferred tax assets related to capital losses of approximately $8.1 million as of March 30, 2008. The realization of these benefits is dependent on the generation of capital gains during the applicable carryforward periods. The Company believes that it will have capital gains in future years to utilize a portion of these benefits due to significant appreciation in its investment in WPTE, which has a minimal cost basis. The Company owns approximately 12.5 million shares of WPTE common stock valued at approximately $19 million as of March 30, 2008, based upon the closing stock price as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market. However, as of the first quarter of 2008, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the portion of the capital losses that are not expected to be covered by future sales of WPTE based on the price of WPTE’s common stock at March 30, 2008, combined with volume restrictions on how many WPTE shares Lakes can sell, and Lakes will monitor and adjust this valuation allowance on a quarterly basis, if necessary. As of March 30, 2008, the valuation allowance was $3.6 million, resulting in a net deferred tax asset related to capital losses of $4.5 million.
 
10.   Legal Proceedings
 
Louisiana Department of Revenue litigation tax matter.  The Louisiana Department of Revenue maintains a position that Lakes owes additional Louisiana corporation income tax for the period ended January 3, 1999 and the tax years ended 1999 through 2001 and additional Louisiana corporation franchise tax for the tax years ended 2000 through 2002. This determination is the result of an audit of Louisiana tax returns filed by Lakes for the tax periods at issue and relates to the reporting of income earned by Lakes in connection with the managing of two Louisiana-based casinos. Lakes may be required to pay an assessment of up to $8.6 million, plus interest, if it is not successful in this matter. Lakes’ management has determined that it is more likely than not that it will be able to support its position related to this tax matter. A liability has been recorded for an estimated settlement including accrued interest and fees, which is included as part of income taxes payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Interest expense related to this uncertain tax position is recorded as a component of income tax expense.
 
WPTE litigation.  In 2006, a legal action was commenced against WPTE by seven poker players that alleged, among other things, an unfair business practice of WPTE. On April 18, 2008, WPTE settled the lawsuit without cost


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
by agreeing to implement a new standard player release form to be provided to all players at all future WPT tournaments and events.
 
Miscellaneous legal matters.  Lakes and its subsidiaries (including WPTE) are involved in various other inquiries, administrative proceedings, and litigation relating to contracts and other matters arising in the normal course of business. While any proceeding or litigation has an element of uncertainty, management currently believes that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is remote. Accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded in connection therewith.
 
11.   Segment Information
 
Lakes’ principal business is the development, financing and management of gaming-related properties. Additionally, the Company is the majority owner of WPTE. All of Lakes’ and substantially all of WPTE’s operations to date are conducted in the United States. Episodes of the World Poker Tour® television series are distributed internationally primarily by a third party distributor. Lakes’ segments reported below (in millions) are the segments of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The total assets in “Corporate and Eliminations” below primarily relate to Lakes’ short-term investments, deferred tax assets, Lakes’ corporate office building and construction in progress related to a Company-owned casino project in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Costs in “Corporate and Eliminations” below have not been allocated to the other segments because these costs are not easily allocable and to do so would not be practical.
 
                                         
    Industry Segments  
    Indian
                         
    casino
    WPTE     Corporate &
       
    projects     Domestic     International     eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Total assets as of March 30, 2008
  $ 159.9     $ 36.6     $     $ 49.4     $ 245.9  
Total assets as of December 30, 2007
  $ 158.2     $ 41.7     $     $ 56.2     $ 256.1  
For the three months ended March 30, 2008
Revenue
  $ 4.6     $ 3.2     $ 1.8     $     $ 9.6  
Earnings (loss) from operations
    0.6       (3.2 )           (5.3 )     (7.9 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
          0.1             0.1       0.2  
Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects
    1.7                         1.7  
For the three months ended April 1, 2007
Revenue
  $ 0.5     $ 3.5     $ 1.0     $     $ 5.0  
Net impairment charges
    0.3                         0.3  
Earnings (loss) from operations
    1.0       (2.9 )           (5.4 )     (7.3 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
          0.1             0.1       0.2  
 
12.   Subsequent Event
 
Lakes’ Margin Account Agreement.  Effective April 11, 2008, Lakes entered into an agreement with UBS Financial Services Inc for the purpose of borrowing and/or obtaining credit in a principal amount not to exceed $11.0 million (the “Margin Account Agreement”). Lakes has made an initial draw under the Margin Account Agreement in the principal amount of $3.0 million to be used for working capital purposes. The Margin Account Agreement is secured by Lakes’ ARS. Amounts borrowed under the Margin Account Agreement are due and


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LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
payable on demand and bear interest at a floating rate of interest per annum equal to the sum of the prevailing daily 30-day LIBOR plus 25 basis points.
 
Lakes’ joint venture with Myohionow.com, LLC.  Effective as of April 29, 2008, Lakes Ohio Development, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Lakes, entered into a joint venture agreement with Myohionow.com, LLC (“Myohio”) dated April 29, 2008 (the “Agreement”) for the purpose of placing on the November 4, 2008 Ohio statewide election ballot a referendum to amend the Ohio constitution to permit a casino resort to be located at the intersections of Interstate 71 and State Route 73 in Clinton County, Ohio (the “Referendum”) and, if approved, developing and operating the proposed casino resort in Clinton County, Ohio. Lakes is planning to loan approximately $8 million to the joint venture through August at an interest rate of 10% per annum, and an additional amount from August to the November election depending on various factors including polling numbers, market studies, and media efforts. Lakes will be required to seek additional sources of financing to fund the additional costs Lakes plans to incur from August to the November of 2008 election. Lakes is currently exploring several financing alternatives and expects to be able to obtain funding as necessary. The amounts loaned will be repaid only upon the successful development, opening and operation of this proposed casino. Although the Agreement provides that Lakes will initially own 80% of the joint venture, Lakes anticipates that its ownership will be reduced to not more than 70% at the time the proposed casino resort opens as a result of contingent factors arising from the passage of the Referendum and financing the development of the proposed casino resort.
 
If the Referendum passes, the joint venture must advance to the owners of Myohio an annual amount totaling approximately $250,000 to be paid in equal monthly installments commencing on December 1, 2008, as an advance of any profit distributions due and payable to Myohio, which will be offset against the first such profit distribution. As compensation for Lakes’ management services for the casino resort once open, Lakes shall be paid one percent of the gross casino revenues.


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ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Overview
 
We develop, finance and manage Indian-owned casino properties. We currently have development and management or financing agreements with four separate tribes for casino operations in Michigan, California, and Oklahoma for a total of five separate casino projects as follows:
 
  •  We are currently managing the Cimarron Casino for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a federally recognized Indian Tribe, and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a federally-chartered corporation (collectively, the “Iowa Tribe”) in Perkins, Oklahoma, under a seven-year management contract, which commenced in 2006.
 
  •  We have a five-year contract to manage the Four Winds Casino Resort for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (the “Pokagon Band”) in New Buffalo Township, Michigan near Interstate 94. Lakes began managing the Four Winds Casino Resort when it opened to the public on August 2, 2007. The Four Winds Casino Resort is located near the first Interstate 94 exit in southwestern Michigan and approximately 75 miles east of Chicago. The facility features approximately 3,000 slot machines and approximately 85 table games as well as multiple restaurants and bars, a parking garage, a hotel and other facilities.
 
  •  We have contracts to develop and subsequently manage for seven years the Red Hawk Casino, which is being built on the Rancheria of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (the “Shingle Springs Tribe”) in El Dorado County, California, adjacent to U.S. Highway 50, approximately 30 miles east of Sacramento, California. The Red Hawk Casino is planned to open in late 2008.
 
  •  We have contracts to develop and finance a casino to be built on the reservation of the Jamul Indian Village (the “Jamul Tribe”) located on Interstate 94, approximately 20 miles east of San Diego, California (the “Jamul Casino”). The Jamul Casino project has been delayed due to issues with road access to the proposed Jamul Casino site. The Jamul Tribe has submitted an encroachment permit application to CalTrans, which will result in a project study report to determine the optimal access point for traffic to the Jamul Casino without disruption of traffic on the state highway. The Jamul Tribe has continued construction on their reservation of the driveway road leading to the Jamul Casino site. In addition to its work with CalTrans, the Jamul Tribe has submitted an application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (the “BIA”) for recognition of an access drive across its land to create a second means of access to the site over an Indian reservation road. We and the leaders of the Jamul Tribe are currently evaluating plans for the Jamul Casino facility to determine when construction of the facility will start and when casino operations will begin. We continue to believe that adequate financing will be obtained and the project will be successfully completed.
 
  •  We have a consulting agreement and management contract with the Iowa Tribe in connection with developing, equipping and managing the Ioway Casino Resort which is planned to be built near Route 66 and approximately 25 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Iowa Tribe is currently leasing and acquiring land from tribal members, which is held in trust for the individual tribal members by the United States Government. These transactions need to be approved by the BIA. Lakes submitted its management contract with the Iowa Tribe for the Ioway Casino Resort to the National Indian Gaming Commission (the “NIGC”) for review in 2005. The NIGC has stated that it is waiting for the BIA to approve all land leases before it will issue an opinion on the management contract.
 
We have also explored, and continue to explore, other development projects with Indian tribes. We are also involved in other business activities, including potential development of a non-Indian casino in Mississippi, pursuing potential development of a non-Indian casino in Ohio, and the development of new table games for licensing to both Tribal and non-Tribal casinos. In addition, as of March 30, 2008, we owned approximately 61% of WPTE, a separate publicly-held company principally engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer projects driven by the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes, the development and operation of an online gaming website, the licensing and sale of branded products and the sale of corporate sponsorships. Our consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of WPTE.


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WPTE creates internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE created the World Poker Tour®, or WPT, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that currently airs on the Game Show Network (“GSN”) and the Travel Channel (“TRV”) in the United States, and has been licensed for broadcast globally. WPTE offers a real-money online gaming website, which prohibits wagers from players in the United States and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTE also has operations in mainland China, pursuant to its agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center (the “CLSAC”) where WPTE is developing and marketing the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In January 2008, WPTE launched ClubWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States and currently offered in 38 States. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games and giftware and is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. WPTE has four business segments:
 
WPT Studios, WPTE’s multi-media entertainment division, generates revenue from the domestic and international licensing of television broadcasts, international television sponsorship revenue and through casino host fees. Since WPTE’s inception, the WPT Studios division has been responsible for 73% of total revenue. WPTE licensed Season One through Season Five of the WPT series to TRV for telecast in the United States under an exclusive license agreement (the “TRV Agreement”). Prior to 2007, WPTE also licensed Season One of the Professional Poker Tourtm (“PPT”) television series to TRV. On April 2, 2007, WPTE entered into an agreement (the “GSN Agreement”) with GSN, pursuant to which GSN agreed to license from WPTE Season Six of the WPT series for the payment of a $300,000 license fee per episode. Under the TRV Agreement, WPTE received an average of $477,000 per episode for Season Five. WPTE has license agreements for the distribution of WPT and PPT episodes into international territories, for which WPTE receives license fees, net of WPTE’s agent’s sales fee and agreed upon sales and marketing expenses. WPTE also collects annual host fees from member casinos that host WPT events (WPTE’s member casinos).
 
