· One of largest producers and distributors of mobile and online games in the world

· Big Fish Games - A top-grossing mobile game publisher worldwide

· Big Fish Casino – A top-grossing mobile social casino game worldwide

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 12, 2014) – Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) (CDI) and Big Fish Games, Inc. (Big Fish), one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of mobile and online games, announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which CDI will acquire all of the outstanding stock and equity interests of the privately held Big Fish.

The transaction is structured on a cash-free/debt-free basis and is valued at up to $885 million, including a base consideration of $485 million and a potential earn-out payment of up to $350 million based on 2015 Adjusted EBITDA, and a potential bonus payment to the founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Big Fish, Paul Thelen, of $50 million based on 2016 bookings. The purchase price will be paid in cash, except for approximately $15 million paid in CDI common stock to Paul Thelen.

The upfront payment represents a multiple of approximately 8.5-times Big Fish’s Adjusted EBITDA (including an adjustment for changes in deferred revenue) for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2014 of $57.3 million. The earn-out payment will be calculated by applying a multiple of 9-times the increase in calendar year 2015 Adjusted EBITDA over a base value of $51.2 million, except that for purposes of the earn-out calculation the adjustment for change in deferred revenue will be reduced by subtracting expected costs associated with such deferred revenue.

The merger, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is conditioned upon receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

“The acquisition of Big Fish and our entry into the rapidly growing mobile and online games industry gives us new products, new customers, new geographies and new sizeable growth opportunities,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “While many will view this transaction as a logical extension to what we currently do with Twinspires.com, what is most important to us are the strong team and the processes and capabilities that have been built by Big Fish in Seattle, Oakland, and Luxembourg. We are excited to announce this transaction and believe we will do great things together.”

Paul Thelen, Big Fish’s founder and CEO said, “We are extremely proud of the company we have built over the last twelve years. Churchill Downs is a company with a commitment to interactive entertainment and a track record of growth and performance. We believe Big Fish is now positioned to become an even greater force in the casual, mid-core and social casino mobile and online games industry. Churchill Downs is a great cultural fit for us and we are thrilled to be joining the Churchill Downs family.”

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal advisor to CDI. JPMorgan is acting as lead on the financing of this transaction.

Qatalyst Partners LP is acting as financial advisor and Perkins Coie LLP is acting as legal advisor to Big Fish on this transaction.

CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call to discuss this transaction is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. E.S.T.

Investors and other interested parties may listen to the conference call by accessing the online, real-time webcast and broadcast of the call at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com , or by dialing (877) 372-0878 and entering the pass code 35368078 at least 10 minutes before the beginning of the call. International callers should dial (253) 237-1169.

An Investor Presentation to be discussed on the conference call tomorrow morning will be made available on our website at http://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com at least one hour prior to the scheduled start of the call.

Information set forth in this news release contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") provides certain "safe harbor" provisions for forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Act.

The reader is cautioned that such forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith belief with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "will," and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include: the effect of global economic conditions, including any disruptions in the credit markets; a decrease in consumers' discretionary income; the effect (including possible increases in the cost of doing business) resulting from future war and terrorist activities or political uncertainties; the impact of increasing insurance costs; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; the financial performance of our racing operations; the impact of gaming competition (including lotteries, online gaming and riverboat, cruise ship and land-based casinos) and other sports and entertainment options in the markets in which we operate; our ability to maintain racing and gaming licenses to conduct our businesses; the impact of live racing day competition with other Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana and Ohio racetracks within those respective markets; the impact of higher purses and other incentives in states that compete with our racetracks; costs associated with our efforts in support of alternative gaming initiatives; costs associated with customer relationship management initiatives; a substantial change in law or regulations affecting pari-mutuel or gaming activities; a substantial change in allocation of live racing days; changes in Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana and Ohio law or regulations that impact revenues or costs of racing operations in those states; the presence of wagering and gaming operations at other states' racetracks and casinos near our operations; our continued ability to effectively compete for the country's horses and trainers necessary to achieve full field horse races; our continued ability to grow our share of the interstate simulcast market and obtain the consents of horsemen's groups to interstate simulcasting; our ability to enter into agreements with other industry constituents for the purchase and sale of racing content for wagering purposes; our ability to execute our acquisition strategy and to complete or successfully operate acquisitions and planned expansion projects including the effect of required payments in the event we are unable to complete acquisitions; our ability to successfully complete any divestiture transaction; market reaction to our expansion projects; the inability of our totalisator company, United Tote, to maintain its processes accurately, keep its technology current or maintain its significant customers; our accountability for environmental contamination; the inability of our Online Business to prevent security breaches within its online technologies; the loss of key personnel; the impact of natural and other disasters on our operations and our ability to obtain insurance recoveries in respect of such losses (including losses related to business interruption); our ability to integrate any businesses we acquire into our existing operations, including our ability to maintain revenues at historic or anticipated levels and achieve anticipated cost savings; the impact of wagering laws, including changes in laws or enforcement of those laws by regulatory agencies; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation; changes in our relationships with horsemen's groups and their memberships; our ability to reach agreement with horsemen's groups on future purse and other agreements (including, without limitation, agreements on sharing of revenues from gaming and advance deposit wagering); the effect of claims of third parties to intellectual property rights; and the volatility of our stock price.

