UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

2022

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______to

______

Commission File No. 000-24993

Golden Entertainment, Inc.

GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota

41-1913991

Minnesota

41-1913991
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S., Employer Identification No.)

6595 S Jones Boulevard - Las Vegas, Nevada 89118

(Address of principal executive offices)

(702) 893-7777

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

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

Title of Each Class

each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registered

which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

GDEN

The NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None


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 required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

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

Indicate by check mark 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, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

Based upon the last sale price of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as reported on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2017 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter),2021, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of such date was $241,338,621.$861,277,021. For purposes of these computations only, all of the Registrant’s executive officers and directors and entities affiliated with them have been deemed to be affiliates.

As of March 14, 2018, 27,387,626February 20, 2023, 28,178,990 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 20182023 annual meeting of shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the registrant’s year ended December 31, 2017,2022, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as part hereof.




GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
INDEX

Page

PART I

Page

ITEM I.

BUSINESS

2

12

25

26

27

27

28

29

30

45

46

89

89

90

91

91

91

92

92

93

97

98




PART I

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), unless the context suggests otherwise, the terms “Golden,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Golden Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report, on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or the Exchange Act.(the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “potential,” “seek,” “should,” “think,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. expressions, or they may use future dates. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements regarding cost savings, synergies, growth opportunitiesthe Rocky Gap Transactions (defined below), including the anticipated timing of the closing of the transactions and satisfaction of regulatory and other financial and operating benefits of our acquisition of American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC (“American”) and our other acquisitions;conditions; our strategies, objectives, business opportunities and plans for future expansion, developments or acquisitions; anticipated future growth and trends in our business or key markets; projections of future financial condition, operating results, income, capital expenditures, costs or other financial items; anticipated regulatory and legislative changes; and other characterizations of future events or circumstances as well as other statements that are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. These forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and readers are therefore cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include: our abilityrisks and uncertainties related to realize the anticipated cost savings, synergies and other benefitsRocky Gap Transactions, including the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals or clearances; the failure to satisfy any of our acquisition of American and our other acquisitions, and integration risks relatingthe closing conditions to such transactions;the Rocky Gap Transactions on a timely basis or at all; changes in national, regional and local economic and market conditions; legislative and regulatory matters (including the cost of compliance or failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations); increases in gaming taxes and fees in the jurisdictions in which we operate; litigation; increased competition; our ability to renew our distributed gaming contracts; reliance on key personnel (including our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief OperatingFinancial Officer, and Chief Strategy and FinancialOperating Officer); the level of our indebtedness and our ability to comply with covenants in our debt instruments; the uncertainty of the extent, duration and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of governments; terrorist incidents; natural disasters; severe weather conditions (including weather or road conditions that limit access to our properties); the effects of environmental and structural building conditions; the effects of disruptions to our information technology and other systems and infrastructure; factors affecting the gaming, entertainment and hospitality industries generally, generally; and other factors identified under the heading “Risk“Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this report,Annual Report, or appearing elsewhere in this report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the filing date of this report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.


ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Minnesota in 1998 under the name of GCI Lakes, Inc., which name was subsequently changed to Lakes Gaming, Inc. in August 1998, to Lakes Entertainment, Inc. in June 2002 and to Golden Entertainment, Inc. in July 2015. Our shares began trading publicly in January 1999. The mailing address of our headquarters is 6595 SS. Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118, and our telephone number at that location is (702) 893-7777.

Business

Overview

We own and operate a diversified entertainment platform, consisting of a portfolio of gaming assets that focus on resort casino operations and distributed gaming operations (including tavern gaming in our wholly-ownedbranded taverns).

We conduct our business through two reportable operating segments: Casinos and Distributed Gaming. In our Casinos segment, we own and operate eight resort casinos, seven Our portfolio includes ten casino properties located in Nevada and one in Maryland. Four of our Nevada resort casino properties were added to our casino portfolio in October 2017 as a result of our acquisition of American, as further described below. Our Distributed Gaming segment involvesdistributed gaming operations involve the installation, maintenance and operation of slotsslot machines and amusement devices in non-casino locations such as grocery stores,restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores restaurants, bars and tavernsgrocery stores in Nevada and Montana, and the operation of wholly-ownedMontana. We also operate branded taverns targeting local patrons located primarily in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area. Financial information regarding our reporting segments is included in Note 16, Segment Information, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In January 2018, subsequent to fiscal year end, we completed an underwritten public offering in which certain of our shareholders resold an aggregate of 6.5 million shares of our common stock, and we sold 975,000 newly issued shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. Our net proceeds from the offering were approximately $25.3 million after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. We expect to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, capital expenditures, opportunistic acquisitions or working capital.

Acquisitions

Rocky Gap Sale
On October 20, 2017, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of American from its former equity holders (the “American Acquisition”) for aggregate consideration consisting of $781.0 million in cash (subject to certain post-closing adjustments pursuant to the purchase agreement) and the issuance by us of 4,046,494 shares of our common stock to W2007/ACEP Holdings, LLC (“ACEP Holdings”), a former American equity holder. Pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions in the purchase agreement, the cash portion of the consideration paid in the American Acquisition was subsequently increased to $787.6 million. The American Acquisition added four Nevada resort casino properties to our casino portfolio, including the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower (the “Stratosphere”) in Las Vegas. The results of operations of American and its subsidiaries have been included in our results subsequent to that date. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information. In connection with the closing of the American Acquisition,August 24, 2022, we entered into two new creditdefinitive agreements with respect to a $900.0 million senior secured first lien credit facility (consisting of $800.0 million in term loans and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at closing) and a $200.0 million senior secured second lien term loan facility. We used the net proceeds from the borrowings under these facilities at the closing primarily to fund the cash purchase price in the American Acquisition (a portion of which was used to repay American’s then outstanding senior secured indebtedness), to refinance our outstanding senior secured indebtedness under our then-existing senior secured credit facility, and to pay certain transaction fees and expenses. See Note 7, Debt, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the new credit agreements and associated refinancing.

In January 2016, we completed the acquisition of approximately 1,100 slots from a distributed gaming operator in Montana, as well as certain other non-gaming assets and the right to operate within certain locations (the “Initial Montana Acquisition”). Additionally, in April 2016, we completed the acquisition of approximately 1,800 slots from a second distributed gaming operator in Montana, as well as amusement devices and other non-gaming assets and


the right to operate within certain locations (the “Second Montana Acquisition” and, together with the Initial Montana Acquisition, the “Montana Acquisitions”). The results of operations of the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions have been included in our results subsequent to their respective acquisition dates. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

On July 31, 2015, we acquired Sartini Gaming, Inc. (“Sartini Gaming”) through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Golden with and into Sartini Gaming, with Sartini Gaming surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Golden (the “Merger”). The results of operations of Sartini Gaming and its subsidiaries have been included in our results subsequent to that date.

Casinos

We own and operate eight resort casino properties in Nevada and Maryland, comprising the Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Aquarius Casino Resort (the “Aquarius”) in Laughlin, Nevada, the Pahrump Nugget Hotel Casino (“Pahrump Nugget”), Gold Town Casino and Lakeside Casino & RV Park in Pahrump, Nevada, and thesell Rocky Gap Casino Resort (“Rocky Gap”) to Century Casinos, Inc. (“Century”) and VICI Properties, L.P. (“VICI”), an affiliate of VICI Properties Inc., for aggregate consideration

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of $260.0 million (the “Rocky Gap Transactions”). Specifically, Century agreed to acquire the operations of Rocky Gap from us for $56.1 million in Flintstone, Maryland.

cash (subject to adjustment based on Rocky Gap’s working capital and cage cash at closing), subject to the conditions and terms set forth therein, and VICI agreed to acquire the real estate assets relating to Rocky Gap from us for $203.9 million in cash, subject to the conditions and terms set forth therein. The Rocky Gap Transactions are required by their terms to close concurrently and we expect the Rocky Gap Transactions to close during the second quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
Impact of COVID-19
As of December 31, 2022, all of our properties were open other than the Colorado Belle (whose operations remain suspended), and none of our casino properties or distributed gaming locations were subject to COVID-19 operating restrictions. Despite the resurgence of Omicron variants during 2022, our casino properties and distributed gaming operations experienced positive trends during the first half of 2022, including an increase in occupancy of hotel rooms and guest visitation following the removal of COVID-19 mitigation measures. Our results of operations in the second half of 2021 also benefited from pent-up demand following the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures and the effect of government stimulus on discretionary consumer spending. Future COVID-19 variants, mandates, restrictions or mitigation measures imposed by governmental authorities or regulatory bodies are uncertain and could have a significant impact on our future operations.
Operations
We conduct our business through five reportable segments: Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos, Maryland Casino Resort, Nevada Taverns and Distributed Gaming.

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The Stratospherefollowing table sets forth certain information regarding our operations by reportable segment as of December 31, 2022 (certain amenities at our casino properties may remain closed or operate in a limited capacity as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic):
LocationCasino Space (Sq. ft.)Slot MachinesTable GamesHotel Rooms
Nevada Casino Resorts
The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod (“The STRAT”)Las Vegas, NV80,000 724 41 2,429 
Aquarius Casino Resort (“Aquarius”)Laughlin, NV69,750 1,106 29 1,906 
Edgewater Hotel & Casino Resort (“Edgewater”)Laughlin, NV57,457 630 13 1,052 
Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino Resort (“Colorado Belle”) (1)
Laughlin, NV— — — — 
Nevada Locals Casinos
Arizona Charlie’s BoulderLas Vegas, NV41,969 624 — 303 
Arizona Charlie’s DecaturLas Vegas, NV67,360 719 10 259 
Gold Town CasinoPahrump, NV10,000 185 — — 
Lakeside Casino & RV ParkPahrump, NV11,009 174 — — 
Pahrump Nugget Hotel Casino (“Pahrump Nugget”)Pahrump, NV22,528 337 69 
Maryland Casino Resort
Rocky GapFlintstone, MD25,447 630 16 198 
Nevada Taverns
64 branded tavern locationsNevada— 1,018 — 
Distributed Gaming
Nevada distributed gamingNevada— 7,011 —  –
Montana distributed gamingMontana— 3,632 —  –
Totals385,520 16,790 118 6,216 
(1) The operations of the Colorado Belle remain suspended.
Nevada Casino Resorts
Our Nevada Casino Resorts segment is comprised of destination casino resort properties offering a variety of food and beverage outlets, entertainment venues and other amenities. The casino resort properties in this segment cater primarily to a regional drive-in customer base seeking a value-oriented vacation experience, with guests typically traveling from Southern California or Arizona. Our casino resort properties in Nevada have a significantly larger number of hotel rooms compared to the other casino properties in our portfolio. While hotel stays at these casino resorts are typically longer, the overall frequency of visitation from guests is lower when compared to our Nevada Locals Casinos.
The STRAT: The StratosphereSTRAT is our premier casino resort property, located on Las Vegas BlvdBoulevard on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. A gaming and entertainment complex, the StratosphereThe STRAT comprises the iconic Stratosphere Tower, a casino, a hotel and a retail center. As of December 31, 2017, the Stratosphere featurediconic SkyPod, which includes indoor and outdoor observation decks, thrill rides and the SkyJump attraction. In addition to hotel rooms, gaming and sportsbook facilities in an 80,000 sq. ft.square foot casino, and offered nearly 2,430 hotel rooms, 748 slots, 42 table games, a race and sports book, 15The STRAT offers ten restaurants, two rooftop pools, a fitness center, retail shops and entertainment facilities.

Arizona Charlie’sLaughlin casinos: Our Arizona Charlie’s DecaturWe own and Arizona Charlie’s Boulderoperate three casino properties primarily serve local Las Vegas patrons, and provide an alternative experience to the Las Vegas Strip. Our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino property is located four miles west of the Las Vegas Strip in the heavily populated west Las Vegas area, and is easily accessible from US Route 95, a major highway in Las Vegas. Our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino property is located on Boulder Highway, in an established retail and residential neighborhood in the eastern metropolitan area of Las Vegas. The property is easily accessible from I-515, the primary east/west highway in Las Vegas. As of December 31, 2017, our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino offered approximately 260 hotel rooms and a total of 1,037 slots, seven table games, race and sports books, six restaurants, and an approximately 300-seat bingo parlor, and our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino offered approximately 300 hotel rooms and a total of 839 slots, seven table games, race and sports books, four restaurants, and an approximately 450-seat bingo parlor. Our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino also offers an RV park with approximately 220 RV hook-up sites.

Aquarius:    The Aquarius is locatedresorts in Laughlin, Nevada, which is located approximately 90 miles from Las Vegas on the western riverbankbank of the Colorado River. In addition to hotel rooms, gaming and sportsbook facilities, the Aquarius has nine restaurants and the Edgewater offers six restaurants. The Aquarius catersEdgewater also offers dedicated entertainment

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venues, including the Edge Pavilion and the Laughlin Event Center. As noted above, the operations of the Colorado Belle remain suspended.
Nevada Locals Casinos
Our Nevada Locals Casinos segment is comprised of casino properties that cater to local customers who generally live within a five-mile radius. Our locals casino properties typically experience a higher frequency of customer visits compared to our casino resort properties in Nevada and Maryland, with many of our customers visiting our Nevada Locals Casinos on a weekly basis. The casino properties within this reportable segment have no or a limited number of hotel rooms and offer fewer food and beverage outlets or other amenities, with revenues primarily togenerated from slot machine play.
Arizona Charlie’s casinos: Our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder and Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino properties primarily serve local Las Vegas gaming patrons, traveling from Arizona and Southern California, as well as customers from Nevada seekingprovide an alternative experience to the Las Vegas experience. As of December 31, 2017, the Aquarius had approximately 1,900Strip. In addition to hotel rooms, gaming, sportsbook and offered 1,232 slots, 33 table gamesbingo facilities, Arizona Charlie’s Boulder offers five restaurants and tenan RV park with 221 RV hook-up sites and Arizona Charlie’s Decatur offers five restaurants.

Pahrump casinos: We own and operate three casinoscasino properties in Pahrump, Nevada, the gateway to Death Valley National Park,which is located approximately 60 miles from Las Vegas.Vegas and is a gateway to Death Valley National Park. In addition to gaming, sportsbook and bingo facilities at our Pahrump casino properties, Pahrump Nugget is our largest property in Pahrump, Nevada. As of December 31, 2017, Pahrump Nugget offered approximately 70offers hotel rooms, 419 slots, eight table games, a race and sports book, an approximately 200-seat bingo facilitybowling center and a bowling center. As of December 31, 2017, our Gold Town Casino offered 226 slots5,200 square foot banquet and an approximately 100-seat bingo facility,event center, and our Lakeside Casino & RV Park offered 188 slots and approximately 160offers 159 RV hook-up sites.

Maryland Casino Resort

Our Maryland Casino Resort segment is comprised of our AAA Four Diamond Award® winning Rocky Gap: casino resort, which is geographically disparate from our Nevada properties, operates in a separate regulatory jurisdiction and has only a limited number of hotel rooms compared to our Nevada Casino Resorts. Rocky Gap caters to a regional drive-in customer base traveling from mid-Atlantic areas (i.e., Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania and West Virginia). Rocky Gap is situated on approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland, which we lease from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (the “Maryland DNR”) under a 40-year operating ground lease expiring in 2052 (plus a 20-year option renewal)renewal option). As of December 31, 2017,In addition to hotel rooms and gaming, Rocky Gap offered 665 slots, 17 table games, two casino bars, three restaurants,offers a spafull range of amenities, including various food and the onlybeverage outlets, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, in Maryland. Rocky Gap is a AAA Four Diamond Award® winning resort with approximately 200 hotel rooms, as well asspa and pool and an event and conference center.


On August 24, 2022, we entered into definitive agreements to sell Rocky Gap for aggregate consideration of $260.0 million. The Rocky Gap Transactions are required by their terms to close concurrently and we expect the Rocky Gap Transactions to close during the second quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Distributed Gaming

Nevada Taverns
Our Distributed GamingNevada Taverns segment involvesis comprised of branded tavern locations, where we control the installation, maintenancefood and operation of slots and amusement devices in non-casino locations suchbeverage operations as grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, restaurants, bars and taverns in Nevada and Montana. In addition, we operate wholly-ownedwell as the slot machines located within the tavern. Our branded taverns with slots, which targetoffer a casual, upscale environment catering to local patrons primarilyoffering superior food, craft beer and other alcoholic beverages, and are typically limited to 15 slot machines. Most of our branded taverns are located in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area.area and cater to local patrons seeking more convenient entertainment establishments than traditional casino properties. Our tavern patrons are typically younger than traditional casino customers, which diversifies our customer demographic. Our tavern brands include PT’s Pub, PT’s Gold, PT’s Ranch, Sean Patrick’s, Sierra Gold and SG Bar. As of December 31, 2022, we owned and operated 64 branded taverns, which offered a total of over 1,000 onsite slot machines. We also holdcontinue to look for opportunities to pursue additional tavern openings and acquisitions.
Distributed Gaming
Our Distributed Gaming segment is comprised of the operation of slot machines and amusement devices in over 1,000 third-party non-casino locations, such as restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores and grocery stores, across Nevada and Montana, with a limited number of slot machines in each location. We own and operate over 10,600 slot machines and amusement devices as part of our Distributed Gaming segment, with the majority of gaming devices offered at these locations being video gaming terminal operator license for distributed gaming in Illinois.poker machines. Distributed Gaming operations cater to local residents with high frequency visitation to these locations. We place our slotsslot machines and amusement devices in locations where we believe they will receive maximum customer traffic, generally neartraffic.
In August 2017, we became licensed as a store’s entrance. As of December 31, 2017,video gaming terminal operator in Illinois. In October 2022, we surrendered our distributedvideo gaming operations comprised approximately 10,900 slotsterminal operator license in over 1,000 locations.

Illinois due to inactivity. In October 2018, we received a conditional license to operate in

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Pennsylvania, providing for potential expansion.
Nevada law limits distributed gaming operations (also known as “restricted gaming” operations) to certain types of non-casino locations, including grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, taverns and liquor stores, where gaming is incidental to the primary business being conducted at the location and games are generally limited to 15 or fewer slotsslot machines and no other forms of gaming activity. The gaming area in these business locations is typically small, and in many instances, segregated from the primary business area, including the use of alcoves in grocery stores and drug stores and installation of slotsslot machines into the physical bar (also known as “bar top” slots)slot machines) in bars and taverns. Such segregation provides greater oversight and supervision of the slots.slot machines. Under Montana law, distributed gaming operations are limited to business locations licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption only, with such locations generally restricted to offering a maximum of 20 slots.

slot machines.

In Nevada, we generally enter into threetwo types of slot placement contracts as part of our distributed gaming business: space lease revenue shareagreements and participation agreements. Under space lease agreements, we pay a fixed monthly rental fee for the right to install, maintain and operate our slotsslot machines at a business location.location and we are the sole holder of the applicable gaming license that allows us to operate such slot machines. Under revenue shareparticipation agreements, we pay the business location retains a percentage of the gaming revenue generated from our slots placed atslot machines, and as a result both the business location rather than a fixed monthly rental fee. With regard to both space lease and revenue share agreements, we hold the applicable gaming license to conduct gaming at the location (although revenue share locationsGolden are required to obtain separate regulatory approval to receivehold a percentage of thestate-issued gaming revenue). Under participation agreements, the business location holds the applicable gaming license and retains a percentage of the gaming revenue that it generates from our slots.license. In Montana, our slot and amusement device placement contracts are all revenue shareparticipation agreements.

Our wholly-owned branded taverns offer a casual, upscale environment catering to local patrons offering superior food, craft beer and other alcoholic beverages, and typically include 15 onsite slots. As of December 31, 2017, we operated 57 wholly-owned branded taverns, which offered a total of over 920 onsite slots. Most of our taverns are located in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area and cater to local patrons seeking more convenient entertainment establishments than traditional casino properties. Our tavern brands include PT’s Gold, PT’s Pub, Sierra Gold, Sean Patrick’s, PT’s Place, PT’s Ranch, PT’s Brewing Company, Sierra Junction and SG Bar. We also opened our first brewery in Las Vegas, PT’s Brewing Company, during the first quarter of 2016 to produce craft beer for our taverns and casinos.

Sales and Marketing

Casinos

Our Nevada resort casinos are located in Las Vegas, Laughlin and Pahrump, Nevada, and include the Stratosphere casino property located on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. Accordingly, we

We market our Nevada Casino Resorts through both local and regional advertising, with a focus on offering a more complete resort casino properties to both the locals marketdestination experience that may include rooms, entertainment, dining and tourist traffic, targeting the value-driven customer.attractions. We seek to attract local residents toadvertise through various media channels, including television, radio, outdoor, digital, social media and public relations.
Marketing for our Nevada casinos throughLocals Casinos targets the local communities in which these properties operate with an emphasis on the gaming experience, casino promotions and dining. The advertising is geared towards enhancinga local play, including dining offerings at our casino restaurantsaudience and promotions of our bowlingtypically includes radio, outdoor, digital and bingo amenities. Promotional programssocial media with television used occasionally for out-of-market patrons focus primarily on our iconic Stratosphere casino property, our newly remodeled hotel rooms at Pahrump Nuggetpromotional messaging and our award-winning recreational vehicle park surrounding a lake at the Lakeside Casino & RV Park.

brand campaigns when appropriate.

Rocky Gap is located in western Maryland in close proximity to the affluent and heavily populated metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as two major interstate freeways. Rocky Gap serves as a premier destination for both local and out-of-market patrons. Our marketing efforts for Rocky Gap are primarily focused on attracting patrons through local and regional campaigns promoting both the amenities of Rocky Gap and the vast array of outdoor activities available in the Rocky Gap State Park. A portion of Rocky Gap’s business is also arranged through group sales and bus coach wholesalers.


Our casino sales and marketing efforts also include various rewards and loyalty programs designed to encourage repeat business at our resort casino properties. At our Las Vegas and Laughlin casinos in Nevada, we offer the ace|PLAY® rewards program. At our Pahrump, Nevada casinos, we offer the Gold Mine RewardsTM loyalty program. The close proximitycustomer base of our Pahrump casino properties allows us to leverage the convenience of a one-card player rewards system, where reward pointsNevada Taverns and other benefits can be earned and redeemed across all three of our Pahrump casinos via a single card. At Rocky Gap, we offer the Rewards ClubTM loyalty program. Depending on the program, members of our rewards programs may earn points based on gaming activity and amounts spent on rooms, food, beverage and resort activities, which points may be redeemable for complimentary slot play, food, beverages and hotel rooms, among other items. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 700,000 active players in our marketing database, providing cross-marketing opportunities across our resort casino and distributed gaming platform.

Distributed Gaming

We conduct our operations in our Distributed Gaming segment in Nevada and Montana. Our Distributed Gaming customer basesegments is primarily comprised of the third party distributed gaming customers with whom we enter into slot and amusement device placement contracts for the installation, maintenance and operation of slots and amusement devices at non-casino locations, the primarily local patrons thatwho frequent our branded taverns and use our slotsslot machines and amusement devices in such locations and the primarily local patrons of our wholly-owned branded taverns.contracted third-party locations. We seek to place our slotsslot machines and amusement devices in strategic, high-traffic areas, including in our branded taverns, and the majority of our marketing efforts are focused on maximizing profitability from a high-frequency, convenience-driven customer basebase.

Our sales and marketing efforts include our consolidated loyalty program, True Rewards®, designed to encourage repeat business at our properties, branded taverns and other participating distributed gaming locations, as discussed below.
Responsible Marketing & Advertising
We consider responsible gaming to be an important part of our overall marketing strategy. Our marketing practices adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, and we put a significant emphasis on raising awareness about our commitment to responsible gaming to mitigate risks and promote a healthy gaming experience throughout our properties and branded tavern locations.
We include a toll-free help number and responsible gaming messaging at all of our properties and branded tavern locations. We strictly prohibit any marketing and advertisements directed toward underage persons or high-risk individuals. Our patrons have an opportunity to be removed from any promotional mailings and gambling on site by requesting to be a part of our self-exclusion program.
We regularly train our team members on ways to detect and prevent minors from gambling and consuming alcohol or loitering in the counties in which we operate.

designated gaming areas. In addition, all of our team members are required to complete annual training on responsible gaming.


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True Rewards Loyalty Program
Our marketing efforts also seek to capitalize on repeat visitation through the use of our True Rewards loyalty programs, suchprogram. We offer our True Rewards loyalty program at all ten of our casino properties, as well as at all of our Golden Rewards® promotional program for our wholly-owned branded taverns.taverns and other participating distributed gaming locations. Members of our GoldenTrue Rewards programsloyalty program earn points based on playgaming activity and amounts spent on the purchase of food and beverage whichpurchases at our casino properties, branded taverns and participating distributed gaming locations. Loyalty points are redeemable for complimentary slot play, promotional table game chips, food and beverages and other items. grocery gift cards. All points earned in the loyalty program roll up into a single account balance which is redeemable at over 140 participating locations.
Our rewards technology is designed to track customer behavior indicators such as visitation, customer spend and customer engagement. Brand equity is also leveragedAs of December 31, 2022, we had nearly 656,000 active players in our taverns through the number ofmarketing database, providing us with an avenue to drive customer engagement and cross-marketing opportunities across our branded tavern locations located throughout the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area. Our advertising initiatives include both traditionalcasino and non-traditional channels such as direct mail, email, radio, print, television, social media, search engine optimization and static/dynamic billboards.

distributed gaming platform.

