Iao Kun Group Holding Company Limited Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Financial Results

HONG KONG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Iao Kun Group Holding Company Limited (“IKGH”) (NASDAQ:IKGH), which
operates through its subsidiaries and related promotion entities that
act as VIP room gaming promoters and a collaborator, today announced
unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended
December 31, 2015. All currency amounts are stated in United
States dollars. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 20-F that will
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2016 for
the full audited financial statements and related disclosures for the
year ended December 31, 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights

• Rolling Chip Turnover (a metric used by casinos to measure the
  aggregate amount of players’ bets and overall volume of VIP gaming
  room business transacted, which is further defined below) for the
  three months ended December 31, 2015 was $1.2 billion, a decrease of
  57%, compared to $2.9 billion for the three months ended December 31,
  2014.
• Net income, including gain from the change in fair value of contingent
  consideration of $15.4 million related to the King’s Gaming, Bao
  Li Gaming and Oriental VIP Room acquisitions, was $12.2 million,
  or $0.19 net income per share (basic and diluted), for the fourth
  quarter of 2015, compared to net income of $5.7 million, or $0.09 net
  income per share (basic and diluted), for the same period of 2014.
• Non-GAAP income, which is operating income before amortization of
  intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and the change in fair value
  of contingent consideration related to the acquisitions of King’s
  Gaming, Bao Li Gaming and Oriental VIP Room, was $0.9 million,
  or $0.01 earnings per share (basic and diluted), for the three months
  ended December 31, 2015, compared to non-GAAP income of $8.0 million,
  or $0.13 earnings per share (basic and diluted), for the three months
  ended December 31, 2014.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

For the three months ended December 31, 2015, IKGH recorded revenue
of $19.0 million, a 64% decrease from the same period of 2014, primarily
due to lower Rolling Chip Turnover during the quarter, as well as (i) a
decrease of players for VIP baccarat, consistent with the overall
decline of gaming revenue in Macau; (ii) the economic downturn and
ongoing anti-corruption campaign in mainland China, where the majority
of IKGH’s VIP gaming patrons reside; and (iii) the continued tightening
of government policies in mainland China, including restrictions on
credit card usage.

The improved net income for the three months ended December 31, 2015
compared to the prior-year period was primarily a result of the change
in contingent consideration, which was a gain of $15.4 million for the
fourth quarter of 2015 compared to a gain of $1.8 million for the same
period of 2014, as well as lower commissions to junket agents for the
three months ended December 31, 2015 as a result of lower Rolling Chip
Turnover compared to the prior-year period. IKGH also incurred lower
selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months
ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to costs incurred in the
prior-year period in connection with IKGH’s application to list on
the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that did not recur in the fourth quarter of
2015, reduced management fees and lower overall VIP Gaming Room
operating expenses.

“With a difficult 2015 behind us and with the expectation that 2016 will
also be a challenging year for VIP gaming in Macau, we continue to
prudently manage our capital to ensure we will be appropriately
positioned when the market turns around,” said Mr. Lam Man Pou, Chairman
of IKGH. “At the same time, we continue to source additional VIP
opportunities in overseas markets to allow us to further diversify our
revenue streams. We remain committed to finding suitable opportunities
to expand our presence and ultimately generating long-term value for our
shareholders.”

Full Year 2015 Highlights

• Rolling Chip Turnover for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $6.4
  billion, a decrease of 61%, compared to $16.6 billion for the year
  ended December 31, 2014.
• Net income, including gain from the change in fair value of contingent
  consideration of $30.2 million related to the King’s Gaming, Bao Li
  Gaming and Oriental VIP Room acquisitions, was $5.1 million, or $0.08
  net income per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December
  31, 2015, compared to a net loss of $60.1 million, or $0.99 net loss
  per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2014.
  During the year ended December 31, 2015, IKGH incurred a one-time
  $17.8 million impairment of goodwill.

• Non-GAAP income was $9.0 million, or $0.14 earnings per share (basic
  and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to income
  of $17.2 million, or $0.28 earnings per share (basic and diluted), for
  the year ended December 31, 2014.

Outlook for 2016

For the first two months of 2016, IKGH’s Rolling Chip Turnover was
US$0.81 billion (an average of $0.41 billion per month), down 44%
year-over-year, compared to US$1.44 billion (an average of $0.72 billion
per month) for the first two months of 2015.

The Company is providing 2016 Rolling Chip Turnover guidance for its
five existing VIP rooms in Macau of between US$3.5 billion and US$4.5
billion.

Conference Call and Replay Information

IKGH will conduct a conference call to discuss the financial results
today at 8:30AM EST/9:30PM Macau. To participate, please dial one of the
following numbers at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of
the call:

1-888-556-4997 (United States/Canada)

10-800-714-0940 (North China)

10-800-140-0915 (South China)

800-968-149 (Hong Kong)

800-101-1739 (Singapore)

0800-404-7655 (United Kingdom)

1-719-325-2454 (Other International)

Interested parties may also access the live call on the Internet at www.ikghcl.com (select
Events and Presentations). Following its completion, a replay of the
call can be accessed on the Internet at the above link or through March
28, 2016 by calling either 1-877-870-5176 (U.S. callers) or
1-858-384-5517 (International callers) and providing conference ID
1450876.

Definition of Rolling Chip Turnover

Rolling Chip Turnover is used by casinos to measure the volume of VIP
business transacted and represents the aggregate amount of
non-negotiable chips players purchased. Bets are wagered with
“non-negotiable chips” and winning bets are paid out by casinos in
so-called “cash” chips. “Non-negotiable chips” are specifically designed
for VIP players to allow casinos to calculate the commission payable to
VIP room gaming promoters and collaborator. Commissions are paid based
on the total amount of “non-negotiable chips” purchased by each player.
VIP room gaming promoters therefore require the players to “roll,” from
time to time, their “cash chips” into “non-negotiable” chips for further
betting (hence the term “Rolling Chip Turnover”). Through the promoters,
“non-negotiable chips” can be converted back into cash at any time.
Betting using rolling chips, as opposed to using cash chips, is also
used by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (“DICJ”) to
distinguish between VIP table revenue and mass market table revenue.

All of IKGH’s Macau VIP rooms are on a revenue sharing remuneration
model. On a win/loss split basis, the VIP room gaming promoter and
collaborator receive an agreed percentage of the “win” in the VIP gaming
room (plus certain incentive allowances), and is required to also bear
the same percentage of losses that might be incurred. Revenue from VIP
operation in Australia is based upon a mutually-agreed percentage of the
Rolling Chip Turnover.

About Iao Kun Group Holding Company Limited

IKGH is a holding company which operates through its subsidiaries and
related promotion entities that act as VIP room gaming promoters and a
collaborator, and is entitled to receive all of the profits of the VIP
gaming promoters and a collaborator from VIP gaming rooms. IKGH’s VIP
room gaming promoters and collaborator currently participate in the
promotion of five major luxury VIP gaming facilities in Macau, China,
the largest gaming market in the world. One VIP gaming room is located
at the top-tier 5-star hotel, the StarWorld Hotel & Casino in
downtown Macau, and another is located in the luxury 5-star hotel, the
Galaxy Macau™ Resort in Cotai, each of which is operated by Galaxy
Casino, S.A. Additional VIP gaming rooms are located at the Sands Cotai
Central and City of Dreams Macau, both in Cotai, and Le Royal Arc
Casino, located in NAPE, Downtown Macau. IKGH recently started trial
operations to the Australian casinos (Crown Perth Casino in Perth,
Australia and the Crown Melbourne Casino in Melbourne, Australia) to
gain a greater understanding of the preferences of its junket agents and
VIP players and the logistics of the market.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such
forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of IKGH’s management, are subject to risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the
forward-looking statements. The gaming industry is characterized by an
element of chance. Theoretical win rates for IKGH’s promotion entities’
VIP gaming room operations depend on a variety of factors, some beyond
their control. In addition to the element of chance, theoretical win
rates are also affected by other factors, including gaming patrons’
skill and experience, the mix of games played, the financial resources
of gaming patrons, the spread of table limits, the volume of bets placed
by IKGH’s promotion entities’ gaming patrons and the amount of time
gaming patrons spend on gambling — thus VIP gaming rooms’ actual win
rates may differ greatly over short time periods, such as from quarter
to quarter, and could cause their quarterly results to be volatile.
These factors, alone or in combination, have the potential to negatively
impact the VIP gaming rooms’ win rates. Investors and potential
investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and
should also refer to the risk factors set forth in IKGH’s Annual Report
on Form 20-F to be filed in March 2016, and other reports filed or to be
filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

IAO KUN GROUP HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED F/K/A ASIA ENTERTAINMENT & RESOURCES LTD. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
			For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015				For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014				For the Year Ended December 31, 2015				For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Revenue from VIP Gaming Operations			$	19,035,871			$	52,273,694			$	105,002,184			$	233,822,859
Total Revenues				19,035,871				52,273,694				105,002,184				233,822,859
Expenses
– Commission to Agents				14,124,464				36,813,086				76,979,677				188,448,178
– Selling, General and Administrative Expenses				3,971,264				7,160,189				18,351.625				26,506,299
– Special Rolling Tax				122,076				286,652				642,268				1,662,714
– Impairment of Goodwill				–				–				17,757,113				–
– Amortization of Intangible Assets				4,093,318				4,090,625				16,369,467				16,365,034
Total Expenses				22,311,122				48,350,552				130,100,150				232,982,225
Operating (loss) income attributable to ordinary shareholders before change in fair value of contingent consideration				(3,275,251	)			3,923,142				(25,097,966	)			840,634
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration for the Acquisitions of King’s Gaming, Bao Li Gaming and Oriental				15,425,409				1,783,134				30,215,735				(60,918,569	)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders				12,150,158				5,706,276				5,117,769				(60,077,935	)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Foreign Currency
– Translation Adjustment				(13,960	)			391,040				89,182				65,092
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)			$	12,136,198			$	6,097,316			$	5,206,951			$	(60,012,843	)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic			$	0.19			$	0.09			$	0.08			$	(0.99	)
Diluted			$	0.19			$	0.09			$	0.08			$	(0.99	)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic				62,416,761				61,396,667				62,116,749				60,781,915
Diluted				62,959,381				61,478,528				62,292,834				60,781,915

IAO KUN GROUP HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED F/K/A ASIA ENTERTAINMENT & RESOURCES LTD. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
				December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents				$	3,052,694			$	11,146,534
Accounts Receivable, Net					1,460,251				1,529,052
Markers Receivable					170,892,037				188,549,136
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets					1,448,155				348,777
Total Current Assets					176,853,137				201,573,499
Intangible Assets (net of accumulated amortization of $58,496,618 and $42,105,966 at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)					105,645,737				121,968,648
Goodwill					–				17,753,907
Property and Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $169,798 and $108,913 at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)					241,927				322,149
Other Assets					–				23,427
TOTAL ASSETS				$	282,740,801			$	341,641,630
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Lines of Credit Payable				$	41,908,984			$	32,392,020
Accrued Expenses					6,030,996				11,682,653
Bao Li Gaming Acquisition-Contingent Purchase Price Obligation					14,228,500				22,662,750
Oriental VIP Room Acquisition-Contingent Purchase Price Obligation					–				13,738,762
Loan Payable, Shareholders, current					2,827,584				2,612,490
Total Current Liabilities					64,996,064				83,088,675
Bao Li Gaming Acquisition-Contingent Purchase Price Obligation, net of current portion					–				19,628,881
Oriental VIP Room Acquisition-Contingent Purchase Price Obligation, net of current portion					–				27,665,264
Total Liabilities					64,996,064				130,382,820
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Shares, $0.0001 par value Authorized 1,150,000 shares; none issued					–				–
Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value, Authorized 500,000,000 shares; 62,307,794 and 60,452,314 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.					6,230				6,044
Additional Paid-in Capital					133,236,655				130,048,153
Retained Earnings					83,861,247				80,653,190
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					640,605				551,423
Total Shareholders’ Equity					217,744,737				211,258,810
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY				$	282,740,801			$	341,641,630

Cash flow information (in thousands) (unaudited)
				For the year ended December 31, 2015					For the year ended December 31, 2014
Net cash provided by operating activities				$	29,883				$	60,602
Net cash used in investing activities					(3	)				(291	)
Net cash used in financing activities					(37,966	)				(56,929	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents				$	(8,086	)			$	3,382

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
IKGH’s calculation of Non-GAAP income (operating income before amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and change in fair value of contingent consideration) and Non-GAAP EPS differs from EPS based on net income because it does not include amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and change in fair value of contingent consideration. IKGH uses this information internally in evaluating its operations and believes this information is important to investors because it provides users of IKGH’s financial information with additional useful information in evaluating operating performance for the periods and is more consistently comparable to the prior periods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Non-GAAP income and EPS should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income and EPS as determined in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation of IKGH’s net income to Non-GAAP income and GAAP EPS to IKGH’s Non-GAAP EPS:

			For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015				For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014				For the Year Ended December 31, 2015				For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders			$	12,150,158			$	5,706,276			$	5,117,769			$	(60,077,935	)
Amortization of intangible assets				4,093,318				4,090,625				16,369,467				16,365,034
Impairment of goodwill				–				–				17,757,113				–
Change in fair value of contingent consideration				(15,425,409	)			(1,783,134	)			(30,215,735	)			60,918,569
Non-GAAP Income (before amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and change in fair value of contingent consideration)			$	818,067			$	8,013,767			$	9,028,614			$	17,205,668
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic				62,416,761				61,396,667				62,116,749				60,781,915
Diluted				62,959,381				61,478,528				62,292,834				61,002,086

			For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015									For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
			Basic				Fully Diluted					Basic				Fully Diluted
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders			$	0.19			$	0.19				$	0.09			$	0.09
Amortization of intangible assets				0.07				0.07					0.07				0.07
Change in fair value of contingent consideration				(0.25	)			(0.25	)				(0.03	)			(0.03	)
Non-GAAP income per share (before amortization of intangible assets and change in fair value of contingent consideration)			$	0.01			$	0.01				$	0.13			$	0.13
			For the Year Ended December 31, 2015									For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
			Basic				Fully Diluted					Basic				Fully Diluted
Net income (loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders			$	0.08			$	0.08				$	(0.99	)		$	(0.99	)
Amortization of intangible assets				0.26				0.26					0.27				0.27
Impairment of goodwill				0.29				0.29					–				–
Change in fair value of contingent consideration				(0.49	)			(0.49	)				1.00				1.00
Non-GAAP income per share (before amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and change in fair value of contingent consideration)			$	0.14			$	0.14				$	0.28			$	0.28

Contacts

Iao Kun Group Holding Company Limited
James Preissler, +1
646-450-8808
preissj@ikghcl.com