-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MQjgneUNWRgLaA9y2OZQVcJ/j01kE3sVkc1hZbcc5QZtddSaplKfM+BmsPOiWRzW aY0BwyofOuksonOape7H5g== 0001047469-99-012684.txt : 19990402 0001047469-99-012684.hdr.sgml : 19990402 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-99-012684 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K405 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990331 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STATION CASINOS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000898660 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 880136443 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K405 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12037 FILM NUMBER: 99580399 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2411 W. SAHARA AVE CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89102 BUSINESS PHONE: 7023672411 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P.O. BOX 295000 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89126 10-K405 1 FORM 10-K405 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [LOGO] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K [ ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended ________________. OR [X] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from April 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998. Commission file number 000-21640 STATION CASINOS, INC. --------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 88-0136443 ------ ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 2411 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 ------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (702) 367-2411 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value $3.50 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value 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 X No ----- ----- Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. [X] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates (all persons other than executive officers or directors) of the registrant as of March 3, 1999, based on the closing price per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $199,795,146. As of March 3, 1999, the registrant has 35,312,192 shares of common stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Registrants' 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 24, 1999 (which has not been made publicly available as of the date of this filing) are incorporated by reference into Part III. PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this report and elsewhere by management from time to time, the words "believes," "anticipates," and "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and the business of Station Casinos, Inc. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries including the expansion, development and acquisition projects, legal proceedings and employee matters of the Company and its subsidiaries. Certain important factors, including but not limited to, competition from other gaming operations, leverage, construction risks, the inherent uncertainty and costs associated with litigation, and licensing and other regulatory risks, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements. Further information on potential factors which could affect the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and its subsidiaries including, without limitation, the expansion, development and acquisition projects, legal proceedings and employee matters of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. GENERAL Station Casinos, Inc. is an established multi-jurisdictional gaming and entertainment enterprise that currently owns and operates four major hotel/casino properties and two smaller casino properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, a gaming and entertainment complex in St. Charles, Missouri and a gaming and entertainment complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company also owns and provides slot route management services in southern Nevada. Management's growth strategy includes the master-planned expansion of the Company's existing gaming facilities in Nevada and Missouri, as well as the evaluation and pursuit of additional acquisition or development opportunities in Nevada and other gaming markets. In Las Vegas, the Company owns and operates Palace Station Hotel & Casino ("Palace Station"), Boulder Station Hotel & Casino ("Boulder Station"), Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel ("Texas Station"), Sunset Station Hotel & Casino ("Sunset Station") and Tropicana Station, Inc., the operator of Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel ("Tropicana Station" and, together with Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, and Sunset Station, the "Las Vegas Casino Properties"). The Company also owns a 50% interest in Town Center Amusements, Inc. d.b.a. Barley's Casino & Brewing Company ("Barley's"). Palace Station is situated on 39 acres on Sahara Avenue adjacent to Interstate 15, and is near major attractions on the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas. Boulder Station is situated on 46 acres along the Boulder Highway, immediately adjacent to Interstate 515, and is located on the opposite side of Las Vegas from Palace Station. Texas Station is located on 47 acres at the corner of Lake Mead Boulevard and Tonopah Highway in North Las Vegas. Sunset Station is strategically located on 105 acres on Sunset Road immediately adjacent to Interstate 515 and features a Spanish/Mediterranean-themed hotel/casino. Sunset Station is located eight miles southeast of Boulder Station. Each of the Company's Las Vegas casinos caters primarily to local Las Vegas residents. The Company markets the casinos together under the Station Casinos' brand, offering convenience to residents throughout the Las Vegas Valley with its strategically located properties. In Missouri, the Company owns and operates Station Casino Kansas City and Station Casino St. Charles. Station Casino Kansas City, is situated on 171 acres immediately east of the heavily traveled Interstate 435 bridge, seven miles east of downtown Kansas City. Station Casino Kansas City caters to local customers within the greater Kansas City area, as well as tourists from outside the region. Station Casino St. Charles is located on 52 acres situated immediately north of the Interstate 70 bridge in St. Charles, and is strategically located to attract customers from the St. Charles and greater St. Louis areas, as well as tourists from outside the region. Management employs the same operating strategies that have been successful at the Company's properties in the competitive Las Vegas market in order to secure a strong presence in the Missouri markets. 2 OPERATING STRATEGY Management believes that the following key principles have been integral to its success as a gaming operator and intends to continue to employ these strategies at each of its various operations. TARGETED CUSTOMER BASE The Company's operating strategy emphasizes attracting and retaining customers primarily from the local and repeat visitor markets. The Las Vegas Casino Properties and Station Casino Kansas City and Station Casino St. Charles (collectively the "Casino Properties") attract customers from their local markets through innovative, frequent and high-profile promotional programs, focused marketing efforts and convenient locations, and from the repeat visitor market through aggressive marketing and the development of strong relationships with specifically targeted travel wholesalers. Although perceived value initially attracts a customer to the Casino Properties, actual value generates customer satisfaction and loyalty. Management believes that actual value becomes apparent during the customer's visit through an enjoyable, affordable and high-quality entertainment experience. Las Vegas, which is and has been one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, is characterized by a strong economy and demographics which include an increasing number of retirees and other active gaming customers. This strategy applies as well to the Missouri markets. The Company believes that its visitor patrons are also discerning customers who enjoy the Company's value-oriented, high-quality approach. This is particularly true in Las Vegas where patrons view the Company's hotel and casino product as a preferable alternative to attractions located on the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas. PROVIDE A HIGH-VALUE EXPERIENCE Because the Company targets the repeat customer, management is committed to providing a high-value entertainment experience for its customers in its restaurants, hotels, casinos, and other entertainment amenities. Management believes that the value offered by restaurants at each of the Casino Properties is a major factor in attracting its local gaming customers, as dining is a primary motivation for casino visits by many locals. Through their restaurants, each of which has a distinct theme and style of cuisine, the Company's Casino Properties offer generous portions of high-quality food at reasonable prices. In addition, the Company's operating strategy focuses on slot and video poker machine play. The Company's target market consists of frequent gaming patrons who seek not only a friendly atmosphere and convenience, but also higher than average payout rates. Because locals and repeat visitors demand variety and quality in their slot and video poker machine play, the Casino Properties offer the latest in slot and video poker technology, including several games designed exclusively for the Company. As part of its commitment to providing a quality entertainment experience for its patrons, the Company is dedicated to ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing attentive customer service in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Management recognizes that consistent quality and a comfortable atmosphere stem from the collective care and friendliness of each employee. The Company, which began as a family-run business, has maintained close-knit relationships among its management and endeavors to instill among its employees this same sense of loyalty. Toward this end, management takes a hands-on approach through active and direct involvement with employees at all levels. An indication of the value of this approach may be seen by the number of Las Vegas residents seeking employment with the Company. MARKETING AND PROMOTION The Company employs an innovative marketing strategy that utilizes frequent, high-profile promotional programs in order to attract customers and establish a high level of name recognition. In addition to aggressive marketing through television, radio and newspaper advertising, the Company has created and sponsored such promotions as "Car-A-Day", "Paycheck Bonanza" and the "Great Giveaway," a popular football season contest. These promotions have become a tradition in the locals' market and have had a positive impact upon the Company's patronage during their respective promotion periods. 3 LAS VEGAS CASINO PROPERTIES PALACE STATION Palace Station is situated on approximately 39 acres strategically located at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Interstate 15, one of Las Vegas' most heavily traveled areas, and a short distance from McCarran International Airport and from major attractions on the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas. With Palace Station's ample parking and its convenient location, customers are assured easy access to the hotel and casino, a factor that management believes is particularly important in attracting and retaining its customers. The Palace Station complex has approximately 287,000 square feet of main facility area and features a turn-of-the-century railroad station theme. The complex includes a 1,028-room hotel, an approximately 84,000-square foot casino, two swimming pools, 3,700 parking spaces (including 1,900 spaces in two multi-level parking structures), an approximately 20,000-square foot banquet and convention center, five full-service restaurants, several fast-food outlets, a 24-hour gift shop and a non-gaming video arcade. The casino offers approximately 2,085 slot and video poker machines, 43 gaming tables, a keno lounge, a poker room, a bingo parlor, and a race and sports book. The hotel features 587 rooms in a 21-story tower. Guests in the tower enjoy a view of the Las Vegas Strip, downtown Las Vegas and the surrounding mountains. The remaining 441 hotel rooms are located in low-rise buildings adjoining the tower and casino. Palace Station's five full-service restaurants have a total of over 1,225 seats. These restaurants offer a variety of high-quality food at reasonable prices, including the 24-hour Iron Horse Cafe (featuring a Chinese menu in addition to American fare), an all-you-can-eat buffet known as "The Feast," the Broiler (a steak and seafood restaurant), the Pasta Palace (an Italian restaurant) and the Guadalajara Bar & Grille (a Mexican restaurant). Palace Station guests also may take advantage of the Palace Saloon Piano Bar and the recently completed Trax Lounge, which provide music, dancing and entertainment. BOULDER STATION Boulder Station, which opened in August 1994, is situated on approximately 46 acres strategically located on the opposite side of Las Vegas from Palace Station. Patrons enjoy convenient access to this facility which is located on the Boulder Highway and immediately adjacent to the Interstate 515 interchange. Interstate 515 and the Boulder Highway are the major thoroughfares into Las Vegas for visitors from Arizona. Management believes that its highly visible location at this well-traveled intersection offers a competitive advantage relative to existing hotels and casinos located on the Boulder Highway. Boulder Station is located approximately four miles east of the Las Vegas Strip and approximately four miles southeast of downtown Las Vegas. The Boulder Station complex has approximately 337,000 square feet of main facility area and, like Palace Station, features a turn-of-the-century railroad station theme. The complex includes a 300-room hotel, an approximately 89,000-square foot casino, 4,350 parking spaces (including a 1,900-space multi-level parking structure), five full-service restaurants, several fast-food outlets, a 280-seat entertainment lounge, eight additional bars, a high-quality 11-screen movie theater complex, a Kid's Quest child-care facility, a swimming pool, a non-gaming video arcade and a gift shop. The casino offers approximately 3,042 slot and video poker machines, 43 gaming tables, a keno lounge, a poker room, a bingo parlor and a race and sports book. Boulder Station's five full-service restaurants have a total of over 1,400 seats. These restaurants offer a variety of high-quality food at reasonable prices. Restaurant themes and menus are similar to Palace Station's, allowing Boulder Station to benefit from the market acceptance and awareness of this product. Restaurants include the 24-hour Iron Horse Cafe (featuring a Chinese menu in addition to American fare), an all-you-can-eat buffet known as "The Feast," the Broiler (a steak and seafood restaurant), the Pasta Palace (an Italian restaurant), and the Guadalajara Bar & Grille (a Mexican restaurant). In addition to these restaurants which are similar to the offerings at Palace Station, Boulder Station offers fast-food outlets, including Pizza Palace, Viva Salsa, and China Express. Additionally, the Company leases space to the operators of such restaurants as Burger King, TCBY and Starbuck's Coffee to enhance the customers' dining selection. Boulder Station's restaurants and bars are located in open settings that are designed to intermingle the dining and gaming experience. 4 TEXAS STATION Texas Station, which opened in July 1995, is situated on approximately 47 acres strategically located at the corner of Lake Mead Boulevard and Tonopah Highway in North Las Vegas. The facility features a friendly, "down-home" Texas atmosphere, highlighted by its distinctive early Texas architecture. In February 1999, the Company completed a $55 million master-planned expansion of Texas Station. Upon completing this expansion, Texas Station has approximately 390,000 square feet of main facility area in a low rise complex plus a six story, 200-room hotel tower and approximately 5,300 parking spaces (including two multi-level parking structures). The complex includes an approximately 95,000-square foot casino, five full-service restaurants, several fast-food outlets, a 10,000-square foot Kid's Quest child-care facility, a 132-seat entertainment lounge, seven additional bars, a high-quality 18-screen movie theater complex, a swimming pool, a non-gaming video arcade and a gift shop. The casino offers approximately 2,800 slot and video poker machines, 34 gaming tables, a keno lounge, a poker room, a bingo parlor and a race and sports book. Management believes that the theater complex provides a competitive advantage for the property and is an additional attraction that draws a significant number of patrons to the facility. Texas Station's five full-service restaurants have a total of over 1,300 seats. These restaurant facilities offer a variety of high-quality food at reasonable prices, including the 24-hour Yellow Rose Cafe (a 24-hour coffee shop), the Stockyard Steakhouse, the Laredo Cantina and Cafe (a Mexican restaurant), the San Lorenzo (an Italian restaurant) and the Market Street Buffet (featuring seven different food stations). In addition to the Texas Station-themed restaurants, guests may also take advantage of the unique features of the Martini Ranch, the Whiskey Bar with a seven-foot high bronco rider, which rotates on a pedestal and may be viewed by patrons on all sides, the Garage Bar which features a 1976, fire engine red Cadillac Eldorado with seven-foot Texas long-horns on the hood, or the Armadillo Honky Tonk where a 3,000 piece cut glass armadillo is the centerpiece of a dance hall. The facility also offers fast-food outlets, including a pizza kitchen and ice cream shop. Management believes that the quality and variety of the restaurants offered at the facility are a major draw in the rapidly growing North Las Vegas and Summerlin markets. SUNSET STATION Sunset Station, which opened in June 1997, is located on an approximately 105-acre parcel at the intersection of Interstate 515 and Sunset Road. Multiple access points provide customers convenient access to the gaming complex and parking areas. Situated in the path of development along Interstate 515, the major thoroughfare into Las Vegas from Boulder City and Arizona, Sunset Station has prominent visibility from the freeway and the Sunset commercial corridor. Sunset Station is located approximately nine miles east of McCarran International Airport and eight miles southeast of Boulder Station. In November 1998, the Company completed a $34 million master-planned expansion of Sunset Station. Sunset Station is distinguished from the Company's other properties by its interior and exterior Spanish/Mediterranean-style architecture. The facility features approximately 428,000 square feet of main facility area, plus a 20-story, 467-room hotel tower and approximately 5,700 parking spaces (including a 2,000-space multi-level parking structure). The complex includes an approximately 110,000-square foot casino, with approximately 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 49 gaming tables, a keno lounge, a poker room, a bingo parlor and a race and sports book. The complex also includes seven full-service restaurants, themed to capitalize on the restaurants at the Company's other properties, an entertainment lounge, additional bars, a microbrewery, a gift shop, a non-gaming video arcade, tenant lease space for additional restaurants, a high-quality 13-screen movie theater complex, a Kid's Quest child-care facility, an outdoor swimming pool and an amphitheater, as well as several fast-food outlets and franchises. Sunset Station's seven full-service restaurants have a total of over 2,100 seats featuring "live-action" cooking and simulated patio dining. These restaurant facilities offer a variety of high-quality food at reasonable prices, including the 24-hour Sunset Cafe (a 24-hour coffee shop), the Sonoma Cellar (a steakhouse), the Casa Del Sol (a seafood restaurant), the Capri (an Italian restaurant), Rosalitas (a Mexican restaurant), Sunset Brewing Company (a microbrewery) and The Feast Around the World, a live action buffet featuring Mexican, Italian, barbecue, American and Chinese cuisine. Guests may also take advantage of the Gaudi Bar, a centerpiece of the casino featuring over 8,000 square feet of stained-glass and a water light display. The facility also offers fast-food outlets including Fat Burger, Viva Salsa, and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. 5 Sunset Station is located on approximately 105 acres, of which only approximately 70 acres have been developed. The Company is currently evaluating potential development plans for the undeveloped property. Uses for the land could include a lifestyle entertainment retail center, as well as the development of several pads for various build-to-suit retail, restaurant and entertainment concepts. Timing and definitive plans have not yet been determined for such a development. MISSOURI CASINO PROPERTIES STATION CASINO KANSAS CITY Station Casino Kansas City opened in January 1997. This facility is a master-planned gaming and entertainment destination facility featuring a historic Missouri riverboat theme and is strategically located to attract customers from the greater Kansas City area, as well as tourists from outside the region. The facility is located on an approximately 171-acre site immediately east of the heavily traveled Interstate 435 bridge, seven miles east of downtown Kansas City. Station Casino Kansas City's marketing programs are specifically designed to effectively target and capture repeat customer demand from the local customer base and also emphasize the strong visitor and overnight markets. Management believes that Station Casino Kansas City has specific advantages relative to other riverboat facilities in the region and that it is the premier facility in the Kansas City market. The site is adjacent to the Interstate 435 bridge, which supports traffic flow of approximately 71,000 cars per day. Interstate 435 is a six-lane, north-south expressway offering quick and easy accessibility to the site, and also provides direct visibility of the site. The Station Casino Kansas City facility features two continuously docked gaming vessels situated in a man-made protective basin. The two gaming facilities feature approximately 140,000 square feet of gaming space that offers approximately 3,149 slot and video poker machines and 162 gaming tables and a poker room. The Company believes the Station Casino Kansas City facility offers the first Las Vegas-style gaming experience in the Midwest. The gaming facilities are docked adjacent to a land-based entertainment facility with approximately 526,000 square feet of main facility area which includes a 200-room hotel, six full-service restaurants, several fast-food outlets, 11 bars and lounges, a 1,400-seat Grand Pavillion featuring headline entertainment, a Kid's Quest child-care facility, a high-quality 18-screen movie theater complex, a 5,700-square foot non-gaming video arcade and midway operated by Sega GameWorks, a gift shop and parking for 5,000 vehicles. Station Casino Kansas City's restaurants offer a variety of high-quality food at reasonable prices. Restaurants include an all-you-can-eat live action buffet "Feast Around the World," featuring Italian, Mexican, Chinese, barbecue, and traditional American fare, Bugatti's Little Italy Cafe, featuring fine Italian cuisine and a wine bar with an extensive selection, Pancho Villa's Cantina, featuring southwestern foods, the Orleans Seafood Co. and Oyster Bar, featuring fresh Louisiana style seafood, and the Hafbrauhaus Brewery & Biergarten featuring a wide selection of micro-brewed lagers, an assortment of American and Bavarian cuisine and live entertainment. In addition, Station Casino Kansas City leases space to a well-known Kansas City favorite, Arthur Bryant's Barbeque. STATION CASINO ST. CHARLES Station Casino St. Charles opened in May 1994. Station Casino St. Charles is situated immediately north of the Interstate 70 bridge in St. Charles on approximately 52 acres owned by the Company. The Station Casino St. Charles complex is strategically located to attract customers from the St. Charles and greater St. Louis area, as well as tourists from outside the region. The site is adjacent to the Interstate 70 bridge. Interstate 70 is a 10-lane, east-west expressway offering quick and easy accessibility to and direct visibility of the Station Casino St. Charles site. Station Casino St. Charles currently features two gaming vessels, a 292-foot long by 74-feet wide gaming riverboat known as "The Station Casino Belle" and a floating two-story, 105,000-square foot gaming and entertainment facility. The two current gaming vessels have 47,000 square feet of gaming space with capacity for 4,000 gaming customers, as well as food and beverage and other related facilities. Station Casino St. Charles offers approximately 1,878 slot and video poker machines, 66 gaming tables and a poker room. Station Casino St. Charles features a 250-seat all-you-can-eat buffet known as "The Feast," as well as an 80-seat specialty steakhouse known as "The Broiler." In addition to the casinos and restaurants, the facility offers seven bars, a fast-food court, an entertainment lounge, a lobby, a ticketing facility and a gift shop. 6 In furtherance of the Station Casino St. Charles master plan, the Company completed construction of a new elevated roadway and a 4,000-space five-story parking structure in May 1996. The parking facility is constructed above the existing flood plain. The elevated roadway and parking structure provide improved access to the current and new gaming facilities and significantly diminish Station Casino St. Charles' susceptibility to closure during the spring flooding season. In the fall of 1996, the Company commenced an expansion project at Station Casino St. Charles which included the building of a backwater basin containing two new gaming vessels and a new retail and entertainment complex. Since March 31, 1998, construction on the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project has been halted. The Company currently believes the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project as originally contemplated fulfills a strategic need in the St. Louis, Missouri market. While the Company desires to complete and operate these new facilities, circumstances may arise in the future, including the lack of available financing, a downturn in the demand for gaming facilities or increased regulatory requirements unique to the state of Missouri and more attractive uses of available capital, which may prevent the expansion project from being completed as originally designed, if at all. In this event, certain costs incurred to date may be deemed to possess little or no value necessitating the recognition of an impairment loss in the period such a determination is made. The impairment loss could include substantially all of the amount invested in the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had invested approximately $169.0 million related to the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project. The Company does not anticipate that any major construction activity on the expansion project will resume in the near term. THE SOUTHWEST COMPANIES The Company provides slot route management services to numerous food and beverage establishments and commercial businesses in Southern Nevada through its subsidiary, Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. ("SGSI"). SGSI commenced its slot route business in southern Nevada in December 1990. Management combined its gaming experience with its route management abilities to capitalize on the rapidly expanding slot route business. SGSI has approximately 895 machines in service throughout southern Nevada. EXPANSION STRATEGY SELECTION CRITERIA Management believes that a highly visible central location, convenient access and ample parking are critical factors in attracting local patronage and repeat visitors. Additionally, sites must be large enough to support multi-phased master-planned growth. The Company selects sites that are centrally located within a dense population base so that the facility cannot be cutoff from its primary market. These sites generally have been adjacent to high-traffic surface streets and interstate highways. Management believes that each of its casino properties' locations has provided the Company with a significant competitive advantage to attract its targeted customer base. 7 MASTER-PLANNED DEVELOPMENT Management's expansion strategy includes the master-planned expansion of its existing and future gaming locations. In designing project sites, the Company plans and engineers for multi-phased facility expansion to accommodate future growth and to allow the Company to develop dominant properties in each market place. A project's master-planned design typically allows the option of adding hotel rooms, casino space and non-gaming entertainment such as movie theaters, additional restaurants, retail shops, and various other entertainment venues. EXPANSION, DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES The Company continually evaluates the timing and scope of its master-planned developments at each of its properties and may determine from time to time to expand the scope of, improve on or suspend the implementation of its master plans. These decisions are dependent upon the availability of financing, competition and future economic and gaming regulatory environments, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company also evaluates other development and acquisition opportunities in current and emerging gaming markets, including land-based, dockside, riverboat and Indian gaming opportunities. The Company's decision whether to proceed with any new gaming development or acquisition opportunity is dependent upon future economic and regulatory factors, the availability of financing and competitive and strategic considerations, many of which are beyond the Company's control. COMPETITION The gaming industry includes land-based casinos, dockside casinos, riverboat casinos, casinos located on Indian reservations and other forms of legalized gaming. There is intense competition among companies in the gaming industry, many of which have significantly greater resources than the Company. Certain states have recently legalized, and several other states are currently considering legalizing, casino gaming in designated areas. Legalized casino gaming in such states and on Indian reservations will provide strong competition to the Company and could adversely affect the Company's operations, particularly to the extent that such gaming is conducted in areas close to the Company's operations. Proposition 5, a California ballot initiative passed by voters in California on November 3, 1998, permits Indian tribes who enter into agreements with the State of California to conduct certain gaming activities including horse race wagering, gaming devices (including slot machines), banked card games and lotteries. Various opposition factions have challenged the implementation of Proposition 5 by filing an action in the Supreme Court of California. On December 2, 1998, the California Supreme Court granted a stay on the implementation of Proposition 5 pending consideration of arguments on constitutionality grounds. The California Supreme Court's decision is not expected until the summer of 1999. It is not certain when Proposition 5 will be effective or how it will affect the Company; however, because visitors from California make up Nevada's largest visitors market, if Proposition 5 is implemented, increased competition from Indian gaming may result in a decline in the Company's revenues and may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. The Las Vegas Casino Properties face competition from all other casinos and hotels in the Las Vegas area, including to some degree, from each other. Such competition includes at least nine hotel/casinos targeted primarily towards local residents and repeat visitors, as well as numerous non-hotel gaming facilities targeted towards local residents. The Company competes with other locals oriented hotel/casinos by focusing on repeat customers and attracting these customers through innovative marketing programs. The Company's value-oriented, high-quality approach is designed to generate repeat business. Additionally, the casino properties are strategically located and designed to permit convenient access and ample parking, which are critical factors in attracting local visitors and repeat patrons. Currently, there are approximately 30 major gaming properties located on or near the Las Vegas Strip, 14 located in the downtown area and several located in other areas of Las Vegas. In addition, four new hotel/casinos and three hotel/casino expansions are under construction or have been announced, which will add approximately 9,500 rooms to the Las Vegas area over approximately the next two years. Three of the new hotel/casinos are major resorts with a theme and an attraction which are expected to draw significant numbers of visitors. These new facilities could have a positive effect on the Las Vegas Casino Properties through increased local employment and if more visitors are drawn to Las Vegas. However, major additions, expansions or enhancements of existing properties or the construction of new properties by competitors, could also have a material adverse effect on the businesses of the Las Vegas Casino Properties. The additional capacity has had little, if 8 any, impact on the Las Vegas Casino Properties' hotel occupancy or casino volume to date, although there can be no assurance that hotel occupancy or casino volume will not be adversely affected in the future. The Las Vegas Casino Properties face more direct competition from nine hotel/casinos primarily targeted to the local and the repeat visitor markets. Some of these competitors have completed expansions and existing competitors and new entrants into these markets are in the planning stages or under construction on other projects. Other gaming operators own undeveloped properties on which they could develop gaming facilities in the immediate vicinity of Texas Station and Sunset Station. At least one operator is exploring development opportunities in the immediate vicinity of Sunset Station. In June 1999, The Resort at Summerlin Hotel and Casino ("Summerlin") is expected to open in northwest Las Vegas approximately 5 miles from Texas Station. Although not targeted at the local market, Summerlin will compete indirectly with Texas Station because of its close proximity to Texas Station. Although the Company has competed strongly in these marketplaces, there can be no assurance that additional capacity will not have a negative impact on the Company. The Missouri Gaming Commission has been empowered to determine the number of gaming licenses supportable by the region's economic situation. As of December 31, 1998, 37 applications for gaming licenses had been filed with the State of