Golden Entertainment Reports 2018 Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth Quarter and Recent Highlights:
- The Strat Renovations Remain on Budget
- Completed Acquisition of Colorado Belle and Edgewater in Laughlin
- Six New Taverns Expected to Open in First Half of 2019
- Adjusted Economics for Half of Third Party Distributed Gaming Chain Store Locations
- Repurchased 1.2 million Common Shares, New $25 Million Share Repurchase Authorized

Golden Entertainment, Inc. GDEN ("Golden Entertainment" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018.

Blake L. Sartini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Entertainment, commented, "The 2018 fourth quarter concluded a transitional year for Golden Entertainment. We made considerable progress expanding our scale and diversification, along with developing initiatives to improve results from our operations. During the quarter we improved the economics of our Nevada distributed gaming business through contract renegotiations and rent re-sets across approximately half of our third party distributed chain store locations in Nevada. We also continued to expand our branded tavern portfolio with three new taverns opened in 2018 and we plan to open six new taverns in the first half of 2019.

"More recently, we significantly strengthened our market position in Laughlin through the acquisition of the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino Resort and Edgewater Hotel and Casino Resort. With this acquisition, we now own about 40% of the approximately 10,000 room inventory in Laughlin. We are excited to expand our presence in this value-oriented gaming market and expect to realize future cost synergies across our combined Laughlin operations.

"At The Strat, we continue to make progress on our renovations, while managing disruption related to ongoing construction at the property. We have now renovated 311 rooms, which are driving higher room rates than the property's base room rate. We believe the property's improved room product must be complemented by strategic amenity upgrades to re-position The Strat to realize its potential. In this regard, we renovated The Strat Café & Wok, added 108 Eats to the Tower, refreshed the award-winning Top of the World restaurant, completed a new Starbucks, and are finalizing upgrades to the exterior lighting and landscaping. We will also open BLVD & MAIN, our new tap house, as well as a new sports book and casino lounge by the end of March.

"Throughout 2019, we will continue to focus on upgrades to The Strat's F&B outlets while remodeling the casino floor and developing new entertainment amenities. In addition, we anticipate renovating additional rooms and accelerating the renovation of suites. The timing of the suite upgrades, combined with our other current and completed renovations, will create an exciting physical product to target guests with our new True Rewards loyalty program that we recently launched. We also plan to drive awareness of and traffic to the property through a full campaign to re-brand the property as The Strat Hotel, Casino & SkyPod. The SkyPod will encompass the top three floors of the iconic Tower with amusement rides, the Jump, the Top of the World, 108 Eats and other beverage offerings.

"With our expanded scale and The Strat renovations moving forward, we are now integrating our new casino management system and launching our new True Rewards players club which will allow players to earn and redeem points across all our properties. As we look at the healthy economic environment in Las Vegas, our leading position and synergy opportunities in Laughlin, our success in rationalizing the economics of our third party distributed chain store locations in Nevada, and our plans to stabilize and grow our existing platform, we believe Golden's future is bright and we expect to see the benefits of our efforts over the course of 2019 and beyond."

Consolidated Results
The Company reported fourth quarter revenues of $210.1 million, up from $183.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $25.9 million or a loss of $0.92 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $13.5 million or $0.53 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $34.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $28.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was up 1.9% when compared to Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA of $33.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, which includes the results of American Casino & Entertainment Properties, LLC ("American") for the entire quarter. American was acquired on October 20, 2017.

Casinos
Casino segment revenues grew to $123.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $101.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Including the results of American for the entire quarter, Pro Forma Combined Revenues would have been $122.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Casino segment Adjusted EBITDA grew to $35.0 million compared to $28.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA grew 0.2% when compared to the Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA of $34.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, which includes the results of American for the entire quarter.

