ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Recent Events
On January 4, 2000, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Development Company, LLC, a wholly -owned subsidiary of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. ("THCR Holdings"), entered into a Letter of Intent with the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians ("Twenty-Nine Palms") for the development and management of a Native American casino on Twenty-Nine Palms tribal land in Southern California. The plans contemplate an approximately $60 million expansion of the Twenty-Nine Palms' existing Spotlight 29 Casino to include expanded gaming, hotel, restaurants and other amenities. The Twenty-Nine Palms tribal land and existing facility are located directly off I-10 in the Coachella Valley, twenty minutes from Palm Springs. Consummation of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including the negotiation of a definitive development agreement and management agreement and certain approvals and licenses from, among others, the National Indian Gaming Commission.
General
THCR Holdings, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Funding, Inc. ("THCR Funding") and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. ("THCR") were organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in March 1995. The partnership agreement governing THCR Holdings provides that all business activities of THCR must be conducted through THCR Holdings or subsidiary partnerships or corporations. As the sole general partner of THCR Holdings, THCR generally has exclusive rights, responsibilities and discretion in the management and control of THCR Holdings. THCR, through THCR Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino ("Trump Plaza"), and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (the "Taj Mahal"), each located on The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Trump Marina Hotel Casino ("Trump Marina"), located in the marina district of Atlantic City, New Jersey (the "Marina District"), as well as a riverboat casino located at Buffington Harbor on Lake Michigan in Indiana (the "Indiana Riverboat"), making THCR one of the largest casino entertainment companies in the United States. In addition, THCR continues to be the exclusive vehicle through which Donald J. Trump ("Trump") engages in gaming activities in both emerging and established gaming jurisdictions.
The following table profiles THCR's current casino and hotel capacity:
Trump Casino Services, L.L.C. ("TCS"), a New Jersey limited liability company, was formed on June 27, 1996 for the purpose of realizing cost savings and operational synergies by consolidating certain administrative functions of, and providing certain services to, each of Trump Plaza Associates ("Plaza Associates") and Trump Taj Mahal Associates ("Taj Associates"), the owner and operator of Trump Plaza and the Taj Mahal, respectively. Trump Atlantic City Associates ("Trump AC") and Trump Atlantic City Corporation ("TACC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump AC, own a 99% and 1% interest, respectively, in TCS. In June 1996, the New Jersey Casino
Control Commission (the "CCC") granted TCS an initial casino license through July 1997 which has been renewed through July 2003. On July 8, 1996, TCS, Plaza Associates and Taj Associates entered into an agreement (the "TCS Services Agreement") pursuant to which TCS provides to each of Taj Associates and Plaza Associates certain management, financial and other functions and services necessary and incidental to the respective operation of each of their casino hotels. On October 23, 1996, TCS, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Trump's Castle Associates, L.P. ("Castle Associates") entered into an Amended and Restated Services Agreement pursuant to which TCS also provides those same functions and services to Castle Associates in connection with the operation of Trump Marina. In 1998, TCS, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and Trump Indiana, Inc. ("Trump Indiana") entered into a second Amended and Restated Services Agreement pursuant to which TCS also provides these same functions and services to Trump Indiana in connection with the operation of the Indiana Riverboat. Management believes that TCS' services result in cost savings and operational synergies.
THCR operates in only one industry segment. See "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Trump Plaza
Management believes that Trump Plaza's Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences reflects the high quality amenities and services that Trump Plaza provides to its casino patrons and hotel guests. These amenities and services include a broad selection of dining choices, headline entertainment, deluxe accommodations, tennis courts, swimming and health spa facilities and a state of the art beauty salon.
Management believes that as a result of Trump Plaza's strategic location and high quality amenities, Trump Plaza is one of the premier host properties in Atlantic City. Management believes that the construction of the new convention center and the tourist corridor linking the new convention center with The Boardwalk enhances the desirability of Atlantic City generally and, as a result of Trump Plaza's central location, benefits Trump Plaza in particular. Trump Plaza's location on The Boardwalk at the end of the main highway into Atlantic City makes it highly accessible for both "drive-in" and "walk-in" patrons.
The following table details Trump Plaza's current casino and hotel capacity:
Trump Plaza's management team has launched a variety of initiatives designed to increase the level of casino gaming activity generally at Trump Plaza and to attract casino patrons who tend to wager more frequently than the typical Atlantic City patron. These initiatives include targeted marketing and advertising campaigns directed to select groups of customers in the Boston-New York-Washington, D.C. corridor and the introduction of new updated gaming products.
Atlantic City Marketing Strategy
Trump Plaza. Trump Plaza East has been integrated into Trump Plaza and together the two are operated as a single casino hotel facility. Trump Plaza presently intends to continue the marketing strategies it has found
successful in the past, including targeting lucrative high-end drive-in slot customers. Management believes the additional hotel rooms and gaming facilities at Trump Plaza East better enable Trump Plaza to accommodate the more profitable weekend drive-in patron, who tends to wager more per play and per visit than the typical walk-in or bus patron.
Trump World's Fair. During the fourth quarter of 1999, Trump World's Fair ("Trump World's Fair") was closed and is in the process of being demolished to make way for a new development site. Trump World's Fair was situated in a twenty year old structure with a casino on three levels and lacked a parking garage and was inefficient to operate. Management believes that Trump Plaza will capture a significant portion of the customers displaced by the closure of Trump World's Fair and will be able to service those customers with available capacity, while at the same time creating what management believes is perhaps the finest development site in Atlantic City for either sale or future development by THCR.
Trump Plaza Business Strategy
General. A primary element of Trump Plaza's business strategy is to attract patrons who tend to wager more frequently and in larger denominations than the typical Atlantic City gaming customer. Such high-end players typically wager $5 or more per play in slots and $25 or more per play in table games.
Trump Plaza also caters to the mid to high level segment. Trump Plaza's concentration of special events, entertainment, suites and variety of gourmet restaurants define its presence and highly perceived image. Trump Plaza's suite product, high end slot clubs and fine dining restaurants indicate Plaza Associates' commitment to this segment of the market. While Trump Plaza strives to accommodate the more lucrative drive-in patron, it also offers a fun, relaxing experience which is extremely appealing to the bus rider. A combination of lower slot denominations, including one of Atlantic City's largest nickel lounges, lower table limits, sweepstakes, bus bingo programs and tournaments, make this possible.
"Comping" Strategy. In order to compete effectively with other Atlantic City casino hotels, Plaza Associates offers complimentary drinks, meals, room accommodations and/or travel arrangements to its patrons ("complimentaries" or "comps"). Management monitors Trump Plaza's policy so as to provide complimentaries primarily to patrons with a demonstrated propensity to wager at Trump Plaza. A patron's propensity to wager is determined by a review of the patron's prior gaming history at Trump Plaza as well as other gaming establishments in Atlantic City. Each patron is analyzed to ensure that the patron's gaming activity, net of any complimentaries, is potentially profitable to Plaza Associates.
Entertainment. Trump Plaza offers headline entertainment as part of its strategy to attract high-end and other patrons. Trump Plaza offers a variety of headline entertainment throughout the year.
Player Development/Casino Hosts. Plaza Associates currently employs gaming representatives in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states to promote Trump Plaza to prospective gaming patrons. Player development personnel host special events, offer incentives and contact patrons directly in an effort to attract high-end table game patrons from the United States, Canada and South America. Trump Plaza's casino hosts assist patrons on the casino floor, make room and dinner reservations and provide general assistance. They also solicit frequent player slot card (the "Trump Card") sign-ups in order to increase Plaza Associates' marketing base.
Promotional Activities. The Trump Card constitutes a key element in Trump Plaza's direct marketing program. Slot machine players are encouraged to register for and utilize their personalized Trump Card to earn various complimentaries based upon their level of play. The Trump Card is inserted during play into a card reader attached to the slot machine for use in computerized rating systems. Plaza Associates' computer systems record data about the cardholders, including playing preferences, frequency and denomination of play and the amount of gaming revenues produced.
Trump Plaza designs promotional offers, conveyed via direct mail and telemarketing, to patrons expected to provide revenues based upon their historical gaming patterns. Such information is gathered on slot wagering by the Trump Card and on table game wagering by the casino game supervisors. Promotional activities include the
mailing of vouchers for complimentary slot play. Trump Plaza also utilizes a special events calendar (e.g., birthday parties, sweepstakes and special competitions) to promote its gaming operations.
Bus Program. Trump Plaza has a bus program, which transports approximately 1,800 gaming patrons per day during the week and 3,600 per day on the weekends. Trump Plaza's bus program offers incentives and discounts to certain scheduled and chartered bus customers. Trump Plaza's Transportation Facility (as defined) contains 13 bus bays and is connected by an enclosed pedestrian walkway to Trump Plaza. The Transportation Facility provides patrons with immediate access to the casino, and contains a comfortable lounge area for patrons waiting for return buses.
Credit Policy. Historically, Trump Plaza has extended credit on a discretionary basis to certain qualified patrons. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 credit play as a percentage of total dollars wagered was approximately 18.9%, 22.4% and 22.8%, respectively. Trump Plaza bases credit limits on all individual patron's creditworthiness, as determined by an examination of the following criteria: (i) checking each patron's personal checking account for current and average balances, (ii) performing a credit check using a credit agency specializing in casino credit on each domestic patron and (iii) checking each patron's credit limits and indebtedness at all casinos in the United States as well as many island casinos. The above determination of a patron's continued creditworthiness is performed for continuing patrons on a yearly basis or more frequently if Trump Plaza deems a re-determination of creditworthiness is necessary. In addition, depositing of markers is regulated by the State of New Jersey. Markers in increments of $1,000 or less are deposited in a maximum of 7 days; markers of increments of $1,001 to $5,000 are deposited in a maximum of 14 days; and markers in increments of over $5,001 are deposited in a maximum of 45 days. Markers may be deposited sooner at the request of patrons or at Trump Plaza's discretion.
Facilities and Amenities
Trump Plaza. The casino in Trump Plaza's main tower currently offers 94 table games and 2,183 slot machines. In addition to the casino, Trump Plaza's main tower consists of a 31-story tower with 555 guest rooms, including 62 suites. Trump Plaza's main tower also offers 10 restaurants, a 750-seat cabaret theater, four cocktail lounges, 28,000 square feet of convention, ballroom and meeting room space, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a health spa.
The entry level of Trump Plaza's main tower includes a cocktail lounge, three gift shops, a deli, a coffee shop, a pastry shop and a buffet. The casino level houses the casino, an exclusive slot lounge for high-end patrons and an ocean view high-end slot area and a private gaming area themed with various elements of Asian decor. An enclosed walkway connects Trump Plaza at the casino level with the original Atlantic City Convention Center.
Trump Plaza East offers 349 hotel rooms and a casino with windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and The Boardwalk.
Trump Plaza's guest rooms are located in two towers which afford most guest rooms a view of the ocean. While rooms are of varying size, a typical guest room consists of approximately 400 square feet. Trump Plaza's main tower also features 16 one- bedroom suites, 28 two-bedroom suites and 18 "Super Suites." The Super Suites are located on the top two floors of Trump Plaza's main tower and offer luxurious accommodations and 24-hour butler and maid service. The Super Suites and certain other suites are located on the "Club Level" which requires guests to use a special elevator key for access, and contains a lounge area that offers food and bar facilities.
Trump Plaza's main tower is connected by an enclosed pedestrian walkway to a 10- story parking garage, which can accommodate approximately 2,650 cars, and contains 13 bus bays, a comfortable lounge, a gift shop and a waiting area (the "Transportation Facility"). The Transportation Facility provides patrons with immediate access to the casino, and is located directly off the Atlantic City Expressway, the main highway into Atlantic City.
Trump Plaza opened a new table gaming area named "Shangri-La" to cater specifically to the Asian gaming customer. Shangri-La features 15 Asian style games (Pai-gow Poker, etc.) in a private gaming area
themed with various elements of Asian decor. Adjacent to the Shangri-La gaming area is the Shangri- La Cafe, an existing eatery that was also themed with Asian decor and offers additional amenities targeted to attract Asian customers to include a kareoke stage area, sushi bar and more. The cost to renovate both of these areas was approximately $700,000.
In January 2000, Trump Plaza completed an approximately $425,000 renovation and expansion of its salon. The new 2,720 square foot salon offers state of the art equipment and a full range of services geared towards Trump Plaza's high end clientele.
Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. ("Time Warner") operates a Warner Brothers Studio Store occupying the entire first floor of retail space on The Boardwalk at Trump Plaza East (approximately 17,000 square feet).
The original Atlantic City Convention Center, which is immediately adjacent to Trump Plaza, is undergoing a $72 million renovation funded by the CRDA. These improvements are expected to be complete by the summer of 2001 and will convert the East Hall into a modern special events venue, that management believes will benefit Trump Plaza.
Employees and Labor Relations
Plaza Associates has approximately 3,100 full-time equivalent employees of whom approximately 1,100 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreement with Local No. 54 expires on September 15, 2004. Management believes that its relationships with its employees are satisfactory. Certain of Plaza Associates' employees must be licensed or registered under the New Jersey Casino Control Act (the "Casino Control Act").
Historical Background
The 1997 Events. In December 1997, Trump AC and Trump Atlantic City Funding II, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Funding II"), issued the TAC II Notes (as defined) and Trump AC and Trump Atlantic City Funding III, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Funding III"), issued the TAC III Notes (as defined).
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal continues to rank first among all Atlantic City casinos in terms of total gaming revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 as well as in each previous year since opening in 1990. The Taj Mahal capitalizes on the widespread recognition and marquee status of the "Trump" name and its association with high quality amenities and first-class service as evidenced by its Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Management believes that the breadth and diversity of the Taj Mahal's casino, entertainment and convention facilities and its status as a "must see" attraction will enable the Taj Mahal to benefit from growth of the Atlantic City market.
In past years, Taj Associates has completed construction of the Taj Entertainment Complex (as defined), reconfigured and expanded the casino floor to provide race simulcasting, poker wagering and keno, opened an Asian themed table game area, opened the Bengal Club for mid-level slot players and increased the number of poker tables and slot machines. The Taj Mahal's poker room is the largest in Atlantic City, which management believes adds to its customers' overall gaming experience. Taj Associates continually monitors operations to adapt to and anticipate industry trends. From 1994 to mid-1997, the Taj Mahal refurbished substantially all of its hotel guest rooms and corridors and replaced all of its existing slot machines with new, more efficient machines with bill acceptors. Moreover, to further attract high-end players, the Taj Mahal opened the Dragon Room, an Asian themed table gaming area with 16 table games, and the Sultan's Palace, a separate 5,900 square-foot high-end slot lounge. In connection with the Sultan's Palace, the Taj Mahal opened the relocated and expanded President's Club for high-end slot players.
Also, in recent years, the Taj Mahal constructed a 2,400 space expansion of the existing self parking facilities, which was completed in May 1997, and an approximately 7,000 square foot casino expansion accommodating approximately 260 slot machines with frontage on The Boardwalk, which was completed in July 1997. In addition, to increase entertainment opportunities for customers, the Hard Rock Cafe, the All Star Cafe and the Stage Deli of New York were opened at the Taj Mahal. A Warner Brothers Studio Store opened at the Taj Mahal in May 1997. In 1999, Taj Associates again expanded its casino floor boardwalk frontage by approximately 4,600 square feet, accommodating the addition of approximately 200 slot machines.
The Taj Mahal recently completed the expansion of the retail shopping area along the length of its parking garage promenade walkway which immediately adjoins the Taj Mahal's main retail shopping area. The first tenant, Starbucks, operated by Host International, Inc., opened in September 1996. Sbarro's, an Italian eatery, operated by Sbarro America Properties, Inc., opened in October 1998. Boardwalk Treats, Beka's Pastries and a Harley Davidson retail merchandise outlet opened at various times during 1999. A Sunglass Hut, operated by Sunglass Hut International, opened in August 1998 in a separate location also adjoining the Taj Mahal's main retail shopping area.
In November 1998, the Taj Mahal entered into a development agreement with the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (the "CRDA") for the redevelopment of the road corridors and surrounding neighborhoods leading from Route 30, one of its major access routes, and the Taj Mahal. The project, which is expected to cost approximately $20.8 million and will use the Taj Mahal's funds on deposit with the CRDA, is scheduled to be completed in phases through the summer of 2000 and will greatly enhance the Taj Mahal's customer's experience and ease in reaching the Taj Mahal. The project itself will greatly improve the road infrastructure and lighting, provide extensive landscaping, involve the acquisition and demolishing of deteriorated buildings and involve the completion of a new housing development.
Taj Mahal Operations
General. The Taj Mahal currently has approximately 152,350 square feet of gaming space, 210 table games and 4,452 slot machines, which includes an approximately 12,000 square-foot poker, keno and race simulcasting room with 67 poker tables. The casino's offerings include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, mini baccarat, sic-bo, pai gow, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, big six, Spanish 21, mini dice and let it ride poker. In addition, the Taj Mahal offers an Asian themed table game area which offers 16 popular Asian table games catering to the Taj Mahal's growing Asian clientele. As a special bonus to high-end players, the Taj Mahal offers three clubs for the exclusive use of select customers: the Maharajah Club for high-end table game players, the President's Club for high-end slot players and the Bengal Club for other preferred slot players.
In recent years, to increase entertainment opportunities for customers, the Hard Rock Cafe, the All Star Cafe and the Stage Deli of New York were opened at the Taj Mahal. A Warner Brothers Studio Store opened in May 1997.
The Taj Mahal currently consists of a 42-story hotel tower and contiguous low-rise structure sited on approximately 30 acres of land. The Taj Mahal has 1,250 guest rooms (including 242 suites), 19 dining and 12 beverage locations, parking for approximately 6,950 cars, a 14-bay bus terminal and approximately 65,000 square feet of ballroom, meeting room and pre-function area space. In addition, the Taj Mahal features a 20,000 square-foot multi-purpose entertainment complex known as the Xanadu Theater with seating capacity for approximately 1,200 people which can be used as a theater, concert hall, boxing arena or exhibition hall (the "Taj Entertainment Complex") and the Mark Etess Arena, which comprises an approximately 63,000 square- foot exhibition hall and entertainment facility. The Xanadu Theater and Mark Etess Arena have allowed the Taj Mahal to offer longer running, more established productions that cater to the tastes of the Taj Mahal's high-end international guests, and has afforded the Taj Mahal more flexibility in the use of its facilities for sporting and other headline programs. The Taj Mahal regularly engages well-known musicians and entertainment personalities and will continue to emphasize weekend marquee events such as high visibility sporting events, international festivals and contemporary concerts to maximize casino traffic and to maintain the highest level of glamour and excitement at the Taj Mahal.
Gaming Environment. The Taj Mahal's management continues to capitalize on the Taj Mahal's status as one of the largest facilities in Atlantic City and a "must see" attraction, while maintaining the attractiveness of the property and providing a comfortable gaming experience. In the period 1994 through 1997, the Taj Mahal substantially replaced all of its existing slot machines with new, more efficient machines with bill acceptors. In addition, the Taj Mahal features a 12,000 square-foot poker and simulcast area, which features 67 poker tables in the largest poker room in Atlantic City. For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Taj Mahal captured approximately 55.3% of the total Atlantic City poker revenues. In 1997 the Taj Mahal expanded its casino floor by approximately 8,600 square feet. The 1997 expansion accommodated casino space with Boardwalk frontage and a second horserace simulcasting location. In 1999 the Taj Mahal again expanded its casino floor boardwalk frontage by approximately 4,600 square feet, accommodating the addition of approximately 200 additional slot machines.
The Taj Mahal currently intends to reconfigure its casino floor, subject to approval by the CCC on an ongoing basis, to accommodate changes in patron demand. Management continuously monitors the configuration of the casino floor and the games it offers to patrons with a view towards making changes and improvements. For example, the Taj Mahal's casino floor has clear, large signs for the convenience of patrons. Additionally, as new games have been approved by the CCC, management has integrated such games to the extent it deems appropriate. Mini dice was added in 1997. Spanish 21 was added in 1999.
"Comping" Strategy. In order to compete effectively with other casino hotels, the Taj Mahal offers Complimentaries. Currently, the policy at the Taj Mahal is to focus promotional activities, including Complimentaries, on middle and upper middle market "drive in" patrons with a propensity to wager who visit Atlantic City frequently and have proven to be the most profitable market segment. Comping policy is determined by a patron's propensity to wager. A patron's propensity to wager is determined by a review of the patron's prior gaming history at the Taj Mahal as well as other gaming establishments in Atlantic City. Each patron is analyzed to ensure that the patron's gaming activity, net of any Complimentaries, is potentially profitable to Taj Associates. Additionally, as a result of increased regulatory flexibility, the Taj Mahal has implemented a cash comping policy to high-end players in order to compete with similar practices in Las Vegas and to attract international business.
Entertainment. Management of the Taj Mahal believes headline entertainment, as well as other sporting and entertainment events, is an effective means of attracting and retaining gaming patrons. The Xanadu Theater, together with the Mark Etess Arena (an approximately 63,000 square-foot exhibition hall facility), afford the Taj Mahal more flexibility in the use of its larger entertainment arena for sporting and other headline programs. The Taj Mahal regularly engages well-known musicians and entertainment personalities and will continue to emphasize weekend "marquee" events such as high visibility sporting events, festivals and contemporary concerts to maintain the highest level of glamour and excitement. Mid-week uses for the facilities include convention events and casino marketing sweepstakes.
Player Development. Management of the Taj Mahal employs marketing representatives as a means of attracting high-end slot and table gaming patrons to the property and to host special events, offer incentives and contact patrons directly in the United States, Canada and South America. In addition, targeted marketing to international clientele will be continued in Latin America, Mexico, Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.
The casino hosts assist patrons on the casino floor, make room and dinner reservations and provide general assistance. They also solicit Trump Card (a player identification card) sign-ups in order to increase the Taj Mahal's marketing base.
The Taj Mahal also plans to continue the development of its slot and coin programs through direct mail and targeted marketing campaigns emphasizing the high-end player. "Motorcoach Marketing," the Taj Mahal's customer bus-in program, has been an important component of player development and will continue to focus on tailoring its player base and maintaining a low-cost package.
Promotional Activities. The Trump Card, a player identification card, constitutes a key element in the Taj Mahal's direct marketing program. Both table and slot machine players are encouraged to register for and utilize their personalized Trump Card to earn various complimentaries and incentives based on their level of play. The
Trump Card is inserted during play into a card reader attached to the table or slot machine for use in computerized rating systems. These computer systems record data about the cardholder, including playing preferences, frequency and denomination of play and the amount of gaming revenues produced. Sales and management personnel are able to monitor the identity and location of the cardholder and the frequency and denomination of such cardholder's play. They can also use this information to provide attentive service to the cardholder while the patron is on the casino floor.
The Taj Mahal designs promotional offers, conveyed via direct mail and telemarketing, to patrons expected to provide revenues based upon their historical gaming patterns. Such information is gathered on slot wagering by the Trump Card and on table game wagering by the casino games supervisor. Promotional activities at the Taj Mahal include the mailing of vouchers for complimentary slot and table game play and utilization of a special events calendar (e.g., birthday parties, sweepstakes and special competitions) to promote its gaming operations.
The Taj Mahal conducts slot machine and table game tournaments in which cash prizes are offered to a select group of players invited to participate in the tournament based upon their tendency to play. Special events such as "Slot Sweepstakes" and "bingo" are designed to increase mid-week business. Players at these tournaments also tend to play on the casino floor at their own expense during "off-hours" of the tournament. At times, tournament players are also offered special dining and entertainment privileges that encourage them to remain at the Taj Mahal.
Credit Policy. Historically, the Taj Mahal has extended credit on a discretionary basis to certain qualified patrons. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 the Taj Mahal's credit play as a percentage of total dollars wagered was approximately 31.2%, 26.6% and 23.7%, respectively. The Taj Mahal bases credit limits on all individual patron's creditworthiness, as determined by an examination of the following criteria: (i) checking each patron's personal checking account for current and average balances, (ii) performing a credit check using a credit agency specializing in casino credit on each domestic patron and (iii) checking each patron's credit limits and indebtedness at all casinos in the United States as well as many island casinos. The above determination of a patron's continued creditworthiness is performed for continuing patrons on a yearly basis or more frequently if the Taj Mahal deems a re-determination of creditworthiness is necessary. In addition, depositing of markers is regulated by the State of New Jersey. Markers in increments of $1,000 or less are deposited in a maximum of 7 days; markers of increments of $1,001 to $5,000 are deposited in a maximum of 14 days; and markers in increments of over $5,001 are deposited in a maximum of 45 days. Markers may be deposited sooner at the request of patrons or at the Taj Mahal's discretion.
Employees
Taj Associates has approximately 4,500 full time equivalent employees for the operation of the Taj Mahal, of whom approximately 1,875 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreement with Local No. 54 expires on September 15, 2004. Management believes that its relationships with its employees are satisfactory and that its staffing levels are sufficient to provide superior service. Certain of Taj Associates' employees must be licensed or registered under the Casino Control Act.
Trump Marina
Castle Associates owns and operates Trump Marina, a luxury casino hotel located on 14.7 acres in the Marina District approximately two miles from The Boardwalk. Trump Marina is approximately one-quarter mile from the H-Tract. Trump Marina consists of a 27-story hotel tower with 728 rooms, including 153 suites, 97 of which are "Crystal Tower" luxury suites, and contains approximately 75,900 square feet of gaming space. Trump Marina offers 2,159 slot machines, 86 table games, 8 restaurants, two clubs for the exclusive use of select customers, approximately 58,000 square feet of convention, ballroom and meeting space, a 9-story parking garage, which can accommodate approximately 3,000 cars, a 540-seat cabaret theater, two cocktail lounges, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a health club and a roof-top helipad. In addition, Trump Marina operates a 645-slip marina, which is adjacent to the casino hotel. An elevated enclosed walkway connects Trump Marina to a two-story
building which contains offices, a nautically themed retail store, a cocktail lounge and a 240-seat gourmet restaurant that overlooks the marina and the Atlantic City skyline. As a result of its high quality amenities, its exceptional customer service and its geographical location, Trump Marina distinguishes itself as a desirable alternative to the Atlantic City casinos located on The Boardwalk.
Marketing Strategy
Management's recent retheming of Trump Marina is intended to build upon the casino's established customer base by attracting a younger crowd to the facility. In keeping with this initiative, management has aimed to differentiate Trump Marina from other Atlantic City casinos by offering contemporary entertainment attractions and its "Wild Side" marketing campaign. The "Wild Side" marketing program consists of a coordinated advertising, entertainment and marketing campaign that is geared towards younger affluent patrons but does not exclude Trump Marina's established customer base. Management, which developed the "Wild Side" marketing program after careful study of the Atlantic City market, seeks to accomplish its goals via an advertising campaign with a fun and youthful appeal, as well as providing varied and extensive contemporary entertainment in the Grand Cayman Ballroom, "The Shell" (a cabaret style theater), "The Wave" (a night club), "The Deck" (for outdoor summertime entertainment) and large outdoor performances billed as "Rock the Dock" concerts.
Service. By providing and maintaining a first-class facility and exceptional service, Trump Marina has earned the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and the American Automobile Association's "Four Diamond" rating. Trump Marina provides a broadly diversified gaming and entertainment experience consistent with the "Trump" name and reputation for quality amenities and first-class service.
Gaming Environment. To stay abreast of current gaming trends in Atlantic City, Trump Marina's management continuously monitors the configuration of the casino floor and the games it offers to patrons with a view towards making changes and improvements. A sophisticated computerized slot tracking and marketing system is employed to perform this analysis. This monitoring has confirmed a recent trend in the Atlantic City market towards fewer table games and more slot machines. For example, slot machine revenue for the Atlantic City market increased from 54.6% of the industry table games and slot revenue in 1988 to 71.7% of industry table games and slot revenue in 1999. Trump Marina experienced a similar increase, with slot revenue increasing from 52.5% of table games and slot revenue in 1988 to 73.2% of table games and slot revenue in 1999. In response to this trend, management devoted more of its casino floor space to slot machines between 1994 and 1999, and has replaced substantially all of its slot machines with newer machines.
"Comping" Strategy. In order to compete effectively with other Atlantic City casino hotels, Trump Marina offers complimentaries primarily to patrons with a demonstrated propensity to wager at Trump Marina. The policy at Trump Marina is to focus promotional activities, including complimentaries, on middle and upper middle market "drive-in" patrons who visit Atlantic City frequently and have proven to be the most profitable market segment. A patron's propensity to wager is determined by a review of the patron's prior gaming history at Trump Marina as well as other gaming establishments in Atlantic City. Each patron is analyzed to ensure that the patron's gaming activity, net of any complimentaries, is potentially profitable to Castle Associates.
Entertainment and Special Events. Trump Marina pursues a coordinated program of headline entertainment and special events. Trump Marina offers headline entertainment approximately twenty times a year in its main ballroom, complemented by contemporary acts each weekend in the cabaret theater. As a part of its marketing plan, Trump Marina offers special events aimed at its core, middle and upper-middle market segments. Trump Marina also hosts special events on an invitation-only basis in an effort to attract existing targeted gaming patrons and build loyalty among these patrons. These special events include theme parties and gaming tournaments. Headline entertainment is scheduled to complement these special events. In addition, as part of its "Wild Side" marketing campaign, Trump Marina features outdoor bands nightly (in season) as well as outdoor concerts promoted under the "Rock the Dock" theme. Recent performances have included Sting, Hootie and the Blowfish, Meatloaf, Bad Company and George Carlin.
