Revel Entertainment Group LLC’s debt fell to an all-time low Monday after Moody’s Investors Service reduced its grade on the company last week and the casino operator disclosed it obtained a third amendment to its credit pact.
The $900 million loan due in 2017 fell to 39.2 cents from 43.7 cents on Feb. 7, according to prices compiled by Bloomberg. The decline comes after Moody’s cut its rating on the Atlantic City, New Jersey-based casino to Caa3, two levels above default.
Revel, which obtained $150 million in financing from lenders in December, is trying to avoid default as it struggles to generate cash since its opening in May. Lenders last month agreed to lower the casino operator’s minimum liquidity requirement to $71 million from $75 million for a six-day period, according to a Feb. 5 regulatory filing.
“Revel’s capital structure is not sustainable in its current form, and will require a restructuring that involves some level of impairment,” Moody’s analysts led by Keith Foley wrote in a Feb. 5 report. “The company will not be able to achieve targeted business volumes and earnings necessary to cover its fixed charge burden, and that the additional liquidity obtained is not enough to ensure the company’s longer-term viability.”
Casino Revenue
Gambling revenue in Atlantic City for all 12 gaming properties fell 13.2 percent in January, to $205.6 million, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General said in a statement today. Revel contributed about an $8 million total casino win, ahead of only Trump Plaza’s $4.9 million.
Losses at Revel before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended Sept. 30 were $69 million, according to Moody’s.
Maureen Siman, a spokeswoman for Revel, didn’t respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Standard & Poor’s last month lowered its rating on Revel’s loan to CC and cut its recovery rating to ‘6’ indicating negligible recovery for lenders in the event of default. S&P has a CCC grade on the company.
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