10-K/A Amendment No. 2


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No. 2

___X___ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
OR
_______ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ___________

Commission file number 0-22290
 
CENTURY CASINOS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

DELAWARE
84-1271317
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
(I.R.S. Employer
or organization)
Identification No.)
   

1263 Lake Plaza Drive, Suite A, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(719) 527-8300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X   No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K . [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes   No _X_

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2004, based upon the average bid and asked price of $5.51 for the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on that date, was $55,179,489.

As of May 26, 2005, the Registrant had 13,754,900 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Century Casinos, Inc. (the "Company") filed with the Commission on April 15, 2005 included as exhibits the forms of certification required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Certifications"). The Company collected and retained manually signed versions of the Certifications on the date of filing of the Form 10-K; however, the forms of the Certifications filed as exhibits inadvertently omitted the signatures in typed form required by Item 302 of Commission Regulation S-T. This Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-K is being filed solely to re-file the Certifications with the typed signature required by Item 302. None of the information disclosed in the Company's previously filed Forms 10-K or 10-K/A is modified by this Form 10-K/A Amendment No 2.
 

INDEX
 
Part I
 
 
        Page
 
Item 1.
 
Business
 
4
 
Item 2.
 
Properties
 
19
 
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
20
 
Item 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
20
 
Part II
 
 
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
21
 
Item 6.
 
Selected Financial Data
 
23
 
Item 7.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
24
 
Item 7A.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
48
 
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
48
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Grant Thornton LLP
 
F1
 
 
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants - PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
 
 
F2
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003
 
F3
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
F4
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002
 
F5
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
F6
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F8
 
Item 9A.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
48

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Part III
 
 
Item 10.
 
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
50
 
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
 
52
 
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
55
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
57
   Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
57
 
Part IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
58
 
SIGNATURES
 
66




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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and certain information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and, as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than statements that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “potential” “continue,” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are subject to additional risks and uncertainties further discussed under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Affect Future Results” and are based on information available to us on the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should also consult the forward-looking statements and risk factors listed from time to time in our Reports on Forms 10-Q, 8-K, 10-K and in our Annual Report to Stockholders.

As used in this report, the terms “CCI,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Century Casinos, Inc., and each of its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context otherwise indicates.


PART I

The following information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 1. Business.

General

Century Casinos, Inc. is an international gaming company involved in developing and operating gaming establishments and related lodging and restaurant facilities. CCI is a Delaware corporation and was founded in 1992 to acquire ownership interests in, and to obtain management contracts with, gaming establishments.

We currently own and operate two gaming facilities and manage and facilitate nine other casino establishments. Our owner/operator facilities include Womacks Casino and Hotel (Womacks) in Cripple Creek, Colorado and the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino (Caledon) in Caledon, South Africa. We also own 50% of Casino Millennium, which is located within the Marriott Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, and we provide technical casino services to the casino for a fixed monthly fee. We also provide gaming services and equipment to eight luxury cruise vessels on three cruise lines that include the six-star Silversea Cruises, The World of ResidenSea and Oceania Cruises.

On December 30, 2004 we acquired a 65% interest in CC Tollgate LLC which was formed to develop and operate a casino and hotel in Central City, Colorado and is in the process of securing project financing and obtaining licensing from the Colorado Division of Gaming. We have also entered into a long-term agreement to manage the facility if a
 
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gaming license is awarded. The project is planned to include a 60,000 square foot limited stakes casino with 625 gaming machines, six gaming tables, 25 hotel rooms, retail, food and beverage amenities and a 500 space on-site covered parking facility. Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months from finalization of funding arrangements.

Effective February 24, 2005, we also own a 56.4% interest in Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. (“CRA”) which plans to develop the Celebrations Casino and Hotel in Edmonton, Canada. We had subscribed to 55% of the shares of CRA in September 2003 but subsequently increased our participation in the project. The project is planned to include a casino with 600 gaming machines, 31 gaming tables, food and beverage amenities, a dinner theater, a 300 space underground parking facility, approximately 600 surface parking spaces and a 40-room hotel. The project is expected to cost approximately $22.8 million ($27.5 million Canadian dollars) excluding the value of the contributed land and hotel. Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months from finalization of funding arrangements. Upon completion of construction, Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. expects to receive its gaming license from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). On December 17, 2004, the AGLC granted approval to begin construction of the casino property. As is customary, the issuance of the license does not occur until completion of construction and after all federal and provincial legislation, regulation and policies, and municipal requirements, permits, licenses and/or authorizations have been met. We have also entered into a long-term agreement to manage the facility if a gaming license is awarded.

In November 2004, we joined with Landmark Gaming LC of Franklin County, Iowa, in submitting, as co-applicant with the Franklin County Development Association (FCDA), an application to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to develop and operate a moored barge casino, hotel and entertainment facility in Franklin County, Iowa.

In December of 2004, we entered into agreements to sell a portion of our interest in the Gauteng, South Africa, project we had previously been pursuing jointly with Silverstar Development Ltd. and granted options to Silverstar and a group led by Akani Leisure Investments, Ltd. to purchase our remaining interests in the Gauteng project. We received an initial payment of approximately $1.7 million, or 10.0 million Rand, for the sale of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Verkrans Ontwikkelings Maatskappy (Pty) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of CCA, whose only asset was land related to this project, and for funds previously advanced to Silverstar. Also in conjunction with the agreements, we loaned Silverstar $0.5 million, 3.0 million Rand repayable in six equal installments with interest. We have, therefore, only recognized net proceeds of 7.0 million Rand in the transaction. The exercise price of the purchase owe granted to Silverstar and the Akani group totals approximately $6.8 million, or 40.3 million Rand.  Exercisability of the purchase option is contingent on regulatory and related approvals being secured by Silverstar and the Akani group. The outcome of these approvals is unknown at this time.

For more information about Century Casinos, Inc. please visit us on the Internet at http://www.cnty.com. Our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available free of charge through our Investor Relations website at http://www.cnty.com/index.php?id=28. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are also available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. None of the information posted to the Company’s website is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

Overview of Business Segments

Our operations are conducted through five business segments: Cripple Creek, Colorado (formerly Colorado segment); Central City, Colorado; South Africa; Cruise Ship Operations; and Corporate and Other operations. As of December 31, 2004, we owned, operated or managed the properties noted in the table below.

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Summary of Property Information

Property
Casino
Space
Sq Ft (1)
 
Acreage
 
Number of
Slot
Machines
Number of
Table
Games
Number of
Hotel
Rooms
Number of
Restaurants
Womacks
23,000
 
  2.7  
640
6
21
2
Caledon
12,260
 
600
300
10
92
4
Casino Millennium (2)
6,200
 
-
38
16
-
-
Cruise Ships (total of eight) (3)
6,460
 
-
208
30
-
-

 
(1)
Approximate.

 
(2)
Operated under a casino services agreement. In January 2004, we purchased 40% of the operation, bringing our ownership interest to 50% as of that date.

 
(3)
Operated under concession agreements. Seven vessels were actually in service as of December 31, 2004.

Womacks Casino and Hotel - Cripple Creek, Colorado

Since 1996 we have owned and operated Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado through our wholly owned subsidiary WMCK Venture Corporation. Womacks currently has approximately 640 slot machines, six limited stakes gaming tables, 21 hotel rooms, and two restaurants. It has 150 feet of frontage on Bennett Avenue, the main gaming thoroughfare in Cripple Creek, and 125 feet of frontage on Second Street, also known as Highway 67, with approximately 23,000 square feet of floor space. Gaming in Colorado is “limited stakes”; which restricts any single wager to a maximum of $5.00. While this limits the revenue potential of table games, management believes that slot machine play, which accounts for over 98% of total gaming revenues at Womacks and over 96% in Cripple Creek, is currently impacted only marginally by the $5.00 limitation.

Management believes that an integral component in attracting gaming patrons to Cripple Creek is the availability of adequate, nearby parking spaces. We presently own approximately 310 parking spaces and lease an additional 90 spaces for a total of 400 spaces. An agreement with the City of Cripple Creek for the leased parking spaces includes annual lease payments of approximately $90 thousand, expires on May 31, 2010 and includes a purchase option, whereby we may purchase the property for $3.25 million less cumulative lease payments, at any time during the remainder of the lease term. We believe we have sufficient close proximity parking, but covered parking garages maintained by two of our competitors provide them with an advantage during inclement weather.

Expansion projects at Womacks in 2002 and 2003 increased gaming space by approximately 5,000 square feet. Most importantly, because the construction spanned an alley behind the existing property, Womacks will be able to continue a single level expansion of the casino to the rear of the property, if desired, at a later date. The total construction cost, excluding new slot machines, was approximately $2.3 million.

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Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino - Caledon, South Africa

The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino currently has approximately 300 slot machines, 10 unlimited stakes gaming tables, 92 hotel rooms, and four restaurants.  Casino gaming in South Africa is “unlimited wagering” where each casino can set its own limits. As a result, the relationship between table games revenue and slot revenue (9% from tables and 91% from slots) resembles more traditional gaming markets, unlike Cripple Creek, where over 96% of gaming revenue is derived from slot machines.

Caledon lies on the N-2 highway - the main thoroughfare between Cape Town and Durban - and is known for its wild flower shows, wineries and the natural historic hot springs located on the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino site. Caledon experiences its heaviest traffic during the December holiday season (summer in South Africa), which offers us some protection from seasonality because Womack’s revenues are higher during summer.

At December 31, 2000, we held a 65% ownership position in Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino which we acquired through a series of transactions for a total of $5.6 million, consisting of the purchase of $2.7 million of common stock and the issuance of debt totaling $2.9 million. In January 2003, we acquired the remaining 35% interest for 21.5 million Rand, or $2.6 million, becoming the sole owner of the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino property. We currently operate the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino through our subsidiary Century Resorts Ltd.

Casino Millennium - Prague, Czech Republic

In January 1999, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary Century Casinos Management, Inc., entered into a 20-year agreement with Casino Millennium a.s., a Czech company, and with B.H. Centrum a.s., a Czech subsidiary of Bau Holding AG, one of the largest construction and development companies in Europe, to operate a casino in the five star Marriott Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic. During 2001, Bau Holding AG changed its name to Strabag AG. We agreed to provide technical casino services in exchange for 10% of the casino’s gross revenue, and provide gaming equipment for 45% of the casino’s net profit. The hotel and casino opened in July 1999.

In January 2000, we entered into a memorandum of agreement to either acquire a 50% ownership interest in Casino Millennium a.s. or to form a new joint venture with B.H. Centrum a.s., which joint venture would acquire all of the assets of Casino Millennium a.s. We and Strabag AG each agreed to purchase a 50% ownership interest. Approval for this transaction was obtained, as required, from the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. The first step in acquiring the 50% ownership interest was taken in December 2002 with the payment of approximately $0.24 million in cash in exchange for a 10% ownership in Casino Millennium a.s. Effective January 3, 2004, we, through our wholly-owned Austrian subsidiary, Century Management u. Beteiligungs GmbH, acquired an additional 40% of Casino Millennium a.s. by contributing gaming equipment, advances and receivables valued at approximately $0.60 million. We account for the 50% investment in Casino Millennium on the equity method. In addition to the 50% ownership, we retain our rights under the 1999 casino services agreement, as amended.

Cruise Ships

Silversea Cruises

On May 27, 2000, we signed a casino concession agreement with Silversea Cruises, a world-renowned, six-star cruise line based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The agreement gives us the exclusive right to install and operate casinos aboard four Silversea vessels for a term of five years on each vessel. We operate each shipboard casino for our own account and pay concession fees based on gross gaming revenue.

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Starting in late September 2000 with the new, 388-passenger Silver Shadow, we began our shipboard casino operations. Within 60 days thereafter, we installed casinos on the 296-passenger vessels Silver Wind and Silver Cloud. In June 2001, we installed our fourth casino aboard the new, 388-passenger Silver Whisper.

The Silver Cloud resumed operations in March 2004 after completing six months of routine maintenance. The Silver Wind was taken out of service following the events of September 11, 2001 and resumed operations on May 23, 2003. We have a total of 74 slot machines and 14 tables on the four Silverseas shipboard casinos.

The World of ResidenSea 

On August 30, 2000, we signed a casino concession agreement with ResidenSea Ltd., the operator of The World of ResidenSea, which is the world’s first luxury residential resort community at sea continuously circumnavigating the globe.

We have equipped the casino with 20 slot machines and three gaming tables and operate the casino aboard the vessel for a five-year term, which commenced with the vessel’s maiden voyage in March 2002. We operate the casino for our own account and pay concession fees based on gross gaming revenue. In addition, we have a right of first refusal to install casinos aboard any new ships built or acquired by ResidenSea during the term of the agreement.

Oceania Cruises

On March 28, 2003, we signed a casino concession agreement with Oceania Cruises, Inc., a Miami-based operator in the upper premium segment of the cruise industry. The agreement gives us the exclusive right to install and operate casinos aboard three 684-passenger cruise vessels, the Insignia, the Regatta and the Nautica, for a term of five years on each vessel, as well as the exclusive right to become Oceania’s exclusive casino concessionaire for any new ships that Oceania might bring into service.

In April 2003, we successfully opened a casino aboard the Insignia. The opening of the casino aboard the Regatta followed in June 2003. Each of the casinos is equipped with 36 slot machines and five gaming tables. The Insignia resumed operations in late March 2004 following six months of routine maintenance after its first season.

In April 2004, we opened a casino aboard the Nautica, equipped with 42 slot machines and three gaming tables. In November 2004, the Nautica was taken out of service following completion of its 2004 cruise schedule and will return to service chartered to a third party for the 2005 season. As a result we are not currently operating the casino aboard the Nautica.

Additional Company Projects

In addition to the operations described above, we have a number of potential gaming projects in various stages of development. Along with the capital needs of these potential projects, there are various other risks which, if they materialize, could have a materially adverse effect on a proposed project or eliminate its feasibility altogether. For example, in order to conduct gaming operations in most jurisdictions, we must first obtain gaming licenses or receive regulatory clearances. To date, we have obtained gaming licenses or approval to operate gaming facilities in Colorado, Louisiana, on an American Indian reservation in California, the Czech Republic, the Western Cape province of South Africa and in
 
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Alberta, Canada. While management believes that we are licensable in any jurisdiction, each licensing process is unique and requires a significant amount of funds and management time. The licensing process in any particular jurisdiction can take significant time and expense through licensing fees, background investigation costs, fees of counsel and other associated preparation costs. Moreover, should we proceed with a licensing approval process with industry partners, such industry partners would be subject to regulatory review as well. We seek to satisfy ourselves that industry partners are licensable, but cannot assure that such partners will, in fact, be licensable. Additional risks before commencing operations include the time and expense incurred and unforeseen difficulties in obtaining suitable sites, liquor licenses, building permits, materials, competent and able contractors, supplies, employees, gaming devices and related matters. In addition, certain licenses include competitive situations where, even if we are licensable, other factors such as the economic impact of gaming, financial and operational capabilities of competitors must be analyzed by regulatory authorities. All of these risks should be viewed in light of our limited staff and limited capital.

Also, our ability to expand to additional locations will depend upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the identification and availability of suitable locations, and the negotiation of acceptable purchase, lease, joint venture or other terms; (ii) the securing of required state and local licenses, permits and approvals, which in some jurisdictions are limited in number; (iii) political factors; (iv) the risks typically associated with any new construction project; (v) the availability of adequate financing on acceptable terms; and (vi) for locations outside the United States, all the risks of foreign operations, including currency controls, unforeseen local regulations, political instability and other related risks. Certain jurisdictions issue licenses or approval for gaming operations by inviting proposals from all interested parties, which may increase competition for such licenses or approvals. The development of dockside and riverboat casinos in the United States of America may require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and will be subject to significant Coast Guard regulations governing design and operation. Most of these factors are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to expand to additional locations or, if such expansion occurs, that it will be successful. Further we anticipate that we will continue to expense certain costs, which have been substantial in the past and may continue to be substantial in the future, in connection with the pursuit of expansion projects.
 
Central City, Colorado - On October 13, 2004, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Casinos Tollgate, Inc., entered into an agreement with Tollgate Venture LLC to develop and operate a proposed casino and hotel in Central City, Colorado. The $40.0 million development is planned to include a 60,000 square foot casino and back of house with 625 slot machines, six table games, 25 hotel rooms, retail, food and beverage amenities and a 500-space on-site covered parking garage. We contributed $3.5 million to the project through Century Casinos Tollgate, Inc., in exchange for a controlling 65% interest, and Tollgate Venture LLC contributed three existing non-operating casino buildings, land and land options for a 35% interest. The newly formed entity, CC Tollgate LLC, is in the process of securing acceptable financing and obtaining licensing from the Colorado Division of Gaming. Another of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Century Casinos Management, Inc., has entered into a Casino Services Agreement to manage the property once the project is operational. Completion of the project is subject to various conditions and approvals, including, but not limited to securing acceptable financing, satisfactory environmental studies, licensing by the Colorado Division of Gaming, and other due diligence. Casino licenses in Colorado are not limited in number by state gaming laws and are primarily subject to successful background investigations by the Colorado Division of Gaming. We currently are licensed in Colorado for gaming at Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek. The principals of Tollgate Venture LLC currently have gaming licenses for other projects in the State of Colorado as well. Construction is expected to be completed approximately 14 months after funding arrangements have been finalized.

