| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company as described in Note 1. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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. Significant estimates incorporated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements include estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long ‑lived assets, self ‑insurance reserves, players’ club liabilities, contingencies and litigation, claims and assessments, and fair value measurements related to the Company’s long ‑term debt. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include all unrestricted, highly liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents also includes cash maintained for gaming operations.
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash includes unredeemed winning tickets from our racing operations, funds related to horsemen’s fines and certain simulcasting funds that are restricted to payments for improving horsemen’s facilities and racing purses at Scioto Downs, cash deposits that serve as collateral for letters of credit surety bonds and short ‑term certificates of deposit that serve as collateral for certain bonding requirements.
The Company also has two certificates of deposit which are used for security with the Nevada Department of Insurance for its self ‑insured workers compensation. The certificates of deposit matured on January 31, 2016 and February 5, 2016 at which time they were renewed into one certificate of deposit and increased to $598,000 and the maturity date was extended to January 28, 2017.
Each of Resorts and Galleon were required to each deposit $5.0 million of cash into a bank account as collateral in favor of the lender under Silver Legacy Joint Venture credit agreement in November 2013. In conjunction with the Acquisition and repayment of Silver Legacy’s debt, the credit support obligation was eliminated.
Accounts Receivable and Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of casino accounts receivable. The Company issues markers to approved casino customers following background checks and assessments of creditworthiness. Trade receivables, including casino and hotel receivables, are typically non ‑interest bearing. Accounts are written off when management deems the account to be uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received. An estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained to reduce the Company’s receivables to their carrying amount, which approximates fair value. The allowance is estimated based on specific review of customer accounts as well a historical collection experience and current economic and business conditions. Management believes that as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, no significant concentrations of credit risk existed.
Certain Concentrations of Risk. The Company’s operations are in limited market areas. Therefore, the Company is subject to risks inherent within those markets. To the extent that new casinos enter into the markets or hotel room capacity is expanded, competition will increase. The Company may also be affected by economic conditions in the United States and globally affecting the markets or trends in visitation or spending in the markets in which it operates. We maintain cash balances at certain financial institutions in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, we maintain significant cash balances on hand at our gaming facilities.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost, using a first ‑in, first ‑out basis, or market. Inventories consist primarily of food and beverage, retail merchandise and operating supplies. Cost is determined primarily by the average cost method for food and beverage and operating supplies.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight ‑line method over the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the capitalized lease, whichever is less. Costs of major improvements are capitalized, while costs of normal repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in operating income.
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates which are 50% or less owned are accounted for under the equity method. The Company does not have significant variable interests in variable interest entities. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company considers whether the fair values of any of its equity method investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. Estimated fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis based on estimated future results of the investee and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rate. There were no impairments of the Company’s equity method investments during 2015, 2014 or 2013 .
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Non ‑Operating Real Properties. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets must be reviewed for impairment at least annually and between annual test dates in certain circumstances. The Company performs its annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. No impairments were indicated as a result of the annual impairment review for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2015, 2014 and 2013.
We have designated certain assets, consisting principally of land and undeveloped properties, as non ‑operating real property and have declared our intent to sell those assets. However, we do not anticipate that we will be able to sell the majority of the assets within the next twelve months. As such, these properties are not classified as held ‑for ‑sale as of December 31, 2015.
Indefinite ‑Lived Intangible Assets. Indefinite ‑lived intangible assets consist primarily of expenditures associated with obtaining racing and gaming licenses. Indefinite ‑lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but are subject to an annual impairment test. If the carrying amount of an indefinite ‑lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess amount.
Self ‑Insurance Reserves. The Company is self ‑insured for various levels of general liability, employee medical insurance coverage and workers’ compensation coverage. Self ‑insurance reserves are estimated based on the Company’s claims experience and are included in accrued other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, accrued insurance and medical claims reserves were $3.5 million and $1.3 million , respectively.
Outstanding Chip Liability. The Company recognizes the impact on gaming revenues on an annual basis to reflect an estimate of the change in the value of outstanding chips that are not expected to be redeemed. This estimate is determined by measuring the difference between the total value of chips placed in service less the value of chips in the inventory of chips under our control. This measurement is performed on an annual basis utilizing a methodology in which a consistent formula is applied to estimate the percentage value of chips not in custody that are not expected to be redeemed. In addition to the formula, certain judgments are made with regard to various denominations and souvenir chips.
Loyalty Program. The Company offers programs at its properties whereby our participating patrons can accumulate points for wagering that can be redeemed for credits for free play on slot machines, lodging, food and beverage, merchandise and in limited situations, cash. Based upon the estimated redemptions of frequent player program points, an estimated liability is established for the cost of redemption of earned but unredeemed points. The estimated cost of redemption utilizes estimates and assumptions of the mix of the various product offerings for which the points will be redeemed and costs of such product offerings. Changes in the programs, membership levels and changes in the redemption patterns of our participating patrons can impact this liability. The aggregate outstanding liability for the loyalty program was $3.4 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included as a component of other accrued liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Revenues and Promotional Allowances. The Company recognizes as casino revenue the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between gaming wins and losses. Progressive jackpots are accrued and charged to revenue at the time the obligation to pay the jackpot is established. Gaming revenues are recognized net of certain cash and free play incentives. Pari ‑mutuel commissions consist of commissions earned from thoroughbred and harness racing and importing of simulcast signals from other race tracks and are recognized at the time wagers are made. Such commissions are a designated portion of the wagering handle as determined by state racing commissions, and are shown net of the taxes assessed by state and local agencies, as well as purses and other contractual amounts paid to horsemen associations. The Company recognizes revenues from fees earned through the exporting of simulcast signals to other race tracks at the time wagers are made. Such fees are based upon a predetermined percentage of handle as contracted with the other race tracks. Hotel, food and beverage, and other operating revenues are recognized as services are performed. Advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer.