One signature race…

Two iconic Spires…

More than a century of grand tradition and spectacle…

And that’s just the opening chapter of the Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) story.

The Evolution of CDI

CDI’s history is well known. Its namesake racetrack, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky., opened in 1875 and during its inaugural race meeting featured two races, the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which still highlight Churchill Downs’ live racing calendar today.

Today, the Twin Spires still proudly reign over Churchill Downs’ homestretch, and Kentucky Derby champions race by these architectural features turned trademarks on their way to the finish line, the Winner’s Circle and the history books.

As the Kentucky Derby legacy has evolved over 130-plus years, so has CDI’s stable of businesses. The publicly traded company has evolved from one world-famous venue in Central Kentucky to the United States’ premier racing, gaming and entertainment company with a myriad of holdings, including:

· Five racetracks;

· Six casinos;

· Big Fish Games, the world's largest distributor of casual games;

· The country’s leading online wagering business, TwinSpires.com;

· A video poker business

· A multi-state network of off-track betting (OTB) facilities; and

· A collection of racing-related data, totalisator and telecommunication companies that support CDI’s sports and gaming operations.

CDI now employs more than 5,000 people and maintains physical operations in eleven states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, and Washington.

Growth Through Diversification

CDI’s continued growth over the decades has come through continued diversification:

· Adding slot-machine gaming and video poker operations at racetracks where alternative gaming is authorized;

· Acquiring two casino resorts in the Mississippi Delta region and one in Maine;

· Building and acquiring online gaming platforms and deploying mobile wagering technologies that provide convenient and cost-efficient ways to distribute and process wagers on racing content; and

· Using increased cash flow to pay down debt and invest in new or ancillary businesses that fit with our company’s core skill sets and customer value proposition.

CDI’s growth-through-diversification strategy has well served the company and its shareholders by allowing the company to broaden its focus and hedge its investment in its traditional domain of horse racing.

For example, as new laws have allowed it, CDI has built and opened slot-machine gaming operations affiliated with its racetracks in Miami Gardens, Fla., and New Orleans, La. CDI’s “racinos” offer gaming positions as well as dining and entertainment options with a local focus and flavor. Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is only minutes from New Orleans famed French Quarter and treats visitors to a Mardi Gras-style gaming experience. Calder Casino showcases the sultry South Florida vibe and features slot-machine gaming and a poker room. Both facilities target customers in their respective regional markets. In addition, CDI’s 50 percent owned joint venture, Miami Valley Gaming and Racing LLC, is currently constructing a video lottery terminal and harness racing facility in southwest Ohio.

Online Gaming

CDI’s launch of TwinSpires.com, an advance-deposit waging platform that allows customers to wager on horse racing from computers, tablet devices and smart phones, created another retail outlet for wagering transactions and data distribution. Now customers can place wagers at their convenience, any time, any place and anywhere it’s authorized through the device of their choosing. CDI has added to TwinSpires.com's reach through the acquisitions of additional account-wagering and data companies, including AmericaTAB and Brisnet.com in June 2007 and Youbet.com in June 2010. CDI’s investment in online wagering technology and customer support systems also positions the company to take advantage of additional Internet gaming opportunities, such as online poker, as those activities are authorized at the state or federal level.