Intellectual Property

Our policy is to

We pursue registration of our important trademarks and service marks in the states where we do business and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We have registered and/or have pending as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, among other trademarks and service marks, “Golden Entertainment” and “Golden Gaming,” as well as various names, brands and logos relating to our resort casino properties, customer rewards and loyalty programs and wholly-ownedbranded taverns. In addition, we have also registered or applied to register numerous other trademarks in various jurisdictions in the United States in connection with our properties, facilities and development projects. We also hold a patent in the United States related to player tracking systems.

Sale of Jamul Tribe Promissory Note

On December 9, 2015, we sold our $60.0 million subordinated promissory note (the “Jamul Note”) from the Jamul Indian Village (the “Jamul Tribe”) to a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. (“Penn National”) for $24.0 million in cash. Under the terms of the January 2015 merger agreement with Sartini Gaming (the “Merger Agreement”) and subject to applicable law, we agreed that the proceeds received from the sale of the Jamul Note, net of related costs, would be distributed in a special cash dividend to our shareholders holding shares as of the record date for such dividend (other than shareholders that had waived their right to receive such dividend in connection with the Merger). On June 17, 2016, our Board of Directors approved and declared the special dividend to the eligible shareholders of record on the close of business on June 30, 2016 (the “Record Date”) of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million (the “Special Dividend”), which was paid on July 14, 2016. The


Competition

$1.71 per share amount of the Special Dividend was calculated by dividing the aggregate amount of the Special Dividend by 13,759,374 outstanding shares of common stock held by eligible shareholders on the Record Date (rounded down to the nearest whole cent per share).

In connection with the special dividend and in accordance with our equity incentive plans approved by our shareholders, equitable anti-dilutive adjustments were made to the exercise prices of outstanding stock options to purchase shares of our common stock in order to preserve the value of such stock options following the Special Dividend. Accordingly, effective as of the close of business on the dividend payment date of July 14, 2016, the exercise price of each stock option under our equity incentive plans outstanding on the Record Date was reduced by $1.71 per share. See Note 9, Share-Based Compensation, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information on our anti-dilutive adjustments to the outstanding stock options.

Competition

The resort casino, tavern and distributed gaming industries are highly competitive. Our resort casino business competes with numerous casinos and casino-hotels of varying quality and size in our markets. We also compete with other non-gaming resorts and vacation destinations, and with various other casino and other entertainment businesses. The casino entertainment business is characterized by competitors that vary considerably in their size, quality of facilities, number of operations, brand identities, marketing and growth strategies, financial strength and capabilities, level of amenities, management talent and geographic diversity. Many of our regional and national competitors have greater brand recognition and significantly greater resources than we have. Their greater resources may also provide them with the ability to expand operations in the future.

Furthermore, several states are currently considering legalizing casino gaming in designated areas, and Native American tribes may develop or expand gaming properties in markets located more closely to our customer base (particularly Native American casinos located in California)California and Arizona). The expansion of casino gaming in or near any geographic area from which we attract or expect to attract a significant number of our customers, including legalized casino gaming in neighboring states and on Native American land, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

With respect to our branded taverns and distributed gaming businesses,operations, we face direct competition for our space lease, revenue share and participation locations from others involved in the distributed gaming business, as well as substantial competition for customers from other operators of casinos, hotels, taverns and other entertainment venues. Many of our regional and national competitors have greater brand recognition and significantly greater resources than we have. Their greater resources may also provide them with the ability to expand operationsvenues, as well as from others involved in the future.

distributed gaming business.

In addition, in both of our segments we face ever-increasing competition from online gaming, including mobile gaming applications for smart phones and tablet computers, state-sponsored lotteries, card clubs, sports books, fantasy sports websites and other forms of legalized gaming. Various forms of internet gaming have been approved in Nevada, and legislation permitting internet gaming has been proposed by the federal government and other states. The expansion of internet gaming in Nevada and other jurisdictions could result in significant additional competition for our operations.

Regulation

Gaming Regulation

We are subject to extensive federal, state, and local regulation. State and local government authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate require us to obtain gaming licenses and require our officers, key employees and business entity affiliates to demonstrate suitability to be involved in gaming operations. These are privileged licenses or approvals which are not guaranteed by statute or regulation. State and local government authorities may limit, condition, suspend or revoke a license, impose substantial fines, and take other actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain and maintain the gaming licenses and related approvals necessary to conduct our gaming operations. Any failure to maintain or renew our existing licenses, registrations, permits or approvals could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
6


operations and


prospects. Furthermore, if additional gaming laws or regulations are adopted, these regulations could impose additional restrictions or costs that could have a significant adverse effect on us and our business. For additional information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—refer to the risk factor entitled Our business is subject to extensive gaming regulation, which is costly to comply with, and gaming authorities have significant control over our operations.”

operations” in “Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors” of this Annual Report.

Gaming authorities may, in their sole and absolute discretion, require the holder of any securities issued by us to file applications, be investigated, and be found suitable to own our securities if they have reason to believe that the security ownership would be inconsistent with the declared policies of their respective states. Further, the costs of any investigation conducted by any gaming authority under these circumstances is typically required to be paid by the applicant, and refusal or failure to pay these charges may constitute grounds for a finding that the applicant is unsuitable to own the securities. Our articlesArticles of incorporationIncorporation require our shareholders to cooperate with gaming authorities in such investigations and permit us to redeem the securities held by any shareholder whose holding of shares of our capital stock may result, in the judgment of our boardBoard of directors,Directors, in our failure to obtain or our loss of any license or franchise from any governmental agency held by us to conduct any portion of our business. If any gaming authority determines that a person is unsuitable to own our securities, then, under the applicable gaming laws and regulations, we can be sanctioned, including the loss of our privileged licenses or approvals, if, without the prior approval of the applicable gaming authority, we conduct certain business with the unsuitable person. For additional information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—refer to the risk factor entitled Our shareholders are subject to extensive governmentgovernmental regulation and, if a shareholder is found unsuitable by a gaming authority, that shareholder would not be able to beneficially own our common stock directly or indirectly. Our shareholders may also be required to provide information that is requiredrequested by gaming authorities and we have the right, under certain circumstances, to redeem a shareholder’s securities; we may be forced to use our cash or incur debt to fund redemption of our securities.”

securities” in “Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors” of this Annual Report.

Our directors, officers and key employees are also subject to a variety of regulatory requirements and various privileged licensing and related approval procedures in the various jurisdictions in which we operate gaming facilities. If any gaming authority with jurisdiction over our business were to find any of our directors, officers or key employees unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with us, we would have to sever our relationship with that person. Furthermore, such gaming authorities may require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications. Either result could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and prospects.

Applicable gaming laws and regulations also restrict our ability to issue securities, incur debt, and undertake other financing activities. Such transactions would generally require approval of gaming authorities, and our financing counterparties, including lenders, might be subject to various licensing and related approval procedures in the various jurisdictions in which we operate gaming facilities. If state regulatory authorities were to find any person unsuitable with regard to his, her or its relationship to us or any of our subsidiaries, we would be required to sever our relationship with that person, which could materially adversely affect our business.

The gaming industry also represents a significant source of tax revenue, particularly to the State of Nevada and its counties and municipalities. From time to time, various federal, state and local legislators and other government officials have proposed and adopted changes in tax laws, or in the administration or interpretation of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. It is not possible to determine the likelihood of possible changes in tax laws or in the administration or interpretation of such laws. Such changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. For additional information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—refer to the risk factor entitled Changes to gaming tax laws could increase our cost of doing business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.”

condition” in “Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors” of this Annual Report.

From time to time, local and state lawmakers, as well as special interest groups, have proposed legislation that would expand, restrict or prevent gaming operations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Any such change to the regulatory environment or the adoption of new federal, state or local government legislation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Other Regulation

Our business is subject to a variety of other federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, employees, 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. Changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or ordinances to which we are subject, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

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Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations relating to emissions and discharges into the environment, and the storage, handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes. These laws and regulations are complex, and subject to change, and violations can lead to significant costs for corrective action and remediation, fines and penalties. Under certain of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating contamination on its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time that they occurred, 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. As we acquire additional casino, resort and tavern properties, such as the casino properties we acquired in the American Acquisition, we may not know the full level of exposure that we may have undertaken despite appropriate due diligence. We endeavor to maintain compliance with environmental laws, but from time to time, current or historical operations on or adjacent to, our properties may have resulted or may result in noncompliance with environmental laws or liability for cleanup pursuant to environmental laws. In that regard, we may incur costs for cleaning up contamination relating to historical uses of certain of our properties.

Many of our employees, especially those that interact with our customers, receive a base salary or wage that is established by applicable state and federal laws that establish a minimum hourly wage that is, in turn, supplemented through tips and gratuities from customers. In February and April 2017, several former employees filed two separate purported class action lawsuits against us and on behalf of similarly situated individuals employed by us in Nevada. The lawsuits allege that we violated certain Nevada labor laws, including payment of an hourly wage below the statutory minimum wage without providing a qualified health insurance plan and an associated failure to pay proper overtime compensation. For additional information, please see Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings.” From time to time, state and federal lawmakers have increased the minimum wage. It is difficult to predict when such increases may take place. Any such change to the minimum wage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The manufacture

Alcoholic beverage control regulations require each of our branded taverns and sale of alcoholic beverages iscasino properties to apply to a highly regulatedstate authority and, taxed business. Our brewery operations at PT’s Brewing Company in Las Vegas, Nevada require federal, state, and local licenses, permits and approvals. Our restaurant and on-site brewery at PT’s Brewing Company operate pursuantcertain locations, county or municipal authority for a license or permit to exceptions to the “tied house” laws, which in Nevada generally prohibit a manufacturer or supplier of brewery products from engaging in the business of wholesaling and prevent a wholesaler from engaging, directly or indirectly, in retail sales. Our brewery operations are subject to more restrictive regulations and increased taxation by federal, state and local governmental entities than are those of non-alcohol related beverage businesses. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the production and distribution of beer, including permitting, licensing, trade practices, labeling, advertising, marketing, distributor relationships and related matters. Federal, state and local governmental entities also levy various taxes, license fees, and other similar charges and may require bonds to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply with applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations could result in higher taxes, penalties, fees, and suspension or revocation of permits, licenses or approvals and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. From time to time, local and state lawmakers, as well as special interest groups, have proposed legislation that would increase the federal and/or state excise tax on alcoholic beverages or certain types ofsell alcoholic beverages. If adopted, such measures could affect some or all of our proprietary craft beer production. If federal or state excise taxes are increased, we may have to raise prices to maintain our current profit margins. Higher taxes may reduce overall demand for beer, thus negatively impacting sales of our beer. Further federal or state regulation may be forthcoming that could further restrict the distribution and sale of alcohol products. Any material increase in taxes or fees, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.


In addition, each restaurant we operate must obtain a food service license from local authorities. Failure to comply with such regulations could cause our licenses to be revoked or our related restaurant business or businesses to be forced to cease operations. Moreover, state liquor laws may prevent the expansion of restaurant operations into certain markets.

Seasonality

We believe that our Casinos and Distributed Gaming segmentsbusinesses are affected by seasonal factors, including holidays, weather and travel conditions. Our casinoscasino properties, branded taverns and distributed gaming businesses in Nevada have historically experienced lower revenues during the summer as a result of fewer tourists due to higher temperatures, as well as increased vacation activity by local residents. Rocky Gap typically experiences higher revenues during summer months and may be significantly adversely impacted by inclement weather during winter months. Our Nevada branded taverns and distributed gaming operations typically experience higher revenues during the fall which corresponds with several professional sports seasons. Our Montana distributed gaming operations typically experience higher revenues during the fallwinter due to the inclement weather in the state and less opportunity for outdoor activities, in addition to the impact from professional sports seasons.seasons during the fall. While other factors like unemployment levels, market competition and the diversification of our business may either offset or magnify seasonal effects, some seasonality is likely to continue, which could result in significant fluctuation in our quarterly operating results.

Employees

Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship
We believe that our organization’s environmental and social goals as well as our team members’ involvement have a positive impact on the community. We are proud to be involved in various charitable events, including an annual fundraiser for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), the Keep Memory Alive foundation for brain disorders, Scale The STRAT for the American Lung Association, and others. We have been contributing to the AAA Scholarship fund since 2018 and donate over $100,000 each year. We support food security programs, including but not limited to, Feed a Family, Meals for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and Meals for the Nevada Housing Authority, and our team members volunteer in food banks. In addition, Golden participates in “adopt the school” programs in each community we operate in and supports local schools through both charitable donations and supply drives.
We engage in responsible gaming practices and are committed to promoting such practices and providing responsible gaming information to our customers. We are a member of the Nevada Council on Problem Gaming and have contributed over $300,000 to the organization since 2015.
We are also committed to energy efficiency, and we have replaced older light bulbs and fixtures with more efficient devices at all our properties. We are planning to install electric vehicle (“EV”) charging stations at The STRAT as well as our other casino properties.
We are currently evaluating our water management and water efficiency programs with plans to implement additional programs in the future. Our goal is to reduce our consumptive water use and invest more efforts in water reuse and conservation
8


programs. For example, we implemented xeriscaping as an environmental design choice, which allows for a reduction in our water usage and maintenance costs associated with commercial landscaping and allows us to adapt to the current pressures around monitoring and minimizing water usage. We plan to increase our investment in smart technologies that allow us to track our usage of utilities more efficiently and to prioritize budgeting for water-efficient equipment and appliances.

COVID-19 Response and Ongoing Focus on Team Member Well-being

Our response to the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrates our commitment to the community, our team members, and guests. We made COVID-19 and influenza vaccines available to all our team members and their family members free of charge, and implemented a number of health and safety protocols. These measures included enhanced sanitization, public gathering and capacity limitations, patron social distancing requirements, restrictions on permitted hours of operations, limitations on casino operations, which included disabling electronic gaming machines, and face mask and temperature check requirements for patrons.

In addition, we continue to offer a number of on-site health clinics to ensure the health and well-being of our team members. Such clinics are offered free of charge and include, but are not limited to, dental exams, preventative care health screenings, and mental health awareness and support. Our team members have access to medical, pharmacy and vision coverage, life and other types of insurance offerings, flexible spending accounts, and various employee assistance programs. Our goal is to create benefit offerings that meet the needs of our diverse workforce across our casino properties, branded taverns, and distributed gaming locations.
Human Capital
We are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining a superior workforce. We have a long history and deep cultural commitment to service and authenticity. As of December 31, 2017,2022, we employed over 6,400 team members, which is a 2% increase from December 31, 2021 when we had approximately 6,9106,300 employees. Our efforts to re-staff since the COVID-19 closures contributed to the increase in team members in 2022.
Mission and Values
In 2022, we continued to emphasize our organizational mission and values, as well as our “I CARE” guest service initiative. Our mission is to create authentic entertainment experiences where premium service is delivered at an exceptional value.
Our core mission is:
To provide exceptional service to our guests
To be accountable to each other
To have integrity in all interactions
To be urgent with purpose in our efforts
Our human capital initiatives reflect our commitment to aligning our workforce with our mission and values.
Recruitment
In 2022, we offered employment to 5,729 candidates from a total pool of 40,818 applications, or 14% of total applications, and over 3,700 of the offers converted to new hires. Compared to 2021, we received 8,943 more applications in 2022, a 28% increase from the previous year. In 2022, the average hire time was 14 days, which was a decrease from 52 days in 2021. We recruit applicants by utilizing various recruitment platforms and sources in an effort to secure a diverse pool of applicants and ensure sustainability of our talent pipeline. We offer referral and retention incentives to remain competitive in a limited labor market. We also made wage adjustments throughout Golden to remain competitive with market conditions and to improve retention in line level positions.
In 2022, we continued our relationships with various local non-profit organizations to connect job seekers with employment opportunities within Golden and attended numerous career fairs throughout the year. We enhanced job skills training initiatives so that those with a skills gap or no prior experience could receive training enabling them to perform job duties. Further, we established company-wide behavioral interviewing standards and training to support investment in our top talent. Our number one applicant source is Indeed, followed by our company site, and team member referrals.

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Team Member Benefits
We engage with a nationally recognized compensation and benefits consulting firm to independently evaluate the effectiveness and competitiveness of our benefits program within the industry. As a diverse organization, we offer our team members several options for annual benefits enrollment, including enrollment by telephone, online or through an app, and we support multi-lingual options. Our comprehensive benefits program provides our team members with the flexibility to choose their preferred medical, dental and vision plans. In addition, we offer telemedicine, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance and a retirement plan that provides an annual discretionary match. We also offer a variety of optional benefits to promote the health and security of our employees and their families, including disability insurance and expanded life insurance coverage, critical illness and accident insurance, legal, identity theft, auto and home insurance, and pet insurance. We view mental health services as a fundamental part of our benefits program and offer a comprehensive suite of related benefits, including online mental health counseling through our team member assistance program. Additionally, we offer extended benefits to employees with disabilities and chronic health conditions, including no cost Medicare and Medicaid assistance programs and prescription savings solutions for team members with chronic health conditions.
Training, Employee Retention and Development
We consider employee training, retention, and development to be an important part of our overall employee professional development policy, as such initiatives also lead to a higher level of team member engagement and job satisfaction.
In 2022, we enhanced our learning management system, internally branded as “GEMS,” by adding 40 learning opportunities. New leader orientation and tavern leadership training has been facilitated through a monthly virtual classroom in the learning management system. Additionally, all safety and compliance training, except certain required hands-on certifications, are part of the online curriculum. Certifications have been assigned to manage reoccurring safety and compliance requirements, including COVID-19 safety protocols. We have also invested in equipment and resources to make online training more accessible to our team members, which resulted in over 82,000 training courses completed in 2022.
In 2022, we launched our Golden Women’s Group (“GWG”), a women’s leadership development program. GWG is a group for Golden’s team members dedicated to the workplace advancement of women. The mission of the GWG is to promote a support network among its members and to provide mentoring and professional education for established and emerging women within our organization. The focus of this program is to build leadership skills and strategies that will positively impact the GWG class members by enhancing their professional skill set and relationships.
Our investment in our team members’ talent and ongoing development is one of the key aspects of our employee retention efforts, as we believe that creating an involved environment for our team members sets us apart from our competitors and makes us an attractive employer. We consider employee retention to be an integral part of our overall employment strategy and invest in the continuous development of our team members and their growth within the company.
Diversity and Gender Equity
As of December 31, 2022, the organizational makeup was 50.4% female and 49.6% male with approximately 2,00041.0% of management roles held by women. Average rate of pay for female salaried employees falls within 10% of the overall average pay for male employees in the same category.
As of December 31, 2022, the ethnic distribution of the overall workforce was 53% Caucasian and 47% non-Caucasian (all other races). The breakdown for salaried team members was 68.8% Caucasian and 31.2% non-Caucasian (all other races) with 26.8% of management roles held by non-Caucasian team members.
Among the overall workforce, as of December 31, 2022, 67% were over the age of 40, 33% were under the age of 40 and 11% were over the age of 65. Individuals over the age of 40 represented 69% of the salaried workforce.
Employees and Collective Bargaining Agreements
As of December 31, 2022, over 1,700 of our employees were covered by various collective bargaining agreements. Other unions may seek to organize the workers of our resort casino properties from time to time. We historicallybelieve we have had good relationships with the unions representing our employees, and believe thatincluding those represented by unions.
At The STRAT, our employee relationsemployees are good.

At the Stratosphere,covered by three collective bargaining agreements cover our employees.agreements. Our collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 501, AFL-CIO, as extended, expired on March 31, 2022, and we are in the process of negotiating an extension of the agreement. Our collective bargaining agreement with the Professional, Clerical and Miscellaneous Employees, Teamsters Local Union 986 (Valet and Warehouse) expires on March 31, 2018.2024. Our collective

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bargaining agreement with the Culinary Workers Union, Local 226 and Bartenders Union, Local 165 expires on May 31, 2018. Our collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 501, AFL-CIO expires on March 31, 2018.

At the Aquarius, four collective bargaining agreements cover our employees. Our collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 501, AFL-CIO expires on March 31, 2020. Our collective bargaining agreement2023. We are also in negotiations with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artist and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territoriesits territories and Canada, Local 720, Las Vegas, NevadaNevada.

At the Aquarius, our employees are covered by four collective bargaining agreements. Our collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 501, AFL-CIO, as extended, expired on March 31, 2022, and we are in the process of negotiating an extension of the agreement. Our collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America, as extended, expires on November 30, 2022.February 28, 2025. Our collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America, as extended, expires on April 1, 2018.March 31, 2023. Our collective bargaining agreement with the Security, Police,International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Fire ProfessionalAllied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, Local 720, Las Vegas, Nevada expired on November 30, 2022, and we are in the process of negotiating an extension of the agreement.
At the Edgewater, our collective bargaining agreement with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiner of America, Local 1780, as extended, expires on February 28, 2021.

July 31, 2023.

At Rocky Gap, our collective bargaining agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 27 expires on November 1, 2019.

2023.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Executive Officers

Set forth below

We maintain cybersecurity awareness and training programs through our GEMS platform as well as through our internal policies and certifications, which are subject to review and oversight by our management and our Board of Directors. All newly hired team members are required to take training courses with particular focus on the acceptable use of technology and related cybersecurity risks. E-mail phishing training is information concerning our executive officers, and their ages as of December 31, 2017.

performed routinely throughout the year. Additional training is performed for those with remote work capabilities.

Name

Age

Position

Blake L. Sartini

58

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

Stephen A. Arcana

53

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Charles H. Protell

43

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Sean T. Higgins

53

Executive Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Chief Legal Officer

Edward W. Martin, III

53

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

Blake L. Sartini II

32

Senior Vice President of Distributed Gaming

Gary A. Vecchiarelli

40

Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting

Blake L. Sartini joined Golden as ChairmanMembers of the Audit Committee of our Board Presidentof Directors receive regular updates on cybersecurity matters, including metrics, investments, and capabilities.The General Counsel, Chief ExecutiveTechnology Officer, in July 2015 in connectionand key information technology team members from the security, compliance, and vendor management office meet on a bi-weekly basis to discuss the results of our cybersecurity and privacy matters and to evaluate new technologies from a security, operational, and regulatory perspective prior to their implementation.

Our cybersecurity program and policy documents are reviewed and updated annually. Our risk-based incident response plan is subject to an annual detailed review with the Merger. Priorany updates communicated to the Merger, Mr. Sartini served as the presidentleadership team. Our information technology senior leadership and chief executive officer of Sartini Gaming from its formationkey management team members perform tabletop exercises at least annually in January 2012, and as the founder and chief executive officer of Golden Gaming, LLC (“Golden Gaming”), which he founded in 2001. Priororder to establishing Golden Gaming, Mr. Sartini served in various management and executive positions with Station Casinos, LLC, including executive vice president and chief operating officer. Mr. Sartini also served as a director of Station Casinos, LLC from 1993 until 2001. Mr. Sartini is a memberbe prepared for execution of the Universitydefined incident response plan.
We use the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Framework to assess risk management against our cybersecurity capabilities. We use the Mitre Att&ck Framework in combination with a managed security service provider to detect and protect against cybersecurity threats. State privacy laws are continually evaluated and applied as required (e.g., Nevada, Las Vegas Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was appointed toCalifornia, Massachusetts, New York, etc.). In addition, the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee in March 2014 by the Governor of Nevada. Mr. Sartini received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Stephen A. Arcana joined Golden as Executive Vice PresidentControl Board issues information technology internal control standards, which we use to evaluate our internal and Chief Operating Officer in July 2015 in connection with the Merger. Prior to the Merger, Mr. Arcana served as the chief operating officer for Golden Gaming from August 2003 until the closing of the Merger. From November 1995 to March 2003, Mr. Arcana held several executive positions with Station Casinos, LLC. Prior to joining Station Casinos, LLC, Mr. Arcana held a variety of hotel operations and food and beverage positions over a ten-year period with the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mr. Arcana received a bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant management from Widener University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Charles H. Protell joined Golden as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer in November 2016. Prior to joining Golden, Mr. Protell served as managing director at Macquarie Capital’s investment banking group since May 2011, and as co-founder and a managing director at REGAL Capital Advisors from January 2009 until its acquisition by Macquarie Capital in May 2011. Prior to co-founding REGAL Capital Advisors, Mr. Protell held various investment banking roles at Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and CIBC World Markets. Mr. Protell received a bachelor of science degree in commerce from the University of Virginia.

Sean T. Higgins joined Golden as Senior Vice Presidentof Government Affairs and Business Development in March 2016 and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Business Development and Chief Legal Officer in October 2016. Prior to joining Golden, Mr. Higgins served as principal of STH Strategies, a firm he founded in early 2015. From August 2011 to January 2015, Mr. Higgins was managing principal of Porter Gordon Silver Communications, a full-service government affairs and business strategic consulting firm. From July 2010 to January 2015, Mr. Higgins was a partner in the law firm of Gordon Silver. Prior to that, Mr. Higgins spent 17 years as general counsel and head of government affairs for a multijurisdictional gaming company. Mr. Higgins received his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and his undergraduate degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Nevada.

