FULL HOUSE RESORTS INC

“Adjusted EBITDA” is earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening expenses, certain impairment charges, asset write-offs, recoveries, gain (loss) from asset disposals, project development and acquisition costs, and non-cash share-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA information is presented solely as supplemental disclosure to measures reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) because management believes this measure is (i) a widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming and hospitality industries and (ii) a principal basis for valuation of gaming and hospitality companies. In addition, a version of Adjusted EBITDA (known as Consolidated Cash Flow) is utilized in the covenants within our credit facility, although not necessarily defined in the same way as above. Adjusted EBITDA is not, however, a measure of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP. Accordingly, this measure should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for net income (loss) or cash flows as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:

The following tables present reconciliations of operating income (loss) to Adjusted Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

Operating expenses deducted to arrive at operating income (loss) in the above tables include facility rents related to: (i) Midwest & South of $5.0 million in 2023 and $2.0 million in 2022, and (ii) West of $1.9 million in 2023 and $1.8 million in 2022. During 2023, $0.8 million of qualifying rent in our West segment was reclassified to preopening costs for our Chamonix construction project, while such amount in 2022 was $0.9 million. Finance lease payments of $0.7 million in both 2023 and 2022 related to Rising Star’s smaller hotel within the Indiana segment are not deducted, as such payments are accounted for as interest expense and amortization of debt related to the finance obligation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

As of December 31, 2023, we had $73.8 million of cash and equivalents, including $37.6 million of restricted cash dedicated to the construction of Chamonix. We estimate that between $10 million and $15 million of cash is used in our day-to-day operations, including on-site cash in our slot machines, change and redemption kiosks, and cages. We believe that current cash balances, together with the available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility and cash flows from operating activities across our seven properties, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital resource needs for the next 12 months of operations.

**Cash flows – operating activities.**On a consolidated basis, cash provided by operations during 2023 was $22.3 million, compared to $4.4 million in 2022. Trends in our operating cash flows tend to follow trends in operating income, excluding non-cash charges, but are also affected by changes in working capital. Our operating cash flows increased in 2023 primarily due to the opening of American Place in February 2023.

**Cash flows – investing activities.**On a consolidated basis, cash used in investing activities during 2023 was $198.8 million, which includes a gaming license payment of $50.3 million required to open American Place, as well as capital expenditures for Chamonix and American Place. In 2022, such amount was $172.1 million, which primarily related to capital expenditures for Chamonix and American Place.

**Cash flows – financing activities.**On a consolidated basis, cash provided by financing activities during 2023 was $59.0 million, while cash provided by financing activities during 2022 was $93.6 million. During 2023, net borrowings from the Credit Facility totaled $27.0 million, and we received $40.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of our Additional Notes to open American Place. In February 2022, we received $102.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of additional senior secured notes to develop American Place.

Other Factors Affecting Liquidity

We have significant outstanding debt and contractual obligations, in addition to planned capital expenditures related to the construction of Chamonix and American Place. Our principal debt matures in February 2028. Certain planned capital expenditures designed to grow the Company, such as the permanent American Place facility and the potential future expansion of Silver Slipper, may require additional financing and/or temporarily reduce the Company’s ability to repay debt.

Our operations are subject to financial, economic, competitive, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Such future developments are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time.

Long-Term Debt. At December 31, 2023, we had $450.0 million of principal indebtedness outstanding under the Notes, and $27.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. We also owe $2.2 million related to our finance lease of a hotel at Rising Star. With the exception of our Credit Facility, all of our debt is at fixed interest rates.

See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for details on our debt obligations.

**Hyatt Option to Purchase our Leasehold Interest and Related Assets.**Our lease with Hyatt to operate the Grand Lodge Casino currently has an option for Hyatt to purchase our leasehold interest and related casino operating assets. The lease, which has been extended several times in the past, currently expires on December 31, 2024. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information about this option and related rental commitments that could affect our liquidity and capital resources.

**Capital Investments.**In addition to normal maintenance capital expenditures, we expect to make significant capital investments related to the construction of Chamonix and American Place.

Chamonix ⸺ As discussed in“Operating Properties —Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel / Chamonix Casino Hotel” under Part I, Item 1. “Business,” we began the phased opening of Chamonix on December 27, 2023. To fund Chamonix’s construction, we issued our 2028 Notes and placed a portion of such proceeds into a restricted cash account dedicated to Chamonix’s construction (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). As of December 31, 2023, the balance of such restricted cash account was approximately$37.6 million. We expect to invest all of such amount in 2024, with the expected March 2024 completion of Chamonix’s high-end steakhouse and the expected mid-2024 completion of its spa and rooftop pool.

American Place ⸺ As discussed in“Operating Properties —American Place” under Part I, Item 1. “Business,” we were selected by the IGB to develop and operate American Place in Waukegan, Illinois. While the larger permanent facility is under development, we are operating the temporary American Place facility, which opened in February 2023. As previously noted, we have been approved to operate the temporary American Place facility until August 2027, thus delaying any expected meaningful capital expenditures until 2026 or 2027 for the permanent American Place facility. During 2024, we currently expect to invest modest additional amounts into the temporary American Place facility, primarily related to the February 2024 completion of the property’s high-end restaurant and, potentially, modest additional amounts related to construction planning for the permanent American Place facility. While we expect to internally generate a large percentage of the needed funds to complete American Place, we will likely need some additional financing, as well. As detailed within Part I, Item 1A.“Risk Factors”, lawsuits filed by an unsuccessful bidder for the Waukegan gaming license – and against parties unrelated to us – may impact our ability to arrange such financing and, therefore, delay the start of meaningful construction.