Player Development and Casino Hosts. Trump Marina has contracts with sales representatives in New Jersey, New York and other states to promote the casino hotel. Trump Marina has sought to attract more middle market slot patrons, as well as premium players through its "junket" marketing operations, which involve attracting groups of patrons by providing airfare, gifts, and room accommodations. Player development personnel host special events, offer incentives, and contact patrons directly in an effort to attract high-limit table game patrons.
The casino hosts at Trump Marina assist table game patrons, and the slot sales representatives at Trump Marina assist slot patrons on the casino floor, make room and dinner reservations, and provide general assistance. Slot sales representatives also solicit frequent player identification slot card (the "Marina Card") sign-ups in order to increase Trump Marina's marketing base.
Promotional Activities. The Marina Card constitutes a key element in the direct marketing program of Trump Marina. Slot machine players are encouraged to register for and utilize their personalized Marina Card to earn various complimentaries based upon their level of play. The Marina Card is inserted during play into a card reader attached to the slot machine for use in computerized rating systems. These computer systems record data about the cardholder, including playing preferences, frequency and denomination of play and the amount of gaming revenues produced. Slot sales and management personnel are able to monitor the identity and location of the cardholder and the frequency and denomination of the cardholder's slot play. They also use this information to provide attentive service to the cardholder on the casino floor.
Trump Marina designs promotional offers, conveyed via direct mail and telemarketing, to patrons expected to provide revenues based upon their historical gaming patterns. Such information is gathered on slot wagering by the Marina Card and on table wagering by the casino games supervisor. Trump Marina conducts slot machine and table game tournaments in which cash prizes are offered to a select group of players invited to participate in the tournament based upon their tendency to play. Such players tend to play at their own expense during "off-hours" of the tournament. At times, tournament players are also offered special dining and entertainment privileges that encourage them to remain at Trump Marina.
Credit Policy. Historically, Trump Marina has extended credit on a discretionary basis to certain qualified patrons. Table games credit play, as a percentage of total dollars wagered, was approximately 32.4%, 30.1% and 32.6% for 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Trump Marina bases credit limits on each individual patron's creditworthiness, as determined by an examination of the following criteria: (i) checking each patron's personal checking account for current and average balances; (ii) performing a credit check using a credit agency specializing in casino credit on each domestic patron; and (iii) checking each patron's credit limits and indebtedness at all casinos in the United States as well as many island casinos. The above determination of a patron's continued creditworthiness is performed for continuing patrons on a yearly basis or more frequently if Trump Marina deems a re-determination of creditworthiness is necessary. In addition, depositing of markers is regulated by the State of New Jersey. Markers of $1,000 or less are deposited in a maximum of 7 days; markers of $1,001 to $5,000 are deposited in a maximum of 14 days; and markers over $5,001 are deposited in a maximum of 45 days. Markers may be deposited sooner at the request of patrons or at Trump Marina's discretion.
Bus Program. Trump Marina has a bus program which transports approximately 600 gaming patrons per day during the week and 700 per day on the weekends. Castle Associates' bus program offers incentives and discounts to certain scheduled and chartered bus customers. Based on historical surveys, management has determined that gaming patrons who arrive by special charters as opposed to scheduled bus lines or who travel distances greater than 60 miles are more likely to create higher gaming revenue. Accordingly, Trump Marina's marketing efforts are focused on such bus patrons.
Trump Marina Retheming
In 1997, Trump Marina completed a project to retheme the casino hotel with a nautical emphasis, targeting younger customers by offering contemporary entertainment attractions and emphasizing Trump Marina's energetic, lively atmosphere.
Employee Relations
As of December 31, 1999, Castle Associates employed approximately 3,300 full and part-time employees, of whom approximately 1,200 were subject to collective bargaining agreements. Castle Associates' collective bargaining agreement with Local No. 54 expires on September 15, 2004. Such agreement extends to approximately 900 employees. In addition, four other collective bargaining agreements cover approximately 300 maintenance employees. Castle Associates believes that its relationships with its employees are satisfactory. Funding and TCHI have no employees.
Certain employees of Castle Associates must be licensed by or registered with the CCC, depending on the nature of the position held. Casino employees are subject to more stringent licensing requirements than non-casino employees, and must meet applicable standards pertaining to such matters as financial responsibility, good character, ability, casino training, experience and New Jersey residency. Such regulations have resulted in significant competition for employees who meet these requirements.
Historical Background
General. Trump's Castle Funding, Inc. ("Castle Funding") was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in May 1985 and is wholly owned by Castle Associates. Castle Funding was formed to serve as a financing corporation to raise funds as an agent of Castle Associates. Trump's Castle Hotel & Casino, Inc. ("TCHI"), the general partner of Castle Associates, was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in April 1985, and is wholly owned by THCR Holdings. Since Castle Funding and TCHI have no business operations, their ability to service their indebtedness is completely dependent upon funds they receive from Castle Associates. Accordingly, the following discussion is related primarily to Castle Associates and its operations.
PIK Note Acquisition. On June 23, 1995, Castle Associates entered into an agreement with Hamilton Partners, L.P. ("Hamilton") which granted Castle Associates an option (the "Castle Option") to acquire the Increasing Rate Subordinated Pay-in-Kind Notes due 2005 of Castle Funding (the "Castle PIK Notes") (which are currently subordinated to the New Castle Senior Notes (as defined), the Working Capital Loan (as defined) and the Castle Mortgage Notes (as defined)) owned by Hamilton (the "Castle Option Agreement"). The Castle Option was granted to Castle Associates in consideration of $1.9 million of aggregate payments to Hamilton. The Castle Option was exercisable at a price equal to 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Castle PIK Notes delivered by Hamilton, with accrued but unpaid interest, plus 100% of the Castle PIK Notes issued to Hamilton as interest subsequent to June 23, 1995. Pursuant to the terms of the Castle Option Agreement, upon the occurrence of certain events within 18 months of the time the Castle Option is exercised, Castle Associates was required to make an additional payment to Hamilton of up to 40% of the principal amount of the Castle PIK Notes. On May 21, 1996, Castle Associates assigned the Castle Option to THCR Holdings, which, on that same date, exercised the Castle Option and acquired approximately 90% of the then outstanding Castle PIK Notes for approximately $38.7 million, in exchange for which THCR Holdings received an aggregate of approximately $59.3 million principal amount of Castle PIK Notes.
April 1998 Refinancing. On April 17, 1998, Castle Funding refinanced a portion of its outstanding debt, on a consolidated basis, consisting of $38 million outstanding on a term loan with a bank (the "Castle Term Loan"), and its 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2000 (the "Old Castle Senior Notes") by issuing 10 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2003 (the "New Castle Senior Notes"). The proceeds from the issuance of the New Castle Senior Notes were used to redeem all of the issued and outstanding Old Castle Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount and to repay the Castle Term Loan in full. In conjunction with this refinancing, TCHI obtained a working capital credit facility (the "Working Capital Loan"). Both the New Castle Senior Notes and the Working Capital Loan are guaranteed by Castle Associates. The New Castle Senior Notes have an outstanding principal amount of $62,000,000, bear interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually each April and October, and mature on April 30, 2003. The Working Capital Loan has an outstanding principal amount of $5,000,000, bears interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi- annually each April and October and matures on April 30, 2003.
Indiana Riverboat
The Indiana Riverboat features an approximately 280-foot luxury yacht containing approximately 37,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,250 slot machines, 50 table games and capacity for approximately 2,690 passengers and 300 employees. The site adjacent to the Indiana Riverboat includes surface parking for approximately 3,000 automobiles and certain other infrastructure improvements including a 300 room hotel. The cost to THCR for the development of the Indiana Riverboat, which includes the land, the vessel, gaming equipment, a pavilion for staging and ticketing and restaurant facilities, berthing and support facilities and parking facilities, is $145 million through December 31, 1999. During the remainder of Trump Indiana's initial five-year license term, an additional $14 million of funds will be required to be spent in connection with municipal commitments required in connection with the licensure process. The remaining $14 million required to be spent over the remainder of the initial five-year license term is expected to be funded with cash from operations or other available financings.
Buffington Harbor is approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago. In addition, the cities of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Toledo, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee are each within a 175-mile radius of Buffington Harbor. Management believes the Indiana Riverboat benefits from (i) its location and size, (ii) its strategy of developing, together with Barden (as defined), an array of entertainment, retail and restaurant attractions, and coordinated cruise schedules and (iii) the widespread recognition of the "Trump" name and what management believes to be its reputation for quality. Gaming facilities in Illinois are presently limited to 1,200 gaming positions under current regulations in Illinois, which management believes puts Illinois properties at a competitive disadvantage to larger facilities such as the Indiana Riverboat. However, recent statutory changes now enable Illinois riverboats to remain dockside, allowing patrons to freely enter and exit.
THCR focuses its marketing efforts for the Indiana Riverboat on the middle market, which makes up the majority of the gaming population in the 200-mile radius of Buffington Harbor, encompassing portions of the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin (the "Great Lakes Market"). The middle market constitutes a broad segment of casino patrons who come to a casino for exciting recreation and entertainment and who typically wager less, on an individual basis, than high-end patrons. Through the use of the "Trump" name and systematic marketing programs, THCR has been attracting this middle market customer.
The operation of a gaming riverboat in Indiana is subject to Indiana's Riverboat Gambling Act (the "Riverboat Gambling Act") and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder. Under the Riverboat Gambling Act, all games typically available in Atlantic City casinos are permitted on the Indiana Riverboat. The riverboat casinos in Indiana are permitted to stay open 21 hours per day, 365 days per year and to extend credit and accept credit charge cards with no loss or wagering limits.
In June 1996, the Indiana Gaming Commission (the "IGC") granted Trump Indiana a riverboat owner's license for the ownership and operation of a gaming vessel at Buffington Harbor, which must be renewed by June 2001.
On June 30, 1995, Trump Indiana acquired, pursuant to the Agreement of Sale with Lehigh Portland Cement Company ("Lehigh"), dated May 10, 1995 (the "Site Sale Agreement"), approximately 88 acres of land at Buffington Harbor (the "Buffington Harbor Site") for $13.5 million. Pursuant to an agreement between Lehigh and Trump Indiana, Lehigh granted Trump Indiana a lease for a term of up to ten years for the use of the harbor and certain of Lehigh's property adjacent to the Buffington Harbor Site for the docking of the Indiana Riverboat vessel (the "Harbor Lease Agreement"). No lease payments were due to Lehigh during the first 30 months of the lease. Pursuant to the Harbor Lease Agreement, Lehigh is entitled to receive lease payments in the amount of $125,000 per month for the use of the property during the remaining term of the lease, if the use continues beyond the initial 30 month period. The initial period has expired and the lease payments are currently being paid to Lehigh. Trump Indiana contributed the Buffington Harbor Site and its rights under the Harbor Lease Agreement to BHR (as defined) in connection with the formation of BHR. Pursuant to the BHR Agreement, BHR will own, develop and operate all common land-based and waterside operations in support of Trump Indiana's and Barden's separate riverboat casinos at Buffington Harbor. Trump Indiana and Barden are each equally responsible for the development and the operating expenses of BHR. BHR is presently negotiating to acquire for $15 million an
additional approximately 14 acres of land currently leased from Lehigh for the construction of a parking garage. After the acquisition, the Harbor Lease Agreement and the payments thereunder will be terminated. It is expected that the land will be acquired and construction of the parking garage commenced during the second quarter of 2000 with completion of the parking garage approximately 10 months thereafter. The 2000 car parking garage and elevated roadway over certain railroad tracks are expected to cost approximately $25 million following the acquisition of this land.
Trump Indiana entered into a Development Agreement (as defined) with the City of Gary, Indiana, dated as of May 1, 1996, which memorialized the commitments made by Trump Indiana to the City of Gary during the licensing process (the "Development Agreement"). The Development Agreement sets forth the scope and timing of the capital expenditures committed to be made by Trump Indiana during the initial five-year term of its riverboat owner's license, Trump Indiana's agreement to pay to the City of Gary four (4%) percent of Trump Indiana's annual adjusted gross receipts and Trump Indiana's commitment regarding the employment of women and racial minorities and the utilization of union labor and local vendors. The Development Agreement also provides for certain monetary penalties in the event Trump Indiana elects to abandon the Buffington Harbor Site within the first four years of gaming operations. In addition, the Development Agreement includes provisions regarding the "Trump Indiana Foundation," a private foundation established by Trump Indiana for charitable purposes primarily within the City of Gary and Lake County, Indiana. As of December 31, 1996, Trump Indiana funded an initial $1.0 million to the Trump Indiana Foundation. In addition, Trump Indiana is required to make annual contributions of $100,000 to the Trump Indiana Foundation for the remaining four years of the Development Agreement. The 1997, 1998 and 1999 contributions were made as of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
THCR believes that competition in the gaming industry, particularly the riverboat and dockside gaming industry, is based on the quality and location of gaming facilities, the effectiveness of marketing efforts, and customer service and satisfaction. Legislation has also been approved during 1999 to expand riverboat gaming in Illinois, including authorizing new sites in the Chicago area with which the Indiana Riverboat would compete. Illinois legislation now permits dockside gaming. There can be no assurance that Indiana will not authorize additional gaming licenses or follow suit to provide dockside gaming. Although management believes that the location of the Indiana Riverboat allows THCR to compete effectively with other casinos in the geographic area surrounding its casino, THCR expects competition in the casino gaming industry to be intense as more casinos are opened and new entrants into the gaming industry become operational. See "--Competition."
Trademark/Licensing
Subject to certain restrictions, THCR has the exclusive right to use the "Trump" name and likeness in connection with gaming and related activities pursuant to a trademark license agreement and the amendments thereto between Trump and THCR (the "License Agreement"). Pursuant to the License Agreement, Trump granted to THCR the world-wide right and license to use the names "Trump," "Donald Trump" and "Donald J. Trump" (including variations thereon, the "Trump Names") and related intellectual property rights (collectively, the "Marks") in connection with casino and gaming activities and related services and products. The License Agreement does not restrict or restrain Trump from the right to use or further license the Trump Names in connection with services and products other than casino services and products.
The license is for a term of the later of: (i) June 2015; (ii) such time as Trump and his affiliates no longer hold a 15% or greater voting interest in THCR; or (iii) such time as Trump ceases to be employed or retained pursuant to an employment, management, consulting or similar services agreement with THCR. Upon expiration of the term of the license, Trump will grant THCR a non- exclusive license for a reasonable period of transition on terms to be mutually agreed upon between Trump and THCR. Trump's obligations under the License Agreement are secured by a security agreement, pursuant to which Trump granted THCR a first priority security interest in the Marks for use in connection with casino services, as well as related hotel, bar and restaurant services.
Certain Indebtedness of THCR
Senior Notes. THCR Holdings and THCR Funding (the "THCR Obligors") are the issuers of $145 million aggregate principal amount of 15 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2005 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are the joint and several obligations of the THCR Obligors. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually in arrears.
The Senior Notes mature on June 15, 2005. The Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to June 15, 2000, except pursuant to a Required Regulatory Redemption (as defined in the indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes were issued (the "Senior Note Indenture")). Thereafter, the Senior Notes may be redeemed at the option of the THCR Obligors, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 2000 at the redemption prices set forth in the Senior Note Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
The obligations of the THCR Obligors under the Senior Note Indenture are secured by (1) an assignment and pledge to the Trustee under the Senior Note Indenture (the "Senior Note Trustee") of (a) 100% of the general partnership interests in Plaza Associates, (b) 100% of the capital stock of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. ("Plaza Funding"), (c) 100% of the general partnership interests in Taj Associates, (d) 100% of the membership interests in Trump Communications, L.L.C. ("Trump Communications"), (e) 100% of the capital stock of TACC, which owns a 1% general partnership interest in Plaza Associates, a 1% general partnership interest in Taj Associates and a 1% membership interest in Trump Communications, (f) 100% of the membership interests in TCS, which owns a 99% membership interest in Trump Communications, (g) 100% of the capital stock of Trump AC Funding, (h) 100% of the general partnership interests in Trump AC, which owns 1% of the capital stock of TACC, 99% of the membership interests of TCS, a 99% general partnership interest in Taj Associates, a 99% general partnership interest in Plaza Associates and 100% of the capital stock of Trump AC Funding, (i) 100% of the capital stock of Trump AC Holding, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of THCR Holdings which owns a 1% general partnership interest in Trump AC, (j) 100% of the capital stock of Trump Indiana, (k) 100% of the capital stock of THCR Funding, (l) 100% of the partnership interests in Castle Associates, (m) 100% of the capital stock of TCHI, which owns a 1% general partnership interest in Castle Associates, (n) other equity interests issued from time to time by THCR Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture), (o) the Castle PIK Notes held by THCR Holdings and (p) promissory notes issued by THCR Holdings or any of its subsidiaries, excluding Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture), from time to time directly owned or acquired by THCR Holdings; and (2) certain proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of the assets described in clause (1) above (collectively, the "Senior Note Collateral"). The security interests in the Senior Note Collateral are first priority security interests and are exclusive. Any equity interests in Subsidiaries of THCR Holdings which are acquired by THCR Holdings will be assigned and pledged to the Senior Note Trustee and the security interests granted in such equity interests will be exclusive, first priority security interests.
TAC I Notes. In April 1996, Trump AC and Trump AC Funding issued in an underwritten offering $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Mortgage Notes which mature on May 1, 2006 (the "TAC I Notes"). The TAC I Notes include restrictive covenants prohibiting or limiting, among other things, the sale of assets, the making of acquisitions and other investments, capital expenditures, the incurrence of additional debt and liens and the payment of dividends and distributions. Non-compliance could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness.
TAC II Notes. In December 1997, Trump AC and Funding II issued $75,000,000 principal amount of Mortgage Notes which mature on May 1, 2006 (the "TAC II Notes"). The TAC II Notes include restrictive covenants prohibiting or limiting, among other things, the sale of assets, the making of acquisitions and other investments, capital expenditures, the incurrence of additional debt and liens and the payment of dividends and distributions. Non-compliance could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness.
TAC III Notes. In December 1997, Trump AC and Funding III issued $25,000,000 principal amount of Mortgage Notes which mature on May 1, 2006 (the "TAC III Notes"). The TAC III Notes include restrictive covenants prohibiting or limiting, among other things, the sale of assets, the making of acquisitions and other
investments, capital expenditures, the incurrence of additional debt and liens and the payment of dividends and distributions. Non-compliance could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness.
Plaza Notes. Plaza Funding's 10-7/8% First Mortgage Notes due 2001 (the "Plaza Notes") were retired in April 1996. The Plaza Notes were issued by Plaza Funding, with Plaza Associates providing a full and unconditional guaranty thereof. The Plaza Notes were retired through repurchase and defeasance and Plaza Funding and Plaza Associates were released from their obligations under all financial and negative covenants and certain other provisions contained in the indenture under which the Plaza Notes were issued (the "Plaza Note Indenture"), and the Plaza Note Security (as defined in the Plaza Note Indenture) was released against the deposit of cash or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient to effect the redemption on June 15, 1998 of all of the Plaza Notes so defeased, at a redemption price of 105% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to such date. Additionally, Plaza Funding irrevocably instructed the Plaza Note Trustee (as defined in the Plaza Note Indenture) to provide notice of such redemption not less than 30 or more than 60 days prior to June 15, 1998.
Castle Notes. Castle Funding's Mortgage Notes bear interest, payable semi- annually in cash, at 11 3/4% and mature on November 15, 2003 (the "Castle Mortgage Notes"). The Castle Mortgage Notes may be redeemed at Castle Funding's option at a specified percentage of the principal amount commencing in 1998.
The Castle Mortgage Notes are secured by a promissory note of Castle Associates to Castle Funding (the "Castle Partnership Note") in an amount and with payment terms necessary to service the Castle Mortgage Notes. The Castle Partnership Note is secured by a mortgage on Trump Marina and substantially all of the other assets of Castle Associates. The Castle Partnership Note has been assigned by Castle Funding to the trustee of the indenture under which the Castle Mortgage Notes were issued to secure the repayment of the Castle Mortgage Notes. In addition, Castle Associates has guaranteed the payment of the Castle Mortgage Notes (the "Castle Guaranty"), which is secured by a mortgage on Trump Marina and substantially all of the assets of Castle Associates. The Castle Partnership Note and the Castle Guaranty are expressly subordinated to the indebtedness of the New Castle Senior Notes (as defined) and the Working Capital Loan (collectively, the "Senior Indebtedness") and the liens of the mortgages securing the Castle Partnership Note and the Castle Guaranty are subordinate to the liens securing the Senior Indebtedness.
The Castle PIK Notes bear interest payable, at Castle Funding's option in whole or in part in cash and through the issuance of additional Castle PIK Notes, semi- annually at the rate of 13 7/8% through November 15, 2003. After November 15, 2003, interest on the Castle PIK Notes is payable in cash at the rate of 13 7/8%. The Castle PIK Notes mature on November 15, 2005. The Castle PIK Notes may be redeemed at Castle Funding's option at 100% of the principal amount under certain conditions, as described in the indenture governing the Castle PIK Notes, and are required to be redeemed from a specified percentage of any equity offering which includes Castle Associates. Interest has been accrued using the effective interest method. On May 15, 1999 and November 15, 1999, the semi-annual interest payments of $6.4 million and $6.9 million, respectively, were paid by the issuance of additional Castle PIK Notes.
The Castle PIK Notes are secured by a subordinated promissory note of Castle Associates to Castle Funding (the "Castle Subordinated Partnership Note"), which has been assigned to the trustee for the Castle PIK Notes, and Castle Associates has issued a subordinated guaranty (the "Castle Subordinated Guaranty") of the Castle PIK Notes. The Castle Subordinated Partnership Note and the Castle Subordinated Guaranty are expressly subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness, the Castle Partnership Note and the Castle Guaranty. On May 21, 1996, THCR Holdings exercised an option and acquired approximately 90% of the then outstanding Castle PIK Notes outstanding for approximately $38.7 million, in exchange for which THCR Holdings received an aggregate of approximately $59.3 million principal amount of Castle PIK Notes.
On April 17, 1998, Castle Funding refinanced the Castle Term Loan and the Old Castle Senior Notes by issuing the New Castle Senior Notes. The proceeds from the issuance of the New Castle Senior Notes were used to redeem all of the issued and outstanding Old Castle Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount and to repay the Castle Term Loan in full. In conjunction with this refinancing, TCHI obtained the Working Capital Loan.
Both the New Castle Senior Notes and the Working Capital Loan are guaranteed by Castle Associates. The New Castle Senior Notes have an outstanding principal amount of $62,000,000 and bear interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually each April and October. The New Castle Senior Notes mature on April 30, 2003. The Working Capital Loan has an outstanding principal amount of $5,000,000 and bears interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually each April and October. The entire principal balance of the Working Capital Loan matures on April 30, 2003.
The terms of the Working Capital Loan, the Castle Mortgage Notes, the Castle PIK Notes and the New Castle Senior Notes include limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness Castle Associates may incur, distributions of Castle Associates capital, investments and other business activities.
Other Indebtedness. In addition to the foregoing, THCR's consolidated long-term indebtedness includes approximately $39.9 million of additional indebtedness as of December 31, 1999.
Atlantic City Market
The Atlantic City Market has demonstrated continued growth despite the recent proliferation of new gaming venues across the country. The 12 casino hotels in Atlantic City generated approximately $4.18 billion in gaming revenues in 1999, an increase of approximately 3.2% over 1998 gaming revenues of approximately $4.05 billion. From 1995 to 1999, total gaming revenues in Atlantic City have increased approximately 11.1%, while hotel rooms increased by 20.6% during that period. Although total visitor volume to Atlantic City remained relatively constant in 1999, the volume of bus customers decreased to 9.5 million in 1999 from 9.9 million in 1998, also representing a decline from 9.6 million in 1995. The volume of customers traveling by other means to Atlantic City has grown from 23.7 million in 1995 to 24.7 million in 1999.
Casino revenue growth in Atlantic City has lagged behind that of other traditional gaming markets, principally Las Vegas, for the last five years. Management believes that this relatively slower growth is primarily attributable to two key factors. First, there were no significant additions to hotel capacity in Atlantic City until 1996. Las Vegas visitor volumes have increased, in part, due to the continued addition of new hotel capacity. Both markets have exhibited a strong correlation between hotel room inventory and total casino revenues. Secondly, the regulatory environment and infrastructure problems in Atlantic City have made it more difficult and costly to operate than in Las Vegas. Total regulatory costs and tax levies in New Jersey have exceeded those in Nevada since inception, and there is generally a higher level of regulatory oversight in New Jersey than in Nevada. The infrastructure problems, manifested by impaired accessibility of the casinos, downtown Atlantic City congestion and the condition of the areas surrounding the casinos have made Atlantic City less attractive to the gaming customer.
Total Atlantic City slot revenues increased 4.6% in 1999 from 1998, continuing a trend of increases over the past seven years. From 1995 through 1999, slot revenue growth in Atlantic City has averaged 5.2% per year. Total table game revenue decreased 0.1% in 1999, while table game revenue from 1995 to 1999 has increased on average approximately 1.6% per year. Management believes the slow growth in table game revenue is primarily attributable to two factors. First, the slot product has been significantly improved over the last seven years. Bill acceptors, new slot machines, video poker, themed slot machines and other improvements have increased the popularity in slot play to include a larger number of guests interested in its entertainment value. Casino operators in Atlantic City have added slot machines in favor of table games due to increased public acceptance of slot play and due to slot machines' comparatively higher profitability as a result of lower labor and support costs. Since 1995, the number of slot machines in Atlantic City has increased by 19.4%, while the number of table games has increased by 2.5%. Slot revenues increased from 68.4% of total casino revenues in 1995 to 70.8% in 1999. The second reason for historic slow growth in table game revenue is that table game players are typically higher end players and are more likely to be interested in overnight stays and other amenities. During peak season and weekends, room availability in Atlantic City is currently inadequate to meet demand, making it difficult for casino operators to aggressively promote table play.
The regulatory environment in Atlantic City has improved over the years. Most significantly, 24-hour gaming has been approved, poker, simulcasting and keno have been added and certain regulatory burdens have been reduced. In particular, comprehensive amendments to New Jersey gaming laws were made in January 1995, which have eliminated duplicative regulatory oversight and channeled a certain portion of operator's funds through 2003 from regulatory support into uses of the CRDA. Administrative costs of regulation will be reduced while increasing funds will be available for new development in Atlantic City. In addition, in 1994, legislation was enacted which eliminated the requirement that a casino consist of a "single room" in a casino hotel. A casino may now consist of "one or more locations or rooms" approved by the CCC for casino gaming.
Atlantic City's new convention center, with approximately 500,000 square feet of exhibit and pre-function space, 45 meeting rooms, food-service facilities and a 1,600-car underground parking garage, is the largest exhibition space between New York City and Washington, D.C. It is located at the base of the Atlantic City Expressway and opened in May 1997. Atlantic City's original convention center is located on The Boardwalk, physically connected to the Trump Plaza, and is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (the "NJSEA"). Its East Hall, which was completed in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is currently undergoing, with funding approved by the CRDA in February 1999, a $72 million renovation to be completed by the summer of 2001. These improvements, while preserving the historic features of this landmark, will convert it into a modern special events venue and will include new seating for 10,000 to 14,000 in its main auditorium, and new lighting, sound and television-ready wiring systems.
In the fall of 1998, the South Jersey Transportation authority (the "SJTA") began constructing a 2.2 mile roadway and tunnel system in Atlantic City which will connect the Atlantic City Expressway to the Marina District and the City of Brigantine and is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2001. The $330 million roadway project, upon completion, will provide vehicles arriving in Atlantic City on the Atlantic City Expressway with direct access to the Marina District, including Trump Marina and the marina at Trump Marina. On January 25, 2000, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court reversed, in part, the issuance of certain development permits which authorized the SJTA to construct this roadway and granted THCR the right to a trial-type administrative hearing in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to determine whether the approved roadway design unfairly and unreasonably either impedes patron access to Trump Marina and the marina at Trump Marina from the proposed H-Tract casino resort development or obscures the visibility of Trump Marina's electronic reader board signage.
In addition to the planned casino expansions (see "Competition"), major infrastructure improvements have been completed. The CRDA oversaw the development of the $88 million "Grand Boulevard" corridor that links the new convention center with The Boardwalk. The project was completed in early 1998. Furthermore, as set forth in a November 1998 agreement with the CRDA, a $20.8 million beautification project is now in progress for the five block Virginia and Maryland Avenue corridors which connect the thirty acre Boardwalk site of the Taj Mahal to Absecon Boulevard (Route 30), one of Atlantic City's principal access roadways. This comprehensive project includes the repair, resurfacing and resignalizing of these roads and the installation of new roadside lighting, the acquisition and demolition of deteriorated structures on Virginia Avenue and, to a lesser extent, Maryland Avenue, and the installation and maintenance of roadside landscaping on those sites, the construction of a twenty-six unit subdivision of two-story, single unit and duplex residences which will front on opposing sides of Virginia Avenue, and the improvement of the exterior facades of selected Virginia Avenue and other structures, with consents of the owners, to achieve a harmony and continuity of design among closely proximate properties. Construction of the roadway and housing elements of this project is expected to be substantially completed by the summer of 2000.
Management believes that these gaming regulatory reforms will serve to permit future reductions in operating expenses of casinos in Atlantic City and to increase the funds available for additional infrastructure development through the CRDA. Due principally to an improved regulatory environment, general improvement of economic conditions and high occupancy rates, significant investment in the Atlantic City Market has been initiated and/or announced. Management believes that these increases in hotel capacity, together with
infrastructure improvements, will be instrumental in stimulating future revenue growth in the Atlantic City Market. See "Competition."