Since WPTE’s inception, domestic television distribution fees from the TRV Agreement, an agreement with TRV relating to the PPT series and the GSN Agreement have been responsible for approximately 56% of WPTE’s total revenue. For each season covered by the TRV Agreement and related options, TRV has exclusive rights to exhibit the episodes in that season an unlimited number of times on its television network in the United States for four years, or three years in the case of Season One of the WPT.
 
Under both the TRV and GSN Agreements, TRV and GSN pay fixed license fees for each episode WPTE produces, which are payable at various times during the pre-production, production and post-production process and are recognized upon receipt and acceptance of the completed episode. Television production costs related to WPT episodes are generally capitalized and charged to cost of revenues as revenues are recognized. Therefore, the timing and number of episodes involved in the various seasons of the series affect the timing of the revenues and expenses of the WPT Studios business. For Season Six of the WPT, WPTE is scheduled to produce a total of 23 episodes, production of which began in May of 2007 and WPTE expects to be completed by July 2008, with telecasts of the episodes scheduled to air between March 2008 and August 2008. Pursuant to the GSN Agreement, they have an exclusive option to license Season Seven of the WPT series which expires on May 24, 2008.
 
From 2004 until December 2006, WPTE licensed its shows internationally through an exclusive agreement with Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc. (“Alfred Haber”). In December 2006, WPTE notified Alfred Haber that they would no longer be the international distributor for WPTE shows, since WPTE began utilizing its internal staff and resources to distribute its shows into the international marketplace. During 2007, WPTE came to an arrangement with Alfred Haber whereby they provide non-exclusive assistance on international licensing matters on a case-by-case basis based on substantially the same terms as WPTE’s previous relationship with them.
 
In December 2006, WPTE signed a multi-year agreement with PartyGaming Plc (“PartyGaming”), owner of PartyPoker.com, pursuant to which they will sponsor certain international television broadcasts of the WPT and PPT. PartyGaming pays WPTE fixed fees for entering into broadcast sponsorship arrangements that meet certain requirements, with maximum payment levels for each of the covered seasons of each series. For the quarter ended


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March 30, 2008, WPTE recognized revenues of $0.7 million from the PartyGaming agreement. No revenues were recognized for the quarter ended April 1, 2007.
 
WPT Global Marketing includes branded consumer products, sponsorship and partnerships, and event management divisions. WPTE’s branded consumer products division generates revenue principally from royalties from the licensing of WPTE’s brand to companies seeking to use the WPT brand and logo in the retail sales of their consumer products.
 
WPTE domestic sponsorship and event management division generates revenue from corporate sponsorship and management of televised and live events. During 2007, WPTE signed a three-year agreement with Blue Diamond Almonds to sponsor Seasons Six, Seven and Eight of the WPT. In return for online and event presence, Blue Diamond will pay approximately $0.2 million per season. WPTE also signed an agreement with Southwest Airlines to be the official airline of the WPT for Season Six.
 
In February 2006, WPTE launched an events division offering help in designing special programs for corporations, meeting planners and charitable organizations for entertainment purposes only.
 
WPT Online includes the international real money gaming website at WorldPokerTour.com and content website at WorldPokerTour.com, which includes poker tournament coverage and live updates thereof, statistics, poker player information, an online merchandise store, and ClubWPT.com which launched in January 2008.
 
In 2006, WPTE decided to commission the development of its own software for WPTE’s online poker room. WPTE licensed a software platform from CyberArts Licensing, LLC, and hired approximately 30 employees in Israel to develop the software and support infrastructure. However, the development of the CyberArts-based site ceased on April 23, 2007, when WPTE entered into a three year software supply and support agreement (the “Agreement”) with CryptoLogic. As a result of the decision to utilize CryptoLogic and move away from the internally-developed online gaming platform based on CyberArts software, WPTE wrote off certain property and equipment and related capitalized costs of approximately $2.3 million during the second quarter of 2007. In addition to the write off of assets, WPTE curtailed its Israel operations and closed one of its two offices during the second quarter of 2007 and in the fourth quarter of 2007, WPTE closed the remaining office in Israel.
 
Pursuant to the Agreement, CryptoLogic operates an online gaming site for WPTE featuring a poker room and casino games utilizing its proprietary software, in exchange for a percentage of the revenue generated from the site. WPTE is entitled to approximately 80% of net gaming revenues, as defined below, from the operation of the site. Under the Agreement, WPTE is also a member in a centralized online gaming network (the “Network”) with several other licensees of CryptoLogic pursuant to which players are able to play on WPTE branded gaming site on the Network.
 
On June 14, 2007, CryptoLogic delivered the poker software to WPTE and the online poker room became operational on June 28, 2007. On July 26, 2007, CryptoLogic delivered 10 casino games (the “Initial Casino”). Effective March 5, 2008, WPTE executed an amendment to the Agreement, exercising its option for a full suite of casino games (the “Full Casino”) with an annual minimum guarantee payable to CryptoLogic from WPTE of approximately $0.8 million, and WPTE exercised its option to have CryptoLogic develop two additional poker language rooms in Spanish and German for $0.1 million. In a separate amendment to the agreement dated March 5, 2008, WPTE agreed to extend the term of the License Agreement with CryptoLogic an additional year through June 30, 2011.
 
As a result of the amendments, WPTE is now entitled to the following percentages of net gaming revenue: (a) 100% of the first $37,500 per month, (b) 79% of revenue in excess of $37,500 but less than $500,000 per month; and (d) 80% of the revenue in excess of $500,000 per month. CryptoLogic is entitled to earn minimum guaranteed revenue associated with the Initial Casino of $500,000 per year or $125,000 per quarter and upon launch of the Full Casino, CryptoLogic will be entitled to a minimum revenue guarantee of $750,000 per year or $187,500 per quarter. For the quarter ended March 30, 2008, the minimum revenue guarantee to CryptoLogic exceeded WPTE’s share of net revenues by approximately $101,000, which will be netted against future settlements due from CryptoLogic.
 
If, at any time after the nine-month anniversary of the go-live date, monthly gaming revenues fall below $0.5 million for three consecutive months, CryptoLogic has the right to terminate the Agreement on 90 days written


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notice. However, WPTE may prevent any such termination through payment of the shortfall of CryptoLogic’s percentage of such gaming revenue within 30 days of receipt of CryptoLogic’s notice of termination.
 
For the three months ended March 30, 2008, WPTE’s online gaming business generated approximately $240,000 in net revenues, compared to costs of revenues of approximately $181,000. Online revenues are presented gross of CryptoLogic costs and net of network promotions, bonuses, and cash incentives provided to patrons.
 
The non-gaming website at WorldPokerTour.com includes poker tournament coverage and live updates thereof, statistics, poker player information, an online merchandise store and ClubWPT.com which launched in January 2008. ClubWPT.com offers a monthly subscription package for $19.95 per month, as well as discounted quarterly and annual options. In return, members receive exclusive club benefits and points which make them eligible to enter into over 5,000 live poker and elimination black jack tournaments, sit-n-go poker tournaments and poker ring games for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month which could include a $10,000 seat into a WPT televised main event. Non-subscribers who do not wish to purchase the other club benefits are offered a free or alternative means of entry.
 
WPTE uses a third party service provider, Ultimate Blackjack Tour, LLC (“UBT”), to operate its subscription-based online service for ClubWPT.com, which includes supporting the software, technical operations and customer service. In return for UBT’s services, UBT earns a percentage of net revenues which is calculated as subscriber fees less certain costs (which are allocated on a customer-by-customer basis) including chargebacks, prize pool, club content, financial charges and compliance fees.
 
WPT China.  On August 6, 2007, WPTE entered into a cooperation agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) with the CLSAC, a Chinese government-sanctioned body with authority over certain leisure sports, including the popular Chinese national card game “Traktor Poker” or “Tuo La Ji.” Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, WPTE has the right to brand and exploit the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour (the “Traktor Poker Tour”) during the five year term of the Cooperation Agreement. Additionally, WPTE is afforded certain marketing and sponsorship rights in conjunction with the Traktor Poker Tour, including the right to sanction and derive revenue from third-party branding at tour events, the right to exploit films and other content generated in conjunction with the Traktor Poker Tour in all media and WPTE expects the largest opportunities to stem from online and mobile subscriptions. Furthermore, the CLSAC agreed to organize no less than 15 Traktor Poker Tour events each year during the term, to secure placement of the championship finals on a major Chinese television station, and to promote the Traktor Poker Tour. In exchange, WPTE pays a yearly fee to the CLSAC, which started at approximately $0.5 million for the first year and increases by ten percent annually for the remaining four years of the term. WPTE also has a unilateral option to extend the agreement for an additional five years, provided that the yearly fee for the first year of the renewed term, will increase by 25% from the fifth year of the term.
 
On October 12, 2007, WPTE officially launched the inaugural season of the Traktor Poker Tour in Lanzhou, Gansu, and to date, the WPTE has completed the 15 regional preliminary tournaments. The Traktor Poker Tour Season One champion will be crowned at the championship event in mid-2008 and WPTE expects the event to be televised on a major Chinese broadcaster.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 30, 2008.
 
Three months ended March 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended April 1, 2007
 
Revenues.  Consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2008 increased to $9.6 million, or 92.3% from the prior-year period. Lakes’ revenue increased to $4.6 million, primarily due to a full quarter contribution of management fees from the Four Winds Casino Resort, which is owned by the Pokagon Band, compared to no contribution from the Four Winds Casino Resort in the prior-year period. Revenue related to WPTE increased to $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2008, compared to $4.5 million in the prior-year period. This increase was due to


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an increase in hosting and sponsorship revenues, primarily driven by international television sponsorship revenues that did not exist in the prior-year period.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million from the prior-year period to $10.9 million due to $1.6 million in development costs associated with the proposed Ohio casino resort project. For the first quarter of 2008, Lakes’ selling, general and administrative expenses were $5.5 million and consisted primarily of payroll and related expenses of $2.2 million, including share-based compensation, the development costs associated with the Ohio casino resort project of $1.6 million and professional fees of $0.6 million. WPTE’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million from the prior-year period to $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2008. WPTE’s selling, general and administrative expenses consisted primarily of payroll and related expenses of $2.0 million, including share-based compensation, promotional costs of $1.3 million and professional fees of $0.8 million.
 
Production costs.  WPTE’s production costs increased by approximately $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the 2007 period. The increase was primarily a result of the delivery of seven episodes of Season Six of the WPT in the current period versus the delivery of five episodes of Season Five in the prior year period.
 
Gross margins.  WPTE’s overall gross margins were 46% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 52% in the 2007 period. Domestic television licensing margins were 6% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 37% in the 2007 period. The decrease was principally because of the lower fees per episode under the GSN contract. The lower domestic television margins in the first quarter of 2008 were partially offset by increased margin contribution from international television and sponsorship.
 
Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects.  Amortization of intangible assets related to Indian casino projects was $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2008. This amortization related primarily to the intangible assets associated with the Four Winds Casino Resort, which began when it opened to the public on August 2, 2007. Amortization of intangible assets related to the Indian casino projects for the first quarter of 2007 was not material.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on notes receivable.  Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on notes receivable relate primarily to our notes receivable from Indian tribes, which are adjusted to estimated fair value, based upon the current status of the related tribal casino projects and evolving market conditions. In the first quarter of 2008, we reported net unrealized losses on notes receivable of $2.0 million, compared to net realized and unrealized gains of $0.2 million in the prior-year period. Net unrealized losses in the first quarter of 2008 were due primarily to a decrease in projected pre- and post-opening date interest rates, due to current market conditions related to the notes receivable related to the Red Hawk Casino project with the Shingle Springs Tribe and the notes receivable related to the Jamul Casino project with the Jamul Tribe.
 
Other income (expense).  Other income (expense) for the first quarter of 2008 was $0.5 million compared to ($3.1) million for the first quarter of 2007. In March 2007, Lakes’ then existing $105 million credit agreement was repaid in conjunction with the Pokagon notes receivable participation transaction. This repayment resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $3.8 million during the first quarter of 2007.
 
Income Taxes.  The income tax provision was $0.7 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively. Our effective tax rates were 9% and 3% for the first quarter of 2008 and the corresponding 2007 period, respectively. Lakes’ income tax provision in the current year period consists primarily of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets related to capital losses for the portion that are not expected to be realized through future sales of WPTE common stock as described below, and approximately $0.3 million of interest on a Louisiana tax audit matter (Note 10 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). In the prior year period, the income tax provision was primarily related to Lakes’ interest on an audit matter.
 
Minority interest.  The minority interest in WPTE’s loss was approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively. WPTE’s net losses were $2.8 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively.


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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of March 30, 2008, we had $8.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, $8.5 million in short-term investments in marketable securities, and $38.8 million in long-term investments in marketable securities. Of these amounts, $3.6 million in cash and cash equivalents related to Lakes and $25.5 million in long-term investments related to Lakes. All other amounts related to WPTE. All of Lakes’ long-term investments in marketable securities and $11.3 million of WPTE’s long-term investments in marketable securities were auction rate securities (“ARS”) (See Note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). As a result of current liquidity issues surrounding our ARS discussed below, our ARS were reclassified from short-term to long-term investments in marketable securities as of March 30, 2008. The types of ARS investments that both Lakes and WPTE own are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”), and all had credit ratings of AAA or Aaa. Neither Lakes nor WPTE own any other type of ARS investments. None of our investments in ARS qualify, or have ever been classified in our consolidated financial statements, as cash or cash equivalents.
 
Historically, these types of ARS investments have been highly liquid using an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined intervals, typically every 7 to 35 days, to provide liquidity at par. However, as a result of the recent liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, the auctions for all of our ARS began failing in February 2008, when sell orders exceeded buy orders. The failures of these auctions do not affect the value of the collateral underlying the ARS, and we will continue to earn and receive interest on our ARS at contractually set rates. However, we will not be able to liquidate our ARS until the issuer calls the security, a successful auction occurs, a buyer is found outside of the auction process or the security matures. During April of 2008, we received account statements dated March 30, 2008, from the firms managing our ARS which estimated the fair value of our ARS. We analyzed these statements and have concluded that a temporary decline in estimated fair value of $2.4 million related to our ARS has occurred as a result of the current lack of liquidity. This consolidated decline in fair value includes $1.3 million related to Lakes and $1.1 million related to WPTE. Since we consider the decline in the estimated fair value of our ARS to be temporary, the related unrealized loss is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of our balance sheet as of March 30, 2008.
 
Lakes entered into a client agreement with UBS Financial Services Inc effective April 11, 2008 for the purpose of borrowing and/or obtaining credit in a principal amount not to exceed $11.0 million (the “Margin Account Agreement”). Lakes made an initial draw under the Margin Account Agreement in the principal amount of $3.0 million to be used for working capital purposes. We will be required to seek additional sources of financing to fund additional costs we plan to incur between August and November of this year associated with the recently announced Ohio casino resort project. These costs are dependent on various factors including polling numbers, market studies and media efforts. Lakes is currently exploring several financing alternatives and expects to be able to obtain funding as necessary. WPTE does not believe that any lack of liquidity during the next 12 months relating to its ARS will have an impact on its ability to fund its operations.
 
As discussed above or otherwise, we may from time to time seek additional capital to fund our development costs which will require us to obtain additional sources of financing. If the financing is in the form of equity financing it will be dilutive to Lakes’ shareholders, and any debt financing may involve additional restrictive covenants. An inability to raise such funds when needed might require Lakes to delay, scale back or eliminate some of its expansion and development goals.
 
WPTE intends to use funds currently on hand for working capital and capital expenditures associated with the expansion of WPTE online gaming, media, and other businesses and for general corporate purposes. WPTE anticipates that sales and marketing costs will increase significantly in upcoming quarters as WPTE markets its real money online gaming website and its subscription-based online site, ClubWPT.com. In addition, WPTE intends to invest significantly in international expansion, including developing and marketing the Traktor Poker Tour. WPTE expects that cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities on hand and generated from operations will be sufficient to fund WPTE’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months even considering the current liquidity issues with ARS. If these securities remain illiquid for a period greater than 12 months, then WPTE may be required to seek additional working capital to fund its operations or


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fund its expansion plans. To raise working capital, WPTE may seek to sell additional equity securities, issue debt or convertible securities, or seek to obtain credit facilities through financial institutions.
 
Lakes’ agreements with tribal partners require that we provide certain financing for project development in the form of loans, which has been Lakes’ major use of cash over the past three years, in addition to on-going corporate costs. These loans to our tribal partners are interest bearing; however, the loans and related interest are not due until the casino is built and has established profitable operations. In the event that the casinos are not built, our only recourse is to attempt to liquidate assets of the development, if any, excluding any land in trust.
 
Lakes’ cash forecast requirements do not include construction-related costs that will be incurred when projects begin construction. The construction of our pending casino projects will depend on the ability of the tribes and/or Lakes to obtain financing for the projects. If such financing cannot be obtained on acceptable terms, it may not be possible to complete these projects, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In order to assist the tribes, we may be required to guarantee the tribes’ debt financing or otherwise provide support for the tribes’ obligations. Guarantees by us, if any, will increase our potential exposure in the event of a default by any of these tribes.
 
We believe that our casino development projects currently in progress will be constructed and ultimately, along with those currently operating, will achieve profitable operations; however, no assurance can be made that this will occur. If this does not occur, it is likely that we would incur substantial or complete losses on our notes receivable from Indian tribes and related intangible assets associated with the acquisition of the management, development, consulting and financing contracts. In addition, if our casino development projects currently in progress are not completed or, upon completion, fail to successfully compete in the highly competitive market for gaming activities, we may lack the funds to compete for and develop future gaming or other business opportunities and our business could be adversely affected to the extent that we may be forced to cease our operations entirely.
 
The following table summarizes the remaining contractual obligations as of March 30, 2008 (in millions):
 
                                         
    Payment due by period  
          Less than
                More than
 
Contractual obligations
  Total     1 year     1-3 years     3-5 years     5 years  
    (Unaudited)  
 
Remaining casino development commitment(1)
                                       
Jamul Tribe(2)
  $     $     $     $     $  
Shingle Springs Tribe(3)
                             
Pokagon Band(4)
    8.9       2.2       3.0       3.7        
Iowa Tribe — Ioway Project(5)
                             
Lakes operating lease(6)
    4.0       0.4       0.8       0.8       2.0  
WPTE operating leases(7)
    2.9       0.9       1.8       0.2        
WPTE purchase obligations(8)
    4.3       2.8       1.5              
                                         
    $ 20.1     $ 6.3     $ 7.1     $ 4.7     $ 2.0  
                                         
 
 
(1) We may be required to provide a guarantee of tribal debt financing or otherwise provide support for the tribal obligations related to any of the projects (see (2), (3) and (5) below). Any guarantees by us or similar off-balance sheet liabilities will increase our potential exposure in the event of a default by any of these tribes. No such guarantees or similar off-balance sheet liabilities existed at March 30, 2008.
 
(2) Effective March 30, 2006, we entered into a development financing and services agreement with the Jamul Tribe. As part of the agreement, we will use our best efforts to obtain financing of up to $350 million from which advances will be made to the Jamul Tribe to pay for the design and construction of a casino project. The current plan is for a smaller scale gaming facility that will become a solely class II electronic gaming device facility which will not require a compact with the State of California. The agreement between Lakes and the Jamul Tribe is being modified to reflect the new economics of the revised casino plan but will not be subject to approval by the State of California or the NIGC.


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(3) The development agreement between Lakes and the Shingle Springs Tribe, as amended, provided for Lakes to make certain pre-construction advances to the Shingle Springs Tribe in the form of a transition loan and land loan up to a maximum combined amount of $75.0 million. On June 28, 2007, an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project. The transition loan remains outstanding as of March 30, 2008. The land loan was repaid to Lakes, including accrued interest, on June 28, 2007 in connection with the close of the $450 million senior note financing.
 
(4) Upon opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort, we became obligated to pay approximately $11 million to an unrelated third party as part of an agreement associated with our obtaining the management contract with the Pokagon Band. The payment is payable quarterly for five years. We are also obligated to pay approximately $3 million over 24 months to a separate unrelated third party on behalf of the Pokagon Band in accordance with the management contract which commenced when the casino opened. These obligations do not have a stated interest rate and have payments terms which extend beyond one fiscal year. As a result, these obligations have been recorded at their net present value, with effective interest rates of 16.7% and 14.1%, respectively, and the difference between the face amount and the net present value of the obligations is recorded as a discount, which is amortized to interest expense as the payments are made pursuant to the respective agreement. During 2006, the Lyle Berman Family Partnership purchased a portion of the first obligation discussed above from the unrelated third party. (Note 6 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
 
(5) We have agreed to make advances to the Iowa Tribe subject to a project budget to be agreed upon by us and the Iowa Tribe and certain other conditions. The development loan will be for preliminary development costs under the Ioway project budget. We have also agreed to use reasonable efforts to assist the Iowa Tribe in obtaining permanent financing for any projects developed under the Iowa consulting agreement.
 
(6) Lakes leases an airplane under a non-cancelable operating lease that expires on March 1, 2018.
 
(7) WPTE operating lease obligations include rent payments for WPTE corporate offices pursuant to two lease agreements. For the first lease, monthly lease payments are approximately $40,000 and escalate to approximately $45,000 over the remaining lease term. For the second lease, monthly lease payments are approximately $31,000 and escalate up to approximately $33,000 over the remaining lease term. The lease obligations presented also include rent payments for WPTE’s office facility in London. The amounts set forth in the table above include monthly lease payments through June 2011.
 
(8) WPTE purchase obligations includes the operational expenses associated with the development of WorldPokerTour.com. These obligations relate to the gaming and non-gaming aspects of the website. Also included are operational expenses related to WPT China. Additionally, included in purchase obligations are open purchase orders of approximately $0.6 million as of March 30, 2008; a three year base retainer with Antonio Esfandiari, who serves as WPTE’s spokesperson for both online gaming and ClubWPT.com; and minimum guaranteed revenue to CryptoLogic associated with the Initial Casino of $0.5 million per year or $0.1 million per quarter. Upon launch of the Full Casino, projected to be delivered by June 2008, CryptoLogic will be entitled to a minimum revenue guarantee of $0.8 million per year or $0.2 million per quarter.
 
