10-K 1 doc1.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-25306 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P. ------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Virginia 54-1719877 -------- ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) El Comandante Race Track Main Building First Floor 65th Infantry Avenue Rd. 3, Km. 15.3 Canovanas, PR 00729 -------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (787) 641-5844 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Not applicable Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED Class A Units representing assignment NONE (the Company was of beneficial ownership of the delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market Company's Class A limited partnership in January 2001) interests ("Units") 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 report(s), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [_] No [X] 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 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 126-2 of the Act). Yes [_] No [X] The aggregate market value of Units held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2004 was approximately $5.6 million. As of October 7, 2004, there were 3,087,892 Units outstanding. Documents Incorporated By Reference: Not Applicable
EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P. 2002 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I Item 1. Business 3 Item 2. Properties 9 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 10 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 13 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Class A Units and Related Unitholder Matters 13 Item 6. Selected Financial and Operating Data 14 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 27 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 27 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company and EMC 28 Item 11. Executive Compensation 29 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Unitholders and Management 31 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 32 Item 14. Controls and Procedure 32 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 33
2 PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS ITEM 1.1 BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP On October 15, 2004, three affiliates of Equus Gaming Company, L.P.(each an "Affiliate", and collectively, the "Affiliates") filed separate voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Court"). The first Affiliate, El Comandante Management Company LLC, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Case No. 04-12972-PJW. The second Affiliate, Housing Development Associates, S.E., filed for Chapter 11 protection in Case No. 04-12973-PJW. Finally, the third Affiliate, El Comandante Capital Corporation, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Case No. 04-12974-PJW. The Court assumed jurisdiction over each Affiliate on October 15, 2004. Each of the Affiliates will continue to manage over its assets and business as a "debtor in possession" subject to the powers and supervision of the Court pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. No receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer has been appointed over the assets or operations of each of the Affiliates. "As discussed in this Item 1 below, two of these Affiliates own and operate El Comandante Racetrack, which is the primary asset and source of revenues of the Company. The proposed reorganization of the business of these Affiliates is summarized in a press release that was issued on October 18, 2004, providing information relating, among other things, to the bankruptcy filings made by the Affiliates on October 15, 2004. The contents of the translation into English of the press release are incorporated by reference into this Item 1. A copy of the translation into English of the press release is attached as exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report." ITEM 1.2 The current business description of the Company is more fully disclosed in Note 1 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, which is provided as an attachment to this filing and is incorporated by reference to this Item 1. The business description contained in this Item 1 should be read in conjunction with the referenced description in Note 1. GENERAL Equus Gaming Company L.P. (the "Company"), a Virginia limited partnership, is engaged in thoroughbred racing, wagering and other gaming businesses in the Caribbean and South America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates three racetracks and manages an off-track betting (OTB) system in the various countries where the Company operates. Equus Management Company ("EMC") is the general partner of the Company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Equus Entertainment Corp. ("Entertainment") the Company has a 99% interest in Housing Development Associates S.E. ("HDA"), the owner of El Comandante Racetrack ("El Comandante"), the only licensed thoroughbred racing facility in Puerto Rico. El Comandante has operated since January 1, 1998 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HDA, El Comandante Management Company, LLC ("ECMC"). El Comandante was operated prior to this date by El Comandante Operating Company, a non-stock corporation. The Company has a 55% interest in Galapagos, S.A. ("Galapagos"), a company organized under the laws of the Dominican Republic, and the operator since April, 1995 of V Centenario Race Track in the Dominican Republic ("V Centenario"). The racetrack is government owned and operated by the Company's subsidiary under a long-term license contract that expires in April 2005. On October 9, 2001, Equus Entertainment de Panama was restructured whereby the Company surrendered its controlling interest as of September 30, 2001. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements". The Company also had a controlling 100% interest in Equus-Uruguay, S.A., which was awarded exclusive rights by the government of Uruguay to operate the Maronas racetrack in Montevideo and an off-track betting agency network together with the right to operate up to 5,000 slot machines in 5 locations. The necessary restoration of the racetrack required an initial investment of $12 million. Efforts to raise the $12 million by the due date were unsuccessful. Consequently, the concession expired on March 31, 2001 and the Company's bid bond in the amount of $500,000 was forfeited and thus expensed during the period ended March 31, 2001. Subsequently, the concession was awarded to another operator in the fourth quarter of the year 2001, which resulted in the Company writing off its entire investment at December 31, 2001. The Company also has a controlling 100% interest in Satellite Services International, Inc. ("SSI") and Agency Betting Network, Inc. ("ABN"). SSI will provide up-link services, satellite time (contracted from a third party), and leasing of video and data telecommunication equipment, to transmit (or simulcast) live races from and to the Company's racetracks and OTB agencies, including live races from outside the Company's operational territories to the agency distribution networks in order to increase the level of wagering revenues through the Company's OTB systems. ABN is establishing and operating an OTB agency system in Colombia in conjunction with Los Comuneros Race Track in Medell n, Colombia ("Los Comuneros"), owned and operated by Equus Comuneros S.A. ("Equus-Comuneros"). Equus-Comuneros is a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Colombia and is a 50% owned subsidiary of the Company. The Colombia OTB system is expected to operate in Bogota, Medellin and other major cities. In 1999 the Company initiated a vertical integration process to consolidate its telecommunications needs into a centralized hub-and-spoke system based at El Comandante racetrack in Puerto Rico. During 2000 and 2001 the development of this system encountered significant technical obstacles, which necessitated the redesigning of its architecture, reallocation of the equipment and ultimately, a strategic revision of the objectives for the system. 3 The vertical integration process began with the development of a C-Band satellite uplink facility in Panama in the fall of 1999 to fulfill the broadcasting needs of this jurisdiction which, at the time, belonged to the Company's international network of pari-mutuel operations. By December of that year the consolidation process had identified VSAT technology via the Ku-Band medium as the application necessary to address the Company's needs for video and data transmission throughout its proprietary agency-betting network in Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. The significant investment made by the Company during 1999-2000 in the satellite telecommunications equipment required to implement the VSAT system included the development of a main uplink Hub in Puerto Rico, and of supporting Ku-Band uplinks to service the markets of Panama and Colombia. Initial steps were also taken to establish a supporting uplink in the Dominican Republic although the facility has not been completed at this time. Several factors altered the course of the VSAT project, and namely, the incompatibility of this technology with the Autotote system currently in use throughout the Company's pari-mutuel operations hindered its deployment as the primary means of transmission for the agency-betting network's wagering data. Consequently, the Company is in the process of evaluating several alternate commercial applications for this equipment both in Colombia and Puerto Rico. Conversely, the aforementioned satellite uplink facilities continue to provide video broadcasting services for the Company's pari-mutuel operations in Puerto Rico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. In addition to the alternate commercial uses being sought for the VSAT equipment, the Company's uplink facilities are uniquely positioned to provide satellite broadcast services to prospective clients in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and potentially in the Dominican Republic. A. PUERTO RICO OPERATIONS El Comandante is the leading racetrack in the Caribbean when measured in gross dollars wagered. Thoroughbred horse racing has been conducted continuously at El Comandante since 1976 and at a predecessor facility since 1957. Races are currently run 52 weeks per year, generally five days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Wagering is conducted through facilities at the racetrack and at independently-owned OTB agencies that are linked via on-line computers to El Comandante. During 2002, there were approximately 618 OTB agencies in operation. As of June, 2004 there were 639 active agencies in operation. Since commencing the on-line wagering system, all of El Comandante's races have been broadcast via commercial television in Puerto Rico. The contract for production of the televised program expired in December of 2000 and as of January 2001 production was integrated with the racetrack's operations at a substantial savings. The telecast permits OTB patrons to monitor odds and handicapping information until post time and then to view the live race. Live races are currently broadcast through an agreement with S&E Network, Inc. ("S&E"). The Company is working with the development and implementation of a high technology communication system (data and video-VSAT) with a satellite link (HUB) in Puerto Rico having the capacity to simulcast live races to other operations and to countries in the Caribbean and South America. ECMC has a new contract effective July 1, 2000 with the Puerto Rico Horse Owners Confederation requiring that horse owners supply sufficient horses to conduct racing operations in accordance with the racing program approved by the Puerto Rico Racing Board, which stipulates a minimum of forty (40) races per week. The contract obligates ECMC to provide stables and related facilities. The contract, which establishes the amount to be paid to horse owners as purses and other economic terms and its amendment of March 16, 2001 expires on December 31, 2010. COMPETITION. El Comandante, the only licensed thoroughbred racetrack facility in Puerto Rico, is operated by ECMC under an operating license granted by the Puerto Rico Racing Board. The operating license provides ECMC with the exclusive right through December 14, 2004, to operate a race track in the San Juan Region (the largest of three regions in Puerto Rico) which includes the San Juan metropolitan area and over three-fourths of the northern half of the Island; the exclusive right to conduct all types of authorized betting throughout Puerto Rico, based on races held at El Comandante; and the right to hold a minimum of 180 day or night-race days per year. Until the expiration of the Operating License, no other thoroughbred racetrack license for the San Juan Region may be issued. The current Operating License expires December 14, 2004. 4 ECMC faces stiff competition from other forms of legalized gambling in Puerto Rico. There are 19 licensed casinos in Puerto Rico offering card and dice games, slot machines and other games of chance. The Puerto Rico Government has operated a ticket lottery for more than 50 years and in 1991 commenced an electronic jackpot lottery. In addition, there are numerous cock fighting venues on the Island. ECMC also faces competition from illegal gambling. The Puerto Rico Government may, through legislation, legalize other forms of gambling or grant additional gaming licenses to those forms of gambling already authorized by law. Beginning in 1995 through present day ECMC has experienced declines in wagering each year due to the strong competition from government sponsored lotteries, government sponsored slot machines and casinos as well as the rise in illegal gambling operations throughout Puerto Rico in the form of illegal "entertainment" machines. The Governor and the Legislators of Puerto Rico recognized in 2004 the need to provide another means of revenue to save the Horse Racing Industry in Puerto Rico. Therefore, Act 139 has been signed into law whereby an Electronic Video Gaming System (VGS) is authorized and to be established, through which a person may choose among different gaming options and place wagers, solely and exclusively at the locations where OTB Racing Agents operate. The OTB Racing Agents are exclusive agents of the Racing License Holder of El --------- Comandante Race Track and are licensed and approved by the Racing Administrator (position is appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico) to accept wagers on horse races distributed by El Comandante. There are currently 662 contracted, licensed and approved OTB Agencies in Puerto Rico with El Comandante. There are currently no limits on the number or size of OTB Agencies. In accordance with Act 139: - The Holder of the Race Track License, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES, S.E. (H.D.A.) is empowered to negotiate and execute contracts with the providers for the design and implementation of the Electronic Video Gaming System. Housing Development Associates, S.E. (H.D.A.) is a 99% owned subsidiary of Equus Entertainment Corporation (itself, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) and the sole licensed owner / operator of a horse racetrack (EL Comandante) in Puerto Rico. - The prize payout to the player shall not be less than 83% of the total of all wagers. - There is no limit in the law on the number of VGS devices. - The Net Revenue from Operations or "WIN" ( gross wager less prize payout to player) shall be distributed in the following manner; I. If the Holder of the Race Track License also owns and operates the Electronic Video Gaming System, then: 5 a) Fifteen (15) percent to the OTB Racing Agents Commission Fund. This OTB Commission Fund would be distributed to the OTB Racing Agents based upon Regulations yet to be established. b) Fifteen (15) percent to the Horse Race Purse Account. This Horse Race Purse Account would be distributed to the Horse Owners based upon Regulations yet to be established. c) Seventy (70) percent shall be retained by the Holder of the Race Track License (H.D.A.) II. If the Holder of the Race Track License contracts with a third-party to operate the Electronic Video Gaming System, then: a) Fifteen (15) percent to the OTB Racing Agents Commission Fund. This OTB Commission Fund would be distributed to the OTB Racing Agents based upon Regulations yet to be established. b) Fifteen (15) percent to the Horse Race Purse Account. This Horse Race Purse Account would be distributed to the Horse Owners based upon Regulations yet to be established. c) Seventy (70) percent shall be retained by the Holder of the Race Track License (H.D.A.) to be split with the Operator of the Electronic Video Gaming System as based upon a contract between the parties. The Rules and Regulations are required to be completed within ninety (90) days after signing into law of Act 139, however an extension is currently in place. As of the date of this filing, the Company had issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), met and interviewed with sixteen (16) interested gaming entities, received four (4) proposals and is currently negotiating with three (3) of the entities that have provided proposals. Two (2) of these entities have represented that they would be willing to guarantee for a period of ten (10) years that the annual revenue to be received by the Company would be $15 million or the actual amount of the annual debt service to service the existing bond principal, interest, refinancing fees and unpaid treasury taxes due as of December 31, 2004, whichever is less. There are no guarantees that any final deal can be negotiated with the parties as this relies heavily on many conditions which the government, in the very near future, must agree and implement. EMPLOYEES. ECMC had approximately 192 employees as of December 31, 2002 and approximately 191 employees as of June, 2004. There were 56 employees working in the mutuel, print shop, racing closed circuit television and help desk departments covered by a collective bargaining agreement between ECMC and El Comandante Racetrack Employees Union, which expired August 23, 1998 and was renewed in January 15, 2001 for a three-year period; 76 employees performing building and premises maintenance services covered by a collective bargaining agreement between ECMC and the General Workers Union, which began March 1, 2000, for a three year period. There were 60 employees working in administrative positions. All the security guards positions were eliminated at the end of 1999 and an outsourcing agreement for security services was signed between ECMC and Ranger American of Puerto Rico for a period of one year, with yearly renewable options, which have since been exercised, commencing in January 2000. 6 As of June 30, 2004, there were 52 employees working in the mutuel, print shop, racing closed circuit television and help desk departments covered by a collective bargaining agreement between ECMC and El Comandante Racetrack Employees Union, which expired January 14, 2004 and was renewed effective February 1, 2004 for a three-year period; 77 employees performing building and premises maintenance services covered by a collective bargaining agreement between ECMC and the General Workers Union, which expired February 28, 2003, and was renewed effective November 1, 2003 for a three year period. There were 62 employees working in administrative positions as of June 30, 2004. B. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC OPERATIONS In 1995, Galapagos was selected by the Dominican Republic Racing Commission to operate the government-owned V Centenario racetrack in Santo Domingo pursuant to a ten-year agreement ending April 2005. The contract may be renewed for additional ten-year periods by mutual agreement of the parties. The contract also provides Galapagos with the right to develop off-track betting in the Dominican Republic and the exclusive right to simulcast live horse races from other countries into the Dominican Republic. At December 31, 2002 there were approximately 232 installed and 172 operating OTB agencies in the Dominican Republic. The OTB system in the Dominican Republic has been negatively impacted by the inability to obtain dependable broadcasting of live races by commercial television with broad island-wide penetration. In 2002 through current day operations in 2004, live racing is conducted three days per week with a six-race card. Full card wagering on simulcast races from El Comandante is offered five days a week Lottery. Galapagos had a five-year contract with a private operator (Autotote) to provide the wagering distribution system for a government-sponsored electronic lottery, which commenced on November 1, 1997. Lottery games were sold at OTB agencies selected by Galapagos and at agencies selected by the lottery operator. Galapagos' commissions (net of fees paid to a third party) were 1% of gross lottery sales at lottery agencies and 2% of gross lottery sales at OTB agencies. In addition, the lottery operator paid Galapagos a monthly fee for each OTB agency that sells lottery games as reimbursement for a 50% share of telephone line costs. Galapagos also selects the lottery agencies to take Pick 6 pool wagers on Galapagos' live and simulcast races. In June 2000 Autotote unilaterally discontinued using the Company's wagering distribution system and entered into a private agreement with the service provider. The Company then initiated arbitration proceedings against the operator and on November 21, 2001 the American Arbitration Association rendered its final award. See Item 3. "Legal Proceedings". COMPETITION. Galapagos faces competition from other forms of gambling in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic Government operates a ticket lottery and an electronic lottery throughout the country. The electronic lottery which commenced operations in November 1997 has steadily increased its share of the gaming market. Lottery wagering shows strong cyclical patterns directly linked to the amount accumulated in the jackpot. The Galapagos pick-6 wager represents roughly 40% of the betting handle and is significantly impacted whenever the lottery jackpot is at a high level. There are approximately 3,000 independent sports betting agencies in the Dominican Republic. There were approximately 153 OTB agencies at December 31, 2002. Wagering on baseball is particularly popular. Wagering on cock fighting is both legal and popular in the Dominican Republic. Casino gaming is permitted at hotels with a minimum of 100 rooms and there are 25 licensed casinos in operation. Galapagos also faces competition from illegal gambling. EMPLOYEES. Galapagos had 130 employees at December 31, 2002 and 125 employees as of June, 2004. Galapagos has no agreements with unions and has not experienced any work stoppage or material labor difficulties. 7 C. COLOMBIA OPERATIONS Since the beginning of 1999, Equus-Comuneros has owned and operated Los Comuneros Racetrack in Medellin, Colombia. Prior to the Company's involvement in these operations, Los Comuneros hosted one live meet per week with an average handle of approximately $100,000, and employed an OTB system with a limited number of sites and technology. During 2002 Los Comuneros operated approximately 150 OTB agencies. As of June, 2004 approximately 125 agencies were operating. Wagering revenues from those agencies was minimal due to limitations in the number of live races and a lack of simulcast races from other countries. The OTB agency network is operated by ABN, a wholly owned Puerto Rican subsidiary of the Company, and will be equipped with improved satellite video and data communication equipment with the capacity to service major cities in Colombia. As of December 31, 2002, approximately 126 ABN antennas were installed in Colombia. As of June 30, 2004 approximately 125 antennas were in place. In mid 2001, ABN applied to the Government for a sports betting license, which if granted could have a material impact on future earnings. ABN received verbal approval from the city of Medellin. Sports betting was not implemented due to the high level of taxation. COMPETITION. Equus-Comuneros faces competition from other forms of legalized gambling in Colombia, including a lottery system. EMPLOYEES. At December 31, 2002 and June, 2004 Equus-Comuneros had 38 employees and 53 employees, respectively. On race days there are approximately an additional 51 employees operating the betting system. D. SATELLITE SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. ("SSI") SSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will provide satellite up-link services and satellite time (contracted through a third party). SSI will also lease video and data telecommunications equipment to transmit (or simulcast) live races between the Company's racetracks and the OTB agencies. In addition, SSI will receive a percentage of wagering handle on races simulcast throughout the Equus network. The main asset of SSI is the VSAT System consisting of a hub, satellite channel and remote VSAT's in each jurisdiction where the Company has pari-mutuel wagering. Upon completion, the integrated system will be more efficient and reliable than the terrestrial telephone lines currently being utilized. As of December 31, 2002, the physical assets of SSI consisted of the following: (i) Hub Master Earth Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico (ii) Satellite Uplink Stations in San Juan, Puerto Rico (iii) VSAT and video telecommunications equipment for 930 OTB sites in Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Panama. In addition to providing video and data transmission services for pari-mutuel wagering, the VSAT System will offer data transmission services to closed user communities that rely on interactive broadband applications independent 8 from terrestrial lines such as "pay at the pump" gasoline stations, pharmacy prescription networks and lottery sales. E. AGENCY BETTING NETWORK, INC. ("ABN") ABN is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which installed and operates an OTB agency system in Colombia that provides satellite and data communication facilities, intending to eventually reach and penetrate all of the major cities in Colombia. ABN installed the current system from 2001 through March 2003, at which time it had completed the installation of all equipment and antennas on hand. No new equipment acquisitions have been made since that time. F. SEGMENT INFORMATION Note 14 of the Company's Certified Consolidated Financial Statements, which are presented as a separate attachment to this filing, contains the segment information related to the business operations. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES EL COMANDANTE. HDA is the owner of El Comandante, situated on a 257-acre parcel of land in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, approximately 12 miles east of San Juan. El Comandante properties include the following: a. A building consisting of a six-level grandstand and clubhouse with seating for over 10,000 people and a total capacity in excess of 25,000 people, including glass-enclosed, air-conditioned dining room with seating capacity for over 1,400 people; b. Racing facilities, including a one-mile oval strip with a seven-furlong chute and a 65-foot wide exercise track; c. Barn area and related facilities, including 1,595 horse stalls; d. Paved parking area that can accommodate 7,250 vehicles; e. Landscaped infield containing three lakes and a waterfall. ECMC also owns certain race track and telecommunication equipment used in the operation of El Comandante and the off-track betting system. See Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a description of the encumbrance on El Comandante properties. V CENTENARIO. Galapagos leases V Centenario from the government of the Dominican Republic. V Centenario is situated on a parcel of land, approximately 7.5 miles east of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. V Centenario properties include the following: a. A building consisting of grandstand and clubhouse with seating for over 4,200 people and total capacity in excess of 10,000 people, including an air-conditioned dining room with seating for 400 people; b. Racing facilities, including a one-mile oval strip with a seven-furlong chute and a 1,400 meter exercise track; c. Barn area and related facilities, including 950 horse stalls; d. Paved parking area that accommodates 1,100 vehicles. Galapagos also owns certain race track and telecommunication equipment used in the operation of V Centenario and the off-track betting system. LOS COMUNEROS. Equus-Comuneros is the owner of Los Comuneros, situated in Medellin, Colombia. Los Comuneros properties include the following: a. A building consisting of a grandstand and a clubhouse with total seating capacity of 5,500 people; 9 b. Racing facilities, including a 1,300-meter oval strip with a six-furlong chute; c. Barn area and related facilities, including 300 horse stalls; d. Parking area that accommodates 500 vehicles. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AUTOTOTE The Company had a case in arbitration at the American Arbitration Association in defense of and against Autotote, involving all the racetracks in which Equus has an ownership interest. Autotote is the company that still currently provides totalizator (betting system) services to El Comandante. On July 27 and November 21, 2001, the American Arbitration Association rendered its award decisions. The following is a summary of the awards by racetrack: El Comandante, Puerto Rico 1. El Comandante is to pay Autotote the principal amount of $355,496 in unpaid service fees together with interest of $32,051, accrued through April 1, 2001. 2. El Comandante shall reimburse Autotote for costs incurred of $132,500. 3. As of December 31, 2001, the outstanding principal balance was $761,415 and accrued interest was $501. As of June, 2004, El comandante has made all the required payments due under this settlement applicable to El Comandante. Equus Entertainment de Panama, Panama 1. Equus Entertainment de Panama is to pay Autotote the principal amount of $250,474 in unpaid service fees together with interest of $45,233 accrued through June 30, 2001. 2. Equus Entertainment de Panama shall reimburse Autotote for costs incurred of $25,000. On October 9, 2001, the Company sold its common stock and purchased 3,000 shares of preferred stock and at the same time was released from any further liability under the Autotote - Equus Entertainment de Panama arbitration award. Equus - Comuneros, Colombia 1. Equus-Comuneros is to pay Autotote the principal amount of $584,262 in unpaid service fees as of April 23, 2001, together with interest of $218,059 accrued through December 31, 2001. 2. Equus-Comuneros shall reimburse Autotote costs incurred of $132,500. As of June, 2004, Equus-Comuneros owed approximately $440,000 under this settlement. However, this balance includes approximately $250,000 for the purchase of all Autotote equipment at Equus-Comuneros. 10 Galapagos, Dominican Republic 1. Galapagos owes Autotote the principal amount of $230,578 as of April 23, 2001, together with interest of $120,308 through November 21, 2001, the date of the award. 2. For breach of good faith and fair dealings, Autotote owes Galapagos $800,000, plus interest at the rate of seven (7) percent per annum from November 21, 2001 to the date of payment. 3. The parties have no further obligations to one another with respect to lottery operations in the Dominican Republic. 4. The parties shall bear equally the costs of arbitration which amount to $44,903 each. Any excess funds on deposit shall be reimbursed to the paying parties in equal amounts. 5. Autotote shall pay Galapagos $150,000 in reimbursement fees incurred in the proceedings. 6. Awards will be offset and the net amount owed to Galapagos of approximately $600,000 will accrue interest at seven (7) percent until paid. Subsequently, Galapagos entered into an agreement with Autotote dated July 20, 2000 for the right (license) to utilize their software and to purchase the Autotote equipment for a total of approximately $423,000, including simple interest at 8% per annum. The agreement called for Galapagos to make 20 monthly payments of $21,128 each. Galapagos was unable to make the required payments and , therefore, this agreement was renegotiated and restructured beginning effective April 1, 2004. Under the revised agreement, Galapagos agreed to pay Autotote $5,000 per month from April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005 for the rights (license) to operate the equipment and software. After March 1, 2005, the Company has the option to continue on a month-to-month basis paying the $5,000 per month and operating the equipment and software. Galapagos tendered in writing the return of all the ownership of the Autotote equipment and software to Autotote. Galapagos also gave its express consent for Autotote to negotiate with anyone concerning early termination of the Galapagos racetrack lease contract which currently expires April 29, 2005. Each entity involved in the arbitration sustains individually the consequences of the arbiters' final award and, with the exception of one subsequent and related agreement entered into between El Comandante, Galapagos, and Autotote, there are no performance guarantees by any other entity including Equus Gaming Company L.P., the parent company. In the subsequent agreement between El Comandante, Galapagos, and Autotote, the amount owed by Autotote to Galapagos is to be credited directly against El Comandante's outstanding trade payables due to Autotote and, simultaneously, Galapagos is to be given credit for this same amount against its outstanding simulcast payable balance due to El Comandante. Costs incurred by the Company in pursuing the Arbitration with Autotote totalled $574,042 and have been allocated to each participating entity in the same proportion that the arbiters awarded the costs incurred by Autotote to each entity. 11 MUNICIPALITY OF CANOVANAS On August 18, 2001, ECMC executed a Closing Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Municipality of Canovanas whereby ECMC settled its longstanding dispute over the payment of the Volume of Business Tax assessed by the municipality. The following schedule lists the deficiencies by fiscal year with the corresponding interest and surcharges:
FISCAL INTEREST TAX TAX AND YEAR DEFICIENCY SURCHARGES TOTAL ---- ---------- ---------- ----- 93/94 $ 74,087 $ 67,913 $142,000 96/97 120,397 68,224 188,621 97/98 126,666 59,110 185,776 98/99 123,366 45,233 168,599 99/00 93,367 24,898 118,265 00/01 116,735 19,455 136,190 ------- ------ ------- Totals $ 654,618 $ 284,833 $939,451 ======= ======= ========
Prior to settlement, the Company had accrued as of June 30, 2001 as a liability a total of $838,396 due for municipal taxes and other charges. On June 30, 2001, the Company recorded additional penalties and interest of $101,054. The terms of the Agreement are as follows: 1. For period August 1, 2001 through January 31, 2003, ECMC will pay the Municipality of Canovanas $5,000 per week. 2. At the end of this eighteen (18) month period, the Municipality can decide whether to request full payment of the remaining balance, $559,451, or renegotiate a final twelve (12) month payoff of said balance. 3. Should ECMC default at any time on the agreed to payment terms, the Municipality may declare the entire remaining balance due. 4. To guarantee timely payments of the amounts due, ECMC has provided to the Municipality two (2) payments bonds in the amount of $503,732 and $94,886, respectively. ECMC fully complied with the provisions of the Agreement, accelerated its payments, and paid the outstanding amount in full during November 2003. PUERTO RICO TREASURY DEPARTMENT The Company is required to pay to the Treasury Department of the Government of Puerto Rico various taxes on wagering, as described more fully in the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, within two days of the wagers being placed. The Company failed to remit these tax payments for the period from October 16, 2000 to February 7, 2001 and, consequently, accumulated taxes that were assessed finally by the Treasury Department at $11,172,450. The Company and the Treasury Department negotiated a closing agreement (payment plan) that commenced effective June 1, 2001. The Company has remained in full compliance with the terms and conditions of this closing agreement. See Note 7(b), "Commitments and Contingencies", of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements [item 8 below] for further details with respect to this matter. 12 OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are presently named defendants in various lawsuits and could be subject to other claims arising out of its business operations. Management, based in part upon advice from legal counsel, believes that the results of such actions will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's 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 forth quarter of the Company's 2002 fiscal year. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S UNITS AND RELATED UNITHOLDER MATTERS The Units, which represent the assignment of beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A limited partnership interests, have been listed and traded on Nasdaq National Market System since February 7, 1995 and, effective December 8, 1998, on NASDAQ Small Cap Market System. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per Unit, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, and cash distributions paid to Unitholders during these periods. In January 2001 the Company was delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market. Subsequent to being delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Units have been traded in the "Pink Sheets," an electronic quotation system that displays quotes from broker-dealers for many over-the-counter securities. The following table sets forth (1) for 2000, the high and low sales prices per Unit, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, and (2) for 2001, the high and low sale prices for the Company's Units as quoted from the Pink Sheets. Management does not have knowledge of the prices paid in all transactions and has not verified the accuracy of those prices that have been reported. Because of the lack of an established market for the Company's Units, these prices may not reflect the prices at which the Units would trade in an active market.