 
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Central City and Black Hawk are historical mining towns situated adjacent to each other and located in the Rocky Mountains approximately 35 miles west of Denver. Each city
offers limited stakes gaming, and the first casinos opened in both cities in 1991. On November 19, 2004, a new $45.2 million four lane highway (Central City Parkway) opened to the public. We believe this road offers a safer and faster alternative route from the greater Denver area to Central City and Black Hawk, Colorado. The Central City Parkway is entirely new construction and connects I-70, the main east/west interstate highway in Colorado, first to Central City and then on to Black Hawk. We believe that the alternate route, which is a narrow two lane highway that enters these cities first at Black Hawk, is a more dangerous drive than the Central City Parkway. We believe Central City is now a prime location for limited stakes gambling establishments because the new parkway provides easy access from I-70 and because the parkway goes through Central City before going on to Black Hawk. All traffic entering Central City via this parkway must go directly past our proposed casino’s main entrance and parking structure. The Colorado Division of Gaming reports an increase in Adjusted Gross Proceeds (AGP) of 44.18% for Central City casinos and a 3.7% increase for Black Hawk for the month of February 2005 as compared to February 2004. We believe the substantial increase in AGP for Central City is attributable to the Central City Parkway.

Edmonton, Canada - On February 24, 2005, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Resorts International, we acquired a 56.4% interest in Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. for approximately $2.4 million ($3.0 million Canadian dollars). We had subscribed to 55% of the shares of CRA in September 2003 but, prior to settlement, increased our participation in the project. Our local partner, 746306 Alberta, Ltd., contributed a 7.25 acre parcel of land and an existing 40 room hotel for the remaining 43.6% interest. Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. plans to develop the Celebrations Casino and Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The project is expected to include a casino with 600 gaming machines, 31 gaming tables, food and beverage amenities, a dinner theater, a 300 space underground parking facility, approximately 600 surface parking spaces and a 40-room hotel. The project is expected to cost approximately $22.8 million ($27.5 million Canadian dollars). Completion of this project is subject to obtaining acceptable project financing. Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months from finalization of funding arrangements. Upon completion of construction, Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. expects to receive its gaming license from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). On December 17, 2004, the AGLC granted approval to begin construction of the casino property. As is customary, the issuance of the license does not occur until completion of construction and after all federal and provincial legislation, regulation and policies, and municipal requirements, permits, licenses and/or authorizations have been met. We have also entered into a long-term agreement to manage the facility if a gaming license is awarded.

Edmonton is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, with a strong economic climate. Tourism is a significant part of the economy, and Edmonton offers a wide range of activities, including sports and outdoor activities, sightseeing, and nightlife/casinos. Edmonton is also home of the world’s largest shopping mall. (Source: Tourism in Canadian Cities - A Statistical Outlook 2001.) There are currently six casinos in the Edmonton area, including one racino. The Innovation Group, Littleton, Colorado, estimates that by combining the local and tourist markets, 2005 gaming revenues for the greater Edmonton area are projected to be $376 million Canadian dollars, an average annual increase of 13.3% over 2002/2001.

Franklin County, Iowa - On October 18, 2004, we entered into an agreement with the owners of Landmark Gaming LC of Franklin County, Iowa, to jointly submit as co-applicant with the Franklin County Development Association (FCDA) an application to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to develop and operate a moored barge casino, hotel and entertainment facility in Franklin County, Iowa. The application was submitted on November 11, 2004.

If a license is granted, we will contribute $1.25 million in cash through Century Casinos Iowa, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, to Landmark Gaming LC, in exchange for a 40% ownership interest. The current owners of Landmark Gaming LC will contribute the land to be used for the project and certain land options in return for a 60% ownership interest.
 
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Century Casinos Management, Inc. has entered into a long term agreement to manage the casino once the project is operational in return for a share in gross revenues plus a share in EBITDA. Our cash contribution and the beginning of construction are subject to various conditions and approvals, including but not limited to awarding of a license by the IRGC, securing acceptable financing and other due diligence. We anticipate that the IRGC will notify us on May 11, 2005 whether a license has been granted to us.

If a casino license is awarded to Landmark Gaming LC, the Landmark Hotel and Casino is projected to be open within 15 months of license award and finalization of funding arrangements. The proposal includes a casino with up to 1,200 slot machines, 34 tables, 120 hotel rooms, 1,500 parking spaces and will employ approximately 600 people. A study completed by independent casino and lodging industry consultants, Gaming & Resort Development, Inc., estimates total development costs to be $67.0 million and projected first year net revenue of $72.0 million.

There are currently ten river boats, three racetrack slot machine operations, and three Class III Indian gaming venues in the state of Iowa. According to information provided by the IRGC, the ten river boat casinos have generated approximately $715 million in gross gaming revenues from July 2003 to June 2004. Licensing requires sponsorship by an approved charitable organization that receives a percentage of the gaming revenues. The FCDA is the sponsoring charitable organization for this project. Casino licenses are awarded based on the merit of the project. The number of licenses awarded is determined by the IRGC. The site of the proposed project is located approximately 80 miles north of Des Moines, Iowa and 52 miles south of the Iowa-Minnesota border. The proposed project will be located on a manmade body of water adjacent to, and with a clear view for travelers on Interstate 35, Iowa’s primary north-south link between Minneapolis and Des Moines, along Iowa Highway 3. We believe that the proposed casino’s proximity to major roadways and its location in a county that is very supportive of the project and proactive in seeking large businesses such as this to provide employment opportunities for the residents of Franklin and surrounding counties could give the county an edge over others competing for a license.
 
Gauteng, South Africa - In 1997, together with Silverstar Development Ltd, we applied to the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) for a casino license in Gauteng, South Africa. After a preliminary determination to award a license to the project and a subsequent series of legal challenges and lawsuits, the license has still not been issued, resulting in Silverstar not being able to commence with the casino development. On March 29, 2005, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court decision to award the license to Silverstar, but the project remains subject to uncertainty.

In December of 2004, we entered into agreements to sell a portion of our interest in the Gauteng, South Africa, project we had previously been pursuing jointly with Silverstar Development Ltd. and granted options to Silverstar and a group led by Akani Leisure Investments, Ltd. to purchase our remaining interests in the Gauteng project. We received an initial payment of approximately $1.7 million, or 10.0 million Rand, for the sale of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Verkrans Ontwikkelings Maatskappy (Pty) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of CCA, whose only asset was land related to this project, and for funds previously advanced to Silverstar. Also in conjunction with the agreements, we loaned Silverstar $0.5 million, 3.0 million Rand repayable in six equal installments with interest. We have, therefore, only recognized net proceeds of $1.2 million, 7.0 million Rand in the transaction.

The exercise price of the purchase options totals approximately $6.8 million, or 40.3 million Rand. Exercisability of the purchase options is contingent on regulatory and related approvals being secured by Silverstar and the Akani Group. Notwithstanding the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal on March 29, 2005, the outcome of these approvals is unknown at this time.

Pending the exercise of the purchase options, a resort management agreement that we executed to manage the project once it becomes operational remains in effect. We also have retained an option granted to us by Silverstar to purchase a minority equity interest in the project. In the event Silverstar or the Akani group exercise the options we granted them to purchase our remaining interest in the project, the management agreement and equity options we own would be terminated.

11

The Akani group has agreed to provide the funds necessary for Silverstar to complete the project in the event the license is ultimately issued. With the financial backing of the Akani group, we believe funding is now available for Silverstar to complete its tasks and provide a higher level of assurance that we will ultimately get a return, via the exercise of the option, on our efforts to date. Pursuant to its 1997 application, the Silverstar project provides for up to 1,350 slot machines and 50 gaming tables in a phased development that includes a hotel and other entertainment, dining, and recreational activities with a first phase of 950 slot machines and 30 gaming tables. Should the option not be exercised, CCI’s involvement in the project will be restored to the previous level of ownership and management.

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy centers around rewarding repeat customers through our players’ club programs. We maintain a proprietary database of primarily slot machine customers that allows us to create effective targeted marketing and promotional programs, cash and merchandise giveaways, coupons, preferred parking, food, lodging, game tournaments and other special events. These programs are designed to reward customer loyalty and attract new customers to our properties through a multi-tiered reward program that rewards players based on total amount wagered and frequency of visits. Currently, our players’ club cards allow us to update our database and track member gaming preferences, maximum, minimum, and total amount wagered and frequency of visits. All visitors to our properties are offered an opportunity to join our players’ club. Our Womacks players’ club database contains profiles on over 100,000 members.

We place significant emphasis on attracting local and surrounding community residents and seek to maintain a strong local identity in each market in which we operate. We use broadcast media, including outdoor, radio and television advertising, and print media and direct mail advertising to promote our properties.

Competition

The Cripple Creek, Colorado Market - Cripple Creek, located approximately 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a historic mining town dating back to the late 1800’s that has developed into a tourist stop. Traffic generally is heaviest in the summer months and decreases to its low point in the winter months.

Cripple Creek is one of only three Colorado cities, exclusive of Indian gaming operations, where casino gaming is legal, the others being Central City and Black Hawk. As of December 31, 2004, there were 19 casinos operating in Cripple Creek, which represented 27% of the gaming devices and generated 20% of gaming revenues from these three cities for the year then ended.

The tables below set forth information obtained from the Colorado Division of Gaming regarding gaming revenue by market and slot machine data for Cripple Creek from calendar year 2001 through 2004. Adjusted Gross Proceeds (“AGP”) is the net win from gaming activities reported to the licensing jurisdiction. We use AGP to measure performance relative to competitors within our respective markets. This data is not intended by us to imply, nor should the reader infer, that it is any indication of future Colorado or Company gaming revenue.

12

 

ANNUAL GAMING REVENUE BY MARKET
Amounts shown in thousands
     
% change
   
% change
   
% change
   
% change
     
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
2004
Prior Year
 
2003
Prior Year
 
2002
Prior Year
 
2001
Prior Year
CRIPPLE CREEK
$
148,689
4.3%
$
142,525
0.0%
$
142,436
2.8%
$
138,618
3.0%
                         
Black Hawk
$
524,035
3.6%
$
505,851
-3.5%
$
524,465
9.6%
$
478,326
10.3%
                         
Central City
$
53,179
6.6%
$
49,909
-5.5%
$
52,800
-11.6%
$
59,730
-5.9%
                         
COLORADO TOTAL
$
725,903
4.0%
$
698,285
-3.0%
$
719,701
6.4%
$
676,674
7.1%


ANNUAL CRIPPLE CREEK SLOT DATA
Amounts shown in thousands, except slot data
     
% change
   
% change
   
% change
   
% change
     
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
2004
Prior Year
 
2003
Prior Year
 
2002
Prior Year
 
2001
Prior Year
Total Slot Revenue
$
143,802
3.8%
$
138,560
0.0%
$
138,645
3.2%
$
134,330
3.7%
                         
Average Number
                       
Of Slots
 
4,618
9.2%
 
4,228
1.0%
 
4,187
0.4%
 
4,170
0.5%
                         
Average Win Per
                       
Slot Per Day
 
85 dollars
-5.6%
 
90 dollars
-1.1%
 
91 dollars
3.4%
 
88 dollars
3.5%


ANNUAL WOMACKS CASINO SLOT DATA
Amounts shown in thousands except slot data
     
% change
   
% change
   
% change
   
% change
     
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
Over
   
2004
Prior Year
 
2003
Prior Year
 
2002
Prior Year
 
2001
Prior Year
Total Slot Revenue
$
19,262
-6.6%
$
20,625
-12.5%
$
23,563
1.8%
$
23,142
-2.2%
                         
Average Number
                       
Of Slots
 
649
4.3%
 
622
-2.8%
 
640
7.9%
 
593
-5.4%
                         
Average Win Per
                       
Slot Per Day
 
81 dollars
-11.0%
 
91 dollars
-9.9%
 
101 dollars
-5.6%
 
107 dollars
3.6%
                         
Market Share of Cripple Creek AGP
 
13.4%
-10.1%
 
14.9%
-12.4%
 
17.0%
-1.3%
 
17.2%
-5.7%

Gaming in Colorado is “limited stakes,” which restricts any single wager to a maximum of five dollars. While this limits the revenue potential of table games, management believes that slot machine play, which accounts for over 98% of total gaming revenues at Womacks and 96% in Cripple Creek, is currently impacted only marginally by the five dollar limitation.

13

We face intense competition from other casinos in Cripple Creek, including a handful of casinos of similar size and many other smaller casinos. There can be no assurance that other casinos in Cripple Creek will not undertake expansion efforts similar to or more substantial than those recently undertaken by us, thereby further increasing competition, or that large, established gaming operators will not enter the Cripple Creek market. We seek to compete against these casinos through promotion of Womacks Gold Club and other marketing efforts. We believe that the casinos likely to be more successful and best able to take advantage of the market potential of Cripple Creek will be the larger casinos, such as Womacks, that have reached a certain critical mass.

Womacks competes, to a far lesser extent, with 22 casinos in Black Hawk and five casinos in Central City. Black Hawk and Central City are also small mountain tourist towns, which adjoin each other and are approximately 35 miles from Denver and a two and one-half hour drive from Cripple Creek. The primary market for Cripple Creek is the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, and the primary market for Black Hawk and Central City is the Denver metropolitan area. Subsequent to December 31, 2004, two additional casinos have opened in Central City.

There can be no assurance that the number of casino and hotel operations will not exceed market demand or that additional hotel rooms or casino capacity will not adversely affect the operations of the Company.

The Caledon, South Africa Market - Caledon is a small agricultural community located approximately 60 miles east of Cape Town. It lies on the N-2 highway - the main thoroughfare between Cape Town and Durban - and is known for its wild flower shows, wineries and the natural historic hot springs located on the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino site. Caledon experiences its heaviest traffic during the December holiday season (summer in South Africa).

The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino operates its casino under one of only four licenses awarded in the Western Cape Province, which has a population of approximately four million. Although the competition is limited by the number of casino licenses and the casinos are geographically distributed, management believes that the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino faces intense competition from a large casino located in Cape Town approximately one hour from Caledon and, to a much lesser degree, two other casinos. We compete against these casinos by emphasizing Caledon’s destination resort appeal in its marketing campaign, by promotion of its players club and by superior service to its players. Construction by a competitor of a casino in Worcester, the fifth and last one permitted in the Western Cape under the Gaming act, is expected to begin in November 2005 with an opening projected by the second quarter of 2006.

We believe we have fewer financial, operational and personnel resources than many of our competitors in the Western Cape. There can be no assurance that the number of casino and hotel operations will not exceed market demand or that additional hotel rooms or casino capacity will not adversely affect the operations of the Company.

The National Gambling Board has approved the introduction of Limited Payout Machines (LPM) and has approved 105 such devices for the Overberg region of the Western Cape, the market in which we operate. An approved operator, which can have a maximum of five devices, will be permitted to operate the devices without the overhead of a typical casino. They will, however, be subject to central monitoring. Currently 110 LPM sites are approved in Cape Town, and 45 sites are operational. The roll out in the Western Cape will continue in April 2005 in the Southern Cape (Mosselbay). There is no indication when the roll out in the Overberg Region will start and we believe it is most likely that this will not happen in 2005.

14

Casino gaming in South Africa operates on an “unlimited wagering” basis where each casino sets its own limits. As a result, the relationship between table game revenue and slot revenue (9% from tables and 91% from slots) resembles more traditional gaming markets (unlike Cripple Creek where over 96% of gaming revenues are derived from the slot machines). Caledon has 300 slot machines and 10 table games including blackjack, roulette and poker.

The tables below set forth information obtained from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board regarding gaming revenue by market and slot machine data for the Western Cape market from calendar year 2002 through 2004. AGP is the net win from gaming activities reported to the licensing jurisdiction. We use AGP to measure performance relative to competitors within this market. This data is not intended by us to imply, nor should the reader infer, that it is any indication of future South African or Company gaming revenue.

