Monarch Casino & Resort Reports 2013 First Quarter Results

MONARCH CASINO REPORTS 2013 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

RENO, NV – April 25, 2013 - Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI) ("Monarch" or the “Company”), owner of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (the "Atlantis") in Reno, Nevada, and the Riviera Black Hawk Casino (“Black Hawk”) in Black Hawk, Colorado, today announced results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2013.

RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

This is the fourth quarterly earnings announcement to include results from the Company’s Black Hawk Casino which was acquired on April 26, 2012 (the “Acquisition Date”).

Net Revenue:

                      Three months ended December 31,   Increase/(Decrease)
                    --------------------------------- ----------------------
                          2013             2012               $           %
                    ---------------- ---------------- ----------------  ----
Atlantis            $     36,048,764 $     34,868,056 $      1,180,708   3.4%
Black Hawk                11,595,263                -       11,595,263   n/a
                    ---------------- ---------------- ----------------  ----
 Total net revenue  $     47,644,027 $     34,868,056 $     12,775,971  36.6%
                    ================ ================ ================  ====

Atlantis net revenue for the first quarter of 2013 increased primarily due to higher hotel and food and beverage revenue. Black Hawk net revenue of $11.6 million represents 16.0% growth over the $10.0 million the property generated during the same quarter of the prior year before it was acquired by Monarch.

Adjusted EBITDA(1):

                    Three months ended March 31,       Increase/(Decrease)
                 ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                       2013              2012                $           %
                 ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----
Atlantis         $      9,327,000  $      7,818,152  $      1,508,848  19.3%
Black Hawk              4,016,696                 -         4,016,696   n/a
                 ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----
                       13,343,696         7,818,152         5,525,544  70.7%
Corporate and
 other expense         (1,279,487)       (1,247,714)          (31,773)  2.5%
                 ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----
  Total Adjusted
   EBITDA        $     12,064,209  $      6,570,438  $      5,493,771  83.6%
                 ================  ================  ================  ====

The Company generated record first quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $12.1 million. Atlantis Adjusted EBITDA growth of 19.3%, or $1.5 million, for the 2013 first quarter was due primarily to higher net revenue combined with lower casino operating expense and lower selling, general and administrative (“SG&A Expense”) expenses than the prior year first quarter. For the quarter, Atlantis achieved a flow-through percentage (calculated as the increase in Adjusted EBITDA divided by the increase in net revenue) of 127.8%.

Black Hawk Adjusted EBITDA for the 2013 first quarter of $4.0 million represents 53.8% growth over the $2.6 million Adjusted EBITDA reported for Black Hawk during the same quarter in 2012 before it was acquired by Monarch.

Consolidated corporate and other expense increased $174 thousand due primarily to higher payroll and benefits expense.

Consolidated Operating Expense:
Casino operating expense as a percentage of casino revenue (“Casino Expense Margin”) improved to 37.5% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 39.9% for the first quarter of the prior year due primarily to lower Atlantis complimentaries expense and the inclusion of Black Hawk which has a lower Casino Expense Margin than Atlantis.

Food and beverage operating expense as a percentage of food and beverage revenue for the 2013 first quarter improved to 42.3% as compared to 44.6% for the 2012 first quarter primarily due to operational efficiencies combined with menu pricing strategies in anticipation of higher commodity costs. Hotel operating expense as a percentage of hotel revenue for the 2013 first quarter improved to 26.4% from 29.6% for the comparable prior year quarter due primarily to higher hotel revenue.

SG&A Expense for the 2013 first quarter increased $2.3 million due primarily to $2.5 million from the Black Hawk operation for which the first quarter of the prior year reflects no expense. The primary drivers of the remaining $200 thousand decrease are lower Atlantis bad debt and utilities expense.

Credit Facility:
During the 2013 first quarter, the Company made net principal payments of $9.3 million reducing the outstanding credit facility to $71.8 million at March 31, 2013. Capital expenditures of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 were funded out of operating cash flow and primarily represent architectural and engineering fees related to the Black Hawk master development plan and costs associated with the redesign and upgrade of the Black Hawk facility.

Interest expense for the 2013 first quarter increased to $566 thousand from $329 thousand for the first quarter of 2012 due to higher amounts of debt outstanding under the credit facility in the 2013 first quarter compared to the 2012 first quarter. The higher outstanding debt was the result of borrowing to fund the Black Hawk acquisition.

John Farahi, Monarch CEO Comment:
Monarch’s CEO and Co-Chairman John Farahi commented: “We were very pleased with our first quarter results from both properties. Atlantis Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.5 million or 19.3% by not only increasing net revenue, but by simultaneously reducing operating expense. I’m very proud of the result produced by our Atlantis team.”