Price Range of Units -------------------- HIGH LOW ---- --- 2002 QUARTER Fourth 0.250 0.150 Third 0.700 0.200 Second 0.080 0.010 First 0.180 0.010 2001 QUARTER Fourth 0.220 0.110 Third 0.080 0.200 Second 1.050 0.410 First 1.000 0.530
On October 7, 2004, the closing sale price of Units was $1.65 as reported on in the Pink Sheets. As of October 7, 2004, there were 15,325,381 Units outstanding and approximately 185 Unitholders of record. Of the units outstanding, 3,082,892 have not been registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and therefore, there are restrictions on whether they can be traded. The Company did not make cash distributions to unitholders in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. The Company has not made any cash distributions subsequent to 2002 and does not expect to make cash distributions to its unitholders in the foreseeable future. The Company's principle source of cash has been distributions from HDA. The trust indenture related to the First Mortgage Notes limits distributions by HDA to the Company to approximately 48% of HDA's consolidated net income. It allows additional cash distributions only if certain debt coverage ratios are met. To date these ratios have not been achieved, nor is it likely they will be in 2004. 13 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company. The historical income statement and balance sheet data for periods prior to 2001 are derived from audited, consolidated financial statements of the Company, certified by the independent audit firm Arthur Anderson LLP up to and including the year 2000. As a result of the disruption within Arthur Andersen LLP caused by Government indictment, the Company engaged a new independent audit firm, Landa Umpierre PSC, in May , 2003. The years 2002 and 2001 historical income statement and balance sheet data below have been certified by the aforementioned independent audit firm, Landa Umpierre PSC. This information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the consolidated financial statements of the Company and related notes (see Item 8) and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" (see Item 7). 14
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------- HISTORICAL (1, 5) - In Thousands (000) ----------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Earnings Statemet Data ---------------------- Revenues Commissions on wagering $ 50,811 $ 51,561 $ 55,846 $ 57,356 $ 52,529 Net Revenues from lottery services - - 16 546 656 Income from insurance settlement - - - - 12,856 Other Revenues 5,850 6,565 4,758 5,978 2,931 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 56,661 58,126 60,772 63,880 68,972 Payments to horseowners 25,341 25,997 28,393 28,797 25,996 Other Expenses 32,114 35,948 33,407 27,515 27,594 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (794) (3,819) (1,028) 7,568 15,382 Financial expenses 8,034 8,257 6,913 7,911 9,109 Depreciation and amortization 5,072 4,549 4,261 3,021 3,756 Loss on exchange rates 2,127 258 187 26 23 Loss form discontinued operations - 4,601 168 10 - Impairment loss on El Comandante intangible - - - - 3,136 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (16,027) (21,484) (12,557) (3,400) (642) Provision for income taxes 107 239 603 742 1,110 Minority interst in (losses) earnings) (2) (53) (117) (1,315) (1,029) 228 Extraordinary income (loss) (5) - - - 23 167 Cumulative effect - - - - (403) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net (loss) earnings $(16,081) $(21,606) $(11,845) $ (3,090) $ (1,760) ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Net (loss) earnings per unit (6) $ (1.30) $ (2.31) $ (1.39) $ (0.39) $ (0.28) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------- HISTORICAL (1, 5) - In Thousands (000) ----------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- BALANCE SHEET SELECTED DATA: ---------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,592 $ 1,411 $ 1,249 $ 2,196 $ 6,537 Race tracks property and equipment (7) 47,012 51,309 54,825 54,672 42,428 Deferred costs 1,910 3,447 1,889 2,569 2,866 Total Assets 53,795 60,784 65,745 62,422 56,072 First Mortgage Notes 54,114 53,875 57,584 53,834 56,194 Notes, bonds payable and capital lease obligations 4,477 4,118 5,784 8,878 4,800 Total liabilities 110,688 103,077 93,130 76,891 71,265 Partners' deficit (56,893) (42,293) (27,385) (14,469) (15,193)
15 (1) Effective March 8, 1995 the Company consolidates the accounts of Housing Development Associates S.E. ("HDA") and its subsidiaries in its financial statements. (2) Net (loss) earnings allocable to the units are based on an interest of approximately 99%. The remaining 1% is held by the Company's general partner. The per unit amount is calculated based on weighted average of Units outstanding since the distribution on February 6, 1995 of 8,505,398 in 2000, 7,796,191 in 1999, 6,342,606 in 1998, 6,333,617 in 1997 and 1996. (3) Includes a step-up of $5,650,000, resulting from the issuance of Units by the Company for a 15% interest in HDA on March 8, 1995, net of related accumulated depreciation and reduced by a net write-off in 1998 of $919,580 in connection with damage caused by Hurricane Georges to El Comandante Race Track. The net book value of the asset resulting from the step-up at December 31, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997 was approximately $3,519,190, $3,669,520, $4,234,000, $3,970,180, and $5,097,000, respectively. (4) In 2001, the Company surrendered its controlling interest in the Presidente Rem n racetrack in Panama and also lost its controlling interest in the Maronas racetrack in Montevideo, Uruguay after the license was cancelled by the government and awarded to a different, unrelated operating company. The Company presented the results of these activities as discontinued operations. (5) Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's (years 1997 through 2000) financial statements to conform them to the current presentation. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The Company's results of operations are principally attributable to its interests in thoroughbred horse racetracks in three countries, each of which is owned and/or operated by a subsidiary: (i) El Comandante in Puerto Rico, owned by Housing Development Associates S.E. ("HDA") and operated since January 1, 1998 by El Comandante Management Company, LLC ("ECMC"), (ii) V Centenario in the Dominican Republic, operated since April 1995 by Galapagos S.A. and (iii) Los Comuneros in Medellin, Colombia, owned and operated since early 1999 by Equus Comuneros, S.A. ("Equus-Comuneros"). In 2001, the Company surrendered its controlling interest in the Presidente Rem n racetrack in Panama and also lost its controlling interest in the Maronas racetrack in Montevideo, Uruguay after the license was cancelled by the government and awarded to a different, unrelated operating company. In 2001, the Company recorded the results of these activities as discontinued operations. In addition, the results of these activities has been "deconsolidated" in the years prior to 2001. The following discussion compares: (i) the consolidated results of operations of the Company for 2002 with the comparable results for 2001 and (ii) the Company's consolidated results of operations for 2001 with the comparable results for 2000, all net of the discontinued racetrack operations in Panama and Uruguay. 16 THE COMPANY'S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2002 COMPARED TO 2001 --------------------- REVENUES Consolidated Revenues decreased by approximately, $1,465,000 or (2.5%), in 2002 to $56,661,000 from $58,126,000 in 2001. Approximately $750,000 of this decrease was due to decreased commissions on wagering resulting from a lower level of wagering. The remaining decrease was due to a net decrease in all other revenues, as described below. COMMISSIONS ON WAGERING Commissions on wagering decreased by approximately, $750,000 or (1.5%) in 2002 to $50,811,000 as compared to $51,561,000 in 2001. The decrease in commissions was attributable to the following operations: Galapagos ($732,000) and Colombia ($163,000), net of the increase in commissions attributable to El Comandante of $145,000. The decrease at Galapagos was primarily attributable to the rise in the foreign exchange rate. PUERTO RICO. Commissions on wagering at El Comandante increased $145,000 or 0.3% from $46,371,000 in 2001 to $46,516,000 in 2002. Commissions on wagering are directly related to the racetrack handle. The off-track live racing handle increased by approximately $12,517,000 with a corresponding increase in commissions of $2,517,000. The on-track betting handle increased by ------------- approximately $485,000 with a corresponding increase in commissions of $54,000. ----------- These increases were mostly off-set by the $13,060,000 decrease in the simulcast handle with a corresponding decrease in commissions of $2,426,000. The Racing Board cancelled its approval for El Comandante to receive races simulcast in from the U.S.A. effective October 22, 2001. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Commissions on wagering at V Centenario decreased by $732,000 (21.8.0%) from $3,356,000 in 2001 to $2,624,000 in 2002. The total handle decreased $4,069,000 and the exchange rate was unfavorable. Simulcast of races from ECMC was discontinued effective December 2, 2002 due to Puerto Rico Racing Board action as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding simulcast balance owed to ECMC by Galapagos. COLOMBIA. Commissions on wagering at Los Comuneros decreased by $163,000, (9.0%) from $1,834,000 in 2001 to $1,671,000 in 2002. There was an increase in total handle of approximately $727,000 due to the addition of simulcasting. However, the wagering commissions decreased due to the unfavorable exchange rate. NET REVENUES FROM LOTTERY SERVICES Since June 30, 2000, Autotote had provided services directly to the Lottery Operations [Dominican International Electronic Lottery, Inc. (LEIDSA)] and refused to pay Galapagos service fees under its service contract. See Item 3, "Legal Proceedings". OTHER REVENUES During 2002 other revenues decreased by approximately $715,000 or (10.9%) compared to 2001. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $1,631,000 in the Dominican Republic for three non-recurring revenue items realized in 2001. These included $966,000 due to Autotote arbitration settlement, $332,000 for prior year (1997) tax settlement, and $333,000 for wagering royalty claims. This non-recurring increase was largely offset by a net increase of $1,170,000 for ECMC in the other income/expense category resulting primarily from the combination of tax penalty and interest assessments and other non-recurring expenses items incurred during 2001. The remaining other income decreases were primarily experienced in the operations of Galapagos ($153,000) and ECMC betting card sales ($164,000). 17 EXPENSES For reasons set forth below, total operating expenses during 2002 decreased by $4,490,000 or (7.3%) as compared to 2001. This includes the net of a decrease of $656,000 or (2.5%) in payments to horse owners, from $25,997,000 in 2001 to $25,341,000 in 2001 combined with a decrease of $3,834,000 in other expenses, from $35,948,000 in 2001 to $32,114,000 in 2001. Some of these expenses were non-recurring and are reported below under appropriate categories. PAYMENTS TO HORSE OWNERS Payment of purses to horse owners decreased $656,000 (3%) in 2002 compared to 2001:
increase 2002 2001 (decrease) ------------------------------------- ECMC (a) $23,259,000 $23,186,000 $ 73,000 Dominican Republic 1,312,000 1,678,000 (366,000) Columbia 770,000 1,133,000 (363,000) ------------------------------------- $25,341,000 $25,997,000 $ (656,000) =====================================
(a) Summary of horse owners contract provision for ECMC: The Puerto Rico horse owners contract was signed in July 2000. Under the contract, ECMC is obligated among other items to pay the horse owners $90,000 annually for administrative costs and 50% of the principal and interest owed on an outstanding horse owners loan with a principal balance due of $526,000, plus accrued interest. ECMC must also invest $3,000,000 in improvements to the racetrack during the 10-year term of the contract, as well as provide $2,000,000 of financing for the purchase of horses. Additional costs incurred in the year 2001 related to the horse owners contract are included in other expenses. On March 16, 2001, an "Addendum to Contract" was executed by the Horse Owners Confederation and the Company, whereby the parties agreed to: (i) Increase the number of simulcast races each live race day from three (3) to six (6). (ii) Place three (3) of the simulcast races before the first live races and three (3) after the fifth live race. (iii) Include simulcasting of nine (9) to twelve (12) races on Thursday, currently a dark day. (iv) In consideration of the above, ECMC would pay an additional $1,000,000 to the Horse Owners Confederation when and if the additional simulcast is approved by the Racing Board On June 28, 2001, the Puerto Rico Racing Board granted ECMC the right to increase the number of simulcast races from the United States from three (3) to six (6) per live race day. The Order allowed for a three (3) month probationary period commencing July 1, 2001 and for ECMC to place three (3) simulcast races before the first live race and three (3) simulcast races after the fifth live race during that probationary time period. The Racing Board declined the simulcast of races during the probationary period on Thursdays, a day that currently holds no live races. Pending final approval of the complete simulcast package by the Racing Board, the contract provided that ECMC was obligated to pay the Horse Owners' Confederation $1,000,000. 18 On October 16, 2001, the Racing Board suspended, effective October 22, 2001, simulcasting permitted during the probationary period but not otherwise. Simulcast of special events such as the Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Derby and the Preakness as well as the Caribbean Classic and the Confraternity Classic is still permitted. OTHER EXPENSES Other expenses decreased by $3,834,000 or 21.4% from $35,948,000 in 2001 to $32,114,000 in 2002. This net decrease includes an increase due to a non-recurring impairment adjustment to SSI equipment valuation in 2002 of $2,335,000. There also were increases of $240,000 in repairs and maintenance costs, $64,000 in water and sewerage costs, and $595,000 in insurance expense. Satellite costs decreased $1,020,000, primarily due to operations and vendor adjustments for SSI while the television and other marketing expenses decreased a net of $696,000. Payroll costs decreased $904,000, professional fees decreased $983,000, agency communications (telephone) costs decreased $163,000, and the travel and related expenses decreased $206,000. There was a net decrease of $1,995,000 in the other operating expense category for Galapagos due primarily to cumulative prior year adjustments recorded in 2001 that were non-recurring in nature. The remaining decreases totaling a net of $1,101,000 are the result of general decreases in all the other expense categories combined. FINANCIAL EXPENSES Financial expenses decreased by $223,000 or (2.7%), to a new total of approximately $8,034,000 from the 2001 level of $8,257,000. The interest on loans and capital leases increased $362,000 while bank charges and all other financing expense decreased a net of $123,000. The interest on First Mortgage Notes decreased $462,000. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION Depreciation and amortization increased by a net of approximately $523,000 or 11.5%, to $5,072,000 in 2002 from $4,549,000 in 2001. This was primarily due to: (a) an increase in both HDA of $127,000 and SSI of $522,000 and ABN of $160,000 due to additional acquisitions in 2001 and 2002, and (b) combined with decreases for ECMC of $75,000, for the Dominican Republic of $62,000, and for Colombia of $145,000, and, finally (c) a net decrease of $4,000 for Equus Entertainment. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income tax in 2002 totaling $107,000 consists of $48,000 for ABN and $59,000 for Galapagos. The provision for income tax in 2001 totaling $239,000 consists of $93,000 for Equus Entertainment, $37,000 for ABN, $80,000 for Galapagos, and $29,000 for Equus-Comuneros. MINORITY INTEREST The Company's minority interest shown is income and loss allocable to minority partner interests in HDA, Galapagos and Equus-Comuneros. Because accumulated losses of Galapagos allocable to minority partners exceeded their investment during 2002 and 2001, the Company did not recognize a minority interest in losses of Galapagos. 19 2001 COMPARED TO 2000 --------------------- REVENUES Consolidated Revenues decreased by approximately, $2,646,000 or (4.4%), in 2001 to $58,126,000 from $60,772,000 in 2000. The majority of this decrease was due to the decreased commissions on wagering, which was partially offset by an increase in other revenues, as described below. COMMISSIONS ON WAGERING Commissions on wagering decreased by approximately $4,285,000 or (7.7%) in 2001 to $51,561,000 as compared to $55,846,000 in 2000. The decrease in commissions was attributable to the following operations: El Comandante ($4,600,000), which was offset slightly by the increased commissions attributable to Colombia of $274,000 and Galapagos in the amount of $41,000. PUERTO RICO. Commissions on wagering at El Comandante decreased approximately $4,600,000 (9.0%) from $50,971,000 in 2000 to $46,371,000 in 2001. Commissions on wagering are directly related to the racetrack handle (total wagering/total betting), which has been in decline, and hence, has been generating a decline in the racetracks' commissions. El Comandante experienced significant declines in the betting handle on Puerto Rico races as a result of the poor racing program which consisted mainly of "short fields". Wagers placed in Puerto Rico on live races run at El Comandante decreased $10,125,000. Substantial increases in the simulcasting handle and commissions generated from wagers placed on races from the USA did not compensate for the decline in handle and commissions experienced on Puerto Rico races. Effective October 22, 2001 the Racing Board cancelled its temporary approval for El Comandante to receive races simulcast from the USA. During contract negotiations in January 2000, the Puerto Rico horse owners cancelled their prior approval of simulcast of live races from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic. In February this action was reversed by the Racing Board. This cancellation had an adverse economic impact on commissions on wagering in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In July 2000 the Puerto Rico Horse owners' Association reached an agreement with El Comandante Management Company on a new 10-year contract providing for simulcasting of races. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Commissions on wagering at V Centenario increased by $41,000, or 1.2%, from a total of $3,315,000 in 2000 to a total of $3,356,000 in 2001. COLOMBIA. Commissions on wagering at Los Comuneros increased by $274,000, or 17.5%, from $1,560,000 in 2000 to $1,834,000 in 2001. This increase was primarily due to the opening of new OTB agencies and expanded wagering from simulcast races. NET REVENUES FROM LOTTERY SERVICES Since June 30, 2000, Autotote has provided services directly to the Lottery Operations [Dominican International Electronic Lottery, Inc. (LEIDSA)] and refused to pay Galapagos service fees under its service contract. Net revenues from lottery services decreased $168,000, from $168,000 in 2000 to $-0- in 2001. See Item 3, "Legal Proceedings". OTHER REVENUES During 2001 other revenues increased by approximately $1,807,000, or 38.00%, as compared to 2000. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $1,631,000 in the Dominican Republic for three non-recurring revenue items realized in 2001. These included $966,000 due to Autotote arbitration settlement, $332,000 for prior year (1997) tax settlement, and $333,000 for wagering royalty claims. 20 EXPENSES For reasons set forth below, total operating expenses during the year ended December, 2001 increased by $145,000 or 0.2% as compared to 2000. This includes the net of a decrease of $2,396,000 or (8.4%) in payments to horse owners, from $28,393,000 in 2000 to $25,997,000 in 2001 combined with an increase of $2,541,000 in other expenses, from $33,407,000 in 2000 to $35,948,000 in 2001. Some of these expenses were non-recurring and are reported below under appropriate categories. PAYMENTS TO HORSE OWNERS Payment of purses to horse owners decreased $2,396,000 or (8.4%) in 2001 compared to 2000. The majority of this decrease was due to the decline in wagering commissions due to the decreased level of total betting at ECMC. Total payments to horse owners by property were as follows:
increase 2001 2000 (decrease) -------------------------------------- ECMC (a) $23,186,000 $25,467,000 $(2,281,000) Dominican Republic 1,678,000 1,624,000 54,000 Columbia 1,133,000 1,302,000 (169,000) -------------------------------------- $15,997,000 $28,393,000 $(2,396,000) --------------------------------------