Missouri, including nine applications to operate in the St. Louis marketplace. Ten licensees are currently licensed in Missouri, in St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joseph and Caruthersville, Missouri. Station Casino St. Charles competes primarily with other gaming operations in and around St. Louis, Missouri. Currently, in addition to Station Casino St. Charles, there are five competitors operating in the St. Louis market. In particular, Station Casino St. Charles directly competes with two facilities located in Maryland Heights which opened in 1997. Such direct competition is due to the Maryland Heights facilities' size, quality and close proximity. The Company has experienced a decline in revenues at Station Casino St. Charles since the opening of the Maryland Heights facilities. The Company has taken steps that management believes will mitigate the effects of such competition and the decline in revenues has stabilized. However, in light of ever increasing competition, there can be no assurance as to the future performance of Station Casino St. Charles. Additionally, two of the five competitors operating in the St. Louis market are located in Illinois, which does not impose the $500 loss limit imposed in Missouri. Gaming also has been approved by local voters in jurisdictions near St. Louis, including St. Charles, Jefferson City and other cities and counties along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Any new gaming operations developed near St. Louis would likely provide significant competition to Station Casino St. Charles. Gaming laws in surrounding states and in other areas may be amended in ways that would increase the competition to Station Casino St. Charles. This increasing competition could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Recently, Davis Gaming was selected for investigation for licensure for a gaming operation which it intends to develop in Boonville, Missouri, a city in central Missouri near Jefferson City and Columbia, and Mark Twain Casino L.L.C. was selected for investigation for licensure for a gaming operation which it intends to develop in LaGrange, Missouri, a city in northeastern Missouri. Neither area is currently served by a Missouri gaming facility. The Davis Gaming Project has proceeded and has received preliminary site and development approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Mark Twain Casino Project has not progressed since the initial selection decision. Station Casino Kansas City competes primarily with other gaming operations in and around Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to Station Casino Kansas City, there are three other gaming facilities currently operating in the Kansas City market. Earlier entrants to the Kansas City market may have an advantage over the Company due to their ability to establish early market share. Gaming has been approved by local voters in jurisdictions near Kansas City, including St. Joseph (which currently has one riverboat gaming operation), Jefferson City and other cities and counties along the Missouri River. Since the opening of Station Casino Kansas City, Sam's Town, the closest gaming development to Station Casino St. Charles, closed and Boyd Gaming, the owner of Sam's Town, sold most of Sam's Town's assets to Harrah's, the operator of Harrah's-North Kansas City, the next closest gaming operator in the area. Any new gaming operations developed near Kansas City would likely provide significant competition to Station Casino Kansas City. Several companies are engaging in riverboat gaming in states neighboring Missouri. Illinois sites, including Alton, East St. Louis, and Metropolis, enjoy certain competitive advantages over Station Casino St. Charles because Illinois, unlike Missouri, does not impose limits on the size of losses and places fewer restrictions on the extension of credit to customers. In contrast, Missouri gaming law provides for a maximum loss of $500 per player on each cruise and prohibits the extension of credit (except credit cards and checks). Unlike Illinois gaming law, the Missouri gaming law places no 9 limits on the number of gaming positions allowed at each site. As of December 31, 1998, Illinois had approved a total of ten licenses; however, only nine licensees are operating riverboat gaming facilities. While riverboats currently are the only licensed form of casino-style gaming in Illinois and the number of licenses is restricted to ten, possible future competition may arise if gaming is legalized in or around Chicago, which was specifically excluded from the legislation permitting gaming in Illinois. The Company's Missouri gaming operations also compete to a lesser extent with the riverboat and floating gaming facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa and Indiana. Like Illinois, neither Mississippi nor Louisiana gaming legislation imposes limits on wagers or losses. Gaming laws in these states and in other areas may be amended in ways that would increase the competition to the Company's Missouri gaming operations. To a lesser extent, the Company's operations compete with gaming operations in other parts of the state of Nevada, such as Reno, Laughlin and Lake Tahoe, with facilities in Atlantic City, New Jersey and other parts of the world and with state-sponsored lotteries, on-and-off-track pari-mutuel wagering, card parlors and other forms of legalized gambling. REGULATION AND LICENSING NEVADA GAMING REGULATIONS The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities, the operation of gaming device routes and the manufacture and distribution of gaming devices in Nevada are subject to: (i) the Nevada Gaming Control Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the "Nevada Act"); and (ii) various local ordinances and regulations. The Company's gaming operations are subject to the licensing and regulatory control of the Nevada Gaming Commission ("Nevada Commission"), the Nevada State Gaming Control Board ("Nevada Board"), the City of Las Vegas, the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board (the "Clark County Board"), the City of North Las Vegas, the City of Henderson and certain other local regulatory agencies. The Nevada Commission, the Nevada Board, the City of Las Vegas, the Clark County Board, the City of North Las Vegas, the City of Henderson, and certain other local regulatory agencies are collectively referred to as the "Nevada Gaming Authorities." The laws, regulations and supervisory procedures of the Nevada Gaming Authorities are based upon declarations of public policy which are concerned with, among other things: (i) the prevention of unsavory or unsuitable persons from having a direct or indirect involvement with gaming at any time or in any capacity; (ii) the establishment and maintenance of responsible accounting practices and procedures; (iii) the maintenance of effective controls over the financial practices of licensees, including the establishment of minimum procedures for internal controls and the safeguarding of assets and revenues, providing reliable record keeping and requiring the filing of periodic reports with the Nevada Gaming Authorities; (iv) the prevention of cheating and fraudulent practices; and (v) providing a source of state and local revenues through taxation and licensing fees. Change in such laws, regulations and procedures could have an adverse effect on the Company's gaming operations. The Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries that conduct gaming operations in Nevada are required to be licensed by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. The gaming licenses require the periodic payment of fees and taxes and are not transferable. SGSI is licensed as a distributor and as an operator of a slot machine route. Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Inc. ("PSHC"), Boulder Station, Inc. ("BSI"), Texas Station, Inc. ("TSI"), Sunset Station, Inc. ("SSI"), and Tropicana Station, Inc. ("TRSI") have received licenses to conduct nonrestricted gaming operations. Town Center Amusements, Inc. ("TCAI") has been licensed to conduct nonrestricted gaming operations at Barley's Casino & Brewing Company ("Barley's Casino"), a micro brewery and casino located in Southeast Las Vegas. The Company's ownership in TCAI is held through an intermediary company known as Green Valley Station, Inc. ("GVSI") which is licensed as a member and Manager of TCAI. The Company is registered by the Nevada Commission as a publicly traded corporation (a "Registered Corporation") and has been found suitable to own the stock of PSHC, BSI, TSI, SSI, TRSI, GVSI, and SGSI. The Company is also licensed as a manufacturer and distributor. PSHC, BSI, TSI, SSI, TRSI, GVSI, and SGSI are each a corporate gaming licensee and TCAI is a limited liability company licensee (individually a "Gaming Subsidiary" and collectively the "Gaming Subsidiaries") under the terms of the Nevada Act. As a Registered Corporation, the Company is required periodically to submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Nevada Commission and the Nevada Board 10 and furnish any other information which the Nevada Commission or the Nevada Board may require. No person may become a stockholder or holder of an interest of, or receive any percentage of profits from the Gaming Subsidiaries without first obtaining licenses and approvals from the Nevada Gaming Authorities. The Company and the Gaming Subsidiaries have obtained from the Nevada Gaming Authorities the various registrations, findings of suitability, approvals, permits and licenses (individually, a "Gaming License" and collectively, the "Gaming Licenses") required in order to engage in gaming activities in Nevada. The Nevada Gaming Authorities may investigate any individual who has a material relationship to, or material involvement with, a Registered Corporation, such as the Company or the Gaming Subsidiaries, which hold a license, in order to determine whether such individual is suitable or should be licensed as a business associate of a Registered Corporation or a gaming licensee. Officers, directors and certain key employees of the Gaming Subsidiaries must file applications with the Nevada Gaming Authorities and may be required to be licensed or found suitable by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. Officers, directors and key employees of the Company who are actively and directly involved in gaming activities of the Gaming Subsidiaries may be required to be licensed or found suitable by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. The Nevada Gaming Authorities may deny an application for licensing for any cause which they deem reasonable. A finding of suitability is comparable to licensing, and both require submission of detailed personal and financial information followed by a thorough investigation. The applicant for licensing or a finding of suitability must pay all the costs of the investigation. Changes in licensed positions must be reported to the Nevada Gaming Authorities and in addition to their authority to deny an application for a finding of suitability or licensure, the Nevada Gaming Authorities have jurisdiction to disapprove a change in corporate position. If the Nevada Gaming Authorities were to find an officer, director or key employee unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue to have a relationship with the Company or the Gaming Subsidiaries, the companies involved would have to sever all relationships with such person. In addition, the Nevada Commission may require the Company or the Gaming Subsidiaries to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file the appropriate applications. Determinations of suitability or questions pertaining to licensing are not subject to judicial review in Nevada. The Company and the Gaming Subsidiaries are required to submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Nevada Commission. Substantially all material loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions by the Company and the Gaming Subsidiaries must be reported to or approved by the Nevada Commission and/or the Nevada Board. If it were determined that the Nevada Act was violated by a Gaming Subsidiary, the gaming licenses it holds could be limited, conditioned, suspended or revoked, subject to compliance with certain statutory and regulatory procedures. In addition, the Company, the Gaming Subsidiaries and the persons involved could be subject to substantial fines for each separate violation of the Nevada Act at the discretion of the Nevada Commission. Further, a supervisor could be appointed by the Nevada Commission to operate Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Wild Wild West and Barley's Casino and, under certain circumstances, earnings generated during the supervisor's appointment (except for the reasonable rental value of the premises) could be forfeited to the State of Nevada. Limitation, conditioning or suspension of the Gaming Licenses of the Gaming Subsidiaries or the appointment of a supervisor could (and revocation of any Gaming License would) materially adversely affect the Company's gaming operations. Any beneficial owner of the Company's voting securities, regardless of the number of shares owned, may be required to file an application, be investigated, and have their suitability as a beneficial owner of the Company's voting securities determined if the Nevada Commission has reason to believe that such ownership would otherwise be inconsistent with the declared policies of the state of Nevada. The applicant must pay all costs of investigation incurred by the Nevada Gaming Authorities in conducting any such investigation. The Nevada Act provides that persons who acquire beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the voting securities of a Registered Corporation must report the acquisition to the Nevada Commission. The Nevada Act also requires that beneficial owners of more than 10% of the voting securities of a Registered Corporation must apply to the Nevada Commission for a finding of suitability within thirty days after the Chairman of the Nevada Board mails the written notice requiring such filing. An "institutional investor," as defined in the Nevada Commission's regulations, which acquires beneficial ownership of more than 10%, but not more than 15% of the Company's voting securities may apply to the 11 Nevada Commission for a waiver of such finding of suitability if such institutional investor holds the voting securities for investment purposes only. An institutional investor shall not be deemed to hold voting securities for investment purposes unless the voting securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor and not for the purpose of causing, directly or indirectly, the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company, any change in the Company's corporate charter, bylaws, management policies or operations of the Company, or any of its gaming affiliates, or any other action which the Nevada Commission finds to be inconsistent with holding the Company's voting securities for investment purposes only. Activities which are not deemed to be inconsistent with holding voting securities for investment purposes only include: (i) voting on all matters voted on by stockholders; (ii) making financial and other inquiries of management of the type normally made by securities analysts for informational purposes and not to cause a change in its management, policies or operations; and (iii) such other activities as the Nevada Commission may determine to be consistent with such investment intent. If the beneficial holder of voting securities who must be found suitable is a corporation, partnership or trust, it must submit detailed business and financial information including a list of beneficial owners. The applicant is required to pay all costs of investigation. Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or a license within thirty days after being ordered to do so by the Nevada Commission or the Chairman of the Nevada Board, may be found unsuitable. The same restrictions apply to a record owner if the record owner, after request, fails to identify the beneficial owner. Any stockholder who is found unsuitable and who holds, directly or indirectly, any beneficial ownership of the common stock of a Registered Corporation beyond such period of time as may be prescribed by the Nevada Commission may be guilty of a criminal offense. The Company is subject to disciplinary action if, after it receives notice that a person is unsuitable to be a stockholder or to have any other relationship with the Company or the Gaming Subsidiaries, the Company (i) pays that person any dividend or interest upon voting securities of the Company, (ii) allows that person to exercise, directly or indirectly, any voting right conferred through securities held by that person, (iii) pay remuneration in any form to that person for services rendered or otherwise, or (iv) fails to pursue all lawful efforts to require such unsuitable person to relinquish his voting securities including, if necessary, the immediate purchase of said voting securities for cash at fair market value. Additionally, the Clark County Board has the authority to approve all persons owning or controlling the stock of any corporation controlling a gaming license. The Nevada Commission may, in its discretion, require the holder of any debt security of a Registered Corporation to file applications, be investigated and be found suitable to own the debt security of a Registered Corporation if the Nevada Commission has reason to believe that such ownership would otherwise be inconsistent with the declared policies of the State of Nevada. If the Nevada Commission determines that a person is unsuitable to own such security, then pursuant to the Nevada Act, the Registered Corporation can be sanctioned, including the loss of its approvals, if without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission, it: (i) pays to the unsuitable person any dividend, interest, or any distribution whatsoever; (ii) recognizes any voting right by such unsuitable person in connection with such securities; (iii) pays the unsuitable person remuneration in any form; or (iv) makes any payment to the unsuitable person by way of principal, redemption, conversion, exchange, liquidation or similar transaction. The Company is required to maintain a current stock ledger in Nevada which may be examined by the Nevada Gaming Authorities at any time. If any securities are held in trust by an agent or by a nominee, the record holder may be required to disclose the identity of the beneficial owner to the Nevada Gaming Authorities. A failure to make such disclosure may be grounds for finding the record holder unsuitable. The Company is also required to render maximum assistance in determining the identity of the beneficial owner. The Nevada Commission has the power to require the Company's stock certificates to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to the Nevada Act. However, to date, the Nevada Commission has not imposed such a requirement on the Company. The Company may not make a public offering of its securities without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission if the securities or proceeds therefrom are intended to be used to construct, acquire or finance gaming facilities in Nevada, or to retire or extend obligations incurred for such purposes. On May 22, 1997, the Nevada Commission granted the Company prior approval to make offerings under a Shelf Registration for a period of twenty-two months, subject to certain conditions ("Shelf Approval"). The Shelf Approval was amended and restated on June 23, 1998 to include TRSI and to be effective for 11 months. However, the Shelf Approval may be rescinded for good cause without prior notice upon the issuance of an interlocutory stop order by the Chairman of the Nevada Board and must be renewed at the end of the two year approval period. The Shelf Approval also applies to any affiliated company wholly-owned by the 12 Company (an "Affiliate") which is a publicly traded corporation or would thereby become a publicly traded corporation pursuant to a public offering. The Shelf Approval also includes approval for the Gaming Subsidiaries to guarantee any security issued by, or to hypothecate their assets to secure the payment or performance of any obligations issued by, the Company or an Affiliate in a public offering under the Shelf Approval. The Shelf Approval does not constitute a finding, recommendation or approval by the Nevada Commission or the Nevada Board as to the accuracy or adequacy of the prospectus or the investment merits of the securities offered. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful. Changes in control of the Company through merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisitions, management or consulting agreements, or any act or conduct by a person whereby such person obtains control, may not occur without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission. Entities seeking to acquire control of a Registered Corporation must satisfy the Nevada Board and the Nevada Commission that they meet a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control of such Registered Corporation. The Nevada Commission may also require controlling stockholders, officers, directors and other persons having a material relationship or involvement with the entity proposing to acquire control, to be investigated and licensed as part of the approval process relating to the transaction. The Nevada legislature has declared that some corporate acquisitions opposed by management, repurchases of voting securities and corporate defense tactics affecting Nevada corporate gaming licensees, and Registered Corporations that are affiliated with those operations, may be injurious to stable and productive corporate gaming. The Nevada Commission has established a regulatory scheme to ameliorate the potentially adverse effects of these business practices upon Nevada's gaming industry and to further Nevada's policy to: (i) assure the financial stability of corporate gaming licensees and their affiliates; (ii) preserve the beneficial aspects of conducting business in the corporate form; and (iii) promote a neutral environment for the orderly governance of corporate affairs. Approvals are, in certain circumstances, required from the Nevada Commission before a Registered Corporation can make exceptional repurchases of voting securities above the current market price thereof and before a corporate acquisition opposed by management can be consummated. The Nevada Act also requires prior approval of a plan of recapitalization proposed by the Registered Corporation's Board of Directors in response to a tender offer made directly to the Registered Corporation's stockholders for the purpose of acquiring control of the Registered Corporation. License fees and taxes, computed in various ways depending on the type of gaming or activity involved, are payable to the State of Nevada and to the counties and cities in which the Nevada licensee's respective operations are conducted. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable either monthly, quarterly or annually and are based upon either: (i) a percentage of the gross revenues received; (ii) the number of gaming devices operated; or (iii) the number of table games operated. A casino entertainment tax is also paid by casino operations where entertainment is furnished in connection with the serving or selling of food or refreshments or the selling of any merchandise. Nevada licensees that hold a license as an operator of a slot route, or manufacturer's or distributor's license also pay certain fees and taxes to the state of Nevada. Any person who is licensed, required to be licensed, registered, required to be registered, or is under common control with such persons (collectively, "Licensees"), and who proposes to become involved in a gaming venture outside of Nevada, is required to deposit with the Nevada Board, and thereafter maintain, a revolving fund in the amount of $10,000 to pay the expenses of investigation by the Nevada Board of their participation in such foreign gaming. The revolving fund is subject to increase or decrease in the discretion of the Nevada Commission. Thereafter, licensees are required to comply with certain reporting requirements imposed by the Nevada Act. Licensees are also subject to disciplinary action by the Nevada Commission if they knowingly violate any laws of the foreign jurisdiction pertaining to the foreign gaming operation, fail to conduct the foreign gaming operation in accordance with the standards of honesty and integrity required of Nevada gaming operations, engage in activities or enter into associations that are harmful to the state of Nevada or its ability to collect gaming taxes and fees, or employ, contract with or associate with a person in the foreign operation who has been denied a license or finding of suitability in Nevada on the grounds of personal unsuitability or whom a court in the state of Nevada has found guilty of cheating. The loss or restriction of the Company's gaming licenses in Nevada would have a material adverse effect on its business and could require the Company to cease gaming operations in Nevada. 13 NEVADA LIQUOR REGULATIONS The sale of alcoholic beverages at Palace Station is subject to licensing, control and regulation by the City of Las Vegas. The sale of alcoholic beverages at Boulder Station and Wild Wild West is subject to licensing control and regulation by the Clark County Board. Texas Station is subject to licensing control and regulation of the City of North Las Vegas. Sunset Station and Barley's Casino are subject to the licensing control and regulation of the City of Henderson and the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. All licenses are revocable and are not transferable. The agencies involved have full power to limit, condition, suspend or revoke any such license, and any such disciplinary action could (and revocation would) have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Gaming Subsidiaries. MISSOURI GAMING REGULATIONS Gaming was originally authorized in the State of Missouri and the City of St. Charles on November 3, 1992, by referendum, although no governmental action was taken to enforce or implement the original law. On April 29, 1993, Missouri enacted the Missouri Gaming Law which replaced the original law and established the Missouri Gaming Commission, which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of riverboat gaming in Missouri. The Missouri Gaming Commission has discretion to approve gaming license applications for both permanently moored ("dockside") riverboat casinos and powered ("excursion") riverboat casinos. On September 20, 1993, the Company filed its initial application with the Missouri Gaming Commission for either a dockside or a cruising gaming license in St. Charles, Missouri, which license was issued on May 27, 1994, thereby making the Company one of the first two entrants in the Missouri riverboat gaming market. Opponents of gaming in Missouri have brought several legal challenges to gaming in the past and may possibly bring similar challenges in the future. There can be no assurances that any future challenges, if brought, would not further interfere with full-scale gaming operations in Missouri, including the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. On January 25, 1994, as a result of a cause of action brought by anti-gaming interests, the Missouri Supreme Court held that games of chance, including certain games authorized under the Missouri Gaming Law such as bingo and keno, constitute "lotteries" and were therefore prohibited under the Missouri Constitution. A statewide election on April 5, 1994, failed to adopt a constitutional amendment that would have exempted excursion boats and floating facilities from such constitutional prohibition on lotteries. Therefore, in May 1994, the Company commenced operations only with those games which involve some element of skill ("limited gaming"), such as poker and blackjack, that would be constitutionally permissible. The authorization of both games of skill and games of chance ("full-scale gaming") occurred on November 8, 1994 with passage by Missouri voters of a constitutional amendment virtually identical to the measure which was defeated on April 5, 1994. Full-scale gaming became effective on December 9, 1994, and by the end of December 1994, the Company was conducting full-scale gaming on both its excursion and dockside casinos in St. Charles, Missouri. On January 16, 1997, the Missouri Gaming Commission granted Station Casino Kansas City a Class A Excursion Gambling Boat license to own and operate the River King and River Queen floating gaming facilities. On November 25, 1997, the Supreme Court ruled, in a case again brought by anti-gaming interests involving certain operators who compete with Station Casino St. Charles in Maryland Heights, Missouri, that gaming may occur only in artificial spaces that are contiguous to the surface stream of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. On November 3, 1998, the citizens of the State of Missouri approved a Constitutional amendment which was proposed by initiative petition, that retroactively legalized lotteries, gift enterprises and games of chance aboard excursion gambling boats and floating facilities located within artificial spaces containing water that are within 1,000 feet of the closest edge of the main channel of the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers. This amendment to the Constitution was certified on November 23, 1998. Under the Missouri Gaming Law, the ownership and operation of riverboat gaming facilities in Missouri are subject to extensive state and local regulation. By virtue of its gaming license in Missouri, the Company, any subsidiaries it has or it may form and certain of its officers and employees are subject to the Missouri Gaming Law and the regulations of the Missouri Gaming Commission. 14 As part of the application and licensing process for a gaming license, the applicant must submit detailed financial, operating and other reports to the Missouri Gaming Commission. Each applicant has an ongoing duty to update the information provided to the Missouri Gaming Commission in the application. In addition to the information required of the applicant, directors, officers and other key persons must submit Personal Disclosure Forms which include detailed personal financial information and are subject to thorough investigations. All gaming employees must obtain an occupational license issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Operators' licenses are issued through application to the Missouri Gaming Commission, which requires, among other things, (a) investigations into an applicant's character, financial responsibility and experience qualifications and (b) that applicants furnish (i) an affirmative action plan for the hiring and training of minorities and women and (ii) an economic development or impact report. License fees are a minimum of $50,000 for the initial application and $25,000 annually thereafter. The Missouri Gaming Commission may revoke or suspend gaming licenses and impose other penalties for violation of the Missouri Gaming Law and the rules and regulations which may be promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, forfeiture of all gaming equipment used for improper gaming and fines of up to three times an operator's highest daily amount of gross receipts from wagering on the gambling games conducted during the preceding twelve months. No gaming licensee or occupational licensee may pledge, hypothecate or transfer in any way any license, or any interest in a license, issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission. An ownership interest in a gaming licensee that is not a publicly held entity or a holding company that is not a publicly held entity may not be pledged or hypothecated in any way to, or otherwise be subject to any type of security interest held by, any entity or person other than a regulated bank or saving and loan association without prior approval of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Missouri Gaming Commission regulations prohibit a licensee from consummating any of the following transactions without at least 60 days' prior notice to the Missouri Gaming Commission, and during such period, the Missouri Gaming Commission may disapprove the transaction or require the transaction be delayed pending further investigation; (i) any transfer or issuance of an ownership interest in a gaming licensee that is not a publicly held entity or a holding company that is not a publicly held entity; and (ii) any pledge or hypothecation or grant of any type of security interest in an ownership interest in a gaming licensee that is not a publicly held entity or a holding company that is not a publicly held entity to a regulated bank or saving and loan association; provided that no ownership interest may be transferred in any way pursuant to any pledge, hypothecation or security interest without separate notice to the Missouri Gaming Commission at least thirty days prior to such transfer, which restriction must be specifically included in the grant of pledge, hypothecation or security interest. Missouri Gaming Commission regulations require a licensee to notify the Missouri Gaming Commission of its intention to consummate any of the following transactions at least fifteen days prior to such consummation, and the Missouri Gaming Commission may reopen the licensing hearing prior to or following the consummation date to consider the effect of the transaction on the licensee's suitability; (i) any issuance of ownership interest in a publicly held gaming licensee or a publicly held holding company, if such issuance would involve, directly or indirectly, an amount of ownership interest equaling five percent or greater of the ownership interest in the gaming licensee or holding company after the issuance is complete; (ii) any private incurrence of debt equal to or exceeding one million dollars by a gaming licensee or holding company that is affiliated with the holder of a license; (iii) any public issuance of debt by a gaming licensee or holding company that is affiliated with the holder of a license; and (iv) any significant related party transaction as defined in the regulations. The Missouri Gaming Law imposes operational requirements on riverboat operators, including a charge of two dollars per gaming customer that licensees must pay to the Missouri Gaming Commission, certain minimum payout requirements, a 20% tax on adjusted gross receipts, prohibitions against providing credit to gaming customers (except for the use of credit cards and cashing checks) and a requirement that each licensee reimburse the Missouri Gaming Commission for all costs of any Missouri Gaming Commission staff necessary to protect the public on the licensee's riverboat. Licensees must also submit audited quarterly financial reports to the Commission and pay the associated auditing fees. Other areas of operation which are subject to regulation under Missouri rules are the size, denomination and handling of chips and tokens; the surveillance methods and computer monitoring of electronic games; accounting and audit methods and procedures; and approval of an extensive internal control system. The Missouri rules also require that all of an operator's purchases of chips, tokens, dice, playing cards and electronic gaming devices must be acquired from suppliers licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Missouri Gaming Law provides for a loss limit of $500 per person per excursion and requires licensees to maintain scheduled excursions with boarding and disembarking times regardless of whether the riverboat cruises. Although the Missouri Gaming Law provides no limit on the amount of 15 riverboat space that may be used for gaming, the Missouri Gaming Commission is empowered to impose such space limitations through the adoption of rules and regulations. Additionally, United States Coast Guard safety regulations could affect the amount of riverboat space that may be devoted to gaming. The Missouri Gaming Law also includes requirements as to the form of riverboats, which must resemble Missouri's riverboat history to the extent practicable and include certain non-gaming amenities. All ten licensees currently operating riverboat gaming operations in Missouri are authorized to conduct all or a portion of their operations on a dockside basis. With respect to the availability of dockside gaming, which may be more profitable than excursion gaming, the Missouri Gaming Commission is empowered to determine on a site-by-site basis where such gaming is appropriate and shall be permitted. On December 27, 1994, Station Casino St. Charles was granted a dockside gaming license for its floating gaming facility by the Missouri Gaming Commission. On April 16, 1996, Station Casino St. Charles, subsequently received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to conduct its operations on its excursion gaming riverboat on a continuously docked basis. The U.S. Coast Guard has recommended to the Missouri Gaming Commission that all gaming vessels on the Missouri River be required to remain dockside because certain characteristics of the Missouri River, including turbulence, lack of emergency response infrastructure and potential congestion, create substantially elevated risks for the operation of large capacity passenger vessels. Dockside gaming in Missouri may differ from dockside gaming in other states, such as Mississippi, because the Missouri Gaming Commission has the ability to require "simulated cruising." This requirement permits customers to board dockside riverboats only at specific times and prohibits boarding during a certain portion of each simulated cruise, which are required to be a minimum of two hours and a maximum of four hours. Dockside gaming in Missouri may not be as profitable as dockside gaming in other states, that allow for continuous customer ingress and egress. GENERAL GAMING REGULATIONS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS If the Company becomes involved in gaming operations in any other jurisdictions, such gaming operations will subject the Company and certain of its officers, directors, key employees, stockholders and other affiliates ("Regulated Persons") to strict legal and regulatory requirements, including mandatory licensing and approval requirements, suitability requirements, and ongoing regulatory oversight with respect to such gaming operations. Such legal and regulatory requirements and oversight will be administered and exercised by the relevant regulatory agency or agencies in each jurisdiction (the "Regulatory Authorities"). The Company and the Regulated Persons will need to satisfy the licensing, approval and suitability requirements of each jurisdiction in which the Company seeks to become involved in gaming operations. These requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners and managers of gaming operations as well as persons financially interested or involved in gaming operations. In general, the procedures for gaming licensing, approval and finding of suitability require the Company and each Regulated Person to submit detailed personal history information and financial information to demonstrate that the proposed gaming operation has adequate financial resources generated from suitable sources and adequate procedures to comply with the operating controls and requirements imposed by law and regulation in each jurisdiction, followed by a thorough investigation by such Regulatory Authorities. In general, the Company and each Regulated Person must pay the costs of such investigation. An application for any gaming license, approval or finding of suitability may be denied for any cause that the Regulatory Authorities deem reasonable. Once obtained, licenses and approvals may be subject to periodic renewal and generally are not transferable. The Regulatory Authorities may at any time revoke, suspend, condition, limit or restrict a license, approval or finding of suitability for any cause they deem reasonable. Fines for violations may be levied against the holder of a license or approval and in certain jurisdictions, gaming operation revenues can be forfeited to the state under certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the Company will obtain all of the necessary licenses, approvals and findings of suitability or that its officers, directors, key employees, other affiliates and certain other stockholders will satisfy the suitability requirements in one or more jurisdictions, or that such licenses, approvals and findings of suitability, if obtained, will not be revoked, limited, suspended or not renewed in the future. Failure by the Company to obtain, or the loss or suspension of, any necessary licenses, approval or findings of suitability would prevent the Company from conducting gaming operations in such jurisdiction and possibly in other jurisdictions. The Company may be required to submit detailed financial and operating reports to Regulatory Authorities. 16 The laws, regulations and procedures pertaining to gaming are subject to the interpretation of the Regulatory Authorities and may be amended. Any changes in such laws, regulations, or their interpretations could have a material adverse effect on the Company. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 10,829 employees. From time to time, certain employees of the Company are contacted by unions and the Company engages in discussions with such employees regarding establishment of collective bargaining agreements. In 1998, approximately 12 of the Company's employees in the receiving area of Palace Station voted to become unionized. While the Company is from time to time faced with such movements by employees, the Company does not believe that such movements will have any broad-based impact on its employees; however there can be no assurances to that effect. Management believes that it has good relationships with its employees. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Palace Station is situated on approximately 39 acres located on the west side of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company owns 26 acres and leases the remaining 13 acres pursuant to five long-term ground leases with unaffiliated third parties. The property is subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. Boulder Station is situated on approximately 46 acres located on the east side of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company owns 19 acres and leases the remaining 27 acres from a trust pursuant to a long-term ground lease. The trustee of such trust is Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association ("Bank of America NT&SA") and the beneficiary of which is KB Enterprises, an affiliated company owned by Frank J. Fertitta, Jr. and Victoria K. Fertitta (the "Related Lessor"), the parents of Frank J. Fertitta III, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The lease has a maximum term of 65 years, ending in June 2058. The lease provides for monthly payments of $135,525 through June 2008. In July 2008, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted by a cost of living factor. In July 2003, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted to the product of the fair market value of the land and the greater of (i) the then prevailing annual rate of return for comparably situated property or (ii) 8% per year. In no event will the rent for any period be less than the immediately preceding period. Pursuant to the ground lease, the Company has an option, exercisable at five-year intervals beginning in June 1998, to purchase the land at fair market value. The Company did not exercise its June 1998 option. The Company believes that the terms of the ground lease are as fair to the Company as could be obtained from an independent third party. The Company's leasehold interest in the property and the acreage it owns directly are subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. Texas Station is situated on approximately 47 acres located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company leases the property from a trust pursuant to a long-term ground lease. The trustee of such trust is Bank of America NT&SA and the beneficiary of which is Texas Gambling Hall & Hotel, Inc., an affiliate company of the Related Lessor. The lease has a maximum term of 65 years, ending in July 2060. The lease provides for monthly rental payments of $150,000 through June 2000. In July 2000, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted to the product of the fair market value of the land and the greater of (i) the then prevailing annual rate of return being realized for owners of comparable land in Clark County or (ii) 8% per year. The rent will be further adjusted by a cost of living factor after the first ten years and every ten years thereafter. In no event will the rent for any period be less than the immediately preceding period. Pursuant to the ground lease, the Company has an option, exercisable at five-year intervals beginning in May 2000, to purchase the land at fair market value. Pursuant to the ground lease, the lessor will have a right to put the land to the Company, exercisable no later than one year after the first to occur of (a) a change of control (as defined in the lease), or (b) delivery of written notice that such a change of control is anticipated, at a purchase price equal to fair market value as determined by negotiation. The Company believes that the terms of the ground lease are as fair to the Company as could be obtained from an independent third party. The Company's leasehold interest in the property is subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. Station Casino St. Charles is situated on approximately 52 acres located immediately north of Interstate 70 on the edge of the Missouri River in St. Charles, Missouri. The Company owns the entire 52 acres. The Company's ownership interest in the St. Charles property is subject to liens to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. 17 Station Casino Kansas City is situated on approximately 171 acres in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company entered into a joint venture with an unaffiliated third party to acquire the property. Station Casino Kansas City leases the site from the joint venture with monthly payments of $91,800 through the remainder of the lease term. The lease term was extended to March 31, 2006, with the option to extend the lease for up to eight renewal periods of ten years each plus one additional period of seven years. Commencing April 1, 1998, the rent was, and every anniversary thereafter the rent will be, adjusted by a cost of living factor. In connection with the joint venture agreement, the Company received an option that provided for the right to acquire the joint venture partners interest in this joint venture. The Company has the option to purchase this interest at any time after April 1, 2002 through April 1, 2011 for $11.7 million, however, the purchase price will be adjusted by a cost of living factor of not more than 5% or less than 2% per annum commencing April 1, 1998. The Company paid $2.6 million for this option. The Company's leasehold interest in the property is subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility, and under certain circumstances the Amended Bank Facility permits the lenders to force the exercise of such option. Sunset Station is situated on approximately 105 acres located in the Green Valley/Henderson area of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company leases approximately 48 acres pursuant to a long-term ground lease with an unaffiliated third party. The lease was entered into in June 1994, and has a term of 65 years with monthly rental payments of $120,000, adjusted on each subsequent five-year anniversary by a cost of living factor. On the seventh anniversary date of the lease, the Company has the option to purchase the land for $23.8 million. The lessor also has an option to sell the land to the Company for $21.8 million on the seventh anniversary of the lease. Of the remaining land, approximately 52 acres were purchased by the Company in September 1995, for approximately $11.0 million. The Company has acquired or leased several parcels of land in various jurisdictions as part of the Company's development activities. Included in land for held development at December 31, 1998 is approximately $17.0 million related to land which had been acquired for potential gaming projects in jurisdictions where gaming has been approved. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various lawsuits relating to routine matters incidental to their business. As with all litigation, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of the following matters and litigation inherently involves significant costs. CRESCENT CASE On January 16, 1998, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the "Merger Agreement") with Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, a Texas real estate investment trust ("Crescent"). The Merger Agreement provided for the merger (the "Merger") of the Company and Crescent at the time of effectiveness of the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement. On July 27, 1998, the Company and Crescent announced the postponement of the previously announced annual and special meeting of stockholders of the Company, originally scheduled to be held August 4, 1998, in order to address concerns expressed by holders of the Company's preferred stock. Although Crescent issued its own press release announcing the postponement of the meeting, Crescent has advised the Company that Crescent takes the position that postponing the meeting was a breach of the Merger Agreement. On July 28, 1998, the Company requested that Crescent purchase $20 million of the Company's Redeemable Preferred Stock issuable under the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Crescent is required to fund up to $115 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock, even in the event of termination of the Merger Agreement, so long as the Company is not in material breach of its covenants, representations or warranties. On July 30, 1998, the Company filed suit against Crescent in Clark County District Court, State of Nevada, seeking declaratory relief. The suit asserts, among other things, that postponement of the meeting did not breach the Merger Agreement, that the Company had received Crescent's consent to postponement of the meeting and was otherwise in full compliance with its obligations under the Merger Agreement. On August 7, 1998, Crescent filed suit against the Company in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, seeking damages and declaratory relief. The suit alleges that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by 18 canceling and failing to reschedule the August 4, 1998 stockholders meeting. The suit seeks a declaratory judgment that the Company's actions with respect to the meeting, together with certain alleged misrepresentations in the Merger Agreement relating to the tax qualification of compensation allegedly issued pursuant to the Company's stock plans, relieve Crescent of its obligation under the Merger Agreement to purchase an aggregate $115 million of the Redeemable Preferred Stock. For the same reasons, Crescent alleged that it was excused from further performance under the Merger Agreement. Crescent did not specify the amount of damages it sought. Simultaneously with the filing of its suit, Crescent sent notice of termination of the Merger Agreement to the Company. The Company believes that Crescent, and not the Company, breached the Merger Agreement. On August 11, 1998, the Company requested that Crescent purchase the additional $95 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock. Also on August 11, 1998, the Company amended its complaint in Nevada state court to include claims regarding Crescent's breaches of the Merger Agreement. The Company's lawsuit against Crescent seeks significant damages for Crescent's breaches and specific performance requiring Crescent to fulfill its obligation under the Merger Agreement to purchase $115 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock. On August 12, 1998, Crescent announced that it intended to assert a claim for damages for the $54 million break-up fee under the Merger Agreement or its equivalent and for expenses. Any payment by the Company of such fee would require consent of the lenders under the Amended Bank Facility. On December 15, 1998, Crescent's suit against the Company pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. On December 21, 1998, Crescent served the Company with a notice of appeal of the dismissal. On February 10, 1999, Crescent filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit seeking to reverse the District Court's judgement dismissing the Texas complaint. On March 29, 1999, the Company filed an opposition brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking the affirmance of the District Court's judgement. On December 22, 1998, Crescent filed its answer and counterclaims to the Company's suit pending in the Nevada state court. The answer generally denied the Company's claims, and the counterclaims sought damages and declaratory relief alleging that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by canceling and failing to reschedule the stockholders meeting. The suit sought a declaratory judgment that the Company's actions with respect to the meeting, together with certain alleged misrepresentations in the Merger Agreement, relieve Crescent of its obligation under the Merger Agreement to fund up to $115 million of the Redeemable Preferred Stock. Crescent alleged that it was excused from further performance under the Merger Agreement. Crescent did not specify the amount of damages it sought. On January 11, 1999, the Company filed its reply to Crescent's counterclaims in which the Company denied the allegations of Crescent's counterclaims. Discovery is ongoing in this action. While the Company believes that Crescent has breached the Merger Agreement and that Crescent's allegations are without merit, as with any litigation, no assurance as to the outcome of such litigation can be made at this time. In the event that the Company is required to pay the $54 million break-up fee, that payment would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. In addition, any litigation inherently involves significant costs of conducting the litigation. CLASS ACTION/DERIVATIVE ACTION A suit seeking status as a class action and a derivative action was filed by plaintiff, Crandon Capital Partners, as class representative, on August 7, 1998, in Clark County District Court, State of Nevada, naming the Company and its Board of Directors as defendants. The lawsuit, which was filed as a result of the failed merger between the Company and Crescent, alleges, among other things, a breach of fiduciary duty owed to the shareholders/class members. The lawsuit seeks damages allegedly suffered by the shareholders/class members as a result of the transactions with Crescent, as well as all costs and disbursements of the lawsuit. Although no assurance can be provided with respect to any litigation, the Company and the Board of Directors do not believe the suit has merit and intend to defend themselves vigorously. LOW WATER LEVEL AT STATION CASINO ST. CHARLES; EPA INVESTIGATION During December 1998 and January 1999, the water level of the Missouri River was well below normal. In addition, over time silt and debris flowing downstream have built up under the gaming barges and other ancillary barges at Station Casino St. Charles. These circumstances have caused a portion of these barges, at times, to touch the river bottom. Because these barges have touched the river bottom, the American Bureau of Shipping decertified the barges on January 8, 1999. As a result of the decertification, the Missouri Gaming Commission expressed concern regarding the 19 effect of the low water level on the barges. However, based upon recent improvement in the water level and the Company's agreement to work with American Bureau of Shipping to re-certify all of the barges at a time when the river levels permit, the Missouri Gaming Commission has allowed the gaming facility to remain open. The Company continues to monitor the situation very carefully and believes that the facility should remain in operation. However, there can be no assurance that the Company's assessment will not change or that the relevant authorities will continue to permit the operation of the facility. A prolonged closure of the facility as a result of the low water level would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position and results of operations. The Company has taken steps and intends to take further steps to remedy the problems caused by the low water level. These further steps include dredging material from under the barges and constructing a sheet metal wall to divert silt and debris and keep it from building up under the barges. The Company does not expect the cost of these remedial activities to be material, although there can be no assurance that such costs will not exceed the Company's expectations. Dredging and construction activities generally require permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Company is currently in the process of applying for the required permits. There can be no assurance that the United States Army Corps of Engineers will grant such permits or that they will be granted on a timely basis. If there is a significant delay in the Company receiving the required permits and the low water level returns, the Company could be forced to close the facility. The Company's ability to receive the required permits could be adversely affected by the investigation described below. On February 3, 1999, the Company received a subpoena issued by the EPA requesting that documentation relating to the Company's dredging activities at the facility be furnished to the Grand Jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Several employees and persons who contracted to work for the Company received similar subpoenas. The Company believes that the EPA is investigating allegations that the Company or the Company's contractors dredged and disposed of silt and debris from the area of the facility either without proper permits or without complying with such permits. The Company is in the process of investigating the substance of the allegations and intends to cooperate fully with the EPA's investigation. The investigation could lead to further proceedings against the Company which could result in significant fines and other penalties imposed on the Company. Based on the initial results of the Company's own investigation, the Company believes that any fines or other penalties, if imposed, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position or results of operations. POULOS/AHEARN CASE A suit seeking status as a class action lawsuit was filed by plaintiff, William H. Poulos, et al., as class representative, on April 26, 1994, in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, naming 41 manufacturers, distributors and casino operators of video poker and electronic slot machines, including the Company. On May 10, 1994, a lawsuit alleging substantially identical claims was filed by another plaintiff, William Ahearn, et al., as class representative, in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, against 48 manufacturers, distributors and casino operators of video poker and electronic slot machines, including the Company and most of the other major hotel/casino companies. The lawsuits allege that the defendants have engaged in a course of fraudulent and misleading conduct intended to induce persons to play such games based on a false belief concerning how the gaming machines operate, as well as the extent to which there is an opportunity to win. The two lawsuits have been consolidated into a single action, and have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. On September 26, 1995, a lawsuit alleging substantially identical claims was filed by plaintiff, Larry Schreier, et. al, as class representative, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, naming 45 manufacturers, distributors, and casino operators of video poker and electronic slot machines, including the Company. Motions to dismiss the Poulos/Ahearn and Schreier cases were filed by defendants. On April 17, 1996, the Poulos/Ahearn lawsuits were dismissed, but plaintiffs were given leave to file Amended Complaints on or before May 31, 1996. On May 31, 1996, an Amended Complaint was filed, naming William H. Poulos, et. al, as plaintiff. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On August 15, 1996, the Schreier lawsuit was dismissed with leave to amend. On September 27, 1996, Schreier filed an Amended Complaint. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Amended Complaint. In December 1996, the Court consolidated the Poulos/Ahearn, the Schreier, and a third case not involving the Company and ordered all pending motions be deemed withdrawn without prejudice, including Defendants' Motions to Dismiss the Amended Complaints. The plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint on February 13, 1997. On or about December 19, 1997, the Court issued formal opinions granting in part and denying in part the defendants' motion to dismiss. In so doing, the Court ordered plaintiffs to file an amended complaint in accordance with the Court's orders in 20 January of 1998. Accordingly, plaintiffs amended their complaint and filed it with the United Stated District Court for the District of Nevada in February 1998. The Company and all other defendants continue to deny the allegations contained in the amended complaint filed on behalf of plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, special, consequential, incidental, and punitive damages in unspecified amounts. The defendants have committed to vigorously defend all claims and allegations contained in the consolidated action. The parties have fully briefed the issues regarding class certification, which are currently pending before the court. The discovery stay remains in effect pending resolution of these issues. The Company does not expect that the lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. NICOLE ANDERSON CASE A suit seeking status as a class action lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Nicole Anderson, et. al., as class representative, on September 24, 1997, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division. The lawsuit alleges certain racially based discriminatory action at Station Casino St. Charles and seeks injunctive relief and compensatory, special, consequential, incidental and punitive damages in unspecified amounts. On or about October 24, 1997, plaintiff filed her first amended complaint. On November 24, 1997, the Company filed its answer to plaintiff's first amended complaint which denied the allegations contained therein. The Company does not believe the suit has merit and intends to continue defending itself vigorously. On August 25, 1998, a hearing was held to determine whether this lawsuit could be certified as a class action. The Court conditionally certified a subclass of dealers in the table game department; the other plaintiffs may proceed individually with their claims. Discovery in all these cases has begun, but as yet no trial date has been set. MISSOURI REFERENDUM On January 16, 1997, the Company's gaming license in Kansas City was formally issued for its facility, which is located in a man-made basin filled with water piped in from the surface of the Missouri River. In reliance on numerous approvals from the Missouri Gaming Commission specific to the configuration and granted prior to the formal issuance of its gaming license, the Company built and opened the Station Casino Kansas City facility. The license issued to the Company and the resolutions related thereto specifically acknowledge that the Missouri Gaming Commission had reviewed and approved this configuration. On November 25, 1997, the Supreme Court of Missouri, in a case challenging the gaming licenses of certain competitors of Station Casino St. Charles located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, ruled that gaming may occur only in artificial spaces that are contiguous to the surface stream of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. On November 3, 1998, the citizens of the State of Missouri approved a Constitutional amendment which was proposed by initiative petition, that retroactively legalized lotteries, gift enterprises and games of chance aboard excursion gambling boats and floating facilities, like the Company's, that are located within artificial spaces containing water that are within 1,000 feet of the closest edge of the main channel of the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers. This amendment to the Constitution became effective on November 23, 1998. The Missouri Gaming Commission has stayed its preliminary orders of disciplinary action against licensees that operate within artificial basins, and has dismissed the preliminary orders for disciplinary action with respect to all applicable licensees except Station Casino Kansas City. The Missouri Gaming Commission has not dismissed the disciplinary proceeding against Station Casino Kansas City because it is investigating an alleged violation by Station Casino Kansas City that is related to the placement of the Company's gaming facilities in an artificial basin. While the Company anticipates that the disciplinary action with respect to Station Casino Kansas City will be dismissed, the Company cannot be sure that the Missouri Gaming Commission will take such action or that the Missouri Gaming Commission will not impose a fine or other penalty against the Company in connection with such dismissal. Numerous active organizations oppose gaming in Missouri and may in the future take action to cause gaming operations in Missouri to be restricted or prohibited. 21 STEPHEN B. SMALL CASE A class action lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Stephen B. Small, et al., as class representative, on November 28, 1997, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, naming four gaming operators in Kansas City, Missouri, including Kansas City Station Corporation. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants are conducting gaming operations that are not located on the Missouri River in violation of certain state and federal statutes. The plaintiff also sought compensatory, special, consequential, and incidental damages in unspecified amounts. On September 1, 1998, the United States District Court granted Kansas City Station Corporation's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. On February 16, 1999, the plaintiff served the defendants with a notice of appeal of the federal court dismissal. On October 30, 1998, the plaintiff filed a similar lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cole County, Missouri. The lawsuit alleged that the operators were conducting illegal games of chance prior to December 3, 1998, the effective date of a Constitutional amendment passed by Missouri voters on November 3, 1998, legalizing gaming facilities within 1,000 feet of the main channel of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. On February 9, 1999, the Cole County Circuit Court granted Kansas City Station Corporation's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. On February 19, 1999, the plaintiff served the defendants with a notice of appeal of the state court dismissal. Management believes that the plaintiff's claims are without merit and does not expect that the lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. CANFORA CASE In June 1997, Joseph J. Canfora, a former employee of the Company, commenced a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri asserting (1) breach of employment agreement, (2) bad faith discharge and (3) violations of ERISA. In December 1997, the claims relating to bad faith discharge and ERISA violations were dismissed. Canfora subsequently amended his complaint and alleged breach of employment agreement and tortious interference with business expectancies. On January 18, 1999, the Company and Canfora agreed to a final settlement of the lawsuit and therefore the Company anticipates no further litigation in this matter. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the third quarter of Transition Period 1998 (as defined in Item 6). 22 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Common Stock trades on New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "STN". Prior to September 5, 1996, the common stock traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "STCI." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
HIGH LOW ---- --- TRANSITION PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998 First Quarter 15.88 13.19 Second Quarter 15.31 5.06 Third Quarter 8.50 4.00 FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1998 First Quarter 9.50 8.00 Second Quarter 8.38 7.00 Third Quarter 10.50 6.13 Fourth Quarter 16.63 9.94
As of March 3, 1999, there were 889 holders of record of the Company's common stock. The Company has never paid cash dividends on any shares of Common Stock. The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future so that it may reinvest its earnings in the development of its business. The payment of dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. Restrictions imposed by the Company's debt instruments and other agreements, including the Convertible Preferred Stock, limit the payment of dividends by the Company. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Description of Certain Indebtedness and Capital Stock". 23 ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA On November 6, 1998, the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing its change in fiscal year end from March 31 of each year to December 31 of each year. This change is effective for the nine month period ended December 31, 1998 (the "Transition Period 1998"). The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for the Company's fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and for the Transition Period 1998 have been derived from consolidated financial statements which, except for 1995 and 1996, are contained elsewhere in this Transition Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below are qualified in their entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and other financial and statistical information included elsewhere in this Transition Report on Form 10-K.
TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Operating revenues: Casino.......................................... $ 509,149 $ 600,847 $ 450,013 $ 358,495 $ 210,534 Food and beverage............................... 104,538 131,365 92,220 73,057 43,208 Room............................................ 30,040 37,330 27,420 23,614 17,690 Other........................................... 47,663 53,494 48,957 39,099 36,561 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Gross revenues.............................. 691,390 823,036 618,610 494,265 307,993 Promotional allowances.......................... (49,176) (53,426) (35,095) (27,408) (17,715) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Net revenues................................. 642,214 769,610 583,515 466,857 290,278 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Operating costs and expenses: Casino.......................................... 249,353 291,102 203,857 150,805 92,812 Food and beverage............................... 66,121 89,928 68,994 57,659 34,045 Room............................................ 11,515 13,461 10,318 9,147 7,014 Other........................................... 19,463 24,658 23,927 24,902 27,270 Selling, general and administrative............. 135,769 172,258 120,285 97,466 60,810 Corporate expenses.............................. 12,311 15,633 18,284 15,979 13,141 Restructuring charge............................ - - 2,016 - - Development expenses............................ - 104 1,302 3,960 7,200 Depreciation and amortization................... 52,975 67,414 44,589 35,039 22,220 Impairment loss................................. 30,011 - - - - Preopening expenses............................. - 10,866 31,820 2,436 19,378 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Total operating costs and expenses........... 577,518 685,424 525,392 397,393 283,890 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Operating income................................... 64,696 84,186 58,123 69,464 6,388 Interest expense, net.............................. (66,127) (78,826) (36,698) (30,563) (19,967) Interest expense - defeasance, net................. (835) - - - - Merger and related legal costs..................... (2,943) - - - - Write-off of costs to elect REIT status............ - (2,914) - - - Other income (expense)............................. (4,655) (6,566) (47) 1,150 2,160 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item............................... (9,864) (4,120) 21,378 40,051 (11,419) Income tax benefit (provision)..................... 871 966 (7,615) (14,579) 3,477 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before extraordinary item............ (8,993) (3,154) 13,763 25,472 (7,942) Extraordinary item - loss on early retirement of debt, net of applicable income tax benefit....... (3,104) (2,042) - - - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Net income (loss).................................. (12,097) (5,196) 13,763 25,472 (7,942) Preferred stock dividends.......................... (5,434) (7,245) (7,245) (53) - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Net income (loss) applicable to common stock....... $ (17,531) $ (12,441) $ 6,518 $ 25,419 $ (7,942) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ Basic and diluted earnings per common share: Earnings (loss) applicable to common stock......... $ (0.50) $ (0.35) $ 0.18 $ 0.75 $ (0.26) Weighted average common shares outstanding......... 35,312 35,309 35,316 33,918 30,113
24
TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) OTHER DATA (1): Number of hotel rooms................................. 2,455 2,195 1,728 1,528 1,328 Average daily occupancy rate.......................... 90% 93% 96% 94% 95% Casino square footage................................. 567,500 521,000 432,000 278,000 206,000 Number of slot machines............................... 16,451 16,237 13,008 9,555 7,020 Capital expenditures (2).............................. $ 99,460 $ 134,385 $ 506,096 $ 307,745 $ 163,884 EBITDA, As Adjusted (3)............................... 147,682 162,466 136,548 106,939 47,986 Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities............................... $ 76,692 $ 104,955 $ 111,803 $ 77,953 $ 48,494 Investing activities............................... (93,771) (219,407) (479,008) (266,935) (157,585) Financing activities............................... 228,344 122,088 294,859 286,889 109,893 BALANCE SHEET DATA: Cash and cash equivalents (4)......................... $ 261,423 $ 50,158 $ 42,522 $ 114,868 $ 16,961 Total assets.......................................... 1,533,931 1,300,216 1,234,118 827,314 436,538 Long-term debt (4).................................... 1,147,266 900,226 760,963 464,998 299,814 Stockholders' equity.................................. 269,761 286,887 298,848 278,470 87,886
(1) Other Data relating to the number of hotel rooms, the casino square footage and the number of slot machines represent end of period data. (2) Capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995 include $52.9 million related to the development of Station Casino St. Charles and $90.7 million related to the development of Boulder Station. Capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 include $84.9 million related to the acquisition and completion of Texas Station, $25.0 million related to the parking garage and entertainment complex at Boulder Station, $62.8 million related to the development and construction of Station Casino Kansas City, $29.7 million related to the development and construction of Sunset Station and $39.4 million related to the expansion of Station Casino St. Charles including an elevated roadway, a parking structure and restaurant facilities. Capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 include $211.1 million related to the development and construction of Station Casino Kansas City, $112.8 million related to the development and construction of Sunset Station and $99.6 million related to the development and construction of an expansion of Station Casino St. Charles. Capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 include $43.5 million related to the development and construction of Sunset Station and $31.9 million associated with the development and construction of an expansion of Station Casino St. Charles. Capital expenditures for the transition period 1998 include $31.6 million related to the parking garage, restaurant, meeting space and casino expansion at Sunset Station and $39.2 million related to the parking garage, entertainment complex and casino expansion at Texas Station. (3) "EBITDA, As Adjusted" consists of operating income plus depreciation, amortization, preopening expenses, impairment loss and a one time restructuring charge in 1997. The Company believes that in addition to cash flows and net income, EBITDA, As Adjusted is a useful financial performance measurement for assessing the operating performance of the Company. Together with net income and cash flows, EBITDA, As Adjusted provides investors with an additional basis to evaluate the ability of the Company to incur and service debt and incur capital expenditures. To evaluate EBITDA, As Adjusted and the trends it depicts, the components should be considered. The impact of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening expenses, impairment loss, and a one time restructuring charge in 1997, each of which can significantly affect the Company's results of operations and liquidity and should be considered in evaluating the Company's operating performance, cannot be determined from EBITDA, As Adjusted. Further, EBITDA, As Adjusted does not represent net income or cash flows from operating, financing and investing activities as defined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not necessarily indicate that cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. It should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, it should be noted that not all gaming companies that report EBITDA or adjustments to such measures may calculate EBITDA, or such adjustments in the same manner as the Company, and therefore, the Company's measures of EBITDA, As Adjusted may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other gaming companies. (4) Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 1998 includes $202.4 million restricted for payment of $187.6 million of long-term debt, repaid January 4, 1999, along with accrued interest and related prepayment premium. 25 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Transition Report on Form 10-K. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table highlights the results of operations for the Company (dollars in thousands):
Nine Fiscal Fiscal Nine Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Transition Month Ended Period Ended Year Ended Period Percent December 31, Percent March 31, Percent March 31, 1998 Change 1997 Change 1998 Change 1997 -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- -------- ------- (unaudited) NET REVENUES - TOTAL $642,214 13.7% $564,809 (16.6%) $769,610 31.9% $583,515 Nevada Operations (a) 397,908 16.5% 341,447 (15.4%) 470,393 31.7% 357,193 Missouri Operations (a) 219,734 8.0% 203,374 (19.7%) 273,800 38.4% 197,831 Other 24,572 22.9% 19,988 (3.3%) 25,417 (10.8%) 28,491 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) - TOTAL $ 64,696 14.5% $ 56,502 (23.2%) $ 84,186 44.8% $ 58,123 Nevada Operations (a) 83,669 39.4% 60,028 (5.2%) 88,261 21.6% 72,592 Missouri Operations (a) (5,056) (179.5%) 6,358 (151.1%) 9,886 130.2% 4,295 Other (13,917) (40.8%) (9,884) 0.3% (13,961) 25.6% (18,764) CASH FLOWS FROM: Operating activities $ 76,692 4.6% $ 73,326 (26.9%) $104,955 (6.1%) $111,803 EBITDA, AS ADJUSTED (B) - TOTAL $147,682 25.4% $117,764 (9.1%) $162,446 19.0% $136,548 Nevada Operations (a) 113,284 18.0% 96,029 (14.9%) 133,158 33.3% 99,905 Missouri Operations (a) 43,163 45.6% 29,640 5.8% 40,791 (19.5%) 50,680 Other (8,765) (10.9%) (7,905) 23.7% (11,483) 18.2% (14,037) EBITDA, AS ADJUSTED (b), ADJUSTED FOR THE SUNSET EQUIPMENT LEASE - TOTAL $154,186 26.4% $121,942 (8.6%) $168,688 23.5% $136,548 Nevada Operations (a) 119,788 19.5% 100,207 (14.1%) 139,400 39.5% 99,905
(a) The Nevada Operations include the accounts of: Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Inc., Boulder Station, Inc., Texas Station, Inc. and Sunset Station, Inc. The Missouri Operations include the accounts of: St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. and Kansas City Station Corporation. (b) "EBITDA, As Adjusted" consists of operating income plus depreciation, amortization, preopening expenses, impairment loss, and a one time restructuring charge in 1997. The Company believes that in addition to cash flows and net income, EBITDA, As Adjusted is a useful financial performance measurement for assessing the operating performance of the Company. Together with net income and cash flows, EBITDA, As Adjusted provides investors with an additional basis to evaluate the ability of the Company to incur and service debt and incur capital expenditures. To evaluate EBITDA, As Adjusted and the trends it depicts, the components should be considered. The impact of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening expenses, impairment loss, and a one time restructuring charge in 1997, each of which can significantly affect the Company's results of operations and liquidity and should be considered in evaluating the Company's operating performance, cannot be determined from EBITDA, As Adjusted. Further, EBITDA, As Adjusted does not represent net income or cash flows from operating, financing and investing activities as defined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not necessarily indicate cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. It should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, it should be noted that not all gaming companies that report EBITDA or adjustments to such measures may calculate EBITDA, or such adjustments in the same manner as the Company, and therefore, the Company's measure of EBITDA, As Adjusted may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other gaming companies. 26 Consolidated net revenues, operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and EBITDA, As Adjusted for the Transition Period 1998 decreased as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. These decreases are due to the fact that the Transition Period 1998 is nine months as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, which is twelve months. The above table presents certain results of operations from the unaudited nine month period ended December 31, 1997 for comparison purposes. CONSOLIDATED NET REVENUES The increase in consolidated net revenues for the Transition Period 1998 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 1997 is due to increasing revenues from the Nevada properties generally, and the fact that results from Sunset Station, which opened in June 1997, are included for only seven months in the nine months ended December 31, 1997. Also, revenues from the Station Casino Kansas City facility continue to steadily improve. Net revenues at Station Casino St. Charles declined 5% as a result of significant competition in the St. Louis market. The increase in consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 is due primarily to the opening of Sunset Station in June 1997, as well as continued improvement in results at Texas Station. Also positively impacting consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 is a full year of operations at Station Casino Kansas City, which opened in January 1997. Offsetting these increases, net revenues at Boulder Station declined approximately 2.8% due primarily to the opening of Sunset Station. Additionally, net revenues at Station Casino St. Charles declined 23.5% due to increasing competition in the St. Louis market with the opening of a new hotel/casino in Maryland Heights in March 1997. OPERATING INCOME/OPERATING MARGIN The Company's operating income was impacted by certain charges in each of the above periods that affect the ability to analyze year to year comparisons. The following table identifies these charges (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal Nine Fiscal Year Months Year Transition Ended Ended Ended Period March 31, December 31, March 31, 1998 1998 1997 1997 ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- (unaudited) Operating income................................... $64,696 $84,186 $56,502 $58,123 OPERATING MARGIN............................... 10.1% 10.9% 10.0% 10.0% Certain charges: Impairment loss............................... 30,011 ---- ---- ---- Preopening expenses........................... ---- 10,866 10,866 31,820 Restructuring charge.......................... ---- ---- ---- 2,016 Operating income, excluding certain charges........ 94,707 95,052 67,368 91,959 OPERATING MARGIN, EXCLUDING CERTAIN CHARGES... 14.7% 12.4% 11.9% 15.8%
Operating margin, excluding certain charges, improved in the Transition Period 1998 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 primarily as a result of significantly improved operations at Station Casino Kansas City. Operating income, excluding certain charges at Station Casino Kansas City, improved by $17.8 million in the Transition Period 1998 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 1997. The only casino property experiencing a decline in operating income, excluding certain charges, was Station Casino St. Charles, which experienced a $4.4 million decline due to the increased competition discussed above. 27 Operating margin, excluding certain charges, declined in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, primarily due to a $23.7 million decline in operating income at Station Casino St. Charles. This decline was offset by increases in operating income, excluding certain charges, due to the opening of Sunset Station in June 1997, operating improvements at Texas Station, and reduced corporate expense. The following table highlights the various sources of revenues and expenses for the Company as compared to prior periods (dollars in thousands):
Nine Fiscal Fiscal Nine Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Transition Month Ended Period Ended Year Ended Period Percent December 31, Percent March 31, Percent March 31, 1998 Change 1997 Change 1998 Change 1997 -------- ------ --------- -------- ---------- -------- ------- (unaudited) Casino revenues $509,149 16.5% $436,872 (15.3%) $600,847 33.5% $450,013 Casino expenses 249,353 17.9% 211,502 (14.3%) 291,102 42.8% 203,857 MARGIN 51.0% 51.6% 51.6% 54.7% Food and beverage revenues $104,538 6.8% $ 97,859 (20.4%) $131,365 42.4% $ 92,220 Food and beverage expenses 66,121 (2.2%) 67,626 (26.5%) 89,928 30.3% 68,994 MARGIN 36.7% 30.9% 31.5% 25.2% Room revenues $ 30,040 8.5% $ 27,692 (19.5%) $ 37,330 36.1% $ 27,420 Room expenses 11,515 15.1% 10,001 (14.5%) 13,461 30.5% 10,318 MARGIN 61.7% 63.9% 63.9% 62.4% Other revenues $ 47,663 15.6% $ 41,233 (10.9%) $ 53,494 9.3% $ 48,957 Selling, general and administrative $135,769 $127,419 $172,258 $120,285 PERCENT OF NET REVENUES 21.1% 22.6% 22.4% 20.6% Corporate expenses $ 12,311 $ 11,168 $ 15,633 $ 18,284 PERCENT OF NET REVENUES 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 3.1%
CASINO. Casino revenues increased for the Transition Period 1998 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 1997 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 as a result of the same factors affecting consolidated net revenues discussed above. Casino profit margin for the Transition Period 1998 remained relatively consistent with results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Casino profit margins declined to 51.6% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 from 54.7% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997. This decline was a result of the negative impact of competition on the St. Louis market as described above. Also negatively impacting casino margins was the addition of Station Casino Kansas City for a full year in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Casino profit margin at Station Casino Kansas City is lower than the Company's overall casino profit margin due primarily to significantly higher gaming tax rates in Missouri as compared to Nevada. FOOD AND BEVERAGE. Food and beverage revenues for the Transition Period 1998 increased 6.8% over food and beverage revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1997. The primary reason for this increase is the fact that results from Sunset Station, which opened in June 1997, are included for only seven months in the nine months ended December 31, 1997.The increase in food and beverage revenues is less than the overall increase in revenues. This is primarily due to a decline in food and beverage revenues at Station Casino Kansas City. In the prior year's period, the Company was very aggressive in promoting Station Casino Kansas City's food operations. Food and beverage revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 increased 42.4% over the prior fiscal year due primarily to the opening of Sunset Station and a full year of operations at Station Casino Kansas City. 28 Food and beverage net profit margins improved to 36.7% for the Transition Period 1998, from 31.5% in the prior year. This increase in margin is due to improvement at the Company's Nevada Operations, primarily as a result of continued focus on cost control, as well as selected menu price increases. ROOM. Room revenues for the Transition Period 1998 increased 8.5% over room revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1997. The primary reason for this increase is the fact that results from Sunset Station, which opened in June 1997, are included for only seven months in the nine months ended December 31, 1997. Additionally, the Company opened the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel in July 1998, which contributed $1.1 million of room revenues in the Transition Period 1998. Offsetting these increases was a decline in room revenues at Palace Station and Boulder Station. These declines were primarily a result of a lower average daily room rate. Room rates in Las Vegas are expected to be under continued pressure for the foreseeable future due to the addition of 9,062 new rooms in Las Vegas during calendar 1999, an 8.3% increase in overall capacity. Room revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 increased 36.1% over the prior fiscal year due primarily to the opening of Sunset Station and a full year of operations at Station Casino Kansas City. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ("SG&A"). As a percent of net revenues, SG&A decreased to 21.1% in the Transition Period 1998, as compared to 22.4% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. This decrease is due primarily to the fine tuning of operations at Sunset Station and Station Casino Kansas City. In the Company's experience when a new property opens, SG&A as a percent of net revenues is higher than normal for a period of time. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net revenues for the year ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the prior fiscal year is due to these two properties opening during the year ended March 31, 1998. CORPORATE EXPENSES. Corporate expenses as a percent of net revenues for the Transition Period 1998 were relatively consistent with the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Corporate expenses as a percent of net revenues declined to 2.0% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 as compared to 3.1% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997. This reduction was the result of management's efforts to lower corporate expenses. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.6 million in the Transition Period 1998 to $53.0 million as compared to $50.4 million in the nine months ended December 31, 1997. This increase is due to the results of Sunset Station being included for only seven months in the nine months ended December 31, 1997. Depreciation and amortization is expected to increase during calendar 1999 as a result of the completion of expansion projects at Sunset Station and Texas Station. Depreciation and amortization increased to $67.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, from $44.6 million in the prior year. This increase is due primarily to the opening of Sunset Station and a full year of operations at Station Casino Kansas City as discussed previously. IMPAIRMENT LOSS. In accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of", the Company recorded an impairment loss of $30.0 million to adjust the carrying value of its fixed assets and land held for development to their estimated fair value in 1998. The impairment loss principally involves assets at the Station Casino St. Charles facility, including a riverboat formerly used in the Missouri operations, capitalized project costs associated with various parcels of land determined to have no value, and several parcels of land within close proximity to the St. Charles, Missouri site that were being held for future development. The fair value of the impaired assets was primarily determined through the current market interest in riverboats and barges, and on the current comparable sales prices on parcels of land in the St. Charles area. The total amount of the impairment loss related to this category of assets was approximately $23.4 million. In addition to the assets described above, the most significant portion of the remaining impairment loss relates to several parcels of land in Nevada and Texas that the Company had acquired in the past for either defensive or expansion purposes. The value of these parcels was determined based on current sales prices for comparable parcels of land on the market. The following two circumstances led to the Company's decision to write-down these assets to their fair market value: (1) the passage, in Nevada, of legislation which places significantly higher requirements on land to be zoned for gaming purposes, and (2) the termination of the Plan of Merger with Crescent Real Estate Equities Company (see "Legal Proceedings -- Crescent Case"). 29 Included in other assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1998, is $6.7 million related to these assets held for sale. The Company is actively attempting to dispose of these non-strategic assets and expects to complete the sale of certain of these assets in the first half of calendar year 1999. PREOPENING EXPENSES. The Company capitalized preopening expenses associated with its construction projects, including Sunset Station, which opened in June 1997, and Station Casino Kansas City, which opened in January 1997. Such amounts were expensed upon the opening of the related project. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company expensed preopening expenses of $10.9 million and $31.8 million, respectively, related primarily to these projects. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest costs incurred (expensed and capitalized) for the Transition Period 1998 of $67.6 million remained relatively consistent with interest costs incurred for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 of $68.9 million. Interest costs incurred (expensed and capitalized) increased 56.8% to $92.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, as compared with the prior fiscal year. This increase is primarily attributable to added interest costs associated with the 9 3/4% senior subordinated notes issued by the Company in April 1997, borrowings under the Sunset Station loan agreement and borrowings under the reducing revolving credit facility. Effective January 1, 1998, the Company had ceased capitalizing interest on the expansion project at Station Casino St. Charles. During the first quarter of calendar year 1999, the Company will record an extraordinary charge of $10.3 million (net of applicable tax benefit) to reflect the write-off of the unamortized debt discount, unamortized loan costs and the premium to redeem the 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes, which were repaid on January 4, 1999. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES During the Transition Period 1998, the Company generated cash flows from operating activities of $76.7 million. Other sources of capital included net proceeds of $196.1 million from the issuance of $199.9 million of 8 7/8% senior subordinated notes due December 2008, which were used on January 4, 1999 to redeem all of the Company's $193 million 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes due 2003, and to pay a portion of the premium related to the redemption of such securities. Additionally, in November 1998, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Secured Reducing Revolving and Term Loan Agreement (the "Amended Bank Facility") (See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Capital Stock - Amended Bank Facility"), which provides for borrowings of up to $425 million. Proceeds from borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility were used to repay $278.0 million of borrowings under the Company's previous bank facility and to repay $80.0 million borrowed under a supplemental revolving credit facility. At December 31, 1998, the Company had available borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility of $46.0 million, subject to certain covenant restrictions, and $261.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. Of the $261.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $202.4 million was restricted to defease the 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes on January 4, 1999. During the Transition Period 1998, total capital expenditures were approximately $99.5 million, of which approximately (i) $31.6 million was associated with the development and construction of the expansion project at Sunset Station, (ii) $39.2 million was associated with the development and construction of the expansion project at Texas Station, (iii) $15.9 million was for maintenance capital expenditures, (iv) $3.0 million was associated with the development and construction of the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel, (v) $2.8 million was associated with the reconstruction of Palace Station's casino area due to flood damage, and (vi) $7.0 million was associated with various other projects. The Company's primary capital requirements during fiscal year 1999 are expected to include (i) the payment of construction contracts payable of approximately $10.4 million as of December 31, 1998, (ii) the remaining cost of the expansion project at Texas Station, estimated to be approximately $15.8 million, (iii) maintenance capital expenditures, (iv) principal and interest payments on indebtedness, and (v) dividend payments on convertible preferred stock. The Company believes that cash flows from operations, borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility, vendor and lease financing of equipment, and existing cash balances will be adequate to satisfy the Company's anticipated uses of 30 capital during fiscal year 1999. The Company, however, continually is evaluating its financing needs. If more attractive financing alternatives or expansion, development or acquisition opportunities become available to the Company, the Company may amend its financing plans assuming such financing would be permitted under its existing debt agreements (See "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Capital Stock") and other applicable agreements. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement on Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," both of which became effective in the Transition Period 1998. These SFAS's had no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities". The provisions of SOP 98-5 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998 and require that the costs associated with start-up activities (including preopening costs of casinos) be expensed as incurred. YEAR 2000 READINESS BACKGROUND In the past, many computer software programs were written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. As a result, information technology ("IT") such as date-sensitive computer software as well as non-IT systems, such as equipment containing microcontrollers or other embedded technology may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This is generally referred to as the Year 2000 issue. If this situation occurs, the potential exists for computer system failures or miscalculations by computer programs, which could disrupt operations. RISK FACTORS Date-sensitive IT and non-IT systems and equipment are utilized throughout the Company's properties. As such, the Company is exposed to the risk that Year 2000 problems could disrupt operations at the Company's affected properties and have a material adverse impact upon the Company's operating results. The Company is also exposed to the risk of possible failure of IT and non-IT systems external to the Company's operations. These External Risk Factors arise from the fact that the Company's operations, like most businesses, depend upon numerous other private, public, and governmental entities. While these External Risk Factors are not the Company's responsibility and the remediation of these factors is beyond the Company's control, the Company is attempting to monitor these risks and form such contingency plans as the Company deems necessary. As a result of these External Risk Factors, the Company may be materially and adversely impacted even if the Company's own IT and non-IT systems and equipment are Year 2000 compliant. The most significant of these External Risk Factors are as follows: - - One or more of the Company's suppliers could experience Year 2000 problems that impact the ability of the suppliers to provide goods and services required in the operation of the Company's properties. The Company believes that the impact of such a potential disruption would be limited due to the availability of alternative suppliers, but the Company cannot be sure that such a disruption would not have an adverse impact on the Company's operations. - - One or more of the Company's utility providers (including electric, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage collection and similar services) could experience Year 2000 problems that impact the ability of the utility to provide the service. Furthermore, the Company could be adversely impacted if disruption of utility services occurred in any of the Company's key customer markets, as this could impact the customary flow of visitors from the affected market. - - Airline service to and from the principal markets in which the Company operates could experience disruption due to Year 2000 problems, thus limiting the ability of potential customers to visit the Company's properties. 31 - - A significant portion of the Company's customers in the Las Vegas locals' market are either directly employed by or dependent upon the major hotels/casinos operating on the Las Vegas strip. The Company could be significantly impacted if a long-term disruption of business of the Las Vegas strip operations resulted from Year 2000 problems. - - The possible disruption of banking services due to Year 2000 problems could impair the Company's daily banking operations including the deposit of monies and processing of checks. Furthermore, customer's credit card processing and access to cash via automated teller machines could also be disrupted. The Company is not in the position to determine whether the External Risk Factors will have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results. While the Company is in the initial stages of developing contingency plans with respect to identified risk factors, the nature of many External Risk Factors is such that the Company does not believe a viable alternative would be available. For example, should airline service be disrupted, there are no equivalent alternatives available. Consequently, the occurrence of any of the previously listed disruptions could, depending upon the severity and duration of the disruption, have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results. APPROACH The Company has established a task force to coordinate the Company's response to the Year 2000. This task force, which reports to the Company's Chief Financial Officer, is led by the Vice President of Information Technology. The Company also engaged an outside consultant which assisted the Company in establishing an approach to dealing with the Year 2000 issue, and the Company is in the process of implementing a Year 2000 compliance program at the Company's properties. The program consists of the following phases: - - Phase 1. Compilation of an inventory of IT and non-IT systems that may be sensitive to the Year 2000 problem. - - Phase 2. Identification and prioritization of the critical systems from the systems inventory compiled in Phase 1 and inquiries of third parties with whom the Company does significant business (i.e. vendors and suppliers) as to the state of their Year 2000 readiness. - - Phase 3. Analysis of critical systems to determine which systems are not Year 2000 compliant and evaluation of the costs to repair or replace those systems. - - Phase 4. Repair or replace noncompliant systems and testing of those systems for which a representation as to Year 2000 compliance has not been received or for which a representation was received but has not been confirmed. STATUS Phases 1 and 2 are substantially complete, though the Company has not received all responses to inquiries of significant third parties as to their Year 2000 readiness. Phases 3 and 4 are ongoing and will continue through the first half of the calendar 1999. It is the Company's goal to have this project completed by mid-1999. Based upon the analysis conducted to date, the Company believes all of the major critical systems at the Company's properties are currently compliant or will be compliant by mid-1999. The only significant aspect of the Company's Year 2000 compliance which has been identified to date is the need to replace older computers and software packages whose systems are not Year 2000 compatible. COSTS The total cost to the Company of making the Company's systems Year 2000 compliant is currently estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $2 million. Of that amount the Company has incurred approximately $600,000 as of December 31, 1998. The Company is, however, still in the process of identifying non-compliant systems and the cost of replacing or repairing such systems, so the actual cost of making the Company's systems Year 2000 compliant may be materially greater than the amount the Company currently estimates. The majority of this cost relates to the acquisition of new computer hardware to replace the systems noted above and the purchase of new software to replace non-compliant 32 software. These costs will be capitalized and depreciated over their expected useful life. To the extent existing hardware or software is replaced, the Company will recognize a loss currently for the undepreciated balance. This loss is included in the above cost estimate. Furthermore, all costs related to software modification, as well as all costs associated with the Company's administration of the Company's Year 2000 project, are being expensed as incurred and are likewise included in the cost estimated above. REGULATION AND TAXES The Company is subject to extensive regulation by the Nevada and Missouri gaming authorities and will be subject to regulation, which may or may not be similar to that in Nevada, by any other jurisdiction in which it may conduct gaming activities in the future. Changes in applicable laws or regulations could have a significant impact on the Company's operations. Pursuant to legislation enacted in 1996, a federal commission is in the process of conducting a two-year study of the gaming industry in the United States and will report its findings and recommendations to Congress. The gaming industry represents a significant source of tax revenues, particularly to the State of Nevada and its counties and municipalities. From time to time, various state and federal legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax law, or in the administration of such law, affecting the gaming industry. Proposals in recent years that have not been enacted included a federal gaming tax and increases in state or local taxes. Management believes that the Company's recorded tax balances are adequate. However, it is not possible to determine with certainty 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 the Company's operating results. DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS AND CAPITAL STOCK AMENDED BANK FACILITY In November 1998, the Company secured a $425.0 million bank credit facility which amended the Company's existing reducing revolving credit facility and repaid a supplemental facility which had been obtained in September 1998. The Amended Bank Facility consists of three secured tranches. Two revolving tranches constitute a reducing revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility") which provides for borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million and the third tranche constitutes a $75.0 million term loan (the "Term Loan"). The Revolving Facility includes a swing line facility with a sub-limit on borrowing of $15.0 million. The borrowers under the Amended Bank Facility are Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Station Casino Kansas City and Station Casino St. Charles (collectively, the "Borrowers"). The Amended Bank Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers. The Company, Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries guarantee the borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility (collectively the "Guarantors"). The maturity date for the Revolving Facility is September 30, 2003. The availability under the Revolving Facility will reduce by $7.0 million on September 30, 1999; by $12.25 million on each of December 31, 1999, March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000; by $14.0 million on September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001; and by $17.5 million on each fiscal quarter end thereafter. The Term Loan matures on December 31, 2005 and amortizes in installments of $187,500 on each fiscal quarter end from March 31, 2000 until and including December 31, 2004 and of $17.8 million on each fiscal quarter end thereafter. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a margin above the Alternate Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate (each, as defined in the Amended Bank Facility), as selected by the Company. The margin above such rates, and the fee on the unfunded portions of the Revolving Facility, will vary quarterly based on the Company's combined consolidated ratio of average quarterly adjusted funded debt to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for non-recurring gains and losses and preopening expenses, if any ("Adjusted EBITDA"). As of December 31, 1998, the Borrowers' margin above the Eurodollar Rate on borrowings under the Revolving Facility was 2.25%. The maximum margin for Eurodollar Rate borrowings is 2.75%. The maximum margin for Alternate Base Rate borrowings is 1.50%. The maximum fee for the unfunded portion of the Revolving Facility is 0.50% multiplied by the average of the unfunded portion of the Revolving Facility. The interest rate on the Term Loan is 3.25% above the Eurodollar Rate. The Company recognized an extraordinary loss of $3.1 million net of the applicable income tax benefit, as a result of the early retirement of debt, as described above. 33 The Amended Bank Facility contains certain financial and other covenants. These include a maximum funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio for the Borrowers combined of 2.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for the preceding four quarters for the Borrowers combined of 1.40 to 1.00 until and including March 31, 1999 and for each quarter thereafter, 1.50 to 1.00, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on asset dispositions, limitations on investments, limitations on prepayments of indebtedness and rent and limitations on capital expenditures. As of December 31, 1998, the Borrowers combined funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.13 to 1.00 and their combined fixed charge coverage ratio for the preceding four quarters ended December 31, 1998 was 1.86 to 1.00. A tranche of the Revolving Facility contains a minimum tangible net worth requirement for Palace Station ($10 million plus 95% of net income determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter with no reduction for net losses) and certain restrictions on distributions of cash from Palace Station to the Company. As of December 31, 1998, Palace Station's tangible net worth exceeded the requirement by approximately $8.5 million. These covenants limit Palace Station's ability to make payments to the Company, a significant source of anticipated cash for the Company. In addition, the Amended Bank Facility has financial and other covenants relating to the Company. These include a tangible net worth covenant of $265.0 million (adjusted upward for 95% of cumulative net income (without deduction for any net loss) and 100% of capital stock issuances and downward for certain capital stock repurchases, preferred stock dividends, or certain permissible asset dispositions, required write down of assets and preopening expense, if any) and a consolidated funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of no more than 5.50 to 1.00 on December 31, 1998 and reducing quarterly to 4.00 to 1.00 on September 30, 2001. Other covenants limit prepayments of indebtedness or rent (including, subordinated debt other than refinancings meeting certain criteria), limitations on asset dispositions, limitation on dividends, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on investments and limitations on capital expenditures. The Amended Bank Facility also prohibits the Company from holding cash and cash equivalents in excess of the sum of the amounts necessary to make the next scheduled interest or dividend payments on the Company's senior subordinated notes and preferred stock, the amounts necessary to fund casino bankroll in the ordinary course of business, any amount required to be held by the Company or any restricted subsidiary by any gaming boards, and $2.0 million. The Company has pledged the stock of all of its subsidiaries except Kansas City Station Corporation and St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. and has agreed to pledge the stock of the latter two subsidiaries upon regulatory approval (which is expected to be obtained). The Company and the Guarantors waive certain defenses and rights including rights of subrogation and reimbursement. The Amended Bank Facility contains customary events of default and remedies and is cross-defaulted to the Company's senior subordinated notes and a change of control default (which definition is substantially similar to the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event in the indentures governing the senior subordinated notes). SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES The Company has $729.4 million, net of unamortized discount of $11.5 million, of senior subordinated notes outstanding as of December 31, 1998, $187.6 million of these notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate of 9 5/8% per year (repaid January 4, 1999), $197.0 million of these notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate of 10 1/8% per year, $144.9 million of these notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate of 9 3/4% per year and $199.9 million of these notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate of 8 7/8% per year (collectively the "Existing Notes"). The indentures governing the Existing Notes (the "Existing Indentures") contain certain customary financial and other covenants which prohibit the Company and its subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness (including capital leases) other than (a) non-recourse debt for certain specified subsidiaries, (b) certain equipment financings, (c) the Existing Notes, (d) up to $15 million of additional indebtedness, (e) additional indebtedness if, after giving effect thereto, a 2.00 to 1.00 pro forma Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined) has been met, (f) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (as defined), (g) borrowings of up to $72 million under the Amended Bank Facility (contained in the indentures governing the 9 5/8% Notes - repaid January 4, 1999) and borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility not to exceed the greater of $200 million or 1.5 times Operating Cash Flow (as defined) for the four most recent quarters (contained in the indentures governing the 8 7/8%, 9 3/4% and 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes) and (h) certain other indebtedness. At December 31, 1998, the Company's Consolidated Coverage Ratio was 1.98 to 1.00. In addition, the Existing Indentures prohibit the Company from paying dividends on any of its capital stock unless at the time of and after giving effect to such dividends, among other things, the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments and Restricted Investments (as defined in the Existing Indentures, and which include any dividends on any capital stock of the Company) do not exceed the sum of (i) 50% of Cumulative Consolidated Net Income (as defined) of the Company (less 100% of any consolidated net losses), (ii) certain net proceeds from the sale of equity securities of the Company, and (iii) $15 million. The limitation on the incurrence of additional indebtedness 34 and dividend restrictions in the Existing Indentures may significantly affect the Company's ability to pay dividends on its capital stock. The Existing Indentures also give the holders of the Existing Notes the right to require the Company to purchase the Existing Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the Existing Notes plus accrued interest thereon upon a Change of Control and Rating Decline (each as defined in the Existing Indentures) of the Company. SUNSET OPERATING LEASE The Company has entered into an operating lease for furniture, fixtures and equipment (the "Equipment") with a cost of $40.0 million, dated as of September 25, 1996 (the "Sunset Operating Lease") between the Company and First Security Trust Company of Nevada. The Sunset Operating Lease expires in October 2000 and carries a lease rate of 2.25% above the Eurodollar Rate. A total of $35.7 million of the Sunset Operating Lease has been drawn and no further draws pursuant to the lease will be made. The Company has entered into a sublease with Sunset Station for the Equipment pursuant to an operating lease with financial terms substantially similar to the Sunset Operating Lease. The Company currently incurs approximately $2.1 million of rent expense per quarter related to this lease. The Company has an option to purchase the equipment for $30.5 million at December 31, 1998. This amount reduces throughout the term of the lease to $21.4 million at October 2000. In connection with the Sunset Operating Lease, the Company also entered into a participation agreement, dated as of September 25, 1996 (the "Participation Agreement") with the trustee, as lessor under the Sunset Operating Lease, and holders of beneficial interests in the Lessor Trust (the "Holders"). Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, the Holders advanced funds to the trustee for the purchase by the trustee of, or to reimburse the Company for the purchase, of the Equipment, which is currently being leased to the Company under the Sunset Operating Lease, and in turn subleased to Sunset Station. Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, the Company also agreed to indemnify the Lessor and the Holders against certain liabilities. COMMON STOCK The Company is authorized to issue up to 90,000,000 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), 35,312,192 shares of which were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 1998. Each holder of the Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of the Common Stock have no cumulative voting, conversion, redemption or preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for additional shares other than pursuant to the Rights Plan described below. Subject to any preferences that may be granted to the holders of the Company's preferred stock, each holder of Common Stock is entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor as well as any distributions to the stockholders and, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, is entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company remaining after payment of liabilities. RIGHTS PLAN On October 6, 1997, the Company declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The dividend was paid on October 21, 1997. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred Shares") of the Company at a price of $40.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. The Rights are not exercisable until the earlier of 10 days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock ("Acquiring Person") or 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. The Rights will expire on October 21, 2007. Acquiring Persons do not have the same rights to receive Common Stock as other holders upon exercise of the Rights. Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one Common Share. In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, the proper provisions will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned 35 by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter become void), will thereafter have the rights to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. Because of the characteristics of the Rights in connection with a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person, the Rights may have the effect of making an acquisition of the Company more difficult and may discourage such an acquisition. PREFERRED STOCK The Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of its preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"). As of December 31, 1998, 2,070,000 shares of $3.50 Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Convertible Preferred Stock") have been issued and are outstanding. The Board of Directors, without further action by the holders of Common Stock or the Convertible Preferred Stock, may issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and may fix or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including the voting rights, redemption provisions (including sinking fund provisions), dividend rights, dividend rates, liquidation rates, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and the description and number of shares constituting any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock. Except as described above, the Board of Directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue shares of Preferred Stock with rights that could adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock or the Convertible Preferred Stock. The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of the Company or other corporate action. CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK Each of the Convertible Preferred Stock shares outstanding, have a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends at the annual rate of $3.50 per share, or 7.0% of such liquidation preference. Such dividends accrue and are cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable quarterly. The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof at any time, unless previously redeemed, into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of 3.2573 shares of Common Stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company may reduce the conversion price of the Convertible Preferred Stock by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, so long as the decrease is irrevocable during such period. The Convertible Preferred Stock is redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock, at any time after March 15, 1999, initially at a price of $52.45 per share of Convertible Preferred Stock, and thereafter at prices decreasing annually to $50.00 per share of Convertible Preferred Stock on and after March 15, 2006, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Common Stock to be issued is determined by dividing the redemption price by the lower of the average daily closing price for the Company's Common Stock for the preceding 20 trading days or the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the first business day preceding the date of the redemption notice. Any fractional shares would be paid in cash. There is no mandatory sinking fund obligation with respect to the Convertible Preferred Stock. The holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights, except as required by applicable law and in connection with certain extraordinary events and except that, among other things, whenever accrued and unpaid dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock are equal to or exceed the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on the Convertible Preferred Stock, the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class with the holders of any other series of parity stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to elect two directors to the Board of Directors until dividend arrearage has been paid or amounts have been set apart for such payment. The Convertible Preferred Stock is senior to the Common Stock with respect to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. 36 REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK The Company has authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 115,000 shares of redeemable preferred stock to Crescent pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. The Company and Crescent are currently in litigation with respect to the Merger Agreement, including the purchase of the redeemable preferred stock. (See "Legal Proceedings - Crescent Case"). ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company's primary exposure to market risk is interest rate risk associated with its long-term debt. The Company attempts to limit its exposure to interest rate risk by managing the mix of its long-term fixed-rate borrowings and short-term borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. Borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility bear interest, at the Company's option, at the prime rate or at a specified premium over the one-, two-, three-, or six-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). However, the amount of outstanding borrowings is expected to fluctuate and may be reduced from time to time. The Amended Bank Facility matures in September 2003. The following table provides information about the Company's long-term debt at December 31, 1998 (see also "Description of Certain Indebtedness and Capital Stock") (amounts in thousands):
Maturity Face Carrying Estimated Date Amount Value Fair Value ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amended Bank Facility at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.56%............... Various to December 2005 379,000 379,000 379,000 8 7/8% senior subordinated notes................... December 2008 199,900 199,900 198,821 9 3/4% senior subordinated notes................... April 2007 150,000 144,914 153,450 10 1/8% senior subordinated notes.................. March 2006 198,000 196,981 206,316 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes................... June 2003, defeased January 1999 193,000 187,635 197,825 Other notes, interest ranging from 7.25% to 11.25% Various to June 2007 38,836 38,836 38,836 ----------------------------------------- 1,158,736 1,147,266 1,174,248 ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
37 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE ---- Report of Independent Public Accountants................................. 39 Consolidated Balance Sheets.............................................. 40 Consolidated Statements of Operations.................................... 41 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity.......................... 42 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.................................... 43 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... 44
38 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Station Casinos, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Station Casinos, Inc. (a Nevada corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 1998 and for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Station Casinos, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 1998 and for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Las Vegas, Nevada January 21, 1999 (except for Note 6, as to which the date is February 3, 1999) 39 STATION CASINOS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1998 1998 ---- ---- (SEE NOTE 1) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents ................................................ $ 59,040 $ 50,158 Cash - restricted for payment of long-term debt - defeased January 4, 1999 202,383 -- Accounts and notes receivable, net ....................................... 18,372 12,288 Inventories .............................................................. 5,466 4,209 Prepaid gaming taxes ..................................................... 8,908 6,763 Prepaid expenses and other ............................................... 11,767 14,073 ----------- ----------- Total current assets ................................................. 305,936 87,491 Property and equipment, net .................................................... 1,147,890 1,132,719 Land held for development ...................................................... 17,009 24,268 Other assets, net .............................................................. 63,096 55,738 ----------- ----------- Total assets ......................................................... $ 1,533,931 $ 1,300,216 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt ........................................ $ 13,323 $ 97,931 Accounts payable ......................................................... 18,636 16,498 Accrued payroll and related .............................................. 25,081 21,896 Construction contracts payable ........................................... 10,399 10,534 Accrued interest payable ................................................. 15,306 16,776 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities ........................... 42,110 33,874 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities ............................................ 124,855 197,509 Long-term debt, less current portion ........................................... 946,308 615,244 9 5/8% Senior subordinated notes - defeased January 4, 1999 .................... 187,635 187,051 Deferred income taxes, net ..................................................... 5,372 13,525 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities .................................................... 1,264,170 1,013,329 ----------- ----------- Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 5,000,000 shares; 2,070,000 convertible preferred shares issued and outstanding ......... 103,500 103,500 Common stock, par value $.01; authorized 90,000,000 shares; 35,312,192 and 35,310,623 shares issued and outstanding ............... 353 353 Additional paid-in capital ............................................... 167,216 167,180 Deferred compensation - restricted stock ................................. (159) (528) Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) .................................. (1,149) 16,382 ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' equity ........................................... 269,761 286,887 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ........................... $ 1,533,931 $ 1,300,216 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements. 40 STATION CASINOS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED ------------------- FOR THE NINE MARCH 31, MONTHS ENDED --------- DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 1997 ----------------- ---- ---- (SEE NOTE 1) Operating revenues: Casino ............................................. $ 509,149 $ 600,847 $ 450,013 Food and beverage .................................. 104,538 131,365 92,220 Room ............................................... 30,040 37,330 27,420 Other .............................................. 47,663 53,494 48,957 ------------ ------------ ------------ Gross revenues ................................ 691,390 823,036 618,610 Promotional allowances ............................. (49,176) (53,426) (35,095) ------------ ------------ ------------ Net revenues .................................. 642,214 769,610 583,515 ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating costs and expenses: Casino ............................................. 249,353 291,102 203,857 Food and beverage .................................. 66,121 89,928 68,994 Room ............................................... 11,515 13,461 10,318 Other .............................................. 19,463 24,658 23,927 Selling, general and administrative ................ 135,769 172,258 120,285 Corporate expense .................................. 12,311 15,633 18,284 Restructuring charge ............................... -- -- 2,016 Development expenses ............................... -- 104 1,302 Depreciation and amortization ...................... 52,975 67,414 44,589 Impairment loss .................................... 30,011 -- -- Preopening expenses ................................ -- 10,866 31,820 ------------ ------------ ------------ 577,518 685,424 525,392 ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating income ......................................... 64,696 84,186 58,123 ------------ ------------ ------------ Other income (expense): Interest expense, net .............................. (66,127) (78,826) (36,698) Interest expense - defeasance, net ................. (835) -- -- Merger and related legal costs ..................... (2,943) -- -- Write-off of costs to elect REIT status ............ -- (2,914) -- Other .............................................. (4,655) (6,566) (47) ------------ ------------ ------------ (74,560) (88,306) (36,745) ------------ ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item ................................. (9,864) (4,120) 21,378 Income tax (provision) benefit ........................... 871 966 (7,615) ------------ ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before extraordinary item .................. (8,993) (3,154) 13,763 Extraordinary item - loss on early retirement of debt, net of applicable income tax benefit ...................... (3,104) (2,042) -- ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income (loss) ........................................ (12,097) (5,196) 13,763 Preferred stock dividends ................................ (5,434) (7,245) (7,245) ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income (loss) applicable to common stock ............. $ (17,531) $ (12,441) $ 6,518 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Weighted average common shares outstanding ............... 35,311,715 35,309,189 35,316,077 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Earnings (loss) applicable to common stock, before extraordinary item.................................. $ (0.41) $ (0.29) $ 0.18 Extraordinary item .................................... $ (0.09) $ (0.06) $ -- Earnings (loss) applicable to common stock ............ $ (0.50) $ (0.35) $ 0.18
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements. 41 STATION CASINOS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
