The Majestic Star Casino Reports Results

The Majestic Star Casino, LLC today released financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006. The Majestic Star Casino, LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or "Majestic") operate two adjacent dockside gaming facilities located in Gary, Indiana ("Majestic Star" and "Majestic Star II") and two Fitzgeralds brand casinos located in Tunica, Mississippi ("Fitzgeralds Tunica") and Black Hawk, Colorado ("Fitzgeralds Black Hawk").

On December 21, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of the stock of Trump Indiana, Inc. ("Trump Indiana"), a casino vessel and hotel at Buffington Harbor in Gary, Indiana. The Company has subsequently re-branded the Trump Indiana casino vessel as "Majestic Star II." Trump Indiana was a joint venture partner in the Buffington Harbor gaming complex ("BHR") and a parking garage ("BHPA") located next to BHR. As part of the acquisition of Trump Indiana, the Company also acquired Trump Indiana's joint venture interests in BHR and, together with a contribution from an affiliate of the Company, ownership of BHPA (together, "the Acquired and Contributed Entities"). As such, the financial results reported herein include the Acquired and Contributed Entities in the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2006.

The Company's financial results, as contained in this earnings release, includes the pushdown of $48.1 million, net of original issue discount, of senior discount notes ("Discount Notes") issued by the Company's parent, Majestic Holdco, LLC ("Majestic Holdco").

Consolidated Results: Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2006

The Company's net revenues for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006 were $85.6 million, an increase of $22.5 million, or 35.7%, from the same period in 2005. Contributing to the increase in net revenues was an increase in casino revenues, the primary revenue source for the Company, of $21.7 million, or 31.7%, to $89.9 million. Majestic Star II contributed net revenues and casino revenues of $24.9 million and $25.5 million, respectively. Promotional allowances increased $0.9 million, or 7.3%, primarily as a result of Majestic Star II's contribution of $2.3 million, an increase at Fitzgeralds Tunica of $0.7 million and a decline of promotional allowances at Majestic Star of $2.1 million. Promotional allowances are deducted from gross revenues to determine net revenues.

Net revenues at Majestic Star for the three months ended June 30, 2006 declined from the same period in 2005 by $3.0 million, or 8.9%, to $31.1 million. Net revenues at Majestic Star II for the three months ended June 30, 2006 have also fallen significantly from the same three month period last year when it was operated as Trump Indiana. In the three months ended June 30, 2006 Majestic Star II's net revenues were $24.9 million as compared to the reported net revenues of Trump Indiana of $34.8 million in the same quarter last year. Please see the caption Majestic Star/Majestic Star II/BHR/BHPA ("Majestic Properties") for a further discussion about the decline in net revenues.

The Company expects to report a net loss of $2.7 million compared to a net loss of $4.0 million for the same period in 2005. The $1.3 million reduction of net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2006 resulted from the $22.5 million increase in net revenues, as discussed above, offset by increases totaling $13.7 million in operating expenses, principally from the Acquired and Contributed Entities, and an increase in interest expense of $7.6 million (including $1.6 million of interest expense attributable to the Discount Notes) resulting from the long-term debt incurred to finance the purchase of Trump Indiana and its interests in BHR and BHPA.

Majestic Star's operating expenses, including fifty percent of BHR and BHPA (for comparative purposes), declined from $30.1 million in the second quarter of last year to $25.2 million in the current quarter, a decrease of $4.9 million. Contributing to the reduction in operating expenses was the implementation of cost saving strategies in conjunction with our acquisition of Trump Indiana, reduction in gaming taxes at the property due to the decline in casino revenues and elimination of the lease expense paid to BHPA for the parking garage utilized by Majestic Star during the second quarter of 2005.

Negatively impacting net income during the second quarter of 2005 was a $2.3 million charge resulting from the termination of the sale of Fitzgeralds Black Hawk. Also, negatively affecting net income in the second quarter of 2005 was the catch-up depreciation and amortization at Fitzgeralds Black Hawk incurred as a result of the termination of the sale of Fitzgeralds Black Hawk. While the assets of the property were being held for sale, from July 12, 2004 through April 14, 2005, no depreciation and amortization was recognized on Fitzgeralds Black Hawk's depreciable and amortizable assets. Upon termination of the sale, $1.5 million of depreciation and amortization that had been suspended when the related assets were classified as held for sale was recognized during the second quarter of 2005.

Operating expenses at Fitzgerald Tunica were up $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2006 from the comparable period last year due to costs associated with improving the property's amenities and enhancing the management team. At Fitzgeralds Tunica, we are repositioning the property in order to attract and retain a higher valued gaming customer. In the near term, margins and profitability at the property may decline as we build toward a longer term growth strategy.

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, adjusted EBITDA was $20.1 million, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $13.0 million in the same period last year, an increase of $7.1 million, or 54.3%. Majestic Star, Majestic Star II, BHR and BHPA (collectively, "the Majestic Properties") contributed $8.6 million to the increase. At Fitzgeralds Tunica and Fitzgerald Black Hawk adjusted EBITDA declined $1.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and other non-operating expenses, which is primarily non-usage fees on the credit facility) adjusted for loss on investment in BHR (which is depreciation expense and applicable in the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005), and certain non-recurring charges as identified in the table at the end of this press release, which reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA. See the detailed explanation below as to the usefulness and limitations of using EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as financial measures and a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

Consolidated Results: Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2006

The Company's net revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006 were $185.5 million, an increase of $55.6 million, or 42.8%, from the same period in 2005. Contributing to the increase in net revenues was an increase in casino revenues, of $54.5 million, or 39.1%, to $193.8 million. Majestic Star II contributed net revenues and casino revenues of $59.2 million and $60.2 million, respectively. Promotional allowances increased $3.1 million, or 13.8%, during the first six months of 2006 primarily as a result of Majestic Star II's contribution of $4.6 million and higher promotional allowances at Fitzgeralds Tunica of $1.6 million, offset by a decline of promotional allowances at Majestic Star of $3.2 million.

Net revenues at Majestic Star for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006 declined from the same period last year by $4.1 million, or 5.8%, to $66.2 million. Net revenues at Majestic Star II were $59.2 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2006. This compares to the reported net revenues of Trump Indiana of $67.8 million for the similar period in the prior year. Please see the caption Majestic Star/Majestic Star II/BHR/BHPA ("Majestic Properties") for a further discussion about the decline in net revenues.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, the Company expects to report net income of $1.0 million as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million for the same period in 2005. Contributing to our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was the $55.6 million increase in net revenues discussed above offset by increases totaling $38.9 million in almost all of our operating expenses. The first six months of operations of the Acquired and Contributed Entities contributed $47.3 million in operating expenses. Adding to this increase were higher operating expenses at Fitzgeralds Tunica of $1.4 million, offset by declines at Fitzgeralds Black Hawk of $0.7 million, $1.4 million at Corporate, and $7.6 million at Majestic Star, including fifty percent of the operating expenses of BHR and BHPA. In addition, the Company incurred higher interest expense of $15.1 million (including $3.1 million of interest expense attributable to the Discount Notes) resulting from the long-term debt incurred to finance the acquisition of Trump Indiana, and its interests in BHR and BHPA.

Majestic Star's operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2006, including fifty percent of the BHR and BHPA operating expenses (for comparability purposes), were down significantly from the first six months of 2005. In the first half of 2006, inclusive of fifty percent of BHR's and BHPA's operating expenses, Majestic Star's operating costs were $53.1 million, compared to $60.7 million last year. Contributing to the reduction in operating expenses was the implementation of cost saving strategies in conjunction with our acquisition of Trump Indiana, lower gaming taxes as a result of the property's lower casino revenues and elimination of the lease expense paid to BHPA, for the parking garage utilized by Majestic Star, during the first six months of 2005.

Negatively impacting expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2005 was the $2.3 million charge and $1.5 million of catch-up depreciation and amortization incurred as a result of the mutual termination of the sale of Fitzgeralds Black Hawk.

After excluding the Fitzgeralds Black Hawk sale termination charge, which was recognized at our corporate operations, operating costs at corporate were higher during the first half of 2006 by $0.8 million resulting from increases in payroll expenses, and professional and bank fees. Operating expenses at Fitzgeralds Tunica were up $1.4 million from the previous year, with all the increase coming in the second quarter.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, adjusted EBITDA was $46.3 million, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $28.9 million in the same period last year, an increase of $17.4 million, or 60.4%. The Majestic Properties contributed $20.2 million of the increase. Fitzgeralds Tunica's adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.2 million from the prior year, while the adjusted EBITDA for Fitzgeralds Black Hawk declined $0.8 million

Total cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2006 was $22.4 million as compared to $32.4 million at December 31, 2005. Total debt outstanding at June 30, 2006 was $586.4 million, comprised of $300.0 million in 9 1/2% senior secured notes, $200.0 million in 9 3/4% senior notes, $48.1 million of push-down of Discount Notes, $37.9 million drawn on our senior secured credit facility and $0.4 million in capitalized leases and other debt. The Company had $42.1 million available on its $80.0 million credit facility at June 30, 2006.

Majestic Star/Majestic Star II/BHR/BHPA ("Majestic Properties")

Net revenues for the Majestic Properties for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 were $56.1 million and $125.6 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, net revenues increased $21.9 million, or 64.3%, over the same three-month period in 2005, and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, net revenues increased $55.3 million, or 78.6%, over the same period in 2005. Net revenues increased due to the addition of Majestic Star II's operations, which for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, contributed $24.9 million and $59.2 million, respectively, to net revenues. Casino revenues were $58.1 million and $129.2 million, respectively, during the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, compared to $37.4 million and $76.1 million, respectively, during the same three- and six-month periods in 2005. During the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the second quarter of 2005, Majestic Star II contributed $25.5 million of the increase in casino revenues, which was offset by a $4.9 million decline in Majestic Star's casino revenues. For the first six months of 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, Majestic Star II contributed $60.2 million of the increase in casino revenues, again offset by a decline in Majestic Star's casino revenues of $7.1 million. While operating results were strong at the Majestic Properties for the first two months of this year, beginning in March the financial results were negatively impacted by the disruptions related to the implementation of cost saving strategies, which included the layoff of over 300 employees, and changes to the layout of the casino floors. Additionally, the new casino and amenities at a competitor, along with continued construction to major roads providing access to our gaming facilities and lower promotional expenses had a negative impact on our operations.

Adjusted EBITDA at our Majestic Properties was $15.4 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, compared to $6.8 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA margins (defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues) increased to 27.4% in the second quarter of 2006 from 19.8% in the second quarter of 2005. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, adjusted EBITDA at the Majestic Properties was $35.2 million as compared to $15.1 million for the first half of 2005. Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 28.1% for the first six months of 2006 as compared to 21.4% for the same period in 2005.

Fitzgeralds Tunica

Net revenues increased by $0.7 million, or 3.5%, to $21.2 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, net revenues increased $0.9 million, or 2.2%, to $43.0 million. Casino revenues were $22.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, an increase of $1.2 million, or 5.6%, over the same quarter last year, while for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, casino revenues increased $2.0 million, or 4.5%, to $46.3 million. For the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, promotional allowances increased $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, as the property spent more in order to remain competitive. Operating expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 was up $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. In order to attract and retain a higher valued gaming customer, the property is improving its amenities, re-branded and improved the quality of its steakhouse, and enhancing its management team, particularly those executives in operations and guest development. For the three-months ended June 30, 2006, adjusted EBITDA declined to $4.1 million from $5.3 million for same period in 2005, and adjusted EBITDA margin decreased from 25.9% to 19.3%. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, adjusted EBITDA was $9.9 million and $11.1 million, respectively, a decline of $1.2 million, or 10.7%. The property's adjusted EBITDA margin also declined to 23.1% during the first six months of 2006 from 26.4% for the same period in 2005.

Fitzgeralds Black Hawk

In the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, net revenues of $8.3 million and casino revenues of $9.0 million were down compared to net revenues of $8.4 million and casino revenues of $9.1 million for the same period in 2005. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, net revenues of $16.9 million and casino revenues of $18.4 million were also down from net revenues of $17.6 million and casino revenues of $18.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA at Fitzgeralds Black Hawk for the three-and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 was $2.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively, as compared to $2.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively, for the same period in 2005. Adjusted EBITDA margins for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 were 30.8% and 28.7%, respectively, down from 31.6% and 32.1%, respectively, for the same periods last year.

The Black Hawk market showed nominal growth during the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2006 with increases of 4.6% and 4.4%, respectively. However, competition has increased significantly with the completion of remodeling and expansion projects, and increased marketing and pr

2006-08-09