OTHER EXPENSES Other expenses increased by $2,541,000 or 7.6% from $33,407,000 in 2000 to $35,948,000 in 2001, attributable to the new horse owners contract, increased racetrack security costs and expenses relating to SSI and VSAT. Professional fees increased $900,000 in connection with unsuccessful financing efforts and other continuing legal and governmental issues. Additional increases were incurred in host track (simulcast) fees paid, utilities costs due to rate and usage increases, insurance expense, and TV station time. These and other general and administrative costs increased partially due to the extended length of the operating day for ECMC during the three month probationary simulcasting period. FINANCIAL EXPENSES Financial expenses increased by $1,344,000 or 19.4%, to a new total of approximately $8,257,000 from the 2000 level of $6,913,000. This increase was primarily related to the use of a line of credit facility for development of agency operations, including additional agencies and improvements in simulcast and transmission facilities, and a non-recurring charge off of expenses incurred in negotiating a loan that would have provided funding for the VSAT equipment and the purchase of the outstanding mortgage notes. Ultimately, the loan terms and conditions offered by the lender were not acceptable to the Company and no loan agreement was ever executed. As a result, the interest on loans and capital leases increased $848,000 and the Bond interest and financing expense increased $366,000. Bank charges and all other financing expense increased a net of $130,000. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION Depreciation and amortization increased by a net of approximately $288,000 or 6.8%, to $4,549,000 in 2001 from $4,261,000 in 2000. This was primarily due to: (a) an increase of $374,000 for SSI due to additional equipment acquisition, and (c) combined with increases for ABN of $65,000, for the Dominican Republic of $53,000, and for Equus Entertainment of $42,000, and, finally, all offset by (c) decreases for HDA of ($131,000) and Colombia ($118,000). 21 OTHER LOSSES In 2001, the Company incurred foreign exchange losses of $155,000 for its operations in Galapagos and $103,000 for its operations in Colombia. In 2000, the Company incurred foreign exchange losses of $187,000 for its operations in Galapagos. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income tax in 2001 totaling $239,000 consists of $93,000 for Equus Entertainment, $37,000 for ABN, $80,000 for Galapagos, and $29,000 for Equus-Comuneros. The provision for income tax in 2000 totaling $603,000 consists of $570,000 for Equus Entertainment and $33,000 for Equus-Comuneros. MINORITY INTEREST The Company's minority interest shown is income and loss allocable to minority partner interests in HDA, Galapagos and Equus-Comuneros. Because accumulated losses of Galapagos allocable to minority partners exceeded their investment during 2001 and 2000, the Company did not recognize a minority interest in losses of Galapagos. If Galapagos generates profits in 2002, no minority interest will be recognized by the Company in profits up to $ 2,835,978. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OVERVIEW The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Equus Entertainment Corp., is the owner of Housing Development Associates S.E. ("HDA") and its wholly owned subsidiary, El Comandante Management Company LLC ("ECMC"), as well as the owner of Agency Betting Network, Inc. ("ABN"), Satellite Services International, Inc. ("SSI") and foreign subsidiaries Equus Comuneros S.A., and Galapagos, S.A. The principal source of cash of Equus Gaming Company L.P. (the "Company" or, when referring to the individual entity, "Equus") is related to its ownership interest in HDA, the owner and operator (through its wholly owned subsidiary ECMC) of El Comandante Race Track in Puerto Rico. Due to certain restrictions under HDA's indenture for the issuance of its 11.75% First Mortgage Notes due 2003 (the "Indenture"), cash held by HDA or its consolidated subsidiaries (including ECMC) is restricted to ensure payment of interest and certain obligations on the First Mortgage Notes. The following is a discussion of the liquidity and capital resources of the Company, including HDA and its subsidiary ECMC, as well as the Company's other subsidiaries ABN and SSI. Net cash flow from foreign subsidiaries of the Company (Equus Comuneros, S.A., Equus Entertainment de Panama, S.A. and Gal pagos, S.A) did not materially affect the consolidated cash flow of the Company in 2002 and these activities are not discussed herein. 22 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OF THE COMPANY (AND ITS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES) The Company recognizes its current inability to generate sufficient cash to support its operations. To overcome its financial problems, the Company must look to additional revenue sources including investment or cost savings from:. (i) Implementing cost reductions at all properties. (ii) Expanding simulcasting in Colombia and the Dominican Republic as well as expanding race pools. (iii) Obtaining new bank financing or financing by the Wilson family or other potential investors. (vi) Obtain approval for and implementation of a Video Gaming System (VGS) at the OTB agencies and at the racetrack. There can be no assurance that any of the above will be achieved, or if achieved, that the results will be sufficient to enable the Company to continue to operate. Cash and cash equivalents of the Company, HDA and its consolidated subsidiaries increased by approximately $1.2 million in 2002, primarily as a result of an increase in the restricted cash balance held by ECMC for the payment of future sole winners of the Pool Pote (Pick 6) wager. The Company has historically met its liquidity needs from cash flow generated by (i) the operations of El Comandante racetrack, (ii) short-term loans and capital leases for acquisition of new equipment, and (iii) investment by the Wilson family. The Company received cash in the amount of $3.0 million in 1999 and an additional $6.0 million in 2001 from the sale of common stock shares that were purchased by the Wilson Family. The funds were primarily used in 1999 to purchase Galapagos and Equus-Panama from HDA, thereby providing funds to HDA to meet its debt obligations. In January, 2001, the funds were primarily used by the Company to purchase SSI and ABN from HDA thereby, providing cash in which HDA could use to meet its debt obligations. On July, 13, 2001, KEMPT Corporation, a Puerto Rico , wholly owned by the Wilson Family Securities Corporation, an entity controlled by the Wilson family, purchased seven (7) million shares of Equus Entertainment Class A, 12% cumulative, preferred stock at $1.00 par value. Equus Entertainment then applied $3.8 million to offset the advances against dividends made to the company. Equus Entertainment additionally reimbursed the El Comandante group for all advances made by them. Equus entertainment also purchased the inter-company receivables of the El Comandante group that were due at that time from Equus affliated companies outside the El Comandante group. This provided $7.0 million of cash to the company in which to operate. As of December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, related party transactions amounted to $6,378,492 and $3,877,521, respectively. These consisted primarily of notes payable to entities owned primarily by the Wilson family. These loans were made to Equus entities for working capital purposes. The notes bear interest at 1% over prime rate and do not have a definite due date. During 2002 the principal uses of cash by the Company, HDA and its consolidated subsidiaries for financing and investing activities were payments on capital leases for El Comandante equipment. For 2003, projected principal uses of cash, other than for operating activities at El Comandante, are: (i) Principal payments on existing capital leases. (ii) Capital expenditures, as needed and/or required for the various racing operations. (iii) Weekly payment of delinquent excise taxes pursuant to agreement. 23 (iv) Weekly payment of delinquent real property taxes pursuant to agreement. (v) Cash needed to pay Autotote settlement INVESTMENTS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND MARKET EXPANSION The communications up-link satellite control center (the "Hub") installation is largely complete and operational. SSI will be the service provider for all telecommunications and satellite usage by the Company's affiliates. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the financing required to build out the proposed video and data communication system. The failure to do so could cause the Company not to have sufficient financial resources to continue to operate. LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS. In addition to capital leases, long-term cash commitments of the Company (excluding foreign subsidiaries) are a $2.5 million unsecured note and the First Mortgage Notes. In August, 2000, the Company obtained a $2.5 million unsecured loan at 3% over prime due on December 29, 2004. Principal and interest was to be paid from .25% of the wagering handle for the first four (4) years of the service contract with United Tote as outlined in note 4 of the consolidated financial statements, United Tote is not in operation in any of the facilities and this loan is still outstanding as of October 2004. Effective April 1, 2002, the Company and United Tote amended and restated the prior promissory note dated August 11, 2000, for $2,500,000, due December 29, 2004, as follows: 1. The principal balance was revised to $3,431,956 which includes all sums remaining due under the prior note, installation costs incurred by United Tote and totalisator fees due from Comuneros. 2. Interest on the unpaid principal balance at the rate of "prime" interest plus three (3) percent. 3. The note was to become due and payable on July 1, 2003. As of October 7, 2004, this note remains outstanding. HDA's First Mortgage Notes bear interest at 11.75%, payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15, and are secured by the property comprising El Comandante racetrack. The First Mortgage Notes are redeemable, at the option of HDA, in 2001 and thereafter at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest. The maturity dates of First Mortgage Notes, reduced by prior redemptions and by the Notes purchased by ECMC, are as follows (in thousands): YEAR ENDING NET AMOUNT DECEMBER 31, (FACE VALUE) ------------ ------------- 2001 $ 3,454 2002 10,200 2003 40,800 ------------- $ 54,454 ============= As of June 30, 2001, HDA had advanced to Equus approximately $3.8 million against allowable future 24 distributions of profits, which is not in conformity with the terms of the Indenture. Management repaid these advances with the proceeds of a private placement offering of Equus Entertainment preferred stock on July 13, 2001, See Note 10, "Preferred Stock". On December 15, 2001, June 15, 2002 , December 15, 2002, June 15, 2003, December 15, 2003, and June 15, 2004 the Company failed to pay interest and principal on the first Mortgage Notes. This constitutes a default under the Indenture. In addition, defaults have occurred in the performance or breach, of covenants and/or warranties of HDA. The Company was unable to meet the mandatory maturity dates of the First Mortgage Notes set forth above. Although the Company has had discussions with possible lenders, investors, and possible VGS joint venture partners, it has received no commitments or other form of assurances that such financing will be forthcoming. Absent such financing, the Company will not be able to meet its long-term commitments. Equus Comuneros, S.A. did not meet its loan payment commitments due to financial institutions totaling $269,000 as of December 31, 2001. The Company's management subscribed debt restructuring agreements with these financial institutions. Subsequently, in September 2003, the Company entered into a new 14-year agreement with all of its creditors collectively for a term of 14 years. The Company owed a total of approximately $4 million ($1.5 million to non affiliated entities plus $2.5 million to affiliated entities). Under the agreement, the Company does not make any payments to any of the creditors for the first 7 years. After that, beginning October 2010, the Company is required to begin making monthly payments on this debt, with each payment being distributed to all the creditors on a pro-rata basis. The entire debt, including accrued interest, is to be paid in full by the end of the 14-year term of the agreement. Interest will be accrued at variable annual rates in accordance with the annual rate established by the Colombian Government for this type of debt and is expected to average to an effective rate of approximately 12% annually. GOVERNMENT MATTERS. El Comandante's horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering operations are subject to substantial government regulation. Pursuant to the Puerto Rico Horse Racing Industry and Sport Act (the "Racing Act"), the Racing Board and the Puerto Rico Racing Administrator (the "Racing Administrator") exercises regulatory control over El Comandante's racing and wagering operations. For example, the Racing Administrator determines the monthly racing program for El Comandante and approves the number of annual race days in excess of the statutory minimum of 180 racing days. The Racing Act also apportions payments of monies wagered that would be available as commissions to ECMC. The Racing Board consisted of three persons appointed to four-year terms by the Governor of Puerto Rico. This has currently been changed to a five (5) member Board. The Governor also appoints the Racing Administrator for a four-year term. El Comandante is required to pay the Government of Puerto Rico various taxes on the wagering placed on thoroughbred horse races held at or simulcasted by the racetrack. The taxes on the wagering are required to be remitted to the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico within two (2) days of the wages being placed. El Comandante failed to remit tax payments totaling $9,949,182, exclusive of late and interest assessments, from October 16, 2000 to February 7, 2001 to the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico. The Company negotiated with the Puerto Rico tax authorities for a payment plan whereby the overdue taxes will be paid in weekly installments of $50,000. Neither ECMC nor the Company has the financial resources to pay currently the overdue taxes. On May 24, 2001, ECMC executed a "Closing Agreement" (the Agreement") with the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico (the "Secretary") whereby ECMC will settle its assessed debt of unpaid excise taxes and commissions for the period October, 2000 through February, 2001 in the amount of $11,172,450 (including interest and late charges), plus an additional assessment of $60,141 (including interest) for unpaid commissions for the period February 2, 2001 through February 7, 2001, as follows: 1. Upon execution of the Agreement, ECMC delivered a check to the Secretary for $60,141 in full payment of the February, 2001 assessment. 25 2. For a six-month period commencing June 1, 2001 and ending November 30,2001, ECMC was required to pay $50,000 per week against the October, 2000 through January, 2001 assessment. After the six month period, the Secretary had the power to reevaluate the financial condition of ECMC and upon reasonable grounds, continue, modify or revoke the Agreement. The agreement has been continued and is expected to remain in effect until the entire debt repayment is satisfied. 3. ECMC is obligated to pay on a timely basis the current excise taxes and commissions due under Puerto Rico law. 4. ECMC is obligated to provide and maintain a bond in favor of the Secretary in the amount of $500,000. 5. In the event ECMC defaults during the term of this Agreement, the Secretary may accelerate the balance due plus any additional amounts due resulting from the default, including waived penalties of $167,000. As of October 7, 2004, all terms and conditions of the Agreement have been met by ECMC, including payment aggregating $8,800,000 through October 7, 2004. On April 2, 2001, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico passed a resolution ordering an investigation of the operations of El Comandante (Puerto Rico) with emphasis on the mechanisms of physical and financial administration and the debts maintained with the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico and the members of the Horse Owners Confederation. The Company has complied with all requests for information. The investigation has completed and the Company has no indications of any significant or detrimental findings. The Company was unable to remit five (5) bi-annual payments for real estate taxes of $365,032 each for a total unpaid balance of $1,825,160. This balance is payable to the C.R.I.M. in Carolina, P.R. and includes penalty assessments. As of October 7, 2004, the total amount due, including interest, was approximately $2.1 million, less $850,000 paid through October 7, 2004, or approximately $1.25 million. Company representatives met with C.R.I.M. in their offices in the last week of February, 2003. An agreement was reached as follows: 1. The Company will remit a minimum of $10,000 per week to the C.R.I.M. in payment on account, effective beginning February 28, 2003. 2. If the Company is able to secure new financing in the near future and is able to pay the principal balance outstanding in its entirety, the C.R.I.M. agrees to use its best efforts to provide some relief to the Company with respect to the interest and/or penalty charges. 3. When the Company finishes paying off the outstanding patente taxes due to the Municipality, the Company will review its position and attempt to increase the minimum amount being paid to the C.R.I.M. each week. 4. ECMC will remit future bi-annual real estate tax payments on a timely basis. As of October 7, 2004, the Company has fully complied with the provisions of the agreement. As of December 31, 2002, Equus Comuneros, S.A. owed the Colombian Tax and National Customs Administration approximately $939,634, including interest, for withholding at source tax. Management has recently met with the Government to settle the amount outstanding. The plan proposed to the government is as follows: 1. Five (5) year amortization of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%, respectively. 2. The Government is requesting a down payment, which has been under negotiation from 2001 through the current date, October 14, 2004. 26 By means of Resolution 213 of October 31, 2001, of the Colombian Superintendency of Societies, Equus Comuneros was accepted for government supervised restructuring under the provisions of Colombian Law 550 of 1999.The negotiations with the creditors of Comuneros were successful and ended in an agreement more fully described in the last paragraph of the section shown above entitled "Long Term Commitments". The delinquent withholding taxes due to the Colombian Tax and National Customs Administration are being negotiated separate and apart from the debt due to all other creditors. Equus Comuneros has not considered it necessary to make any adjustments to the financial statements with respect to it not being able to continue operating. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT Certain matters discussed and statements made within this Form 10-K are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and as such may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that may cause results to differ from these implied by such forward-looking statements include the following: - Ability of the Company affiliates to reorganize under their Bankruptcy proceedings - Inability to make Bond debt principal and interest payments - Inability to secure adequate financing - Impact of changes in Lottery and or casino laws - Impact of foreign exchange rates ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The Company's certified Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 are presented as a separate attachment. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE There are no such changes or disagreements 27 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY AND EMC MANAGING PARTNER OF THE COMPANY Equus Management Company ("EMC") is the managing general partner of the Company and, as such, has full and exclusive responsibility and authority to manage the Company, including declaring and authorizing cash distributions, making employment decisions, determining executive compensation and making investment decisions and other decisions normally made by executive officers and directors of a corporation. The Board of Directors of EMC also serves as the Board of Directors of the Company. The terms of directors and officers is at the discretion of the Board of Directors. EMC does not engage in any activities other than managing the business of the Company. EMC is governed by its Board of Directors, which currently consists of eight persons. Directors will be elected in the future either by Interstate Business Corporation ("IBC"), as the parent company of EMC, or by the directors then holding office subject to certain limitations, including that at least two of the directors be independent of the Company, IBC and Interstate General Company L.P. ("IGC"). Thus, Unitholders do not have the power to elect EMC's directors. The officers of EMC are elected by its Board of Directors. All officers of EMC are employees of Equus Entertainment Corporation ("EEC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. At present, two of EMC's directors are directors and officers of IGC's managing general partner and two of EMC's directors are directors and officers of IBC. Also, one EMC's director is a trustee of American Community Property Trust ("ACPT"). The adult children of James J. and Barbara A. Wilson own approximately 99.4% of IBC and 100% of The Wilson Family Limited Partnership ("WFLP") and 100% of Wilson Securities Corporation ("WSC"). The Wilson family and companies controlled by them, including IBC, WFLP and WSC hold approximately a 77% interest in the Company, a 54.25% interest in IGC and a 50.89% interest in ACPT. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY AND EMC The table below sets forth the name, age and positions with the Company and EMC of each director and executive officer of EMC and each executive officer of the Company as of December 31, 2002.