Competition
Atlantic City. Competition in the Atlantic City Market is intense. Trump Plaza, the Taj Mahal and Trump Marina (the "Atlantic City Properties") compete with other casino hotels located in Atlantic City as well as with each other. At present, there are 12 casino hotels located in Atlantic City, including the Atlantic City Properties, all of which compete for patrons. In addition, there are several sites on The Boardwalk and in the Marina District on which casino hotels could be built in the future and various applications for casino licenses have been filed and announcements with respect thereto made from time to time (including a casino resort joint venture (the "Mirage Joint Venture") between Mirage and the Boyd Gaming Corporation to be built in the Marina District which will contain 1,200 rooms, and a casino resort by MGM Grand, Inc. ("MGM") to be built on The Boardwalk after MGM purchases the land chosen as the site for the casino resort). Although management is not aware of any current construction on such sites by third parties, infrastructure improvements in the area have begun. Mirage intends to build a casino resort called LeJardin which will contain approximately 2,000 rooms and will be linked to the resort created as a result of the Mirage Joint Venture. Substantial new expansion and development activity has recently been completed or has been announced in Atlantic City, including the expansion at Harrah's, Hilton, Caesar's, Resorts, Tropicana and Bally's Wild West Casino, which intensifies competitive pressures in the Atlantic City Market. While management believes that the addition of hotel capacity would be beneficial to the Atlantic City Market generally, there can be no assurance that such expansion would not be materially disadvantageous to the Atlantic City Properties. There also can be no assurance that the Atlantic City development projects which are planned or are underway will be completed.
In 1999, Park Place Entertainment, Inc. ("Park Place") completed the acquisition of Caesar's Casino Hotels from Starwoods Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. This acquisition included the Caesar's Atlantic City property, which is adjacent to Bally's Park Place and Wild West casino hotel ("Bally's") owned by Park Place. Park Place has announced plans to connect the Caesar's and Bally's properties with a $24 million connector, which will include additional gaming space, restaurants and retail shops. Announced completion is September 2000. In March 2000, MGM announced an agreement to acquire Mirage, a deal which includes Mirage's property holdings in Atlantic City. At this time, it is not possible to determine the impact that this acquisition will have on Mirage's planned development in the H-Tract or MGM's planned development on The Boardwalk.
Total Atlantic City gaming revenues have increased over the past five years, although at varying rates. During 1995, all 12 casinos experienced increased gaming revenues compared to 1994. During 1996, six casinos (including Trump Plaza and the Taj Mahal) experienced increased gaming revenues compared to 1995, while six casinos experienced decreased revenues. In 1997, eight casinos (including Trump Plaza, Trump Marina and the Taj Mahal) experienced increased gaming revenues compared to 1996, while four casinos experienced decreased revenues. In 1998, seven casinos experienced increased gaming revenues compared to 1997 (including Trump Plaza), while five casinos experienced decreased revenues (including the Taj Mahal and Trump Marina). In 1999, ten casinos experienced increased gaming revenues compared to 1998 (including the Taj Mahal and Trump Marina), while two casinos experienced decreased revenues (including Trump Plaza).
Between April 30, 1993 and December 31, 1995, many operators in Atlantic City expanded their facilities in anticipation of and in connection with the June 1993 legalization of simulcasting and poker, increasing total gaming square footage by approximately 181,200 square feet (23.3%) of which approximately 136,200 square feet is currently devoted to poker, keno and race simulcasting. During this same period, 172 poker tables and 5,500 slot machines were added. During 1996, a total of approximately 65,870 square feet of casino floor space was added, an increase of 47.2%, including Trump World's Fair's 49,211 square feet. Slot machines increased by approximately 1,911 units during 1996 and table games increased by approximately 44 units during 1996, of which Trump World's Fair accounted for 1,518 units and 16 units, respectively. During 1997, a total of approximately 51,870 square feet of casino floor space was added. Slot machines increased by approximately 2,153 units and table games increased by approximately 82 units during 1997. During 1998, a total of approximately 38,350 square feet of
casino floor space was added. Slot machines increased by approximately 822 units and table games decreased by approximately 71 units during 1998. During 1999, casino floor space decreased by approximately 41,071 square feet of which approximately 49,211 was due to the closing of Trump World's Fair. Slot machines decreased by approximately 1,191 units, 1,636 of which were attributable to the closing of Trump World's Fair and table games decreased by approximately 47 units during 1999.
The Atlantic City Properties also compete, or will compete, with facilities in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States at which casino gaming or other forms of wagering are currently, or in the future may be, authorized. To a minimal extent, the Atlantic City Properties face competition from gaming facilities nationwide, including land-based, cruise line, riverboat and dockside casinos located in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, South Dakota, Ontario (Windsor and Niagara Falls), the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and other locations inside and outside the United States, and from other forms of legalized gaming in New Jersey and in its surrounding states such as lotteries, horse racing (including off-track betting), jai alai, bingo and dog racing, and from illegal wagering of various types. New or expanded operations by other persons can be expected to increase competition and could result in the saturation of certain gaming markets. In September 1995, New York introduced a keno lottery game, which is played on video terminals that have been set up in approximately 1,800 bars, restaurants and bowling alleys across the state. Bay Cruises is operating a gambling cruise ship where patrons are taken from a pier in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, New York to international waters to gamble. In September 1997, another gambling cruise ship was launched off the coast of Montauk, New York. On April 24, 1998 Freeport Casino Cruises began operating a gambling ship in Long Island, New York. Manhattan Cruises, a company offering gambling cruises departing from Manhattan, New York City since January 28, 1998, suspended operations in early May 1998, but has announced plans to resume operations shortly. Other companies (including South Shore Cruise Lines, President Casino and Circle Line) are currently seeking permission to operate similar cruises in the New York City area. On December 5, 1997, the mayor of New York City proposed the construction of a casino on Governors Island, located in the middle of New York Harbor; however, the proposal would require an amendment to the New York State Constitution and the sale of the island to New York by the federal government. In Delaware, a total of approximately 2,600 slot machines were installed at three horse racetracks in 1996. Initial legislation allowed a maximum of 1,000 slot machines at each of the three racetracks. In 1998, the Delaware legislature approved a bill which would more than double the number of slot machines allowed at the three racetracks. At the end of 1999, there was a total of approximately 4,200 slot machines installed and operational. West Virginia also permits slot machines at racetracks, and track owners in several other states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, are seeking to do the same. In December 1996, the temporary Casino Niagara opened in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Ontario officials expect that two-thirds of Casino Niagara's patrons will come from the United States, predominantly from western New York. In February 1998, the Ontario Casino Commission designated a consortium whose principal investor is Hyatt Hotels Corporation as the preferred developer of the permanent Casino Niagara. Moreover, the Atlantic City Properties may also face competition from various forms of internet gambling.
In addition to competing with other casino hotels in Atlantic City and elsewhere, by virtue of their proximity to each other and the common aspects of certain of their respective marketing efforts, including the common use of the "Trump" name, the Atlantic City Properties compete directly with each other for gaming patrons.
Indiana. The Indiana Riverboat competes primarily with riverboats and other casinos in the northern Indiana suburban and Chicago metropolitan area and throughout the Great Lakes Market. Although northern Indiana is part of the greater Chicago metropolitan market, which is one of the most successful new gaming markets in the United States, the Indiana Riverboat may be more dependent on patrons from northern Indiana than its Illinois competitors, and the propensity of these patrons to wager cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty. In addition to competing with Barden's riverboat at the Buffington Harbor Site, the Indiana Riverboat competes with three other riverboats in the northwest Indiana market. To a lesser degree, the Indiana Riverboat competes with five operating riverboats located in southern Indiana. At present there are four other riverboats in the Chicago, Illinois area, with each operator limited to 1200 gaming positions. Statutory changes now enable Illinois riverboats to remain dockside, allowing patrons to freely enter and exit.
Management believes that competition in the gaming industry, particularly the riverboat and dockside gaming industry, is based principally on the quality and location of gaming facilities, the effectiveness of marketing efforts, and customer service and satisfaction. Although THCR believes that the location of the Indiana Riverboat will allow THCR to compete effectively with other casinos in the geographic area surrounding its casino. Management expects competition in the casino gaming industry to continue to be intense in the Northwest Indiana marketplace.
The Indiana Riverboat is seeking a competitive advantage primarily based upon its superior location, including its proximity to and direct access from Chicago, extensive parking facilities, name recognition, a superior gaming vessel and gaming experience, and targeted marketing strategies. See "--Indiana Riverboat." In addition, a casino opened during 1994 in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit. In 1997, Detroit approved land-based casino gaming with a limit of three licenses for the metropolitan area, and selected the operators for the licenses. Two of these land-based casinos opened for operation in 1999. Although management believes that there is sufficient demand in the market to sustain the Indiana Riverboat, there can be no assurance to that effect. Legislation has also been approved during 1999 to expand riverboat gaming in Illinois, including authorizing new sites in the Chicago area with which the Indiana Riverboat would compete. Illinois legislation now permits dockside gaming. There can be no assurance that Indiana will not authorize additional gaming licenses or follow suit to provide dockside gaming.
Other Competition. In addition, the Atlantic City Properties and the Indiana Riverboat also face competition from casino facilities in a number of states operated by federally recognized Native American tribes. Pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ("IGRA"), which was passed by Congress in 1988, any state which permits casino-style gaming (even if only for limited charity purposes) is required to negotiate gaming compacts with federally recognized Native American tribes. Under IGRA, Native American tribes enjoy comparative freedom from regulation and taxation of gaming operations, which provides them with an advantage over their competitors, including the Atlantic City Properties and the Indiana Riverboat. In March 1996, the United States Supreme Court struck down a provision of IGRA which allowed Native American tribes to sue states in federal court for failing to negotiate gaming compacts in good faith. Management cannot predict the impact of this decision on the ability of Native American tribes to negotiate compacts with states.
In 1991, the Mashantucket Pequot Nation opened Foxwoods, a casino facility in Ledyard, Connecticut, located in the far eastern portion of such state, an approximately three-hour drive from New York City and an approximately two and one- half hour drive from Boston, which currently offers 24-hour gaming and contains approximately 5,900 slot machines. An expansion at Foxwoods, completed in April 1998, includes additional hotel rooms, restaurants and retail stores. A high-speed ferry operates seasonally between New York City and Foxwoods. The Mashantucket Pequot Nation has also announced plans for a high-speed train linking Foxwoods to the interstate highway and an airport outside Providence, Rhode Island. In addition, in October 1996, the Mohegan Nation opened the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut, located 10 miles from Foxwoods. Developed by Sun International Hotels, Ltd., the Mohegan Sun Resort has approximately 3,000 slot machines. The Mohegan Nation has announced plans for an expansion of the casino facilities and the construction of a hotel, convention center and entertainment center to be completed in the spring of 2002. In addition, the Eastern Pequots are seeking formal recognition as a Native American tribe for the purpose of opening a casino in the North Stonington area. There can be no assurance that any continued expansion of gaming operations of the Mashantucket Pequot Nation, the gaming operations of the Mohegan Nation or the commencement of gaming operations by the Eastern Pequots would not have a materially adverse impact on the operations of the Atlantic City Properties.
A group in Cumberland County, New Jersey calling itself the "Nanticoke Lenni Lenape" tribe has filed a notice of intent with the Bureau of Indian Affairs seeking formal federal recognition as a Native American tribe. In March 1998, the Oklahoma-based Lenape/Delaware Indian Nation, which originated in New Jersey and already has federal recognition, filed a lawsuit against the city of Wildwood claiming that the city is built on ancestral land. The city of Wildwood, which supported the plan to build a casino, had entered settlement negotiations, offering to deed municipal land to the tribe. The plan, which was opposed by the State of New Jersey, required state and federal approval. In early 1999, however, the Delaware Indian Nation's lawsuit was dismissed. In July 1993, the Oneida Nation opened a casino featuring 24-hour table gaming and electronic gaming systems, but
without slot machines, near Syracuse, New York. The Oneida Nation opened a hotel in October 1997 that included expanded gaming facilities, and has constructed a golf course and convention center. In April 1999, the St. Regis Mohawk Nation opened a casino, with slot machines, in the northern portion of the state close to the Canadian border. In April 1999, the St. Regis Mohawks also announced their intent to open a casino at the Monticello Race Track in the Catskill Mountains region of New York; however, any Native American gaming operation in the Catskills is subject to the approval of the Governor of New York. The Seneca Nation plans to negotiate with New York State to open a casino in Western New York; however, the proposed casino would be subject to the purchase of additional property that is declared reservation territory by the federal government. The Narragansett Nation of Rhode Island, which has federal recognition, is seeking to open a casino in Rhode Island. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is seeking to open a casino in Massachusetts. Other Native American nations are seeking federal recognition, land and negotiation of gaming compacts in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and other states near Atlantic City.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of southern Michigan and northern Indiana has been federally recognized as an Indian tribe. In September 1995, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians signed a gaming compact with the governor of Michigan to build a land-based casino in southwestern Michigan. In early 2000, a state judge ruled that the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' state gaming compact was invalid. The Pokagons have expressed an intention to appeal the judge's verdict.
State Legislation. Legislation permitting other forms of casino gaming has been proposed, from time to time, in various states, including those bordering New Jersey. Six states have presently legalized riverboat gambling while others are considering its approval, including New York and Pennsylvania. Several states are considering or have approved large scale land-based casinos. Additionally, since 1993, the gaming space in Las Vegas has expanded significantly, with additional capacity planned and currently under construction. The operations of the Atlantic City Properties could be adversely affected by such competition, particularly if casino gaming were permitted in jurisdictions near or elsewhere in New Jersey or in other states in the Northeast. In December 1993, the Rhode Island Lottery Commission approved the addition of slot machine games on video terminals at Lincoln Greyhound Park and Newport Jai Alai, where poker and blackjack have been offered for over two years. Currently, casino gaming, other than Native American gaming, is not allowed in other areas of New Jersey or in Connecticut, New York or Pennsylvania. On November 17, 1995, a proposal to allow casino gaming in Bridgeport, Connecticut was voted down by that state's Senate. On June 18, 1998, the New York State Senate and General Assembly failed to enact a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in certain areas of New York State, effectively postponing any referendum to authorize such a constitutional amendment until not earlier than November 2001. To the extent that legalized gaming becomes more prevalent in New Jersey or other jurisdictions near Atlantic City, competition would intensify. In particular, proposals have been introduced to legalize gaming in other locations, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In February 1999, the Pennsylvania State General Assembly approved a bill allowing in May 1999 a non-binding public referendum on a variety of legalized gaming issues including riverboats, video poker in taverns and slot machines at racetracks, but the Pennsylvania State Senate failed to enact the General Assembly Bill. In addition, legislation has from time to time been introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature relating to types of statewide legalized gaming, such as video games with small wagers. To date, no such legislation, which may require a state constitutional amendment, has been enacted. Management is unable to predict whether any such legislation, in New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois or elsewhere, will be enacted or whether, if passed, it would have a material adverse impact on THCR.
Gaming and Other Laws and Regulations
The following is only a summary of the applicable provisions of the Casino Control Act, the Riverboat Gambling Act and certain other laws and regulations. It does not purport to be a full description thereof and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Casino Control Act, the Riverboat Gambling Act and such other laws and regulations. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "Trump Plaza" include Trump Plaza's main tower, including Trump Plaza East.
New Jersey Gaming Regulations
In general, the Casino Control Act and its implementing regulations contain detailed provisions concerning, among other things: the granting and renewal of casino licenses; the suitability of the approved hotel facility, and the amount of authorized casino space and gaming units permitted therein; the qualification of natural persons and entities related to the casino licensee; the licensing of certain employees and vendors of casino licensees; the rules of the games; the selling and redeeming of gaming chips; the granting and duration of credit and the enforceability of gaming debts; management control procedures, accounting and cash control methods and reports to gaming agencies; the security standards; the manufacture and distribution of gaming equipment; the simulcasting of horse races by casino licensees; equal employment opportunities for employees of casino operators, contractors of casino facilities and others; and advertising, entertainment and alcoholic beverages.
Casino Control Commission. The ownership and operation of casino/hotel facilities in Atlantic City are the subject of strict state regulation under the Casino Control Act. The CCC is empowered to regulate a wide spectrum of gaming and non-gaming related activities and to approve the form of ownership and financial structure of not only a casino licensee, but also its entity qualifiers and intermediary and holding companies and any other related entity required to be qualified ("CCC Regulations").
Operating Licenses. In June 1999, the CCC renewed Taj Associates' license to operate the Taj Mahal through June 2003, renewed Castle Associates' license to operate Trump Marina through June 2003, and renewed Plaza Associates' license to operate Trump Plaza through June 2003. In June 1996, the CCC granted TCS an initial casino license through July 1997, which has been renewed through June 2003.
Casino License. No casino hotel facility may operate unless the appropriate license and approvals are obtained from the CCC, which has broad discretion with regard to the issuance, renewal, revocation and suspension of such licenses and approvals, which are non-transferable. The qualification criteria with respect to the holder of a casino license include its financial stability, integrity and responsibility; the integrity and adequacy of its financial resources which bear any relation to the casino project; its good character, honesty and integrity; and the sufficiency of its business ability and casino experience to establish the likelihood of a successful, efficient casino operation. The casino licenses currently held by Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and TCS are renewable for periods of up to four years. The CCC may reopen licensing hearings at any time, and must reopen a licensing hearing at the request of the Division of Gaming Enforcement (the "Division").
To be considered financially stable, a licensee must demonstrate the following abilities: to pay winning wagers when due; to achieve an annual gross operating profit; to pay all local, state and federal taxes when due; to make necessary capital and maintenance expenditures to insure that it has a superior first-class facility; and to pay, exchange, refinance or extend debts which will mature or become due and payable during the license term.
In the event a licensee fails to demonstrate financial stability, the CCC may take such action as it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of the Casino Control Act and protect the public interest, including: issuing conditional licenses, approvals or determinations; establishing an appropriate cure period; imposing reporting requirements; placing restrictions on the transfer of cash or the assumption of liabilities; requiring reasonable reserves or trust accounts; denying licensure; or appointing a conservator. See "--Conservatorship."
Management believes that it has adequate financial resources to meet the financial stability requirements of the Casino Control Act for the foreseeable future.
Pursuant to the Casino Control Act, CCC Regulations and precedent, no entity may hold a casino license unless each officer, director, principal employee, person who directly or indirectly holds any beneficial interest or ownership in the licensee, each person who in the opinion of the CCC has the ability to control or elect a majority of the board of directors of the licensee (other than a banking or other licensed lending institution which makes a loan or holds a mortgage or other lien acquired in the ordinary course of business) and any lender, underwriter, agent or employee of the licensee or other person whom the CCC may consider appropriate, obtains and maintains qualification approval from the CCC. Qualification approval means that such person must, but for residence,
individually meet the qualification requirements as a casino key employee. Pursuant to a condition of its casino license, payments by Plaza Associates, Taj Associates or Castle Associates to or for the benefit of any related entity or partner, with certain exceptions, are subject to prior CCC approval; and, if Plaza Associates', Taj Associates' or Castle Associates' cash position falls below $5.0 million for three consecutive business days, such entity must present to the CCC and the Division evidence as to why it should not obtain a working capital facility in an appropriate amount.
Control Persons. An entity qualifier or intermediary or holding company, such as Trump AC, Trump AC Holding, Plaza Funding, TACC, TCHI, THCR Holdings, THCR Funding or THCR is required to register with the CCC and meet the same basic standards for approval as a casino licensee; provided, however, that the CCC, with the concurrence of the Director of the Division, may waive compliance by a publicly-traded corporate holding company with the requirement that an officer, director, lender, underwriter, agent or employee thereof, or person directly or indirectly holding a beneficial interest or ownership of the securities thereof, individually qualify for approval under casino key employee standards so long as the CCC and the Director of the Division are, and remain, satisfied that such officer, director, lender, underwriter, agent or employee is not significantly involved in the activities of the casino licensee, or that such security holder does not have the ability to control the publicly-traded corporate holding company or elect one or more of its directors. Persons holding five percent or more of the equity securities of such holding company are presumed to have the ability to control the company or elect one or more of its directors and will, unless this presumption is rebutted, be required to individually qualify. Equity securities are defined as any voting stock or any security similar to or convertible into or carrying a right to acquire any security having a direct or indirect participation in the profits of the issuer.
Financial Sources. The CCC may require all financial backers, investors, mortgagees, bond holders and holders of notes or other evidence of indebtedness, either in effect or proposed, which bear any relation to any casino project, including holders of publicly-traded securities of an entity which holds a casino license or is an entity qualifier, subsidiary or holding company of a casino licensee (a "Regulated Company"), to qualify as financial sources. In the past, the CCC has waived the qualification requirement for holders of less than 15% of a series of publicly-traded mortgage bonds so long as the bonds remained widely distributed and freely traded in the public market and the holder had no ability to control the casino licensee. The CCC may require holders of less than 15% of a series of debt to qualify as financial sources even if not active in the management of the issuer or casino licensee.
Institutional Investors. An institutional investor ("Institutional Investor") is defined by the Casino Control Act as any retirement fund administered by a public agency for the exclusive benefit of federal, state or local public employees; any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; any collective investment trust organized by banks under Part Nine of the Rules of the Comptroller of the Currency; any closed end investment trust; any chartered or licensed life insurance company or property and casualty insurance company; any banking and other chartered or licensed lending institution; any investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and such other persons as the CCC may determine for reasons consistent with the policies of the Casino Control Act.
An Institutional Investor may be granted a waiver by the CCC from financial source or other qualification requirements applicable to a holder of publicly- traded securities, in the absence of a prima facie showing by the Division that there is any cause to believe that the holder may be found unqualified, on the basis of CCC findings that: (i) its holdings were purchased for investment purposes only and, upon request by the CCC, it files a certified statement to the effect that it has no intention of influencing or affecting the affairs of the issuer, the casino licensee or its holding or intermediary companies; provided, however, that the Institutional Investor will be permitted to vote on matters put to the vote of the outstanding security holders; and (ii) if (x) the securities are debt securities of a casino licensee's holding or intermediary companies or another subsidiary company of the casino licensee's holding or intermediary companies which is related in any way to the financing of the casino licensee and represent either (A) 20% or less of the total outstanding debt of the company or (B) 50% or less of any issue of outstanding debt of the company, (y) the securities are equity securities and represent less than 10% of the equity securities of a casino licensee's holding or intermediary companies or (z) the securities so held exceed such percentages, upon a showing of good cause. There can be no assurance, however, that the CCC will make such
findings or grant such waiver and, in any event, an Institutional Investor may be required to produce for the CCC or the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice upon request, any document or information which bears any relation to such debt or equity securities.
Generally, the CCC requires each institutional holder seeking waiver of qualification to execute a certification to the effect that (i) the holder has reviewed the definition of Institutional Investor under the Casino Control Act and believes that it meets the definition of Institutional Investor; (ii) the holder purchased the securities for investment purposes only and holds them in the ordinary course of business; (iii) the holder has no involvement in the business activities of and no intention of influencing or affecting, the affairs of the issuer, the casino licensee or any affiliate; and (iv) if the holder subsequently determines to influence or affect the affairs of the issuer, the casino licensee or any affiliate, it shall provide not less than 30 days' prior notice of such intent and shall file with the CCC an application for qualification before taking any such action. If an Institutional Investor changes its investment intent, or if the CCC finds reasonable cause to believe that it may be found unqualified, the Institutional Investor may take no action with respect to the security holdings, other than to divest itself of such holdings, until it has applied for interim casino authorization and has executed a trust agreement pursuant to such an application. See "--Interim Casino Authorization."
Ownership and Transfer of Securities. The Casino Control Act imposes certain restrictions upon the issuance, ownership and transfer of securities of a Regulated Company and defines the term "security" to include instruments which evidence a direct or indirect beneficial ownership or creditor interest in a Regulated Company including, but not limited to, mortgages, debentures, security agreements, notes and warrants. Currently, each of Plaza Funding, Trump AC, Trump AC Holding, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, TCS, Castle Associates, TCHI, THCR Holdings, THCR Funding and THCR is deemed to be a Regulated Company, and instruments evidencing a beneficial ownership or creditor interest therein, including a partnership interest, are deemed to be the securities of a Regulated Company.
If the CCC finds that a holder of such securities is not qualified under the Casino Control Act, it has the right to take any remedial action it may deem appropriate, including the right to force divestiture by such disqualified holder of such securities. In the event that certain disqualified holders fail to divest themselves of such securities, the CCC has the power to revoke or suspend the casino license affiliated with the Regulated Company which issued the securities. If a holder is found unqualified, it is unlawful for the holder (i) to exercise, directly or through any trustee or nominee, any right conferred by such securities or (ii) to receive any dividends or interest upon such securities or any remuneration, in any form, from its affiliated casino licensee for services rendered or otherwise.
With respect to non-publicly-traded securities, the Casino Control Act and CCC Regulations require that the corporate charter or partnership agreement of a Regulated Company establish a right in the CCC of prior approval with regard to transfers of securities, shares and other interests and an absolute right in the Regulated Company to repurchase at the market price or the purchase price, whichever is the lesser, any such security, share or other interest in the event that the CCC disapproves a transfer. With respect to publicly-traded securities, such corporate charter or partnership agreement is required to establish that any such securities of the entity are held subject to the condition that, if a holder thereof is found to be disqualified by the CCC, such holder shall dispose of such securities.
Under the terms of the indentures pursuant to which the Senior Notes, the TAC I Notes (the "TAC I Note Indenture"), the TAC II Notes (the "TAC II Note Indenture"), the TAC III Notes (the "TAC III Note Indenture"), the New Castle Senior Notes, the Castle Mortgage Notes, and the Castle PIK Notes were issued, and the terms of the Working Capital Loan, if a holder of such securities does not qualify under the Casino Control Act when required to do so, such holder must dispose of its interest in such securities, and the respective issuer or issuers of such securities may redeem the securities at the lesser of the outstanding amount or fair market value. Similar provisions are set forth in THCR's Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the THCR Common Stock.
Interim Casino Authorization. Interim casino authorization is a process which permits a person who enters into a contract to obtain property relating to a casino operation or who obtains publicly-traded securities
relating to a casino licensee to close on the contract or own the securities until plenary licensure or qualification. During the period of interim casino authorization, the property relating to the casino operation or the securities is held in trust.
Whenever any person enters into a contract to transfer any property which relates to an ongoing casino operation, including a security of the casino licensee or a holding or intermediary company or entity qualifier, under circumstances which would require that the transferee obtain licensure or be qualified under the Casino Control Act, and that person is not already licensed or qualified, the transferee is required to apply for interim casino authorization. Furthermore, except as set forth below with respect to publicly- traded securities, the closing or settlement date in the contract at issue may not be earlier than the 121st day after the submission of a complete application for licensure or qualification together with a fully executed trust agreement in a form approved by the CCC. If, after the report of the Division and a hearing by the CCC, the CCC grants interim authorization, the property will be subject to a trust. If the CCC denies interim authorization, the contract may not close or settle until the CCC makes a determination on the qualifications of the applicant. If the CCC denies qualification, the contract will be terminated for all purposes and there will be no liability on the part of the transferor.
If, as the result of a transfer of publicly-traded securities of a licensee, a holding or intermediary company or entity qualifier of a licensee, or a financing entity of a licensee, any person is required to qualify under the Casino Control Act, that person is required to file an application for licensure or qualification within 30 days after the CCC determines that qualification is required or declines to waive qualification. The application must include a fully executed trust agreement in a form approved by the CCC or, in the alternative, within 120 days after the CCC determines that qualification is required, the person whose qualification is required must divest such securities as the CCC may require in order to remove the need to qualify.
The CCC may grant interim casino authorization where it finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (i) statements of compliance have been issued pursuant to the Casino Control Act; (ii) the casino hotel is an approved hotel in accordance with the Casino Control Act; (iii) the trustee satisfies qualification criteria applicable to key casino employees, except for residency; and (iv) interim operation will best serve the interests of the public.
When the CCC finds the applicant qualified, the trust will terminate. If the CCC denies qualification to a person who has received interim casino authorization, the trustee is required to endeavor, and is authorized, to sell, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of the property subject to the trust to such persons who are licensed or qualified or shall themselves obtain interim casino authorization.
Where a holder of publicly-traded securities is required, in applying for qualification as a financial source or qualifier, to transfer such securities to a trust in application for interim casino authorization and the CCC thereafter orders that the trust become operative: (i) during the time the trust is operative, the holder may not participate in the earnings of the casino hotel or receive any return on its investment or debt security holdings; and (ii) after disposition, if any, of the securities by the trustee, proceeds distributed to the unqualified holder may not exceed the lower of their actual cost to the unqualified holder or their value calculated as if the investment had been made on the date the trust became operative.
Approved Hotel Facilities. The CCC may permit an existing licensee, such as one of the Atlantic City Properties, to increase its casino space if the licensee agrees to add a prescribed number of qualifying sleeping units within two years after the commencement of gaming operations in the additional casino space. However, if the casino licensee does not fulfill such agreement due to conditions within its control, the licensee will be required to close the additional casino space, or any portion thereof that the CCC determines should be closed.
Persons who are parties to the lease for an approved hotel building or who have an agreement to lease a building which may in the judgment of the CCC become an approved hotel building are required to hold a casino license unless the CCC, with the concurrence of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, determines that such persons do not have the ability to exercise significant control over the building or the operation of the casino therein.
Unless otherwise determined by the CCC, agreements to lease an approved hotel building or the land under the building must be for a durational term exceeding 30 years, must concern 100% of the entire approved hotel building or the land upon which it is located and must include a buy-out provision conferring upon the lessee the absolute right to purchase the lessor's entire interest for a fixed sum in the event that the lessor is found by the CCC to be unsuitable.
