PENN Entertainment, Inc. - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10‑K

 

Commission file number 0‑24206

Penn National Gaming, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 373‑2400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well‑known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 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 Website, 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S‑K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10‑K or any amendment to this Form 10‑K. ◻

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.

 

Large accelerated filer ☒                  Accelerated filer ◻Non-accelerated filer   ◻       (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

       

Smaller reporting company ◻           Emerging growth company ◻

 

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 ☒

 

As of June 30, 2017 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non‑affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.81 billion. Such aggregate market value was computed by reference to the closing price of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2017.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 15, 2018 was 91,674,552.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

IMPORTANT FACTORS REGARDING FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This document includes “forward‑looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are included throughout the document, including the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and relate to our business strategy, our prospects and our financial position. These statements can be identified by the use of forward‑looking terminology such as “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussions of future events, strategies or risks and uncertainties. In addition, forward-looking statements in this document include information regarding our proposed acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (“Pinnacle”), the potential effects of the pending acquisition on our business and operations prior to the consummation thereof, the effects on Penn National Gaming, Inc. (“Penn”) and its subsidiaries (together with Penn, collectively, the “Company”) if the acquisition is not consummated and information regarding the combined operations and business of the Company and Pinnacle following the acquisition, if consummated.  Specifically, forward‑looking statements may include, among others, statements concerning:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward‑looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our subsidiaries and us.  There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations, and accordingly, our forward‑looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors described below and in the information incorporated by reference herein. Meaningful factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‑looking statements include, without limitation, risks related to the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All subsequent written and oral forward‑looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this document. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‑looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward‑looking

events discussed in this document may not occur.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

Penn National Gaming, Inc. (“Penn”) and together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “our”or “us”) is a leading, geographically diversified, multi‑jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1982 as PNRC Corp. and adopted its current name in 1994, when the Company became a publicly traded company. In 1997, we began our transition from a pari‑mutuel company to a diversified gaming company with the acquisition of the Charles Town property and the introduction of video lottery terminals in West Virginia. Since 1997, we have continued to expand our gaming operations through strategic acquisitions, greenfield projects, and property expansions.  For example, in 2015, we opened Plainridge Park Casino, an integrated racing and slots-only gaming facility in Plainville, Massachusetts in June, completed the acquisition of our first Las Vegas strip asset, Tropicana Hotel and Casino (“Tropicana Las Vegas”) in Las Vegas, Nevada in August, and acquired Illinois Gaming Investors LLC (d/b/a Prairie State Gaming, (“Prairie State Gaming”) one of the largest video gaming terminal route operators in Illinois, in September.

 

In 2016, our subsidiary, Prairie State Gaming, acquired two small video gaming terminal route operators in Illinois.  We have also recently implemented our interactive gaming strategy through our subsidiary, Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC (“Penn Interactive Ventures”) which included launching our HollywoodCasino.com Play4Fun social gaming platform with Scientific Games and on August 1, 2016, we enhanced our social gaming offerings with the acquisition of Rocket Speed, Inc. (“Rocket Speed”)), a leading developer of social casino games.  On May 1, 2017, we completed our acquisition of 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica (formerly known as Bally’s Casino Tunica, (“1st Jackpot”)) and Resorts Casino Tunica (“Resorts”).  In the first half of 2017, our subsidiary, Prairie State Gaming acquired the assets of two additional smaller video gaming terminal operators in Illinois.

 

Anticipated Acquisition of Pinnacle

 

On December 17, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a leading regional gaming operator.  This transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2018 (subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to closing), is expected to add eleven more properties to our holdings and to provide greater operational scale and geographic diversity.

 

We believe that our portfolio of assets provides us the benefit of a geographically diversified cash flow from operations. We expect to continue to expand our gaming operations through the implementation and execution of a disciplined capital expenditure program at our existing properties, the pursuit of strategic acquisitions and the development of new gaming properties, particularly in attractive regional markets.

 

In this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Penn” refer to Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

Master Lease

 

On November 1, 2013, the Company completed its plan to separate its gaming operating assets from its real property assets by creating a newly formed, publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”), known as Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), through a tax free spin‑off (the “Spin‑Off”).

 

As a result of the Spin‑Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn’s former real property assets as of such date and leases back those assets (other than Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville, the “TRS Properties”) to Penn for use by its subsidiaries, under a “triple net” master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”) (which has a fifteen‑year initial term that can be extended at Penn’s option for up to four five‑year renewal terms). Penn continues to operate the leased gaming facilities and holds the gaming licenses associated with these facilities.  The TRS Properties were transferred to GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off and the financial results from these properties were included in discontinued operations for 2013.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company leased from GLPI real property assets associated with twenty of the Company’s gaming and related facilities used in the Company’s operations. The following summary of the Master Lease is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Master Lease and subsequent amendments, each of which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It was determined that the Master Lease did not meet the requirements of a normal leaseback under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 “Leases” due to prohibited forms of continuing involvement and is therefore accounted for as a financing obligation.

 

The payment structure under the Master Lease, which became effective November 1, 2013, includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to a floor of zero (i) every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change to net revenues of all facilities under the Master Lease (other than Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo) during the preceding five years, and (ii) monthly by an amount equal to 20% of the change in net revenues of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo during the preceding month. In addition, with the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in the third quarter of 2014, our annual payment related to the Master Lease increased by approximately $19 million, which approximates 10% of the real estate construction costs paid for by GLPI related to these facilities.

 

In April 2014, we entered into an amendment to the Master Lease in order to revise certain provisions relating to our Sioux City property. In accordance with that amendment, upon the cessation of gaming operations at Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014, due to the termination of its gaming license, the annual payment to GLPI was reduced by $6.2 million.

 

On May 1, 2017, following the acquisition of RIH Acquisitions MS I, LLC and RIH Acquisitions MS II, LLC, the holding companies for the gaming operations of 1st Jackpot and Resorts in Tunica, Mississippi, an amendment to the Master Lease was entered into in order to add the two additional facilities. The Company is operating both of these casino properties and it leases the underlying real estate associated with these two businesses from GLPI with a total initial annual payment of $9.0 million subject to the provisions included in the terms of the Master Lease. The transaction increased the Company’s Master Lease financing obligation by $82.6 million on the acquisition date, which represents the purchase price GLPI paid for the underlying real estate assets.

 

The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple‑net lease. Accordingly, in addition to financing obligation payments, the Company is required to pay the following, among other things: (1) all facility maintenance; (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties; (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor); and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.

 

At the Company’s option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to four five‑year renewal terms beyond the initial fifteen‑year term, on the same terms and conditions. If we elect to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease, provided that the final renewal option shall only be exercisable with respect to certain of the barge‑based facilities—i.e., facilities where barges serve as foundations upon which buildings are constructed to serve as gaming or related facilities or serve ancillary purposes such as access platforms or shear barges to protect a gaming facility from floating debris—following

an independent third party expert’s review of the total useful life of the applicable barged‑based facility measured from the beginning of the initial term. If the final five‑year renewal term would not cause the aggregate term to exceed 80% of the useful life of such facility, the facility shall be included in the five‑year renewal. In the event that a five‑year renewal of such facility would cause it to exceed 80% of the estimated useful life, such facility shall be included in the renewal for the period of time equal to but not exceeding 80% of the estimated useful life.

 

We do not have the ability to terminate our obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without GLPI’s consent. If the Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with GLPI’s consent, we may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued lease payments through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the leased property.

 

Segment Information

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), as that term is defined in ASC 280 “Segment Reporting”, measures and assesses the Company’s business performance based on regional operations of various properties grouped together based primarily on their geographic locations.

 

The Northeast reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Bangor, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, and Plainridge Park Casino.  It also includes the Company’s Casino Rama management service contract.

 

The South/West reportable segment consists of the following properties: Zia Park Casino, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Boomtown Biloxi, M Resort, Tropicana Las Vegas, 1st Jackpot and Resorts which were acquired on May 1, 2017, as well as our management contract with Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego.  In late February 2018, the Company and the Jamul Tribe mutually agreed that Penn would no longer manage the facility or provide branding and development services on May 28, 2018. The company will provide a transition that it anticipates will last through approximately late May.

 

The Midwest reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, and Prairie State Gaming, which the Company acquired on September 1, 2015, and includes the Company’s 50% investment in Kansas Entertainment, LLC (“Kansas Entertainment”), which owns the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

 

The Other category consists of the Company’s standalone racing operations, namely Rosecroft Raceway, which was sold on July 31, 2016, Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, and the Company’s joint venture interests in Sam Houston Race Park, Valley Race Park, and Freehold Raceway. If the Company is successful in obtaining gaming operations at these locations, they would be assigned to one of the Company’s regional executives and reported in their respective reportable segment. The Other category also includes the Company’s corporate overhead operations, which does not meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280. Additionally, the Other category includes Penn Interactive Ventures, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary that represents its social online gaming initiatives, including Rocket Speed. Penn Interactive Ventures meets the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280, but is quantitatively not significant to the Company’s operations as it represents less than 2% of net revenues and 5% of income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, and its total assets represent less than 2% of the Company’s total assets at December 31, 2017.

 

In addition to GAAP financial measures, management uses adjusted EBITDA as an important measure of the operating performance of its segments, including the evaluation of operating personnel and believes it is especially relevant in evaluating large, long lived casino projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such

projects. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, stock compensation, debt extinguishment and financing charges, impairment charges, insurance recoveries and deductible charges, depreciation and amortization, changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent purchase price obligations, gain or loss on disposal of assets, and other income or expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is also inclusive of income or loss from unconsolidated affiliates, with the Company’s share of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization) added back for its joint venture in Kansas Entertainment. Adjusted EBITDA excludes payments associated with our Master Lease agreement with GLPI as the transaction is accounted for as a financing obligation. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to income from operations, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity, or as any other measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in adjusted EBITDA.

 

See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for further information with respect to the Company’s segments.

 

Properties

 

Penn National Gaming, Inc. owns, operates, or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations with a focus on slot machine entertainment. As of December 31, 2017, we operated twenty‑nine facilities in the following seventeen jurisdictions: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, California, and Ontario.

 

The real estate of the Master Lease properties described below has been contributed to GLPI; however, Penn continues to operate the leased gaming facilities. The following table summarizes certain features of the Master Lease properties operated and managed by us as of December 31, 2017:

 

Master Lease Properties

 

 

 

 

The following table summarizes certain features of the properties that are not subject to the Master Lease and are owned and operated, or managed, by us as of December 31, 2017:

 

Other Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As mentioned above, we organize the properties we operate, manage and own, as applicable, into three segments, Northeast, South/West and Midwest. Below is a description of each of our properties by segment.

 

Northeast Properties

 

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

 

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, within approximately an hour drive of the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. markets. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races features 511,249 of property square footage with 2,391 gaming machines, 73 table games and 16 poker tables and a 153‑room hotel. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also features various dining options, including a high‑end steakhouse, a sports bar and entertainment lounge, as well as an Asian themed restaurant. The complex also features live thoroughbred racing at a 3/₄‑mile all‑weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack with a 3,000‑seat grandstand, parking for 5,781 vehicles and simulcast wagering and dining.

 

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

 

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is located in Grantville, Pennsylvania, which is 15 miles northeast of Harrisburg. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course features 451,758 of property square footage with 2,319 slot machines, 54 table games and 16 poker tables. The facility also includes an entertainment bar and lounge, a sports bar, a buffet, a high‑end steakhouse and various casual dining options, as well as a simulcast facility and viewing area for live racing. The facility has ample parking, including a five‑story self‑parking garage, with capacity for approximately 2,200 cars, and approximately 1,500 surface parking spaces for self and valet parking. The property includes a one‑mile all‑weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack and a 7/₈‑mile turf track. The property also includes approximately 393 acres that are available for future expansion or development.

