Attached files
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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a2015930ex321.htm |
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a2015930ex312.htm |
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a2015930ex322.htm |
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a2015930ex311.htm |
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a20150930ex121.htm |
EX-10.25 - EXHIBIT 10.25 - MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY | a20150930ex1025.htm |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
____________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
____________________________________________________________
ý | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 033-80655
____________________________________________________________
MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________
Not Applicable | 06-1436334 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
One Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT | 06382 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(860) 862-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None | None | |
(Title of each class) | (Name of each exchange on which registered) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
____________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act: Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act: Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files): Yes ý No o
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: ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer ý Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act): Yes o No ý
MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
Page Number | ||
PART I | ||
Item 1. | ||
Item 1A. | ||
Item 1B. | ||
Item 2. | ||
Item 3. | ||
Item 4. | ||
PART II | ||
Item 5. | ||
Item 6. | ||
Item 7. | ||
Item 7A. | ||
Item 8. | ||
Item 9. | ||
Item 9A. | ||
Item 9B. | ||
PART III | ||
Item 10. | ||
Item 11. | ||
Item 12. | ||
Item 13. | ||
Item 14. | ||
PART IV | ||
Item 15. | ||
References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Authority” and the “Mohegan Tribe or Tribe” are to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, respectively. The terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the Authority.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements about future events, including, without limitation, information relating to business development activities, as well as capital spending, financing sources, the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and increased competition. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements sometimes can be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect” or “intend” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated future results and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. You should review carefully all of the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
In addition to the risk factors described under “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors,” the following important factors, among others, could affect our future financial condition or results of operations, causing actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
• | the financial performance of Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono and our Pennsylvania off-track wagering facilities; |
• | the local, regional, national or global economic climate, including the lingering effects of the most recent economic recession, which negatively affected our revenues and earnings; |
• | increased competition, including the expansion of gaming in New England, New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania; |
• | our leverage and ability to meet our debt service obligations and maintain compliance with financial debt covenants; |
• | the continued availability of financing; |
• | our dependence on existing management; |
• | our ability to integrate new amenities from expansions to our facilities into our current operations and manage the expanded facilities; |
• | changes in federal or state tax laws or the administration of such laws; |
• | changes in gaming laws or regulations, including the limitation, denial or suspension of licenses required under gaming laws and regulations; |
• | changes in applicable laws pertaining to the service of alcohol, smoking or other amenities offered at our facilities; |
• | our ability to successfully implement our diversification strategy; |
• | an act of terrorism on the United States; |
• | our customers' access to inexpensive transportation to our facilities and changes in oil, fuel or other transportation-related expenses; and |
• | unfavorable weather conditions. |
These factors and the other risk factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not have and do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.
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PART I
Item 1. | Business. |
Overview
The Tribe and the Authority
The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Mohegan Tribe or the Tribe, is a federally-recognized Indian tribe with an approximately 595-acre reservation situated in Southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, or IGRA, federally-recognized Indian tribes are permitted to conduct full-scale casino gaming operations on tribal lands, subject to, among other things, the negotiation of a compact with the affected state. The Tribe and the State of Connecticut entered into a compact, the Mohegan Compact, which was approved by the United States Secretary of the Interior. We were established as an instrumentality of the Tribe, with the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities for the Tribe on Tribal lands and the non-exclusive authority to conduct such activities elsewhere. Our gaming operation at Mohegan Sun is one of only two legally authorized gaming operations in southern New England offering traditional slot machines and table games. Through our subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., or Downs Racing, we also own and operate Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, and several off-track wagering facilities, or OTW facilities, located elsewhere in Pennsylvania, collectively the Pennsylvania facilities. We are governed by a nine-member Management Board, whose members also comprise the Mohegan Tribal Council, the governing body of the Tribe. Any change in the composition of the Mohegan Tribal Council results in a corresponding change in our Management Board.
Our principal executive office and mailing address is One Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT 06382. Our telephone number is (860) 862-8000. Our website is www.mtga.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mohegan Sun
In October 1996, we opened a gaming and entertainment complex known as Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun is located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe's reservation overlooking the Thames River with direct access from Interstate 395 and Connecticut Route 2A. Mohegan Sun is approximately 125 miles from New York City, New York, and approximately 100 miles from Boston, Massachusetts. In 2002, we completed a major expansion of Mohegan Sun known as Project Sunburst, which included increased gaming, restaurant and retail space, an entertainment arena, an approximately 1,200-room luxury Sky Hotel Tower and approximately 100,000 square feet of convention space. In 2007, we opened Sunrise Square, and, in 2008, we opened Casino of the Wind, both components of Mohegan Sun's Project Horizon expansion.
Mohegan Sun currently operates in an approximately 3.1 million square-foot facility, which includes the following:
Casino of the Earth
As of September 30, 2015, Casino of the Earth offered:
• | approximately 188,000 square feet of gaming space; |
• | approximately 2,605 slot machines and 135 table games, including blackjack, roulette and craps; |
• | Sunrise Square, a 9,800-square-foot Asian-themed gaming area; |
• | an approximately 9,000-square-foot simulcasting Racebook facility; |
• | food and beverage amenities, including: Seasons Buffet, a 784-seat multi-station buffet with live cooking stations, Bobby Flay's Bobby's Burger Palace, Bow & Arrow Sports Bar and multiple service bars, all operated by us, as well as Ballo Italian Restaurant & Social Club, Sunrise Square Food Court, a Hong Kong-style food outlet offering authentic Southeast Asian cuisine, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Hash House a Go Go, Fidelia's Market, an approximately 290-seat multi-station food court, and Carlo's Bakery operated by third-parties, for a total restaurant seating of approximately 2,155; |
• | four Mohegan Sun-owned retail shops, offering products ranging from Mohegan Sun logo souvenirs to cigars; and |
• | the Wolf Den, an approximately 10,000-square-foot, 275-seat lounge featuring live entertainment seven days a week. |
Casino of the Sky
As of September 30, 2015, Casino of the Sky offered:
• | approximately 119,000 square feet of gaming space; |
• | approximately 2,015 slot machines and 115 table games, including blackjack, roulette and craps; |
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• | food and beverage amenities, including: Todd English's Tuscany, Bobby Flay's Bar Americain, a 24-hour coffee shop and three lounges and bars, all operated by us, as well as four full-service restaurants, three quick-service restaurants and a multi-station food court operated by third-parties, for a total restaurant seating of approximately 1,865; |
• | The Shops at Mohegan Sun containing 29 retail shops, six of which we own; |
• | the Mohegan Sun Arena with seating for up to 10,000; |
• | a 350-seat Cabaret theatre; |
• | an approximately 1,200-room luxury Sky Hotel Tower, including a private high-limit table games suite; |
• | Lansdowne Irish Pub and Music House with restaurant seating of approximately 205, Avalon Nightclub and Vista Lounge, all operated by a third-party; |
• | an approximately 20,000-square-foot spa operated by a third-party; |
• | approximately 100,000 square feet of convention space; and |
• | a child care facility and an arcade-style entertainment area operated by a third-party. |
Casino of the Wind
As of September 30, 2015, Casino of the Wind offered:
• | approximately 45,000 square feet of gaming space; |
• | approximately 520 slot machines, 25 table games, including blackjack, roulette and craps, and a 42-table themed poker room; |
• | food and beverage amenities, including: a two-level, 16,000-square-foot Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant and a casual dining restaurant operated by third-parties, for a total restaurant seating of approximately 475; |
• | Mist, a nightlife entertainment venue operated by us; and |
• | a retail shop operated by a third-party. |
Mohegan Sun offers parking for approximately 13,000 patrons and 3,600 employees. We also operate an approximately 3,600-square-foot, 20-pump gasoline and convenience center for patrons, as well as a 10-pump gasoline center for employees, both located adjacent to Mohegan Sun.
Connecticut Sun
Through Mohegan Basketball Club, LLC, or MBC, we own and operate the Connecticut Sun franchise, a professional basketball team in the Women's National Basketball Association. The team plays its home games in the Mohegan Sun Arena.
New England Black Wolves
Through Mohegan Lacrosse, LLC, we have partnered with an unrelated third-party to own and operate the New England Black Wolves franchise, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays its home games in the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Mohegan Sun Golf Club
Through Mohegan Golf, LLC, or Mohegan Golf, we own and operate the Mohegan Sun Golf Club, a private 18-hole championship golf course, restaurant and bar located in Sprague and Franklin, Connecticut.
Mohegan Sun Pocono
Through Downs Racing, we own and operate a gaming and entertainment facility known as Mohegan Sun Pocono located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, and OTW facilities located in Carbondale, East Stroudsburg and Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. In November 2006, Mohegan Sun Pocono became the first location to offer slot machine gaming in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when Phase I of its gaming and entertainment facility opened. In July 2008, we completed a major expansion of Mohegan Sun Pocono known as Project Sunrise, which included increased gaming, restaurant and retail space, and, in July 2010, we opened our table game and poker operations, including additional non-smoking sections and a high-limit gaming area. We recently completed Project Sunlight, a hotel and convention center expansion located adjacent to the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino.
Mohegan Sun Pocono currently operates in an approximately 400,000-square-foot facility, which includes the following as of September 30, 2015:
• | approximately 94,000 square feet of gaming space; |
• | approximately 2,330 slot machines, 75 table games, including blackjack, roulette and craps, and an 18-table poker room; |
• | live harness racing and simulcast and off-track wagering; |
• | a 238-room hotel, including a spa and fitness center; |
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• | approximately 20,000 square feet of convention space; |
• | food and beverage amenities, including: Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Rustic Kitchen Bistro and Bar, which features dining and a live cooking show, Bar Louie, a casual bar and restaurant, Timbers Buffet, a 300-seat Mohegan Indian cultural heritage themed multi-station buffet, and a food court, including: Johnny Rockets, Wok 8, Puck Express by Wolfgang Puck and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, for a total seating of approximately 1,800; |
• | five retail shops, one of which we own, offering products ranging from Mohegan Sun Pocono logo souvenirs to fine apparel; and |
• | three bars/lounges: Sunburst Bar, featured in the center of the gaming floor, Breakers Night Club and Pearl Sushi Bar. |
Strategy
Our overall strategy is to profit from gaming in our core markets, as well as to diversify the Tribe’s business interests within the gaming industry. Mohegan Sun primarily receives patronage from guests residing within 100 miles of Mohegan Sun, which represents our primary market. Mohegan Sun also receives patronage from guests residing within a 100 to 200 mile radius, which represents our secondary market. With the completion of Project Sunburst in 2002, we have developed Mohegan Sun into a full-scale entertainment and destination resort. The addition of Casino of the Wind and Sunrise Square further strengthens our presence in the Northeast United States gaming market. We have also taken significant steps in our diversification efforts with the addition of our Mohegan Sun Pocono operations and joint venture and management arrangement with the owner of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as well as our development and management agreements with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe for the Cowlitz casino project in Clark County, Washington.
Seasonality
The gaming market in the Northeastern United States is seasonal in nature, with peak gaming activities often occurring at Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono during the months of May through August.
Diversification
The Tribe has determined that it is in its best interest to pursue diversification of its business interests, both directly and through us. As a result, from time to time, we and the Tribe pursue various business opportunities. These opportunities primarily include proposed development and/or management of, investment in or ownership of additional gaming operations through direct investments, acquisitions, joint venture arrangements and loan or financial/credit support transactions. In addition to the pursuits described below, we and the Tribe are currently exploring other opportunities; however we can provide no assurance that we or the Tribe will continue to pursue any of these opportunities or that any of them will be consummated.
Management of Resorts Casino Hotel
In 2012, we formed Mohegan Gaming Advisors, LLC, or Mohegan Gaming Advisors, as our wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary, to pursue gaming opportunities outside the State of Connecticut, including management contracts and consulting agreements for casino and entertainment properties in the United States. Mohegan Gaming Advisors holds 100% membership interests in MGA Holding NJ, LLC and MGA Gaming NJ, LLC, or collectively, the Mohegan NJ entities. The Mohegan NJ entities were formed to pursue management contracts and consulting agreements in the State of New Jersey. In October 2012, Mohegan Gaming Advisors, through the Mohegan NJ entities, entered into a joint venture and management arrangement with the owner of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, pursuant to which it manages the facility and owns 10% of the facility and affiliated on-line gaming businesses.
Cowlitz Project
In July 2004, we formed Mohegan Ventures-Northwest, LLC, or Mohegan Ventures-NW, as our wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary. Mohegan Ventures-NW is one of three current members in Salishan-Mohegan, LLC, or Salishan-Mohegan, which was formed to participate in the Cowlitz Project, a proposed casino to be owned by the Cowlitz Tribe and to be located on the Cowlitz reservation in Clark County, Washington. Mohegan Ventures-NW, Salishan Company, LLC, an unrelated entity, and a subsidiary of the Tribe hold membership interests in Salishan-Mohegan of 49.15%, 40% and 10.85%, respectively. Salishan-Mohegan holds a 100% membership interest in Salishan-Mohegan Two, LLC and Interchange Development Group, LLC, both of which were formed to acquire certain property related to the Cowlitz Project.
In September 2004, Salishan-Mohegan entered into development and management agreements with the Cowlitz Tribe in connection with the Cowlitz Project, which agreements have been amended from time to time.
Under the terms of the development agreement, Salishan-Mohegan assists in securing financing, as well as administration and oversight of the planning, designing, development, construction and furnishing of the proposed casino. The development agreement provides for development fees of 3% of total project costs, as defined under the development agreement. Under the
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terms of Salishan-Mohegan's operating agreement, development fees will be distributed to Mohegan Ventures-NW. In 2006, pursuant to the development agreement, Salishan-Mohegan purchased an approximately 152-acre site for the proposed casino.
Under the terms of the management agreement, Salishan-Mohegan will manage, operate and maintain the proposed casino for a period of seven years following its opening. The management agreement provides for management fees of 24% of net revenues, as defined under the management agreement, which approximates net income earned from the Cowlitz Project. Under the terms of Salishan-Mohegan's operating agreement, management fees will be allocated to the members of Salishan-Mohegan based on their respective membership interests. The management agreement is subject to approval by the National Indian Gaming Commission, or the NIGC. In August 2014, the Cowlitz Tribe’s Class III Tribal-State gaming compact with the State of Washington became effective with notice of federal approval published in the Federal Register. According to the notice, the compact allows for two gaming facilities, allocates 975 gaming machines for leasing, authorizes the operation of up to 3,000 gaming machines and 125 table games, and is in effect until terminated by written agreement of both parties.
Under the terms of the development agreement, certain receivables contributed to Salishan-Mohegan and amounts advanced by Salishan-Mohegan on behalf of the Cowlitz Tribe are reimbursable to Salishan-Mohegan by the Cowlitz Tribe, subject to appropriate approvals defined under the development agreement. As of September 30, 2015, reimbursements are contingent and are to be distributed upon: (1) the related property being taken into trust by the United States Department of the Interior and (2) the receipt of necessary financing for the development of the proposed casino. As of September 30, 2015, the Authority accrued interest on the Salishan-Mohegan receivables at an annual rate of 10.0%.
In March 2013, two lawsuits challenging a December 2010 decision of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior to take the Cowlitz Project site into trust were dismissed on procedural grounds. In April 2013, pursuant to judicial directive, the Department of the Interior issued a new Record of Decision to take the Cowlitz Project site into trust, determining for a second time that the site will serve as the initial reservation of the Cowlitz Tribe and that the tribe may conduct gaming on such lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In June 2013, the plaintiffs in the earlier litigation filed two new lawsuits challenging the new Record of Decision, and, in July 2013, those lawsuits were consolidated. By Notice of Trust Acquisition filed with the court in October 2014, while motions for summary judgment filed by the plaintiffs and the defendants were pending, the defendants provided the court notice of the United States Department of the Interior's planned trust acquisition of the Cowlitz Project site, which was the subject of the litigation, on the earlier of: (1) January 21, 2015 and (2) 30 days after a court order granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants. On December 12, 2014, a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia judge entered an order granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants, thereby upholding the Record of Decision and denying the plaintiffs’ motion. The plaintiffs subsequently appealed and such appeals remain pending before the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. We can provide no assurance as to the outcome of these appeals or any future litigation.
In March 2015, the Cowlitz Project site was taken into trust by the United States Department of the Interior for the benefit of the Cowlitz Tribe. In connection with this event, the Cowlitz Tribe leased a substantial portion of the Cowlitz Project site back to Salishan-Mohegan for a nominal rental fee.
Construction of the Cowlitz Project commenced on September 18, 2015. We can provide no assurance that remaining permits or approvals related to construction and opening or other remaining steps and conditions for the Cowlitz Project site to be approved for gaming will be satisfied. Furthermore, we can provide no assurance as to the outcome of the pending federal court appeal or any future litigation relating to the Cowlitz Project.
On December 4, 2015, the Cowlitz Tribal Gaming Authority, or the CTGA, closed on its financing for the Cowlitz Project. The financing provides funding for construction of the Cowlitz Project and a partial repayment of reimbursable costs and expenses advanced by Salishan-Mohegan on behalf of the Cowlitz Tribe for the Cowlitz Project, or the Salishan-Mohegan receivables. In connection with this transaction, Salishan-Mohegan was repaid $19.4 million of the Salishan-Mohegan receivables, a portion of which was used to repay certain outstanding debt of Salishan-Mohegan. In accordance with the terms of the development agreement, as amended, the remaining outstanding Salishan-Mohegan receivables are to be repaid in equal monthly installments over a seven-year period beginning in the first month following the opening of the Cowlitz Project, plus accrued interest at a rate equal to 1.0% above the Cowlitz Project financing rate, or 12.5%. Pursuant to the development agreement, repayment of the Salishan-Mohegan receivables may accelerate depending on the level of available cash at the end of each fiscal year, subject to certain conditions as set forth in the development agreement, including conditions of the Cowlitz financing. Also in connection with the Cowlitz financing, Salishan-Mohegan assigned the lease for the Cowlitz Project site to CTGA.