We have incurred cumulative development and land costs of approximately $6.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively, relating to the development of a Company-owned non-Indian casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi. These costs are included in property and equipment as construction in progress and land, respectively. We have received various regulatory approvals to develop our own casino near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Lakes is continuing to evaluate whether to proceed with this project, but in any event does not expect further development efforts before 2009.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, long-term assets related to Indian casino projects, deferred television costs, investments, litigation costs, income taxes, share-based compensation and


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derivative financial instruments. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Revenue recognition.  Revenue from the management, development, and financing of, and consulting with, Indian-owned casino gaming facilities is recognized as it is earned pursuant to each respective agreement. See further discussion below under the caption “Long-term assets related to Indian casino projects.”
 
Revenue from the domestic and international distribution of WPTE’s television series is recognized as earned under the following criteria established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 00-2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films (“SOP 00-2”):
 
  •  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
  •  The show/episode is complete, and in accordance with the terms of the arrangement, has been delivered or is available for immediate and unconditional delivery;
 
  •  The license period has begun and the customer can begin its exploitation, exhibition or sale;
 
  •  The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed and determinable; and
 
  •  Collectibility is reasonably assured.
 
In accordance with the terms of the WPT agreements, WPTE recognized domestic television license revenues upon the receipt and acceptance of completed episodes by TRV and GSN. However, due to restrictions and practical limitations applicable to WPTE’s operating relationships with foreign networks, WPTE does not consider collectibility of international television license revenues to be reasonably assured, and accordingly, WPTE does not recognize such revenue unless the payment has been received. Additionally, WPTE presents certain international distribution license fee revenues net of the distributor’s fees, as the distributor is the primary obligor in the transaction with the ultimate customer pursuant to Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent (“EITF 99-19”).
 
Product licensing revenues are recognized when the underlying royalties from the sales of the related products are earned. WPTE recognizes minimum revenue guarantees, if any, ratably over the term of the license or as earned royalties based on actual sales of the related products, if greater. WPTE presents product licensing fees gross of licensing commissions, which are recorded as selling and administrative expenses as WPTE is the primary obligor in the transaction with the ultimate customer pursuant to EITF 99-19.
 
Online gaming revenues are recognized monthly based on detailed statements received from CryptoLogic, WPTE’s online gaming service provider for online poker and casino activity. In accordance with EITF 99-19, WPTE presents online gaming revenues gross of service provider costs (including the service provider’s management fee, royalties and credit card processing that are recorded as cost of revenues) as WPTE has the ability to adjust price and specifications of the online gaming site, WPTE bears the majority of the credit risk and WPTE is responsible for the sales and marketing of the gaming site. WPTE includes certain cash promotional expenses related to free bets and deposit bonuses along with customer charge backs as direct reductions of revenue. All other promotional expenses are generally recorded as sales and marketing expenses.
 
Event hosting fees are paid by host casinos for the privilege of hosting the events and are recognized as the episodes that feature the host casino are aired. Sponsorship revenues are recognized as the episodes that feature the sponsor are aired. Licensing advances and guaranteed payments collected, but not yet earned, by WPTE, as well as casino host fees and sponsorship receipts collected prior to the airing of episodes, are classified as deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Deferred television costs.  WPTE accounts for deferred television costs in accordance with SOP 00-2. Deferred television costs include direct production, overhead and development costs stated at the lower of cost or


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net realizable value based on anticipated revenue. Production overhead includes incremental costs associated with the productions such as, office facilities and insurance. Shared facility costs are allocated to episodes based on headcount. Production overhead insurance costs are allocated to television costs based on number of episodes. WPTE does not currently have any revenues in excess of those subject to existing contractual relationships. Capitalized television production costs for each episode are expensed as revenues are recognized upon delivery and acceptance of the completed episode. WPTE management estimates that 100% of the $1.8 million in capitalized deferred television costs at March 30, 2008, are expected to be expensed in connection with episode deliveries by the end of 2008, and are therefore presented as current assets.
 
Share-based compensation expense.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing method to establish fair value of options. Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Any changes in these assumptions may materially affect the estimated fair value of the share-based award.
 
Income taxes.  We account for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”). Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. We assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and establish a valuation allowance when management believes recovery is not likely.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Lakes records changes in accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
 
Long-term assets related to Indian casino projects:
 
Notes receivable.  We have formal procedures governing our evaluation of opportunities for potential Indian-owned casino development projects that we follow before entering into agreements to provide financial support for the development of these projects. We determine whether there is probable future economic benefit prior to recording any asset related to the Indian casino project. We initially evaluate the following factors involving critical milestones that affect the probability of developing and operating a casino:
 
  •  Has the U.S. Government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs federally recognized the tribe as a tribe?
 
  •  Does the tribe hold or have the right to acquire land to be used for the casino site?
 
  •  Has the Department of the Interior put the land into trust for purposes of being used as a casino site?
 
  •  Has the tribe entered into a gaming agreement with the state in which the land is located, if required by the state?
 
  •  Has the tribe obtained approval by the National Indian Gaming Commission of the management agreement?
 
  •  Do other legal and political obstacles exist that could block development of the project and, if so, what is the likelihood of the tribe successfully prevailing?
 
  •  An evaluation by management of the financial projections of the project given the project’s geographic location and the feasibility of the project’s success given such location;
 
  •  The structure and stability of the tribal government;


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  •  The scope of the proposed project, including the physical scope of the contemplated facility and the expected financial scope of the related development;
 
  •  An evaluation of the proposed project’s ability to be built as contemplated and the likelihood that financing will be available; and
 
  •  The nature of the business opportunity to us, including whether the project would be a financing, development and/or management opportunity.
 
We account for our notes receivable from the tribes as in-substance structured notes in accordance with the guidance contained in Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus No. 96-12, Recognition of Interest Income and balance Sheet Classification of Structured Notes (“EITF No. 96-12”). Under their terms, the notes do not become due and payable unless the projects are completed and operational, and distributable profits are available from the operations. However, in the event our development activity is terminated prior to completion, we generally retain the right to collect in the event of completion by another developer. Because the stated rate of the notes receivable alone is not commensurate with the risk inherent in these projects (at least prior to commencement of operations), the estimated fair value of the notes receivable is generally less than the amount advanced. At the date of each advance, the difference between the estimated fair value of the note receivable and the actual amount advanced is recorded as an intangible asset, and the two assets are accounted for separately.
 
Subsequent to its initial recording at estimated fair value, the note receivable portion of the advance is adjusted to its current estimated fair value at each balance sheet date using then current assumptions including typical market discount rates, and expected repayment terms as may be affected by estimated future interest rates and opening dates, with the latter affected by changes in project-specific circumstances such as ongoing litigation, the status of regulatory approval and other factors previously noted. The notes receivable are not adjusted to a fair value estimate that exceeds the face value of the note plus accrued interest, if any. Due to uncertainties surrounding the projects, no interest income is recognized during the development period, but changes in estimated fair value of the notes receivable still held as of the balance sheet date are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
 
Upon opening of the casino, any difference between the then estimated fair value of the notes receivables and the amount contractually due under the notes will be amortized into income using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the note. Such notes would then be evaluated for impairment pursuant to SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.
 
Intangible assets related to Indian casino projects.  Intangible assets related to the acquisition of the management, development, consulting or financing contracts are accounted for using the guidance in SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS No. 142”). Pursuant to that guidance, the assets are periodically evaluated for impairment based on the estimated cash flows from the contract on an undiscounted basis. In the event the carrying value of the intangible assets, in combination with the carrying value of land held for development and other assets associated with the Indian casino projects described below, were to exceed the undiscounted cash flow, an impairment would be recorded. Such an impairment would be measured based on the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we will amortize the intangible assets related to the acquisition of the management, development, consulting or financing contracts under the straight-line method over the term of the contracts which will commence when the related casinos open. In addition to the intangible asset associated with the cash advances to tribes described above, these assets include actual costs incurred to acquire our interest in the projects from third parties.
 
Land held for development.  Included in land held for development is land held for possible transfer to Indian tribes for use in certain of the future casino resort projects. In the event that this land is not transferred to the tribes, we have the right to sell it. We evaluate these assets for impairment in combination with intangible assets related to acquisition of management, development, consulting or financing contracts and other assets related to the Indian casino projects as discussed above.
 
Other.  Included in this category are costs incurred related to the Indian casino projects, which have not yet been included as part of the notes receivable because of timing of the payment of these costs. When paid, these amounts are allocated between notes receivable and intangible assets related to the acquisition of management,


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development, consulting or financing contracts and will be evaluated for changes in fair value or impairment, respectively, as described above. These amounts vary from period to period due to timing of payment of these costs. Also included in this category are receivables from related parties that are directly related to the development and opening of Lakes’ Indian casino projects.
 
In addition, we incur certain non-reimbursable costs related to the projects that are not included in notes receivable, which are expensed as incurred. These costs include salaries, travel and certain legal costs.
 
As of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007, the condensed consolidated balance sheets include long-term assets related to Indian casino projects of $155.7 million and $157.5 million, respectively. The amounts are as follows by project (in thousands):
 
                                         
    March 30, 2008  
          Shingle
                   
    Pokagon
    Springs
    Jamul
             
    Band     Tribe     Tribe     Other     Total  
    (Unaudited)  
 
Notes receivable, at estimated fair value
  $     $ 53,140     $ 20,951     $ 3,808     $ 77,899  
Intangible assets related to Indian casino projects
    29,096       22,069       12,537       1,285       64,987  
Land held for development
                6,815       848       7,663  
Other
    60       767       1,028       3,261       5,116  
                                         
    $ 29,156     $ 75,976     $ 41,331     $ 9,202     $ 155,665  
                                         
 
                                         
    December 30, 2007  
          Shingle
                   
    Pokagon
    Springs
    Jamul
             
    Band     Tribe     Tribe     Other     Total  
 
Notes receivable, at estimated fair value
  $     $ 53,592     $ 21,406     $ 3,797     $ 78,795  
Intangible assets related to Indian casino projects
    30,775       21,923       11,972       1,240       65,910  
Land held for development
                6,783       848       7,631  
Other
    60       767       1,061       3,288       5,176  
                                         
    $ 30,835     $ 76,282     $ 41,222     $ 9,173     $ 157,512  
                                         
 
The key assumptions and criteria used in the determination of the estimated fair value of the notes receivable are primarily significant unobservable level three inputs, which are estimated casino opening date, projected pre- and post-opening date interest rates, discount rates and probability of projects opening. The estimated casino opening date used in the valuation reflects the weighted average of three scenarios: a base case (which is based on the Company’s forecasted casino opening date) and one and two years out from the base case. The projected interest rates are based upon the one year U.S. Treasury Bill spot yield curve per Bloomberg and the specific assumptions on contract term, stated interest rate and casino opening date. The discount rate for the projects is based on the yields available on certain financial instruments at the valuation date, the risk level of equity investments in general, and the specific operating risks associated with open and operating gaming enterprises similar to each of the projects. In estimating this discount rate, market data of other public gaming related companies is considered. The probability applied to each project is based upon a weighting of four different scenarios with the fourth scenario assuming the casino never opens. The first three scenarios assume the casino opens but applies different opening dates as discussed above. The probability weighting applied to each scenario captures the element of risk in these projects and is based upon the status of each project, review of the critical milestones and likelihood of achieving the milestones.