Edward W. Martin, III joined Golden as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officerin October 2017 in connection with the American Acquisition. Prior to joining Golden, Mr. Martin served as the chief operating officer, chief financial officer, treasurer and a member of the board of directors of American from September 2008 to October 2017. Prior to joining American, Mr. Martin held senior level finance, strategic planning, and development positions with Station Casinos, LLC, Silverton Casino, LLC, and Maloof Companies. From 1999 to 2011, Mr. Martin was a member of the board of directors of Nevada First Bank and its successor, the Bank of Nevada, the


Nevada affiliate of Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL), and also served as chairman of theexternal audit committee and as a member of the regulatory oversight committee. Mr. Martin currently servesprocedures on the board of directors of The Centech Group, a position he has held since 2013, a provider of network and telecom systems and solutions. Mr. Martin also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College Savings Plans of Nevada, a position he has held since 2010. Mr. Martin received a bachelor of business administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin and attended the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Blake L. Sartini II joined Golden as Senior Vice President of Distributed Gaming in July 2015 in connection with the Merger. In his current position, he oversees all distributed gaming operations in Nevada and Montana, as well as the Nevada tavern locations operating under the brand names PT’s, Sierra Gold, SG Bar and Sean Patrick’s. From January 2010 until the Merger, Mr. Sartini II served in various roles with Sartini Gaming, including as Vice President of Operations for Golden Route Operations, LLC (“GRO”), a subsidiary of Sartini Gaming, from September 2014 until the Merger, as assistant director for GRO from January 2012 to September 2014, and as a marketing manager from January 2010 to January 2012. Prior to joining Sartini Gaming, Mr. Sartini II served as senior business associate with the Ultimate Fighting Championship for its international event operations and talent relations in the United Kingdom. Mr. Sartini II received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Chapman University in Orange, California.

Gary A. Vecchiarelli joined Golden as Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting in January 2017. From May 2012 to December 2016, Mr. Vecchiarelli served as chief financial officer of Galaxy Gaming, Inc., a public company that develops, manufactures and distributes casino table games and wagering platforms. Prior to that, Mr. Vecchiarelli spent most of his career working in public accounting including as audit manager for BDO USA, LLP and audit supervisor for McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. Mr. Vecchiarelli received a bachelor of science degree in business administration in accounting from California State University at San Jose. Mr. Vecchiarelli was President of Financial Executives International, Las Vegas Chapter in 2017 and has resided on its board of directors since 2012. Mr. Vecchiarelli is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and maintains active CPA licenses in California and Nevada.

an annual basis.

Website and Available Information

Our website is located at www.goldenent.com. Through a link on the Investors section of our website, we make the following filings available free of charge and as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished with the SEC: our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Copies of these documents are also available to our shareholders upon written request to our Chief Financial Officer at 6595 SS. Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118. Information on the website does not constitute part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Report.

These filings are also available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, any materials filed with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.


ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

You should consider each of the following factors as well as the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in evaluating our business and prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also materially adversely impact our
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business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially harmed and the trading price of our common stock could decline. You should also refer to the other information set forth in this Annual Report, on Form 10-K, including the information in “Management’sPart II, Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,Operations, as well as our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Any failurenotes included in Part II, Item 8.

Risks Related to successfully integrate our businessesBusiness and businesses we acquire, including the American business, could materially adversely affect our business, and we may not realize the full benefits of the American Acquisition or our other strategic acquisitions.

Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our strategic acquisitions, including our acquisition of American in October 2017 and our acquisition of Montana distributed gaming businesses in 2016, will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to successfully integrate our businesses with the businesses we acquire. Integrating and coordinating the operations and personnel of multiple businesses and managing the expansion in the scope of our operations and financial systems involves complex operational, technological and personnel-related challenges. The potential difficulties, and resulting costs and delays, relating to the integration of our business with our strategic acquisitions include:

the difficulty in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner;

Operations

the challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other benefits expected from acquisitions;

the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations;

additional demands on management related to the increased size and scope of our company following significant acquisitions, such as the American Acquisition;

the assimilation of employees and the integration of different business cultures;

challenges in attracting and retaining key personnel;

the need to integrate information, accounting, finance, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory compliance systems;

challenges in keeping existing customers and obtaining new customers; and

challenges in combining product offerings and sales and marketing activities.

There is no assurance that we will successfully or cost-effectively integrate our businesses with the businesses we acquire, and the costs of achieving systems integration may substantially exceed our current estimates. The integration of the recently acquired American business into our own operations in particular will be time consuming and presents financial, managerial and operational challenges. Issues that arise during this process may divert management’s attention away from our day-to-day operations, and any difficulties encountered in the integration process could cause internal disruption in general, which could adversely impact our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies. Combining our different systems, technology, networks and business practices could be more difficult and time consuming than we anticipated, and could result in additional unanticipated expenses. Our combined results of operations could also be adversely affected by any issues we discover that were attributable to American’s operations that arose before the acquisition. Moreover, as non-public companies at the time of our acquisition, neither American nor our other recent strategic acquisitions had to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for internal control over financial reporting and other procedures. Bringing the legacy systems for these businesses into compliance with those requirements may cause us to incur substantial additional expense.


In addition, the integration process may cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our combined business. If management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our business could suffer and our results of operations and financial condition may be harmed. Even if our businesses are successfully integrated, we may not realize the full benefits of the American Acquisition or our other strategic acquisitions, including anticipated synergies, cost savings or growth opportunities, within the expected timeframes or at all. In addition, we have incurred, and may incur additional, significant integration and restructuring expenses to realize synergies. However, many of the expenses that will be incurred are, by their nature, difficult to estimate accurately. These expenses could, particularly in the near term, exceed the savings that we expect to achieve from elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings. Although we expect that the realization of efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses may offset incremental transaction-related and restructuring costs over time, we cannot give any assurance that this net benefit will be achieved in the near term, or at all. Any of these matters could materially adversely affect our businesses or harm our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our business may be adversely affected by economic conditions, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, severe weather, contagious diseases and other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The demand for gaming, entertainment and leisure activities is highly sensitive to downturns in the economy and the corresponding impact on discretionary consumer spending. Any actual or perceived deterioration or weakness in general, regional or local economic conditions, unemployment levels, the job or housing markets, consumer debt levels or consumer confidence, as well as any increase in gasoline prices, tax rates, interest rates, inflation rates or other adverse economic or market conditions, may lead to our customers having less discretionary income to spend on gaming, entertainment and discretionary travel, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Acts of terrorism, natural disasters, severe weather conditions and actual or perceived outbreaks of public health threats and pandemics, could also significantly affect demand for gaming, entertainment and leisure activities and discretionary travel, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our results of operations during 2020 and the first half of 2021, including as a result of mandated property closures, operating restrictions, pandemic safety protocols and COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Furthermore, our properties are subject to the risk that operations could be halted for a temporary or extended period of time, as a result of casualty, forces of nature, adverse weather conditions, flooding, mechanical failure, or extended or extraordinary maintenance, among other causes. If there is a prolonged disruption at any of our casino properties due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, if extreme weather adversely impacts general economic or other conditions in the areas in which our properties are located or from which we draw our patrons or prevents patrons from easily coming to our properties, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

We may be subject to risks arising from climate-related matters
Most of our business segments are located in areas classified as extreme weather locations, which puts our business at potential risk from natural disasters such as floods, flash floods, droughts, and high winds, which may result in sudden interruption of business operations, flight cancellations, and a reduction in customers visitation. Climate change effects have also increased the level of severity and the frequency of such extreme weather events. While we cannot predict such naturally occurring events, we maintain insurance coverage pertaining to the most common weather disruptions. We fully understand that such insurance coverage may not prevent or be sufficient to fully indemnify us against incurred costs directly or indirectly related to our properties being damaged or destroyed as a result of such climate events.
There can be no assurance that potential climate change effects and other extreme weather conditions that may arise will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We face substantial competition in both of our business segments and may lose market share.

The resort casino, tavern and distributed gaming industries are highly competitive. Our resort casino business competesproperties compete with numerous casinos and casino-hotels of varying quality and size in our markets. We also compete with other non-gaming resorts and vacation destinations, and with various other casino and other entertainment businesses. The casino entertainment business is characterized by competitors that vary considerably in their size, quality of facilities, number of operations, brand identities, marketing and growth strategies, financial strength and capabilities, level of amenities, management talent and geographic diversity. Many of our regional and national competitors have greater brand recognition and significantly greater resources than we have. Their greater resources may also provide them with the ability to expand operations in the future.

If our competitors operate more successfully than we do, if they attract customers away from us as a result of aggressive pricing and promotion, if they are more successful than us in attracting and retaining employees, if their properties are enhanced or
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expanded, if they operate in jurisdictions that give them operating advantages due to differences or changes in gaming regulations or taxes, or if additional hotels and casinos are established in and around our markets, we may lose market share or the ability to attract or retain employees. Furthermore, several states are currently considering legalizing casino gaming in designated areas, and Native American tribes may


develop or expand gaming properties in markets located more closely to our customer base (particularly Native American casinos located in California)California and Arizona). The expansion of casino gaming in or near any geographic area from which we attract or expect to attract a significant number of our customers, including legalized casino gaming in neighboring states and on Native American land, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

operations, and prospects.

With respect to our branded taverns and distributed gaming businesses,operations, we face direct competition for our space lease, revenue share and participation locations from others involved in the distributed gaming business, as well as substantial competition for customers from other operators of casinos, hotels, taverns and other entertainment venues. venues, as well as from others involved in the distributed gaming business.
In addition, in both of our segments we face ever-increasing competition from online gaming, including mobile gaming applications for smart phones and tablet computers, state-sponsored lotteries, card clubs, sports books, fantasy sports websites and other forms of legalized gaming. Various forms of internet gaming have been approved in Nevada, and legislation permitting internet gaming has been proposed by the federal government and other states. The expansion of internet gaming in Nevada and other jurisdictions could result in significant additional competition for our operations.

We incurred significant indebtedness in connection with the American Acquisition and our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.

We incurred significant indebtedness in connection with the American Acquisition and the associated refinancing of our former senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2017, the total principal amount of our senior secured indebtedness, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, was $1.0 billion. As a result of the increases in our outstanding debt, demands on our cash resources have increased. The increased level of debt could, among other things:

require us to dedicate a larger portion of our cash flow from operations to the servicing and repayment of our debt, thereby reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions, and other general corporate requirements;

limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;

restrict our ability to make strategic acquisitions or dispositions or to exploit business opportunities;

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions and increases in interest rates;

place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and

adversely affect our credit rating or the market price of our common stock.

Any of these risks could impact our ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We may incur additional indebtedness, which could further increase the risks associated with our leverage.

We may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, which may include financing relating to capital expenditures, potential acquisitions or business expansion, working capital or general corporate purposes. The senior secured credit facilities that we entered into in connection with the closing of the American Acquisition included a $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at December 31, 2017. In addition, our senior secured credit facilities permit us, subject to specific limitations, to incur additional indebtedness. If new indebtedness is added to our current level of indebtedness, the related risks that we now face could intensify.


We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service all of our indebtedness and fund our operating expenses, working capital needs and capital expenditures, and we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our indebtedness will depend upon our future operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow in the future, which are subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are 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 in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or fund our other liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investment and capital expenditures, dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our senior secured credit facilities restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from asset dispositions, and may also restrict our ability to raise debt or equity capital to repay or service our indebtedness. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result, our lenders could declare all outstanding amounts to be due and payable, terminate or suspend their commitments to loan money and foreclose against the assets securing such debt, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and could result in you losing your investment in our company.

Covenants in our debt instruments restrict our business and could limit our ability to implement our business plan.

Our senior secured credit facilities contain, and any future debt instruments likely will contain, covenants that may restrict our ability to implement our business plan, finance future operations, respond to changing business and economic conditions, secure additional financing, and engage in opportunistic transactions, such as strategic acquisitions. Our senior secured credit facilities include covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to do the following:

incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness;

issue redeemable stock and preferred stock;

grant or incur liens;

sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;

make loans and investments;

pay dividends, make distributions, or redeem or repurchase capital stock;

enter into transactions with affiliates; and

consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person.

In addition, our revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant applying a maximum net leverage ratio when borrowings under the facility exceed 30% of the total revolving commitment. Our senior secured credit facilities are secured by liens on substantially all of our and the subsidiary guarantors’ present and future assets (subject to certain exceptions).

If we default under any of our senior secured credit facilities because of a covenant breach or otherwise, all outstanding amounts thereunder could become immediately due and payable. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the covenants in our senior secured credit facilities or that any covenant violations will be waived. Any violation that is not waived could result in an event of default and, as a result, our lenders could declare all outstanding amounts to be due and payable, terminate or suspend their commitments to loan money and foreclose against the assets securing such debt, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and could result in you losing your investment in our company.


The casino, hotel and hospitality industry is capital intensive and we may not be able to finance development, expansion and renovation projects, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage.

Our casino and branded tavern properties have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements to remain competitive, including room refurbishments, amenity upgrades and, replacement, from time to time, replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment. We may also need to make capital expenditures to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Construction projects entail significant risks, which can substantially increase costs or delay completion of a project. Such risks include shortages of materials or skilled labor, unforeseen engineering, environmental or geological problems, work stoppages, weather interference and unanticipated cost increases. Most of these factors are beyond our control. In addition, difficulties or delays in obtaining any of the requisite licenses, permits or authorizations from regulatory authorities can increase the cost or delay the completion of an expansion or development. Significant budget overruns or delays with respect to expansion and development projects could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

Renovations and other capital improvements of casino properties in particular require significant capital expenditures. In addition, anyFor example, between May 2018 and December 31, 2021 we invested over $109 million in strategic renovations of The STRAT. Any such renovations and capital improvements usually generate little or no cash flow until the projects are completed. We may not be able to fund such projects solely from cash provided from operating activities. Consequently, we may have to rely upon the availability of debt or equity capital to fund renovations and capital improvements, and our ability to carry them out will be limited if we cannot obtain satisfactory debt or equity financing, which will depend on, among other things, market conditions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional equity or debt financing on favorable terms or at all. Our failure to renovate and maintain our casino and branded tavern properties from time to time may put us at a competitive disadvantage to casinos or taverns offering more modern and better maintained facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Changes to gaming tax laws could increase our cost of doing business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

The gaming industry represents a significant source of tax revenue, particularly to the State of Nevada and its counties and municipalities. Gaming companies are currently subject to significant state and local taxes and fees in addition to normal federal and state corporate income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. From time to time, various federal, state and local legislators and other government officials have proposed and adopted changes in tax laws, or in the administration or interpretation of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. In addition, any worsening of economic conditions and the large number of state and local governments with significant current or projected budget deficits could intensify the efforts of state and local governments to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes and/or property taxes. It is not possible to determine with certainty the likelihood of changes in tax laws or in the administration or interpretation of such laws. Any material increase, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our business is subject to extensive gaming regulation, which is costly to comply with, and gaming authorities have significant control over our operations.

We are subject to a variety of gaming regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the extensive gaming laws
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and regulations of the State of Nevada. Compliance with these regulations is costly and time-consuming. Regulatory authorities at the federal, state and local levels have broad powers with respect to the regulation and licensing of casino and gaming operations and may revoke, suspend, condition or limit our gaming or other licenses, impose substantial fines on us and take other actions, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain and maintain the gaming licenses and related approvals necessary to conduct our gaming operations. Any failure to maintain or renew our existing licenses, registrations, permits or approvals could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our directors, officers and key employees are also subject to a variety of regulatory requirements and must be approved by certain gaming authorities. If any gaming authority with jurisdiction over our business were to find an officer, director or key employee of ours unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with


us, we would be required to sever our relationship with that person. Furthermore, such gaming authorities may require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications. Either result could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and prospects.

Applicable gaming laws and regulations also restrict our ability to issue securities, incur debt and undertake other financing activities. Such transactions would generally require approval of gaming authorities, and our financing counterparties, including lenders, might be subject to various licensing and related approval procedures in the various jurisdictions in which we operate gaming facilities. Further, our gaming regulators can require us to disassociate ourselves from suppliers or business partners found unsuitable by the regulators. If any gaming authorities were to find any person unsuitable with regard to his, her or its relationship to us or any of our subsidiaries, we would be required to sever our relationship with that person, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and prospects.

If additional gaming regulations are adopted in a jurisdiction in which we operate, such regulations could impose restrictions on us that would prevent us from operating our business as it is currently operated, or the increased costs associated with compliance with such regulations could lower our profitability. From time to time, various proposals are introduced in the legislatures of the jurisdictions in which we have operations that, if enacted, could adversely affect the tax, regulatory, operational or other aspects of the gaming industry and our company. Any such change to the regulatory environment or the adoption of new federal, state or local government legislation could impose additional restrictions or costs or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Any violation of applicable anti-money laundering laws or regulations or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We handle significant amounts of cash in our operations and are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Recently, U.S. governmental authorities have evidenced an increased focus on compliance with anti-money laundering laws and regulations in the gaming industry. Any violation of anti-money laundering laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Internal control policies and procedures and employee training and compliance programs that we have implemented to deter prohibited practices may not be effective in prohibiting our employees, contractors or agents from violating or circumventing our policies and the law. If we or our employees or agents fail to comply with applicable laws or our policies governing our operations, we may face investigations, prosecutions and other legal proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administrative remedies and criminal sanctions. Any such government investigations, prosecutions or other legal proceedings or actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We are subject to numerous other federal, state and local laws that may expose us to liabilities or have a significant adverse impact on our operations. Changes to any such laws could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

Our business is subject to a variety of other federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, employees, 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. Changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or ordinances to which we are subject, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations relating to emissions and discharges into the environment, and the storage, handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes. These laws and
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regulations are complex, and subject to change, and violations can lead to significant costs for corrective action and remediation, and fines and penalties.

Under certain of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating contamination on its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or


caused, the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time that they occurred, 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. As we acquire additional casino, resort and tavern properties, such as the casino properties we acquired in the American Acquisition, we may not know the full level of exposure that we may have undertaken despite appropriate due diligence. We endeavor to maintain compliance with environmental laws, but from time to time, current or historical operations on or adjacent to, our properties may have resulted or may result in noncompliance with environmental laws or liability for cleanup pursuant to environmental laws. In that regard, we may incur costs for cleaning up contamination relating to historical uses of certain of our properties.

Many of our employees, especially those that interact with our customers, receive a base salary or wage that is established by applicable state and federal laws that establish a minimum hourly wage that is, in turn, supplemented through tips and gratuities from customers. In February and April 2017, several former employees filed two separate purported class action lawsuits against us and on behalf of similarly situated individuals employed by us in Nevada. The lawsuits allege that we violated certain Nevada labor laws, including payment of an hourly wage below the statutory minimum wage without providing a qualified health insurance plan and an associated failure to pay proper overtime compensation. For additional information, please see Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings.” From time to time, state and federal lawmakers have increased the minimum wage. It is difficult to predict when such increases may take place. Any such change to the minimum wage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The manufacture

Alcoholic beverage control regulations require each of our branded taverns and sale of alcoholic beverages iscasino properties to apply to a highly regulatedstate authority and, taxed business. Our brewery operations at PT’s Brewing Company in Las Vegas, Nevada require federal, state, and local licenses, permits and approvals. Our restaurant and on-site brewery at PT’s Brewing Company operate pursuantcertain locations, county or municipal authority for a license or permit to exceptions to the “tied house” laws, which in Nevada generally prohibit a manufacturer or supplier of brewery products from engaging in the business of wholesaling and prevent a wholesaler from engaging, directly or indirectly, in retail sales. Our brewery operations are subject to more restrictive regulations and increased taxation by federal, state and local governmental entities than are those of non-alcohol related beverage businesses. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the production and distribution of beer, including permitting, licensing, trade practices, labeling, advertising, marketing, distributor relationships and related matters. Federal, state and local governmental entities also levy various taxes, license fees, and other similar charges and may require bonds to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply with applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations could result in higher taxes, penalties, fees, and suspension or revocation of permits, licenses or approvals and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. From time to time, local and state lawmakers, as well as special interest groups, have proposed legislation that would increase the federal and/or state excise tax on alcoholic beverages or certain types ofsell alcoholic beverages. If adopted, such measures could affect some or all of our proprietary craft beer production. If federal or state excise taxes are increased, we may have to raise prices to maintain our current profit margins. Higher taxes may reduce overall demand for beer, thus negatively impacting sales of our beer. Further federal or state regulation may be forthcoming that could further restrict the distribution and sale of alcohol products. Any material increase in taxes or fees, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

In addition, each restaurant we operate must obtain a food service license from local authorities. Failure to comply with such regulations could cause our licenses to be revoked or our related restaurant business or businesses to be forced to cease operations. Moreover, state liquor laws may prevent the expansion of restaurant operations into certain markets.

The loss or suspension of any liquor or food service license could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all possible losses that our properties could suffer. In addition, our insurance costs may increase and we may not be able to obtain the same insurance coverage in the future.

Although we have comprehensive property and liability insurance policies for our properties, in operation, with coverage features and insured limits that we believe are customary in their breadth and scope, each such policy has certain exclusions. Certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or terrorist acts, or certain liabilities may be uninsurable or too expensive to justify obtaining insurance. Market


forces beyond our control may also limit the scope of the insurance coverage we can obtain or our ability to obtain coverage at reasonable rates. As a result, we may not be successful in obtaining insurance without increases in cost or decreases in coverage levels. In addition, in the event of a major casualty, the insurance coverage we carry may not be sufficient to pay the full market value or replacement cost of our lost investment or in some cases could result in certain losses being totally uninsured. As a result, we could lose some or all of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property, and we could remain obligated for debt or other financial obligations related to the property, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition to the damage caused to our property by a casualty loss (such as fire, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism), we may suffer business disruption as a result of these events or be subject to claims by third parties injured or harmed. While we carry business interruption insurance and general liability insurance, this insurance may not be adequate to cover all losses in such event.

We renew our insurance policies on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so high that we may need to reduce our policy limits or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage. Among other factors, it is possible that regional political tensions, homeland security concerns, other catastrophic events or any change in government legislation governing insurance coverage for acts of terrorism could materially adversely affect available insurance coverage and result in increased premiums on available coverage (which may cause us to elect to reduce our policy limits), additional exclusions from coverage or higher deductibles.

Increasing prices or shortages of energy and water may increase our cost of operations.

Our properties use significant amounts of water, electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy. Our Nevada properties in particular are located in a desert where water is scarce and the hot temperatures require heavy use of air conditioning. While we have not experienced any shortages of energy or water in the past, we cannot guarantee you that we will not in the future. Other states have suffered from electricity shortages. For example, California and Texas have experienced rolling blackouts due to excessive air conditioner use because of unexpectedly high temperatures in the past. We expect that potable water in Nevada,
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where the majority of our facilities are located, will become an increasingly scarce commodity at an increasing price.

price due to the long duration of severe drought experienced in Las Vegas and other potential causes of water shortage.

Work stoppages, labor problems and unexpected shutdowns may limit our operational flexibility and negatively impact our future profits.

A number of employees at our casino properties are covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements, which have staggered expirations over the next several years. Certain of our collective bargaining agreements have expired and we are in the process of negotiating extensions. We cannot ensure that, upon the expiration of existing collective bargaining agreements, new agreements will be reached without union action or that any such new agreements will be on terms satisfactory to us. The inability to negotiate and enter into a new collective bargaining agreementagreements on favorable terms could result in an increase in our operating expenses or covered employees could strike or engage in other collective behaviors. Any renegotiation of these and other labor agreements could significantly increase our costs for wages, healthcare, pension plans and other benefits, and could have a material adverse effect on the business of our casino properties and our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Any work stoppage at one or more of our casino properties could cause significant disruption of our operations or require us to expend significant funds to hire replacement workers, and qualified replacement labor may not be available at reasonable costs, if at all. Strikes and work stoppages could also result in adverse media attention or otherwise discourage customers from visiting our casino properties. As a result, a strike or other work stoppage at one of our casino properties could have a material adverse effect on the business of our casino properties and our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Any unexpected shutdown of one of our casino properties could have an adverse effect on the business of our casino properties and our results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will be adequately prepared for unexpected events, including political or regulatory actions, which may lead to a temporary or permanent shutdown of any of our casino properties.


Our reputation and business could be materially harmed as a result of data breaches, data theft, unauthorized access or hacking.

Our success depends, in part, on the secure and uninterrupted performance of our information technology and other systems and infrastructure, including systems to maintain and transmit customers’ personal and financial information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions and mailing lists. We could encounter difficulties in developing new systems, maintaining and upgrading current systems and preventing security breaches. Among other things, our systems are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, break-ins, cyber-attacks, network penetration, denial of service attacks and similar events. An increasing number of companies like us have disclosedexperienced breaches of their security, some of which have involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on their computer networks. While we have and will continue to implement network security measures and data protection safeguards, our servers and other computer systems are vulnerable to viruses, malicious software, hacking, break-ins or theft, data privacy or security breaches, third-party security breaches, employee error or malfeasance and similar events. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems, change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. IfFor example, in January 2021, we were affected by a ransomware cyber-attack that temporarily disrupted our access to certain information located on our network. Although we incurred some expenses with respect thereto, our financial information and business operations were not materially affected. We implemented a variety of measures to further enhance our cybersecurity protections and minimize the impact of any future cyber incidents. Nonetheless, if unauthorized parties gain access to our information technology and other systems, they may be able to misappropriate assets or sensitive information (such as personally identifiable information of our customers, business partners and employees), cause interruption in our operations, corruption of data or computers, or otherwise damage our reputation and business. In such circumstances, we may incur expenses to retrieve such data, could be held liable to our customers or other parties, or could be subject to regulatory or other actions for breaching privacy rules. Any compromise of our security could result in a loss of confidence in our security measures, and subject us to litigation, civil or criminal penalties, and negative publicity, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Further, if we are unable to comply with the security standards established by banks and the payment card industry, we may be subject to fines, restrictions, and expulsion from card acceptance programs, which could materially adversely affect our operations.