ANNUAL GAMING REVENUE BY MARKET
Amounts shown in thousands

   
% change
 
% change
 
% change
     
Over
 
Over
 
Over
   
2004
Prior Year (1)
2003
Prior Year (1)
2002
Prior Year (1)
CALEDON CASINO
Rand
R80,088
17.8%
R67,976
11.3%
R61,100
21.3%
 
USD equivalent
$12,540
 
$9,211
 
$5,899
 
               
Other three casinos
Rand
R1,279,219
20.8%
R1,058,619
12.2%
R943,346
26.5%
 
USD equivalent
$200,346
 
$143,298
 
$91,162
 
               
WESTERN CAPE TOTAL(1)
Rand
R1,359,307
20.7%
R1,126,595
12.2%
R1,004,446
26.1%
 
USD equivalent
$212,886
 
$152,509
 
$97,061
 

 
(1)
Excluding effects of fluctuations in foreign exchange rate.


15

 

THE CALEDON HOTEL SPA AND CASINO ANNUAL DATA
Amounts shown in thousands, except slot data
 

   
% change
 
% change
 
% change
   
Over
 
Over
 
Over
 
2004
Prior Year
2003
Prior Year
2002
Prior Year
Total Slot Revenue
R73,066
17.2%
R62,345
12.8%
R55,276
26.3%
 
$11,440
35.5%
$8,443
58.0%
$5,343
4.7%
Market Share in % (1)
5.9%
-1.7%
6.0%
-1.6%
6.1%
-3.2%
             
Average Number
           
Of Slots
288
5.1%
274
7.9%
254
1.6%
Average Win Per Slot Per Day
693 rand
11.3%
623 rand
4.5%
596 rand
24.4%
 
109 dollars
29.8%
84 dollars
44.8%
58 dollars
3.6%
# of Slot Machines % of Total
           
Western Cape Market
11.3%
3.7%
10.9%
-2.7%
11.2%
0.9%
             
Average Number
           
Of Tables
9
12.5%
8
0.0%
8
-42.9%
             
# of Tables % of Total
           
Western Cape Market
9.8%
11.4%
8.8%
-11.1 %
9.9%
-34.9%
 
(1)
Based on the total Adjusted Gaming Revenue of Western Cape.

Employees

Womacks Casino and Hotel - We employ approximately 215 persons in Cripple Creek, Colorado on a full-time equivalent basis, including cashiers, dealers, food and beverage service personnel, facilities maintenance staff, security, accounting and marketing personnel. No labor unions represent any employee group. A standard package of employee benefits is provided to full-time employees along with training and job advancement opportunities.

Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino - The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino employs approximately 320 persons on a full-time equivalent basis, including cashiers, dealers, room service, food and beverage service personnel, facilities maintenance staff, security, accounting and marketing personnel. A standard package of employee benefits is provided to full-time employees along with training and job advancement opportunities.

Casino and hotel employees were represented by the T.E.U.S.A. (Technical Employee Union of South Africa). Membership in the union is not mandatory and less than 50% of eligible employees are currently members. On November 24, 2001, the T.E.U.S.A. initiated a strike action against the hotel and casino. An application for a temporary interdict was granted by the Labor Court with cost to the union and union officials. Employees returned to work on December 15, 2001 and on January 29, 2002 the temporary interdict was made final. There was no further industrial action and there have been no strikes since that time. We notified T.E.U.S.A. on January 27, 2004 that it was no longer representative of the employees of the casino and hotel. A new union, the SACCAWU, has started recruiting members, but has not recruited the 50% necessary to represent them as a union. We do not believe there is a risk of a strike in the near term.
 
16

Cruise Ships - We employ approximately 32 employees onboard the cruise ships. Employees are hired on a short-term contract basis. No labor unions represent the group. Training and supervision is provided by management at Casino Millennium.

Seasonality

Womacks Casino and Hotel - Our business in Cripple Creek, Colorado is at its highest levels during the tourist season (i.e., from May through September). Its base level (i.e., October through April) is expected to remain fairly constant although weather conditions during this period could have a significant impact on business levels in Colorado.

Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino - Our business in Caledon is at its highest levels of business during the holiday season in December. Caledon has a comparatively mild climate.
 
     Cruise Ships - Our business on the ships is generally not impacted by the time of year.

Governmental Regulation and Licensing

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities are subject to extensive state and local regulations. We are required to obtain and maintain gaming licenses in each of the jurisdictions in which we conduct gaming. The limitation, conditioning, suspension, revocation or non-renewal of gaming licenses, or the failure to reauthorize gaming in certain jurisdictions would materially adversely affect our gaming operation in that jurisdiction. In addition, changes in law that restrict or prohibit gaming operations in any jurisdiction could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Statutes and regulations can require us to meet various standards relating to, among other matters, business licenses, registration of employees, floor plans, background investigations of licensees and employees, historic preservation, building, fire and accessibility requirements, payment of gaming taxes, and regulations concerning equipment, machines, tokens, gaming participants, and ownership interests. Civil and criminal penalties can be assessed against us and/or our officers or shareholders to the extent of their individual participation in, or association with, a violation of any of the state and local gaming statutes or regulations. Such laws and regulations apply in all jurisdictions within the United States in which we may do business. Management believes that we are in compliance with applicable gaming regulations.

Colorado, United States

The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (Commission) has adopted regulations regarding the ownership of gaming establishments by publicly held companies (the Regulations). The Regulations require the prior clearance of, or notification to, the Commission before any public offering of any securities of any gaming licensee or any affiliated company. The Regulations require all publicly traded or publicly owned gaming licensees to comply with numerous regulatory gaming requirements including, but not limited to, notifying/filing with the Colorado Division of Gaming any proxy statements, lists of shareholders, new officers and directors of the Company, any shareholders obtaining 5% or more of the Company’s common stock and any issuance of new voting securities. We believe that the Company is in compliance with applicable gaming regulations.

Other state regulatory agencies also impact the Company's operations, particularly its license to serve alcoholic beverages. Rules and regulations in this regard are strict, and loss or suspension of a liquor license could significantly impair, if not ruin, a licensee's operation. Local building, parking and fire codes and similar regulations could also impact the Company's operations and proposed development of its properties.

17

Caledon, South Africa

Caledon’s gaming operations are subject to strict regulations by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board under national and provincial legislation. Statutes and regulations require us to meet various standards relating to, among other matters, business licenses, licensing of employees, historic preservation, building, fire and accessibility requirements, payment of gaming taxes, and regulations concerning equipment, machines, tokens, gaming participants, and ownership interests. Civil and criminal penalties can be assessed against us and/or our officers to the extent of their individual participation in, or association with, a violation of any of these gaming statutes or regulations. We believe that we are in compliance with applicable gaming regulations.

Prague, Czech Republic

Casino Millennium’s gaming operations are subject to strict regulations by the Czech Republic under national legislation. Statutes and regulations require us to meet various standards relating to, among other matters, business licenses, building, fire and accessibility requirements, payment of gaming taxes, and regulations concerning equipment, machines, tokens, gaming participants, and ownership interests. Civil and criminal penalties can be assessed against us and/or our officers to the extent of their individual participation in, or association with, a violation of any of these gaming statutes or regulations. We believe that we are in compliance with applicable gaming regulations.

Cruise Ships

The casinos onboard the cruise ships only operate when they are in international waters. Therefore, the gaming operations are not regulated by any national or local regulatory body. However, we follow standardized rules and practices in the daily operation of the casinos. This segment of our operations accounted for almost 8% of our total net operating revenue for 2004, compared to 6% for 2003 and less than 3% for 2002.

Non-Gaming Regulation

We are subject to certain federal, state and local safety and health, employment and environmental laws, regulations and ordinances that apply to our non-gaming operations. We have not made, and do not anticipate making material expenditures with respect to such employment and environmental laws and regulations. However, the coverage and attendant compliance costs associated with such laws, regulations and ordinances may result in future additional costs to our operations.

A minimum of 80% of the labor force in Caledon must be comprised of designated persons. A designated person is any person of color plus white females. Currently, 93% of the labor force in Caledon is comprised of designated persons. The license holder must undertake to allocate 20% of net profit of the casino, as defined in the casino license agreement, to Black Empowerment Partners. Caledon is obliged to allocate at least 50% of its procurement costs to Black Empowerment companies by 2006.

Financial Information By Segment

See “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for certain financial information concerning each of the Company’s operating segments.

18

Item 2.  Properties.

Colorado, United States

Cripple Creek
 
We own approximately 2.7 acres in Cripple Creek, Colorado used in connection with the operations of Womacks Casino and Hotel which includes buildings and parking spaces related to our casino and hotel operations. This property is collateralized by a first mortgage held by Wells Fargo Bank in connection with our credit agreement. See Note 5, “Long-Term Debt”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

In addition, we hold a subleasehold interest in real property and improvements on approximately 0.8 acres of property in Cripple Creek, Colorado that expires on June 20, 2005. We have given notice that we will exercise an option to acquire the property at the expiration of the sublease at the exercise price of $1.5 million.

We lease 10 city lots from the City of Cripple Creek, Colorado for parking. The lease terms include annual rental payments of $90 thousand and an expiration date of May 31, 2010. The agreement contains a purchase option for us to purchase the property for $3.25 million, less cumulative lease payments, at any time during the remainder of the lease term.

We lease 2,847 square feet of office space in Colorado Springs, Colorado that houses our corporate administrative personnel. The lease will expire in July 2005. We do not expect any problems in extending the term.
 
Central City
 
We own a 65% interest in a venture that owns approximately 1.10 acres in Central City, Colorado to be used for the development of a casino, hotel and parking garage. All together, the new development is expected to contain approximately 60,000 square feet of casino and back of house and 500 parking spaces within a 155,000 square feet, four story, parking structure.
 
Caledon, South Africa

We own approximately 600 acres in Caledon, South Africa. This property contains a 180,000 square foot building for our casino, hotel and spa operations and is collateralized by a first mortgage bond over land, buildings and equipment held by ABSA Bank Limited of South Africa. Approximately 500 acres of this property is undeveloped at this time.

Alberta, Canada

Effective February 24, 2005, we own a 56.4% interest in a project in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We had subscribed to 55% of the shares of CRA in September 2003 but subsequently increased our participation in the project. The project is on a 7.25 acre facility site and when completed is expected to include a casino with 600 slot machines and approximately 31 table games, food and beverage amenities, a dinner theatre, a 300 space underground parking garage and an existing 40-room hotel.

19

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are not a party to, nor are we aware of, any pending or threatened litigation which, in management’s opinion, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

20

 

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock began trading in the NASDAQ SmallCap Market on November 10, 1993. The following table sets forth the low and high sale price per share quotations of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market for the periods indicated. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Actual prices may vary.

Quarter Ended
 
Low
 
High
 
           
March 31, 2003
 
$
1.85
 
$
2.50
 
June 30, 2003
 
$
1.88
 
$
2.49
 
September 30, 2003
 
$
2.11
 
$
3.00
 
December 31, 2003
 
$
2.20
 
$
3.93
 
               
March 31, 2004
 
$
2.76
 
$
3.50
 
June 30, 2004
 
$
3.26
 
$
6.30
 
September 30, 2004
 
$
3.75
 
$
6.20
 
December 31, 2004
 
$
5.27
 
$
9.77
 

At December 31, 2004, we had approximately 90 holders of record of our common stock. We estimate that the number of beneficial owners is approximately 3,000.

At the present time, we intend to use any earnings that may be generated to finance the growth of the Company’s business. Our credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank currently limits the payment of dividends. No dividends have been declared or paid by the Company, and we do not presently intend to pay dividends.


21

 

The following table provides the information as of December 31, 2004 relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities underlying outstanding options, warrants and rights)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
3,464,210
$1.92
-
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
3,464,210
$1.92
-

We had an Employees’ Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) that provided for the grant of awards to eligible employees in the form of stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares or performance units, all as defined in the Plan. The Plan expired in April 2004. The Plan provided for the issuance of up to 4,500,000 shares of common stock to eligible employees through the various forms of awards permitted. Only incentive stock option awards, for which the option price was not less than fair market value at the date of grant, or non-statutory options, which were granted at any option price, could have been granted under the Plan. All options had to have an exercise period not to exceed ten years. Options granted have one-year, two-year or four-year vesting periods. The Company’s Incentive Plan Committee has the power and discretion to, among other things, prescribe the terms and conditions for the exercise of, or modification of, any outstanding awards in the event of merger, acquisition or any other form of acquisition other than a reorganization of the Company under United States Bankruptcy Code or liquidation of the Company. The Plan also allowed limited transferability of any non-statutory stock options to legal entities that are 100% - owned or controlled by the optionee or to the optionee’s family trust. The Company last granted options to any officers in March 2004. As of December 31, 2004 there were 3,464,210 options outstanding under the Plan. We believe an equity compensation plan will help us to remain competitive and to retain the services of key employees and accordingly, we plan to ask our stockholders to approve a new plan at the 2005 annual stockholders meeting.


22

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Amounts shown in thousands except for share information
 
                        2004
 
                       2003
 
                       2002
 
                         2001
 
                       2000
 
               
(1)
                     
(1)
 
Results of Operations:
                                                             
Net Operating Revenue
       
$
35,765
       
$
31,402
       
$
29,337
       
$
29,456
       
$
26,232
 
Net Earnings (2) (3) (7)
         
4,738
         
3,246
         
3,079
         
2,455
         
3,253
 
Net Earnings per Share:
                                                             
Basic
       
$
0.35
       
$
0.24
       
$
0.23
       
$
0.18
       
$
0.23
 
Diluted
       
$
0.30
       
$
0.22
       
$
0.20
       
$
0.16
       
$
0.22
 
Balance Sheet:
                                                             
Cash and Cash Equivalents (6)
       
$
8,411
       
$
4,729
       
$
4,582
       
$
3,031
       
$
9,077
 
Total Assets (4)
         
71,204
         
54,817
         
51,143
         
44,819
         
56,122
 
Long-Term Debt
         
17,970
         
14,913
         
16,531
         
15,991
         
20,314
 
Total Liabilities (6)
         
30,825
         
21,769
         
24,040
         
22,641
         
33,152
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
         
40,379
         
33,048
         
27,103
         
22,178
         
22,970
 
Cash Dividends Per Common
    Share (5)
       
$
--
       
$
--
       
$
--
       
$
--
       
$
--
 

(1)
In April 2000, we, through CCA, purchased a 50% interest in CCAL, which was awarded a casino license in April 2000. The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino opened for business in October 2000. In December 2000, we, through CCA, acquired an additional 15% of The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino, raising ownership of the project to 65%. In January 2003, we, through CCA, acquired the remaining 35% interest in CCAL.

(2)
Effective 2002, in accordance with SFAS No. 142, we no longer amortize goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. The goodwill amortization expense, net of income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 was $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

(3)
In 2002, we wrote down the value of the non-operating casino property and land held for sale in Nevada by approximately $0.45 million and recorded an approximately $0.40 million write-off for advances made and pre-construction costs incurred in conjunction with the Gauteng project and an approximately $0.30 million write-off for unpaid casino technical service fees from Casino Millennium. See Note 12, “Property Write-Down and Other Write-Offs”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)
In 2004, the increase in total assets is primarily the result of the contribution of $9.2 million in land and buildings to the Central City project by the minority partner, approximately $3 million in capital improvements at Womacks, including new slot machines and new slot accounting software and increases in foreign denominated assets resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. In 2001, the reduction in total assets is principally the result of the effects of the change in the exchange rate on assets we held in our South African operations.
 
(5) We have not declared any cash dividends on our common stock and do not expect to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
(6) Approximately $3.5 million was borrowed against the Wells Fargo revolving credit facility on December 30, 2004 to finance our cash contribution to the Central City Project. A $4.2 million increase in the minority interest liability in 2004 is directly related to the Central City project.
 
(7) In 2004, we recovered approximately $0.20 million in receivables that had been written off in 2002.


23

 
 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included elsewhere herein. Information contained in the following discussion of results of operations and financial condition of the Company contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and as such, are based on current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements for many reasons including those risks discussed under “Factors that May Affect Future Results” and elsewhere in this document. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “potential” or “continue”, or variations thereon or comparable terminology. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets and property and equipment. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; critical estimates inherent in these accounting policies are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Our goodwill results from the acquisitions of casino and hotel operations and represents excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are required to be tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value. We have completed our assessment of goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives for impairment at December 31, 2004 and determined that there have been no significant changes in the fair value of the assets, no adverse changes in the projected cash flows or any events or circumstances that would lead management to believe that the fair value of the assets are less than the current carrying value of the reporting units. For reporting units with goodwill and/or intangible assets with indefinite lives, this test requires the comparison of the implied fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The implied fair value includes estimates of future cash flows, as well as estimates of critical valuation inputs such as discount rates, terminal values and similar data based on reasonable and supportable assumptions that represent our best estimates. Changes in estimates or application of alternative assumptions and definitions could produce significantly different results. We will continue to assess goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually hereafter.  We will also continue to assess the propriety of our assignment of indefinite useful lives to intangible assets through analysis of all pertinent factors used in making such estimates.  Included in assets at December 31, 2004 is goodwill of approximately $8.8 million and casino licenses of approximately $2.2 million.

Property and Equipment - At December 31, 2004, we had property and equipment totaling $48.6 million, representing 68% of total assets. We capitalize the cost of property and equipment. Maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life are charged to expense as incurred. We depreciate property and equipment on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives are based on the nature of the assets and our current operating expectations. Future events such as property expansions, new competition and new regulations could result in a change in the manner in which we are using certain assets requiring a
 
24

change in the estimated useful lives of such assets. We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable. Under current standards, the assets must be carried at historical cost if the projected cash flows from their use will recover their carrying amounts on an undiscounted basis and without considering interest. However, if projected cash flows are less than their carrying value, the long-lived assets must be reduced to their estimated fair value. Considerable judgment is required to project such cash flows and, if required, estimate the fair value of the impaired long-lived asset. The estimated future cash flows are based upon, among other things, assumptions about expected future operating performance and may differ from actual cash flows. There can be no assurance that future long-lived asset impairments will not occur. We capitalize the cost of property and equipment that is contributed in a business combination at the fair value of the assets that are contributed.  Capital assets contributed by our minority interest partner in CC Tollgate LLC were recorded at estimated fair value based on an appraisal at the time of the contribution.  Appraisals, by their nature, involve estimations and judgment.

Results of Operations

Overview

Since our inception, we have been primarily engaged in developing and operating gaming establishments and the related lodging and restaurant facilities. We derive revenue from the net proceeds of our gaming machines and tables, and from hotel and restaurant facilities.

We are managed in five segments: (i) Cripple Creek, Colorado (formerly Colorado segment), the operations of Womacks Casino and Hotel; (ii) Central City, Colorado, the development of a new casino, (iii) South Africa, primarily related to the operations of the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino; (iv) cruise ship casino operations for eight vessels; and (v) Corporate and other operations including corporate gaming projects for which we have long-term service contracts.

Our total net operating revenue was $35.8 million, $31.4 million and $29.3 million for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. For 2004, 2003 and 2002 Womacks represented 49%, 59% and 72% of total net operating revenue, respectively, while Caledon represented 42%, 36% and 24% for the same periods.

Earnings from operations were $7.0 million, $6.8 million and $7.3 million for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Womacks and Caledon casino and hotel operations had operating earnings of $5.0 million and $3.81 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2004, $6.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2003 and $9.09 million and $1.45 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2002. Cruise ship operations had earnings from operations of $0.82 million, $0.49 million and $0.24 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Corporate operations incurred losses from operations of $1.6 million, $2.2 million and $2.9 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

We continue to experience strong competition in both our Cripple Creek, Colorado and South African segments. We face competition in both segments from larger casinos in the area. In our Cripple Creek, Colorado segment two of our competitors provide covered parking garages adjacent to their facilities which provide them with an advantage during inclement weather and peak tourist season. We continue to aggressively market in both Cripple Creek, Colorado and South Africa, primarily through the use of our players’ club programs.

25

Results of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

We reported net operating revenue of $35.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $31.4 million in 2003 and $29.3 million in 2002.

Casino revenue increased $2.8 million, or 8.7%, to $34.6 million in 2004 as compared to 2003. Casino revenue in 2003 increased $1.3 million, or 4.1%, to $31.9 million as compared to 2002. These increases are primarily the result of gains made in the South African Market. Hotel, food and beverage revenue increased $0.75 million, or 21.1%, to $4.3 million during 2004 as compared to 2003. Hotel, food and beverage revenue increased $0.94 million or 35.7% in 2003 as compared to 2002. The increases in hotel, food and beverage revenue during the three year period is primarily attributable to renovating and relocating certain restaurant facilities in Cripple Creek, Colorado and increased theme dinners and banquets at our South Africa property. Other revenue increased by $0.47 million or 75.6% to $1.1 million in 2004 as compared to 2003, primarily as the result of the foreign currency gain of $0.38 million recognized on the disposition of Verkrans. Promotional allowances, which are made up of complimentary revenue, cash points and coupons, are rewards we give our loyal customers to encourage them to continue to patronize our properties. Such awards reduced gross revenues by approximately 11% in 2004 and 13% in 2003 and 2002.

Casino operating expenses were $13.8 million, $11.7 million and $9.9 million for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. 2004 casino operating expenses increased $2.1 million, or 17.9%, as compared to 2003 primarily due to growth in the South African and ship segments and fluctuation in the currency exchange rate. The increase of $1.8 million, or 18%, from 2002 to 2003 is primarily the result of revenue volume increases and a 29% negative change in currency exchange rates in the South African segment.

Hotel, food and beverage expenses were $3.1 million in 2004, $2.6 million in 2003 and $1.5 million in 2002. Hotel, food and beverage expenses increased $0.6 million, or 22.8%, from 2003 to 2004 because of the corresponding increase in food and beverage revenues generated at additional outlets opened or expanded between 2003 and 2004. The increase of $1.1 million from 2002 to 2003 resulted from a 40% increase in repair costs related to improvements we are making at our South African property and the effects of inflation and currency exchange rate fluctuations during the period.

General and administrative expenses were $9.1 million in 2004 compared to $7.7 million in 2003 and $7.2 million in 2002. General and administrative expenses increased $1.4 million in 2004 over 2003 primarily as a result of staff increases at the corporate level to support the expansion efforts and compliance requirements, expenditures incurred in conjunction with new Company projects and the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, primarily the Rand. The increase of $0.6 million from 2002 to 2003 is primarily the result of currency exchange rate fluctuations during the period.

Depreciation expense was $3.0 million in 2004, $2.7 million in 2003 and $2.3 million in 2002. Changes in depreciation expenses during the three year period ended December 31, 2004 relate to on-going property improvement projects.

Our earnings from operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $7.0 million compared to $6.8 million in 2003 and $7.3 million in 2002. Earnings from operations increased $0.2 million, or 2.9% in 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in earnings from operations in Caledon and, the gain recognized on the sale of Verkrans, the recovery of receivables from the sale of our interest in Gauteng, South Africa offset by a decrease in earnings from operations in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The change from 2002 to 2003 is primarily an increase in earnings from operations from Caledon of $1.1 million, a decrease from Womacks of $2.8 million, and a charge of $1.1 million for property write-down and other write-offs in 2002.


26

Interest expense was $1.6 million in 2004, $2.0 million in 2003 and $1.9 million in 2002 and results primarily from our credit facility with Wells Fargo and the outstanding note to ABSA Bank in South Africa. Please see Note 5, “Long-term Debt” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Income tax expense was $0.7 million for 2004 compared to $1.8 million in 2003 and $2.5 million in 2002. The decrease of $1.1 million in 2004 as compared to 2003 is primarily related to a reduction in the effective tax rate on fees paid by the South African operations to the Mauritian parent. Approximately $2.1 million of our pre-tax income totaling $5.2 million is attributable to our Mauritian subsidiary and is taxed at an effective rate of 3%. The decrease in 2003 when compared to 2002 is mainly attributable to lower pre-tax income and lower effective tax rate in South Africa in 2003.

Our net earnings for 2004 were $4.7 million, or $0.35 per share compared to net earnings of $3.2 million, or $0.24 per share in 2003 and $3.1 million, or $0.23 per share in 2002.

A discussion by business segment follows below.

Cripple Creek, Colorado Segment
 
The operating results of the Cripple Creek, Colorado segment, primarily the operations of Womacks, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 
Dollar amounts shown in thousands
 
                         2004
                         2003
                         2002
 
% Change 2004 v. 2003
   
% Change 2003 v. 2002
 
Operating Revenue
                                                 
Casino
       
$
19,486
       
$
20,981
       
$
23,922
   
-7.1
%
 
-12.3
%
Hotel, food and beverage
         
1,544
         
1,267
         
1,193
   
21.9
%
 
6.2
%
Other (including promotional allowances)
         
(3,469
)
       
(3,846
)
       
(3,855
)
 
-9.8
%
 
-0.2
%
Net operating revenue
         
17,561
         
18,402
         
21,260
   
-4.6
%
 
-13.4
%
                                                   
Costs and Expenses
                                                 
Casino
         
6,828
         
6,702
         
7,038
   
1.9
%
 
-4.8
%
Hotel, food and beverage
         
586
         
357
         
277
   
64.1
%
 
28.9
%
General and administrative
         
3,638
         
3,686
         
3,521
   
-1.3
%
 
4.7
%
Property write-down and other write offs net of
    (recoveries)
         
3
         
-
         
-
   
100.
%
 
-
 
Depreciation
         
1,512
         
1,349
         
1,334
   
12.1
%
 
1.1
%
           
12,567
         
12,094
         
12,170
   
3.9
%
 
-0.6
%
Earnings from operations
         
4,994
         
6,308
         
9,090
   
-20.8
%
 
-30.6
%
Interest (income) expense, net
         
(123
)
       
1
         
269
   
-122.0
%
 
-99.6
%
Other income, net
         
12
         
42
         
25
   
-71.4
%
 
68.0
%
Earnings before income taxes
         
5,129
         
6,349
         
8,846
   
-19.2
%
 
-28.2
%
Income tax expense
         
1,949
         
2,413
         
4,069
   
-19.2
%
 
-40.7
%
Net Earnings
       
$
3,180
       
$
3,936
       
$
4,777
   
-19.2
%
 
-17.6
%
 

27

 

Overall operating results for the segment were impacted by the casino results detailed below.

Market Data

 
                2004
              2003
              2002
Market share of the Cripple Creek Slot AGP
13.4%
14.9%
17.0%
Average number of slot machines
649
622
640
Market share of Cripple Creek gaming devices
14.1%
14.8%
15.3%
Average slot machine win per day
81 dollars
91 dollars
101 dollars
Cripple Creek average slot machine win per day
85 dollars
90 dollars
91 dollars
 
      When comparing 2004 to 2003, the Cripple Creek market grew by 4.3%. Management continues to focus on the marketing of the Womacks Casino through the expansion of the successful Gold Club. In December 2003 and in June 2004, additional casinos opened in Cripple Creek, bringing the total number of casino licenses to 19 as of December 31, 2004 compared to 17 for the majority of 2003 and reduced Womacks’ market share of gaming devices by 5%. We have spent approximately $3 million in 2004 to upgrade the product mix on the gaming floor, improve the player tracking system and introduce cashless gaming machines. Womacks will convert as many slot machines as possible to cashless gaming machines. These ongoing improvements are expected to add to the customer experience and further improve customer service. Womacks has also implemented an employee training program focused on intensive guest service. During 2004, Womacks replaced approximately 149 slot machines and added 20 slot machines to the floor.
 
     During this period, the relative percentage of personnel cost, device fees and the cost of participation machines to net operating revenue contributed to the erosion in earnings from operations. Management regularly evaluates these overhead costs to maintain a good cost benefit relationship. During the fourth quarter of 2004, changes in management were made to facilitate and manage this relationship.
 
     When comparing 2003 to 2002, there was no growth in the Cripple Creek market. For us, distractions from major construction in the casino, limited access to the casino from the adjoining parking lot during the first four months of the year, and poor weather conditions, particularly in March and April 2003, had an adverse effect on casino revenue and overall operating results. The casino has expanded the use of both radio and TV advertising in its efforts to compete for the pool of entertainment dollars. Management continues to focus on the marketing of the casino through the expansion of the successful Gold Club. However, covered parking garages provided by two of our competitors, completed by September 2002, have impacted the casino, particularly during inclement weather, providing both with a significant number of close proximity parking places, an advantage previously held by Womacks. Both competitors also have a larger number of hotel rooms, providing them with an advantage during inclement weather and the peak tourist season. We have not yet decided on the next phase of expansion, but we own all of the vacant property adjacent to the casino and are able to expand if we conclude that expansion is in our best interest.
 
     In order to outfit Womacks with the most popular gaming machines, Womacks leased approximately 39 slot machines in 2004, compared to 37 in 2003 and an average of 42 in 2002, from manufacturers, on which it pays a fee calculated as a percentage of the net win. All of the leases have short term commitment periods not exceeding three months and are classified as operating leases. The leases can be cancelled with no more than 30 days written notice. On a portion of the leases, the manufacturer is guaranteed a minimum fee per day that can range from 15 dollars to 35 dollars for the duration of the lease. In most instances, the branded games that are being introduced to the market are not available for purchase.
 
 
28

For financial reporting purposes, the net win on the slot machines is included in our revenue and the amount due to the manufacturer is recorded as an expense, in the period during which the revenue is earned, as casino operating cost. Management makes its decisions to introduce these machines based on the consumer demand for the product. The amount paid under these agreements was $0.46 million, $0.42 million and $0.42 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
 
Hotel, Food and Beverage

        When comparing 2004 and 2003, hotel revenue, included in hotel, food and beverage revenue, increased by 21.9%, as a result of an increase in the hotel occupancy rate to 92% in 2004 from 85% in both 2003 and 2002, and the opening of an additional food outlet. All of the revenue generated by the hotel operations is derived from comps to better players, the value of which is included in promotional allowances.
 
        In May 2004, Womacks added an additional restaurant, the “Cut Above Buffet”, on the second floor of the casino. The restaurant operates on a limited schedule and provides an alternative menu for patrons of the casino. Overall cost of operating the “Cut Above Buffet” accounts for the significantly higher percentage increase in the combined cost of hotel, food and beverage when compared to the percentage increase in the corresponding revenue. The “Cut Above Buffet” offers a premium menu, incurring a higher cost of sales, and has fulfilled the intention of attracting new customers to Womacks Gold Club.
 
        When comparing 2003 and 2002, an increase of 7.8% in restaurant revenues is primarily a result of the visibility obtained by opening Bob’s Grill on the gaming floor. In the third quarter of 2002 Womacks introduced Bob’s Grill on the first floor of the casino and operated the Gold Mine restaurant on a limited schedule. Relocation of the restaurant to the first floor increased its visibility. In February 2003, we doubled the capacity of Bob’s Grill and limited the use of the former Gold Mine restaurant, which is located on the second floor, to weekend and holiday buffets.

Other
 
    Comparing 2004 to 2003, we were able to marginally reduce general and administrative costs. 
 
     Comparing 2003 to 2002, the increase in general and administrative costs is primarily attributable to Womacks’ contributions to the campaign organized by Colorado’s gaming industry against the proposed introduction of video lottery terminals (VLT’s) (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources”). Womacks’ contribution to the campaign totaled $0.13 million in 2003.
 
    The $0.16 million increase in depreciation expense when comparing 2004 to 2003 results from an increase of approximately $0.19 million in depreciation on new additions less the reduction in depreciation on assets that are fully depreciated. The Company allocated $1.2 million in interest expense to the Corporate & Other segment during the year ended December 31, 2004. Interest expense on the amounts advanced, but not repaid, to fund the Company’s acquisitions and the repurchase of the Company’s common stock is calculated using the effective rate on all borrowings under the RCF. The Company reduces the interest expense incurred by WMCK under the RCF by the amount of interest allocated to the Corporate & Other segment. The Company has not repaid the funds advanced for the Company’s acquisitions or the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, and therefore the debt and accumulated interest allocated to the Corporate & Other segment exceeded the total outstanding borrowing. As a result, Womacks
 
29

reported a net negative $0.12 million in interest expense and debt issuance cost. During the same period in 2003, Womacks reported interest expense and debt issuance cost, of $1 thousand, net of $1.4 million in interest expense allocated to the Corporate & Other segment. Such decrease is attributable to the decrease in the weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings under the RCF, including effects of swap agreements, to 6.30% from 8.06% and a reduction in the average outstanding balance under the RCF to $11.8 million in 2004 from $12.6 million in 2003.

The decrease in interest expense, including debt issuance cost, to $1 thousand in 2003, net of $1.40 million in interest allocated to the Corporate & Other segment, from $0.27 million, net of $1.15 million in interest allocated to the Corporate & Other segment in 2002, is attributable to the decrease in the weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings under our credit facility with Wells Fargo, including effects of the swap agreements, to 8.72% from 9.75%. The average balance of the Wells Fargo credit facility increased to $12.6 million in 2003 from $11.7 million in 2002. The major factor for the increase in the average balance was $2.6 million borrowed in January 2003 to fund the purchase of the remaining 35% interest in Caledon. Since the second quarter of 2000, we have borrowed a total of $9.5 million under the Wells Fargo credit facility to fund other Company projects and an additional $3.8 million to fund the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock. The interest on the combined amount has resulted in a charge of approximately $1.4 million and $1.2 million to our Corporate & Other segment and is recognized as a reduction of interest expense in our Cripple Creek, Colorado segment in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Cripple Creek, Colorado segment recognized income tax expense of $1.9 million in 2004 versus $2.4 million in 2003, and $4.1 million in 2002, principally the result of a decrease in earnings before income taxes.

Central City, Colorado Segment

We are developing a casino and hotel project in Central City, Colorado. The proposed $40.0 million development includes a 60,000 square foot casino and back of house with 625 slot machines, six table games, 25 hotel rooms, retail, food and beverage amenities and a 500-space on-site covered parking garage. We have also entered into a long-term agreement to manage the facility upon completion and licensing. Completion of the project is subject to various conditions and approvals, including, but not limited to securing acceptable financing, satisfactory environmental studies and licensing by the Colorado Division of Gaming. Casino licenses in Colorado are not limited in number by state gaming laws and are primarily subject to successful background investigations by the Colorado Division of Gaming. Century currently is licensed in Colorado for gaming at Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek. Construction is expected to be completed approximately 14 months after funding arrangements have been finalized.

In conjunction with the settlement of the property on December 30, 2004, we incurred $8 thousand dollars in expenses that were allocated to the minority partner by agreement and therefore had no impact on the consolidated results.


30

 

South African Segment
 
The operating results of the South African segment are primarily those related to the operations of the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino. Inter-company transactions, including fees to its Mauritian parent, shareholder’s interest and their related tax effects have been eliminated in the consolidated results. Improvement in the Rand versus the dollar when comparing 2004 to 2003 and 2003 to 2002 has had a positive impact on the reported revenues and a negative impact on expenses. Operational results in US dollars for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows: (See next page for results in Rand).

CALEDON
Amounts shown in thousands
2004
2003
2002
% Change 2004 v. 2003
% Change
2003 v. 2002
Operating Revenue
               
Casino
$
12,540
$
9,211
$
5,899
36.1%
56.1%
Hotel, food and beverage
 
2,778
 
2,301
 
1,437
20.7%
60.1%
Other (including promotional allowances)
 
(348)
 
(363)
 
(253)
-4.1%
43.5%
Net operating revenue
 
14,970
 
11,149
 
7,083
34.3%
57.4%
                 
Costs and Expenses
               
Casino
 
5,096
 
3,993
 
2,322
27.6%
72.0%
Hotel, food and beverage
 
2,548
 
1,996
 
1,232
27.7%
62.0%
General and administrative
 
2,171
 
1,552
 
1,342
39.9%
15.6%
Depreciation
 
1,343
 
1,070
 
734
25.5%
45.8%
   
11,158
 
8,611
 
5,630
29.6%
52.9%
Earnings from operations
 
3,812
 
2,538
 
1,453
50.2%
74.7%
Interest expense
 
788
 
929
 
804
-15.2%
15.5%
Other income, net
 
112
 
154
 
146
-27.3%
5.5%
Earnings before income taxes
 
3,136
 
1,763
 
795
77.9%
121.8%
Income tax expense
 
943
 
581
 
256
62.3%
127.0%
Net Earnings
$
2,193
$
1,182
$
539
85.5%
119.3%

CENTURY CASINOS AFRICA
     
Operating Revenue
               
Other (including promotional allowances) (1)
$
364
$
-
$
-
100.0%
-
Net operating revenue
 
364
 
-
 
-
100.0%
-
Costs and Expenses
               
General and administrative
 
1,528
 
352
 
155
334.1%
127.1%
Depreciation
 
-
 
3
 
-
-100.0%
100.0%
Property write-down and other write offs, net of (recoveries)
 
(175)
 
-
 
399
100.0%
-100.0%
   
1,353
 
355
 
554
281.1%
-35.9%
Loss from operations
 
(989)
 
(355)
 
(554)
178.6%
-35.9%
Interest expense, net
 
597
 
-
 
-
100.0%
-
Other income, net
 
39
 
28
 
23
39.3%
21.7%
Loss before income taxes
 
(1,547)
 
(327)
 
(531)
373.1%
-38.4%
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(627)
 
(94)
 
160
567.0%
-158.8%
Net Loss
$
(920)
$
(233)
$
(691)
294.8%
-66.3%
                 
MINORITY INTEREST EXPENSE
$
-
$
(22)
$
(31)
-100.0%
-29.0%
SOUTH AFRICA NET EARNINGS (LOSS)
$
1,273
$
927
$
(183)
37.3%
606.6%

Average exchange rate (Rand/USD)
 
6.45
 
7.43
 
10.41
-13.2%
-28.6%

(1) Includes foreign currency translation adjustment for sale of Verkrans, net of cost of disposition.
 
31

 
Operational results in Rand for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
 
CALEDON
 
% Change 2004 v. 2003
% Change
2003 v. 2002
Amounts shown in thousands
2004
2003
2002
Operating Revenue
               
Casino
R
80,088
R
67,976
R
61,100
17.8%
11.3%
Hotel, food and beverage
 
17,753
 
17,061
 
14,863
4.1%
14.8%
Other (including promotional allowances)
 
(2,260)
 
(2,584)
 
(2,619)
-12.5%
-1.3%
Net operating revenue
 
95,581
 
82,453
 
73,344
15.9%
12.4%
                 
Costs and Expenses
               
Casino
 
32,555
 
29,365
 
24,131
10.9%
21.7%
Hotel, food and beverage
 
16,247
 
14,998
 
12,717
8.3%
17.9%
General and administrative
 
13,813
 
11,484
 
13,847
20.3%
-17.1%
Depreciation
 
8,595
 
7,950
 
7,532
8.1%
5.5%
   
71,210
 
63,797
 
58,227
11.6%
9.6%
Earnings from operations
 
24,371
 
18,656
 
15,117
30.6%
23.4%
Interest expense
 
5,072
 
6,950
 
8,394
-27.0%
-17.2%
Other income, net
 
729
 
1,167
 
1,495
-37.5%
-21.9%
Earnings before income taxes
 
20,028
 
12,873
 
8,218
55.6%
56.6%
Income tax expense
 
6,018
 
4,284
 
2,618
40.5%
63.6%
Net Earnings
R
14,010
R
8,589
R
5,600
63.1%
53.4%

CENTURY CASINOS AFRICA
     
Operating Revenue
               
Other (including promotional allowances)
R
(86)
R
-
R
-
-100.0%
-
Net operating revenue (loss)
 
(86)
 
-
 
-
-100.0%
-
Costs and Expenses
               
General and administrative
 
8,836
 
2,640
 
1,677
234.7%
57.4%
Depreciation
 
-
 
18
 
-
-100.0%
100.0%
Property write-down and other write offs, net of (recoveries)
 
(1,003)
 
-
 
4,182
-100.0%
-100.0%
   
7,833
 
2,658
 
5,859
194.7%
-54.6%
Loss from operations
 
(7,919)
 
(2,658)
 
(5,859)
197.9%
-54.6%
Interest expense, net
 
3,749
 
-
 
-
100.0%
-
Other income, net
 
325
 
215
 
242
51.2%
-11.2%
Loss before income taxes
 
(11,343)
 
(2,443)
 
(5,617)
364.3%
-56.5%
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
3,686
 
(713)
 
(1,005)
417.0%
-29.1%
Net Loss
R
(7,657)
R
(1,730)
R
(4,612)
342.6%
-62.5%
                 
MINORITY INTEREST EXPENSE
R
-
R
(176)
R
(490)
-100.0%
-64.1%
SOUTH AFRICA NET EARNINGS
R
6,353
R
6,683
R
498
40.0%
1,242.0%

 

32

 

Casino Market Data (in Rand)

 
                                  2004
                                 2003
                           2002
Market share of the Western Cape AGP
5.9%
6.0%
6.1%
Market share of Western Cape gaming devices
11.3%
10.9%
11.2%
Average number of slot machines
288
274
254
Average slot machine win per day
693 Rand
623 Rand
596 Rand
Average number of tables
9
8
8
Average table win per day
2,132 Rand
1,928 Rand
1,995 Rand

The results discussed below are all based on the Rand to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

When comparing 2004 and 2003, the 17.8% increase in gross gaming revenue is attributable to a number of factors including an increase in the number of slot machines to 300 and tables to 10, the continuous marketing of cash coupons and improved management. We market an array of amenities at the resort to our guests as a complement to the gaming experience. These currently include a 92-room hotel, a variety of dining experiences, 3 bars, the historic mineral hot spring and spa, the outdoor experience (a team building facility) and an equestrian center.

When comparing 2003 and 2002, the 11.3% increase in the gross casino revenue is attributable to a number of factors including an increase in the number of slot machines, the introduction of cash couponing and other successful marketing efforts, an expanded smoking section, improved management and employee training. The increase in casino expenses in excess of the increase in the corresponding revenue is attributable to the increased cost of marketing the casino, period cost associated with routine maintenance to the property, and to the effect of inflation. The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino competes against a much larger competitor located in a more populous area of the Western Cape.

Hotel, Food and Beverage

When comparing 2004 and 2003, hotel revenue increased 5.6%. Hotel occupancy was 48% for 2004 compared to 57% for 2003. Conference sales decreased 19.4%, while gift and leisure sales improved 110.1%. In June 2004, Caledon added a fourth restaurant to the already varied selection. This restaurant offers patrons Italian cuisine. Food and beverage revenue increased 6.2% in 2004 compared to 2003, as a result of the additional food and beverage facility plus changes to operating hours and a general price increase.

Hotel occupancy was 57% for 2003 compared to 58% in 2002. Conference sales showed a 10% improvement for 2003 compared to 2002, while leisure sales decreased by 6% in the corresponding period. Food and beverage revenue increased by 17.9%, primarily due to the increase in the number of theme dinners and banquets, as well as a general price increase.

We continue to make a number of repairs and improvements to the resort on an ongoing basis. Additionally, continuing inflationary pressures in South Africa have driven up base costs such as labor and supplies. When comparing 2003 and 2002, hotel repair cost increased by 40.1%, accounting for R0.84 million of the increase in expenses. Labor cost, including health insurance and uniforms, increased by 39.4%, accounting for R1.9 million of the increase in expenses.


33

 

Other

Other operating revenue principally consists of promotional allowances and revenue generated from the resort’s ancillary services, which include the adventure center, spa center, and conference room rental.

The weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings under the ABSA Bank loan agreement is 16.9% in 2004, 2003 and 2002. When comparing 2004 to 2003, interest expense has decreased by 27.0% as the principal balance of the term loans and capitalized lease are repaid. When comparing 2003 and 2002 interest expense has decreased by 17.2%, as the principal balance of the term loans and capitalized leases are repaid.

General and administrative expenses in Century Casinos Africa include R7.8 million in fees paid to CRI for services provided in 2004, which are eliminated in the consolidated results.

The R1.0 million in Property write-down and other write offs, net of (recoveries) is the recovery of the receivables in connection with the sale of our interests in Gauteng, South Africa.

We recognized a foreign currency translation gain on the disposition of Verkrans, resulting from the difference between the exchange rate at the time of purchase in March 2002 and the exchange rate at the time of sale in December 2004. The reported results include a gain of $0.38 million in US dollars, but no corresponding gain in Rand.

The interest expense at Century Casinos Africa is generated by loan agreements with its Mauritian parent, CRL and is eliminated in the consolidated results.

Cruise Ships Segment

The Cruise ships’ segment operating results for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

Amounts shown in thousands
2004
2003
2002
% Change
2004 v. 2003
% Change
2003 v. 2002
Operating Revenue
               
Casino
$
2,615
$
1,677
$
786
55.9%
113.4%
Other (including promotional allowances)
 
154
 
60
 
38
156.7%
57.9%
Net operating revenue
 
2,769
 
1,737
 
824
59.4%
110.8%
                 
Costs and Expenses
               
Casino
 
1,836
 
1,172
 
537
56.7%
118.2%
General and administrative
 
-
 
3
 
1
-100.0%
200.0%
Depreciation
 
110
 
74
 
45
48.6%
64.4%
   
1,946
 
1,249
 
583
55.8%
114.2%
Earnings from operations
 
823
 
488
 
241
68.6%
102.5%
Other income, net
 
-
 
17
 
-
-100.0%
100.0%
Earnings before income taxes
 
823
 
505
 
241
63.0%
109.5%
Income tax expense
 
25
 
150
 
88
-83.3%
70.5%
Net Earnings
$
798
$
355
$
153
124.8%
132.0%

34

In 2004 we operated casinos on eight ships, four on Silversea, one on the World of ResidenSea and three on Oceania Cruises. In 2003 we operated seven casinos, four aboard Silversea, one on the World of ResidenSea and two on Oceania Cruises. During 2003 the Silversea’s Silver Wind ship returned to service in May after periodic maintenance operations. During the same year we opened casinos aboard the Oceania Insignia and Regatta. Following six months of routine maintenance operations, Silversea’s Silver Cloud and Oceania’s Insignia returned to operations in March 2004. In April 2004, we opened a casino aboard Oceania’s Nautica. The Nautica remained in service until November 2004, when it went into dry dock for routine maintenance.

In 2003 we operated casinos on a total of seven ships: four from Silversea, one on the World of ResidenSea and two on Oceania Cruises. In 2002, the Company operated casinos on four ships, three on Silversea and one on the World of ResidenSea. In May 2003, Silversea’s Silver Wind ship, which was taken out of service in October 2001 after the events of September 11, 2001, returned to operation. In April 2003, the Company opened a casino aboard Oceania’s Insignia and a casino aboard their Regatta ship in June 2003.

Concession fees paid to the ship operators in accordance with the agreements accounted for approximately $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.14 million of the total casino expenses incurred in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Casino expenses, excluding concession fees, dropped to 30.8% of casino revenue in 2004 compared to 34.8% in 2003, reflecting our ability to leverage cruise ship operations. In 2002, casino expenses, excluding concession fees, constituted 50.8% of casino revenues.

We anticipate we will repeatedly experience severe fluctuations in the revenue generated on each cruise depending on the number of passengers and the quality of the players. This is a condition that is beyond our control.

The cruise ship concession agreements were assigned to our Mauritian subsidiary as of October 1, 2003 and have since been subject to an effective tax rate of 3%.


35

 
Corporate & Other Segment

 
Amounts shown in thousands
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
% Change
2004 v. 2003
% Change 2003 v. 2002
Operating Revenue
               
Other
$
1,428
$
114
$
170
1,152.6%
-32.9%
Net operating revenue
 
1,428
 
114
 
170
1,152.6%
-32.9%
                 
Costs and Expenses
               
General and administrative
 
3,085
 
2,152
 
2,172
43.4%
-0.9%
Property write-down and other write offs net of
    (recoveries)
 
(6)
 
(35)
 
746
-82.9%
-104.7%
Depreciation
 
28
 
172
 
191
83.7%
-9.9%
   
3,107
 
2,289
 
3,109
35.7%
-26.4%
Income from unconsolidated subsidiary
 
55
 
-
 
-
100.0%
-
Loss from operations
 
(1,624)
 
(2,175)
 
(2,939)
-25.3%
-26.0%
Interest expense
 
1,258
 
1,422
 
1,171
-11.5%
21.4%
Other income, net
 
939
 
352
 
323
166.8%
9.0%
Non-operating items from unconsolidated subsidiary
 
(5)
 
-
 
-
-100.0%
-
Loss before income taxes
 
(1,948)
 
(3,245)
 
(3,787)
-40.0%
-14.3%
Income tax benefit
 
(1,541)
 
(1,273)
 
(2,119)
21.1%
-39.9%
Loss before minority interest 
 
(407)
 
(1,972)
 
(1,668)
-79.4%
-18.2%
Minority Interest
 
(98)
 
-
 
-
100.0%
-
Net Loss
$
(505)
$
(1,972)
$
(1,668)
-74.4%
-18.2%

Net operating revenue principally consisted of casino technical service fees earned from operating Casino Millennium in Prague, Czech Republic of $0.10 million $0.11 million and $0.15 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively and $1.3 million in fees earned by CRI for services provided to CCA in 2004, which are eliminated in the consolidated results. In August 2002, Prague experienced a devastating flood throughout the city. Although the Casino Millennium property was not damaged, public access to the city in the vicinity of the casino was severely limited for months following the disaster and negatively affected the casino operation. Effective September 1, 2002, casino technical service fees and interest due to us are not being accrued until a certainty of cash flow is attained for Casino Millennium.  These fees will be recognized when payment is certain.