Referring to the Company’s Black Hawk operation, Mr. Farahi added: “Our Black Hawk team continues to deliver impressive results. Our Black Hawk net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 16.0% and 53.8%, respectively, over the prior year’s first quarter results under prior ownership.”

Mr. Farahi continued: “We are in the process of completely redesigning and upgrading the existing Black Hawk facility, and we recently received zoning approval for our expansion plans, subject to certain conditions, from the Black Hawk City Council. The approved master plan, once completed, would nearly double the existing casino space and convert the facility into a full-scale, high end, resort through the addition of a 335 foot hotel tower with 507 guest rooms and suites, a resort quality spa and pool facility, four restaurants, additional bars, associated support facilities and a new ten story parking structure, that together with existing parking, would provide 1,551 parking spaces. Once the detailed design and construction plans are completed, we will finalize the cost estimate and timeline for the expansion project. We expect to announce that estimate and timeline in late 2013.”

About Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI):
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada, and the Riviera Black Hawk casino in Black Hawk, Colorado. Black Hawk is approximately 40 miles west of Denver. For additional information on Monarch, visit Monarch's website at www.MonarchCasino.com.

The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 824 guest rooms; eight food outlets; two espresso and pastry bars; a 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 38 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge and a poker room. The Company and its predecessors have operated a facility on the Atlantis site since 1972. For more Atlantis Casino Resort Spa information, please visit www.atlantiscasino.com or call 800.723.6500. Also see Atlantis on Facebook, www.facebook.com/AtlantisCasinoResortSpa, or on Twitter at @AtlantisCasino.

The Riviera Black Hawk Casino, which opened in 2000, is the first casino encountered by visitors arriving from Denver on Highway 119 and features approximately 32,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 700 slot machines, 10 table games, a 250 seat buffet-style restaurant, a snack bar and a parking structure with approximately 500 spaces. Monarch owns a 1.5 acre land parcel contiguous to the Riviera Black Hawk Casino which is zoned for gaming and is master planned for future expansion. For more Riviera Black Hawk information, please visit www.rivierablackhawk.com or call 303.582.1000. Also see Riviera Black Hawk on Facebook, www.facebook.com/RivieraCasino or on Twitter at @RivieraCasino.

Forward-Looking Information:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are subject to change, including, but not limited to, comments relating to (i) future operating performance; (ii) economic and market conditions; (iii) plans, objectives and expectations regarding Black Hawk; (iv) integration of Black Hawk; and (v) plans, construction, completion and opening of new and expanded facilities at Black Hawk. Actual results and future events and conditions may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect all forward looking statements, including the Company’s financial results is included in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available on the Company's web site at www.monarchcasino.com.

(1) "Adjusted EBITDA" - see the separate Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity. This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the performance of other companies that report Adjusted EBITDA, although some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

For additional information visit Monarch's website at MonarchCasino.com

Contacts:
Ron Rowan, CFO of Monarch at (775) 825-4700 or RRowan@MonarchCasino.com
John Farahi, CEO of Monarch at (775) 825-4700 or JFarahi@MonarchCasino.com

                                Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
                         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                         (Unaudited)

                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                ---------------------------
                                                     2013         2012
                                                ------------- -------------
                                                 (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Revenues
    Casino                                      $  38,703,346 $  25,409,520
    Food and beverage                              12,221,987    10,585,794
    Hotel                                           5,311,228     4,368,442
    Other                                           2,329,980     2,137,356
                                                ------------- -------------
        Gross revenues                             58,566,541    42,501,112
Less promotional allowances                       (10,922,514)   (7,633,056)
                                                ------------- -------------
        Net revenues                               47,644,027    34,868,056
                                                ------------- -------------
Operating expenses
    Casino                                         14,505,785    10,133,551
    Food and beverage                               5,175,661     4,725,753
    Hotel                                           1,403,878     1,295,194
    Other                                             751,643       726,224
    Selling, general and administrative            13,978,711    11,685,381
    Depreciation and amortization                   4,643,435     3,375,084
    Acquisition expense                                     -        74,591
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total operating expenses                   40,459,113    32,015,778
                                                ------------- -------------
        Income from operations                      7,184,914     2,852,278
                                                ------------- -------------
Other expenses
    Interest expense                                 (566,096)     (328,661)
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total other expense                          (566,096)     (328,661)
        Income before income taxes                  6,618,818     2,523,617
                                                ------------- -------------
Provision for income taxes                         (2,356,816)     (882,250)
                                                ------------- -------------
        Net income                              $   4,262,002 $   1,641,367
                                                ============= =============