Our reputation and business could be negatively impacted as a result of environmental, social and governance matters.
Regulators, investors and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters. For example, new laws and regulations relating to ESG matters, including human capital, diversity, sustainability, climate change and cybersecurity, are under consideration or being adopted, which may include specific, target-driven
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disclosure requirements or obligations. Our response may require additional investments and implementation of new practices and reporting processes, all entailing additional compliance risk. In addition, we have announced a number of ESG initiatives and goals, which will require ongoing investment, and there is no assurance that we will achieve any of these goals or that our initiatives will achieve their intended outcomes. Consumers’ perceptions of our efforts to achieve these goals often differ widely and present risks to our reputation and brands. In addition, our ability to implement some initiatives or achieve some goals is dependent on external factors. For example, our ability to meet certain sustainability goals or initiatives may depend in part on third-party collaboration, mitigation innovations and/or the availability of economically feasible solutions at scale.
Our revenues may be negatively impacted by volatility in our hold percentage, and we also face the risk of fraud or cheating.

Casino revenue is recorded as the difference between gaming wins and losses or net win from gaming activities. Net win is impacted by variations in the hold percentage (the ratio of net win to total amount wagered), or actual outcome, on our slots,slot machines, table games, race and sports betting, and all other games we provide to our customers. We use the hold percentage as an indicator of a game’s performance against its expected outcome. Although each game generally performs within a defined statistical range of outcomes, actual outcomes may vary for any given period. The hold percentage and actual outcome on our games can be impacted by the level of a customer’s skill in a given game, errors made by our employees, the number of games played, faults within the computer programs that operate our slotsslot machines and the random nature of slot payouts. If our games perform below their expected range of outcomes, our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

In addition, gaming customers may attempt or commit fraud or otherwise cheat in order to increase their winnings. Acts of fraud or cheating could involve the use of counterfeit chips or other tactics and could include collusion with our employees. Internal acts of cheating could also be conducted by employees through collusion with dealers, surveillance staff, floor managers or other casino or gaming area staff. Failure to discover such acts or schemes in a timely manner could result in losses in our gaming operations, which could be substantial. In addition, negative publicity related to such schemes could have an adverse effect on our reputation, thereby materially adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Our business is geographically concentrated, which subjects us to greater risks from changes in local or regional conditions.

We currently operate casinoscasino properties solely in Nevada and in Flintstone, Maryland, operate our branded taverns mostly in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area, and conduct our distributed gaming (including tavern gaming in our wholly-owned taverns) business solely in Nevada and Montana. Due to this geographic concentration, our results of operations and financial condition are subject to greater risks from changes in local and regional conditions, such as:

changes in local or regional economic conditions and unemployment rates;

changes in local and state laws and regulations, including gaming laws and regulations;


a decline in the number of residents in or near, or visitors to, our properties;

a decline in the number of residents in or near, or visitors to, our properties;

changes in the local or regional competitive environment; and

adverse weather conditions and natural disasters (including weather or road conditions that limit access to our properties).

Some of our casino properties

Our Nevada Locals Casinos, branded taverns and most of our tavern propertiesdistributed gaming operations largely cater to the local markets and depend on the local marketslocals market for customers. Competition for local customers in Las Vegas in particular has historically beenis intense. Local competitive risks and our failure to attract a sufficient number of guests, gaming customers and other visitors in these locations could adversely affect our business. In addition, the number of visitors to our Nevada casino properties may be adversely affected by increased transportation costs, the number and frequency of flights into or out of Las Vegas, and capacity constraints of the interstate highways that connect our casino properties with the metropolitan areas in which our customers reside.

As a result of the geographic concentration of our businesses, we face a greater risk of a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects in the event that any of the geographic areas in which we operate is more severely impacted by any such adverse condition, as compared to other areas in the United States.

We may experience seasonal fluctuations that could significantly impact our quarterly operating results.

We may experience seasonal fluctuations that could significantly impact our quarterly operating results. Our casinoscasino properties, branded taverns and distributed gaming businesses in Nevada have historically experienced lower revenues during the summer as a result of fewer tourists due to higher temperatures, as well as increased vacation activity by local residents. Rocky Gap typically experiences higher revenues during summer months and may be significantly adversely impacted by inclement weather during winter months. Our Nevada branded taverns and distributed gaming operations typically experience higher
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revenues during the fall which corresponds with several professional sports seasons. Our Montana distributed gaming operations typically experience higher revenues during the winter months due to the inclement weather in the state and less opportunity for outdoor activities, in addition to the impact from professional sports seasons.seasons during the fall. While other factors like unemployment levels, market competition and the diversification of our business may either offset or magnify seasonal effects, some seasonality is likely to continue, which could result in significant fluctuation in our quarterly operating results.

Our success depends in part on our ability to acquire, enhance, and/or introduce successful gaming concepts and game content, and we may be unable to obtain slots or related technology from our third party suppliers on a timely, cost-effective basis.

Our business is heavily dependent on revenue generated by the games, particularly slots, we offer to our customers. We source games and game content through third-party suppliers, and currently rely on a limited number of suppliers for our slots and related technology. We believe that creative and appealing game content, innovative game concepts and licensed brands produce more revenue for our casinos and other gaming locations and provide them with a competitive advantage, which in turn enhances our revenue and our ability to attract new business and to retain existing business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sustain the acceptance of our existing game content or effectively obtain from third parties game content or licensed brands that will be widely accepted by our customers, or that we will be able to obtain slots or related technology on a cost-effective basis. There can be no assurance that our third party suppliers will be able to produce new creative and appealing game content, innovative game concepts, and licensed brands in the future that will be widely accepted by our customers. As a result, we may be forced to incur significant unanticipated costs to secure alternative third party suppliers or adjust our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The success of our distributed gaming businessoperations is dependent on our ability to renew our contractsagreements.

We conduct the majority of our distributed gaming business under space lease revenue share and participation contractsagreements with third parties. ContractsAgreements with chain store and streetother third-party customers are renewable at the option of the owner


of the applicable chain store or street account.a third party. As our distributed gaming contractsagreements expire, we are required to compete for renewals. If we are unable to renew a material portion of our space lease revenue share and participation contracts,agreements, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We cannot assure you that our existing space lease, revenue share and participation contractsagreements will be renewed on reasonable or comparable terms, or at all.

Our business and stock price may be adversely affected if our internal controls are not effective.

We have previously reported material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the registrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As discussed in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2016 was that account reconciliations were not consistently prepared on a timely basis and subjected to proper review and written approval by a person not involved in their preparation. Based upon the remediation actions described in such section, management has concluded that such material weakness has been remediated as of December 31, 2017. Although we believe we have taken appropriate actions to remediate the control deficiencies we have identified and to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, we cannot assure you that we will not discover other material weaknesses in the future. The existence of one or more internal control deficiencies could result in errors in our financial statements, and substantial costs and resources may be required to rectify internal control deficiencies. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and expand our business, and our business, financial condition and prospects could be harmed.

We may be subject to litigation which, even if adversely determined,without merit, can be expensive to defend and could expose us to significant liabilities, damage our reputation and result in substantial losses.

From time to time, we are involved in a variety of lawsuits, claims, investigations and other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings concerning labor and employment matters, personal injury claims, breach of contract claims, commercial disputes, business practices, intellectual property, tax and other matters. SeeRefer to “Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies” in Part I,II, Item 38: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings” for additional information. Certain litigation claims may not be covered entirely or at all by our insurance policies, or our insurance carriers may seek to deny coverage. In addition, litigation claims can be expensive to defend and may divert our attention from the operations of our businesses. Further, litigation involving visitors to our properties, even if without merit, can attract adverse media attention.

We evaluate all litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and/or disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. We caution you that actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. As a result, litigation can have a significant adverse effect on our businesses and, because we cannot predict the outcome of any action, it is possible that adverse judgments or settlements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We depend on a limited number of key employees who would be difficult to replace.

We depend on a limited number of key personnel to manage and operate our business, including our Chief Executive Officer, our President and Chief OperatingFinancial Officer, and our Chief Strategy and FinancialOperating Officer. We believe our success depends to a significant degree on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel. The competition for these types of personnel is intense and we compete with other potential employers for the services of our employees. As a result, we may not succeed in hiring and retaining the executives and other employees that we need. An inability to hire quality employees or the loss of key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.


Inability to complete the sale of Rocky Gap could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

The closing of the Rocky Gap Transactions is subject to a number of closing conditions and there can be no assurance that these conditions will be satisfied on the timeline we expect or at all. The Rocky Gap Transactions may also be terminated in certain specified circumstances, including if the sale is not completed by August 24, 2023 (subject to certain extensions under certain circumstances). While the sale of Rocky Gap is pending or if the sale is not completed, we may be subject to several risks including:
the current trading price of our common stock may reflect a market assumption that the Rocky Gap Transactions will be completed;
we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant transaction costs in connection with the sale of Rocky Gap whether or not the sale is completed;
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under the definitive agreements for the Rocky Gap Transactions, we are subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of the Rocky Gap business prior to the completion of the sale, which restrictions could adversely affect our ability to realize certain business strategies or take advantage of certain business opportunities;
the negative perception of investors, vendors, customers, or employees if the sale is not consummated; and
the attention of our management may be directed toward the completion of the pending sale and related matters, and their focus may be diverted from our day-to-day business operations.
Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
From time to time we may make strategic acquisitions; any failure to successfully integrate our businesses and businesses we acquire could materially adversely affect our business, and we may not realize the full benefits of our strategic acquisitions.
Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any strategic acquisitions will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to successfully integrate our businesses with the businesses we acquire. Integrating and coordinating the operations and personnel of multiple businesses and managing the expansion in the scope of our operations and financial systems involves complex operational, technological and personnel-related challenges. The potential difficulties, and resulting costs and delays, relating to the integration of our business with our strategic acquisitions include:
the difficulty in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner;
the challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other benefits expected from acquisitions;
the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations and additional demands on management relating to an increase in size or scope of our company following a significant acquisition;
the assimilation of employees and the integration of different business cultures and challenges in retaining key personnel;
the need to integrate information, accounting, finance, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory compliance systems; and
challenges in combining product offerings and sales and marketing activities.
There is no assurance that we will successfully or cost-effectively integrate our businesses with the businesses we acquire, and the costs of achieving systems integration may substantially exceed the levels originally projected. Integration of recently acquired businesses into our own operations in particular can be time consuming and present financial, managerial and operational challenges. Issues that arise during this process may divert management’s attention away from our day-to-day operations, and any difficulties encountered in the integration process could cause internal disruption in general, which could adversely impact our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies. Combining our different systems, technology, networks and business practices could be more difficult and time consuming than we anticipated, and could result in additional unanticipated expenses. In addition, bringing the legacy systems for acquired businesses into compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may cause us to incur substantial additional expense.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
Our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.
We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2022, our senior indebtedness, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, was approximately $910 million, which was comprised of $575 million in principal amount of outstanding term loan borrowings under our senior secured credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as administrative agent and collateral agent) (the “Credit Facility”) and approximately $335 million of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (“2026 Unsecured Notes”). Our level of debt could, among other things:
require us to dedicate a larger portion of our cash flow from operations to the servicing and repayment of our debt, thereby reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions, and other general corporate requirements;
limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;
restrict our ability to make strategic acquisitions or dispositions or to exploit business opportunities;
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions and increases in interest rates;
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
adversely affect our credit rating or the market price of our common stock.
Any of these risks could impact our ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our ability to service all of our indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance and ability to generate cash flow in the future, both of which are subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to pay our indebtedness, which may result in substantial liquidity problems that force us to take measures such as reducing or delaying investment and capital expenditures, disposing of material assets or operations, seeking additional debt or equity capital, or restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we are able to take any such measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result, our lenders could declare all outstanding amounts to be due and payable, terminate or suspend their commitments to loan money and foreclose against the assets securing such debt, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We may incur additional indebtedness, which could further increase the risks associated with our leverage.
We may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, which may include financing relating to capital expenditures, potential acquisitions or business expansion, working capital or general corporate purposes. Our Credit Facility includes a $240 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which was undrawn at December 31, 2022. In addition, our Credit Facility and the indenture governing the 2026 Unsecured Notes (the “Indenture”) permit us, subject to specific limitations, to incur additional indebtedness. If new indebtedness is added to our current level of indebtedness, the related risks that we now face could intensify.
Covenants in our debt instruments restrict our business and could limit our ability to implement our business plan.
Our Credit Facility and Indenture contain, and any future debt instruments likely will contain, covenants that may restrict our ability to implement our business plan, finance future operations, respond to changing business and economic conditions, secure additional financing, and engage in opportunistic transactions, such as strategic acquisitions. Our Credit Facility and Indenture include covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to incur indebtedness, issue redeemable or preferred stock, grant liens, sell assets (including capital stock of subsidiaries), pay dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, enter into affiliate transactions and merge or consolidate with another person.
In addition, our Credit Facility contains a financial covenant applying a maximum net leverage ratio when borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility exceed 30% of the total revolving commitment. Our Credit Facility is secured by liens on substantially all of our and the subsidiary guarantors’ present and future assets (subject to certain exceptions).
If we default under the Credit Facility or Indenture because of a covenant breach or otherwise, all outstanding amounts thereunder could become immediately due and payable. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the covenants in our Credit Facility or Indenture or that any covenant violations will be waived. Any violation that is not waived could result in an event of default and, as a result, our lenders could declare all outstanding amounts to be due and payable, terminate or suspend their commitments to loan money and foreclose against the assets securing such debt, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
The borrowings under our Credit Facility are subject to variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. Increases in the interest rate generally, and particularly when coupled with any significant variable rate indebtedness, could materially adversely impact our interest expenses. As interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness also increase even if the amount borrowed remains the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. Each quarter point change in interest rates would result in a $1.4 million change in annual interest expense on our indebtedness under our Credit Facility. For example, in 2022, we incurred an additional $6.8 million in interest expense under our Credit Facility as a result of the increase in the interest rates. We are not
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required to enter into interest rate swaps to hedge such indebtedness. If we decide not to enter into hedges on such indebtedness, our interest expense on such indebtedness will fluctuate based on variable interest rates. Consequently, we may have difficulties servicing such unhedged indebtedness and funding our other fixed costs, and our available cash flow for general corporate requirements may be materially adversely affected. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk.
Risks Related to Share Ownership and Shareholder Matters
Our executive officers and directors own or control a large percentage of our common stock, which permits them to exercise significant control over us.

As of December 31, 2017, after giving effect to the underwritten public offering that was completed in January 2018,2022, our executive officers and directors and entities affiliated with them would have owned, in the aggregate, approximately 34%23% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, these shareholders will be able to substantially influence all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions and the composition of our Board of Directors. This concentration of ownership may also delay, defer or even prevent a change in control of our company and would make some transactions more difficult or impossible without their support. Circumstances may arise in which the interests of these shareholders could conflict with the interests of our other shareholders.

Our shareholders are subject to extensive governmental regulation and, if a shareholder is found unsuitable by a gaming authority, that shareholder would not be able to beneficially own our common stock directly or indirectly. Our shareholders may also be required to provide information that is requested by gaming authorities and we have the right, under certain circumstances, to redeem a shareholder’s securities; we may be forced to use our cash or incur debt to fund redemption of our securities.

Gaming authorities may, in their sole and absolute discretion, require the holder of any securities issued by us to file applications, be investigated, and be found suitable to own our securities if they have reason to believe that the security ownership would be inconsistent with the declared policies of their respective states. Gaming authorities have very broad discretion in determining whether an applicant should be deemed suitable. Subject to certain administrative proceeding requirements, gaming authorities have the authority to deny any application or limit, condition, restrict, revoke or suspend any license, registration, finding of suitability or approval, or fine any person licensed, registered or found suitable or approved, for any cause deemed reasonable by the gaming authorities. The applicant must pay all costs of investigation incurred by the gaming authorities in conducting any such investigation. In evaluating individual applicants, gaming authorities typically consider the individual’s reputation for good character and criminal and financial history, and the character of those with whom the individual associates. If any gaming authority determines that a person is unsuitable to own our securities, then, under the applicable gaming laws and regulations, we can be sanctioned, including the loss of our privileged licenses or approvals, if, without the prior approval of the applicable gaming authority, we conduct certain business with the unsuitable person or fail to redeem the unsuitable person’s interest in our securities or take such other action with respect to the securities held by the unsuitable person as the applicable gaming authority requires.

For example, under Nevada gaming laws, each person who acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of any voting security, or beneficial or record ownership of any non-voting security or any debt security, in a public corporation which is registered with the Nevada Gaming Commission or the Gaming Commission,(the “Gaming Commission”) may be required to be found suitable if the Gaming Commission has reason to believe that his or her acquisition of that ownership, or his or her continued ownership in general, would be inconsistent with the declared public policy of Nevada, in the sole discretion of the Gaming Commission. Any person required by the Gaming Commission to be found suitable shall apply for a finding of suitability within 30 days after the Gaming Commission’s request that he or she should do so and, together with his or her application for suitability, deposit with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, or the Control Board, a sum of money which, in the sole discretion of the Control Board, will be adequate to pay the anticipated costs and charges incurred in the investigation and processing of that application for suitability, and deposit such additional sums as are required by the Control Board to pay final costs and charges.

Furthermore, any person required by a gaming authority to be found suitable, who is found unsuitable by the gaming authority, may not hold directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of any voting security or the beneficial or record ownership of any nonvoting security or any debt security of any public corporation which is registered with the gaming authority beyond the time prescribed by the gaming authority. A violation of the foregoing may constitute a criminal offense. A finding of unsuitability by a particular gaming authority impacts that person’s ability to associate or affiliate with gaming licensees in that particular jurisdiction and could impact the person’s ability to associate or affiliate with gaming licensees in other jurisdictions.

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Many jurisdictions also require any person who acquires beneficial ownership of more than a certain percentage of voting securities of a gaming company and, in some jurisdictions, non-voting securities, typically 5%, to report the acquisition to gaming authorities, and gaming authorities may require such holders to apply for qualification or a


finding of suitability, subject to limited exceptions for “institutional investors” that hold a company’s voting securities for investment purposes only. For example, underUnder Nevada gaming laws, any person who acquires or holds more than 5% of our voting power must report the acquisition or holding to the Gaming Commission. Except for certain pension or employee benefit plans, each person who acquires or holds the beneficial ownership of any amount of any class of voting power and who has the intent to engage in any “proscribed activity” shall (a) within 2 days after possession of such intent, notify the Chair of the Nevada Board in the manner prescribed by the Chair; (b) apply to the Gaming Commission for a finding of suitability within 30 days after notifying the Chair pursuant to paragraph (a); and (c) deposit with the Nevada Board the sum of money required by the Nevada Board to pay the anticipated costs and charges incurred in the investigation and processing of the application. “Proscribed activity” means: 1. An activity that necessitates a change or amendment to our corporate charter, bylaws, management, policies or operation of the Company; 2. An activity that materially influences or affects the affairs of the Company; or 3. Any other activity  determined by the Gaming Commission to be inconsistent with holding voting securities for investment purposes.  Nevada gaming regulations also require that beneficial owners of more than 10% of our voting power apply to the Gaming Commission for a finding of suitability within 30 days after the Chairman of the Nevada Board mails written notice requiring such filing. Further, an “institutional investor,” as defined in the Nevada gaming regulations, that acquires more than 10%, but not more than 25%, of our voting power may apply to the Gaming Commission for a waiver of such finding of suitability if such institutional investor holds our voting securities for investment purposes only.

Similarly, under Maryland gaming laws, as interpreted by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, or the Maryland Commission, any person who acquires 5% or more of our voting securities must report the acquisition to the Maryland Commission and apply for a “Principal Employee” (if an individual) or “Principal Entity” (if an entity) license, both of which require a finding of qualification, or seek an institutional investor waiver. The granting of a waiver rests with the discretion of the Maryland Commission. Further, we may not sell or otherwise transfer in an issuer transaction more than 5% of the legal or beneficial interest in Rocky Gap without the approval of the Maryland Commission, after theMaryland Commission determines that the transferee is qualified or grants the transferee an institutional investor waiver.

Our Articles of Incorporation require our shareholders to provide information that is requested by authorities that regulate our current or proposed gaming operations. Our Articles of Incorporation also permit us to redeem the securities held by persons whose status as a security holder, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, jeopardizes our existing gaming licenses or approvals. The price paid for these securities is, in general, the average closing price for the 30 trading days prior to giving notice of redemption.

In the event a shareholder’s background or status jeopardizes our current or proposed gaming licensure, we may be required to redeem such shareholder’s securities in order to continue gaming operations or obtain a gaming license. This redemption may divert our cash resources from other productive uses and require us to obtain additional financing which, if in the form of equity financing, would be dilutive to our shareholders. Further, any debt financing may involve additional restrictive covenants and further leveraging of our fixed assets. The inability to obtain additional financing to redeem a disqualified shareholder’s securities may result in the loss of a current or potential gaming license.

We expect our stock price to be volatile, and you may lose some or all of your investment.

volatile.

The market price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile. During 2022, the market price of our common stock has ranged from $32.53 to $59.96. The market price of our common stock may be significantly affected by many factors, including:

changes in general or local economic or market conditions;

quarterly variations in operating results;

strategic developments by us or our competitors;

developments in our relationships with our customers, distributors and suppliers;

regulatory developments or any breach, revocation or loss of any gaming license;

changes in our revenues, expense levels or profitability;

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts; and

failure to meet the expectations of securities analysts.

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Any of these events may cause the market price of our common stock to fall. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced significant volatility, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock regardless of our operating performance.

Future sales of our common stock could lower our stock price and dilute existing shareholders.

In January 2018, the SEC declared effective a

We may from time to time file universal shelf registration statement with the SECstatements for the future sale of up to $150 million in aggregate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities warrants and units and the resale of upother securities, pursuant to approximately 8.0 million shares of our common stock held by the selling securityholders named therein. Thewhich we may offer securities may be offeredfor sale from time to time, separately or together, directly by us or through


underwriters, dealers or agents at amounts, prices, interest rates and other terms to be determined at the time of the offering. For example, in January 2018, certain of the named selling securityholders completed the resale of 6.5 million shares of our common stock and we completed the sale of 975,000 newly issued shares of our common stock in an underwritten public offering pursuant to this shelf registration statement.

time. We may also issue additional shares of common stock to finance future acquisitions through the use of equity. For example, we issued approximately 0.9 million shares of our common stock in connection with our acquisition of Edgewater Gaming, LLC and Colorado Belle Gaming, LLC in January 2019, and approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock in connection with the American Acquisition in October 2017 (all of which shares were resold in the secondary public offering in January 2018), and approximately 8.5 million shares of our common stock in connection with the acquisition of Sartini GamingAmerican Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC in July 2015 (of which approximately 1.0 million shares were resold in the secondary public offering in January 2018).2017. In addition, a substantial number of shares of our common stock is reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and other equity awards pursuant to our employee benefit plans. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Sartini Gaming, upon the exercise of stock options and warrants or in connection with acquisition financing), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. In addition, these sales may be dilutive to existing shareholders.

Our future results may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma financial results that we have disclosed.

The pro forma financial results that we have disclosed with respect to the American Acquisition have been presented for illustrative purposes only, were based on various adjustments, assumptions and preliminary estimates and may not be an indication of our financial condition or results of operations following the American Acquisition for several reasons. Our actual financial condition and results of operations following the American Acquisition may not be consistent with, or evident from, these pro forma financial results. In addition, the assumptions used in preparing the pro forma financial results may not prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect our financial condition or results of operations following the American Acquisition. Any potential decline in our financial condition or results of operations may cause significant declines in our stock price.

Provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or our senior secured creditdebt facilities may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or prevent an acquisition of our business at a premium price.

Some of the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws and Minnesota law could discourage, delay or prevent an acquisition of our business, even if a change in control would be beneficial to the interests of our shareholders and was made at a premium price. These provisions:

permit our Board of Directors to increase its own size and fill the resulting vacancies;

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our Board of Directors could issue to increase the number of outstanding shares to discourage a takeover attempt; and

permit shareholder action by written consent only if the consent is signed by all shareholders entitled to notice of a meeting.

Although we have amended our Bylaws to provide that Section 302A.671 (Control Share Acquisitions) of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act does not apply to or govern us, we remain subject to 302A.673 (Business Combinations) of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, which generally prohibits us from engaging in business combinations with any “interested” shareholder for a period of four years following the shareholder’s share acquisition date, which may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company. Under the Indenture, if certain specified change of control events occur, each holder of the 2026 Unsecured Notes may require us to repurchase all of such holder’s 2026 Unsecured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes. In addition, our senior secured credit facilities provideCredit Facility provides for an event of default upon the occurrence of certain specified change of control events.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.


ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

Company Headquarters

We lease a 41,000 square foot building

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES
The location and characteristics of our properties are provided in Las Vegas, Nevada, which houses our company headquarters and a portionPart I, Item 1: Business of which we have sub-leased. this Annual Report.
23


The lease for our office headquarters building is with a related party and expires on July 31, 2025. See Note 15, Related Party Transactions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements forfollowing table provides further information on our transactions with related parties.

Casinos

Stratosphere: We ownproperties and identifies the approximately 34 acres of land on which the Stratosphere is located (of which approximately 17 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development).

Arizona Charlie’s Decatur: We own the approximately 17 acres of land on which our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino property is located. In addition, we lease office, storage and laundry space for our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino property in an adjacent shopping center. The lease is with an unrelated party and expires in 2097.

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder: We own the approximately 24 acres of land on which our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino property is located.

Aquarius: We own the approximately 18 acres of land on which the Aquarius casino property is located (of which approximately 1.6 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development).

Pahrump Casinos: We own the approximately 40 acres of land on which Pahrump Nugget is located (of which approximately 20 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development) and the approximately 35 acres of land on which our Lakeside Casino & RV Park is located. Our Gold Town Casino is located on four leased parcels of land, comprising approximately nine acres in the aggregate. Theproperties subject to leases are with unrelated third parties and have various expiration dates beginning in 2026 (for the parcel on which our main casino building is located, which we lease from a competitor), and we sublease approximately two of the acres to an unrelated third party.

