Operator News
US – Century Casinos completes purchase of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland
By Phil - 26 July 2023
Century Casinos has completed the acquisition of Rocky Gap Casino Resort from Golden Entertainment for approximately $56.1m on July 25, 2023.
Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, an affiliate of VICI Properties acquired a related interest in the land and building associated with Rocky Gap for approximately $203.9m and the company amended its triple net master lease agreement with VICI to add the Rocky Gap property. The amendment to the master lease agreement includes an increase in initial annualized rent of approximately $15.5m.
The Company financed the Acquisition with $30m borrowed from the revolving facility of its existing credit agreement with Goldman Sachs USA and cash from the balance sheet.
“We are very excited to be expanding into Maryland,” Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Century Casinos, remarked. “Rocky Gap is a great addition to our portfolio. We look forward to working with the staff and community to continue the current success at this property into the future,” Haitzmann and Hoetzinger concluded.
Rocky Gap is located in Flintstone, Maryland in Rocky Gap State Park, which attracts over half a million visitors annually. The full-service resort sits on approximately 270 acres and includes an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a 5,000 square-foot events center, several meeting spaces, a spa, and several outdoor activities. The property consists of over 25,000 square feet of gaming floor, 630 slot machines, 16 table games, 198 hotel rooms and five food and beverage venues.
The property has recently invested approximately $10m in improvements to its hotel, slot machines, restaurants, and sports lounge. There is potential to further expand the casino and hotel and capture more customers from adjacent markets.
With this transaction, the Company’s portfolio* increased to 19 casinos world-wide that include 7,565 gaming machines, 268 table games and over 4,100 full-time equivalent employees. On a pro forma basis giving effect to the Acquisition as if it occurred on January 1, 2022, the Company’s net operating revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022 with Rocky Gap would have been $508.5m and $128.7m, respectively.
