UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
January 15, 2015 (January 13, 2015)
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-10410 | 62-1411755 | ||
(State of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
One Caesars Palace Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(702) 407-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
Successor Trustee for 12.75% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018
On January 13, 2015, Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (CEOC), a majority owned subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC), entered into an Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance (the Instrument), together with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as resigning trustee (the Resigning Trustee), and BOKF, N.A., as successor trustee (the Successor Trustee), with respect to the indenture governing CEOCs 12.75% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the Indenture).
The Instrument provides, among other things, that (i) the Resigning Trustee assigns, transfers, delivers and confirms to the Successor Trustee all right, title, and interest of the Resigning Trustee in and to the trust created by the Indenture, and the Resigning Trustee resigns as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Notes Custodian under the Indenture, (ii) CEOC accepts the resignation of the Resigning Trustee as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent, and Notes Custodian under the Indenture and appoints the Successor Trustee as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Notes Custodian, under the Indenture and (iii) the Successor Trustee accepts its appointment as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Notes Custodian under the Indenture and is vested with all the rights, powers and trusts of the Resigning Trustee under the Indenture. The foregoing description of the Instrument is a summary and does not purport to be complete.
Extension of Bank Lender Consent
On January 15, 2015, CEOC announced that it is extending the period during which it is seeking consents from lenders under the Credit Agreement (as defined below) to support restructuring CEOCs outstanding obligations and liabilities from 9:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 14, 2015, to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 26, 2015.
The information set forth in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any of CECs filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. The filing of this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information herein that is required to be disclosed solely by reason of Regulation FD.
Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. Chapter 11 Filing
On January 15, 2015 (the Petition Date), CEOC and certain of CEOCs wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Debtors), in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Restructuring Support and Forbearance Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2015 (the RSA), among CEC, CEOC and holders of claims in respect of CEOCs first lien notes, filed voluntary petitions (the Bankruptcy Petitions) for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the Court). CEOC issued a press release announcing the filing of
the Chapter 11 cases. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the RSA was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to CECs Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2015.
Acceleration of Debt Instruments
The filing of the Bankruptcy Petitions described above constitutes an event of default that accelerated CEOCs obligations under the following debt instruments (the Debt Instruments):
| Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2014 (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement), by and among CEOC, as borrower, CEC, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative and collateral agent, and the lenders that are parties thereto from time to time, with respect to the aggregate principal amount of approximately $5,354 million of CEOCs indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement; |
| Indenture, dated as of June 10, 2009 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among CEOC, CEC and UMB Bank, National Association, as successor trustee and any successors in such capacity (the First Lien Notes Trustee), with respect to an aggregate principal amount of $2,095 million of CEOCs 11 1⁄4% Senior Secured Notes due 2017; |
| Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2012 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and between CEOC, CEC and the First Lien Notes Trustee, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of $1,250 million of CEOCs 8 1⁄2% Senior Secured Notes due 2020; |
| Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2012 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among the CEOC, CEC and the First Lien Notes Trustee, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of $1,500 million of CEOCs 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2020; |
| Indenture, dated as of February 15, 2013 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among the CEOC, CEC and the First Lien Notes Trustee, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of $1,500 million of CEOCs 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2020; |
| Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time, by and among the CEOC, CEC and BOKF, N.A., as successor trustee and any successors in such capacity, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of $750 million of CEOCs 12.75% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018; |
| Indenture, dated as of December 24, 2008 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time, the December 2008 Indenture), by and among CEOC, CEC and Delaware Trust Company, as successor trustee and any successors in such capacity, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of approximately $804 million of CEOCs 10.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018 and an aggregate principal amount of approximately $4 million of CEOCs 10.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2015; |
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| Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2009 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among CEOC, CEC and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor trustee and any successors in such capacity, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of approximately $3,680 million of CEOCs 10.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018; |
| Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2008 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among CEOC, note guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of approximately $479 million of CEOCs 10.75% Senior Notes due 2016; |
| Indenture, dated as of June 9, 2006 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among CEOC, CEC and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as successor trustee and any successors in such capacity (the Unsecured Notes Trustee), with respect to an aggregate principal amount of approximately $297 million of CEOCs 6.50% Senior Notes due 2016; and |
| Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2005 (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), by and among CEOC, CEC and the Unsecured Notes Trustee, with respect to an aggregate principal amount of approximately $233 million of CEOCs 5.75% Senior Notes due 2017. |
The Debt Instruments provide that as a result of the Bankruptcy Petitions the principal and interest due thereunder shall be immediately due and payable. Any efforts to enforce such payment obligations under the Debt Instruments are automatically stayed as a result of the Bankruptcy Petitions, and the creditors rights of enforcement in respect of the Debt Instruments are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.
