Black Hawk Gaming & Development Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

Press Release: Black Hawk Gaming & Development Co., Inc.
February 23, 2001
BLACK HAWK, CO -- Black Hawk Gaming & Development Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: BHWK), owner and operator of the Gilpin Hotel Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado, the Gold Dust West Casino in Reno, Nevada, and 75% owner and operator of The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk, yesterday announced unaudited financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2000.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Net income for the fourth quarter was $616,000 or $0.14 per diluted share, versus net income of $1,480,000, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the comparable quarter in the previous year. Stephen R. Roark, president of Black Hawk Gaming stated, ``While we managed to reduce our fourth quarter costs and expenses by $1,536,000, this decrease was offset by a decrease in revenues of $2,400,000. One key element contributing to the decrease in our revenues in the fourth quarter is the increased level of competition within the Black Hawk market. We believe these aggressive marketing campaigns should begin to stabilize in the near future. We will continue to monitor very closely our marketing programs and expenditures.''

YEAR-END RESULTS

Net income for 2000 increased to $5,461,000 from $5,423,000 for 1999. Net income per diluted share for the year was $1.31 compared to $1.30 in 1999. Total revenues for 2000 increased to $93,218,000 from $92,800,000 in 1999. Our EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for the year totaled approximately $19,666,000.

Roark added, ``We maintained earnings from our two Colorado properties despite the opening of two additional casinos in Black Hawk that increased the number of devices by approximately 18%. In light of the additional competition, we believe our management and staff performed very well last year. The second half of the year was a tough one for the Company due primarily to the increased competition in the marketplace. Additionally, we recently closed the acquisition of the Gold Dust West in Reno which should be accretive to our earnings and provide us with valuable geographic diversification.''

The combined operations of the Gilpin Hotel Casino, The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk and the Gold Dust West Casino in Reno, Nevada, give Black Hawk Gaming approximately 1,875 gaming devices under management.

    BLACK HAWK GAMING & DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC.
    Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

                           Three Months Ended              Year Ended
                               December 31                December 31
                             2000         1999          2000          1999

    Total Revenue      $21,469,000   $23,869,000  $93,218,000   $92,800,000
    Net Income            $616,000    $1,480,000   $5,461,000    $5,423,000
    Net Income Per
     Common Share
     Diluted                 $0.14         $0.36        $1.31         $1.30
    Weighted Average
     Shares Outstanding
     Diluted             4,184,760     4,134,954    4,160,217     4,183,519


    BALANCE SHEET DATA                          December 31,    December 31
                                                    2000            1999

    Total Assets                                 $97,476,000   $101,080,000
    Total Liabilities and Minority Interest      $55,414,000    $64,581,000
    Shareholders' Equity                         $42,062,000    $36,499,000


This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and actual events may differ materially. Please refer to documents that Black Hawk Gaming & Development Company, Inc. files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Note: News releases and other information about Black Hawk Gaming & Development are available at http://www.bhwk.com

For further information, please contact Stephen R. Roark, President and Chief Financial Officer, or Stan Politano, Vice President, both of Black Hawk Gaming & Development Co., Inc., 303-582-1117; or Carl Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Carl Thompson Associates, 800-959-9677, for Black Hawk Gaming & Development Co., Inc.

SOURCE: Black Hawk Gaming & Development Co., Inc.