The retail value of food, beverage, rooms and other services furnished to customers on a complimentary basis is included in gross revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances. The Company rewards customers, through the use of our loyalty programs, with complimentaries based on amounts wagered or won that can be redeemed for a specified time period. The Company also offers discretionary coupons to our customers, the retail values of which are included as a component of promotional allowances in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Section 605 ‑50 for revenue recognition.
The retail value of complimentaries included in promotional allowances is as follows (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2013
Food and beverage
$
$
$
Hotel
Other
$
$
$
The costs of providing such complimentary services are recorded in casino expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and are estimated as follows (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2013
Food and beverage
$
$
$
Hotel
Other
$
$
$
Advertising. Advertising costs are expensed in the period the advertising initially takes place and are included in marketing and promotions expenses. Advertising costs included in marketing and promotion expenses were $31.2 million, $22.0 million and $17.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred income tax liabilities and deferred income tax assets for the difference between the book basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities. We have recorded valuation allowances related to net operating loss carry forwards and certain temporary differences. Recognizable future tax benefits are subject to a valuation allowance, unless such tax benefits are determined to be more likely than not realizable. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Fair Value Measurements . Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Accordingly, fair value is a market based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, there is a three ‑tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair values as follows:
·
Level 1 : Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·
Level 2 : Observable market ‑based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
·
Level 3 : Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
Stock ‑Based Compensation. We account for stock ‑based compensation in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation . ASC 718 requires all share ‑based payments to employees and non ‑employee members of the Board of Directors, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), to be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations based on their fair values and that compensation expense be recognized for awards over the requisite service period of the award or until an employee’s eligible retirement date, if earlier.
Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding stock options were exercised, that outstanding restricted share units were released and that the proceeds from such activities were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period.
Segment Reporting. The executive decision makers of our Company review operating results, assess performance and make decisions on a “significant market” basis. The Company’s management views each of its casino resorts as an operating segment. Operating segments are aggregated based on their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, types of services and products provided, the regulatory environments in which they operate, and their management and reporting structure. The Company’s principal operating activities occur in three geographic regions: Nevada, Louisiana and Eastern. The Company has aggregated its operations into three reportable segments based on the similar characteristics of the operating segments within the regions in which they operate. We, therefore, consider Eldorado Reno, Silver Legacy and Circus Reno as Nevada, Eldorado Shreveport as Louisiana, and Scioto Downs, Presque Isle Downs and Mountaineer as Eastern.
Capitalized Interest. The interest cost associated with major development and construction projects is capitalized and included in the cost of the project. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended on the project using the weighted-average cost of the Company’s outstanding borrowings. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project is substantially complete or development activity is suspended for more than a brief period. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had $0.2 million of capitalized interest costs. The Company did not record capitalized interest costs in 2014 and 2013.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which addresses the recognition and measurement of leases. Under the new guidance, for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases), at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee ’ s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Further, the new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities, which no longer provides a source for off balance sheet financing. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes—Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which eliminates the guidance in Topic 740, Income Taxes, that required an entity to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets between current and noncurrent amounts in a classified balance sheet. The amendment require that all deferred tax liabilities and assets of the same tax jurisdiction or a tax filing group, as well as any related valuation allowance, be offset and presented as a single noncurrent amount in a classified balance sheet. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted. The guidance may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company applied this guidance in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with prospective application effective October 1, 2015.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are evaluating the effects, if any, that the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”, which requires that inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11 be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method are not impacted by the new guidance. ASU 2015-11 applies to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. An entity should measure inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11 at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the new standard, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which clarifies that companies may continue to present unamortized debt issuance costs associated with line of credit arrangements as an asset. The new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The effective dates for these updates were for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We elected to early adopt this guidance during the third quarter of 2015.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”, which amends: the assessment of whether a limited partnership is a variable interest entity; the effect that fees paid to a decision maker have on the consolidation analysis; how variable interests held by a reporting entity’s related parties or de facto agents affect its consolidation conclusion; and for entities other than limited partnerships, clarifies how to determine whether the equity holders as a group have power over an entity. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. We elected to early adopt this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2015.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015 ‑1, “Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items” (Subtopic 225 ‑20) which eliminates the concept of accounting of Extraordinary Items, previously defined as items that are both unusual and infrequent, which were reported as a separate item on the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. The elimination of this concept is intended to simplify accounting for unusual items and more closely align with international accounting practices. This amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2015 and for subsequent interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We believe that the effects, if any, of the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014 ‑15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern” (Subtopic 205 ‑40) which amends the current guidance in ASC Topic 205 by adding Subtopic 40. Subtopic 40 requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that in aggregate would raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. If substantial doubt existed, management would be required to make certain disclosures related to nature of the substantial doubt and under certain circumstances, how that substantial doubt would be mitigated. This amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and for subsequent interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe that the adoption of this accounting standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014 ‑9, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry ‑specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and jurisdictions and also requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014 ‑09 on our consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of prior year presentations have been made to conform to the current period presentation . |