Rocky Gap: We lease the approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park on which Rocky Gap is situated from the Maryland DNR pursuant to a 40-year operating ground lease. The lease expires in 2052, with an option to renew for an additional 20 years. We own the 170,000 square foot Rocky Gap building.

All of our owned and leasedunderlying real property for our casino properties, along with substantially all of theestate assets of the casino properties, are subject to liens securing all of our obligations under our senior secured credit facilities (subject to receipt of certain approvals).

Distributed Gaming

We lease our 57 branded tavern locations under non-cancelable operating leases. As of December 31, 2017, the terms of our tavern leases ranged from one to 15 years, with various renewal options from one to 15 years. Four of our tavern locations were leased from related parties as of December 31, 2017. See Note 15, Related Party Transactions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information on our transactions with related parties. 


2022:

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Name and LocationApproximate AcresNotes
Nevada Casino Resorts
The STRAT (Las Vegas, NV)34Approximately 17 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development, approximately 7 acres of which have been leased to a third party for development.
Aquarius (Laughlin, NV)18Approximately 1.6 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development.
Edgewater (Laughlin, NV)16In addition, we lease approximately 20 acres of land for the Laughlin Event Center for our Laughlin casino properties. The lease is with an unrelated party and expires in 2027.
Colorado Belle (Laughlin, NV)22The operations of this casino resort remain suspended.
Nevada Locals Casinos
Arizona Charlie’s Boulder (Las Vegas, NV)24
Arizona Charlie’s Decatur (Las Vegas, NV)17We lease office, storage and laundry space for our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur in an adjacent shopping center. The lease is with an unrelated party and expires in 2097.
Gold Town Casino (Pahrump, NV)9The casino property is located on four leased parcels of land. The leases are with unrelated third parties and have various expiration dates beginning in 2026 (for the parcel on which our main casino building is located, which we lease from a competitor), and we sublease approximately two of the acres to an unrelated third party.
Lakeside Casino & RV Park (Pahrump, NV)35
Pahrump Nugget (Pahrump, NV)40Approximately 20 acres are undeveloped and reserved for future development.
Maryland Casino Resort
Rocky Gap (Flintstone, MD)270Approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park on which Rocky Gap is situated is leased from the Maryland DNR pursuant to a 40-year ground lease. The lease expires in 2052, with an option to renew for an additional 20 years.
Nevada Taverns
64 branded tavern locations (Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV)All tavern locations are leased with lease terms ranging from 5 to 20 years, with various renewal options from 5 to 25 years.
Corporate and Other
Company headquarters (Las Vegas, NV)
Office and warehouse space (NV)
Office and warehouse space (MT)

From time to time, we are involved in a variety

ITEM 3.    LEGALPROCEEDINGS
A discussion of lawsuits, claims, investigations and otherour legal proceedings arisingis contained in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings concerning labor“Note 13 — Commitments and employment matters, personal injury claims, breach of contract claims, commercial disputes, business practices, intellectual property, taxContingencies” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and other matters for which we have recorded $1.5 million for claims as of the dateSupplemental Data of this filing. Although lawsuits, claims, investigations and other legal proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the resolution of our currently pending matters should not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Regardless of the outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. In addition, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could in the future materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in a particular period.

In February and April 2017, several former employees filed two separate purported class action lawsuits against us in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada, and on behalf of similarly situated individuals employed by us in the State of Nevada. The lawsuits allege we violated certain Nevada labor laws including payment of an hourly wage below the statutory minimum wage without providing a qualified health insurance plan and an associated failure to pay proper overtime compensation. The complaints seek, on behalf of the plaintiffs and members of the putative class, an unspecified amount of damages (including punitive damages), injunctive and equitable relief, and an award of attorneys’ fees, interest and costs. In the second half of 2017, we agreed to settle the first of these two cases, subject to court approval. The second case is in the discovery phase.

In February 2018, a prior guest of the Stratosphere filed a purported class action complaint against us in the United States District Court, District of Nevada, on behalf of similarly situated individuals and entities that paid the Clark County Combined Transient Lodging Tax (“Tax”) on the portion of a resort fee that constitutes charges for Internet access, during the period of February 6, 2014 through the date the alleged conduct ceases. The lawsuit alleges that the Tax was charged in violation of the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, which imposes a national moratorium on the taxation of Internet access by states and their political subdivisions, and seeks, on behalf of the plaintiff and the putative class, damages equal to the amount of the Tax collected on the Internet access component of the resort fee, injunctive relief, disgorgement, interest, fees and costs. We have not yet been served with the complaint. In the event, a complaint is served on us, we anticipate being accorded a stay to respond in connection with an agreement that other hotel casino operators have entered into with regard to case consolidation while the federal court reviews subject matter jurisdiction. This case is at an early stage in the proceedings, and we are therefore unable to make a reasonable estimate of the probable loss or range of losses, if any, that might arise from this matter.

While legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any of the above matters, based on management’s current understanding of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that these proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Annual Report.
24


ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.








































25


PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

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

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol GDEN. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ:

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

$

14.31

 

 

$

22.18

 

 

$

26.33

 

 

$

34.75

 

Low

 

10.60

 

 

 

12.90

 

 

 

19.41

 

 

 

23.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

$

10.90

 

 

$

13.49

 

 

$

14.07

 

 

$

13.00

 

Low

 

9.50

 

 

 

10.41

 

 

 

11.19

 

 

 

8.65

 

“GDEN.” As of March 14, 2018,February 20, 2023, there were approximately 240270 shareholders of record of our common stock.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the proceeds received from the sale of the Jamul Note, net of related costs, were distributed on July 14, 2016 in a special dividend of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million to shareholders that held shares as of the Record Date for such dividend (other than shareholders that had waived their right to receive such dividend in connection with the Merger). See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Dividends
Other than the special cash dividend that was made in July 2016 pursuant to the terms of the net proceeds received from the sale of the Jamul Note,Sartini Gaming merger agreement, we have neither declared nor paid any cash dividends with respect to our common stock and thestock. The current policy of theour Board of Directors is to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and development of our business. The payment of any other cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of theour Board of Directors and will depend upon such factors as our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, our general business condition, restrictions under our Credit Facility and Indenture and any other factors deemed relevant by theour Board of Directors. In addition, the terms
Share Repurchase Program and Issuer Purchase of our senior secured credit facilities restrict our abilityEquity
From time to declare or pay dividends on our common stock.

No repurchasestime, we repurchase shares of our common stock were made duringpursuant to our $75 million share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on November 1, 2022. There is no minimum number of shares that we are required to repurchase and the fourth quarter of 2017.


ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The Selected Financial Data presented below should be read in conjunction withrepurchase program is also subject to available liquidity, general market and economic conditions, alternate uses for the consolidated financial statementscapital and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K,other factors (refer to “Note 8 — Shareholders’ Equity and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” includedStock Incentive Plans” in Part II, Item 78: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report for additional information regarding our share repurchase program). Share repurchases executed in May 2022 (under our previously authorized share repurchase program) and November 2022 included 210,000 shares and 263,418 shares, respectively, repurchased from a related party as discussed in “Note 14 — Related Party Transactions” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data. The rest of the repurchases were made through open market transactions. The following table presents our common stock purchases made pursuant to our share repurchase program for the year ended December 31, 2022:

Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program
Approximate Dollar Value That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
(in millions)
Period
January 1-31, 2022— $— — $39.4 
February 1-28, 2022— $— — $39.4 
March 1-31, 2022268,791 $56.54 268,791 $24.2 
April 1-30, 2022— $— — $24.2 
May 1-31, 2022211,100 $42.59 211,100 $41.0 (1) (2)
June 1-30, 2022303,900 $44.34 303,900 $27.5 
July 1-31, 2022— $— — $27.5 
August 1-31, 2022— $— — $27.5 
September 1-30, 2022— $— — $27.5 (3)
October 1-31, 2022— $— — $27.5 
November 1-30, 2022263,418 $41.35 263,418 $64.1 (4)
December 1-31, 202265,479 $40.30 65,479 $61.5 
Total1,112,688 $46.01 1,112,688 $61.5 
(1) Our Board of Directors increased the amount authorized for share repurchases to $50 million on Form 10-K.

Selected consolidated statementMay 3, 2022.

(2) Includes 210,000 shares repurchased from Anthony A. Marnell III, an independent non-employee member of operations dataour Board of Directors, at a price of $42.61 per share.
(3) Our Board of Directors increased the amount authorized for share repurchases to $75 million on November 1, 2022.
(4) Represents shares repurchased from Anthony A. Marnell III, an independent non-employee member of our Board of
26


Directors, at a price of $41.35 per share.
Stock Performance Graph
The following performance graph compares the cumulative five-year shareholders’ returns (based on appreciation of the market price of our common stock) on an indexed basis with Nasdaq Composite Index and consolidated balance sheet datathe Dow Jones US Gambling index, during the five years ended December 31, 2022. The graph plots the changes in value of an initial $100 investment over the indicated time period, assuming all dividends are derived from our consolidated financial statements. 

 

For the Year Ended or As of:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

 

2017(1)

 

 

2016(2)

 

 

2015(3)

 

 

2014(4)

 

 

2013

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of Continuing Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

$

510

 

 

$

403

 

 

$

177

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

39

 

Income (loss) from operations

$

15

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

(24

)

 

$

13

 

Net Income (loss)

$

2

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

(25

)

 

$

19

 

Net income (loss) per share — basic

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

1.45

 

 

$

(1.86

)

 

$

1.41

 

Net income (loss) per share — diluted

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

(1.86

)

 

$

1.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

91

 

 

$

47

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

35

 

 

$

38

 

Total assets

$

1,365

 

 

$

419

 

 

$

379

 

 

$

122

 

 

$

147

 

Total long-term liabilities

$

966

 

 

$

172

 

 

$

143

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

10

 

Shareholders’ equity

$

321

 

 

$

209

 

 

$

210

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

132

 

(1)

Our results for the year ended December 31, 2017 included the operating results of American from and after the closing date of the American Acquisition. We recorded approximately $76.3 million in net revenues and $5.6 million in net income from the operations of American for the year ended December 31, 2017. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 included approximately $1.6 million in preopening expenses related to American and tavern expansion, and $5.0 million in acquisition expenses related to the American Acquisition. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 included an income tax benefit of $7.9 million attributed primarily to a partial release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

reinvested. The stock price performance in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

(2)

Our results for the year ended December 31, 2016 included the operating results of the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions from and after the closing dates of the respective transactions. We recorded approximately $47.0 million in net revenues and $1.6 million in net income from the operations of the Montana distributed gaming businesses for the year ended December 31, 2016. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 included approximately $2.5 million in preopening expenses related to the Montana distributed gaming businesses and tavern expansion, and a gain on sale of land held for sale of $4.5 million. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 included an income tax benefit of $4.3 million attributed primarily to a partial release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. On July 14, 2016, a special dividend of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million was paid to shareholders of record as of the Record Date for such dividend (other than shareholders that had waived their right to receive such dividend in connection with the Merger). See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

gden-20221231_g1.jpg
Cumulative Total Returns - Year Ending December 31,
201720182019202020212022
Golden Entertainment, Inc.$100.00 $49.07 $58.86 $60.92 $154.76 $114.55 
NASDAQ Composite100.00 96.13 129.97 186.70 226.63 151.61 
Dow Jones US Gambling100.00 67.36 96.55 85.49 74.51 55.50 

(3)

Our results for the year ended December 31, 2015 included the operating results of Sartini Gaming from and after August 1, 2015, following the consummation of the Merger. We recorded approximately $117.6 million in net revenues and $10.4 million in income from the operations of Sartini Gaming’s distributed gaming and casino businesses for the year ended December 31, 2015. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 included approximately $11.5 million in transaction-related expenses related to the Merger and net income included income tax benefit of approximately $10.0 million attributed primarily to the income tax benefit recorded from the release of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets as a result of deferred tax liabilities assumed in the Merger. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2015 also reflected a gain of $23.6 million related to the disposition of the Jamul Note in December 2015.

The performance graph and the related chart and text should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended except to the extent we specifically incorporate the performance graph by reference herein.

(4)

Our results for the year ended December 28, 2014 reflected an impairment loss of $21.0 million related to the write-down of our then investment in Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC (“Rock Ohio Ventures”), a cost method investee.


ITEM 6.    [RESERVED]

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANDRESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OFFINANCIAL CONDITION ANDRESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and other financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Report. In addition to the historical information, certain statements in this discussion are forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those projected in such forward-looking statements. See Refer to Forward-Looking StatementsStatements” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding forward-looking statements.

27


Overview

We own and operate a diversified entertainment platform, consisting of a portfolio of gaming assets that focus on resort casino operations and distributed gaming operations (including tavern gaming in our wholly-ownedbranded taverns).

We conduct our business through twofive reportable operating segments: Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos, Maryland Casino Resort, Nevada Taverns, and Distributed Gaming. In our

Our Nevada Casino Resorts segment is comprised of destination casino resort properties offering a variety of food and beverage outlets, entertainment venues and other amenities. Our Nevada Locals Casinos segment we own and operate eight resortis comprised of casino properties inthat cater to local customers who generally live within a five-mile radius, and typically have no or a limited number of hotel rooms and offer fewer food and beverage outlets or other amenities, with revenues primarily generated from slot machine play. Our Maryland Casino Resort segment is comprised of our Rocky Gap casino resort. Our Nevada and Maryland. Our Distributed GamingTaverns segment involvesis comprised of the installation, maintenance and operationoperations of slots and amusement devices in non-casino locations such as grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, restaurants, bars and taverns in Nevada and Montana, and the operation of wholly-ownedour branded taverns targeting local patrons located primarily in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area.

Casinos

On October 20, 2017, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of American from its former equity holders for aggregate consideration consisting of $781.0 million in cash (subject to certain post-closing adjustments) and the issuance by us of 4,046,494 shares of our common stock to ACEP Holdings, a former American equity holder. Pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions in the purchase agreement, the cash portion of the consideration paid in the American Acquisition was subsequently increased to $787.6 million. The American Acquisition added four Nevada resort casino properties to our casino portfolio, including the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. The results of operations of American and its subsidiaries have been included in our results subsequent to that date. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We own and operate eight resort casino properties in Nevada and Maryland, comprising the Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Aquarius in Laughlin, Nevada, Pahrump Nugget, Gold Town Casino and Lakeside Casino & RV Park in Pahrump, Nevada, and Rocky Gap in Flintstone, Maryland.

The Stratosphere:    The Stratosphere is our premier casino property, located on Las Vegas Blvd on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. A gaming and entertainment complex, the Stratosphere comprises the iconic Stratosphere Tower, a casino, a hotel and a retail center. As of December 31, 2017, the Stratosphere featured an 80,000 sq. ft. casino and offered nearly 2,430 hotel rooms, 748 slots, 42 table games, a race and sports book, 15 restaurants, two rooftop pools, a fitness center, retail shops and entertainment facilities.

Arizona Charlie’s casinos:    Our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino properties primarily serve local Las Vegas patrons, and provide an alternative experience to the Las Vegas Strip. As of December 31, 2017, our Arizona Charlie’s Decatur casino offered approximately 260 hotel rooms and a total of 1,037 slots, seven table games, race and sports books, six restaurants, and an approximately 300-seat bingo parlor, and our Arizona Charlie’s Boulder casino offered approximately 300 hotel rooms and a total of 839 slots, seven table games, race and sports books, four restaurants, and an approximately 450-seat bingo parlor, as well as an RV park with approximately 220 RV hook-up sites.

Aquarius:    The Aquarius is located in Laughlin, Nevada, which is located approximately 90 miles from Las Vegas on the western riverbank of the Colorado River. The Aquarius caters primarily to patrons traveling from Arizona and Southern California, as well as customers from Nevada seeking an alternative


to the Las Vegas experience. As of December 31, 2017, the Aquarius had approximately 1,900 hotel rooms and offered 1,232 slots, 33 table games and ten restaurants.

Pahrump casinos:    We own and operate three casinos in Pahrump, Nevada, the gateway to Death Valley National Park, approximately 60 miles from Las Vegas. Pahrump Nugget is our largest property in Pahrump, Nevada. As of December 31, 2017, Pahrump Nugget offered approximately 70 hotel rooms, 419 slots, eight table games, a race and sports book, an approximately 200-seat bingo facility and a bowling center. As of December 31, 2017, our Gold Town Casino offered 226 slots and an approximately 100-seat bingo facility, and our Lakeside Casino & RV Park offered 188 slots and approximately 160 RV hook-up sites.

Rocky Gap:    Rocky Gap is situated on approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland, which we lease from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources under a 40-year operating ground lease expiring in 2052 (plus a 20-year option renewal). As of December 31, 2017, Rocky Gap offered 665 slots, 17 table games, two casino bars, three restaurants, a spa and the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Maryland. Rocky Gap is a AAA Four Diamond Award® winning resort with approximately 200 hotel rooms, as well as an event and conference center.

Distributed Gaming

Our Distributed Gaming segment involves the installation, maintenance and operation of slots and amusement devices in non-casino locations such as grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, restaurants, bars and taverns in Nevada and Montana. In addition, we operate wholly-owned branded taverns with slots, which target local patrons, primarily in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area. We place our slots and amusement devices in locations where we believe they will receive maximum customer traffic, generally near a store’s entrance. As of December 31, 2017, our distributed gaming operations comprised approximately 10,900 slots in over 1,000 locations.

Our wholly-owned branded taverns offer a casual, upscale environment catering to local patrons offering superior food, craft beer and other alcoholic beverages, and typically include 15 onsite slots. As of December 31, 2017, we operated 57 wholly-owned branded taverns, which offered a total of over 920 onsite slots. Most of our taverns are located in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area, and cater totargeting local patrons seeking more convenient entertainment establishments than traditional casino properties. Our tavern brands include PT’s Gold, PT’s Pub, Sierra Gold, Sean Patrick’s, PT’s Place, PT’s Ranch, PT’s Brewing Company, Sierra JunctionDistributed Gaming segment is comprised of the operation of slot machines and SG Bar. We also opened our first breweryamusement devices in Las Vegas, PT’s Brewing Company, during the first quarterover 1,000 third-party non-casino locations, such as restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores and grocery stores, across Nevada and Montana, with a limited number of 2016 to produce craft beer for our taverns and casinos.

slot machines in each location.









28


Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2022.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net revenues by segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casinos

$

179,175

 

 

$

97,132

 

 

$

73,245

 

Distributed Gaming

 

330,050

 

 

 

305,792

 

 

 

103,610

 

Corporate and other

 

583

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

187

 

Total net revenues

 

509,808

 

 

 

403,204

 

 

 

177,042

 

Operating expenses by segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casinos

 

86,050

 

 

 

51,533

 

 

 

40,520

 

Distributed Gaming

 

257,050

 

 

 

238,788

 

 

 

80,340

 

Corporate and other

 

641

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

9

 

Total operating expenses

 

343,741

 

 

 

290,332

 

 

 

120,869

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

103,523

 

 

 

68,155

 

 

 

38,708

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

40,786

 

 

 

27,506

 

 

 

10,798

 

Gain on disposition of notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,590

)

Acquisition and merger expenses

 

5,041

 

 

 

614

 

 

 

11,525

 

Preopening expenses

 

1,632

 

 

 

2,471

 

 

 

421

 

Executive severance and sign-on bonuses

 

1,142

 

 

 

1,037

 

 

 

 

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

 

(1,719

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating, net

 

284

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

(52

)

Total expenses

 

494,430

 

 

 

390,169

 

 

 

158,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

15,378

 

 

 

13,035

 

 

 

18,363

 

Non-operating expense, net

 

(21,128

)

 

 

(1,060

)

 

 

(3,812

)

Income tax benefit

 

7,921

 

 

 

4,325

 

 

 

9,969

 

Net income

$

2,171

 

 

$

16,300

 

 

$

24,520

 

Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Revenues
Gaming$760,906 $766,307 $476,753 
Food and beverage175,363 167,815 112,081 
Rooms122,324 109,802 71,411 
Other63,126 52,619 33,910 
Total revenues1,121,719 1,096,543 694,155 
Expenses
Gaming428,984 416,197 275,041 
Food and beverage131,863 118,541 92,202 
Rooms56,414 48,632 39,935 
Other operating19,889 16,968 11,789 
Selling, general and administrative235,404 221,967 183,122 
Depreciation and amortization100,123 106,692 124,430 
Loss on disposal of assets934 1,260 803 
Preopening expenses161 246 308 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets— — 33,964 
Total expenses973,772 930,503 761,594 
Operating income (loss)147,947 166,040 (67,439)
Non-operating expense
Other non-operating income— 60,000 — 
Interest expense, net(63,490)(62,853)(69,110)
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification(1,590)(975)— 
Change in fair value of derivative— — (1)
Total non-operating expense, net(65,080)(3,828)(69,111)
Income (loss) before income tax provision82,867 162,212 (136,550)
Income tax provision(521)(436)(61)
Net income (loss)$82,346 $161,776 $(136,611)

Year Ended December 31, 20172022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Net 2021

Revenues

The $106.6

The $25.2 million, or 26%2%, increase in net revenuesrevenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year resulted primarily from increases of $68.3$7.6 million, $12.5 million, and $21.1$10.5 million in food and beverage, rooms, and other revenues, respectively, as offset by a $5.4 million decrease in gaming revenues. The increase in food and beverage, rooms, and other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year was driven primarily by an increase in occupancy and the average daily room rate of our hotel rooms during the first half of 2022 relative to the prior year and an overall increase in guest visitation following the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures and related operating restrictions during the summer of 2021 and the effect of government stimulus payments in 2021 and early 2022 on discretionary consumer spending. The $5.4 million decrease in gaming revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to the stabilization of demand in 2022 compared to the pent-up demand for gaming experienced in the prior year following the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures and related operating restrictions. In addition, our patrons typically engaged in less discretionary spending in 2022 due to the impact of macroeconomic conditions.
Operating Expenses
The $36.8 million, or 6%, increase in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year resulted from increases of $12.8 million, $13.3 million, $7.8 million, and $2.9 million in gaming, food and beverage, revenues, respectively, as well as the inclusion of net revenues of American from rooms,
29


and after October 20, 2017.

other operating expenses, respectively. The $82.0 million, or 84%, increase in net revenues related to our Casinos segment resulted primarily from increases of $49.3 million and $16.3 million in “same-store” gaming and room revenues, respectively, as well as the inclusion of net revenues from the resort casino properties we acquired in the American Acquisition from and after October 20, 2017. Additionally, net revenues from Rocky Gap increased $4.0 million due to greater parking capacity to accommodate peak demand days and marketing enhancements that better cater to our gaming customers.

The $24.3 million, or 8%, increase in net revenues related to our Distributed Gaming segment resulted primarily from five new taverns in the Las Vegas Valley during 2017, as well as a full year of revenues from the five taverns we opened in 2016. Additionally, net revenues in 2017 included a full year of revenues from the Montana distributed gaming businesses we acquired in January and April 2016.

Operating Expenses

The $53.4 million, or 18%, increase in operating expenses resultedfor the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily from increasesdriven by higher labor costs and cost of $29.3 million and $15.3 million in gaming expenses and food and beverage expenses, respectively, the inclusion of a full year of


operating expense from the Montana distributed gaming businesses we acquired in January and April 2016,goods incurred, as well as an increase in other operating expenses related to the resort casino properties acquiredincrease in the American Acquisition on October 20, 2017.

number of concert events hosted at our Laughlin Event Center during the first half of 2022 following the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures and related operating restrictions during the summer of 2021.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The $35.4$13.4 million, or 52%6%, increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses resultedfor the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year was primarily from increasesattributable to the increase in share-based compensation ($5.1 millionpayroll and $3.6 millionrelated expenses as well as an increase in costs related to stock optionsutilities and restricted stock units, respectively), salaries and bonus ($3.3 million),maintenance contracts. SG&A expenses are comprised of marketing and advertising, ($0.9 million)utilities, building rent, maintenance contracts, corporate office overhead, information technology, legal, accounting, third-party service providers, executive compensation, share-based compensation, payroll expenses and buildingpayroll taxes.
Depreciation and rent ($1.7 million), which were partially offset by aAmortization
The decrease in professional fees ($1.2 million). Additionally,depreciation and amortization expenses of $6.6 million, or 6%, for the increases reflectedyear ended December 31, 2022 compared to the inclusion of $23.6 million in SG&Aprior year was primarily related to long-lived assets acquired in connection with the American fromCasino and after October 20, 2017,Entertainment Properties LLC acquisition being fully depreciated and amortized. In addition, as welldiscussed in “Note 3 — Assets Held for Sale” in Part I, Item 1: Financial Statements, in connection with our entry into definitive agreements for the sale of Rocky Gap, the assets related to Rocky Gap were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2022 and we ceased recording depreciation and amortization of the opening of five new tavernslong-lived assets included in the Las Vegas Valley in 2017.

Within our Casinos segment, SG&A expenses increased $20.3 million, or 93%, resulting primarilysale from the inclusiondate of SG&Aexecution of the definitive agreements on August 24, 2022.

Loss on Disposal of Assets
Loss on disposal of assets in the amount of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily related to American fromsales of used gaming equipment by our Nevada Taverns segment and after October 20, 2017. The majoritydisposals of property and equipment by our casino properties located in Nevada. Loss on disposal of assets in the SG&A expenses in this segment comprised marketingamount of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to disposals of property and advertising, building and rent expense, bonus and payroll taxes. SG&A expenses at Rocky Gap did not change significantly year-over-year.

