(Australia) Acquisition of Cannery Casino
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ASX / MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 December 2007 CROWN AGREES TO ACQUIRE CANNERY CASINO RESORTS MELBOURNE: Crown Limited (ASX: CWN) announced today that it had signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity interests in Cannery Casino Resorts LLC (“CCR”) on a cash and debt free basis for US$1,752 million plus acquisition costs (estimated to be approximately US$49.6 million) CCR currently operates four casinos in Nevada and Western Pennsylvania in the USA, catering to local and regional customers: ° The Cannery Hotel and Casino in North Las Vegas, Nevada ° Nevada Palace Casino on the Boulder Strip in East Las Vegas, Nevada ° Rampart Casino in Summerlin (West Las Vegas), Nevada (operated under a management contract) ° The Meadows Racetrack & Casino (temporary facility) located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania CCR is also developing two casino/hotel complexes which are expected to be completed or substantially completed prior to financial close of the acquisition: ° East Side Cannery in East Las Vegas, Nevada with an expected completion date of September 2008 (which will replace the existing Nevada Palace) ° The Meadows Racetrack & Casino permanent facility with an expected completion date of April 2009 (which will replace the existing temporary facility) At completion of these two construction projects, CCR will operate approximately 8,400 slots and 75 tables and over 720 hotel rooms throughout its properties. CCR is owned by Millennium Gaming Inc (58%), which is a joint venture between Bill Paulos and Bill Wortman, and entities managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP through affiliates (42%). The Executive Chairman of Crown, Mr James Packer, said “CCR’s existing shareholders – Bill Paulos, Bill Wortman and Oaktree - have created first class locals properties located in markets with attractive, long term growth prospects. Crown’s skills and experience in operating successful locals casinos will enable us to grow the CCR business further.” CCR’s joint CEO and part owner, Mr Bill Paulos, said, “Crown is a world class operator. We absolutely believe that Crown’s acquisition of Cannery Casino Resorts is a great fit for our company and the future of our employees." Transaction completion and financial close will not occur until Crown has received all of the necessary gaming For personal use only approvals required to own and operate the casinos within the CCR portfolio. This includes approvals from the Nevada Gaming Commission, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission. It is estimated that this process will take at least 12 months. Accordingly finalisation of the acquisition of CCR is expected to occur after all construction on East Side Cannery is complete and The Meadows permanent facility is close to completion. The vendors are responsible for finalisation of the construction of East Side Cannery and The Meadows permanent facility and G:\Crown Limited\Legal\COMPANY SECRETARIAL\Crown Limited\ASX Announcements\ASX Cannery Acquisition Announcement (12-12-07).doc the purchase price paid by Crown will be reduced to the extent that there is any construction capital expenditure remaining to be spent at completion. The purchase price is also subject to an adjustment dependant on the actual timing of the receipt of the necessary gaming approvals. Crown’s CEO, Mr Rowen Craigie said, “The acquisition of CCR is strategically and financially compelling for Crown. CCR provides Crown with an entry point into the US locals casino industry via a well managed and successful company.” “CCR presents Crown with high quality new or near new facilities without exposure to construction risk and without high capital expenditure requirements,” Mr Craigie said On completion, the acquisition will be funded from Crown’s existing cash reserves and is expected to be accretive to Crown’s earnings per share. Macquarie Securities (USA) and Global Leisure Partners, LLP acted as financial advisers and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal adviser to Crown in this transaction. ENDS ATTACHMENT: Briefing Pack MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Gary O’Neill (Crown) – (+613) 9292 7268 or 0401 144 692 (mobile) Tom Willer (CCR) – (+1 702) 856-5112 COPIES OF RELEASES Copies of previous media and ASX announcements issued by Crown are available at Crown’s website at www.crownlimited.com. For personal use only G:\Crown Limited\Legal\COMPANY SECRETARIAL\Crown Limited\ASX Announcements\ASX Cannery Acquisition Announcement (12-12-07).doc Crown Limited (Australia) Acquisition of Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC (USA) For personal use only Briefing Pack 1 Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC (“CCR”) 58%* 42%** CanneryCannery RampartRampart EastsideEastside CasinoCasino andand TheThe MeadowsMeadows CasinoCasino CanneryCannery HotelHotel (Las(Las (Pittsburgh)(Pittsburgh) (Las(Las Vegas)Vegas) (Las(Las Vegas)Vegas) Vegas)Vegas) For personal use only * Millennium Gaming is owned equally by Bill Paulos and Bill Wortman 2 ** Entities managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC Nevada Pennsylvania For personal use only 3 Las Vegas Market Speedway Nellis Air Force Base Cannery Summerlin Rampart Las Vegas Strip East Side Cannery Boulder Hwy For personal use only Henderson 4 Pennsylvania Market NY • Erie Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre OH • • Pittsburgh The Meadows Harrisburg• • Philadelphia NJ WV MD For personal use only Category 1 casinos (open) Category 1 casinos (proposed) Category 2 casinos (open) Category 2 casinos (proposed) 5 Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC • Formed in 2001 – has achieved rapid growth in operating scale • Operates conveniently located casinos catering to ‘locals’ customers: – gaming offering closely matched to customer preferences – attractive non-gaming amenities at reasonable prices – attentive customer service in a friendly, casual atmosphere – innovative, focussed promotional programs and offers • Strong management team with significant skills and experience in the gaming industry – E.g. New York New York, Excalibur and Luxor casinos in Las Vegas For personal use only • Proven development experience and track record of delivering projects on time and on budget 6 Cannery Casino and Hotel – North Las Vegas, Nevada • Serves mid-market neighbourhood of North Las Vegas – Ranked the fastest growing ‘large city’ in the USA in July 2007 – Forecast population annual growth of 6.7% between 2006 – 2020 – The North Las Vegas market has recorded consistently strong growth in recent years, over 10% p.a. from 2003 to 2006 • Near-new property, recently extended to cater to strong demand • Has grown share of North Las Vegas market every year since opening in 2003 • Property facilities: – 1,967 slots and 21 tables – 200 hotel rooms – 2,000 parking spaces – Sports book, bingo hall, poker room – 14 screen cinema complex – 2 bars and 5 restaurants For personal use only 7 Rampart Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada • Operated under lease within the 541 room JW Marriot Resort at Summerlin, west Las Vegas • Attractive market: – Above average income per capita and population growth – Limited competition – served by only 3 significant properties – Red Rock, Sun Coast and Rampart – Relatively under serviced market • Property facilities: – 1,230 slots and 26 tables – Race and sports book – Three restaurants and a range of bars – Part of JW Marriott Resort For personal use only • Current lease expires 2012 8 Eastside Cannery – Las Vegas, Nevada • Currently under construction and expected to open in Sep 2008 – will replace existing Nevada Palace Casino • Located on the Boulder Hwy in east Las Vegas – Increasingly busy arterial road benefiting from new residential development and connection with new Hoover Dam bypass – Significant $1bn+ market – First new, modern and branded casino on ‘Boulder Strip’ in over 10 years • Phase I expected to comprise: – 2,000 slots and 26 tables – 314 room hotel – 135 seat race and sports book – 6 bars and 5 restaurants For personal use only • Significant excess land available for expansion if customer demand warrants 9 The Meadows – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • CCR secured one of only 7 Category 1 slot licences in Pennsylvania, and one of only 2 in the Pittsburgh area • Temporary facility opened June 2007 - contains 1,816 slots at existing harness racing facility • Permanent facility targeted to open April 2009, containing: – At least 3,150 slots (Note: license permits up to 5,000 slots) – 200 room hotel and luxury spa – A lounge, cabaret and theatre – Range of specialty restaurants and bars, 250-seat food court – Sports bar with simulcast centre – Conference and Convention facilities • Estimated creation of up to 1,200 local jobs For personal use only • As the first property in the Pittsburgh area (only one for next 2 years), The Meadows has an important first-mover advantage – customer loyalty 10 The Meadows – Temporary Facility For personal use only 11 The Meadows – Permanent Facility For personal use only 12 Crown Limited Melbourne,Melbourne, Perth,Perth, MiamiMiami && LasLas Macau,Macau, LasLas Vegas,Vegas, Australia/Australia/ LasLas VegasVegas AustraliaAustralia AustraliaAustralia UK,UK, 50%50% Canada,Canada, Vegas,Vegas, USAUSA 37.9%37.9% USAUSA 37.5%37.5% NewNew ZealandZealand andand 100%100% 100%100% ownedowned 50%50% ownedowned 19.6%19.6% ownedowned ownedowned 50%50% ownedowned PittsburghPittsburgh11 ownedowned ownedowned ownedowned LVTI For personal use only 1. Subject to US gaming regulatory approval 13 Crown Limited • Crown is listed on the Australian Stock exchange with a market capitalisation of