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The following table provides the key assumptions used to value the notes receivable at estimated fair value (dollars in thousands):
 
Shingle Springs Tribe:
 
         
    As of March 30, 2008   As of December 30, 2007
    (Unaudited)    
 
Face value of note (principal and interest)
  $69,661   $67,585
    ($48,287 principal and $21,374 interest)   ($47,632 principal and $19,953 interest)
Estimated months until casino opens (weighted-average of three scenarios)
  9 months   12 months
Projected interest rate until casino opens
  7.31%   9.12%
Projected interest rate during the loan repayment term
  9.13%   10.16%
Discount rate
  15%   15%
Repayment terms of note(*)
  84 months   84 months
Probability rate of casino opening (weighting of four scenarios)
  95%   95%
 
 
(*) Note is payable in even monthly installments over the course of the management agreement subsequent to the casino opening.
 
See also the discussion included below under “Description of each Indian casino project and evaluation of critical milestones — Shingle Springs.”
 
Jamul Tribe:
 
         
    As of March 30, 2008   As of December 30, 2007
    (Unaudited)    
 
Face value of note (principal and interest)
  $44,420   $42,426
    ($31,199 principal and $13,221 interest)   ($30,114 principal and $12,312 interest)
Estimated months until casino opens (weighted-average of three scenarios)
  29 months   29 months
Projected interest rate until casino opens
  7.48%   9.12%
Projected interest rate during the loan repayment term
  10.23%   10.46%
Discount rate
  20.00%   20.00%
Projected repayment terms of note
  120 months   120 months
Probability rate of casino opening (weighting of four scenarios)
  85%   85%
 
See also the discussion below included under the caption “Description of each Indian casino project and evaluation of critical milestones — Jamul Tribe”.


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The following table represents a sensitivity analysis prepared by Lakes of the notes receivable from the Jamul Tribe and Shingle Springs Tribe, based upon changes in the probability rate of the casino opening by five percentage points and the estimated casino opening date by one year:
 
March 30, 2008
 
                                                         
    Estimated fair
    Sensitivity analysis  
    value notes
    5% less
    One year
          5% increased
    One year
       
    receivable     probable     delay     Both     probability     sooner     Both  
    (In thousands)  
 
Shingle Springs
  $ 53,140     $ 50,289     $ 49,636     $ 46,969     $ 55,991     $ 56,887     $ 59,935  
Jamul
    20,951       19,699       18,777       17,653       22,203       23,372       24,767  
                                                         
    $ 74,091     $ 69,988     $ 68,413     $ 64,622     $ 78,194     $ 80,259     $ 84,702  
                                                         
 
December 30, 2007
 
                                                         
    Estimated fair
    Sensitivity analysis  
    value notes
    5% less
    One year
          5% increased
    One year
       
    receivable     probable     delay     Both     probability     sooner     Both  
    (In thousands)  
 
Shingle Springs
  $ 53,592     $ 50,732     $ 50,998     $ 48,275     $ 56,452     $ 56,316     $ 59,319  
Jamul
  $ 21,406     $ 20,151     $ 19,540     $ 18,395     $ 22,661     $ 23,450     $ 24,826  
                                                         
    $ 74,998     $ 70,883     $ 70,538     $ 66,670     $ 79,113     $ 79,766     $ 84,145  
                                                         
 
The assumption changes used in the sensitivity analysis above are hypothetical. The effect of the variation in the probability assumption and estimated opening date on the estimated fair value of the notes receivable from Indian tribes was calculated without changing any other assumptions; however, in reality, changes in these factors may result in changes in another. For example, the change in probability could be associated with a change in discount rate, which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.
 
The following represents the nature of the advances to the tribes. The table represents the total amount of advances, which represent the principal amount of the notes receivable, as of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007. The notes receivable are carried on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 30, 2008 and the audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2007 at their estimated fair values of $77.9 million and $78.8 million, respectively.
 
                                 
    As of March 30, 2008  
    Shingle
                   
Advances Principal Balance
  Springs     Jamul     Other     Total  
    (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands)  
 
Note receivable, pre-construction(a),(c)
  $ 48,287     $ 30,249     $ 3,650     $ 82,186  
Note receivable, land(b),(c)
          950       986       1,936  
                                 
    $ 48,287     $ 31,199     $ 4,636     $ 84,122  
                                 
 
                                 
    As of December 30, 2007  
    Shingle
                   
Advances Principal Balance
  Springs     Jamul     Other     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Note receivable, pre-construction(a),(c)
  $ 47,632     $ 29,164     $ 3,490     $ 80,286  
Note receivable, land(b),(c)
          950       986       1,936  
                                 
    $ 47,632     $ 30,114     $ 4,476     $ 82,222  
                                 
 
 
(a) We fund certain costs incurred to develop the casino project. These costs relate to construction costs, legal fees in connection with various regulatory approvals and litigation, environmental costs and design consulting, and


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we, in order to obtain the development agreement and management contract, agree to advance a monthly amount used by the tribe for a variety of tribal expenses.
 
(b) We purchased land to be used and transferred to the tribe in connection with the casino project.
 
(c) Amounts listed in the other column represents amounts advanced under the agreements with the Iowa Tribe.
 
The notes receivable pre-construction advances consist of the following principal amounts advanced to the Shingle Springs Tribe and Jamul Tribe at March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
                 
    March 30,
    December 30,
 
Shingle Springs Tribe
  2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
Monthly stipend
  $ 10,165     $ 9,640  
Construction
    2,022       2,141  
Legal
    14,193       14,193  
Environmental
    1,739       1,739  
Design
    11,474       11,225  
Gaming license
    3,726       3,726  
Lobbyist
    4,968       4,968  
                 
    $ 48,287     $ 47,632  
                 
 
                 
    March 30,
    December 30,
 
Jamul Tribe
  2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
Monthly stipend
  $ 5,224     $ 5,069  
Construction
    1,628       1,210  
Legal
    4,369       4,342  
Environmental
    2,289       2,288  
Design
    13,228       12,782  
Gaming license
    814       779  
Lobbyist
    2,697       2,694  
                 
    $ 30,249     $ 29,164  
                 
 
Evaluation of impairment related to our long-term assets related to Indian casino projects, excluding the notes receivable, which are valued at fair value:
 
Management periodically evaluates the intangible assets, land held for development and other costs associated with each of the projects for impairment. The assets are periodically evaluated for impairment based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the management contract on an undiscounted basis. In the event the carrying value of the intangible assets, in combination with the carrying value of land held for development and other assets associated with the Indian casino projects were to exceed the undiscounted cash flow, an impairment would be recorded. Such impairment would be measured based on the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the assets.
 
The financial models prepared by management for each project are based upon the scope of each of the projects, which are supported by a feasibility study as well as a market analysis where the casino will be built. We (as predecessor to Grand Casinos Inc.) began developing Indian casino projects in 1990 and demonstrated success from the day the first Indian casino opened in 1991 through the expiration of the Coushatta management contract in 2002. Additionally, we have been managing the Cimarron Casino since 2006, as well as the Four Winds Casino Resort since August of 2007. This successful history legitimizes many of the key assumptions supporting the financial models. Projections for each applicable casino development were developed based on analysis of published information pertaining to the particular markets in which our Indian casinos will be located and are updated quarterly based on evolving events and market conditions. In addition, we have many years of casino


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operations experience, which provides a basis for our revenue expectations. The projections were prepared by us not for purposes of the valuation at hand but rather for purposes of our and the tribes’ business planning.
 
The primary assumptions included within management’s financial model for each Indian casino project is as follows:
 
Jamul Tribe
 
Lakes and the Jamul Tribe have consulted with third party advisors as to the architectural feasibility of a plan to build a casino with related amenities such as parking on the six acres of reservation land held by the Jamul Tribe and have concluded that such a project could be successfully built assuming adequate financing can be obtained. The gaming facility is currently planned to be a class II electronic gaming device facility which will not require a compact. The agreement between Lakes and the Jamul Tribe will also be modified to reflect the new economics of the revised casino plan but will not be subject to approval by the State of California or the NIGC.
 
                 
    March 30,
    December 30,
 
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
No. of Class II electronic gaming devices
    1,000       1,000  
No. of Table games
    20       20  
No. of Poker tables
    5       5  
Win/Class II electronic gaming devices/day — 1st year
  $ 172     $ 172  
Win/Table game/day — 1st year
  $ 471     $ 471  
Win/Poker table/day — 1st year
  $ 312     $ 312  
 
The San Diego market contains other Indian-owned casinos in the surrounding area, each of which is self-managed. Because of the proprietary nature of those operations no public information is readily attainable. However, based on the apparent successful nature of their operations (large casinos which continually expand, new hotel developments, new golf courses, etc.) coupled with our knowledge of their operations, we feel that a successful operation can be built.
 
Shingle Springs Tribe
 
         
    March 30,
  December 30,
    2008   2007
    (Unaudited)    
 
No. of Class III slot machines
  349   349
No. of Class II electronic gaming devices
  1,751   1,751
No. of Table games
  75   75
Win/Class II & III electronic gaming devices/slot machine/day — 1st year
  $350   $350
Win/Table game/day — 1st year
  $1,275   $1,275
Expected increase (decrease) in management fee cash flows
  Year 2 — 17.6%   Year 2 — 17.6%
    Year 3 — 10.5%   Year 3 — 10.5%
    Year 4 — 7.9%   Year 4 — 7.9%
    Year 5 — 8.8%   Year 5 — 8.8%
    Year 6 — (4.0)%   Year 6 — (4.0)%
    (management fees were   (management fees were
    reduced in year six)   reduced in year six)
    Year 7 — 5.0%   Year 7 — 5.0%
 
In the Sacramento market, there is one other Indian casino that is managed by a public company. Management considered the available information related to this other Indian casino when projecting management fees from the Red Hawk Casino. Based on the apparent successful nature of their operations coupled with our knowledge of their operations, we feel that our forecast of operations is within the revenue metrics of the market.


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As of March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007 no impairment was recognized on the Shingle Springs or Jamul projects.
 
Description of each Indian casino project and evaluation of critical milestones:
 
Pokagon Band
 
Business arrangement.  On August 2, 2007, the Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan opened to the public. We receive approximately 24% of net income up to a certain level and 19% of net income over that level, as a management fee. The term of the management contract is five years, which began on August 2, 2007. Payment of our management fee is subordinated to the Pokagon Gaming Authority’s senior indebtedness relating to the Four Winds Casino Resort. The Pokagon Band may also buy out the management contract after two years from the opening date. The buy out amount is calculated based upon the previous 12 months of management fees earned multiplied by the remaining number of years under the management contract, discounted back to the present value at the time the buy out occurs. The NIGC approved the management contract in March 2006.
 
Shingle Springs Tribe
 
Business arrangement.  Plans for the Red Hawk Casino project include an approximately 278,000 square-foot facility (including approximately 88,000 square feet of gaming space) to be located adjacent to the planned Shingle Springs Rancheria exit, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Sacramento, on U.S. Highway 50. The Red Hawk Casino is currently planned to feature approximately 2,100 gaming devices and approximately 75 table games, a high stakes gaming room, as well as restaurants, enclosed parking and other facilities.
 