Fourth quarter revenues for the Nevada Casinos were $107.9 million, up from Pro Forma Combined Revenues of $106.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which includes the results of American for the entire quarter. Adjusted EBITDA of $31.1 million was up 1.1% from Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA of $30.8 million for the Nevada Casinos in the fourth quarter of 2017. Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA for the Nevada Casinos reflected growth from the Company's Arizona's Charlie's local properties, Aquarius in Laughlin and the Company's casinos in Pahrump, which was offset by a decline at The Strat primarily due to construction disruption.

Rocky Gap Resort in Maryland generated revenue of $15.8 million in the quarter, while Adjusted EBITDA declined 6.8% to $3.9 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 due to increased labor and marketing costs.

Distributed Gaming
Distributed Gaming segment revenues increased to $86.3 million, up 5.0% from $82.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment grew 3.9% to $11.6 million from $11.1 million in the same period of 2017.

Total revenue from the Nevada distributed gaming business during the fourth quarter was $69.6 million, a year-over-year increase of 3.3%. Adjusted EBITDA of $9.4 million was down 1.1% compared to the same period last year as continued growth from the Company's wholly-owned tavern portfolio was offset by performance of the Company's third party chain store locations. During the fourth quarter, the Company re-negotiated certain distributed gaming contracts and finalized rent adjustments that are expected to favorably impact approximately half of its total third party chain store locations in 2019 and future periods.

The Montana distributed gaming business generated revenue of $16.7 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of 12.5% compared to last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the Montana distributed gaming business was $2.2 million for the fourth quarter, up 32.4% as the business benefited from recent investment in new gaming devices.

The Strat Renovations Update
As of December 31, 2018, the Company completed the renovation of 311 rooms, installed of state-of-the-art exterior signage and lighting, opened three F&B venues (The Strat Café & Wok, Starbucks and 108 Eats), added a new baccarat pit, and completed a renovation of the Top of the World restaurant and Level 108. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects to open its unique new tap room concept, BLVD & MAIN Taphouse, connected to a newly renovated sports book and lounge. The Company has updated its 2019 renovation plan, lowering the targeted room renovations and shifting investment toward completing F&B and other amenities, remodeling the casino floor, and upgrading guest suites to deliver a more attractive guest environment. These upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the size and scope of group meeting space appropriate for the property and anticipates finalizing the meeting space design by year end.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has spent approximately $24 million on The Strat renovations, and has budgeted $53 million for 2019, including spending on BLVD & MAIN Taphouse, the sports book and lounge to be completed by the end of March. The Company intends to fund the planned 2019 renovations at The Strat with cash on hand and income from operations.

The total budget for planned renovations at The Strat remains approximately $140 million, and the Company continues to expect the project to be completed in 2021.

Balance Sheet & Liquidity
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $116 million and total outstanding debt of approximately $1 billion. The Company's net leverage ratio (total debt less cash to Adjusted EBITDA for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018) was 5.4x. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Company's $200 million revolving credit facility at year end.

In January, the Company closed on its purchase of the Edgewater and Colorado Belle Resort Casinos in Laughlin. The consideration consisted of $155 million of cash (subject to customary post-closing adjustments) and 911,002 shares of the Company's common stock. The cash consideration was funded with a $145 million revolver draw and cash on hand. The Company's estimated net leverage ratio at the closing of the transaction did not change meaningfully from year-end.

Share Repurchases
In the three months ended December 31, 2018, Golden Entertainment repurchased 1.2 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $16.06 for a total of $19.6 million. At December 31, 2018, the Company had $5.4 million remaining under the stock repurchase program authorized in November 2018.