NAME AGE POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY AND EMC ---- --- ---------------------------------- James J. Wilson 71 Co-Chairman and Director of EMC Thomas B. Wilson 42 Co-Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Director of EMC Juan M. Rivera-Gonzalez 57 Vice Chairman and Director of EMC Donald J. Kevane 72 Director of EMC Alberto M. Paracchini 72 Director of EMC Barbara A. Wilson 68 Director and Secretary of EMC 28 Mary Pat Wilson 40 Director of EMC Charles Cuprill 60 Director of EMC
RELATIONSHIPS. James J. Wilson and Barbara A. Wilson are the parents of Thomas B. Wilson and Mary Pat Wilson. Certain additional information concerning the above persons is set forth below. James J. Wilson was Chairman and President of EMC from its formation in 1994 ----------------- until February 1996 when he resigned. He was reelected Chairman of the Board of Directors of EMC in October 1998. He has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of IGC, since 1986. He is the founder of IGC and has been Chief Executive Officer of IGC and its predecessors since 1957. He is the founder of IBC and its predecessors. Thomas B. Wilson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of EMC and the ------------------ Company since January 1998 and Director of EMC since February 1998. He has been a Director of IGMC since December 1995 a Director of IBC since 1994 and a Vice President of IBC since September 1994. From 1994 to December 1997 he was President of El Comandante Operating Company, Inc. ("ECOC"). Juan M. Rivera-Gonzalez was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ----------------------- of EMC and the Company since January 1998 and Director of EMC since February 1998, until he resigned in September 1999 to practice law and serve as legal counsel of the Company. From January 1996 to December 1997 he was Executive Vice President of the Company. From September 1995 to December 1995 he served as Vice President of the Company and was also Vice President of IGC from 1994 to April 1996. From April 1991 to December 1993 he was President and General Manager of ECOC. As of October 15, 2001 he was serving as President and CEO of El Comandante Management Company LLC. On October 17, 2004 he was terminated from employment with the Company. Donald J. Kevane has been a Director of EMC since its formation in 1994. He is ----------------- a Certified Public Accountant and Senior Partner in the Puerto Rico accounting firm of Kevane Soto Pasarell Grant Thornton, which he founded in 1975. He is also a director since 1990 of Venture Capital Fund, Inc., a Puerto Rico-based venture capital firm and a director since 1992 of the Autoridad de Energia Electrica (the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority), and, since 1975, a director of GM Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Alberto M. Paracchini has been a Director of EMC since its formation in 1994. ----------------------- He has been a director of BanPonce Corporation, now Popular Inc., and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico since January 1991, and was Chairman of the Board from January 1991 to April 1993. He is Vice Chairman of the Board of Puerto Rican Cement Company, Inc. and a director of Venture Capital Fund, Inc., a Puerto Rico-based venture capital firm. Barbara A. Wilson has been a Director of EMC since January 1996 and Secretary of ----------------- EMC since August 1996. She served as Director of IGMC from December 1995 to 1996. She has been a Director of IBC since 1987, Chairman of the Board since March 1996, Secretary since 1990 and Treasurer since 1993. Mary Pat Wilson has been a Director of EMC since March 2000. She is the Managing --------------- Director of Dresden Farm and is also on the Board of Trustees of Hill School in Virginia and is Director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association ("VTA"). Charles A. Cuprill has been a Director of EMC since December 1999. Mr. Cuprill has been practicing civil law in Puerto Rico since 1972. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE. The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation with respect to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company for services during the years indicated. There was no other executive officer of the Company with compensation in excess of $100,000 for services during 2002. 29
ANNUAL OPTIONS/ COMPEN NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALAR BONU COMPENSATION SAR' -SATION POSTION YEAR Y ($) S ($) ($) (#) (1) ($) (2) --------------------- ----- ------- ----- ------------- --------- -------- Thomas B. Wilson 2002 258,727 - - - 42,784 President and CEO 2001 258,727 - - - 10,384 2000 258,727 - - - 9,752
(1) Represents Unit Appreciation Rights assumed by the Company, as discussed below. (2) Reflects contributions to Retirement Plan discussed below. RETIREMENT PLAN. In 1998, the Company established its own retirement plan for employees of its subsidiary EEC. Employees are eligible to participate in the retirement plan when they have completed a minimum employment period of 1,000 hours. The Retirement Plan is a defined contribution plan which provides for contributions by the Company for the accounts of eligible employees in amounts equal to 4% of base salaries and wages not in excess of the U.S. Social Security taxable wage base, and 8% of salaries (limited to $160,000) that exceeded that wage base. Eligible employees may also make voluntary contributions to their accounts and self direct the investment of their account balances in various investment funds offered under the plan. Contributions to the Retirement Plan amounted to $26,027 in 2002. Prior to October 5, 1998, EEC's employees participated in IGC's retirement plan. DIRECTORS. Directors of EMC who are not employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries receive directors' fees established by the Board of Directors of EMC. These Directors are compensated at a rate of $3,750 per quarter, $1,000 per meeting and out-of-pocket expenses for meetings. In 2001, the directors' fees totaled $124,800 of which $54,600 was unpaid as of December 31, 2001. Mr. James Wilson does not receive director's fees; instead, the Company pays a fee to IGC who, in turn, pays Mr. Wilson's compensation. 30 UNIT APPRECIATION RIGHTS. As of December 31, 2002, there are 10,000 Unit Appreciation Rights ("UAR") outstanding corresponding to one executive, fully vested and exercisable, which will expire on October 18, 2004. The UAR entitle the holder to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash, Units of the Company, securities in another company or some combination thereof, as determined by EMC's Board of Directors. The amount received upon exercise is based on the excess of the fair market value of the UAR over a fixed base price. During 2001, there were no UAR exercised or granted. As of December 31, 2002, the unexercised in-the-money UAR had no value. On October 18, 2004 the UAR expired without being exercised. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN UNITHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Units that are beneficially owned as of June 12, 2002 (i) by each director of EMC or executive officer of EMC or the Company, (ii) by all directors of EMC and executive officers of EMC or the Company, as a group, and (iii) by each person who is known by EMC or the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Units of the Company. Except where noted, the address for the beneficial owner is Doral Building, 7th Floor, 650 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) and (3) ------------------------------- NUMBER OF NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP UNITS PERCENT ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS Barbara A. Wilson 50 0.00% Thomas B. Wilson(2) 86,397 0.60% Mary Pat Wilson 86,397 0.60% Donald J. Kevane 1,000 0.01% Alberto Paracchini 25,000 0.17% Charles A. Cupril 10,000 0.07% All executive officers of EMC and the Company and directors of EMC as a group (6 persons) 208,844 1.45% OTHER UNITHOLDERS The Wilson Family Limited Partnership ("WFLP") 22 Smallwood Village Center St. Charles, Maryland 20602 5,093,088 35.14% Wilson Security Corporation ("WCS") 222 Smallwood Village Center St. Charles, Maryland 20602 6,000,000 41.71% (1) The beneficial ownership of Units was determined on the basis directly and indirectly owned by executive officers and directors of EMC and Units to be issued under UAR's that are exercisable within the next 60 days. (2) WFLP is owned by the adult children of James J. and Barbara A. Wilson, including Kevin Wilson and Thomas Wilson. However, because neither Kevin Wilson nor Thomas Wilson is general partner in WFLP, the Units of the Company owned by WFLP are not considered beneficially owned by them. (3) WSC is owned by the Wilson family, the members of the Board of Directors of WSC have the power to control or vote all the shares, but each member cannot Do it unilaterally, without the consent of the other members, therefore none of the units owned by such corporation can be attributed to a single director.
31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS BONDS AND NOTES PAYABLE AND CAPITAL LEASES The Bonds, Notes Payable, and Capital Leases of the Company are more fully disclosed in Notes 3 through 6 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 which is provided as a attachment. OTHER On July 13, 2001, Kempt Corporation, a Puerto Rico corporation wholly owned by Wilson Securities Corporation, an entity controlled by the Wilson family, purchased seven (7) million shares of Equus Entertainment Class A, 12% cumulative preferred stock, $1.00 par value. Equus Entertainment then applied $3.8 million to offset the advances against dividends made to the Company. Equus Entertainment reimbursed the El Comandante group (consisting of Housing Development associates S.E., El Comandante capital Corporation, and El Comandante Management Company LLC) for all advances made by the El Comandante Group to affiliate companies. Equus Entertainment also purchased the inter-company receivables of the El Comandante Group that were due from affiliate companies. The net proceeds of $6,882,037 were used to pay the following: (1) The June 14, 2001 interest payment on the First Mortgage Notes of $3,595,500 plus $32,408 of penalty interest for the period June 15, 2001 through July 13, 2001. (2) Payoff of $2,604,747 HDA Note payable to FirstBank together with interest accrued through July 13, 2001 of $414,370. (3) Payoff of $500,000 HDA line of credit with FirstBank together with interest accrued through July 13, 2001 of $2,903. (4) Advance to consolidated affiliates of $132,108 to cover operational expenses. ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting him to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings. There has been no significant change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 32 ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. (i) Financial Statements (see attachment) Equus Gaming Company L.P. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Deficit for each of the three year in the period ended December 31, 2002 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
EXHIBITS EXHIBIT INCORPORATED BY NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION REFERENCE TO THE EXHIBITS INDICATED ------- ------------------- ----------------------------------- 3.1 First Amended and Restated Limited Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Partnership Agreement of Equus Statement on Form S-11 Gaming Company L.P. (the "Company") No. 33-90982 of the Company ("Second Form S-11") 3.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership Exhibit 3.1 to Registration of the Company Statement on Form S-11 No. 33-82750 of the Company ("Form S-11") 3.3 First Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.2 to Form S-11 Limited Partnership of the Company 3.4 Second Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.3 to Form S-11 Limited Partnership of the Company 3.5 Third Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.5 to Form S-11 Limited Partnership of the Company 3.6 Fourth Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.6 to Annual Report 33 Limited Partnership of the Company on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1997 ("1997 10-K") 5.1 Form of Unit Certificate Exhibit 5.1 to Form S-11 10.2 Indenture dated December 15, 1993, Exhibit 4.1 to Registration among El Comandante Capital Corp. Statement on Form S-4 ("ECCC"), as Issuer, Banco Popular yNo. 33-75284 of HDA, de Puerto Rico as Trustee ("Banco ECCC and El Comandante Popular") and HDA as Guarantor Operating Company, Inc. (the "Indenture") ("ECOC") ("Form S-4") 10.3 First Supplemental Indenture dated Exhibit 10.27 to Form S-11 December 22, 1994 to the Indenture 10.4 Second Supplemental Indenture dated Exhibit 10.28 to Form S-11 December 22, 1994 to the Indenture 10.7 Amended and Restated Management Exhibit 10.6 to Form S-4 Agreement dated December 15, 1993, between Interstate General Properties Limited Partnership S.E. ("IGP") and HAD 10.11 Stock Pledge Agreement dated Exhibit 10.12 to Form S-4 December 15, 1993, between HDA and Banco Popular 10.12 Pledge Agreement (Mortgage Notes) Exhibit 10.13 to Form S-4 dated December 15, 1993 between HDA and Banco Popular 10.13 Chattel Mortgage dated December Exhibit 10.15 to Form S-4 15, 1993, between ECOC and HAD 10.15 Assignment Agreement (General Exhibit 10.16 to Form S-4 Intangibles) dated December 15, 1993, between HDA and Banco Popular 10.16 Pledge Agreement between ECCC and Exhibit 10.17 to Form S-4 Banco Popular 10.17 Mortgage Note of $52,000,000 of HDA Exhibit 10.18 to Form S-4 10.18 Mortgage Note of $26,000,000 of HDA Exhibit 10.19 to Form S-4 10.19 Deed of Modification and Extension Exhibit 10.20 to Form S-4 of First Mortgage to Secure Additional Mortgage Note, No. 43, dated December 15, 1993 34 10.20 HDA Note in the amount of Exhibit 10.21 to Form S-4 68,000,000 to ECCC dated December 15, 1993 10.22 Consulting Agreement dated December Exhibit 10.21 to Form S-11 15, 1993 between ECOC and IGP 10.26 Lease Agreement dated September 28, Exhibit 10.21 of the Annual 1994 between the Dominican Republic Report on Form 10-K of and Galapagos, S.A.("Galapagos") HDA for the year ended December 31, 1994 ("1994 HDA 10-K") 10.27 Founders' Agreement among Exhibit 10.22 to 1994 Galapagos, HDA and Minority HDA 10-K Stockholders 10.28 Management Agreement dated September Exhibit 10.23 to 1994 28, 1994, between Galapagos and HDA 10-K ECOC 10.34 Third Supplemental Indenture dated Exhibit 10.34 to Annual February 27, 1996 to the Indenture Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995 ("1995 10-K") 10.35 Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated Exhibit 10.35 to 1995 10-K February 27, 1996 to the Indenture 10.44 Assignment and Assumption of Exhibit 10.44 to 1995 Consulting Agreement dated April 10-K/A 22, 1996 10.49 Closing Agreement by and among S&E, Exhibit 10.49 to 1996 10-K Paxson, Equus and HDA dated January 21, 1997 10.50 Control Transfer Agreement by and Exhibit 10.50 to 1996 10-K among IBC, IGC, IGP, HDA, EMC and the Company dated December 31, 1996 10.51 Amendment to Control Transfer Exhibit 10.51 to 1996 10-K Agreement by and among IBC, IGC, IGP, HDA, EMC and the Company dated March 25, 1997 10.52 Broadcast Agreement among S&E, Exhibit 10.52 to 1996 10-K HDA and Paxson dated January 21, 1997 10.57 Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated Exhibit 10.2 on Quarterly 35 November 14, 1997 to the Indenture Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the Quarter ended September 30, 1997 10.58 Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.58 to 1997 by and between El Comandante 10-K Management Company LLC ("ECMC") and ECOC dated December 19, 1997 10.59 Second Amendment to Control Exhibit 10.59 to 1997 Transfer Agreement by and among 10-K IBC, IGC, IGP, HDA, EMC and the Company dated December 19, 1997 10.60 Guaranty Agreement by and between Exhibit 10.60 to 1997 EMC and IGC dated December 30, 1997 10-K 10.61 Agreement to Retire Partnership Exhibit 10.61 to 1997 Interest of Interstate General 10-K Company, L.P. in Equus Gaming Company, L.P. by and among the Company, IGC, EMC, EMTC and HAD dated December 30, 1997 10.62 Ninth Amended and Restated Exhibit 10.62 to 1997 Partnership Agreement of HDA 10-K dated December 31, 1997 10.68 First Amendment to Ninth Amended Exhibit 10.68 to Annual Report on and Restated Partnership Agreement Form 10-K of the Company for the of HDA dated October 2, 1998 year ended December 31, 1998 ("1998 10-K") 10.69 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of March 1, 1999 Exhibit 10.69 to 1998 10-K 31 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Filed herewith and Principal Financial Officer 32 Certification pursuant to to 906 of the Surbanes-Oxley Filed herewith Act of 2002 99.1 Press Release - ECMC; HDA & ECCC File Filed herewith Reorganization under Chapter 11 of Bankruptcy Act
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. None 36 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Equus Gaming Company L.P. ---------------------------- (Registrant) By: Equus Management Company Managing General Partner October 14, 2004 /s/ Thomas B. Wilson ------------------ ----------------------- Thomas B. Wilson Co-Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Acting Chief Financial Officer October 14, 2004 /s/ James J. Wilson ------------------ ---------------------- Co-Chairman Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. DATE TITLE SIGNATURE ---- ----- --------- October 14 , 2004 Co-Chairman /s/ James J. Wilson ------------------- ------------------- James J. Wilson October 14 , 2004 Co-Chairman, President, /s/ Thomas B. Wilson ------------------- Chief Executive Officer -------------------- and Director, Acting Thomas B. Wilson Chief Financial Officer October 14, 2004 Director /s/ Donald J. Kevane ------------------- -------------------- Donald J. Kevane October 14 , 2004 Director /s/ Alberto M. Paracchini ------------------- ------------------------- Alberto M. Paracchini October 14, 2004 Director /s/ Charles A. Cuprill ------------------- ---------------------- Charles A. Cuprill 37 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P. Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Partners and Board of Directors of Equus Gaming Company L.P.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Equus Gaming Company L.P. (the Company) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in partner's deficit and cash flows for each year in the two year period ended December 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of Galapagos S.A., a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, which statements reflect total assets of approximately $900,000 (2%) and $3,700,000 (6%) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and total revenues of approximately $4,000,000 (7%) and $5,700,000 (10%) for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Galapagos S.A., is based solely on the report of the other auditors. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations, changes in partner's deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2000 were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements in their report dated March 31, 2001, including an explanatory paragraph to express those auditors' substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Except as discussed in the following paragraph, we conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We were unable to obtain from the independent auditors of Equus Comuneros, a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, and Agency Betting Network - Sucursal de Colombia, a branch of the Company, response to our inquiries regarding their independence under the requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Government of the United States of America, nor we were able to obtain response from such auditors regarding their familiarity with accounting principles and auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. These subsidiaries reflect total assets of approximately $4,600,000 (9%) and $5,200,000 (9%) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and total revenues of $1,800,000 (3%) and $2,100,000 (3%) for the years then ended, respectively. Page 2 In our opinion, based on our audit and the report of the other auditors, except for the effects of such adjustments, if any, as might have been determined to be necessary had we been able to examine evidence regarding the accounts of Equus Comuneros and Agency Betting Network - Sucursal de Columbia, the consolidated financial statements referred to in the first paragraph present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Equus Gaming Company L.P. as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each year in the two year period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note I to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has experienced significant losses from operations during the last four years of operations and. as of December 31, 2002 has an Partners' deficit amounting to approximately $56.900,000, The Company is also in default for payments of principal and interest on bonds guaranteed with property used in the main operations of the Company (whose total balance amounts to approximately $65,000,000 as of December 31, 2002), and. has not been able to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Government of the United States of America, These factors, among others more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. April 24, 2004 San Juan, Puerto Rico Stamp No. 1958906 of the Puerto Rico society of CPAs was affixed to the record copy of this report.
EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2002 and 2001 Assets 2002 2001 ------------- ------------ Cash on hand and in banks $ 252,221 738,923 Restricted cash (note 2) 2,339,505 671,875 ------------- ------------ Total cash 2,591,726 1,410,798 Accounts receivable (note 2) 1,205,581 4,076,631 Due from affiliates (note 6) 1,016,075 378,307 Prepaid expenses and other 1,909,997 3,447,488 Notes receivable (note 2) 59,862 162,200 Property and equipment, net (note 2 and 5) 47,011,870 51,308,607 ------------- ------------ $ 53,795,111 60,784,031 ============= ============ Liabilities and Partners' Deficit Bonds payable (note 3) $ 54,114,346 53,874,751 Notes payable (note 4) 3,701,151 2,824,043 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 31,709,359 28,288,686 Outstanding winning tickets and refunds (note 2) 3,524,268 2,948,679 Capital lease obligations (note 5) 776,177 1,293,462 Due to affiliates (note 6) 43.28,492 3,877,521 Deferred revenues 513,978 - Deferred income taxes (note 9) 3,088,059 3,088,059 Preferred stock (note 10) 6,882,037 6,882,037 ------------- ------------ Total liabilities $110,687,867 103,077,238 ------------- ------------ Partners' Deficit: Minority interest (note 2) (375,478) (284,585) Cumulative translation adjustments (note 2) 1,198,455 (720,892) Net capital distributions (5,706,114) (5,359,608) Accumulated deficit (52,009,619) (35,928,122) ------------- ------------ (56,892,756) (42,293,207) Commitments and contingencies (note 7) - - ------------- ------------ $ 53,795,111 60,784,031 ============= ============ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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EQUUS gaming COMPANY L.P. Consolidated Statements of Operations Years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 2002 2001 2000 ------------------- ------------- --------------- Revenues: Commissions on wagering (note 2) $ 50,811,381 51,560,896 55,846,307 Other revenues 5,850,115 6,565,637 4,926,165 ------------------- ------------- --------------- 56,661,496 58,126,533 60,772,472 ------------------- ------------- --------------- Expenses: Purses paid to horsemen 25,340,734 25,996,921 28,393,091 Salaries, wages and employee benefits 8,205,316 9,109,549 9,134,034 Other operating costs and expenses (note 2) 23,908,715 26,837,170 24,272,866 Depreciation and amortization 5,072,238 4,549,367 4,261,472 Interest expense 8,033,760 8,257,133 6,913,066 Loss in foreign currency transactions (note 2) 2,127,549 258,355 1.86,561 Minority interest (note 2) (52,973) (116,768) (1,314,872) ------------------- ------------- --------------- 72,635,339 74,891,727 71,846,218 ------------------- ------------- --------------- Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (15,973,843) (16,765,194) (11,073,746) Income taxes (107,655) (239,099) (603,310) ------------------- ------------- --------------- Loss from continuing operations (16,081,498) 07,004,293) (1.1,677,056) Loss from discontinued operations (note 12) - (4,601,301) (167,914) ------------------- ------------- --------------- Net loss $ (16,081,498) (21,605,594) (11,844,970) =================== ============= =============== Weighted average units outstanding 12,325,381 9,325,381 8,505,398 =================== ============= =============== Basic and diluted per unit amounts: Loss from continuing operations $ (1.30) (1.82) (1.37) Loss from discontinued operations (0.49) (0.02) ------------------- ------------- --------------- Net loss per unit $ (1.30) (2.31) (1.39) =================== ============= =============== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Consolidated Statements of Partners' Deficit Years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 General Limited Partners Partners Total -------------- ------------- --------------- Balance as of December 31, 1999 $ (781,879) (14,003,414) (14,785,293) -------------- ------------- --------------- Net loss for the year (118,450) (11,726,520) (11,844,970) Currency translation adjustments 4,185 414,321 418.506 Issuance of units, net of costs - 6,000,000 6,000,000 -------------- ------------- --------------- Balance as of December 31, 2000 (896,144) (19,315,613) (20,211,757) -------------- ------------- --------------- Net loss for the year (216,056) (21,389,538) (21,605.594) Currency translation adjustments (4,759) (471,097) (475,856) -------------- ------------- --------------- Balance as of December 31, 2001 (1,116,959) (41,176,248) (42,293,207) -------------- ------------- --------------- Net loss for the year (160,815) (15,920,683) (16,081,498) Currency translation adjustments 19,193 1,900,154 1,919,347 Net distributions on subsidiary transactions (4,374) (433,024) (437,398) -------------- ------------- --------------- Balance as of December 31, 2002 $ ( 1,262,955) (55,629,80,1) (56,892,756) ============== ============= =============== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 2002 2001 2000 ------------- ------------ ------------ Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations: Net loss $(16,081,498) (21,605,594) (11,844,970) Loss from discontinued operations - 4,601,301 167,914 ------------- ------------ ------------ Net loss from continuing operations (16.081,498) (17,004,293) (11,677,056) Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by/ (used, in) operating activities; Depreciation and amortization 4,619,383 4,170,006 5,015,350 Deferred taxes - (605,733) 620.094 Minority interest - (753,288) (1,314,872) Gain in sale of assets _ _ (179,500) Loss on impairment of long lived assets 2,335,000 Foreign currency translation adjustments 1,919,347 (475,856) 1.1,855 Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease/increase) in accounts receivable 2,871,050 252,286 (2,914,678) Increase in due from affiliates (637,768) (219,951) - Decrease/increase) in prepayments and other 1,537,491 2,042,845 (946,811) Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,934,651 396,664 18,378,234 Increase in outstanding tickets and refunds 575,589 1.396,551 421.739 Increase in due to affiliates 2,500,971 3,877,521 - ------------- ------------ ------------ Total adjustments 19,655,714 10,081,045 19,091,411 ------------- ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by/fused in) operating activities 3,574,216 (6,923,248) 7,414,355 ------------- ------------ ------------ Cash flows from investing activities: Net receipts from notes receivable 102,338 2,797,874 - Additions to property and equipment (2,418,051) (118,151) (3,370,752) ------------- ------------ ------------ Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (2,315,713) 2,679,723 (3,370,752) ------------- ------------ ------------ Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceed' (payments) of notes payable 877,108 (7,725,918) 3,401,732 Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock - 6,882,037 - Proceeds from issuance of partnership units - - 6,000,000 Payments of capital lease obligations (517,285) (939,097) (6,796,499) Capital distributions (437,398) - (1,519,468) ------------- ------------ ------------ Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (77,575) (1.782,978) 1,085,765 ------------- ------------ ------------ Net increase/(decrease) in cash 1,180,928 (6,026,503) 5,129,368 Cash at beginning of year 1,410,798 7,437,301 2,307,933 ------------- ------------ ------------ Cash at end of year $ 2,591,726 1,410,798 7,437,301 ============= ============ ============ Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 401,200 8,500,033 5,399,672 ============= ============ ============
6 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 (1) ORGANIZATION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Equus Gaming Company L.P. (the Company) is a Virginia Limited Partnership organized on December 16, 1997 as permitted by the State of Virginia Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The Partnership's activities encompass mainly the management of horse racetracks in the Caribbean basin and other Latin American countries, together with their respective on-track and off-track betting systems and related communication links. The primary source of income of the Company is related to the management and. operation of the El Comandante racetrack located at Canovanas, Puerto Rico. The Company is the sole owner of Equus Entertainment Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which controls operations of the racetrack through its 99% ownership of Housing Development Associates SE (HDA). HDA is the sole owner of El Comandante Management Company LLC (a Delaware Limited Liability Corporation and the entity that operates the racetrack) and of the land and related racetrack properties. El Comandante is the only thoroughbred racetrack in Puerto Rico and operates on a year-round schedule basis. The operation includes the administration and management of an on-track and off-track betting system that has approximately 600 off-track betting agencies throughout the island of Puerto Rico. These agencies provide the betting public with live video images of the races held at the racetrack and are connected to the betting operating system at the racetrack to accept pari-mutuel and other wagers. The Company also has a 55% interest in Galapagos S.A. (Galapagos), which is the operator since 1995 of the V Centenario Racetrack in the Dominican Republic, and a controlling 50% interest in Equus Comuneros, which is the operator of the Los Comuneros racetrack in Colombia. The Company also manages the agency betting operation in Colombia through the branch in that country of Agency Betting Network (ABN), a wholly-owned corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to install and operate betting operations. The Company held controlling interests in entities that operate d the Presidente Remon racetrack in Panama and the Maronas racetrack in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Panama operation was surrendered as part of a reorganization of the racetrack operations and the Uruguay operation was liquidated in March, 2001 after the license was canceled by the government and awarded to a different, unrelated operating company. The Company recorded the results of these activities as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. The Company also offers satellite up-link services to some of its subsidiaries through Satellite Services International, Inc. (SSI), a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under 7 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. SSI also provides leasing of video and data telecommunication equipment to transmit live races from and to the racetrack operations. As part of these services, the Company provides simulcasting-in and simulcasting-out of the races held on the racetracks and in some cases, from other third party operated racetracks in the United States. The Company also is a 100% owner of El Comandante Capital Corporation, a special purpose corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that was created to issue bonds under a first mortgage note on the El Comandante racetrack facilities and real estate. Horse racing is highly regulated by the respective governments in which the Company operates. Based on these regulations, the Company has to provide, among other things, space to government personnel that oversee the racing operations, reports and space to treasury department personnel, and also reports, space and other facilities for other related personnel that supervise all aspects of horseracing and the management of all monies wagered and their corresponding payment to all entities involved in the racing business. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. However, certain matters have affected the Company's operations during the most recent past years which create substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, as explained more fully below: (a) PUERTO RICO The Company has incurred significant losses from operations in Puerto Rico during the last four years. The horse racing industry has suffered stiff competition from other gambling games approved by the government during the last ten years, which has caused a sharp decrease in the amount of money bet on horse races during such period. Management does not believe that the total amount of money bet at the racetrack, will increase unless the government either changes the fiscal structure of the wagering distribution or revises the regulations in order to permit the Company to enter into other gambling activities that could increase the amount of commissions earned and, thus, increase the financial stability of the Company. Due to the results of operations as discussed in the previous paragraph, the Company has also been unable to satisfy payments of principal and interest on bonds that are guaranteed with a first mortgage note amounting to $68,000,000 issued by HDA and guaranteed ultimately with the land and racetrack properties comprising El Comandante racetrack. Payments of principal and interest on the 8 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 bonds have not been made since December, 2001, which is a default to the bond agreement. Due to this situation, the bondholders have filed an action for collection of monies and foreclosure of property at the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The final outcome of these proceedings cannot presently be determined since they are in a preliminary stage. The Company also did not comply with certain provisions set forth in the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code during the period from October, 2000 through February, 2001. These provisions establish the requirement to the Company of withholding and remitting to the Puerto Rico Treasury Department certain amounts from the wagers, prizes, winnings and betting taking place at the racetrack. The Company reached an agreement with the Treasury Department whereas a payment plan was established for the amounts unpaid during the period indicated above, plus payment of all current amounts due under the applicable sections of the Code, as described above. Non-compliance with this agreement could adversely affect the operations of the racetrack. The Company has also been unable to market the services provided by SSI to outsiders, which has created uncertainty as to the future operations of the subsidiary. Additionally, SSI wrote-off equipment with a book value of approximately $2,335,000 from its books during the year ended December 31, 2002. This equipment was purchased with the intention of providing additional up-link services such as transmission of data and video to the racetrack and to other clients, but the Company was unable to integrate this equipment with other hardware in use currently at the racetrack. Since the equipment could not be used as originally intended, this situation has created additional concerns for the Company regarding the marketability of its products. (b) COLOMBIA The Company has suffered significant losses from the Colombia operations, which has resulted in the Superintendent of Partnerships of Colombia requiring implementation of a restructuring process in which the Company can either reach agreements with debtors to restructure its debts, or reorganize its operations and its related management. If this process is not completed in accordance with the plan submitted, then the Superintendent will force the liquidation of the Colombia operations. The Colombia operations also includes a branch of Agency Betting Network, which has also been unable to establish a successful business plan since all operations provided by the branch in Colombia are related to the Los Comuneros racetrack. The branch has experienced losses from its operations since its 9 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 inception and as such, has been unable to satisfy payments to the National Tax Authority of Colombia amounting to approximately $242,000. This situation may force the government of Colombia to seize assets of the branch and, therefore, significantly affect its future operations. (c) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Company has also experienced significant losses since the beginning of operations in the Dominican Republic (V Centenario Racetrack), and management has not been able to increase the amounts of wagers placed on races. This situation creates concern regarding the operations of the Company in that country. (d) SEC FILINGS The abrupt and unexpected closure of Arthur Andersen's LLP offices, the previous audit firm for the Company, has negatively impacted the Company's ability to properly meet the SEC filing guidelines. The Company has continued to file quarterly and annual extensions and reports but these reports had to be filed including unaudited information, pending engagement of a new independent audit firm. The entire process of locating, engaging, and performing the required audits has proved to be difficult and time consuming. The actual audits for the two (2) years ending December 31, 2002 and 2001 were further complicated by the Company's inability to communicate with former Arthur Andersen personnel to start a smooth transition process to the new accounting firm. The new independent audit firm had to perform additional audit tests and certification work for those balances carried forward from the year 2000. With the completion of the audited financial statements for the fiscal years 2002 and 2001, the Company intends to file amended quarterly and annual SEC reports with the audited financial information. Any related fines, penalties, and/or other remedies that the Company and/or its management may be subject to can not be presently determined. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The racing industry has declined over the last few years, the Company faces competition from other forms of legalized gambling in the countries in which it has operations, and it also faces competition from illegal gambling. The Company also needs the approval from the corresponding governmental entities to make changes in the race cards and the schedule of transmission of live races, both to and from other racetracks, due to the racing regulations. 10 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 Management's planned actions in order to overcome the substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern are the following: * The Company has already requested from the Puerto Rico Government the necessary changes in the racing regulations that would let the Company install an Electronic Video Gaming System. It is important to note that the Electronic Video Gaming System is not related to or connected to the Puerto Rican Lottery in any manner. This would let the Company expand its revenue base, provide additional resources for both the racetrack operations and the horse owners, and thus, increase the quality of races with the new resources available for investing in horses. Management also believes that the increase in horses will also create additional interest in the horse racing fans which would also translate to additional money bet at the horse races, * After obtaining from the government these changes in the regulations, management and the stockholders will make either a stand-still offer agreement to the bondholders, whereby their investment would be guaranteed during the stand-still period, or would bring another related company that would provide the necessary resources to refinance the debt and pay back the old bondholders. * Management also contemplates the approval of additional presentations of simulcasting races from selected United States racetracks, including during the days there are no live races. This would also increase the amount of commissions earned by the Company, increasing its profitability and financial position. * Regarding Dominican Republic and Colombia operations, management is now under plans to request from the government a restructuring of the distribution of money wagered, including tax amounts assessed by the government on wagers. After this restructuring process, there would be an increase in the money distributed to horseowners. It is management's opinion that this will increase both the amount of horses and quality of races, which in turn, would increase the amount of money wagered at the racetrack. * The Company may also change its main operation in Puerto Rico and develop the racetrack property as a real estate business. This alternative requires the change in classification of the property by the government in order to obtain the permits necessary to start the development phase, and also will require approval from the government of moving the racetrack facilities to a new property. Therefore, this scenario is a last resource given the timeframe and approvals needed to achieve these preliminary steps. 11 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 * Management has also started a process that will lead to the complete filing of ail required reports with the SEC and expects to complete the process before the end of the year 2004. As part of this process, management also will consider the possibility of converting the Company to a privately-owned entity in order to eliminate these requirements, however, this process is in a preliminary consideration stage and no formal decision or management actions have taken place at this point in time. There is no assurance that management plans can be achieved. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. (2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES The following is a summary of the most significant accounting policies and practices followed in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements: (a) BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, as described more fully in note 1. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. (b) RESTRICTED CASH The Company has to maintain savings accounts to satisfy the payment of the "poolpote" wager, as required by the Puerto Rico Racing Board Regulations. These accounts must be interest bearing and their balances including interest earned thereon are restricted to payments of this wager. Balances are increased by: (i) accumulated cash in the "poolpote", which is funded by 8% (4% before June 26, 2002) of the total amount played daily in the wager less commissions and taxes, and (ii) a bonus dividend that consists of undistributed amounts of other wagers ("breakage") based on the prizes calculation formulas. The balance of the account becomes payable when there is a sole Pick 6 ticket winner, as defined in the racing regulations. The total amount accumulated is also presented as part of outstanding wanning tickets and refunds in the accompanying balance sheets. 12 (c) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 consist of the following:
EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 2002 2001 ----------- ---------- Due from OTB agencies $1,051,917 1,512,242 Food service agreement 101,659 294,222 Due from horseowners and jockeys - 631,071 Due from Puerto Rico Government 100,000 - Autotote Systems, Inc. 34 961,805 Due from racing industry funds - 712,363 Other 305,087 484,057 ----------- ---------- 1,559,097 4,595,760 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (353,516) (519,129) ----------- ---------- $1,205,581 4,076,631 =========== ==========