CEOC is reporting the outstanding principal amounts for the 10.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2018 and 10.00% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2015 giving effect to payments of approximately $17.6 million to fund the payment of the redemption price of the required redemption as CEOC directed Delaware Trust Company, as paying agent under the December 2008 Indenture, on December 15, 2014. Delaware Trust Company, as trustee under the December 2008 Indenture, provided instructions to The Depository Trust Company with respect to the distribution of the funds in satisfaction of the redemption price inconsistent with both CEOCs direction and the terms of December 2008 Indenture, as previously disclosed on CECs Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2014.
Additional Information
CEC expects that, as a result of the bankruptcy filing and beginning on the Petition Date, CEOC will be deconsolidated from CECs financial statements. Once CEC is able to conclude that such deconsolidation will occur, CEC will file pro forma information if required by Item 2.01 of Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being furnished herewith:
Exhibit |
Description | |
99.1 | Text of press release, dated January 15, 2015. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION | ||||||
Date: January 15, 2015 | By: | /s/ SCOTT E. WIEGAND | ||||
Name: | Scott E. Wiegand | |||||
Title: | Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description | |
99.1 | Text of press release, dated January 15, 2015. |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stephen Cohen Media | Jennifer Chen Investors | |
Caesars Entertainment Corporation | Caesars Entertainment Corporation | |
(347) 489-6602 | (702) 407-6407 |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Reorganization
to Implement Previously Announced Financial Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Agreement Supported by More than 80% of First-Lien Noteholders
All Properties Open for Business and Operating Normally
Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Acquisition Company and Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties Not Part of the Filing
LAS VEGAS, January 15, 2015 Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (CEOC), a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (Caesars Entertainment) (Nasdaq: CZR), today announced that it is moving forward to implement its previously announced financial restructuring plan. The plan, which has received support from more than 80% of first-lien noteholders, is intended to significantly reduce long-term debt and annual interest payments, while providing for significant recoveries for creditors and ensuring no interruption of operations across the companys network of properties.
To implement the balance sheet deleveraging, CEOC and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries have voluntarily filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. All Caesars Entertainment properties, including those owned by CEOC, are open for business and are continuing to operate in the ordinary course. All properties are continuing to host meetings and events and provide the facilities, amenities and experiences that guests expect. The entertainers who perform at Caesars properties will continue to do so on their ordinary schedule. Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties and Caesars Growth Partners, which are separate entities with independent capital structures, have not filed for bankruptcy relief.
Today, with the overwhelming support of our first-lien bondholders, we are moving forward to implement our previously announced restructuring plan, which is intended to strengthen CEOCs
financial condition and significantly reduce debt, said Gary Loveman, Chairman of CEOC. We believe this restructuring is in the best interests of all of CEOCs stakeholders and will result in a sustainable capital structure for CEOC and value creation for all stakeholders. The restructuring of CEOC is the culmination of a years-long effort to improve the health of CEOCs balance sheet, which has included substantial investment in new and upgraded assets, especially in Las Vegas. I am very confident in the future prospects of our enterprise, which will combine an improved capital structure with a network of profitable properties.
Loveman added: The properties across the entire Caesars Entertainment network are open and will operate without interruption throughout CEOCs reorganization process. Our guests will continue to earn benefits through the Total Rewards loyalty program, and our team remains entirely focused on delivering the same outstanding service and unforgettable entertainment experiences guests have come to expect from Caesars Entertainment. Going forward, we will continue to develop and deliver new, innovative hospitality experiences to our guests.
CEOC has filed, and expects to obtain approval for, various customary First Day Motions in the bankruptcy court in support of its financial restructuring. CEOC intends to pay suppliers in full under normal terms for goods and services provided on or after the filing date of January 15, 2015. Vendors and suppliers who work with affiliated entities that have not filed Chapter 11 petitions, including Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Growth Partners and Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties, will not be impacted.
Restructuring Details
As previously disclosed, under the terms of the proposed financial restructuring, CEOC will convert its corporate structure by separating virtually all of its U.S.-based gaming operating assets and real property assets into two companies: an operating entity (OpCo) and a newly formed, publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that will directly or indirectly own a newly formed property company (PropCo).
The proposed transactions would reduce CEOCs debt by approximately $10 billion, providing for the exchange of approximately $18.4 billion of outstanding debt for $8.6 billion of new debt. Annual interest expense would be reduced by approximately 75%, from approximately $1.7 billion to approximately $450 million. PropCo would lease its real property assets to OpCo in exchange for annual lease payments of $635 million, subject to certain adjustments, with the lease payments guaranteed by Caesars Entertainment.
Under the proposed plan, Caesars Entertainment will make substantial cash and other contributions to support the restructuring. The completion of the previously announced merger of Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Acquisition Company will allow Caesars Entertainment to make these contributions without the need for any significant outside financing. The merged company will be in a strong position to serve as a guarantor for the lease payments OpCo will make to PropCo. Following the merger and the restructuring, OpCo will have sufficient cash to support its operations and obligations.