Property write-down and other write-offs, net of (recoveries) in 2004 include $43 thousand in unpaid technical services fees recovered from Casino Millennium, which was written off in 2002, net of $37 thousand in cost related to the casino development in Central City. Property write-down and other write-offs, net of (recoveries) in 2003 include $35 thousand in unpaid casino technical service fees recovered from Casino Millennium, which was written off in 2002. Property write-down and other write-offs in 2002 includes a pre-tax charge in the amount of $0.45 million to reduce the value of a non-operating property held by the Company in Nevada to its fair value, less costs to sell, based on the current assessment of the property and a pre-tax charge of $0.30 million to write off unpaid casino technical service fees and loans related to its operations in Prague, Czech Republic. An additional $26 thousand in interest income on the unpaid casino technical service fees and loans was also written off, bringing the total pre-tax charge for the segment to $0.77 million.

36

Other income, net, is primarily derived from interest earned on a $5.7 million note between our wholly owned subsidiary, WMCK Venture Corp. and CCI and interest earned by CRL on loans with its South African subsidiary, CCA. The interest income is eliminated in consolidation.

Other Projects Under Development

CCI, along with its partner, 746306 Alberta, Ltd., plan to develop the Celebrations Casino and Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The project is expected to include a casino with 600 gaming machines, 31 gaming tables, food and beverage amenities, a dinner theater, a 300 space underground parking facility, approximately 600 surface parking spaces and a 40-room hotel. The project is expected to cost approximately $22.8 million ($27.5 million Canadian dollars). Completion of this project is subject to obtaining acceptable project financing. Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months from finalization of funding arrangements. Upon completion of construction Century Resorts Alberta, Inc. expects to receive its gaming license from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. On December 17, 2004 the AGLC granted approval to begin construction of the casino property. As is customary in Canada, the issuance of the license does not occur until completion of construction and after all federal and provincial legislation, regulation and policies, and municipal requirements, permits, licenses and/or authorizations have been met. We have also entered into a long-term agreement to manage the facility if a gaming license is awarded.

On October 18, 2004, we entered into an agreement with the owners of Landmark Gaming LC of Franklin County, Iowa, to jointly submit as co-applicant with the Franklin County Development Association (FCDA) an application to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to develop and operate a moored barge casino, hotel and entertainment facility in Franklin County, Iowa. The application was submitted on November 11, 2004.

If a license is granted, we will contribute $1.25 million in cash through Century Casinos Iowa, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, to Landmark Gaming LC, in exchange for a 40% ownership interest. The current owners of Landmark Gaming LC will contribute the land to be used for the project and certain land options in return for a 60% ownership interest. Century Casinos Management, Inc. has entered into a long term agreement to manage the casino once the project is operational in return for a share in gross revenues plus a share in EBITDA. Our cash contribution and the beginning of construction are subject to various conditions and approvals, including, but not limited to awarding of a license by the IRGC, securing acceptable financing and other due diligence. We will be notified on May 11, 2005 if a license is granted to us.

If a casino license is awarded to Landmark Gaming LC, the Landmark Hotel and Casino is projected to be open within 15 months of license award and finalization of funding arrangements. The proposal includes a casino with up to 1,200 slot machines, 34 tables, 120 hotel rooms, 1,500 parking spaces and will employ approximately 600 people. A study completed by independent casino and lodging industry consultants Gaming & Resort Development, Inc. estimates total development costs to be $67 million and projected first year net revenue of $72 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We generate substantial cash flows from operating activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. For 2004, we reported cash flows from operating activities of $8.5 million compared to $5.8 million in 2003 and $7.4 million in 2002. These cash flows reflect the impact on our consolidated operations of the success of our marketing programs and on-going cost containment focus.

37

We use the cash flows generated by the Company to fund reinvestment in existing properties for both refurbishment and expansion projects, and to pursue additional growth opportunities via new development opportunities. When necessary, we supplement the cash flows generated by our operations with funds provided by financing activities to balance our cash requirements.
 
      Cash and cash equivalents totaled $8.4 million plus restricted cash of $0.7 million at December 31, 2004. Net working capital totaled $1.9 million. Additional liquidity may be provided by our revolving credit facility (“RCF”) with Wells Fargo Bank, under which the Company had a total commitment of $26 million ($20.94 million net of the quarterly reduction) and unused borrowing capacity of approximately $5.3 million at December 31, 2004. The maturity date of the borrowing commitment is August 2007. In October 2004, an amendment to the RCF changed the aggregate commitment reduction schedule under the RCF. Effective with the amendment, there will be no quarterly reduction until July 1, 2005. The available balance will be reduced by $0.3 million for two quarters beginning July 1, 2005, by $0.6 million for two quarters beginning January 1, 2006, and finally by $0.72 million at the beginning of each quarter beginning July 1, 2006 until maturity in August 2007. The change in the scheduled reduction provides us with approximately $2.5 million additional availability over the next one and a half years. We have the flexibility to use the funds for various business projects and investments.
 
Cash used in investing activities of $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 consisted of: $3.5 million capital contribution by us for Century Casinos Tollgate, Inc., $0.44 million towards the upgrade of the slot accounting system, $1.9 million towards new slot games, $1.5 million in improvements to the property in Caledon, South Africa, $0.18 million in expenditures to outfit the cruise ships and $0.5 million in expenditures for other long-lived assets, less $0.21 million in proceeds from the disposition of assets and $0.75 million, 4.4 million Rand, in proceeds from the disposition of the common stock of Verkrans Ontwikkelings Maatskappy (Pty) Ltd.

Cash used in investing activities of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, consisted of: $0.68 million towards the expansion of the Womacks casino at the rear of the property that was completed in the second quarter of 2003, providing a larger, more player friendly gaming space and the ability to increase Womacks’ slot machine capacity; $0.39 million for new slot machines; $0.84 million for additional improvements to the property in Caledon, South Africa, including $61 thousand for additional capitalized building costs related to the original construction; $1.26 million towards the purchase of the remaining 35% interest in Century Casinos Caledon (Pty) Limited, $0.92 million of which was applied against the minority shareholder liability and $0.34 million of which increased the carrying value of the land in Caledon; $0.19 million towards outfitting the two new casinos aboard the luxury cruise ships operated by Oceania and to finish re-outfitting the Silver Wind; $0.49 million due to expenditures for other long-lived assets, less $0.31 million in proceeds from the disposition of assets.

Cash used in investing activities of $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, consisted of: $1.4 million towards the purchase and improvements of the Palace Hotel in Cripple Creek and property; $1.2 million towards the expansion of the Womacks casino at the rear of the property; $0.13 million towards the construction of a restaurant and grill on the first floor of the Womacks casino; $0.81 million on new gaming equipment; $0.48 million for additional improvements to the property in Caledon, South Africa; $0.46 million primarily for land purchased for proposed casino development in Johannesburg, South Africa and $0.28 million for expenditures of other long-lived assets, less $0.26 million in proceeds from the disposition of assets and $7 thousand from a decrease in restricted cash.
 
38


      Cash provided by financing activities of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 consisted of: net borrowings of $3.9 million under the RCF with Wells Fargo, primarily for the $3.5 million capital contribution to the Central City Colorado project, net repayments of $1.32 million under the loan agreement with ABSA, repayment of a $0.4 million note payable to a founding shareholder, and other net repayments of $0.2 million, less net borrowing of $90 thousand from a former director, which was subsequently repaid in 2004, additional deferred financing and licensing charges incurred by the Company with a cost of $0.11 million and $31 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Cash used in financing activities of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 consisted of: net borrowings of $0.26 million under the RCF with Wells Fargo plus $0.85 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and other net borrowings of $43 thousand, less net repayments of $1.25 million under the loan agreement with ABSA Bank, $1.26 million to acquire a loan to CCAL held by the minority shareholder, Caledon Overberg Investments (Proprietary) Limited (“COIL”); $0.13 million towards the repurchase of the Company’s common stock on the open market at cost; and $1.11 million towards the purchase of 489,264 shares of common stock from a former director, James Forbes, at a per share price of $2.26.
 
Cash used in financing activities of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 consisted of net repayments of $0.30 million under the RCF with Wells Fargo, plus net repayments of $0.61 million under the loan agreement with ABSA Bank, additional deferred financing charges incurred by the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino, with a cost of $23 thousand, additional deferred financing charges incurred by the Company to amend the RCF, with a cost of $92 thousand, the repurchase of the Company’s common stock on the open market with a cost of $0.39 million and other net repayments of $0.11 million, less $26 thousand in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
 
We maintain a revolving line of credit facility and one swap agreement, as more fully described in Note 5, “Long-Term Debt”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, with Wells Fargo to fund current operations and future investments. Currently, the $26 million credit facility matures in August 2007. At December 31, 2004, the maximum available under the credit facility was $20.94 million and the unused borrowing capacity was approximately $5.3 million. The Company’s weighted-average interest rate on the credit facility was 6.30% in 2004, 8.06% in 2003 and 9.15% in 2002. In an environment of falling interest rates, as we have seen throughout the majority of the last three years, swap agreements are disadvantageous. Without the swap agreements the weighted-average interest rate on the credit facility would have been 4.06% in 2004, 3.98% in 2003 and 4.68% in 2002. A portion of the proceeds of borrowings under the credit facility were used for the development of The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino and for initial development costs on the Central City, Colorado project. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the real and personal property of Womacks. Under the credit facility, we are required to comply with certain customary financial covenants, and are subject to certain capital expenditure and investment restrictions.

We also have an outstanding loan with ABSA Bank in South Africa as more fully described in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which provided a principal loan to fund the development of the Caledon project and a standby facility to provide working capital. Outstanding borrowings under the principal loan and standby facility bear interest at 17.05% and 15.1%, respectively. As of December 31, 2004 the entire amount has been advanced against the loan and the standby facility.
 
Our Board of Directors has approved a discretionary program to repurchase up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. During 2004, we did not repurchase any common stock on the open market. During 2003, we repurchased 59,100 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average cost of $2.24 and 489,264 shares from one of our former directors at a price of $2.26 per share. Beginning in 1998 and through 2003, we have repurchased 1,174,004 shares of our common stock at a total cost of approximately $2.3 million.

39

We believe that our cash at December 31, 2004, together with expected cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity under the Wells Fargo credit facility, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating costs, capital expenditures at existing properties and satisfy our current debt repayment obligations.

On April 8, 2005, CC Tollgate LLC entered into a loan agreement with Colorado Business Bank securing $5.0 million to finance the predevelopment construction costs associated with the development of a casino in Central City, Colorado. Under the terms of the agreement, the loan will mature on October 4, 2005 at which time the principal is due with interest calculated at prime plus 0.5%. At the inception of the loan,  prime is 5.75%. The note is secured by the existing property and improvements and by commercial guarantees provided by Century Casinos, Inc. and its partner Tollgate Venture LLC.

The primary source of our future operating cash flows will be from gaming operations. We will continue to rely on revolving lines of credit with commercial banks or other debt instruments to supplement our working capital and investing requirements. We anticipate that these sources of cash flows are sufficient to meet our near-term operating cash requirements. We will continue to evaluate our planned capital expenditures at each of our existing locations in light of the operating performance of the facilities at such locations. From time to time the Company expects to have cash needs for the development of new properties that exceed our current borrowing capacity and we may be required to seek additional financing in the debt or equity markets. We may be unable to obtain additional debt or equity financing on acceptable terms. As a result, limitations on our capital resources could delay or cause us to abandon certain plans for the development of new properties.
 
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following is a schedule of contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2004.

Contractual Obligations
Payments Due by Period
Amounts shown in thousands
Total
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
More than 5 years
 
Long-Term Debt
$
20,272
$
2,356
$
17,916
$
-
$
-
 
Capital Lease Obligations
 
278
 
203
 
60
 
15
 
-
 
Operating Leases
 
924
 
459
 
247
 
180
 
38
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
$
21,474
$
3,018
$
18,223
$
195
$
38
 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2003, FASB revised Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. FIN 46(R) addresses consolidation issues by business enterprises of variable interest entities in which 1) the equity interest at risk is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, 2) the equity investors lack one
 
40

or more essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest or 3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interest. The Company adopted FIN 46(R) on January 1, 2004. The Company has determined that CM (Note 3) is a variable interest entity as defined by FIN 46 (R). The Company has also determined that it is not the primary beneficiary as defined by FIN 46 (R) and has, therefore, accounted for the Company’s 50% interest in CM on the equity basis. A primary beneficiary is the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of its expected returns, or both as defined in FIN 46(R). Under the equity method of accounting, the Company has recognized the difference between the investment and the underlying cost of the equity as goodwill and reported its percentage of the earnings in CM as equity in income from unconsolidated subsidiary.
 
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (SFAS 123R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS 123R requires employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock participation plans to be accounted for under the fair value method, and eliminates the ability to account for these instruments under the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” which generally resulted in the recognition of no compensation cost. SFAS 123R requires the use of an option pricing model for estimating fair value, which is amortized to expense over the service periods. The requirements of SFAS 123R are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently assessing the valuation options allowed under SFAS 123R. We have not yet determined the impact of applying the various provisions of SFAS 123R, however, based on our current options outstanding, we believe the impact on earnings will be significant.
 
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 (SFAS 153), “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” This eliminates the exception in APB Opinion No. 29 for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard, but do not expect the adoption of SFAS 153 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Factors That May Affect Future Results

Substantially all of our revenue and operating income are derived from our Cripple Creek, Colorado and Caledon, South Africa casinos, and any factors that adversely impact one or both of these facilities may have a significant impact on our results of operations.
 
Over 96% of our net operating revenue and approximately 92% of earnings from operations, excluding operating income reported for CCA in the South African segment and that reported in the Corporate and Other segment, for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were derived from our casinos in Cripple Creek and Caledon. We expect that a substantial portion of our revenue and operating income for the immediate future will continue to be derived from our operations at these two facilities. If new competitors enter one of these markets, our effective rate of taxation is increased, economic conditions in one of these regions deteriorates or a business interruption to one of these facilities occurs, our operating revenues and cash flow could decline significantly, which may have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
 
We face significant competition, and if we are not able to compete successfully our results of operations will be harmed.

We face intense competition from other casinos in Cripple Creek, Colorado and in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Competitors in Cripple Creek include some casinos of similar size to ours and many other smaller casinos. In South Africa, we compete with a much larger casino in Cape Town, and to a lesser extent with two smaller casinos. Construction on a fourth smaller casino, located in Worcester, is expected to begin in November 2005 with an opening projected by the second quarter of 2006. We seek to compete in
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the Colorado market through promotion of our frequent players club called Womacks Gold Club and other marketing efforts, and in South Africa by emphasizing Caledon’s destination resort appeal, players’ club programs, and by superior service. Some or all of these efforts may not be successful, which could hurt our competitive position. In addition, the primary market served by our Cripple Creek facility is Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is 45 miles away, and Cripple Creek is generally not a destination resort. The number of casino and hotel operations in Cripple Creek may exceed market demand, which could make it difficult for us to sustain profitability.

The gaming industry is highly fragmented and characterized by a high degree of competition among a large number of participants, many of which have financial and other resources that are greater than our resources. Competitive gaming activities include casinos, video lottery terminals and other forms of legalized gaming in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. If additional gaming opportunities become available near our operating facilities, such gaming opportunities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are particularly vulnerable to competition at our Cripple Creek facility. If other gaming operations were to open closer to Colorado Springs, our operations in Cripple Creek could be substantially harmed, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.  In addition, established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion of existing gaming operations. New or expanded operations by other entities will increase competition for our gaming operations and could have a material adverse impact on us.

We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities, which involves considerable expense and could harm our business.

Licensing requirements: As owners and operators of gaming facilities, we are subject to extensive state, local, and in South Africa, provincial regulation. State, local and provincial authorities require us and our subsidiaries to demonstrate suitability to obtain and retain various licenses and require that we have registrations, permits and approvals to conduct gaming operations. Various regulatory authorities, including the Colorado Division of Gaming or the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, may for any reason set forth in applicable legislation, rules and regulations limit, condition, suspend or revoke a license or registration to conduct gaming operations or prevent us from owning the securities of any of our gaming subsidiaries. Like all gaming operators in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we must periodically apply to renew our gaming licenses or registrations and have the suitability of certain of our directors, officers and employees approved. We may not be able to obtain such renewals or approvals. Regulatory authorities may also levy substantial fines against us or seize our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries or the people involved in violating gaming laws or regulations. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
    
    Gaming authorities in the U.S. generally can require that any beneficial owner of our securities, including holders of our common stock file an application for a finding of suitability. If a gaming authority requires a record or beneficial owner of our securities, to file a suitability application, the owner must apply for a finding of suitability within 30 days or
 
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at an earlier time prescribed by the gaming authority. The gaming authority has the power to investigate an owner's suitability and the owner must pay all costs of the investigation. If the owner is found unsuitable, then the owner may be required by law to dispose of our securities. Our certificate of incorporation also provides us with the right to repurchase shares of our common stock from certain beneficial owners declared by gaming regulators to be unsuitable holders of our equity securities, and the price we pay to any such beneficial owner may be below the price such beneficial owner would otherwise accept for his or her shares of our common stock.