Amounts due from OTB agencies consist of betting balances net of commissions and do not represent complete resources available to the Company. The Company has to make payments to both horse owners and fiscal agencies on all betting activity and these amounts are also included in the balances due from the OTB agencies. Accounts receivable from the food service agreement is related to the rental of the restaurant and bar facilities at the El Comandante racetrack. Due from Puerto Rico Government represents reimbursement of purse expenses related to a special stake race (Clasico del Caribe) incurred during 2002. Due from horseowners and jockeys represent advances made under agreements in Dominican Republic to promote the racing activity. Due from Autotote Systems, Inc. represents the amount pending to be received under a settlement of litigation. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company's existing accounts receivable. The Company provides for an estimate of bad debts and adjusts the allowance balance at the end of each year based on the specific identification of balances that present potential collection problems. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers. 13 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 The Company also has the right to request to the Puerto Rico Racing Administrator reimbursement of past due balances from agencies in Puerto Rico in certain cases, as established in the racing regulations. The Administrator has been trusted with a bank account funded with amounts assessed to agencies each racing day in order to provide funds for this purpose. The total cash balance is available for reimbursement to the Company up to $15,000 per agency. Total amount in the account trusted with the Administrator as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 amounted to $452,250 and $408,880, respectively. (d) NOTES RECEIVABLE Notes receivable consists of unsecured short-term loans to horse owners with fixed interest rates that range from 11% to 11.5%. These loans provide financing to horse owners to purchase horses as a means to improve the quality of racing. The current agreement between the Company and the Confederacion Hipica de Puerto Rico (the Confederacion), a horse owners association, provides that credit lines to all members of the Confederacion, as a group, will not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 to any single owner, nor will it lend more than. 80% of the purchase price of any horse. (e) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment at December 31, 2002 and 2001 consist of the following:
2002 2001 ------------- ------------ Land and land improvements $ 17,885,686 18,096,418 Buildings and buildings improvements 41,685,767 41,819,904 Equipment and furniture 15,166,861 16,330,629 ------------- ------------ 74,738,314 76,246,951 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (27,726,444) (24,938,344) ------------- ------------ $ 47,011,870 51,308,607 ============= ============
Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which vary from 5 to 20 years, approximately. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful 14 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 lives. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to expense when incurred. (f) COMMISSIONS ON WAGERING The Company earns commissions on bets placed on the racetracks' thoroughbred horse races through wagering facilities at both the racetrack and wagering facilities (known as Off-track agencies) located at independently owned premises through the countries in which the Company does business. Commissions are based on percentages of wagers established by law and vary for the different types of wagers in each jurisdiction. Similar percentages have been established for simulcasting races at corresponding racetracks. Commissions are recorded as earned, after the end of each racing day. (g) ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXPENSES During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company incurred advertising costs of approximately $385,000, $318,000, and $1,189,000, respectively. (h) INCOME TAXES Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. (i) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to he generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported 15 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and depreciation ceases. The Company recognized a loss in impairment amounting to approximately $2,335,000 during the year ended December 31, 2002 related to the book value of satellite equipment for which no specific use was identified, as discussed more fully in note 1 to the financial statements. (j) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In June, 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) #146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities". The Statement requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the Statement are lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing or other exit or disposal activity. In October, 2002, the FASB issued SFAS #147, "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions", which establishes new standards of accounting for certain acquisitions of financial institutions and establishes standards for transactions between two or more mutual enterprises. In December, 2002, the FASB issued SFAS #148, "Interim Financial Reporting", which provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, and requires more prominent and more frequent disclosure in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation. Also, in April, 2003 the FASB issued SFAS #149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", and in May, 2003, SFAS #150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity". SFAS #149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts. SFAS #150 improves the accounting for certain financial instruments that, under previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity. This Statement requires that those instruments be classified as liabilities in statements of financial position. The FASB has also issued Interpretations #45 (November, 2002) and #46 (January, 2003), which deal with accounting and disclosure requirements for 16 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 guarantees, including indirect guarantees of indebtedness of others, and with the consolidation of variable interest entities. None of these new accounting standards, in management's opinion, will have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. (k) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents using year-end spot foreign exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at amounts that approximate weighted average exchange rates, with resulting gains and losses included in income. The effects of translating operations with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are included in partners' capital. The effects of translating transactions with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, including those in highly inflationary environments, are included in other income. (l) MINORITY INTEREST Minority interest in the accompanying balance sheets represents the percentage of ownership held by partners in Galapagos S.A. and Equus Comuneros S.A. Under current partnership agreements, the Company agreed to assume all operating losses in these partnerships in excess, of the initial investment of the minority partners. Changes in minority interest during the last year are mainly related to the change in value of the currencies in the countries in which the partnerships operate. (m) Use OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (n) RECLASSIFICATIOM Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2000 financial statements to conform them to the current presentation. 17 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 (3) BONDS PAYABLE On December 15, 1993, the Company issued through El Comandante Capital Corp. bonds payable in the amount of $68,000,000 to finance the acquisition costs of the racetrack. These bonds were initially due on December 31, 2003 and paid interest semi-annually at 11.75%. Due to the financial condition of the Company, no payments of principal and interest on bonds have been paid since June, 2001, which constitutes an event of default under the bond indenture agreement. Additionally, the Partnership has made certain capital distributions to partners that technically, also constitute instances of default to the bond agreement. In December 31, 1998, El Comandante Management Company LLC purchased in the open market units of these bonds in the amount of $7,500,000, at a $1,000,000 discount. The unamortized portion of this investment amounts to $6,051.495 as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and has been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as a debt retirement, and the discount on bond retirement has been netted to the discount on bonds payable for financial statement purposes. Based on these facts, the total consolidated amount due and payable under the bond indenture agreement as of December 31, 2002, amounts to $54,944,412 of principal and $9,817,272 of accrued interest, for a total amount due of $64,761,684. The bonds are secured by a first mortgage on the racetrack premises and by certain other collateral which together encompass a lien on (i) the fee interests of the Partnership in the land and fixtures comprising El Comandante, (ii) all related equipment, structures, machinery and other property, including intangible property, ancillary to the operations of El Comandante, and (iii) substantially all of the other assets and property of the Partnership, including the capital stock by the Partnership. Based on the default status of the bonds, the investors have filed a petition for foreclosure of the property in the United States Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The petition is still in its preliminary stage and management is still in negotiations with the bondholders in order to reach a tentative stand-still offer that would permit the Partnership re-finance the bonds or to make other debt restructuring procedure. The financial statements do not reflect any adjustments regarding these matters. (4) NOTES PAYABLE Notes payable as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 consist of the following:
2002 2001 ----------- --------- Note Payable to United Tote $ 3,431,956 2,500,000 Notes payable to banks 269,195 324,043 ---------- --------- $ 3,701,151 2,824,043 ========== =========
18 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 The note payable to United Tote consists of an unsecured advance received in connection with a pre-arrangement reached with United Tote to become the totalisator sendee provider in ail the racetracks owned by the Company. The note was scheduled to be paid with a predetermined percentage of the total handle managed at the racetracks and accrues interest at 3% over prime rate. The note was increased in 2002 by $931,956 to include other advances made for working capital purposes during the year and is due on December 31, 2004. Since the Company has not been able to formally appoint United Tote as its sole provider, no principal or interest payments have been made. Notes payable to banks consist of unsecured loans made to Equus Comuneros by Colombian financial institutions bearing interest at rates that fluctuate from 7% to 10%. (5) CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS The Company is obligated under capital leases covering motor vehicles and equipment that expire at various dates during the next three years, and which are included within equipment and furniture in the accompanying financial statements. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the gross amount of property and equipment and related accumulated amortization recorded under capital leases were as follows:
2002 2001 ------------ ----------- Motor vehicle $ 579,779 579,779 Equipment 1,911,353 1,911,353 ------------ ----------- 2,491,132 2,491,132 Less accumulated amortization (1,721,897) (1,264,255) ------------ ----------- 769,235 1,226,877 =========== ============
Amortization of assets held under capital leases is included within depreciation and amortization expense. 19 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 Future minimum capital lease payments as of December 31, 2002 are:
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, AMOUNT ----------------------------------------- ------------ 2003 $ 497,317 2004 331,841 2005 39,193 ------------ Total minimum lease payments 868,351 Less amount representing interest (rates vary from 6% to 11 %) (92,174) ------------ Obligations under capital leases $776,177 ============
(6) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Accounts payable to related parties is composed mainly of notes payable to entities under common ownership that have provided such funds for financing purposes. The notes bear interest at 1% over prime rate (5.75% and 5,25% as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively) and do not have a definite due date. (7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (a) HORSE OWNER'S AGREEMENTS The Company maintains horseowners agreements in the jurisdictions of the racetracks, which are based on the distributions of wagers between the horseowners and the respective operating company based on percentages of wagering established by the horse racing regulations applicable in each country. PUERTO RICO The current agreement between the Company and the Horse Owner's Association (the Association) covers a period from July, 2000 through July, 2010. The agreement provides for the distribution on an equal basis (50%) of the commissions on wagering earned by the Company, 20 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 In the event that the horse owner's share is less than the base minimum of $25.032,256 established in the contract, the Company will contribute to the Association the amount of $1,000,000 reduced on a dollar for dollar basis for the excess of the horse owners' share over the base minimum. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company was also required, to pay 50% of the Association's long-term debt (including interest) outstanding as of June 30, 2000, which amounted to $582,314. Consequently, the Association is required to supply sufficient horses to conduct racing operations at El Comandante in accordance with the racing program approved by the Puerto Rico Racing Board, which stipulates a minimum of thirty eight (38) races per week. The contract obligates the Company to provide stables and related facilities and to pay for other commitments with the industry such as funding the annual budgets (as approved by both parties on each year) of the Association and its veterinary clinic. In addition, the Company agreed to contribute 50% of the Association's premiums of certain health insurance benefits for jockeys and trainers. During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company recognized as expense approximately $804,000, $765,000 and $1,161,000, respectively, related to the funding of these activities. The current agreement was amended in March, 2001 to, among other, establish the distribution of commissions earned on simulcasted races, and to provide for penalties to the Association for non-compliance of providing sufficient horses, as established in the amendment. The amendment provided for a probation period of six months for the transmission of simulcasted races and after final approval of permanent transmission of those races, the Company would pay the Association $1,000,000 each of the first two years after such approval. During the probation period, the Racing Board declined to continue the transmission of simulcasting races. The Association has claimed to the Board that the Company must pay the additional amounts related to the amendment, which in summary amount to $2,000,000. The Company, with the advisory of its legal counsel, believes that no amounts are payable due to the cancellation of the simulcasting races before the end of the probation period. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC On February 27, 1995, the Company agreed with the National Association of Horseowners to share on a 50% basis all commissions earned on wagers placed at the racetrack, including the transmission of simulcasted races from Puerto Rico, net of commissions paid for the simulcasting agreement. This contract expires in March 31,2005. 21 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 (b) ClOSING AGREEMENT WITH PUERTO RICO TREASURY DEPARTMENT The Company is required to pay to the Treasury Department of the Government of Puerto Rico various taxes on wagering, as described more fully in the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, within two days of the wagers being placed. The Company failed to remit these tax payments for the period from October 16, 2000 to February 7, 2001, Consequently, the Company accumulated taxes that were assessed finally by the Treasury Department at $11,172,450. The Company and the Treasury Department negotiated a closing agreement under which an interim payment plan was established whereby the Company agreed to pay $50,000 weekly to satisfy the assessed amount, plus a commitment to stay current on all payments of taxes incurred during subsequent racing days. This payment plan had an initial term of six months, after which the Secretary of the Treasury would negotiate a different plan or continue the interim payment agreement. The Company also has to maintain a bond in the amount of $500.000 at all times during the agreement, and the Secretary has the authority to revoke or to call the total amount of the debt in case of non-compliance with any of the provisions agreed on. The Company believes it has complied with the agreement because it has continued to pay the weekly amount as established, and has provided the Treasury Department with both a bond in the amount of $250,000 and with a certificate of deposit pledged with the Department in the same amount, which is presented within prepaid and other assets in the accompanying balance sheets. The Company has also continued to pay all taxes incurred related to the wagering, activity at the racetrack. Total debt outstanding as of December 31. 2002 and 2001 related to this agreement amounted to $7,022,450 and $9,622,450, respectively. If the Company continues to comply with the agreement and the Secretary continues to agree with the weekly payment schedule, total amount payable during each of the next two years will amount to $2,600,000, and to $1,822,450. The Company has also been notified of additional assessments regarding prior years' income tax returns. The Company has vigorously objected these assessments. No adjustments have been made to the accompanying financial statements regarding these issues. (c) MUNICIPAL TAX PAYMENT PLAN The Company disputed various cases since 1.992 related to the volume of business tax as assessed by the Municipality of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, in which the El Comandante racetrack is located. The Company's Basis for the dispute related to the fact that the municipality assessed as volume of business, the sales commissions earned by the Off-track betting agencies, located throughout the 22 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 island of Puerto Rico. The Company claimed this was a case of double taxation but the court ruled against the Company. Total amount assessed under the case amounted to $939,451. Consequently, the Company reached a payment agreement with the municipality whereby weekly payments of at least $5,000 were to be remitted for an eighteen (18) month interim period, starting on August 1, 2001, After this period, the Company has been complying with the weekly payments and has also submitted its municipal tax returns in time, which was an additional requirement under the agreement. Total amount due under this agreement as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 amounted to $665,742 and $829,451, respectively. Subsequently, the Company accelerated payments on this agreement and paid in full the outstanding amount during November, 2003. The Municipality has also notified the Company of the possibility of assessing additional municipal taxes due related to the construction projects held at the racetrack after hurricane Georges in. 1998 totaling $683,769, including late penalties and interest. The Company is currently reviewing the additional tax assessment with its legal and tax advisors. (d) WAGERING SERVICES AGREEMENTS The Company has contracted with Autotote Systems, Inc. {Autotote) to provide wagering totalisator services, software and equipment to the racetracks, necessary for the operation of the off-track betting system. In Puerto Rico, the agreement was renewed in March, 2002 for a period of ten years. Wagering service payments are equivalent to .65% of total wagers placed with a minimum annual fee amounting to $800,800. During the renewal process of this agreement, Autotote agreed to credit approximately $550,000 that the Company owed under the previous contract. This amount has been reclassified from accrued expenses to deferred revenue and is being amortized into income during the ten year period of the contract. In Dominican Republic, a similar agreement was entered into in January 1, 1995 for a period often years expiring on March 15, 2005. Under this agreement, the Company had to pay fees based on .65% of total wagers placed, with a minimum fee of $200,000. Management subsequently alleged that this agreement was prepared with the intention of harming the business operations of the Company and in December 31, 2001, the court gave a favorable ruling to the Company which stipulated that Autotote shall reimburse the Company for approximately $962,000. As a result of this ruling, the contract was terminated in July 19, 2002 when the Company bought all the equipment from Autotote for the unpaid amount as determined by the court. 23 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 Total expense under these agreements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, amounted to $1,596,771, $1,644,295 and $1,670,361, respectively. (e) LEASE OF PHONE LINES The Company has an agreement with the Puerto Rico Telephone Company for the lease of dedicated transmission lines used in the Off-track betting agencies. These lines are used to transfer all wagering information from the agencies to the totalisator system located at the racetrack. The agreement provides for monthly payments based on the total amount of capacity used by the agencies. Total expense incurred during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 related to this agreement amounted to $1,270,901, $1,340,655 and 1,110,055, respectively. (f) V CENTENARIO LEASE AGREEMENT The Company operates the V Centenario Racetrack in the Dominican Republic under a ten years lease agreement expiring in April 2, 2005. The agreement provides for rent payments based on the total amount wagered at the racetrack, not to exceed 1% of total amount wagered. The contract requires the Company to provide maintenance, security, proper insurance coverage, among other administrative requirements, to the racetrack facilities. Total this agreement amounted to approximately $80,000, $86,000 and $83,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. (g) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company and certain of its affiliates are presently named defendants in various lawsuits and could be subject to other claims arising out of its business operations. Management, based in part upon advice from its legal counsel believes that the result of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. (h) SEC FILINGS The Company has not been able to comply with the reporting requirements of the SEC. Any related fines, penalties, and/or other remedies that the Company and/or its management may be subject to can not be presently determined. 24 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 (8) RETIREMENT AND PENSION PLANS RETIREMENT PLAN The Company has established a defined contribution retirement plan for qualified employees of one of its subsidiaries (Equus Entertainment Corporation) which were previously covered under the retirement plan of Interstate General Company L.P. (a former general partner of the Company), Employees are eligible to participate in the retirement plan when they have completed a minimum of 1,000 hours of services and provides for contributions by the Company in amounts equal to 4% of base salaries and wages, not in excess of the U.S. Social Security taxable wage base, and 8% of salaries (limited to $200,000) that exceed that wage base. Eligible employees may also make voluntary contributions to their accounts and self direct the investment of their account balances in various investment funds offered under the plan. Contributions to the Retirement Plan amounted to $23,354, $26,027 and $33,824 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. PENSION PLAN The Company has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of the nonunion employees of El Comandante Management Company, L.L.C. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and highest average earnings over five (5) consecutive years during the last fifteen. (15) years of employment The Company's policy is to fund an amount not less than the ERISA minimum funding requirement and not more than the maximum deductible under the Puerto Rico tax law. The Company has not recorded the minimum pension liability of $307,671, $250,655 and $138,879 as of December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Management believes that the effect of such adjustment has no material effect on the financial position and/or results of operations of the Company. The information of this pension plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 are as follows: 25
