EX-12.1 7 a2057920zex-12_1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1 Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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EXHIBIT 12.1

 
  Six Months
Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)

  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2001
  2000
  2000(a)
  1999(b)
  1998(c)
  1997(d)
  1996(e)
 
 
  (in thousands, except ratio amount)

 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(f)                                            
  Income from continuing operations   $ 92,074   $ 77,962   $ (11,344 ) $ 219,503   $ 121,717   $ 107,522   $ 98,897  
  Add:                                            
    Provision for income taxes     55,837     47,278     15,415     128,914     74,600     68,746     67,316  
    Interest expense     127,415     108,585     227,139     193,407     117,270     79,071     69,968  
    Interest included in rental expense     9,586     6,854     15,819     10,801     9,718     7,692     7,663  
    Amortization of Capitalized interest     688     795     1,595     1,359     1,444     606     763  
    (Income) or loss from equity investments     423     31,919     314,958     33,042     4,709     (473 )   (473 )
    Adjustment to include 100% of nonconsolidated, majority-owned affiliate(g)                     12,254          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Earnings as defined   $ 286,023   $ 273,393   $ 563,582   $ 587,026   $ 341,712   $ 263,164   $ 244,134  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Fixed charges:                                            
    Interest expense     127,415   $ 108,585   $ 227,139   $ 193,407   $ 117,270   $ 79,071   $ 69,968  
    Capitalized interest     4,903     3,105     7,960     13,118     2,526     6,860     11,025  
    Interest included in rental expense     9,586     6,854     15,819     10,801     9,718     7,692     7,663  
    Adjustment to include 100% of nonconsolidated, majority-owned affiliate(g)                     12,071          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total fixed charges   $ 141,904   $ 118,544   $ 250,918   $ 217,326   $ 141,585   $ 93,623   $ 88,656  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges     2.0     2.3     2.2     2.7     2.4     2.8     2.8  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
2000 includes $220.0 million in pretax reserves for receivables not expected to be recovered from JCC Holding Company and its subsidiary, Jazz Casino Company, LLC, and $6.1 million in pretax charges for other write-downs, reserves and recoveries and $39.4 million in pretax write-offs and reserves for our investment in, loans to and net estimated exposure under letters of credit issued on behalf of National Airlines, Inc. 2000 also includes the financial results of Player's International, Inc. from its March 22, 2000, date of acquisition.

(b)
1999 includes $2.2 million in pretax charges for write-downs and reserves and $59.8 million gains on the sales of equity interests in nonconsolidated subsidiaries. 1999 also includes the financial results of Rio Hotel & Casino, Inc., from its January 1, 1999, date of acquisition.

(c)
1998 includes $7.5 million in pretax changes for write-downs and reserves and a $13.2 million gain on the sale of equity interests in a nonconsolidated subsidiary. 1998 also includes the financial results of Showboat, Inc., from its June 1, 1998, date of acquisition.

(d)
1997 includes $13.8 million in pretax charges for write-downs and reserves and $37.4 million gain on the sale of equity in a New Zealand subsidiary.

(e)
1996 includes $52.2 million in pretax charges for write-downs and reserves, primarily related to write-downs of impaired long-lived assets and reserves for contingent liability exposure.

(f)
As discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2000 Harrah's Entertainment Annual Report, we have guaranteed certain third party loans in connection with our casino development activities. The above ratio computation excludes estimated fixed charges associated with these guarantees as follows: 2000, $5.7 million; 1999, $6.2 million; 1998, $7.9 million; 1997, $7.8 million; and 1996, $5.2 million.

(g)
For purposes of computing this ratio, "earnings" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and minority interests (relating to subsidiaries whose fixed charges are included in the computation), excluding equity in undistributed earnings of less than 50% owned investments. "Fixed charges" include interest whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt expense, discount or premium related to indebtedness and such portion of rental expense that we deem to be representative of interest. As required by the rules which govern the computation of this ratio, both earnings and fixed charges are adjusted where appropriate to include financial results for the Company's nonconsolidated majority-owned subsidiaries. Accordingly, 1998 has been adjusted to include the financial results and fixed charges of the East Chicago partnership from its June 1, 1998, date of acquisition.



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EXHIBIT 12.1