Agreement for Management of Casino. Each party to an agreement for the management of a casino is required to hold a casino license, and the party who is to manage the casino must own at least 10% of all the outstanding equity securities of the casino licensee. Such an agreement shall: (i) provide for the complete management of the casino; (ii) provide for the unrestricted power to direct the casino operations; and (iii) provide for a term long enough to ensure the reasonable continuity, stability and independence and management of the casino.
License Fees. The CCC is authorized to establish annual fees for the renewal of casino licenses. The renewal fee is based upon the cost of maintaining control and regulatory activities prescribed by the Casino Control Act, and may not be less than $200,000 for a four-year casino license. Additionally, casino licensees are subject to potential assessments to fund any annual operating deficits incurred by the CCC or the Division. There is also an annual license fee of $500 for each slot machine maintained for use or in use in any casino.
Gross Revenue Tax. Each casino licensee is also required to pay an annual tax of 8% on its gross casino revenues. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, Plaza Associates' gross revenue tax was approximately $30.1 million, $30.2 million and $28.6 million, respectively, and its license, investigation and other fees and assessments totaled approximately $6.0 million, $5.2 million and $5.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, Taj Associates' gross revenue tax was approximately $41.7 million, $41.1 million and $40.3 million, respectively, and its license, investigation and other fees and assessments totaled approximately $3.9 million, $4.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, Castle Associates' gross revenue tax was approximately $21.1 million, $21.1 million and $21.8 million, respectively, and its license, investigation and other fees and assessments totaled approximately $3.5 million, $3.7 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
Investment Alternative Tax Obligations. An investment alternative tax imposed on the gross casino revenues of each licensee in the amount of 2.5% is due and payable on the last day of April following the end of the calendar year. A licensee is obligated to pay the investment alternative tax for a period of 30 years. Estimated payments of the investment alternative tax obligation must be made quarterly in an amount equal to 1.25% of estimated gross revenues for the preceding three-month period. Investment tax credits may be obtained by making qualified investments or by the purchase of bonds issued by the CRDA ("CRDA Bonds"). CRDA Bonds may have terms as long as 50 years and bear interest at below market rates, resulting in a value lower than the face value of such CRDA Bonds.
For the first ten years of its tax obligation, the licensee is entitled to an investment tax credit against the investment alternative tax in an amount equal to twice the purchase price of the CRDA Bonds issued to the licensee. Thereafter, the licensee (i) is entitled to an investment tax credit in an amount equal to twice the purchase price of such CRDA Bonds or twice the amount of its investments authorized in lieu of such bond investments or made in projects designated as eligible by the CRDA and (ii) has the option of entering into a contract with the CRDA to have its tax credit comprised of direct investments in approved eligible projects which may not comprise more than 50% of its eligible tax credit in any one year.
From the monies made available to the CRDA, the CRDA is required to set aside $175 million for investment in hotel development projects in Atlantic City undertaken by a licensee which result in the construction or rehabilitation of at least 200 hotel rooms. These monies will be held to fund up to 27% of the cost to casino licensees of expanding their hotel facilities to provide additional hotel rooms, a portion of which has been required to be available with respect to the new Atlantic City Convention Center.
Minimum Casino Parking Charges. As of July 1, 1993, each casino licensee was required to pay the New Jersey State Treasurer a $1.50 charge for every use of a parking space for the purpose of parking motor vehicles in a parking facility owned or leased by a casino licensee or by any person on behalf of a casino licensee. This amount is paid into a special fund established and held by the New Jersey State Treasurer for the exclusive use of the CRDA. Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates currently charge their parking patrons $2.00 in order to make their required payments to the New Jersey State Treasurer and cover related expenses. Amounts in the special fund will be expended by the CRDA for eligible projects in the corridor region of Atlantic City related to improving the highways, roads, infrastructure, traffic regulation and public safety of Atlantic City or otherwise necessary or useful to the economic development and redevelopment of Atlantic City in this regard.
Atlantic City Fund. On each October 31 during the years 1996 through 2003, each casino licensee shall pay into an account established in the CRDA and known as the Atlantic City Fund, its proportional share of an amount related to the amount by which annual operating expenses of the CCC and the Division are less than a certain fixed sum. Additionally, a portion of the investment alternative tax obligation of each casino licensee for the years 1994 through 1998 allocated for projects in northern New Jersey shall be paid into and credited to the Atlantic City Fund. Amounts in the Atlantic City Fund will be expended by the CRDA for economic development projects of a revenue-producing nature that foster the redevelopment of Atlantic City other than the construction and renovation of casino hotels.
Conservatorship. If, at any time, it is determined that Plaza Associates, Plaza Funding, Trump AC Holding, Trump AC, Trump AC Funding, Funding II, Funding III, Taj Associates, TCS, Castle Associates, TCHI, THCR, THCR Holdings, THCR Funding or any other entity qualifier has violated the Casino Control Act or that any of such entities cannot meet the qualification requirements of the Casino Control Act, such entity could be subject to fines or the suspension or revocation of its license or qualification. If a casino license is suspended for a period in excess of 120 days or is revoked, or if the CCC fails or refuses to renew such casino license, the CCC could appoint a conservator to operate and dispose of such licensee's casino hotel facilities. A conservator would be vested with title to all property of such licensee relating to the casino and the approved hotel subject to valid liens and/or encumbrances. The conservator would be required to act under the direct supervision of the CCC and would be charged with the duty of conserving, preserving and, if permitted, continuing the operation of the casino hotel. During the period of the conservatorship, a former or suspended casino licensee is entitled to a fair rate of return out of net earnings, if any, on the property retained by the conservator. The CCC may also discontinue any conservatorship action and direct the conservator to take such steps as are necessary to effect an orderly transfer of the property of a former or suspended casino licensee.
Qualification of Employees. Certain employees of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates must be licensed by or registered with the CCC, depending on the nature of the position held. Casino employees are subject to more stringent requirements than non-casino employees and must meet applicable standards pertaining to financial stability, integrity and responsibility, good character, honesty and integrity, business ability and casino experience and New Jersey residency. These requirements have resulted in significant competition among Atlantic City casino operators for the services of qualified employees.
Gaming Credit. The casino games at the Atlantic City Properties are conducted on a credit as well as cash basis. Gaming debts arising in Atlantic City in accordance with applicable regulations are enforceable in the courts of the State of New Jersey. The extension of gaming credit is subject to regulations that detail procedures which casinos must follow when granting gaming credit and recording counter checks which have been exchanged, redeemed or consolidated. Gaming credit may not be collectible in foreign countries.
Control Procedures. Gaming at the Atlantic City Properties is conducted by trained and supervised personnel. Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates employ extensive security and internal controls. Security checks are made to determine, among other matters, that job applicants for key positions have had no criminal history or associations. Security controls utilized by the surveillance department include closed circuit video cameras to monitor the casino floor and money counting areas. The count of moneys from gaming also is observed daily by representatives of the CCC.
Indiana Gaming Regulations
Indiana Gaming Commission. The ownership and operation of riverboat gaming operations in Indiana are subject to strict state regulation under the Riverboat Gambling Act and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder. The IGC is empowered to administer, regulate and enforce the system of riverboat gaming established under the Riverboat Gambling Act and has jurisdiction and supervision over all riverboat gaming operations in Indiana, as well as all persons on riverboats where gaming operations are conducted. The IGC is empowered to regulate a wide variety of gaming and non-gaming related activities, including the licensing of suppliers to, and employees at, riverboat gaming operations and to approve the form of ownership and financial structure of not only riverboat owner and supplier licensees, but also their entity qualifiers and intermediary and holding companies. The IGC has adopted certain final rules and has published others in proposed or draft form which have proceeded through the review and final adoption process. The IGC also has indicated its intent to publish additional proposed rules in the future. The IGC has broad rulemaking power, and it is impossible to predict what effect, if any, the amendment of existing rules or the finalization of currently new rules might have on the operations of the Indiana Riverboat or THCR. The following reflects both adopted and proposed regulations. Further, the Indiana General Assembly has the power to promulgate new laws and implement amendments to the Riverboat Gambling Act, which could materially affect the operation or economic viability of the gaming industry in Indiana.
Riverboat Owner's License. The operation of a gaming riverboat in Indiana is subject to the Riverboat Gambling Act and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder. In June 1996, the IGC granted Trump Indiana a riverboat owner's license, which must be renewed by June 2001.
Interim Compliance Requirements. Interim compliance requires, among other things: obtaining a permit to develop the riverboat gaming operation from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which permit was obtained on October 10, 1995; obtaining a valid certificate of inspection from the United States Coast Guard for the vessel on which the riverboat gaming operation will be conducted; applying for and receiving the appropriate permits or certificates from the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Indiana Fire Marshall, and other appropriate local, state and federal agencies which issue permits including, but not limited to, health permits, building permits and zoning permits; closing the financing necessary to complete the development of the gaming operation; posting a bond in compliance with the applicable law; obtaining the insurance deemed necessary by the IGC; receiving licensure for electronic gaming devices and other gaming equipment under applicable law; submitting an emergency response plan in compliance with applicable laws; and taking any other action that the IGC deems necessary for compliance under Indiana gaming laws. Further, the IGC may place restrictions, conditions or requirements on the permanent riverboat owner's license. Trump Indiana satisfied all interim compliance requirements prior to receiving its riverboat owner's license from the IGC. An owner's initial license expires five years after the effective date of the license, and unless the owner's license is terminated, expires or is revoked, the owner's license may be renewed annually by the IGC upon satisfaction of certain conditions contained in the Riverboat Gambling Act.
Transfer of Riverboat Owner's License. Pursuant to IGC proposed rules, an ownership interest in a riverboat owner's license shall not be transferred unless the transfer complies with applicable rules, and no riverboat gaming operation may operate unless the appropriate licenses and approvals are obtained from the IGC. Under current Indiana law, a maximum of 11 riverboat owner's licenses may be in effect at any time. No person or entity may simultaneously own an interest in more than two riverboat owner's licenses. A person or entity may simultaneously own up to 100% in one riverboat owner's license and no more than 10% in a second riverboat owner's license.
A riverboat owner's licensee must possess a level of skill, experience, or knowledge necessary to conduct a riverboat gaming operation that will have a positive economic impact on the host site, as well as the entire State of Indiana. Additional representative, but not exclusive, qualification criteria with respect to the holder of a riverboat owner's license include character, reputation, financial integrity, the facilities or proposed facilities for the conduct of riverboat gaming including related non-gaming projects such as hotel development, and the good faith affirmative action plan to recruit, train and upgrade minorities and women in all employment classifications. The IGC shall require persons holding riverboat owner's licenses to adopt policies concerning the preferential hiring of
residents of the city in which the riverboat docks for riverboat jobs. The IGC has broad discretion in regard to the issuance, renewal, revocation and suspension of licenses and approvals, and the IGC is empowered to regulate a wide variety of gaming and non-gaming related activities, including the licensing of suppliers to, and employees at, riverboat gaming operations, and to approve the form of ownership and financial structure of not only riverboat owner and supplier licensees, but also their subsidiaries and affiliates.
A riverboat owner's licensee or any other person may not lease, hypothecate, borrow money against or loan money against a riverboat owner's license. An ownership interest in a riverboat owner's license may only be transferred in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Riverboat Gambling Act. An applicant for the approval of a transfer of a riverboat owner's license must comply with application procedures prescribed by the IGC, present evidence that it meets or possesses the standards, qualifications and other criteria under Indiana gaming laws, that it meets all requirements for a riverboat owner's license, and that it pay an investigative fee in the amount of $50,000 with the application. If the IGC denies the application to transfer an ownership interest, it shall issue notice of denial to the applicant, and, unless specifically stated to the contrary, a notice of denial of an application for transfer shall not constitute a finding that the applicant is not suitable for licensure. A person who is served with notice of denial under this rule may request an administrative hearing.
Control Persons and Operational Matters. The IGC has implemented strict regulations with respect to the suitability of riverboat owner's licensee, their key personnel and their employees similar to the CCC Regulations and precedent. The IGC utilizes a "class-based" licensing structure that subjects all individuals associated with Trump Indiana to varying degrees of background investigations. Likewise, comprehensive security measures, including video surveillance by both random and fixed cameras, are required in the casino and money counting areas. Additionally, the IGC has delineated procedures for the reconciliation of the daily revenues and tax remittance to the state as further detailed below.
Tax. Under Indiana gaming law, a tax is imposed on admissions to gaming excursions at a rate of three dollars for each person admitted to the gaming excursion. This admission tax is imposed upon the riverboat owner's licensee conducting the gaming excursion on a per-person basis without regard to the actual fee paid by the person using the ticket, with the exception that no tax shall be paid by admittees who are actual and necessary officials, employees of the licensee or other persons actually working on the riverboat. The IGC may suspend or revoke the license of a riverboat owner's licensee that does not submit the payment or the tax return form regarding admission tax within the required time established by the IGC.
A tax is imposed on the adjusted gross receipts received from gaming authorized under the Riverboat Gambling Act at a rate of 20% of the amount of the adjusted gross receipts. Adjusted gross receipts is defined as the total of all cash and property (including checks received by a licensee), whether collected or not, received by a licensee from gaming operations less the total of all cash paid out as winnings to patrons including a provision for uncollectible gaming receivables as is further set forth in the Riverboat Gambling Act. The IGC may, from time to time, impose other fees and assessments on riverboat owner's licensees. In addition, all use, excise and retail taxes apply to sales aboard riverboats.
In addition to the Indiana tax requirements, a similar tax on adjusted gross receipts is imposed by the City at a rate of 4%.
Restricted Contracts. Under proposed IGC rules, no riverboat owner's licensee or riverboat license applicant may enter into or perform any contract or transaction in which it transfers or receives consideration which is not commercially reasonable or which does not reflect the fair market value of the goods or services rendered or received as determined at the time the contract is executed. Any contract entered into by a riverboat licensee or riverboat license applicant that exceeds the total dollar amount of $50,000 shall be a written contract. A riverboat license applicant means an applicant for a riverboat owner's license that has been issued a certificate of suitability.
Pursuant to IGC proposed rules, riverboat licensees and riverboat license applicants must submit an internal control procedure regarding purchasing transactions which must contain provisions regarding ethical
standards, compliance with state and federal laws, and prohibitions on the acceptance of gifts and gratuities by purchasing and contracting personnel from suppliers of goods or services. The proposed rules also require any riverboat licensee or applicant to submit any contract, transaction, or series of transactions greater than $500,000 in any 12-month period to the IGC within 10 days of the execution, and to submit a summary of all contracts or transactions greater than $50,000 in any 12-month period on a quarterly basis. The proposed rules provide that contracts submitted to the IGC are not submitted for approval by the IGC, but grant the IGC authority to cancel or terminate any contract not in compliance with Indiana law and the IGC rules.
Finance. Pursuant to IGC rules, any person (other than an institutional investor) acquiring 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly traded corporation that owns a riverboat owner's license or 5% or more of the beneficial interest in a riverboat licensee, directly or indirectly, through any class of the voting securities of any holding or intermediary company of a riverboat licensee shall apply to the IGC for a finding of suitability within 45 days after acquiring the securities. Each institutional investor who, individually or in association with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly-traded corporation that owns a riverboat owner's license or 5% or more of the beneficial interest in a riverboat licensee through any class of the voting securities of any holding or intermediary company of a riverboat licensee shall notify the IGC within 10 days after the institutional investor acquires the securities and shall provide additional information and may be subject to a finding of suitability as required by the IGC.
Under IGC rules, an institutional investor who would otherwise be subject to a suitability finding shall, within 45 days after acquiring the interests, submit the following information: a description of the institutional investor's business and a statement as to why the institutional investor satisfies the definitional requirements of an institutional investor under Indiana gaming rule requirements; a certification made under oath that the voting securities were acquired and are held for investment purposes only and were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor; the name, address, telephone number, social security number or federal tax identification number of each person who has the power to direct or control the institutional investor's exercise of its voting rights as a holder of voting securities of the riverboat licensee; the name of each person who beneficially owns 5% or more of the institutional investor's voting securities or equivalent; a list of the institutional investor's affiliates; a list of all securities of the riverboat licensee that are or were beneficially owned by the institutional investor or its affiliates within the preceding one year; a disclosure of all criminal and regulatory sanctions imposed during the preceding ten years; a copy of any filing made under 16 U.S.C. (S)18(a); and any other additional information the IGC may request to insure compliance with Indiana gaming laws.
Each institutional investor who, individually or in association with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, the beneficial ownership of 15% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly-traded corporation that owns a riverboat owner's license or 15% or more of the beneficial interest in a riverboat licensee through any class of voting securities of any holding company or intermediary company of a riverboat licensee shall apply to the IGC for a finding of suitability within 45 days after acquiring the securities.
The Certificate of Incorporation of THCR provides that THCR may redeem any shares of THCR's capital stock held by any person or entity whose holding of shares may cause the loss or nonreinstatement of a governmental license held by THCR. As defined in THCR's Certificate of Incorporation, such redemption shall be at the lesser of the market price of the stock or the price at which the stock was purchased.
Under IGC rules, an institutional investor means any of the following: a retirement fund administered by a public agency for the exclusive benefit of federal, state, or local public employees; an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; a collective investment trust organized by banks under Part 9 of the Rules of the Comptroller of the Currency; a closed end investment trust; a chartered or licensed life insurance company or property and casualty insurance company; a banking, chartered or licensed lending institution; an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and any other entity the IGC determines constitutes an institutional investor. The IGC may in the future promulgate regulations with respect to the qualification of other financial backers, mortgagees, bond holders, holders of indentures, or other financial contributors.
Minority and Women Business Participation. Indiana gaming laws provide that the opportunity for full minority and women's business enterprise participation in the riverboat industry in Indiana is essential to social and economic parity for minority and women business persons. The IGC has the power to review compliance with the goals of participation by minority and women business persons and impose appropriate conditions on licensees to insure that goals for such business enterprises are met.
Under Indiana gaming laws, a riverboat licensee or a riverboat license applicant shall designate certain minimum percentages of the value of its contracts for goods and services to be expended with minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises such that 10% of the dollar value of the riverboat licensee's or the riverboat license applicant's contracts be expended with minority business enterprises and 5% of the dollar value of the riverboat licensee's or the riverboat license applicant's contracts be expended with women's business enterprises. Expenditures with minority and women's business enterprises are not mutually exclusive.
IGC Action. All licensees subject to the jurisdiction of the IGC have a continuing duty to maintain suitability for licensure. The IGC may initiate an investigation or disciplinary action or both against a licensee whom the commission has reason to believe is not maintaining suitability for licensure, is not complying with licensure conditions, and/or is not complying with Indiana gaming laws or regulations. The IGC may suspend, revoke, restrict, or place conditions on the license of a licensee; require the removal of a licensee or an employee of a licensee; impose a civil penalty or take any other action deemed necessary by the IGC to insure compliance with Indiana gaming laws.
Clean Water Regulations
Operation of the Indiana Riverboat must be in compliance with state and federal clean water requirements, including the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA"). OPA establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills and affects all owners and operators whose vessels operate in United States waters, which include the Great Lakes. OPA requires vessel owners and operators to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential liabilities under OPA. U.S. Coast Guard regulations also implement the financial responsibility requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act by requiring evidence of financial responsibility in an amount of $300 per gross ton, in addition to any required under OPA. THCR and Trump Indiana have obtained insurance coverage and a Certificate of Financial Responsibility as required by OPA. However, in the case of a catastrophic spill or a spill in a sensitive environment, there can be no assurance that such occurrence would not result in liability in excess of the insurance coverage.
Other Laws and Regulations
The United States Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury") has adopted regulations pursuant to which a casino is required to file a report of each deposit, withdrawal, exchange of currency, gambling tokens or chips, or other payments or transfers by, through or to such casino which involves a transaction in currency of more than $10,000 per patron, per gaming day (a "Currency Transaction Report"). Such reports are required to be made on forms prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and are filed with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service"). In addition, THCR is required to maintain detailed records (including the names, addresses, social security numbers and other information with respect to its gaming customers) dealing with, among other items, the deposit and withdrawal of funds and the maintenance of a line of credit.
In the past, the Service had taken the position that gaming winnings from table games by nonresident aliens were subject to a 30% withholding tax. The Service, however, subsequently adopted a practice of not collecting such tax. Recently enacted legislation exempts from withholding tax table game winnings by nonresident aliens, unless the Secretary of the Treasury determines by regulation that such collections have become administratively feasible.
From 1992 through 1995, the Service conducted an audit of Currency Transaction Reports filed by Taj Associates for the period from April 2, 1990 through December 31, 1991. The Treasury has received a report detailing the audit as well as the response of Taj Associates. As a result of Taj Associates' audit, the Treasury notified Taj Associates that it failed to timely file Currency Transaction Reports in connection with certain currency transactions. In December 1997, Taj Associates paid a fine of $477,000 in connection with 106 of these violations.
Plaza Associates and Taj Associates, together with Castle Associates and Trump Indiana, have adopted the following internal control procedures to increase compliance with these Treasury regulations: (i) computer exception reporting; (ii) establishment of a committee to review Currency Transaction Report transactions and reporting which consists of executives from the Casino Operations, Marketing and Administration Departments; (iii) internal audit testing of compliance with the Treasury regulations; (iv) training for all new and existing employees in compliance with the Treasury regulations; and (v) a self-disciplinary program for employee violations of the policy.
The Indiana Riverboat site is located near or adjacent to and may include protected wetlands which may subject THCR to obligations or liabilities in connection with wetlands mitigation or protection.
THCR is subject to other federal, state and local regulations and, on a periodic basis, must obtain various licenses and permits, including those required to sell alcoholic beverages in the State of New Jersey as well as in other jurisdictions. Management believes all required licenses and permits necessary to conduct the business of THCR has been obtained for operations in New Jersey and Indiana.
THCR expects to be subject to similar rigorous regulatory standards in each other jurisdiction in which it seeks to conduct gaming operations. There can be no assurance that regulations adopted, permits required or taxes imposed by other jurisdictions will permit profitable operations by THCR in those jurisdictions.
In addition, the Federal Merchant Marine Act of 1936 and the Federal Shipping Act of 1916 and the applicable regulations thereunder contain provisions designed to prevent persons who are not citizens of the United States, as defined therein, from beneficially owning more than 25% of the capital stock of any entity operating a vessel on the Great Lakes.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
THCR
THCR has entered into a ten year lease with The Trump-Equitable Fifth Avenue Company, a corporation wholly owned by Trump (the "Trump-Equitable Company"), dated as of July 1, 1995, for the lease of office space in The Trump Tower in New York City, which THCR may use for its general, executive and administrative offices. The fixed rent is $115,500 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the period from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 2000 and will be $129,250 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the period from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2005. In addition, THCR will pay as additional rent, among other things, a portion of the property taxes due each year. THCR has the option to terminate this lease upon ninety days' written notice and payment of $32,312.50. In March 2000, the lease was terminated and THCR moved into the office space previously occupied by Taj Associates.
Trump Plaza
Plaza Associates owns and leases several parcels of land in and around Atlantic City, New Jersey, each of which is used in connection with the operation of Trump Plaza and each of which is subject to the liens of the mortgages associated with the TAC I Notes, the TAC II Notes and the TAC III Notes (collectively, the "Plaza Mortgages") and certain other liens.
Plaza Casino Parcel. Trump Plaza's main tower is located on The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, next to the Atlantic City Convention Center. It occupies the entire city block (approximately 2.38 acres) bounded by The Boardwalk, Mississippi Avenue, Pacific Avenue and Columbia Place (the "Plaza Casino Parcel").
The Plaza Casino Parcel consists of four tracts of land, three of which are currently owned by Plaza Associates and one of which is leased by Plaza Hotel Management Company ("PHMC") to Plaza Associates pursuant to a non-renewable ground lease, which expires on December 31, 2078 (the "PHMC Lease"). The land which is subject to the PHMC Lease is referred to as the "Plaza Leasehold Tract." Seashore Four Associates ("Seashore Four") and Trump Seashore Associates ("Trump Seashore") had leased to Plaza Associates two of the tracts which are now owned by Plaza Associates. Trump Seashore and Seashore Four are 100% beneficially owned by Trump and are, therefore, affiliates of THCR. Plaza Associates purchased the tract from Seashore Four in January 1997 and the tract from Trump Seashore in September 1996 for $10.1 million and $14.5 million, respectively.
The PHMC Lease is a "net lease" pursuant to which Plaza Associates, in addition to the payment of fixed rent, is responsible for all costs and expenses with respect to the use, operation and ownership of the Plaza Leasehold Tract and the improvements now, or which may in the future be, located thereon, including, but not limited to, all maintenance and repair costs, insurance premiums, real estate taxes, assessments and utility charges. The improvements located on the Plaza Leasehold Tract are owned by Plaza Associates during the term of the PHMC Lease, and upon the expiration of the term of the PHMC Lease (for any reason), ownership of such improvements will vest in PHMC. The PHMC Lease also contains an option pursuant to which Plaza Associates may purchase the Plaza Leasehold Tract at certain times during the term of such PHMC Lease under certain circumstances.
Trump Plaza East. In connection with the Taj Acquisition, Plaza Associates exercised its option to purchase certain of the fee and leasehold interests comprising Trump Plaza East for a purchase price of $28.0 million. Plaza Associates currently leases a portion of the land which comprises Trump Plaza East from an unrelated third party.
In September 1993, Trump (as predecessor in interest to Plaza Associates under the lease for Trump Plaza East) entered into a sublease with Time Warner (the "Time Warner Sublease") pursuant to which Time Warner subleased the entire first floor of retail space for a new Warner Brothers Studio Store which opened in July 1994. Time Warner renovated the premises in connection with the opening of the Warner Brothers Studio Store. The lease term is for ten years and gives Time Warner the option to renew for two additional 5-year terms. Time Warner is required to pay percentage rent monthly in an amount equal to (i) 7.5% of gross annual sales up to $15.0 million and (ii) 10% of gross annual sales in excess of $15 million. The terms of the Time Warner Sublease give Time Warner the right to terminate the sublease if (i) gross annual sales are less than $5.0 million for year two or less than $5.0 million as adjusted by CPI for years three through nine; and (ii) Trump Plaza ceases to operate as a first class hotel.
Trump World's Fair. Pursuant to an option to purchase Trump World's Fair, on June 12, 1995, using proceeds from equity and debt offerings in 1995 (the "June 1995 Offerings"), Plaza Associates acquired title to Trump World's Fair. Further, Plaza Associates had entered into an easement agreement with the NJSEA with annual payments of $2 million. In December 1999, in connection with the closure of Trump World's Fair, Plaza Associates terminated the easement in accordance with its terms.
Parking Parcels. Plaza Associates owns a parcel of land (the "Plaza Garage Parcel") located across the street from the Plaza Casino Parcel and along Pacific Avenue in a portion of the block bound by Pacific Avenue, Mississippi Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and Missouri Avenue. Plaza Associates has constructed the Transportation Facility on the Plaza Garage Parcel. An enclosed pedestrian walkway from the parking garage accesses Trump Plaza at the casino level. Parking at the parking garage is available to Trump Plaza's guests, as well as to the general public.
Plaza Associates leases, pursuant to the PHMC Lease, a parcel of land located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Mississippi and Pacific Avenues consisting of approximately 11,800 square feet ("Additional Parcel 1") and owns another parcel on Mississippi Avenue adjacent to Additional Parcel 1 consisting of approximately 5,750 square feet.
Plaza Associates also owns five parcels of land, aggregating approximately 43,300 square feet, and subleases one parcel consisting of approximately 3,125 square feet. All of such parcels are contiguous and are located along Atlantic Avenue, in the same block as the Plaza Garage Parcel. They are used for signage and surface parking and are not encumbered by any mortgage liens other than that of the Plaza Mortgages.
Warehouse Parcel. Plaza Associates owns a warehouse and office facility located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, containing approximately 64,000 square feet of space (the "Egg Harbor Parcel"). The Egg Harbor Parcel is encumbered by a first mortgage having an outstanding principal balance, as of December 31, 1999, of approximately $1.3 million and is encumbered by the Plaza Mortgages. This lien is senior to the liens of the Plaza Mortgages. This facility is currently being utilized by TCS.
Plaza Associates has financed or leased and from time to time will finance or lease its acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment. The lien in favor of any such lender or lessor may be superior to the liens of the Plaza Mortgages.
Taj Mahal
Taj Associates currently owns the parcels of land which are used in connection with the operation of the Taj Mahal. Each of these parcels is encumbered by the mortgages securing the TAC I Notes, the TAC II Notes and the TAC III Notes.
The Casino Parcel. The land comprising the Taj Mahal site consists of approximately 30 acres, bounded by The Boardwalk to the south, vacated former States Avenue to the east, Pennsylvania Avenue to the west and Pacific Avenue to the north. The Taj Mahal was opened to the public on April 2, 1990.
Taj Entertainment Complex. In connection with the Taj Acquisition, Taj Associates purchased the Taj Entertainment Complex from Realty Corp. The Taj Entertainment Complex is a 20,000-square-foot multipurpose entertainment complex known as the Xanadu Theater with seating capacity for approximately 1,200 people, which can be used as a theater, concert hall, boxing arena or exhibition hall.
Steel Pier. In connection with the Taj Acquisition, Taj Associates purchased the approximately 3.6 acre pier and related property located across The Boardwalk from the Taj Mahal (the "Steel Pier") from Realty Corp. Taj Associates initially proposed a concept to improve the Steel Pier, the estimated cost of which improvements was $30 million. Such concept was approved by the New Jersey Department of Environment Protection ("NJDEP"), the agency which administers the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act ("CAFRA"). A condition imposed on Taj Associates' CAFRA permit initially required that Taj Associates begin construction of certain improvements on the Steel Pier by October 1992, which improvements were to be completed within 18 months of commencement. In March 1993, Taj Associates obtained a modification of its CAFRA permit providing for the extensions of the required commencement and completion dates of the improvements to the Steel Pier for one year based upon an interim use of the Steel Pier for an amusement park. Taj Associates received additional one-year extensions of the required commencement and completion dates of the improvements of the Steel Pier based upon the same interim use of the Steel Pier as an amusement park pursuant to a sublease ("Pier Sublease") with an amusement park operator. The Pier Sublease terminates on December 31, 2000 unless extended.
Office and Warehouse Space. Taj Associates owns an office building located on South Pennsylvania Avenue adjacent to the Taj Mahal. In addition, Taj Associates, in April 1991, purchased for approximately $1.7 million certain facilities of Castle Associates which are presently leased to commercial tenants and used for office space and vehicle maintenance facilities. In connection with the Taj Acquisition, Taj Associates purchased from Realty Corp. a warehouse complex of approximately 34,500 square feet. This warehouse complex was sold to the
CRDA as part of the location of a new neighborhood housing development to be completed as part of the redevelopment of the road corridors and adjoining neighborhoods to the Taj Mahal.
Taj Associates had entered into a lease with Trump-Equitable Company for the lease of office space in Trump Tower in New York City, which Taj Associates used as a marketing office. The monthly payments under the lease had been $1,000, and the premises were leased at such rent for four months in 1992, the full twelve months in 1993 and 1994 and eight months in 1995. On September 1, 1995, the lease was renewed for a term of five years with an option for Taj Associates to cancel the lease on September 1 of each year, upon six months' notice and payment of six months' rent. Under the renewed lease, the monthly payments are $2,285. In March 2000, THCR assumed this lease and moved to this office space from its previous location in Trump Tower.
Parking. The Taj Mahal provides parking for approximately 6,950 cars of which 6,725 spaces are located in indoor parking garages and 225 surface spaces are located on land purchased from Realty Corp. in connection with the Taj Acquisition. In addition, Taj Associates entered into a lease agreement with South Jersey Transportation Authority for employee parking facilities.
Themed Restaurants and Retail Shopping. Hard Rock Cafe International (N.J.), Inc. ("Hard Rock") has entered into a fifteen-year lease (the "Hard Rock Cafe Lease") with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Taj Mahal for a Hard Rock Cafe. The basic rent under the Hard Rock Cafe Lease is $750,000 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the first 10 years of the lease term, and will be $825,000 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the remaining 5 years of the lease term. In addition, Hard Rock will pay percentage rent in an amount equal to 10% of Hard Rock's annual gross sales in excess of $10,000,000. Hard Rock has the right to terminate the Hard Rock Cafe Lease on the tenth anniversary thereof and also has the option to extend the term of the lease for an additional five-year period at an annual basic rent of $907,500 during such renewal term. The Hard Rock Cafe opened in November 1996.
All Star Cafe, Inc. ("All Star") had entered into a twenty-year lease (the "All Star Cafe Lease") with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Taj Mahal to operate an All Star Cafe. The basic rent under the All Star Cafe Lease was $1.0 million per year, paid in equal monthly installments. In addition, All Star was to pay percentage rent to Taj Associates in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) 8% of All Star's gross sales made during each calendar month during the first lease year, 9% of All Star's gross sales made during each calendar month during the second lease year and 10% of All Star's gross sales made during each calendar month during the third through the twentieth lease years, and (ii) one-twelfth of the annual basic rent. The All Star Cafe opened in March 1997.
On September 15, 1999 an agreement was reached between Taj Associates, All Star and Planet Hollywood International, Inc. to terminate the All Star Cafe Lease effective September 24, 1999. Upon termination of the All Star Cafe Lease, all improvements, alterations and All Star's personal property, with the exception of specialty trade fixtures, became the property of Taj Associates. Taj Associates recorded the estimated $17.2 million fair market value of these assets in other revenue based on an independent appraisal.
Taj Associates intends to continue to operate the facility as a themed restaurant and entertainment complex.
Stage Deli of Atlantic City, Inc. ("Stage Deli") has entered into a ten- year and five-month lease commencing July 7, 1997 (the "Stage Deli Lease") with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Taj Mahal for a Stage Deli of New York restaurant. Stage Deli has an option to renew the Stage Deli Lease for an additional five-year term. Commencing September 1, 1998 the Stage Deli Lease was amended to eliminate the basic rent provisions and provide for monthly percentage rents of 8% or 10% of gross monthly sales based on actual average sales volumes as defined in the Stage Deli Lease.
Time Warner has entered into a ten-year lease (the "Time Warner Taj Lease") with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Taj Mahal for a Warner Brothers Studio Store. Time Warner has an option to renew the Time Warner Taj Lease for two additional five-year terms. Time Warner pays percentage rent monthly in an amount
equal to (i) 7.5% of gross annual sales up to $5.0 million and (ii) 10% sales of gross annual sales in excess of $5.0 million. No minimum or "base" rent is payable under the Time Warner Taj Lease. The terms of the lease give Time Warner the right to terminate the lease if (i) gross annual sales are less than $2.5 million for the second year of the lease or less than $2.5 million as adjusted by CPI for the third through ninth years of the lease; and (ii) the Taj Mahal ceases to operate as a first class hotel. The Warner Brothers Studio Store opened in May 1997.
The Taj Mahal recently completed the expansion of the retail shopping area along the length of its parking garage promenade walkway which immediately adjoins the Taj Mahal's main retail shopping area. The first tenant, Starbucks, operated by Host International, Inc., opened in September 1996. Sbarro's, an Italian eatery, operated by Sbarro America Properties, Inc., opened in October 1998. Boardwalk Treats, Beka's Pastries and a Harley Davidson retail merchandise outlet opened at various times during 1999. A Sunglass Hut, operated by Sunglass Hut International, opened in August 1998 in a separate location also adjoining the Taj Mahal's main retail shopping area.
Trump Marina
Trump Marina has commenced a slot room expansion project which is scheduled to be completed during the second quarter of 2000. This expansion project will increase Trump Marina's gaming space by approximately 5,600 square feet and is expected to include approximately 250 additional slot machines. Between 1994 and 1999, management replaced substantially all of its slot machines with newer, more popular models and upgraded its computerized slot tracking and slot marketing system. During 1997 the property was rethemed with a nautical emphasis and renamed Trump Marina.
The Marina. Pursuant to an agreement with the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry (the "Marina Agreement"), Castle Associates in 1987 began operating and renovating the marina at Trump Marina, including docks containing approximately 645 slips. An elevated pedestrian walkway connecting Trump Marina to a two-story building at the marina was completed in 1989. Castle Associates constructed the two-story building, which contains a 240-seat restaurant and offices as well as a snack bar and a large nautical theme retail store. Pursuant to the Marina Agreement and a certain lease between the State of New Jersey, as landlord, and Castle Associates, as tenant, dated as of September 1, 1990 (the "Marina Lease"), Castle Associates commenced leasing the marina and the improvements thereon for an initial term of twenty-five years. The Marina Lease is a net lease pursuant to which Castle Associates, in addition to the payment of annual rent equal to the greater of (i) a certain percentage of gross revenues of Castle Associates from operation of the marina during the lease year and (ii) an initial minimum base rent of $300,000 annually (increasing every five years to $500,000 in 2010), is responsible for all costs and expenses related to the premises, including but not limited to, all maintenance and repair costs, insurance premiums, real estate taxes, assessments and utility charges. Any improvements made to the marina (which is owned by the State of New Jersey), excluding the elevated pedestrian walkway, automatically becomes the property of the State of New Jersey upon their completion.
The Parking Parcel. Castle Associates also owns an employee parking lot located on Route 30, approximately two miles from Trump Marina, which can accommodate approximately 1,000 cars.
Indiana Riverboat
See "Business--Indiana Riverboat."
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
General. THCR and certain of its employees have been involved in various legal proceedings. Such persons are vigorously defending the allegations against them and intend to contest vigorously any future proceedings. In general, THCR has agreed to indemnify such persons against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable costs, disbursements and counsel fees) and liabilities (including amounts paid or incurred in satisfaction of settlements, judgments, fines and penalties) incurred by them in said legal proceedings.
THCR. On or about July 30, 1999, William K. Steiner, a stockholder of THCR, filed a derivative action in the Court of Chancery in Delaware (Civil Action No. 17336NC) against each member of the Board of Directors of THCR. The plaintiff claims that the directors of THCR breached their fiduciary duties by approving certain loans from THCR to Trump. The complaint seeks to rescind the loans, and also seeks an order requiring the defendants to account to THCR for losses and damages allegedly resulting from the loans. The defendants believe that the suit is without merit and on October 1, 1999, the defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. On January 31, 2000 the director defendants filed their opening brief in support of their motion to dismiss.
Trump Indiana. Commencing in early 1994 Trump Indiana, through its Indiana legal counsel, had discussions with eight Indiana residents regarding (1) the potential purchase by such residents of nonvoting stock of Trump Indiana, representing a total of 7.5% of the value of Trump Indiana, and (2) the creation and funding of a charitable foundation for the benefit of residents of the Gary, Indiana area. Subsequent to those discussions, it was determined to include Trump Indiana as a wholly owned subsidiary of THCR Holdings in connection with the June, 1995 offerings. The residents then asserted a right to purchase stock in Trump Indiana equal to 7.5% of the value of Trump Indiana, and also asserted that Trump Indiana was required to contribute an additional 7.5% of its value, represented by shares of its stock, into the charitable foundation. Trump Indiana and THCR did not agree with the residents' assertions and so advised them. Such residents then caused a complaint to be filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, against Trump Indiana, THCR, THCR Holdings, and Donald J. Trump ("the litigation"). Later, The Trump Organization, Inc. was added as a defendant. The claims sought (1) compensatory damages to the eight plaintiffs equal to 7.5% of the value of Trump Indiana, (2) funding of the charitable foundation in an amount equal to an additional 7.5% of the value of Trump Indiana, (3) transfer of Trump Indiana stock to the plaintiffs and to the charitable foundation, and (4) punitive damages in an unspecified amount. Monetary settlements later were reached between all defendants and six of the plaintiffs. Thereafter, the remaining two plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims for the transfer of ownership of stock in Trump Indiana, and proceeded in the litigation with (1) their claim for monetary damages against the defendants and (2) a claim that a charitable foundation be established and funded with an amount equal to 7.5% of the value of Trump Indiana. In February, 1999, these two remaining plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed all claims against The Trump Organization, Inc., and the court entered summary judgment against the plaintiffs and in favor of THCR and THCR Holdings on all claims in the litigation. The case was then tried in United States District Court, Indianapolis. On March 3, 1999, the jury assessed damages against Trump Indiana for breach of contract in the total amount of One Million Three Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand One Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($1,334,124.00) and further determined that Trump Indiana had breached a contract to create and fund a charitable foundation. The jury assessed no damages against Donald J. Trump personally. Punitive damages were not awarded against either Trump Indiana or Donald J. Trump. On December 9, 1999, the United States District Court, sitting in equity, decided the equity claim ruling that the plaintiffs were not entitled to the equitable relief sought and that Trump Indiana had met its obligation by establishing and funding another charitable foundation for the benefit of the residents of the City of Gary. Plaintiffs have appealed the ruling in equity in favor of Trump Indiana and Trump Indiana has appealed the jury verdict in favor of plaintiffs. These appeals are currently pending in the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Castle Acquisition. On August 14, 1996, certain stockholders of THCR filed two derivative actions in the Court of Chancery in Delaware (Civil Action Nos. 15148 and 15160) (the "Delaware cases") against each of the members of the Board of Directors of THCR, THCR, THCR Holdings, Castle Associates and TCI-II. The plaintiffs claim that the directors of THCR breached their fiduciary duties in connection with its acquisition of Castle Associates (the "Castle Acquisition") by purchasing these interests at an excessive price in a self-dealing transaction. The complaint sought to enjoin the transaction, and also sought damages and an accounting. The injunction was never pursued. These plaintiffs served a notice of dismissal in the Delaware cases on December 29, 1997. The Court of Chancery has not yet ordered the Delaware cases dismissed.
On October 16, 1996, a stockholder of THCR filed a derivative action in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York (96 Civ. 7820) against each member of the Board of Directors of THCR, THCR, THCR Holdings, Castle Associates, TCI, TCI-II, TCHI and Salomon Brothers, Inc ("Salomon"). The plaintiff claims that certain of the defendants breached their fiduciary duties and engaged in ultra vires acts in connection with the Castle Acquisition and that Salomon was negligent in the issuance of its fairness opinion with respect to
the Castle Acquisition. The plaintiff also alleges violations of the federal securities laws for alleged omissions and misrepresentations in THCR's proxies, and that Trump, TCI-II and TCHI breached the acquisition agreement by supplying THCR with untrue information for inclusion in the proxy statement delivered to THCR's stockholders in connection with the Castle Acquisition. The plaintiff seeks removal of the directors of THCR, and an injunction, rescission and damages.
The Delaware cases were amended and refiled in the Southern District of New York and consolidated with the federal action for all purposes, including pretrial proceedings and trial. On or about January 17, 1997, the plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Derivative Complaint (the "First Amended Complaint"), reflecting the consolidation. On or about March 24, 1997, the plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Derivative Complaint (the "Second Amended Complaint"). In addition to the allegations made in the First Amended Complaint, the Second Amended Complaint claims that certain of the defendants breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets in connection with a previously contemplated transaction with Colony Capital, Inc. ("Colony Capital"). The Second Amended Complaint also includes claims against Colony Capital for aiding and abetting certain of those violations. In addition to the relief sought in the First Amended Complaint, the Second Amended Complaint sought to enjoin the previously contemplated transaction with Colony Capital or, if it was effectuated, to rescind it. On March 27, 1997, THCR and Colony Capital mutually agreed to end negotiations with respect to such transaction. On June 26, 1997, plaintiffs served their Third Consolidated Amended Derivative Complaint (the "Third Amended Complaint"), which omitted the claims against Colony Capital. THCR and the other defendants in the action moved to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint on August 5, 1997. The plaintiffs opposed the defendants' motions to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint by response dated October 24, 1997. The defendants' reply was served December 9, 1997. By letter dated April 2, 1998, the plaintiffs sought the Court's permission to amend further the Third Amended Complaint to add certain additional factual allegations. The defendants opposed the motion and the Court has not yet ruled on it.
Other Litigation. On March 13, 1997, THCR filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, against Mirage, the State of New Jersey ("State"), the New Jersey Department of Transportation ("NJDOT"), the South Jersey Transportation Authority ("SJTA"), the CRDA, the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority and others. THCR was seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to recognize and prevent violations by the defendants of the casino clause of the New Jersey State Constitution and various federal securities and environmental laws relating to proposed infrastructure improvements in the Atlantic City marina area. While this action was pending, defendants State and CRDA then filed an action in the New Jersey State Court seeking a declaratory judgment as to the claim relating to the casino clause of the New Jersey State Constitution. On May 1, 1997, the United States District Court dismissed the federal claims and ruled that the State constitutional claims should be pursued in State Court. On April 2, 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal and THCR's petition to the Third Circuit for a rehearing was denied. On May 14, 1997 the State Court granted judgment in favor of the State and CRDA. On March 20, 1998, the Appellate Division affirmed. On August 2, 1999, the State Supreme Court affirmed, with two justices dissenting.
On June 26, 1997, THCR filed an action against NJDOT, SJTA, Mirage and others, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Atlantic County (the "Chancery Division Action"). THCR sought to declare unlawful and enjoin certain actions and omissions of the defendants arising out of and relating to a certain Road Development Agreement dated as of January 10, 1997, by and among NJDOT, SJTA and Mirage (the "Road Development Agreement") and the public funding of a certain road and tunnel project to be constructed in Atlantic City, as further described in the Road Development Agreement. THCR moved to consolidate this action with other previously filed related actions. Defendants opposed THCR's motion to consolidate the Chancery Division Action, initially moved to dismiss this action on procedural grounds and subsequently moved to dismiss this action on substantive grounds. On October 20, 1997, the Chancery Court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss this action on procedural grounds, but entered summary judgment dismissing this action on substantive grounds. This decision was affirmed at the appellate level on June 19, 1999. On November 23, 1999, the State Supreme Court denied THCR's petition for certification.
On June 26, 1997, THCR also filed an action, in lieu of prerogative writs, against the CRDA, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Atlantic County, seeking review of the CRDA's April 15, 1997
approval of funding ($120 million principal amount plus interest) for the road and tunnel project discussed above, a declaratory judgment that the said project is not eligible for such CRDA funding, and an injunction prohibiting the CRDA from contributing such funding to the said project. Defendants moved to dismiss this action on procedural grounds and also sought to transfer this action to New Jersey's Appellate Division. On October 3, 1997, the New Jersey Superior Court transferred this action to the Appellate Division. On June 19, 1999, the Appellate Division dismissed THCR's claims and on November 23, 1999, the State Supreme Court denied THCR's petition for certification.
On September 9, 1997, Mirage filed a complaint against Trump, THCR and Hilton Hotels Corporation, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "New York Action"). The complaint sought damages for alleged violations of antitrust laws, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage and tortious inducement of a breach of fiduciary duties arising out of activities purportedly engaged in by defendants in furtherance of an alleged conspiracy to impede Mirage's efforts to build a casino resort in the Marina district of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Among other things, Mirage contended that the defendants filed several frivolous lawsuits and funded others that challenge the proposed state funding mechanisms for the construction of a proposed roadway and tunnel that would be paid for chiefly through government funds and which would link the Atlantic City Expressway with the site of Mirage's proposed new casino resort. On November 10, 1997, THCR and Trump moved to dismiss the complaint. On December 18, 1998 the Court denied the motion to dismiss brought by Trump and THCR. On April 20, 1999, Mirage and an affiliate, the Mirage Casino Hotel filed a complaint against THCR and other defendants in Nevada State Court (the "Nevada Action"). The Nevada Action, which was subsequently removed to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, sought damages and an injunction for an alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and contractual relations and conspiracy to injure Mirage. On February 23, 2000, THCR and Mirage entered into an agreement whereby the New York Action and the Nevada Action against THCR and all of its officers and directors will both be dismissed with prejudice. The parties exchanged mutual releases and no money was paid by either side.
Various other legal proceedings are now pending against THCR. Management considers all such proceedings to be ordinary litigation incident to the character of its business. Management believes that the resolution of these claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
From time to time, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and Trump Indiana may be involved in routine administrative proceedings involving alleged violations of certain provisions of the Casino Control Act and the Riverboat Gambling Act, as the case may be. However, management believes that the final outcome of these proceedings will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on THCR or on the ability of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates or Trump Indiana to otherwise retain or renew any casino or other licenses required under the Casino Control Act or the Indiana Riverboat Act, as the case may be, for the operation of Trump Plaza, the Taj Mahal, Trump Marina and the Indiana Riverboat, respectively.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No matters were submitted by THCR to its security holders for a vote during the fourth quarter of 1999.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
THCR. The THCR Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "DJT." The initial public offering price of the THCR Common Stock was $14.00 per share on June 7, 1995. The following table reflects the high and low sales prices of the THCR Common Stock as reported by the NYSE.
As of March 20, 2000 there were approximately 873 holders of record of THCR Common Stock.
Trump is the sole beneficial owner of all 1,000 outstanding shares of THCR's Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "THCR Class B Common Stock"). No established trading market exists for the THCR Class B Common Stock and Trump has been the beneficial owner of all THCR Class B Common Stock since its issuance. The THCR Class B Common Stock has no right to receive any dividend or other distribution (other than certain distributions upon liquidation) with respect to the equity of THCR.
THCR has never paid a dividend on the THCR Common Stock and does not anticipate paying one in the foreseeable future. The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of the THCR Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, THCR's financial condition and capital needs, legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, contractual restrictions in financing agreements and on other factors deemed pertinent by the THCR Board of Directors. It is the current policy of the THCR Board of Directors to retain earnings, if any, for use in THCR's subsidiaries' operations (except as set forth in the partnership agreement governing THCR Holdings) and THCR otherwise has no current intention of paying dividends to the holders of THCR Common Stock. In addition, the TAC I Note Indenture, the TAC II Note Indenture, the TAC III Note Indenture, the Senior Note Indenture, the indenture governing the Castle PIK Notes, the indenture governing the Castle Mortgage Notes and the indenture governing the Working Capital Loan contain certain covenants, including, without limitation, covenants with respect to limitations on the payment of dividends, which limitations would limit THCR's ability to obtain funds from THCR Holdings with which to pay dividends. Pursuant to these indentures, there are restrictions on the payment of dividends unless, among other things, (i) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, (ii) certain entities meet certain consolidated financial ratios and (iii) the total amount of the dividends does not exceed certain amounts specified in the indentures.
The THCR Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase by THCR Holdings of up to 2,500,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. The
repurchase program is effective until the end of 2000. As of December 31, 1999, THCR Holdings has repurchased 2,127,500 shares of THCR Common Stock.
THCR Holdings. THCR Holdings is a limited partnership of which THCR is currently a 59.87743% general partner. Trump is currently a 27.06457% limited partner. THCR/LP is currently a 3.55096% limited partner. TCI is currently a 3.69695% limited partner and TCI-II is currently a 5.81009% limited partner.
THCR Funding. THCR Holdings owns 100% of the outstanding shares of THCR Funding's common stock. There is no established trading market for THCR Funding's common stock. The Senior Note Indenture restricts the ability of THCR Funding to declare or pay dividends.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table sets forth certain historical consolidated financial information of Trump AC and Plaza Associates (predecessors of THCR) for the period January 1, 1995 through June 12, 1995 and certain historical consolidated financial information of THCR for the period from inception (June 12, 1995) through December 31, 1995 (see Note 1 below) and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (see Note 2 below). All financial information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of THCR," and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
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Note 1: THCR was incorporated on March 28, 1995 and conducted no operations until the June 1995 Stock Offering and contributed the proceeds therefrom to THCR Holdings in exchange for an approximately 60% general partnership interest in THCR Holdings. At the consummation of the June 1995 Stock Offering, Trump contributed his 100% beneficial interest in Plaza Funding, Trump AC and Plaza Associates to THCR Holdings for an approximate 40% limited partnership interest in THCR Holdings. In addition, Trump contributed to THCR Holdings all of his existing interests and rights to
new gaming activities in both emerging and established gaming jurisdictions, including Trump Indiana. The financial data as of December 31, 1995 and for the period ended December 31, 1995 reflect the operations of THCR from inception (June 12, 1995) to December 31, 1995.
Note 2: On April 17, 1996, THCR Holdings acquired all of the outstanding equity of Taj Associates. On October 7, 1996, THCR Holdings acquired from Trump all of the outstanding equity of Castle Associates. Therefore, the financial data as of December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 reflect the operations of THCR and Plaza Associates for the full year, Taj Associates for the period from April 17, 1996 to December 31, 1996, Castle Associates from October 7, 1996 to December 31, 1996, and Trump Indiana for the period June 8, 1996 (the opening date of the Indiana Riverboat) to December 31, 1996.
(a) On September 15, 1999 an agreement was reached between Taj Associates, All Star and Planet Hollywood International, Inc. to terminate the All Star Cafe Lease effective September 24, 1999. Upon termination of the All Star Cafe Lease, all improvements, alterations and All Star's personal property, with the exception of specialty trade fixtures, became the property of Taj Associates. Taj Associates recorded the $17.2 million estimated fair market value of these assets in other revenue based on an independent appraisal.
Taj Associates intends to continue to operate the facility as a themed restaurant and entertainment complex.
(b) On October 4, 1999, THCR closed Trump World's Fair. The estimated cost of closing Trump World's Fair was approximately $123,959,000, which includes $97,221,000 million for the writedown of the net book value of the assets and $26,738,000 million of costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the closing and demolition of the building.
(c) Other non-operating expense for the period January 1, 1995 through June 12, 1995 and for the period June 12, 1995 through December 31, 1995 includes $4.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of real estate taxes and leasing costs associated with Trump Plaza East. Other non- operating (income) expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 also includes $2.0 million in costs associated with Trump World's Fair. Other non-operating income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998 include $1.028 million, $.725 million and $1.501 million, respectively, of costs associated with certain litigation.
(d) The extraordinary loss for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 relate to the redemption of the Plaza PIK Notes and Plaza PIK Note Warrants and the write-off of related unamortized deferred financing costs.
(e) Basic loss per share has been calculated for all periods presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 128 "Earnings per Share." Earnings per share is based upon average shares outstanding, shares and phantom stock units awarded to the Chief Executive officer of THCR under the 1995 Stock Plan (as defined) and common stock equivalents, if dilutive earnings per share represents net loss divided by such amounts. The shares of THCR Class B Common Stock owned by Trump have no economic interest and, therefore, are not considered.
ITEM 7
ITEM 7 - -MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows from operating activities are THCR's principal source of liquidity. THCR expects to have sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations over the next operating period. Cash flow is managed based upon the seasonality of the operations. Any excess cash flow achieved from operations during peak periods is utilized to subsidize non-peak periods where necessary.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes (the "Senior Note Indenture") restricts the ability of THCR Holdings and its subsidiaries to make distributions to partners or pay dividends, as the case may be, unless certain financial ratios are achieved. Further, given the rapidly changing competitive environment, THCR's future operating results are highly conditional and could fluctuate significantly.
The indentures of Trump AC and Castle Associates restrict their ability to make distributions to THCR Holdings. Therefore, the ability of THCR Holdings to service its debt is dependent on the successful operations of Trump Indiana and other future operations, the permitted distributions from Trump AC and Castle Associates and the repayment of officers notes.
In addition, the ability of (i) Plaza Associates and Taj Associates (through Trump AC) and (ii) Castle Associates to make payments of dividends or distributions to THCR Holdings may be restricted by the CCC. Similarly, the ability of Trump Indiana to make payments of dividends or distributions to THCR Holdings may be restricted by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Capital expenditures for Trump AC were $20.9 million and $21.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Capital expenditures for improvements to Trump Plaza's facilities were $12.0 million and $10.7 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Capital expenditures attributable to the Taj Mahal were $8.5 million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Castle Associates' capital expenditures for 1998 and 1999 were $2.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively and principally consisted of hotel room renovations, as well as casino floor redesign and ongoing property enhancements.
Capital expenditures attributable to Trump Indiana were $14.5 million and $5.4 million for the years ending December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Approximately $15.0 million costs of hotel construction and other infrastructure improvements will be applied towards satisfying the economic development commitment required in connection with the Indiana licensing process. THCR is currently negotiating with Majestic Star Casino, L.L.C. ("Barden"), the other riverboat licensee and joint owner with Trump Indiana of Buffington Harbor Riverboats, L.L.C. ("BHR") for the purchase of certain land and the development of a 2,000 space parking garage by BHR which would cost approximately $15 million and $25 million, respectively.
The New Castle Senior Notes have an outstanding principal amount of $62 million and bear interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi- annually each April and October. The New Castle Senior Notes mature on April 30, 2003.
The Working Capital Loan has an outstanding principal amount of $5 million and bears interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually each April and October. The entire principal balance of the Working Capital Loan matures on April 30, 2003.
Castle Associates has the authority to obtain a working capital facility of up to $10 million (of which approximately $5.0 million is outstanding) although there can be no assurance that such financing will be available or on terms acceptable to Castle Associates.
During the quarter ended September 30, 1998, THCR Holdings advanced a loan to Trump in the amount of $11,000,000. On October 19, 1998, THCR Holdings loaned Trump $13,500,000. Such loan was offset in its entirety when Trump advanced $13,500,000 to THCR Enterprises, L.L.C. ("THCR Enterprises"), which then purchased Trump's indebtedness to Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. All of such indebtedness by Trump is payable on May 17, 2000 and is secured by a pledge of his shares of THCR Class B Common Stock, his limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings and his 250,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, as well as a pledge by TCI and TCI-II of their shares of THCR Class B Common Stock and their limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings.
Year 2000
THCR assessed the Year 2000 issue and implemented a plan to insure its systems were Year 2000 compliant. Analysis was made of THCR's various customer support and internal administration systems with appropriate modifications having been made.
The cost of addressing the Year 2000 issue was not material as modifications were made with existing systems personnel and no significant expectations for new hardware or software. As a result of these efforts, THCR was fully Year 2000 compliant.
This Year 2000 disclosure constitutes Year 2000 readiness disclosure within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.
Seasonality
The gaming industry in Atlantic City and Indiana is seasonal, with the heaviest activity occurring during the period from May through September. Consequently, THCR's operating results during the two quarters ending in March and December would not likely be as profitable as the two quarters ending in June and September.
Inflation
There was no significant impact on operations as a result of inflation during 1997, 1998 or 1999.
The following tables include selected data of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Trump Indiana and Castle Associates for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year financial information to current year presentation.
* Intercompany eliminations and expenses of THCR and THCR Holdings are not separately shown.
* Intercompany eliminations and expenses of THCR and THCR Holdings are not separately shown.
* Intercompany eliminations and expenses of THCR and THCR Holdings are not separately shown.
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. Results of Operations Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (in millions, except statistical data)
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1998
Gaming revenues are the primary source of THCR's revenues. Table game revenues represent the amount retained by THCR from amounts wagered at table games. The table win percentage tends to be fairly constant over the long term, but may vary significantly in the short term, due to large wagers by "high rollers."
Gaming costs and expenses were $806.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of $4.6 million or .6 % from $811.5 million for the comparable period in 1997. Decreases in marketing and promotional costs at the Atlantic City casinos were partially offset by increases at Trump Indiana.
General and administrative expenses were $275.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of $0.1 million from general and administrative expenses of $275.7 million.
Insurance reserves were reduced by $2.8 million as the result of an internal risk management review at Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates. During 1998, self insurance reserves decreased due to an internally focused aggressive policy where potential lawsuits are challenged immediately. Additionally, a more aggressive litigation policy was pursued to deter present and future frivolous lawsuits. THCR also retained an outside consultant to comprehensively review certain claims and to assist THCR in establishing the estimated revenues at December 31, 1998.
Development costs of $4.6 million, relating to Detroit, Niagara Falls and other jurisdictions, were expensed in 1997; there was no comparable expense in 1998.
During the second quarter of 1997, Taj Associates, Plaza Associates and Castle Associates revised their estimates for the useful lives of buildings, building improvements, furniture and fixtures which were acquired in 1996. Building and building improvements were re-evaluated to have a forty year life and furniture and fixtures were determined to have a seven year life. During the third quarter 1997, Trump Indiana revised its estimates of the useful life of the riverboat and its improvements from fifteen to thirty years. THCR believes these changes more appropriately reflect the timing of the economic benefits to be received from these assets during their estimated useful lives. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the net effect of applying these new lives was to decrease THCR Holdings' and THCR's net loss by $10,458,000 and $6,634,000, respectively, and decrease basic and diluted loss per share by $.29. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the net effect of applying these new lives was to decrease THCR Holdings' and THCR's net loss by $7,655,000 and $4,856,000, respectively, and decrease basic and diluted loss per share by $.22.
Interest expense increased due to the additional $100,000,000 of TAC II Notes and TAC III Notes issued on December 10, 1997 of which $75,000,000 are TAC II Notes issued by Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding II and of which $25,000,000 are TAC III Notes issued by Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding III.
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999
Gaming revenues are the primary source of THCR's revenues. Table game revenues represent the amount retained by THCR from amounts wagered at table games. The table win percentage tends to be fairly constant over the long term, but may vary significantly in the short term, due to large wagers by "high rollers." The Atlantic City industry table game win percentages remained constant at 15.3% for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999.
All Star had entered into the All Star Cafe Lease with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Taj Mahal to operate an All Star Cafe. The basic rent under the All Star Cafe Lease was $1.0 million per year, paid in equal monthly installments. In addition, All Star was to pay percentage rent (as defined).
On September 15, 1999 an agreement was reached between Taj Associates, All Star and Planet Hollywood International, Inc. to terminate the All Star Cafe Lease effective September 24, 1999. Upon termination of the All Star Cafe
Lease, all improvements, alterations and All Star's personal property, with the exception of specialty trade fixtures, became the property of Taj Associates. Taj Associates recorded the $17.2 million estimated fair market value of these assets in other revenue based on an independent appraisal.
Taj Associates intends to continue to operate the facility as a themed restaurant and entertainment complex.
Gaming costs and expenses were $808.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of $1.7 million or .2% from $806.9 million for the comparable period in 1998. Trump AC's gaming costs increased $5.2 million or 1.0% for the year ended December 31, 1999 from the comparable period in 1998 due primarily to additional casino bad debt provisions at the Taj Mahal. The casino bad debt provisions at the Taj Mahal were made after appropriate legal advice had been obtained which indicated the likelihood of collection was remote. Trump AC's policy is to aggressively pursue collection issues regarding markers if such issues occur. These costs were offset by reductions in costs and expenses at Trump Plaza due to the closure of Trump World's Fair on October 4, 1999. This increase was predominantly offset by Trump Marina's $3.5 million or 2.1% decrease for the year ended December 31, 1999 from the comparable period in 1998. Trump Marina's decrease is primarily attributed to decreased promotional and complimentary expenses achieved by eliminating less profitable programs.
General and administrative expenses were $292.3 million for the year December 31, 1999, an increase of $16.7 million or 6.1% from general and administrative expenses of $275.6 million for the prior year. This increase is attributed to increases of $6.3 million at Trump AC due primarily to charges at Taj Associates related to employee severance charges and litigation settlement reserves; $5.0 million at Trump Marina due primarily to incremental costs incurred related to the Castle Services Agreement (as defined), employee incentive compensation and insurance costs; and $6.7 million for THCR corporate expenses including development and litigation costs.
On October 4, 1999, THCR closed Trump World's Fair. Management estimates that the cost of closing Trump World's Fair will be approximately $124.0 million, which includes $97.2 million for the writedown of the net book value of the assets and $26.8 million of costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the closing and demolition of the building.
Interest expense increased due to the additional $100,000,000 of TAC II Notes and TAC III Notes issued on December 10, 1997 of which $75,000,000 are TAC II Notes issued by Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding II and of which $25,000,000 are TAC III Notes issued by Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding III.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Management has reviewed the disclosure requirements for Item 7A and, based upon THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding's current capital structure, scope of operations and financial statement structure, management believes that such disclosure is not warranted at this time. Since conditions may change, THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding will periodically review its compliance with this disclosure requirement to the extent applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
An index to financial statements and required financial statement schedules is set forth in Item 14.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
Management of THCR
The following table sets forth certain information concerning each of THCR's directors and executive officers:
Donald J. Trump--Trump, 53 years old, has been Chairman of the Board of THCR and THCR Funding since their formation in 1995. Trump was a 50% shareholder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Treasurer of Trump Plaza GP and the managing general partner of Plaza Associates prior to June 1993. Trump was Chairman of the Executive Committee and President of Plaza Associates from May 1986 to May 1992 and was a general partner of Plaza Associates until June 1993. Trump has been a director of Trump AC Holding since February 1993 and was President of Trump AC Holding from February 1993 until December 1997. Trump was a partner in Trump AC from February 1993 until June 1995. Trump has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trump AC Funding since its formation in January 1996 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Funding II and Funding III since their formation in November 1997. Trump has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP since October 1991; President and Treasurer of THCR Holding Corp. since March 4, 1991; Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Treasurer of TCI since June 1988; Chairman of the Executive Committee of Taj Associates from June 1988 to October 1991; and President and sole Director of Realty Corp. since May 1986. Trump has been the sole director of TACC since March 1991. Trump was President and Treasurer of TACC from March 1991 until December 1997. Trump has been the sole director of Trump Indiana since its formation. Trump has been Chairman of the Board of Partner Representatives of Castle Associates, the partnership that owns Trump Marina, since May 1992; and was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Castle Associates from June 1985 to May 1992. Trump is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Castle Funding, and served as President and Treasurer of Castle Funding until April 1998. Trump is the Chairman of the Board and Treasurer of TCHI. Trump is the President, Treasurer, sole director and sole shareholder of TCI-II. Trump has been a Director of THCR Enterprises since its formation in January 1997. Trump is also the President of The Trump Organization, which has been in the business, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, of acquiring, developing and managing real estate properties for more than the past five years. Trump was a member of the Board of Directors of Alexander's Inc. from 1987 to March 1992.
Nicholas L. Ribis--Mr. Ribis, 55 years old, has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of THCR and THCR Funding and Chief Executive Officer of THCR Holdings since their formation in 1995. Mr. Ribis has been the Chief Executive Officer of Plaza Associates since February 1991, was President from April 1994 to February 1995, was a member of the Executive Committee of Plaza Associates from April 1991 to May 29, 1992 and was a director and Vice President of Trump Plaza GP from May 1992 until June 1993. Mr. Ribis served as Vice President of Trump AC Holding from February 1995 until December 1997. Mr. Ribis has served as President of Trump AC Holding since December 1997. Mr. Ribis has served as a director of Trump AC Holding since June 1993. Mr. Ribis has been Chief Executive Officer, President
and a director of Trump AC Funding since its formation in January 1996 and Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Funding II and Funding III since their formation in November 1997. Mr. Ribis served as Vice President of TACC until December 1997. Mr. Ribis has served as the President of TACC since December 1997. Mr. Ribis has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trump Indiana since its formation. Mr. Ribis has been a Director of THCR/LP and THCR Holding Corp. since October 1991 and was Vice President of THCR/LP and THCR Holding Corp. until June 1995; Chief Executive Officer of Taj Associates since February 1991; Vice President of TCI since February 1991 and Secretary of TCI since September 1991; Director of Realty Corp. since October 1991; and a member of the Executive Committee of Taj Associates from April 1991 to October 1991. Mr. Ribis has served as Vice President of THCR/LP and THCR Holding Corp. since February 1998. He has also been Chief Executive Officer of Castle Associates since March 1991 and President of Castle Associates until April 1998; member of the Executive Committee of Castle Associates from April 1991 to May 1992; member of the Board of Partner Representatives of Castle Associates since May 1992; and has served as the Vice President and Assistant Secretary of TCHI since December 1993 and January 1991, respectively, until April 1998. Mr. Ribis is now a director of TCHI. Since April 1998, Mr. Ribis has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TCHI and Castle Funding. Mr. Ribis has served as Vice President of TCI-II since December 1993 and had served as Secretary of TCI-II from November 1991 to May 1992. Mr. Ribis has been Vice President of Trump Corp. since September 1991. Mr. Ribis has been the President and a director of THCR Enterprises since January 1997. From January 1993 to January 1995 Mr. Ribis served as the Chairman of the Casino Association of New Jersey and has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the CRDA since October 1993. From January 1980 to January 1991, Mr. Ribis was Senior Partner in, and from February 1991 to December 1995, was Counsel to the law firm of Ribis, Graham & Curtin (now practicing as Graham, Curtin & Sheridan, A Professional Association), which serves as New Jersey legal counsel to all of the above-named companies and certain of their affiliated entities.
Robert M. Pickus--Mr. Pickus, 45 years old, has been Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of THCR since its formation in 1995. He has also been the Executive Vice President of Corporate and Legal Affairs of Plaza Associates since February 1995. From December 1993 to February 1995, Mr. Pickus was the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Plaza Associates. Mr. Pickus served as the Assistant Secretary of Trump AC Holding from April 1994 until February 1998. Since February 1998, Mr. Pickus has served as the Secretary of Trump AC Holding. Mr. Pickus has been Secretary and a director of Trump AC Funding since its formation in January 1996 and Secretary and a director of Funding II and Funding III since their formation in November 1997. Mr. Pickus has been the Executive Vice President and Secretary of Trump Indiana since its inception. Mr. Pickus has been the Executive Vice President of Corporate and Legal Affairs of Taj Associates since February 1995, and a Director of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP since November 1995. He was the Senior Vice President and Secretary of Castle Funding from June 1988 to December 1993 and General Counsel of Castle Associates from June 1985 to December 1993. Mr. Pickus has served as the Secretary of Castle Funding since April 1998. Mr. Pickus served as the Assistant Secretary of TACC until February 1998. Since February 1998, Mr. Pickus has served as the Secretary of TACC. Mr. Pickus was also Secretary of TCHI from October 1991 until December 1993. Mr. Pickus is a director of TCHI, and has served as the Assistant Secretary of TCHI from February 1998 until April 1998. Since April 1998, Mr. Pickus has served as the Secretary of TCHI. Mr. Pickus has been the Executive Vice President of Corporate and Legal Affairs of Castle Associates since February 1995, Secretary of Castle Associates since February 1996 and a member of the Board of Partner Representatives of Castle Associates since October 1995. Mr. Pickus is currently the Secretary of THCR Holding Corp., has been the Vice President, Secretary and Director of THCR Enterprises since January 1997 and has been Executive Vice President of TCS since its inception and its President since November 1998. He has been admitted to practice law in the states of New York and New Jersey since 1980, and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1981.
Francis X. McCarthy, Jr.--Mr. McCarthy, 47 years old, has served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance and Chief Financial Officer of THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding since September 1998. Mr. McCarthy has been the Chief Financial Officer of Trump AC, Trump AC Funding, Funding II and Funding III since September 1998. Mr. McCarthy has been the Executive Vice President of Finance of TCS since October 1996. Mr. McCarthy was Vice President of Finance and Accounting of Trump Plaza GP from October 1992 until June 1993, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration of Plaza Associates from August 1990 to June 1994 and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration of Plaza Associates from June 1994 to October 1996. Mr. McCarthy previously served in a variety of financial positions for Greate Bay Hotel and Casino, Inc. from June 1980 through August 1990.
John P. Burke--Mr. Burke, 52 years old, served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance of THCR from January 1996 until June 1997. Mr. Burke served as the Senior Vice President of THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding
from June 1997 to January 1999. Mr. Burke has served as Executive Vice President of THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding since January 1999. Mr. Burke has been the Corporate Treasurer of THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding since their formation in 1995. He has also been Corporate Treasurer of Plaza Associates and Taj Associates since October 1991. Mr. Burke has been the Treasurer of Trump Indiana since its formation. Mr. Burke has been Treasurer of Trump AC Funding since its formation in January 1996 and Treasurer of Funding II and Funding III since their formation in November 1997. Mr. Burke has been Treasurer of TACC since February 1998. Mr. Burke was a Director of THCR/LP and THCR Holding Corp. from October 1991 to April 1996 and was Vice President of THCR/LP until June 1995. Mr. Burke has served as the Assistant Treasurer of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP since February 1998. Mr. Burke has been the Corporate Treasurer of Castle Associates since October 1991, the Vice President of Castle Associates, Castle Funding, TCI-II and TCHI since December 1993, Assistant Treasurer of TCHI since April 1998, Treasurer of Castle Funding since April 1998, a member of the Board of Partner Representatives of Castle Associates since March 1997 and the Vice President-Finance of The Trump Organization since September 1990. Mr. Burke was an Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Imperial Corporation of America from April 1989 through September 1990. Mr. Burke has been the Vice President and Treasurer of THCR Enterprises since January 1997.
Joseph A. Fusco--Mr. Fusco, 55 years old, has been Executive Vice President for Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs of THCR since June 1996 and of TCS since July 1996. From August 1985 to June 1996, he practiced law as a partner in various Atlantic City law firms specializing in New Jersey casino regulatory, commercial and administrative law matters, most recently from January 1994 to June 1996 as a partner in the law firm of Sterns & Weinroth. Mr. Fusco previously served as Atlantic County Prosecutor, a Gubernatorial appointment, from April 1981 to July 1985 and as Special Counsel for Licensing for the CCC from the inception of that agency in September 1977 to March 1981. He has been admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey since 1969.
Wallace B. Askins--Mr. Askins, 69 years old, has been a director of THCR and THCR Funding since June 1995. He has also been a director of Trump AC Holding since April 11, 1994, and was a partner representative of the Board of Partner Representatives of Castle Associates from May 1992 to June 1995. Mr. Askins has been a director of Trump AC Funding since April 1996 and a director of Funding II and Funding III since December 1997. Mr. Askins served as a director of TCI-II from May 1992 to December 1993. From June 1984 to November 1992, Mr. Askins served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and as a director of Armco Inc. Mr. Askins also serves as a director of EnviroSource, Inc.
Don M. Thomas--Mr. Thomas, 69 years old, has been a director of THCR and THCR Funding since June 1995. Mr. Thomas has been a director of Trump AC Funding since April 1996 and a director of Funding II and Funding III since December 1997. He has also been the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of New York since January 1985. Mr. Thomas was the acting Chairman, and a Commissioner, of the CRDA from 1985 through 1987, and a Commissioner of the CCC from 1980 through 1984 during a portion of which time Mr. Thomas served as acting Chairman of the CCC. Mr. Thomas was a director of Trump Plaza GP until June 1993 and has been a director of Trump AC Holding since June 1993. Mr. Thomas is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of New York.
Peter M. Ryan--Mr. Ryan, 62 years old, has been a director of THCR and THCR Funding since June 1995. He has also been the President of each of The Marlin Group, LLC and The Brookwood Carrington Fund, LLC, real estate financial advisory groups, since January 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Ryan was the Senior Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Bank for more than five years. Mr. Ryan has been a director of the Children's' Hospital FTD since October 1995.
The officers of THCR serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of THCR.
All of the persons listed above are citizens of the United States and have been qualified or licensed by the CCC.
THCR is the general partner of THCR Holdings. As the sole general partner of THCR Holdings, THCR generally has the exclusive rights, responsibilities and discretion in the management and control of THCR Holdings.
Management of Plaza Associates
Trump AC is the managing general partner of Plaza Associates. Trump AC Holding is the managing general partner of Trump AC. The Board of Directors of Trump AC Holding consists of Messrs. Trump, Ribis, Wallace B. Askins and Don M. Thomas.
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and offices held with Plaza Associates and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each of the executive officers of Plaza Associates other than those who are also directors or executive officers of THCR.
Fred A. Buro--Mr. Buro, 43 years old, has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Associates since January 2000 and served as General Manager of Plaza Associates from September 1998 until January 2000. Mr. Buro served as Executive Vice President of Marketing of Plaza Associates from May 1994 to September 1998. Mr. Buro previously served as the President of Casino Resources, Inc., a casino marketing, management and development organization from 1991 through 1994. Prior to that, Mr. Buro served from 1984 through 1991 as the President of a professional services consulting firm.
Robert Schaffhauser--Mr. Schaffhauser, 53 years old, is a Certified Public Accountant, and has been Executive Vice President of Finance of Plaza Associates since September 1998. Mr. Schaffhauser served in a similar capacity at Trump Marina from January of 1994 through October of 1996. From November of 1996 through August of 1998, Mr. Schaffhauser was associated with THCR as a consultant. Mr. Schaffhauser also served as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for Greate Bay Hotel and Casino Corporation from 1989 through 1992.
All of the persons listed above are citizens of the United States and are licensed by the CCC.
Management of Taj Associates
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and offices held with Taj Associates and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each of the executive officers and certain key employees of Taj Associates other than those who are also directors or executive officers of THCR.
Mark A. Brown--Mr. Brown, 39 years old, has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Taj Associates since January 2000. Mr. Brown was President and Chief Operating Officer of Castle Associates from November 1997 until his transfer to Taj Associates and Executive Vice President of Operations of Castle Associates from July 1995 until November 1997 and was Vice President of TCHI until his transfer to Taj Associates. Previously, Mr. Brown served as Senior Vice President of Eastern Operations for Caesar's World Marketing Corporation, National and International Divisions from 1993 until 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Brown served as Vice President of Casino Operations at the Taj Mahal from 1989 until 1993. From 1979 until 1989, Mr. Brown worked for Resorts International Hotel Casino departing as Casino Shift Manager in December 1989.
Rodolfo E. Prieto--Mr. Prieto, 56 years old, had been Chief Operating Officer of Taj Associates since October 1996. Mr. Prieto's employment was terminated in December 1999. Mr. Prieto has been Vice President of Trump AC Holding since February 1998. From December 1995 to October 1996, Mr. Prieto was the Executive Vice President, Operations of Taj Associates. Prior to joining the Taj Mahal, Mr. Prieto was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Elsinore Corporation from May 1995 to November 1995; Executive Vice President in charge of the development of the Mojave Valley Resort for Elsinore Corporation from December 1994 to April 1995.
Larry W. Clark--Mr. Clark, 55 years old, has been Executive Vice President, Casino Operations of Taj Associates since November 1991, Senior Vice President, Casino Operations of Taj Associates from May 1991 to November 1991, and Vice President, Casino Administration of Taj Associates from April 1991 to May 1991 and from January 1990 to November 1990. Prior to joining the Taj Mahal, Mr. Clark was Vice President, Casino Operations of the Dunes Hotel & Country Club from November 1990 to April 1991 and Director of Casino Marketing and Vice President, Casino Operations of the Showboat Hotel & Casino from November 1988 to January 1990.
Nicholas J. Niglio--Mr. Niglio, 53 years old, has been Executive Vice President, International Marketing of Taj Associates since May 1996. From November 1995 to May 1996, Mr. Niglio was Senior Vice President, Casino Marketing of Taj Associates. From February 1995 to October 1995, Mr. Niglio was Vice President, International Marketing of Taj Associates. Prior to joining Taj Associates, Mr. Niglio was Executive Vice President of International Marketing/Player Development for Castle Associates from 1993 until 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Niglio served as Senior Vice President, Marketing of Caesar's World Marketing Corporation from 1991 until 1993.
Patrick J. O'Malley--Mr. O'Malley, 45 years old, had been the Executive Vice President of Finance of Taj Associates since October 1996. Mr. O'Malley's employment was terminated in December 1999. Prior to joining the Taj Mahal, Mr. O'Malley was the Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations of Plaza Associates from September 1995 to October 1996. Prior to joining Trump Plaza, from September 1994 until September 1995, Mr. O'Malley was President of The Plaza Hotel in New York City. From December 1989 until September 1994, Mr. O'Malley was the Vice President of Finance of The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Stephen S. Oskiera--Mr. Oskiera, 41 years old, has served as Senior Vice President of Finance of Taj Associates since January 2000. Mr. Oskiera previously served as Vice President of Finance for TCS from November 1999 until January 2000 and as Vice President of Finance of Castle Associates from October 1998 until November 1999. Mr. Oskiera served as Executive Director of Finance for both Castle Associates and TCS from October 1995 to October 1998. Previously, Mr. Oskiera served as Corporate Controller of American Gaming & Entertainment, Ltd., a casino development company, from December 1993 to October 1995 and, prior to that, served as Financial Controller for Greate Bay Hotel & Casino, Inc. d/b/a/ the Sands Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey from May 1987 to December 1993.
All of the persons listed above are citizens of the United States and are licensed by the CCC.
Management of Trump Marina
All decisions affecting the business and affairs of Castle Associates, including the operation of Trump Marina, are decided by the general partners acting by and through a Board of Partner Representatives (the "Board of Partner Representatives"), which includes a minority of Representatives elected indirectly by the holders of the Castle Mortgage Notes and the Castle PIK Notes. As currently constituted, the Board of Partner Representatives consists of Donald J. Trump, Chairman, Nicholas L. Ribis, John P. Burke, Robert M. Pickus, Asher O. Pacholder, Thomas F. Leahy, and Arthur S. Bahr.
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions, and offices held with Castle Associates, and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each member of the Board of Partner Representatives and the executive officers of Castle Associates other than those who are also directors or executive officers of THCR.
Lawrence J. Mullin--Mr. Mullin, 37 years old, joined Castle Associates as Vice President of Slot Operations and Marketing in August 1995, and effective January 2000, was promoted to and serves as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Mullin also serves as Vice President of TCHI as well as Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Castle Funding. Previously, Mr. Mullin served as Senior Vice President of Marketing since June 1998. Prior to that, Mr. Mullin served as Vice President of Slot and Casino Marketing from 1992 until 1995 at the Taj Mahal.
Joseph A. D'Amato--Mr. D'Amato, 52 years old, serves as Vice President of Finance of Castle Associates, as well as, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer of Castle Funding and Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of TCHI since November 1999. Previously, Mr. D'Amato served as Chief Operating Officer of Trump Indiana since August 1997. Prior to that, Mr. D'Amato was Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration of Trump Indiana from April 1997 to August 1997. For the twelve years prior to working with THCR, Mr. D'Amato held various financial and administrative positions with Bally's (now Park Place) casino in Atlantic City.
Asher O. Pacholder--Dr. Pacholder, 62 years old, has been a partner representative of the Board of Partner Representatives since May 1992. Dr. Pacholder served as a director and the President of TCI-II from May 1992 to December 1993. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of ICO, Inc., an oil field services and petrochemicals processing company, since February 1995 and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Wedco Technology, Inc. since May 1996. Dr. Pacholder has served as Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Pacholder
Associates, Inc., an investment advisory firm, since 1983. In addition, Dr. Pacholder is Chairman of the Board of Directors of USF&G Pacholder Fund, Inc., a closed-end investment company, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Southland Corporation, which owns and operates convenience stores.
Thomas F. Leahy--Mr. Leahy, 62 years old, has been a partner representative on the Board of Partner Representatives since June 1993. Mr. Leahy served as a director and Treasurer of TCI-II from May 1992 to December 1993. From 1991 to July 1992, Mr. Leahy served as Executive Vice President of CBS Broadcast Group, a unit of CBS, Inc. Mr. Leahy retired from CBS, Inc. in 1992, having served in various executive capacities over a 30-year period. Since November 1992, Mr. Leahy has served as President of The Theater Development Fund, a service organization for the performing arts. Since July 1992 Mr. Leahy has served as Chairman of VT Properties, Inc., a privately-held corporation which invests in literary, stage, and film properties.
Arthur S. Bahr--Mr. Bahr, 68 years old, has been a partner representative on the Board of Partner Representatives since June 1995 and previously served as a director of TCI-II from August 1993 to January 1994. Mr. Bahr retired in February 1994 after serving in various senior investment positions for General Electric Investment Corporation since 1970. Mr. Bahr serves on the Board of Directors of Renaissance Reinsurance.
Each member of the Board of Partner Representatives and all of the other persons listed above have been licensed or found qualified by the CCC.
The employees of Castle Associates serve at the pleasure of the Board of Partner Representatives subject to any contractual rights contained in any employment agreement.
Management of Trump Indiana
The sole director of Trump Indiana is Trump. Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and offices held with Trump Indiana and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each of the directors and executive officers of Trump Indiana other than those who are also directors or executive officers of THCR.
R. Bruce McKee--Mr. McKee, 53 years old, has served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Trump Indiana since October 1999, served as general manager of Trump Kansas City LLC from January 1999 until September 1999, served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance of THCR, Trump AC Funding and TACC from June 1997 until September 1998. Mr. McKee served as Chief Financial Officer of THCR from June 1997 until September 1998. Mr. McKee has served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance of Funding II and Funding III since December 1997. Mr. McKee served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Castle Associates from October 1996 until June 1997. Mr. McKee was acting Chief Operating Officer of Taj Associates from October 1995 through October 1996, Senior Vice President, Finance of Taj Associates from July 1993 through October 1996 and Vice President, Finance of Taj Associates from September 1990 through June 1993. Mr. McKee has been the Assistant Treasurer of THCR/LP, Realty Corp. and TCI since September 1991. Mr. McKee served as the Assistant Treasurer of THCR Holding Corp. from September 1991 until February 1998. Previously, Mr. McKee was Vice President of Finance of Elsinore Shore Associates, the owner and operator of the Atlantis Casino Hotel Atlantic City, from April 1984 to September 1990 and Treasurer of Elsinore Finance Corp., Elsinore of Atlantic City and Elsub Corp. from June 1986 to September 1990.
Mr. McKee is a citizen of the United States.
Management of TCS
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and offices held with TCS and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each of the executive officers of TCS, other than those who are directors or executive officers of THCR.
Kevin S. Smith--Mr. Smith, 43 years old, has been the Vice President of Corporate Litigation of TCS since October 1996. Mr. Smith was the Vice President, General Counsel of Plaza Associates from February 1995 to October 1996. Mr. Smith was previously associated with Cooper Perskie April Niedelman Wagenheim & Levenson, an Atlantic City law
firm specializing in trial litigation. From 1989 until February 1992, Mr. Smith handled criminal trial litigation for the State of New Jersey, Department of Public Defender, assigned to the Cape May and Atlantic County Conflict Unit.
Mr. Smith is a citizen of the United States and is licensed by the CCC.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires THCR's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of the THCR Common Stock, to file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of THCR Common Stock. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the Commission to furnish THCR with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To THCR's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to THCR, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
General. Because THCR was formed in 1995, there was no salary or bonus paid to, deferred or accrued for the benefit of, THCR's Chief Executive Officer or any of the four remaining most highly compensated executive officers (whose annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 (collectively, the "Executive Group")) by THCR or THCR Holdings prior to or during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. Similarly, no member of the Executive Group received any other annual compensation, restricted stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), long-term incentive performance ("LTIP") payouts or other compensation from THCR or THCR Holdings prior to or for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. All cash compensation paid to the Executive Group in respect of services provided to THCR since its inception was paid and will continue to be paid by THCR Holdings in accordance with the THCR Holdings Partnership Agreement.
1995 Stock Incentive Plan. The THCR Board of Directors adopted the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1995 Stock Plan"), pursuant to which, directors, employees and consultants of THCR and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates who have been selected as participants are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, SARs, stock bonuses, restricted stock awards, performance units and phantom stock, and awards consisting of combinations of such incentives. The 1995 Stock Plan is administered by the Stock Incentive Plan Committee of the Board of Directors of THCR (the "Stock Incentive Plan Committee"). Subject to the provisions of the 1995 Stock Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan Committee has sole discretionary authority to interpret the 1995 Stock Plan and to determine the type of awards to grant, when, if and to whom awards are granted, the number of shares covered by each award and the terms and conditions of the award.
In 1996, THCR obtained approval from its shareholders to increase the number of shares of THCR Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 1995 Stock Plan from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000.
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid to or accrued by all the executive officers of THCR, for each of the last three completed fiscal years. Compensation accrued during one year and paid in another is recorded under the year of accrual.
- ---------------------- (1) The amount listed in 1999 includes $2,258,000 recorded pursuant to the Castle Services Agreement (as defined) in addition to reimbursement of expenses pursuant to the Executive Agreement between Trump, THCR and THCR Holdings. (2) During January 1999 Mr. Ribis received a net bonus of $250,000 which resulted in a before tax bonus of $480,000. It is anticipated that the tax portion of the bonus will be paid back to the Company. (3) On June 12, 1997, 66,666 shares of stock were issued in accordance with Mr. Ribis' employment agreement. (4) Represents vested and unvested contributions made by Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and/or TCS to Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Retirement Savings Plan, Trump Taj Mahal Retirement Savings Plan, Trump's Castle Hotel and Casino Retirement Savings Plan and Trump Casino Services Retirement Savings Plan, respectively. Funds accumulated for an employee under these plans consisting of a certain percentage of the employee's compensation plus the employer matching contributions equaling 50% of the participant's contributions, are retained until termination of employment, attainment of age 59 1/2 or financial hardship, at which time the employee may withdraw his or her vested funds.
In November 1998, THCR canceled all options previously granted to certain employees and approved a grant of new options. THCR granted certain employees and its independent directors approximately 1,166,800 options to purchase THCR Common Stock at a price of $4.625 per share. One-third of the options vested on the date of the grant and on each of the first two anniversaries of the date of the grant. The options expire ten (10) years after the date of issuance.