 

Hollywood Casino Toledo

 

Hollywood Casino Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and opened on May 29, 2012. Hollywood Casino Toledo is a Hollywood‑themed casino featuring 285,335 of property square footage with 2,043 slot machines, 51 table games and 20 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Toledo also includes multiple food and beverage outlets, an entertainment lounge, and structured and surface parking for approximately 3,300 spaces.

 

Hollywood Casino Columbus

 

Hollywood Casino Columbus is located in Columbus, Ohio and opened on October 8, 2012. Hollywood Casino Columbus is a Hollywood‑themed casino featuring 354,075 of property square footage with 2,237 slot machines, 64 table games and 36 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Columbus also includes multiple food and beverage outlets, an entertainment lounge, and structured and surface parking for 4,616 spaces.

 

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

 

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is located in Dayton, Ohio and opened on August 28, 2014. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is a Hollywood‑themed facility featuring 191,037 of property square footage with 1,015 video lottery terminals and a 5/₈‑mile standardbred racetrack. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway also includes various restaurants, bars, surface parking for 1,806 spaces and other amenities.

 

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

 

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course is located in Youngstown, Ohio and opened on September 17, 2014. Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course is a Hollywood‑themed facility featuring

177,448 of property square footage with 1,036 video lottery terminals and a one‑mile thoroughbred racetrack. Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course also includes various restaurants, bars, surface parking with 1,254 spaces and other amenities.

 

Hollywood Casino Bangor

 

Hollywood Casino Bangor, which is located in Bangor, Maine, includes 257,085 of property square footage with 739 slot machines, 14 table games and four poker tables. Hollywood Casino Bangor’s amenities include a 152‑room hotel with 5,119 square feet of meeting and multipurpose space, three eateries, a buffet, a snack bar and a casual dining restaurant, a small entertainment stage, and a four‑story parking garage with 1,500 spaces. Bangor Raceway, which is adjacent to the property, is located at historic Bass Park and includes a one‑half mile standardbred racetrack and grandstand to seat 3,500 patrons.

 

Plainridge Park Casino

 

Plainridge Park Casino, which opened on June 24, 2015, is located 20 miles southwest of the Boston beltway just off interstate 95 in Plainville, Massachusetts. Plainridge Park features 196,473 of property square footage with 1,249 gaming devices. Plainridge Park Casino offers various restaurants, bars, 1,620 structured and surface parking spaces, and other amenities. Plainridge Park Casino also includes a 5/₈‑mile live harness racing facility with approximate 55,000 square foot, two story clubhouse for simulcast operations and live racing viewing.

 

Casino Rama

 

Through CHC Casinos Canada Limited (“CHC Casinos”), our indirectly wholly‑owned subsidiary, we manage Casino Rama, a full service gaming and entertainment facility, on behalf of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (“OLG”), an agency of the Province of Ontario. Casino Rama is located on the lands of the Rama First Nation, approximately 90 miles north of Toronto. The property has 864,047 of property square footage with 2,523 gaming machines, 101 table games and 10 poker tables. In addition, the property includes a 5,000‑seat entertainment facility, a 289‑room hotel and 3,422 surface parking spaces.

 

The Development and Operating Agreement, which we refer to as the management service contract for Casino Rama, sets out the duties, rights and obligations of CHC Casinos and our indirectly wholly‑owned subsidiary, CRC Holdings, Inc. The compensation under the management service agreement is a base fee equal to 2.0% of gross revenues of the casino and an incentive fee equal to 5.0% of the casino’s net operating profit.

 

In June 2014, we signed an agreement to extend the Casino Rama Agreement on a month‑to‑month basis with a 60‑day notice period for up to a maximum period of forty‑eight months, ending September 30, 2018. The OLG is exploring bids for new operating contracts and privatization in Ontario, including at Casino Rama.  As a result, we expect our management contract with the OLG to end shortly after June 30, 2018.

 

South/West Properties

 

M Resort

 

The M Resort, located approximately ten miles from the Las Vegas strip in Henderson, Nevada, is situated on approximately 90 acres on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway. The resort features 910,173 of property square footage with 1,180 slot machines and 40 table games. The M Resort also offers 390 guest rooms and suites, seven restaurants and six destination bars, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a 4,700 space parking facility, a spa and fitness center and a 100,000 square foot events piazza.

 

Zia Park Casino

 

Zia Park Casino is located in Hobbs, New Mexico and includes a casino, as well as an adjoining racetrack. The property includes 193,645 of property square footage with 734 slot machines and two restaurants. The property has a one‑mile quarter/thoroughbred racetrack, with live racing from September to December, and a year‑round simulcast parlor. In August 2014, we opened a new hotel, which includes 148 rooms, six suites, a business center, exercise/fitness facilities and a breakfast venue.

 

Hollywood Casino Tunica

 

Hollywood Casino Tunica is located in Tunica, Mississippi. This single‑level property features 315,831 of property square footage with 1,020 slot machines, 17 table games and six poker tables. Hollywood Casino Tunica also has a 494‑room hotel and 123‑space recreational vehicle park. Entertainment amenities include a steakhouse, a buffet, a grill, an entertainment lounge, a premium players’ club, a themed bar facility, an indoor pool and showroom as well as banquet and meeting facilities. In addition, Hollywood Casino Tunica offers surface parking with 1,635 spaces.

 

1st Jackpot Casino (formerly known as Bally’s Casino Tunica)

 

1st Jackpot Casino, the closest Tunica-area casino to downtown Memphis, features 78,941 of property square footage with 900 slot machines and 16 table games, along with a steakhouse, buffet restaurant, 24-hour café, and a live entertainment venue.

 

Resorts Casino Tunica

 

Resorts Casino Tunica, which is located adjacent to Hollywood Casino Tunica, features 319,823 of property square footage with 805 slot machines and 7 table games. The property also offers a steakhouse, buffet restaurant and 24-hour café as well as 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space and a 201-room hotel.

 

Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast

 

Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast (formerly Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis), which is located in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, features 425,920 of property square footage with 1,016 slot machines, 21 table games, and five poker tables. The waterfront Hollywood Hotel features 291 rooms, a 10,000 square foot ballroom, and nine separate meeting rooms offering more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast offers live concerts and various entertainment on weekends. The property also features The Bridges golf course, an 18‑hole championship golf course. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast has various dining facilities including a steakhouse, a buffet, a grill and a clubhouse lounge as well as an entertainment bar. Other amenities include a recreational vehicle park with 100 spaces and a gift shop, lazy river, spa, and pool cabanas.

 

Boomtown Biloxi

 

Boomtown Biloxi is located in Biloxi, Mississippi and offers 134,800 of property square footage with 783 slot machines and 14 table games. It features a buffet, a steakhouse, a 24‑hour grill, a noodle bar and an recreational vehicle park with 50 spaces. Boomtown Biloxi also has 1,450 surface parking spaces.

 

Tropicana Las Vegas

 

The Company acquired Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015. Tropicana Las Vegas, located on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, is situated on an approximate 35‑acre land parcel at the corner of Tropicana Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard. The resort features 1,183,984 of property square footage with 655 slot machines and 35 table games. Tropicana Las Vegas offers 1,470 guest rooms, a sports book, four full services restaurants, a food court, a 1,100‑seat

performance theater, a 300‑seat comedy club, over 100,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, a five‑acre tropical beach event area and spa, and 2,095 parking spaces.

 

Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego

 

Hollywood Casino Jamul – San Diego is a three-story gaming and entertainment facility featuring approximately 200,000 square feet with 1,730 slot machines, 40 live table games, multiple restaurants, bars and lounges and a partially enclosed parking structure with over 1,800 spaces.  The facility opened to the public on October 10, 2016.  The Company currently provides a portion of the financing in connection with the project including additional commitments for future construction spending and, following the opening, manages the casino.  In late February 2018, the Company and the Jamul Tribe mutually agreed that Penn would no longer manage the facility or provide branding and development services on May 28, 2018. The company will provide a transition that it anticipates will last through approximately late May.

 

Midwest Properties

 

Hollywood Casino Aurora

 

Hollywood Casino Aurora, part of the Chicagoland market, is located in Aurora, Illinois, the second largest city in Illinois, approximately 35 miles west of Chicago. This single‑level dockside casino provides 222,189 of property square footage with 1,066 slot machines, 27 gaming tables and six poker tables. The facility features a steakhouse with a private dining room, a VIP lounge for premium players, a casino bar with video poker, a buffet, and a deli. Hollywood Casino Aurora also has a surface parking lot, two parking garages with approximately 1,500 parking spaces, and a gift shop.

 

Hollywood Casino Joliet

 

Hollywood Casino Joliet, part of the Chicagoland market, is located on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois, approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago. This barge‑based casino provides two levels with 1,100 slot machines, 18 table games and three poker tables. The land‑based pavilion includes a steakhouse, a buffet and a sports bar. The casino barge includes a deli and VIP lounge. The complex also includes a 100‑room hotel, a 1,100 space parking garage, surface parking areas with approximately 1,500 spaces and an 80‑space recreational vehicle park. In total, the facility includes 322,446 of property square footage.

 

Argosy Casino Alton

 

Argosy Casino Alton is located on the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois, approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis. Argosy Casino Alton is a three‑deck gaming facility featuring 124,569 of property square footage with 796 slot machines and 12 table games. Argosy Casino Alton includes an entertainment pavilion and features a 214‑seat buffet, a restaurant, a deli and a 475‑seat main showroom. The facility also includes surface parking areas with 1,341 spaces.

 

Argosy Casino Riverside

 

Argosy Casino Riverside is located on the Missouri River, approximately five miles from downtown Kansas City in Riverside, Missouri. The property features 450,397 of property square footage with 1,479 slot machines and 42 table games. This Mediterranean‑themed casino and hotel features a nine‑story, 258‑room hotel and spa, an entertainment facility featuring various food and beverage areas, including a buffet, a steakhouse, a deli, a coffee bar, a Mexican restaurant, a VIP lounge and a sports/entertainment lounge and 19,000 square feet of banquet/conference facilities. Argosy Casino Riverside also has parking for approximately 3,000 vehicles, including a 1,250 space parking garage.

 

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

 

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg is located on the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, approximately 15 miles west of Cincinnati. The Hollywood‑themed casino riverboat has 634,000 square feet of property square footage with 1,711 slot machines, 63 table games and 19 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg also includes a 295‑room hotel, as well as a restaurant, bar, nightclub, sports bar, two cafes and meeting space.

 

The City of Lawrenceburg Department of Redevelopment constructed a hotel and event center located less than a mile away from our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property. Effective in January 2015, by contractual agreement, the hotel and event center is owned and operated by a subsidiary of the Company. The hotel and event center includes 168 rooms, approximately 18,000 square feet of multipurpose space and 19,500 square feet of ballroom and meeting space.

 

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

 

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, our 50% joint venture with International Speedway, is located in Kansas City, Kansas and opened on February 3, 2012. The facility features 244,791 of property square footage with 2,000 slot machines, 41 table games and 12 poker tables. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway offers a variety of dining and entertainment facilities and has a 1,253 space parking structure.

 

Hollywood Casino St. Louis

 

Hollywood Casino St. Louis is located adjacent to the Missouri River in Maryland Heights, Missouri, directly off I‑70 and approximately 22 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The facility is situated on approximately 248 acres along the Missouri River and features 645,270 of property square footage with 2,003 slot machines, 63 table games, 20 poker tables, a 502 guestroom hotel, nine dining and entertainment venues and structured and surface parking with approximately 4,600 spaces.