Through its purchase of Youbet.com, CDI also acquired United Tote, a U.S.-based totalisator company that designs, manufactures and operates pari-mutuel wagering systems for more than 150 racing companies and numerous OTB facilities in North America and around the world, in 2010. United Tote has provided CDI with additional opportunities to realize efficiencies through new technology and innovation, with recently launched applications like FastBet™ wagering accounts. FastBet™ allows customers to avoid long lines at the mutuel windows and place on-track wagers from their cell phones or other mobile devices.

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks

When it comes to its traditional horse racing business, CDI continues to identify innovative ways to grow the economic significance of marquee events, such as the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Kentucky Derby Week now features a string of festivities, starting with “Opening Night,” a special night racing event that kicks off Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet with red-carpet arrivals and a “gala” atmosphere. Kentucky Derby Week has added ancillary events that connect back to Derby brand attributes such as fashion, celebrities and great food and hospitality. “Taste of Derby,” held on the eve of the Kentucky Oaks, is a fundraiser showcasing fine cuisine and celebrity chefs from racing destinations around the country.

Kentucky Derby Week rounds out with Friday’s Kentucky Oaks “Pink Out,” benefiting Bright Pink and Kentucky’s Horses and Hope. The Kentucky Oaks Survivors’ Parade for breast cancer survivors provides an emotional high point for the day that celebrates women and causes important to them, while the Kentucky Oaks fashion contest helps put “Ladies First” by rewarding guests for their stylish ensembles.

The first Saturday in May brings the world’s premier race for Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, along with all of the Red Carpet pageantry that leads up to the “Run for the Roses.” Worldwide exposure for the Kentucky Derby experience has grown in recent years through the expanded broadcast coverage of the Kentucky Derby undercard and main event on NBC Sports and its cable partners, as well as through the extension of the Kentucky Derby Party program, which helps racing enthusiasts who can’t make it to Churchill Downs for Derby Day still celebrate in style with tips for throwing an authentic Kentucky Derby party at home.

Charting Net Revenues and EBITDA

While the economy has been experiencing a period of uncertainty and even recession, CDI has been focused on one thing: profitable growth.

To track the growth of net revenues and profits since 2004, click here .

A Proud Past and Vibrant Future

CDI owes much to its horse racing heritage and is expanding on that tradition while evolving its business mix, management team and growth strategies to navigate any challenges we encounter. Our growth-through-diversification strategy allows us to push boundaries and increase profitability while still being true to our roots and what has made the Churchill Downs brand one of the best in the business.

Much has changed since that first Kentucky Derby Day in 1875, but one thing hasn’t: our commitment to building a profitable, vibrant company that is valued by our customers, investors, employees and business and community partners for generations to come. After more than a century of growth and progress, the Churchill Downs Incorporated story continues. We encourage you to discover the next chapter with us!

About Big Fish

Founded in 2002, Big Fish is the world's largest producer and distributor of casual games, delivering fun to millions of people around the world. Through its mobile and online distribution platforms, Big Fish has distributed more than 2.5 billion games to customers in 150 countries from a growing catalog of 450+ unique mobile games and 3,500+ unique PC games.

After successfully transitioning from a PC-centric to a mobile-centric company, Big Fish has emerged as a top grossing mobile publisher worldwide with a portfolio that includes the #1 mobile social casino game, Big Fish Casino . The company is headquartered in Seattle, WA, with regional offices in Oakland, CA, and Luxembourg.

Contact Us

Seattle, WA, USA

Big Fish Games, Inc.
333 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98119

Oakland, CA, USA

Big Fish Oakland
1999 Harrison Street
Suite 2300
Oakland, CA 94612

Luxembourg

Big Fish Games Luxembourg S.à.R.L
46a, Avenue J.F. Kennedy
L-1855 Luxembourg City
Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg