Caesars Entertainment, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

OR

For the transition period                 to                 

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, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) 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 November 2, 2017 was 76,824,595.

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. The Company acquired Mountaineer, Presque Isle Downs and Scioto Downs in September 2014 pursuant to a merger (the “MTR Merger”) with MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (“MTR Gaming”) and in November 2015 it acquired Circus Reno and the interests in the Silver Legacy that it did not own prior to such date (the “Reno Acquisition”).

Throughout the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, ERI owned and operated the following properties:

In addition, on May 1, 2017, the Company consummated its acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. and acquired the following properties:

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On August 22, 2016, Isle entered into an agreement to sell Lake Charles for aggregate consideration of $134.5 million, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction (the “Lake Charles Disposition”) remains subject to Louisiana Gaming Control Board approval and other customary closing conditions and, if obtained, the transaction is expected to be completed by December 31, 2017.

Acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

On May 1, 2017 (the “Isle Acquisition Date”), the Company completed its acquisition of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of September 19, 2016 with Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Isle” or “Isle of Capri”), Eagle I Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Eagle II Acquisition Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Isle Acquisition” or the “Isle Merger”). As a result of the Isle Merger, Isle became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ERI and, at the effective time of the Isle Merger, each outstanding share of Isle’s stock converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash or 1.638 shares of ERI common stock (the “Stock Consideration”), at the election of the applicable Isle shareholder and subject to proration such that the outstanding shares of Isle common stock were exchanged for aggregate consideration comprised of 58% cash, or $552.0 million, and 42% ERI common stock, or 28.5 million newly issued shares of ERI common stock. The total purchase consideration was $1.93 billion (See Note 2).

In connection with the Isle Acquisition, the Company completed a debt financing transaction comprised of: (a) a senior secured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.75 billion with a (i) term loan facility of $1.45 billion and (ii) revolving credit facility of $300.0 million and (b) $375.0 million of senior unsecured notes. The proceeds of such borrowings were used (v) to pay the cash portion of the consideration payable in the Isle Merger, (w) refinance all of Isle’s existing credit facilities, (x) redeem or otherwise repurchase all of Isle’s senior and senior subordinated notes, (y) refinance the Company’s existing credit facility and (z) pay transaction fees and expenses related to the foregoing (See Note 7 for further discussion of the refinancing transaction and terms of such indebtedness).

Acquisition charges attributed to the Isle Acquisition are reported on the accompanying statement of operations related to legal, accounting, financial advisory services, severance, stock awards and other costs totaling $2.1 million and $89.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $4.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2017, $0.2 million of accrued costs and expenses related to the Isle Acquisition are included in accrued other liabilities. Additionally, we recognized a loss of $27.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the extinguishment of Isle debt and the payment of interest and call premiums in conjunction with the Isle Acquisition.

The presentation of information herein for periods prior to the Isle Acquisition Date and after the Isle Acquisition Date are not fully comparable because the results of operations for Isle are not included for periods prior to the Isle Acquisition Date. Summary financial results of Isle for the three and nine months ended January 22, 2017 are included in Isle’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In conjunction with the Isle Acquisition, Isle is no longer required to file quarterly and annual reports with the SEC, and terminated its registration on May 11, 2017.

Reclassifications

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

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Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 maker of our Company reviews operating results, assesses performance and makes 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. Prior to the Isle Acquisition, the Company’s principal operating activities occurred in three geographic regions: Nevada, Louisiana and parts of the eastern United States. The Company aggregated its operations into three reportable segments based on the similar characteristics of the operating segments within the regions in which they operated. Following the Isle Acquisition, the Company’s principal operating activities occur in four geographic regions and reportable segments based on the similar characteristics of the operating segments within the regions in which the Company operates: West, Midwest, South, and East (See Note 12 for the list of properties included in each segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016).

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, 2016.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Updates

Marketable securities consist primarily of trading securities held by the Company’s captive insurance subsidiary. The trading securities are primarily debt and equity securities that are purchased with the intention to resell in the near term. The trading securities are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current period income in the accompanying statements of operations. This accounting policy was implemented as of the Isle Acquisition Date.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – New Developments

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The standard is effective for the financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. We anticipate adopting this accounting standard during the first quarter of 2018, and are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014 (amended January 2017), FASB issued ASU No. 2014‑09, “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 eliminates existing industry guidance, including revenue recognition guidance specific to the gaming industry. The FASB has also recently issued several amendments to the standard, including narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12) and clarification on accounting for and identifying performance obligations (ASU 2016-10). The core principle of the revenue model indicates 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 interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and should be applied using the full retrospective method or retrospectively with the cumulative effect initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. While early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, we anticipate adopting this standard on January 1, 2018, on a full retrospective basis. We are currently in the process of evaluating the full impact adoption of ASU 2014‑09 (as amended) will have on our consolidated financial statements, including any new considerations with respect to the Isle Acquisition. We anticipate this new standard will likely have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

We expect the most significant effect upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 (as amended) will likely be related to 1) the accounting for our customer loyalty program (no longer will be recorded at cost, and a deferred revenue model will likely be used to account for the classification and timing of revenue recognized, as well as the classification of related expenses for loyalty point redemptions) and 2) the elimination of promotional allowances (the presentation of goods and services provided to our customers without charge,

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included in gross revenue with a corresponding reduction in promotional allowances, will no longer be reported as revenue and will be recognized based on relative standalone selling prices for transactions with more than one performance obligation). As a result, we expect that our liability associated with the customer loyalty program will increase, and our gaming revenues will be significantly reduced as the goods and services provided to customers without charge that currently are included in both gross revenues and promotional allowances will be presented on a net basis, with the majority of the impact resulting in a decrease in casino revenues. The quantitative effects of these changes have not yet been fully determined and are still being analyzed.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 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 (“ROU”) 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 consolidated financial statements.

Currently, we do not have any material capital leases nor any material operating leases where we are the lessor. Our operating leases, primarily relating to certain ground leases and slot machines or VLTs, will be recorded on the balance sheet as an ROU asset with a corresponding lease liability, which will be amortized using the effective interest rate method as payments are made. The ROU asset will be depreciated on a straight-line basis and recognized as lease expense. The qualitative and quantitative effects of adoption of ASU 2016-02 are still being analyzed, and we are in the process of evaluating the full effect the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements including any new considerations with respect to the Isle Acquisition.

Note 2. Isle Acquisition and Preliminary Purchase Price Accounting

On May 1, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Isle. The total purchase consideration in the Isle Merger was determined with reference to the fair value on the date of the Merger Agreement as follows:

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Preliminary Purchase Price Accounting

The following table summarizes the preliminary accounting of the estimated purchase consideration to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Isle Acquisition as of the Isle Acquisition Date, with the excess recorded as goodwill. 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 accounting of the acquired assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Valuation methodologies under both a market and income approach used for the identifiable net assets acquired in the Isle Acquisition make use of Level 1 and Level 3 inputs including 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 estimated fair value of those items at the Isle Acquisition Date, based on management’s judgement and estimates.

The fair value of land was determined using the market approach, which arrives at an indication of value by comparing the site being valued to sites that have been recently acquired in arm’s-length transactions. The market data is then adjusted for any significant differences, to the extent known, between the identified comparable sites and the site being valued. Building and site improvements were valued using the cost approach using a direct cost model built on estimates of replacement cost. With respect to personal property components of the assets, personal property assets with an active and identifiable secondary market such as riverboats, gaming equipment, computer equipment and vehicles were valued using the market approach. Other personal property assets such as furniture, fixtures, computer software, and restaurant equipment were valued using the cost approach which is based on replacement or reproduction costs of the asset.

The cost approach is an estimation of fair value developed by computing the current cost of replacing a property and subtracting any depreciation resulting from one or more of the following factors: physical deterioration, functional obsolescence, and/or economic obsolescence. The income approach incorporates all tangible and intangible property and served as a ceiling for the fair values of the acquired assets of the ongoing business enterprise, while still taking into account the premise of highest and best use. In the instance where the business enterprise value developed via the income approach was exceeded by the initial fair values of the underlying assets, an adjustment to reflect economic obsolescence was made to the tangible assets on a pro rata basis to reflect the contributory value of each individual asset to the enterprise as a whole.

