EX-4.8 3 dex48.htm FORM OF INDENTURE, DATED APRIL 15, 2004 Form of Indenture, dated April 15, 2004

EXHIBIT 4.8


 

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION

 

6.75% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2014

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 15, 2004

 


 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

Trustee

 


 


 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section


   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

      (a)(2)

   7.10

      (a)(3)

   N.A.

      (a)(4)

   N.A.

      (a)(5)

   7.10

      (b)

   7.10

      (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

      (b)

   7.11

      (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

      (b)

   12.03

      (c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.06

      (b)(1)

   10.03

      (b)(2)

   7.07

      (c)

   7.06;12.02

      (d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03;12.02

      (b)

   10.02

      (c)(1)

   12.04

      (c)(2)

   12.04

      (c)(3)

   N.A.

      (d)

   N.A.

      (e)

   12.05

      (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

      (b)

   7.05,12.02

      (c)

   7.01

      (d)

   7.01

      (e)

   6.11

316(a) (last sentence)

   2.09

      (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

      (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

      (a)(2)

   N.A.

      (b)

   6.07

      (c)

   2.12

317(a)(1)

   6.08

      (a)(2)

   6.09

      (b)

   2.04

318(a)

   12.01

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)

   12.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.

   Definitions    1

Section 1.02.

   Other Definitions    20

Section 1.03.

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    20

Section 1.04.

   Rules of Construction    20

ARTICLE 2.

THE NOTES

Section 2.01.

   Form and Dating    21

Section 2.02.

   Execution and Authentication    22

Section 2.03.

   Registrar and Paying Agent    22

Section 2.04.

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    22

Section 2.05.

   Holder Lists    23

Section 2.06.

   Transfer and Exchange    23

Section 2.07.

   Replacement Notes    34

Section 2.08.

   Outstanding Notes    34

Section 2.09.

   Treasury Notes    34

Section 2.10.

   Temporary Notes    34

Section 2.11.

   Cancellation    35

Section 2.12.

   Defaulted Interest    35

Section 2.13.

   CUSIP Numbers    35

Section 2.14.

   Issuance of Additional Notes    35

ARTICLE 3.

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01.

   Notices to Trustee    36

Section 3.02.

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed    36

Section 3.03.

   Notice of Redemption    37

Section 3.04.

   Effect of Notice of Redemption    37

Section 3.05.

   Deposit of Redemption Price    37

Section 3.06.

   Notes Redeemed in Part    38

Section 3.07.

   Optional Redemption    38

Section 3.08.

   Mandatory Redemption    38

Section 3.09.

   Mandatory Disposition or Redemption Pursuant to Gaming Laws    39

ARTICLE 4.

COVENANTS

Section 4.01.

   Payment of Notes    39

Section 4.02.

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    39

Section 4.03.

   Reports    40

Section 4.04.

   Compliance Certificate    40

Section 4.05.

   Stay and Extension Laws    41

Section 4.06.

   Restricted Payments    41

Section 4.07.

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries    43

Section 4.08.

   Incurrence of Indebtedness    43

 

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Section 4.09.

   Asset Sales; Event of Loss    45

Section 4.10.

   Transactions with Affiliates    47

Section 4.11.

   Liens    48

Section 4.12.

   Corporate Existence    48

Section 4.13.

   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control    48

Section 4.14.

   Limitation on Status of Investment Company    49

Section 4.15.

   Payment for Consent    49

Section 4.16.

   Layered Indebtedness    50

Section 4.17.

   Certain Suspended Covenants    50

ARTICLE 5.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01.

   Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets    50

Section 5.02.

   Successor Corporation Substituted    51

ARTICLE 6.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01.

   Events of Default    51

Section 6.02.

   Acceleration    53

Section 6.03.

   Other Remedies    53

Section 6.04.

   Waiver of Past Defaults    53

Section 6.05.

   Control by Majority    53

Section 6.06.

   Limitation on Suits    54

Section 6.07.

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment    54

Section 6.08.

   Collection Suit by Trustee    54

Section 6.09.

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    54

Section 6.10.

   Priorities    55

Section 6.11.

   Undertaking for Costs    55

Section 6.12.

   Redemption Provision Defaults    55

ARTICLE 7.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01.

   Duties of Trustee    56

Section 7.02.

   Rights of Trustee    57

Section 7.03.

   Individual Rights of Trustee    57

Section 7.04.

   Trustee’s Disclaimer    58

Section 7.05.

   Notice of Defaults    58

Section 7.06.

   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes    58

Section 7.07.

   Compensation and Indemnity    58

Section 7.08.

   Replacement of Trustee    59

Section 7.09.

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    60

Section 7.10.

   Eligibility; Disqualification    60

Section 7.11.

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    60

ARTICLE 8.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01.

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    61

Section 8.02.

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge    61

Section 8.03.

   Covenant Defeasance    61

Section 8.04.

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance    62

 

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Section 8.05.

   Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    63

Section 8.06.

   Repayment to Company    63

Section 8.07.

   Reinstatement    63

ARTICLE 9.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01.

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes    64

Section 9.02.

   With Consent of Holders of Notes    65

Section 9.03.

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    66

Section 9.04.

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    66

Section 9.05.

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes    66

Section 9.06.

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    67

ARTICLE 10.

SUBORDINATION

Section 10.01.

   Agreement to Subordinate    67

Section 10.02.

   Liquidation, Dissolution and Bankruptcy    67

Section 10.03.

   Default on Senior Debt    67

Section 10.04.

   Acceleration of Payment of Notes    68

Section 10.05.

   When Distribution Must Be Paid Over    68

Section 10.06.

   Subrogation    68

Section 10.07.

   Relative Rights    68

Section 10.08.

   Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company    69

Section 10.09.

   Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent    69

Section 10.10.

   Distribution or Notice to Representative    69

Section 10.11.

   Article Ten Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate    69

Section 10.12.

   Trust Moneys Not Subordinated    69

Section 10.13.

   Trustee Entitled to Rely    69

Section 10.14.

   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination    70

Section 10.15.

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt    70

Section 10.16.

   Reliance by Holders of Senior Debt on Subordination Provisions    70

Section 10.17.

   Certain Payments    70

ARTICLE 11.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01.

   Satisfaction and Discharge    70

Section 11.02.

   Application of Trust Money    71

ARTICLE 12.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01.

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    72

Section 12.02.

   Notices    72

Section 12.03.

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    73

Section 12.04.

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    73

Section 12.05.

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    73

Section 12.06.

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    74

Section 12.07.

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    74

Section 12.08.

   Governing Law    74

Section 12.09.

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    74

Section 12.10.

   Successors    74

 

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Section 12.11.

   Severability    74

Section 12.12.

   Counterpart Originals    74

Section 12.13.

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    74

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D    FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

 

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INDENTURE dated as of April 15, 2004 by and between Boyd Gaming Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the 6.75% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (the “Series A Notes”) and the 6.75% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (the “Series B Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes, the “Notes”):

 

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01. Definitions.

 

144A Global Note” means a global note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Additional Assets” means: (i) any Property (other than cash, cash equivalents or securities) to be owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and used in a Related Business, (ii) the costs of improving, restoring, replacing or developing any Property owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which is used in a Related Business or (iii) Investments in any other Person engaged primarily in a Related Business (including the acquisition from third parties of Capital Stock of such Person) as a result of which such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with the procedure for designation of Restricted Subsidiaries set forth in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary” herein.

 

Additional Notes” means any Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 2.14 and subject to compliance with Article 4 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, a Person (i) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, (ii) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries beneficially owns or holds 10% or more of any class of the Voting Stock of such Person (or a 10% or greater equity interest in a Person which is not a corporation) or (iii) of which 10% or more of any class of the Voting Stock (or, in the case of a Person which is not a corporation, 10% or more of the equity interest) is beneficially owned or held directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries by such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

 

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

Asset Sale” means the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to Sale/ Leaseback Transactions or pursuant to the merger of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries

 

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with or into any person other than the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries), by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries of: (i) any of the Capital Stock or other ownership interests of any Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) any other Property of the Company or any Property of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case not in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales: (a) any issuance or other such disposition of Capital Stock or other ownership interests of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; (b) any such disposition of Property between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (c) the sale or other disposition of cash or Temporary Cash Investments; (d) any exchange of like Property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for use in a Related Business; (e) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described in Section 4.06 hereof; and (f) the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of the Stardust or the Barbary Coast Gaming Facility.

 

Attributable Indebtedness” means Indebtedness deemed to be Incurred in respect of a Sale/ Leaseback Transaction and shall be, at the date of determination, the present value (discounted at the actual rate of interest implicit in such transaction, compounded annually), of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Barbary Coast” means the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino.