Korea
In April 2015, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Incheon International Airport Corporation, the owner and operator of the Incheon International Airport in South Korea, near Seoul, for the long-term lease of land for the development of an integrated resort and casino. In June 2015, Mohegan Gaming Advisors formed Inspire Integrated Resort Co.,
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Ltd., or Inspire Integrated Resort, under the laws of the Republic of Korea (South) to pursue the licensing for the project. In June 2015, Inspire Integrated Resort responded to a request for concepts issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea, and, in November 2015, Inspire Integrated Resort submitted a proposal in response to a request for proposals issued by the same agency, pursuant to which up to two new integrated resort licenses may be issued, with casinos that would cater to foreigners under Korean law.
Connecticut
MMCT Venture, LLC, or MMCT, our new joint venture with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, or the MPT, has proposed to develop and operate an off-reservation casino in northern Connecticut. In October 2015, MMCT issued a Request For Proposals for sites to locate the proposed casino and received five proposals. MMCT is currently in the process of evaluating the proposals and plans to seek approval by the State of Connecticut to pursue the proposed off-reservation casino during the 2016 legislative session.
Market and Competition from Other Gaming Operations
Our gaming operation at Mohegan Sun is one of only two current gaming operations in southern New England offering traditional slot machines and live table games, with the other operation being our sole gaming competitor in the State of Connecticut, Foxwoods Resort Casino, or Foxwoods. Foxwoods is owned by the MPT. As required by each tribe's separate Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, with the State of Connecticut, the Tribe and the MPT make monthly contribution payments to the state based on a portion of revenues earned on slot machines. Pursuant to the terms of an exclusivity clause in each MOU, contribution payments to the state will terminate if there is any change in state law that permits operation of slot machines or other commercial casino games or if any other person lawfully operates slot machines or other commercial casino games within the State of Connecticut, except those consented to by the Tribe and the MPT. We also face competition from gaming facilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. In addition, we face competition in and from the Northeastern Pennsylvania gaming market.
We also face potential competition from the expansion of state-licensed gaming in the Northeastern United States, as well as prospective gaming projects under consideration by Indian tribes, including federally-recognized tribes in the State of New York. With the addition of traditional table gaming in Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and additional gaming licenses authorized or issued in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, commercial casino gaming has expanded in the Northeastern United States and is poised to expand further. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the single slot-only facility which also offers electronic table games is now open, while two commercial casino gaming licenses have been awarded and a third is under consideration. In the State of New York, three commercial casinos are under development, while a fourth is under consideration, along with the expansion of video lottery terminals, or VLTs, at off-track wagering facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties as authorized under New York’s expanded gaming law. Tribal gaming projects being pursued by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which has entered into a tribal-state gaming compact, and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, both located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation of New York, also increase the possibility of new tribal gaming in the Northeastern United States in the future. In addition, other federally-recognized Indian tribes continue to pursue new gaming projects elsewhere in the Northeastern United States. Additionally, groups seeking federal recognition as Indian tribes, as well as federally-recognized Indian tribes, continue efforts to establish or expand reservation lands with an interest in commercial casino gaming on such lands.
We are unable to predict the impact additional commercial casino gaming operations in the Northeastern United States will have on our operations. We are also unable to predict whether changes in federal recognition rules or efforts by federally-recognized Indian tribes or groups seeking federal recognition as Indian tribes will lead to the establishment of additional tribal casino gaming operations in the Northeastern United States.
Mohegan Sun
The following is a summary of competition affecting Mohegan Sun:
Connecticut
Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are the only two legally authorized gaming operations in southern New England offering traditional slot machines and table games. Foxwoods is located approximately 10 miles from Mohegan Sun and reportedly offers approximately 4,600 slot machines and 250 table games, including poker. Foxwoods recently added a new retail outlet mall to its amenities which could impact competition in the State of Connecticut. In addition, in July 2013, the MPT reportedly completed a planned restructuring of approximately $2.3 billion of its debt obligations, with approximately $550 million in debt reportedly eliminated. In August 2014, it was reported that the MPT had violated then-current debt covenants, and it has recently been reported that the MPT has extended a forbearance agreement with its lenders through December 31, 2016.
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The Connecticut State Lottery was also recently authorized to conduct Keno gaming in the State of Connecticut pursuant to revenue-sharing memoranda of understanding between the State of Connecticut and the Tribe and the MPT.
Furthermore, MMCT, our new joint venture with the MPT, has proposed to develop and operate an off-reservation casino in northern Connecticut, and is currently in the process of evaluating proposals for site locations and plans to seek approval by the State of Connecticut to pursue the proposed off-reservation casino during the 2016 legislative session.
Rhode Island
The state's two pari-mutuel facilities, Twin River Casino in Lincoln, or Twin River, and Newport Grand Casino in Newport, or Newport Grand, located approximately 60 miles and 55 miles from Mohegan Sun, respectively, reportedly offer approximately 5,400 VLTs and 80 table games. In November 2014, a ballot measure to allow table games at Newport Grand passed state-wide, but a required companion measure failed in the City of Newport, thereby defeating the proposed addition of table gaming at Newport Grand.
Massachusetts
In 2011, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted legislation which authorized one slot-only license limited to 1,250 slot machines and up to three casino resort licenses. Penn National Gaming, Inc. was awarded the slot-only license and opened Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville in June 2015, with temporary authority for electronic table games. Each of the up to three casino resort licenses is restricted to one of three geographic regions of the state: eastern or Boston region, western Massachusetts and the southeast region. In November 2014, two of the three casino resort licenses were awarded to affiliates of MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts Limited. Development and site preparation for those two projects in Springfield and Everett are proceeding, according to published reports. A single applicant applied for the third available casino resort license for a casino project in Brockton. In addition, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe recently received notice that its proposed casino site in Taunton has been approved to be taken into trust for gaming.
Maine
Hollywood Casino Bangor in Bangor and Oxford Casino in Oxford are the only two gaming operations in the State of Maine. These two facilities reportedly offer approximately 1,600 slot machines and 40 table games.
New York
Racinos in Yonkers, Queens, Batavia, Hamburg, Nichols, Vernon, Monticello, Saratoga Springs and Farmington reportedly offer an aggregate of approximately 18,000 VLTs, including electronic table games. Approximately 10,400 of these VLTs are operated at the two racinos located in or close to New York City - Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, or Empire City, and Resorts World New York in Queens, or Resorts World. Given Empire City's and Resorts World's location in or near New York City, each has a distinct advantage over Mohegan Sun in competing for patrons from the New York metropolitan region.
There are eight federally-recognized Indian tribes in the State of New York. Only three of these federally-recognized Indian tribes, the Oneida Nation of New York, the Seneca Nation of New York and the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York currently engage in commercial casino gaming.
In November 2013, the State of New York's constitution was amended to permit up to seven casinos state-wide as authorized and prescribed by the state legislature. As a result, the state’s Gaming Commission continues to implement the Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act, which was adopted in June 2013. Pursuant to this act, the Gaming Commission is responsible for licensing up to four casinos in three designated upstate New York regions, excluding New York City and nearby counties for the first seven years. Under existing statute, after seven years, three additional casinos may be licensed within the state, excluding New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Nassau or Suffolk counties. In addition, two OTW facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties are each allowed to add up to 1,000 VLTs.
In December 2014, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which was responsible for making licensing recommendations to the state's Gaming Commission for the four casinos in three designated upstate New York regions, made its recommendation for a total of three casinos, one in each of the designated regions. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board recommended the licensing of Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson for the Catskill/Hudson Valley region, Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady for the Capital region and Lago Resort and Casino in Tyre for the Eastern Southern Tier region. In October 2015, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols was also recommended for licensing for the Eastern Southern Tier region. On December 21, 2015, the Gaming Commission approved the casino licenses for the Montreign Resort Casino, Rivers Casino and Resort and Lago Resort and Casino. The fourth recommended license for Tioga Downs Casino remains pending.
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New Jersey
The Atlantic City gaming market consists of eight gaming properties which reportedly offer approximately 16,700 slot machines and 1,200 table games. The State of New Jersey and the Atlantic City gaming market continue to implement legislative reforms adopted in 2011 and public-private initiatives to revitalize gaming in the state. In November 2013, five of the state's casino operators and an Internet gaming licensee on behalf of a sixth casino operator commenced Internet gaming for patrons located within the State of New Jersey. The state has also passed legislation related to sports wagering and is involved in litigation challenging the federal law which restricts legalized sports wagering to certain states.
Mohegan Sun Pocono
The following is a summary of competition affecting Mohegan Sun Pocono:
In 2004, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, or the Pennsylvania Gaming Act, which permitted the operation of up to 61,000 slot machines at 14 locations throughout the state, 12 of which have commenced operations. In November 2014, the 13th casino license which permits the operation of 5,000 slot machines and 250 table games was awarded to Live! Hotel and Casino, a joint venture between Cordish Cos. and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc. Live! Hotel and Casino will be located in the City of Philadelphia's stadium district.
In addition, the Pennsylvania Gaming Act authorized the operation of up to 500 slot machines at two resort facilities, one of which has commenced operations. The Pennsylvania Gaming Act also includes prohibitions against locating facilities within close proximity to other operations, which, among other things, effectively prohibits locating a slot machine facility within twenty miles of Mohegan Sun Pocono or a resort facility within fifteen miles of Mohegan Sun Pocono. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Gaming Act was amended to allow slot machine operators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to operate table games. The amendment also authorized that the second resort facility license be awarded by 2017 and prohibits the facility from being located within thirty miles of Mohegan Sun Pocono. In addition, the amendment increased the number of slot machines permitted at the two resort facilities from 500 to 600 and restricted the number of table games at such facilities to 50. All slot machine facilities in operation in the state have added table game operations.
Mohegan Sun Pocono faces competition from several facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as neighboring states. However, its most immediate competitors are Mount Airy Casino Resort which is located approximately 40 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono and reportedly offers approximately 1,900 slot machines and 80 table games and Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem which is located approximately 70 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono and reportedly offers approximately 3,000 slot machines and 200 table games.
In addition to existing slot machine and table game operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono faces existing competition from a VLT facility at the Monticello Raceway in Monticello, New York, approximately 90 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono, as well as future competition from the proposed Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson, New York, which will be owned and operated by the same operator of the VLT facility at the Monticello Raceway and located approximately 175 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono. Mohegan Sun Pocono also faces competition from Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, New York, approximately 100 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut
General
The Tribe has lived in a cohesive community for hundreds of years in what is today southeastern Connecticut. The Tribe became a federally-recognized Indian tribe in 1994 and currently has approximately 2,070 members, of which approximately 1,300 are of voting age. The Tribe historically has cooperated with the United States and is proud of the fact that members of the Tribe have fought on the side of the United States in every war from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Tribe believes that this philosophy of cooperation exemplifies its approach of developing Mohegan Sun and pursuing diversification of its business interests.
Although the Tribe is a sovereign entity, it has sought to work with, and to gain the support of, local communities. For example, the Tribe settled its claim to extensive tracts of land that had been guaranteed by various treaties in consideration for certain arrangements in the Mohegan Compact. As a result, local residents and businesses whose property values had been clouded by this dispute were able to gain clear title to their property. In addition, the Tribe has been sensitive to the concerns of the local community in developing Mohegan Sun. This philosophy of cooperation has enabled the Tribe to build a solid alliance among local, state and federal officials to achieve its goal of economic development through the success of Mohegan Sun and its other projects.
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Governance of the Tribe
The Tribe's Constitution provides for the governance of the Tribe by a Tribal Council, consisting of nine members, and a Council of Elders, consisting of seven members. The registered voters of the Tribe elect all members of the Council of Elders and the Mohegan Tribal Council. Pursuant to an amendment to the Tribe's Constitution in September 2003, the members of both the Council of Elders and the Mohegan Tribal Council are elected on a four-year staggered term basis. The terms for four members of the Council of Elders expire in October 2016, while the terms for the remaining three members expire in October 2018. The terms for five members of the Mohegan Tribal Council expire in October 2017, while the terms for the remaining four members expire in October 2019. Members of the Council of Elders must be at least 55 years of age when elected, while members of the Mohegan Tribal Council must be at least 21 years of age when elected. The members of the Mohegan Tribal Council also serve as members and officers on our Management Board.
The Tribe's Constitution vests all legislative and executive powers of the Tribe in the Mohegan Tribal Council, with the exception of enrollment of Tribal members and cultural duties, which are vested in the Council of Elders. The powers of the Mohegan Tribal Council include the power to establish an executive branch departmental structure with agencies and subdivisions and to delegate appropriate powers to such agencies and sub-divisions.
The Tribe may amend provisions of its Constitution that established us and the Gaming Disputes Court, which is described below. Such an amendment requires the approval of two-thirds of the members of the Mohegan Tribal Council and must be ratified by registered voters of the Tribe by a two-thirds majority of all votes cast, with at least a 40% participation of registered voters of the Tribe. In addition, the Tribe's Constitution currently prohibits the Tribe from enacting any law that would impair the obligations of contracts entered into in furtherance of the development, construction, operation and promotion of gaming on Tribal lands. An amendment to this provision requires the affirmative vote of 75% of registered voters of the Tribe. Prior to the enactment of any such amendment by the Mohegan Tribal Council, any non-Tribal party would have the opportunity to seek a ruling from the Appellate Branch of the Gaming Disputes Court that the proposed amendment would constitute an impermissible impairment of contract.
The Council of Elders acts in the capacity of an appellate court of final review and may hear appeals of any case or controversy arising under the Tribe's Constitution, except those matters related to Mohegan Sun, which are required to be submitted to the Gaming Disputes Court.
Gaming Disputes Court
Under the Constitution and laws of the Tribe, the Gaming Disputes Court is vested with exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes related to gaming and associated facilities on Tribal lands, including appeals from certain final administrative agency decisions. The Gaming Disputes Court is composed of a Trial Branch and an Appellate Branch. Cases tried in the Trial Branch are heard by a single judge, whose decision can be appealed to the Appellate Branch. Appeals are decided by a panel of three judges, consisting of a Chief Judge and two judges selected in rotation. A judge whose decision is on appeal may not serve on the appellate panel. Decisions of the Appellate Branch are final and no further appeal is available.
The Gaming Disputes Court has jurisdiction over all disputes or controversies related to gaming between any person or entity and us or the Tribe. The Gaming Disputes Court also has jurisdiction over certain appeals arising out of tribal agency regulatory powers, including licensing actions. The Tribe has adopted the substantive law of the State of Connecticut as the applicable law of the Gaming Disputes Court to the extent that such law is not in conflict with Mohegan Tribal Law. Also, the Tribe has adopted all of Connecticut's rules of civil and appellate procedure and professional and judicial conduct to govern the Gaming Disputes Court.
Judges of the Gaming Disputes Court are chosen by the Mohegan Tribal Council from a publicly available list of eligible retired federal judges and Connecticut Attorney Trial Referees, who are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, each of whom must remain licensed to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
Judges are selected sequentially as cases are filed with the clerk of the Gaming Disputes Court. The Chief Judge of the Gaming Disputes Court, who serves as the Gaming Disputes Court's administrative superintendent, is chosen by the Mohegan Tribal Council from the list of eligible judges and serves a five-year term. The remaining judges may serve an unlimited term on the bench. Judges of the Gaming Disputes Court are subject to discipline and removal for cause pursuant to the rules of the Gaming Disputes Court. The Chief Judge is vested with the sole authority to revise the rules of the Gaming Disputes Court. Judges are compensated by the Tribe at an agreed rate of pay commensurate with their duties and responsibilities. Such rate cannot be diminished during a judge's tenure.
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Below is a description of certain information regarding judges currently serving on the Gaming Disputes Court:
Paul M. Guernsey, Chief Judge. Age: 65. Judge Guernsey has served on the Gaming Disputes Court since 1996. He was appointed Acting Chief Judge in November 1999 and Chief Judge in January 2000. Judge Guernsey also served as Fact Finder for the New London Judicial District from 1990 to 1992 and as State of Connecticut Attorney Trial Referee, Judicial District of New London, since 1992.
F. Owen Eagan, Judge. Age: 85. Judge Eagan was appointed to the Gaming Disputes Court in 1996. He served as United States Magistrate Judge from 1975 to 1996 and was formerly Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut and United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. He also served as an adjunct law faculty member at Western New England College School of Law.
Frank A. Manfredi, Judge. Age: 64. Judge Manfredi was appointed to the Gaming Disputes Court in 2001. He has been a partner at Cotter, Greenfield, Manfredi & Lanes, P.C., since 1983. Judge Manfredi has also served as State of Connecticut Attorney Trial Referee since 1993, State of Connecticut Attorney Fact Finder since 1992 and Town Attorney for the Town of Preston since 1988.
Jeffrey A. McNamara, Judge. Age: 56. Judge McNamara was appointed to the Gaming Disputes Court in 2012. He has served as a Probate Judge for the Niantic Regional Probate Court since 2010 and had been a Probate Judge for the District of East Lyme from 1988 to 2010. Judge McNamara has also served as a State of Connecticut Attorney Trial Referee for the Judicial District of New London since 2011. Judge McNamara has been a member of the Executive Committee for Probate Administration since 2009.
Matthew E. Auger, Judge. Age: 57. Judge Auger was appointed to the Gaming Disputes Court in 2015. He has served as a United States Navy JAGC officer since 1984 and as a partner at Suisman, Shapiro, Wool, Brennan, Gray & Greenberg, P.C. since 1988. Judge Auger has also served as a State of Connecticut Superior Court Special Master and Attorney Trial Referee since 1999 and as a Special Master for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut from 1999 to 2007.