DEFERRED RETAINED ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION - EARNINGS TOTAL PREFERRED COMMON PAID - IN RESTRICTED (ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS' STOCK STOCK CAPITAL STOCK DEFICIT) EQUITY ----- ----- ------- ----- -------- ------ Balances, March 31,1996 .... $ 90,000 $ 353 $ 167,623 $ (1,811) $ 22,305 $ 278,470 Issuance of preferred stock (Note 7) ......... 13,500 -- (405) -- -- 13,095 Exercise of stock options .. -- -- 179 -- -- 179 Amortization of deferred compensation ............. -- -- -- 586 -- 586 Preferred stock dividends .. -- -- -- -- (7,245) (7,245) Net income ................. -- -- -- -- 13,763 13,763 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balances, March 31,1997 .... 103,500 353 167,397 (1,225) 28,823 298,848 Exercise of stock options .. -- -- 26 -- -- 26 Cancellation of restricted stock .................... -- -- (243) 243 -- -- Amortization of deferred compensation ............. -- -- -- 454 -- 454 Preferred stock dividends .. -- -- -- -- (7,245) (7,245) Net loss ................... -- -- -- -- (5,196) (5,196) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balances, March 31, 1998 ... 103,500 353 167,180 (528) 16,382 286,887 Exercise of stock options .. -- -- 36 -- -- 36 Amortization of deferred compensation ............. -- -- -- 369 -- 369 Preferred stock dividends .. -- -- -- -- (5,434) (5,434) Net loss ................... -- -- -- -- (12,097) (12,097) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balances, December 31, 1998, (see Note 1) ............. $ 103,500 $ 353 $ 167,216 $ (159) $ (1,149) $ 269,761 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements. 42 STATION CASINOS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED ------------------- FOR THE NINE MARCH 31, MONTHS ENDED --------- DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 1997 ----------------- ---- ---- (SEE NOTE 1) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) .......................................................... $ (12,097) $ (5,196) $ 13,763 --------- --------- --------- Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization .......................................... 52,975 67,414 44,589 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs ....................... 4,254 6,443 5,279 Loss on early retirement of debt ....................................... 4,775 2,668 -- Merger and related legal costs ......................................... 2,943 -- -- Asset impairment ....................................................... 30,011 -- -- Write-off of costs to elect REIT status ................................ -- 2,914 -- Preopening expenses .................................................... -- 10,866 31,820 (Decrease) increase in deferred income taxes ........................... (6,410) 2,854 (3,752) Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts and notes receivable, net ....................... (5,598) (4,845) (1,151) Increase in inventories and prepaid expenses and other ............... (2,839) (3,228) (3,751) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable .............................. 2,138 (4,608) 10,015 Increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ........... 9,531 23,160 13,723 Other, net ............................................................. (2,991) 6,513 1,268 --------- --------- --------- Total adjustments ............................................ 88,789 110,151 98,040 --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities .................... 76,692 104,955 111,803 --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures ................................................... (96,482) (130,853) (505,735) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment ........................... 5,998 4,925 8,900 (Decrease) increase in construction contracts payable .................. (135) (84,301) 66,956 Preopening expenses .................................................... -- (8,551) (31,820) Other, net ............................................................. (3,152) (627) (17,309) --------- --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities ........................ (93,771) (219,407) (479,008) --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings under bank facility, net .................................... 55,000 47,000 277,000 Borrowings (payments) under the Sunset loan agreement .................. -- (46,000) 46,000 Proceeds from notes payable ............................................ -- 16,239 2,250 Principal payments on notes payable .................................... (11,780) (27,030) (30,444) Proceeds from the issuance of senior subordinated notes ................ 199,900 144,287 -- Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock .......................... -- -- 13,095 Dividends paid on preferred stock ...................................... (5,434) (7,245) (6,985) Debt issuance costs and other, net ..................................... (9,342) (5,163) (6,057) --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by financing activities .................... 228,344 122,088 294,859 --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents: Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ....................... 211,265 7,636 (72,346) Balance, beginning of year ............................................. 50,158 42,522 114,868 --------- --------- --------- Balance, end of year ................................................... $ 261,423 $ 50,158 $ 42,522 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Supplemental cash flow disclosures: Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized ..................... $ 65,275 $ 66,691 $ 28,577 Cash paid for income taxes, net ........................................ $ 519 $ 92 $ 9,250 Property and equipment purchases financed by debt ...................... $ 2,978 $ 3,532 $ 361 Assets sold for note receivable ........................................ $ -- $ -- $ 1,550
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements. 43 STATION CASINOS, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION Station Casinos, Inc. (the "Company"), a Nevada Corporation, is an established multi-jurisdictional gaming and entertainment enterprise that currently owns and operates four major hotel/casino properties and two smaller casino properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, a gaming and entertainment complex in St. Charles, Missouri and a gaming and entertainment complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company also owns and provides slot route management services in southern Nevada. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Inc. ("Palace Station"), Boulder Station, Inc. ("Boulder Station"), Texas Station, Inc. ("Texas Station"), Sunset Station, Inc. ("Sunset Station"), St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. ("Station Casino St. Charles"), Kansas City Station Corporation ("Station Casino Kansas City"), Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. ("SGSI") and Tropicana Station, Inc., the operator of the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel ("Wild Wild West"), which opened in July 1998. The Company also owns a 50% interest in Town Center Amusements, Inc. d.b.a. Barley's Casino & Brewing Company ("Barley's"). The Company accounts for this investment in Barley's using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR On November 6, 1998, the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing its change in fiscal year end from March 31 of each year to December 31 of each year. This change is effective for the nine month period ended December 31, 1998 (the "Transition Period 1998"). Selected consolidated financial data for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 is presented below, for comparison purposes only (amounts in thousands, unaudited). Net revenues........................................... $ 564,809 Operating income....................................... $ 56,502 Loss before income taxes............................... $ (3,892) Income tax benefit..................................... $ 1,384 Net loss............................................... $ (2,508) Net loss applicable to common stock.................... $ (7,942) Loss per common share applicable to common stock....... $ (0.22)
USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents include investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market; cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. 44 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the capitalized lease, whichever is less. Costs of major improvements are capitalized, while costs of normal repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. CAPITALIZATION OF INTEREST The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with debt incurred in connection with major construction projects. Interest capitalization ceases once the project is substantially complete or no longer undergoing construction activities to prepare it for its intended use. When no debt is specifically identified as being incurred in connection with such construction projects, the Company capitalizes interest on amounts expended on the project at the Company's weighted average cost of borrowed money. Interest capitalized for the Transition Period 1998 was approximately $1.2 million and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 was approximately $12.8 million and $21.1 million, respectively. DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements. PREOPENING EXPENSES During the construction of and prior to the opening of a facility, all operating expenses, including incremental salaries and wages directly related thereto, were capitalized as preopening expenses. The construction phase typically covers a period of 12 to 24 months. The majority of preopening costs are incurred in the three months prior to opening. The Company expenses preopening expenses immediately upon the opening of the related facility. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Company incurred preopening expenses of $31.8 million, substantially related to the opening of Station Casino Kansas City. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company incurred preopening expenses of $10.9 million, substantially related to the opening of Sunset Station. During the Transition Period 1998, the Company had no preopening expenses. Effective January 1, 1999, Statement of Position 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities", will change the manner in which the Company accounts for preopening expenses. See "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" in this Note 1. REVENUES AND PROMOTIONAL ALLOWANCES In accordance with industry practice, the Company recognizes as casino revenues the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between gaming wins and losses. All other revenues are recognized as the service is provided. Revenues include the retail value of accommodations and food and beverage provided on a complimentary basis to customers. The estimated departmental costs of providing such promotional allowances are included in casino costs and expenses and consist of the following (amounts in thousands):
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Food and beverage............................................... $ 38,816 $ 40,573 $ 27,418 Room............................................................ 1,877 3,027 1,439 Other........................................................... 1,932 2,828 1,263 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Total......................................................... $ 42,625 $ 46,428 $ 30,120 ---------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------
45 EARNINGS (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." This statement replaces previously reported earnings per share ("EPS") with basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution for all potentially dilutive securities such as stock options and convertible preferred stock. Diluted EPS is not presented separately because the exercise of stock options and the conversion of the convertible preferred stock does not have a dilutive effect on the per share amounts. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," both of which became effective in the Transition Period 1998. These SFAS's had no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities." The provisions of SOP 98-5 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998 and require that the costs associated with start-up activities (including preopening costs of casinos) be expensed as incurred. RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain amounts in the March 31, 1998 and 1997 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the December 31, 1998 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company's net income. 2. ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE Components of accounts and notes receivable are as follows (amounts in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1998 1998 --------------- ------------- Casino................................................................. $ 6,238 $ 6,407 Hotel.................................................................. 1,743 1,525 Insurance Proceeds (see Note 3)........................................ 7,239 - Other.................................................................. 5,187 6,117 --------------- ------------ 20,407 14,049 Allowance for doubtful accounts........................................ (2,035) (1,761) ---------------- ------------- Accounts and notes receivable, net................................ $ 18,372 $ 12,288 ---------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998 (amounts in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ESTIMATED LIFE (YEARS) 1998 1998 ---------------------- --------------- ---------------- Land ................................................ - $ 37,864 $ 37,856 Land leases acquired................................. 48-52 4,685 4,685 Buildings and leasehold improvements................. 31-45 728,642 706,519 Boats and barges..................................... 20-45 100,086 123,774 Furniture, fixtures and equipment.................... 3-7 251,681 237,518 Construction in progress............................. - 224,572 185,865 --------------- --------------- 1,347,530 1,296,217 Accumulated depreciation and amortization............ (199,640) (163,498) --------------- --------------- Property and equipment, net..................... $ 1,147,890 $ 1,132,719 --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
46 At December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998, substantially all property and equipment of the Company is pledged as collateral for long-term debt. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS In the fall of 1996, the Company commenced an expansion project at Station Casino St. Charles which included the building of a backwater basin containing two new gaming vessels and a new retail and entertainment complex. Since March 31, 1998, construction on the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project has been halted. The Company currently believes the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project as originally contemplated fulfills a strategic need in the St. Louis, Missouri market. While the Company desires to complete and operate these new facilities, circumstances may arise in the future, including the lack of available financing, a downturn in the demand for gaming facilities, increased regulatory requirements unique to the state of Missouri or more attractive uses of available capital, which may prevent the expansion project from being completed as originally designed, if at all. In this event, certain costs incurred to date may be deemed to possess little or no value necessitating the recognition of an impairment loss in the period such a determination is made. The impairment loss could include substantially all of the amount invested by the Company in the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project. Included in construction in progress at December 31, 1998 is approximately $169.0 million related to the Station Casino St. Charles expansion project. Management does not anticipate that any major construction activity on the expansion project will resume in the near term. Additionally, there is $39.2 million included in construction in progress at December 31, 1998 related to an expansion project at Texas Station. This expansion was completed in February 1999. PALACE STATION FIRE AND FLOOD On July 20, 1998, Palace Station suffered damage to its casino and hotel tower as a result of a thunderstorm in the Las Vegas Valley. In November 1998, repairs were completed to the casino and all of the rooms in the 21-story hotel tower became fully functional. Losses associated with the property damage and business interruption are covered under the Company's insurance policies. As of December 31, 1998, the Company has recorded $6.8 million in other revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Transition Period 1998 related to the business interruption claim. 4. LAND HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT The Company has acquired several parcels of land in various jurisdictions as part of the Company's development activities. The Company's decision on whether to proceed with any new gaming opportunity is dependent upon future economic and regulatory factors, the availability of financing and competitive and strategic considerations. As many of these considerations are beyond the Company's control, no assurances can be made that the Company will be able to obtain appropriate licensing or be able to secure additional, acceptable financing in order to proceed with any particular project. Included in land held for development at December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998 is approximately $17.0 million and $20.6 million, respectively, related to land which had been acquired for potential gaming projects in jurisdictions where gaming has been approved. In June 1997, $5.0 million of certain expired option payments to lease or acquire land for future development, which had previously been capitalized, were expensed. In accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of", the Company recorded an impairment loss of $30.0 million to adjust the carrying value of its fixed assets and land held for development to their estimated fair value in 1998. The impairment loss principally involves assets at the Station Casino St. Charles facility, including a riverboat formerly used in the Missouri operations, capitalized project costs associated with various parcels of land determined to have no value, and several parcels of land within close proximity to the St. Charles, Missouri site that were being held for future development. The fair value of the impaired assets was primarily determined through the current market's interest in riverboats and barges, and on the current comparable sales prices on parcels of land in the St. Charles area. The total amount of the impairment loss related to this category of assets was approximately $23.4 million. In addition to the assets described above, the most significant portion of the remaining 47 impairment loss relates to several parcels of land in Nevada and Texas that the Company had acquired in the past for either defensive or expansion purposes. The value of these parcels was determined based on current sales prices for comparable parcels of land on the market. The following two circumstances led to the Company's decision to write-down these assets to their fair market value: (1) the passage, in Nevada, of legislation which places significantly higher requirements on land to be zoned for gaming purposes, and (2) the termination of the Plan of Merger with Crescent Real Estate Equities Company (see Note 13). Included in other assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1998, is $6.7 million related to these assets held for sale. The Company is actively attempting to dispose of these non-strategic assets and expects to complete the sale of certain of these assets in the first half of calendar year 1999. 5. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1998 1998 --------------- --------------- Amended and restated reducing revolving credit facility and term loan (the "Amended Bank Facility"), secured by substantially all of the assets of Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Station Casino St. Charles and Station Casino Kansas City, $350.0 million limit at December 31, 1998 on the revolving facility, reducing quarterly by varying amounts until September 2003 when the remaining principal balance is due, interest at a margin above the bank's prime rate or the Eurodollar Rate (7.37% at December 31, 1998), $75.0 million limit at December 31, 1998 on the term loan, amortizing quarterly by $187,500 through December 2004, then by $17.8 million each quarter thereafter until maturity on December 31, 2005, interest at 3.25% above the Eurodollar Rate (8.33% at December 31, 1998) ....................................... $ 379,000 $ - Reducing revolving credit facility, secured by substantially all of the assets of Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Station Casino St. Charles and Station Casino Kansas City, repaid in November 1998..................................... - 324,000 8 7/8% senior subordinated notes, payable interest only semi-annually, principal due December 1, 2008........................................................................ 199,900 - 9 3/4% senior subordinated notes, payable interest only semi-annually, principal due April 15, 2007, net of unamortized discount of $5.1 million at December 31, 1998........ 144,914 144,629 10 1/8% senior subordinated notes, payable interest only semi-annually, principal due March 15, 2006, net of unamortized discount of $1.0 million at December 31, 1998........ 196,981 196,908 Other long-term debt, collateralized by various assets, including slot machines, furniture and equipment, and land, monthly installments including interest ranging from 7.25% to 11.25% at December 31, 1998............................................................. 38,836 47,638 ------------------- ----------------- Total long-term debt.................................................................... 959,631 713,175 Current portion of long-term debt.......................................................... (13,323) (97,931) ------------------- ----------------- Total long-term debt, less current portion.............................................. 946,308 615,244 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes, payable interest only semi-annually, principal due June 1, 2003, net of unamortized discount of $5.4 million at December 31, 1998, defeased January 4, 1999.......................................................... 187,635 187,051 ------------------- ----------------- Total................................................................................... $1,133,943 $ 802,295 ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- -----------------
In June 1993, the Company completed an offering at par of $110 million in 9 5/8% senior subordinated notes due in June 2003. In May 1994, the Company completed an offering of $83 million in senior subordinated notes that have equal priority with the existing $110 million senior subordinated notes, and have identical maturities and covenants as the original issue. The 48 $83 million senior subordinated notes have a coupon rate of 9 5/8% and were priced to yield 11.5% to maturity. The discount on the $83 million senior subordinated notes has been recorded as a reduction to long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In March 1996, the Company completed an offering of $198 million of senior subordinated notes due in March 2006, that have equal priority with the other senior subordinated notes. The $198 million senior subordinated notes have a coupon rate of 10 1/8% and were priced to yield 10.24% to maturity. The discount on the $198 million senior subordinated notes has been recorded as a reduction to long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In April 1997, the Company completed an offering of $150 million of senior subordinated notes due in April 2007, that have equal priority with the other senior subordinated notes. The $150 million senior subordinated notes have a coupon rate of 9 3/4% and were priced to yield 10.37% to maturity. The discount on the $150 million senior subordinated notes has been recorded as a reduction to long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In December 1998, the Company completed an offering of $199.9 million of senior subordinated notes due in December 2008, that have equal priority with the other senior subordinated notes. The $199.9 million senior subordinated notes have a coupon rate of 8 7/8%. At December 31, 1998, the Company had deposited the net proceeds from the sale of the 8 7/8% Notes and a portion of the funds borrowed under the Amended Bank Facility in a separate trust account with the trustee under the indenture relating to the 9 5/8% Notes to redeem and to pay accrued interest and redemption premiums related to the 9 5/8% Notes on the redemption date. The redemption occurred on January 4, 1999. During the first quarter of calendar year 1999, the Company will record an extraordinary charge of $10.3 million (net of applicable tax benefit) to reflect the write-off of the unamortized debt discount, unamortized loan costs and the premium to redeem the notes. The indentures governing the Company's senior subordinated notes ("the Indentures") contain certain customary financial and other covenants, which among other things, govern the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ability to incur indebtedness (except, as specifically allowed) unless after giving effect thereto, a 2.0 to 1.0 pro forma Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Indentures) has been met. As of December 31, 1998, the Company's Consolidated Coverage Ratio was 1.98 to 1.00. In November 1998, the Company secured a $425.0 million bank credit facility which amended the Company's existing reducing revolving credit facility and repaid a supplemental facility which had been obtained in September 1998. The Amended Bank Facility consists of three secured tranches. Two revolving tranches constitute a reducing revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility") which provides for borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million and the third tranche constitutes a $75.0 million term loan (the "Term Loan"). The Revolving Facility includes a swing line facility with a sub-limit on borrowing of $15.0 million. The borrowers under the Amended Bank Facility are Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Station Casino Kansas City and Station Casino St. Charles (collectively, the "Borrowers"). The Amended Bank Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers. The Company, Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries guarantee the borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility (collectively the "Guarantors"). The maturity date for the Revolving Facility is September 30, 2003. The availability under the Revolving Facility will reduce by $7.0 million on September 30, 1999; by $12.25 million on each of December 31, 1999, March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000; by $14.0 million on September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001; and by $17.5 million on each fiscal quarter end thereafter. The Term Loan matures on December 31, 2005 and amortizes in installments of $187,500 on each fiscal quarter end from March 31, 2000 until and including December 31, 2004 and of $17.8 million on each fiscal quarter end thereafter. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a margin above the Alternate Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate (each, as defined in the Amended Bank Facility), as selected by the Company. The margin above such rates, and the fee on the unfunded portions of the Revolving Facility, will vary quarterly based on the Company's combined consolidated ratio of average quarterly adjusted funded debt to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for non-recurring gains and losses and preopening expenses, if any ("Adjusted EBITDA"). As of December 31, 1998, the Borrowers' margin above the Eurodollar Rate on borrowings under the Revolving Facility was 2.25%. The maximum margin for Eurodollar Rate borrowings is 2.75%. The maximum margin for alternate base rate borrowings is 1.50%. The maximum fee for the unfunded portion of the Revolving Facility is 0.50% multiplied by the average of the unfunded portion of the Revolving Facility. The interest rate on the Term Loan is 3.25% 49 above the Eurodollar Rate. The Company recognized an extraordinary loss of $3.1 million, net of the applicable income tax benefit, as a result of the early retirement of debt, as described above. The Amended Bank Facility contains certain financial and other covenants. These include a maximum funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio for the Borrowers combined of 2.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for the preceding four quarters for the Borrowers combined of 1.40 to 1.00 until and including March 31, 1999 and for each quarter thereafter, 1.50 to 1.00, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on asset dispositions, limitations on investments, limitations on prepayments of indebtedness and rent and limitations on capital expenditures. As of December 31, 1998, the Borrowers combined funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.13 to 1.00 and their combined fixed charge coverage ratio for the preceding four quarters ended December 31, 1998 was 1.86 to 1.00. A tranche of the Revolving Facility contains a minimum tangible net worth requirement for Palace Station ($10 million plus 95% of net income determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter with no reduction for net losses) and certain restrictions on distributions of cash from Palace Station to the Company. As of December 31, 1998, Palace Station's tangible net worth exceeded the requirement by approximately $8.5 million. These covenants limit Palace Station's ability to make payments to the Company, a significant source of anticipated cash for the Company. In addition, the Amended Bank Facility has financial and other covenants relating to the Company. These include a tangible net worth covenant of $265.0 million (adjusted upward for 95% of cumulative net income (without deduction for any net loss) and 100% of capital stock issuances and downward for certain capital stock repurchases, preferred stock dividends, or certain permissible asset dispositions, required write down of assets and preopening expense, if any) and a consolidated funded debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of no more than 5.50 to 1.00 on December 31, 1998 and reducing quarterly to 4.00 to 1.00 on September 30, 2001. Other covenants limit prepayments of indebtedness or rent (including, subordinated debt other than refinancings meeting certain criteria), limitations on asset dispositions, limitation on dividends, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on investments and limitations on capital expenditures. The Amended Bank Facility also prohibits the Company from holding cash and cash equivalents in excess of the sum of the amounts necessary to make the next scheduled interest or dividend payments on the Company's senior subordinated notes and preferred stock, the amounts necessary to fund casino bankroll in the ordinary course of business, any amount required to be held by the Company or any restricted subsidiary by any gaming boards, and $2.0 million. The Company has pledged the stock of all of its subsidiaries except Kansas City Station Corporation and St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. and has agreed to pledge the stock of the latter two subsidiaries upon regulatory approval (which is expected to be obtained). The Company and the Guarantors waive certain defenses and rights including rights of subrogation and reimbursement. The Amended Bank Facility contains customary events of default and remedies and is cross-defaulted to the Company's senior subordinated notes and a change of control default (which definition is substantially similar to the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event in the indentures governing the senior subordinated notes). On September 25, 1996, Sunset Station, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Construction/Term Loan Agreement (the "Sunset Loan Agreement") with Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, Bank of Scotland, Societe Generale and each of the other lenders party to such agreement, pursuant to which Sunset Station received a commitment for $110 million to finance the remaining development and construction costs of Sunset Station. The Company also entered into an operating lease for certain furniture, fixtures and equipment with a cost of up to $40 million to be subleased to Sunset Station as part of the Sunset Station project (See Note 6). The Sunset Loan Agreement included a first mortgage term note in the amount of $110 million (the "Sunset Note") which was non-recourse to the Company, except as to certain construction matters pursuant to a completion guarantee dated as of September 25, 1996, executed by the Company on behalf of Sunset Station and except that the Company had pledged all of the stock of Sunset Station as security for the Sunset Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 1998, the Sunset Note had been repaid. The early retirement resulted in an extraordinary loss of $2.0 million, net of the applicable income tax benefit. In order to manage the interest rate risk associated with the Sunset Note, Sunset Station entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association. This agreement swapped the variable rate interest pursuant to the Sunset Note to a fixed rate of 9.58% (5.83% fixed plus the Sunset Note margin), on $35 million notional amount as of January 1997 increasing to $60 million at March 1997, $90 million at June 1997, $100 million at September 1997 and then decreasing to $95 million at June 1998. The agreement expired in December 1998. The difference paid or received 50 pursuant to the swap agreement is accrued as interest rates change and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense on the Sunset Note. At the time of the early retirement of the Sunset Note, the Borrowers under the Bank Facility accepted the interest rate swap on substantially identical terms to those of the Sunset Note. The estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt at December 31, 1998, was approximately $1,174.2 million, compared to its book value of approximately $1,147.3 million. The estimated fair value amounts were based on quoted market prices on or about December 31, 1998, for the Company's debt securities that are publicly traded. For debt securities that are not publicly traded, fair value was estimated based on the quoted market prices for similar issues or the current rates offered to the Company for debt having the same remaining maturities. Scheduled maturities of long-term debt are as follows (amounts in thousands):