Other Capital Expenditures ⸺ Additionally, we may fund various other capital expenditure projects, depending on our financial resources. Our capital expenditures may fluctuate due to decisions regarding strategic capital investments in new or existing facilities, and the timing of capital investments to maintain the quality of our properties. No assurance can be given that any of our planned capital expenditure projects will be completed or that any completed projects will be successful. Our annual capital expenditures typically include some number of new slot machines and related equipment; to some extent, we can coordinate such purchases to match our resources.

We evaluate projects based on a number of factors, including profitability forecasts, length of the development period, the regulatory and political environment, and the ability to secure the funding necessary to complete the development or acquisition, among other considerations. No assurance can be given that any additional projects will be pursued or completed or that any completed projects will be successful.

Principal Debt Arrangements

See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain of our accounting policies require that we apply significant judgment in defining the appropriate assumptions for calculating estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosures. By their nature, judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty, and therefore, actual results may differ from our estimates. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

Our long-lived assets include property and equipment, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangibles, and are evaluated at least annually (and more frequently when circumstances warrant) to determine if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances that might indicate impairment testing is warranted might include, as applicable, an adverse change in the legal, regulatory or business climate relative to gaming nationally or in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or a significant long-term decline in historical or forecasted earnings or cash flows or the fair value of our property or business, possibly as a result of competitive or other economic or political factors. In evaluating whether a loss in value is other than temporary, we consider: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value or market value has been less than cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the casino property, including any specific events which may influence the operations; (iii) our intent related to the asset and ability to retain it for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value; (iv) the condition and trend of the economic cycle; (v) historical and forecasted financial performance; and (vi) trends in the general market.

We review the carrying value of our property and equipment used in our operations whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is recorded based on the fair value of the asset. Fair value is typically measured using a discounted cash flow model whereby future cash flows are discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital, developed using a standard capital-asset pricing model, based on guideline companies in our industry.

We test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or when a triggering event occurs. For our 2023 annual impairment test, we performed selective qualitative and quantitative analyses for our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles and concluded it was more likely than not that the fair values of such intangibles exceeded their carrying values. For 2022, we utilized the option to perform a qualitative analysis for our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles and similarly concluded it was more likely than not that the fair values of such intangibles exceeded their carrying values. Any impairment charges incurred are not reversed if a subsequent evaluation concludes a higher valuation than the carrying value. For further discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 2 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Fixed Asset Capitalization and Depreciation Policies

We define fixed assets as certain property and equipment with economic useful lives that extend beyond a year. Such fixed assets are stated at cost. For a significant amount of our property and equipment, cost was determined at the acquisition date based on estimated fair values. We acquired Bronco Billy’s in May 2016, Silver Slipper in October 2012, Rising Star in April 2011 and Stockman’s in January 2007. Project development costs, which are amounts expended on the pursuit of new business opportunities, acquisition-related costs, as well as other business development activities in the ordinary course of business, are expensed as incurred. Maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life are also expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For our constructed assets, we capitalize direct costs of the project, including fees paid to architects and contractors and property taxes. Salaries are capitalized only for employees working directly on the project. In addition, interest cost associated with major development and construction projects is capitalized as part of the cost of the project. Interest is typically capitalized on amounts expended on the project using the weighted-average cost of our outstanding borrowings. Capitalization of interest starts when construction activities begin and ceases when construction is substantially complete or development activity is suspended for more than a brief period.

We must make estimates and assumptions when accounting for capital expenditures. Whether an expenditure is considered a maintenance expense or a capital asset is sometimes a matter of judgment. When constructing or purchasing assets, we must determine whether existing assets are being replaced or otherwise impaired, which also may be a matter of judgment. In addition, our depreciation expense is highly dependent on the assumptions we make about our assets’ estimated useful lives. We determine the estimated useful lives based on our experience with similar assets, engineering studies, and our estimate of the usage of the asset. Whenever events or circumstances occur, which would change the estimated useful life of an asset, we account for the change prospectively. The depreciation expense for tax purposes follows different rules than under GAAP and can sometimes result in a significantly different depreciation schedule.

Income Taxes

We are subject to federal and state taxes in the United States. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against our net DTAs. Such valuation allowance was $24.0 million for 2023 and $15.2 million for 2022. We make these estimates and judgments about our future taxable income that are based on assumptions that are consistent with our future plans. Tax laws, regulations, and administrative practices may be subject to change due to economic or political conditions, including fundamental changes to the applicable tax laws.

Our income tax returns are subject to examination by the IRS and other tax authorities. Positions taken in tax returns are sometimes subject to uncertainty in the tax laws and may not ultimately be accepted by the IRS or other tax authorities. We assess our tax positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a more-likely-than-not threshold. It is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Additionally, we recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For further discussion of income taxes, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.