 

Prairie State Gaming

 

The Company acquired Illinois Gaming Investors, LLC, d/b/a Prairie State Gaming, a licensed video gaming terminal route operator in Illinois, on September 1, 2015. Prairie State Gaming’s operations now include more than 1,715 video gaming terminals across a network of approximately 377 bar and retail gaming establishments in seven distinct geographic areas throughout Illinois.

 

Other Properties

 

Sanford‑Orlando Kennel Club

 

Sanford‑Orlando Kennel Club is a 1/₄‑mile greyhound facility located in Longwood, Florida. The facility has capacity for 6,500 patrons, with seating for 4,000 and surface parking for 2,500 vehicles. The facility conducts year‑round greyhound racing and greyhound, thoroughbred, and harness racing simulcasts.

 

Freehold Raceway

 

Through our joint venture in Pennwood Racing, Inc. (“Pennwood”), we own 50% of Freehold Raceway, located in Freehold, New Jersey. The property features a half‑mile standardbred race track and a 117,715 square foot grandstand.

 

Sam Houston Race Park and Valley Race Park

 

Our joint venture with MAXXAM owns and operates the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas and the Valley Race Park in Harlingen, Texas, and holds a license for a racetrack in Manor, Texas, just outside of Austin. Sam Houston Race Park is located 15 miles northwest from downtown Houston along Beltway 8. Sam Houston Race Park hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing and offers daily simulcast operations, as well as hosts various special events, private parties and meetings, concerts and national touring festivals throughout the year. Valley Race Park features 91,000 of property square footage as a dog racing and simulcasting facility located in Harlingen, Texas.

 

Off‑track Wagering Facilities

 

Our off‑track wagering facilities (“OTWs”) and racetracks provide areas for viewing import simulcast races of thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing, televised sporting events, placing pari‑mutuel wagers and dining. We operate two OTWs in Pennsylvania, and through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own 50% of a leased OTW in Toms River, New Jersey. In addition, in accordance with an operating agreement with Pennwood, the Company constructed an OTW in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, which opened in July 2014. Per the operating agreement, this OTW is operated by us; however, Pennwood has the option to purchase the OTW once the Company has received its total investment as defined in the operating agreement.

 

Trademarks

 

We own a number of trademarks and service marks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“U.S. PTO”), including but not limited to, “Hollywood Casino®,” “Hollywood Gaming®,” “Argosy®,” “M Resort®,” “Hollywood Poker®,” and “Marquee Rewards®”.  We believe that our rights to our marks are well established and have competitive value to our properties. We also have a number of trademark applications pending with the U.S. PTO.

 

As part of our acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas in August 2015, we assumed a trademark settlement agreement with Tropicana Entertainment, LLC, an affiliate of Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCPA) that is not related to the Company, which, subject to other terms, conditions, and advertising limitations set forth in the agreement, confirms, among other things, that (i) Tropicana Las Vegas owns and has the exclusive right to use the “Tropicana Las Vegas” and the “Tropicana LV” marks within 50 miles of the “Las Vegas Property” for the purpose of providing goods and services in the field of entertainment and hospitality and in the natural scope of expansion thereof (the “Services”), and for “Internet Uses” (as defined in the Agreement) without geographic limitation, (ii) Tropicana Las Vegas may advertise the Services identified by the “Tropicana Las Vegas” and the “Tropicana LV” marks worldwide provided that the advertisements explicitly reference the location of the Tropicana Las Vegas Property, and (ii) Tropicana Entertainment, LLC owns and has the exclusive right to use the “Tropicana” and “Trop” marks, in connection with a modifier indicating the type of service being provided or a modifier designating an accurate geographic location of a property, outside of the Las Vegas area, and may advertise the Services worldwide provided that the advertisements explicitly reference the location of the properties.

 

Pursuant to a License Agreement with Boomtown, Inc., dated August 8, 2000, our subsidiary BTN, LLC (successor to BTN, Inc.) uses the “Boomtown” trademark.

 

The Company provides branding services with regards to the Hollywood Casino-branded gaming facility on the Jamul Tribe’s trust land in San Diego County, California pursuant to an Intellectual Property, License, Branding and Marketing Agreement dated April 3, 2013.

 

Effective as of November 1, 2015, the Company’s subsidiary, Hollywood Casinos, LLC, has a Trademark License Agreement with GLPI, pursuant to which GLPI has a license to use certain trademarks for use in connection with the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville facilities, which were contributed to GLPI in the Spin-Off.

 

Competition

 

The gaming industry is characterized by a high degree of competition among a large number of operators, including riverboat casinos, dockside casinos, land‑based casinos, video lottery, video gaming terminals (VGTs) at taverns in certain states, such as Illinois, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, Native American gaming, emerging varieties of Internet and fantasy sports gaming, the potential for increased sports betting and other forms of gaming in the U.S. In a broader sense, our gaming operations face competition from all manner of leisure and entertainment activities, including: shopping; athletic events; television and movies; concerts and travel. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S., in several Canadian provinces and on various lands taken into trust for the benefit of certain Native Americans in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada. Other jurisdictions, including states adjacent to states in which we currently have facilities (such as in Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland), have legalized and expanded or have plans to license additional gaming facilities, video gaming terminals and other gaming offerings in the near future. In addition, more gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion or relocation of existing gaming operations. New, relocated or expanded operations by other companies will increase competition for our gaming operations and could have a material adverse impact on us. Finally, the imposition of smoking bans and/or higher gaming tax rates have a significant impact on our properties’ ability to compete with facilities in nearby jurisdictions.

 

Our racing operations face significant competition for wagering dollars from other racetracks and off-track wagering facilities (“OTWs”), some of which also offer other forms of gaming, as well as other gaming venues such as casinos and historic racing. Additionally, for a number of years, there has been a general decline in the number of people attending and wagering on live horse races at North American racetracks due to a number of factors, including increased competition from other wagering and entertainment alternatives and unwillingness of customers to travel a significant distance to racetracks. Our account wagering operations compete with large providers of such services throughout the country. We also face competition in the future from new OTWs, new racetracks, historic racing, or new providers of account wagering. From time to time, states consider legislation to permit other forms of gaming. If additional gaming opportunities become available near our racing operations, such gaming opportunities could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Northeast.  Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has been and will continue to be negatively impacted by competition in the Baltimore, Maryland market, which includes Maryland Live! and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Maryland Live!, a casino complex at the Arundel Mills mall in Anne Arundel, Maryland, opened in June 2012 and  Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened at the end of August 2014. Both of these facilities are substantial in nature, as Maryland Live! Has approximately 4,000 slot machines, over 200 table games and various food and beverage offerings whereas Horseshoe Baltimore has 2,200 slot machines and 180 table games.  In December 2013, the sixth casino license for Maryland in Prince George’s County was granted to MGM. In December 2016, MGM National Harbor casino and resort opened featuring 3,300 slot machines and 124 table games and has had an adverse impact our financial results, as it has created additional competition for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

 

In November 2011, the Expanded Gaming Act was signed into law in Massachusetts, which allows up to three destination resort casinos located in three geographically diverse regions across the state and a single slots facility for one location statewide. In February 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded us the slots‑only gaming license and in June 2015, we opened Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville. The licenses for two of three casino resorts have been awarded with the remaining license in Southeastern Massachusetts still open. MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts is expected to be completed in September 2018 and Wynn Everett in the Boston Area is scheduled to open in mid-2019. Construction of a tribal casino in Taunton, Massachusetts, which was expected to open in 2017, is currently on hold following a judicial opinion issued during the third quarter of 2016 regarding the validity of the Tribe’s land in trust. In addition, a proposal to relocate the Newport Casino license to Tiverton, Rhode Island, near the Massachusetts border, was approved by local and statewide voters in November 2016. The proposal calls for a $75 million casino featuring 1,000 slot machines, 32 table games and an 84 room hotel.  The increased competition in

Massachusetts will have a negative impact on the operations of Plainridge Park Casino; however, we anticipate that it will be the sole gaming facility in Massachusetts until at the least third quarter of 2018.

 

In Ohio, voters passed a referendum in 2009 to allow four land‑based casinos in four cities, one of which was in downtown Cincinnati, which is the primary feeder market for our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property. The Cincinnati casino opened in March 2013 and has had and will likely continue to have an adverse impact on Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. However, this referendum also resulted in the Company operating two of the four land‑based casinos. We opened Hollywood Casino Toledo in May 2012 and Hollywood Casino Columbus in October 2012. Additionally, the State of Ohio approved the placement of video lottery terminals at the state’s seven racetracks. In June 2012, a new racino at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio opened, which has had a negative impact on Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg’s financial results and competes aggressively in the same market as Hollywood Casino Columbus. In addition, a racino at Miami Valley Gaming opened in mid‑December 2013, and a racino at Belterra Park opened in May 2014. Both of these racinos compete with Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. Conversely, we have opened our own racinos in Ohio, with Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway opening in August 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course opening in September 2014. As a result, in a relatively short period of time, Ohio has gone from having no gaming facilities to having four casinos and seven video lottery terminal facilities. In addition, we continue to fight illegal gaming operations, such as internet sweepstakes.

 

In addition, legislators in Kentucky regularly consider new gaming legislation. The commencement of gaming in Kentucky would negatively impact certain of our existing properties in the Northeast segment. In October 2017, Pennsylvania enacted gaming expansion legislation that authorized licenses for up to ten new category 4 satellite casinos, VGTs at truck stops, online gaming, and other gaming offerings.  The new casinos will have the ability to operate between 300 and 750 slot machines and between 30 and 40 table games.  Only Pennsylvania’s existing gaming operators may initially participate in the auctions for these new casinos, with a preference given to the category 1 and category 2 license holders in the first round ending July 31, 2018.  On January 10, 2018, Penn was awarded the first category 4 satellite casino license to be located in York County, which will compete with our Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course facility. On February 8, 2018, the third category 4 satellite casino license was awarded in Lawrence County which is expected to compete with and have an adverse impact on our existing Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course facility in Austintown, Ohio.  On February 22, 2018, the fourth category 4 satellite casino license was awarded in Cumberland County which is expected to compete with and have an adverse impact on our Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course facility in Grantville, Pennsylvania.  Depending on how many of the ten satellite casino licenses are ultimately issued, and the final locations, size and scope of these satellite casinos, and the impact of VGT’s at truck stops and online gaming offerings, there may be additional negative impacts on our existing facilities in the Northeast segment.

 

South/West.  Our South/West segment contains our M Resort and Tropicana Las Vegas properties and Hollywood Casino Jamul- San Diego, which we operate under our management contract with the Jamul Tribe. M Resort and Tropicana Las Vegas compete directly with other Las Vegas hotels, resorts, and casinos, including those located on the Las Vegas Strip, on the basis of overall atmosphere, range of amenities, level of service, price, location, entertainment offered, convention and meeting facilities, shopping and restaurant facilities, theme, and size. In addition, a substantial number of customers are drawn from geographic areas outside of Las Vegas, particularly California and Arizona. Specifically, in California, we expect Hollywood Casino Jamul – San Diego to continue to experience significant competition from nearby casinos operated on Native American lands, which could negatively impact their results as well as the Las Vegas market.  In the Mississippi Gulf Coast market, a casino in D’Iberville, Mississippi opened in December 2015, which has had an adverse effect on the financial results of our Boomtown Biloxi property.

 

Midwest.  In Illinois, there have been perennial gaming expansion proposals introduced in the legislature, which we expect to continue.  In October 2012, video gambling in Illinois was officially launched with the first locations being allowed to operate VGTs. Currently, there are over 22,000 terminals at numerous locations throughout the state, which has had a negative impact on our casinos near or in Illinois. In September 2015, we purchased Prairie State Gaming, which is a licensed VGT operator in Illinois, whose operations now include more than 1,700 video gaming terminals.