2002 2001 2000 ---------- --------- --------- CHANGE IN PREPAID/ (ACCRUED) BENEFIT COST Prepaid/ (accrued) benefit cost at fiscal year beginning $(101,089) 2,768 (58,588) Net periodic benefit income/ (cost) for fiscal year (215,940) (215,124) (166,302) Immediate recognition of benefit income/ (cost) occuring this fiscal year (168,374) (147,081) - Employer contributions paid during fiscal year 269,926 258,348 277,658 ---------- --------- --------- Accrued benefit cost at fiscal year end $(215,477) (101,089) 2,768 ========== ========= ========= CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION (PBO) PBO at prior measurement date $ 816,630 721,750 594,882 Service cost 153,685 144,970 128,225 Interest cost 61,068 65,523 55,616 Actuarial (gain)/ loss 326,630 332,600 117,436 Benefits paid - (16,324) (174,409) Administrative expenses expected (44,311) (50,000) - Curtailments - (102,507) - Settlements (318,017) (279,382) - ---------- --------- --------- PBO at current measurement date $ 995,682 816,630 721,750 ========== ========= ========= CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS Fair value of assets at prior measurement date $ 275,272 409,328 428,391 Actual return on assets (37,474) 33,815 (28,559) Unrecognized transition obligation 269,926 258,348 52,255 Administrative expenses paid (44,311) (28,337) (50,000) Settlement (239,331) (397,882) 7,241 ---------- --------- --------- Fair value of assets at current measurement date $ 224,082 275,272 409,328 ========== ========= =========
26
EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 Reconciliation of Funded Status 2002 2001 2000 --------------- ----------- ----------- Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) $ (747,230) (627,016) (545,439) =============== =========== =========== Projected benefit obligation (PBO) $ (995,682) (816,630) (721,750) Fair value of assets (FVA) 224,082 275,272 409,328 --------------- ----------- ----------- Funded status (771,600) (541,358) (312,422) Unrecognized net transition obligation/( asset) 28,961 31,840 52,255 Unrecognized net loss/(gain) 527,162 408,429 262,935 --------------- ----------- ----------- Accrued benefit cost $ (215,477) (101,089) 2,768 =============== =========== =========== Additional minimum liability $ (307,671) (250,655) (138,879) =============== =========== =========== Intangible assets $ 28,961 31,840 52,255 =============== =========== =========== Accumulated other comprehensive income adjustment $ 278,710 218,815 86,624 =============== =========== =========== Assumptions and Dates Discount rate 6.75% 7.50% 7.50% Compensation increase rate 4.00% 4,00% 4.00% Measurement date 12/31/2002 12/31/2001 12/31/2000 Census date 1/1/2001 17172001 17172000
(9) INCOME TAXES The Company is a non-taxable entity for United States income tax purposes, as it has been organized as a partnership. Instead, each partner takes into account the operational result of the Company in its individual income tax return based on its allocable share of participation. Income taxes expenses presented in these financial statements are related to taxes imposed in the foreign countries in which the Company has operations and are based on both the results of operations or business volume, depending on the jurisdiction. The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. A valuation allowance is recognized for any deferred tax asset which, based on. management's evaluation, it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, a valuation allowance equivalent to the deferred tax assets has been established since there is 27 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 substantial doubt as to their realization. The Company has available net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $7,565,000 to offset future taxable income in Puerto Rico, through 2007. The components of the deferred tax liability presented in the accompanying financial statements are related to the following:
Flexible depreciation used in prior years for income tax purposes $2,333,767 Deferred gain on involuntary conversion 754,292 ---------- $3,088,059 ==========
(10) PREFERRED STOCK During the month of July, 2001, Equus Entertainment Corp. issued seven million shares of Class A Preferred Stock that were fully paid by a related party, KEMBT Corporation. The shares issued are non-voting, non-convertible and accrue dividends at an annual rate of 12%. The shares are redeemable at any time as determined by the board of directors. (11) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the fair value of the first mortgage note was approximately $31,039,000 and $38,118,000, respectively. These values were estimated based on the market price as quoted by a brokerage firm that trades the First Mortgage Notes, The carrying value of notes and accounts receivable, capital leases and accounts payable approximates fair value because of their short term nature and/or because they bear interest at a variable rate. (12) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS The Company surrendered its interest in. the Panama operation during the year ended December 31, 2001 and recorded the transaction as of the beginning of the year following an agreement with the minority holders. The agreement was entered into on October 9, 2001 and required the Company to sell its shares of the Company in exchange for shares of preferred stock. The value of the transaction was accounted for using the net book value of the Company as of the date of the agreement. Simultaneously, the Company wrote-off from books the value of the preferred stock and recognized a loss in the 28 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 transaction that has been presented as loss from discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. The Company also surrendered its participation in Equus Uruguay, which was basically related to the right to operate the Maronas racetrack after an investment of approximately $12,000,000 that was expected to be raised before the expiration of the license granted by government. The efforts to raise the financing were unsuccessful and the license was revoked. As such, the Company liquidated the subsidiary and its operation has been also presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is presented below:
2001 2000 ------------ ----------- Total revenues $ - 9,085,000 Expenses $ - (9,252,914) ------------ ------------ Loss from discontinued operations $(4,601,301) (167,914) ============ ============ Total assets $ 8,630,515 Total liabilities (6,376,441) ------------ Net assets $ 2,254,074 ============
(13) SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company is mainly an operator of racetracks and their related operations in different countries. Therefore, management believes that segments of the business are best monitored and evaluated based on geographical considerations and as such, has identified three segments. The basic monitoring measure used by management to evaluate the operating segments is profitability from operations, excluding non-recurring gains and losses. The following table presents information about the Company's continuing operations by segment (in thousands of dollars):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Revenues Loss Before Income Tax Total Assets ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 2002 2001 2000 2002 2001 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Puerto Rico $51,681 50,703 54,668 (10,883) (12,594) (6,846) 46,065 49,694 57,769 Dominican Republic 3.961 5,659 4,265 (2,215) (1,391) (1,688) 925 3,678 2,036 Colombia 1,019 1,765 1 ,839 (2,876) (2.780) (2,540) 6,805 7,412 4,009 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total $56,661 58,127 60,772 (15,974) (16,765) (11,074) 53,795 60,784 63,814 ===================================================================================
29 EQUUS GAMING COMPANY L.P Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31 2002, 2001 and 2000 (14) SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) The following table summarizes selected financial information from quarterly reports as submitted by management. The submitted quarterly reports have not been reviewed by the independent auditors and do not have all the adjustments that resulted from the audits of the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in 000's, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Revenues $14,552 17,014 13,788 10,798 11,555 12,988 N/A 10,543 Net loss (1,969) (4,033) (1,779) (5,087) (3,265) (4,407) N/A (7,267) Basic and Diluted Loss per Share (0.14) (0.28) (0.12) (0.35) (0.23) (0.23) N/A (0.511)
As discussed more fully in note 1, the Company has not filed reports since the quarter ended December 31, 2002 pending the completion of the audit of the financial statements. Management intends to complete its filings in the near future upon completion of the audits. 30 Translation PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS June 30, 2003 To the Council of Directors and Stockholders of Galapagos, S.A. We have audited the attached general ledgers of Galapagos, S.A. as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the corresponding statements of loss and accrued deficit and cash flow for the years ended on those dates. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Galapagos, S.A. Our responsibility is to give an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. Our audits of these statements were made in accordance to auditing standards generally accepted in the Dominican Republic. These standards require that we plan and conduct the audit in order to obtain reasonable guarantee that the financial statements do not contain important errors or omissions. An audit includes the examination, on a random basis, of the evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements, it also includes evaluating the accounting principles used and the principal estimates made by management, as well as an evaluation of the global presentation of the financial statements. We consider that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the attached financial statements audited by us, reasonably present, in all its important aspects, the financial situation of Galapagos, S.A., as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and its cash flow for the years ended on those dates, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Dominican Republic. Translation PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS To the Council of Directors and Stockholders of Galapagos, S.A. Page 2 June 30, 2003 The attached financial statements have been prepared considering that the Company shall continue as an ongoing business. As indicated in Note 14 to the attached financial statements, the company has experienced significant losses from the commencement of its operations, having accrued a deficit of RD$190,140,135 and RD$124,851,436 as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and a negative capital of RD$141,339,017 and RD$76,049,718 on the mentioned dates. In addition, the Company maintains a working capital relation of RD$.02 to RD$1.00 and of RD$0.39 to RD$100 in 2002 and 2001, respectively. These factors create significant doubts on the company's ability to continue as an ongoing business. Management's plans in relation to these matters are described in Note 14 to the attached financial statements. The attached financial statements have been prepared in accordance to accounting principles for ongoing businesses, for which reason they do not include adjustments that might be required in the event the company cannot comply with the projected plans. (Signed) PricewaterhouseCoopers Translation DELOITTE & TOUCHE REPORT OF THE FISCAL REVIEWER To the stockholders of SOCIETY OF EQUUS COMUNEROS, S.A. - SECSA (UNDER REORGANIZATION) 1. I have audited the general ledgers of Society Equus Comuneros S.A. (Under Reorganization) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the corresponding statements of results, of changes in capital, of changes in the financial situation and of cash flow for the years ended on those dates. Said financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's Management. Among my functions is that of auditing and giving an opinion on these financial statements based on my audits. 2. Except for what is mentioned in number 4, I obtained the information necessary to comply with my functions and perform my work in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in Colombia. Said standards require me to plan and perform the audit in order to obtain a reasonable guarantee on whether the financial statements are free from significant errors. An audit of these financial statements includes examining, on a random basis, the evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes, the evaluation of the accounting principles used and the significant accounting estimates made by Management, as well as evaluating the general appearance of the financial statements. I consider that my audits have provided a reasonable basis to state my opinion. 3. In my examination I have observed the following uncertainties: a. Just as is mentioned in Note 4, as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 the Company has an Account Receivable with its affiliated Company AGENCY BETTING NETWORK, Colombia Branch, for $8.268 millions and $6.671 millions, respectively. Due to AGENCY BETTING NETWORK, Colombia Branch's, difficult financial Translation situation, recovery of this account receivable is uncertain and subject to the future success of this entity's operations. b. As of December 31, 2002 withholdings at source payable and other taxes payable in the amount of $2.961 millions (includes interests for delay), practiced to third parties during 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and in favor of the National Tax and Customs Bureau (NTCB). Management is in the process of negotiating a payment plan. In the event the mentioned agreement is not reached, the NTCB could embargo the Company's goods and move forward with legal proceedings. 4. During my examination I have had the following limitations in the scope of my work: a. As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the balance of appraisals in the assets and surplus due to appraisals in capital amounts to $371 millions. Because the property, plant and equipment appraisals were not updated to December 31, 2002 and 2001, as is required by article number 64 of Decree 2649 of 1993, it was not possible to obtain sufficient evidence with respect to the reasonableness of the balance of appraisals and the surplus due to appraisals. b. As of the date of this report the company was in the process of conciliating the account payable to Equus Entertainment Corporation, which, as of December 31, 2002, amounted to $1.592 millions. As a consequence, it was not possible to obtain sufficient evidence with respect to the reasonableness of the expense and the liability related to this account payable. c. In the year 2001 Equus Comuneros S.A. entered into a contract with Agency Betting Network where it is in charge of operating the betting system of Equus Comuneros S.A., for which Equus Comuneros S.A. agrees to pay to Agency Betting Network as counter-payment for the operation of the betting system, a rate equal to the greater of 5% over the total handle of Equus Comuneros or 5% of the adjusted commission of Equus Comuneros. During the year 2002 amendments to the agreement were made, which we did not observe, and therefore we were not able to get satisfaction as to the account payable of Equus Comuneros to Agency Betting Network for Translation $118 millions and for other effects they might have on the company's financial statements. d. Just as is mentioned in note 14, as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 the Company has registered an account payable to ETESA for $637 millions and $290 millions related to the values liquidated for the exploitation rights of chance games. As per confirmation received from ETESA as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company owes $1.639 millions and $1.056 millions, for the concept of exploitation rights. Because the difference between $1.002 millions and $766 millions is presently in the process of discussion between the Company's Management and ETESA, it was not possible to verify the sufficiency fo the liabilities and the expense registered for this concept as of December 31, 2002 and 2001. 5. In the report of the fiscal reviewer, dated March 4, 2002, the opinion on the financial statements as of December 31, 2001 contained an uncertainty, because on August 24, 2001 the Superintendency of Societies issued a request formulating charges against the Company for the incorrect filing of some statements of change. On August 8, 2002, the Superintendency of Societies issued the resolution as filed 2002-01-104478, in which it imposed a fine on Society Equus Comuneros, S.A. (Under Reorganization) for $5.000.000, which was registered and paid by the Company. In view of the foregoing, my present opinion as of December 31, 2001 in relation to this matter, as presented herein, is without reservations. 6. In my opinion, except for the effect of the adjustments I could have determined if I had been able to apply auditing procedures to the matters mentioned in number four, and subject to the effect of the adjustments, if any, that might have been required if the final result of the matters mentioned in number three had been known, the financial statements previously mentioned, taken from the accounting books, reasonably present, in all significant aspects, the financial situation of SOCIETY EQUUS COMUNEROS S.A. - SECSA (under reorganization) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the results of its operations, the changes in its capital, the changes in its financial situation, and its cash flow for the years ended on those dates, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Colombia, applied over uniform bases. Translation 7. As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company presents accrued losses for $7.045 millions and $4.601 millions, which correspond to those occurred from the date of its establishment. As of those same dates it presents some balances of capital of $1.470 millions and $3.680 millions, negative working capital of $9.068 millions and $6.455 millions and net loss for the period of twelve months ended on December 31, 2002 and 2001 of $2.445 millions and $787 millions, the previous results not taking into account the effect of the Translation matters mentioned in number 5 and the effect, if any, of the matters mentioned in number four of this report. By means of Resolution 213 of October 31, 2001 of the Superintendency of Societies, the Company was accepted for promotion of a reorganization agreement, in the terms and with the formalities established in Law 550 of 1999. At present it is in the process of negotiating with external and internal creditors of the Company and as a result of this negotiation two situations could be reached: (1) that the negotiation can be culminated with the external and internal creditors since they consider the Company to be feasible or (2) that they decide to end the negotiation, in which case the promoter will notify the pertinent authority in order to transact the obligatory liquidation or the equivalent procedure, according to the Law. The attached financial statements have been prepared by the administration assuming that the Company will continue as an ongoing business. According to what has been stated by Management they are taking measures conducive to their reorganization, as explained in note 3, wherefore the Company has not considered it necessary to make any adjustment to the financial statements, in relation to the possibility that the Company cannot continue operating. 8. Also, I inform that during said years the Company's accounting was made pursuant to the legal standards and accounting techniques; the operations registered in the accounting books and the acts of the administrators were adjusted to the statutes and to the decisions of the Board of Partners; the correspondence, account vouchers and books of minutes and registry of stocks are properly kept and maintained; the management report of the administrators keeps the proper concordance with the basic financial statements, and contributions to the Integral Social Security System, in all significant aspects, have been correctly made. On the date of issuance of my report, the society is not in arrears for the concept of contributions to the system. My evaluation of internal control, made with the purpose of establishing the scope of my auditing tests, did not show that the company has not followed adequate measures of internal control and conservation Translation and custody over its assets and that of third parties in its possession. I have informed my recommendations on matters of internal control in letters addressed to the Company's management. (Signed) LINA MAR A VELASQUEZ ALVAREZ Fiscal Reviewer Professional Card No. 61321-T March 11, 2003