The restructuring is conditioned upon the release of all pending and potential litigation claims against Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Acquisition Company and related parties. The proposed restructuring plan remains subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court and the receipt of required gaming regulatory approvals.
Chief Restructuring Officer Appointed
Randall S. Eisenberg, a managing director at AlixPartners, has been named Chief Restructuring Officer of CEOC. In this role, Eisenberg will oversee the Chapter 11 cases and implementation of the restructuring transactions at the operational level.
CEOCs legal advisor for the Chapter 11 proceedings is Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Perella Weinberg Partners serves as financial advisor to CEOC and AlixPartners is restructuring advisor. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is counsel to Caesars Entertainment and Blackstone Advisory Partners, LP is financial advisor to Caesars Entertainment.
CEOC has established a dedicated website, www.ceocrestructuring.com, for stakeholders to access current information about the restructuring. Court documents pertaining to the Chapter 11 proceedings can be accessed directly through the Claims Agent website, http://cases.primeclerk.com/ceoc. Suppliers with inquiries can call 844-762-0752 (weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time) for assistance.
About Caesars Entertainment Operating Company Inc.
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (CEOC), a majority owned subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, provides casino entertainment services and owns, operates or manages 44 gaming and resort properties in 13 states of the United States and in five countries primarily under the Caesars, Harrahs and Horseshoe brand names. CEOC is focused on building customer loyalty through providing its guests with a combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership as well as all the advantages of the Total Rewards program. CEOC also is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation, and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment.
About Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC) is the worlds most diversified casino-entertainment provider and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. CEC is mainly comprised of the following three entities: the majority owned operating subsidiary Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, wholly owned Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties and Caesars Growth Properties, in which we hold a variable economic interest. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, CEC has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and its portfolio of subsidiaries now operate 50 casinos in 13 U.S. states and five countries. The Companys resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrahs® and Horseshoe® brand names. CECs portfolio also includes the London Clubs International family of casinos. CEC is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. The Company is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.
Forward Looking Information
This release includes forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by
the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements contain words such as may, will, expect, believe, would, estimate, continue, or future, or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, the proposed restructuring of CEOC and future outcomes. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors, and other factors described from time to time in the Companys reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the sections entitled Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained therein):
| the ability to retain key employees during CEOCs restructuring; |
| the effects of CEOCs bankruptcy filing on Caesars Entertainment and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and the interests of various creditors, equity holders and other constituents; |
| the event that the restructuring of CEOC may not be consummated in accordance with its terms, or persons not party to the agreement described in this release may successfully challenge the implementation thereof; |
| the effects of the bankruptcy court rulings in the Chapter 11 case and the outcome of such cases in general; |
| the length of time CEOC will operate in the Chapter 11 cases or CEOCs ability to comply with the milestones provided by the restructuring support agreement; |
| risks associated with third party motions in the Chapter 11 cases, which may hinder or delay CEOCs ability to consummate its restructuring plan as contemplated by the restructuring support agreement; |
| the potential adverse effects of Chapter 11 proceedings on Caesars Entertainments liquidity or results of operations; |
| the impact of CEOCs substantial indebtedness and the restrictions in CEOCs debt agreements that might limit CEOCs ability to negotiate and complete its restructuring; |
| litigation outcomes and judicial and governmental body actions, including gaming legislative action, referenda, regulatory disciplinary actions, and fines and taxation, including but not limited to, the assertion and outcome of litigation or other claims that may be brought against Caesars Entertainment and CEOC by certain creditors, some of whom have notified Caesars Entertainment and CEOC of their objection to various transactions undertaken by Caesars Entertainment and CEOC in 2013 and 2014; |
| CEOCs significant liquidity requirements and substantial levels of indebtedness; |
| increased costs of financing, a reduction in the availability of financing and fluctuations in interest rates in connection with CEOCs restructuring; |
| economic, business, competitive, and/or regulatory factors affecting the businesses of Caesars Entertainment and its subsidiaries generally; |
| the effects of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and on the gaming industry in particular; |
| changes in laws, including increased tax rates, smoking bans, regulations or accounting standards, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions, disciplines, and fines of courts, regulators, and governmental bodies; |
| the effects of competition, including locations of competitors, competition for new licenses and operating and market competition; |
| abnormal gaming holds (gaming hold is the amount of money that is retained by the casino from wagers by customers); |
| construction factors, including delays, increased costs of labor and materials, availability of labor and materials, zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil and water conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters, and building permit issues; |
| access to insurance on reasonable terms for Caesars Entertainment and CEOCs assets; and |
| the impact, if any, of unfunded pension benefits under multi-employer pension plans. |
Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. Caesars disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated or, if no date is stated, as of the date of this filing.
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