Illinois also continues to discuss the viability of gaming expansion in the state through a potential combination of additional riverboat operations, land-based casinos and slots at racetracks.  In addition, legislators in Indiana and Missouri are currently considering VGT legislation. The commencement of gaming in Indiana and Missouri or the expansion of gaming in Illinois would negatively impact certain of our existing properties in the Midwest segment.  In addition, there is a proposal to reopen a race track with slot machines at the Woodlands in Wyandotte County, which could have an adverse effect on the financial results of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

 

 

U.S. and Foreign Revenues

 

Our net revenues in the U.S. for 2017, 2016, and 2015 were approximately $3,136.4 million, $3,023.2 million, and $2,828.1 million, respectively. Our revenues from operations in Canada for 2017, 2016, and 2015 were approximately $11.6 million, $11.2 million, and $10.3 million, respectively.

 

Management

 

The persons listed below represent executive officers of the Company.

 

 

Timothy J. Wilmott.  Mr. Wilmott joined us in February 2008 as President and Chief Operating Officer and was named Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2013. In addition, in September 2014, Mr. Wilmott was appointed to the Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Wilmott served as Chief Operating Officer of Harrah’s Entertainment, a position he held for approximately four years. In this position, he oversaw the operations of all of Harrah’s revenue‑generating businesses, including 48 casinos, 38,000 hotel rooms and 300 restaurants. All Harrah’s Division Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents of Brand Operations, Marketing and Information Technology personnel reported to Mr. Wilmott in his capacity as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his appointment to the position of Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Wilmott served from 1997 to 2002 as Division President of Harrah’s Eastern Division with responsibility for the operations of eight Harrah’s properties.

 

Jay Snowden.  Mr. Snowden is currently our President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Snowden joined us in October 2011 as Senior Vice President‑Regional Operations, became our Chief Operating Officer in January 2014, and became our President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2017. Mr. Snowden is responsible for overseeing all of our operating businesses, as well as human resources, marketing, and information technology. Prior to joining us, Mr. Snowden was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars and Harrah’s in Atlantic City, and prior to that, held various leadership positions with them in St. Louis, San Diego and Las Vegas.

 

William J. Fair.  Mr. Fair is currently our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In January 2014, Mr. Fair joined us as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer and became our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2017. Previously, Mr. Fair worked in development leadership positions for Universal Studios and Disney Development. Most recently, Mr. Fair was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Skiing Company, where he had oversight of ten ski mountain resorts which included ski operations, nine hotels, condominium operations, food and beverage operations, retail and rental operations, real estate brokerage and development.

 

Carl Sottosanti.  Mr. Sottosanti is currently our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In February 2014, Mr. Sottosanti was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel and became

Secretary in November 2014. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Sottosanti served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel since 2003. Before joining the Company, Mr. Sottosanti served for five years as General Counsel at publicly traded, Sanchez Computer Associates, Inc. and had oversight of all legal, compliance and intellectual property matters. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Sottosanti was the Assistant General Counsel for Salient 3 Communications, Inc., a publicly traded telecommunications company. Mr. Sottosanti began his legal career in 1989 with the Philadelphia law firm Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis LLP.

 

Governmental Regulations

 

The gaming and racing industries are highly regulated and we must maintain our licenses and pay gaming taxes to continue our operations. Each of our facilities is subject to extensive regulation under the laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdiction where it is located. These laws, rules and regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners, managers, and persons with financial interests in the gaming operations. Violations of laws or regulations in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. A more detailed description of the regulations to which we are subject is contained in Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Our businesses are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in addition to gaming regulations. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, employees, health care, currency transactions, taxation, zoning and building codes, and marketing and advertising. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our operating results.

 

Employees and Labor Relations

 

As of December 31, 2017, we had 18,754 full‑ and part‑time employees.

 

The Company is required to have agreements with the horsemen at the majority of its racetracks to conduct its live racing and/or simulcasting activities. In addition, in order to operate gaming machines and table games in West Virginia, the Company must maintain agreements with each of the Charles Town horsemen, pari‑mutuel clerks and breeders.

 

At Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, the Company renewed an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association that expires on June 18, 2018. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also renewed an agreement with the breeders that expires on June 30, 2018. Additionally, the pari‑mutuel clerks at Charles Town are represented under a collective bargaining agreement with the West Virginia Union of Mutuel Clerks, which expired on December 31, 2010 and has been extended on a month‑to‑month basis.

 

The Company’s agreement with the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was renewed through January 31, 2019. The Company has an agreement with Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 108, regarding both on-track and off-track pari-mutuel clerks and admission staff, which expired in December 2016. A new contract was negotiated and, once signed, will run through December 1, 2021. In August 2015, the Company entered into a three year collective bargaining agreement with the International Chapter of Horseshoers and Allied Equine Trades Local 947.

 

The Company’s agreement with the Maine Harness Horsemen Association at Bangor Raceway continues through the conclusion of the 2018 racing season.

 

In March of 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course entered into an agreement with the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2014 commencement of video lottery terminal operations at that facility.

 

In September 2015, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway entered into an agreement with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association for racing at the property. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2015 effective date.

 

In January 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with the Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England at Plainridge Park Casino which remains in effect through December 31, 2018.

 

Across certain of the Company’s properties, Seafarers Entertainment and Allied Trade Union (“SEATU”) represents approximately 1,670 of the Company’s employees under a National Agreement that expires on January 24, 2032 and Local Addenda that expire at various times between June 2021 and October 2024.

 

SEATU agreements are in place at Hollywood Casino Joliet, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Argosy Casino Riverside, Argosy Casino Alton, Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway, Hollywood Gaming Dayton, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley and Plainridge Park Casino. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course have a wage reopener in February 2018 (which is currently being negotiated), Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg has a wage reopener in June 2018, Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway has a wage reopener in July 2018 and Hollywood Casino Joliet and Plainridge Park Casino have a wage reopener in November 2018; the remainder of the SEATU agreements have expiration dates in 2019 and beyond.

 

At Hollywood Casino Joliet, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 1 represents approximately 167 employees under a collective bargaining agreement which expires on March 31, 2019. At Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo, a council comprised of the United Auto Workers and the United Steel Workers represents approximately 1,271 employees under a collective bargaining agreement which ends on November 15, 2019.

 

On August 25, 2015, the Company acquired Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, which had seven existing collective bargaining agreements with the following unions: (1) Culinary & Bartenders (expires on May 31, 2018), (2) United Brotherhood of Carpenters (expires on July 31, 2019), (3) International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (expires on February 28, 2021), (4) International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (expires on December 31, 2018), (5) International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (expires on June 30, 2018), (6)/(7) Teamsters (front and back of the house, both expire on March 31, 2018).

 

The Company is also the developer, lender and manager of the Hollywood Casino Jamul – San Diego, which the Company opened on October 10, 2016.  Unite Here! International Union and Local 30 represents employees in stewarding, facilities, food and beverage, and operations classifications, and the parties are in the process of negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement.

 

In addition, at some of the Company’s properties, the Security Police and Fire Professionals of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 649, the LIUNA Public Serviced Employees Local 1290PE, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Locals 447 and 264, the United Industrial, Service, Transportation, Professional and Government Workers of North America, and the United Steel Workers represent certain of the Company’s employees under collective bargaining agreements that expire at various times between April 2018 and September 2025. None of these additional unions represent more than 77 of the Company’s employees.

 

Available Information

 

For more information about us, visit our website at www.pngaming.com. The contents of our website are not part of this

Annual Report on Form 10‑K. Our electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (including all Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, and Current Reports on Form 8‑K, and any amendments to these reports), including the exhibits, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We face significant competition from other gaming and entertainment operations.

 

The gaming industry is characterized by an increasingly high degree of competition among a large number of participants, including riverboat casinos, dockside casinos, land‑based casinos, video lottery, gaming at taverns in certain states, such as Illinois as well as the potential legalization in Indiana, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, the potential for increased sports betting and fantasy sports, Native American gaming and other forms of gaming in the U.S. Furthermore, competition from internet lotteries, sweepstakes, and other internet wagering services, which allow their customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and play Las Vegas‑style casino games from home or in non‑casino settings, could divert customers from our properties and thus adversely affect our business. Such internet wagering services are often illegal under federal law but operate from overseas locations, and are nevertheless sometimes accessible to domestic gamblers. Currently, there are proposals that would legalize internet poker and other varieties of internet gaming in a number of states and at the federal level. Several states, such as Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, have enacted legislation authorizing intrastate internet gaming and internet gaming operations have begun in these states. Expansion of internet gaming in other jurisdictions (both legal and illegal) could further compete with our traditional operations, which could have an adverse impact on our business and result of operations.

 

In a broader sense, our gaming operations face competition from all manner of leisure and entertainment activities, including: shopping; athletic events; television and movies; concerts; and travel. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S., in several Canadian provinces and on various lands taken into trust for the benefit of certain Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada. Other jurisdictions, including states adjacent to states in which we currently have facilities (such as in Ohio and Maryland), have recently legalized, implemented and expanded gaming. In addition, established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion or relocation of existing gaming operations. New, relocated or expanded operations by other persons could increase competition for our gaming operations and could have a material adverse impact on us.

 

Gaming competition is intense in most of the markets where we operate. Recently, there has been additional  significant competition in our markets as a result of the upgrading or expansion of facilities by existing market  participants, the entrance of new gaming participants into a market or legislative changes. As competing properties and new markets are opened, our operating results may be negatively impacted.  For example, new casinos and racinos  have opened that compete  in the same market as our Lawrenceburg property, namely the opening  of Belterra  Park  in May 2014, our own Dayton facility in August  2014, and Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati  in March  2013; there  is significantly increased competition to our Charles  Town property  from the casino complex at the Arundel  Mills mall in Anne  Arundel,  Maryland,  the opening  of Maryland  Live! and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore  in Baltimore,  Maryland  in 2014 and the opening  of MGM  National  Harbor casino in Prince George’s County, Maryland  in December 2016, which also competes  to a lesser extent  with Hollywood Casino  at Penn  National Race Course; the opening  of our joint venture  casino project  in Kansas in February 2012, which impacted  Argosy Casino Riverside; and the potential opening  of a tribal casino in Taunton, Massachusetts (the  construction is currently on hold following a judicial ruling in favor of the Taunton property  owners who contended that  the federal  government  erred  in placing reservation land in trust  for the Mashpee  Wampanoag tribe)  and the expected openings  of MGM Springfield  in Western Massachusetts in late 2018 and Wynn Everett  in Eastern  Massachusetts in mid-2019 are anticipated to negatively impact  our Plainridge  Park  Casino.  Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet have also been  negatively impacted  by the proliferation of VGTs at numerous locations  throughout the state of Illinois, which are in the vicinity of our

operations. In addition, some of our direct competitors in certain markets may have superior facilities and/or operating conditions.  Pennsylvania recently enacted legislation that will expand gaming in the state which will cause additional competition for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.  We expect each existing or future market in which we participate to be highly competitive.  The competitive position of each of our casino properties is discussed in detail in the subsection entitled “Competition” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

We may face disruption and other difficulties in integrating and managing facilities we have recently developed or acquired, or may develop or acquire in the future.

 

We expect to continue pursuing expansion opportunities, and we regularly evaluate opportunities for acquisition and development of new properties, which evaluations may include discussions and the review of confidential information after the execution of nondisclosure agreements with potential acquisition candidates, some of which may be potentially significant in relation to our size.

 

We could face significant challenges in managing and integrating our expanded or combined operations and any other properties we may develop or acquire, particularly in new competitive markets. The integration of more significant properties we may develop or acquire (such as those anticipated in the Pinnacle transaction) will require the dedication of management resources that may temporarily divert attention from our day‑to‑day business. The process of integrating properties that we may acquire also could interrupt the activities of those businesses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the development of new properties may involve construction, local opposition, regulatory, legal and competitive risks as well as the risks attendant to partnership deals on these development opportunities. In particular, in projects where we team up with a joint venture partner, if we cannot reach agreement with such partners, or our relationships otherwise deteriorate, we could face significant increased costs and delays. Local opposition can delay or increase the anticipated cost of a project. Finally, given the competitive nature of these types of limited license opportunities, litigation is possible.

 

Management of new properties, especially in new geographic areas and business lines may require that we increase our management resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to manage the combined operations effectively or realize any of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or development projects. We also cannot assure you that if acquisitions are completed, that the acquired businesses will generate returns consistent with our expectations.

 

Our ability to achieve our objectives in connection with any acquisition we may consummate may be highly dependent on, among other things, our ability to retain the senior level property management teams of such acquisition candidates. If, for any reason, we are unable to retain these management teams following such acquisitions or if we fail to attract new capable executives, our operations after consummation of such acquisitions could be materially adversely affected.

 

The occurrence of some or all of the above described events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may face risks related to our ability to receive regulatory approvals required to complete, or other delays or impediments to completing certain of our acquisitions.

 

Our growth is fueled, in part, by the acquisition of existing gaming, racing, and development properties. In addition to standard closing conditions, our acquisitions are often conditioned on the receipt of regulatory approvals and other hurdles that create uncertainty and could increase costs. Such delays could significantly reduce the benefits to us of such acquisitions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We face a number of challenges prior to opening new or upgraded gaming facilities.

 

No assurance can be given that, when we endeavor to open new or upgraded gaming facilities, the expected timetables for opening such facilities will be met in light of the uncertainties inherent in the development of the regulatory framework, construction, the licensing process, legislative action and litigation. Delays in opening new or upgraded facilities could lead to increased costs and delays in receiving anticipated revenues with respect to such facilities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are required to pay a significant portion of our cash flows as financing payments under the Master Lease, which could adversely affect our ability to fund our operations and growth and limit our ability to react to competitive and economic changes.

 

We are required to pay more than half of our cash flow from operations to GLPI pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease. As a result of this commitment, our ability to fund our own operations or development projects, raise capital, make acquisitions and otherwise respond to competitive and economic changes may be adversely affected. For example, our obligations under the Master Lease may:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any of the above listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Most of our gaming and racing facilities are leased and could experience risks associated with leased property, including risks relating to lease termination, lease extensions, charges and our relationship with GLPI, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

 

We lease 20 of the gaming and racing facilities we operate pursuant to the Master Lease. The Master Lease provides that GLPI may terminate the lease for a number of reasons, including, subject to applicable cure periods, the default in any payment of rent, taxes or other payment obligations or the breach of any other covenant or agreement in the lease. Termination of the Master Lease could result in a default under our debt agreements and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. Moreover, as a lessee we do not completely control the land and improvements underlying our operations and GLPI as lessor could take certain actions to disrupt our rights in the facilities leased under the Master Lease which are beyond our control. If GLPI chose to disrupt our use either permanently or for a significant period of time, then the value of our assets could be impaired and our business and operations could be adversely affected. There can also be no assurance that we will be able to comply with our

obligations under the Master Lease in the future. In addition, if GLPI has financial, operational, regulatory or other challenges there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to comply with its obligations under its agreements with us.

 

The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple‑net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, we are required to pay among other things the following: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. We are responsible for incurring the costs described in the preceding sentence notwithstanding the fact that many of the benefits received in exchange for such costs shall in part accrue to GLPI as owner of the associated facilities. In addition, if some of our leased facilities should prove to be unprofitable, we could remain obligated for lease payments and other obligations under the Master Lease even if we decided to withdraw from those locations. We could incur special charges relating to the closing of such facilities including lease termination costs, impairment charges and other special charges that would reduce our net income and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may face reductions in discretionary consumer spending as a result of an economic downturn.

 

Our net revenues are highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at properties we manage and as such our business has been adversely impacted by economic downturns. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending brought about by weakened general economic conditions such as, but not limited to, lackluster recoveries from recessions, high unemployment levels, higher income taxes, low levels of consumer confidence, weakness in the housing market, cultural and demographic changes, and increased stock market volatility may negatively impact our revenues and operating cash flow.

 

We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities.

 

Licensing requirements.  As managers of gaming and pari‑mutuel wagering facilities, we are subject to extensive state, local and, in Canada, provincial regulation. In addition, the Hollywood Casino Jamul-San  Diego is subject to the oversight of the National Indian Gaming Commission, which administers the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 with respect to the terms and conditions of management contracts and the operation of casinos and all gaming on land held in trust for Native American tribes in the U.S. State, local and provincial authorities require us and our subsidiaries to demonstrate suitability to obtain and retain various licenses and require that we have registrations, permits and approvals to conduct gaming operations. These regulatory authorities have broad discretion, and may, for any reason set forth in the applicable legislation, rules and regulations, limit, condition, suspend, fail to renew or revoke a license or registration to conduct gaming operations or prevent us from owning the securities of any of our gaming subsidiaries or prevent another person from owning an equity interest in us. Like all gaming operators in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we must periodically apply to renew our gaming licenses or registrations and have the suitability of certain of our directors, officers and employees approved. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such renewals or approvals. Regulatory authorities have input into our operations, for instance, hours of operation, location or relocation of a facility, and numbers and types of machines. Regulators may also levy substantial fines against or seize our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries or the people involved in violating gaming laws or regulations. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We have demonstrated suitability to obtain and have obtained all governmental licenses, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for us to operate our existing gaming and pari-mutuel facilities. We can give no assurance to you that we will be able to retain those existing licenses or demonstrate suitability to obtain any new licenses, registrations, permits or approvals.  In addition, the loss of a license in one jurisdiction could trigger the loss of a license or affect our eligibility for a license in another jurisdiction. As we expand our gaming operations in our existing jurisdictions or to new areas, we may have to meet additional suitability requirements and obtain additional licenses, registrations, permits and approvals from gaming authorities in these jurisdictions. The approval process can be time-consuming and costly and we cannot be sure that we will be successful.

 

Gaming authorities in the U.S. generally can require that any beneficial owner of our securities file an application for a finding of suitability. If a gaming authority requires a record or beneficial owner of our securities to file a suitability application, the owner must generally apply for a finding of suitability within 30 days or at an earlier time prescribed by the gaming authority. The gaming authority has the power to investigate such an owner’s suitability and the owner must pay all costs of the investigation. If the owner is found unsuitable, then the owner may be required by law to dispose of our securities.

 

Potential changes in legislation and regulation of our operations.  Regulations governing the conduct of gaming activities and the obligations of gaming companies in any jurisdiction in which we have or in the future may have gaming operations are subject to change and could impose additional operating, financial, competitive or other burdens on the way we conduct our business.

 

Moreover, legislation to prohibit, limit or add burdens to our business may be introduced in the future in states where gaming has been legalized. In addition, from time to time, legislators and special interest groups have proposed legislation that would expand, restrict or prevent gaming operations or which may otherwise adversely impact our operations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any expansion of gaming or restriction on or prohibition of our gaming operations or enactment of other adverse regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 

The passage of the Smoke Free Illinois Act which banned smoking in casinos, adversely affected revenues and operating results at our Illinois properties at the time it was implemented in January 2008. In Pennsylvania, we are currently permitted to allow smoking on only up to 50% of the gaming floor of our Grantville facility and smoking is banned in all other indoor areas. Additionally, in July 2012, a state statute in Indiana became effective that imposes a state wide smoking ban in specified businesses, buildings, public places and other specified locations. The statute specifically exempts riverboat casinos, and all other gaming facilities in Indiana, from the smoking ban. However, the statute allows local government to enact a more restrictive smoking ban than the state statute and also leaves in place any more restrictive local legislation that exists as of the effective date of the statute. To date, our facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana is not subject to any such local legislation. If additional smoking bans are enacted within jurisdictions where we operate or seek to do business, our business could be adversely affected.

 

Taxation and fees.  We believe that the prospect of significant revenue is one of the primary reasons that jurisdictions permit legalized gaming. As a result, gaming companies are typically subject to significant revenue based taxes and fees in addition to normal federal, state, local and provincial income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. We pay substantial taxes and fees with respect to our operations. From time to time, federal, state, local and provincial legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. In addition, worsening economic conditions could intensify the efforts of state and local governments to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes, property taxes, and/or authorizing additional gaming facilities each subject to payment of a new license fee. It is not possible to determine with certainty the likelihood of changes in such laws or in the administration of such laws. Such changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The large number of state and local governments with significant current or projected budget deficits makes it more likely that those governments that currently permit gaming will seek to fund such deficits with new or increased gaming taxes and/or property taxes, and worsening economic conditions could intensify those efforts. Any material increase, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial results.

 

Compliance with other laws.  We are also subject to a variety of other rules and regulations, including zoning, environmental, construction and land‑use laws and regulations governing the serving of alcoholic beverages. If we are not in compliance with these laws, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also deal with significant amounts of cash in our operations and are subject to various reporting and anti‑money laundering regulations. Any violation of anti‑money laundering laws or regulations, or any accusations of

money laundering or regulatory investigations into possible money laundering activities, by any of our properties, employees or customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

We have certain properties that generate a significant percentage of our net revenues.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, our facility in Charles Town, West Virginia generated approximately 12% of our net revenues. Our ability to meet our operating and debt service requirements is dependent, in part, upon the continued success of this facility. The operations at this facility and any of our other facilities could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including those described in these “Risk Factors” as well as more specifically those described below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, although to a lesser extent than our facility in Charles Town, West Virginia, we anticipate meaningful contributions from Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and Hollywood Casino St. Louis and our properties in Ohio. Therefore, our results will be dependent on the regional economies and competitive landscapes at these locations as well.

 

We are or may become involved in legal proceedings that, if adversely adjudicated or settled, could impact our financial condition.

 

From time to time, we are defendants in various lawsuits relating to matters incidental to our business. The nature of our business subjects us to the risk of lawsuits filed by customers, past and present employees, competitors, business partners and others in the ordinary course of business (particularly in the case of class actions). As with all litigation, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of these matters and, in general, litigation can be expensive and time consuming. We may not be successful in these lawsuits, and, especially with increasing class action claims in our industry, could result in costs, settlements or damages that could significantly impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We depend on our key personnel.

 

We are highly dependent on the services of our executive management team and other members of our senior management team. Our ability to attract and retain key personnel is affected by the competitiveness of our compensation packages and the other terms and conditions of employment, our continued ability to compete effectively against other gaming companies and our growth prospects. The loss of the services of any members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Inclement weather and other casualty events could seriously disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The operations of our facilities are subject to disruptions or reduced patronage as a result of severe weather conditions, natural disasters and other casualty events. Because many of our gaming operations are located on or adjacent to bodies of water, these facilities are subject to risks in addition to those associated with land‑based casinos, including loss of service due to casualty, forces of nature, mechanical failure, extended or extraordinary maintenance, flood, hurricane or other severe weather conditions. Many of our casinos operate in areas which are subject to periodic flooding that has caused us to experience decreased attendance and increased operating expenses. Any flood or other severe weather condition could lead to the loss of use of a casino facility for an extended period. For instance, Hollywood Casino Toledo was closed for brief periods in 2014, 2015 and 2016 due to harsh winter conditions and Argosy Casino Alton was closed for several days in December 2015, January 2016 and May 2017 due to flooding. Even if adverse weather conditions do not require the closure of our facilities, those conditions make it more difficult for our customers to reach our properties for an extended period of time, which can have an adverse impact on our operations.  Casualty events such as, the tragic shootings that occurred on the Las Vegas Strip on October 1, 2017 that affect tourism also impact our business.  Following the October 2017 tragedy, operations at Tropicana Las Vegas were adversely effected.

 

The extent to which we can recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our properties in the event of future inclement weather and other casualty events could adversely affect our business.

 

We maintain significant property insurance, including business interruption coverage, for these and other properties. However, there can be no assurances that we will be fully or promptly compensated for losses at any of our facilities in the event of future inclement weather or casualty events. In addition, our property insurance coverage is in an amount that may be significantly less than the expected and actual replacement cost of rebuilding certain facilities “as was” if there was a total loss. The Master Lease requires us, in the event of a casualty event, to rebuild a leased property to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before such casualty event. We renew our insurance policies (other than our builder’s risk insurance) on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so material that we may need to further reduce our policy limits, further increase our deductibles, or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage.

 

Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services and an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. Our security systems and all of our slot machines are controlled by computers and reliant on electrical power to operate.

 

Any unscheduled disruption in our technology services or interruption in the supply of electrical power could result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenues due to a shutdown of our gaming operations. Such interruptions may occur as a result of, for example, a failure of our information technology or related systems, catastrophic events or rolling blackouts. Our systems are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, computer denial‑of‑service attacks and similar events.

 

Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risk including misappropriation of employee information, customer information or other breaches of information security.

We rely on information technology and other systems to manage our business and employee data and maintain and transmit customers’ personal and financial information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions, mailing lists and reservations information. Our collection of such data is subject to extensive regulation by private groups, such as the payment card industry, as well as governmental authorities, including gaming authorities.  Privacy regulations continue to evolve and we have taken, and will continue to take, steps to comply by implementing processes

designed to safeguard our business, employee and customers’ confidential and personal information. In addition, our security measures are reviewed and evaluated regularly.  However, our information and processes are subject to the ever-changing threat of compromised security, in the form of a risk of potential breach, system failure, computer virus, or unauthorized or fraudulent use by customers, company employees, or employees of third party vendors. The steps we take to deter and mitigate the risks of breaches may not be successful, and any resulting compromise or loss of data or systems could adversely impact operations or regulatory compliance and could result in remedial expenses, fines, litigation, disclosures, and loss of reputation, potentially impacting our financial results.

Further, as cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we may incur significant costs in our attempts to modify or enhance our protective measures or investigate or remediate any vulnerability.  Increased instances of cyber-attacks may also have a negative  reputational impact on us and our properties that may result in a loss of customer confidence and, as a result,  may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Our operations in certain jurisdictions depend on management agreements and/or leases with third parties and local governments.

 

Our operations in several jurisdictions depend on land leases and/or management and development agreements with third parties and local governments. If we, or if GLPI in the case of leases pursuant to which we are the sub-lessee, are unable to renew these leases and agreements on satisfactory terms as they expire or disputes arise regarding the terms of these agreements, our business may be disrupted and, in the event of disruptions in multiple jurisdictions, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, in the Province of Ontario, through CHC Casinos, our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, we manage Casino Rama, a full service gaming and entertainment facility, on behalf of the OLG, an agency of the Province of Ontario. In June 2014, we signed an agreement to extend the management agreement for Casino Rama on a month-to-month basis with a 60-day notice period for up to a maximum period of forty-eight months. The OLG is exploring bids for new operating contracts and privatization in Ontario, including at Casino Rama.  As a result, we expect our management contract with the OLG to end shortly after June 30, 2018.

 

We depend on agreements with our horsemen and pari‑mutuel clerks

The Federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, as amended, the West Virginia Race Horse Industry Reform Act and the Pennsylvania Racing Act require that, in order to simulcast races, we have certain agreements with the horse owners and trainers at our West Virginia and Pennsylvania racetracks. In addition, West Virginia requires applicants seeking to renew their gaming license to demonstrate they have an agreement regarding the proceeds of the gaming machines with a representative of a majority of the horse owners and trainers, a representative of a majority of the pari-mutuel clerks and a representative of a majority of the horse breeders.

At Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, we have an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association through June 18, 2018.  Additionally, the pari-mutuel clerks at Charles Town are represented under a collective bargaining agreement with the West Virginia Union of Mutuel Clerks, which expired on December 31, 2010 and has been extended on a month-to-month basis.

The Company’s agreement with the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was renewed through January 31, 2019. The Company has an agreement with Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 108, regarding both on-track and off-track pari-mutuel clerks and admission staff which expired in December 2016 and a new contract was negotiated and, once signed, will run through December 1, 2021. In August 2015, the Company entered into a three year collective bargaining agreement with the International Chapter of Horseshoers and Allied Equine Trades Local 947.

Our agreement with the Maine Harness Horsemen Association at Bangor Raceway is in effect through the

conclusion of the 2018 racing season. In March of 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course entered into an agreement with the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2014 commencement of video lottery terminal operations at that facility. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway entered into a ten-year agreement with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association for racing at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway in September of 2015.   In January 2014 Plainridge Park Casino entered into an agreement with the Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England which expires December 31, 2018.   

In certain jurisdictions where we operate pari-mutuel wagering, if we fail to present evidence of an agreement with the horsemen at a track, we may not be permitted to conduct live racing and export and import simulcasting at that track and OTWs and, in West Virginia, our video lottery license may not be renewed.  In addition, our annual simulcast export agreements are subject to the horsemen’s approval under the Federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, as amended.   Some simulcast import agreements require horsemen approval depending on state law.  If we fail to renew or modify existing agreements on satisfactory terms, this failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations

A deterioration in the performance of the Jamul Tribal facility could result in additional charges on our loan that we extended to the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation.

We have made substantial loans to the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (“JIVDC”), an instrumentality of the Jamul Tribe, for the construction, development, equipment and operations of the Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego. Our subsidiary, San Diego Gaming Ventures, LLC (“SDGV”), provided a $98 million term loan C facility to the project. Furthermore, we provided additional delayed draw term loans and a limited completion guarantee for certain post-opening construction costs related to roadway improvements.  As of December 31, 2017, these future funding commitments total approximately $29 million.  All of our loans and any future funding obligations are subordinated to the other substantial debt on the property.  Our only material recourse for collection of indebtedness from the JIVDC or for money damages for breach or wrongful termination of a management, development, consulting or financing agreement is from positive cash flow, if any, from casino operations or from the sale of our loan to a third party.  Penn recorded charges of $89.8 million related to the loan and related loan commitments in 2017. We may realize little or no value for our loan which could result in additional charges of up to $27.9 million which represents our loan and loan commitments net of reserves at December 31, 2017.  Additionally, we may incur unexpected costs related to the termination and transition of our management contract with the Jamul Tribe.

Our planned capital expenditures may not result in our expected improvements in our business.

 

We regularly expend capital to construct, maintain and renovate our properties to remain competitive, maintain the value and brand standards of our properties and comply with applicable laws and regulations.  Our ability to realize the expected returns on our capital investments is dependent on a number of factors, including, general economic conditions; changes to construction plans and specifications; delays in obtaining or inability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and approvals; disputes with contractors; disruptions to our business caused by construction; and other unanticipated circumstances or cost increases.

 

While we believe that the overall budgets for our planned capital expenditures are reasonable, these costs are estimates and the actual costs may be higher than expected.  In addition, we can provide no assurance that these investments will be sufficient or that we will realize our expected returns on our capital investments, or any returns at all. A failure to realize our expected returns on capital investments could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations or an outright sale of the loan to a third party.

 

The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry could impose additional costs on us.

 

A majority of our revenues are attributable to slot machines and related systems operated by us at our gaming facilities. It is important, for competitive reasons, that we offer the most popular and up to date slot machine games with the latest technology to our customers.

 

A substantial majority of the slot machines sold in the U.S. in recent years were manufactured by a few select companies, and there has been extensive consolidation activity within the gaming equipment sector in recent years, including the acquisitions of Multimedia Games, Inc. by Global Cash Access, Bally Technologies, Inc. (which had acquired SHFL Entertainment, Inc.) and WMS Industries Inc. by Scientific Games Corporation and International Gaming Technologies by GTECH Holdings.

 

In recent years, slot machine manufacturers have frequently refused to sell slot machines featuring the most popular games, instead requiring participation lease arrangements in order to acquire the machines. Participation slot machine leasing arrangements typically require the payment of a fixed daily rental. Such agreements may also include a percentage payment of coin‑in or net win. Generally, a participation lease is substantially more expensive over the long term than the cost to purchase a new machine.

 

For competitive reasons, we may be forced to purchase new slot machines or enter into participation lease arrangements that are more expensive than our current costs associated with the continued operation of our existing slot machines. If the newer slot machines do not result in sufficient incremental revenues to offset the increased investment and participation lease costs, it could hurt our profitability.

We have announced several initiatives in the social gaming space, which is a new line of business for us in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively or that our new initiatives will be successful.

We have announced several initiatives in the social gaming space, including the 2016 acquisition of Rocket Speed, and expect to continue to invest in and market social gaming and other mobile gaming platforms to our customers in casinos and beyond and to explore other acquisitions in the space. Social gaming is a new line of business for us, which makes it difficult to assess its future prospects. Our products will compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market against an increasing number of competitors, including Playtika, Zynga and slot manufacturers. Given the open nature of the development and distribution of games for electronic devices, our business will also compete with developers and distributors who are able to create and launch games and other content for these devices using relatively limited resources and with relatively limited start-up time or expertise. We have limited experience

operating in this rapidly evolving marketplace and may not be able to compete effectively.

In addition, our ability to be successful with our social gaming platform is dependent on numerous factors beyond our control that affect the social and mobile gaming industry and the online gaming industry in the United States, including the occurrence and manner of legalization of online real money gaming in the United States beyond Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey; changes to the policies of social gaming distribution channels, including Apple and Google, changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; changing laws and regulations affecting social and mobile games; the reaction of regulatory bodies to social gaming initiatives by holders of gaming licenses; the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment; any challenges to the intellectual property rights underlying our games; and outages and disruptions of our online services that may harm our business.

Our social gaming initiatives will result in increased operating expense and increased time and attention from our management. In addition, we may be particularly dependent on key personnel in our interactive business unit. We believe our social games are complementary to our current operations and offer additional avenues of access and interaction for our customers, and, the social gaming business depends on developing and publishing games that consumers will download and spend time and money on consistently.  We continue to invest in research and development, analytics and marketing to attract and retain customers for our social games. Our success depends, in part, on unpredictable factors beyond our control, including consumer preferences, competing games and other forms of entertainment, and the emergence of new platforms. Our inability to ultimately monetize our investment in social gaming initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our social gaming initiatives may result in increased risk of cyber-attack, hacking, or other security breaches, which could harm our reputation and competitive position and which could result in regulatory actions against us or in other penalties.

As our social gaming business grows, we will face increased cyber risks and threats that seek to damage, disrupt or gain access to our networks, our products and services, and supporting infrastructure. Such cyber risks and threats, including to virtual currencies that may be used in the games, may be difficult to detect. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches or cyber risk could result in interruptions to the services we provide, degrade the user experience, and cause our users to lose confidence in our products. The unauthorized access, acquisition or disclosure of consumer information could compel us to comply with disparate breach notification laws and otherwise subject us to proceedings by governmental entities or others and substantial legal and financial liability. Our key business partners also face these same risks with respect to consumer information they collect, and data security breaches with respect to such information could cause reputational harm to them and negatively impact our ability to offer our products and services through their platforms. This could harm our business and reputation, disrupt our relationships with partners and diminish our competitive position.

The success of our VGT operations in Illinois is dependent on our ability to renew our contracts and expand the business.

On September 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Prairie State Gaming, one of the largest VGT operators in Illinois and subsequently have completed several smaller acquisitions of VGT operators in the state. We face competition from other VGT operators, as well as from casinos, hotels, taverns and other entertainment venues.  Our ability to compete successfully in this new line of business depends on our ability to retain existing customers and secure new establishments, both of which are dependent on the level of service and variety of products that we are able to offer to our customers. VGT contracts are renewable at the option of the owner of the applicable bar and retail gaming establishments and, as our contracts expire, we will be subject to competition for renewals. In addition, VGT operations in Illinois are subject to approval by local municipalities, and therefore our ability to retain and expand our VGT business depends, in part, on such approvals. In addition, there is a risk that the market for VGTs in Illinois could become oversaturated. If we are unable to retain our existing customers or their results suffer as a result of competition

or because the market becomes oversaturated or if certain municipalities in Illinois elect to prohibit VGTs, our business and operations could be adversely impacted.

It is unclear what long-term impact our business structure will have on our key business relationships and our ability to compete with other gaming operators.

As a result of the completed Spin-Off, we were the first gaming operator that leases the majority of its properties from a single lessor under a master lease arrangement. As a result, it is difficult to predict whether and to what extent our relationship with GLPI, including any actual or perceived conflicts of interest on the part of our overlapping directors, will affect our relationships with suppliers, customers, regulators and our ability to compete with other gaming operators that are not subject to a master lease arrangement with a single lessor.

Work stoppages, organizing drives and other labor problems could negatively impact our future profits.

Some of our employees are currently represented by labor unions. A lengthy strike or other work stoppages at any of our casino properties or construction projects could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Given the large number of employees, labor unions are making a concerted effort to recruit more employees in the gaming industry. We cannot provide any assurance that we will not experience additional and more successful union organization activity in the future.

We are subject to environmental laws and potential exposure to environmental liabilities.

We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern our operations, including emissions and discharges into the environment, and the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in costs for corrective action, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities or restrictions. From time to time, we have incurred and are incurring costs and obligations for correcting environmental noncompliance matters. For example, portions of Tropicana Las Vegas are known to contain asbestos as well as other environmental conditions, which may include the presence of mold. The environmental conditions may require remediation in isolated areas. The extent of such potential conditions cannot be determined definitively. To date, none of these matters have had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance that such matters will not have such an effect in the future.

We also are subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and clean-up responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Under certain of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating contaminated soil or groundwater on or from its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the contamination, as well as incur liability to third parties impacted by such contamination. The presence of contamination, or failure to remediate it properly, may adversely affect our ability to use, sell or rent property. Under our contractual arrangements with GLPI, including the Master Lease, we will generally be responsible for both past and future environmental liabilities associated with our gaming operations, notwithstanding ownership of the underlying real property having been transferred to GLPI. Furthermore, we are aware that there is or may have been soil or groundwater contamination at certain of our properties resulting from current or former operations. By way of further example, portions of Tropicana Las Vegas are known to contain asbestos as well as other environmental conditions, which may include the presence of mold. The environmental conditions may require remediation in isolated areas. The extent of such potential conditions cannot be determined definitely, and may result in additional expense in the event that additional or currently unknown conditions are detected.

Additionally, certain of the gaming chips used at many gaming properties, including some of ours, have been found to contain some level of lead. Analysis by third parties has indicated the normal handling of the chips does not create a health hazard. We have disposed of a majority of these gaming chips. To date, none of these matters or other

matters arising under environmental laws has had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance that such matters will not have such an effect in the future.

Risks Related to the Anticipated Acquisition of Pinnacle

The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement with Pinnacle are subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied, or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and related transaction agreements could have material and adverse effects on us.

Completion of our proposed acquisition of Pinnacle is subject to a number of conditions, including the approval by our shareholders and Pinnacle’s stockholders and certain antitrust and state gaming approvals, which make the completion and timing of the completion of the transactions uncertain.  If the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and related transaction agreements with Boyd Gaming Corporation (“Boyd”) and GLPI are not completed, or are not completed on a timely basis our business may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the transactions, we will be subject to a number of risks, costs and expenses, including the following:

We will be subject to business uncertainties while our proposed acquisition of Pinnacle and related transaction with Boyd and GLPI are pending, which could adversely affect our business.

It is possible that certain persons with whom we have a business relationship may delay or defer business decisions or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationships with us as a result of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement with Pinnacle and related agreements with Boyd and GLPI, which could negatively affect our revenues, earnings and cash flows, as well as the market price of our common stock, regardless of whether the proposed transactions are completed.

In addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, we are subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to the closing, which may adversely affect our ability to execute certain of our business strategies, including the ability in certain cases to acquire or dispose of assets or repurchase shares of our common stock.  Such limitations could negatively affect our business and operations prior to the completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

If our proposed acquisition of Pinnacle and related transactions with Boyd and GLPI are completed, we may not achieve the intended benefits and the transactions may disrupt our current plans or operations.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate Pinnacle’s assets or otherwise realize the expected benefits of the acquisition and related transactions with Boyd and GLPI. In addition, the merger is not subject to a financing condition, which means that we would be required to complete the merger even if financing is not available or is available only on terms other than those currently anticipated.  Our inability to finance the acquisition on attractive terms could result in increased costs, dilution to our shareholders and/or have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  In addition, our business may be negatively affected following the transaction if we are unable to effectively manage our expanded operations.  The integration will require significant time and focus from our management following the transaction.  Additionally, consummating the transactions could disrupt current plans and operations, which could delay the achievement of our strategic objectives.

Risks Related to the Spin‑Off

 

If the Spin‑Off, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax‑free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

 

We received a private letter ruling (the “IRS Ruling”) from the IRS substantially to the effect that, among other things, the Spin‑Off, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax‑free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and/or 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The IRS Ruling does not address certain requirements for tax‑free treatment of the Spin‑Off under Section 355, and we received from our tax advisors a tax opinion substantially to the effect that, with respect to such requirements on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied. The IRS Ruling, and the tax opinions that we received from our tax advisors, relied on and will rely on, among other things, certain representations, assumptions and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of GLPI’s business, and the IRS Ruling and the opinions would not be valid if such representations, assumptions and undertakings were incorrect in any material respect.

 

Notwithstanding the IRS Ruling and the tax opinions, the IRS could determine the Spin‑Off should be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings that were included in the request for the IRS Ruling are false or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinions that are not covered by the IRS Ruling.

 

If the Spin‑Off fails to qualify for tax‑free treatment, in general, we would be subject to tax as if we had sold the GLPI common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value.

 

Under the tax matters agreement that GLPI entered into with us, GLPI generally is required to indemnify us against any tax resulting from the Spin‑Off to the extent that such tax resulted from (1) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of GLPI, whether by merger or otherwise, (2) other actions or failures to act by GLPI, or (3) any of GLPI’s representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated. GLPI’s indemnification obligations to Penn and its subsidiaries, officers and directors will not be limited by any maximum amount. If GLPI is required to indemnify Penn or such other persons under the circumstance set forth in the tax matters agreement, GLPI may be

subject to substantial liabilities and there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to satisfy such indemnification obligations.

 

On September 27, 2017 the Internal Revenue Service finalized the audit examination of the 2013 U.S. federal income tax return with no adjustments related to the spin-off transaction including the tax-free treatment.  Although the 2013 examination is finalized, the statute of limitation was extended to June 30, 2018.

 

Peter M. Carlino, our Chairman, and David A. Handler, one of our directors, may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions at GLPI.

 

Peter M. Carlino serves as our Chairman and as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI. In addition, David A. Handler, one of our directors, is also a director of GLPI. While we have procedures in place to address such situations, these overlapping positions could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our or GLPI’s management and directors pursue the same corporate opportunities, such as greenfield development opportunities or potential acquisition targets, or face decisions that could have different implications for us and GLPI. Further, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between us and GLPI (or its subsidiaries) regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship, between us and GLPI, such as under the Master Lease. Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if we and GLPI enter into any commercial or other adverse arrangements with each other in the future.

 

In connection with the Spin‑Off, GLPI agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that GLPI’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

 

Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, GLPI has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that GLPI agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from GLPI any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from GLPI.

 

A court could deem the distribution in the Spin‑Off to be a fraudulent conveyance and void the transaction or impose substantial liabilities upon us.

 

If the transaction is challenged by a third party, a court could deem the distribution of GLPI common shares or certain internal restructuring transactions undertaken by us in connection with the Spin‑Off to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. Fraudulent conveyances or transfers are defined to include transfers made or obligations incurred with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud current or future creditors or transfers made or obligations incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value when the debtor was insolvent, or that rendered the debtor insolvent, inadequately capitalized or unable to pay its debts as they become due. In such circumstances, a court could void the transactions or impose substantial liabilities upon us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations. Among other things, the court could require our shareholders to return to us some or all of the shares of our common stock issued in the distribution or require us to fund liabilities of other companies involved in the restructuring transactions for the benefit of creditors. Whether a transaction is a fraudulent conveyance or transfer will vary depending upon the laws of the applicable jurisdiction.

 

If we and GLPI are treated by the IRS as being under common control, both we and GLPI could experience adverse tax consequences.

 

If we and GLPI are treated by the IRS as being under common control, the IRS will be authorized to reallocate income and deductions between us and GLPI to reflect arm’s length terms. If the IRS were to successfully establish that rents paid by us to GLPI are excessive, (1) we would be denied a deduction for the excessive portion and (2) we would

be subject to a penalty on the portion deemed excessive, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, our shareholders would be deemed to have received a distribution that was then contributed to the capital of GLPI.

 

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and a significant fixed annual lease payment to GLPI which will increase upon the closing of the merger with Pinnacle. Our substantial indebtedness and additional fixed costs via our Master Lease obligation could have important consequences to our financial health. For example, it could:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any of the above listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The terms of our debt do not, and any future debt may not, fully prohibit us from incurring additional debt, including debt related to facilities we develop or acquire. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

 

Volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets and adverse changes in the global economy may negatively impact our revenues and our ability to access favorable financing terms.

 

While we intend to finance expansion and renovation projects with existing cash, cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, we may require additional financing to support our continued growth. However, depending on then current economic or capital market conditions, our access to capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Further, if adverse regional and national economic conditions persist or

worsen, we could experience decreased revenues from our operations attributable to decreases in consumer spending levels and could fail to satisfy the financial and other restrictive covenants to which we are subject under our existing indebtedness. Finally, our borrowing costs under our senior secured credit facility are tied to LIBOR. We currently have no hedges in place to mitigate the impact of higher LIBOR rates and as such significant increases in LIBOR could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

 

The availability and cost of financing could have an adverse effect on business.

 

We intend to finance some of our current and future expansion, development and renovation projects and acquisitions with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and equity or debt financings. We are required by the Master Lease to, in the case of certain expansion projects, or may choose, in the case of other development projects, provide GLPI the right to provide the financing needed for such purposes. Depending on the state of the credit markets, if we are unable to finance our current or future projects, we could have to seek alternative financing, such as through selling assets, restructuring debt, increasing our reliance on equity financing or seeking additional joint venture partners. Depending on credit market conditions, alternative sources of funds may not be sufficient to finance our expansion, development and/or renovation, or such other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a timely manner or at all. In addition, our existing indebtedness contains restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we could be forced to limit or suspend expansion, development and renovation projects and acquisitions, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The capacity under our revolving credit facility, which expires in 2022, has increased to $700 million via a bank group that is comprised of 12 large financial institutions with the top six institutions providing approximately 71% of the facility. If a large percentage of our lenders were to file for bankruptcy or otherwise default on their obligations to us, we could experience decreased levels of liquidity which could have a detrimental impact on our operations. There is no certainty that our lenders will continue to remain solvent or fund their respective obligations under our senior secured credit facility.

 

Our indebtedness imposes restrictive covenants on us that could limit our operations and lead to events of default if we do not comply with those covenants.

