Operator News
US – Golden Entertainment completes ACE acquisition
By Phil - 23 October 2017
Golden Entertainment has completed the acquisition of American Casino & Entertainment Properties, including the Stratosphere Casino, for $850m.
The acquisition of American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC brings to Golden Entertainment three properties in Las Vegas including the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, as well as the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin. These properties expand and strengthen Golden’s presence in Nevada and the Las Vegas Locals market, while providing the Company with an iconic Las Vegas destination property. Golden now operates 16,000 slot machines, 114 table games and 5,162 hotel rooms across eight casino properties and almost 1,000 distributed gaming locations including the largest branded tavern portfolio in Nevada.
The purchase consideration consisted of $781m cash and approximately four million shares of Golden Entertainment common stock. Golden financed the cash portion of the transaction and refinanced its existing credit facilities with a new $800m 1st Lien Term Loan and a $200m 2nd Lien Term Loan, as well as obtained a new $100m senior secured revolving credit facility to support the Company’s future organic and strategic growth initiatives.
Blake Sartini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Entertainment, added: “This acquisition of four leading Southern Nevada properties significantly increases our operational scale and perfectly complements our existing operations. Our new properties and existing businesses are well positioned to grow as they benefit from Nevada’s continued economic strength, particularly in the Las Vegas market. In addition, we have the ability to develop approximately 15 acres of excess real estate surrounding the Stratosphere, which we believe has enormous long-term potential. We look forward to quickly integrating the American operations and welcoming their guests and team members to the Golden family.”
Charles Protell, Chief Financial Officer of Golden, added: “The addition of the American properties to our portfolio firmly establishes Golden as a leading Nevada-focused regional gaming company with expected 2017 pro forma net revenues and adjusted EBITDA of $847 and $180, respectively, which includes $18 million of estimated run-rate synergies. We believe that our expanded asset base, strong operating discipline and ability to quickly realize synergies will result in increased free cash flow, allowing us to reduce leverage as well as reinvest in our existing businesses and new growth opportunities.”
