Ameristar Casinos Reports 2Q 2013 Results LAS VEGAS,

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News Desk 2018
Ameristar Casinos Reports 2Q 2013 Results

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwired - Jul 25, 2013) - Ameristar Casinos, Inc. ( NASDAQ : ASCA )

  • 2Q Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.7 million (1.9%) YOY to $91.9 million
  • 2Q Net Revenues decreased $5.0 million (1.7%) YOY to $291.3 million
  • Record 2Q Adjusted EBITDA margin of 31.5% 
  • Record 2Q Adjusted EPS of $0.60
  • Pending merger with Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. expected to close in August 2013

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. ( NASDAQ : ASCA ) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2013.

The second quarter of 2013 proved to be one of our strongest financial performances ever as we produced several records at both the consolidated and property levels during the quarter. Despite a $5.0 million year-over-year decrease in consolidated net revenues, the continued focus on efficiency in operations contributed to $1.7 million in year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth and second quarter records for Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted EPS. 

At the property level, Black Hawk established second quarter records in all three of its key financial metrics (net revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin), and Council Bluffs set new benchmarks for second quarter Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Additionally, Vicksburg's Adjusted EBITDA margin of 47.3% was the highest margin ever achieved by any of our properties during a second quarter.

For the second quarter of 2013, consolidated net revenues decreased 1.7% year over year to $291.3 million. Consolidated second quarter promotional allowances decreased $2.2 million (3.3%) from the 2012 second quarter. Although the majority of our properties decreased year over year in net revenues, Jackpot increased net revenues $0.6 million (3.9%) year over year mostly as a result of the prior-year second quarter being adversely impacted by construction disruption from a Highway 93 repaving project and a hotel renovation. Our Kansas City and East Chicago properties each decreased $1.8 million from the prior-year second quarter as they continue to be adversely impacted by competitive challenges in their respective markets. We believe maintenance on the I-70 bridge near our St. Charles property negatively impacted second quarter results. However, in May 2013, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced the bridge rehabilitation project will be completed in late summer 2013, nearly three months ahead of the original November 2013 completion date. 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.9% over the corresponding period in 2012 to $91.9 million. Four of our properties improved Adjusted EBITDA on a year-over-year basis, with Council Bluffs up $1.3 million (7.7%) due mostly to marketing efficiencies and Jackpot up $0.7 million (18.1%) for the reasons noted above. East Chicago increased Adjusted EBITDA by $0.2 million (2.3%) over the prior-year second quarter. East Chicago benefited from the passage of a new law that makes favorable adjustments in the gaming tax structure for marketing-related expenses to allow existing casinos to improve their market competitiveness. As a result of the legislation, East Chicago saved $0.8 million in gaming taxes during the 2013 second quarter.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 30.4% in the second quarter of 2012 to 31.5% in the current-year second quarter. All of our properties improved their respective Adjusted EBITDA margins year over year, with Jackpot and Council Bluffs increasing 3.9 percentage points and 2.8 percentage points, respectively. The consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin for the 2013 second quarter was favorably affected by 0.3 percentage point from the reduced gaming taxes in East Chicago. Excluding the tax reduction, our consolidated second quarter Adjusted EBITDA margin would have still been a record for the quarter. We generated operating income of $61.1 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $59.0 million in the same period of 2012. Current-year operating income was adversely impacted by $1.3 million of expenses associated with the pending merger and $0.4 million of pre-opening costs associated with our Lake Charles development project.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, we reported net income of $20.0 million, compared to net income of $17.6 million for the same period in 2012. The year-over-year improvement in net income was mostly attributable to enhanced operating efficiencies at all our properties, which more than offset the decrease in net revenues, the merger-related costs and Lake Charles pre-opening costs in the current period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.57 for the second quarter of 2013, compared to $0.51 in the prior-year second quarter. Adjusted EPS of $0.60 for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 represents an increase of $0.09 over Adjusted EPS of $0.51 for the 2012 second quarter.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles

Construction of Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles began on July 20, 2012 and the property is expected to open in the third quarter of 2014. The cost of the project (including the purchase price) is expected to be between $570 million and $580 million, excluding capitalized interest and pre-opening expenses. Through June 30, 2013, total invested capital in the Lake Charles project was $213.9 million, including purchase price, capital expenditures and escrow deposits.