 

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

 

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Borgata Facility” means the casino facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey developed pursuant to the Borgata Joint Venture.

 

Borgata Joint Venture” means the joint venture pursuant to that certain Joint Venture Agreement dated as of May 29, 1996, by and between MAC, CORP., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mirage Resorts, Incorporated, a Nevada corporation, and Grand K, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which subsequently assigned its interest to Boyd Atlantic City, Inc., as such agreement is amended from time to time.

 

Boyd Family” means William S. Boyd, any direct descendant or spouse of such person, or any direct descendant of such spouse, and any trust or other estate in which each person who has a beneficial interest, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, in Capital Stock of the Company is one of the foregoing persons.

 

Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

2


Capital Lease Obligations” means Indebtedness represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP and the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of Section 4.11 hereof, Capital Lease Obligations shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased.

 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, partnership interests or any other participation, right, warrants, options or other interest in the nature of an equity interest in such Person, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into such equity interest.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the consummation of any transaction, the result of which any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision to either of the foregoing, including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders and other than a Restricted Subsidiary, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) of 50% or more of the total voting power of all classes of the Voting Stock of the Company and/or warrants or options to acquire such Voting Stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis; provided that for purposes of this clause (i), the members of the Boyd Family shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a corporation held by any other corporation (the “parent corporation”) so long as the members of the Boyd Family beneficially own (as so defined), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, in the aggregate 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent corporation; (ii) the sale, lease, conveyance or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Property of the Company (other than to any Restricted Subsidiary); (iii) the approval of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company by the stockholders of the Company; (iv) the Company consolidates with or merges into another Person or any Person consolidates with or merges into the Company in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving corporation that is Capital Stock and (b) the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportion as before the transaction; or (v) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election or appointment by such board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of either (a) 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, or (b) members of the Boyd Family who beneficially own (as defined for purposes of clause (i) above), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, in the aggregate 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office.

 

Change of Control Time” means the earlier of the public announcement of (x) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (y) (if applicable) the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event” means both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Securities; provided, however, that a change of Control Triggering Event shall not be deemed to have occurred if (i) at the Change of Control Time the Securities have Investment Grade Status

 

3


and (ii) the Company effects defeasance of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of Article 8 prior to a Rating Decline.

 

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, SA.

 

“Coast Casinos” means Coast Casinos, Inc.

 

Coast Casinos Merger” means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by the Company of all of the Capital Stock of Coast Casinos in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

 

Company” means Boyd Gaming Corporation, a Nevada corporation, and any and all successors thereto.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of: (i) Consolidated Net Income; and (ii) to the extent Consolidated Net Income has been reduced thereby: (a) Consolidated Fixed Charges, (b) provisions for taxes based on income, (c) consolidated depreciation expense, (d) consolidated amortization expense, (e) all preopening expenses paid or accrued, and (f) other noncash items reducing Consolidated Net Income; minus other noncash items increasing Consolidated Net Income, all as determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA during the Reference Period to the aggregate amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges during the Reference Period.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) including (i) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations, (ii) one-third of the rental expense attributable to operating leases, (iii) amortization of Indebtedness discount and commissions, discounts and other similar fees and charges owed with respect to Indebtedness, (iv) noncash interest payments, (v) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, (vi) net costs pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements, (vii) dividends on all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (viii) interest attributable to the Indebtedness of any other Person for which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise and (ix) any dividend or distribution, whether in cash, property or securities, on Disqualified Stock of the Company.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that the following items shall be excluded from the computation of Consolidated Net Income (i) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that, subject to the limitations contained in clause (iv) below, (a) the net income (or, if applicable, the Company’s equity in the net income) of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (iii) below) and (b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (ii) any net income (loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition; (iii) any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted

 

4


Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that: (a) subject to the limitations contained in clause (iv) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and (b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (iv) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Property of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (v) items classified as extraordinary or any non-cash item classified as nonrecurring; and (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

 

Consolidated Net Worth” means the total of the amounts shown on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (a) any accumulated deficit and (b) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

Credit Facility” means the senior secured credit facility outstanding on the Issue Date, as amended from time to time, among the Company, certain Subsidiaries and a syndicate of banks, and any extensions, revisions, refinancings or replacements thereof by an institutional lender or syndicate of institutional lenders.

 

Currency Exchange Protection Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, currency option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

Designated Senior Debt” means (i) indebtedness under or in respect of the Credit Facility and (ii) any Senior Debt of the Company which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal

 

5


amount outstanding of, or under which at the date of determination the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $25 million and is specifically designated by the Company in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Debt as “Designated Senior Debt.”

 

Development Services” means, with respect to any Qualified Facility, the provision (through retained professionals or otherwise) of development, design or construction services with respect to such Qualified Facility.

 

Disqualified Stock” of a Person means any Capital Stock of such Person (i) that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or otherwise, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or (c) is convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for Indebtedness and (ii) as to which the maturity, mandatory redemption, conversion or exchange or redemption at the option of the holder thereof occurs, or may occur, in the case of each of clauses (i) or (ii) on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that such Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if it is redeemable prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes only if (a) the holder or a beneficial owner of such Capital Stock is required to qualify under the Gaming Laws and does not so qualify, or (b) the Board of Directors determines in its reasonable, good faith judgment, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, that as a result of a holder or beneficial owner owning such Capital Stock, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has lost or may lose any Gaming License, which if lost or not reinstated, as the case may be, would have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or would restrict the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to conduct business in any gaming jurisdiction.

 

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

 

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any Property, any loss, destruction or damage of such Property, or any condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation or requisition of the use of such Property.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the applicable Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Existing Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of December 30, 2002 between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Fair Market Value” means with respect to any Property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined, except as otherwise provided (i) if such Property has a Fair Market Value of less than $5 million, by any Officer of the Company or (ii) if such Property has a Fair Market Value in excess of $5

 

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million, by a majority of the Board of Directors and evidenced by a Board Resolution, dated within 30 days of the relevant transaction, delivered to the Trustee.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Gaming Authority” means any of the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Illinois Gaming Board, the Indiana Gaming Commission and any other agency (including, without limitation, any agency established by a federally-recognized Indian tribe to regulate gaming on such tribe’s reservation) which has, or may at any time after the date of this Indenture have, jurisdiction over the gaming activities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any successor to such authority.

 

Gaming Facility” means any gaming or pari-mutuel wagering establishment and other property or assets directly ancillary thereto or used in connection therewith, including any building, restaurant, hotel, theater, parking facilities, retail shops, land, golf courses and other recreation and entertainment facilities, vessel, barge, ship and equipment or 100% of the equity interest of a Person the primary business of which is ownership and operation of any of the foregoing.

 

Gaming Laws” means the gaming laws of a jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, or may at any time after the date of this Indenture be, subject.

 

Gaming License” means any license, permit, franchise or other authorization from any governmental authority required on the date of this Indenture or at any time thereafter to own, lease, operate or otherwise conduct the gaming business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including all licenses granted under Gaming Laws and other Legal Requirements.

 

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(iv), 2.06(d)(ii) or 2.06(f) hereof.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such first Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include (a) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business; or (b) any obligation in the nature of a completion guaranty which is limited solely to an obligation to complete the development, construction or opening of any new Gaming Facility entered into on behalf of any Person in which a Qualified Investment has been made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

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Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

IAI Global Note” means the Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by Institutional Accredited Investors.

 

Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend, assume, Guarantee or become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or obligation on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person including by merger or operation of law (and “Incurrence,” “Incurred,” “Incurrable” and “Incurring” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing). The accretion of principal of a noninterest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness so long the amount thereof is included in the computation of “Consolidated Fixed Charges” for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

Indebtedness” means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, any indebtedness, secured or unsecured, contingent or otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the Property of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or the principal amount of such indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (excluding any balances that constitute customer advance payments and deposits, accounts payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business) if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and shall also include, to the extent not otherwise included (i) any Capital Lease Obligations; (ii) Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien to which the Property owned or held by such Person is subject, whether or not the obligation or obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed (the amount of such Indebtedness being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such Property or the amount of the Indebtedness so secured); (iii) Guarantees of Indebtedness of other Persons; (iv) any Disqualified Stock; (v) any Attributable Indebtedness; (vi) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments or credit transactions issued for the account of such Person (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in this definition) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third business day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit; (vii) in the case of the Company, Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (viii) obligations pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Exchange Protection Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include any interest or accrued interest until due and payable. For purposes of this definition, the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were repurchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is not then permitted to be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability of any other obligations described in clauses (i) through (viii) above in respect thereof at such date.

 

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

8


Independent Advisor” means, an investment banking firm of national standing with non-investment grade debt underwriting experience or any third party appraiser of national standing; provided, however, that such firm or appraiser is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

Initial Notes” means the $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means, for any Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account or use of others), in connection with the performance of obligations under any completion guaranty or otherwise, to, or Incurrence of a Guarantee of any obligation of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Indebtedness issued by, any other Person, including the designation by the Board of Directors of a Person to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment, plus the cost of all additions thereto, and minus the amount of any portion of such Investment repaid to the Person making such Investment in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, as the case may be, but without any other adjustments for increases or decreases in value, write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment. In determining the amount of any Investment in respect of any Property other than cash, such Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such Investment.

 

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof) and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof).

 

Investment Grade Status” means any time at which the ratings of the Notes by each of Moody’s (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof) and S&P (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof) are Investment Grade Ratings.

 

Issue Date” means the date on which the Initial Notes are initially issued.

 

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the Cities of New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

 

Legal Requirements” means all laws, statutes and ordinances and all rules, orders, rulings, regulations, directives, decrees, injunctions and requirements of all governmental authorities, that are now or may hereafter be in existence, and that may be applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof or the Trustee (including building codes, zoning and environmental laws, regulations and

 

9


ordinances and Gaming Laws), as modified by any variances, special use permits, waivers, exceptions or other exemptions which may from time to time be applicable.

 

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

 

Lien” means with respect to any Property of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such Property (including any Capital Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing). Any Sale/Leaseback Transaction shall be deemed to constitute a Lien on the Property which is the subject of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction securing the Attributable Indebtedness represented thereby.

 

Liquidated Damages” means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, BGC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Coast Casinos, as in effect on the Issue Date, without regard to any amendment, supplement or waiver after the Issue Date which alters the terms of the Coast Merger in any material respect.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale, net of attorney’s fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

Net Proceeds” from any Asset Sale or Event of Loss by any Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries means cash and cash equivalents received in respect of the Property sold or with respect to which an Event of Loss occurred, net of (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Person or such Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in connection with an Asset Sale of such type, including, without limitation, all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and fees and expenses incurred (but excluding any finder’s fee or broker’s fee payable to any Affiliate of such Person) and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes arising in connection with such Asset Sale or Event of Loss that are paid or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) all payments made by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries on any Indebtedness which is secured by such Property in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such Property or which must, by the terms of such Lien, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale or Event of Loss, and (iii) all contractually required distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders (but excluding distributions and payments to Affiliates of such Person) in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person as a result of such Asset Sale or Event of Loss; provided, however, that, in the event that any consideration for an Asset Sale (which would otherwise constitute Net Proceeds) is required to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Proceeds only at such time as it is released to such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries from escrow; and provided further, however, that any noncash consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale or Event of Loss which is subsequently converted to cash shall be deemed to be Net Proceeds at and from the time of such conversion.

 

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Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person to the extent that under the terms thereof or pursuant to applicable law: (i) no personal recourse shall be had against such Person for the payment of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness, and (ii) enforcement of obligations on such Indebtedness is limited only to recourse against interests in Property purchased with the proceeds of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries provides any credit support or is liable.

 

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, except that any Additional Notes that are Restricted Notes may contain certain redemption provisions not applicable to the Initial Notes, as contemplated by Section 2.14. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Offering” means the offering of the Notes by the Company.

 

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the Company.

 

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers at least one of whom shall be the principal executive officer, principal accounting officer or principal financial officer of the Company.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

Permitted FF&E Financing” means Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is Incurred to finance the acquisition or lease after the date of this Indenture of newly acquired or leased furniture, fixtures or equipment (“FF&E”) used directly in the operation of a Gaming Facility owned or leased by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and secured by a Lien on such FF&E in an amount not to exceed 100% of the cost of the FF&E so purchased or leased.

 

Permitted Holders” means the Boyd Family and any group (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) comprised solely of members of the Boyd Family.

 

Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

(i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;

 

(ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person’s primary business is a Related Business;

 

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(iii) Temporary Cash Investments;

 

(iv) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(v) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vi) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;

 

(vii) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

(viii) securities received pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 4.09(a) hereof;

 

(ix) Qualified Investments if at the time such Qualified Investment is made and giving pro forma effect thereto (A) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company on the date of the Investment would have been greater than 2.5 to 1 and (B) no Default or Event of Default would exist; provided that, if an Investment in any Person made pursuant to this clause (ix) would, at any time after the date such Investment is made, cease to qualify as a Qualified Investment due to a failure to satisfy the requirements of clause (ii) of the definition of “Qualified Investment,” then the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment equal to the value of the Company’s Investment in such Person at such time (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”) and the value such Investment at such time will, for the period such Investment does not so qualify, be included in the calculation of the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments referenced in Section 4.06(a)(iii); and

 

(x) payments with respect to a Guarantee or other extension of credit that qualified as a Qualified Investment at the time of the Guarantee or extension of credit was made, unless such Guarantee or extension of credit no longer qualifies as a Qualified Investment due to a failure to satisfy the requirements of clause (ii) of the definition of “Qualified Investment.”

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on the Property of the Company if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(ii) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens on the Property of the Company which secure payment of obligations arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii) Liens on the Property of the Company in favor of issuers of performance bonds and surety bonds obtained in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iv) other Liens on the Property of the Company incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its Properties which were not created in connection with the Incurrence of Indebtedness

 

12


or the obtaining of advances or credit and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its Properties or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;

 

(v) pledges or deposits by the Company under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or deposits for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vi) utility easements, building restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character and do not materially detract from the value of such Property; and

 

(vii) Liens securing obligations to the Trustee pursuant to the compensation and indemnity provisions of this Indenture.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or replacements of any Indebtedness, including any successive extensions, renewals, substitutions, refinancings or replacements (and including refinancings by the Company of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary) so long as: (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced or replaced (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith), (ii) the average life and Stated Maturity is not shortened, and (iii) the new Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Indebtedness that is being extended, renewed, substituted, refinanced or replaced; provided, however, that Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include: (a) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or another Subsidiary or (b) Indebtedness of the Company that refinances the Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, company (including limited liability company), partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Preferred Stock” means any Capital Stock of a Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to dividends, distributions or liquidation proceeds of such Person over the holders of other Capital Stock issued by such Person.

 

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Property” means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock in any other Person (but excluding Capital Stock or other securities issued by such first Person).

 

Public Equity Offering” means an underwritten public offering of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

 

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

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Qualified Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person primarily engaged or preparing to engage in a Related Business; provided that:

 

(i) the primary purpose for which such Investment was made was to finance or otherwise facilitate the development, construction or acquisition of a facility (a “Qualified Facility”) that (a) is located in a jurisdiction in which the conduct of gaming using electronic gaming devices is permitted pursuant to applicable law and (b) conducts or, following such development, construction or acquisition, will conduct gaming utilizing electronic gaming devices or is related to, ancillary or supportive of, connected with or arising out of such gaming business;

 

(ii) the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of the Investment (a) own in the aggregate at least 35% of the outstanding Voting Stock of such Person or (b) (1) control the day-to-day gaming operation of such Person pursuant to a written agreement and (2) provide or have provided Development Services with respect to the applicable Qualified Facility; and

 

(iii) none of the Permitted Holders or any Affiliate of such Persons, other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is a direct or indirect obligor, contingently or otherwise, of any Indebtedness of such Person or a direct or indirect holder of any Capital Stock of such Person, other than through their respective ownership interests in the Company.

 

Qualified Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

 

(i) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise; provided, however, that the provision by the Company of a completion guaranty or the making of payments with respect thereto, in each case, to the extent permitted under Section 4.06 hereof shall not prevent any Indebtedness from constituting Qualified Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(ii) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

(iii) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Rating Agencies” means S&P and Moody’s or any successor to the respective rating agency businesses thereof.

 

Rating Decline” shall have occurred if at any date within 90 calendar days after the date of public disclosure of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period will be extended for so long as the Company’s debt ratings are under publicly announced review for possible downgrading (or without an indication of the direction of a possible ratings change) by either Moody’s or S&P or their respective successors) the Notes no longer have Investment Grade Status.

 

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Reference Period” means the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the last full fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of a proposed Incurrence, Restricted Payment or other transaction for which financial statements are available.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

 

Related Business” means the business conducted (or proposed to be conducted) by the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with any Gaming Facility and any and all reasonably related businesses necessary for, in support, furtherance or anticipation of and/or ancillary to or in preparation for, such business including, without limitation, the development, expansion or operation of any Gaming Facility (including any land-based, dockside, riverboat or other type of casino), owned, or to be owned, leased or managed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.

 

Related Person” means any legal or beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Representative” means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Debt of the Company.

 

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Restricted Note” means a Global Note or a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Payment” means:

 

(i) any dividend or distribution (whether made in cash, property or securities) declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or to the Company’s stockholders

 

15


except for such dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock of the Company);

 

(ii) a payment made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) to purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Capital Stock of the Company or Capital Stock of any Affiliate of the Company or any warrants, rights or options, to directly or indirectly purchase or acquire any such Capital Stock or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any such Capital Stock;

 

(iii) a payment made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment (other than the purchase, repurchase, or other acquisition of any Indebtedness subordinate in right of payment to the Notes purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition), Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinate (whether pursuant to its terms or by operation of law) in right of payment to the Notes;

 

(iv) any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person; or

 

(v) any “Restricted Payment” as defined in the Existing Indenture that was made after March 31, 1997 and prior to the Issue Date, including Investments in excess of $100 million in the Borgata Joint Venture.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that (a) has not been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or (b) was an Unrestricted Subsidiary but has been redesignated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case as provided under the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that no Subsidiary shall become a Restricted Subsidiary unless, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such designation, the Company would be able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.08(a) hereof.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated the Securities Act.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which Property is sold or transferred by such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person and is thereafter leased back from the purchaser or transferee thereof by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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Senior Debt” means:

 

(i) all obligations consisting of the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company to the extent post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of (a) Indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money and (b) Indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments permitted under this Indenture for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable;

 

(ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of the Company;

 

(iii) all obligations of the Company (a) for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction, (b) under any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Exchange Protection Agreement or (c) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property and all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations under any title retention agreement permitted under this Indenture; and

 

(iv) all obligations of other Persons of the type referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as guarantor; provided, however, that Senior Debt does not include:

 

(a) Indebtedness of the Company that is by its terms subordinate or pari passu in right of payment to the Notes, including any Senior Subordinated Debt or any Subordinated Obligations;

 

(b) any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(c) accounts payable or any other obligations of the Company to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services (including Guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);

 

(d) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;

 

(e) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary; or

 

(f) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock.

 

Senior Subordinated Debt” means the Notes and any other subordinated Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu with the Notes and is not subordinated by its terms to any other subordinated Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Debt.

 

Series A Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

Series B Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Stardust” means the Stardust Resort and Casino.

 

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Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which a payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.

 

Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:

 

(i) Investments in U.S. Government Obligations maturing within 90 days of the date of acquisition thereof,

 

(ii) Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 90 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $500,000,000 and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or higher, “A—” or higher or “A—” or higher according to Moody’s, S&P or Fitch Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)), respectively,

 

(iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above,

 

(iv) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s, “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P or “A-1” (or higher) according to Fitch Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)), and

 

(v) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets comprise securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.

 

Trustee” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

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Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company which at the time of determination shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Board of Directors) and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of or owns or holds any Lien on any Property of the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided, that such Subsidiary has no Indebtedness other than Qualified Non-Recourse Debt and (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less, or (b) such designation is effective immediately upon such entity becoming a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Subject to clause (ii) above, the Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving pro forma effect to such redesignation, the Company would be able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.08(a) hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirement with respect to Qualified Non-Recourse Debt, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.08 hereof, the Company shall be in Default of such covenant).

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying (i) that such designation complies with the foregoing provisions and (ii) giving the effective date of such designation, such filing with the Trustee to occur within 75 days after the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which such designation is made (or, in the case of a designation made during the last fiscal quarter of the fiscal year, within 120 days after the end of such fiscal year).

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

 

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the Securities Act.

 

Voting Stock” means securities of any class or classes of a Person, the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for corporate directors (or Persons performing equivalent functions).

 

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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term


   Defined in
Section


Affiliate Transaction

   4.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.13

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.13

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.13

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Payment Blockage Notice”

   10.03

“Payment Blockage Period”

   10.03

“pay the Notes”

   10.03

“Prepayment Offer”

   4.09

“Redemption Provision Default”

   6.12

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Successor”

   5.01

“Suspended Covenants”

   4.17

 

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities” means the Notes;

 

indenture security holder” means a Holder of a Note;

 

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

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(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

 

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(f) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time; and

 

(g) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness.

 

ARTICLE 2.

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01. Form and Dating.

 

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

 

Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver: (i) on the date hereof, an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million 6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, (ii) Additional Notes issued in compliance with Section 2.14 hereof for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Company pursuant to this Section 2.02 and (iii) Exchange Notes for issue only in an Exchange Offer pursuant to a registration rights agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes or Additional Notes. Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of the Notes is to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company, pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, and

 

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will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05. Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

 

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global

 

23


Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

 

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications and certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial

 

24


interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

 

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

 

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a

 

25


Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial

 

26


interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

 

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

 

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

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(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

 

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

30


(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers (except as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement), (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers (except as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement), (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(i) Private Placement Legend.

 

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, PLEDGED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON

 

31


AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE OR THE DATE THIS NOTE WAS ACQUIRED FROM AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY, REOFFER, PLEDGE, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT WHO, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE COMPANY A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTES AND AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), OR (G) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.”

 

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person

 

32


who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Company’s order or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.09, 4.13 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(v) Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

 

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Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that the Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge a Holder for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(b) hereof.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09. Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10. Temporary Notes.

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

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Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11. Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Notes in its customary manner (consistent with all applicable legal requirements). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and, if it does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers printed in the notice or on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

 

Section 2.14. Issuance of Additional Notes.

 

The Company shall be entitled, from time to time, subject to its compliance with Article 4, without the consent of any Holder, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture with identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date other than with respect to (i) the date of issuance, (ii) the issue price, (iii) the amount of interest payable on the first interest payment date, (iv) Additional Notes that are Restricted Notes may contain mandatory or optional redemption provisions that apply only to such Additional Notes and that are agreed to by the Company and the purchasers of such Additional Notes; provided, that all such redemption rights and obligations expire on or before the filing of a registration statement with respect to the Exchange Offer relating to any such Additional Notes, and (vi) any changes necessary to conform to and ensure compliance with the Securities Act (or other applicable securities laws). Any redemption provisions applicable only to Additional Notes as contemplated by the preceding sentence shall expressly provide that prior to any Exchange Offer relating to such Notes, all such redemption provisions shall be of no further force or effect, and shall not be deemed to be part of such Additional Notes. The Initial Notes issued on the Closing Date, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture,

 

35


except in connection with any redemption provisions applicable only to Additional Notes, as contemplated by this Section 2.14.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate prepared pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(b) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes; provided, however, that no Additional Notes may be issued at a price that would cause such Additional Notes to have “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

 

(c) whether such Additional Notes shall be Restricted Notes or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes; and

 

(d) whether such Additional Notes shall include mandatory or optional redemption provisions pursuant to clause (iv) of the first sentence of the preceding paragraph and the terms of any such redemption provisions.

 

ARTICLE 3.

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof or redemption provisions applicable only to Additional Notes in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture, and, if applicable, the Additional Notes, pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

 

Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased among the Holders of the Notes that are subject to such redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP Numbers) to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(a) the redemption date;

 

(b) the redemption price;

 

(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion (so long as such amount is in a denomination of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and providing a form setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

One Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

 

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If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

 

(a) Except as set forth in clause (b) of this Section 3.07 or in any Additional Notes that contain optional redemption provisions in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof, the Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.07 prior to April 15, 2009. On or after April 15, 2009, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


   Percentage

 

2009

   103.375 %

2010

   102.250 %

2011

   101.125 %

2012 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) of this Section 3.07, at any time prior to April 15, 2007, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.750% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and (ii) the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

 

(c) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.

 

The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes other than for any Additional Notes that contain mandatory redemption provisions in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof.

 

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Section 3.09. Mandatory Disposition or Redemption Pursuant to Gaming Laws.

 

If a Holder or beneficial owner of a Note is required to be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable Gaming Laws and is not so licensed, qualified or found suitable within any time period specified by the applicable Gaming Authority, the Holder shall be obligated, at the request of the Company, to dispose of such Holder’s Notes within a time period prescribed by the Company or such other time period prescribed by such Gaming Authority (in which event the Company’s obligation to pay any interest after the receipt of such notice shall be limited as provided in such Gaming Laws), and thereafter, the Company shall have the right to redeem, on the date fixed by the Company for the redemption of such Notes, such Holder’s Notes at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (1) the lowest closing sale price of the Notes on any trading day during the 120-day period ending on the date upon which the Company shall have received notice from a Gaming Authority of such Holder’s disqualification or (2) the price at which such Holder or beneficial owner acquired the Notes, unless a different redemption price is required by such Gaming Authority, in which event such required price shall be the redemption price. The Company is not required to pay or reimburse any Holder or beneficial owner of a Note for the costs of licensure or investigation for such licensure, qualification or finding of suitability. Any Holder or beneficial owner of a Note required to be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable Gaming Laws must pay all investigative fees and costs of the Gaming Authorities in connection with such qualification or application therefor.

 

ARTICLE 4.

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.

 

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company shall pay all Liquidated Damages, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve

 

39


the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Section 4.03. Reports.

 

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Holders within 15 days after it would be required to file them with the SEC (i) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company’s certified independent accountants and (ii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports. In addition, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company shall file a copy of all such information and reports with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods. The Company shall at all times comply with TIA § 314(a).

 

(b) If, at any time the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs of this covenant with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing.

 

(c) The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.

 

(d) Until the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and, in the event, at any time thereafter, the Company is no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

 

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of

 

40


the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, not more than 30 days after any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.05. Stay and Extension Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.06. Restricted Payments.

 

(a) The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, any Restricted Payment if at the time of, and after giving effect to, such proposed Restricted Payment:

 

(i) a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(ii) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.08(a) hereof; or

 

(iii) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments made from and after July 22, 1997 (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if made other than in cash, to be based upon Fair Market Value) would exceed an amount equal, without duplication, to the sum of:

 

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from April 1, 1997 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);

 

(B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) subsequent to March 31, 1997 (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or pursuant to clauses (iii) or (iv) of Section 4.06(b));

 

(C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) subsequent to March 31, 1997, of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)

 

41


of the Company (less the amount of any cash or other property distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange);

 

(D) the amount equal to the net reduction in Investments that were treated when made as Restricted Payments subsequent to March 31, 1997 resulting from (i) payments of dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or the satisfaction or reduction (other than by means of payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of obligations of other Persons which have been Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or (ii) the redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case such net reduction in Investments being: (x) valued as provided in the definition of “Investment,” in Section 1.01 hereof, (y) in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which were treated as a Restricted Payment, and (z) included in this clause (D) only to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income;

 

(E) payments of dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the Borgata Joint Venture to the extent such dividends, repayments, advances or other transfers exceed $100 million; but only to the extent that any such payments are excluded from the computation of Consolidated Net Income and in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of investments in the Borgata Joint Venture that were treated as Restricted Payments when made; and

 

(F) $150.0 million.

 

(b) The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not prohibit (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of its declaration if such dividend could have been paid on the date of its declaration in compliance with such provisions; provided that at the time of payment of such dividend no Default under any provision of this Indenture other than this covenant shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom); (ii) the redemption or repurchase of any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of the Company (other than any Capital Stock or Indebtedness which is held or beneficially owned by, any member of the Boyd Family, the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), if the holder or beneficial owner of such Capital Stock or Indebtedness is required to qualify under the Gaming Laws and does not so qualify or if necessary, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, to prevent the loss or secure the reinstatement of any Gaming License which if lost or not reinstated, as the case may be, would have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or would restrict the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to conduct business in any gaming jurisdiction; (iii) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of Capital Stock of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; (iv) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of the Indebtedness of any Person made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; and (v) any purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness from the proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.

 

(c) The full amount of any Restricted Payments made subsequent to March 31, 1997 pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.06(b) (but not pursuant to clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) of Section 4.06(b)) and any Investments that cease to qualify as Qualified Investments as set forth in the proviso to

 

42


clause (ix) of the definition of “Permitted Investment” shall be included in the calculation of the aggregate amount of the Restricted Payments referred to in Section 4.06(a).

 

Section 4.07. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; (ii) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (a) agreements in effect on the Issue Date; (b) applicable law; (c) customary nonassignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices; (d) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced; or (e) agreements in existence with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary at the time it is so designated; provided, however, that such agreements are not entered into in anticipation or contemplation of such designation.

 

Nothing contained in this Section 4.07 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from granting any Lien permitted by Section 4.11 hereof.

 

Section 4.08. Incurrence of Indebtedness.

 

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company’s Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would exceed 2.0 to 1.0, after giving effect to:

 

(i) the Incurrence of such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness was Incurred at the beginning of the Reference Period and (if applicable) the application of the net proceeds thereof to repay other Indebtedness as if the application of such proceeds occurred at the beginning of the Reference Period,

 

(ii) the Incurrence and retirement of any other Indebtedness since the first day of the Reference Period as if such Indebtedness was Incurred or retired at the beginning of the Reference Period, and

 

(iii) the acquisition or disposition of any company or business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the first day of the Reference Period including any acquisition or disposition which will be consummated contemporaneously with the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, as if such acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the Reference Period.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur the following Indebtedness:

 

(i) Indebtedness of the Company evidenced by the Notes;

 

43


(ii) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date;

 

(iii) Indebtedness of the Company under the Credit Facility, and the Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of such Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the greater of: (A) (i) $600.0 million prior to the Coast Casinos Merger and (ii) $1.5 billion from and after the Coast Casinos Merger; and (B) 2.0 times Consolidated EBITDA during the Reference Period (after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition or disposition of any company or business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the first day of the Reference Period including any acquisition or disposition which will be consummated contemporaneously with the Incurrence of Indebtedness under this clause (iii)(B), as if such acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the Reference Period and excluding from such Consolidated EBITDA the amount of Consolidated EBITDA utilized on a pro forma basis to permit any Incurrence of Indebtedness under Section 4.08(a), but only to the extent that the inclusion of such Consolidated EBITDA was necessary to satisfy the 2.0 to 1.0 Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio),

 

in each case, as such amount may be permanently reduced by the lenders under the Credit Facility as a result of repayments of Indebtedness thereunder with Net Proceeds of Asset Sales pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(iv) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by a Restricted Subsidiary or the Company; provided, however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed in each case to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;

 

(v) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under Interest Rate Agreements, provided that the obligations under such agreements are related to payment obligations on Indebtedness otherwise permitted by the terms of this Section 4.08;

 

(vi) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under Currency Exchange Protection Agreements, provided that such Currency Exchange Protection Agreements were entered into for the purpose of limiting exchange rate risks in connection with transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vii) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with one or more standby letters of credit, performance bonds or completion guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance obligations and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit;

 

(viii) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Permitted FF&E Financings which are either (a) Non-Recourse Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; or (b) limited in amount (including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (viii)(b)) for each Gaming Facility owned or leased by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the lesser of (1) the amount of FF&E used in such Gaming Facility and financed by such Permitted FF&E Financing, or (2) $10 million;

 

44


(ix) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Indebtedness of the Company not otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.08(a) or this Section 4.08(b) in an aggregate amount Incurred not to exceed $25 million; or

 

(x) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.08(a) or clauses (i), (ii), (viii) and this clause (x) of this Section 4.08(b).

 

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.08, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories described in clauses (i) through (x) of Section 4.08(b), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.08(a), the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence in any manner that complies with this Section 4.08. Indebtedness outstanding under the Company’s Credit Facility on the Issue Date, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds from the issuance of the Initial Notes, will be deemed to have been incurred under clause (iii) of Section 4.08(b) above.

 

Section 4.09. Asset Sales; Event of Loss.

 

(a) Other than upon an Event of Loss, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale after the Issue Date, where the Property subject to such Asset Sale has an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to or in excess of $100.0 million, unless (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject to such Asset Sale; (ii) at least 75% of such consideration consists of cash, Temporary Cash Investments or any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (i) or (iii) of the definition of “Additional Assets;” provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (ii), (A) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which is not subordinated to the Notes shall be deemed to be Temporary Cash Investments if the Company, such Restricted Subsidiary, and all other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, to the extent any of the foregoing are liable with respect to such Indebtedness, are expressly released from all liability for such Indebtedness by the holder thereof in connection with such Asset Sale, (B) any securities or notes received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Temporary Cash Investments within ten business days of the date of such Asset Sale shall be deemed to be Temporary Cash Investments, and (C) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may receive consideration in the form of securities exceeding 25% of the consideration for one or more Asset Sales so long as the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries do not hold such securities having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $100.0 million at any time outstanding; (iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of, or would occur after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to, such Asset Sale; and (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that such Asset Sale complies with clauses (i) and (ii).

 

(b) Upon an Event of Loss incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the Net Proceeds received from such Event of Loss shall be applied in the same manner as proceeds from Asset Sales described in Section 4.09(a) and pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section 4.09.

 

(c) Within 360 days after the receipt of the Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale or Event of Loss, an amount equal to 100% of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale or Event of Loss may be applied by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (i) to permanently repay, redeem or repurchase Senior Debt of the Company or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) to reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Proceeds received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that if the Company or

 

45


any Restricted Subsidiary contractually commits within such 360-day period to apply such Net Proceeds within 180 days of such contractual commitment in accordance with the above clauses (i) or (ii), and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied as contemplated in such contractual commitment, then the requirement for application of Net Proceeds set forth in this Section 4.09(c) shall be considered satisfied.

 

(d) Any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale or Event of Loss that are not used in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100.0 million (taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds), the Company shall make an offer to purchase (the “Prepayment Offer”), on a pro rata basis, from all Holders of the Notes, and, at the election of the Company, the holders of any other outstanding Indebtedness equal or senior in ranking to the Notes having comparable rights, an aggregate principal amount of Notes and, if applicable, such other Indebtedness equal to the Excess Proceeds, at a price in cash at least equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and, if applicable, Liquidated Damages thereon, in accordance with Section 4.09(e), (f), (g) and (h). To the extent that any portion of the Excess Proceeds remains after compliance with the preceding sentence and provided that all Holders have been given the opportunity to tender the Notes for repurchase in accordance with Section 4.09(e), the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may use such remaining amount for general corporate purposes and the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero. Pending application of Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.09(c), such Net Proceeds will be invested in Temporary Cash Investments.

 

(e) Within ten Business Days after the amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100.0 million, the Company shall send a prepayment offer notice, by first-class mail, to the Holders, accompanied by such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision with respect to the Prepayment Offer. The prepayment offer notice will state, among other things:

 

(i) that the Company is offering to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.09 of this Indenture;

 

(ii) that any Note (or any portion thereof) accepted for payment (and for which payment has been duly provided on the purchase date) pursuant to the Prepayment Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the purchase date;

 

(iii) the purchase price and purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, no less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the date the Prepayment Offer notice is mailed;

 

(iv) the aggregate principal amount of Notes (or portions thereof) to be purchased; and

 

(v) a description of the procedure which Holders must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) and the procedures that Holders must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment.

 

(f) Not later than the purchase date, the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) in Temporary Cash Investments an amount equal to the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Holders electing to have a Note purchased will be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least five Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if

 

46


the Trustee or the Company receives not later than three Business Days prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the Holder, the certificate number of such Note and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased.

 

(g) On the purchase date, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the Notes or portions thereof which have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Company. The Trustee (or Paying Agent) shall, on the purchase date, mail or deliver payment of the purchase price to each tendering Holder. In the event that the aggregate purchase price of the Notes delivered by the Company to the Trustee is less than the amount deposited with the Trustee (or Paying Agent), the Trustee (or Paying Agent) shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after the end of the payment date.

 

(h) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Note required by this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to the Prepayment Offer, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.09 by virtue thereof.

 

Section 4.10. Transactions with Affiliates.

 

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, transfer, lease or exchange of any Property, the making of any Investment, the giving of any Guarantee or the rendering or receiving of any service) with, from or for the benefit of any Affiliate, any Related Person or any officer or director of any Affiliate or a Related Person (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless: (i) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are in writing, in the best interest of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and at least as favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as those that could be obtained at the time of such Affiliate Transaction in a similar transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate, Related Person or officer or director of an Affiliate or Related Person; (ii) with respect to each Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate payments to either party in excess of $10.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction was approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors and that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i); and (iii) with respect to each Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate payments in excess of $25.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an opinion letter from an Independent Advisor to the effect that such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the limitation of Section 4.10(a), the Company may enter into or suffer to exist the following: (i) any transaction pursuant to any contract in existence on the Issue Date; (ii) any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.06 hereof; (iii) any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (iv) the payment of compensation (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans) for the personal services of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as the Board of Directors in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof and deemed the services theretofore or thereafter to be performed for such compensation or fees to be fair consideration therefor.

 

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Section 4.11. Liens.

 

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, Incur or suffer to exist, any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its Property, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, which secures Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with or is subordinated to the Notes unless: (i) if such Lien secures Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes, the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured or (ii) if such Lien secures Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes, such Lien shall be subordinated to a Lien granted to the Holders in the same collateral as that securing such Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes to the same extent as such subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.

 

Section 4.12. Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 4.13. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of (i) a Change of Control (if, at the Change of Control Time the Notes do not have Investment Grade Status) or (ii) a Change of Control Triggering Event (if, at the Change of Control Time the Notes have Investment Grade Status) each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and Liquidated Damages if any, thereon to the purchase date (the “Change of Control Payment”).

 

(b) Within 30 days following (i) any Change of Control or, (ii) in the event the Notes have Investment Grade Status at the earlier of the public announcement of (x) a Change of Control or (y) (if applicable) the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control, a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall mail a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating, among other things: (1) that a Change of Control or Change of Control Triggering Event, as the case may be, has occurred and a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.13 and that all Notes (or portions thereof) timely tendered will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); (3) that any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment (and for which payment has been duly provided on the Change of Control Payment Date) pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (4) that any Notes (or portions thereof) not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (5) a description of the transaction or transactions constituting the Change of Control or Change of Control Triggering Event, as the case may be; and (6) the procedures that Holders must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment and the procedures that Holders must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender Notes (or portions thereof) for payment.

 

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(c) Not later than the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) in Temporary Cash Investments an amount equal to the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.13. Holders electing to have a Note purchased will be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least five Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than three Business Days prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the Holder, the certificate number of such Note and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased.

 

(d) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the Notes or portions thereof which have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Company, together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. In the event that the aggregate purchase price of the Notes delivered by the Company to the Trustee is less than the amount deposited with the Trustee (or Paying Agent), the Trustee (or Paying Agent) shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after the end of the payment date.

 

(e) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Notes in connection with a Change of Control or Change of Control Triggering Event, as the case may be. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to the Change of Control Offer, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 4.13 by virtue thereof.

 

Section 4.14. Limitation on Status of Investment Company.

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become an “investment company” (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), to the extent such status would subject the Company or any such Subsidiary to regulation under the Investment Company Act, except for Subsidiaries established for the purpose of financing the operating businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.15. Payment for Consent.

 

Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

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Section 4.16. Layered Indebtedness.

 

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Debt or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Debt. The Company shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Guarantee with respect to any Senior Subordinated Debt or Subordinated Obligations of the Company unless such Restricted Subsidiary has executed and delivered to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will Guarantee payment of the Notes on terms and conditions (including with respect to any Liens securing such Guarantees) at least as favorable to the Holders as such Guarantee and (i) in the case of Senior Subordinated Debt, such Guarantee (and related Liens, if any) shall rank equal in right of payment with such Guarantee of the Notes; and (ii) in the case of Subordinated Obligations, such Guarantee (and related Liens, if any) shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee of the Notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations are subordinated to the Notes.

 

Section 4.17. Certain Suspended Covenants.

 

During any period of time that: (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Status, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture with respect to the Notes, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to Sections 4.06, 4.08 and 4.09 hereof (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”). In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to the Notes for any period of time as a result of the preceding sentence and, subsequently, at least one of the two designated Rating Agencies withdraws its rating or assigns the Notes a rating below the required Investment Grade Ratings, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants for the benefit of the Notes and compliance with the Suspended Covenant with respect to Restricted Payments made after the time of such withdrawal or assignment will be calculated in accordance with the terms of Section 4.06 hereof as if such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time from the Issue Date with respect to the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 5.

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.

 

The Company shall not merge or consolidate with or into any other entity (other than a merger or consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary with or into the Company) or in one transaction or a series of related transactions sell, convey, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its Property unless (i) the entity formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if the Company is not the surviving entity) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance is made (the “Successor”) (a) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or a State thereof or the District of Columbia and such corporation expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company; and (b) the Successor shall have all Gaming Licenses required to operate all Gaming Facilities to be owned by such Successor; (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s Property, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person; (iii) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iv) immediately

 

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after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with such transaction or series of transactions), the Company or the Successor, as the case may be, would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.08(a) hereof; and (v) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with such transaction or series of transactions), the Company or the Successor shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to the transaction or series of transactions.

 

Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Company’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 6.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01. Events of Default.

 

An “Event of Default” occurs if:

 

(a) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, whether or not prohibited by Article Ten hereof;

 

(b) the Company defaults in the payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at maturity, upon acceleration, required purchase or otherwise, whether or not prohibited by Article Ten hereof;

 

(c) the Company fails to observe, perform or comply with the covenants and agreements of Section 5.01 hereof;

 

(d) the Company fails to observe, perform or comply with any of the other covenants and agreements in this Indenture or the Notes, and such failure to observe, perform or comply continues for a period of 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class;

 

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(e) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not paid when due or within any applicable grace period or is accelerated by the holders thereof and, in either case, the total amount of such unpaid or accelerated Indebtedness exceeds $10 million;

 

(f) the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments or orders against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an uninsured aggregate amount in excess of $10 million and such judgment or order is not discharged, waived, stayed or satisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(g) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i) commences a voluntary case,

 

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(h) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and

 

(i) any revocation, suspension or loss of any Gaming License which results in the cessation of business for a period of more than 90 consecutive days of the business of any Gaming Facility owned, leased or operated directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any voluntary relinquishment of a Gaming License if such relinquishment is, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, evidenced by a Board Resolution, both desirable in the conduct of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders).

 

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

A Default under clause (e), (f) or (i) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) notify the Company of the Default. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

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The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 6.02. Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (other than an Event of Default resulting from Section 6.01(g) or (h) hereof) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may accelerate the maturity of all the Notes in which event the Notes (including any accrued interest and, if applicable, Liquidated Damages thereon) shall become immediately due and payable; provided, however, that after such acceleration but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, may, by written notice to the Trustee, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default resulting from Section 6.01(g) or (h) hereof shall occur, the Notes (including any accrued interest and, if applicable, Liquidated Damages, thereon) shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders.

 

Section 6.03. Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences hereunder except (i) a Default in the payment of principal of or interest or Liquidated Damages on a Note or (ii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder of Notes affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist and shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05. Control by Majority.

 

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification or security

 

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satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

 

A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

 

(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

 

(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

 

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to

 

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pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10. Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the applicable Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

Section 6.12. Redemption Provision Defaults.

 

Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of this Article 6, if any Event of Default occurs with respect to mandatory or optional redemption provisions included solely in any Additional Notes as contemplated by Section 2.14 (a “Redemption Provision Default”), such Redemption Provision Default shall constitute an Event of Default only with respect to the Additional Notes containing such mandatory or optional redemption provisions and such Additional Notes shall be considered to be Indebtedness for purposes of Section 6.01(e) hereof. In addition, (i) solely with respect to any Redemption Provision

 

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Default, all references to the Holders of Notes set forth in this Article 6 (including, without limitation, any applicable voting and consent thresholds regarding notice, waiver, acceleration, remedies, direction of the Trustee and limitations on suits), shall be deemed to refer only to the Holders of the Additional Notes subject to such Redemption Provision Default and (ii) solely with respect to any default under Section 6.01(e) that occurs as a result of a Redemption Provision Default, all references to the Holders of Notes set forth in this Article 6 (including, without limitation, any applicable voting and consent thresholds regarding notice, waiver, acceleration, remedies, direction of the Trustee and limitations on suits), shall be deemed to refer only to the Holders of Notes other than the Additional Notes subject to such Redemption Provision Default.

 

ARTICLE 7.

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

 

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee pursuant to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions specifically required to be furnished to it hereunder to determine whether or not they substantially conform to the procedural requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section.

 

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(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

 

(a) The Trustee may rely upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

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Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

 

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee as agreed upon in writing from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company shall fully indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company

 

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shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder except to the extent that the Company is actually prejudiced by failure of the Trustee to provide timely notice of claims of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(g) or (h) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 20% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture and any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which is anywhere provided in the Notes or in this Indenture.

 

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

 

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.

 

Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 hereof and clause (iv) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) through 6.01(i) hereof, except for Sections 6.01(g) and 6.01(h) with respect to the Company (but not with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary) shall not constitute Events of Default.

 

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Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article Eight concurrently with such incurrence);

 

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

 

(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06. Repayment to Company.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07. Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the

 

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Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:

 

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 hereof;

 

(c) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(d) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes and to release such Guarantees when required by the terms thereof;

 

(e) to secure the Notes;

 

(f) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

(g) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

 

(h) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(i) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated April 9, 2004, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(j) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or

 

(k) to remove redemption provisions included in any Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof that, pursuant to the terms of such redemption provisions, are no longer in effect.

 

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes without notice to any Holder of Notes but with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, with respect to the amendment, supplement or waiver of any mandatory or optional redemption provisions included in any Additional Notes as contemplated by Section 2.14, the references in the preceding paragraph to Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes shall be deemed to refer to a majority in principal amount of the Additional Notes which contain such mandatory or optional redemption provisions.

 

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture unless such amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental Indenture or waiver.

 

Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder), among other things:

 

(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(c) reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any Note;

 

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(d) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which a Note may be redeemed except as provided above with respect to Sections 4.09 and 4.13;

 

(e) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest or premium, or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

 

(f) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(g) make any change to Article Ten hereof that would adversely affect the Holders;

 

(h) release any security interest in favor of the Notes; or

 

(i) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

 

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. From and after the date an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it shall bind every Holder.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 10.

SUBORDINATION

 

Section 10.01. Agreement to Subordinate.

 

The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, that the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article Ten, to the prior payment of all Senior Debt of the Company and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Debt. The Notes shall in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Debt of the Company and only Senior Debt of the Company shall rank senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All provisions of this Article Ten shall be subject to Section 10.12.

 

Section 10.02. Liquidation, Dissolution and Bankruptcy.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

 

(i) holders of Senior Debt of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Senior Debt before Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal, or premium, if any, of or interest on the Notes; and

 

(ii) until such Senior Debt is paid in full in cash or cash equivalents, any distribution to which Holders would be entitled but for this Article Ten shall be made to holders of such Senior Debt as their interests may appear;

 

except that Holders may receive and retain shares of stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Debt, and to any debt securities received by holders of Senior Debt, of the Company to at least the same extent as the Notes.

 

Section 10.03. Default on Senior Debt.

 

The Company may not pay the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or make any deposit pursuant to Section 8.04 and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, “pay the Notes”) if (i) any principal, premium or interest in respect of any Senior Debt is not paid within any applicable grace period (including at maturity) or (ii) any other default on Senior Debt occurs and the maturity of such Senior Debt is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Senior Debt has been paid in full in cash or cash equivalents; provided, however, that the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice

 

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approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Debt. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration), the Company may not pay the Notes for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee of written notice of such default from the Representative of such Designated Senior Debt specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Representative who gave such Payment Blockage Notice, (ii) by repayment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Senior Debt or (iii) because the default giving rise to such Payment Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, unless the holders of such Designated Senior Debt or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Debt and shall not have rescinded such acceleration, the Company may (unless otherwise prohibited pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 10.03) resume payments on the Notes after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Payment Blockage Notice with respect to all issues of Designated Senior Debt may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to one or more issues of Designated Senior Debt during such period.

 

Section 10.04. Acceleration of Payment of Notes.

 

If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Debt (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.

 

Section 10.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

 

If a distribution is made to Holders that because of this Article Ten should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive the distribution shall hold such distribution in trust for holders of Senior Debt of the Company and pay it over to such holders as their interests may appear.

 

Section 10.06. Subrogation.

 

After all Senior Debt of the Company is paid in full in cash or cash equivalents and until the Notes are paid in full, Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Debt to receive distributions applicable to such Senior Debt. A distribution made under this Article Ten to holders of such Senior Debt which otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the Company and Holders, a payment by the Company on such Senior Debt.

 

Section 10.07. Relative Rights.

 

This Article Ten defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of Senior Debt of the Company. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

 

(i) impair, as between the Company and Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest on the Notes in accordance with their terms; or

 

(ii) prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available remedies upon a Default or an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Debt of the Company to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders.

 

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Section 10.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company.

 

No right of any holder of Senior Debt of the Company to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

 

Section 10.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

 

Notwithstanding Section 10.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Notes and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments, unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Responsible Officer receives notice that payments may not be made under this Article Ten. The Company, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Debt may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Debt of the Company has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the holders of such Senior Debt.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Debt of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Ten with respect to any Senior Debt of the Company which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Debt; and nothing in Article Seven shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article Ten shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

 

Section 10.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative.

 

Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Debt of the Company, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

 

Section 10.11. Article Ten Not to Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right to Accelerate.

 

The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Notes by reason of any provision of this Article Ten shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article Ten shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Notes.

 

Section 10.12. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Eight by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article Ten, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Debt of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.

 

Section 10.13. Trustee Entitled to Rely.

 

Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Ten, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely (i) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02 are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders or (iii) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Debt of the Company for the purpose of

 

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ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Debt and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Ten. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt of the Company to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Ten, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Ten, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Ten.

 

Section 10.14. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

 

Each Holder by accepting a Note authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders and holders of Senior Debt of the Company as provided in this Article Ten and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

Section 10.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Debt of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Ten or otherwise.

 

Section 10.16. Reliance by Holders of Senior Debt on Subordination Provisions.

 

Each Holder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Debt of the Company, whether such Senior Debt was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Debt and such holder of such Senior Debt shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Debt.

 

Section 10.17. Certain Payments.

 

Nothing in this Article Ten shall prevent or delay (i) the Company from or in redeeming any Notes pursuant to Section 3.09 or otherwise purchasing any Notes pursuant to any Legal Requirements relating to the gaming business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) the receipt by the Holders of payments of principal of and interest on the Notes as provided in Section 8.05.

 

ARTICLE 11.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge.

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

(1) either:

 

  (a) all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

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  (b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

(2) other than with respect to a discharge when the Notes have become due and payable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(3) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations,

 

71


the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 12.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

Section 12.02. Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address, as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

Boyd Gaming Corporation

2950 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 792-7335

Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

Morrison & Foerster LLP

19900 MacArthur Boulevard

Irvine, California 92612

Telecopier No.: (949) 251-0900

Attention: Robert Mattson

 

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Department

707 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90017

Telecopier No.: (213) 614-3355

Attention: Jeanie Mar

 

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

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Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

 

Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

 

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

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Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 12.08. Governing Law.

 

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

Section 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.10. Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 12.11. Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.12. Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 12.13. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

74


SIGNATURES

 

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation
By:    

Name:

  William S. Boyd

Title:

  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
By:    

Name:

  Ellis Landau

Title:

  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:    

Name:

  Jeanie Mar

Title:

  Vice President

 


EXHIBIT A

 

[Face of Note]


 

CUSIP/CINS                     

 

6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

No.             $                    

 

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION

 

promises to pay to                                           or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                                              

 

Dollars on April 15, 2014.

 

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15

 

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1

 

Dated:

 

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
By:    

Name:

   

Title:

   
By:    

Name:

   

Title:

   

 

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    as Trustee
By:    
    Authorized Signatory

 


 

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[Back of Note]

6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1. INTEREST. Boyd Gaming Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.75% per annum from                     , 20     until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Liquidated Damages semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be                     , 20    . The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 15, 2004 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are

 

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referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

 

(a) Except as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph 5, the Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to April 15, 2009. On or after April 15, 2009, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


   Percentage

 

2009

   103.375 %

2010

   102.250 %

2011

   101.125 %

2012 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to April 15, 2007, the Company may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.750% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

 

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7. MANDATORY DISPOSITION OR REDEMPTION PURSUANT TO GAMING LAWS. Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company will have the right to require a Holder to dispose of such Holder’s Notes if such Holder or the beneficial owner of such Notes is not licensed or found qualified or suitable by a Gaming Authority. In the event any such Holder fails to dispose of Notes within a prescribed time period, the Company shall have the right to call such Notes for redemption at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (i) the lowest closing sale price of the Notes on any trading day during the 120-day period ending on the date upon which the Company shall have received notice from such Gaming Authority of such Holder’s disqualification or (ii) the price at which such Holder or beneficial owner acquired the Notes, unless a different redemption price is required by such Gaming Authority, in which event such required price shall be the redemption price.

 

8. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of (i) a Change of Control (if, at the Change of Control Time the Notes do not have Investment Grade Status) or (ii) a Change of Control Triggering Event (if, at the Change of Control Time the Notes have Investment Grade Status), each Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes, in whole, or in part in a principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000, pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, at a purchase price in cash

 

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equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on any Change of Control Payment Date plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

Within 30 calendar days following any Change of Control (if, at the Change of Control Time the Notes do not have Investment Grade Status) or any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall send, or cause to be sent, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice regarding the Change of Control Offer to the Trustee and each Holder of Notes. The Holder of this Note may elect to have this Note or a portion hereof in an authorized denomination purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” appearing below and tendering this Note pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price with respect thereto, all Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest from and after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

(b) If at any time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in any Asset Sale and/or suffers (or incurs) an Event of Loss, as a result of which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100,000,000, the Company shall, within 10 Business Days of the date the amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100,000,000, use the then-existing Excess Proceeds to make an offer to purchase, on a pro rata basis, from all Holders of the Notes, and at the election of the Company, the holders of any other outstanding Indebtedness equal or senior in ranking to the Notes having comparable rights, an aggregate principal amount of Notes, and, if applicable, such other Indebtedness, equal to the Excess Proceeds, at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and, if applicable, Liquidated Damages, thereon. Upon completion of a Prepayment Offer (including payment for accepted Notes), any surplus Excess Proceeds that were the subject of such offer shall cease to be Excess Proceeds, and the Company may then use such amounts for general corporate purposes.

 

Within 10 Business Days of the date the amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100,000,000, the Company shall send, or cause to be sent, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice regarding the Prepayment Offer to each Holder of Notes. The Holder of this Note may elect to have this Note or a portion hereof in an authorized denomination purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” appearing below and tendering this Note pursuant to the Prepayment Offer. Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price with respect thereto, all Notes or portions thereof selected for payment pursuant to the Prepayment Offer will cease to accrue interest from and after the purchase date.

 

9. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

10. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

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11. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

12. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture and the Notes may be amended without prior notice to any Holder of Notes but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) and (ii) any past Default and its consequences may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any). Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 of the Indenture; (iii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; (iv) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes and to release such Guarantees when required by the terms thereof; (v) to secure the Notes; (vi) to add additional covenants or to surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company; (vii) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights of any Holder; (viii) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (ix) to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated April 9, 2004, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture or the Notes; (x) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture; or (xi) to remove redemption provisions included in any Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Indenture that, pursuant to the terms of such redemption provisions, are no longer in effect.

 

13. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination terms of the Indenture); (ii) default in payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, required purchase or otherwise (whether or not prohibited by the subordination terms of the Indenture); (iii) failure by the Company to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company to observe, perform or comply with any of the other covenants and agreements in the Indenture or the Notes and such failure to observe, perform or comply continues for a period of 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written notice from the Trustee or Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class; (v) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not paid when due or within any applicable grace period or is accelerated by the holders thereof and, in either case, the total amount of such unpaid or accelerated Indebtedness exceeds $10 million; (vi) the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments or orders against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an uninsured aggregate amount in excess of $10 million and such judgment or order is not discharged, waived, stayed or satisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and (viii) any revocation, suspension or loss of any Gaming License which results in the cessation of business for a period of more than 90 consecutive days of the business of any Gaming Facility owned, leased or operated directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any voluntary relinquishment of a Gaming License if such relinquishment is, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, evidenced by a Board Resolution, both desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders). A Default under clause (v), (vi) or (viii) is not an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes notify the Company of the Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the

 

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then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.

 

The provisions of this Paragraph 13 are subject to certain limitations and exceptions set forth in the Indenture with respect to an Event of Default that occurs by reason of a default with respect to any redemption provisions contained solely in Additional Notes.

 

14. SUBORDINATION. The Notes are subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Debt of the Company must be paid before the Notes may be paid. The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give effect to such provisions and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

 

15. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

16. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

17. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

18. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

19. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of [April 15, 2004/                     , 20    ], among the Company and the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

20. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

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The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to Boyd Gaming Corporation, 2950 Industrial Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, Attention: General Counsel.

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: ________________________________________________________________________

(Insert assignee’s legal name)                                                 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________________________________________________________

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:                                 

 

Your Signature:

   
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:

   

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-8


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09 or 4.13 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

¨ Section 4.09                                         ¨ Section 4.13

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09 or Section 4.13 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$                                    

 

Date:                                 

 

Your Signature:

   
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

   

 

Signature Guarantee*:

   

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange


 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note


 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note


   Principal Amount of this
Global Note following
such decrease (or
increase)


   Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or Note
Custodian


 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Boyd Gaming Corporation

2950 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 792-7335

Attention: General Counsel

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re: 6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2004 (the “Indenture”), between Boyd Gaming Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

                                , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                                      (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other

 

B-1


than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

 

or

 

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or

 

B-2


Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

 

Dated:                                     

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

 

  (iv) ¨ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Boyd Gaming Corporation

2950 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 792-7335

Attention: General Counsel

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re: 6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

(CUSIP                 )

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2004 (the “Indenture”), between Boyd Gaming Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

                                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

 

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in

 

C-1


compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

 

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

 

Dated:                                 

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

 

Boyd Gaming Corporation

2950 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 792-7335

Attention: General Counsel

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re: 6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2004 (the “Indenture”), between Boyd Gaming Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

In connection with our proposed purchase of $                     aggregate principal amount of:

 

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

 

(b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

 

we confirm that:

 

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

D-1


EXHIBIT D

 

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

 

Dated:                                 

 

D-2