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, - ------------------------ 1999...................................................... $13,323 2000...................................................... 36,888 2001...................................................... 74,373 2002...................................................... 72,008 2003...................................................... 336,547 Thereafter................................................ 614,127 -------------- Total.................................................. $1,147,266 -------------- --------------
Included in maturities for the year ending December 31, 2003 is $187.6 million of debt which was repaid on January 4, 1999. 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES BOULDER STATION LEASE The Company entered into a ground lease for 27 acres of land on which Boulder Station is located. The Company leases this land from a trust pursuant to a long-term ground lease. The trustee of this trust is Bank of America NT&SA, the beneficiary of which is KB Enterprises, an affiliated company owned by Frank J. Fertitta, Jr. and Victoria K. Fertitta (the "Related Lessor"), the parents of Frank J. Fertitta III, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The lease has a maximum term of 65 years, ending in June 2058. The lease provides for monthly payments of $135,525 through June 2008. In July 2008, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted by a cost of living factor. In July 2003, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted to the product of the fair market value of the land and the greater of (i) the then prevailing annual rate of return for comparably situated property or (ii) 8% per year. In no event will the rent for any period be less than the immediately prior period. Pursuant to the ground lease, the Company has an option, exercisable at five-year intervals beginning in June 1998, to purchase the land at fair market value. The Company's leasehold interest in the property is subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. TEXAS STATION LEASE The Company entered into a ground lease for 47 acres of land on which Texas Station is located. The Company leases this land from a trust pursuant to a long-term ground lease. The trustee of this trust is Bank of America NT&SA, the beneficiary of which is Texas Gambling Hall & Hotel, Inc. an affiliate company of the Related Lessor. The lease has a maximum term of 65 years, ending in July 2000. The lease provides for monthly rental payments of $150,000 through June 2000. In July 2000, and every ten years thereafter, the rent will be adjusted to the product of the fair market value of the land and the greater of (i) the then prevailing annual rate of return being realized for owners of comparable land in Clark County or (ii) 8% per year. The rent will be further adjusted by a cost of living factor after the first ten years and every ten years thereafter. In no event will the rent for any period be less than the immediately prior period. Pursuant to the ground lease, the Company will have an option, exercisable at five-year intervals beginning in May 2000, to purchase the land at fair market value. The Company's leasehold interest in the property is subject to a lien to secure borrowings under the Amended Bank Facility. 51 SUNSET STATION LEASE In June 1994, the Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 47.5 acres of land on which Sunset Station is located. The lease has a term of 65 years with monthly rental payments of $120,000, adjusted on each subsequent five-year anniversary by a cost of living factor. On the seventh anniversary of the lease, the Company has an option to purchase this land for $23.8 million. Additionally, on the seventh anniversary of the lease, the lessor has an option to sell this land to the Company for $21.8 million. STATION CASINO KANSAS CITY LEASE The Company has entered into a joint venture which owns the land on which Station Casino Kansas City is located. At December 31, 1998, $3.0 million related to this investment is included in other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In April 1994, Station Casino Kansas City entered into an agreement with the joint venture to lease this land. The agreement requires monthly payments of $85,000 through March 31, 1998, and $91,800 through the remainder of the lease term. The lease expires March 31, 2006, with an option to extend the lease for up to eight renewal periods of ten years each, plus one additional seven year period. Commencing April 1, 1998 and every anniversary thereafter, the rent shall be adjusted by a cost of living factor. In connection with the joint venture agreement, the Company received an option providing for the right to acquire the joint venture partner's interest in this joint venture. The Company has the option to acquire this interest at any time after April 1, 2002 through April 1, 2011, for $11.7 million, however, commencing April 1, 1998, the purchase price will be adjusted by a cost of living factor of not more than 5% or less than 2% per annum. At December 31, 1998, $2.6 million paid by the Company in consideration for this option is included in other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. SOUTHERN FLORIDA In October 1994, the Company entered into an agreement to form a limited partnership with the existing operator of a pari-mutuel facility in southern Florida. In the event casino gaming is approved by the voters of Florida by October 2000 and in the event the site is licensed by the state, the Company will be obligated to make capital contributions to the partnership totaling $35 million, reduced by credits for amounts previously contributed to any Florida gaming referendum campaign. EQUIPMENT LEASE In connection with the Sunset Loan Agreement, the Company entered into an operating lease for furniture, fixtures and equipment (the "Equipment") with a cost of up to $40 million, dated as of September 25, 1996, (the "Sunset Operating Lease") with First Security Trust Company of Nevada. The Sunset Operating Lease expires in October 2000 and carries a lease rate of 225 basis points above the Eurodollar Rate. As of December 31, 1998, $35.7 million of this facility had been drawn and no further draws pursuant to the lease will be made. The Company has entered into a sublease with Sunset Station for the Equipment pursuant to an operating lease with financial terms substantially similar to the Sunset Operating Lease. The Company has an option to purchase the equipment for $30.5 million at December 31, 1998. This amount reduces throughout the term of the lease to $21.4 million at October 2000. In connection with the Sunset Operating Lease, the Company also entered into a participation agreement, dated as of September 25, 1996, (the "Participation Agreement") with the trustee, as lessor under the Sunset Operating Lease, and holders of beneficial interests in the Lessor Trust (the "Holders"). Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, the Holders advanced funds to the trustee for the purchase by the trustee of, or to reimburse the Company for, the purchase of the Equipment, which is being leased to the Company, and in turn subleased to Sunset Station. Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, the Company also agreed to indemnify the Lessor and the Holders against certain liabilities. OPERATING LEASES The Company leases several parcels of land and equipment used in its operations at Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Station Casino St. Charles, Station Casino Kansas City and Wild Wild West. Leases on various 52 parcels ranging from 13 acres to 171 acres have terms expiring between March 2006 and July 2063. Future minimum lease payments required under these operating leases and other noncancelable operating leases are as follows (amounts in thousands):
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, - ------------------------ 1999............................................................. $ 15,881 2000............................................................. 37,642 2001............................................................. 8,744 2002............................................................. 9,594 2003............................................................. 9,594 Thereafter....................................................... 437,361 ----------- Total....................................................... $ 518,816 ----------- -----------
Rent expense totaled approximately $11.9 million, $12.4 million and $5.4 million for the Transition Period 1998 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Rents of $0.3 million and $2.2 million were capitalized in connection with the construction of Sunset Station and Station Casino Kansas City for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. LEGAL MATTERS (See also Note 13) MISSOURI REFERENDUM On January 16, 1997, the Company's gaming license in Kansas City was formally issued for its facility, which is located in a man-made basin filled with water piped in from the surface of the Missouri River. In reliance on numerous approvals from the Missouri Gaming Commission specific to the configuration and granted prior to the formal issuance of its gaming license, the Company built and opened the Station Casino Kansas City ("KCSC") facility. The license issued to the Company and the resolutions related thereto specifically acknowledge that the Missouri Gaming Commission had reviewed and approved this configuration. On November 25, 1997, the Supreme Court of Missouri, in a case challenging the gaming licenses of certain competitors of Station Casino St. Charles located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, ruled that gaming may occur only in artificial spaces that are contiguous to the surface stream of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. On November 3, 1998, the citizens of the State of Missouri approved a Constitutional amendment which was proposed by initiative petition, that retroactively legalized lotteries, gift enterprises and games of chance aboard excursion gambling boats and floating facilities, like the Company's, that are located within artificial spaces containing water that are within 1,000 feet of the closest edge of the main channel of the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers. This amendment to the Constitution became effective on November 23, 1998. The Missouri Gaming Commission has stayed its preliminary orders of disciplinary action against licensees that operate within artificial basins, and has dismissed the preliminary orders for disciplinary action with respect to all applicable licensees except KCSC. The Missouri Gaming Commission has not dismissed the disciplinary proceeding against KCSC because it is investigating an alleged violation by KCSC that is related to the placement of the Company's gaming facilities in an artificial basin. While the Company anticipates that the disciplinary action with respect to KCSC will be dismissed, the Company cannot be sure that the Missouri Gaming Commission will take such action or that the Missouri Gaming Commission will not impose a fine or other penalty against the Company in connection with such dismissal. LOW WATER LEVEL AT STATION CASINO ST. CHARLES; EPA INVESTIGATION During December 1998 and January 1999, the water level of the Missouri River was well below normal. In addition, over time silt and debris flowing downstream have built up under the gaming barges and other ancillary barges at Station Casino St. Charles. These circumstances have caused a portion of these barges, at times, to touch the river bottom. Because these barges have touched the river bottom, the American Bureau of Shipping decertified the barges on January 8, 1999. As a result of the decertification, the Missouri Gaming Commission expressed concern regarding the effect of the low water level on the barges. However, based upon recent improvement in the water level and the Company's agreement to work with the American Bureau of Shipping to re-certify all of the barges at a time when the river levels permit, the Missouri Gaming Commission has allowed the gaming facility to remain open. The Company continues to monitor the situation very carefully and believes that the facility should remain in operation. However, there can be no assurance that the Company's 53 assessment will not change or that the relevant authorities will continue to permit the operation of the facility. A prolonged closure of the facility as a result of the low water level would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position and results of operations. The Company has taken steps and intends to take further steps to remedy the problems caused by the low water level. These further steps include dredging material from under the barges and constructing a sheet metal wall to divert silt and debris and keep it from building up under the barges. The Company does not expect the cost of these remedial activities to be material, although there can be no assurance that such costs will not exceed the Company's expectations. Dredging and construction activities generally require permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Company is currently in the process of applying for the required permits. There can be no assurance that the United States Army Corps of Engineers will grant such permits or that they will be granted on a timely basis. If there is a significant delay in the Company receiving the required permits and the low water level returns, the Company could be forced to close the facility. The Company's ability to receive the required permits could be adversely affected by the investigation described below. On February 3, 1999, the Company received a subpoena issued by the EPA requesting that documentation relating to the Company's dredging activities at the facility be furnished to the Grand Jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Several employees and persons who contracted to work for the Company received similar subpoenas. The Company believes that the EPA is investigating allegations that the Company or the Company's contractors dredged and disposed of silt and debris from the area of the facility either without proper permits or without complying with such permits. The Company is in the process of investigating the substance of the allegations and intends to cooperate fully with the EPA's investigation. The investigation could lead to further proceedings against the Company which could result in significant fines and other penalties imposed on the Company. Based on the initial results of the Company's own investigation, the Company believes that any fines or other penalties, if imposed, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, the Company is a litigant in legal matters arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, all pending legal matters are either adequately covered by insurance or, if not insured, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or the results of operations of the Company. 7. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY In March 1996, the Company completed a public offering of 1,800,000 shares of convertible preferred stock (the "Convertible Preferred Stock") at $50.00 per share generating net proceeds of approximately $87.3 million, before deducting $0.6 million of offering costs paid by the Company. In April 1996, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 270,000 shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock generating net proceeds to the Company of approximately $13.1 million. The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at an initial conversion rate of 3.2573 shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock. The Convertible Preferred Stock is redeemable, at the option of the Company in whole or in part, for shares of the Company's common stock at any time after March 15, 1999, initially at a redemption price of $52.45 per share and thereafter at prices decreasing annually to $50.00 per share of Convertible Preferred Stock on and after March 15, 2006, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The common shares to be issued is determined by dividing the redemption price by the lower of the average daily closing price for the Company's common stock for the preceding 20 trading days or the closing price of the Company's common stock on the first business day preceding the date of the redemption notice. Any fractional shares would be paid in cash. Dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock of $3.50 per share annually, accrue and are cumulative from the date of issuance. The Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. RIGHTS PLAN On October 6, 1997, the Company declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The dividend was paid on October 21, 1997. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred Shares") of the Company at a price of $40.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. The Rights 54 are not exercisable until the earlier of 10 days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock ("Acquiring Person") or 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. The Rights will expire on October 21, 2007. Acquiring Persons do not have the same rights to receive Common Stock as other holders upon exercise of the Rights. Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one Common Share. In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, the proper provisions will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter become void), will thereafter have the rights to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. Because of the characteristics of the Rights in connection with a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person, the Rights may have the effect of making an acquisition of the Company more difficult and may discourage such an acquisition. 8. RELATED PARTIES The Company has employed McNabb/McNabb/DeSoto/Salter & Co. ("MMDS") to provide advertising and marketing research services. Certain stockholders of the Company owned a 50% interest in MMDS. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Company paid MMDS $27.2 million for advertising, market research and other costs related to these activities, a significant portion of which was passed on to vendors of MMDS. In April 1997, the Company purchased the assets of MMDS for approximately $0.8 million. In management's opinion, these transactions were conducted with terms as fair to the Company as could have been obtained from unaffiliated companies. 9. BENEFIT PLANS STOCK COMPENSATION PROGRAM The Company has adopted a Stock Compensation Program (the "Program") which includes (i) an Incentive Stock Option Plan for the grant of incentive stock options, (ii) a Compensatory Stock Option Plan providing for the grant of non-qualified stock options, and (iii) a Restricted Shares Plan providing for the grant of restricted shares of common stock. Officers, key employees, directors (whether employee directors or non-employee directors) and independent contractors or agents of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the program. However, only employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive incentive stock options. A maximum of 6,307,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Program. Options are granted at the current market price at the date of grant. The plan provides for a variety of vesting schedules, ranging from immediate to twenty percent a year for five years, to be determined at the time of grant. All options have an exercise period of ten years from the date of grant. 55 The Program will terminate ten years from the date of adoption, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, and no options or restricted shares may be granted under the Program after such date. Summarized information for the Program is as follows:
TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 1998 1998 1997 --------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE OPTIONS PRICE OPTIONS PRICE OPTIONS PRICE --------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- Outstanding Beginning of the Year 5,067,452 $ 13.30 4,432,182 $ 15.22 2,697,012 $ 16.24 Granted 1,038,306 $ 7.69 1,799,742 $ 7.50 2,160,822 $ 14.01 Exercised (1,123) $ 12.00 (4,012) $ 12.24 (14,711) $ 12.16 Canceled (101,305) $ 7.91 (1,160,460) $ 11.59 (410,941) $ 15.70 ----------- --------- --------- Outstanding End of the Year 6,003,330 $ 12.43 5,067,452 $ 13.30 4,432,182 $ 15.22 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- Exercisable at End of Year 1,951,594 $ 16.60 1,485,971 $ 17.28 1,408,893 $ 16.50 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- Options Available for Grant 113,278 1,050,279 1,689,561 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- ---------
The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at December 31, 1998:
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE ------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- WEIGHTED NUMBER AVERAGE WEIGHTED NUMBER WEIGHTED RANGE OF OUTSTANDING REMAINING AVERAGE EXERCISABLE AVERAGE EXERCISE AT CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE AT EXERCISE PRICES DECEMBER 31, 1998 LIFE PRICE DECEMBER 31, 1998 PRICE - ---------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- $ 5.38 - $ 7.88 2,506,548 9.2 $ 7.57 118,161 $ 7.50 $ 8.56 - $12.25 543,067 6.5 $11.78 483,306 $11.96 $13.00 - $18.00 1,939,715 7.1 $14.85 336,127 $15.69 $20.00 - $22.00 1,014,000 4.4 $20.18 1,014,000 $20.18 --------- --------- 6,003,330 7.5 $12.43 1,951,594 $16.60 --------- --------- --------- ---------
Restricted stock grants in the amount of 170,500 shares were issued during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995. The effect of these grants is to increase the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock and decrease the number of shares available for grant in the plan. Deferred compensation is recorded for the restricted stock grants equal to the market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The deferred compensation is amortized over the period the restricted stock vests and is recorded as compensation expense in selling, general, and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 56 The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for the Program. Accordingly, compensation expense recognized was different than what would have been otherwise recognized under the fair value based method defined in SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". Had compensation expense for the plans been determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the effect on the Company's net income (loss) applicable to common stock and basic earnings (loss) per common share would have been as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Net income (loss) applicable to common stock: As reported..................................................... $ (17,531) $ (12,441) $ 6,518 Proforma........................................................ $ (19,201) $ (14,455) $ 3,640 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share: As reported..................................................... $ (0.50) $ (0.35) $ 0.18 Proforma........................................................ $ (0.54) $ (0.41) $ 0.10
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing method with the following assumptions:
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Expected dividend yield............................................ --- --- --- Expected stock price volatility.................................... 51.90% 46.20% 45.50% Risk-free interest rate............................................ 4.51% 6.03% 6.46% Expected average life of options (years)........................... 3.87 4.84 3.92 Expected fair value of options granted............................. $3.34 $3.38 $5.64
Because the SFAS No. 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted prior to April 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma net income may not be representative of that to be expected in future years. In May 1995, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repricing of 1,156,900 options with option prices ranging from $13.00 to $20.00. Options held by certain members of the Company's Board of Directors, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company were not repriced. The effect of the repricing of all the subject options was the cancellation of 1,116,500 options and the reissuance of 872,680 options ("replacement options") with a price of $12.00 (market value at date of the repricing) which are included in granted and canceled options in the table above. The number of replacement options was determined, based upon a valuation model, so that the value of the replacement options was equivalent to the value of the options originally granted. 401(k) PLANS The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) plan, which covers all employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements and allows an employer contribution up to 25 percent of the first four percent of each participating employee's compensation. Effective October 1, 1998, the employer contribution was increased to 50 percent of the first four percent of each participating employee's compensation. Plan participants can elect to defer before tax compensation through payroll deductions. These deferrals are regulated under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company's matching contribution was approximately $678,000, $499,000 and $442,000 for the Transition Period 1998 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 57 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS The Company has employment agreements with certain of its executive officers. These contracts provide for, among other things, an annual base salary with annual adjustments and supplemental long-term disability and supplemental life insurance benefits in excess of the Company's normal coverage for employees. The Company elected to self-insure with respect to the long-term disability benefits. In addition, the Company has adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for its Chief Executive Officer and a Supplemental Management Retirement Plan for certain key executives as selected by the Human Resources Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Other executive plans include a Deferred Compensation Plan and a Long-Term Stay-On Performance Incentive Plan. The expenses related to these plans are included in corporate expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 11. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE In March 1997, the Company introduced a plan designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency of operations. This plan resulted in a one-time charge to earnings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 totaling $2,016,000, primarily related to employee severance payments. 12. INCOME TAXES The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. The (provision) benefit for income taxes for financial reporting purposes consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Income tax (provision) benefit from continuing operations.......... $ 871 $ 966 $ (7,615) Tax benefit from extraordinary loss on early retirement of debt.... 1,671 626 - ---------------- --------------- -------------- $ 2,542 $ 1,592 $ (7,615) ---------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------
The (provision) benefit for income taxes attributable to income (loss) from continuing operations consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Current: Federal......................................................... $ 3,953 $ 18,083 $ (7,708) State........................................................... - - 1,834 ---------------- --------------- -------------- 3,953 18,083 (5,874) Deferred............................................................... (1,411) (16,491) (1,741) ---------------- ---------------- -------------- Total income taxes.............................................. $ 2,542 $ 1,592 $ (7,615) ---------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------
58 The income tax (provision) benefit differs from that computed at the federal statutory corporate tax rate as follows:
TRANSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED PERIOD MARCH 31, ---------------- --------------------------------- 1998 1998 1997 ---------------- --------------- -------------- Federal statutory rate................................................. 35.0% 35.0% (35.0)% State income taxes, net of federal benefit............................. - - 5.5 Lobbying and political................................................. (16.8) (7.0) (1.5) Meals and entertainment................................................ (1.2) (3.7) (0.3) Credits earned, net.................................................... 2.5 3.6 1.4 Other, net............................................................. (2.1) (4.5) (5.7) ---------------- --------------- -------------- Effective tax rate..................................................... 17.4% 23.4% (35.6)% ---------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------
The tax effects of significant temporary differences representing net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (amounts in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1998 1998 ---------------- ---------------- Deferred tax assets: Current: Accrued vacation, bonuses and group insurance.......................... $ 5,691 $ 5,279 Prepaid gaming taxes................................................... (1,910) (1,437) Other.................................................................. 1,200 $ 2,882 ---------------- ----------------- Total current.............................................................. 4,981 6,724 ---------------- ----------------- Long-term: Preopening and other costs, net of amortization........................ 12,759 15,182 State deferred taxes................................................... 2,023 2,010 Net operating loss..................................................... 14,208 15,361 Alternative minimum tax credits........................................ 18,891 8,453 ---------------- ----------------- Total long-term............................................................ 47,881 41,006 ---------------- ----------------- Total deferred tax assets.................................................. 52,862 47,730 ---------------- ----------------- Deferred tax liabilities: Long-term: Temporary differences related to property and equipment................ (62,660) (53,605) Other.................................................................. 9,407 (926) ---------------- ----------------- Total deferred tax liabilities............................................. (53,253) (54,531) ---------------- ----------------- Net ...................................................................... $ (391) $ (6,801) ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