Withinequipment by our Distributed Gaming segment SG&A expenses increased $0.7 million or 3%, primarily due to the openingand sales of five new taverns in the Las Vegas Valley in 2017, the inclusion of a full year of SG&A from the Montana distributedused gaming businesses we acquired in January and April 2016, and the opening of five taverns in 2016, partially offsetequipment by a decrease year-over-year in professional fees and equipment rental. The majority of SG&A expenses in this segment comprised payroll taxes, building and rent expense, professional fees and equipment rental.

Corporate-level SG&A increased $14.6 million, or 64% primarily due to an increase of $1.3 million in professional fees and $3.6 million in payroll and related expenses, and the inclusion of $3.2 million of corporate-level SG&A related to American from and after October 20, 2017.

Acquisition and Merger Expenses

Acquisition and merger expenses during 2017 primarily related to the American Acquisition, and during 2016 primarily related to the Merger. Acquisition and merger expenses consisted primarily of financial advisor, legal, accounting and consulting costs.

our Maryland Casino Resort.

Preopening Expenses

Preopening expenses consist of labor, food, utilities, training, initial licensing, rent and organizational costs incurred. Non-capital costs associated with the opening of tavern and casino locations are also expensed as preopening expenses as incurred.

During 2017, preopening expenses related primarily to costs incurred in the opening of new tavern locations in the Las Vegas Valley. During 2016, preopening expenses related primarily to costs incurred in connection with the Montana Acquisitions and the opening of newbranded tavern locations in the Las Vegas Valley.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation increased $11.1 million, or 55%, due primarily to depreciation of the assets acquired in the American Acquisition,casino locations as well as a full year of depreciation on assets acquired in the Montana Acquisitions.

Amortization of intangibles increased $2.2, or 30%, primarily to intangible assets acquired in the American Acquisitionfood and the Montana Acquisitions.


Non-Operating Expense, Net

Non-operating expense, net increased $20.1 million, primarily due to a $13.1 million increase in interest expense from the substantially higher level of indebtedness under the new senior secured credit facilities we entered into in October 2017, partially offset by a gain on change in fair value of derivative of $0.2 million. Non-operating expense, net in 2017 also included $1.7 million related to a loss on extinguishment of debt.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefitbeverage and other venues within our casino locations. Preopening expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $7.92022 primarily related to new branded tavern openings within our Nevada Taverns segment and opening of new venues within our Nevada Casino Resorts segment. Preopening expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily related to our planned expansion into new markets for our Distributed Gaming segment.

Non-Operating Expense, Net
Non-operating expense, net increased by $61.3 million, or 1600%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year primarily due to the decrease in other non-operating income of $60.0 million related to our agreement with William Hill providing for certain payments arising from the acquisition of William Hill by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. discussed in “Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report. Interest expense, net, increased by $0.6 million, or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to the increase in the interest rates under our Credit Facility. We made a $75.0 million prepayment of our term loan borrowings and repurchased $39.5 million in principal amount of 2026 Unsecured Notes in open market transactions during the year, which resulted in a $0.6 million, or 63%, year-over-year increase in non-cash charges for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance costs and discount, as discussed in “Note 7 — Long-Term Debt” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 0.63% for the year ended December 31, 2022, which differed from the federal income tax rate of 21% due to the partial release of the valuation allowance onrelated to deferred tax assets, excess tax deductions related to the exercise of stock options, and the impactlimitation of tax deductions on executive compensation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. IncomeInternal Revenue Code Section 162(m). The effective income tax benefit forrate for the year ended December 31, 20162021 was approximately $4.3 million, attributable primarily to a partial release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate was 137.8% for the year ended December 31, 2017, 0.27%, which differed from the federal tax rate of 35% due21% primarily to the partial release of the valuation allowance, along with the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 was (36.1) %, which differed from the federal tax rate of 35% due to changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

As of December 31, 2017, we evaluated all available positive and negative evidence related to our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets. We considered the expected future book income (losses), taxable loss carryforward potential and other factors in reaching the conclusion that some of the deferred tax assets were expected to be realized, and that therefore, the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets required adjustment.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015

Net Revenues

The $226.2 million, or 128%, increase in net revenues resulted primarily from the inclusion in 2016 of a full year of net revenues related to the distributed gaming and casino businesses acquired on July 31, 2015 in the Merger (compared to five months of the prior year period), as well as the addition of the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions in the first half of 2016.

The $23.9 million, or 33%, increase in net revenues related to our Casinos segment resulted primarily from the inclusion of a full year of net revenues from the casino businesses acquired in the Merger (compared to five months of the prior year period). The casino properties acquired in the Merger contributed net revenues of $34.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $14.0 million during the prior year period. Additionally, net revenues from Rocky Gap increased $3.7 million, reflecting our expansion of parking capacity to accommodate peak demand days, the addition of approximately 31 slots to the casino floor, and marketing enhancements to better cater to our gaming customers.

The $202.2 million, or 195%, increase in net revenues related to our Distributed Gaming segment resulted primarily from the inclusion of a full year of net revenues from the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Merger in 2016, as well as net revenues from the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions during the first half of 2016. The Montana Acquisitions added approximately $47.0 million in net revenues in 2016 from approximately 2,900 slots and over 1,000 amusement games across approximately 300 locations. The net revenues related to our Distributed Gaming segment during 2015 related solely to Sartini Gaming’s distributed gaming business for the five months subsequent to the completion of the Merger.

Operating Expenses

The $169.5 million, or 140%, increase in operating expenses resulted primarily from the inclusion of a full year of operating expenses related to the distributed gaming and casino businesses acquired in the Merger (compared to five months of the prior year period), and operating expenses from the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions, which were completed during the first half of 2016. The increase in operating expenses in our Casinos segment in 2016 was related primarily to the inclusion of a full year of gaming, food and beverage and other operating expenses at our Pahrump, Nevada casinos acquired in the Merger. The increase in operating


expenses related to our Distributed Gaming segment in 2016 was a result of the inclusion of a full year of gaming, food and beverage, rooms and other operating expenses at our taverns and third party locations.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The $29.4 million, or 76%, increase in SG&A expenses resulted primarily from the inclusion of a full year of SG&A expenses related to the distributed gaming and casino businesses acquired on July 31, 2015 in the Merger, as well as the addition of the distributed gaming businesses acquired during the first half of 2016 in the Montana Acquisitions. For the year ended December 31, 2016, SG&A expenses included payroll and related expenses of $26.4 million (including share-based compensation of $3.9 million), marketing and advertising expenses of $3.5 million, building and rent expense of $15.7 million and professional fees of $5.9 million. Share-based compensation expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 due primarily to $0.9 million of additional expense related to the 1,494,475 stock options and 141,296 restricted stock units granted during the year (including reversal of expense for forfeitures), $0.5 million in incremental expense related to the acceleration of unvested stock options related to terminated employees and $0.9 million of incremental expense recorded for the equitable anti-dilutive adjustments made to the exercise prices of outstanding vested and unvested stock options during the period in accordance with our equity incentive plans. For the year ended December 31, 2015, SG&A expenses included payroll and related expenses of $16.0 million (including share-based compensation), marketing and advertising expenses of $3.4 million, building and rent expense of $10.3 million and professional fees of $3.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016, corporate-level SG&A was $19.8 million compared to $11.4 million in the prior year period.

Within our Casinos segment, SG&A expenses were $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $18.3 million for the prior year period. The increase in 2016 resulted primarily from the completion of the Merger on July 31, 2015, which resulted in the inclusion of a full year of SG&A expenses related to Sartini Gaming’s Pahrump casinos for the year ended December 31, 2016 (compared to five months of the prior year period). The majority of the SG&A expense at our Pahrump casinos was derived from payroll and related costs, building and rent expense, and promotions for our customers. SG&A expenses at Rocky Gap casino were $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $16.4 million for the prior year period. The decrease in SG&A expenses at Rocky Gap was a result of cost reduction efforts in marketing and advertising, building expenses, and payroll and related costs.

Within our Distributed Gaming segment, SG&A expenses were $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $9.0 million for the prior year period. The increase in 2016 resulted primarily from the completion of the Merger on July 31, 2015, which resulted in the inclusion of a full year of SG&A expenses related to Sartini Gaming’s distributed gaming businesses for the year ended December 31, 2016 (compared to five months of the prior year period), as well as SG&A expenses related to the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions, which were consummated during the first half of 2016. SG&A expenses related to the Montana Acquisitions were approximately $0.8 million due primarily to building and rent expense, as well as professional fees. The majority of the segment’s SG&A expense was derived from insurance and payroll and related costs, as well as building and rent expense specifically at the taverns. The addition of five new taverns during 2016 accounted for incremental SG&A expense for the Distributed Gaming segment compared to the prior year.

Merger Expenses

We incurred approximately $0.6 million in transaction-related costs associated with the Merger and our obligations under the Merger Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $11.5 million during the prior year period. Merger expenses consisted primarily of financial advisor, legal, accounting and consulting costs.

Preopening Expenses

During the year ended December 31, 2016, preopening expenses were $2.5 million, which related primarily to costs incurred in connection with the Montana Acquisitions and new tavern locations in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the year ended December 31, 2015, preopening expenses were $0.4 million in connection with new tavern locations in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation increased $11.7 million, or 138%, due primarily to depreciation of the assets acquired pursuant to the Merger, as well as assets acquired in the Montana Acquisitions. Amortization of intangibles increased $5.0 million, or 217%, related primarily to intangible assets acquired in the Merger and the Montana Acquisitions,.

Non-Operating Expense, Net

Non-operating expense, net was $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $3.8 million for the prior year period. The decrease in non-operating expense, net, was driven primarily by a $3.7 million increase in interest expense in 2016 compared to the prior year period, related to our entering into a new senior secured credit facility in July 31, 2015 in connection with the Merger and the incurrence of indebtedness thereunder, offset by a gain on sale of land held for sale of $4.5 million. Non-operating expense, net for 2015 included $1.2 million related to a loss on extinguishment of debt.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was approximately $4.3 million, attributed primarily to a partial release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The release was the result of positive evidence that we will more likely than not be able to utilize some of our deferred tax assets. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $10.0 million, primarily related to the partial release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting from the assumption of a $14.7 million net deferred tax liability generated from intangible assets acquired in the Merger. Our effective tax rate was (36.1) % for the year ended December 31, 2016, which differed from the federal tax rate of 35% due to the releasechange in valuation allowanceallowance.

30


We recognize penalties and interest related to uncertain tax benefits in the fourth quarter of 2016. Our effective tax rate was (68.4)%provision for the year ended December 31, 2015, which differed from the federal tax rate of 35% due to the $10.2 million release of the valuation allowanceincome taxes.
Revenues and the limitation of the income tax benefit due to the uncertainty of its future realization.

As of December 31, 2016, we evaluated all available positive and negative evidence related to our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets. We considered the expected future book income (losses), taxable loss carryforward potential and other factors in reaching the conclusion that some of the deferred tax assets were expected to be realized, and that therefore, the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets required adjustment.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA by Reportable Segment

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use Adjusted EBITDA a measure we believebecause it is appropriate to provide meaningful comparison with,the primary metric used by our chief operating decision makers and to enhance an overall understanding of,investors in measuring both our past financial performance and prospects for the future. We believefuture expectations of performance. Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to both management and investorsthe users of our financial statements by excluding specific expenses and gains that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results. Further,Furthermore, our annual performance plan used to determine compensation for our executive officers and employees is tied to the Adjusted EBITDA metric. It is also a measure of operating performance used by management, as well as industry analysts, to evaluate operations and operating performance and is widely used in the gaming industry. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. A reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the table below.

We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, severance expenses, preopening and related expenses, acquisition and merger expenses, share-based compensation expenses, executive severance and sign-on bonuses, gain on revaluation of contingent consideration, class action litigation expenses, gain/or loss on disposal of property and equipment or investments, gain on change in fair value of derivative, loss on extinguishment of debt and impairmentsassets, share-based compensation expenses, non-cash lease expense, and other gains and losses.

non-cash charges that are deemed to be not indicative of our core operating results, calculated before corporate overhead (which is not allocated to each reportable segment).

31



The following table presents our total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA by reportable segment and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):

to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

72,915

 

 

$

48,595

 

 

$

18,274

 

Acquisition and merger expenses

 

(5,041

)

 

 

(614

)

 

 

(11,525

)

Share-based compensation

 

(8,754

)

 

 

(3,878

)

 

 

(809

)

Disposition of notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,590

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(40,786

)

 

 

(27,506

)

 

 

(10,798

)

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

 

1,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preopening expenses

 

(1,632

)

 

 

(2,471

)

 

 

(421

)

Class action litigation expenses

 

(1,617

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive severance and sign-on bonuses

 

(1,142

)

 

 

(1,037

)

 

 

 

Other operating, net

 

(284

)

 

 

(54

)

 

 

52

 

Income from operations

 

15,378

 

 

 

13,035

 

 

 

18,363

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(19,598

)

 

 

(6,454

)

 

 

(2,728

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

(1,708

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,174

)

Gain on change in fair value of derivative

 

178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of land held for sale

 

 

 

 

4,525

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

���

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

90

 

Total non-operating expense, net

 

(21,128

)

 

 

(1,060

)

 

 

(3,812

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax benefit

 

(5,750

)

 

 

11,975

 

 

 

14,551

 

Income tax benefit

 

7,921

 

 

 

4,325

 

 

 

9,969

 

Net income

$

2,171

 

 

$

16,300

 

 

$

24,520

 

Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Revenues
Nevada Casino Resorts$406,950 $389,712 $250,643 
Nevada Locals Casinos157,514 159,855 113,031 
Maryland Casino Resort78,010 78,155 51,636 
Nevada Taverns109,965 110,170 64,041 
Distributed Gaming365,472 357,414 214,215 
Corporate and other3,808 1,237 589 
Total Revenues$1,121,719 $1,096,543 $694,155 
Adjusted EBITDA
Nevada Casino Resorts$135,104 $149,077 $57,462 
Nevada Locals Casinos75,848 80,005 45,610 
Maryland Casino Resort25,383 26,697 15,094 
Nevada Taverns37,610 39,762 10,086 
Distributed Gaming44,021 47,514 16,866 
Corporate and other(50,886)(51,337)(34,861)
Total Adjusted EBITDA$267,080 $291,718 $110,257 
Net income (loss)$82,346 $161,776 $(136,611)
Adjustments
Other non-operating income— (60,000)— 
Depreciation and amortization100,123 106,692 124,430 
Non-cash lease expense165 762 1,344 
Share-based compensation13,433 14,401 9,637 
Loss on disposal of assets934 1,260 803 
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification1,590 975 — 
Preopening and related expenses (1)
161 246 533 
Severance expenses378 228 3,710 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets— — 33,964 
Other, net3,939 2,089 3,275 
Interest expense, net63,490 62,853 69,110 
Change in fair value of derivative— — 
Income tax provision521 436 61 
Adjusted EBITDA$267,080 $291,718 $110,257 

(1)Preopening and related expenses consist of labor, food, utilities, training, initial licensing, rent and organizational costs incurred in connection with the opening of branded tavern and casino locations as well as food and beverage and other venues within our casino locations.
Nevada Casino Resorts
Revenues increased by $17.2 million, or 4%, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $14.0 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by increases of $6.3 million, $9.4 million and $6.3 million in food and beverage, rooms, and other revenues, respectively, offset by a decrease of $4.8 million in gaming revenues. The increase in revenues over the prior year was primarily driven by an increase in occupancy of our hotel rooms during the first half of 2022 relative to the prior year (reflecting the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures and related operating restrictions during the summer of 2021) combined with a higher average daily rate. The decrease in gaming revenues over the prior year was primarily attributable to a decrease in demand for gaming in the second half of the year due to the
32


impact of macroeconomic conditions on our gaming patrons. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to higher labor costs and cost of goods and additional expenses related to the entertainment offerings at our Laughlin Event Center for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Nevada Locals Casinos
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.3 million, or 1%, and $4.2 million, or 5%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenues was driven by a $6.1 million decrease in gaming revenues, offset by increases of $1.2 million, $2.5 million, and $0.1 million in food and beverage, rooms, and other revenues, respectively. The decrease in gaming revenues over the prior year was primarily attributable to a decrease in patron visitation due to the stabilization of demand for gaming compared to the pent-up demand experienced in the second half of 2021 following the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures during the summer of 2021 and the effect of government stimulus payments in 2021 on discretionary consumer spending. Higher food and beverage and rooms revenues were primarily driven by a higher average daily rate and an increase in guest visitation. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to higher labor costs and cost of goods.
Maryland Casino Resort
Revenues remained relatively consistent with the prior year with a decrease of $0.1 million compared to 2021 and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.3 million, or 5%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenues was driven by a $1.2 million decrease in gaming revenues, offset by increases of $0.5 million and $0.6 million in food and beverage and rooms revenues, respectively. Higher food and beverage and rooms revenues were driven by a higher average daily rate and an increase in guest visitation following the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures during the summer of 2021. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA compared to the prior year resulted from an increase in labor costs and costs of goods.
Nevada Taverns
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $0.2 million, or 0.2%, and $2.2 million, or 5%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenues was driven by decreases of $0.3 million and $0.4 million in gaming and food and beverage revenues, respectively, offset by an increase of $0.5 million in other revenues. The decrease in revenues was primarily driven by a decrease in patron visitation due to the stabilization of demand for gaming compared to the pent-up demand experienced in the second half of 2021 following the lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures during the summer of 2021 and the effect of government stimulus payments in 2021 on discretionary consumer spending. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to higher labor costs and cost of goods compared to the prior year.
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased by $46.1 million, or 72%, and $29.7 million, or 294%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020. The increase in revenues was driven by increases of $25.7 million, $19.0 million, and $1.4 million in gaming, food and beverage, and other revenues, respectively. The increase in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year was primarily as a result of a full year of operations and the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures, whereas in the prior year our operations were subject to mandatory property closure requirements commencing in March 2020 which lasted through the end of the third quarter of 2020.
Distributed Gaming
Revenues increased by $8.1 million, or 2%, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $3.5 million, or 7%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase in revenues was driven by increases of $7.1 million and $1.0 million in gaming and other revenues, respectively. The increase in revenues was primarily related to the expansion of our distributed gaming locations as well as the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures during 2021. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year is primarily related to an increase in labor costs and an increase in costs of providing gaming related services to third parties under our space lease and participation agreements.
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased by $143.2 million, or 67%, and $30.6 million, or 182%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020. The increase in revenues was driven by increases of $140.2 million, $0.4 million and $2.6 million in gaming, food and beverage, and other revenues, respectively. The increase in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year was primarily due to a full year of operations and the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures, whereas in the prior year our operations were subject to mandatory property closure requirements commencing in March 2020. Our Distributed Gaming operations in Montana and Nevada resumed on May 4, 2020 and June 4, 2020, respectively.
33


Adjusted EBITDA Margin
For the year ended December 31, 2022, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of segment revenues (or Adjusted EBITDA margin) was 33%, 48%, 33%, 34%, and 12% for Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos, Maryland Casino Resort, Nevada Taverns, and Distributed Gaming, respectively, as compared to Adjusted EBITDA margins of 38%, 50%, 34%, 36%, and 13% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The lower Adjusted EBITDA margins for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year were primarily attributable to increases in labor costs and cost of goods. In addition, lower Adjusted EBITDA margins in our Distributed Gaming segment reflect the fixed and variable amounts paid to third parties under our space lease and participation agreements as expenses.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
For a discussion of our results of operations (including revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for our Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos and Maryland Casino Resort segments) for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2017,2022, we had $90.6$142.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and no short-term investments.equivalents. We currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations and borrowing availability under our $240 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements during the next 12 months.

As of December 31, 2022, we had borrowing availability of $240 million under our Revolving Credit Facility (refer to “Note 7 — Long-Term Debt” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report for additional information regarding our Revolving Credit Facility). In addition, as discussed above, we have entered into definitive agreements to sell Rocky Gap for aggregate consideration of $260.0 million in cash, which transactions are expected to close during the second quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Our operating results and performance depend significantly on national, regional and local economic conditions and their effect on consumer spending. Declines in consumer spending would cause revenues generated in bothby our Casinos and Distributed Gaming segmentsoperations to be adversely affected.

To further enhance our liquidity position or to finance any future acquisition or other business investment initiatives, we may obtain additional financing, which could consist of debt, convertible debt or equity financing from public and/or private credit and capital markets. In January 2018, the SEC declared effective our universal shelf registration statement with the SEC
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $150.2 million, $295.8 million and $36.7 million for the future saleyears ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $145.6 million, or 49%, decrease in operating cash flows in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily related to a decrease of up to $150$18.1 million, or 11%, in operating income, and the timing of working capital spending. The year ended December 31, 2021 also included the impact of $60.0 million in aggregate amountnon-operating income related to our agreement with William Hill providing for certain payments arising from the acquisition of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrantsWilliam Hill by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. as discussed in “Note 13 — Commitments and unitsContingencies” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report. The $259.1 million, or 706%, increase in operating cash flows for the resaleyear ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily attributable to a full year of upoperations in 2021, whereas in the prior year our operations were subject to approximately 8.0mandatory property closure requirements commencing in March 2020 resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 reflects a $60 million sharespayment received in the third quarter of our common stock held by the selling security holders named therein. The securities may be offered2021 from time to time, separately or together, directly by us or through underwriters, dealers or agents at amounts, prices, interest rates and other terms to be determined at the time of the offering.

In January 2018, subsequent to fiscal year end, we completed an underwritten public offeringCaesars Entertainment, Inc. pursuant to our universal shelf registration statement,agreement with William Hill discussed above.

Net cash used in which certaininvesting activities was $51.3 million, $28.9 million and $35.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $22.4 million, or 77%, increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2022 compared to 2021 related to the increase in our capital expenditures. The $7.0 million, or 19%, decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020 reflected management’s continued focus on preservation of our shareholders resold an aggregateliquidity and deferral of 6.5material capital expenditures in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net cash used in financing activities was $177.4 million, shares$149.9 million and $9.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $27.5 million, or 18%, increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2022
34


compared to 2021 primarily related to the prepayment of our common stock,outstanding term loan borrowings with a principal amount of $75.0 million, a $39.5 million repurchase in principal amount of 2026 Unsecured Notes in open market transactions, and we sold 975,000 newly issued shares$51.2 million in repurchases of our common stock pursuant to the exerciseshare repurchase program, followed by payments of tax withholding on option exercises and the vesting of RSUs. The $140.9 million, or 1566%, increase in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. Our net proceeds from the offering were approximately $25.3 million after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. We expect to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, capital expenditures, opportunistic acquisitions or working capital.


Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $37.4 million for the prior year period, which decrease was primarily due to the flow-through effect of lower revenues and timing of working capital spending. Operating cash flows increased $28.1 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to the flow-through effect of higher revenues, as well as the timing of working capital spending.

Net cash used in investing activities was $756.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which included a cash outflow of $724.5 million for the American Acquisition and $29.5 million for capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities in 2016 included cash used in the Montana Acquisitions and capital expenditures. In 2015, net cash provided by investing activities was $90.0 million and related primarily to the cash acquired in the Merger, partially offset by the net purchase, maturity and sales of short-term investments.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $777.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $11.4 million for the prior year period. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 reflected borrowings of $789.0 million under our new senior secured credit facilities net of repayments under our previous senior secured credit facility. Net cash provided by financing activities in the prior year reflected net borrowings of $36.5 million under our then-existing senior secured credit facility, partly offset by the $23.5 million Special Dividend paid in July 2016. Net cash used in financing activities in 2015 reflected net repayments of $59.6 million under our then-existing senior secured credit facilities, debt issuance costs of $2.8 million and $3.4 million2021 compared to 2020 primarily related to the repurchaseprepayment of warrants related to the Merger.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

As of December 31, 2017, our senior secured credit facilities consisted of a $900.0 million senior secured first lien credit facility (consisting of $800.0 million in term loans and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as administrative agent and collateral agent), the lenders party thereto and the other entities party thereto (the “First Lien Facility”), and a $200.0 million senior secured second lien term loan facility with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (as administrative agent and collateral agent), the lenders party thereto and the other entities party thereto (the “Second Lien Term Loan” and, together with the First Lien Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). As of December 31, 2017, $800.0 million and $200.0 million ofoutstanding term loan borrowings were outstanding underwith a principal amount of $122.0 million, $10.6 million in open market repurchases of our First Liencommon stock pursuant to the share repurchase program, repayments of notes payable and finance leases, and tax withholding on option exercises and the vesting of RSUs. We also paid $0.7 million for debt modification costs and fees in connection with the increase of the size and extension of the maturity date for our Revolving Credit Facility.

Long-Term Debt
For information regarding our Credit Facility and Second Lien Term Loan, respectively, there were no lettersIndenture refer to “Note 7 — Long-Term Debt” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of credit outstanding under the First Lien Facility, and our revolving credit facility was undrawn, leaving borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2017 of $100.0 million.

Borrowings under each of the Credit Facilities bear interest, at our option, at either (1) a base rate equal to the greatest of the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, the applicable administrative agent’s prime rate as announcedthis Annual Report.

