VICI Properties Acquiring Detroit's Greektown Casino-Hotel for $1B

DETROIT, MI—New York-based VICI Properties, an experiential real estate investment trust, in a joint arrangement with Penn National Gaming, is acquiring the real property and operations of the Greektown Casino-Hotel in downtown Detroit, MI, for approximately $1 billion in cash.

Under the terms of the agreements, VICI Properties will acquire the land and real estate assets of Greektown for approximately $700 million, and Penn National will acquire the operating assets of Greektown for approximately $300 million.

“We are proud to expand our partnership with Penn National and add Greektown to our growing portfolio of market-leading gaming, hospitality and entertainment destinations,” says John Payne, president and chief operating officer of VICI Properties. “As the only casino located in Detroit’s historic Central Business District, Greektown, and its 30-story hotel tower, are ideally situated. Downtown Detroit is benefiting tremendously from billions of dollars of investment across the residential, commercial, entertainment and cultural infrastructure. The eight-acre property benefits from being in close proximity to the world-class sporting and entertainment venues, which are home to Detroit’s four major sports teams, as well as iconic locations, such as GM’s Renaissance Center and the Cobo Center. The transaction represents another great example of VICI’s ability to source and execute accretive deals that bring value to our shareholders, while furthering our strategic goal to diversify our roster of best-in-class gaming operators.”

Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, VICI says it will enter into a triple-net lease agreement with Penn National related to Greektown. The lease will have an initial total annual rent of $55.6 million for an implied capitalization rate of 7.9%, with an initial term of 15 years, with four 5-year renewal options. The rent coverage ratio in the first year after closing is expected to be 1.8x and the tenant’s obligations under the lease will be guaranteed by Penn National.

Opened in 2000, Greektown Casino-Hotel features 100,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 2,700 gaming machines and 60 table games, a poker room, three restaurants, five quick-serve food outlets, three bars and a coffee shop. In addition, the casino boasts a AAA Four Diamond 400-room, luxury high-rise hotel with 14,000 square feet of event and catering space. The property employs approximately 1,800 team members and has partnered with nearly 20 local restaurants to offer fine dining rewards to guests.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in mid-2019. The acquisition is expected to be accretive immediately upon closing.

Goldman Sachs & Co. is acting as financial advisor and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel is acting as legal advisor to VICI Properties for the transaction.