GREAT EARNINGS! ESTIMATES BEAT! TTM = $.67  Wednesday October 20, 3:02 pm Eastern Time  Company Press Release  SOURCE: Boyd Gaming Corporation  Boyd Gaming Reports 70% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings Per Share; Strong Quarter Boosts Year-To-Date Earnings Gains to 42%  LAS VEGAS, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD - news) today announced that in the third quarter ended September 30, 1999, the Company earned $.17 per share, a 70% increase over the $.10 per share reported in the third quarter last year. Per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis. The $.17 per share represents the Company's second highest quarterly earnings in 3-1/2 years, exceeded only by the $.18 reported in the first quarter 1999. The increased earnings were driven by strong year-over-year gains in four areas: a 60% increase in Downtown Las Vegas operating cash flow; a 43% increase in Par-A-Dice operating cash flow; a 38% increase in the Silver Star management fee; and a 10.3% decline in interest expense as a result of the Company's strategy to reduce indebtedness. 
  The Company continued to reduce its debt in the third quarter. The $18 million reduction in the quarter brings to $129 million the amount of debt the Company has retired in the last seven quarters. This year's debt reduction through September 30 has been $61 millon, which amounts to an average of $1.6 million per week for the first 39 weeks of the year. At quarter's end, the Company's debt to trailing 12-month EBITDA stood at 3.4 times. 
  The Company reported operating cash flow from property operations (as defined by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA) in the quarter of $56.9 million, a 14.2% increase over the $49.9 million reported in the third quarter last year. The strong results in Downtown Las Vegas, Par-A-Dice, and Silver Star, which produced combined year-over-year operating cash flow gains of $11.0 million, were partially offset by the effects of construction disruption at the Stardust and Sam's Town Las Vegas. 
  Revenues for the quarter were $240 million, up 2.1% from the $235 million reported in the third quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was $10.3 million, up 74% from the $5.9 million reported in the comparable quarter in 1998. 
  For the first nine months of 1999, earnings per share before preopening expenses were $.51, an increase of 42% over the $.36, before a restructuring charge, reported in the same period last year. Operating cash flow from the Company's properties was $176 million in the nine months, up 7.2% from the first nine months of 1998. Revenues for the nine month period were $725 million, down from $730 million reported last year which included 6-1/2 months of operations of Sam's Town Kansas City. 
  Commenting on the quarterly results, William S. Boyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming said, ``I am most gratified with the earnings increases that our Company has achieved this year -- a 70% increase over last year in earnings per share in the most recent quarter and a 42% increase for the first nine months of the year. I am very pleased with the combined achievements of strong growth in property cash flows and our continued debt and interest expense reduction. We believe we are positioned well for the fourth quarter with the pending acquisition of Blue Chip Casino and the resumption of more normal business levels at the Stardust as its renovation program winds down.' 
  Quarterly Property Highlights 
  In Nevada, the Downtown Properties once again produced strong results: revenues up 7.9% from the prior year, operating cash flow exceeding the $9 million level for the fourth quarter in a row, operating income margins up 5.7 percentage points from last year, and hotel occupancy of 95% for the quarter. The Stardust reported a $5.8 million decline in revenue and a $2.3 million decline in operating cash flow as a result of both increased competition on the Las Vegas Strip and substantial disruption to both guest rooms and public areas from the ongoing renovation project, which is scheduled for completion before the end of 1999. The nature and scope of the renovation work performed in the seasonally slow third quarter resulted in the highest level of business disruption of the entire project. Sam's Town Las Vegas reported year-over-year declines in both revenue and operating cash flow of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, primarily due to substantial renovation in the casino and valet areas. The renovation of the existing building is expected to continue until the spring of next year, while the major expansion of the property is expected to take place during 2000. 
  The Company's Central Region properties reported operating cash flow of $40.7 million, up 21% from the $33.7 million reported in the third quarter of 1998. The increase was the result of strong earnings gains from Par-A-Dice and Silver Star. Par-A-Dice experienced its first full quarter of dockside gaming which began in Illinois on June 26. Revenues at the property were up 26%, operating cash flow was up 43% and operating cash flow margin was up 4.6 percentage points from last year. The Silver Star management fee increased to 40% of operating income from 30% on July 1, 1999 pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, accounting for most of the 38% increase in fee income to the Company. Sam's Town Tunica experienced lower business levels in the quarter versus the comparable quarter in the prior year due to a continuing competitive environment. Its revenue declined $3.1 million, or 9.3%, versus last year and operating cash flow fell $1.0 million, or 13.0%, from last year. Treasure Chest continued to perform well in the quarter as revenue rose $1.9 million, or 6.4%, over last year, and operating cash flow rose $0.1 million, or 1.7%, from last year. 
