Caesars Entertainment, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑Q

Commission File No. 001‑36629

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150, Reno, Nevada 89501

(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)

(775) 328‑0100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S‑T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share, outstanding as of April 29, 2016 was 47,075,635.

 

 

 

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(dollars in thousands)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

Organization

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (“ERI” or the “Company”), a Nevada corporation formed in September 2013, and its consolidated subsidiaries. ERI was formed in September 2013 to be the parent company following the merger of wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company into Eldorado HoldCo LLC (“HoldCo”), a Nevada limited liability company formed in 2009 that is the parent company of Eldorado Resorts LLC (“Resorts”), and MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (“MTR Gaming”), a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1988 (the “Merger”). Effective upon the consummation of the Merger on September 19, 2014 (the “Merger Date”), MTR Gaming and HoldCo each became a wholly owned subsidiary of ERI and, as a result of such transactions, Resorts became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ERI. The Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition of MTR Gaming by HoldCo under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). As a result, HoldCo is considered the acquirer of MTR Gaming for accounting purposes. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

On November 24, 2015 (the “Acquisition Date”), Resorts consummated the acquisition of all of the assets and properties of Circus Circus Reno (“Circus Reno”) and the 50% membership interest in the joint venture (the “Silver Legacy Joint Venture”) owned by Galleon, Inc. (collectively, the “Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase” or the “Acquisition”) pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015 (the “Purchase Agreement”), entered into with Circus Circus Casinos, Inc. and Galleon, Inc., each an affiliate of MGM Resorts International, with respect to the acquisition. On the Acquisition Date, Eldorado Resorts LLC also exercised its right to acquire the 3.8% interest in Eldorado Limited Liability Company (“ELLC”) held by certain affiliates and shareholders of the Company. As a result of these transactions, ELLC and CC-Reno, LLC, a newly formed Nevada limited liability company, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of ERI, and Silver Legacy Joint Venture became an indirect wholly‑owned subsidiary of ERI. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Acquisition Date do not include the results of operations for Circus Reno and account the Silver Legacy Joint Venture as an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.

Resorts owns and operates the Eldorado Resort Casino Reno, a premier hotel, casino and entertainment facility centrally located in downtown Reno, Nevada (the “Eldorado Reno”), which opened for business in 1973. Resorts also owns Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport (“Eldorado Shreveport”), a 403‑room all suite art deco‑style hotel and a tri‑level riverboat dockside casino complex situated on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, which commenced operations under its previous owners in December 2000.

 

Prior to the Acquisition Date, Resorts owned a 48.1% interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture which owns the Silver Legacy Resort Casino (the “Silver Legacy”), a major themed hotel and casino situated between and seamlessly connected at the mezzanine level to the Eldorado Reno and Circus Reno. Resorts acquired the remaining interest in Silver Legacy in 2015 as well as acquiring Circus Reno.

 

MTR Gaming operates as a hospitality and gaming company with racetrack, gaming and hotel properties in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. MTR Gaming, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia (“Mountaineer”), Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania (“Presque Isle Downs”), and Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs (“Scioto Downs”) in Columbus, Ohio. Scioto Downs, through its subsidiary, RacelineBet, Inc., also operates Racelinebet.com, a national account wagering service that offers online and telephone wagering on horse races as a marketing affiliate of TwinSpires.com, an affiliate of Churchill Downs, Inc.

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not

include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, all of which are normal and recurring, considered necessary for a fair presentation and have been included herein. The results of operations for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for other quarters, for the full year or any future period. 

 

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 properties 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 parts of the eastern United States. 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.

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. 

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior year presentations have been made to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2016, The FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” The ASU includes multiple provisions intended to simplify various aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. These areas include income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or a liability, and classification on the statement of cash flow. The effective date is for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt this ASU prospectively in the first quarter of 2016. Under the new guidance, we recognized a reduction in income tax expense of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of excess tax benefits. There were no excess tax benefits in the first quarter of 2015.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU 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 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 have adopted this guidance, and it had no impact on our consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

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 ASU 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.

Note 2. Acquisition and Preliminary Purchase Accounting

 

On November 24, 2015, the Company acquired all of the assets and properties of Circus Reno and the 50% membership interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture owned by Galleon, Inc. The total estimated purchase consideration is $224.9 million. The purchase consideration and allocation are still considered preliminary pending the update of a final valuation report from third-party valuation specialists resulting from the final determination of the income tax implications of the Acquisition on the fair values, and the finalization and approval by all parties of the purchase price allocation including working capital adjustments required under the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

 

 

The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method. Accordingly, goodwill if any, will be measured as the excess of the total consideration over the amounts assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation – Silver Legacy and Circus Reno

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the estimated purchase consideration to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase. The fair values were based on management’s analysis, including preliminary work performed by third‑party valuation specialists. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities as of March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):

Fair valuation methods used for the identifiable net assets acquired in the Acquisition make use of quoted prices in active markets and discounted cash flows using current interest rates and are provisional pending development of a final valuation.

Trade receivables and payables, inventory and other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities were valued at the existing carrying values as they represented the fair value of those items at the Acquisition, based on management’s judgments and estimates.

The fair value estimate of property and equipment utilized a combination of the cost and market approaches, depending on the characteristics of the asset classification. The fair value of land was determined using the market approach, which considers sales of comparable assets and applies compensating factors for any differences specific to the particular assets. With respect to personal property components of the assets (gaming equipment, furniture, fixtures and equipment, computers, and vehicles) the cost approach was used, which is based on replacement or reproduction costs of the asset. Building and site improvements were valued using the cost approach using a direct cost model built on estimates of replacement cost.

Trademarks were valued using the relief‑from‑royalty method. The loyalty program was valued using a comparative business valuation method. Management has assigned trademarks an indefinite useful life, in accordance with its review of applicable guidance of ASC Topic No. 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. The standard required management to consider, among other things, the expected use of the asset, the expected useful life of other related asset or asset group, any legal, regulatory, or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life, the Company’s own

historical experience in renewing similar arrangements, the effects of obsolescence, demand and other economic factors, and the maintenance expenditures required to obtain the expected cash flows. In that analysis, management determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limit the useful lives of these intangible assets. The loyalty program is being amortized on a straight‑line basis over a one year useful life.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2015, as if the Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015 (in thousands except per share data).

 

These pro forma results do not necessarily represent the results of operations that would have been achieved if the Acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2015, nor are they indicative of the results of operations for future periods. The pro forma amounts include the historical operating results of the Company, the Silver Legacy and Circus Reno prior to the Acquisition, with adjustments directly attributable to the Acquisition.

 

Note 3. Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates

 

Hotel Partnership.  The Company holds a 42.1% variable interest in a partnership with other investors to develop a new 118-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel to be developed at Scioto Downs. Pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement, the Company contributed $1 million of cash and 2.4 acres of a leasehold immediately adjacent to The Brew Brothers microbrewery and restaurant at Scioto Downs. The partnership will be responsible for the construction of the hotel at an estimated cost of $15.0 million and other investor members have been identified to operate the hotel upon completion. The Company is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore, the entity is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At March 31, 2016, the Company’s investment in the partnership was $1.3 million, classified as “Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates” in the consolidated balance sheets, representing the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.

Silver Legacy Joint Venture.  Effective March 1, 1994, ELLC and Galleon, (each a “Partner” and, together, the “Partners”), entered into the Silver Legacy Joint Venture pursuant to a joint venture agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) to develop the Silver Legacy. The Silver Legacy consists of a casino and hotel located in Reno, Nevada, which began operations on July 28, 1995.  Prior to the Acquisition Date, each partner owned a 50% interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture. Prior to the Merger Date, the Company owned a 48.1% interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture by means of its 96.2% ownership of ELLC, which owned a 50% interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture.

On the Acquisition Date, Resorts consummated the Acquisition of the other 50% membership interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture owned by Galleon, Inc. pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and also exercised its right to acquire the 3.8% interest in ELLC held by certain affiliates of the Company. As a result of these transactions, ELLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ERI and Silver Legacy became an indirect wholly‑owned subsidiary of ERI. In conjunction with the Acquisition, we recorded a $35.6 million gain related to the valuation of our pre-acquisition investment in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture.

As consideration for the noncontrolling interest, the Company issued 373,135 shares of common stock. Subsequent to this action, the Company owned 100% of ELLC. The Company valued the shares at the market price on the day the shares were issued to the noncontrolling interest holders. The value of the total consideration paid was $3.6 million.

On December 16, 2013, the Silver Legacy Joint Venture entered into a new senior secured term loan facility totaling $90.5 million (the “New Silver Legacy Credit Facility”) to refinance its indebtedness under its then existing senior secured term loan and Silver Legacy Second Lien Notes. The New Silver Legacy Credit Facility was scheduled to mature on November 16, 2017, which was the maturity date of the original Silver Legacy credit facility. In connection with the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase, all amounts outstanding under the Silver Legacy Credit Facility were paid in full and the cash collateral securing such obligations were released.

Equity in loss related to the Silver Legacy Joint Venture for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.5 million.

 

Summarized results of operations for the Silver Legacy Joint Venture in 2015 prior to the Acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 4. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has authorized common stock of 100,000,000 shares, par value $0.00001 per share.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized was $1.5 million and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts are included in corporate expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Board of Directors (“BOD”) adopted the Eldorado Resorts, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”) on January 23, 2015 and our shareholders subsequently approved the adoption of the 2015 Plan on June 23, 2015.  The Plan permits the granting of stock options, including incentive stock options (“ERI Stock Options”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance awards, and other stock-based awards and dividend equivalents. ERI Stock Options primarily vest ratably over three years and RSUs granted to employees and executive officers primarily vest and become non-forfeitable upon the third anniversary of the date of grant. RSUs granted to non-employee directors vest immediately and are delivered upon the date that is the earlier of termination of service on the BOD or the consummation of a change of control of the Company. The performance awards relate to the achievement of defined levels of performance and are generally measured over a one or two-year performance period depending upon the award agreement. If the performance award levels are achieved, the awards earned will vest and become payable at the end of the vesting period, defined as either a one or two calendar year period following the performance period. Payout ranges are from 0% up to 200% of the award target.

 

On January 22, 2016, the Company granted 367,519 RSUs to executive officers and 34,920 RSUs to non-employee members of the BOD under the 2015 Plan. The RSUs had a fair value of $10.77 per unit which was the NASDAQ closing price on that date. An additional 4,147 of RSUs were subsequently granted to key employees during the three months ended March 31, 2016. 

 

A summary of the RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

 

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $5.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.16 years.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company’s chief operating officer terminated employment and the chief financial officer retired. In conjunction with the termination and retirement, unvested RSUs totaling 167,511, which were outstanding as of December 31, 2015, immediately vested representing an additional $0.5 million included in stock compensation expense during the first quarter of 2016. Additionally, severance costs totaling $1.4 million were recognized during the first quarter of 2016.

On September 19, 2014, as a result of the Merger, all outstanding MTR Gaming stock options (“MTR Stock Options”) vested (to the extent not already vested) and converted into an option or right to purchase the same number of shares of ERI common stock (at the same exercise price per share as in effect prior to such conversion). All other terms, except vesting requirements, applicable to such stock options remain the same.

 

A summary of the ERI Stock Option activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

 

Note 5. Other and Intangible Assets, net

 

Other and intangible assets, net, consisted of the following amounts (in thousands):

 

 

 

Goodwill, the excess of the purchase price of acquiring MTR Gaming over the fair market value of the net assets acquired, in the amount of $66.8 million was recorded as of March 31, 2016. For financial reporting purposes, goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed no less than annually or when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value might exceed the market value to determine if there has been an impairment in the recorded value.

Included in gaming licenses is the Eldorado Shreveport gaming license recorded at $20.6 million at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The license represents an intangible asset acquired from the purchase of a gaming entity located in a gaming jurisdiction where competition is limited, such as when only a limited number of gaming operators are allowed to operate. Also included in gaming licenses are the gaming and racing licenses of Mountaineer, Presque Isle Downs and Scioto Downs totaling $482.1 million, which reflects the fair value of the licenses calculated as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Gaming license rights are not subject to amortization as the Company has determined that they have an indefinite useful life.

Trade names are amortized on a straight‑line basis over a 3.5 year useful life and the loyalty program is amortized on a straight‑line basis over a one year useful life. Amortization expense with respect to trade names and the loyalty program amounted to $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, which is included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations. Such amortization expense is expected to be $3.3 million during the remainder of 2016, $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  

Note 6. Income Taxes

Prior to the Merger Date, HoldCo was taxed as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to which income taxes were primarily the responsibility of the partners. On September 19, 2014, in connection with the Merger, the Company became a C corporation subject to federal and state corporate-level income taxes at prevailing corporate tax rates. The Company and its subsidiaries file US federal tax returns and various state and local income tax returns. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to US federal or state and local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012.

The Company estimates an annual effective income tax rate based on projected results for the year and applies this rate to income before taxes to calculate income tax expense. Any refinements made due to subsequent information that affects the estimated annual effective income tax rate are reflected as adjustments in the current period. For years prior to 2016, the income tax provision resulted in an effective tax rate that had an unusual relation to pretax income (loss). This was due to the federal and state valuation allowances on deferred tax assets as discussed below.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the difference between the effective rate and the statutory rate is attributed primarily to state and local income taxes less the benefit of the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (Stock Compensation).

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the difference between the effective rate and the statutory rate is attributed primarily to the federal and state valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. As a result of net operating losses and the net deferred tax asset position (after exclusion of certain deferred tax liabilities that generally cannot be offset against deferred tax assets, known as “Naked Credits”), the Company provided for a full valuation allowance against substantially all of the net federal and state deferred tax assets.

For income tax purposes the Company amortizes or depreciates certain assets that have been assigned an indefinite life for book purposes. The incremental amortization or depreciation deductions for income tax purposes result in an increase in certain deferred tax liabilities that cannot be used as a source of future taxable income for purposes of measuring the Company's need for a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets. Therefore, we expect to record non cash deferred tax expense as we amortize these assets for tax purposes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s tax expense was $1.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no unrecognized tax benefits and the Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease to the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

 

 

Note 7. Long‑Term Debt

 

Long‑term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Scheduled maturities of long‑term debt are $59.0 million in 2020, $395.3 million in 2022 and $375.0 million in 2023. Debt issuance costs and the discount associated with the issuance of the Senior Notes, New Term Loan and New Revolving Credit Facility (as such terms are defined below) in July 2015 totaled $26.0 million. Amortization of debt issuance costs is computed using the effective interest method and is included in interest expense. Amortization of the debt issuance costs and the discount associated with the Senior Notes and New Credit Facility (as defined below) totaled $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

In 2015, amortization of Resorts’ bond costs was computed using the straight‑line method, which approximated the effective interest method, over the term of the bonds, and was included in interest expense. Amortization expense with respect to deferred financing costs on Resorts senior secured notes amounted to $0.2 million for three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Refinancing Transaction and Senior Notes

 

On July 23, 2015, the Company issued $375 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.0% senior notes due 2023 (“Senior Notes”) pursuant to the indenture, dated as of July 23, 2015 (the “Indenture”), at an issue price equal to 100.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of the Company’s direct and indirect restricted subsidiaries other than immaterial subsidiaries, CC-Reno and the Silver Legacy Joint Venture. CC-Reno, LLC and the Silver Legacy Joint Venture will become guarantors upon receipt of the requisite gaming approvals expected to occur in May 2016. The Senior Notes will mature on August 1, 2023, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year.

 

The Company used the net proceeds from the Senior Notes offering together with borrowings under the New Term Loan and the New Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) to (i) purchase or otherwise redeem (a) all of the outstanding Resorts senior secured notes and (b) all of the outstanding MTR second lien notes, (ii) pay a portion of the purchase price for the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase and repay all amounts outstanding under the Silver Legacy Joint Venture credit facility, and (iii) pay fees and costs associated with such transactions. Net proceeds from the Senior Notes offering totaling $50.0 million were used for the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase on the Acquisition Date. As a result of the July 2015 refinancing, we recognized a $2.0 million net loss on the early retirement of debt.

On or after August 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, on the Senior Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on August 1 of the years indicated below:

 

 

Prior to August 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the Senior Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium.  At any time prior to August 1, 2018, the Company is also entitled to redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with proceeds of certain equity financings at a redemption price equal to 107% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company experiences certain change of control events (as defined in the Indenture), it must offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable repurchase date. If the Company sells assets under certain circumstances and does not use the proceeds for specified purposes, the Company must offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable repurchase date.

 

The Senior Notes are subject to redemption imposed by gaming laws and regulations of applicable gaming regulatory authorities.

 

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting, among other things, the Company’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries (other than its unrestricted subsidiaries) to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications as set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture also provides for customary events of default which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest on such Senior Notes to be declared due and payable. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Indenture relating to the Senior Notes.

 

New Credit Facility

 

On July 23, 2015, the Company entered into a new $425.0 million seven year term loan (the “New Term Loan”) and a new $150.0 million five year revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the New Term Loan, the “New Credit Facility”).

 

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $421.8 million outstanding on the New Term Loan and $59.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the New Revolving Credit Facility. The Company had $91.0 million of available borrowing capacity under its New Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2016, the interest rate on the New Term Loan was 4.25%, and the interest rate on the New Revolving Credit Facility was 3.95%.

 

The New Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum of, at the Company’s option, either (x) LIBOR plus 3.25%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.0%, or (y) a base rate plus 2.25%. Borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum of, at the Company’s option, either (x) LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.5% to 3.25% or (y) a base rate plus a spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.25%, in each case with the spread determined based on the Company’s total leverage ratio. Additionally, the Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the New Revolving Credit Facility not being utilized in the amount of 0.50% per annum.

 

The New Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal property assets and substantially all personal property assets of each subsidiary that guaranties the New Credit Facility (other than certain subsidiary guarantors designated as immaterial or restricted subsidiaries) (the “New Credit Facility Guarantors”), whether owned on the closing date of the New Credit Facility or thereafter acquired, and mortgages on the real property and improvements owned or leased us or the New Credit Facility Guarantors. The New Credit Facility is also secured by a pledge of all of the equity owned by us and the New Credit Facility Guarantors (subject to certain gaming law restrictions). The credit agreement governing the New Credit Facility contains a number of customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability and the ability of the New Credit Facility Guarantors to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on collateral, engage in mergers, consolidations or asset dispositions, make distributions, make investments, loans or advances, engage in certain transactions with affiliates or subsidiaries or make capital expenditures.

 

The credit agreement governing the New Credit Facility also includes requirements the Company maintains a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio (adjusting over time). The Company is required to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio of 6.00 to 1.00 from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 and 5.00 to 1.00 thereafter. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.75 to 1.00 from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter. A default of the financial ratio covenants shall only become an event of default under the New Term Loan if the lenders providing the New Revolving Credit Facility take certain affirmative actions after the occurrence of a default of such financial ratio covenants.

 

The credit agreement governing the New Credit Facility contains a number of customary events of default, including, among others, for the non-payment of principal, interest or other amounts, the inaccuracy of certain representations and warranties, the failure to perform or observe certain covenants, a cross default to other indebtedness including the Senior Notes, certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; certain ERISA events, the invalidity of certain loan documents, certain changes of control and the loss of certain classes of licenses to conduct gaming. If any event of default occurs, the lenders under the New Credit Facility would be entitled to take various actions, including accelerating amounts due thereunder and taking all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the New Credit Facility.

 

Note 8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

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:

 

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate fair value:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  Cash equivalents include investments in money market funds. Investments in this category can be redeemed immediately at the current net asset value per share. A money market fund is a mutual fund whose investments are primarily in short‑term debt securities designed to maximize current income with liquidity and capital preservation, usually maintaining per share net asset value at a constant amount, such as one dollar. The carrying amounts approximate the fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

 

Restricted Cash:  Restricted cash includes unredeemed winning tickets from the Company’s 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. Restricted cash is classified as Level 1 as its carrying value approximates market prices.

 

Long‑term Debt:  The Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 based upon market inputs. The New Term Loan under the credit facility is classified as Level 2 as it is tied to market rates of interest and its carrying value approximates market value. The fair value of the Senior Notes was based on quoted market prices at March 31, 2016.

 

Acquisition-Related Contingent Considerations:  Contingent consideration related to the July 2003 acquisition of Scioto Downs represents the estimate of amounts to be paid to former stockholders of Scioto Downs under certain earn-out provisions. The Company considers the acquisition related contingency’s fair value measurement, which includes forecast assumptions, to be Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. 

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

The following table represents the change in acquisition-related contingent consideration liabilities for the period December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

Note 9. Earnings per Share

 

The following table illustrates the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share computations during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

Litigation.  The Company is a party to various lawsuits, which have arisen in the normal course of business. Estimated losses are accrued for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. The current liability for the estimated losses associated with those lawsuits is not material to the consolidated financial condition and those estimated losses are not expected to have a material impact on the results of operations.

Ohio Gaming Referendum Challenge.  On October 21, 2011, the Ohio Roundtable filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, Ohio against a number of defendants, including the Governor, the Ohio Lottery Commission and the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The complaint alleges a variety of substantive and procedural defects relative to the approval and implementation of video lottery terminals as well as several counts dealing with the taxation of standalone casinos. As interveners, we, along with four of the other racinos in Ohio, filed motions for judgment on the pleadings to supplement the position of the Racing Commission. In May 2012, the Court of Common Pleas dismissed the case; however, the plaintiffs filed an appeal and oral arguments were held on January 17, 2013 in the 10th District Court of Appeals. In March 2013, the Court of Appeals upheld the ruling. The decision of the Appeals Court was appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court by the plaintiffs on April 30, 2013 and the Ohio Supreme Court has elected to accept the appeal. The Ohio Supreme Court temporarily stayed the appeal until it first ruled on a matter with similar procedural issues. A decision was issued on that case on June 10, 2014. In response to a motion to dismiss as improvidently granted which was filed jointly by Appellees, the remaining propositions of law were briefed by the parties and oral argument before the Ohio Supreme Court was held on June 23, 2015. A decision on this case was issued by the Ohio Supreme Court on March 24, 2016 finding that the parties did not meet the threshold for standing to challenge the installation of video lottery terminals, but a single plaintiff was permitted to proceed with his challenge against the casinos under an equal protection claim. Accordingly, this case has been concluded as it relates to the race track defendants.    

Environmental Remediation.  In October 2004, the Company acquired 229 acres of real property, known as the International Paper site, as an alternative site to build Presque Isle Downs. In connection with the acquisition of the International Paper site, the Company entered into a consent order and decree (the “Consent Order”) with the PaDEP and International Paper insulating us from liability for certain pre‑existing contamination, subject to compliance with the Consent Order, which included a proposed environmental remediation plan for the site, which was tied specifically to the use of the property as a racetrack. The proposed environmental remediation plan in the Consent Order was based upon a “baseline environmental report” and management estimated that such remediation would be subsumed within the cost of developing the property as a racetrack. The racetrack was never developed at this site. In October 2005, the Company sold 205 acres to GEIDC who assumed primary responsibility for the remediation obligations under the Consent Order relating to the property they acquired. However, the Company was advised by the PaDEP that it was not released from its liability and responsibility under the Consent Order. The Company also purchased an Environmental Risk Insurance

Policy in the amount of $10.0 million with respect to the property, which was renewed in October 2015 for a period of one year. The Company believes that the insurance coverage is in excess of any exposure that we may have in this matter.

Regulatory Gaming Assessments.  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (the “PGCB”), the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the Pennsylvania State Police (collectively “the Borrowers”), were required to fund the costs they incurred in connection with the initial development of the infrastructure to support gaming operations in Pennsylvania as well as the initial ongoing costs of the Borrowers. The initial funding of these costs was provided from a loan from the Pennsylvania General Fund in the amount of $36.1 million, and further funding was provided from additional loans from the Pennsylvania Property Tax Reserve Fund in the aggregate amount of $63.8 million.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will assess all licensees, including Presque Isle Downs, their proportionate share of amounts represented by the borrowings, which are in the aggregate amount of $99.9 million, once the designated number of Pennsylvania’s slot machine licensees is operational. On July 11, 2011, the PGCB issued an administrative order which established that payments associated with the $63.8 million that was borrowed from the Property Tax Reserve Fund would commence on January 1, 2012. The repayment allocation between all current licensees is based upon equal weighting of (1) cumulative gross slot revenue since inception in relation to the combined cumulative gross slot revenue for all licensees and (2) single year gross slot revenue (during the state’s fiscal year ending June 30) in relation to the combined single year gross slot revenue for all licensees; and amounts paid each year will be adjusted annually based upon changes in the licensee’s proportionate share of gross slot revenue. We have estimated that our total proportionate share of the aggregate $63.8 million to be assessed to the gaming facilities will be $4.1 million and will be paid quarterly over a ten‑year period, which began effective January 1, 2012. For the $36.1 million that was borrowed from the General Fund, payment is scheduled to begin after all fourteen licensees are operational. Although we cannot determine when payment will begin, it has considered a similar repayment model for the General Fund borrowings and estimated that its total proportionate share of the aggregate $36.1 million to all fourteen gaming facilities will approximate between $2.0 million and $2.1 million, which has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

The recorded estimate relative to the Property Tax Reserve Fund is subject to revision based upon future changes in the revenue assumptions utilized to develop the estimate. The estimated total obligation at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was $4.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of which the residual total amount, both current and long-term, of $2.1 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are appropriately accrued in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company paid $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Agreements with Horsemen and Pari-mutuel Clerks.  The Federal Interstate Horse Racing Act and the state racing laws in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania require that, in order to simulcast races, we have written agreements with the horse owners and trainers at those racetracks. In addition, in order to operate slot machines in West Virginia, we are required to enter into written agreements regarding the proceeds of the slot machines (a “proceeds agreement”) with a representative of a majority of the horse owners and trainers and with a representative of a majority of the pari‑mutuel clerks. In Pennsylvania and Ohio, we must have an agreement with the representative of the horse owners. We have the requisite agreements in place with the horsemen at Mountaineer until December 31, 2018. With respect to the Mountaineer pari‑mutuel clerks, we have a labor agreement in force until November 30, 2016 and a proceeds agreement until April 14, 2018. We are required to have a proceeds agreement in effect on July 1 of each year with the horsemen and the pari‑mutuel clerks as a condition to renewal of our video lottery license for such year. If the requisite proceeds agreement is not in place as of July 1 of a particular year, Mountaineer’s application for renewal of its video lottery license could be denied, in which case Mountaineer would not be permitted to operate either its slot machines or table games. Scioto Downs has the requisite agreement in place with the OHHA until December 31, 2023, with automatic two‑year renewals unless either party requests re‑negotiation pursuant to its terms. Presque Isle Downs has the requisite agreement in place with the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association until May 1, 2019. With the exception of the respective Mountaineer, Presque Isle Downs and Scioto Downs horsemen’s agreements and the agreement between Mountaineer and the pari‑mutuel clerks’ union described above, each of the agreements referred to in this paragraph may be terminated upon written notice by either party.

 

Note 11. Related Parties

 

The Company owns the entire parcel on which Eldorado Reno is located, except for approximately 30,000 square feet which is leased from C. S. & Y. Associates, a general partnership of which Donald L. Carano is a general partner. As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s payable to C. S. & Y. Associates amounted to $0.2 million. There were no payables to related parties as of December 31, 2015.

 

Note 12. Segment Information

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain operating data for our reportable segments. Management views each of our properties as an operating segment. Operating segments are aggregated based on their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, types of services and products provided, and their management and reporting structure. The Company’s principal operating activities occur in three geographic regions: Nevada, Louisiana and parts of the eastern United States. The Company has aggregated its operating segments into three reportable segments: Eldorado Reno, Silver Legacy and Circus Reno as Nevada, Eldorado Shreveport as Louisiana, and Scioto Downs, Presque Isle and Mountaineer as Eastern.