Earnings per share of common stock
    Net income
        Basic                                   $        0.26 $        0.10
        Diluted                                 $        0.26 $        0.10

Weighted average number of common
    shares and potential common
    shares outstanding
        Basic                                      16,147,324    16,138,158
        Diluted                                    16,275,208    16,274,355




                       Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                   March 31,   December 31,
                                                ---------------------------
                                                     2013         2012
                                                ------------- -------------
                    ASSETS                       (unaudited)
Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                   $  19,222,894 $  19,043,213
    Receivables, net                                2,240,069     2,456,883
    Inventories                                     2,364,866     2,382,802
    Prepaid expenses                                3,365,919     2,636,422
    Deferred income taxes                           5,425,848     5,425,848
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total current assets                       32,619,596    31,945,168
                                                ------------- -------------
Property and equipment
    Land                                           27,914,847    27,914,847
    Land improvements                               6,561,729     6,561,729
    Buildings                                     150,843,298   150,843,298
    Building improvements                          11,681,100    11,681,100
    Furniture and equipment                       135,341,915   132,946,374
    Leasehold improvements                          1,346,965     1,346,965
                                                ------------- -------------
                                                  333,689,854   331,294,313
    Less accumulated depreciation 
        and amortization                         (156,823,265) (152,868,719)
                                                ------------- -------------
        Net property and equipment                176,866,589   178,425,594
Other assets
        Goodwill                                   25,110,810    25,110,810
        Intangible assets, net                      9,515,803    10,204,691
        Deferred income taxes                       1,214,113     1,214,113
        Other assets, net                           1,143,300     1,219,579
                                                ------------- -------------
    Total other assets                             36,984,026    37,749,193 
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total assets                            $ 246,470,211 $ 248,119,955
                                                ============= =============

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
    Accounts payable                            $   8,351,876 $   8,061,570
    Accrued expenses                               18,541,466    17,836,194
    Income taxes payable                            2,431,217       274,401
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total current liabilities                  29,324,559    26,172,165
Long-term debt                                     71,800,000    81,100,000
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total liabilities                         101,124,559   107,272,165
                                                ------------- -------------
Stockholders' equity			
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 
      10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued             -             -
    Common stock, $.01 par value,
      30,000,000 shares authorized; 
      19,096,300 shares issued;
      16,147,324 outstanding at March 31, 2013			
      and December 31, 2012                           190,963       190,963
    Additional paid-in capital                     34,599,550    34,363,690
    Treasury stock, 2,948,976 shares at 
	  March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 
      at cost                                     (48,306,046)  (48,306,046)
    Retained earnings                             158,861,185   154,599,183
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total stockholders' equity                145,345,652   140,847,790
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total liability and 
        stockholder's equity                    $ 246,470,211 $ 248,119,955
                                                ============= =============

 
 


                       Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
            Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (1) to Net Income
                                (Unaudited)

  The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA(1), a 
   non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, a GAAP financial measure.

                                                Three months ended March 31,
                                                ---------------------------
                                                     2013         2012
                                                ------------- -------------
Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                   $  19,222,894 $  19,043,213
    Receivables, net                                2,240,069     2,456,883
    Inventories                                     2,364,866     2,382,802
    Prepaid expenses                                3,365,919     2,636,422
    Deferred income taxes                           5,425,848     5,425,848
                                                ------------- -------------

Adjusted EBITDA
    Atlantis                                    $   9,327,000 $   7,818,152
    Black Hawk (a)                                  4,016,696             -
                                                ------------- -------------
                                                   13,343,696     7,818,152
    Corporate and other expense                    (1,279,487)   (1,247,714)
                                                ------------- -------------
        Total Adjusted EBITDA                   $  12,064,209 $   6,570,438

Expenses
    Stock based compensation                         (235,860)     (268,485)
    Depreciation and amortization                  (4,643,435)   (3,375,084)
    Acquisition expense                                     -       (74,591)
    Interest expense                                 (566,096)     (328,661)
    Provision for income taxes                     (2,356,816)     (882,250)
                                                ------------- -------------
    Net income                                  $   4,262,002 $   1,641,367
                                                ============= =============

(a) We acquired Riviera Black Hawk Casino on April 26, 2012.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA" consists of net income plus provision for income taxes, stock based compensation expense, other one-time non-cash charges, interest expense, depreciation and amortization less interest income and any benefit for income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity. This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the performance of other companies that report Adjusted EBITDA, although some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.