The following table sets forth the number of shares covered by options held by the Board of Directors and Messrs. Trump, Ribis, Pickus, Burke, McCarthy and Fusco, the only members of the Executive Group who held options in 1999, and the value of the options as of December 31, 1999.
FY-End Option Value(1)
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(1) Based on a closing sale price of $3.375 per share of THCR Common Stock on December 31, 1999, all of the options were out of the money at fiscal year end.
Employment Agreements
Trump serves as the Chairman of the THCR Board of Directors pursuant to the Executive Agreement dated as of June 12, 1995, among Trump, THCR and THCR Holdings (the "Executive Agreement"). In consideration for Trump's services under the Executive Agreement, Trump receives a salary of $1 million per year. Pursuant to the terms of the Executive Agreement, Trump provides to THCR, from time to time, when reasonably requested, marketing, advertising, professional and other similar and related services with respect to the operation and business of THCR. The Executive Agreement continues in effect (i) for an initial term of five years, and (ii) thereafter, for a three-year rolling term until either Trump or THCR provides notice to the other of its election not to continue extending the term, in which case the term of the Trump Executive Agreement will end three years from the date such notice is given.
As a result of the June 1995 Offerings, THCR and THCR Holdings entered into a revised employment agreement with Mr. Ribis (the "Ribis THCR Agreement"), pursuant to which he agreed to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of THCR and Chief Executive Officer of THCR Holdings. The term of the Ribis THCR Agreement is five years. Under the Ribis THCR Agreement, Mr. Ribis's annual salary is $1,996,500, Mr. Ribis's annual salary is paid in equal parts by THCR, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates. In the event Mr. Ribis's employment is terminated by THCR other than for "cause" or if he incurs a "constructive termination without cause," Mr. Ribis will receive a severance payment equal to one year's base salary, and the phantom stock units and options will become fully vested. The Ribis THCR Agreement defines (a) "cause" as Mr. Ribis's (i) conviction of certain crimes, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out his duties, (iii) revocation of his casino key employee license or (iv) material breach of the agreement, and (b) "constructive termination without cause" as the termination of Mr. Ribis's employment at his initiative following the occurrence of certain events, including (i) a reduction in compensation, (ii) failure to elect Mr. Ribis as Chief Executive Officer of THCR, (iii) failure to elect Mr. Ribis a director of THCR or (iv) a material diminution of his duties. The phantom stock units will
also automatically vest upon the death or disability of Mr. Ribis. The Ribis THCR Agreement also provides for up to an aggregate of $2.0 million of loans to Mr. Ribis to be used by him to pay his income tax liability in connection with stock options, phantom stock units and stock bonus awards, which loans will be forgiven, including both principal and interest, in the event of a "change of control." The Ribis THCR Agreement defines "change of control" as the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any person (other than THCR Holdings, Trump or an affiliate of either) becomes a beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting stock of THCR, (ii) the majority of the Board of Directors of THCR consists of individuals that were not directors on June 12, 1995 (the "June 12 Directors"), provided, however, that any person who becomes a director subsequent to June 12, 1995, shall be considered a June 12 Director if his election or nomination was supported by three-quarters of the June 12 Directors, (iii) THCR adopts and implements a plan of liquidation or (iv) all or substantially all of the assets or business of THCR are disposed of in a sale or business combination in which shareholders of THCR would not beneficially own the same proportion of voting stock of the successor entity. The Ribis THCR Agreement also provides certain demand and piggyback registration rights for THCR Common Stock issued pursuant to the foregoing. Pursuant to the Ribis THCR Agreement, Mr. Ribis has agreed that upon termination of his employment other than for "cause" or following a "change of control," he would not engage in any activity competitive with THCR for a period of up to one year.
Mr. Ribis had an employment agreement with Taj Associates and Castle Associates pursuant to which Mr. Ribis acted as Chief Executive Officer of Taj Associates and Castle Associates, respectively. These agreements were terminated in connection with the Taj Acquisition and the Castle Acquisition, and now Mr. Ribis is compensated for his services to Taj Associates and Castle Associates under the Ribis THCR Agreement.
THCR Holdings has an employment agreement with Robert M. Pickus (the "Pickus Agreement") pursuant to which he serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. The Pickus Agreement, the term of which expires on December 31, 2000 if not extended, provides for initial annual compensation of $295,000 plus bonus. Employment may be terminated only for "cause," which is defined in the Pickus Agreement as Mr. Pickus's (i) revocation of his casino key employee license, (ii) conviction of certain crimes, (iii) disability or death or (iv) breach of his duty to THCR Holdings. Upon termination for cause, Mr. Pickus will receive only compensation earned to the date of termination. Pursuant to the Pickus Agreement, Mr. Pickus has agreed not to accept employment for or on behalf of any other casino hotel located in Atlantic City during the term of the Pickus Agreement.
THCR Holdings has an employment agreement with Joseph A. Fusco (the "Fusco Agreement") pursuant to which he serves as Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs. The Fusco Agreement, the term of which expires on December 31, 2000, if not extended, provides for an initial annual compensation of $285,000 plus bonus, subject to annual review. Employment may be terminated only for "cause," which is defined in the Fusco Agreement as Mr. Fusco's (i) denial or revocation of his casino key employee license, (ii) conviction of certain crimes, (iii) disability or death or (iv) breach of his duty to THCR Holdings. Upon termination for cause, Mr. Fusco will receive only compensation earned to the date of termination. Pursuant to the Fusco Agreement, Mr. Fusco may not accept employment for or on behalf of any other casino hotel located in Atlantic City during the term of the Fusco Agreement.
Compensation of Directors
Directors of THCR who are also employees or consultants of THCR and its affiliates receive no directors' fees. Non-employee directors are paid an annual directors fee $50,000, plus $2,000 per meeting attended plus reasonable out-of- pocket expenses incurred in attending these meetings, provided that directors currently serving on the Board of Directors of Trump AC Funding or Trump AC Holding receive no additional compensation. All such fees are paid by THCR Holdings in accordance with the THCR Holdings Partnership Agreement.
Committees of the Board of Directors
THCR has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Special Committee, a Stock Incentive Plan Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Executive Committee is composed of Messrs. Trump and Ribis. The Audit Committee and the Special Committee are composed of Messrs. Askins, Ryan and Thomas, each of whom is an independent director of THCR. The Stock Incentive Plan Committee is composed of Messrs. Trump, Askins, Ryan and Thomas. The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Trump, Ribis, Askins and Thomas. The Special Committee was established pursuant to
the THCR By-Laws and the THCR Holdings Partnership Agreement and is empowered to vote on any matters which require approval of a majority of the independent directors of THCR, including affiliated transactions.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
In general, the compensation of executive officers of THCR is determined by the Compensation Committee of the THCR Board of Directors, which consists of Messrs. Trump, Ribis, Askins and Thomas. No officer or employee of THCR, other than Messrs. Trump and Ribis who serve on the THCR Board of Directors, participated in the deliberations of the THCR Board of Directors concerning executive compensation.
Certain Related Party Transactions--THCR.
THCR had entered into a ten-year lease with Trump-Equitable Company, dated as of July 1, 1995, for the lease of office space in The Trump Tower in New York City, which THCR may use for its general executive and administrative offices. The fixed rent is $115,500 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the period from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 2000 and will be $129,250 per year, paid in equal monthly installments, for the period from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2005. In addition, THCR will pay as additional rent, among other things, a portion of the property taxes due each year. THCR has the option to terminate this lease upon ninety days' written notice and payment of $32,312.50. In March 2000, the lease was terminated and THCR moved into the office space previously occupied by Taj Associates.
During the quarter ended September 30, 1998, THCR Holdings advanced a loan to Trump in the amount of $11,000,000. On October 19, 1998, THCR Holdings loaned Trump $13,500,000. Such loan was offset in its entirety when Trump advanced $13,500,000 to THCR Enterprises, L.L.C. ("THCR Enterprises"), which then purchased Trump's indebtedness to Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. All of such indebtedness by Trump is payable on May 17, 2000 and is secured by a pledge of his shares of THCR Class B Common Stock, his limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings and his 250,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, as well as a pledge by TCI and TCI-II of their shares of THCR Class B Common Stock and their limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings.
Beginning in late 1997, THCR's Atlantic City properties began to utilize certain facilities owned by Trump to entertain high-end customers. Management believes that the ability to utilize these facilities has enhanced THCR revenues. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, THCR incurred approximately $54,000, $1,100,000 and $2,209,000, respectively, for customer costs associated with such utilization. In exchange for having Trump's plane available to customers of the Atlantic City properties, THCR has incurred pilot costs of approximately $265,000, $246,000 and $298,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Certain Related Party Transactions--Plaza Associates. Seashore Four was the fee owner of a parcel of land constituting a portion of the Plaza Casino Parcel, which it leased to Plaza Associates. In January 1997, Plaza Associates exercised the option to purchase the land under the lease with Seashore Four for $10 million.
Certain Related Party Transactions--Taj Associates. Taj Associates had entered into a lease with Trump-Equitable Company for the lease of office space in Trump Tower in New York City, which Taj Associates used as a marketing office. The monthly payments under the lease had been $1,000, and the premises were leased at such rent for four months in 1992, the full twelve months in 1993 and 1994 and eight months in 1995. On September 1, 1995, the lease was renewed for a term of five years with an option for Taj Associates to cancel the lease on September 1 of each year, upon six months' notice and payment of six months' rent. Under the renewed lease, the monthly payments are $2,285. In March 2000, THCR moved to this office space from its previous location in Trump Tower.
Certain Related Party Transactions--Castle Associates. On December 28, 1993, Castle Associates entered into a Services Agreement with TCI-II (the "Castle Services Agreement"). In general, the Castle Services Agreement obligates
TCI-II to provide to Castle Associates, from time-to-time when reasonably requested, consulting services on a non-exclusive basis, relating to marketing, advertising, promotional and other services (the "Castle Services") with respect to the business and operations of Castle Associates, in exchange for certain fees to be paid only in those years in which EBITDA (EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation, amortization, restructuring costs and the non-cash write-down of CRDA investments) exceeds prescribed amounts.
In consideration for the Castle Services to be rendered by TCI-II, Castle Associates will pay an annual fee (which is identical to the fee which was payable under the previously existing management agreement) to TCI-II in the amount of $1.5 million for each year in which EBITDA exceeds the following amounts for the years indicated: 1993--$40.5 million; 1994--$45.0 million; 1995 and thereafter--$50.0 million. If EBITDA in any fiscal year does not exceed the applicable amount, no annual fee is due. In addition, if the annual fee is attained, TCI-II will be entitled to an incentive fee, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1994, in an amount equal to 10% of EBITDA in excess of $45.0 million for such fiscal year. Castle Associates will also be required to advance to TCI-II $125,000 a month which will be applied toward the annual fee, provided, however, that no advances will be made during any year if and for so long as the Managing Partner (defined in the Castle Services Agreement as Trump) determines, in his good faith reasonable judgment, that Castle Associates' budget and year-to-date performance indicate that the minimum EBITDA levels (as specified above) for such year will not be met. If for any year during which annual fee advances have been made it is determined that the annual fee was not earned, TCI-II will be obligated to promptly repay any amounts previously advanced. For purposes of calculating EBITDA under the Castle Services Agreement, any incentive fees paid in respect of 1994 or thereafter shall not be deducted in determining net income. Pursuant to this agreement, Trump earned approximately $2.3 million based on Castle Associates' EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 1999. During the years ended 1997 and 1998, there were no fees payable by Castle Associates under the Castle Services Agreement. As Castle Associates did not meet the required level of EBITDA in 1996, the monthly advances to TCI-II related to the Castle Services Agreement were suspended and on October 6, 1996, Castle Associates recorded a receivable in the amount of $1.25 million which represented the amounts advanced to TCI-II during the year. This amount was offset against the fees earned for the year ended December 31, 1999. The Castle Services Agreement expires on December 31, 2005.
Trump has granted Castle Associates a license to use the Marks in connection with the operations of Trump Marina since June 17, 1985. See "Business--Trademark/Licensing."
Other Relationships. The Commission requires registrants to disclose the existence of any other corporation in which both (i) an executive officer of the registrant serves on the board of directors and/or compensation committee, and (ii) a director of the registrant serves as an executive officer. Messrs. Ribis, Pickus and Burke, executive officers of THCR, have served on the boards of directors of other entities in which members of the THCR Board of Directors (namely, Messrs. Trump and Ribis) served and continue to serve as executive officers. Management believes that such relationships have not affected the compensation decisions made by the THCR Board of Directors in the last fiscal year.
Mr. Ribis also serves on the Board of Directors of Realty Corp., which, prior to April 17, 1996, leased certain real property to Taj Associates, of which Trump is an executive officer. Trump, however, does not receive any compensation for serving as an executive officer of Realty Corp.
In 1999, Trump's compensation pursuant to the Castle Services Agreement was $2,258,000.
John Barry, Trump's brother-in-law, is a partner of Tompkins, McGuire, Wachenfeld & Barry, a New Jersey law firm which provides, from time to time, legal services to THCR and its subsidiaries. In 1999, Tompkins, McGuire, Wachenfeld & Barry received approximately $857,000 in fees.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
Security Ownership
THCR. The following table sets forth, as of March 20, 2000, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of THCR Common Stock by (i) each of THCR's executive officers, (ii) each director of THCR, (iii) each person who is known to THCR to own beneficially more than 5% of the THCR Common Stock and (iv) all officers and directors of THCR as a group. In the case of persons other than officers and directors of THCR, such information is based solely on a review of Schedules 13G filed with the Commission.
The above persons have sole voting and investment power, unless otherwise indicated below.
- ---------------------- * Less than 1%. (1) 725 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10022. These shares include 10,300,456, 1,407,017, and 2,211,250 shares of THCR Common Stock into which Trump's, TCI's and TCI-II's limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings are convertible, subject to certain adjustments. TCI and TCI-II are corporations wholly owned by Trump. These shares also include (a) 250,250 shares of THCR Common Stock, of which 150 are held as custodian for his children, and (b) 1,200,000 shares of THCR Common Stock underlying currently exercisable warrants to purchase THCR Common Stock held by Trump of which (i) 600,000 shares may be purchased on or before April 17, 2000 at $35.00 per share and (ii) 600,000 shares may be purchased on or before April 17, 2001 at $40.00 per share. Trump beneficially owns an approximately 37% limited partnership interest in THCR Holdings, of which approximately 4% is held directly by TCI and 6% by TCI-II. Trump is also the beneficial owner of all of the outstanding shares of THCR Class B Common Stock (1,000 shares) of which he holds 850 shares directly and holds 50 shares through TCI and 100 shares through TCI-II. The figure stated above includes options exercisable for 333,333 shares of THCR at $4.625 per share. (2) Includes (i) a fully vested stock bonus award of 133,333 shares, (ii) 34,000 shares held by Mr. Ribis, (iii) 3,081 shares and 2,739 shares held by Mr. Ribis as custodian for his son, Nicholas L. Ribis Jr., and his daughter, Alexandria Ribis, respectively, of which shares Mr. Ribis disclaims beneficial ownership, and (iv) 140,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options to purchase THCR Common Stock at $4.625 per share. Mr. Ribis also owns 2,471 shares in his 401K Plan. (3) Mr. Burke shares voting and dispositive power of 200 of these shares with his wife. These shares also include 200 shares beneficially owned solely by his wife, of which shares Mr. Burke disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Burke also owns options for 20,000 shares which are exercisable at $4.625 per share and 1,570 shares in his 401K Plan. (4) Includes options exercisable for 6,667 shares at $4.625 per share and 2,095 shares in his 401K Plan. (5) Includes options exercisable for 20,000 shares at $4.625 per share. (6) Includes options exercisable for 13,333 shares at $4.625 per share. (7) Includes options exercisable for 1,667 shares at $4.625 per share. (8) 11825 North Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032. These shares are beneficially owned by Bankers Life and Casualty Company, an insurance company, of which Conseco, Inc. is the parent holding company. (9) 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 1,698,500 shares of THCR Common Stock as of December 31, 1999, all of which shares are held in portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.
(10) One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1434. Mario J. Gabelli claims beneficial ownership of these shares through various entities which he directly or indirectly controls or for which he acts as chief investment officer. (11) 777 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Suite 270, Tampa, Florida 33602. Bay Harbour Management, L.C. ("Bay Harbour") is an investment advisor and claims beneficial ownership of these shares which it holds for the account of investment funds and managed accounts.
As security for certain indebtedness of Trump and his affiliates (other than THCR and its subsidiaries) owed to an affiliate, Trump pledged all of his shares of THCR Class B Common Stock, all of his limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings and his 250,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, and caused TCI and TCI-II to pledge their shares of THCR Class B Common Stock and limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings.
THCR Holdings. THCR Holdings is a limited partnership of which THCR is a 59.87743% general partner, Trump is a 27.06457% limited partner, THCR/LP is a 3.55096% limited partner, TCI is a 3.69695% limited partner and TCI II is a 5.81009% limited partner.
THCR Funding. THCR Holdings owns 100% of the common stock of THCR Funding.
Changes in Control
On June 12, 1995, as a part of the June 1995 Offerings, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding issued the Senior Notes. Pursuant to the Senior Note Indenture, THCR Holdings pledged for the benefit of the holders of the Senior Notes, among other things, 100% of the common stock of THCR Funding. A foreclosure on all of such collateral would result in a change of control of THCR Funding.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Affiliate party transactions are governed by the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture, the TAC I Note Indenture, the TAC II Note Indenture and the TAC III Note Indenture, which provisions generally require that such transactions be on terms as favorable as would be obtainable from an unaffiliated party, and require the approval of a majority of the independent directors of THCR for certain affiliated transactions. Affiliated transactions with respect to Castle Associates are governed by the indentures under which Castle Associates' notes were issued.
Trump, Ribis and certain affiliates have engaged in certain related party transactions with respect to THCR and its subsidiaries. See "Executive Compensation--Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation-- Certain Related Party Transactions--THCR," "--Plaza Associates," "--Taj Associates," "--Castle Associates" and "--Other Relationships."
Indemnification Agreements. In addition to the indemnification provisions in THCR's and its subsidiaries' employment agreements (see "Executive Compensation--Employment Agreements"), certain former and current directors of Plaza Funding entered into separate indemnification agreements in May 1992 and June 1993 with Plaza Associates pursuant to which such persons are afforded the full benefits of the indemnification provisions of the partnership agreement governing Plaza Associates. Plaza Associates also entered into an indemnification trust agreement in November 1992 with Midlantic (the "Indemnification Trustee") pursuant to which the sum of $100,000 was deposited by Plaza Associates with the Indemnification Trustee for the benefit of the directors of Plaza Funding and certain former directors of Trump Plaza GP to provide a source for indemnification for such persons if Plaza Associates, Plaza Funding or Trump Plaza GP, as the case may be, fails to immediately honor a demand for indemnification by such persons. The indemnification agreements with the directors of Plaza Funding and directors of Trump Plaza GP were amended in June 1993 to provide, among other things, that Plaza Associates would (i) not terminate, amend or modify certain agreements in a manner which may adversely affect the rights or interests of such directors unless an additional sum of $600,000 was first deposited with the Indemnification Trustee, and (ii) maintain directors' and officers' insurance covering such persons during the ten-year term (subject to extension) of the indemnification agreements; provided, however, that if such insurance would not be available on a commercially practicable basis, Plaza Associates could, in lieu of obtaining such insurance, annually deposit an amount in a trust fund equal to $500,000 for the benefit of such directors; provided further that deposits relating to the failure to obtain such insurance shall not exceed $2.5 million. Such directors are covered by directors' and officers' insurance maintained by Plaza Associates. In June 1993, an additional sum of $600,000 was deposited with the Indemnification Trustee for the benefit of the directors of Plaza Funding and certain former directors of Trump Plaza GP.
In connection with the Taj Acquisition, Trump AC has agreed to provide to the former officers and Directors of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP (the "Taj Indemnified Parties"), including Messrs. Ribis, Pickus and Burke, indemnification as provided in the THCR's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws until April 17, 2002. In addition, THCR agreed, and agreed to cause THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP to agree, that until April 17, 2002, unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP shall not be amended, repealed or modified to reduce or limit the rights of indemnity afforded to the former directors, officers and employees of THCR Holding Corp. and THCR/LP or the ability of THCR Holding Corp. or THCR/LP to indemnify such persons, nor to hinder, delay or make more difficult the exercise of such rights of indemnity or the ability to indemnify. In addition, Trump AC has also agreed to purchase and maintain in effect, until April 17, 2002, directors' and officers' liability insurance policies covering the Taj Indemnified Parties on terms no less favorable than the terms of the then current insurance policies' coverage or, if such directors' and officers' liability insurance is unavailable for an amount no greater than 150% of the premium paid by THCR Holding Corp. (on an annualized basis) for directors' and officers' liability insurance during the period from January 1, 1996, to April 17, 1996, Trump AC has agreed to obtain as much insurance as can be obtained for a premium not in excess (on an annualized basis) of such amount.
In March 2000, the Board of Directors of THCR authorized and directed THCR to cause Taj Associates, Plaza Associates, Castle Associates and Trump Indiana to enter into indemnification agreements with each of the Directors of THCR in connection with the performance of their duties as Directors.
PART IV
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Financial Statements. See the Index immediately following the signature page.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. The Registrants did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 1999.
(c) Exhibits.
- ---------------------- * Filed only with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of THCR for the year ended December 31, 1999. ** Filed only with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of THCR Holdings and THCR Funding for the year ended December 31, 1999.
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1992. (2) Previously filed in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-58608, of Trump Atlantic City Associates (formerly Trump Plaza Holding Associates). (3) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 58602, of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. and Trump Plaza Associates. (4) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 58608, of Trump Atlantic City Associates (formerly Trump Plaza Holding Associates). (5) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. and Trump Atlantic City Associates (formerly Trump Plaza Holding Associates) for the year ended December 31, 1993. (6) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Quarterly Report on Form 1O-Q of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 1994. (7) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc. and Trump Atlantic City Associates (formerly Trump Plaza Holding Associates) for the year ended December 31, 1994. (8) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 90784, of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. (9) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc., Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Funding, Inc. for the quarter ended June 30, 1995. (10) Incorporated by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-639, of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. (11) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. (12) Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc., dated June 25, 1996. (13) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended June 30, 1996. (14) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 1996. (15) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-43975, of Trump Atlantic City Associates and Trump Atlantic City Funding III, Inc. (16) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-43979, of Trump Atlantic City Associates and Trump Atlantic City Funding II, Inc. (17) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit in Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-43979, of Trump Atlantic City Associates and Trump Atlantic City Funding II, Inc. (18) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trump Atlantic City Associates, Trump Atlantic City Funding, Inc., Trump Atlantic City Funding II, Inc. and Trump Atlantic City Funding III, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997.
(19) Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1996.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules. See "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data--Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules" for a list of the financial statement schedules included in this Annual Report.
IMPORTANT FACTORS RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements. In connection with certain forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and those that may be made in the future by or on behalf of the Registrant, the Registrant notes that there are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report were prepared by management and are qualified by, and subject to, significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Registrant. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report will be realized or that actual results will not be significantly higher or lower. The statements have not been audited by, examined by, compiled by or subjected to agreed-upon procedures by independent accountants, and no third- party has independently verified or reviewed such statements. Readers of this Annual Report should consider these facts in evaluating the information contained herein. In addition, the business and operations of the Registrant are subject to substantial risks which increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. The inclusion of the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report should not be regarded as a representation by the Registrant or any other person that the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report will be achieved. In light of the foregoing, readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc.
By: /s/ Nicholas L. Ribis --------------------- Nicholas L. Ribis Title: President, Chief Executive Officer Date: March 30, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P.
By: /s/ Nicholas L. Ribis --------------------- Nicholas L. Ribis Title: President, Chief Executive Officer Date: March 30, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Funding, Inc.
By: /s/ Nicholas L. Ribis --------------------- Nicholas L. Ribis Title: President, Chief Executive Officer Date: March 30, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey February 4, 2000
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999 (in thousands)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, partners' capital and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey February 4, 2000
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (in thousands)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999 (in thousands)
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(1) Organization and Operations
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. ("THCR"), a Delaware corporation, and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("THCR Holdings"), and Subsidiaries. THCR Holdings is an entity which is currently owned approximately 63.4% by THCR as both a general and limited partner, and approximately 36.6% by Donald J. Trump ("Trump"), as a limited partner. Trump's limited partnership interest in THCR Holdings represents his economic interests in the assets and operations of THCR Holdings. Such limited partnership interest is convertible at Trump's option into 13,918,723 shares of THCR's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "THCR Common Stock") (subject to certain adjustments) representing approximately 38.7% of the outstanding shares of THCR Common Stock. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of (i) THCR and its 63.4% owned subsidiary, THCR Holdings, and (ii) THCR Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries:
. Trump Atlantic City Associates ("Trump AC") and its subsidiaries, Trump Plaza Associates ("Plaza Associates"), Trump Taj Mahal Associates ("Taj Associates"), Trump Atlantic City Funding, Inc. ("Trump AC Funding"), Trump Atlantic City Funding II, Inc. ("Trump AC Funding II"), Trump Atlantic City Funding III, Inc. ("Trump AC III"), Trump Atlantic City Corporation ("TACC"), Trump Casino Services, L.L.C. ("Trump Services"), and Trump Communications, L.L.C. Plaza Associates owns and operates the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino ("Trump Plaza") located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Taj Associates owns and operates the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (the "Taj Mahal"), located in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
. Trump Indiana, Inc. ("Trump Indiana") owns and operates a riverboat gaming facility at Buffington Harbor, on Lake Michigan, Indiana (the "Indiana Riverboat").
. Trump's Castle Associates, L.P. ("Castle Associates") owns and operates Trump Marina Hotel Casino ("Trump Marina") located in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
. Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Funding, Inc. ("THCR Funding").
. THCR Enterprises, L.L.C. ("THCR Enterprises")
THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding have no operations. THCR, THCR Holdings and THCR Funding's ability to service their debt is dependent on the successful operations of Trump AC, Trump Indiana and Castle Associates. THCR, through THCR Holdings and its subsidiaries, is the exclusive vehicle through which Trump engages in new gaming activities in emerging or established gaming jurisdictions.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Basis of Presentation
THCR has no operations, except for its ownership of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and Trump Indiana. A substantial portion of THCR's revenues are derived from its gaming operations. Competition in the Atlantic City and Indiana casino markets is intense and management believes that this competition will continue as more casinos are opened and new entrants into the gaming industry become operational.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Gaming revenues represent the net win from gaming activities which is the difference between amounts wagered and amounts won by patrons. Revenue from hotel and other services are recognized at the time the related service is performed.
THCR provides an allowance for doubtful accounts arising from casino, hotel and other services, which is based upon a specific review of certain outstanding receivables as well as historical collection information. In determining the amount of the allowance, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the timing and amount of collection. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Promotional Allowances
The retail value of accommodations, food, beverage and other services provided to customers without charge is included in gross revenue and deducted as promotional allowances. The estimated departmental costs of providing such promotional allowances are included in gaming costs and expenses as follows:
Inventories
Inventories of provisions and supplies are carried at the lower of cost (weighted average) or market.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated on the straight- line method using rates based on the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and building improvements ....................... 40 years Riverboat ................................................. 30 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment ......................... 3-10 years Leasehold improvements .................................... 4-40 years
Interest associated with borrowings used to finance construction projects has been capitalized and is being amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Interest of approximately $101,000, $864,000 and $378,000 was capitalized in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
Investment in Buffington Harbor Riverboats, L.L.C.
THCR accounts for its investment in the Buffington Harbor Riverboats, L.L.C. ("BHR") (a 50% joint venture between Trump Indiana and the Majestic Star Casino, L.L.C. ("Barden")) under the equity method of accounting. Trump Indiana and Barden formed BHR and have entered into an agreement (the "BHR Agreement") relating to the joint ownership, development and operation of all common land- based and waterside operations in support of each of Trump Indiana's and Barden's separate riverboat casinos at Buffington Harbor. Trump Indiana and Barden are equally responsible for the operating expenses of the common land- based facilities at the site. There can be no assurance that Trump Indiana and/or Barden will be able to fund their respective share of future capital contributions or operating expenses. In accordance with the BHR Agreement, Trump Indiana and Barden pay berthing and other fees in an amount to cover the operating expenses of Buffington Harbor. Berthing fees and other fees paid are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statement of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
The provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS No. 121") requires, among other things, that an entity review its long-lived assets and certain related intangibles for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Impairment of long-lived assets exists if, at a minimum, the future expected cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) from an entity's operations are less than the carrying value of these assets. Except as discussed in Note 13, THCR does not believe that any such changes have occurred.
Income Taxes
The provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS No. 109") requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates.
The accompanying financial statements do not include a provision for federal income taxes since (i) Plaza Associates', Taj Associates' and Castle Associates' income or losses are allocated to the partners and are reportable for federal income tax purposes by the partners, and (ii) Trump Indiana, which is a C Corporation, had no taxable income for financial reporting or tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Under the New Jersey Casino Control Act (the "Casino Control Act"), Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates are required to file a New Jersey corporation business tax return. As of December 31, 1999, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $146,000,000, $210,000,000 and $144,500,000, respectively, for New Jersey State Income Tax purposes which are available to offset taxable income throughout the year. No tax benefits have been reflected in the accompanying financial statements for Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates operating loss carryforwards as utilization of such carryforwards is not considered to be likely.