Potential changes in regulatory environment: From time to time, legislators and special interest groups have proposed legislation that would expand, restrict or prevent gaming operations or which may otherwise adversely impact our operations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any expansion of gaming or restriction on or prohibition of our gaming operations could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. For instance, in November 2003, a Colorado ballot issue was proposed that would have permitted the installation of at least 500 video lottery terminals or “VLTs” at each of the five racetracks throughout Colorado, two of which are located in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the dominant markets for Cripple Creek. If this ballot issue had passed, our casino operations in Cripple Creek might have suffered from reduced player visits and declining revenues. There can be no assurance that future attempts will not be made to pass similar ballot issues in Colorado or other markets in which we operate.

Taxation and fees: We believe that the prospect of significant revenue is one of the primary reasons jurisdictions permit legalized gaming. As a result, gaming companies are typically subject to significant taxes and fees in addition to normal federal, state, local and provincial income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. We pay substantial taxes and fees with respect to our operations. From time to time, federal, state, local and provincial legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. In addition, worsening economic conditions could intensify the efforts of state and local governments to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes. It is not possible to determine with certainty the likelihood of changes in tax laws or in the administration of such laws. Such changes, if adopted, could materially increase our tax expenses and impair our profitability.

We intend to develop and operate additional casino properties in the future, and if our development efforts are not successful our business may be harmed.

We have announced plans, jointly with another party, to develop and operate a casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, have joined with a partner to develop and operate a casino and hotel in Central City, Colorado, and have filed a gaming application along with a partner for a casino and hotel in Franklin County, Iowa. Each of these projects has pending applications for gaming licenses, and we would be required to obtain a gaming license for any additional facility we attempt to open. Each licensing process is unique and requires a significant amount of funds and management time. The licensing process in any particular jurisdiction can take significant time and expense through licensing fees, background investigation costs, fees of counsel and other associated preparation costs. In addition, political factors may make the licensing process more difficult in one or more jurisdictions. If any of our gaming license applications are denied, we may have to write off costs, which could be significant.

Even if we receive licenses to open and operate proposed new facilities, commencing operations at our proposed new casino projects will require substantial development to become operational. Development activities involve expenses and risks, including expenses involved in securing required licenses, permits or authorizations other than those required from gaming regulators, and the risk of potential cost over-runs, construction delays, and market deterioration. One or more of these risks may result in one or more of our currently proposed properties not being successful. If we are not able to successfully commence operations at these properties, our results of operations could be harmed.

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We may face disruption in integrating and managing facilities we open or acquire in the future, which could adversely impact our operations.

We continually evaluate opportunities to open new properties, some of which are potentially significant in relation to our size. For instance, completion of our planned casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada will require capital investments of up to $22.8 million. For the development in Central City, Colorado, we expect the capital investments to amount to approximately $40 million, and we estimate the proposed capital investment in Franklin County, Iowa will be approximately $67 million. We expect to continue pursuing expansion opportunities, and we could face significant challenges in managing and integrating expanded or combined operations resulting from our expansion activities. The integration of any new properties we open or acquire in the future will require the dedication of management resources that may temporarily divert attention from the day-to-day business of our existing operations, which may interrupt the activities of those operations and could result in deteriorating performance from those operations. Management of new properties, especially in new geographic areas, may require that we increase our managerial staff, which would increase our expenses.

Difficulties in managing our worldwide operations may have an adverse impact on our business.

We derive our revenue from operations located on three continents and on cruise ships operating around the world. Our management is located in the United States, South Africa and Continental Europe (Czech Republic and Austria). As a result of long distances, different time zones, culture, management and language differences, our worldwide operations pose risks to our business. These factors make it more challenging to manage and administer a globally-dispersed business, and increase the resources we must devote to operating under several different regulatory and legislative regimes. In addition, our results are affected by changes in the value of certain currencies, particularly the value of the South African Rand against the U.S. dollar. We do not hedge our exposure to the Rand, and a declining Rand may adversely affect the revenues we report from our South African operations. Moreover, economic or political instability in one or more of our markets could adversely affect our operations in those markets.

A downturn in general economic conditions may adversely effect our results of operations.

Our business operations are subject to changes in international, national and local economic conditions, including changes in the economy related to future security alerts in connection with threatened or actual terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, and related to the war with Iraq, which may affect our customers' willingness to travel. A recession or downturn in the general economy, or in a region constituting a significant source of customers for our properties, could result in fewer customers visiting our properties, which would adversely effect our results of operations.

The Cripple Creek, Colorado and Caledon South, Africa markets, which are important to our business, are subject to seasonal fluctuations.

Because Cripple Creek, Colorado is a mountain tourist town, its gaming market is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Typically, gaming revenues are greater in the summer tourist season and are lower from October through April. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the revenue attributable to our Cripple Creek, Colorado operations fluctuated from a high of $5.75 million in the third quarter to a low of $4.1 million in the fourth quarter.

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The gaming market in Caledon, South Africa is also subject to seasonal fluctuations. Typically, gaming revenues are greater in their summer holiday season and are lower from February through November. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the revenue attributable to our Caledon, South Africa operations fluctuated from a high of $4.4 million in the fourth quarter to a low of $3.3 million in the first quarter.

If we are not able to offset seasonal declines in our Cripple Creek, Colorado and Caledon, South Africa operations with additional revenue from other sources, our quarterly results may vary considerably from period to period, which could cause the price of our common stock to be volatile.

Inclement weather and other conditions could seriously disrupt our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The operations of our facilities are subject to disruptions or reduced patronage as a result of severe weather conditions. For instance, in August 2002, Prague experienced a devastating flood throughout the city. Public access to the city in the vicinity of the Casino Millennium, which we operate, was severely limited for months following the disaster and negatively affected casino operations. High winds and blizzards limit access to our property in Cripple Creek from time to time, and hurricanes or other severe storms may impact the operations of our cruise ship casino facilities. In the event weather conditions limit access to our casino properties or otherwise adversely impact our ability to operate our casinos at full capacity, our revenues will suffer, which would harm our operating results.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could adversely affect our business.

Our facility in Caledon, South Africa represents a significant portion of our business, and the revenue generated and expenses incurred by the Caledon facility are generally denominated in South African Rand. A decrease in the value of the Rand in relation to the value of the U.S. dollar would decrease the revenue and operating profit from our South African operations when translated into U.S. dollars, which would adversely affect our consolidated results and could cause the price of our common stock to decrease. In addition, we expect to expand our operations into other countries and, accordingly, we will face similar exchange rate risk with respect to the costs of doing business in such countries as a result of any increases in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the currencies of such countries. We do not currently hedge our exposure to fluctuations in the Rand, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully hedge any future foreign currency exposure.

The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are highly dependent on the services of Erwin Haitzmann, our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hoetzinger, our Vice Chairman, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and other members of our senior management team. Our ability to retain key personnel is affected by the competitiveness of our compensation packages and the other terms and conditions of employment, our continued ability to compete effectively against other gaming companies and our growth prospects. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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The availability and cost of financing could have an adverse effect on our business.

We intend to finance our current and future expansion and renovation projects primarily with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our bank credit facility and equity
or debt financings. If we are unable to finance our current or future expansion projects, we will have to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying planned expansion,
development and renovation projects as well as capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt, or obtaining additional equity financing or joint venture partners, or modifying our bank credit facility. These sources of funds may not be sufficient to finance our expansion, and other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a timely manner or at all. In addition, our existing indebtedness contains certain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we could be forced to limit or suspend expansion, development and renovation projects, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our indebtedness imposes restrictive covenants on us, which limits our operating flexibility.
 
      Our revolving credit facility requires us, among other obligations, to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial tests, primarily through our Colorado operating subsidiary, including maximum leverage ratios and total fixed cost coverages. In addition, our revolving credit facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, repay indebtedness or amend debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on assets, make investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, make capital expenditures or engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates. If we fail to comply with the restrictions contained in our revolving credit facility, the resulting event of default could result in our lender accelerating the indebtedness under the credit facility. These restrictions limit our operating flexibility and may cause us not to engage in transactions that we would otherwise consider to be advantageous to our stockholders.

Our stock price has been volatile and may decline significantly and unexpectedly.

Our common stock trades in the United States on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, which is characterized by small issuers and a lack of significant trading volumes. These factors may result in volatility in the price of our common stock. The trading price of our stock varied from a low of $2.76 to a high of $9.77 during 2004.
 
Our casino management agreements may be terminated under certain circumstances, and certain of those agreements expire during 2005.

We conduct our cruise ship business segment and our operations at the Casino Millennium in Prague pursuant to technical casino services or similar concessionaire agreements. These contracts generally provide for cancellation with a limited notice period. In addition, several of our cruise ship agreements are expiring in 2005. Accordingly, we could lose the revenue stream associated with these contracts on short notice, which may adversely affect our operating results.

Energy and fuel price increases may adversely affect our costs of operations and our revenues.

Our casino properties use significant amounts of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy. While we have not experienced any shortages of energy that have hampered our operations, the recent substantial increases in the cost of electricity in the U.S. may negatively affect our results of operations. The extent of the impact is subject to the magnitude and duration of the energy and fuel price increases. Dramatic increases in fuel prices may also adversely affect customer visits to our casino properties.


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We may be required in the future to record impairment losses related to the goodwill we currently carry on our balance sheet.

We had $8.8 million of goodwill as of December 31, 2004 and $8.1 million of goodwill as of December 31, 2003. Accounting rules require that we make certain critical estimates and assumptions related to our determinations as to the future recoverability of the goodwill we report on our balance sheet. If we were to determine that the value of the goodwill carried on our balance sheet is impaired, we may be required to record an impairment charge to write down the value of our goodwill, which would adversely effect our results during the period in which we recorded the impairment charge.

Certain anti-takeover measures we have adopted may limit our ability to consummate transactions that some of our stockholders might otherwise be in favor of.

We have a fair price business combination provision in our certificate of incorporation, which requires approval by holders of 80% of our outstanding shares of voting stock of certain business combinations and other transactions. We also have adopted a stockholder rights plan that allows certain of our stockholders to purchase significant amounts of our common stock at a discount in the event any third party acquires a significant ownership interest in us or attempts to acquire us. In addition, our certificate of incorporation allows our Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval. These provisions generally have the effect of requiring that any party seeking to acquire us negotiate with our Board of Directors in order to structure a business combination with us. This may have the effect of depressing the price of our common stock due to the possibility that certain transactions that our stockholders might favor could be precluded by these provisions.

Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation may require one or more stockholders to sell their stock to us, even if the stockholder would not otherwise want to divest itself of our common stock.

Gaming regulations in various jurisdictions in which we operate impose certain restrictions on the equity ownership of licensed casino operators. In order to facilitate compliance with these regulations and to preserve our ability to be awarded additional gaming licenses in the future, our certificate of incorporation includes a provision which allows our Board of Directors to redeem shares of stock held by one or more stockholders to the extent necessary to keep us in compliance with existing gaming regulations or to allow us to secure additional gaming licenses. As a result, a stockholder could be required to sell our stock at a time when such stockholder may consider our stock to be undervalued or may otherwise not want to sell our stock.

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ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

We are exposed to market risk principally related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. To mitigate some of these risks, we utilize derivative financial instruments to hedge these exposures. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. All of the potential changes noted below are based on information available at December 31, 2004. Actual results may differ materially.

Interest Rate Sensitivity 

We are subject to interest rate risk on the outstanding borrowing under the credit facility with Wells Fargo. Interest on the credit facility is variable based on the interest rate option selected by us, whereby the interest on the outstanding debt is subject to fluctuations in the prime interest rate as set by Wells Fargo, or LIBOR.

In order to minimize the risk of increases in the prime rate or LIBOR, we entered into two interest-rate swap agreements on a total of $11.5 million notional amount of debt. In 1998, we entered into a five-year interest rate swap agreement which matured on October 1, 2003 on $7.5 million notional amount of debt under the credit facility, whereby we paid a LIBOR-based fixed rate of 5.55% and received a LIBOR-based floating rate reset quarterly based on a three-month rate. In May 2000, we entered into a second five-year interest rate swap agreement which matures on July 1, 2005 on $4.0 million notional amount of debt under the credit facility, whereby we pay a LIBOR-based fixed rate of 7.95% and receive a LIBOR-based floating rate reset quarterly based on a three-month rate. Generally, the swap arrangement is advantageous to us to the extent that interest rates increase in the future and disadvantageous to the extent that they decrease. Therefore, by entering into the interest rate swap agreements, we have a cash flow risk when interest rates drop. For example, for each hypothetical 100 basis points decrease in the three month LIBOR rate below the fixed rate paid by us less the applicable margin, results in an increased use of $0.12 million in cash on an annual basis. With the expiration of the swap agreement on the $7.5 million notional amount of debt on October 1, 2003, the same hypothetical 100 basis point increase results in an increased use of $40 thousand in cash on an annual basis. In an environment of falling interest rates, as we have seen in the majority of the last three years, the swap agreements are disadvantageous. Without the swap agreements the weighted-average interest rate on the credit facility would have been 4.06% in 2004, 3.98% in 2003, and 4.68% in 2002. We have not entered into any new swap agreements subsequent to December 31, 2004.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk 

The majority of our revenue, expense, and capital purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, since a portion of our operations are conducted outside of the U.S., we enter into transactions in other currencies, primarily the South African Rand.

Fluctuations in the Rand affect the value of our investment in the Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino. A hypothetical devaluation of 10% in the dollar vs. the Rand based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2004 would reduce the value of our investment by approximately $1.2 million.

Foreign currency fluctuations also have an impact on reported earnings, primarily those of our South African subsidiaries. We have reported our significant foreign currency activity, primarily South Africa, in both Rand and in U.S. dollars, in our discussion and analysis of the South African segment.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     See “Index to Financial Statements” on page 2 hereof.
 
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures - Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(2) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1937, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable SEC rules and forms and were effective, with the exception of the material weakness relating to internal control over the recording of fixed assets in our South African operating subsidiary as discussed hereafter.
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  However, in conjunction with the 2004 audit, our independent registered public accounting firm, notified us that they had identified matters involving internal control over financial reporting and its operation that they consider to be a material weakness. These matters relate to the controls over the recording of fixed assets in our South African operating subsidiary. The failure to detect the weakness can be attributed to a lack of substantive policy on capitalization of fixed assets and a deficiency in our internal review process as it relates to the South African operation.

We are in the process of developing a complete plan to remediate the identified material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. We immediately instituted a series of policies to improve the control over the capital asset activity in South Africa and have begun a complete physical inventory of the same.

Risks Regarding Controls and Procedures - In addition to remedying the identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting discussed above, we are beginning the process of documenting and testing our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which we expect to be applicable to us for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. We are exposed to increased costs and risks associated with complying with these requirements, and we will need to spend management time and internal and external resources to document and test our internal controls in anticipation of Section 404 reporting requirements.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officers, Senior Vice-President and Chief Accounting Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent all possible error or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
 



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PART III
 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
 
    Information regarding the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Company, as of April 22, 2005 is as follows:

     
Officer or
Name
Age
Positions Held
Director Since
       
Erwin Haitzmann
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Chairman of the Board &
March 1994
   
Co-Chief Executive Officer
 
       
Peter Hoetzinger
42
Vice Chairman of the Board
March 1994
   
Co-Chief Executive Officer
 
     & President
       
Robert S. Eichberg
58
Director
January 1997
 
     
Gottfried Schellmann
51
Director
January 1997
       
Dinah Corbaci
50
Director
April 2000
       
Larry Hannappel
52
Senior Vice-President
October 1999
   
Secretary & Treasurer
 
       
Rich Rabin
58
Chief Operating Officer for
August 2004
   
North America
 
       
Ray Sienko
47
Chief Accounting Officer
March 2005
       
       

    Erwin Haitzmann holds a Doctorate and a Masters degree in Social and Economic Sciences from the University of Linz, Austria (1980), and has 30 years of casino gaming experience ranging from dealer (commencing in 1975) through various casino management positions. Mr. Haitzmann has been employed full-time by the Company since May 1993.
 
    Peter Hoetzinger received a Masters degree from the University of Linz, Austria, in 1986. He thereafter was employed in several managerial positions in the gaming industry with Austrian casino companies. Mr. Hoetzinger has been employed full-time by the Company since May 1993.
 
    Robert S. Eichberg graduated from Bradley University in 1968 with a B.S. Degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. He was employed by the public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP from 1974 to 1994, ending his tenure there as Tax Partner. From 1994 to 1996 he served as Tax Partner for the public accounting firm Price Bednar LLP, before joining the public accounting firm of Causey, Demgen & Moore, Inc. in September of 1996, where he has been employed since, as shareholder and President.
 
