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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 


 

Commission file number 001-13641

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   95-3667491

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(702) 784-7777

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Common Stock, $.10 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  x    NO  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  YES  x    NO  ¨

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $443,817,000 based on a closing price of $12.61 per share of common stock. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, as of the close of business on March 10, 2005: 40,501,605.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive 2005 proxy statement, anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

Item 1.

   Description of Business    1
     Company Overview    2
     Business Strategy and Competitive Strengths    2
     Current Operations    4
     New Developments and Expansion Plans    8
     Competition    9
     Government Regulation and Gaming Issues    10
     Employees    10
     Other Information    11
     Available Information    11

Item 2.

   Properties    11

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    13

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    15
PART II

Item 5.

   Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    16

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    17

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    19
     Results of Operations    20
     Liquidity and Capital Resources    24
     Other Supplemental Data    27
     Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments    29
     Off Balance Sheet Arrangements    30
     Factors Affecting Future Operating Results    30
     Critical Accounting Policies    31
     Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards    32
     Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors    32

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    34

Item 8.

   Financial Statements    34

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures    34

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    34

Item 9B.

   Other Information    37
PART III

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    37

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    37

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    37

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    37

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    37
PART IV

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    38
     Signatures    47


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1.    Description of Business

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company” or “Pinnacle”) is a leading diversified, multi-jurisdictional owner and operator of gaming entertainment facilities that owns and operates five properties in the United States. Such properties are located in southeastern Indiana; Reno, Nevada; Bossier City, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Biloxi, Mississippi. The Company is also building L’Auberge du Lac, a major casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In addition, the Company is developing a major casino in downtown St. Louis, Missouri and a major casino in south St. Louis County, Missouri. Internationally, the Company is building a replacement casino for the larger of the three casinos it operates in Argentina and has signed a letter of intent to operate a casino adjoining the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. The Company also receives lease income from two card clubs in Southern California. All of the Company’s current casinos cater primarily to customers who live within driving distance of the properties.

 

Pinnacle is the successor to the Hollywood Park Turf Club, organized in 1938. It was incorporated in 1981 under the name Hollywood Park Realty Enterprises, Inc. In 1992, as part of a restructuring, the Company changed its name to Hollywood Park, Inc. In February 2000, the Company changed its name to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

The Company plans to grow profitability three ways: first, through the strategic development of new gaming properties in attractive gaming markets; second, through a disciplined capital expenditure program at its existing locations; and finally, through ongoing cost-reduction initiatives.

 

In May 2004, the Company opened its new 300-guestroom tower at Belterra Casino Resort, the centerpiece of a $37 million expansion project. In addition to increasing the guestroom base to a total of 608 guestrooms, the expansion project added approximately 33,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a year-round swimming pool and other amenities.

 

Pinnacle is currently building L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino, a $365 million casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Company believes this resort will be the premier casino in the Lake Charles area upon its scheduled opening in May 2005. Lake Charles is the closest significant gaming jurisdiction to the Houston, Austin and San Antonio metropolitan areas. L’Auberge is located on 227 acres and will feature approximately 745 guestrooms, several restaurants, approximately 28,000 square feet of meeting space, a championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio, an expansive pool area, retail shops and a full-service spa. Unlike most other riverboat casinos, all of the public areas at L’Auberge (except the parking garage), and in particular the casino, will be situated entirely on one level. The casino will be surrounded on three sides by the hotel facility and other guest amenities, providing convenient access to approximately 1,600 slot machines and 60 table games. The Company believes L’Auberge will be larger, and offer more amenities, than any other resort in the southwest Louisiana/east Texas market.

 

The Company is also building a replacement casino in Neuqúen, Argentina, which facility will include a casino, a restaurant and an entertainment venue. The new and larger casino replaces a leased facility that is in an inferior location and is over 20 years old.

 

In January 2004, the City of St. Louis (through affiliated entities) selected the Company to develop a $258 million casino, luxury hotel and entertainment complex in downtown St. Louis near Laclede’s Landing north of the Gateway Arch. In February 2004, St. Louis County (through an affiliated entity) selected the Company to develop a $300 million casino and mixed-use complex in St. Louis County, approximately 10 miles south of downtown St. Louis. In September 2004, the Missouri Gaming Commission selected the Company for priority investigation, thereby enabling it to proceed with both St. Louis development projects.

 

In December 2004, the Company signed a letter of intent to sublease premises from Emerald Bay Resort Hotel Limited to operate a casino adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, which letter of intent was extended in March to May 1, 2005.

