UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2003 MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NEVADA 0-22088 88-0300760 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 1175 W. Moana Lane, Suite 200 Reno, NEVADA 89509 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (775)825-3355 ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) NOT APPLICABLE ---------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ITEM 5. Other Events On February 20, 2003, Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release reporting the Company's financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2002. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits 99 Text of press release dated February 20, 2003. -2- SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. Date: February 21, 2003 By: /s/ Ben Farahi ------------------------------- Name: Ben Farahi Title: Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary -3- Exhibit 99 PRESS RELEASE MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. REPORTS RECORD RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 - Establishes Guidance For 2003 - RENO, NV-February 20, 2002- Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRI) (the "Company") today announced record financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. Financial highlights for the fourth quarter of 2002 compared to the prior year period included: Net income increased 612% to $1,298,636, or $0.14 per share (diluted) EBITDA(1) increased 32.8% to $5,293,624 Casino revenue grew 11.9% to $17.4 million Hotel revenue increased 9.5% to $4.7 million Hotel occupancy improved 3.6% to 89.3% Average daily room rate increased by 5.7% to $51.75 Net income for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $8,603,346, or $0.90 per share (diluted), an increase of 87.0% over $4,601,764, or $0.49 per share (diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2001. EBITDA(1) for the year ended December 31, 2002 increased 13.6% to $27.5 million, from $24.2 million in the prior year. The Company continued its strategy of utilizing cash flow to reduce debt. Long-term debt, including current maturities, decreased $12.0 million during 2002 to $60.3 million at December 31, 2002. For the full year ended December 31, 2002, hotel occupancy increased to 92.9% from 91.1% the previous year, and the average daily room rate for the full year increased to $55.29 from $53.48 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. John Farahi, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch commented, "We are extremely pleased with our performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2002. Our results continue to be driven by a superior location, the commitment of the entire Atlantis team, and our intense focus on the local, tour and travel, and convention markets. We were able to achieve improvements across all areas of our business despite the soft gaming market in Northern Nevada and increased competition from California Indian casinos. We did this by capitalizing on the continued growth of the local Reno area population base, increasing our share of the tour and travel business, and generating additional traffic due to the expanded Reno-Sparks Convention Center." Farahi continued, "As we enter 2003, we are excited about the vibrancy of the locals market, the opportunity to increase our market share by serving the tour and travel business and the increase in room demand from conventions booked at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. We believe that these three markets will be the cornerstones of our growth in 2003 and beyond." The Company also established guidance for the first quarter ending March 31, 2003 and fiscal year ending December 31, 2003. Based on current business trends and the Company's forecast for the remainder of the quarter, EBITDA and -4- earnings per share for the first quarter are expected to be approximately $6.0 - $6.25 million and $0.18 - $0.20, respectively. The Company also expects EBITDA and earnings per share of approximately $28.6 - $29.2 million and $1.05 - $1.10, respectively, for the year ending December 31, 2003. The Company will host a conference call at 4:30 P.M. EST to discuss the fourth quarter and 2002 financial results. To listen to the conference call, please dial 800-341-2312 and enter passcode 2739, approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call to register. A replay of the call will be available until February 28, and it can be accessed by dialing 800-756-3819, passcode 002739. Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns and operates the tropically-themed Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada. The Atlantis is the closest hotel-casino to and directly across the street from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center which completed a major renovation and expansion to 600,000 square feet of meeting, exhibit and lobby facilities in August, 2002. The Atlantis features a 51,000 square-foot casino with approximately 37 table games and approximately 1,500 slot and video poker machines, a sports book, keno and a poker room; 980 guest rooms; six restaurants; an 8,000 square- foot family entertainment center; and approximately 25,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space. 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) market share of the Company's operations, (iii) the financial benefits that may result from future operations, (iv) the impact on operations of the expanded convention center and (v) focus on key market segments. The actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available on the Company's web site. (1) "EBITDA" consists of income from operations plus depreciation and amortization. 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, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) as a measure of liquidity. This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the performance of other companies that report 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. We are providing a supplemental schedule reconciling EBITDA to Income from Operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, following the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Condensed Balance Sheets below. Contacts: Ben Farahi at (775) 825-3355 or benfarahi@monarchcasino.com Karl G. Brokmann at (775) 825-3355 or kbrokmann@monarchcasino.com For additional information including artist renditions and photographs, visit Monarch's web site at monarchcasino.com. -5- MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------ ------------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues Casino................................ $ 17,396,640 $ 15,541,656 $ 70,772,939 $ 64,907,920 Food and beverage..................... 8,444 043 8,061 513 33,646,938 31,960,713 Hotel................................. 4,651,613 4,246,581 20,303,439 19,022,188 Other................................. 937,107 911,532 3,690,180 3,478,171 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Gross revenues..................... 31,429,403 28,761,282 128,413,496 119,368,992 Less promotional allowances........... (4,468,487) (3,949,493) (17,375,926) (14,853,399) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net revenues....................... 26,960,916 24,811,789 111,037,570 104,515,593 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating expenses Casino................................ 7,331,529 6,720,965 27,690,033 26,036,133 Food and beverage..................... 4,405,311 4,422,984 17,591,945 18,171,412 Hotel................................. 1,644,379 1,968,528 6,543,610 7,133,937 Other................................. 306,503 317,909 1,254,179 1,300,419 Selling, general and administrative... 7,979,570 7,394,989 30,441,900 27,656,572 Depreciation and amortization......... 2,599,056 2,546,544 10,320,403 10,085,331 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total operating expenses........... 24,266,348 23,371,919 93,842,070 90,383,804 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income from operations............. 2,694,568 1,439,870 17,195,500 14,131,789 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Other expense Interest expense, net................. (811,851) (1,251,083) (3,934,363) (7,243,330) Stock transaction expense............. (3,020) - (228,020) - ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total other........................ (814,871) (1,251,083) (4,162,383) (7,243,330) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before income taxes.. 1,879,697 188,787 13,033,117 6,888,459 Provision (benefit) for income taxes.... 581,061 6,407 4,429,771 2,286,695 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income (loss).................. $ 1,298,636 $ 182,380 $ 8,603,346 $ 4,601,764 ============ ============ ============ ============ INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK Net income (loss) Basic.............................. $ 0.14 $ 0.02 $ 0.91 $ 0.49 Diluted............................ $ 0.14 $ 0.02 $ 0.90 $ 0.49 Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding Basic.............................. 9,473,664 9,436,275 9,457,669 9,436,275 Diluted............................ 9,533,751 9,491,323 9,521,353 9,479,830 EBITDA(1)............................... $ 5,293,624 $ 3,986,414 $ 27,515,903 $ 24,217,120 -6- MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, ---------------------------- 2002 2001 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets Cash........................................$ 9,961,484 $ 8,385,743 Receivables, net............................ 2,724,726 2,863,939 Federal income tax refund receivable........ - 770,019 Related party receivables................... - 4,759 Inventories................................. 993,260 976,141 Prepaid expenses............................ 1,961,763 1,635,125 Prepaid federal income tax.................. 176,321 - Deferred income taxes....................... 492,457 1,146,058 ------------ ------------ Total current assets..................... 16,310,011 15,781,784 ------------ ------------ Property and equipment Land........................................ 10,339,530 10,339,530 Land improvements........................... 3,191,371 3,173,676 Buildings................................... 78,955,538 78,955,538 Building improvements....................... 6,262,903 4,763,904 Furniture and equipment..................... 58,086,570 54,101,471 ------------ ------------ 156,835,912 151,334,119 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............. (55,985,653) (47,164,026) ------------ ----------- 100,850,259 104,170,093 Construction in progress - 625,048 ------------ ------------ Net property and equipment............... 100,850,259 104,795,141 Other assets, net............................. 319,817 486,592 ------------ ------------ $117,480,087 $121,063,517 ============ ============ -7- MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, ---------------------------- 2002 2001 ------------ ------------ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt........ $ 8,279,095 $ 8,106,296 Accounts payable............................ 6,227,124 6,449,087 Accounts payable construction............... - 147,481 Accrued expenses............................ 6,146,440 5,702,850 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities................ 20,652,659 20,405,714 Long-term debt, less current maturities....... 52,000,000 64,236,548 Deferred income taxes......................... 4,526,744 4,990,829 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued............. - - Common stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,536,275 issued; 9,436,275 outstanding...................... 95,363 95,363 Additional paid-in capital.................. 17,381,517 17,241,788 Treasury stock, at cost.................... (202,692) (329,875) Retained earnings........................... 23,026,496 14,423,150 ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity............... 40,300,684 31,430,426 ------------ ------------ $117,480,087 $121,063,517 ============ ============ MONARCH CASINO & RESORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY RECONCILIATION OF INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO EBITDA Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ---------------------- ------------------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Income from Operations $2,694,568 $1,439,870 $17,195,500 $14,131,789 Adjustments: Depreciation and Amortization 2,599,056 2,546,544 10,320,403 10,085,331 ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- EBITDA $5,293,624 $3,986,414 $27,515,903 $24,217,120 -8-