Bally
Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI), a leader in slots, video machines,
networked systems, and server-based solutions for the global gaming
industry, is providing an update on its business.
The Company is hosting a conference call and webcast beginning at 5 p.m.
EDT (2 p.m. PDT) today related to this announcement. The public is
invited to both the call and webcast. The conference call dial-in
numbers are 866-700-6293 or 617-213-8835 (International); passcode
"Bally.” The webcast can be accessed by visiting BallyTech.com
and selecting "Investor Relations.” Interested parties should initiate
the call and webcast process at least five minutes prior to the
beginning of the presentation.
SALE OF THE RAINBOW CASINO
The Company has signed a definitive agreement for the sale of its Rainbow
Casino in Vicksburg, Miss. to Isle
of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE). The sale price is expected to
be approximately $80 million, and will allow the Company to concentrate
on its core business. Rainbow will be classified as an asset held for
sale, and its results will be classified as discontinued operations in
the Company’s March 31, 2010 financial statements. The transaction is
expected to close by approximately June 30, 2010.
EARNINGS GUIDANCE
The Company estimates the range of its EPS for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2010 (excluding the impact of the sale of Rainbow) will be
$2.15 to $2.25 per fully diluted share, with the fourth quarter being
stronger than the third quarter. This compares to its previous guidance
of $2.30 to $2.55 per fully diluted share.
The Company has provided this range of earnings guidance for fiscal 2010
to give investors general information on the overall direction of its
business at this time. The guidance provided is subject to numerous
uncertainties, including, among others, overall economic conditions, the
market for gaming devices and systems, competitive product
introductions, complex revenue-recognition rules related to the
Company’s business, and assumptions about the Company’s new product
introductions and regulatory approvals. The Company assumes no
responsibility to update this guidance as the year progresses.
The Company has revised guidance principally based on its expectations
of the following: 1) slower than expected deployment of capital by
customers thus far in calendar 2010; 2) the interruption of gaming in
Alabama (discussed below); and 3) lower-than-anticipated win per unit in
Gaming Operations in the third quarter. Despite lower revenues than
previously anticipated, gross-margin percents are expected to be within
the normal ranges. The Company now anticipates the range of systems
revenues to be $217-$223 million for fiscal year 2010 versus the
previous $220-$230 million.
"While we are disappointed with the pace of customer capital deployment
so far in calendar year 2010, we remain confident in our longer-term
prospects,” said Richard Haddrill, Chief Executive Officer of Bally
Technologies. "We have just begun delivering our new wheel-based
recurring revenue product including Cash Spin, which won "Best Slot
Product” at last year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E). Pre-orders for Cash
Spin have been the strongest of any product in the Company’s history.
And, this summer, we will be releasing our new ALPHA 2 platform and Pro
Series™ Upright gaming cabinet, which have received very positive
feedback. As evidenced by the enterprise systems agreement with Isle of
Capri, we are continuing to take market share in the very competitive
systems business due to our state-of-the-art suite of systems and
server-based products, including iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM), which is
rapidly gaining interest in the industry.”
ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS AGREEMENT WITH ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS
The Company also announced an enterprise-wide contract with Isle of
Capri to replace a competitor’s system with a full suite of Bally
systems and server-based gaming solutions in 10 of its properties. Isle
of Capri’s remaining properties already use Bally systems. Isle of Capri
is expected to roll out this technology over the next several years.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
The Company is currently working with its bank group to amend its
existing credit agreement. The amendment would, among other things,
increase the Company’s allowable leverage ratio and remove the current
limitations on restricted payments, including share repurchases, as long
as the Company remains below certain leverage ratios. At the Company’s
current leverage ratio, there would be no restrictions under the
proposed amendment. The amendment is expected to be completed by
mid-April. Combined with approximately $80 million of cash on the
Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2010, net cash expected from the
Rainbow sale, availability under the Company’s $75 million revolving
credit facility, and the free cash flow generated from operations, the
Company expects that this amendment will allow it to accelerate
purchases under its current share repurchase program and have increased
liquidity for other corporate purposes.
SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a new $150 million share
repurchase plan which replaced the previous plan.
ALABAMA GAMING MARKET
The Company continues to monitor the Alabama charitable bingo market
closely. In the coming weeks, gaming in the state may resume and, based
on possible voter action in November, gaming in Alabama could be
expanded or reduced at that time. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had
approximately $5 million in development financing advanced; 1,750
recurring-revenue games in four locations with a net book value of
approximately $7 million; and $1 million in uncollected receivables.
Depending on the evolving circumstances in Alabama, all or a portion of
these assets may be considered impaired possibly as early as the
finalization of the Company’s March 31, 2010 financial statements.
SYSTEMS USER CONFERENCE
On March 24-25, the Company hosted its seventh annual Systems User
Conference with a record number of attendees, plus 16 corporate
interoperability partners. The highlight of the conference was the high
level of customer interest in Bally’s iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM) player
interface on the game screen, which can work seamlessly on virtually any
manufacturer’s machines across an entire casino floor. The Company
displayed exciting new content for iVIEW DM, including casino-wide Cash
Spin and its powerful new bonusing server.
THIRD-QUARTER FISCAL 2010 RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Bally will present its third quarter fiscal 2010 results after the
market closes on Thursday, April 29 and will also host a conference call
and webcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. PDT). The public is
invited to both the call and webcast.
The conference-call dial-in numbers are 866-277-1182 or 617-597-5359
(International); passcode "Bally.” The webcast can be accessed by
visiting BallyTech.com
and selecting "Investor Relations.” Interested parties should initiate
the call and webcast process at least five minutes prior to the
beginning of the presentation. For those who miss this event, an
archived version will be available at BallyTech.com
until May 31, 2010.
About Bally Technologies, Inc.
With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies
designs, manufactures, operates and distributes advanced gaming devices,
systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally’s product line
includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area
progressives, and Class II, lottery and central determination games and
platforms. As the world’s No. 1 gaming systems company, Bally also
offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing,
cashless and table management solutions. The Company also owns and
operates Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, Miss. For more information, please
contact Laura Olson-Reyes, Director of Corporate Communications, at
702-584-7742, or visit http://www.ballytech.com.
This news release may contain "forward-looking” statements within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is subject to the
safe harbor created thereby. Such information involves important risks
and uncertainties that could significantly affect the results in the
future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in
any forward-looking statements.
Future operating results may be
adversely affected as a result of a number of risks that are detailed
from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the
information in this press release and represents that the information is
only valid as of today’s date.
– BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. –