The Company currently has a net operating loss carryforward ("NOL") of $41.4 million. This NOL begins to expire in years 2013 through years 2018. The excess of the alternative minimum tax over the regular federal income tax is a tax credit which can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future regular federal income tax liabilities. The Company did not record a valuation allowance at December 31, 1998 or March 31, 1998 relating to recorded tax benefits because all benefits are more likely than not to be realized. 13. MERGER AGREEMENT On January 16, 1998, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the "Merger Agreement") with Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, a Texas real estate investment trust ("Crescent"). The Merger Agreement provided for the merger (the "Merger") of the Company and Crescent at the time of effectiveness of the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement (the "Effective Time"). The Merger Agreement is currently the subject of litigation between Crescent and the Company. The Company wrote off $2.9 million of costs incurred related to the Merger (which are included in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the Transition Period 1998). The Company also expects to incur ongoing litigation costs associated with the current lawsuits involving the Merger Agreement. 59 On July 27, 1998, the Company and Crescent announced the postponement of the previously announced joint annual and special meeting of the Company's stockholders. The meeting was postponed to address concerns related to the Merger expressed by holders of the Company's preferred stock. The Company subsequently requested that Crescent purchase $20 million of the Company's $100 Redeemable Preferred Stock issuable under the Merger Agreement (the "Redeemable Preferred Stock"). The Merger Agreement provides that, if the Company is not in material breach of its covenants, representations or warranties under the Merger Agreement, Crescent is required to fund up to $115 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock even if the Merger Agreement has been terminated. Crescent advised the Company that Crescent took the position that the Company's postponing of the meeting was a breach of the Merger Agreement. On July 30, 1998, the Company filed suit against Crescent in Clark County District Court, State of Nevada, seeking declaratory relief. The suit asserts, among other things, that postponement of the meeting did not breach the Merger Agreement, that the Company had received Crescent's consent to postponement of the meeting and was otherwise in full compliance with its obligations under the Merger Agreement. On August 11, 1998, the Company requested that Crescent purchase the additional $95 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock. Also on August 11, 1998, the Company amended its complaint in Nevada state court to include claims regarding Crescent's breaches of the Merger Agreement. The Company's lawsuit against Crescent seeks damages for Crescent's breaches and specific performance requiring Crescent to fulfill its obligation under the Merger Agreement to purchase $115 million of Redeemable Preferred Stock. On December 22, 1998, Crescent filed its answer and counterclaims to the Company's suit pending in the Nevada state court. The answer generally denied the Company's claims, and the counterclaims sought damages and declaratory relief alleging that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by canceling and failing to reschedule the August 4, 1998 stockholders' meeting. The suit sought declaratory judgment that the Company's actions with respect to the meeting, together with certain alleged misrepresentations in the Merger Agreement, relieve Crescent of its obligation under the Merger Agreement to purchase an aggregate $115 million of the Redeemable Preferred Stock. For the same reasons, Crescent alleged that it was excused from further performance under the Merger Agreement. Crescent did not specify the amount of damages it sought. On January 11, 1999, the Company filed its reply to Crescent's counterclaims in which the Company denied the allegations of Crescent's counterclaims. Discovery is ongoing in this action. The Company anticipates that Crescent will seek the $54 million break-up fee as part of its counterclaims. On August 12, 1998, Crescent had announced that it intended to assert a claim for damages for the $54 million break-up fee under the Merger Agreement or its equivalent and for expenses. On August 7, 1998, Crescent filed suit against the Company in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, seeking damages and declaratory relief. The suit alleged that the Company breached the Merger Agreement by canceling and failing to reschedule the August 4, 1998 stockholders' meeting. The suit sought a declaratory judgment that the Company's actions with respect to the meeting, together with certain alleged misrepresentations in the Merger Agreement, relieve Crescent of its obligation under the Merger Agreement to purchase an aggregate $115 million of the Redeemable Preferred Stock. For the same reasons, Crescent alleged that it was excused from further performance under the Merger Agreement. Crescent did not specify the amount of damages it sought. Simultaneously with the filing of its suit, Crescent sent notice of termination of the Merger Agreement to the Company. The Company believes that Crescent, and not the Company, breached the Merger Agreement. On December 15, 1998, Crescent's suit against the Company pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. On December 21, 1998, Crescent served the Company with a notice of appeal of the dismissal. While the Company believes that Crescent has breached the Merger Agreement and that Crescent's allegations are without merit, as with any litigation, no assurance as to the outcome of such litigation can be made at this time. 60 A suit seeking status as a class action and a derivative action was filed by plaintiff, Crandon Capital Partners, on August 7, 1998, in Clark County District Court, State of Nevada, naming the Company and its Board of Directors as defendants. The lawsuit, which was filed as a result of the failed merger between the Company and Crescent, alleges, among other things, a breach of fiduciary duty owed to the shareholders/class members. The lawsuit seeks damages allegedly suffered by the shareholders/class members as a result of the transactions with Crescent, as well as all costs and disbursements of the lawsuit. The Company and the Board of Directors do not believe the suit has merit and intend to defend themselves vigorously. 14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
INCOME (LOSS) NET BEFORE INCOME BASIC INCOME (LOSS) EARNINGS TAXES APPLICABLE (LOSS) OPERATING AND TO PER NET INCOME EXTRAORDINARY COMMON COMMON REVENUES (LOSS) ITEM STOCK SHARE ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------ --------- (amounts in thousands, except per common share amounts) TRANSITION PERIOD 1998 First quarter.................................... $ 206,250 $ 29,179 $ 5,528 $ 1,488 $ 0.04 Second quarter................................... $ 213,448 $ 31,622 $ 5,090 $ 1,033 $ 0.03 Third quarter.................................... $ 222,516 $ 3,895 $ (20,482) $ (20,052) $ (0.57) YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 First quarter.................................... $ 173,516 $ 8,178 $ (12,846) $ (10,101) $ (0.29) Second quarter................................... $ 194,097 $ 23,340 $ 3,655 $ 546 $ 0.02 Third quarter.................................... $ 197,196 $ 24,984 $ 5,299 $ 1,613 $ 0.05 Fourth quarter................................... $ 204,801 $ 27,684 $ (228) $ (4,499) $ (0.13) YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 First quarter.................................... $ 135,440 $ 22,813 $ 14,581 $ 7,648 $ 0.22 Second quarter................................... $ 138,034 $ 23,809 $ 15,847 $ 8,307 $ 0.24 Third quarter.................................... $ 133,767 $ 21,536 $ 13,789 $ 6,944 $ 0.20 Fourth quarter................................... $ 176,274 $ (10,035) $ (22,839) $ (16,381) $ (0.46)
61 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT There is incorporated by reference the information appearing in the section entitled "Directors and Executive Officers" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be made publicly available with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION There is incorporated by reference the information appearing in the section entitled "Executive Compensation" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be made publicly available with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT There is incorporated by reference the information appearing in the section entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be made publicly available with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS There is incorporated by reference the information appearing in the sections entitled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be made publicly available with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 62 PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) 1. Financial Statements (including related notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) filed in Part II of this report are listed below: Report of Independent Public Accountants Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998 Nine Months Ended December 31, 1998 and Years Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (a) 2. None (a) 3. Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description - ------- ----------- 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of February 1, 1993 among Frank J. Fertitta, Jr., as Trustee of the Frank J. Fertitta and Victoria K. Fertitta Revocable Family Trust dated June 17, 1989, Frank J. Fertitta III, Blake L. Sartini, Delise F. Sartini and Lorenzo J. Fertitta. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 2.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 16, 1998 among Crescent Real Estate Equities Company and Station Casinos, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998) 2.3 Amendment No. 1 dated as of February 17, 1998 to Agreement and Plan of Merger. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998) 2.4 Amendment No. 2 dated as of June 14, 1998, to Agreement and Plan of Merger. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated June 17, 1998) 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-76156) 3.2 Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-76156) 4.1 Form of Subordinated Note of the Registrant. (1998 Issue) (included in Exhibit 4.5)
63 4.2 Form of Subordinated Note of the Registrant (1997 Issue). (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated April 3, 1997) 4.3 Form of Subordinated Note of the Registrant (1996 Issue). (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated March 25, 1996) 4.4 Form of Subordinated Note of the Registrant (1994 Issue). (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-76156) 4.5 Indenture dated as of December 3, 1998 between the Registrant and First Union National Bank as Trustee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated January 27, 1999) 4.6 Indenture dated as of April 3, 1997 between Registrant and First Union National Bank as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated April 3, 1997) 4.7 Indenture dated as of March 29, 1996 between the Registrant and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated March 25, 1996) 4.8 Indenture dated as of May 11, 1994 between the Registrant and First Union National Bank (f.k.a. First Fidelity Bank, National Association) as Trustee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1994) 4.9 First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 25, 1996 between Registrant and First Union National Bank, (f.k.a. First Fidelity Bank, National Association), as Trustee with respect to the Indenture dated as of May 11, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated March 25, 1996) 4.10 Second Amended and Restated Reducing Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of November 6, 1998. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated November 6, 1998) 4.11 Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Reducing Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of November 30, 1998. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated November 6, 1998) 4.12 Certificate of Resolutions of Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated March 25, 1996) 4.13 Form of Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated March 25, 1996) 4.14 Rights Agreement dated October 6, 1997 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 9, 1997). 4.15 Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of January 16, 1998, between Station Casinos, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent. ( Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998). 4.16 Amendment No. 2 to Rights Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1998, between Station Casinos, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent. ( Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated November 6, 1998).
64 4.17 Certificate of Resolutions of $100 Redeemable Preferred Stock (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998) 10.1 Lease dated as of December 17, 1974 between Teddy Rich Enterprises and Townefood, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.2 Lease dated as of May 8, 1973 between Teddy Rich Enterprises and Mini-Price Motor Inn., including Addendum dated May 8, 1973; Lease Addendum dated June 10, 1974 amending lease dated May 8, 1973 between Teddy Rich Enterprises and Mini-Price Motor Inn, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302). 10.3 Lease dated as of February 16, 1976 between Richfield Development Co. and Mini-Price Motor Inn. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.4 Lease dated as of September 6, 1977 between Richard Tam and Mini-Price Motor Inn Joint Venture (Parcel B1). (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.5 Lease dated as of September 6, 1977 between Richard Tam and Mini-Price Motor Inn Joint Venture (Parcel B2). (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.6 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Frank J. Fertitta III and the Registrant dated as of December 22, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998) 10.7 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Glenn C. Christenson and the Registrant dated as of December 22, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's on Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998). 10.8 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Scott M Nielson and the Registrant dated as of December 22, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998) 10.9 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Blake L. Sartini and the Registrant dated as of December 22, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 1998) 10.10 Stock Compensation Program of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993) 10.11 Amendment dated as of August 22, 1995 to the Stock Compensation Program. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1995) 10.12 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of the Registrant dated as of November 30, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1994) 10.13 Supplemental Management Retirement Plan of the Registrant dated as of November 30, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1994) 10.14 Long-Term Stay-On Performance Incentive Plan between the Registrant and Joseph J. Canfora, Glenn C. Christenson, Scott M Nielson and Blake L. Sartini. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1994)
65 10.15 Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan of the Registrant effective as of November 30, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1994) 10.16 Special Long-Term Disability Plan of the Registrant dated as of November 30, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1994) 10.17 Ground Lease between Boulder Station, Inc. and KB Enterprises dated as of June 1, 1993. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993) 10.18 Option to Lease or Purchase dated as of June 1, 1993 between Boulder Station, Inc. and KB Enterprises. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993) 10.19 Option to Acquire Interest Under Purchase Contract dated as of June 1, 1993 between Boulder Station, Inc. and KB Enterprises. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1993) 10.20 First Amendment to Ground Lease and Sublease, dated as of June 30, 1995, by and between KB Enterprises, as landlord and Boulder Station, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.21 Ground Lease between Registrant and Texas Gambling Hall & Hotel, Inc. dated as of June 1, 1995. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.22 First Amendment to Ground Lease dated as of June 30, 1995 between Registrant and Texas Gambling Hall & Hotel, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.23 Assignment, Assumption and Consent Agreement (Ground Lease) dated as of July 6, 1995 between Registrant and Texas Station, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.24 Sublease Agreement dated as of November 30, 1992 between the City of St. Charles and St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant Statement No. 33-59302) 10.25 Lease between Navillus Investment Co.; Jerome D. Mack as trustee of the Center Trust; Peter Trust Limited Partnership; and Third Generation Limited Partnership and Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1994) 10.26 Joint Venture Agreement dated as of September 25, 1993, between First Holdings Company and the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.27 Assignment and Assumption Agreement (Joint Venture Agreement) dated as of March 25, 1996 between the Registrant and Kansas City Station Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1996). 10.28 Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement dated as of November 15, 1993, between First Holdings Company and the Registrant (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1996).
66 10.29 Second Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of April 22, 1996, between First Holdings Company and Kansas City Station Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1996) 10.30 Development Agreement dated as of April 24, 1995, between Kansas City Station Corporation and the Port Authority of Kansas City. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.31 Lease Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1994 between Station/First Joint Venture and Kansas City Station Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 5, 1995) 10.32 First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of March 19, 1996 between Station/First Joint Venture and Kansas City Station Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1996). 10.33 Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of April 22, 1996, between Station/First Joint Venture and Kansas City Station Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1996) 10.34 Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Executive Officers. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.35 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and Frank Fertitta, Jr. (Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-59302) 10.36 Participation Agreement dated as of September 25, 1996 among the Registrant, as Lessee, and First Security Trust Company of Nevada, as Lessor and Trustee, and the other Persons that are parties to such agreement. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 29, 1996) 10.37 Lease Agreement dated as of September 25, 1996 between First Security Trust Company of Nevada as Trustee and Lessor and the Registrant, as Lessee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 29, 1996) 10.38 Sublease Agreement dated as of September 25, 1996 between the Registrant, as Sublessor and Sunset Station as Sublessee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 29, 1996) 10.39 Sunset Station 1996 Trust Agreement dated as of September 25, 1996 between the Registrant, as Grantor, and First Security Trust Company of Nevada, as Trustee. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 29, 1996) 10.40 Consulting Agreement between Lorenzo Fertitta and the Registrant dated February 1, 1999 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant 23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP 27 Financial Data Schedule
67 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. STATION CASINOS, INC. Dated: March 26, 1999 By: ------------------------------------ Frank J. Fertitta III Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ----- Chairman of the Board, President and Chief March 26, 1999 - ------------------------------ Executive Officer (Principal Executive Frank J. Fertitta III Officer) Executive Vice President, Chief Financial March 26, 1999 - ------------------------------ Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Glenn C. Christenson Treasurer and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Executive Vice President, Chief Operating March 26, 1999 - ------------------------------ Officer and Director Blake L. Sartini - ------------------------------ Director March 26, 1999 R. Hal Dean - ------------------------------ Director March 26, 1999 Lorenzo J. Fertitta - ------------------------------ Director March 26, 1999 Lowell H. Lebermann, Jr. - ------------------------------ Director March 26, 1999 Delise F. Sartini
68
EX-10.40 2 EXHIBIT 10.40 CONSULTING AGREEMENT THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), is made and entered into as of the 1st day of February, 1999, by and between STATION CASINOS, INC., a Nevada corporation, with its principal offices located at 2411 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 (the "COMPANY"), and MR. LORENZO J. FERTITTA (the "CONSULTANT"). WHEREAS, the Consultant currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and, in addition to his duties as a director, has provided financial advisory services to the Company; WHEREAS, the Company wishes to continue to avail itself of those financial advisory services; and WHEREAS, the Consultant is willing to provide those financial advisory services, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter provided; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company and the Consultant (each individually a "PARTY" and together the "PARTIES") agree as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS. In addition to certain terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings: 1.1. "AFFILIATE" shall mean any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company. 1.2. "ANNUAL FEE" shall mean the fee provided for in SECTION 4. 1.3. "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. 1.4. "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" shall mean all nonpublic information respecting the Company's business including, but not limited to, its products, research and development, processes, customer lists, intellectual property, software, trademarks, marketing plans, and strategies. Confidential Information does not include information that is, or becomes, available to the public unless such availability occurs through an unauthorized act on the part of the Consultant. 1.5. "PERSON" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, trust, company, corporation or other entity. 1.6. "TERM OF ENGAGEMENT" shall mean the period specified in SECTION 2. 2. TERM OF ENGAGEMENT. The initial Term of Engagement shall commence upon the date of this Agreement and, unless terminated earlier pursuant to SECTION 5 hereof, shall terminate five years from such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the initial Term of Engagement shall automatically be extended annually for successive five year periods if neither Party has advised the other in writing in accordance with SECTION 9 at least 30 days prior to the first anniversary of the then current Term of Engagement that such Term of Engagement will not be extended. In the event that such notice is given, the Term of Engagement shall terminate upon the close of business on the day immediately preceding the fifth anniversary of the date notice of termination is given. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES: STATUS. 3.1 During the Term of Engagement, the Consultant shall provide financial advisory services to the Company and shall perform such other related responsibilities as the Board may reasonably request. Subject to the requirements of the Company in the course of any particular project, the Consultant shall not be precluded from being employed by, or providing services to any other Person in any capacity or from managing investments for himself or any other Person. 3.2. All services provided by the Consultant shall be performed by the Consultant or any Person(s) employed by the Consultant directly and independently and not as an agent, employee or representative of the Company. This Agreement is not intended to and does not constitute, create, or otherwise give rise to a joint venture, partnership or other type of business association or organization of any kind by or between the Company and the Consultant. The rights and obligations of the Company and the Consultant under this Agreement shall be limited to the express provisions hereof. 3.3 All Persons employed or utilized by the Consultant in the performance of the Consultant's obligations under this Agreement shall be and remain the employees of the Consultant and shall not be the employees, general, special or otherwise, of the Company, and the Consultant alone shall be obligated to pay for and to provide any and all employee compensation and benefits owed to said employees, including without limitation, salaries, wages, bonuses, retirement contributions, Federal, state and local withholdings, and workers' compensation, disability and unemployment benefits. 4. REMUNERATION. 4.1. ANNUAL FEE. During the Term of Engagement, the Consultant shall be entitled to receive an Annual Fee of $240,000, payable in equal monthly installments. All amounts paid to the Consultant pursuant hereto shall be reported to the Internal Revenue Service on a Form 1099, and the Consultant shall be obligated to pay any taxes due thereon. 2 4.2. BUSINESS EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. During the Term of Engagement, the Consultant shall be entitled to receive reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in performing services under this Agreement. 4.3. STOCK OPTIONS. As an inducement for the Consultant's entering into this Agreement, the Company has granted to the Consultant a non-qualified option (the "OPTION") to purchase 100,000 shares of the common stock of the Company pursuant to the Company's Stock Compensation Program. The Option shall be evidenced by, and the terms of the Option shall be set forth in, a stock option agreement to be entered into by the Parties concurrent with the execution of this Agreement. 4.4. LIFE INSURANCE. During the Term of Engagement, the Company shall pay on the Consultant's behalf, the monthly premiums necessary to maintain $15 million in life insurance coverage. 5. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by either Party for any reason upon thirty (30) days written notice. In the event of termination by the Consultant, the Consultant shall be paid his Annual Fee on a pro-rata basis through the end of the month of termination and shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred up to and including the termination date. However, no further payments shall be due and owing to the Consultant thereafter. In the event of termination by the Company, the Consultant shall be paid his Annual Fee and shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred up to and including the end of the Term of Engagement. 6. INDEMNIFICATION. 6.1. GENERAL. The Company agrees that if the Consultant is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "PROCEEDING"), related to or arising out of his services as a consultant pursuant to this Agreement, he shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by Nevada law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including reasonable attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Consultant in connection therewith. 6.2. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this SECTION 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right which the Consultant may have or hereafter may acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. 3 7. COVENANTS TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. 7.1. GENERAL. The Consultant shall not, during the Term of Engagement or anytime thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge, disclose or make accessible any Confidential Information to any other Person except while rendering services to the Company or for the benefit of the Company or when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction. 7.2. NOTES, MEMORANDA AND OTHER ITEMS. Upon the written request of the Company, the Consultant shall proffer to an appropriate officer of the Company, upon the termination of this Agreement, all memoranda, diaries, notes, records, cost information, customer lists, marketing plans and strategies and any other documents relating or referring to any Confidential Information made available to the Consultant by the Company in his possession at such time. 8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 8.1. ARBITRABLE CLAIMS. All disputes between the Consultant (and his attorneys, successors, and assigns) and the Company (and its trustees, beneficiaries, officers, directors, managers, affiliates, employees, agents successors, attorneys, and assigns) relating in any manner whatsoever to this Agreement ("ARBITRABLE CLAIMS") shall be resolved by binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be final and binding upon the Parties and shall be the exclusive remedy for all Arbitrable Claims. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JUDGE OR JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS. 8.2. PROCEDURE. Arbitration of Arbitrable Claims shall be in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as amended, and as augmented in this Agreement. Either Party may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award. Otherwise, neither Party shall initiate or prosecute any lawsuit, appeal or administrative action in any way related to an Arbitrable Claim. If the Party initiating arbitration alleges a statutory violation, said Party must file and serve an arbitration claim within the time limit established by the applicable statue of limitations for the statute that has allegedly been violated. If the Party initiating arbitration does not allege a statutory violation, then the initiating Party must file and serve an arbitration claim within sixty (60) days of learning the facts giving rise to the alleged claim. All arbitration proceedings under this Agreement shall be conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the Interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement. The fees of the arbitrator shall be split between both Parties equally. 8.3. FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS. The Parties agree that in the event that either Party finds it necessary to initiate arbitration or other legal action to obtain performance under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be reimbursed by other Party for reasonable attorneys' fees and other related expenses incurred by such Party. 4 8.4. CONFIDENTIALITY. All proceedings and all documents prepared in connection with any Arbitrable Claim shall be confidential and, unless otherwise required by law, the subject matter thereof shall not be disclosed to any Person other than the Parties to the proceedings, their counsel, witnesses and experts, the arbitrator, and, if involved, the court and court staff. 9. NOTICES. Any notice given to either Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the Party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such Party may subsequently give notice of: If to the Company: Station Casinos, Inc. 2411 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89102 Attn: Scott M. Nielson With a copy to: Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 601 South Figueroa Street, 30th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 Attn: Kenneth J. Baronsky If to the Consultant: Lorenzo J. Fertitta 3360 West Sahara Avenue, Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89102 10. MISCELLANEOUS. 10.1. SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The provisions of this SECTION 10.1 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of any other section of this Agreement. 10.2. REPRESENTATION. The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized and empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its obligations under this Agreement will not violate any agreement between the Company and any other Person. 10.3. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, 5 understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect hereto. 10.4. ASSIGNABILITY; BINDING NATURE. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs and assigns. No rights or obligations of one Party under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the other Party, except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred by the Company pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company (including the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company under this Agreement), either contractually or as a matter of law. 10.5. AMENDMENT OR WAIVER. No provision in this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment or waiver is agreed to in writing, signed by the consultant. No waiver by one Party of any breach by the other Party of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. 10.6. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law. 10.7. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Nevada without reference to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. 10.8. HEADINGS. The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement. 10.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement with the same effect as if each Party had signed the same signature page. Any signature page of this Agreement may be detached from any counterpart of this Agreement and reattached to any other counterpart of this Agreement identical in form hereto but having attached to it one or more additional signature pages. 6 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. STATION CASINOS, INC. /s/ GLENN C. CHRISTENSON ---------------------------------------- Name: Title: /s/ LORENZO J. FERTITTA ---------------------------------------- Lorenzo J. Fertitta 7 EX-21.1 3 EXHIBIT 21.1 EXHIBIT 21.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF STATION CASINOS, INC. NEVADA CORPORATIONS Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Inc. Texas Station, Inc. Boulder Station, Inc. Sunset Station, Inc. Tropicana Station, Inc. Southwest Gaming Services, Inc. MISSOURI CORPORATIONS Kansas City Station Corporation St. Charles Riverfront Station, Inc. EX-23.1 4 EXHIBIT 23.1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed registration statements on Form S-8 (File No. 33-70342), Form S-8 (File No. 33-63752) and Form S-8 (File No. 333-11975). Arthur Andersen LLP Las Vegas, Nevada March 26, 1999 EX-27.1 5 EXHIBIT 27.1
5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 40 AND 41 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 9-MOS DEC-31-1998 APR-01-1998 DEC-31-1998 261,423 0 18,372 0 5,466 305,936 1,347,530 199,640 1,533,931 124,855 729,430 0 103,500 353 165,908 1,533,931 0 642,214 0 346,452 52,975 0 66,962 (9,864) 871 (8,993) 0 (3,104) 0 (17,531) (.50) (.50)
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