Statements of Cash Flows
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include hotel and casino funds, funds on deposit with banks and temporary investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of THCR common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are the same as basic earnings per share as common stock equivalents have not been included as the result would have been anti-dilutive. The shares of THCR Class B Common Stock owned by Trump have no economic interest and therefore are not considered in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs associated with the issuance of debt are being amortized using the effective interest method over the terms of the related debt.
Change in Accounting Policy
On April 9, 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities". The new standard amended previous guidance from the AICPA that permitted capitalization of start-up costs in certain industries and requires that all nongovernmental entities expense the costs of start-up activities as those costs are incurred. Under the SOP, the terms "start-up" has been broadly defined to include pre-operating, pre-opening and organization activities. Companies must adopt the new standard in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. At adoption, a company must record a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle to write off any unamortized start-up costs that existed as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the SOP is adopted and an operating expense for those costs which were incurred and capitalized since the beginning of the fiscal year, and adoption of the SOP.
THCR adopted the new standard in the first quarter of 1999 and wrote off development costs of $5,620,000 as a change in accounting policy. The cumulative effect after minority interest of $2,055,000 was $3,565,000. Had THCR adopted the new standard as of December 31, 1998, the net loss of $39,718,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 would have increased by $1,693,000 for the effect of the write-off of capitalized costs incurred during 1998 and $1,872,000 for the cumulative costs incurred through December 31, 1997, to an adjusted net loss of $43,283,000. The corresponding earnings per share effect would increase the net loss per share as reported of $1.79 for the year ended December 31, 1998 by $.08 for the cumulative costs incurred during 1998 and $.08 for costs incurred through December 31, 1997, to an adjusted loss per share of $1.95.
Other Assets
Plaza Associates is appealing a real estate tax assessment by the City of Atlantic City. As of December 31, 1998 and 1999, other assets includes $5,764,000 and $8,014,000, respectively, which Plaza Associates believes will be recoverable on the settlement of the appeal.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
(3) Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following:
(a) Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding issued the Trump AC Mortgage Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000 which bear interest at 11-1/4% and are due May 1, 2006. Interest on the Trump AC Mortgage Notes is due semiannually. The Trump AC Mortgage Notes are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest, jointly and severally, by Taj Associates, Plaza Associates, Trump AC and all future subsidiaries of Trump AC (other than Trump AC Funding). The Trump AC Mortgage Notes are jointly and severally secured by mortgages representing a first lien and security interest on substantially all the assets of Taj Associates and Plaza Associates.
The indenture pursuant to which the Trump AC Mortgage Notes were issued restricts the ability of Trump AC and its subsidiaries to make distributions or to pay dividends to THCR Holdings, as the case may be, unless certain financial ratios are achieved. In addition, the ability of Plaza Associates and Taj Associates to make payments of dividends or distributions (except for payment of interest) through Trump AC to THCR Holdings may be restricted by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (the "CCC").
(b) Trump AC together with Trump AC Funding II and Trump AC Funding III issued the Trump AC Mortgage Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000 and $25,000,000, respectively, which bear interest at 11-1/4% and are due May 1, 2006. Interest on the Trump AC Mortgage Notes is due
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
semi-annually. The Trump AC Mortgage Notes are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest jointly and severally by Taj Associates, Plaza Associates, Trump AC and all future subsidiaries of Trump AC (other than Trump AC Funding, Trump AC Funding II and Trump AC Funding III). The Trump AC Mortgage Notes are jointly and severally secured by mortgages representing a first lien and security interest on substantially all of the assets of Taj Associates and Plaza Associates.
(c) THCR Holdings and THCR Funding issued $155,000,000 principal amount of Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are redeemable in cash at the option of THCR Holdings and THCR Funding, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 2000 at redemption prices as defined, and mature in 2005. Interest on these notes is payable semiannually at 15-1/2%, and is secured by substantially all of the assets of THCR Holdings.
The indentures described in (a) and (d) restrict the ability of Trump AC and Castle Associates to make distributions to THCR Holdings. Therefore, the ability of THCR Holdings to service its debt is dependent on the successful operations of Trump Indiana and other future operations, the permitted distributions from Trump AC and Castle Associates and the repayment of officers notes discussed in Note 7.
(d) The Castle Mortgage Notes bear interest, payable in cash, semiannually, at 11-3/4% and mature on November 15, 2003. The Castle Mortgage Notes may be redeemed at Castle Funding's option at a specified percentage of the principal amount. The Castle Mortgage Notes are secured by a mortgage on Trump's Castle and substantially all of the other assets of Castle Associates. The Castle Mortgage Notes are expressly subordinated to the indebtedness described in (g) (the "Senior Notes") and the liens on the mortgages securing the Castle Mortgage Notes are subordinate to the liens securing the Senior Notes. The terms of the Castle Mortgage Notes include limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness Castle Associates may incur, distributions of Partnership capital, investments, and other business activities.
(e) The Castle PIK Notes bear interest, payable at Castle Funding's option, in whole or in part in cash and through the issuance of additional Castle PIK Notes, semiannually at the rate of 13 7/8% through November 15, 2003. After November 15, 2003, interest on the Castle PIK Notes is payable in cash at the rate of 13 7/8%. The Castle PIK Notes mature on November 15, 2005 and may be redeemed at Castle Funding's option at 100% of the principal amount under certain conditions, as defined, and are required to be redeemed from a specified percentage of any equity offering which includes Castle Associates. The terms of the Castle PIK Notes include limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness Castle Associates may incur, distributions to THCR Holdings, investments, and other business activities. The Castle PIK Notes are expressly subordinated to the Senior Notes.
THCR Holdings has acquired approximately 90% of the outstanding Castle PIK Notes. THCR Holdings has recorded its investment in Castle Associates PIK Notes at cost, plus accrued interest, in the accompanying balance sheet, as THCR Holdings investment in the Castle PIK Notes has been pledged as collateral to the Senior Notes.
(f) The Working Capital Loan has an outstanding principal amount of $5,000,000, bears interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually and matures on April 30, 2003.
(g) On April 17, 1998, Castle Funding issued the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes have a priority mortgage lien ahead of Castle Funding's Mortgage Notes and are further secured by virtually all of Castle Funding's assets. The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal amount of $62,000,000 and bear interest at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually each April and October. The Senior Notes mature on April 30, 2003.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(h) Various notes payable, including:
- $17,500,000 loan payable over 10 years, with a call at the lender's option at the end of the fifth year (June 2001). Interest on this note is payable monthly in arrears based on a fixed rate of 9.25% The Note is secured by the Indiana Riverboat. At December 31, 1999, $13,183,000 was outstanding on this note.
- $13,000,000 note is payable in monthly installments based on a ten year amortization schedule, until June 1, 2001, at which time all remaining principal and interest is due in full. The interest rate as defined in the agreement is equal to the bank's reference rate plus 1.5% (10% at December 31, 1999). The note is secured by the hotel at Trump Indiana. At December 31, 1999, $10,936,000 was outstanding on this note.
(i) Mortgage notes payable and capitalized lease obligations with interest rates ranging from 6.5% to 12.75%. The notes and lease obligations are due at various dates between 2000 and 2004 and are secured by underlying real property or equipment.
Future minimum payments under capital leases (principal portion included in the table below of debt maturities) are as follows:
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 1999 are as follows:
The ability of THCR to repay its long-term debt when due will depend on the ability of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates and Trump Indiana to generate cash from operations sufficient for such purposes or on the ability of THCR to refinance such indebtedness. Cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to repay a substantial portion of the principal amount of the indebtedness upon maturity. The future operating performance and the ability to refinance such indebtedness will be subject to the then prevailing economic conditions, industry conditions and numerous other financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of THCR. There can be no assurance that the future operating performance of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates, Castle Associates or Trump Indiana will be sufficient to meet these repayment obligations or that the general state of the economy, the status of the capital markets generally or the receptiveness of the capital markets to the gaming industry will be conducive to refinancing or other attempts to raise capital.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
The various debt agreements restrict the ability of THCR Holdings and its subsidiaries to make distributions or pay dividends unless certain financial ratios are achieved. In addition, the ability of Plaza Associates, Taj Associates or Castle Associates to make payments to THCR Holdings may be restricted by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission ("CCC"). Similarly, the ability of Trump Indiana to make distributions or pay dividends to THCR Holdings may be restricted by the Indiana Gaming Commission ("IGC").
(4) Non-Operating Income (Expense)
Non-operating income (expense) in 1997, 1998 and 1999 includes $1,028,000, $725,000, and $1,501,000, respectively, of settlement costs incurred in connection with the assertion by certain Indiana residents of rights to purchase stock in Trump Indiana (See Note 5).
(5) Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
THCR has entered into leases for certain property (primarily land), office, warehouse space, certain parking space, and various equipment under operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 was $13,206,000, $13,992,000 and $11,740,000, respectively, of which $118,000, $221,000 and $275,000, respectively, relates to affiliates.
Future minimum lease payments under the noncancellable commitments as of December 31, 1999 are as follows:
2000....................................... $ 5,648,000 2001....................................... 3,255,000 2002....................................... 2,118,000 2003....................................... 1,538,000 2004....................................... 1,521,000 Thereafter................................. 89,254,000 ------------ $103,334,000 ============
Certain of these leases contain options to purchase the leased properties at various prices throughout the leased terms.
Employment Agreements
THCR has entered into employment agreements with certain key employees. As of December 31, 1999, THCR had approximately $11,959,000 of annual commitments under employment agreements. These commitments mature at various dates through 2001.
On June 12, 1995, Nicholas L. Ribis ("Ribis"), the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of THCR and THCR Holdings, entered into a five-year employment agreement ("Agreement") with THCR and THCR Holdings. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Ribis shall be employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of THCR and THCR Holdings and shall receive a base salary of $1,996,500 annually. In addition, the terms of the employment agreement provide for up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 in loans to be used by Ribis to pay his income tax liability in connection with the stock bonus award (see Note 8), which loan, including interest, will be forgiven in the event of a change in control, as defined. As of December 31, 1999, loans of $943,000 were outstanding under the employment agreement (see Note 7).
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
CAFRA Agreement
Taj Associates received a permit under the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act ("CAFRA") (which included a condition of Taj Associates' casino license) that initially required Taj Associates to begin construction of certain improvements on the Steel Pier by October 1992, which improvements were to be completed within 18 months of commencement. Taj Associates initially proposed a concept to improve the Steel Pier, the estimated cost of which was $30,000,000. Such concept was approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the agency which administers CAFRA. In March 1993, Taj Associates obtained a modification of its CAFRA permit providing for the extension of the required commencement and completion dates of the improvements to the Steel Pier for one year, which extension has been renewed annually, based upon an interim use of the Steel Pier as an amusement park.
New Jersey Casino License Renewal
The operation of an Atlantic City hotel and casino is subject to significant regulatory controls which affect virtually all of its operations. Under the Casino Control Act, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates are required to maintain certain licenses. Casino licenses must be renewed periodically, are not transferable, are dependent on the financial stability of the licensee and can be revoked at any time.
In June 1999, the CCC renewed Plaza Associates', Taj Associates' and Castle Associates' licenses to operate Trump Plaza, Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Marina and TCS. The CCC renewed each casino license for a period of four years through 2003. Upon revocation, suspension for more than 120 days, or failure to renew a casino license, the Casino Control Act provides for the mandatory appointment of a conservator to take possession of the hotel and casino's business and property, subject to all valid liens, claims and encumbrances.
Indiana Gaming Regulations
The ownership and operation of Riverboat gaming operations in Indiana are subject to strict state regulation under the Riverboat Gambling Act (the "Act") and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder. In June 1996, the IGC granted Trump Indiana a riverboat owner's license, which must be renewed by 2001. The IGC may place restrictions, conditions or requirements on the permanent riverboat owner's license. An owner's initial license expires five years after the effective date of the license, and unless the owner's license is terminated, expires or is revoked, the owner's license may be renewed annually by the IGC upon satisfaction of certain conditions contained in the Act. The IGC has adopted certain rules and has published others in proposed or draft form which are proceeding through the review and final adoption process. The IGC has broad rule making power, and it is impossible to predict what effect, if any, the amendment of existing rules or the finalization of currently new rules might have on the operations of Trump Indiana.
Trump Indiana Certificate of Suitability
As a condition to the Certificate of Suitability, Trump Indiana has committed to invest approximately $153,000,000 in the Indiana Riverboat, including certain related projects of the City of Gary, Indiana. Failure to comply with the foregoing conditions and/or failure to commence riverboat excursions as required by the IGC may result in revocation of the Certificate of Suitability. There can be no assurance that Trump Indiana will be able to comply with the terms of the Certificate of Suitability. As part of the $153,000,000 commitment discussed above, Trump Indiana is obligated to fund $18,500,000 of specified economic development and infrastructure projects of the City of Gary. This obligation is being accrued over the five-year license period and approximately $3,700,000 has been charged to expense during 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. During 1997 and 1998, payments of approximately $263,000 and $288,000, respectively for the City of Gary projects have been made. In 1998, Trump
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
Indiana paid $10,000,000 for a surety bond which guarantees the mandated municipal infrastructure improvements, which amount has been reduced as certain improvements have been made. As of December 31, 1999, other assets included $6,436,000 related to the surety bond.
City of Gary Development Agreement
Trump Indiana has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with respect to a Development Agreement with the City of Gary to promote the economic development, urban development and employment of citizens of the City of Gary. As part of the $153,000,000 Certificate of Suitability investment described above and in addition to the $18,500,000 off-site development infrastructure projects described above, Trump Indiana contributed $6,477,000 in 1996 to the City of Gary, which amount is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is being amortized over the five-year license period.
In addition, Trump Indiana established the Trump Indiana Foundation ("Foundation") , a private foundation founded for charitable purposes primarily within the City of Gary and Lake County, Indiana. Trump Indiana initially funded $1,000,000 to the Foundation and is required to make annual contributions of $100,000.
Legal Proceedings
THCR and its subsidiaries, certain members of its former Executive Committee, and certain of its employees have been involved in various legal proceedings. In general, THCR has agreed to indemnify such persons against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable costs, disbursements and counsel fees) and liabilities (including amounts paid or incurred in satisfaction of settlements, judgments, fines and penalties) incurred by them in said legal proceedings.
Various legal proceedings are now pending against THCR and its subsidiaries. THCR considers all such proceedings to be ordinary litigation incident to the character of its business. THCR believes that the resolution of these claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates are also a party to various administrative proceedings involving allegations that they have violated certain provisions of the Casino Control Act. Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates believe that the final outcome of these proceedings will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations or on their ability to otherwise retain or renew any casino or other licenses required under the Casino Control Act for the operation of the respective properties.
Commencing in early 1994, THCR, through its Indiana counsel, had discussions with eight Indiana residents regarding the potential purchase by such residents of 7.5% of the nonvoting stock of Trump Indiana. These residents have asserted a right to purchase 7.5% of the stock of Trump Indiana. During 1997, Trump Indiana settled with four of the eight plaintiffs for a total of $1,047,000. The remaining settlement amounts are payable in varying amounts over the next three years. The present value of the settlement ($485,454) plus amounts paid upon execution of the settlement agreement is included in other non-operating expense in the 1997 statement of operations. In addition, Trump Indiana is required to pay additional periodic payments of up to $400,000 per year if gross revenues exceed certain thresholds, as defined. As Trump Indiana does not believe it will exceed these revenue thresholds, no provision has been made for these payments. During 1998, Trump Indiana settled with two of the remaining 4 plaintiffs for a total of $810,000, of which $290,000 was paid in 1998. The remaining amounts are payable in equal amounts over the next four years. The present value of the settlement ($385,392) is included in other non-operating expense in the 1998 statement of operations.
During 1999, the remaining two plaintiffs commenced litigation. On March 3, 1999 consequential
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
damages were assessed against Trump Indiana for breach of contract in the total amount of $1,334,000. This amount is included in other non-operating expense in the 1999 statement of operations. In addition, it was further determined that Trump Indiana had breached a contract to create and fund a charitable foundation. The United States District Court ruled that Trump Indiana is not required to provide additional funding to the charitable foundation. This ruling has been appealed by the plaintiffs and Trump Indiana appealed the jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. This appeal is pending.
Self-Insurance Reserves
Self-insurance reserves represent the estimated amounts of uninsured claims related to employee health medical costs, workmen's compensation and personal injury claims that have occurred in the normal course of business. These reserves are established by management based upon specific review of open claims, with consideration of incurred but not reported claims as of the balance sheet date. During 1998 and 1999, self insurance reserves decreased due to an internally focused aggressive policy whereby potential lawsuits are challenged immediately. Additionally, a more aggressive litigation policy was pursued to deter present and future frivolous lawsuits. THCR also retained an outside consultant to comprehensively review certain claims and to assist THCR in establishing the estimated reserves. Actual results may differ from these reserve amounts.
Federal Income Tax Examination
Plaza Associates and Taj Associates are currently involved in examinations with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") concerning Plaza Associates' federal partnership income tax returns for the tax years 1989 through 1992 and Taj Associates' federal partnership income tax returns for the tax years 1992 and 1993. While any adjustment which results from this examination could affect Plaza Associates' and Taj Associates' state income tax returns, Plaza Associates and Taj Associates do not believe that adjustments, if any, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Obligations
Pursuant to the provisions of the Casino Control Act, Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates must either obtain investment tax credits (as defined in the Casino Control Act), in an amount equivalent to 1.25% of its gross casino revenues, or pay an alternative tax of 2.5% of its gross casino revenues, as defined in the Casino Control Act. Investment tax credits may be obtained by making qualified investments or by the purchase of bonds at below market interest rates from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority ("CRDA"). Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates intend on satisfying their obligations primarily by depositing funds to be used in the purchase of bonds or by making qualified investments. Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates are required to make quarterly deposits with the CRDA based on 1.25% of their gross revenue. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, THCR Holdings, charged to operations $5,104,000, $4,874,000 and $5,639,000 respectively, to give effect to the below market interest rates associated with CRDA bonds that have either been issued or are expected to be issued from funds deposited.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
In accordance with casino industry practice, THCR extends credit to a limited number of casino patrons, after background checks and investigations of credit worthiness. As of December 31, 1998 and 1999, approximately 46% and 22%, respectively, of THCR casino receivables were from customers whose primary residence is outside the United States, and approximately 23% and 5%, respectively, represents credit extended to patrons from the Far East.
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(6) Employee Benefit Plans
THCR has a retirement savings plan (the "Plan") for its nonunion employees under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees are eligible to contribute up to 15% of their earnings to the Plan and THCR will match 50% of the first 5% of an eligible employee's contributions in 1997, and 50% of the first 6% in 1998 and 1999. In connection with this Plan, THCR recorded charges of $3,927,000, $4,947,000 and $4,868,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Plaza Associates, Taj Associates and Castle Associates make payments to various trusteed multiemployer pension plans under industry-wide union agreements. Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, THCR may be liable for its share of unfunded liabilities, if any, if the plans are terminated. Pension expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 was $2,142,000, $2,280,000 and $2,817,000, respectively.
THCR provides no other material, post-retirement or post-employment benefits.
(7) Transactions with Affiliates
Amounts due from (owed to) affiliates at December 31, consists of:
(a) Consists of principal and interest as follows:
(i) During the quarter ended September 30, 1998, THCR Holdings advanced to Trump $11,000,000. On October 19, 1998, THCR Holdings loaned Trump $13,500,000. Such loan was offset in its entirely when Trump advanced $13,500,000 to THCR Enterprises, which then purchased Trump's indebtedness to Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. All of such indebtedness by Trump is secured by a pledge of his shares of THCR Class B Common Stock, his limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings and his 250,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, as well as a pledge by TCI and TCI-II of their shares of THCR Class B Common Stock and their limited partnership interests in THCR Holdings.
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(ii) See Item 11 - "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements" for a description of events under which the notes will be forgiven.
(b) Castle Associates has a Services Agreement with TCI-II, a corporation wholly owned by Trump. Pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement, TCI-II is obligated to provide Castle Associates from time to time, when reasonably request, consulting services on a non-exclusive basis, relating to marketing, advertising, promotional and other similar and related services with respect to the business and operations of Castle Associates, including such other services as the Managing Partner may reasonably request.
Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Castle Associates is required to pay an annual fee in the amount of $1,500,000 to TCI-II for each year in which Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), as defined, exceeds certain levels. In addition, TCI-II is to receive an incentive fee equal to 10% of the excess EBITDA over $45,000,000 for such fiscal year. The Services Agreement expires on December 31, 2005.
For the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, Castle Associates incurred no fees and expenses under the Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 1999, Castle Associates incurred fees and expenses of $2,258,000 under the Services Agreement. As Castle Associates did not meet the required level of EBITDA during 1996, Castle Associates recorded an amount Due from Affiliate of $1,250,000, which represented the amounts advanced during the year. This amount was offset against management fees earned during the year ended December 31, 1999. Castle Associates made no monthly advances to TCI-II related to the Services Agreement during 1997, 1998 or 1999.
(c) In the normal course of business, THCR engages in various transactions with the other entities owned by Trump.
Beginning in late 1997, THCR's Atlantic City properties began to utilize certain facilities owned by Trump to entertain high-end customers. Management believes that the ability to utilize these facilities has enhanced THCR revenues. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, THCR incurred approximately $54,000, $1,100,000 and $2,209,000, respectively, for customer costs associated with such utilization. In exchange for having Trump's plane available to customers of the Atlantic City properties, THCR has incurred pilot costs of approximately $265,000, $246,000 and $298,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Partnership Agreement
Under the terms of a Partnership Agreement between Castle Associates and TCI- II, Castle Associates is required to pay all costs incurred by TCI-II. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, THCR Holdings paid no expenses on behalf of TCI-II.
Executive Agreement
Trump serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors pursuant to an Executive Agreement entered into between Trump, THCR and THCR Holdings (the "Executive Agreement"). In consideration for Trump's services under the Executive Agreement, Trump receives a salary of $1,000,000 per year, plus reimbursement for expenses.
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(8) Stock Incentive Plan
Pursuant to the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1995 Stock Plan"), directors, employees and consultants of THCR and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates who have been selected as participants are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, restricted stock awards, performance units and phantom stock, and awards consisting of combinations of such incentives. The 1995 Stock Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors (the "Stock Incentive Plan Committee").
Options granted under the 1995 Stock Plan may be incentive stock options ("ISOs"), within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"). The vesting, exercisability and exercise price of the options are determined by the Stock Incentive Plan Committee when the options are granted, subject to a minimum price, in the case of ISOs, of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 1995 Stock Plan) of THCR Common Stock on the date of the grant and a minimum price, in the case of NQSOs, of the par value of the THCR Common Stock.
The 1995 Stock Plan permits the Stock Incentive Plan Committee to grant stock appreciation rights ("SARs") either alone or in connection with an option. A SAR granted as an alternative or a supplement to a related stock option will entitle its holder to be paid an amount equal to the fair market value of THCR Common Stock subject to the SAR on the date of exercise of the SAR, less the exercise price of the related stock option or such other price as the Stock Incentive Plan Committee may determine at the time of the grant of the SAR (which may not be less than the lowest price which the Stock Incentive Plan Committee may determine under the 1995 Stock Plan for such stock option).
The 1995 Stock Plan also provides that phantom stock and performance unit awards may be settled in cash, at the discretion of the Stock Incentive Plan Committee and if indicated by the applicable award agreement, on each date on which the shares of THCR Common Stock covered by the awards would otherwise have been delivered or become restricted, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on such date.
Subject to adjustment in the event of changes in the outstanding stock or the capital structure of THCR, THCR has reserved 4,000,000 shares of THCR Common Stock for issuance under the 1995 Stock Plan.
In 1995, the Stock Incentive Plan Committee granted to the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of THCR a stock bonus award of 66,667 shares of THCR Common Stock under the 1995 Stock Plan, which was fully vested upon issuance. A phantom stock unit award was also issued to the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of THCR. This award entitled the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of THCR to receive 66,666 shares of THCR Common Stock two years following such award, subject to certain conditions. The compensation expense associated with the phantom stock award was approximately $934,000. This amount was amortized over two years. This award became fully vested on June 12, 1997. The President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Office of THCR also received an award of NQSOs for the purchase of 133,333 shares of THCR Common Stock, subject to certain conditions (including a vesting rate of 20% per year over a five-year period). The options have an exercise price of $14.00 per share. As of December 31, 1999, 106,667 options were exercisable under this grant.
In April 1996, THCR issued warrants to Trump (the "Trump Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of THCR Common Stock, (i) 600,000 shares of which could be purchased on or prior to April 17, 1999 at $30 per share, (ii) 600,000 shares of which may be purchased on or prior to April 17, 2000 at $35 per share and (iii) 600,000 shares of which may be purchased on or prior to April 17, 2001 at $40 per share.
In November 1998, THCR granted certain employees and its independent directors approximately
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC.
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
1,166,800 options to purchase THCR Common Stock at a price of $4.625 per share. One-third of the options vested on the date of the grant and on each of the first two anniversaries of the date of the grant. The options expire ten (10) years after the date of issuance.
THCR has adopted the provisions of Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock- Based Compensation. As permitted by the Statement, THCR has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for its stock-based compensation plans other than for awards described above. Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the THCR's stock option plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over the vesting period of the underlying equity instruments, net loss would have been increased by $1,079,000 or $(.05) per share in 1997, $1,045,000 or $(.05) per share in 1998 and $1,371,000 or $(.06) per share in 1999. This pro forma impact only takes into account options granted since the date of inception, June 12, 1995, and is likely to increase in future years as additional options are granted and amortized ratably over the vesting period. The average fair value of options granted during 1998 was $2.20. No options were granted during 1997. The fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option- pricing model based on the weighted average market price at grant date of $4.625 in 1998 and the following weighted average assumptions: risk- free interest rate of 5.21% for 1998 and 1999, expected life of 7 years, volatility of 35% and dividend yield of 0%.
(9) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of the following financial instruments approximates fair value, as follows: (a) cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables are based on the short-term nature of these financial instruments and (b) CRDA bonds and deposits are based on the allowances to give effect to the below market interest rates.
The estimated fair values of other financial instruments are as follows:
The fair values of the above instruments are based on quoted market prices as of December 31, 1999. The fair value of the Trump AC Funding II Mortgage Note and the Trump AC Funding III Mortgage Note approximate the carrying values based upon the short term nature of the period outstanding.
There are no quoted market prices for bank borrowings, Castle Associates Senior Notes, Mortgage Notes payable and other notes payable and a reasonable estimate could not be made without incurring excessive costs.
(10) Purchase of Treasury Stock
The THCR Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase by THCR Holdings of up to 2,500,000 shares of THCR's Common Stock, from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is effective until the end of 2000 when and to the extent permissible. As of December 31, 1999, THCR Holdings has repurchased 2,127,500 shares of THCR Common Stock.
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
(11) Financial Information - THCR Funding
Financial information relating to THCR Funding is as follows:
(12) All Star Cafe Transaction
All Star Cafe, Inc. ("All Star") had entered into a twenty-year lease (the "All Star Cafe Lease") with Taj Associates for the lease of space at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort ("the Taj Mahal") for an All Star Cafe. The basic rent under the All Star Cafe Lease was $1,000,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments. In addition, All Star was to pay percentage rent as defined. The All Star Cafe opened in March 1997.
On September 15, 1999, an agreement was reached between Taj Associates, All Star and Planet Hollywood International, Inc. to terminate the All Star Cafe Lease effective September 24, 1999. Upon termination of the All Star Cafe Lease, all improvements, alterations and All Star's personal property with the exception of Specialty Trade Fixtures became the property of Taj Associates. Taj Associates recorded the $17,200,000 estimated fair market value of these assets in other revenue based on an independent appraisal.
Taj Associates intends to continue operating the facility as a themed restaurant and entertainment complex.
(13) Trump World's Fair Closing
On October 4, 1999, THCR closed Trump World's Fair. The estimated cost of closing Trump World's Fair is $123,959,000 which includes $97,221,000 for the write-off of the net book value of the assets and $26,738,000 of costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the closing and demolition of the building.
(14) The Year 2000 Issue
THCR assessed the Year 2000 issue and implemented a plan to insure its systems were Year 2000 compliant. Analysis was made of THCR's various customer support and internal administration systems with appropriate modifications having been made.
The cost of addressing the Year 2000 issue was not material as modifications were made with existing systems personnel and no significant expectations for new hardware or software. As a result of these efforts, THCR was fully Year 2000 compliant.
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TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1999
This Year 2000 disclosure constitutes Year 2000 readiness disclosure within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.
(15) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, which is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 133 requires that all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or stockholders' equity, depending on whether the derivative is being used to hedge changes in fair value or cash flows. Because THCR currently holds no derivative financial instruments and does not currently engage in hedging activities, the adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a material effect on THCR's financial statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
We have audited in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the consolidated financial statements of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. ("THCR") and Subsidiaries included in this Form 10-K and have issued our report thereon dated February 4, 2000. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying schedule is the responsibility of the management of THCR and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey February 4, 2000
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P.
We have audited in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the consolidated financial statements of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Holdings, L.P. ("THCR Holdings") included in this Form 10-K and have issued our report thereon dated February 4, 2000. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying schedule is the responsibility of the management of THCR Holdings and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey February 4, 2000
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SCHEDULE II
TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS, INC. AND TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS HOLDINGS, L.P. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1998 AND 1999
___________ (a) Write-off uncollectible accounts.
(b) Adjustment of allowance applicable to contribution of CRDA deposits.
(c) Includes the reclassification of approximately $14,330,000 of previous CRDA deposits, the carrying value of which was $7,165,000 to property and equipment and $1,505,000 representing the adjustment to the allowance to give effect to the CRDA deposits to be refunded.
(d) Includes the reclassification of approximately $5,792,000 of previous CRDA deposits to property and equipment, the carrying value of which was $2,497,000.
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