In March, the Board of Directors approved a new $25 million share repurchase authorization which replaces the previous share repurchase program described above. Share repurchases under the program are subject to available liquidity, general market and economic conditions, alternate uses for the capital and other factors. Share repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, block trades or in private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations and other legal requirements, including compliance with the Company's finance agreements. There is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to repurchase and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a webcast and conference call today, March 14, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the fourth quarter 2018 results. The conference call may be accessed live by dialing (844) 465-3054 or (480) 685-5227 for international callers and entering the passcode 4937719. A replay will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on March 14, 2019 and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 for international callers; the passcode is 4937719. The replay will be available until March 17, 2019. The call will also be webcast live through the "Investors" section of the Company's website, www.goldenent.com. A replay of the audio webcast will also be archived on the Company's website, www.goldenent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "potential," "seek," "should," "think," "will," "would" and similar expressions, or they may use future dates. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the benefits of and realization of cost synergies from the American and Laughlin transactions; estimated future financial and operating results and future net leverage ratio; proposed future capital expenditures, investments and property improvements, including The Strat redevelopment plan, rebranding initiatives and anticipated opening of new tavern locations, and their associated timing, source of funding and cost; the rollout and anticipated benefits of the Company's new True Rewards loyalty program; and the Company's plans, strategic priorities, objectives, expectations, intentions, including with respect to its growth prospects, growth opportunities and potential acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's business, the economy and other future conditions. These forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and readers are therefore cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the Company's ability to realize the anticipated cost savings, synergies and other benefits of the American and Laughlin transactions and its other acquisitions, and integration risks relating to such transactions; changes in national, regional and local economic, political and market conditions; legislative and regulatory matters (including the cost of compliance or failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations); increases in gaming taxes and fees in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; litigation; increased competition; the Company's ability to renew its distributed gaming contracts; reliance on key personnel (including the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy and Financial Officer); the level of the Company's indebtedness and the Company's ability to comply with covenants in its debt instruments; terrorist incidents; natural disasters; severe weather conditions; the effects of environmental and structural building conditions; the effects of disruptions to the Company's information technology and other systems and infrastructure; factors affecting the gaming, entertainment and hospitality industries generally; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA, Pro Forma Combined Revenues, Pro Forma Combined Net Income and Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA which measures the Company believes are appropriate to provide meaningful comparison with, and to enhance an overall understanding of, the Company's past financial performance and prospects for the future. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding specific expenses and gains that the Company believes are not indicative of core operating results. Further, Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of operating performance used by management, as well as industry analysts, to evaluate operations and operating performance and is widely used in the gaming industry. Other companies in the gaming industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does.

Pro Forma Combined Revenues, Pro Forma Combined Net Income and Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA represent historical revenues, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of American (for periods prior to the American acquisition) and Golden on a pro forma combined basis, as if the American acquisition had occurred on the first day of the period presented. All pro forma combined financial information is unaudited. The pro forma combined financial information has been prepared by the Company's management for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of what its results of operations, financial condition or other financial information would have been if the American acquisition and related transactions had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. In addition, the pro forma combined financial information does not reflect non-recurring charges incurred in connection with the American acquisition, nor any cost savings and synergies expected to result from the American acquisition (and associated costs to achieve such savings or synergies), nor any costs associated with severance, restructuring or integration activities resulting from the American acquisition.

The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) are provided in the financial information tables below. Additionally, a reconciliation of Pro Forma Combined Revenues to revenues is provided in the financial information tables below.

The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" as earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, acquisition expenses, loss on disposal of property and equipment, share-based compensation expenses, preopening expenses, class action litigation expenses, executive severance, gain on change in fair value of derivative, and other gains and losses. Adjusted EBITDA for a particular segment or operation is Adjusted EBITDA before corporate overhead, which is not allocated to each segment or operation.

About Golden Entertainment, Inc.
Golden Entertainment owns ten casino resorts - nine in Southern Nevada and one in Maryland. Through its distributed gaming business in Nevada and Montana, Golden Entertainment operates video gaming devices at nearly 1,000 locations and owns over 60 traditional taverns in Nevada. The Company operates approximately 17,300 gaming devices, 160 table games, 7,300 hotel rooms, and provides jobs for more than 8,100 team members. The Company is licensed in Illinois to operate video gaming terminals. For more information, visit www.goldenent.com.

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