Lakes Entertainment announces Q3 results

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: LACO) today announced results for the three months and nine months ended October 2, 2011.

“We remain focused on the results of the Red Hawk Casino and we continue to work with the Jamul Indian Village on development efforts for a casino operation near San Diego.”

Third Quarter Results
Net loss for the third quarter of 2011 was less than $0.1 million, compared to net earnings of $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. Losses from operations were $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to earnings from operations of $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2010. Basic and diluted losses were less than $0.01 per share for the third quarter of 2011 compared to earnings of $0.57 per share for the third quarter of 2010.

Lakes Entertainment reported third quarter 2011 revenues of $0.3 million, compared to prior-year third quarter revenues of $8.2 million. The elimination of revenues from the management of the Four Winds Casino Resort as a result of the buy-out of the management agreement for that property during the second quarter of 2011 was the primary reason for the decrease in revenues during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

For the third quarter of 2011, Lakes’ selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in comparison to the third quarter of 2010 by approximately $0.4 million to $2.5 million. This decline resulted primarily from decreases in payroll and related expenses partially offset by an increase in professional fees related to a potential casino development project in Maryland.

During the third quarter of 2011, Lakes entered into an agreement for the purpose of managing and redeveloping the existing Dania Jai Alai fronton in Dania Beach, Florida. The Company’s partner in this project has an agreement to purchase the Jai Alai fronton. Lakes made an initial investment of $4.0 million related to the project via a convertible promissory note that would convert to equity upon the closing of the Jai Alai fronton purchase. As a result of third party litigation recently filed against the city of Dania Beach relating to the development agreement for the renovation of the Dania Jai Alai fronton, the Florida legislature introducing legislation to permit full casino resorts in southern Florida, and the deterioration of the credit market since advancing the funds for this note, the value of the note was written down to zero as of October 2, 2011 and Lakes recognized a loss on convertible note receivable of $4.0 million during the third quarter of 2011.

Lakes recognized impairments and other losses of $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to $0.6 million in the prior-year period. Impairment losses of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $0.6 million in the prior year period were due primarily to continued uncertainty surrounding the completion of the project with the Jamul Indian Village (“Jamul Tribe”) near San Diego, California. Also included in the $1.1 million impairments and other losses for the third quarter of 2011 were other costs of $0.3 million which represent estimated selling costs of land owned by the Company in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This land was previously being held for development and was listed for sale during the third quarter of 2011.

Net unrealized losses on notes receivable relate to the Company’s notes receivable from Indian tribes for casino projects that are not yet open, which are adjusted to estimated fair value based upon the current status of the related tribal casino projects and evolving market conditions. In the third quarter of 2011, net unrealized losses on notes receivable were $2.7 million, compared to net unrealized gains of $0.5 million in the prior year period. The net unrealized losses in the third quarter of 2011 were related to the project with the Jamul Tribe due primarily to ongoing issues in the credit markets. The net unrealized gains in the third quarter of 2010 were related to the project with the Jamul Tribe and were due to improvements in the credit markets during that quarter.

Amortization of intangible assets related to the operating casinos was $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in amortization costs related primarily to the buy-out of the management agreement for the Four Winds Casino Resort which resulted in the full amortization of the remaining intangible assets associated with that project during the second quarter of 2011.

Other income (expense), net for the third quarter of 2011 was $1.3 million, a significant portion of which relates to non-cash interest income. Other income (expense), net for the third quarter of 2010 was $23.8 million which included a gain on divestiture of a cost method investment of $23.1 million. During the third quarter of 2010, Lakes entered into a Termination Agreement with Penn Ventures, LLC in which the Company divested its interest in the entity to be formed in collaboration with Penn Ventures, LLC in exchange for a $25 million payment from Penn Ventures, LLC, resulting in this gain.

The income tax benefit for the third quarter of 2011 was $9.1 million compared to a tax provision of $11.0 million for the third quarter of 2010. Lakes’ income tax benefit in the current year quarter is primarily due to 2011 timing differences and related valuation allowances. Lakes’ income tax provision in the prior year period consisted primarily of current income tax provision.

Nine Month Results
Net earnings for the nine months ended October 2, 2011 were $10.8 million, compared to $14.3 million for the nine months ended October 3, 2010. Earnings from operations were $6.5 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to a loss from operations of $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2010. Basic and diluted earnings were $0.41 per share for the nine months ended October 2, 2011 compared to $0.54 per share for the nine months ended October 3, 2010.

Lakes Entertainment reported revenues of $34.3 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2011, compared to prior-year period revenues of $19.9 million. The increase in revenues was primarily the result of the buy-out of the management agreement for the Four Winds Casino Resort during the second quarter of 2011. Pursuant to the buy-out agreement, on June 30, 2011, the Pokagon Band paid to Lakes a buy-out fee of approximately $24.5 million.

For the first nine months of 2011, Lakes’ selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.5 million compared to $9.4 million for the first nine months of 2010. The decline in current year selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the prior year resulted primarily from decreases in payroll and related expenses.

As previously mentioned, during the third quarter of 2011, Lakes entered into an agreement for the purpose of managing and redeveloping the existing Dania Jai Alai fronton in Dania Beach, Florida. The Company’s partner in this project has an agreement to purchase the Jai Alai fronton. Lakes made an initial investment of $4.0 million related to the project via a convertible promissory note that would convert to equity upon the closing of the Jai Alai fronton purchase. As a result of third party litigation recently filed against the city of Dania Beach relating to the development agreement for the renovation of the Dania Jai Alai fronton, the Florida legislature introducing legislation to permit full casino resorts in southern Florida, and the deterioration of the credit market since advancing the funds for this note, the value of the note was written down to zero as of October 2, 2011 and Lakes recognized a loss on convertible note receivable of $4.0 million during the third quarter of 2011.

Lakes recognized impairments and other losses of $2.6 million and $4.0 million during the nine months ended October 2, 2011 and October 3, 2010, respectively. The current year losses relate primarily to the continued uncertainty surrounding the completion of the Jamul project. The prior year losses related to the termination of the Company’s agreements with the Iowa Tribe as well as losses related to the continued uncertainty surrounding the completion of the Jamul project.

For the nine months ended October 2, 2011, net unrealized losses on notes receivable were $2.1 million, compared to net unrealized gains of $0.8 million in the prior year period. The net unrealized losses in the current year relate to the Jamul Tribe due primarily to ongoing issues in the credit markets. The net unrealized gains in the prior year period were primarily related to the Iowa Tribe which resulted from the termination agreement with the Iowa Tribe in May 2010.

Amortization of intangible assets related to the operating casinos was $11.4 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $8.4 million for the first nine months of 2010. The increase in amortization costs related primarily to the buy-out of the management agreement for the Four Winds Casino Resort which resulted in the full amortization of the remaining intangible assets associated with that project during the second quarter of 2011.

Other income (expense), net for the first nine months of 2011 was $3.9 million, a significant portion of which relates to non-cash interest income. Other income (expense), net for the first nine months of 2010 was $27.1 million which included a gain on divestiture of a cost method investment of $23.1 million. During the third quarter of 2010, Lakes entered into a Termination Agreement with Penn Ventures, LLC in which the Company divested its interest in the entity to be formed in collaboration with Penn Ventures, LLC in exchange for a $25 million payment from Penn Ventures, LLC, resulting in this gain.

The income tax benefit for the nine months ended October 2, 2011 was $0.5 million compared to an income tax provision of $11.5 million for the nine months ended October 3, 2010. Lakes’ income tax benefit for the current year period is primarily due to 2011 timing differences and related valuation allowances. Lakes’ income tax provision for the prior year period consists primarily of current income tax provision.

Lyle Berman, Chief Executive Officer of Lakes stated, “During the third quarter of 2011, we continued our involvement with existing projects and became involved with two new potential operations. During the third quarter, we formed a joint venture to submit a response to a request for proposal for a video lottery operation license in Allegany County, Maryland. The license will allow the operation of a video lottery operation at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Cumberland, Maryland. We look forward to the decision by the State of Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission related to this project and to the possibility of entering this east coast market and adding a long-term revenue stream for the Company. We also entered into a joint venture for the purpose of managing and redeveloping the existing Dania Jai Alai fronton in Dania Beach, Florida. Although various factors have caused us to write down our convertible note receivable related to this opportunity, we continue to closely monitor the status of this project.”

Further commenting, Tim Cope, President and Chief Financial Officer of Lakes stated, "In August we made an additional $7.4 million investment in Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC and its casino developments in Cincinnati and Cleveland. As a result, our total investment in Rock Ohio is now approximately $15.7 million and we look forward to continuing our involvement with these casino projects as they progress.” Mr. Cope continued, “We remain focused on the results of the Red Hawk Casino and we continue to work with the Jamul Indian Village on development efforts for a casino operation near San Diego.”

About Lakes Entertainment

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management or financing agreements with two separate Bands for casino operations in California, for a total of two separate casino sites. Lakes is currently managing the Red Hawk Casino for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.