 

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Company Overview

 

The following is an overview of the Company’s gaming operations as of December 31, 2004:

 

             Number of

Property


 

Type of Facility


  

Principal Markets


 

Slot

Machines


 

Table

Games


 

Hotel

Rooms


Operating Properties:

                    

Boomtown New Orleans, LA

  Dockside    Local   1,532   47   —  

Belterra Casino Resort, IN

  Dockside    Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky   1,598   44   608

Boomtown Bossier City, LA

  Dockside    Dallas/Ft. Worth and Local   1,206   35   188

Casino Magic Biloxi, MS

  Dockside    Alabama, North Florida, Georgia   1,166   32   378

Boomtown Reno, NV

  Land-based    Northern California and Local   1,229   30   318

Casino Magic Argentina(a):

  Land-based    Local and Regional Tourists   653   44   —  
            
 
 

Operating Property Total

           7,384   232   1,492
            
 
 

Card Clubs Leased(b):

                    

Hollywood Park & Crystal Park

  Land-based    Local   —     120   238

Properties Under Construction:

                    

L’Auberge du Lac, LA

  Boat-in-moat (c)    Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Southwest Louisiana   1,600   60   745

Development Proposals:

                    

City of St. Louis, MO(d)

  Boat-in-moat (c)    Missouri and Illinois   2,000   40   200

St. Louis County, MO(d)

  Boat-in-moat (c)    Missouri and Illinois   3,000   60   100

Great Exuma, Bahamas(e)

  Land-based    In-house Tourists   65   8   —  

Proposed Acquisition:

                    

Embassy Suites St. Louis-Downtown(f)

  Hotel    Regional Travelers   —     —     297

(a)   Data present the combined operations of the casinos the Company operates in Argentina. Upon the completion of the Company’s replacement casino in Neuqúen, the Company expects the total number of slot machines and table games will increase to 836 and 57, respectively.
(b)   Data present the combined operations of two card clubs in Southern California that the Company leases on a year-to-year basis to a third-party operator.
(c)   A “boat-in-moat” is a floating, single-level dockside casino in a controlled body of water.
(d)   In early 2004, the St. Louis authorities selected our downtown St. Louis and St. Louis County development proposals, subject to the final approval of the Missouri Gaming Commission.
(e)   In December 2004, the Company signed a letter of intent to sublease premises from Emerald Bay Resort Hotel Limited to operate a casino adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, which letter of intent was extended to May 1, 2005. The casino is expected to open in late 2005, contingent upon the Company receiving approvals from governmental authorities in the Bahamas and execution of a final lease agreement.
(f)   The Embassy Suites purchase is subject to various conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2005.

 

Business Strategy and Competitive Strengths

 

Pinnacle’s strategy is to grow profitability in three ways: first, through the strategic development of new gaming properties in attractive gaming markets; second, through a disciplined capital expenditure program at its

 

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existing locations; and finally, through ongoing cost-reduction initiatives. Management believes that the following key competitive strengths will contribute to the successful implementation of its strategy:

 

    High-Quality Properties in Attractive Locations    Pinnacle owns high-quality casino properties in attractive locations. The Company is committed to maintaining the quality of its properties by offering an up-to-date slot machine product, presenting fresh entertainment offerings and renovating and improving its facilities where necessary to remain competitive and enhance its customers’ gaming experience. Most of the Company’s properties have either opened or been extensively refurbished within the past five years, including the 2004 opening of the new 300-guestroom tower at Belterra. The Company believes the expansion at Belterra enabled it to build on the improvement in operating performance at the property and to more efficiently take advantage of the existing facilities built in 2000.

 

    Geographically Diversified Portfolio    The Company owns and operates five U.S. properties and is scheduled to open a sixth U.S. location in May 2005, each in a distinct market. This diversification reduces dependence on any one market, while providing the Company an opportunity to build a diversified base of gaming customers. This diversification would be further enhanced through the Company’s two St. Louis projects upon their opening.

 

    Significant Development Plans    The Company believes L’Auberge will contribute substantial revenues, cash flow and earnings. Further, management expects that, upon its completion, L’Auberge will be the premier property in the Lake Charles market. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the three existing casino properties in Lake Charles generated $462.1 million in gaming revenue in the aggregate, which does not include the significant gaming revenues of Native American gaming facilities located approximately one hour’s drive east of the Lake Charles area. The site of L’Auberge is approximately a two-hour’s drive east from Houston, Texas, which it believes will be the principal feeder market for its resort.

 

    Significant Opportunities for Further Development    Local St. Louis authorities selected Pinnacle’s proposals early in 2004 to develop an approximately $258 million casino, luxury hotel and entertainment complex in downtown St. Louis and an approximately $300 million casino complex in south St. Louis County, respectively. The Company has since entered into a redevelopment agreement with the City of St. Louis and a lease and development agreement with St. Louis County. In September 2004, the Missouri Gaming Commission selected the Company for priority investigation, thereby enabling it to proceed with both St. Louis development projects.

 

In November 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase the Embassy Suites Hotel—St. Louis-Downtown for approximately $38 million. This 297-suite hotel adjoins the site on which the Company intends to build the St. Louis City casino and luxury hotel. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2005. In addition, in February 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase an additional 4.9 acres of vacant land immediately adjacent to the 7.3 acres owned by the Company and the Embassy Suites. Combined with an option the Company holds to lease an additional 4.3 acres adjacent to the other downtown parcels, the Company owns, has agreed to purchase, or has an option to lease approximately 18 contiguous acres of real estate in downtown St. Louis.

 

The Missouri Gaming Commission will determine in its discretion whether to issue gaming licenses to the Company for either or both projects, based on its ongoing licensing investigation of the Company and its key individuals and other factors. Among other factors, the Missouri Gaming Commission has indicated, as a condition of potential future licensing, that the Company should attain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined by the Missouri Gaming Commission) of 2.0x by September 30, 2005 and maintain such ratio. Management’s projections anticipate meeting such requirement.

 

Several of the Company’s properties occupy only a portion of their sites, allowing the Company ample opportunity to add casino capacity, guestrooms, and entertainment and other facilities, as its market

 

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opportunities grow and demand warrants. The Company has entered into agreements to sell approximately 39 acres of its excess Reno land to Cabela’s Retail, Inc. for construction of an outdoor sporting goods store adjacent to its Boomtown Reno hotel casino facility.

 

    Experienced Management Team    The Company’s executive and property-level management teams, led by Daniel R. Lee and Wade W. Hundley, have extensive industry experience and an established record of developing, acquiring, integrating and operating gaming facilities. Mr. Lee, formerly the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Development at Mirage Resorts, became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in April 2002. Mr. Hundley, formerly the Executive Vice President in the Office of the CEO of Harveys Casino Resorts, joined Pinnacle in September 2001 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and became President of the Company in February 2005. Prior to his position at Harveys, Mr. Hundley was a principal at Colony Capital, which then owned Harveys. John A. Godfrey joined the Company in 2002 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and became Executive Vice President in February 2005. Mr. Godfrey has had extensive experience in gaming law, having served as a name partner in two firms since 1984 and senior positions in the Gaming Division of the Nevada Attorney General’s Office from 1981 to 1984. In January 2003, Stephen H. Capp became the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Capp has extensive experience in the financial services industry, and was most recently a Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. from 1999 to January 2003. Additionally, in February 2005, Alain Uboldi was promoted to Chief Operating Officer from the position of Regional Vice President and General Manager of L’Auberge. Prior to joining the Company in 2001, Mr. Uboldi was President and COO of Lady Luck Gaming Corporation.

 

Since joining Pinnacle, the management team has focused on improving operations and reducing overhead, as evidenced by the recent improvements in operating margins. The Company also continues to improve its balance sheet through various capital financing transactions. In addition, the Company has been actively seeking growth opportunities, including L’Auberge, the St. Louis development projects and the Argentina casino developments. Its management team is continuously evaluating opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity, to improve its capitalization, and to seize upon growth opportunities.

 

Current Operations

 

Boomtown New Orleans is a locals-oriented dockside riverboat casino. The riverboat features a casino containing approximately 1,532 slot machines and 47 table games and an approximately 88,000-square-foot adjoining building with two restaurants, a delicatessen, a 350-seat nightclub, 21,000 square feet of meeting space, an amusement center and 1,729 parking spaces. The property opened in 1994 and is located on 54 acres in Harvey, Louisiana, approximately 10 miles from downtown New Orleans and across the Mississippi River in the “West Bank” suburban area.

 

Boomtown New Orleans competes with two other dockside riverboat casinos and a large land-based casino and entertainment facility in downtown New Orleans. During 2004, according to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, gaming revenues grew 7.7% to $608 million in the New Orleans market, of which 52.6% was accounted for by the land-based casino and 19.2% by Boomtown New Orleans. Boomtown New Orleans is the only casino on the west bank of the Mississippi River and there are a limited number of bridges across the river, which the Company believes provides it with a competitive advantage amongst West Bank residents. Legislation passed in 2004 permits, subject to a local referendum, the introduction of 400 slot machines at a racetrack located on the east side of the river and approximately 20 miles from the Boomtown New Orleans property.

 

Belterra Casino Resort (“Belterra”) is a regional resort adjoining a dockside riverboat casino. It opened in October 2000 and is located on 315 acres of land along the Ohio River near Vevay, Indiana, approximately 50 miles southwest of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and 65 miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky. The total population within 300 miles of Belterra is approximately 39 million people. By comparison, some 26 million people live within 300 miles of Las Vegas.

 

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In early May 2004, the Company completed and opened a $37 million hotel tower expansion. Today, the resort features a riverboat casino with 38,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 1,598 slot machines and 44 table games. It also features a 15-story, 608-guestroom hotel with 11 suites, six restaurants, 33,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a retail shopping pavilion, a 1,750-seat entertainment showroom, a year-round swimming pool, a spa and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio. The resort provides 2,000 parking spaces, most of which are in a multi-level parking structure. Indiana law was revised to permit dockside gaming operations as of August 1, 2002, with a new graduated tax structure. Customers strongly prefer dockside operations due to the convenience of being able to enter and leave the casino at any time, as well as the reduction of customer surges and the resultant lines at the facility’s restaurants, valet parking and other services that may occur with cruising riverboat casino operations.

 

Belterra competes with four other dockside riverboats. According to the Indiana Gaming Commission, 2004 gross gaming revenues from the five riverboats in this market grew 7.0% over the prior year, to approximately $1.2 billion. Belterra grew its gaming revenues by 12.9% during the same period. Current Indiana law does not permit any additional casinos to be built along the Ohio River, although there are no legal limitations as to the size of the riverboats operated by each licensee. A major competitor has indicated its intent to replace its current casino riverboat with a larger one. State law was also amended in 2004 to permit a casino operation in the town of French Lick, Indiana, which is between Louisville and Indianapolis, approximately 95 miles from Belterra.

 

Boomtown Bossier City is a regional hotel property built around a dockside riverboat casino. The property opened in October 1996 on a site directly adjacent to, and highly visible from, Interstate 20. The Bossier City/Shreveport region offers the closest casinos to the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, which is a three-hour drive to the west along Interstate 20. Boomtown Bossier City offers approximately 1,206 slot machines and 35 table games. The property also includes a 188-guestroom hotel, with four master suites and 88 junior suites, four restaurants and 1,867 parking spaces.

 

In November 2002, the Company completed a $24 million renovation of the Boomtown Bossier City property. This renovation included re-branding the facility to the Boomtown name, adding new restaurants and re-designing the hotel lobby and porte-cochere.

 

According to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, gaming revenues in the Bossier City/Shreveport region were $835.5 million in 2004, up 2.3% compared to the prior year. Revenues at Boomtown Bossier City declined 4.1% for the same period. The market currently consists of five dockside riverboat casino hotels, including Boomtown, and a racetrack slot operation located approximately eight miles east of Boomtown Bossier City. The racetrack slot parlor opened with approximately 900 slot machines in mid-2003. The racetrack opened a larger, free-standing slot-only casino with approximately 1,400 slot machines in May 2004 and accounted for essentially all of the market growth in the period. Current state regulations do not permit table games at the racetrack. In mid-2003, a Native American casino opened in Oklahoma, approximately one hour north of Dallas, providing competition for the Bossier City/Shreveport casinos. Other Native American casinos have also opened in Oklahoma, and racetracks in that state have installed slot machines.

 

Casino Magic Biloxi is a regional property on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that features a dockside riverboat casino and hotel tower. The property, which began operations in 1993, is situated in the center of a cluster of three casinos known as “Casino Row.” In 1998, the Company opened a 378-guestroom hotel, including 86 suites, at the property. The property features a 48,920-square-foot dockside riverboat casino containing approximately 1,166 slot machines and 32 table games. The facility also features three restaurants, 6,600 square feet of convention space, a health club and 1,315 parking spaces.

 

The property is smaller than some of the other area casinos, but offers superior quality guestrooms and facilities. Since the end of 2001, the property has enjoyed a “Four-Diamond” rating from AAA, the first hotel/casino in Mississippi to receive such a designation. In late 2004, Casino Magic commenced an $11 million casino enhancement project, which includes substantially refurbishing the existing showroom and casino, and

 

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updating the existing slot product. The Company expects the project to be completed in Spring 2005. In June 2003, a renovation of the property’s high-roller area and casino entrance was completed at a cost of approximately $1.2 million.

 

The principal markets for the Mississippi Gulf Coast region are the nearby cities of Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola and Tallahassee, Florida; the interior areas of the South, whose residents visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast to escape the summer heat; and the numerous other cities of central and northern Florida, for whom the Mississippi Gulf Coast also often offers the closest casinos. According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Gulf Coast market generated gaming revenues of $1.2 billion during 2004, a 4.8% increase over the prior year. Casino Magic’s gaming revenue fell by approximately 3.7% in the same period. A competing casino located near the Casino Magic Biloxi property has announced an expansion project, including guestrooms, a restaurant and other amenities, and the construction of a new casino barge. Completion of the hotel expansion is expected in Spring 2005, and the new casino barge is expected in late 2005. In addition, another competitor commenced construction of a new facility during 2004, with an opening date announced for Summer 2005.

 

The nearby city of New Orleans is also a significant market for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, even though New Orleans has its own casinos. The State of Mississippi opted to legalize casinos in a fashion similar to Nevada and New Jersey, where tax rates are lower, but there is no limit as to the number of casinos. Such states therefore have a greater number of casinos, with most of such casinos offering more extensive accommodations and food, beverage, entertainment and other amenities than many of the casinos in jurisdictions where tax rates are high and the number of casinos is limited. Many New Orleans residents prefer to drive the short distance to Mississippi to enjoy the greater amenities offered along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as an alternative to the casinos available in New Orleans proper.

 

Boomtown Reno is a land-based casino hotel that has been operating for more than 35 years and is located on a portion of the Company’s 569 acres approximately 11 miles west of downtown Reno, Nevada. This location is directly adjacent to Interstate 80, which is the primary east-west interstate highway into northern California from northern Nevada.

 

The property features 318 guestrooms and a 45,000-square-foot casino containing approximately 1,117 slot machines and 30 table games. The property features four restaurants, an 80-seat lounge, a 30,000-square-foot amusement center and an indoor pool. In addition to the main casino/hotel, the property also includes a full-service truck stop with a satellite casino containing approximately 112 slot machines, a gas station and mini-mart, a 203-space recreational vehicle park and 1,548 parking spaces.

 

On March 7, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement with Cabela’s Retail, Inc. to sell a total of 37.4 acres adjacent to its Boomtown Reno hotel and casino facility for an aggregate price of approximately $7.8 million. The Company has entered into a separate agreement with the purchaser to sell the approximately 1.1 acres of existing truck stop land for $10,000 following the receipt of certain environmental clearances. The purchaser intends to build a Cabela’s outdoor sporting goods store on the land. A portion of the cost needed to improve the road accessing the site and other related improvements would be financed through the issuance of sales tax bonds through local or state governmental authorities. The bonds will be serviced by a portion of the sales taxes generated by the new retail facilities. The Company has agreed to purchase, if necessary, half of the bonds that would be used to finance a new loop road and utility work, and half of the bonds used to finance certain interchange work supporting the developments if the interchange work is financed with sales tax bonds. The Company estimates that it would purchase approximately $4 million to $10 million of these bonds, and believes such bonds could be resold to other investors, particularly after the new facilities have opened. In connection with the sale, the Company intends to build a new truck stop (together with a satellite casino) at another location on the Boomtown Reno property it owns for approximately $12 million and will continue to operate the existing truck stop and satellite casino during the construction period. The agreements are subject to various conditions and are expected to close in the second half of 2005.

 

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Reno’s gaming market is primarily a drive-in market that attracts visitors from northern California. In March 2000, California voters passed Proposition 1A, a ballot initiative that allows Native American groups to conduct various gaming activities, including slot machines, card games and lotteries. Each Native American group in California may operate slot machines, and up to two gaming facilities may be operated on any one reservation. The number of machines each group is allowed to operate is subject to change pursuant to negotiations which have been initiated between the tribes and the State of California.

 

In mid-2003 and 2004, new Native American casino developments opened in California that compete with the Reno gaming properties. These casino developments are significantly closer to several primary feeder markets than is the Boomtown Reno property and had an adverse impact on Boomtown Reno’s performance when compared to pre-2003 levels. The Company believes the impact of the recent growth in Native American gaming has been substantially absorbed by the Reno gaming market, including its Boomtown Reno property, although the market will continue to be very competitive. Additionally, numerous Native American groups are at various stages of planning new or significantly expanded facilities in the northern California area. During 2004, revenues at Boomtown Reno increased approximately 1.0% versus the prior year, primarily due to an increase in fuel sales offset by a decline in gaming revenue.

 

Casino Magic Argentina:    The Company operates three casinos in the Patagonia region of Argentina. It is building a replacement casino for the largest of the three (see “New Developments and Expansion Plans—Casino Magic Argentina” below). The largest facility is located in the city of Neuqúen and contains approximately 500 slot machines, 31 table games and a 384-seat bingo facility. The second largest facility, located in San Martín de los Andes, has 107 slot machines and 13 table games. The Company began operating the smallest of the three facilities in November 2003, which is located in Junín de los Andes and has 46 slot machines. The Company does not own any real property at these sites, but does own approximately 20 acres of land in the city of Neuqúen, where the Company is building a replacement casino facility expected to open in Spring 2005.

 

The first two casinos opened in 1995 and the Company began operating the third casino in November 2003. All three casinos are operated under a 12-year concession agreement with the Province of Neuqúen that originally was scheduled to expire in December 2006. This agreement was modified in 2003 in connection with the expansion activities discussed below at “New Developments and Expansion Plans—Casino Magic Argentina” and is expected to be extended to 2016 upon the opening of the new facility.

 

The Company’s current concession agreement with the Province of Neuqúen provides for the Company’s exclusive operation of casinos within approximately 33 miles of its facilities. In the Province of Rio Negro, immediately adjacent to the Province of Neuqúen, there is a casino approximately 10 miles from the Company’s Neuqúen operations.

 

California Card Club Leases:    The Company receives lease income from two card clubs in Los Angeles County: the Hollywood Park-Casino and the Crystal Park Casino. The Company leases the Hollywood Park-Casino under a long-term lease agreement that, including a 10-year renewal option, expires in 2019. The Hollywood Park-Casino is then subleased to an unaffiliated third-party operator under a year-to-year lease. The Company owns the furniture, fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements within the Hollywood Park-Casino. The Company owns the Crystal Park Casino and leases it to the same card club operator that leases and operates the Hollywood Park-Casino. The third-party operator is not believed to have substantial assets other than the two card clubs. The lease payments under the year-to-year leases are believed to constitute a substantial portion of the income at the card clubs.

 

The Hollywood Park-Casino opened in 1994. The facility contains approximately 30,000 square feet of card club gaming space with 102 gaming tables and 21,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

 

The Crystal Park Casino opened in October 1996. The Crystal Park Casino contains approximately 40,000 square feet of gaming and banquet space with 18 gaming tables. The adjoining hotel contains 238 rooms, including 36 suites.

 

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The Hollywood Park-Casino and the Crystal Park Casino face significant competition from other card club casinos in neighboring cities, as well as competition from other forms of gaming around southern California, including horse racing and Native American gaming. Although the Company does not operate these card club casinos, the operator, who is its lessee, is affected by local market conditions.

 

New Developments and Expansion Plans

 

L’Auberge du Lac:    In early September 2003, the Company commenced construction of L’Auberge du Lac, which management believes will be the premier casino in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. L’Auberge is located on 227 acres of land, and is expected to offer approximately 745 guestrooms, several restaurants, approximately 28,000 square feet of meeting space, a championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio, an expansive outdoor pool area, retail shops and a full-service spa. Unlike most other riverboat casinos, all of the public areas at L’Auberge (except the parking garage), and in particular the casino, will be situated entirely on one level. The casino will be surrounded on three sides by the hotel facility and other guest amenities, providing convenient access to approximately 1,600 slot machines and 60 table games.

 

In July 2004, the Company announced an increase in the scope and budget of L’Auberge, including, among other items, increasing the number of guestrooms to approximately 745 from approximately 700. Overall, the budget was increased to $365 million from $325 million to reflect these and other changes. Through December 31, 2004, the Company has invested approximately $193 million in the form of construction and other costs.

 

L’Auberge remains on schedule for an opening in May 2005 and in accord with its agreement with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board that calls for construction of certain facilities to be completed by June 13, 2005, which date was extended on March 15 from the prior May 12, 2005 date. After completion and an employee training period, L’Auberge is expected to officially open to the public on May 26, 2005. Issuance of the gaming license from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board is subject to continued compliance with gaming regulations and other conditions.

 

St. Louis City Project:    In January 2004, the City of St. Louis (through affiliated entities) selected the Company to develop its St. Louis City project, a $258 million casino, luxury hotel and entertainment complex near Laclede’s Landing north of the Gateway Arch. A redevelopment agreement was executed in April. As proposed, the project includes a 75,000-square-foot casino, 200 luxury guestrooms, restaurants and retail space on approximately 7.3 acres of land currently owned by the Company.

 

In April 2004, the Company executed a letter of intent under which the luxury hotel and some of the food, beverage and spa facilities would be operated by Four Seasons Hotels Limited under the Four Seasons brand. Such letter of intent anticipates a binding management agreement, which the Company hopes to execute in the second quarter of 2005.

 

In May 2004, the Company executed an 18-month option to lease for 99 years 4.3 acres of additional land near Laclede’s Landing which is owned or subject to ongoing condemnation proceedings by a city agency. In November, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase the Embassy Suites Hotel—St. Louis-Downtown (“Embassy Suites”), a 297-suite hotel that adjoins the site on which the Company intends to build the St. Louis City facility. Anticipated to cost approximately $38 million, the Company expects to close the transaction in the first half of 2005 and intends to continue the hotel’s affiliation with the Embassy Suites brand. The Company also intends to refurbish the Embassy Suites and connect it to the planned casino complex. Finally, in February 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 4.9 acre land parcel immediately adjacent to the proposed casino site and Embassy Suites hotel for approximately $7.5 million, which is expected to close in March 2005. Cumulatively, the Company owns, has agreed to purchase, or has under option to lease, approximately 18 acres of contiguous land for the development of its St. Louis City project.

 

In September, the Company was selected by the Missouri Gaming Commission (“MGC”) for priority investigation, and in January 2005 received several key approvals from the MGC for the St. Louis City project.

 

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The Company anticipates beginning construction shortly after receiving the necessary building and land-use permits, which it expects to receive in mid-2005. The St. Louis City project is expected to open 18 months thereafter, in early 2007.

 

St. Louis County Project:    In February 2004, St. Louis County (through an affiliated entity) selected the Company to develop its St. Louis County project, a $300 million casino complex in the community of Lemay. A lease and development agreement was executed in August 2004. Located approximately 10 miles south of downtown St. Louis, the south St. Louis County development will be situated on 80 acres of land and will include a 90,000-square-foot casino, 100-guestroom hotel, retail space, multiplex movie theater and bowling alley. According to the terms of the agreement, Pinnacle will lease approximately 80 acres of land from the Port Authority, 56 of such acres for its gaming and commercial facilities, and the remaining 24 acres will become a public park and include additional community and recreational facilities.

 

The MGC also selected the Company for priority investigation for the St. Louis County project in September 2004. The Company anticipates obtaining the required site approvals from the MGC in the first half of 2005. Development of the St. Louis County site requires extensive environmental remediation and construction of a new road to the site, which costs have been factored into the estimated project cost. Management estimates that full development of the St. Louis County project will take approximately one year longer than the St. Louis City project. Both of the projects are subject to MGC approval and licensing.

 

Casino Magic Argentina:    In May 2004, construction began for a replacement facility for the existing Neuqúen casino, the principal Casino Magic Argentina property. The new facility is expected to open in the Spring of 2005 and will include a casino, a restaurant and an entertainment venue on land owned by the Company approximately one mile from the existing facility at an estimated cost of approximately US$14 million. The Company is funding the expansion project utilizing Casino Magic Argentina’s existing cash resources and its retained earnings through 2006. Depending on the subsidiary’s profitability through 2006, the Company intends to develop additional phases of the planned expansion. Under the Company’s concession agreement with the Province of Neuqúen, either construction of certain minimum facilities or reinvestment of Casino Magic Argentina’s financial resources (existing cash and retained earnings through 2006) will extend the existing concession agreement from December 2006 to December 2016. An incremental investment of 5 million pesos (or approximately US$1.7 million based on exchange rates as of December 31, 2004) to build a hotel facility with a minimum of 10 guestrooms and three-star rating will further extend the agreement to December 2021.

 

Development of Casino in Great Exuma, Bahamas:    The Company has signed a letter of intent to sublease premises from Emerald Bay Resort Hotel Limited, a Bahamian corporation, to operate a casino adjoining the existing Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma in the Bahamas. The casino is expected to be approximately 5,000 square feet in size and require an investment of approximately US$5 million. The casino is expected to open in late 2005, contingent on receiving approvals from governmental authorities in the Bahamas and execution of a final lease agreement.

 

Competition

 

The Company faces significant competition in each of the jurisdictions in which it has established gaming operations. Such competition may intensify in some of these jurisdictions as new gaming operations enter these markets and existing competitors expand their operations. The Company’s properties compete directly with other gaming properties in Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Argentina, as well as in states adjacent to the Company’s properties. The Company also competes for customers with other casino operators in other markets, including casinos located on Native American reservations, and other forms of gaming, such as lotteries and Internet gaming. Many of the Company’s competitors are larger and have substantially greater name recognition and marketing resources, as well as access to lower cost sources of financing, and sometimes, particularly for Native American casinos, lower or non-existent tax rates. The Company believes that increased legalized gaming in other states, particularly in areas close to its existing gaming properties, such as Alabama, Arkansas,

 

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California, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma or Texas, or the expansion of Native American gaming in or near the states in which the Company operates, could create additional competition for the Company and could adversely affect its operations.

 

Government Regulation and Gaming Issues

 

The ownership and operation of gaming facilities are subject to extensive state and local regulation. The states and localities in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct gaming operations require the Company to hold various licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals. The various regulatory authorities, including the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission, may, among other things, limit, condition, suspend, revoke or fail to renew a license or approval to own any of the gaming subsidiaries for any cause deemed reasonable by such licensing authorities. Substantial fines or forfeitures of assets for violations of gaming laws or regulations may be levied against the Company, its subsidiaries and the persons involved. Holders of the Company’s securities are also subject to additional requirements regarding the ownership and disposition of their securities, including possibly being called forward by applicable gaming authorities to be licensed or found suitable to be the beneficial owner of the Company’s securities.

 

To date, the Company and its subsidiaries have obtained all governmental licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for the operation of its gaming facilities. However, there can be no assurance that the Company and its subsidiaries will be able to obtain any new licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals that may be required in the future or that existing ones will be renewed or will not be suspended or revoked. Any expansion of gaming operations in the existing jurisdictions or into new jurisdictions, including Missouri and the Bahamas, will require various additional licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals of the gaming authorities. The approval process can be time-consuming and costly and has no assurance of success.

 

For a more detailed description of gaming regulations to which the Company is subject, see Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Government Regulation and Gaming Issues”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Employees

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s employees by property at December 31, 2004, some of which are part-time:

 

Property


   Employees
(approx.)


Boomtown New Orleans

   927

Belterra Casino Resort

   1,146

Boomtown Bossier City

   980

Casino Magic Biloxi

   966

Boomtown Reno

   845

Casino Magic Argentina

   371

L’Auberge du Lac

   95

Corporate

   88
    

Total

   5,418
    

 

The Company does not employ the staff at the Hollywood Park-Casino or the Crystal Park Casino. Additionally, during busier months, each casino property supplements its permanent staff with seasonal employees.

 

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Other Information

 

Compliance with federal, state and local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment have not had a material effect upon capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position of the Company.

 

Pinnacle pays significant taxes in the communities in which it operates. In 2004, Pinnacle paid or accrued $117.7 million in gaming taxes, $11.6 million in payroll taxes, $5.5 million in property taxes, and $3.0 million in sales taxes during the year. Setting aside income taxes, Pinnacle paid or accrued $137.8 million for taxes paid to state and local authorities in 2004.

 

Available Information

 

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), through its Internet website, www.pnkinc.com. The Company’s filings also are available through a database maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

Item 2.    Properties

 

The following describes the Company’s principal real estate properties:

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.:    The Company leases approximately 19,000 square feet for its corporate offices in Las Vegas, Nevada under lease agreements that expire in October 2005, with renewal options through 2011.

 

Boomtown New Orleans:    The Company owns approximately 54 acres in Harvey, Louisiana that are utilized by Boomtown New Orleans. The Company owns the facilities and associated improvements at the property, including the riverboat casino.

 

Belterra Casino Resort:    The Company owns 167 acres and leases 148 acres that are utilized by Belterra Casino Resort. The Company owns the facilities and associated improvements at the property, including the dockside riverboat. In addition, the Company owns the Ogle Haus Inn, a 54-room hotel operation in Vevay, Indiana, approximately 10 miles from the Belterra Casino Resort. The Ogle Haus is used primarily for overflow capacity during peak visitation periods.

 

Boomtown Bossier City:    The Company owns 23 acres on the banks of the Red River in Bossier City, Louisiana. The property contains a dockside riverboat casino, hotel, parking structure and other land-based facilities, all of which are owned by the Company. The Company also leases approximately one acre of water bottoms from the State of Louisiana. The current lease term expires in September 2006. The Company has options to extend the lease for eight additional 5-year periods.

 

Casino Magic Biloxi:    Casino Magic Biloxi is located on approximately 10.6 acres, of which 5.5 acres are owned and approximately 5.1 acres are leased. The leases expire in June 2008. The Company has options to extend the terms of each lease for 15 additional five-year periods. The Company also leases approximately 6.4 acres of submerged tidelands from the State of Mississippi. The tidelands are under a lease that expires in May 2008. The Company has the right of first refusal to re-lease the tidelands at the expiration of the lease. The Company expects the rent for the new lease will be based on an appraisal methodology approved by the Mississippi Secretary of State. The Company owns the dockside casino and all of the land-based facilities, including the hotel.