The fair value of the gaming licenses was determined using the excess earnings or replacement cost methodology based on the respective states’ legislation. The excess earnings methodology, which is an income approach methodology that allocates the projected cash flows of the business to the gaming license intangible assets less charges for the use of other identifiable assets of Isle including working capital, fixed assets and other intangible assets. This methodology was considered appropriate as the gaming licenses are the primary asset of Isle and the licenses are linked to each respective facility. Under the respective state’s gaming legislation, the property specific licenses can only be acquired if a theoretical buyer were to acquire each existing facility. The existing licenses could not be acquired and used for a different facility. The properties’ estimated future cash flows were the primary assumption in the respective valuations. Cash flow estimates included net gaming revenue, gaming operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, and tax expense. The replacement cost methodology is a cost approach methodology based on replacement or reproduction cost of the gaming license as an indicator of fair value.

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Trademarks are valued using the relief from royalty method, which presumes that without ownership of such trademarks, ERI would have to make a stream of payments to a brand or franchise owner in return for the right to use their name. By virtue of this asset, ERI avoids any such payments and record the related intangible value of ERI’s ownership of the brand name. The primary assumptions in the valuation included revenue, pre-tax royalty rate, and tax expense.

ERI has preliminarily assigned an indefinite useful life to the gaming licenses, in accordance with its review of the applicable guidance of ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). The standard required ERI 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, ERI’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, ERI determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limit the useful lives of these intangible assets. The acquired Isle properties currently have licenses in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Florida and Colorado. The renewal of each state’s gaming license depends on a number of factors, including payment of certain fees and taxes, providing certain information to the state’s gaming regulator, and meeting certain inspection requirements. However, ERI’s historical experience has not indicated, nor does ERI expect, any limitations regarding its ability to continue to renew each license. No other competitive, contractual, or economic factor limits the useful lives of these assets. Accordingly, ERI has preliminarily concluded that the useful lives of these licenses are indefinite.

For the period from the Isle Acquisition Date through September 30, 2017, Isle generated net revenue of $335.3 million and net income of $30.7 million.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, which give effect to the Isle Acquisition, the Lake Charles Disposition, and Isle’s sale of the Lady Luck Casino Marquette, which closed on March 13, 2017, as if each of such transactions had occurred on January 1, 2016 (in thousands):

These pro forma results do not necessarily represent the results of operations that would have been achieved if the Isle Acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2016, nor are they indicative of the results of operations for future periods. The pro forma amounts include the historical operating results of the Company and Isle prior to the Isle Acquisition, with adjustments factually supportable and directly attributable to the Isle Acquisition.

Note 3. Discontinued Operations

On August 22, 2016, Isle entered into a definitive agreement to sell its casino and hotel property in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for $134.5 million, subject to a customary purchase price adjustment, to an affiliate of Laguna Development Corporation, a Pueblo of a Laguna-owned business based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The transaction remains subject to Louisiana Gaming Control Board approval and other customary closing conditions and, if obtained, the transaction is expected to be completed by December 31, 2017. Isle received a $20.0 million deposit related to this transaction, which is reflected in restricted cash within current assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017.

As of the Isle Acquisition Date, Lake Charles met the requirements for presentation as assets held for sale and discontinued operation under generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the operations of Lake Charles have been classified as discontinued operations and as assets held for sale for all periods presented.

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The results of discontinued operations are summarized as follows (in thousands):

The assets and liabilities held for sale were as follows (in thousands):

Note 4. Stock-Based Compensation

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, 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.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the outstanding equity awards of Isle were converted into comparable equity awards of ERI stock as follows:

Isle stock options. Each option or other right to acquire Isle common stock (each an “Isle Stock Option”) that was outstanding immediately prior to the Isle Acquisition Date (whether vested or unvested), as of the Isle Acquisition Date, (i) continued to vest or accelerate (if unvested), as the case may be, in accordance with the applicable Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle Stock Option was granted and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement), (ii) ceased to represent an option or right to acquire shares of Isle common stock, and (iii) was converted into an option or right to purchase that number of shares ERI common stock equal to the number of shares of Isle common stock subject to the Isle Stock Option multiplied by the Stock Consideration at an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the Isle Stock Option divided by the Stock Consideration,

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subject to the same restrictions and other terms as are set forth in the Isle equity incentive plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle Stock Option was granted and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement).