We acquired our initial interest in the development and management contracts for the Red Hawk Casino from KAR — Shingle Springs in 1999 and formed a joint venture, in which the contracts were held, between us and KAR — Shingle Springs. On January 30, 2003, we purchased the remaining KAR — Shingle Springs’ partnership interest in the joint venture. In connection with the purchase transaction, we entered into separate agreements with the two individual owners of KAR — Shingle Springs (Kevin M. Kean and Jerry A. Argovitz). Under the agreement with Mr. Kean, he may elect to serve as a consultant to us during the term of the casino management contract if he is found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities. In such event, Mr. Kean will be entitled to receive annual consulting fees equal to 15% of the management fees received by us from the Red Hawk Casino operations, less certain costs of these operations. If Mr. Kean is not found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities or otherwise elects not to serve as a consultant, he will be entitled to receive annual payments of $1 million from the Red Hawk Casino project during the term of the respective casino management contract (but not during any renewal term of such management contract).
 
Under the agreement with Mr. Argovitz, if he is found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities he may elect to re-purchase his respective original equity interest in our subsidiary and then be entitled to obtain a 15% equity interest in our entity that holds the rights to the management contract with the Red Hawk Casino project. If he is not found suitable or does not elect to purchase equity interests in our subsidiary, Mr. Argovitz would receive annual payments of $1 million from the Red Hawk Casino project from the date of election through the term of the respective casino management contract (but not during any renewal term of such management contract).
 
The development agreement, as amended, provided for us to make certain pre-construction advances to the Shingle Springs Tribe in the form of a transition loan and land loan up to a maximum combined amount of $75.0 million. On June 28, 2007 an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project. The principal balance of the transition loan as of March 30, 2008 was approximately $48.3 million. The land loan was repaid to Lakes, including accrued interest, on June 28, 2007 in connection with the close of the $450 million senior note financing.
 
The amended development agreement provides for us to assist in the design, development and construction of the facility as well as manage the pre-opening, opening and continued operations of the casino and related amenities for a period of seven years from the date the casino opens. As compensation for our management services, we will receive a management fee between 21% and 30% of net income (as that term is defined by the management contract) of the operations annually for the first five years with a declining percentage in years six and seven.


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Payment of our management fee is subordinated to the repayment of $450 million senior note financing of the affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe and a minimum priority payment to the Shingle Springs Tribe. The Shingle Springs Tribe has the right to terminate the agreement after five years from the opening of the casino if any of certain required elements of the project have not been developed. The management contract also includes provisions that allow the Shingle Springs Tribe to buy out the management contract after four years from the opening date. The buy out amount is calculated based upon the previous 12 months of management fees earned multiplied by the remaining number of years under the contract, discounted back to the present value at the time the buy out occurs.
 
Our evaluation of the critical milestones.  The following table outlines the status of each of the following primary milestones necessary to complete the Red Hawk Casino project as of March 30, 2008, December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Both the positive and negative evidence was reviewed during our evaluation of the critical milestones.
 
                   
Critical milestone     March 30, 2008     December 30, 2007     December 31, 2006
Federal recognition of the tribe
    Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Possession of usable land corresponding with needs based on Lakes’ project plan     Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Usable land placed in trust by Federal government     Not necessary, as land is reservation land.     Not necessary, as land is reservation land.     Not necessary, as land is reservation land.
 
Usable county agreement, if applicable     Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Usable state compact that allows for gaming consistent with that outlined in Lakes’ project plan     Yes     Yes     Yes
 
NIGC approval of management contract in current and desired form     Yes     Yes     Yes — approval received in 2004.
 
Resolution of all litigation and legal obstacles     No — However, such obstacles have not interfered with construction of the highway interchange or the casino project to date. See below.     No — However, such obstacles have not interfered with construction of the highway interchange or the casino project to date. See below.     No — See below.
 
Financing for construction     Yes. On June 28, 2007 an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project in Shingle Springs, California. The Shingle Springs Tribe intends to close on commitments to fund approximately $65 million under secured furniture, furnishings and equipment financing to finance costs associated with equipping and furnishing the Red Hawk Casino.     Yes. On June 28, 2007 an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project in Shingle Springs, California. The Shingle Springs Tribe intends to seek commitments to fund approximately $65 million under secured furniture, furnishings and equipment financing to finance costs associated with equipping and furnishing the Red Hawk Casino.     No, however the Shingle Springs Tribe has engaged investment banks to assist with obtaining financing.
 
Any other significant project milestones or contingencies, the outcome of which could have a material affect on the probability of project completion as planned     No others known at this time by Lakes.     No others known at this time by Lakes.     No others known at this time by Lakes.
 
 
Our evaluation and conclusion regarding the above critical milestones and progress:  The Shingle Springs Tribe is a federally recognized tribe, has a compact with the State of California and owns approximately 160 acres of reservation land on which the casino is being built. During July 2004, we received notification from the NIGC


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that the development and management contract between the Shingle Springs Tribe and us, allowing us to manage a Class II and Class III casino, was approved by the NIGC.
 
The Red Hawk Casino is currently planned to open with 349 Class III slot machines and approximately 1,751 Class II electronic gaming devices. Under the form of tribal-state compact first signed by the State of California with the Shingle Springs Tribe in 1999, the Shingle Springs Tribe is allowed to operate up to 350 Class III slot machines without licenses from the state. This form of compact allows California tribes to operate additional Class II electronic gaming devices. Under these tribal-state compacts, there is a state-wide limitation on the aggregate number of Class III slot machine licenses that are available. Tribes who have entered into new tribal-state compacts or amendments to the 1999 form of tribal-state compact in general are allowed to operate an unlimited number of Class II electronic gaming devices without the need for obtaining additional licenses, subject to the payment of additional fees to the state, including, in recent cases, fees based on a percentage of slot “net win.” Currently, the Shingle Springs Tribe has not amended its tribal-state compact. If the compact is not renegotiated and amended, the tribe could operate under its existing compact which allows for up to 350 Class III slot machines and an unlimited number of Class II electronic gaming devices. Management believes that this number of gaming devices is adequate to equip the planned development, and therefore, the availability of additional slot licenses is not an issue that could prevent the project from progressing.
 
On April 30, 2007, a construction permit was issued for the U.S. Highway 50 interchange project, which provides direct access to the Shingle Springs Rancheria on which the Red Hawk Casino project is being built, and construction began on the U.S. Highway 50 interchange on May 7, 2007. On March 25, 2008, the California Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento rejected the challenge of Voices for Rural Living in two appeals claiming deficiencies in the environmental impact report (“EIR”) prepared for the U.S. Highway 50 interchange. The court upheld the EIR in all respects, rejecting all of the arguments advanced by Voices for Rural Living.
 
On June 28, 2007 an affiliate of the Shingle Springs Tribe closed on a $450 million senior note financing to fund the Red Hawk Casino project. Construction of the Red Hawk Casino also began during June of 2007. The close of the $450 million senior note financing, the construction progress made on the U.S. Highway 50 interchange, and the commencement of construction on the Red Hawk Casino project increased the estimated probability of opening the casino development project from 85% at the end of 2006 to 95% as of March 30, 2008.
 
As a result of achieving the critical milestones as described above, the casino is planned to open in late 2008.
 
Jamul Tribe
 
Business arrangement.  The Jamul Tribe has an approximate six-acre reservation on which the casino project is currently planned to be built. The reservation is located near San Diego, California. Under the current compact that the Jamul Tribe has with the State of California (the “State”) and based upon requirements in other compacts approved by the State in 2004, the Jamul Tribe completed a Tribal Environmental Impact Statement/Report that was approved by the Jamul Tribe’s General Council with a record of decision issued by the Jamul Tribe on December 16, 2006. Since that time, the Jamul Tribe has received comments from various state agencies including the representative from the California Governor’s office. The Jamul Tribe and the State have met on several occasions in an attempt to address the State’s comments related to compact requirements. Throughout 2007, Lakes and the Jamul Tribe were evaluating the Jamul Tribe’s alternatives of pursuing a new compact, complying with certain requirements in their existing compact or building and operating a casino based solely on class II electronic gaming devices. The proposed gaming facility has been reduced in size and scope because the State’s comments on the Jamul Tribe’s existing compact or a proposed new compact is expected to take more time than is currently acceptable to the Jamul Tribe. The current plan is for a smaller scale gaming facility that will become a solely class II electronic gaming device facility which will not require a compact. The agreement between Lakes and the Jamul Tribe (discussed below) will also be modified to reflect the new economics of the revised casino plan but will not be subject to approval by the State or the NIGC.
 
Effective March 30, 2006, Lakes entered into a development financing and services agreement with the Jamul Tribe to assist the Jamul Tribe in developing the Jamul Casino which the Jamul Tribe will manage. As part of the current agreement, Lakes will use its best efforts to obtain financing of up to $350 million, from which advances will be made to the Jamul Tribe to pay for the design and construction of the Jamul Casino. Under the current


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development financing and services agreement, Lakes is entitled to receive a flat fee of $15 million for its development design services, and a flat fee of $15 million for its construction oversight services, payable evenly over the first five years after the opening date of the Jamul Casino. In connection with Lakes’ financing of the Jamul Casino, the Jamul Tribe is required to pay interest over a ten-year period on sums advanced by Lakes equal to the rate charged to Lakes for obtaining the necessary funds plus five percent. Amounts previously advanced by Lakes to the Jamul Tribe in connection with the Jamul Tribe’s proposed casino resort are included in the development financing and services agreement financing amount. However, as discussed above, this agreement will be modified and there can be no assurance that third party financing will be available with acceptable terms. If Lakes is unable to obtain the appropriate amount of financing for this project, the project may not be completed as planned.
 
Lakes acquired its initial interest in the development agreement and management contract for the Jamul casino from KAR — Jamul in 1999 and formed a joint venture in which the contracts were held between Lakes and KAR — Jamul. This development agreement and a management contract have been submitted to the NIGC for approval. On January 30, 2003, Lakes purchased the remaining KAR — Jamul’s partnership interest in the joint venture. In connection with the purchase transaction, Lakes entered into separate agreements with the two individual owners of KAR — Jamul (Mr. Kean and Mr. Argovitz). The term of the contract is expected to be five or seven years. Under the current agreement with Mr. Kean, he may elect to serve as a consultant to Lakes during the term of the casino agreement if he is found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities. In such event, Mr. Kean will be entitled to receive annual consulting fees equal to 20% of the management fees received by Lakes from the Jamul Casino operations, less certain costs of these operations. If Mr. Kean is not found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities or otherwise elects not to serve as a consultant, he will be entitled to receive annual payments of $1 million from the Jamul Casino project during the term of the respective casino agreement (but not during any renewal term of such agreement).
 
Under the current agreement with Mr. Argovitz, if he is found suitable by relevant gaming regulatory authorities he may elect to re- purchase his respective original equity interest in the Lakes’ subsidiary and then be entitled to obtain a 20% equity interest in the Lakes’ entity that holds the rights to the development financing and services agreement with the Jamul Tribe. If he is not found suitable or does not elect to purchase equity interests in the Lakes subsidiary, Mr. Argovitz may elect to receive annual payments of $1 million from the Jamul Casino project from the date of election through the term of the respective casino agreement (but not during any renewal term of such agreement).
 
Our evaluation of the critical milestones.  The following table outlines the status of each of the following primary milestones necessary to complete the Jamul project as of March 30, 2008, December 30, 2007 and


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December 31, 2006. Both the positive and negative evidence was reviewed during our evaluation of the critical milestones.
 
                   
Critical milestone     March 30, 2008     December 30, 2007     December 31, 2006
Federal recognition of the tribe
    Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Possession of usable land corresponding with needs based on Lakes’ project plan     Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Usable land placed in trust by Federal government     Not necessary, as the land is reservation land.     Not necessary, as land is reservation land.     Not necessary, as land is reservation land.
 
Usable county agreement, if applicable     N/A     N/A     N/A
 
Usable state compact that allows for gaming consistent with that outlined in Lakes’ project plan     N/A — the Jamul Tribe’s current plan is to operate a solely class II electronic gaming device facility, which does not require a compact with the State.     N/A — the Jamul Tribe’s current plan is to operate a solely class II electronic gaming device facility, which does not require a compact with the State.     Yes
 
NIGC approval of management contract in current and desired form     N/A as the Jamul Tribe’s current plan is to operate a solely class II electronic gaming device facility, which does not need to be approved by the NIGC.     N/A as the Jamul Tribe’s current plan is to operate a solely class II electronic gaming device facility, which does not need to be approved by the NIGC.     N/A as the Jamul Tribe and Lakes entered into a development financing and services agreement in March 2006, which does not need to be approved by the NIGC.
 
Resolution of all litigation and legal obstacles     N/A, there has been some local opposition regarding the project.     N/A, there has been some local opposition regarding the project.     N/A, there has been some local opposition regarding the project.
 
Financing for construction     No, however, preliminary discussions with investment bankers regarding assisting in obtaining financing have taken place.     No, however, preliminary discussions with investment bankers regarding assisting in obtaining financing have taken place.     No, however, preliminary discussions with investment bankers regarding assisting in obtaining financing have taken place.
 
Any other significant project milestones or contingencies, the outcome of which could have a material affect on the probability of project completion as planned     Yes. The current plan is for the gaming facility to be a solely class II electronic gaming device facility. The agreement between Lakes and the Jamul Tribe will also be modified to reflect the new economics of the revised casino plan but will not be subject to approval by the State of California or the NIGC. See below for a discussion relating to road access to the proposed Jamul Casino site.     Yes. The current plan is for the gaming facility to be a solely class II electronic gaming device facility. The agreement between Lakes and the Jamul Tribe will also be modified to reflect the new economics of the revised casino plan but will not be subject to approval by the State of California or the NIGC.     Yes. The Jamul Tribe and the State of California have had a series of recent meetings to discuss what requirements the State has to either allow the project to be built as currently planned or to enter into a new compact similar to those approved in 2004 for other tribes in the State. Based on these discussions, the Jamul Tribe is evaluating which of any of these requirements are acceptable or in lieu of a compact, building a casino based solely on class II electronic gaming devices.
 
 
Our evaluation and conclusion regarding the above critical milestones and progress.  As discussed above, we entered into a development financing and services agreement with the Jamul Tribe in March 2006, which eliminated the need for land contiguous to the reservation land to be taken into trust. There is no requirement that the NIGC approve the development financing and services agreement. The Jamul Casino is planned to be built on the Jamul Tribe’s existing six acres of reservation land. Reservation land qualifies for gaming without going through a land-in-trust process.
 
We have consulted with third-party advisors as to the architectural feasibility of the alternative plan and have been assured that the project can be successfully built on the reservation land. Lakes has completed economic models for the proposed facility and concluded that it would result in a successful operation assuming that adequate financing can be obtained. The Jamul Casino project has been delayed due to issues with road access to the proposed Jamul Casino site. The Jamul Tribe has submitted an encroachment permit application to CalTrans, which will


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result in a project study report to determine the optimal access point for traffic to the Jamul Casino without disruption of traffic on the state highway. The Jamul Tribe has continued construction on their reservation of the driveway road leading to the Jamul Casino site. In addition to its work with CalTrans, the Jamul Tribe has submitted an application to the BIA for recognition of an access drive across its land to create a second means of access to the site over an Indian reservation road.
 
We and the leaders of the Jamul Tribe are currently evaluating plans for the Jamul Casino facility to determine when construction of the facility will start and when casino operations will begin. We continue to believe that adequate financing will be obtained and the project will be successfully completed.
 
Iowa Tribe
 
Business arrangement.  On March 15, 2005, Lakes, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into consulting agreements and management contracts with the Iowa Tribe. The agreements became effective as of January 27, 2005. Lakes will consult on development of the Ioway Casino Resort, a new first class casino with ancillary amenities and facilities to be located on Indian land approximately 25 miles northeast of Oklahoma City along Route 66 until regulatory approvals are received for the management contract for the Ioway Casino Resort; and currently manages operations at the Cimarron Casino, located in Perkins Oklahoma.
 
Each of the projects has a gaming consulting agreement (“Iowa Consulting Agreement”) and a management contract (“Iowa Management Contract”), independent of the other project. Key terms relating to the agreements for the projects are as follows:
 
Ioway Casino Resort.  For its gaming development consulting services under the Iowa Consulting Agreement related to the Ioway Casino Resort, Lakes will receive a development fee of $4 million paid upon the opening of the Ioway Casino Resort, and a flat monthly fee of $500,000 for 120 months commencing upon the opening of the project. Lakes has also agreed to make advances to the Iowa Tribe, subject to a project budget to be agreed upon by Lakes and the Iowa Tribe and certain other conditions. The development loan will be for preliminary development costs under the Ioway Casino Resort budget. Lakes has also agreed to use reasonable efforts to assist the Iowa Tribe in obtaining permanent financing for any projects developed under the Iowa Consulting Agreement.
 
The Iowa Management Contract for the Ioway Casino Resort is subject to the approval of the NIGC and certain other conditions. For its performance under the Iowa Management Contract, Lakes will be entitled to receive management fees of approximately 30% of net income, as defined in the agreement, for each month during the term of the Iowa Management Contract. The Iowa Management Contract term is seven years from the first day that Lakes is able to commence management of the Ioway Casino Resort gaming operations under all legal and regulatory requirements (the “Commencement Date”), provided that the Iowa Tribe has the right to buy out the remaining term of the Iowa Management Contract after the Ioway Casino Resort has been in continuous operation for four years, for an amount based on the then present value of estimated future management fees. If the Iowa Tribe elects to buy-out the contract, all outstanding amounts owed to Lakes become immediately due and payable if not already paid. Subject to certain conditions, Lakes agreed to make advances for the Ioway Casino Resort’s working capital requirements, if needed, during the first month after the Commencement Date. The advances are to be repaid through an operating note payable from revenues generated by future operations of the Ioway Casino Resort bearing interest at two percent over the prime rate. Lakes also agrees to fund any shortfall in certain minimum monthly Ioway Casino Resort payments to the Iowa Tribe by means of non-interest bearing advances under the same operating note.
 
Cimarron Casino.  Lakes has entered into a separate gaming consulting agreement (the “Cimarron Consulting Agreement”) and management contract (the “Cimarron Management Contract”) with the Iowa Tribe with respect to the Cimarron Casino. Lakes has been operating under the Cimarron Management Contract since mid-2006 after it was approved by the NIGC. Prior to that time, Lakes operated under the Cimarron Consulting Agreement and earned a flat monthly fee of $50,000. The annual fee under the Cimarron Management Contract is 30% of net income in excess of $4 million.
 
Arrangement with Consultant.  Lakes has an agreement with Kevin Kean that will compensate him for his consulting services (relating to the Iowa Tribe) rendered to Lakes. Under this arrangement, subject to Mr. Kean obtaining certain regulatory approvals, Mr. Kean will receive 20% of Lakes’ fee compensation that is received under the Iowa


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Consulting Agreement, Iowa Management Contract and Cimarron Management Contract with the Iowa Tribe (i.e., six percent of the incremental total net income or 20% of Lakes’ 30% share). This agreement provides that payments will be due to Mr. Kean when Lakes is paid by the Iowa Tribe, assuming he has been found suitable by the NIGC.
 
Our evaluation of the Ioway Casino Resort.  The following table outlines the status of each of the following primary milestones necessary to complete the Ioway Casino Resort as of March 30, 2008, December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Both the positive and negative evidence was reviewed during our evaluation of the critical milestones:
 
                   
Critical milestone     March 30, 2008     December 30, 2007     December 31, 2006
Federal recognition of the tribe
    Yes     Yes     Yes
 
Possession of usable land corresponding with needs based on Lakes’ project plan     Yes, the Iowa Tribe has members that own a 74-acre allotment on US Route 66 midway between the access points to Warwick and Chandler, Oklahoma from I44. The Iowa Tribe has obtained the rights to purchase and/or lease substantially all of this parcel from the allottees. An additional 100 acres of fee land has been optioned to provide the necessary site area for the beginning of the project before the casino resort development can begin.     Yes, the Iowa Tribe has members that own a 74-acre allotment on US Route 66 midway between the access points to Warwick and Chandler, Oklahoma from I44. The Iowa Tribe has obtained the rights to purchase and/or lease substantially all of this parcel from the allottees. An additional 100 acres of fee land has been optioned to provide the necessary site area for the beginning of the project before the casino resort development can begin.     Yes, the Iowa Tribe has members that own a 74-acre allotment on US Route 66 midway between the access points to Warwick and Chandler, Oklahoma from I44. The Iowa Tribe has obtained the rights to purchase and/or lease this parcel from the allottees. An additional 100 acres of fee land has been optioned to provide the necessary site area for the beginning of the project.
 
Usable land placed in trust by Federal government     Yes, the Iowa Tribe is currently leasing and acquiring land from tribal members, which is held in trust for the individual tribal members by the United States Government. These transactions will need to be approved by the BIA.     Yes, the Iowa Tribe is currently leasing and acquiring land from tribal members, which is held in trust for the individual tribal members by the United States Government. These transactions will need to be approved by the BIA.     Yes, the Iowa Tribe is currently leasing and acquiring land from tribal members, which is held in trust for the individual tribal members by the United States Government. These transactions will need to be approved by the BIA.
 
Usable county agreement, if applicable     N/A     N/A     N/A
 
Usable state compact that allows for gaming consistent with that outlined in Lakes’ project plan     Yes     Yes     Yes
 
NIGC approval of management contract in current and desired form     No, submitted to the NIGC for review on April 22, 2005. An EA was prepared and on September 12, 2007, the NIGC issued their notice of approval of a Finding Of No Significant Impact (“FONSI”) for the EA. The 30 day public comment period for the FONSI ended on November 2, 2007 without any comment from the public. The expiration of the comment period now allows the NIGC to approve the management contract. The NIGC has stated that it is waiting for the BIA to approve all land leases before it will issue an opinion on the management contract. There have been no comments on the consulting agreement from the NIGC and is therefore considered operative.     No, submitted to the NIGC for review on April 22, 2005. An EA was prepared and on September 12, 2007, the NIGC issued their notice of approval of a FONSI for the EA. The 30 day public comment period for the FONSI ended on November 2, 2007 without any comment from the public. The expiration of the comment period now allows the NIGC to approve the management contract. The NIGC has stated that it is waiting for the BIA to approve all land leases before it will issue an opinion on the management contract. There have been no comments on the consulting agreement from the NIGC and is therefore considered operative.     No, submitted to the NIGC for review on April 22, 2005. An EA is currently being prepared and is necessary for the management contract to be approved. Completion of the EA is expected by Spring 2007. There have been no comments on the consulting agreement from the NIGC and is therefore considered operative.
 


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Critical milestone     March 30, 2008     December 30, 2007     December 31, 2006
Resolution of all litigation and legal obstacles     None at this time.     None at this time.     None at this time.
 
Financing for construction     No, however, preliminary discussions with lending institutions has occurred.     No, however, preliminary discussions with lending institutions has occurred.     No, however, preliminary discussions with lending institutions has occurred.
 
Any other significant project milestones or contingencies, the outcome of which could have a material affect on the probability of project completion as planned     No others known at this time by Lakes.     No others known at this time by Lakes.     No others known at this time by Lakes.
 
 
Our evaluation and conclusion regarding the above critical milestones and progress.  Long-term assets have been recorded as it is considered probable that the Ioway Casino Resort will result in economic benefit to us sufficient to recover our investment. Based upon the above status of all primary milestones and the projected fees to be earned under the consulting agreements and management contracts, no impairment has been recorded.
 
The Iowa Tribe is currently leasing and acquiring land from tribal members, which is held in trust for the individual tribal members by the United States Government. These transactions need to be approved by the BIA. Lakes submitted its management contract with the Iowa Tribe for the Ioway Casino Resort to the NIGC for review in 2005. The NIGC has stated that it is waiting for the BIA to approve all land leases before it will issue an opinion on the management contract. The Ioway Casino Resort could open in early 2010, pending the necessary regulatory approvals.
 
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS No. 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the effect that SFAS No. 160 will have on our financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.
 
Seasonality
 
We believe that the operations of all casinos to be managed by us will be affected by seasonal factors, including holidays, weather and travel conditions. WPTE’s license revenues are affected by the timetable for delivery of episodes to TRV.
 
Regulation and taxes
 
We and our casino projects are subject to extensive regulation by state gaming authorities. We will also be subject to regulation, which may or may not be similar to current state regulations, by the appropriate authorities in any jurisdiction where we may conduct gaming activities in the future. Changes in applicable laws or regulations could have an adverse effect on us.
 
The gaming industry represents a significant source of tax revenues to regulators. From time to time, various federal legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax law, or in the administration of such law, affecting the gaming industry. It is not possible to determine the likelihood of possible changes in tax law or in the administration of such law. Such changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Off-balance sheet arrangements
 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity,

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capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors, except for the financing commitments previously discussed.
 
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
 
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by Lakes with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Lakes contain statements that are forward-looking, such as plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as other statements regarding capital spending, financing sources and the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and competition.
 
Such forward looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Lakes.
 
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, obtaining a sufficient number of signatures to place the Ohio casino resort project on the November 4, 2008 Ohio statewide election ballot or if the referendum is placed on that ballot, that the referendum will pass or if the referendum passes, that it will not subsequently be challenged or that other developments will not prevent or delay the project; need for current financing to meet Lakes’ operational and development needs; those relating to the inability to complete or possible delays in completion of Lakes’ casino projects, including various regulatory approvals and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before completion of these projects; possible termination or adverse modification of management or development contracts; Lakes operates in a highly competitive industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance on continued positive relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of amounts owed to Lakes by Indian tribes; possible need for future financing to meet Lakes’ expansion goals; risks of entry into new businesses; reliance on Lakes’ management; and the fact that the WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE) (“WPTE”) shares held by Lakes are currently not liquid assets, and there is no assurance that Lakes will be able to realize value from these holdings equal to the current or future market value of WPTE common stock. There are also risks and uncertainties relating to WPTE that may have a material effect on Lakes’ consolidated results of operations or the market value of the WPTE shares held by Lakes, including WPTE’s significant dependence on the GSN as a current source of revenue, and the risk that GSN will not exercise its options to air seasons of the WPT series beyond Season Six; difficulty of predicting the growth of WPTE’s online casino business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that WPTE’s television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE’s television programming; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE’s relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE’s dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review Lakes’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information regarding the risks and uncertainties, see the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 30, 2007.
 
ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our main investment objectives are the preservation of investment capital and the maximization of after-tax returns on our investment portfolio. Consequently, we invest with only high-credit-quality issuers and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.
 
Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. As of March 30, 2008, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. We also hold short-term investments consisting of marketable debt securities (principally consisting of commercial


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paper, corporate bonds, and government securities) having a weighted-average duration of one year or less. Consequently, such securities are not subject to significant interest rate risk. We also hold long-term investments in marketable securities which consist of ARS. The types of ARS investments that we own are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the FFELP, and all have credit ratings of AAA or Aaa.
 
Historically, these types of ARS investments have been highly liquid using an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined intervals, typically every 7 to 35 days, to provide liquidity at par. However, as a result of the recent liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, the auctions for all of our ARS failed beginning in February 2008 when sell orders exceeded buy orders. The failures of these auctions do not affect the value of the collateral underlying the ARS, and we will continue to earn and receive interest on our ARS at contractually set rates. However, we will not be able to liquidate our ARS until the issuer calls the security, a successful auction occurs, a buyer is found outside of the auction process or the security matures. During April 2008, we received account statements dated March 30, 2008, from the firms managing our ARS which estimated the fair value of our ARS. We analyzed these statements and have concluded that a decrease of $2.4 million in the estimated fair value of the ARS we hold has occurred as a result of the current lack of liquidity. We consider declines in the estimated fair value of our ARS due to lack of liquidity to be temporary impairments that have been recorded as an unrealized loss in the shareholders’ equity section of our balance sheet as of March 30, 2008.
 
Our primary exposure to market risk associated with changes in interest rates involves our long-term assets related to Indian casino projects in the form of notes receivable due from our tribal partners for the development and construction of Indian-owned casinos. The loans earn interest based upon a defined reference rate. The floating interest rate will generate more or less interest income if interest rates rise or fall. Our notes receivable from Indian tribes related to properties under development bear interest generally at prime plus one percent or two percent, however, the interest is only payable if the casino is successfully opened and distributable profits are available from casino operations. We record our notes receivable at estimated fair value, and subsequent changes in estimated fair value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. As of March 30, 2008, we had $77.9 million of notes receivable, at fair value with a floating interest rate (principal amount of $84.1 million). Based on the applicable current reference rates and assuming all other factors remain constant, interest income for a 12 month period would be approximately $6.1 million. A reference rate increase of 100 basis points would result in an increase in interest income of $0.8 million. A 100 basis point decrease in the reference rate would result in a decrease of $0.8 million in interest income over the same 12 month period.
 
ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d — 15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on their evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that Lakes Entertainment, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
There have been no changes (including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses) in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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Part II.
Other Information
 
ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
WPTE litigation.
 
In 2006, a legal action was commenced against WPTE by seven poker players that alleged, among other things, an unfair business practice of WPTE. On April 18, 2008, WPTE settled this lawsuit without cost by agreeing to implement a new standard player release form to be provided to all players at all future WPT tournaments and events.
 
Miscellaneous legal matters.
 
We and our subsidiaries (including WPTE) are involved in various other inquiries, administrative proceedings, and litigation relating to contracts and other matters arising in the normal course of business. While any proceeding or litigation has an element of uncertainty, management currently believes that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is remote. Accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded in connection therewith.
 
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
 
There have been no material changes to our risk factors identified in the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 30, 2007 except for the following, which has been updated in its entirety:
 
If we are unable to liquidate our investments in ARS to provide liquidity when and as needed, and we are unable to obtain additional financing in order to satisfy our cash requirements, we may be forced to delay, scale back or eliminate some of our expansion and development goals, or cease our operations entirely.
 
Lakes entered into a client agreement with UBS effective April 11, 2008 for the purpose of borrowing and/or obtaining credit in a principal amount not to exceed $11.0 million (the “Margin Account Agreement”). Lakes has made an initial draw under the Margin Account Agreement in the principal amount of $3.0 million to be used for working capital purposes. Lakes will be required to seek additional sources of financing to fund additional costs it plans to incur between August and November of this year associated with the recently announced Ohio casino resort project. These costs are dependent on various factors including polling numbers, market studies and media efforts. Lakes is currently exploring several financing alternatives and expects to be able to obtain funding as necessary. WPTE does not believe that any lack of liquidity during the next 12 months relating to its ARS will have an impact on its ability to fund its operations.
 
If additional financing is in the form of equity financing it will be dilutive to our shareholders, and any debt financing may involve additional restrictive covenants. We may raise additional capital through either public or private financings or the sale of some or all of our shares of WPTE. An inability to raise such funds when needed might require us to delay, scale back or eliminate some of our expansion and development goals.
 
In addition, we have the following new risk factors:
 
If the referendum to amend the Ohio constitution to permit casino gaming fails to get put on the November 4, 2008 Ohio statewide election ballot, or if the referendum is put on the ballot but it is not passed by the Ohio voters, or if the referendum passes but it is subsequently challenged or other events prevent the Ohio project, it is unlikely we will be repaid amounts loaned to the joint venture.
 
We plan to loan the joint venture with Myohinow.com, LLC approximately $8 million through August and an additional amount from August to the November election depending on various factors to fund the efforts to place the referendum to amend the Ohio constitution to permit casino gaming on the November 4, 2008 Ohio statewide election ballot and to ensure that the referendum is passed by the Ohio voters. If the proposed Ohio casino resort project does not proceed because the referendum is not placed on the ballot, or the referendum doesn’t pass if placed


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on the ballot or if the referendum passes but it is subsequently challenged or other events prevent the Ohio project, it is unlikely we will be repaid the amounts loaned to the joint venture.
 
We may be adversely impacted by economic factors beyond our control and may incur additional impairment charges to our investment portfolio.
 
As of March 30, 2008, we had $39.2 million of principal invested in auction rate securities (“ARS”). The types of ARS investments that we own are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”), and all have credit ratings of AAA or Aaa. We do not own any other type of ARS investments. The estimated fair value of our ARS holdings at March 30, 2008, was $36.8 million, which reflects a $2.4 million adjustment to the principal value of $39.2 million. We recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $2.4 million in other comprehensive loss as a reduction in shareholders’ equity, reflecting an impairment to our ARS holdings that we have concluded as a temporary decline in value.
 
The credit and capital markets have continued to deteriorate since the first quarter of 2008. If uncertainties in these markets continue, these markets deteriorate further or we experience any ratings downgrades on any ARS investments in our portfolio, we may incur additional impairments to our ARS investment portfolio, which could negatively affect our financial condition, cash flow and/or reported earnings.
 
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
 
         
Exhibits
 
Description
 
  31 .1   Certification of CEO pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31 .2   Certification of CFO pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Registrant
 
/s/  LYLE BERMAN
Lyle Berman
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/  TIMOTHY J. COPE
Timothy J. Cope
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
Dated: May 9, 2008


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