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    Gottfried Schellmann graduated from University of Vienna with a law degree and is a certified tax advisor in Austria. After having worked for several firms, including KPMG Germany as tax and accounting manager, he formed Schellmann & Partner in 1993, where he has been employed since, which specializes in tax and accounting work for provinces and municipalities in Austria. He is a member of the International Bar Association. He is also one of the main co-authors, together with certain officers of the Austrian Ministry of Finance, of the Austrian corporate tax code.
 
    Dinah Corbaci holds a Doctorate degree in Law from the University of Salzburg, Austria (1981). One year practice on the Austrian Court in Salzburg was followed by working for the Austrian Association of Realtors in Vienna. In 1984 she joined IBM Austria, where she is responsible as Account Manager for large government customers, with special focus on e-business for large IBM mainframe hardware and e-government solutions. During the last five years of her 21 years of employment at IBM, she has served as eServer Manager where she is responsible for all Austrian governmental customers concerning their strategic hardware development compliance for governmental and legal requirements.
 
    Larry Hannappel graduated from National College, Rapid City, South Dakota (1976) with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. From 1976 to 1979, he was employed by the public accounting firm of Hamma & Nelson. From 1979 to 1994, he served in various financial management capacities in manufacturing and gaming. Mr. Hannappel has been employed full-time by the Company since May, 1994. He became Chief Accounting Officer in October 1999, was appointed as Secretary of the Company in March, 2000 and appointed as Treasurer in June 2001. In March 2005, he was appointed the Senior Vice President.
 
    Rich Rabin earned undergraduate degrees from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois in Accounting and Finance. He earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin specializing in Finance. From 1973 until 1999, he was employed in various positions within the hospitality industry. Additionally, he was employed from 1995 to 1999 as the Senior Vice President of Operations, President, and Chief Operating Officer for the Colorado Gaming and Entertainment Company. In 2000, he was employed as a Vice President, Casino Operations for the International Thunderbird Gaming Corp. From 2000 to 2001, he was a consultant for Peak Management. From 2001 to 2002, he was employed as the Senior Vice President, Casino Operations for PDS Gaming. During 2002 to 2004, he was employed as the Director for The Innovation Group in Las Vegas. He has been employed full-time by the Company since August 2004 as the Chief Operating Officer for North America.
 
    Ray Sienko graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1979) with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. From 1979 to 1981 he was employed by the public accounting firm of Samuel M. Fischer & Co., CPAs. He successfully passed the CPA exam in November 1979. From 1981 to 1985 he was employed by Amerigas, Inc. From 1985 to 2000, he was employed as the Controller for Bayard Sales Corp. Mr.Sienko has been employed full time by the Company since June 2000 as Controller. He was appointed Chief Accounting Officer in March 2005.
 
    There are no family relationships between or among the Company’s executive officers and directors.
 
     We have an Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised of Robert S. Eichberg (Chairman), Gottfried Schellmann and Dinah Corbaci. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Eichberg is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees, including our Co Chief Executive Officers, our President, our Senior Vice President and our Principal Accounting Officer. A complete text of this Code of Ethics is available in Exhibit 14 filed with the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

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COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of its outstanding common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

To the Company’s knowledge (based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004), all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders were complied with in a timely manner
 
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
 
    The table below sets forth executive compensation during 2004, 2003 and 2002 to the Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Erwin Haitzmann, and to all other executive officers who received greater than $100,000 in compensation in 2004, 2003 or 2002.
 

         
Awards
Payouts
 
Name & Principal
Position
Year
Salary (a)
($)
Bonus (b)
($)
Other Annual Comp-ensation
($)
Restricted Stock Awards
($)
Securities Underlying Options/
SARs
(#)
LTIP
Payouts
($)
All Other Comp-ensation
($) (c)
Erwin Haitzmann
2004
199,703
341,690
   
628,105
 
 
Chairman of the Board
2003
180,737
262,390
       
 
and Co-Chief Executive Officer
2002
178,605
247,763
       
 
               
 
Peter Hoetzinger
2004
199,703
341,690
   
628,105
 
 
Vice-Chairman of the Board,
2003
191,357
251,800
       
 
Co-Chief Executive Officer
2002
183,432
243,002
       
 
and President
               
               
 
Larry Hannappel
2004
80,507
80,000
 
 
27,500
 
1,200
Senior Vice-President
2003
80,507
60,000
 
     
1,200
Secretary & Treasurer
2002
80,507
60,000
 
     
1,200

(a) Salary for 2004 includes $120,000 paid to Flyfish Casino Consulting AG for the benefit of Mr. Haitzmann’s Family Foundation and $120,000 paid to Focus Casino Consulting AG for the benefit of Mr. Hoetzinger’s Family Foundation, pursuant to separate management agreements with the Company, entered into on March 1, 2001 and amended October 11, 2001, October 12, 2002, March 29, 2004 and February 14, 2005. See “Executive Employment Agreements.”
 
(b) Mr. Haitzmann’s bonus for 2004 was paid to Flyfish Casino Consulting AG for the benefit of Mr. Haitzmann’s Family Foundation. Mr. Hoetzinger’s bonus for 2004 was paid to Focus Casino Consulting AG for the benefit of Mr. Hoetzinger’s Family Foundation.
 
(c) Consists solely of matching contributions made by the Company to the 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan.
 
 
52

STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

On March 4, 2004, 1,283,710 options were granted by the independent members of the Company’s Incentive Plan Committee to the Company’s executive officers with an exercise price of $2.93. On January 18, 2004 each outside director was granted an option to purchase 20,000 common shares of the Company’s stock at a price of $3.26.

AGGREGATED OPTIONS EXERCISED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

The following table sets forth the aggregate options held by certain executive officers of the Company. No options were exercised by the specified officers in 2004.

Name
 
 
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
 
 
Value Realized
 
 
Number of Securities Underlying Options at December 31, 2004 Exercisable/ Unexercisable
 
 
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at December 31, 2004 Exercisable/ Unexercisable
 
Erwin Haitzmann,
Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
-
-
1,300,000 / 628,105 (a)
$10,181,500 / 3,894,251 (c)
Peter Hoetzinger, Vice Chairman of the Board,
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President
-
-
793,000 / 628,105 (b)
$6,238,090 / 3,894,251 (c)
Larry Hannappel,
Senior Vice-President, Secretary & Treasurer
 
-
37,500 / 27,500
$289,875 / 170,500 (c)

(a) All options are held by The Haitzmann Family Foundation. (See Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.)

(b) All options are held by The Hoetzinger Family Foundation. (See Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.)

(c) Based on the closing bid price ($9.13) of the Company’s Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 31, 2004.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Directors who are full-time employees receive no compensation for their services as directors. With the exception of Messrs. Eichberg and Schellmann and Dr. Corbaci, all of the Company’s directors are employees.

Messrs. Eichberg and Schellmann and Dr. Corbaci, the outside directors of the Company, are being compensated for their services as follows:
 
(a) Stock Option Grants - In January 2004, Messrs. Eichberg and Schellmann and Dr. Corbaci each were granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company’s stock, which have a four-year term and are exercisable at a price of $3.26.
 
(b) Compensation, Reimbursement - Each outside director receives $1,000 per board or committee meeting (and per gaming application completed). In addition, effective January 1, 2005, Mr. Eichberg shall receive fixed compensation of $10,000 per year, to cover his increased work as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Ms. Corbaci and Mr. Schellmann shall each receive fixed compensation of $3,000 per year, for their increased work as members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Incentive Plan Committee.
   
(c) Amounts paid in 2004:

Mr. Eichberg
$7,000
Ms. Corbaci
$9,000
Mr. Schellmann
$8,000

 
53

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

    On October 12, 2001, the Company entered into separate Employment Agreements with Mr. Haitzmann and Mr. Hoetzinger. The agreements were amended February 18, 2003 to extend the dates of employment to December 31, 2008 and to specify the duties of Messrs. Haitzmann and Hoetzinger. Additionally, the agreements were amended February 3, 2005 to reassign the employment agreements to a wholly owned foreign subsidiary of the Company and to include changes to the employees’ salary and termination clauses. As compensation for the services rendered by the employees for the Company, the employees shall be paid not less than € 70,000 (Euro seventy thousand) (approximately $91,441 U.S. dollars) in base salary, plus annual increases and bonuses, and such other incentives, benefits, insurance policies and compensation as may have been and may be awarded to them from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee is required to review the salaries on an annual basis. The Company shall continue to either provide the employees with, or shall reimburse them for, all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as executives for the Company, in substantially at least the same form and fashion as it has done during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the agreements. The employees are also each entitled to use of a car provided to them and paid for by the Company for business and private purposes The agreements provide that in the event of termination “without cause” by the Company, that they shall be paid their base salary then in effect (including bonuses, if any) for a period of three (3) years from the date on which the employee receives written notice of termination regardless of whether the term of the employee agreement ends prior to such time. They must continue to make themselves available to, and shall cooperate with the Company, as may be reasonably required to assist the Company during a six-month transition period following termination of the agreement without cause.
 
    In addition to the employment agreements, as amended, that the Company has with Mr. Haitzmann and Mr. Hoetzinger, the Company is party to separate management agreements with Flyfish Casino Consulting AG, a Swiss corporation, to secure the services of Mr. Haitzmann, and with Focus Casino Consulting AG, a Swiss corporation, to secure the services of Mr. Hoetzinger, to provide executive casino management services to the Company through December 31, 2005, and for five (5) year renewable periods thereafter, unless sooner terminated by them or by the Company. The management agreements provide for an annual base management fee of $120,000 each for Mr. Haitzmann and Mr. Hoetzinger, plus such annual increases and bonuses, and such other incentives, benefits and compensation as may be awarded to them, respectively, by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Payments to each of these management companies are included in the Executive Compensation Table. Each of the management fees will be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee. The management agreements further provide for termination payments to be made for a period of six (6) months if the management agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, or for a payment of three times the management company’s annual fee and average bonus if the termination occurs (a) after a Change of Control of the Company, or (b) by the management company, for cause.

    The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Larry Hannappel effective January 1, 2005, pursuant to which the Company will pay to Mr. Hannappel a yearly salary of $120,000. Mr. Hannappel shall be eligible to receive a yearly bonus of up to $56,000, based upon satisfactorily reaching various budget, financial and other criteria that are established for each calendar year plus benefits as defined until terminated. The bonus amount can be reviewed by the Company annually, and the Compensation Committee is required to review Mr. Hannappel’s salary on an annual basis. The Company shall continue to either provide Mr. Hannappel with, or shall reimburse the employee for, all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties as an executive for the Company. The Company may terminate Mr. Hannappel’s employment at any time, without cause. If the Company terminates his employment without cause, he will receive all earned base salary through the last day of his employment, plus a severance amount equal to six months of his base salary and a payment equal to 50% of the bonus received for the year preceding his termination and his medical/hospitalization insurance will be continued for a period of six months. A noncompete and nonsolicitation period will end six months after the last day of employment. If Mr. Hannappel is terminated for cause, he will receive his base salary only through the last day of his employment. The noncompete and nonsolicitation period will end on the first anniversary of the last day of his employment. If he is terminated within three years from a Change of Control, the Company will pay him a severance amount equal to twelve months of his base salary, he will receive a payment equal to the bonus received for the year preceding his termination, and all stock options granted to him under the company’s Equity Incentive Plan will vest immediately.
 
    The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Richard S. Rabin on July 19, 2004, pursuant to which the Company will pay to Mr. Rabin a yearly salary of $150,000. In the event the Company’s proposed Edmonton property becomes operational, Mr. Rabin’s salary shall be increased by the amount of $7,500 per year. Also, in the event the proposed Central City property becomes operational, Mr. Rabin’s annual salary shall be increased by $7,500 per year. Mr. Rabin shall also be eligible to receive a bonus, based upon satisfactorily reaching various budget and financial criteria that are established for each calendar year. For 2005, any bonus shall be based on the performance of Womacks and on the on-time and on-budget delivery of the proposed properties in Edmonton and Central City. For subsequent years, the employee’s bonus shall be based on such criteria as the employer establishes. The Company also agreed to pay Mr. Rabin’s moving expenses, up to a maximum of $27,500. The Company will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by Mr. Rabin on behalf of the Company in connection with Mr. Rabin’s performance of duties under the agreement. Within thirty (30) days after a new Equity Incentive Plan has been approved by the Company’s shareholders, Mr. Rabin shall be granted 25,000 options, and 10% of this number shall vest at the time of such grant, with 20% of this number vesting one year later, 30% one year after that and 40% in the year subsequent to that, subject to the approval of the relevant Committees of the Company’s Board of Directors. In the event that there is not a new Employee Equity Incentive Plan in 2005, Mr. Rabin shall be entitled to receive a cash payment calculated as the in-the-money-value that the 25,000 options, when vested, would have had if they had been granted. Further, Mr. Rabin shall receive another 25,000 options on the date of the first contract extension, provided that the contract will have been extended by both parties. The strike price and vesting of these options will be in accordance with the Equity Incentive Plan and subject to the Incentive Plan Committee’s discretion. The term of the agreement is two years unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. Furthermore, the agreement may be extended for periods of six (6) months. The Company may terminate Mr. Rabin’s employment at any time, without cause. If the Company terminates his employment without cause, he will continue to receive his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement unless he secures other employment, he will receive a payment equal to 50% of the bonus received for the year preceding his termination, and his medical/hospitalization insurance will be continued for the remaining term of the agreement. A noncompete and nonsolicitation period will end six months after the last day of employment. If Mr. Rabin is terminated for cause, he will receive his base salary only through the last day of his employment, and the noncompete and nonsolicitation period will end on the first anniversary of the last day of his employment.
 
54

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information as of April 22, 2005, concerning common stock ownership by beneficial owners of five percent or more of the Company’s common stock and the officers and directors of the Company. All of the named persons below, other than Thomas Graf, William Blair & Company, L.L.C. and Lloyd I. Miller, III, are officers or directors of the Company.

Title of Class
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Erwin Haitzmann
c/o Century Casinos, Inc.
1263 A Lake Plaza Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
1,472,811 (a)
9.7%
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Peter Hoetzinger
c/o Century Casinos, Inc.
1263 A Lake Plaza Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
987,161 (b)
6.7%
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Robert S. Eichberg
1801 California St. Ste. 4650
Denver, CO 80202
62,000 (c)
(j)
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Gottfried Schellmann
Bahnhofplatz 1A
2340 Moedling,
Austria/Europe
77,200 (c)
(j)
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Dinah Corbaci
Blechturmgasse 28/31
1040 Vienna
Austria/ Europe
32,000 (d)
(j)
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Larry Hannappel
c/o Century Casinos, Inc.
1263 A Lake Plaza Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
50,250 (e)
(j)
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Ray Sienko
c/o Century Casinos, Inc.
1263 A Lake Plaza Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
10,500 (f)
(j)
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
All Officers and Directors as a Group (seven persons)
2,691,922
16.8%
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Thomas Graf
Liechtensteinstrasse 54
A-2344 Maria Enzersdorf
Austria/Europe
2,144,300 (g)
15.6%
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
222 W. Adams
Chicago, IL 60606
1,010,062 (h)
7.3%
Common Stock,
$.01 par value
Lloyd I. Miller, III
4550 Gordon Drive
Naples, FL 34102
1,351,160 (i)
9.8%

 
55

(a) Includes: non-statutory stock options for 950,000 shares exercisable at $1.50 per share, 350,000 shares exercisable at $0.75 per share, and 62,811 shares exercisable at $2.93 per share, indirectly owned and held by The Haitzmann Family Foundation.

In March 2004, in accordance with the Employee Equity Incentive Plan, non-statutory stock options to purchase 628,105 shares of common stock of the company at the price of $2.93 per share were granted to Mr. Haitzmann, which subsequently were transferred from Mr. Haitzmann’s ownership to The Haitzmann Family Foundation. 62,811 of these options are vested and included above.

(b) Includes: non-statutory stock options for 543,000 shares exercisable at $1.50 per share, 250,000 shares exercisable at $0.75 per share, and 62,811   shares exercisable at $2.93 per share, indirectly owned and held by The Hoetzinger Family Foundation.

In March 2004, in accordance with the Employee Equity Incentive Plan, non-statutory stock options to purchase 628,105 shares of common stock of the company at the price of $2.93 per share were granted to Mr. Hoetzinger, which subsequently were transferred from Mr. Hoetzinger’s ownership to The Hoetzinger Family Foundation. 62,811 of these options are vested and included above.

(c) Includes: an option for 10,000 shares exercisable at $2.12 per share; and an option for 2,000 exercisable at $3.26.

(d) Includes: an option for 2