 

Boomtown Reno:    The Company owns 569 acres in Reno, Nevada, approximately 11 miles west of downtown Reno, with current operations presently utilizing approximately 61 acres. The Company owns all of

 

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the improvements and facilities at the property, including the casino, hotel, truck stop, recreational vehicle park and service station, along with the related water rights and sewage treatment plant. As described above, the Company has entered into agreements to sell approximately 39 acres to Cabela’s Retail, Inc.

 

During 2002, the property was annexed into the City of Reno, Nevada, which will allow the facility to be connected to the City of Reno’s municipal sewer system. Currently, development of the additional acreage is restricted due to insufficient sewage treatment facilities. It is anticipated that the sewer line connection will be completed in 2005.

 

The Company also owns 290 acres in the mountains outside Reno, Nevada, which are surrounded by federal land.

 

Casino Magic Argentina:    The Company operates casinos in southern Argentina, in the cities of Neuqúen, San Martín de los Andes and Junín de los Andes. All three casinos are currently in leased facilities. In 2001, the Company acquired approximately 20 acres in the City of Neuqúen, which Pinnacle is using as the site for the new casino facility. At the San Martin de los Andes location, the lease is scheduled to expire in December 2006. The Company is currently evaluating whether to renew the lease, move to another leased facility, or build or acquire a replacement location.

 

Hollywood Park-Casino:    The Company leases the Hollywood Park-Casino under a long-term lease agreement that, including a 10-year renewal option, expires in 2019. The Hollywood Park-Casino is then subleased to an unaffiliated third-party operator under a year-to-year lease.

 

Crystal Park Casino:    The Company owns the approximately 20 acres on which the casino facility, adjoining hotel and parking is located, and leases the facility to an unaffiliated third-party operator under a year-to-year lease.

 

Lake Charles, Louisiana:    The Company leases 227 acres of unimproved land from the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District upon which the Lake Charles resort development is being constructed. The lease calls for annual payments of $835,600 commencing upon opening of the resort complex with increases for inflation thereafter, subject to a maximum annual increase of 5%. The lease has an initial term of 10 years, commencing on the opening of the resort casino, with six renewal options of 10 years each. In addition, the Company entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish and the District requiring Pinnacle to make infrastructure improvements, including, among other things, a road extension and utility improvements, and pay non-specific impact fees, which, collectively, are expected to approximate $11.4 million. The Company has included such obligations in the $365 million project budget. The Company also has an option to lease an additional 75 acres of unimproved land adjacent to the 227 acres. The lease option currently expires on August 19, 2005, with one remaining one-year renewal option. The terms of the lease, if the option is exercised, would be substantially similar on a per acre basis to the terms of the lease for the 227 acres.

 

City of St. Louis, Missouri:    The Company owns approximately 7.3 acres of contiguous land in downtown St. Louis, Missouri near Laclede’s Landing. The Company has also executed an option to lease an additional 4.3 acres near Laclede’s Landing, has agreed to purchase the Embassy Suites hotel that adjoins the 7.3 acre site owned by the Company and has agreed to purchase another 4.9 acres adjacent to the 7.3 acre site and Embassy Suites hotel. Cumulatively, the Company owns, has agreed to purchase, or has under option to lease, approximately 18 acres of contiguous land for development of the City of St. Louis project.

 

St. Louis County, Missouri:    The Company entered into a lease and development agreement in August 2004 for an 80-acre site in south St. Louis County located approximately 10 miles south of downtown St. Louis. According to the terms of the agreement, Pinnacle will lease approximately 80 acres of land from the Port Authority, 56 of such acres for its gaming and commercial facilities, and the remaining 24 acres will become a public park and include additional community and recreational facilities.

 

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Warehouse Leases:    The Company leases warehouse space at various locations close to its operating properties for various operating purposes.

 

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

 

Astoria Entertainment Litigation:    In November 1998, Astoria Entertainment, Inc. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Astoria, an unsuccessful applicant for a license to operate a riverboat casino in Louisiana, attempted to assert a claim under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), seeking damages allegedly resulting from its failure to obtain a license. Astoria named several companies and individuals as defendants, including Hollywood Park, Inc. (the predecessor to Pinnacle Entertainment), Louisiana Gaming Enterprises, Inc. (“LGE”), then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle Entertainment, and an employee of Boomtown, Inc.

 

On March 1, 2001, Astoria amended its complaint, adding new claims and renaming Boomtown, Inc. and LGE as defendants. Pursuant to a settlement agreement executed on February 3, 2005, Astoria has dismissed its claims with prejudice and has released the Company and all of its subsidiaries, affiliates, and other released parties described in the agreement from any act or omission, including, but not limited to, those relating to or arising from the Louisiana riverboat gaming licensing process or the operation of the Company’s Louisiana casinos. The cost of such settlement was fully reserved for as of December 31, 2004.

 

Poulos Lawsuit:    A class-action lawsuit was filed on April 26, 1994, in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (the “Poulos Lawsuit”), naming as defendants 41 manufacturers, distributors and casino operators of video poker and electronic slot machines, including Casino Magic. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants have engaged in a course of fraudulent and misleading conduct intended to induce people to play such games based on false beliefs concerning the operation of the gaming machines and the extent to which there is an opportunity to win. The suit alleges violations of RICO, as well as claims of common law fraud, unjust enrichment and negligent misrepresentation, and seeks damages in excess of $6 billion. On May 10, 1994, a second class-action lawsuit was f