 

Our senior secured credit facility requires us, among other obligations, to maintain specified financial ratios and to satisfy certain financial tests, including interest coverage, senior secured net leverage and total net leverage ratios. In addition, our credit facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, repay certain other indebtedness or amend debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on our assets, make investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates or otherwise restrict corporate activities. In addition, the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness (excluding certain indebtedness under our credit facility), issue certain preferred stock, pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock, make certain investments, create liens on our assets to secure certain debt, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer and sell assets and designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the documentation governing any of our indebtedness, termination of the Master Lease (subject to certain exceptions) or the occurrence of certain defaults under the Master Lease could lead to an event of default thereunder that could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness. Such acceleration would likely constitute an event of default under our other indebtedness, which event of default could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable and could permit certain of our lenders to foreclose on any of our assets securing such debt.

 

To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash, which depends on many factors beyond our control.

 

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our senior secured credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs, including with respect to our indebtedness. We also may incur indebtedness related to facilities we develop or acquire in the future prior to generating cash flow from those facilities. If those facilities do not provide us with cash flow to service that indebtedness, we will need to rely on cash flow from our other properties, which would increase our leverage. In addition, if we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly. As we are required to satisfy amortization requirements under our senior secured credit facility or as other debt matures, we may also need to raise funds to refinance all or a portion of our debt. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt, including our senior secured credit facility, on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our future operating performance and our ability to service, extend or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

 

 

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

 

The following describes our principal real estate properties by segment:

 

Northeast

 

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.  We lease approximately 300 acres on various parcels in Charles Town and Ranson, West Virginia of which approximately 155 acres comprise Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The facility includes a 153‑room hotel and a 3/₄‑mile all‑weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack, a training track, two parking garages, an employee parking lot, an enclosed grandstand/clubhouse and housing facilities for over 1,300 horses.

 

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.  We lease approximately 574 acres in Grantville, Pennsylvania, where Penn National Race Course is located on approximately 181 acres. The facility includes a one‑mile all‑weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack and a 7/₈‑mile turf track, a parking garage and surface parking spaces. The property also includes approximately 393 acres surrounding the Penn National Race Course that are available for future expansion or development.

 

Hollywood Casino Toledo.  We lease approximately 44‑acres in Toledo, Ohio, where we opened Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking.

 

Hollywood Casino Columbus.  We lease approximately 116 acres of land in Columbus, Ohio, where we opened Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking.

 

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.  We lease approximately 120 acres on the site of an abandoned Delphi Automotive plant in Dayton, Ohio, where we relocated Raceway Park and opened a new gaming facility on August 28, 2014. The facility includes a 5/₈‑mile standardbred racetrack and surface parking.

 

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.  We lease approximately 193 acres in Austintown, Ohio, where we relocated Beulah Park and opened a new gaming facility on September 17, 2014. The facility includes a one‑mile thoroughbred racetrack and surface parking.

 

Hollywood Casino Bangor.  We lease the land on which the Hollywood Casino Bangor facility is located in Bangor, Maine, which consists of approximately 9 acres, and includes a 152‑room hotel and four‑story parking. In addition, we lease approximately 35 acres located at historic Bass Park, which is adjacent to the facility, which includes a one‑half mile standardbred racetrack and a grandstand with over 12,000 square feet and seating for 3,500 patrons.

 

Plainridge Park Casino.  We own an approximate 90‑acre site in Plainville, Massachusetts, where we opened Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking. The facility also includes a 5/₈‑mile live harness racing track, and a two story clubhouse.

 

Casino Rama.  We do not own any of the land located at or near the casino or Casino Rama’s facilities and equipment. The OLG has a long‑term ground lease with an affiliate of the Rama First Nation, for the land on which Casino Rama is situated. Under the Agreement, CHC Casinos and CRC Holdings, Inc. have been granted full access to Casino Rama during the term of the Agreement to perform the management services under the Agreement. The Casino Rama facilities are located on approximately 61 acres.

 

South/West

 

M Resort.  We lease approximately 84 acres on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway in Henderson, Nevada, where the M Resort is located. The M Resort property includes a 390‑room hotel, a 4,700 space parking facility, and other facilities. We also lease approximately 4 acres of land which is part of the property.

 

Zia Park Casino.  Our casino adjoins the racetrack and is located on approximately 317 acres that we lease in Hobbs, New Mexico. The property includes a one‑mile quarter/thoroughbred racetrack. In August 2014, we opened a new hotel, which includes 148 rooms, six suites, a business center, exercise/fitness facilities and a breakfast venue.

 

Hollywood Casino Tunica.  We lease approximately 68 acres of land in Tunica, Mississippi. The property includes a single‑level casino, a 494‑room hotel, surface parking and other land‑based facilities.

 

1st Jackpot Casino (formerly known as Bally’s Casino Tunica).  We lease approximately 94 acres of land and own approximately 53 acres of wetlands in Tunica, Mississippi. The property includes the casino, surface parking and other land‑based facilities.

 

Resorts Casino Tunica.  We lease approximately 87 acres of land in Tunica, Mississippi. The property includes the casino, a 201‑room hotel, surface parking and other land‑based facilities.

 

Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast.  We lease approximately 580 acres in the city of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The property includes a land‑based casino, 18‑hole golf course, a 291‑room hotel, a 20‑slip marina, a 100‑space RV Park and other facilities.

 

Boomtown Biloxi.  We lease approximately 19.5 acres in Biloxi, Mississippi, most of which is utilized for the gaming location. We also lease approximately 5 acres of submerged tidelands at the casino site from the State of Mississippi and approximately 1 acre of land utilized mostly for the daiquiri bar area and welcome center.

 

Tropicana Las Vegas.  We own approximately 35 acres on the strip of Las Vegas, Nevada. The property includes the casino as well as a 1,470‑room hotel and structured and surface parking.

 

Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego.  We are the operator of this facility under our management contract with the Jamul Tribe.  As such we do not own the casino or the land on which the casino is located.  The Jamul Tribe is a federally recognized Indian Tribe holding a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs and possessing certain inherent powers of self-government. The Jamul Tribe is the beneficial owner of approximately 6 acres of reservation land located within the exterior boundaries of the State of California held by the U.S. in trust for the Jamul Tribe. The Jamul Tribe exercises jurisdiction over the Property pursuant to its powers of self-government and consistent with the resolutions and ordinances of the Jamul Tribe.

 

In October 2016, the Company exercised an option agreement to purchase approximately 98 acres of land located adjacent to the Jamul Indian Village reservation in San Diego County, California and all buildings, structures and improvements erected or situated on the land.

 

Midwest

 

Hollywood Casino Aurora.  We lease a dockside barge structure and land‑based pavilion in Aurora, Illinois. We lease the land, which is 0.4 acres, on which the pavilion is located. We also lease the rights to a pedestrian walkway bridge and two parking garages, together comprising approximately 2 acres.

 

Hollywood Casino Joliet.  We lease approximately 276 acres in Joliet, Illinois, which includes a barge‑based casino, land‑based pavilion, a 100‑room hotel, structured and surface parking areas and a recreational vehicle park.

 

Argosy Casino Alton.  We lease 3.8 acres in Alton, Illinois, a portion of which serves as the dockside boarding for the Alton Belle II, a riverboat casino. The dockside facility includes an entertainment pavilion and office space, as well as surface parking areas.

 

Hollywood Casino St. Louis.  We lease approximately 248 acres along the Missouri River in Maryland Heights, Missouri, which includes a 502‑room hotel and structure and surface parking.

 

Argosy Casino Riverside.  We lease approximately 38 acres in Riverside, Missouri, which includes a barge‑based casino, a 258‑room luxury hotel, an entertainment/banquet facility and a parking garage. We also lease 6.8 acres which is primarily used for overflow parking.

 

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg.  We lease approximately 53 acres in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a portion of which serves as the dockside embarkation for the gaming vessel, and includes a Hollywood‑themed casino riverboat, an entertainment pavilion, a 295‑room hotel, two parking garages and an adjacent surface lot. In addition, we lease approximately 52 acres on Route 50 used for remote parking. Effective January 2015, we own and operate a hotel and event center located less than a mile away from our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property, which includes 168 rooms, approximately 18,000 square feet of multipurpose space and 19,500 square feet of ballroom and meeting space.

 

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.  Through our joint venture with International Speedway, we own approximately 101 acres in which Hollywood Casino sits on Turn Two of the Kansas Speedway.

 

Prairie State Gaming.  The Company acquired Prairie State Gaming, a licensed video gaming terminal operator in Illinois, on September 1, 2015. Prairie State Gaming’s operations include more than 1,715 video gaming terminals across a network of approximately 377 bar and retail gaming establishments in seven distinct geographic areas throughout Illinois.

 

Other

 

Sanford‑Orlando Kennel Club.  We own approximately 26 acres in Longwood, Florida where Sanford‑Orlando Kennel Club is located. The property includes a 1/₄‑mile racing surface, a clubhouse dining facility and a main grandstand building. Kennel facilities for up to 1,300 greyhounds are located at a leased location approximately 1/₂ mile from the racetrack enclosure.

 

Freehold Raceway.  Through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own an approximate 51‑acre site in Freehold, New Jersey, where Freehold Raceway is located. The property features a half‑mile standardbred race track and a grandstand. In addition, through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own an approximate 10‑acre site in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which is currently undeveloped.

 

Sam Houston Race Park and Valley Race Park.  Through our joint venture with MAXXAM, we own approximately 168 acres at Sam Houston Race Park and approximately 71 acres at Valley Race Park. Sam Houston Race Park includes a one‑mile dirt track and a 7/₈‑mile turf track as well as a 226,000 square foot grandstand and pavilion centre. Valley Race Park features 91,000 of property square footage as a dog racing and simulcasting facility located in Harlingen, Texas.

 

Off‑track Wagering Facilities.  The following is a list of our three OTWs and their locations:

 

 

In addition, through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own 50% of a leased OTW in Toms River, New Jersey, that has 28,160 square feet.

 

Corporate.  We lease 52,116 square feet of executive office and warehouse space for buildings in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

 

Penn Interactive Ventures.  We lease 7,787 square feet of executive office space in Conshohocken Pennsylvania, 10,463 square feet of executive office space in San Francisco, California, and 5,740 square feet of executive office space in Henderson, Nevada.

 

 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is subject to various legal and administrative proceedings relating to personal injuries, employment matters, commercial transactions, development agreements and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the final outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In addition, the Company maintains what it believes is adequate insurance coverage to further mitigate the risks of such proceedings. However, such proceedings can be costly, time consuming and unpredictable and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of such proceedings may not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that the amount or scope of existing insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover losses arising from such matters.

 

Legal proceedings could result in costs, settlements, damages, or rulings that materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition or operating results. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses, claims and/or counter claims with respect to these proceedings, and intends to vigorously defend itself or pursue its claims.

 

 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Range of Market Price

 

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PENN.” The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

 

The closing sale price per share of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 15, 2018 was $28.18.  As of February 15, 2018, there were approximately 434 holders of record of our common stock.

 

Dividend Policy

 

Since our initial public offering of common stock in May 1994, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all of our earnings to finance the development of our business, and thus, do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Payment of any cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our future earnings, operations and capital requirements, our general financial condition and general business conditions. In addition, our senior secured credit facility and senior notes restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends. In addition, future financing arrangements may prohibit the payment of dividends under certain conditions.

Stock Repurchase

 

On February 3, 2017, the Company announced a repurchase program pursuant to which the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company’s common stock which can be executed over a two year period. The following table provides information regarding purchases of our common stock pursuant to the repurchase program for the year ended December 31, 2017.  All of the repurchased shares have been retired.  

 

 

 

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following selected consolidated financial and operating data for the five‑year period ended December 31, 2017 are derived from our audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the other financial information included herein.