EX-12.1 2 a2135644zex-12_1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1

Exhibit 12.1

HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(In thousands, except ratio amounts)

 
  Three Months
Ended March 31,

  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2004(a)
  2003
  2003(b)
  2002(c)
  2001(d)
  2000(e)
  1999(f)
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(g)                                          
Income/(loss) from continuing operations   $ 81,731   $ 80,263   $ 291,954   $ 323,235   $ 207,247   $ (12,335 ) $ 207,240
Add:                                          
  Provision for income taxes     48,206     48,814     172,201     196,534     125,797     14,880     122,262
  Interest expense     58,246     58,874     234,419     240,220     255,801     227,139     193,407
  Interest included in rental expense     5,391     5,330     22,055     27,101     20,473     15,233     10,248
  Amortization of capitalized interest     218     289     992     1,220     1,398     1,572     1,335
  (Income)/loss from equity investments     (434 )   62     1,073     (4,094 )   (148 )   314,958     33,042
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings as defined   $ 193,358   $ 193,632   $ 722,694   $ 784,216   $ 610,568   $ 561,447   $ 567,534
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges:                                          
  Interest expense   $ 58,246   $ 58,874   $ 234,419   $ 240,220   $ 255,801   $ 227,139   $ 193,407
  Capitalized interest     932     649     2,349     3,537     9,309     7,960     13,118
  Interest included in rental expense     5,391     5,330     22,055     27,101     20,473     15,233     10,248
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fixed charges   $ 64,569   $ 64,853   $ 258,823   $ 270,858   $ 285,583   $ 250,332   $ 216,773
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges     3.0     3.0     2.8     2.9     2.1     2.2     2.6
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
The first three months of 2004 include $3.4 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries.

(b)
2003 includes $11.1 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries and $19.1 million in pretax charges for premiums paid for, and write-offs associated with, debt retired before maturity.

(c)
2002 includes $5.0 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries, a $6.1 million pretax charge for our exposure under a letter of credit issued on behalf of National Airlines, Inc., and a charge of $91.2 million, net of tax benefits of $2.8 million, related to a change in accounting principle. 2002 also includes the financial results of Jazz Casino Company LLC from the date of our acquisition of a majority ownership interest on June 7, 2002.

(d)
2001 includes $22.5 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries and $26.2 million of pretax income from dispositions of nonstrategic assets and the settlement of a contingency related to a former affiliate. 2001 also includes the financial results of Harveys Casino Resorts from its July 31, 2001, date of acquisition.

(e)
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, $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 Players International, Inc., from its March 22, 2000, date of acquisition.

(f)
1999 includes $2.2 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries, $59.8 million of pretax gains from sales of our equity interests in nonconsolidated affiliates and $17.0 million in pretax losses on debt retired before maturity.

(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 the financial results for the Company's nonconsolidated majority-owned subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2003 Harrah's Entertainment Annual Report, the Company has guaranteed certain third-party loans in connection with its casino development activities. The above ratio computations for the fiscal years presented exclude estimated fixed charges associated with these guarantees as follows: 2003, $9.5 million; 2002, $7.0 million; 2001, $4.4 million; 2000, $5.7 million; and 1999, $6.2 million.