  The following table reports net revenues and EBITDA for the Company's properties for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. Boulder Strip Properties include Sam's Town Las Vegas, the Eldorado Casino and Jokers Wild Casino; Downtown Properties include the California Hotel and Casino, the Fremont Hotel and Casino, and Main Street Station; Central Region includes Sam's Town Tunica, Sam's Town Kansas City (closed July 1998), Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, Treasure Chest Casino; and management fee income from Silver Star Resort and Casino: 
      ($000 in thousands)       Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,             September 30,                               1999          1998         1999         1998     Net Revenues       Stardust            $ 32,239      $ 38,024     $109,360     $120,459       Boulder Strip Prop.   44,008        45,746      140,555      140,050       Downtown Prop. (a)    53,824        49,893      163,427      153,413     Nevada Region          130,071       133,663      413,342      413,922     Central Region         109,444       100,930      311,367      316,198
        Total Properties    $239,515      $234,593     $724,709     $730,120
      EBITDA       Stardust                $106        $2,356     $ 10,335     $ 15,925       Boulder Strip Prop.    6,713         7,953       26,863       28,491       Downtown Properties    9,389         5,857       28,319       18,987     Nevada Region           16,208        16,166       65,517       63,403     Central Region          40,741        33,715      110,726      100,955
        Total Properties    $ 56,949      $ 49,881     $176,243     $164,358
      (a) Includes revenues related to Vacations Hawaii, a Honolulu travel         agency, of $9,760 and $8,525, respectively, for the quarters ended         September 30, 1999 and 1998, and revenues of $28,633 and $24,069,         respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999         and 1998.
  This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding operating trends, the pending acquisition of Blue Chip Casino and the completion of renovation projects, which are subject to change. The actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results are included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. 
  Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD - news) is a leading diversified owner or operator of 11 casino entertainment properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, Illinois and Louisiana. Boyd Gaming recently agreed to acquire the Blue Chip Casino, a riverboat casino in Michigan City, Indiana, subject to regulatory approval. Boyd Gaming is also developing ``The Borgata' (AOL keyword: borgata or theborgata.com), a $750 million casino resort in the Marina district of Atlantic City, through a joint venture with Mirage Resorts, Incorporated. 
  Boyd Gaming press releases are available by facsimile through Company News On-Call (800) 758-5480, extension 104550, or at prnewswire.com. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at boydgaming.com. 
                     BOYD GAMING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                     (In thousands, except per share data)
                                 Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,              September 30,                               1999          1998         1999         1998     Revenues       Casino              $175,778      $173,466     $533,533     $541,003       Food and beverage     37,834        38,589      118,779      121,097       Room                  17,038        18,232       53,812       55,110       Other                 17,469        16,410       53,560       52,151       Management fee        13,976        10,247       34,820       30,606     Gross revenues         262,095       256,944      794,504      799,967     Less promotional      allowances             22,580        22,351       69,795       69,847         Net revenues       239,515       234,593      724,709      730,120
      Costs and expenses       Casino                89,412        89,174      268,777      276,149       Food and beverage     25,216        26,105       77,242       79,514       Room                   5,795         6,161       17,978       18,643       Other                 16,339        16,671       48,843       48,947       Selling, general        and administrative   34,375        35,645      104,652      111,440       Maintenance and        utilities            11,429        10,956       30,974       31,069       Depreciation and        amortization         17,478        17,940       54,744       54,938       Corporate expense      5,409         3,169       18,098       13,755       Preopening expense       354            --        1,208           --       Restructuring charge      --            --           --        5,925         Total              205,807       205,821      622,516      640,380
      Operating income        33,708        28,772      102,193       89,740
      Other income (expense)       Interest income          137            87          240          293       Interest expense,        net of amounts        capitalized         (16,539)      (18,443)     (50,332)     (56,462)         Total              (16,402)      (18,356)     (50,092)     (56,169)
      Income before provision      for income taxes and      cumulative effect      of a change in      accounting principle   17,306        10,416       52,101       33,571
      Provision for      income taxes            6,969         4,479       21,419       14,276
      Income before      cumulative effect of a      change in accounting      principle              10,337         5,937       30,682       19,295
      Cumulative effect of a      change in accounting for      start-up activities, net      of tax benefit of $936     --            --        1,738           --
      Net income             $10,337        $5,937      $28,944      $19,295
      Basic and Diluted Net income per common share     Income before cumulative      effect of a change in      accounting principle    $0.17         $0.10        $0.50        $0.31
      Cumulative effect of a      change in accounting      for start-up activities,      net of tax                 --            --         (0.03)         --
      Net income               $0.17         $0.10        $0.47        $0.31
      Average Basic Shares      Outstanding            62,213        61,826       62,091       61,723     Average Diluted Shares      Outstanding            62,431        61,831       62,201       61,857 
  SOURCE: Boyd Gaming Corporation  |