Pending Merger with Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. As previously announced, on Dec. 20, 2012, Ameristar Casinos, Inc. entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. pursuant to which Pinnacle will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Ameristar for $26.50 per share in cash. Ameristar's stockholders approved the acquisition on April 25, 2013.

On May 28, 2013, the FTC filed an administrative complaint alleging that the proposed acquisition would reduce competition and lead to higher prices and lower quality for customers in the St. Louis, Missouri and Lake Charles, Louisiana areas in violation of U.S. antitrust law. On June 17, 2013, Pinnacle publicly announced that it had reached an agreement in principle with the Bureau of Competition Staff of the FTC that, subject to negotiation of a consent order, FTC approval and gaming regulatory approvals, would permit the consummation of the proposed acquisition. Under the agreement in principle, after the closing of the Ameristar transaction, Pinnacle intends to sell Ameristar's casino hotel development project in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Pinnacle's Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière and the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, subject to gaming regulatory approvals. The consummation of the merger is expected to occur in August 2013, subject to various conditions, including, among others, reaching definitive agreement with the FTC on the consent order. No assurance can be given that the proposed acquisition will be completed.

Additional Financial Information

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  At June 30, 2013, total cash was $91.6 million, representing an increase of $2.2 million from total cash as of Dec. 31, 2012.

Debt. At June 30, 2013, the face amount of our outstanding debt was $1.92 billion. Net borrowings in the second quarter of 2013 totaled $1.0 million. As of June 30, 2013, we had $478.6 million available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility. At June 30, 2013, our Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the senior credit facility) was required to be no more than 6.00:1. As of that date, our Total Net Leverage Ratio was 5.21:1.

Capital Expenditures.  For the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, capital expenditures totaled $88.7 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Second quarter 2013 capital expenditures included $69.6 million associated with the Lake Charles construction project.

Dividends.  During the second quarter of 2013, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.125 per share, which we paid on June 14, 2013.

Discontinued Financial Outlook.  As a result of Ameristar's pending merger with Pinnacle, which is expected to close in August 2013, Ameristar will not provide guidance as to its expected financial performance for the third quarter of 2013 or for any period going forward during the pendency of the merger.

Forward-Looking Information This release contains certain forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the context of the statement or the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "expects," "plans," "is confident that," "should," "could," "would," "will" or words of similar meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies, financial results or position, operational expectations or goals are forward-looking statements. It is possible that our expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future results, attention is directed to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

On a monthly basis, gaming regulatory authorities in certain states in which we operate publish gross gaming revenue and/or certain other financial information for the gaming facilities that operate within their respective jurisdictions. Because various factors in addition to our gross gaming revenue (including operating costs, promotional allowances and corporate and other expenses) influence our operating income, Adjusted EBITDA and diluted earnings per share, such reported information, as it relates to Ameristar, may not accurately reflect the results of our operations for such periods or for future periods.

About Ameristar Ameristar Casinos is an innovative casino gaming company featuring the newest and most popular slot machines. Our 7,400 dedicated team members pride themselves on delivering consistently friendly and appreciative service to our guests. We continuously strive to increase the loyalty of our guests through the quality of our slot machines, table games, hotel, dining and other leisure offerings. Our eight casino hotel properties primarily serve guests from Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska and Nevada. We have been a public company since 1993, and our stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. We generate more than $1 billion in net revenues annually.

Visit Ameristar Casinos' website at www.ameristar.com (which shall not be deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this news release).

Please refer to the tables at the end of this release for the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS reported throughout this release. Additionally, more information on these non-GAAP financial measures can be found under the caption "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release.

   
AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)  
(Unaudited)  
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
REVENUES:                                
  Casino   $ 297,723     $ 303,356     $ 601,701     $ 623,063  
  Food and beverage     31,865       33,250       66,400       67,940  
  Rooms     19,202       19,485       37,976       38,758  
  Other     7,178       7,060       13,985       13,967  
      355,968       363,151       720,062       743,728  
  Less: promotional allowances     (64,680 )     (66,897 )     (133,695 )     (135,341 )
    Net revenues     291,288       296,254       586,367       608,387  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                                
  Casino     127,306       132,254       259,532       269,356  
  Food and beverage     13,617       13,050       27,319       27,181  
  Rooms     1,952       1,853       3,695       3,898  
  Other     2,451       2,531       4,697       4,883  
  Selling, general and administrative     59,587       59,994       121,539       121,040  
  Depreciation and amortization     25,283       26,999       50,430       53,520  
  Impairment of fixed assets     -       -       23       -  
  Net (gain) loss on disposition of assets     (21 )     550       (30 )     228  
    Total operating expenses     230,175       237,231       467,205       480,106  
                                 
      Income from operations     61,113       59,023       119,162       128,281  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                                
  Interest income     3       12       5       33  
  Interest expense, net of capitalized interest     (28,143 )     (28,821 )     (56,776 )     (55,706 )
  Other     -       (112 )     -       834  
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION     32,973       30,102       62,391       73,442  
    Income tax provision     12,998       12,480       24,438       14,454  
      NET INCOME   $ 19,975     $ 17,622     $ 37,953     $ 58,988  
                                 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:                                
  Basic   $ 0.60     $ 0.53     $ 1.15     $ 1.79  
  Diluted   $ 0.57     $ 0.51     $ 1.08     $ 1.73  
                                 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE   $ 0.125     $ 0.125     $ 0.250     $ 0.250  
                                 
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:                                
  Basic     33,046       33,020       33,012       32,939  
  Diluted     35,125       34,255       35,004       34,138  
                                   
                                   
   
AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA  
(Dollars in Thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
                         
    June 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Balance sheet data                                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 91,560     $ 89,392  
  Total assets   $ 2,157,420     $ 2,074,274  
  Total debt, including net discount of $975 and $926   $ 1,916,165     $ 1,917,979  
  Stockholders' equity (deficit)   $ 17,523     $ (22,259 )
                                 
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
Consolidated cash flow information                                
  Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 44,847     $ 43,846     $ 120,467     $ 115,817  
  Net cash used in investing activities   $ (75,445 )   $ (19,891 )   $ (110,812 )   $ (53,111 )
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   $ (2,616 )   $ 18,843     $ (7,487 )   $ (12,898 )
                                 
Net revenues                                
  Ameristar St. Charles   $ 64,763     $ 66,135     $ 130,453     $ 134,344  
  Ameristar Kansas City     50,245       52,048       102,162       108,396  
  Ameristar Council Bluffs     41,463       41,132       83,487       84,839  
  Ameristar Black Hawk     40,483       39,839       78,814       79,161  
  Ameristar Vicksburg     28,973       30,545       59,244       62,822  
  Ameristar East Chicago     50,605       52,357       104,466       109,876  
  Jackpot Properties     14,756       14,198       27,741       28,949  
    Consolidated net revenues   $ 291,288     $ 296,254     $ 586,367     $ 608,387  
                                 
Operating income (loss)                                
  Ameristar St. Charles   $ 16,144     $ 16,953     $ 32,237     $ 36,016  
  Ameristar Kansas City     14,625       14,988       29,779       32,907  
  Ameristar Council Bluffs     15,888       14,749       31,778       31,629  
  Ameristar Black Hawk     10,871       10,435       19,891       20,560  
  Ameristar Vicksburg     10,086       10,300       20,756       22,208  
  Ameristar East Chicago     7,234       5,089       15,099       13,577  
  Jackpot Properties     3,415       2,700       5,689       6,023  
  Corporate and other     (17,150 )     (16,191 )     (36,067 )     (34,639 )
    Consolidated operating income   $ 61,113     $ 59,023     $ 119,162     $ 128,281  
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA                                
  Ameristar St. Charles   $ 23,470     $ 23,891     $ 46,769     $ 49,612  
  Ameristar Kansas City     18,273       18,826       37,073       40,289  
  Ameristar Council Bluffs     17,975       16,696       35,918       35,736  
  Ameristar Black Hawk     15,347       14,988       28,832       29,524  
  Ameristar Vicksburg     13,718       14,000       28,039       29,622  
  Ameristar East Chicago     10,451       10,217       21,570       23,209  
  Jackpot Properties     4,774       4,042       8,400       8,751  
  Corporate and other     (12,145 )     (12,503 )     (25,090 )     (24,610 )
    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA   $ 91,863     $ 90,157     $ 181,511     $ 192,133  
                                     