Workers' Compensation Department
Effective September 1, 2004, the Mohegan Tribal Council established a Workers' Compensation Department to oversee a self-administered workers' compensation program for employees of the Tribe and us, excluding employees of Mohegan Sun Pocono. Prior to the formation of this department, we participated in the State of Connecticut workers' compensation program. Duties of the Workers' Compensation Department, including judgment on claims, are performed by two commissioners retained by the Tribe.
Below is a description of certain information regarding the commissioners serving in the Workers' Compensation Department:
Giancarlo Rossi, Chief Commissioner. Age: 66. Mr. Rossi was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Workers' Compensation Department in September 2004. Mr. Rossi is a practicing attorney with over 20 years of workers' compensation experience in the State of Connecticut.
Louis M. Pacelli, Commissioner. Age: 61. Mr. Pacelli was appointed Commissioner of the Workers' Compensation Department in September 2004. Mr. Pacelli is a partner in the law firm of Grillo and Pacelli, LLC and has practiced general law, including workers' compensation matters, for over 20 years in the State of Connecticut.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority
We were established by the Tribe in July 1995 with the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities for the Tribe on Tribal lands and the non-exclusive authority to conduct such activities elsewhere. We are governed by a nine-member Management Board, whose members also comprise the Mohegan Tribal Council, the governing body of the Tribe. Any change in the composition of the Mohegan Tribal Council results in a corresponding change in our Management Board. See “Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut” and “Part III. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
We have three major functions. The first function is to direct the operation, management and promotion of gaming enterprises and all related activities on tribal lands. The second function is to regulate gaming activities on tribal lands. Our Management Board has appointed an independent Director of Regulation responsible for the regulation of gaming activities at Mohegan Sun. The Director of Regulation serves at the will of the Management Board and ensures the integrity of gaming operation through the promulgation and enforcement of appropriate regulations. The Director of Regulation and his staff are also responsible for performing background investigations and licensing of non-gaming employees, as well as vendors seeking to provide non-gaming products or services within the casino. Pursuant to the Mohegan Compact, the State of Connecticut is responsible for performing background investigations and licensing of gaming employees, as well as gaming vendors seeking to provide gaming
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products or services within the casino. The third function is to identify and evaluate various diversification opportunities in conjunction with the Tribe. These opportunities primarily include the development and/or management, ownership or investment in other gaming enterprises through direct investments, acquisitions, joint venture arrangements and loan transactions.
Government Regulation
General
Our operations at Mohegan Sun are subject to certain federal, state and tribal laws applicable to both general commercial relationships with Indians and specific to Indian gaming and the management and financing of Indian casinos. Our operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono are also subject to Pennsylvania laws and regulations applicable to harness racing, simulcasting, slot machine and table gaming. The following description of the regulatory environment in which gaming takes place and in which we operate is only a summary and not a complete recitation of all applicable law. Moreover, since this regulatory environment is susceptible to changes in public policy considerations, it is impossible to predict how particular provisions will be interpreted, from time to time, or whether they will remain intact. Changes in such laws could have a material adverse impact on our operations. See “Risk Factors.”
Tribal Law and Legal Systems
Applicability of State and Federal Law
Federally-recognized Indian tribes are independent governments, subordinate to the United States, with sovereign powers, except as those powers may have been limited by treaty or by Congress. The power of Indian tribes to enact their own laws to regulate gaming derives from the exercise of this tribal sovereignty. Indian tribes maintain their own governmental systems and often their own judicial systems. Indian tribes have the right to tax persons and enterprises conducting business on tribal lands, and also have the right to require licenses and to impose other forms of regulations and regulatory fees on persons and businesses operating on their lands.
Absent the consent of the Tribe or action of Congress, the laws of the State of Connecticut do not apply to us or the Tribe. Pursuant to the federal law that settled the Tribe's land claims in 1994, the United States and the Tribe consented to, among other things, the extension of Connecticut criminal law and Connecticut state traffic controls over Mohegan Sun.
Waiver of Sovereign Immunity; Jurisdiction; Exhaustion of Tribal Remedies
Indian tribes enjoy sovereign immunity from unconsented suit similar to that of the states and the United States. In order to sue an Indian tribe (or an agency or instrumentality of an Indian tribe, such as us), the Tribe must have effectively waived its sovereign immunity with respect to the matter in dispute. Further, in most commercial disputes with Indian tribes, the jurisdiction of the federal courts, which are courts of limited jurisdiction, may be difficult or impossible to obtain. A commercial dispute is unlikely to present a federal question, and some courts have ruled that an Indian tribe as a party is not a citizen of any state for purposes of establishing diversity jurisdiction in the federal courts. State courts may also lack jurisdiction over suits brought by non-Indians against Indian tribes in the State of Connecticut. The remedies available against an Indian tribe also depend, at least in part, upon the rules of comity requiring initial exhaustion of remedies in tribal tribunals and, as to some judicial remedies, the tribe's consent to jurisdictional provisions contained in the disputed agreements. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that, where a tribal court exists, jurisdiction in that forum first must be exhausted before any dispute can be heard properly by federal courts which otherwise would have jurisdiction. Where a dispute as to the jurisdiction of the tribal forum exists, the tribal court first must rule as to the limits of its own jurisdiction.
In connection with certain of our contractual arrangements, including substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness, we, the Tribe, MBC, Mohegan Golf, Mohegan Ventures-NW, Mohegan Ventures Wisconsin, LLC, or MVW, Wisconsin Tribal Gaming, LLC, or WTG, and to the extent applicable, Mohegan Commercial Ventures-PA, LLC, Downs Racing, Backside, L.P., Mill Creek Land, L.P. and Northeast Concessions, L.P., or collectively the Pocono subsidiaries, MTGA Gaming, LLC, or MTGA Gaming, and certain of our subsidiaries and entities have agreed to waive our and their respective sovereign immunity from unconsented suit to permit any court of competent jurisdiction to: (1) enforce and interpret the terms of our applicable outstanding indebtedness, and award and enforce the award of damages owing as a consequence of a breach thereof, whether such award is the product of litigation, administrative proceedings, or arbitration, (2) determine whether any consent or approval of the Tribe or us has been granted improperly or withheld unreasonably, (3) enforce any judgment prohibiting the Tribe or us from taking any action, or mandating or obligating the Tribe or us to take any action, including a judgment compelling the Tribe or us to submit to binding arbitration and (4) adjudicate any claim under the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, 25 U.S.C. § 1302 (or any successor statute).
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The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988
Regulatory Authority
The operation of casinos and gaming on Indian lands is subject to IGRA, which is administered by the NIGC, an independent agency within the United States Department of the Interior, which exercises primary federal regulatory responsibility over Indian gaming. The NIGC has exclusive federal authority to issue regulations governing tribal gaming activities, approve tribal ordinances for regulating Class II and Class III Gaming (as described below), approve management agreements for gaming facilities, conduct investigations and generally monitor tribal gaming. Certain responsibilities under IGRA (such as the approval of gaming compacts, gaming revenue allocation plans for tribal members and the review of applications to take land into trust for gaming) are retained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or BIA. The BIA also has responsibility to review and approve certain agreements and land leases relating to Indian lands. The U.S. Department of Justice also retains responsibility for federal criminal law enforcement on the Mohegan reservation.
The NIGC is empowered to inspect and audit all Indian gaming facilities, to conduct background checks on all persons associated with Class II Gaming and management contractors involved in Class III Gaming, to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, take depositions, adopt regulations and assess fees and impose civil penalties for violations of IGRA. IGRA also prohibits illegal gaming on Indian lands and theft from Indian gaming facilities. The NIGC has adopted rules implementing specific provisions of IGRA, which govern, among other things, the submission and approval of tribal gaming ordinances or resolutions and require an Indian tribe to have the sole proprietary interest in and responsibility for the conduct of any gaming. Tribes are required to issue gaming licenses only under articulated standards, to conduct or commission financial audits of their gaming enterprises, to perform or commission background investigations for primary management officials and key employees and to maintain their facilities in a manner that adequately protects the environment and the public health and safety. These rules also set out review and reporting procedures for tribal licensing of gaming operation employees and tribal gaming facilities.
Tribal Ordinances
Under IGRA, except to the extent otherwise provided in a tribal-state compact, Indian tribal governments have primary regulatory authority over Class III Gaming on land within a tribe's jurisdiction. Therefore, our gaming operations, and persons engaged in gaming activities, are guided by and subject to the provisions of the Tribe's ordinances and regulations regarding gaming, in addition to the provisions of the Mohegan Compact.
IGRA requires that the NIGC review tribal gaming ordinances and authorizes the NIGC to approve such ordinances only if they meet specific requirements relating to: (1) the ownership, security, personnel background, record keeping and auditing of a tribe's gaming enterprises, (2) the use of the revenues from such gaming and (3) the protection of the environment and the public health and safety. The Tribe adopted its gaming ordinance in July 1994, and the NIGC approved the gaming ordinance in November 1994.
Classes of Gaming
IGRA classifies games that may be conducted on Indian lands into three categories. Class I Gaming includes social games solely for prizes of minimal value or traditional forms of Indian gaming engaged in by individuals as part of, or in connection with, tribal ceremonies or celebrations. Class II Gaming includes bingo, pull-tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, certain non-banked card games (if such games are played legally elsewhere in the state), instant bingo and other games similar to bingo, if those games are played at the same location where bingo is played. Class III Gaming includes all other forms of gaming, such as slot machines, video casino games (e.g., video blackjack and video poker), so-called banked table games (e.g., blackjack, craps and roulette) and other commercial gaming (e.g., sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering).
Class I Gaming on Indian lands is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian tribe and is not subject to IGRA. Class II Gaming is permitted on Indian lands if: (1) the state in which the Indian lands lie permits such gaming for any purpose by any person, organization or entity, (2) the gaming is not otherwise specifically prohibited on Indian lands by federal law, (3) the gaming is conducted in accordance with a tribal ordinance or resolution which has been approved by the NIGC, (4) an Indian tribe has sole proprietary interest and responsibility for the conduct of gaming, (5) the primary management officials and key employees are tribally licensed and (6) several other requirements are met. Class III Gaming is permitted on Indian lands if the conditions applicable to Class II Gaming are met, and in addition, the gaming is conducted in conformance with the terms of a tribal-state compact (a written agreement between the tribal government and the government of the state within whose boundaries the tribe's lands lie).
With the growth of the Internet and other modern advances, computers and other technology aids are increasingly used to conduct specific kinds of gaming, such as poker or wagering on horse racing. The states of Nevada and New Jersey have passed legislation to license and tax Internet poker and other on-line gaming conducted on an intra-state basis or with other states by compact, while new federal on-line gaming legislation has been introduced in Congress. To date, Congress has considered but not
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passed amendments to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 or new legislation to establish a licensing, taxing and enforcement framework for Internet gaming. The U.S. Department of Justice has brought indictments against various operators and payment processors involved in offshore on-line gaming transactions with persons located in the United States and also authored an opinion clarifying the department’s view of permissible on-line activities by state lotteries under federal law.
Tribal-State Compacts
IGRA requires states to negotiate in good faith with Indian tribes that seek to enter into tribal-state compacts for the conduct of Class III Gaming. Such tribal-state compacts may include provisions for the allocation of criminal and civil jurisdiction between the state and the Indian tribe necessary for the enforcement of laws and regulations, taxation by the Indian tribe of gaming activities in amounts comparable to those amounts assessed by the state for comparable activities, remedies for breach of compacts, standards for the operation of gaming and maintenance of gaming facilities, including licensing and any other subjects that are directly related to the operation of gaming activities. While the terms of tribal-state compacts vary from state to state, compacts within a state tend to be substantially similar. Tribal-state compacts usually specify the types of permitted games, establish technical standards for gaming, set maximum and minimum machine payout percentages, entitle the state to inspect casinos, require background investigations and licensing of casino employees and may require the tribe to pay a portion of the state's expenses for establishing and maintaining regulatory agencies. Some tribal-state compacts are for set terms, while others are for an indefinite duration.
IGRA provides that if an Indian tribe and state fail to successfully negotiate a tribal-state compact, the United States Department of the Interior may approve gaming procedures pursuant to which Class III Gaming may be conducted on Indian lands. Gaming compacts or approved gaming procedures take effect upon notice of approval by the Secretary of the Interior published in the Federal Register. The Mohegan Compact, approved by the United States Secretary of the Interior in 1994, does not have a specific term and will remain in effect until terminated by written agreement between both parties, or the provisions are modified as a result of a change in applicable law. Our gaming operations are subject to the requirements and restrictions contained in the Mohegan Compact, which authorizes the Tribe to conduct most forms of Class III Gaming.
Tribal-state compacts have been the subject of litigation in a number of states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Tribes frequently seek to enforce the provision of IGRA which entitles tribes to bring suit in federal court against a state that fails to negotiate a tribal-state compact in good faith. The U.S. Supreme Court resolved this issue by holding that the Indian Commerce Clause does not grant Congress authority to abrogate sovereign immunity granted to the states under the Eleventh Amendment. Accordingly, IGRA does not grant jurisdiction over a state that did not consent to be sued.
There has been litigation in a number of states challenging the authority of state governors, under state law, to enter into tribal-state compacts without legislative approval. Federal courts have upheld such authority in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. The highest state courts of Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, New York and Rhode Island have held that governors in those states did not have authority to enter into such compacts without the consent or authorization of the legislatures of those states. In the New Mexico and Kansas cases, the courts held that the authority to enter into such compacts is a legislative function under their respective state constitutions. The court in the New Mexico case also held that state law does not permit casino-style gaming.
In the State of Connecticut, there has been no litigation challenging the governor's authority to enter into tribal-state compacts. If such a suit was filed, however, the Tribe does not believe that the precedent in the New Mexico or Kansas cases would apply. At the time of execution of the Mohegan Compact, the Connecticut Attorney General issued a formal opinion, which states that, “existing state statutes provide the Governor with the authority to negotiate and execute the Mohegan Compact.” Thus, the Attorney General declined to follow the Kansas case. In addition, in a case brought by the MPT, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has held that Connecticut law authorizes casino gaming. After execution of the Mohegan Compact, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law requiring that future gaming compacts be approved by the legislature, but that law does not apply to previously executed compacts such as the Mohegan Compact.
Possible Changes in Federal Law
Bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time seeking to amend IGRA. While there have been a number of technical amendments to the law, to date, there have been no material changes to IGRA. Any amendment to IGRA could change the regulatory environment and requirements within which the Tribe could conduct gaming.
Pennsylvania Racing Regulations
Our harness racing operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono is subject to extensive regulation under the Pennsylvania Racing Act. Under that law, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission, or Harness Racing Commission, is responsible for, among other things:
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• | granting permission annually to maintain racing licenses and schedule races; |
• | approving, after a public hearing, the opening of additional OTWs and racetracks; |
• | approving simulcasting activities; |
• | licensing all officers, directors, racing officials and certain other employees of a company; and |
• | approving all contracts entered into by a company affecting racing, pari-mutuel wagering, phone/internet wagering and OTW operations. |
As in most states, the regulations and oversight applicable to our operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are intended primarily to safeguard the legitimacy of the sport and its freedom from inappropriate or criminal influences. The Harness Racing Commission has broad authority to regulate in the best interests of racing and may disapprove the involvement of certain personnel in our operations, deny approval of certain acquisitions following their consummation or withhold permission for a proposed OTW site for a variety of reasons, including community opposition. The Pennsylvania legislature has also reserved the right to revoke the power of the Harness Racing Commission to approve additional OTWs and could, at any time, terminate pari-mutuel wagering as a form of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or subject such wagering to additional restrictive regulation or taxation.
Pennsylvania Gaming Regulations
Our slot machine and table game operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono are subject to extensive regulation under the Pennsylvania Gaming Act. Under that law, as amended, the PGCB is responsible for, among other things:
• | issuing and renewing slot machine licenses and table game certificates; |
• | approving, after a public hearing, the granting of additional slot machine licenses or table game certificates (to the extent allowed under the Pennsylvania Gaming Act); |
• | licensing all officers, directors, principals and certain other employees and vendors of a company with gaming operations; and |
• | approving certain contracts entered into by a company affecting gaming operations. |
As in most states, the regulations and oversight applicable to our operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are intended primarily to safeguard the legitimacy of gaming and its freedom from inappropriate or criminal influences. The PGCB has broad authority to regulate in the best interests of gaming and may disapprove the involvement of certain personnel in our operations, reject certain transactions following their consummation, require divestiture by unsuitable persons or withhold permission on applicable gaming matters for a variety of reasons.
Material Agreements
The following summarizes the terms of our material agreements. This summary does not restate in entirety the terms of each agreement. We urge you to read each agreement because they, and not this summary, define our rights and obligations, and, in some cases, those of the Tribe. Material agreements are included by reference to previous filings in the schedule of exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gaming Compact with the State of Connecticut
In April 1994, the Tribe and the State of Connecticut entered into the Mohegan Compact, which authorizes and regulates the Tribe's conduct of gaming on the Tribe's land in the State of Connecticut, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approved the Mohegan Compact by notice published in the Federal Register on December 16, 1994. The Mohegan Compact has a perpetual term and is substantively similar to the procedures that govern gaming operations of the MPT in the State of Connecticut and provide, among other things, as follows:
(1) The Tribe is authorized to conduct on its reservation those Class III Gaming activities specifically enumerated in the Mohegan Compact or amendments thereto. The forms of Class III Gaming authorized under the Mohegan Compact include: (a) specific types of games of chance, (b) video facsimiles of such authorized games of chance (i.e., slot machines), (c) off-track pari-mutuel betting on animal races, (d) pari-mutuel betting, through simulcasting, on animal races and (e) certain other types of pari-mutuel betting on games and races conducted at the gaming facility (some types currently are together with off-track pari-mutuel telephone betting on animal races, under a moratorium).
(2) The Tribe must establish standards of operations and management of all gaming operations in order to protect the public interest, ensure the fair and honest operation of gaming activities and maintain the integrity of all Class III Gaming activities conducted on the Tribe's land. The first of these standards was set forth in the Mohegan Compact and approved by the State of Connecticut gaming agency. State of Connecticut gaming agency approval is required
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for any revision to such standards affecting gaming. The Tribe must supervise the implementation of these standards by regulation through a Tribal gaming agency.
(3) Criminal law enforcement matters relating to Class III Gaming activities are under the concurrent jurisdiction of the State of Connecticut and the Tribe.
(4) All gaming employees must obtain and maintain a gaming employee license issued by the State of Connecticut gaming agency.
(5) Any enterprise providing gaming services or gaming equipment to the Tribe is required to hold a valid and current gaming services registration issued by the State of Connecticut gaming agency.
(6) The State of Connecticut annually assesses the Tribe for the costs attributable to its regulation of the Tribe's gaming operations and for the provision of law enforcement at the Tribe's gaming facility.
(7) Net revenues from the Tribe's gaming operations may be applied only for purposes related to Tribal government operations and general welfare, Tribal economic development, charitable contributions and payments to local governmental agencies.
(8) Tribal ordinances and regulations governing health and safety standards at the gaming facility shall be no less rigorous than certain State of Connecticut standards.
(9) Service of alcoholic beverages within the gaming facility is subject to regulation by the State of Connecticut.
(10) The Tribe waives any defense which it may have by virtue of sovereign immunity with respect to any action brought by the State of Connecticut to enforce the Mohegan Compact in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.
In May 1994, the Tribe and the State of Connecticut entered into the MOU, which sets forth certain matters regarding the implementation of the Mohegan Compact. The MOU stipulates that a portion of the revenues earned on slot machines must be paid to the State of Connecticut. This payment is known as the Slot Win Contribution. For each 12-month period commencing July 1, 1995, the Slot Win Contribution shall be the lesser of: (1) 30% of gross revenues from slot machines or (2) the greater of (a) 25% of gross revenues from slot machines or (b) $80.0 million. The Slot Win Contribution payments will not be required if the State of Connecticut legalizes any other gaming operations with slot machines or other commercial casino games within the State of Connecticut except those operations consented to by the Tribe and the MPT.
Priority Distribution Agreement
In August 2001, we and the Tribe entered into an agreement, or the priority distribution agreement, which stipulates that we must make monthly payments to the Tribe to the extent of our net cash flow as defined under the priority distribution agreement. The priority distribution agreement was amended as of December 31, 2014. As amended, the priority distribution agreement, which has a perpetual term, limits the minimum aggregate priority distribution payments in each calendar year to $40.0 million. Payments under the priority distribution agreement: (1) do not reduce our obligations to reimburse the Tribe for governmental and administrative services provided by the Tribe or to make payments under any other agreements with the Tribe, (2) are limited obligations and are payable only to the extent of our net cash flow as defined under the priority distribution agreement and (3) are not secured by a lien or encumbrance on any of our assets or properties. We pay additional priority distributions to the Tribe in compliance with restrictive financial covenants under our senior secured credit facilities, line of credit and note indentures, and exclusive of priority distributions under the priority distribution agreement, as described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Part III. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. Transactions between the Authority and the Authority’s Subsidiaries and the Tribe.”
Town of Montville Agreement
In June 1994, the Tribe entered into an agreement with the Town of Montville, or the Town, under which the Tribe agreed to pay the Town $500,000 annually to minimize the impact of Tribe’s reservation being held in trust on the Town. The Tribe has assigned its rights and obligations under this agreement to us.
Land Lease Agreement
The land upon which Mohegan Sun is located is held in trust for the Tribe by the United States. We entered into a land lease agreement with the Tribe to lease the property and improvements and related facilities constructed or installed on the property. In March 2007, the agreement was amended to update the legal description of the property, and, in April 2007, the amended agreement was approved by the Secretary of the Interior. In February 2015, the agreement was again amended to update the legal description of the property, which amendment was approved by the Secretary of the Interior in March 2015. The following summarizes the key provisions of the land lease agreement.
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Term
The term of the agreement is 25 years with an option, exercisable by us, to extend the term for one additional 25-year period. Upon termination of the agreement, we will be required to surrender to the Tribe possession of the property and improvements, excluding any equipment, furniture, fixtures or other personal property.
Rent and Other Operating Costs and Expenses
The agreement requires us to pay the Tribe a nominal annual rental fee. For any period that the Tribe or another agency or instrumentality of the Tribe is not the tenant, the rent will be 8% of such tenant’s gross revenues from the property. We are responsible for all costs and expenses of owning, operating, constructing, maintaining, repairing, replacing and insuring the property.
Use of Property
We may utilize the property and improvements solely for the operation of Mohegan Sun, unless prior approval is obtained from the Tribe for any proposed alternative use. We may not construct or alter any building or improvement located on the property unless complete and final plans and specifications are approved by the Tribe. Following foreclosure of any mortgage on our interest under the agreement or any transfer of such interest to the holder of such mortgage in lieu of foreclosure, the property and improvements may be utilized for any lawful purpose, subject to applicable codes and governmental regulations; provided, however, that a non-Indian holder of the property may under no circumstance conduct gaming operations on the property.
Permitted Mortgages and Rights of Permitted Mortgagees
We may not mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber our leasehold estate in the property except to a holder of a permitted mortgage. Under the terms of the agreement, permitted mortgages include the leasehold mortgage securing our obligations under our bank credit facilities and senior secured notes, provided that, among other things: (1) the Tribe will have the right to notice of, and to cure, any default by us, (2) the Tribe will have the right to prior notice of an intention by the holder to foreclose on the permitted mortgage and the right to purchase the mortgage in lieu of any foreclosure and (3) the permitted mortgage is subject and subordinated to any and all access and utility easements granted by the Tribe under the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, each holder of a permitted mortgage has the right to notice of any default by us under the agreement and the opportunity to cure such default within the applicable cure period.
Default Remedies
We will be in default under the agreement if, subject to the notice provisions, we fail to make lease payments or comply with covenants under the agreement or if we pledge, encumber or convey our interest in violation of the terms of the agreement. Following a default, the Tribe may, with approval from the Secretary of the Interior, terminate the agreement unless a permitted mortgage remains outstanding with respect to the property. In such case, the Tribe may not: (1) terminate the agreement or our right to possession of the property, (2) exercise any right of re-entry, (3) take possession of and/or relet the property or any portion thereof or (4) enforce any other right or remedy, which may materially and adversely affect the rights of the holder of the permitted mortgage, unless the default triggering such rights was a monetary default of which such holder failed to cure after notice.
Cowlitz Project Agreements
In September 2004, Salishan-Mohegan entered into development and management agreements with the Cowlitz Tribe in connection with the Cowlitz Project, which agreements have been amended from time to time.
Under the terms of the development agreement, Salishan-Mohegan assists in securing financing, as well as administration and oversight of the planning, designing, development, construction and furnishing of the proposed casino. The development agreement provides for development fees of 3% of total project costs, as defined under the development agreement. Under the terms of Salishan-Mohegan's operating agreement, development fees will be distributed to Mohegan Ventures-NW.
Under the terms of the management agreement, Salishan-Mohegan will manage, operate and maintain the proposed casino for a period of seven years following its opening. The management agreement provides for management fees of 24% of net revenues, as defined under the management agreement, which approximates net income earned from the Cowlitz Project. Under the terms of Salishan-Mohegan's operating agreement, management fees will be allocated to the members of Salishan-Mohegan based on their respective membership interests. The management agreement is subject to approval by the NIGC.
Under the terms of the development agreement, certain receivables contributed to Salishan-Mohegan and amounts advanced by Salishan-Mohegan on behalf of the Cowlitz Tribe are reimbursable to Salishan-Mohegan by the Cowlitz Tribe, subject to appropriate approvals defined under the development agreement. As of September 30, 2015, reimbursements are contingent and are to be distributed upon: (1) the related property being taken into trust by the United States Department of the Interior and
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(2) the receipt of necessary financing for the development of the proposed casino. As of September 30, 2015, the Authority accrued interest on the Salishan-Mohegan receivables at an annual rate of 10.0%.
On December 4, 2015, the CTGA closed on its financing for the Cowlitz Project. The financing provides funding for construction of the Cowlitz Project and a partial repayment of reimbursable costs and expenses advanced by Salishan-Mohegan on behalf of the Cowlitz Tribe for the Cowlitz Project, or the Salishan-Mohegan receivables. In connection with this transaction, Salishan-Mohegan was repaid $19.4 million of the Salishan-Mohegan receivables, a portion of which was used to repay certain outstanding debt of Salishan-Mohegan. In accordance with the terms of the development agreement, as amended, the remaining outstanding Salishan-Mohegan receivables are to be repaid in equal monthly installments over a seven-year period beginning in the first month following the opening of the Cowlitz Project, plus accrued interest at a rate equal to 1.0% above the Cowlitz Project financing rate, or 12.5%. Pursuant to the development agreement, repayment of the Salishan-Mohegan receivables may accelerate depending on the level of available cash at the end of each fiscal year, subject to certain conditions as set forth in the development agreement, including conditions of the Cowlitz financing. Also in connection with the Cowlitz financing, Salishan-Mohegan assigned the lease for the Cowlitz Project site to CTGA.
Certain Indebtedness
The following summarizes the terms of our debt agreements. This summary does not restate in entirety the terms of each agreement. We urge you to read each agreement because they, and not this summary, define our rights and obligations, and, in some cases, those of the Tribe. Material agreements are included by reference to previous filings in the schedule of exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain other matters relating to our debt obligations are further discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In November 2013, we entered into a loan agreement among us, the Tribe, the guarantors as defined below, RBS Citizens, N.A., as administrative and collateral agent and the other lenders and financial institutions party thereto, providing for $955.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured credit facilities, or the senior secured credit facilities, comprised of a $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, or the revolving facility, a $125.0 million senior secured term loan A facility, or the term loan A facility, and a $730.0 million senior secured term loan B facility, or the term loan B facility. The senior secured credit facilities mature on June 15, 2018, subject to extension based on the satisfaction of certain conditions to November 19, 2018 (in the case of the revolving facility and the term loan A facility) and November 19, 2019 (in the case of the term loan B facility).
On August 11, 2015, we entered into an increase joinder and amendment agreement among us, the Tribe, the guarantors as defined below, Citizens Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, amending the senior secured credit facilities. Pursuant to the amendment, we borrowed $90.0 million of increase term B loans on the same terms as the existing term B loans under term loan B facility. The net proceeds from this transaction were used to redeem outstanding 2012 senior subordinated notes (further discussed below).
The term loan A facility amortizes in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 5.0% of the original principal amount for the first year after the closing date, 7.5% of the original principal amount for the second year after the closing date and 10.0% of the original principal amount in each year thereafter, with the balance payable on the maturity date of the term loan A facility. The term loan B facility amortizes in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount. Amortization of the term loan A facility and term loan B facility began with the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date.
As of September 30, 2015, amounts outstanding under the revolving facility, term loan A facility and term loan B facility totaled $21.0 million, $111.7 million and $807.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2015, letters of credit issued under the revolving facility totaled $3.0 million, of which no amount was drawn. Inclusive of letters of credit, which reduce borrowing availability under the revolving facility, and after taking into account restrictive financial covenant requirements, we had approximately $76.0 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving facility and line of credit as of September 30, 2015.
Borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities incur interest as follows: (i) for base rate loans under the revolving facility and term loan A facility, a base rate equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points and (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (the highest of (a), (b) and (c), the “base rate”), plus a leverage-based margin of 250 to 350 basis points; (ii) for Eurodollar rate loans under the revolving facility and term loan A facility, the applicable LIBOR rate plus a leverage-based margin of 350 to 450 basis points; (iii) for base rate loans under the term loan B facility, the base rate (subject to a 2.0% floor) plus 350 basis points; and (iv) for Eurodollar rate loans under the term loan B facility, the applicable LIBOR rate (subject to a 1.0% floor) plus 450 basis points. We are also required to pay a leverage-based commitment
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fee of between 37.5 and 50 basis points for unused commitments under the revolving facility. Interest on base rate loans is payable quarterly in arrears. Interest on Eurodollar rate loans of three months or less is payable at the end of each applicable interest period and for Eurodollar rate loans of more than three months, interest is payable at intervals of three months duration after the beginning of such interest period.
Our obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Pocono Subsidiaries, MBC, Mohegan Golf, Mohegan Ventures-NW, MVW, WTG and MTGA Gaming, or collectively, the guarantors. The senior secured credit facilities are collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all of our property and assets and those of the guarantors (other than MBC), including the assets that comprise Mohegan Sun Pocono and a leasehold mortgage on the land and improvements that comprise Mohegan Sun (we and the guarantors, other than MBC, are collectively referred to herein as the grantors). The grantors are also required to pledge additional assets as collateral for the senior secured credit facilities as they and future guarantor subsidiaries acquire them.
The senior secured credit facilities contain customary covenants applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries, including covenants governing: incurrence of indebtedness, incurrence of liens, payment of dividends and other distributions, investments, asset sales, affiliate transactions, mergers or consolidations and capital expenditures. Additionally, the senior secured credit facilities include financial maintenance covenants pertaining to total leverage, secured leverage and minimum fixed charge coverage.
Senior Unsecured Notes
2013 9 3/4% Senior Unsecured Notes
In August 2013, we issued $500.0 million senior unsecured notes with fixed interest payable at a rate of 9.75% per annum, or the initial 2013 senior unsecured notes. On August 11, 2015, we issued an additional $85.0 million of senior unsecured notes under the initial 2013 senior unsecured notes indenture, or the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, and, together with the initial 2013 senior unsecured notes, the 2013 senior unsecured notes. Subsequent to this transaction, an aggregate principal amount of $585.0 million 2013 senior unsecured notes is outstanding. The net proceeds from the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes were used to redeem outstanding 2012 senior subordinated notes (further discussed below).
The 2013 senior unsecured notes mature on September 1, 2021. We may redeem the 2013 senior unsecured notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to September 1, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued interest (and additional interest in the case of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, if any, pursuant to the registration rights agreement described below) to the date of redemption. On or after September 1, 2016, we may redeem the 2013 senior unsecured notes, in whole or in part, at specified redemption prices, together with accrued interest (and additional interest in the case of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, if any) to the date of redemption. If we experience specific kinds of change of control triggering events, we must offer to repurchase the 2013 senior unsecured notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest (and additional interest in the case of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, if any) to the purchase date. In addition, if we undertake certain types of asset sales and do not use the related sale proceeds for specified purposes, we may be required to offer to repurchase the 2013 senior unsecured notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest (and additional interest in the case of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, if any). Interest on the 2013 senior unsecured notes is payable semi-annually on March 1st and September 1st.
In March 2014, we completed an offer to exchange the initial 2013 senior unsecured notes for a new issue of substantially identical debt securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, with all outstanding notes being exchanged.
The 2013 senior unsecured notes are uncollateralized general obligations and are effectively subordinated to all of our and the guarantors' and future guarantor subsidiaries' senior secured indebtedness, including the senior secured credit facilities, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The 2013 senior unsecured notes are also effectively subordinated to any indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2013 senior unsecured notes. The 2013 senior unsecured notes rank equally in right of payment with our other unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including trade payables. The 2013 senior unsecured notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the guarantors.
The 2013 senior unsecured notes indenture contains certain covenants that, subject to certain significant exceptions, limit, among other things, our and the guarantors’ ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends or distributions, make certain investments, create liens on assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company or transfer and sell assets. The 2013 senior unsecured notes indenture includes customary events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants, failure to pay certain other indebtedness, the occurrence of which is caused by a failure to pay principal, premium or interest or results in the acceleration of such indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency and certain judgment defaults.
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Registration Rights Agreement
On August 11, 2015, we and the guarantors of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes entered into a registration rights agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and RBS Securities Inc., as representatives of the several initial purchasers of the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this agreement, we agreed to offer to exchange the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes, pursuant to a registration statement effective within 270 days of issuance, for a new issue of substantially identical debt securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under certain circumstances set forth in the registration rights agreement, we may also be obligated to file a shelf registration statement with respect to the additional 2013 senior unsecured notes.
Facility Agreement for Senior Unsecured Notes
On November 18, 2015, we entered into an agreement, or the facility agreement, by and among us, the Tribe and UBS AG, London Branch, or UBS. Pursuant to the facility agreement, we may issue, from time to time, to UBS or its designee, senior unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200.0 million, with varying amounts, borrowing dates, maturities and interest rates, as may be agreed with UBS or its designee.
On November 20, 2015, pursuant to the facility agreement, we entered into a note purchase agreement, or the note purchase agreement, by and among us, the Tribe and the purchaser named therein, or the purchaser. In accordance with the note purchase agreement, we issued floating rate senior notes due 2017 in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million, or the 2015 senior unsecured notes, to the purchaser in a private offering that closed on November 20, 2015. The 2015 senior unsecured notes are senior unsecured obligations. Pursuant to a guarantee agreement dated November 20, 2015, certain of our subsidiaries, which are the same guarantors that guarantee our senior secured credit facilities and other senior unsecured and senior subordinated notes, have guaranteed the 2015 senior unsecured notes. The 2015 senior unsecured notes bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 4.45%, payable quarterly. The 2015 senior unsecured notes mature on December 15, 2017. We used the net proceeds from the 2015 senior unsecured notes to refinance existing indebtedness and to finance new development opportunities.
We may redeem the 2015 senior unsecured notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued interest to the date of redemption, customary breakage costs, a “make-whole amount,” and, if redeemed within one year of the date of issuance, a premium of 0.25%. If we experience specific kinds of change of control events, undertake certain types of asset sales or experience certain swap-related credit determinations, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the 2015 senior unsecured notes at the purchase prices set forth in the note purchase agreement. In addition, if any gaming regulatory authority requires a holder of the 2015 senior unsecured notes to be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable gaming laws, and such holder does not obtain such license, qualification or finding of suitability within a specified time, we can call for redemption of the 2015 senior unsecured notes held by such holder.
The 2015 senior unsecured notes and guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
The 2015 senior unsecured notes are uncollateralized general obligations and are effectively subordinated to all of our and the guarantors’ and future guarantor subsidiaries’ senior secured indebtedness, including the senior secured credit facilities, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The 2015 senior unsecured notes are also effectively subordinated to any indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2015 senior unsecured notes. The 2015 senior unsecured notes rank equally in right of payment with our other unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including trade payables. The 2015 senior unsecured notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the guarantors.
The note purchase agreement contains certain covenants that, subject to certain significant exceptions, limit, among other things, our and the guarantors’ ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends or distributions, make certain investments, create liens on assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company or transfer and sell assets. The note purchase agreement includes customary events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants, certain cross-defaults, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency and certain judgment defaults.
Senior Subordinated Notes
2012 11% Senior Subordinated Notes
In March 2012, we issued $344.2 million senior subordinated toggle notes with fixed interest payable at a rate of 11% per annum, or the 2012 senior subordinated notes, in exchange for $203.8 million of our then outstanding 2004 7 1/8% senior subordinated notes and $140.3 million of 2005 senior subordinated notes. The 2012 senior subordinated notes mature on September
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15, 2018. We may redeem the 2012 senior subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at any time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. If a change of control occurs, we must offer to repurchase the 2012 senior subordinated notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest. In addition, if we undertake certain types of asset sales or suffer events of loss, and we do not use the related sale or insurance proceeds for specified purposes, we may be required to offer to repurchase the 2012 senior subordinated notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest. Interest on the 2012 senior subordinated notes is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th. The initial interest payment on the 2012 senior subordinated notes was payable entirely in cash. For any subsequent interest payment period through March 15, 2018, we may, at our option, elect to pay interest on the 2012 senior subordinated notes either entirely in cash or by paying up to 2% in 2012 senior subordinated notes, or PIK interest. If we elect to pay PIK interest, such election will increase the principal amount of the 2012 senior subordinated notes in an amount equal to the amount of PIK interest for the applicable interest payment period to holders of 2012 senior subordinated notes on the relevant record date.
In August 2013, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of $69.0 million 2012 senior subordinated notes. On September 10, 2015, we redeemed an additional aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million of 2012 senior subordinated notes. An aggregate principal amount of approximately $100.2 million 2012 senior subordinated notes remains outstanding as of September 30, 2015.
The 2012 senior subordinated notes and guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
The 2012 senior subordinated notes are uncollateralized general obligations and are subordinated to borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities and 2013 senior unsecured notes. The 2012 senior subordinated notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the guarantors.
The 2012 senior subordinated notes indenture contains certain non-financial and financial covenant requirements with which we and the Tribe must comply. The non-financial covenant requirements include, among other things, reporting obligations, compliance with laws and regulations, maintenance of licenses and insurances and our continued existence. The financial covenant requirements include, among other things, subject to certain exceptions, limitations on our and the guarantors' ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or distributions, make certain investments, create liens on assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer or sell assets or impair assets constituting collateral.
We or our affiliates may, from time to time, seek to purchase or otherwise retire outstanding indebtedness for cash in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such transaction will depend on prevailing market conditions and our liquidity and covenant requirement restrictions, among other factors.
Line of Credit
In November 2013, we entered into a $16.5 million revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., or the line of credit. The line of credit is coterminous with the senior secured credit facilities. Pursuant to provisions of the senior secured credit facilities, under certain circumstances, the line of credit may be converted into loans under the senior secured credit facilities. Under the line of credit, each advance accrues interest on the basis of a one-month LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin based on our total leverage ratio, as each term is defined under the line of credit. As of September 30, 2015, no amount was drawn on the line of credit. Borrowings under the line of credit are uncollateralized obligations. The line of credit contains negative covenants and financial maintenance covenants that are substantially the same as those contained in the senior secured credit facilities.
2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust Promissory Note
In March 2012, Comerica Bank & Trust, N.A., Trustee f/b/o The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut Minor's Trust, made a $20.0 million loan to Salishan-Mohegan, referred to herein as the 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note. The 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note was amended in June 2014 to extend the maturity date to March 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2015, the 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note accrued interest at an annual rate of 10.0% and accrued interest was payable as follows: (i) quarterly, commencing June 30, 2012 through March 31, 2014, (ii) on July 1, 2014 on the unpaid balance for the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014, (iii) $800,000 per quarter, commencing September 30, 2015 through March 31, 2016 and (iv) quarterly, thereafter on the unpaid balance. As of September 30, 2015, principal outstanding under the 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note amortized as follows: (i) $500,000 per quarter, commencing December 31, 2012 through March 31, 2014, (ii) $500,000 on July 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015, (iii) $1.5 million per quarter, commencing December 31, 2015 through September 30, 2016 and (iv) $10.0 million at maturity.
The 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor’s Trust promissory note was further amended on December 4, 2015, pursuant to which the interest rate was adjusted to an annual rate of 12.5% and accrued interest was adjusted to be payable quarterly commencing
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March 31, 2016. In addition, principal outstanding under the 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note will now amortize in an amount equal to $1.5 million per quarter commencing March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016, with the remaining principal amount due at maturity. On December 4, 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe repaid $6.0 million of principal outstanding under the 2012 Mohegan Tribe Minor's Trust promissory note on behalf of Salishan-Mohegan, leaving a remaining principal amount of $10.0 million.
2013 Mohegan Tribe Promissory Note
In March 2013, Mohegan Gaming & Hospitality, LLC, or MG&H, purchased and acquired all of the Tribe's membership interest in MG&H in exchange for a promissory note in the principal amount of $7.4 million, or the 2013 Mohegan Tribe promissory note. The 2013 Mohegan Tribe promissory note matures on December 31, 2018. The 2013 Mohegan Tribe promissory note accrues interest at an annual rate of 4.0% payable quarterly.
2015 Mohegan Tribe Promissory Note
On November 16, 2015, the Tribe made a $22.5 million loan to Mohegan Gaming Advisors, or the 2015 Mohegan Tribe promissory note. The 2015 Mohegan Tribe promissory note matures on April 15, 2016. The 2015 Mohegan Tribe promissory note accrues interest at an annual rate of 5.0% and requires a principal payment of $8.5 million, plus accrued interest, on January 15, 2016, with the remaining principal amount, plus accrued interest, due at maturity.
Downs Lodging Credit Facility
In July 2012, Downs Lodging, a single purpose entity and wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary, entered into a credit agreement providing for a $45.0 million term loan from a third-party lender, or the Downs Lodging credit facility. The proceeds from the Downs Lodging credit facility were used by Downs Lodging to fund Project Sunlight, a hotel and convention center expansion project at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The Downs Lodging credit facility matures on July 12, 2016 and accrues interest at an annual rate of 13.0%, with accrued interest of 10.0% payable monthly in cash during the term of the loan and the remaining 3.0% due at maturity. In addition, a 3.0% exit fee is payable upon repayment of the loan principal. On July 16, 2015, Downs Lodging prepaid approximately $4.5 million of the Downs Lodging credit facility, plus accrued interest and fees. As of September 30, 2015, approximately $40.5 million remained outstanding under the Downs Lodging credit facility.
On November 25, 2015, Downs Lodging repaid and terminated the Downs Lodging credit facility with proceeds from a new credit agreement providing for a $25.0 million term loan from a third-party lender, or the new Downs Lodging credit facility, and a cash payment of the remaining principal amount outstanding under the Downs Lodging credit facility, plus accrued interest and fees. The new Downs Lodging credit facility matures on November 24, 2019, subject to earlier maturity in the event that 5.0% or more of our total funded indebtedness matures prior to that date, in which case the new Downs Lodging credit facility matures six months prior to such date. Principal outstanding under the new Downs Lodging credit facility amortizes in equal monthly amounts of approximately $260,000 commencing January 1, 2016, with the remaining balance due at maturity. The new Downs Lodging credit facility accrues interest as follows: (i) for base rate loans, at a base rate equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate and (b) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points (the greater of (a) and (b), the “base rate”), plus 250 basis points and (ii) for Eurodollar rate loans, at the applicable LIBOR rate plus 350 basis points. Interest on base rate loans is payable monthly. Interest on Eurodollar rate loans is payable at the end of each applicable interest period.
The new Downs Lodging credit facility is a senior secured obligation of Downs Lodging, collateralized by all existing and future assets of Downs Lodging. The new Downs Lodging credit facility subjects Downs Lodging to certain covenant requirements customarily found in loan agreements for similar transactions. Additionally, the new Downs Lodging credit facility includes a financial maintenance covenant pertaining to minimum debt service coverage.
Environmental Matters
The site on which Mohegan Sun is located was formerly occupied by United Nuclear Corporation, a naval products manufacturer of, among other things, nuclear reactor fuel components. United Nuclear Corporation’s facility was officially decommissioned in June 1994 when the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirmed that all licensable quantities of such nuclear material had been removed from the site and that any residual contamination from such material was remediated according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved decommissioning plan.
From 1991 through 1993, United Nuclear Corporation commissioned environmental audits and soil sampling programs which detected, among other things, volatile organic chemicals, heavy metals and fuel hydrocarbons in the soil and groundwater. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or the DEEP, reviewed the environmental audits and reports and established cleanup requirements for the site. In December 1994, the DEEP approved United Nuclear Corporation’s remedial plan, which determined that groundwater remediation was unnecessary because although the groundwater beneath the site was
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contaminated, it met the applicable groundwater criteria given the classification of the groundwater under the site. In addition, extensive remediation of contaminated soil and additional investigation were completed to achieve the DEEP’s cleanup criteria and demonstrate that the remaining soil complied with applicable cleanup criteria. Initial construction at the site also involved extensive soil excavation. According to data gathered in a 1995 environmental report commissioned by United Nuclear Corporation, remediation is complete and is consistent with the applicable Connecticut cleanup requirements. The DEEP has reviewed and approved the cleanup activities at the site, and, as part of the DEEP’s approval, United Nuclear Corporation was required to perform post-closure groundwater monitoring at the site to ensure the adequacy of the cleanup. In addition, under the terms of United Nuclear Corporation’s environmental certification and indemnity agreement with the Department of the Interior (which took the former United Nuclear Corporation land into trust for the Tribe), United Nuclear Corporation agreed to indemnify the Department of the Interior for environmental actions and expenses based on acts or conditions existing or occurring as a result of United Nuclear Corporation’s activities on the property.
Prior to acquiring our interest in Mohegan Sun Pocono, we conducted an extensive environmental investigation of the Pocono facilities. In the course of that investigation, we identified several environmental conditions that required corrective actions to bring the property into compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These remedial actions, including an ongoing monitoring program for the portion of the property that was formerly used as a solid waste landfill, were addressed as part of a comprehensive plan that was implemented in July 2008.
We did not incur any material costs related to the above environmental matters for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assurance can be given that existing environmental studies revealed all environmental liabilities, or that future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose any material environmental liability or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise currently exist.
Employees and Labor Relations
As of September 30, 2015, the Connecticut facilities employed approximately 4,875 full-time employees and 1,920 seasonal, part-time and on-call employees. Pursuant to the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance, when recruiting and hiring personnel, except key personnel, the Connecticut facilities are obligated to give first preference to qualified members of the Tribe and then to enrolled members of other Indian tribes. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” None of the Connecticut facilities' employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
As of September 30, 2015, Mohegan Sun Pocono employed approximately 985 full-time employees and 735 seasonal, part-time and on-call employees. Certain of our Mohegan Sun Pocono’ employees are represented under collective bargaining agreements between Downs Racing and either, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 542C, or Local Union 542C, or Teamsters Local No. 401, or Local No. 401. The agreement with Local Union 542C expires on March 31, 2018 and relates to equipment and heavy equipment operators. The agreement with Local No. 401 expires on January 31, 2017 and relates to truck drivers and maintenance employees.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, set forth below are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us, whether oral or written. We wish to ensure that any forward-looking statements are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements in order to maximize to the fullest extent possible the protections of the safe harbor established in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Refer also to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.
We currently have and will continue to have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, our debt totaled approximately $1.7 billion.
Our substantial indebtedness could have significant adverse effects on our business. Such adverse effects include, but are not limited to, the following:
• | make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt service obligations; |
• | increase our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry and competitive conditions; |
• | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to repayment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other general operating requirements; |
• | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the gaming industry, which may place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors with stronger liquidity positions, thereby negatively affecting our results of operations and ability to meet our debt service obligations; |
• | restrict us from exploring or taking advantage of business opportunities; |
• | place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and |
• | limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our outstanding indebtedness, our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other general operating requirements on satisfactory terms or at all. |
In addition, our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing our existing senior and senior subordinated notes contain, and the agreements evidencing or governing other future indebtedness may contain, restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of the required repayment of some or all of our indebtedness.
We, the Tribe and our wholly-owned subsidiaries may not be subject to federal bankruptcy laws, which could impair the ability of creditors to participate in the realization on our or our subsidiaries' assets or the restructuring of related liabilities if we are unwilling or unable to meet our debt service obligations.
We, the Tribe and our wholly-owned subsidiaries that are Tribal entities may or may not be subject to, or permitted to seek protection under, federal bankruptcy laws since an Indian tribe and us, as an instrumentality of the Tribe, may or may not be eligible to be a debtor under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, our creditors may not be able to seek liquidation of our or any of the other Tribal entities' assets or other action under federal bankruptcy laws. Also, the Gaming Disputes Court may lack powers typically associated with a federal bankruptcy court, such as the power to non-consensually alter liabilities, direct the priority of creditors' claims and liquidate certain assets. The Gaming Disputes Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and may not have jurisdiction over all creditors of ours or our subsidiaries or over all of the territory in which we and our subsidiaries carry on business.
Risks Related to Our Business
A person or entity's ability to enforce its rights against us is limited by our sovereign immunity and that of the Tribe, MBC, Mohegan Golf, Mohegan Ventures-NW, MVW, WTG and, to the extent applicable, the Pocono subsidiaries and MTGA Gaming.
Although we, the Tribe, MBC, Mohegan Ventures-NW, Mohegan Golf, MVW, WTG and to the extent applicable, the Pocono subsidiaries and MTGA Gaming, or collectively, the Tribal entities, each have sovereign immunity and generally may not be sued without our and their respective consents, a limited waiver of sovereign immunity and consent to suit has been granted in connection with substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness. Each such waiver includes suits against us to enforce our
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obligation to repay certain outstanding indebtedness. Generally, waivers of sovereign immunity have been held to be enforceable against Indian tribes. In the event that any waiver of sovereign immunity is held to be ineffective, a claimant could be precluded from judicially enforcing its rights and remedies. With limited exceptions, the Tribal entities have not waived sovereign immunity from private civil suits, including violations of the federal securities laws. For this reason, a claimant may not have any remedy against any of the Tribal entities for violations of federal securities laws.
If an entity that has sovereign immunity waives its immunity and consents to suit in federal and/or state court, disputes may be brought in a federal or state court that has jurisdiction over the matter. However, federal courts may not exercise jurisdiction over disputes not arising under federal law or between litigants that are not citizens of different states, and some courts have ruled that an Indian tribe is not a citizen of any state for purposes of obtaining federal diversity jurisdiction. The extent to which state courts will assume jurisdiction over disputes involving Indian tribes varies from state to state. In addition, the Tribe's Constitution has established a special court, the Gaming Disputes Court, to rule on disputes with respect to Mohegan Sun. The federal and state courts, under the doctrines of comity and exhaustion of tribal remedies, may (1) defer to the jurisdiction of the Gaming Disputes Court or (2) require that any plaintiff exhaust its remedies in the Gaming Disputes Court before bringing any action in federal or state court. Thus, there may be no available federal or state court forum for adjudication of a dispute with an entity that has sovereign immunity.
The limited waiver of sovereign immunity that has been granted in connection with our outstanding indebtedness additionally provides that in the event that none of the specified federal or state courts accept or exercise jurisdiction over a dispute, claims may be brought in arbitration proceedings with enforcement of arbitration awards in courts of competent jurisdiction. Such a dispute would not be decided by a judge, but by an arbitrator appointed in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. The scope of a party’s ability to conduct discovery with respect to such a dispute, and the time in which the party is permitted to do so, are more limited than in a judicial proceeding. If any party does not prevail in a dispute before an arbitrator, that party’s ability to appeal the arbitrator’s decision will be limited. Federal and state courts typically are required to enforce a proper arbitration award without a re-examination of the merits of the decision. Enforcement of arbitration awards in the Gaming Disputes Court may not be subject to the same limitations on such re-examination.
If an event of default occurs in connection with our indebtedness, no assurance can be given that a forum will be available to creditors other than arbitration with enforcement of arbitration awards in the Gaming Disputes Court. In such court, there are presently limited precedents for the interpretation of Tribal law with respect to insolvency. Any execution of a judgment of the Gaming Disputes Court or any other court on Tribal lands will require the cooperation of the Tribe's officials in the exercise of their police powers. Thus, to the extent that a judgment of the Gaming Disputes Court must be executed on Tribal lands, the practical realization of any benefit of such a judgment will be dependent upon the willingness and ability of Tribal officials to carry out such judgment. In addition, the land on which Mohegan Sun is located is owned by the United States in trust for the Tribe, and our creditors and the creditors of the Tribe may not foreclose upon or obtain title to the land. Additionally, although we do not presently hold any material fee interest in real property, if we did in the future, federal law may not allow for real property interest to be mortgaged or, if mortgaged, transferred as a result of foreclosure.
Any rights as a creditor are limited to our assets and those of our guarantor subsidiaries.
Any rights as a creditor in a bankruptcy, if applicable, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding would be limited to our assets and the assets of our guarantor subsidiaries, and would not encompass the assets of any other subsidiary that is not a guarantor, the Tribe or its other affiliates.
Our failure to generate sufficient cash flows and current and future economic and credit market conditions could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our debt service obligations or refinance our indebtedness.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness will depend upon our ability to generate cash flows from operations in the future and current and future economic and credit market conditions. Our ability to generate cash flows is subject to financial, economic, political, competitive, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We continue to monitor revenues and manage expenses and enhance operating efficiencies to ensure continued compliance with our financial covenant requirements under both our senior secured credit facilities and note indentures. While we anticipate that we will remain in compliance with all covenant requirements for all periods prior to maturity, we may need to increase revenues or offset any future declines in revenues by implementing cost saving and other initiatives to ensure compliance with these financial covenant requirements. If we are unable to satisfy our financial covenant requirements, we would need to obtain waivers or consents; however, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to obtain such waivers or consents. If we are unable to obtain such waivers or consents, we would be in default under our debt documents, which may result in cross-defaults under our other outstanding indebtedness and allow our lenders and creditors to exercise their rights and remedies as defined under their respective agreements, including their right to accelerate the repayment of our outstanding indebtedness. If such acceleration were to occur, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to obtain the financing necessary to repay such accelerated indebtedness. There
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is also a risk that the banks that participate in our senior secured credit facilities may not be able to perform when we request additional funds to be advanced to us under such facilities. If funds are not available to be drawn under the terms of our senior secured credit facilities, we may not be able to secure additional financing.
Restrictions contained in our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures to which we are a party may impose limits on our ability to pursue our business strategies.
Our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures to which we are a party contain customary operating and financial restrictions that limit our discretion on various business matters. These restrictions include, among other things, covenants limiting our ability to:
• | incur additional indebtedness; |
• | pay dividends or make other distributions; |
• | make certain investments; |
• | use assets as security in other transactions; |
• | sell certain assets or merge with or into another person; |
• | grant liens; |
• | make capital expenditures; and |
• | enter into transactions with affiliates. |
These restrictions may, among other things, reduce our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the gaming industry in general and thereby may negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our debt service obligations.
Our senior secured credit facilities require us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio and not to exceed certain ratios of secured leverage and total leverage, as defined under the senior secured credit facilities. If these ratios are not maintained or are exceeded, as applicable, it may not be possible for us to borrow additional funds to meet our financial obligations.
In addition, our indentures place certain limitations on our ability to incur indebtedness. Under these indentures, we are generally able to incur indebtedness that otherwise may be restricted, provided we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined. If we were to fall below the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, our ability to incur additional debt would be limited and subject to other applicable exceptions contained in the indentures, and the options available to us to refinance our existing indebtedness would be restricted. In such event, we may need to obtain waivers or consents from our lenders in order to obtain additional debt or refinance our existing debt on satisfactory terms; however, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such waivers or consents. In such event, it may not be possible for us to borrow additional funds to meet our obligations or refinance our maturities. At September 30, 2015, we were above the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.
Additionally, our failure to comply with covenants in our debt instruments could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of the required repayment of some or all of the then-outstanding amounts of such debt and an inability to make debt service payments, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Continued weakness or a further downturn in the United States economy could negatively impact our financial performance.
During periods of economic contraction, our revenues may decrease while some of our costs remain fixed, resulting in decreased earnings since gaming and other leisure activities that we offer are discretionary expenditures and participation in such activities may decline during economic downturns because consumers have less disposable income. Even an uncertain economic outlook may adversely affect consumer spending in our gaming operations and related facilities, because consumers spend less in anticipation of a potential economic downturn.
The most recent economic recession negatively impacted consumer confidence and the amount of consumer spending at Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono. Continued adverse economic conditions such as a prolonged regional, national or global economic downturn or slow growth, including periods of increased inflation, rising unemployment levels, tax rates, interest rates, energy and gasoline prices or declining consumer confidence could also further reduce consumer spending. Reduced consumer spending has and may continue to result in an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. Furthermore, uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy could also increase the cost and reduce the availability of sources of financing, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results. If adverse economic conditions continue or worsen, our business, assets, financial condition and results of operations could continue to be affected adversely.
Our diversification efforts may not be successful.
We receive and evaluate various opportunities to diversify our business interests. These opportunities primarily include the development and/or management of, investment in, or ownership of other gaming enterprises through direct investments, acquisitions, joint venture arrangements and loan transactions. We are currently pursuing and evaluating opportunities in various jurisdictions. These efforts may require various levels of regulatory or legislative approval, and may require the commitment of
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financial and capital resources, and a failure to achieve any such approval or to obtain or generate sufficient funds to meet such financial or capital requirements may result in the termination of the respective project. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pursue any of these opportunities or that any of them will be consummated.
The loss of a key management member could have a material adverse effect on us, Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Our success depends in large part on the continued service of key management personnel. The loss of services of key management personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Our key management personnel are currently retained pursuant to employment agreements.
The non-impairment provision of the Tribe's Constitution is subject to change.
Unlike states, the Tribe is not subject to the U.S. Constitution's provision restricting governmental impairment of contracts. The Tribe's Constitution currently has a provision that prohibits the Tribe from enacting any law that would impair the obligations of contracts entered into in furtherance of the development, construction, operation and promotion of gaming on Tribal lands. However, this provision could be amended by a vote of 75% of the Tribe's registered voters to rescind the restriction on impairment of the obligation of such contracts.
We and the Guarantors are controlled by a tribal government and may not necessarily be operated in the same way as if we and they were privately owned for-profit businesses.
We and the guarantors are subject to control by the Tribe. Our Management Board is comprised of the same nine members as the Mohegan Tribal Council, the governing body of the Tribe with legislative and executive authority. As a sovereign government, the Tribe is governed by officials elected by tribal members who have a responsibility for the general welfare of all members of the Tribe. In making decisions relative to us and the guarantors, these officials may consider the interests of their electorate, instead of pure economic or other business factors.
We may be subject to material environmental liability, including as a result of possible incomplete remediation of known environmental hazards and the existence of unknown environmental hazards.
Our properties and operations are subject to a wide range of federal, state, local and tribal environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use, management and disposal of, or exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes, and the clean-up of contamination. Noncompliance with such laws and regulations, and past or future activities resulting in environmental releases, could affect our operations or could cause us to incur substantial costs, including clean-up costs, fines and penalties, or investments to retrofit or upgrade our facilities and programs. In addition, should unknown contamination be discovered on our property, or should a release of hazardous material occur on our property, we could be required to investigate and clean up the contamination and could also be held responsible to a governmental entity or third-parties for personal injury, property damage or investigation and clean-up costs, which may be substantial. Moreover, such contamination may also impair the use or value of the affected property. Liability for contamination could be joint and several in nature, and in many instances can be imposed on the owner or operator of property regardless of whether it is responsible for creating the contamination or is otherwise at fault.
At both our Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono properties, investigations and remedial actions have been successfully undertaken to address significant site contamination resulting from historical operations. The site on which Mohegan Sun is located was formerly occupied by United Nuclear Corporation, a naval products manufacturer of, among other things, nuclear reactor fuel components. Prior to the decommissioning of the United Nuclear Corporation facilities on the site, extensive investigations were completed and contaminated soils were remediated to applicable standards. Prior to us taking possession of the property and development of Mohegan Sun, the site was determined to be safe for general public use.
Prior to acquiring our interest in Mohegan Sun Pocono, we conducted an extensive environmental investigation of the Pocono facilities. During the course of that investigation, we identified several environmental conditions that required corrective actions to bring the property into compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These remedial actions, including an ongoing monitoring program for the portion of the property that was formerly used as a solid waste landfill, were addressed as part of a comprehensive plan that was implemented by Downs Racing in July 2008.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we cannot assure you that:
• | any environmental reports or studies prepared with respect to these sites or any other properties owned or operated by us revealed all environmental liabilities; |
• | prior owners or tenants did not create any material environmental condition not presently known to us that may be discovered in the future; |
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• | future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose any material environmental liability with regard to existing conditions or operations; or |
• | a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist on any site. |
Any of the above could have a material adverse effect upon our future operating results and ability to meet our debt service obligations.
Our business could be affected by weather-related factors.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by weather-related factors, such as the effects of Hurricane Sandy in September 2012 and unfavorable winter weather conditions experienced during the Blizzards of 2013 and 2015. Severe weather conditions may discourage potential patrons from traveling, or may deter or prevent patrons from reaching our facilities. If this occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on our future operating results and ability to meet our debt service obligations.
Our table games business is subject to volatility which could adversely affect our financial condition.
Table gaming, especially high-end table gaming, is more volatile than other forms of gaming, and variances in table games hold percentage may have a positive or negative impact on our quarterly revenues and operating results. Negative variations in quarterly revenues and operating results could adversely affect our financial condition.
Energy and fuel price increases may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our properties use significant amounts of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy. Increases in the cost of any of our sources of energy may negatively affect our results of operations. In addition, energy and fuel price increases could negatively impact our business and results of operations by causing a decrease in visitation to our properties, including by making it difficult for potential patrons to travel to our properties or by causing patrons who do visit our properties to decrease their spending, including due to a reduction in disposable income as a result of escalating energy and fuel prices.
Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risk including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security.
We rely upon sophisticated information technology networks, systems and infrastructure, some of which are managed by third-parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. Additionally, we collect and store sensitive data, including proprietary business information. Despite security measures, our information technology networks and infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attack by hackers or breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Likewise, data privacy or security breaches by employees and others with permitted access to our systems, including in some cases third-party service providers to which we may outsource certain business functions, may pose a risk that sensitive data, including intellectual property or personal information, may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public. Security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure could interfere with our operations, compromise information belonging to us and our customers and suppliers, and expose us to liability which could adversely impact our business and/or result in the loss of critical or sensitive information, which could result in financial, legal, business or reputational harm.
An impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets could adversely affect our financial condition.
In accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board pertaining to goodwill and other intangible assets, we assess the goodwill associated with our acquisition of the Pennsylvania Facilities and certain other intangible assets at least annually for impairment by comparing the fair value of the goodwill or such intangible asset to its carrying value. In the event the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the goodwill or other intangible asset would be impaired and subject to a non-cash write-down in a future period, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition. We describe the process for testing goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment and the results of our testing for fiscal 2015 and 2014 more thoroughly in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings “Goodwill” and “Other Intangible Assets” and in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, under the headings “Goodwill” and “Other Intangible Assets.”
Risks Related to Mohegan Sun
We face intense competition in our primary market from Foxwoods.
The existing gaming industry in our primary market is highly competitive. We primarily compete with Foxwoods which is located approximately 10 miles from Mohegan Sun and is reportedly one of the largest gaming facilities in the United States in
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terms of total gaming positions. Foxwoods has been in operation for more than 23 years and recently added a new retail outlet mall to its amenities which could impact competition in our primary market.
In addition to Foxwoods, we also face competition from gaming facilities elsewhere in our market areas.
While Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are the only two current gaming operations in southern New England offering traditional slot machines and table games, we also face competition from gaming facilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. In addition, we face competition in and from the Northeastern Pennsylvania gaming market. Racinos in Yonkers, Queens, Batavia, Hamburg, Nichols, Vernon, Monticello, Saratoga Springs and Farmington, New York, reportedly operate approximately 18,000 VLTs, including electronic table games. While Twin River and Newport Grand in the State of Rhode Island reportedly offer approximately 5,400 VLTs and 80 table games. Given the geographic proximity of Empire City and Resorts World to New York City and Twin River and Newport Grand to Boston, these facilities may have a distinct advantage over Mohegan Sun in competing for patrons from the New York and Boston metropolitan regions. We also compete for patrons with casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Many of these casinos may have greater resources, operating experience and name recognition than Mohegan Sun. In addition, the State of New Jersey and the Atlantic City gaming market continue to implement legislative reforms adopted in 2011 and public-private initiatives to revitalize gaming in the state.
New entrants in our market areas or the expansion of on-line gaming could adversely affect our operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations.
With the addition of table gaming in Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania and Delaware, commercial casino gaming has expanded in the Northeastern United States and is poised to expand further. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the single slot-only facility is now open, while two commercial casino gaming licenses have been awarded and a third is under consideration. In the State of New York, three commercial casinos are under development, while a fourth is under consideration, along with the expansion of VLTs at off-track wagering facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Tribal gaming projects being pursued by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which has entered into a tribal-state gaming compact, and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, both located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation of New York also increase the possibility of new tribal gaming in the Northeastern United States in the future. In addition, other federally-recognized Indian tribes continue to pursue new gaming projects elsewhere in the Northeastern United States, while, groups seeking federal recognition as Indian tribes, as well as federally-recognized Indian tribes, continue efforts to establish or expand reservation lands with an interest in commercial casino gaming on such lands. Additionally, Indian tribal groups from the State of Connecticut whose petitions have been rejected in recent years by the BIA may be successful with appeals or reconsiderations of those petitions.
Furthermore, the states of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have passed legislation to license and tax Internet poker and other on-line gaming conducted on an intra-state basis or with other states by compact, while new federal on-line gaming legislation has been introduced in Congress. State lotteries in the states of New York and Illinois have also sought and received favorable opinions from the U.S. Department of Justice on their ability to conduct certain activities on-line under federal law. In addition, the State of New Jersey has passed legislation related to sports wagering and is involved in litigation challenging the federal law which restricts legalized sports wagering to certain states.
Based on our analysis of existing and potential gaming in our market areas, we believe that competition will continue to increase in the future. We are unable to predict whether any of the efforts discussed above by commercial casino gaming operators, federally-recognized Indian tribes or groups seeking federal recognition as Indian tribes will be successful. We are also unable to predict whether on-line gaming legislation will be adopted on a federal basis, an intra-state basis in one or more states, other than the states of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, or among more than one state under a multi-state compact. In addition, we are unable to predict the impact of the Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware Internet gaming legislation or any such additional legislation on our business. Additionally, we are unable to predict whether on-line gaming or sports wagering will be expanded under existing law on an intra-state or national basis. If new gaming operations are established or existing gaming operations are expanded, we are uncertain of the impact that such gaming operations will have on our operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations.
Because the gaming industry in the northeastern United States has experienced seasonal fluctuations in the past, we may also experience seasonal variations in our revenues and operating results that could adversely affect our cash flows.
The gaming industry in the northeastern United States is seasonal in nature, with peak gaming activities often occurring during the months of May through August. Similarly, peak gaming activities at Mohegan Sun often occur during the months of May through August. As a result of these seasonal fluctuations, we likely will continue to experience seasonal variations in our quarterly revenues and operating results that could result in decreased cash flows during periods in which gaming activity is not at peak levels. These variations in quarterly revenues and operating results could adversely affect our financial condition.
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Negative conditions affecting the lodging industry may have an adverse effect on our revenues and cash flows.
We depend on revenues generated from the hotel at Mohegan Sun, together with revenues generated from other portions of Mohegan Sun, to meet our financial obligations and fund our operations. Revenues generated from our hotel are primarily subject to conditions affecting our gaming operations, but are also subject to the lodging industry in general, and as a result, our financial performance and cash flows may be affected not only by the conditions in the gaming industry, but also by those in the lodging industry. Some of these conditions are as follows:
• | changes in the local, regional or national economic climate; |
• | changes in local conditions such as an oversupply of hotel properties; |
• | decreases in the level of demand for hotel rooms and related services; |
• | the attractiveness of our hotel to patrons and competition from comparable hotels; |
• | cyclical over-building in the hotel industry; |
• | changes in travel patterns; |
• | public health concerns affecting public accommodations or travel generally or regionally; |
• | changes in room rates and increases in operating costs due to inflation and other factors; and |
• | the periodic need to repair and renovate the hotel. |
The lingering effects of the most recent economic recession have had a negative impact on the lodging industry and on our financial results. The continuation of, or adverse changes in, these conditions could further adversely affect our hotel's financial performance and results of operations.
Our renovation projects may face significant inherent risks that could adversely affect our financial condition.
Construction costs and completion dates for renovation projects are based on budgets, design documents and schedule estimates prepared with the assistance of architects, contractors and consultants. Such projects are inherently subject to significant development and construction risks, which could cause unanticipated increase in costs. These include the following:
• | escalation of construction costs above anticipated amounts; |
• | shortage of material and skilled labor; |
• | weather interference; |
• | engineering problems; |
• | environmental problems; |
• | fire, flood and other natural disasters; |
• | labor disputes; and |
• | geological, construction, demolition, excavation and/or equipment problems. |
Furthermore, while construction activities may be planned to minimize disruption, construction noise and debris and the temporary closing of some of the facility, such activities may disrupt our current operations. Unexpected construction delays could exacerbate or magnify these disruptions. We cannot assure you that any construction, renovation or expansion projects will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may suspend or elect not to proceed with construction, renovation or expansion projects once they have been undertaken, resulting in charges that could adversely affect our financial condition.
We may suspend, elect not to proceed with or fail to complete our construction, renovation or expansion projects once they have been undertaken. In such cases, we may be required to carry assets on our balance sheet for suspended projects or incur significant costs relating to design and construction work performed and materials purchased that may no longer be useful. In addition, our agreements or arrangements with third-parties relating to the suspension or termination of projects could cause us to incur additional fees and costs. Our suspension of, election not to proceed with, or failure to complete any construction, renovation or expansion projects may result in adverse effects to our financial condition.
The risks associated with operating expanded facilities and managing growth could have a material adverse effect on Mohegan Sun's future performance.
We may expand our facilities from time to time. We can provide no assurance that we will be successful in integrating the new amenities from such expansions into Mohegan Sun's current operations or in managing the expanded resort. Failure to
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successfully integrate and manage new services and amenities could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations.
Risks Related to the Indian Gaming Industry
Gaming is a highly regulated industry, and changes in applicable laws or failure to maintain licenses and approvals could have a material adverse effect on the Tribe's and our ability to conduct gaming, and thus on our operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations.
Gaming on the Tribe's reservation is regulated extensively by federal, state and tribal regulatory agencies, including the NIGC and agencies of the State of Connecticut, such as the Department of Consumer Protection's Gaming Division and Division of Liquor Control and the State Police. As is the case with any casino, changes in applicable laws and regulations could limit or materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted, or services provided, by us and the revenues realized therefrom.
Currently, the operation of gaming on Indian tribal lands is subject to IGRA. Legislation has been introduced in Congress from time to time with the intent of modifying a variety of perceived deficiencies with IGRA or the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 under which land can be acquired for tribes for various purposes, including gaming. Certain proposals that have been considered would be prospective in effect and contain clauses that would grandfather existing Indian tribal gaming operations such as Mohegan Sun. However, legislation has also been proposed from time to time which would have the effect of repealing many of the key provisions of IGRA and prohibiting the continued operation of particular classes of gaming on Indian tribal reservations in states where such gaming is not otherwise allowed on a commercial basis. While none of the substantive proposed amendments to IGRA have been enacted, we cannot predict the effects of future legislative acts. In the event that Congress passes prohibitory legislation that does not include any grandfathering exemption for existing Indian tribal gaming operations, and if such legislation is sustained in the courts against tribal challenge, our ability to meet our financial obligations would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, under federal law, gaming on Indian tribal lands is dependent on the permissibility under state law of specific forms of gaming or similar activities, and gaming at Mohegan Sun is dependent on the perpetual tribal-state compact between the Mohegan Tribe and State of Connecticut. Adverse decisions or legal actions with respect to gaming or the Mohegan Compact may have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct our gaming operations.
A change in our current tax-exempt status, and that of our subsidiaries, could reduce our cash flows and have a material adverse effect on our operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations.
Based on current interpretation of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, we, the Tribe and certain of our subsidiaries are not subject to U.S. federal income taxes. However, we can provide no assurance that Congress or the Internal Revenue Service will not reverse or modify the exemption for Indian tribes from U.S. federal income taxation. A change in the tax law could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Risks Related to Mohegan Sun Pocono
The adoption of modifications to the Pennsylvania Gaming Act or other applicable laws in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could negatively impact our operations and expected profitability.
Changes in applicable laws or regulations, tax rates or the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could limit or materially affect the types of gaming we may conduct and the services we may provide at Mohegan Sun Pocono or the profitability of such operations. Our ability to continue to operate Mohegan Sun Pocono could also be adversely affected by such legal or regulatory changes.
If Mohegan Sun Pocono is not able to compete successfully with existing and potential competitors, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows for our operations or to fulfill our financial obligations.
Mohegan Sun Pocono faces competition from several gaming facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as neighboring states. Our closest competitors are Mount Airy Resort Casino and Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, both of which are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 40 miles and 70 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono, respectively. The development of other gaming facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may also impact the competitive environment for Mohegan Sun Pocono.
In addition to existing slot machine and table game operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono faces competition from the VLT facility at the Monticello Raceway in Monticello, New York, approximately 90 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono, as well as future competition from the proposed Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson, New York, which will be owned and operated by the same operator of the VLT facility at the Monticello Raceway and located approximately 175 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono. Additionally, Mohegan Sun Pocono faces competition from Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols,
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New York, approximately 100 miles from Mohegan Sun Pocono. Expanded gaming in the states of Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia may affect overall gaming in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the OTW facilities and other gaming facilities with which Mohegan Sun Pocono compete for patrons.
We are unable to predict the impact of existing and potential competition in our market area and its impact on our operations and ability to meet our financial obligations.
Our operation of Mohegan Sun Pocono subjects us to regulation and enforcement by various state agencies.
As owner and operator of Mohegan Sun Pocono, we are subject to extensive state regulation by the PGCB, the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission, or the PSHRC, and other state regulatory agencies, such as the Liquor Control Board. Applicable rules and regulations may require that we obtain and periodically renew a variety of licenses, registrations, permits and approvals to conduct our operations. Regulatory agencies may, for any reason set forth in the applicable legislation, rules and regulations, limit, condition, suspend, deny or revoke our license to conduct our operations as intended. The sale of alcoholic beverages at our properties is subject to licensing, control and regulation by state and local agencies in Pennsylvania, including the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The liquor agencies have broad powers to limit, condition, suspend or revoke any liquor license. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to continually renew all registrations, permits, approvals or licenses necessary to conduct our operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as intended. Any of these events, including any disciplinary action with respect to our liquor license, or any changes in applicable laws or regulations or the enforcement thereof, could, and any failure to renew or revocation of our liquor license would, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in or the issuance of additional regulations by the PGCB may adversely affect our operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Under the Pennsylvania Gaming Act, the PGCB has extensive authority to regulate gaming activities. Casino gaming is still a relatively new industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and many of the rules and regulations governing casino gaming are still evolving. New or changing regulations could adversely affect our gaming operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Changes in or the issuance of additional regulations by the PSHRC may adversely affect our operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Industry Reform Act, the PSHRC has extensive authority to regulate harness racing activities. While harness racing is a well-established industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, new or changing regulations could adversely affect our harness racing operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Our inability or failure to conduct harness racing operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono in accordance with applicable regulations could adversely affect our ability to conduct gaming operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 2. Properties.
Mohegan Sun is located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation in Southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. The land upon which Mohegan Sun is located is held in trust for the Tribe by the United States. Mohegan Sun has its own exit from Connecticut Route 2A, providing patrons with direct access to Interstates 395 and 95, the main highways connecting New York City, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Mohegan Sun is approximately 125 miles from New York City, 100 miles from Boston and 50 miles from Providence.
The land upon which Mohegan Sun is located is leased from the Tribe. The term of the lease is 25 years with an option, exercisable by us, to extend the term for one additional 25-year period provided that we are not in default under the lease. Upon termination of the lease, we will be required to surrender to the Tribe possession of the property and improvements, excluding any equipment, furniture, fixtures or other personal property. The lease requires us to pay the Tribe a nominal annual rental fee and assume all costs and expenses of owning, operating, constructing, maintaining, repairing, replacing and insuring the property.
We have also entered into various lease agreements with the Tribe for properties that are utilized for parking and access to Mohegan Sun.
The Mohegan Sun Golf Club is located in Sprague and Franklin, Connecticut, approximately 15 miles from Mohegan Sun.
Mohegan Sun Pocono is located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. We also own OTW facilities located in Carbondale and Lehigh Valley (Allentown), Pennsylvania, and lease an OTW facility located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are a defendant in various litigation matters resulting from our normal course of business. We believe that the aggregate liability, if any, arising from such litigations will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
We have not issued or sold any equity securities.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
As of or for the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Results: | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross revenues | $ | 1,388,966 | $ | 1,391,662 | $ | 1,435,885 | $ | 1,498,510 | $ | 1,527,188 | |||||||||
Promotional allowances | (97,346 | ) | (98,944 | ) | (95,857 | ) | (99,197 | ) | (108,809 | ) | |||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 1,291,620 | $ | 1,292,718 | $ | 1,340,028 | $ | 1,399,313 | $ | 1,418,379 | |||||||||
Income from operations (1) | $ | 233,175 | $ | 181,408 | $ | 229,506 | $ | 225,424 | $ | 238,404 | |||||||||
Other expenses, net (2) | (141,036 | ) | (205,966 | ) | (181,964 | ) | (164,183 | ) | (126,561 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | 92,139 | (24,558 | ) | 47,542 | 61,241 | 111,843 | |||||||||||||
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests | 2,255 | 380 | 2,784 | 2,019 | 2,134 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority | $ | 94,394 | $ | (24,178 | ) | $ | 50,326 | $ | 63,260 | $ | 113,977 | ||||||||
Other Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | $ | 143,876 | $ | 147,933 | $ | 170,150 | $ | 146,057 | $ | 117,710 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures incurred | $ | 30,024 | $ | 32,628 | $ | 66,053 | $ | 43,642 | $ | 46,477 | |||||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities | $ | 169,418 | $ | 73,016 | $ | 102,951 | $ | 176,997 | $ | 194,278 | |||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,020,133 | $ | 2,035,531 | $ | 2,109,963 | $ | 2,211,063 | $ | 2,195,634 | |||||||||
Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portions | $ | 1,612,671 | $ | 1,681,300 | $ | 1,628,544 | $ | 1,630,860 | $ | 816,636 |
(1) | Operating costs and expenses, included in income from operations, include non-cash relinquishment liability reassessment credits of $243,000, $1.9 million, $249,000, $11.4 million and $8.8 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. A discussion of the relinquishment liability may be found in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating costs and expenses also include impairment charges of $2.5 million and $5.0 million in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. A discussion of these impairment charges may be found in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements, beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(2) | Other expenses, net, include accretion of discount to the relinquishment liability of $227,000, $2.2 million, $5.0 million, $8.2 million and $11.4 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. A discussion of the accretion of discount to the relinquishment liability may be found in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other expenses, net, also include losses on early extinguishment of debt of $4.0 million, $62.0 million, $11.5 million and $14.3 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, other expenses, net, include interest expense, net of capitalized interest. |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1. Business and Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Explanation of Key Financial Statement Captions
Gross Revenues
Our gross revenues are derived primarily from the following four sources:
• | gaming revenues, which include revenues from slot machines, table games, poker, live harness racing and racebook operations, including pari-mutuel wagering revenues from our racebook operations at Mohegan Sun and off-track wagering facilities in Pennsylvania; |
• | food and beverage revenues; |
• | hotel revenues; and |
• | retail, entertainment and other revenues, which primarily include revenues from our arena, gasoline and convenience centers, retail shops and basketball, golf and lacrosse operations. |
The largest component of revenues is gaming revenues, which are recognized as amounts wagered less prizes paid out, and comprised primarily of revenues from slot machines and table games. Revenues from slot machines are the largest component of gaming revenues. Gross slot revenues, also referred to as gross slot win, represent all amounts wagered by patrons on slot machines reduced by: (1) free promotional slot plays redeemed, (2) winnings paid out and (3) slot tickets issued. Pursuant to the
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Mohegan Compact and requirements of our Category One slot machine license, we report gross slot revenues and other statistical information related to slot machine operations to the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On a monthly basis, we also post such information on our website at www.mtga.com.
Other commonly used slot machine related terms include base jackpots, progressive slot machines, progressive jackpots, net slot revenues, slot handle, gross slot hold percentage, net slot hold percentage, rated players and slot win efficiency. Base jackpots represent the fixed minimum amount of payouts for a specific combination. We record base jackpots as reductions to revenues when we become obligated to pay such jackpots. Progressive slot machines retain a portion of each amount wagered and aggregate the retained amounts with similar amounts from other slot machines in order to create one-time payouts that are substantially larger than those paid in the ordinary course of play. We refer to such aggregated amounts as progressive jackpots. Wide-area progressive jackpot amounts are paid by third-party vendors and remitted as a weekly payment to each vendor based on a percentage of slot handle for each wide-area progressive slot machine. We accrue in-house progressive jackpot amounts until paid, and such accrued amounts are deducted from gross slot revenues, along with wide-area progressive jackpot amounts to arrive at net slot revenues, also referred to as net slot win. Net slot revenues are included in gaming revenues in our consolidated statements of income (loss). Slot handle is the total amount wagered by patrons on slot machines, including free promotional slot plays. Gross slot hold percentage is gross slot revenues as a percentage of slot handle. Net slot hold percentage is net slot revenues as a percentage of slot handle. Rated players are patrons whose gaming activities are tracked under our Momentum program. Slot win efficiency is a measure of our percentage of gross slot revenues in a market area compared to the percentage of the slot machines we operate in that market area.
Commonly used table games related terms include table game revenues, table game drop and table game hold percentage. Table game revenues represent the closing table game inventory plus table game drop and credit slips for cash, chips or tokens returned to the casino cage, less opening table game inventory, discounts provided on patron losses, free bet coupons and chip fills to the tables. Table game drop is the total amount of cash, free bet coupons, cash advance drafts, customer deposit withdrawals, safekeeping withdrawals and credits issued at tables. Table game hold percentage is table game revenues as a percentage of table game drop.
Revenues from food and beverage, hotel, retail, entertainment and other services are recognized at the time such service is performed. Minimum rental revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Percentage rental revenues are recognized in the periods in which the tenants exceed their respective percentage rent thresholds.
Promotional Allowances
We operate a program, without membership fees, for patrons at Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Pocono and our managed property, Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, or Resorts Atlantic City. This program provides complimentary food and beverage, hotel, retail, entertainment and other amenities to patrons based on Momentum Dollars that are awarded for patrons’ gaming activities. Momentum Dollars may be utilized to purchase, among other things, items at restaurants and retail stores located within Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Pocono and Resorts Atlantic City. Momentum Dollars may also be utilized at The Shops at Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Sun gasoline and convenience center, as well as to purchase hotel services and tickets to entertainment events held at facilities located at Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Pocono and Resorts Atlantic City. The retail value of complimentary items redeemed at facilities operated by us is included in gross revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances to arrive at net revenues. The cost associated with reimbursing third-parties for the value of complimentary items redeemed at third-party outlets is included in gaming costs and expenses.
In addition, we offer ongoing promotional coupons to patrons for the purchase of food and beverage, hotel and retail amenities offered at Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono. The retail value of coupons redeemed at facilities operated by us is included in gross revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances to arrive at net revenues. The cost associated with reimbursing third-parties for the value of coupons redeemed at third-party outlets is included in gaming costs and expenses.
Gaming Costs and Expenses
Gaming costs and expenses primarily include portions of gaming revenues that must be paid to the State of Connecticut and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, or the PGCB. Gaming costs and expenses also include, among other things, payroll costs, expenses associated with the operation of slot machines, table games, poker, live harness racing and racebook, certain marketing expenditures and promotional expenses related to Momentum Dollar and coupon redemptions.
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Income from Operations
Income from operations represents net revenues less total operating costs and expenses. Income from operations excludes accretion of discount to the relinquishment liability, interest income and expense, loss on early extinguishment of debt, other non-operating income and expense and loss attributable to non-controlling interests.
Reassessment and Accretion of Discount to the Relinquishment Liability
In February 1998, we entered into a relinquishment agreement with Trading Cove Associates, or TCA. The relinquishment agreement provided, among other things, that we made certain payments to TCA out of, and determined as a percentage of, revenues, as defined under the relinquishment agreement, generated by Mohegan Sun over a 15-year period. We recorded a relinquishment liability based on the estimated present value of our obligations under the relinquishment agreement. The relinquishment agreement expired on December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, no amount was outstanding under the relinquishment agreement.
Results of Operations
Summary Operating Results
As of September 30, 2015, we own and operate, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, Mohegan Sun, the Connecticut Sun franchise and the Mohegan Sun Golf Club, and have partnered with an unrelated third-party to own and operate the New England Black Wolves franchise, or collectively, the Connecticut facilities, and the Pennsylvania facilities. Substantially all of our revenues are derived from these operations. The Connecticut Sun franchise, the Mohegan Sun Golf Club and the New England Black Wolves franchise are aggregated with the Mohegan Sun operating segment because these operations all share similar economic characteristics, which is to generate gaming and entertainment revenues by attracting patrons to Mohegan Sun. Our executive officers review and assess the performance and operating results and determine the proper allocation of resources to the Connecticut facilities and the Pennsylvania facilities on a separate basis. Accordingly, we have two separate reportable segments: (1) Mohegan Sun, which includes the operations of the Connecticut facilities and (2) Mohegan Sun Pocono, which includes the operations of the Pennsylvania facilities. Our operations related to investments in unconsolidated affiliates and certain other Corporate and management operations have not been identified as separate reportable segments; therefore, these operations are included in Corporate and other in the following segment disclosures to reconcile to consolidated results.
The following table summarizes our results on a property basis (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohegan Sun | $ | 994,010 | $ | 995,100 | $ | 1,042,078 | $ | (1,090 | ) | $ | (46,978 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (4.5 | )% | |||||||||
Mohegan Sun Pocono | 295,135 | 296,578 | 296,648 | (1,443 | ) | (70 | ) | (0.5 | )% | — | % | ||||||||||||||
Corporate and other | 7,567 | 5,391 | 1,302 | 2,176 | 4,089 | 40.4 | % | 314.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Inter-segment revenues | (5,092 | ) | (4,351 | ) | — | (741 | ) | (4,351 | ) | (17.0 | )% | (100.0 | )% | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,291,620 | $ | 1,292,718 | $ | 1,340,028 | $ | (1,098 | ) | $ | (47,310 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (3.5 | )% | |||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohegan Sun | $ | 212,211 | $ | 181,325 | $ | 212,680 | $ | 30,886 | $ | (31,355 | ) | 17.0 | % | (14.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Mohegan Sun Pocono | 45,817 | 36,956 | 43,763 | 8,861 | (6,807 | ) | 24.0 | % | (15.6 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other | (24,853 | ) | (36,873 | ) | (26,937 | ) | 12,020 | (9,936 | ) | 32.6 | % | (36.9 | )% | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 233,175 | $ | 181,408 | $ | 229,506 | $ | 51,767 | $ | (48,098 | ) | 28.5 | % | (21.0 | )% | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority | $ | 94,394 | $ | (24,178 | ) | $ | 50,326 | $ | 118,572 | $ | (74,504 | ) | N.M. | N.M. | |||||||||||
Operating margin: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohegan Sun | 21.3 | % | 18.2 | % | 20.4 | % | 3.1 | % | (2.2 | )% | 17.0 | % | (10.8 | )% | |||||||||||
Mohegan Sun Pocono | 15.5 | % | 12.5 | % | 14.8 | % | 3.0 | % | (2.3 | )% | 24.0 | % | (15.5 | )% | |||||||||||
Total | 18.1 | % | 14.0 | % | 17.1 | % | 4.1 | % | (3.1 | )% | 29.3 | % | (18.1 | )% |
__________
N.M. - Not Meaningful.
The most significant factors and trends that we believe impacted our operating performance were as follows:
• | various strategic operational and marketing and promotional changes designed to lower operating costs and expenses, enhance operating efficiency and improve profitability; |
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• | relatively flat net revenues at both Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono; |
• | the continued ramp-up of hotel and convention center operations at Mohegan Sun Pocono; |
• | the lingering effects of the most recent economic recession and its impact on consumer discretionary spending; and |
• | competitive gaming markets. |
Other factors that affected our financial performance were as follows:
• | expiration of relinquishment payments in fiscal 2015; |
• | lower Corporate expenses in fiscal 2015; |
• | lower interest expense in fiscal 2015 and 2014; |
• | higher Corporate expenses in fiscal 2014; and |
• | losses on early extinguishment of debt of $4.0 million, $62.0 million and $11.5 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
Net revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year were relatively flat.
Net revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to lower gaming revenues at Mohegan Sun.
Income from operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily as a result of lower operating costs and expenses at both Mohegan Sun and Mohegan Sun Pocono, combined with reduced Corporate expenses.
Income from operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to the reduction in net revenues, combined with higher Corporate expenses.
Net income attributable to the Authority for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily as a result of the growth in income from operations and reduced non-operating loss on early extinguishment of debt. The increase in net income attributable to the Authority also reflected lower interest expense.
Net income attributable to the Authority for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to the non-operating loss on early extinguishment of debt, combined with the reduction in income from operations.
Mohegan Sun
Revenues
Revenues consisted of the following (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gaming | $ | 861,919 | $ | 858,780 | $ | 911,180 | $ | 3,139 | $ | (52,400 | ) | 0.4 | % | (5.8 | )% | ||||||||||
Food and beverage | 61,538 | 62,940 | 60,026 | (1,402 | ) | 2,914 | (2.2 | )% | 4.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
Hotel | 44,836 | 42,921 | 40,873 | 1,915 | 2,048 | 4.5 | % | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 102,901 | 108,776 | 108,508 | (5,875 | ) | 268 | (5.4 | )% | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Gross revenues | 1,071,194 | 1,073,417 | 1,120,587 | (2,223 | ) | (47,170 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (4.2 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Less-Promotional allowances | 77,184 | 78,317 | 78,509 | (1,133 | ) | (192 | ) | (1.4 | )% | (0.2 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 994,010 | $ | 995,100 | $ | 1,042,078 | $ | (1,090 | ) | $ | (46,978 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (4.5 | )% |
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The following table summarizes the percentage of gross revenues from each of the four revenue sources:
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Gaming | 80.5 | % | 80.0 | % | 81.3 | % | ||
Food and beverage | 5.7 | % | 5.9 | % | 5.4 | % | ||
Hotel | 4.2 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.6 | % | ||
Retail, entertainment and other | 9.6 | % | 10.1 | % | 9.7 | % | ||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Promotional Allowances
The retail value of promotional allowances was included in gross revenues as follows (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Food and beverage | $ | 26,039 | $ | 26,330 | $ | 22,747 | $ | (291 | ) | $ | 3,583 | (1.1 | )% | 15.8 | % | ||||||||||
Hotel | 13,429 | 13,301 | 13,798 | 128 | (497 | ) | 1.0 | % | (3.6 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 37,716 | 38,686 | 41,964 | (970 | ) | (3,278 | ) | (2.5 | )% | (7.8 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 77,184 | $ | 78,317 | $ | 78,509 | $ | (1,133 | ) | $ | (192 | ) | (1.4 | )% | (0.2 | )% |
The estimated cost of promotional allowances was included in gaming costs and expenses as follows (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Food and beverage | $ | 24,263 | $ | 26,143 | $ | 22,893 | $ | (1,880 | ) | $ | 3,250 | (7.2 | )% | 14.2 | % | ||||||||||
Hotel | 5,931 | 6,789 | 7,215 | (858 | ) | (426 | ) | (12.6 | )% | (5.9 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 33,191 | 34,601 | 38,346 | (1,410 | ) | (3,745 | ) | (4.1 | )% | (9.8 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 63,385 | $ | 67,533 | $ | 68,454 | $ | (4,148 | ) | $ | (921 | ) | (6.1 | )% | (1.3 | )% |
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The following table presents data related to gaming operations (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Slots: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Handle | $ | 7,049,990 | $ | 7,158,030 | $ | 7,527,822 | $ | (108,040 | ) | $ | (369,792 | ) | (1.5 | )% | (4.9 | )% | |||||||||
Gross revenues | $ | 582,521 | $ | 582,103 | $ | 618,680 | $ | 418 | $ | (36,577 | ) | 0.1 | % | (5.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 560,643 | $ | 561,601 | $ | 595,302 | $ | (958 | ) | $ | (33,701 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (5.7 | )% | |||||||||
Free promotional slot plays (1) | $ | 57,222 | $ | 65,185 | $ | 66,261 | $ | (7,963 | ) | $ | (1,076 | ) | (12.2 | )% | (1.6 | )% | |||||||||
Weighted average number of machines (in units) | 5,268 | 5,470 | 5,553 | (202 | ) | (83 | ) | (3.7 | )% | (1.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Hold percentage (gross) | 8.3 | % | 8.1 | % | 8.2 | % | 0.2 | % | (0.1 | )% | 2.5 | % | (1.2 | )% | |||||||||||
Win per unit per day (gross) (in dollars) | $ | 303 | $ | 292 | $ | 305 | $ | 11 | $ | (13 | ) | 3.8 | % | (4.3 | )% | ||||||||||
Table games: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drop | $ | 1,763,419 | $ | 1,844,191 | $ | 1,859,821 | $ | (80,772 | ) | $ | (15,630 | ) | (4.4 | )% | (0.8 | )% | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 287,426 | $ | 283,413 | $ | 300,099 | $ | 4,013 | $ | (16,686 | ) | 1.4 | % | (5.6 | )% | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of games (in units) | 283 | 288 | 285 | (5 | ) | 3 | (1.7 | )% | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Hold percentage (2) | 16.3 | % | 15.4 | % | 16.1 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.7 | )% | 5.8 | % | (4.3 | )% | |||||||||||
Win per unit per day (in dollars) | $ | 2,781 | $ | 2,692 | $ | 2,886 | $ | 89 | $ | (194 | ) | 3.3 | % | (6.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Poker: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 9,772 | $ | 9,838 | $ | 9,867 | $ | (66 | ) | $ | (29 | ) | (0.7 | )% | (0.3 | )% | |||||||||
Weighted average number of tables (in units) | 42 | 42 | 42 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue per unit per day (in dollars) | $ | 637 | $ | 643 | $ | 644 | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | (0.9 | )% | (0.2 | )% |
(1)Free promotional slot plays are included in slot handle, but not reflected in slot revenues.
(2)Table game hold percentage is relatively predictable over longer periods of time, but can significantly fluctuate over shorter periods.
Gaming revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year were relatively flat. Gaming revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 benefited from increased table game revenues due to higher year-over-year hold percentage, partially offset by lower slot revenues.
Gaming revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily as a result of lower slot revenues which we believe was primarily due to the lingering effects of the most recent economic recession and a competitive gaming market. The decline in gaming revenues also reflected lower table game revenues primarily driven by lower year-over-year hold percentage.
The following table presents data related to food and beverage operations (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Meals served | 2,881 | 2,951 | 2,798 | (70 | ) | 153 | (2.4 | )% | 5.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Average price per meal served (in dollars) | $ | 15.92 | $ | 16.03 | $ | 16.15 | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | (0.7 | )% | (0.7 | )% |
Food and beverage revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily as a result of the decrease in meals served. The decrease in meals served primarily reflected the replacement of a Mohegan Sun-owned food and beverage outlet with a third-party operator.
Food and beverage revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily due to the increase in meals served. The increase in meals served resulted from changes in our promotional programs.
38
The following table presents data related to hotel operations (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rooms occupied | 420 | 418 | 415 | 2 | 3 | 0.5 | % | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Occupancy rate | 98.0 | % | 97.4 | % | 96.8 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||
Average daily room rate (in dollars) | $ | 100 | $ | 97 | $ | 94 | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | 3.1 | % | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||
Revenue per available room (in dollars) | $ | 98 | $ | 95 | $ | 91 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | 3.2 | % | 4.4 | % |
Hotel revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily as a result of an increase in hotel occupancy by higher paying transient guests.
Hotel revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily due to an increase in hotel occupancy by higher paying transient and group guests.
The following table presents data related to entertainment operations (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Arena events (in events) | 120 | 109 | 108 | 11 | 1 | 10.1 | % | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Arena tickets | 691 | 684 | 675 | 7 | 9 | 1.0 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Average price per arena ticket (in dollars) | $ | 50.60 | $ | 54.88 | $ | 53.58 | $ | (4.28 | ) | $ | 1.30 | (7.8 | )% | 2.4 | % |
Retail, entertainment and other revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year decreased primarily as a result of lower gasoline revenues driven by a decline in average price per gallon of gasoline sold at both our patron and employee gasoline and convenience centers. The decrease in retail, entertainment and other revenues also reflected lower entertainment revenues primarily due to a reduction in the number of headliner shows held at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Retail, entertainment and other revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year were relatively flat.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gaming | $ | 457,948 | $ | 488,293 | $ | 507,069 | $ | (30,345 | ) | $ | (18,776 | ) | (6.2 | )% | (3.7 | )% | |||||||||
Food and beverage | 33,358 | 32,737 | 33,668 | 621 | (931 | ) | 1.9 | % | (2.8 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Hotel | 14,062 | 15,287 | 14,339 | (1,225 | ) | 948 | (8.0 | )% | 6.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 43,993 | 48,406 | 42,713 | (4,413 | ) | 5,693 | (9.1 | )% | 13.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
Advertising, general and administrative | 161,393 | 159,300 | 163,440 | 2,093 | (4,140 | ) | 1.3 | % | (2.5 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 64,520 | 66,686 | 68,342 | (2,166 | ) | (1,656 | ) | (3.2 | )% | (2.4 | )% | ||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets | 1,022 | (10 | ) | 222 | 1,032 | (232 | ) | N.M. | N.M. | ||||||||||||||||
Severance | 3,244 | — | (146 | ) | 3,244 | 146 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of Project Horizon | 2,502 | 4,981 | — | (2,479 | ) | 4,981 | 49.8 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Relinquishment liability reassessment | (243 | ) | (1,905 | ) | (249 | ) | 1,662 | (1,656 | ) | 87.2 | % | N.M. | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 781,799 | $ | 813,775 | $ | 829,398 | $ | (31,976 | ) | $ | (15,623 | ) | (3.9 | )% | (1.9 | )% |
__________
N.M. - Not Meaningful.
Gaming costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily as a result of continued strategic operational and marketing and promotional changes designed to enhance operating efficiency and improve profitability. These initiatives resulted in lower payroll costs and reduced casino marketing and promotional expenses. The reduction in gaming costs and expenses also resulted from lower costs related to coupon and Momentum Dollar redemptions at both Mohegan Sun-owned and third-party outlets. Expenses associated with the combined slot win and free
39
promotional slot play contributions totaled $145.6 million and $146.5 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Gaming costs and expenses as a percentage of gaming revenues were 53.1% and 56.9% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Gaming costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to lower combined slot win and free promotional slot play contribution expenses commensurate with the decline in slot revenues. The reduction in gaming costs and expenses also reflected reduced payroll costs and lower costs related to Momentum Dollar redemptions at third-party outlets. These results were partially offset by higher costs related to coupon redemptions at third-party outlets. Expenses associated with the combined slot win and free promotional slot play contributions totaled $146.5 million and $155.8 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Gaming costs and expenses as a percentage of gaming revenues were 56.9% and 55.6% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Food and beverage costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily as a result of lower amounts of food and beverage complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses. These results were partially offset by lower payroll costs.
Food and beverage costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to higher amounts of food and beverage complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses. The reduction in food and beverage costs and expenses also resulted from lower payroll costs.
Hotel costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily as a result of lower payroll costs, partially offset by lower amounts of hotel complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses.
Hotel costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily due to higher payroll costs, combined with lower amounts of hotel complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses.
Retail, entertainment and other costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year decreased primarily as a result of lower gasoline cost of goods sold commensurate with the decline in gasoline revenues. The decline in retail, entertainment and other costs and expenses also reflected lower entertainment costs. These results were partially offset by lower amounts of retail, entertainment and other complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses.
Retail, entertainment and other costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily due to higher entertainment costs, combined with lower amounts of retail, entertainment and other complimentaries related costs being allocated to gaming costs and expenses. These results were partially offset by lower payroll costs and gasoline and retail cost of goods sold.
Advertising, general and administrative costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year increased primarily as a result of higher payroll costs. These results were partially offset by lower utility costs, combined with our overall focus on managing expenses, including expenditures associated with services provided by third-party providers.
Advertising, general and administrative costs and expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared to the prior fiscal year declined primarily due to reductions in payroll and insurance costs, as well as expenses associated with services provided by the State of Connecticut. These results were partially offset by higher utility costs.
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 compared to the prior fiscal years decreased due to assets becoming fully depreciated.
Severance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 reflected charges related to a February 2015 workforce reduction to better align certain staffing levels with current business volumes. The costs associated with related post-employment severance benefits were expensed at the time the termination was communicated to the employees. Cash payments commenced in March 2015 and were completed in November 2015.
Impairment of Project Horizon for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 resulted from a re-evaluation of our plans with respect to the development of the planned third-party developed and owned retail center following an agreement with an instrumentality of the Tribe to develop the planned hotel. Based on our re-evaluation, we determined that the retail element, including master planning costs, was no longer feasible. Accordingly, the related assets did not have any future benefit to us, and, we recognized the related $2.5 million impairment charge.
40
Impairment of Project Horizon for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 resulted from a further re-evaluation of our plans with respect to the development of the new hotel element of the project, including the final location of the planned hotel. Based on our re-evaluation and new design plans, which then included a hotel to be developed and owned by an instrumentality of the Tribe, as well as a third-party developed and owned retail center, we determined that certain design and earthwork related assets did not have any future benefit to us, and, accordingly, we recognized the related $5.0 million impairment charge.
Relinquishment liability reassessments for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 had the effect of reducing operating costs and expenses. The relinquishment liability reassessment credits resulted from reductions in Mohegan Sun revenues and revenue projections as of the end of each respective fiscal year compared to projections as of the end of the related prior fiscal year. The relinquishment agreement expired on December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, no amount was outstanding under the relinquishment agreement.
Mohegan Sun Pocono
Revenues
Revenues consisted of the following (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gaming | $ | 271,801 | $ | 274,783 | $ | 279,022 | $ | (2,982 | ) | $ | (4,239 | ) | (1.1 | )% | (1.5 | )% | |||||||||
Food and beverage | 28,182 | 28,715 | 26,225 | (533 | ) | 2,490 | (1.9 | )% | 9.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Hotel (1) | 5,660 | 4,389 | — | 1,271 | 4,389 | 29.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 9,581 | 9,219 | 8,661 | 362 | 558 | 3.9 | % | 6.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Gross revenues | 315,224 | 317,106 | 313,908 | (1,882 | ) | 3,198 | (0.6 | )% | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Less-Promotional allowances | 20,089 | 20,528 | 17,260 | (439 | ) | 3,268 | (2.1 | )% | 18.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 295,135 | $ | 296,578 | $ | 296,648 | $ | (1,443 | ) | $ | (70 | ) | (0.5 | )% | — | % |
___________
(1)Hotel operations commenced on November 15, 2013.
The following table summarizes the percentage of gross revenues from each of the four revenue sources:
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Gaming | 86.2 | % | 86.6 | % | 88.9 | % | ||
Food and beverage | 9.0 | % | 9.1 | % | 8.3 | % | ||
Hotel | 1.8 | % | 1.4 | % | — | |||
Retail, entertainment and other | 3.0 | % | 2.9 | % | 2.8 | % | ||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Promotional Allowances
The retail value of promotional allowances was included in gross revenues as follows (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Food and beverage | $ | 16,094 | $ | 16,864 | $ | 15,576 | $ | (770 | ) | $ | 1,288 | (4.6 | )% | 8.3 | % | ||||||||||
Hotel | 1,711 | 1,419 | — | 292 | 1,419 | 20.6 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 2,284 | 2,245 | 1,684 | 39 | 561 | 1.7 | % | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 20,089 | $ | 20,528 | $ | 17,260 | $ | (439 | ) | $ | 3,268 | (2.1 | )% | 18.9 | % |
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The estimated cost of promotional allowances was included in gaming costs and expenses as follows (in thousands):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variance | Percentage Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | 15 vs. 14 | 14 vs. 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Food and beverage | $ | 10,859 | $ | 11,793 | $ | 11,232 | $ | (934 | ) | $ | 561 | (7.9 | )% | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||
Hotel | 2,467 | 2,190 | — | 277 | 2,190 | 12.6 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Retail, entertainment and other | 2,368 | 2,171 | 1,808 | 197 | 363 | 9.1 | % | 20.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 15,694 | $ | 16,154 | $ | 13,040 | $ | (460 | ) | $ | 3,114 | (2.8 | )% | 23.9 | % |
The following table presents data related to gaming operations (in thousands, except where noted):
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||