Isle restricted stock awards. Each share of Isle common stock subject to vesting, repurchase or lapse restrictions (each an “Isle Restricted Share”) that was outstanding under any Isle equity plan or otherwise immediately prior to the Isle Acquisition Date, as of the Isle Acquisition Date, continued to vest or accelerate (if unvested), as the case may be, in accordance with the applicable Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle Restricted Share was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement) and was exchanged for shares of ERI common stock (in an amount equal to the Stock Consideration, with aggregated fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share) and remain subject to the same restrictions and other terms as are set forth in the Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle Restricted Share was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement).

Isle performance stock units. Each performance stock unit (each, an “Isle PSU”) that was outstanding immediately prior to the Isle Acquisition Date, as of the Isle Acquisition Date, (i) continued to vest or accelerate (if unvested), as the case may be, in accordance with the applicable Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle PSU was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement), (ii) was converted into a number of performance stock units in respect of shares of ERI common stock, in an amount equal to the Stock Consideration (with aggregated fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share) at the target level of performance, and (iii) remain subject to the same restrictions and other terms as are set forth in the Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle PSU was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement).

Isle restricted stock units. Each restricted stock unit, deferred stock unit or phantom unit in respect of a share of Isle common stock granted under the applicable Isle stock plan or otherwise, including any such units held in participant accounts under any employee benefit or compensation plan or arrangement of Isle, other than an Isle PSU (each an “Isle RSU”) that was outstanding immediately prior to the Isle Acquisition Date, as of the Isle Acquisition Date, (i) continued to vest or accelerate (if unvested), as the case may be, in accordance with the applicable Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle RSU was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement or applicable employee benefit plan), (ii) was converted into a number of restricted stock units, deferred stock units or phantom units, as applicable, in respect of shares of ERI common stock, in an amount equal to the Stock Consideration (with aggregated fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share), and (iii) remain subject to the same restrictions and other terms as are set forth in the Isle stock plan, the award agreement pursuant to which such Isle RSU was granted, and, if applicable, any other relevant agreements (such as an employment agreement or applicable employee benefit plan).

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations was $1.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $4.5 million and $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In 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 in the first quarter of 2016.

These amounts are included in corporate expenses and, in the case of certain property positions, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. We recognized a reduction in income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0.8 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation.

On January 27, 2017, the Company granted 298,761 RSUs to executive officers and key employees, and 46,282 RSUs to non-employee members of the BOD under the 2015 Plan. The RSUs had a fair value of $15.50 per unit which was the NASDAQ closing price on that date. An additional 42,161 RSUs were also granted to key employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

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A summary of the RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $6.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.06 years.

A summary of the ERI Stock Option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

As a result of the Isle Acquisition, we exchanged 1,351,168 non-qualified stock options, which have a maximum term of ten years from the grant date and are exercisable in yearly installments of 20% commencing one year after the grant date. The options have a weighted average per share Isle Acquisition Date fair value of $9.90 utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the range of assumptions disclosed in the following table:

Weighted average volatility is calculated using the historical volatility of our stock price over a range of dates equal to the expected term of the grant’s options. The weighted average expected term is calculated using historical data that is representative of the option for which the fair value is to be determined. The expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The weighted average risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for the approximate period of time equivalent to the grant’s expected term. The Company’s unrecognized compensation cost for unvested options was $0.3 million as of September 30, 2017.

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A summary of the ERI Restricted Stock Awards activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

The Company’s unrecognized compensation cost for unvested restricted stock awards was $0.1 million as of September 30, 2017

Note 5. Other and Intangible Assets, net

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