                                     
   
AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA - CONTINUED  
(Dollars in Thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
                         
Operating income margins (1)                        
  Ameristar St. Charles   24.9 %   25.6 %   24.7 %   26.8 %
  Ameristar Kansas City   29.1 %   28.8 %   29.1 %   30.4 %
  Ameristar Council Bluffs   38.3 %   35.9 %   38.1 %   37.3 %
  Ameristar Black Hawk   26.9 %   26.2 %   25.2 %   26.0 %
  Ameristar Vicksburg   34.8 %   33.7 %   35.0 %   35.4 %
  Ameristar East Chicago   14.3 %   9.7 %   14.5 %   12.4 %
  Jackpot Properties   23.1 %   19.0 %   20.5 %   20.8 %
    Consolidated operating income margin   21.0 %   19.9 %   20.3 %   21.1 %
                         
Adjusted EBITDA margins (2)                        
  Ameristar St. Charles   36.2 %   36.1 %   35.9 %   36.9 %
  Ameristar Kansas City   36.4 %   36.2 %   36.3 %   37.2 %
  Ameristar Council Bluffs   43.4 %   40.6 %   43.0 %   42.1 %
  Ameristar Black Hawk   37.9 %   37.6 %   36.6 %   37.3 %
  Ameristar Vicksburg   47.3 %   45.8 %   47.3 %   47.2 %
  Ameristar East Chicago   20.7 %   19.5 %   20.6 %   21.1 %
  Jackpot Properties   32.4 %   28.5 %   30.3 %   30.2 %
    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin   31.5 %   30.4 %   31.0 %   31.6 %
                             

(1) Operating income margin is operating income as a percentage of net revenues.

(2) Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenues.

 
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA  
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)    
 

The following tables set forth reconciliations of operating income (loss), a GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure.   

                                       
        Three Months Ended June 30, 2013  
                                       
      Operating Income (Loss)     Depreciation and Amortization   Gain on Disposition of Assets     Stock-Based Compensation   Merger-Related Costs   Non-Capitalizable Lake Charles Development Costs     Adjusted EBITDA  
Ameristar St. Charles     $ 16,144     $ 7,181   $ (19 )   $ 164   $ -   $ -     $ 23,470  
Ameristar Kansas City       14,625       3,545     -       103     -     -       18,273  
Ameristar Council Bluffs       15,888       1,937     -       150     -     -       17,975  
Ameristar Black Hawk       10,871       4,371     -       105     -     -       15,347  
Ameristar Vicksburg       10,086       3,500     -       132     -     -       13,718  
Ameristar East Chicago       7,234       3,104     -       113     -     -       10,451  
Jackpot Properties       3,415       1,236     (2 )     125     -     -       4,774  
Corporate and other       (17,150 )     409     -       2,888     1,274     434       (12,145 )
  Consolidated     $ 61,113     $ 25,283   $ (21 )   $ 3,780   $ 1,274   $ 434     $ 91,863  
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
        Three Months Ended June 30, 2012  
                                       
      Operating Income (Loss)     Depreciation and Amortization   Loss (Gain) on Disposition of Assets     Stock-Based Compensation   Deferred Compensation Plan Expense (1)   Net River Flooding Reimbursements     Adjusted EBITDA  
Ameristar St. Charles     $ 16,953     $ 6,789   $ -     $ 149   $ -   $ -     $ 23,891  
Ameristar Kansas City       14,988       3,748     1       89     -     -       18,826  
Ameristar Council Bluffs       14,749       2,022     -       114     -     (189 )     16,696  
Ameristar Black Hawk       10,435       4,453     -       100     -     -       14,988  
Ameristar Vicksburg       10,300       3,575     (1 )     126     -     -       14,000  
Ameristar East Chicago       5,089       4,411     609       108     -     -       10,217  
Jackpot Properties       2,700       1,289     (59 )     112     -     -       4,042  
Corporate and other       (16,191 )     712     -       2,852     124     -       (12,503 )
  Consolidated     $ 59,023     $ 26,999   $ 550     $ 3,650   $ 124   $ (189 )   $ 90,157  
                                                       

(1) Deferred compensation plan expense represents the change in the Company's non-cash liability based on plan participant investment results. This expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income.                                                                        

 
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
 

The following tables set forth reconciliations of operating income (loss), a GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure.   

                                     
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2013  
                                     
    Operating Income (Loss)     Depreciation and Amortization   Impairment Loss and (Gain) Loss on Disposition of Assets     Stock-Based Compensation   Merger-Related Costs   Non-Capitalizable Lake Charles Development Costs     Adjusted EBITDA  
Ameristar St. Charles   $ 32,237     $ 14,223   $ (19 )   $ 328   $ -   $ -     $ 46,769  
Ameristar Kansas City     29,779       7,066     22       206     -     -       37,073  
Ameristar Council Bluffs     31,778       3,835     5       300     -     -       35,918  
Ameristar Black Hawk     19,891       8,719     12       210     -     -       28,832  
Ameristar Vicksburg     20,756       7,044     (25 )     264     -     -       28,039  
Ameristar East Chicago     15,099       6,246     -       225     -     -       21,570  
Jackpot Properties     5,689       2,464     (2 )     249     -     -       8,400  
Corporate and other     (36,067 )     833     -       5,749     3,449     946       (25,090 )
  Consolidated   $ 119,162     $ 50,430   $ (7 )   $ 7,531   $ 3,449   $ 946     $ 181,511  
                                                   
                                                   
                                                   
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2012  
                                     
    Operating Income (Loss)     Depreciation and Amortization   Loss (Gain) on Disposition of Assets     Stock-Based Compensation   Deferred Compensation Plan Expense (1)   Net River Flooding Reimbursements     Adjusted EBITDA  
Ameristar St. Charles   $ 36,016     $ 13,448   $ (150 )   $ 298   $ -   $ -     $ 49,612  
Ameristar Kansas City     32,907       7,298     (94 )     178     -     -       40,289  
Ameristar Council Bluffs     31,629       4,013     -       227     -     (133 )     35,736  
Ameristar Black Hawk     20,560       8,831     (76 )     209     -     -       29,524  
Ameristar Vicksburg     22,208       7,159     (1 )     256     -     -       29,622  
Ameristar East Chicago     13,577       8,806     608       218     -     -       23,209  
Jackpot Properties     6,023       2,562     (59 )     225     -     -       8,751  
Corporate and other     (34,639 )     1,403     -       7,399     1,227     -       (24,610 )
  Consolidated   $ 128,281     $ 53,520   $ 228     $ 9,010   $ 1,227   $ (133 )   $ 192,133  
                                                     

(1) Deferred compensation plan expense represents the change in the Company's non-cash liability based on plan participant investment results. This expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income.               

 
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA  
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)  
 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of consolidated net income, a GAAP financial measure, to consolidated    Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure.                                    

                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
Net income   $ 19,975     $ 17,622     $ 37,953     $ 58,988  
  Income tax provision     12,998       12,480       24,438       14,454  
  Interest expense, net of capitalized interest     28,143       28,821       56,776       55,706  
  Interest income     (3 )     (12 )     (5 )     (33 )
  Other     -       112       -       (834 )
  Net (gain) loss on disposition of assets     (21 )     550       (30 )     228  
  Impairment of fixed assets     -       -       23       -  
  Depreciation and amortization     25,283       26,999       50,430       53,520  
  Stock-based compensation     3,780       3,650       7,531       9,010  
  Merger-related costs     1,274       -       3,449       -  
  Non-capitalizable Lake Charles development costs     434       -       946       -  
  Deferred compensation plan expense     -       124       -       1,227  
  Net river flooding reimbursements     -       (189 )     -       (133 )
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 91,863     $ 90,157     $ 181,511     $ 192,133  
                                 
                                 
 
RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EPS TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS  
(Shares in Thousands) (Unaudited)  
 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share (EPS), a GAAP financial measure, to adjusted diluted earnings per share (Adjusted EPS), a non-GAAP financial measure.                     

                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
Diluted earnings per share (EPS)   $ 0.57     $ 0.51     $ 1.08     $ 1.73  
  Merger-related costs     0.02       -       0.06       -  
  Non-capitalizable Lake Charles development costs     0.01       -       0.02       -  
  Cumulative effect from income tax elections     -       -       -       (0.46 )
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Adjusted EPS)   $ 0.60     $ 0.51     $ 1.16     $ 1.27  
                                 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding used in calculating Adjusted EPS     35,125       34,255       35,004       34,138  
                                 
                                 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G, "Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures," prescribes the conditions for use of non-GAAP financial information in public disclosures. We believe our presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are important supplemental measures of operating performance to investors. The following discussion defines these terms and explains why we believe they are useful measures of our performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is a commonly used measure of performance in the gaming industry that we believe, when considered with measures calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, gives investors a more complete understanding of operating results before the impact of investing and financing transactions, income taxes and certain non-cash and non-recurring items and facilitates comparisons between us and our competitors.

Adjusted EBITDA is a significant factor in management's internal evaluation of total Company and individual property performance and in the evaluation of incentive compensation for employees. Therefore, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it allows greater transparency related to a significant measure used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and because it permits investors similarly to perform more meaningful analyses of past, present and future operating results and evaluations of the results of core ongoing operations. Furthermore, we believe investors would, in the absence of the Company's disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA, attempt to use equivalent or similar measures in assessment of our operating performance and the valuation of our Company. We have reported Adjusted EBITDA to our investors in the past and believe its inclusion at this time will provide consistency in our financial reporting.

Adjusted EBITDA, as used in this press release, is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-operating income and expenses, stock-based compensation, deferred compensation plan expense, merger-related costs, non-capitalizable development costs and net river flooding reimbursements. In future periods, the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may be different than in this release. The foregoing tables reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to operating income and net income, based upon GAAP.

Adjusted EPS, as used in this press release, is diluted earnings per share, excluding the cumulative effect from tax elections, merger-related costs and non-capitalizable development costs. Management adjusts EPS, when deemed appropriate, for the evaluation of operating performance because we believe that the exclusion of certain items is necessary to provide the most accurate measure of our core operating results and as a means to compare period-to-period results. We have chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform more meaningful analysis of past, present and future operating results and as a means to evaluate the results of our core ongoing operations. Adjusted EPS is a significant factor in the internal evaluation of total Company performance. Management believes this measure is used by investors in their assessment of our operating performance and the valuation of our Company. In future periods, the adjustments we make to EPS in order to calculate Adjusted EPS may be different than or in addition to those made in this release. The foregoing table reconciles EPS to Adjusted EPS.

Limitations on the Use of Non-GAAP Measures The use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS has certain limitations. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS may be different from the presentations used by other companies and therefore comparability among companies may be limited. Depreciation expense for various long-term assets, interest expense, income taxes and other items have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA does not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation, interest and income tax expense, capital expenditures and other items both in our reconciliations to the GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS should be used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure prescribed by GAAP, nor should these measures be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS reflect additional ways of viewing our operations that we believe, when viewed with our GAAP results and the reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. Management strongly encourages investors to review our financial information in its entirety and not to rely on a single financial measure.

CONTACT: Tom Steinbauer Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Ameristar Casinos, Inc. 702-567-7000

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