Share Repurchase Program
Share repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, block trades or the LIBOR rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 1.75% (with respect to the term loans) or 1.00% (with respect to borrowings under the revolving credit facility) or (2) the LIBOR rate for thein private transactions in accordance with applicable interest period, subject to a floor of 0.75% (with respect to the term loans only), plus in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the term loans under the First Lien Facility is 2.00% for base rate loanssecurities laws and 3.00% for LIBOR rate loans. The applicable margin for borrowings under the revolving credit facility under the First Lien Facility ranges from 1.50% to 2.00% for base rate loansregulations and 2.50% to 3.00% for LIBOR rate loans, based on our net leverage ratio. The applicable margin for the Second Lien Term Loan is 6.00% for base rate loans and 7.00% for LIBOR rate loans. The commitment fee for the revolving credit facility is payable quarterly at a rate of between 0.375% and 0.50%, depending on our net leverage ratio, and is accrued based on the average daily unused amount of the available revolving commitment. As of December 31, 2017, the weighted-average effective interest rate on our outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facilities was approximately 5.1%.

The revolving credit facility under the First Lien Facility matures on October 20, 2022, and the term loans under the First Lien Facility mature on October 20, 2024. The term loans under the First Lien Facility must be repaid in 27 quarterly installments of $2.0 million each, which commence in March 2018, followed by a final installment of $746.0 million at maturity. The term loans under the Second Lien Term Loan must be repaid in full at maturity on October 20, 2025.


Borrowings under each of the Credit Facilities are guaranteed by each of our existing and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (other than certain insignificant or unrestricted subsidiaries), and are secured by substantially all of the present and future assets of Golden and our subsidiary guarantors (subject to certain exceptions).

Under the Credit Facilities, we and our restricted subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations,other legal requirements, including limitations on our respective ability to: incur additional debt, grant liens, sell assets, make certain investments, pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments. In addition, we will be required to pay down the term loans under the Credit Facilities under certain circumstances if we or our restricted subsidiaries issue debt, sell assets, receive certain extraordinary receipts or generate excess cash flow (subject to exceptions). The revolving credit facility under the First Lien Facility contains a financial covenant regarding a maximum net leverage ratio that applies when borrowings under the revolving credit facility exceed 30% of the total revolving commitment. The Credit Facilities also prohibit the occurrence of a change of control, which includes the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of our capital stock (other than by certain permitted holders, which include, among others, Blake L. Sartini, Lyle A. Berman, Neil I. Sell and certain affiliated entities). If we default under the Credit Facilities due to a covenant breach or otherwise, the lenders may be entitled to, among other things, require the immediate repayment of all outstanding amounts and sell our assets to satisfy the obligations thereunder. We were in compliance with our financial covenants under the Credit Facilities asfinance agreements. There is no minimum number of December 31, 2017.

Former Senior Secured Credit Facility

In connection with the American Acquisitionshares that we are required to repurchase and the entry into the Credit Facilities,repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Refer to “Note 8 — Shareholders’ Equity and Stock Incentive Plans” in October 2017 we repaid all principal amounts outstanding underPart II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data and “Share Repurchase Program and Issuer Purchase of Equity” in Part II, Item 5: Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities of this Annual Report for additional information regarding our former credit agreement with Capital One, National Association (as administrative agent)share repurchase program and the lenders named therein (the “Former Credit Agreement”), which amounted to approximately $173.4 million, together with accrued interest. As a result of the repayment and discharge of the Former Credit Facility, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Sale of Jamul Tribe Promissory Note

On December 9, 2015, we sold our $60.0 million Jamul Note to a subsidiary of Penn National for approximately $24.0 million in cash. We had previously determined the fair value of the Jamul Note to be zero as of December 28, 2014. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to applicable law, we agreed that the proceeds received from the sale of the Jamul Note, net of related costs, would be distributed in a special cash dividendcommon stock purchases made pursuant to our shareholders holding shares as of the record date for such dividend (other than shareholders that had waived their right to receive such dividend in connection with the Merger). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Sartini Gaming’s former sole shareholder, for itself and any related party transferees of its shares, waived their right to receive such dividend with respect to their shares (which totaled 7,996,393 shares in the aggregate). Also in connection with the Merger, holders of an additional 457,172 shares waived their right to receive such dividend. On June 17, 2016, our Board of Directors approved and declared the Special Dividend to the eligible shareholders of record on the close of business on the Record Date of June 30, 2016 of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million, which was paid on July 14, 2016. The $1.71 per share amount of the Special Dividend was calculated by dividing the aggregate amount of the Special Dividend by 13,759,374 outstanding shares of common stock held by eligible shareholders on the close of business on the Record Date (rounded down to the nearest whole cent per share).

In connection with the Special Dividend and in accordance with our equity incentive plans approved by our shareholders, equitable anti-dilutive adjustments were made to the exercise prices of outstanding stock options to purchase shares of our common stock in order to preserve the value of such stock options following the Special Dividend. Accordingly, effective as of the close of business on the dividend payment date of July 14, 2016, the exercise price of each stock option under our equity incentive plans outstanding on the Record Date was reduced by $1.71 per share. See Note 9, Share-Based Compensation, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information on our anti-dilutive adjustments to the outstanding stock options.

repurchase program.

Other Items Affecting Liquidity

We currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the next twelve months. Any additional financing that is needed may not be available to us or, if available, may not be on terms favorable to us.

The outcome of the following specific matters, including our commitments and contingencies, may also affect our liquidity.

Commitments, Capital Spending and Development

We perform on-going refurbishment and maintenance at our facilities, of which certain maintenance costs are capitalized if such improvement or refurbishment extends the life of the related asset, while other maintenance costs that do not so qualify are expensed as incurred. The commitment of capital and the related timing thereof are contingent upon, among other things, negotiation of final agreements and receipt of approvals from the appropriate regulatory bodies. We intend to fund such capital expenditures through our revolving credit facility and operating cash flows.

flows and Revolving Credit Facility.

Refer to “Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report for additional information regarding commitments and contingencies that may also affect our liquidity.
Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017:

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

Thereafter

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Facility

$

8,000

 

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

760,000

 

Second Lien Term Loan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,000

 

Interest on long-term debt (1)

 

52,961

 

 

 

52,591

 

 

 

52,219

 

 

 

51,852

 

 

 

51,491

 

 

 

107,680

 

Maryland DNR lease(2)

 

425

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

12,998

 

Gold Town Casino leases(3)

 

628

 

 

 

636

 

 

 

642

 

 

 

649

 

 

 

535

 

 

 

16,085

 

Space lease agreements

 

28,038

 

 

 

27,006

 

 

 

7,373

 

 

 

3,652

 

 

 

1,737

 

 

 

703

 

Related party leases

 

1,559

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,536

 

 

 

6,097

 

Other operating leases (4)

 

11,168

 

 

 

10,452

 

 

 

10,293

 

 

 

9,498

 

 

 

8,468

 

 

 

53,345

 

Notes payable and capital lease obligations(5)

 

1,759

 

 

 

1,177

 

 

 

1,111

 

 

 

465

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

2,343

 

 

$

104,538

 

 

$

101,822

 

 

$

81,598

 

 

$

76,076

 

 

$

72,335

 

 

$

1,159,251

 

(1)

To the extent that applicable interest rates are variable and ultimate amounts borrowed under the Credit Facilities may fluctuate, amounts reflected represent estimated interest payments on our current outstanding balances based on interest rates at December 31, 2017 until maturity. Includes interest on notes payable.

2022:

(2)

In 2012, we entered into a 40-year operating ground lease with the Maryland DNR for approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park in which Rocky Gap is situated. The lease expires in 2052, with an option to renew for an additional 20 years. Rent payments under the lease include variable amounts based on Rocky Gap gaming revenue and surcharges on amounts billed to and collected from guests. See Note 13, Leases, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information regarding the lease.

20232024202520262027ThereafterTotal
(In thousands)
Term Loan$— $575,000 $— $— $— $— $575,000 
2026 Unsecured Notes— — — 335,461 — — 335,461 
Notes payable90 — — — — — 90 
Interest on long-term debt (1)
68,073 57,448 25,579 8,526 — — 159,626 
Operating leases (2)
50,372 43,268 26,378 16,933 12,755 54,674 204,380 
Finance lease obligations (3)
521 227 200 200 214 3,213 4,575 
Purchase obligations (4)
922 500 500 500 500 3,734 6,656 
$119,978 $676,443 $52,657 $361,620 $13,469 $61,621 $1,285,788 

(3)

We lease the approximately nine acres of land on which our Gold Town Casino is located from several unrelated parties.

(1)Represents estimated interest payments on our outstanding term loan borrowings under our Credit Facility based on interest rates as of December 31, 2022 until maturity, as well as interest on our 2026 Unsecured Notes and notes payable.

(4)

We lease taverns, equipment and vehicles under noncancelable operating leases. The terms of the tavern leases range from one to 15 years, with various renewal options from one to 15 years.

35


(5)

Relates to notes payable on equipment purchases and previous tavern acquisitions and our capital lease obligations, including total capital lease interest obligations of $6.6 million.

(2)Includes total operating lease interest obligations of $40.2 million.

(3)Includes total finance lease interest obligations of $2.4 million.

(4)Represents obligations related to license agreements.
Other Opportunities

We may investigate and pursue expansion opportunities in our existing or new markets.markets from time to time. Such expansions will be influenced and determined by a number of factors, which may include licensing availability and approval, suitable investment opportunities and availability of acceptable financing. Investigation and pursuit of such opportunities may require us to make substantial investments or incur substantial costs, which we may fund through cash flows from operations or borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility.Revolving Credit Facility. To the extent such sources of funds are not sufficient, we may also seek to raise such additional funds through public or private equity or debt financings or from other sources. No assurance can be given that additional financing will be available or that, if available, such financing will be obtainable on terms favorable to us. Moreover, we can provide no assurances that the investigation or pursuit of an opportunity will result in a completed transaction.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluateThe SEC has defined critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the presentation of the financial position and results of operations, and which require management to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. We have identified our critical accounting policies that meet this definition below. Other key accounting policies that involve the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions are discussed in “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report. We believe that our estimates and judgments, including those related toassumptions are reasonable, based upon information presently available; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Valuation of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2022, the applicationvalue of the acquisition method of accounting, long-lived assets,our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets revenue recognitionwas $158.4 million and promotional allowances, income taxes$46.8 million, respectively. As discussed in “Note 5 — Goodwill and share-based compensation expenses. We base our estimatesIntangible Assets” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and judgments on historical experience and on various other factorsSupplemental Data of this Annual Report, we concluded that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

The following represent our accounting policies that involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparationthere was no impairment of our consolidated financial statements. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information regarding our significant accounting policies.

Application of the Acquisition Method of Accounting

The application of the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the use of significant estimatesgoodwill and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to appropriately allocate the purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized from goodwill. Accounting for acquisitions requires that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets are estimated using both the cost approach and an income approach, including the excess earnings, relief from royalty, cost savings method and the with-and-without methods. This requires our management to make significant estimates in determining the fair values, including market participant assumptions, projected financial information, estimates of expected cash flows, brand recognition, customer attrition rates and discount rates. Given the need for such significant judgments, we may engage the assistance of independent valuation firms. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Our estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but are inherently unpredictable and uncertain. During the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record measurement period adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred in our consolidated statement of operations.

On October 20, 2017, we acquired American. We have applied the acquisition method of accounting to this transaction. Our estimation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the transaction was determined based on certain valuations and analyses that we have yet to finalize, and accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the American Acquisition are subject to adjustment once we complete such analyses. We may record adjustments to the carrying value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill during the applicable measurement period, which can be up to one year from the date of the consummation of the acquisition. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information regarding the American Acquisition.


Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets were carried at $895.2 million as of December 31, 2017, comprising 65.6% of2022 and 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded impairment charges to our consolidated total assets. We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. If triggering events are identified, we then compare the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of such assets to the carrying value of the assets. Any such assets are not impaired if the undiscounted future cash flows exceed their carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recorded, typically measured using a discounted cash flow model, which is based on the estimated future results of the relevant reporting unit discounted using our weighted-average cost of capitalgoodwill and market indicators of terminal year free cash flow multiples.

A long-lived asset must be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Examples include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which we use the asset, a change in its physical condition, or an unexpected change in financial performance.

We reconsider changes in circumstances on a frequent basis, as well as whenever a triggering event related to potential impairment has occurred. There are three generally accepted approaches available in developing an opinion of value: the cost, sales comparison and income approaches. We generally consider each of these approaches in developing a recommendation of the fair value of the asset; however, the reliability of each approach is dependent upon the availability and comparability of the market data uncovered, as well as the decision-making criteria used by market participants when evaluating an asset. We will bifurcate our investment and apply the most indicative approach to overall fair valuation, or in some cases, a weighted analysis of any or all of these methods. Given the need for significant judgements in conducting such valuations, we may engage the assistance of independent valuation firms.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

We review indefinite-lived intangible assets of $27.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

We test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets comprised of trade names for impairment annually during ourthe fourth quarter of each year, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We can opt to perform a qualitative assessment to test a reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment or we can directly perform the two-step impairment test. Based on the qualitative assessment, if we determine that the fair value of a reporting unitit is more likely than not (i.e.,that impairment may have occurred. When performing testing for impairment, we either conduct a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test will be performed.

In the first step of the impairment test, the current fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow model which is then compared to the carrying value of each reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value in step 1 of the impairment test, then step 2 of the impairment test is performedqualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the implied fair valueasset is impaired, or elect to bypass this qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative test. Under the qualitative assessment, we consider both positive and negative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry events, financial performance and other changes, and make a determination of goodwill forwhether it is more likely than not that reporting unit. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the goodwill allocated for that reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized.

We consider our Nevada and Montana gaming licenses as indefinite-lived intangible assets that do not require amortization based on our future expectations to operate our gaming facilities indefinitely as well as our historical experience in renewing these intangible assets at minimal cost. We consider our trade names related to our Nevada casinos and taverns as indefinite-lived intangible assets that do not require amortization based on our future expectations to operate our casinos and taverns indefinitely under these trade names. Rather, these intangible assets are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the recorded assets to theirits carrying amount. If, after assessing the carrying amount exceeds their fair value, an impairment lossqualitative factors, we determine that it is recognized. We complete our testing of our intangible assets prior to assessing our goodwill for possible impairment.

The evaluation of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets requiresmore likely than not the use of estimates about future operating results of each reporting unit to determineasset is impaired, we then perform a quantitative test in which the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of our trade names is estimated using the income approach to valuation at each of our reporting units.

The estimation of fair value for both goodwill and the indefinite-lived intangible assets. We mustassets requires management to make variouscritical estimates, judgments and assumptions, and estimates in performing our impairment testing. The implied fair value includes estimates ofsuch as: the valuation methodology, the estimated future cash flows (including an allocationfor each of our projected rental obligationreporting units, the discount rate used to our reporting units) that are based on reasonable and supportable assumptions which represent our best estimates


calculate the present value of thesuch cash flows, expectedour current valuation multiple and multiples of comparable publicly traded companies, and royalty rate to result from the usebe applied to valuation of the assets including their eventual disposition. Changes in estimates, increases in our cost of capital, reductions in transaction multiples, changes in operating and capital expenditure assumptions or applicationtrade names. Application of alternative assumptionsestimates and definitionsassumptions could produce significantly different results. Futureresults, especially with regards to estimated future cash flow estimatesflows, as they are, by their nature, subjective and actual results may differ materially from oursuch estimates. If our ongoingCash flow estimates of future cash flows are not met, we may have to record impairment charges in future accounting periods. Our estimates of cash flowsunpredictable and inherently uncertain, since they are based on the current regulatory, political and economic climates, recent operating information and budgets of the various properties where we conduct operations. Theseprojections. Such estimates could be negatively impacted by changes in federal, state or local regulations, economic downturns, or othercompetition, events affecting various forms of travel and access to our properties.

Forecastedproperties,

36


and other factors. If our estimates of future cash flows (based on our annual operating plan as determinedare not met or if there are changes in significant assumptions and judgments used in the fourth quarter) canestimation process, including the discount rate and market multiple, we may have to record impairment charges in the future.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets at Colorado Belle
As of December 31, 2022, the balance of long-lived assets at Colorado Belle was $29.1 million. As discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, the operations of the Colorado Belle remain suspended. Since we review the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be significantly impacted byrecoverable, suspension of this casino resort property’s operations qualified as an indicator that impairment may exist related to our long-lived assets at Colorado Belle. As discussed in “Note 4 — Property and Equipment” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report, the local economy in which our reporting units operate. For example, increases in unemployment rates canresults of interim and annual assessments conducted during the year did not result in decreased customer visitations and/or lower customer spend per visit. In addition,an impairment of the impact of new legislation which approves gaming in nearby jurisdictions or further expands gaming in jurisdictions where our reporting units currently operate can result in opportunities for us to expand our operations. However, it also has the impact of increasing competition for our established properties which generally will have a negative effect on those locations’ profitability once competitors become established, as some erosion of revenues occurs absent an overall increase in customer visitations. Lastly, increases in gaming taxes approved by state regulatory bodies can negatively impact forecasted cash flows.

Assumptions and estimates about future cash flow levels and multiples by individual reporting units are complex and subjective. They are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors, such as industry, geopolitical and economic trends, and internal factors, such as changes in our business strategy, which may reallocate capital and resources to different or new opportunities which management believes will enhance our overall value but may be to the detriment of an individual reporting unit. 

Our annual goodwill impairment analysis, performed using the qualitative assessment optionlong-lived assets at Colorado Belle as of and for the first day of the fourth quarter of the yearyears ended December 31, 2017, resulted in2022 and 2021.

Recoverability of a conclusion that it was more likely than not thatlong-lived asset is evaluated by comparing the fair valueestimated future cash flows of our reporting units exceeded their respectivethe asset, on an undiscounted basis, to its carrying values. As a result, we concluded thatamount. If the two-step goodwillundiscounted estimated future cash flows exceed the carrying amount, no impairment test was not necessary. Additionally, none of our reporting units incurred goodwill impairment charges during 2016.is indicated. If the undiscounted estimated future operating results of our reporting unitscash flows do not meet current expectations, it could causeexceed the carrying values of our reporting units to exceed their fair values in future periods, potentially resulting in a goodwillamount, impairment charge.

Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances

We generally enter into three types of slot and amusement device placement contracts as part of our distributed gaming business: space lease, revenue share and participation agreements. Under space lease agreements, we pay a fixed monthly rental fee for the right to install, maintain and operate our slots at a business location. Under revenue share agreements, we pay the business location a percentage of the gaming revenue generated from our slots placed at the location, rather than a fixed monthly rental fee. With regard to both space lease and revenue share agreements, we hold the applicable gaming license to conduct gaming at the location (although revenue share locations are required to obtain separate regulatory approval to receive a percentage of the gaming revenue). Under participation agreements, the business location holds the applicable gaming license and retains a percentage of the gaming revenue that it generates from our slots. In Montana, our slot and amusement device placement contracts are all revenue share agreements.

Gaming revenue, which is defined as the difference between gaming wins and losses, is recognized as wins and losses occur from gaming activities. The retail value of rooms, food and beverage, and other services furnished to customers without charge, including coupons for discounts when redeemed, is included in gross revenues and then deducted as a promotional allowance. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is included in gaming expenses.

Food, beverage, and retail revenues are recorded at the time of sale. Room revenue is recorded at the time of occupancy. Sales taxes and surcharges collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presentedbased on a net basis. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are charged off through a provision for uncollectible accounts.


Income Taxes

The determination of our income tax-related account balances requires the exercise of significant judgment by management. Accordingly, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statementasset’s estimated fair value and tax basisits carrying amount. To estimate fair values, we generally use market comparables, when available, or a discounted cash flow model. The estimation of assetsfair value utilizing a discounted cash flow model requires management to make critical estimates, judgments and liabilities using enacted taxassumptions with regards to estimated future cash flows, including future growth rates, in effect for the year in which the differencesoperating margins, economic and business conditions, and discount rate, as they are, expected to affect taxable income. Management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recoveredby their nature, subjective and actual results may differ materially from future taxable incomesuch estimates. Cash flow estimates are unpredictable and establishes a valuation allowance when management believes recovery is not likely.

We record estimated penalties and interest related to income tax matters, includinginherently uncertain, tax positions, if any, as a component of income tax expense.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards such as stock options and restricted stock units. We use the straight-line method to recognize compensation expense associated with share-based awardssince they are based on the fair value on the datecurrent regulatory, political and economic climates, recent operating information and projections. Such estimates could be negatively impacted by changes in federal, state or local regulations, economic downturns, competition, events affecting various forms of grant. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period relatedtravel and access to each award, which is the period between the grant dateour properties, and the award’s stated vesting term. The fair valueother factors. If our estimates of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Management makes severalfuture cash flows are not met or if there are changes in significant assumptions to determine the inputs into the Black-Scholes option pricing model, including our volatility and expected term assumptions which can significantly affect the fair value of stock options. For restricted stock units, compensation expense is calculated based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Changesjudgments used in the assumptions can materially affect the estimate of the fair value of share-based compensation expense recognizedestimation process, we may have to record impairment charges in the consolidated statement of operations. The extent of the impact will depend, in part, on the extent of awards in any given year. All of our stock compensation expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

future.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See

Refer to Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesPolicies” in the accompanying consolidated financial statementsPart II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Regulation and Taxes

The casino and distributed gaming industries are subject to extensive regulation by state gaming authorities. Changes in applicable laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.

The gaming industry represents a significant source of tax revenues to regulators. From time to time, various federal and state legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax law, or in the administration of such law, affecting the gaming industry. It is not possible to determine the likelihood of possible changes in tax law or in the administration of such law. Such changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. SeeRefer to the Regulation”“Regulation” section included in Part I, Item 11: Business of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of applicable regulations.

Off Balance

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off balanceoff-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.


ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURESABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate risk associated with our variable rate long-term debt. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 99% of2022, our indebtedness for borrowed money accrued interest at a variable rate whichlong-term debt primarily comprised our indebtedness under the Credit Facilities.

Facility (refer to “Note 7 — Long-Term Debt” in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of this Annual Report).

As of December 31, 2017,2022, we had $800.0$575 million in principal amount of outstanding term loan borrowings under the First LienCredit Facility and $200.0 million in principal amount ofwith no outstanding borrowings under the Second Lien Term Loan.our $240 million Revolving Credit Facility. Our primary interest rate under the Credit FacilitiesFacility is the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin. As of December 31, 2017, theThe weighted-average effective interest rate on our outstanding
37


borrowings under the First LienCredit Facility was approximately 4.4%, and under4.85% for the Second Lien Term Loan was approximately 8.3%.year ended December 31, 2022. Assuming the outstanding balance under our Credit FacilitiesFacility remained constant over a year, a 50 basis point increase in the applicable interest rate would increase interest incurred, prior to effects of capitalized interest, by $5.0$2.9 million over a twelve-month period.

As of December 31, 2017,2022, our investment portfolio included $90.6$142.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and a de minimis amount of$5.0 million in short-term investments.


ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

We continue to evaluate the potential impact of the eventual replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate. While some LIBOR rates are now extended through June 2023, lenders are no longer allowed to issue new loans and other financial instruments that are linked to LIBOR. Although we are not able to predict what will become a widely accepted benchmark in place of LIBOR, or the exact impact such a transition may have, our current expectation is that this transition will not have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

38


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


39



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Golden Entertainment, Inc.
Opinion on CONSOLIDATEDthe Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Golden Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 1, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Las Vegas, Nevada

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets

Valuation of long-lived assets at Colorado Belle
Description of the Golden Entertainment, Inc.Matter
At December 31, 2022, the Company’s long-lived assets at Colorado Belle totaled $29.1 million. As discussed in Note 4, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and Subsidiaries (the Company)indefinite-lived intangible assets, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. As discussed in Note 1, the operations of the Colorado Belle remained suspended as of December 31, 20172022. Management identified an indicator of impairment related to the Colorado Belle asset group, performed an impairment test and 2016, andconcluded that the related consolidated statementsfair value was in excess of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity andthe carrying value of the asset group.
Auditing the Company’s Colorado Belle long-lived assets impairment assessment was challenging due to the highly judgmental nature of certain assumptions used in the estimate of future cash flows for eachincluding, among others, future growth rates, operating margins, economic and business conditions and discount rate. These assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.
40


How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the three yearscontrols over the Company’s impairment assessment of its long-lived assets. For example, we tested controls over the completeness and accuracy of the data and assumptions used in management’s impairment assessment.
Our testing of the Company’s impairment assessment for Colorado Belle’s long-lived assets, included, among other procedures, assessing the prospective financial information utilized in the period ended December 31, 2017, andvaluation, considering factors including the notes to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (a)(2) (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements).  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial positionreopening date of the Companyproperty, future growth rates, operating margin, discount rate and forecasted capital expenditures. We also evaluated other assumptions used in preparing estimated future cash flows including future market conditions, industry and economic trends, and consumer preferences for contrary evidence. We inquired of management as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, andto their future operating plans for the Colorado Belle, comparing the results of its operations and itsour inquiries with the assumptions used in preparing their estimated future cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 15, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluatinghistorical Company results, changes to the overall presentationCompany’s business plans and other relevant factors. We evaluated the Company’s internal and external communications, as well as third party industry and analyst reports to identify any corroboratory or contrary evidence. We assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and evaluated management’s sensitivity analyses of the consolidated financial statements.  We believesubjective assumptions to evaluate the changes in the analysis that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern

     Certified Public Accountants

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 15, 2018

would result from changes in these assumptions.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 1, 2023
41



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Las Vegas, Nevada

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of the Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting included in Item 9A, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC (American), which was acquired on October 20, 2017, and is included in the 2017 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 68.1% of total assets as of December 31, 2017 and 15% of net revenues for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of American.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the notes to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (a)(2), and our report dated March 15, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion.  The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting included in Item 9A.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the United States (U.S.) federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the assessed risk, and performing procedures that respond to those risks and such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Golden Entertainment, Inc.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.).  The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, 2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.), and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company, and 3) provide

reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern

     Certified Public Accountants

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 15, 2018

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting


We have audited Golden Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Golden Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (a)(2), and our report dated March 1, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 1, 2023
42


GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

thousands, except per share data)

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

20222021

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

90,579

 

 

$

46,898

 

Cash and cash equivalents$136,889 $220,540 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

14,692

 

 

 

6,697

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

218

 

 

 

2,340

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $775 and $481 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectivelyAccounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $775 and $481 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively20,495 18,720 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

19,397

 

 

 

9,761

 

Prepaid expenses25,900 15,108 

Inventories

 

 

5,594

 

 

 

2,605

 

Inventories8,117 6,637 

Other

 

 

2,599

 

 

 

1,346

 

Other13,610 2,933 
Assets held for saleAssets held for sale39,562 — 

Total current assets

 

 

133,079

 

 

 

69,647

 

Total current assets244,573 263,938 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

895,241

 

 

 

137,581

 

Property and equipment, net840,731 904,220 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, netOperating lease right-of-use assets, net147,893 179,251 

Goodwill

 

 

158,134

 

 

 

105,655

 

Goodwill158,396 158,396 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

157,692

 

 

 

98,603

 

Intangible assets, net89,552 98,058 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

7,787

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax assetsDeferred income tax assets11,822 — 

Other assets

 

 

13,242

 

 

 

7,592

 

Other assets15,703 11,701 

Total assets

 

$

1,365,175

 

 

$

419,078

 

Total assets$1,508,670 $1,615,564 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

9,759

 

 

$

15,752

 

Current portion of long-term debt and finance leasesCurrent portion of long-term debt and finance leases$555 $1,057 
Current portion of operating leasesCurrent portion of operating leases42,200 40,151 

Accounts payable

 

 

19,470

 

 

 

11,739

 

Accounts payable25,168 19,102 

Accrued taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

6,664

 

 

 

3,024

 

Accrued payroll and related

 

 

22,570

 

 

 

3,478

 

Accrued payroll and related21,227 31,309 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

19,295

 

 

 

3,846

 

Accrued liabilities33,365 35,347 
Liabilities related to assets held for saleLiabilities related to assets held for sale10,187 — 

Total current liabilities

 

 

77,758

 

 

 

37,839

 

Total current liabilities132,702 126,966 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

963,200

 

 

 

167,690

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

Long-term debt, net and non-current finance leasesLong-term debt, net and non-current finance leases900,464 1,010,469 
Non-current operating leasesNon-current operating leases121,979 155,098 
Deferred income tax liabilitiesDeferred income tax liabilities53 1,861 

Other long-term obligations

 

 

3,226

 

 

 

4,085

 

Other long-term obligations552 1,629 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,044,184

 

 

 

209,652

 

Total liabilities1,155,750 1,296,023 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 26,413 and 22,232 common shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

264

 

 

 

223

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders’ equityShareholders’ equity
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 28,179 and 28,830 common shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectivelyCommon stock, $.01 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 28,179 and 28,830 common shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively282 288 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

399,510

 

 

 

290,157

 

Additional paid-in capital480,060 477,829 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(78,783

)

 

 

(80,954

)

Accumulated deficit(127,422)(158,576)

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

320,991

 

 

 

209,426

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

1,365,175

 

 

$

419,078

 

Total shareholders’ equityTotal shareholders’ equity352,920 319,541 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equityTotal liabilities and shareholders’ equity$1,508,670 $1,615,564 

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


43



GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

202220212020

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

Gaming

 

$

414,353

 

 

$

346,039

 

 

$

148,447

 

Gaming$760,906 $766,307 $476,753 

Food and beverage

 

 

79,765

 

 

 

58,659

 

 

 

25,584

 

Food and beverage175,363 167,815 112,081 

Rooms

 

 

24,165

 

 

 

7,853

 

 

 

6,814

 

Rooms122,324 109,802 71,411 

Other operating

 

 

20,393

 

 

 

11,844

 

 

 

5,079

 

Gross revenues

 

 

538,676

 

 

 

424,395

 

 

 

185,924

 

Less: Promotional allowances

 

 

(28,868

)

 

 

(21,191

)

 

 

(8,882

)

Net revenues

 

 

509,808

 

 

 

403,204

 

 

 

177,042

 

OtherOther63,126 52,619 33,910 
Total revenuesTotal revenues1,121,719 1,096,543 694,155 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

Gaming

 

 

280,121

 

 

 

250,791

 

 

 

98,268

 

Gaming428,984 416,197 275,041 

Food and beverage

 

 

47,956

 

 

 

32,639

 

 

 

19,373

 

Food and beverage131,863 118,541 92,202 

Rooms

 

 

8,899

 

 

 

1,336

 

 

 

968

 

Rooms56,414 48,632 39,935 

Other operating

 

 

6,765

 

 

 

5,566

 

 

 

2,260

 

Other operating19,889 16,968 11,789 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

103,523

 

 

 

68,155

 

 

 

38,708

 

Selling, general and administrative235,404 221,967 183,122 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

40,786

 

 

 

27,506

 

 

 

10,798

 

Depreciation and amortization100,123 106,692 124,430 

Disposition of notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,590

)

Acquisition and merger expenses

 

 

5,041

 

 

 

614

 

 

 

11,525

 

Loss on disposal of assetsLoss on disposal of assets934 1,260 803 

Preopening expenses

 

 

1,632

 

 

 

2,471

 

 

 

421

 

Preopening expenses161 246 308 

Executive severance and sign-on bonuses

 

 

1,142

 

 

 

1,037

 

 

 

 

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

 

 

(1,719

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating, net

 

 

284

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

(52

)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assetsImpairment of goodwill and intangible assets— — 33,964 

Total expenses

 

 

494,430

 

 

 

390,169

 

 

 

158,679

 

Total expenses973,772 930,503 761,594 

Income from operations

 

 

15,378

 

 

 

13,035

 

 

 

18,363

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)Operating income (loss)147,947 166,040 (67,439)
Non-operating expenseNon-operating expense
Other non-operating incomeOther non-operating income— 60,000 — 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(19,598

)

 

 

(6,454

)

 

 

(2,728

)

Interest expense, net(63,490)(62,853)(69,110)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(1,708

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,174

)

Gain on change in fair value of derivative

 

 

178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of land held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

4,525

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

90

 

Loss on debt extinguishment and modificationLoss on debt extinguishment and modification(1,590)(975)— 
Change in fair value of derivativeChange in fair value of derivative— — (1)

Total non-operating expense, net

 

 

(21,128

)

 

 

(1,060

)

 

 

(3,812

)

Total non-operating expense, net(65,080)(3,828)(69,111)

Income (loss) before income tax benefit

 

 

(5,750

)

 

 

11,975

 

 

 

14,551

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

7,921

 

 

 

4,325

 

 

 

9,969

 

Net income

 

 

2,171

 

 

 

16,300

 

 

 

24,520

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

2,171

 

 

$

16,300

 

 

$

24,542

 

Income (loss) before income tax provisionIncome (loss) before income tax provision82,867 162,212 (136,550)
Income tax provisionIncome tax provision(521)(436)(61)
Net income (loss)Net income (loss)$82,346 $161,776 $(136,611)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

Basic

 

 

23,105

 

 

 

22,135

 

 

 

16,878

 

Basic28,662 28,709 28,080 

Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock units

 

 

1,555

 

 

 

319

 

 

 

225

 

Diluted

 

 

24,660

 

 

 

22,454

 

 

 

17,103

 

Diluted31,514 32,123 28,080 

Net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per shareNet income (loss) per share

Basic

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

1.45

 

Basic$2.87 $5.64 $(4.87)

Diluted

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

1.43

 

Diluted$2.61 $5.04 $(4.87)

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


44



GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Common stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Shareholders'

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Loss

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

Balances, December 28, 2014

 

13,389

 

 

$

134

 

 

$

205,749

 

 

$

(22

)

 

$

(98,245

)

 

$

107,616

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock on options exercised

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

168

 

Effect of share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

809

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

809

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

Effect of merger

 

8,454

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

77,265

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77,350

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,520

 

 

 

24,520

 

Balances, December 31, 2015

 

21,868

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

283,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

(73,725

)

 

 

210,485

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock on options exercised

 

314

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1,789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,792

 

Effect of share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,878

 

Share issuance related to business combination

 

50

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

Special dividend ($1.71 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,529

)

 

 

(23,529

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,300

 

 

 

16,300

 

Balances, December 31, 2016

 

22,232

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

290,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80,954

)

 

 

209,426

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock on options exercised

 

135

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

169

 

Effect of share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,754

 

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,015

)

Share issuance related to business combination

 

4,046

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

101,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,486

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,171

 

 

 

2,171

 

Balances, December 31, 2017

 

26,413

 

 

$

264

 

 

$

399,510

 

 

$

 

 

$

(78,783

)

 

$

320,991

 

Common stockAdditional Paid-InAccumulatedTotal Shareholders’
SharesAmountCapitalDeficitEquity
Balance, January 1, 202027,879 $279 $461,643 $(172,178)$289,744 
Issuance of stock on options exercised and restricted stock units vested330 — — 
Repurchases of common stock(50)— — (950)(950)
Share-based compensation— — 9,525 — 9,525 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation— — (449)— (449)
Net loss— — — (136,611)(136,611)
Balance, December 31, 202028,159 $282 $470,719 $(309,739)$161,262 
Issuance of stock on options exercised and restricted stock units vested898 98 — 107 
Repurchases of common stock(227)(3)— (10,613)(10,616)
Share-based compensation— — 13,844 — 13,844 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation— — (6,832)— (6,832)
Net income— — — 161,776 161,776 
Balance, December 31, 202128,830 $288 $477,829 $(158,576)$319,541 
Issuance of stock on options exercised and restricted stock units vested462 31 — 35 
Repurchases of common stock(1,113)(10)— (51,192)(51,202)
Share-based compensation— — 12,880 — 12,880 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation— — (10,680)— (10,680)
Net income— — — 82,346 82,346 
Balance, December 31, 202228,179 $282 $480,060 $(127,422)$352,920 

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


45



GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
202220212020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)$82,346 $161,776 $(136,611)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization100,123 106,692 124,430 
Non-cash lease expense165 762 1,344 
Share-based compensation12,880 13,844 9,525 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts on debt4,093 4,343 4,519 
Loss on disposal of assets934 1,260 803 
Provision for credit losses753 631 940 
Deferred income taxes(13,630)341 432 
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification1,590 975 — 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets— — 33,964 
Change in fair value of derivative— — 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable(4,882)(5,643)1,599 
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other current assets(24,082)(1,213)8,999 
Other assets(4,307)(1,595)174 
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses(4,494)14,393 (13,740)
Other liabilities(1,292)(791)356 
Net cash provided by operating activities150,197 295,775 36,735 
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment, net of change in construction payables(51,419)(29,259)(36,502)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment152 374 648 
Net cash used in investing activities(51,267)(28,885)(35,854)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of revolving credit facility— — (200,000)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility— — 200,000 
Repayments of term loan(75,000)(122,000)— 
Repurchase of senior notes(39,524)— — 
Repayments of notes payable(512)(3,737)(5,017)
Principal payments under finance leases(541)(6,179)(2,588)
Payment for debt extinguishment and modification costs(12)(651)— 
Tax withholding on share-based payments(10,680)(6,832)(449)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of costs
Proceeds from exercise of stock options31 98 — 
Repurchases of common stock(51,202)(10,616)(950)
Net cash used in financing activities(177,436)(149,908)(9,001)
Change in cash and cash equivalents(78,506)116,982 (8,120)
Balance, beginning of period220,540 103,558 111,678 
Balance, end of period$142,034 $220,540 $103,558 
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents$136,889 $220,540 $103,558 
Cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale5,145 — — 
Balance, end of period$142,034 $220,540 $103,558 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,171

 

 

$

16,300

 

 

$

24,520

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

40,786

 

 

 

27,506

 

 

 

10,798

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts on debt

 

 

1,593

 

 

 

732

 

 

 

525

 

Accretion and amortization of discounts and premiums on short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

240

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

8,754

 

 

 

3,878

 

 

 

809

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

441

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

303

 

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

 

 

(1,719

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt

 

 

1,708

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

1,174

 

Gain on change in fair value of derivative

 

 

(178

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of land held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

(4,525

)

 

 

 

Gain on sale of notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,590

)

Impairments and other losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

357

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(7,825

)

 

 

(4,325

)

 

 

(10,216

)

Other operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

(49

)

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,593

)

 

 

(3,151

)

 

 

1,033

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

2,121

 

 

 

(262

)

 

 

77

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

74

 

 

 

(3,810

)

 

 

2,035

 

Inventories and other current assets

 

 

(568

)

 

 

102

 

 

 

371

 

Other assets

 

 

(2,056

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses

 

 

(22,606

)

 

 

1,580

 

 

 

900

 

Accrued taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

511

 

 

 

2,193

 

 

 

6

 

Other liabilities

 

 

488

 

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

22,102

 

 

 

37,395

 

 

 

9,342

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(29,463

)

 

 

(30,634

)

 

 

(7,946

)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

 

(724,473

)

 

 

(41,273

)

 

 

25,539

 

Asset purchase

 

 

(2,220

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

2,985

 

 

 

4,413

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,137

)

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,175

 

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,182

 

Collection on notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,590

 

Other investing activities

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(2,198

)

 

 

(1,767

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

(756,187

)

 

 

(71,120

)

 

 

90,049

 

46




GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – (Continued)

(In thousands)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from term loans

 

 

969,000

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

145,000

 

Repayments of term loans

 

 

(150,000

)

 

 

(8,500

)

 

 

(204,560

)

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

Repayments of revolving credit facility

 

 

(36,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of notes payable

 

 

(3,334

)

 

 

(2,061

)

 

 

 

Payments for debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,035

)

 

 

(500

)

 

 

(2,803

)

Purchase of derivative instrument

 

 

(3,152

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from leased equipment obligation

 

 

743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments under capital leases

 

 

(610

)

 

 

(756

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

169

 

 

 

1,792

 

 

 

168

 

Tax withholding on share-based payments

 

 

(1,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(23,529

)

 

 

 

Warrant repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,435

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

777,766

 

 

 

11,446

 

 

 

(65,630

)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) for the period

 

 

43,681

 

 

 

(22,279

)

 

 

33,761

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

 

46,898

 

 

 

69,177

 

 

 

35,416

 

Balance, end of period

 

$

90,579

 

 

$

46,898

 

 

$

69,177

 

Year Ended December 31,
202220212020
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest$58,900 $57,619 $64,422 
Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net19,706 — (1,483)
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Payables incurred for capital expenditures$5,386 $1,933 $3,585 
Assets acquired under finance lease obligations— — 559 
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification1,590 975 — 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations22,078 41,259 11,153 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

14,143

 

 

$

5,721

 

 

$

2,321

 

Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net

 

 

(84

)

 

 

260

 

 

 

170

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables incurred for capital expenditures

 

$

1,849

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Notes payable issued for property and equipment

 

 

717

 

 

 

721

 

 

 

2,838

 

Assets acquired under capital lease obligations

 

 

2,758

 

 

 

2,726

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued in connection with acquisition

 

 

101,486

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

77,350

 

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


47



GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Nature of Business

Golden Entertainment, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) own and operate a diversified entertainment platform, consisting of a portfolio of gaming assets that focus on resort casino operations and distributed gaming operations (including tavern gaming in our wholly-ownedthe Company’s branded taverns).

The Company conducts its business through two reportable operating segments: Casinos and Distributed Gaming. The Company’s Casinosportfolio includes ten casino properties located in Nevada and Maryland. The Company’s Nevada tavern segment involvesis comprised of the operation of eight resort casino properties in Nevada and Maryland, comprising the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower (the “Stratosphere”), Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Aquarius Casino Resort (the “Aquarius”) in Laughlin, Nevada, the Pahrump Nugget Hotel Casino (“Pahrump Nugget”), Gold Town Casino and Lakeside Casino & RV Park in Pahrump, Nevada, and the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland (“Rocky Gap”). The casino properties in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada were added to the Company’s casino portfolio in October 2017 as a result of the Company’s acquisition of American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC (“American”), as further described below.

The Company’s Distributed Gaming segment involves the installation, maintenance and operation of slots and amusement devices in non-casino locations (such as grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, taverns and liquor stores) in Nevada and Montana, and the operation of wholly-ownedits branded taverns targeting local patrons located primarily in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area.

On October 20, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of American from its former equity holders (the “American Acquisition”). The results of operations of American and its subsidiaries have been included in the Company’s results subsequent to that date. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, for information regarding the American Acquisition.

On January 29, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of approximately 1,100 slots from a distributed gaming operatoroperations involve the installation, maintenance and operation of slot machines and amusement devices in Montana,third-party non-casino locations such as well as certain other non-gaming assetsrestaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores and grocery stores in Nevada and Montana. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Golden” and the right to operate within certain locations (the “Initial Montana Acquisition”). Additionally, on April 22, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of approximately 1,800 slots from a second distributed gaming operator in Montana, as well as amusement devices and other non-gaming assets and the right to operate within certain locations (the “Second Montana Acquisition” and, together with the Initial Montana Acquisition, the “Montana Acquisitions”). The results of operations of the distributed gaming businesses acquired in the Montana Acquisitions have been included in the Company’s results subsequent to their respective acquisition dates. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, for information regarding the Montana Acquisitions.

On July 31, 2015, the Company acquired Sartini Gaming, Inc. (“Sartini Gaming”) through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company with and into Sartini Gaming, with Sartini Gaming surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). The results of operations of Sartini Gaming and its subsidiaries have been included in the Company’s results subsequent to that date. In connection with the Merger, the Company’s name was changed from Lakes Entertainment, Inc.“Company,” refer to Golden Entertainment, Inc. See Note 3, Mergertogether with its subsidiaries.

The Company conducts its business through five reportable segments: Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos, Maryland Casino Resort, Nevada Taverns, and AcquisitionsDistributed Gaming. Each reportable segment is comprised of the following properties and operations:
Reportable SegmentLocation
Nevada Casino Resorts
The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod (“The STRAT”)Las Vegas, Nevada
Aquarius Casino Resort (“Aquarius”)Laughlin, Nevada
Edgewater Hotel & Casino Resort (“Edgewater”)Laughlin, Nevada
Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino Resort (“Colorado Belle”) (1)
Laughlin, Nevada
Nevada Locals Casinos
Arizona Charlie’s BoulderLas Vegas, Nevada
Arizona Charlie’s DecaturLas Vegas, Nevada
Gold Town CasinoPahrump, Nevada
Lakeside Casino & RV ParkPahrump, Nevada
Pahrump Nugget Hotel Casino (“Pahrump Nugget”)Pahrump, Nevada
Maryland Casino Resort
Rocky Gap Casino Resort (“Rocky Gap”)Flintstone, Maryland
Nevada Taverns
64 branded tavern locationsNevada
Distributed Gaming
Nevada distributed gamingNevada
Montana distributed gamingMontana
(1) The operations of the Colorado Belle remain suspended.
On August 24, 2022, the Company entered into definitive agreements to sell Rocky Gap to Century Casinos, Inc. (“Century”) and VICI Properties, L.P. (“VICI”), an affiliate of VICI Properties Inc., for information regardingaggregate consideration of $260.0 million (the “Rocky Gap Transactions”). Specifically, Century agreed to acquire the Merger.

operations of Rocky Gap from Golden for $56.1 million in cash (subject to adjustment based on Rocky Gap’s working capital and cage cash at closing), subject to the conditions and terms set forth therein, and VICI agreed to acquire the real estate assets relating to Rocky Gap from Golden for $203.9 million in cash, subject to the conditions and terms set forth therein. The Rocky Gap Transactions are required by their terms to close concurrently and the Company expects the Rocky Gap Transactions to close during the second quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Refer to discussion in
Note 3 — Assets Held for Sale for further information.

48


Impact of COVID-19
As of December 31, 2022, all of the Company’s properties were open other than the Colorado Belle (whose operations remain suspended), and none of the Company’s casino properties or distributed gaming locations were subject to COVID-19 operating restrictions. Despite the resurgence of Omicron variants during 2022, the Company’s casino properties and distributed gaming operations experienced positive trends during the first half of 2022, including an increase in occupancy of hotel rooms and guest visitation following the removal of COVID-19 mitigation measures. The Company’s results of operations in the second half of 2021 also benefited from pent-up demand following the easing of COVID-19 mitigation measures and the effect of government stimulus on discretionary consumer spending. Future COVID-19 variants, mandates, restrictions or mitigation measures imposed by governmental authorities or regulatory bodies are uncertain and could have a significant impact on the Company’s future operations.
Temporary closures of the Company’s operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lease concessions for certain of the Company’s branded taverns and route locations in 2020, some of which continued in 2021. Such concessions provided for deferral and, in some instances, forgiveness of rent payments with no substantive amendments to the consideration due per the terms of the original contract and did not result in substantial changes in the Company’s obligations under such leases. The Company elected to account for the deferred rent as variable lease payments, which resulted in a reduction of the rent expense of $2.3 million and $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Rent expense that was not forgiven was recorded in future periods as those deferred payments were paid to the Company’s lessors.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and disclosures.liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates also include preliminary estimates of values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, including conclusions of useful lives, separate entity values and underlying valuation metrics and methods. These preliminary estimates could change significantly during the measurement period which can remain open for up to one year after the closing date of the business combination. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, for further information regarding the Company’s business combinations.


Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Additionally, certain minor reclassifications have beenReclassifications were made to the 2016 and 2015 amountsCompany’s prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period presentation, including a reclassification of $2.7 million from food and beverage expense to gaming expense.

where applicable. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in banks and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $142.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, which included $5.1 million of cash and cash equivalents related to assets held for sale. Although thesecash and cash equivalents balances may at times exceed the federal insured deposit limit, the Company believes such risk is mitigated by the quality of the institutions holding such deposits.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist primarily of gaming, hotel and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts.credit losses. Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. Accounts are written off when management deems the account to be uncollectible. An estimated allowance for credit losses is maintained to reduce the Company’s accounts receivable to their expected net realizable value. The allowance is estimatedvalue based on specific reviews of customer accounts, as well asthe age of such accounts, management’s assessment of the customer’s financial condition, historical and current collection experience and management’s expectations of future collection trends based on the current and forecasted economic and business conditions. Accounts are written off when management deems them to be uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received.

Historically, the Company’s estimated allowance for credit losses has been consistent with such losses.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of food and beverage and retail items and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value (instead of market) beginning in 2017. The change in accounting principle did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out and the average cost inventory methods.

49


Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets held under capital leasesfinance lease agreements are stated at the lower of the present value of the future minimum lease payments or fair value at the inception of the lease. Expenditures for major additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their useful lives. Costswhile costs of routine repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. A significant amount of the Company’s property and equipment was acquired through business acquisitions and therefore, was initially recognized at fair value on the effective datesdate of the transactions.applicable acquisition transaction. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Building and site improvements

1510 - 4540 years

Furniture and equipment

3 - 15 years

Leasehold improvements

2 - 15 years

The Company evaluatesreviews the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is evaluated by comparing the estimated future cash flows of the asset, on an undiscounted basis, to its carrying amount. If the undiscounted estimated future cash flows exceed the carrying amount, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted estimated future cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, impairment is recorded based on the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its carrying amount. To estimate fair values, the Company generally uses market comparables, when available, or a discounted cash flow model. The estimation of fair value requires significant judgment and is based on assumptions about future cash flows, including future growth rates, operating margins, economic and business conditions, and discount rate, all of which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The Company’s long-lived asset impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit level.
Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs of disposal. The fair value of assets to be disposed of is generally estimated based on comparable asset sales, solicited offers or a discounted cash flow model. Sales and other disposals of property and equipment are recorded by removing the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the accounts with gains or losses on sales and other long-liveddisposals recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
The Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level.
When performing testing for impairment, the Company either conducts a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, or elects to bypass this qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative test. Under the qualitative assessment, the Company considers both positive and negative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry events, financial performance and other changes, and makes a determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is more likely than not the asset is impaired, it then performs a quantitative test in which the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
When performing the quantitative test, the Company estimates the fair value of each reporting unit using the expected present value of future cash flows along with value indications based on current valuation multiples of the Company and comparable publicly traded companies. The estimation of fair value requires significant judgment and is based on assumptions about future cash flows, including future growth rates, operating margins, economic and business conditions, all of which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Cash flow estimates are based on the current regulatory, political and economic climates, recent operating information and projections. Such estimates could be negatively impacted by changes in federal, state or local regulations, economic downturns, competition, events affecting various forms of travel and access to the Company’s properties, and other factors, such that the actual results may differ materially from such estimates. If the Company’s estimates of future cash flows are not met, it may be required to record goodwill impairment charges in the future.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are comprised of trade names acquired in a business combination. The fair value of the Company’s trade names is estimated using the income approach to valuation at each of its reporting units. The
50


Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment in accordance withannually during the guidance for accounting for the impairmentfourth quarter of each year, and whenever events or disposal of long-live assets.circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an asset is impaired. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized unless it is determined that an asset’s useful life is no longer indefinite. The Company periodically reviews its indefinite-lived assets to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. If an indicator of impairment exists,indefinite-lived intangible asset no longer has an indefinite life, the impairment is measured based on fair value compared to book value. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no impairment charges. For the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.4 million.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of the acquired company. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit, which is the operating segment level or one level below the operating segment. Goodwill is not amortized but insteadasset is tested for impairment annually.and is subsequently accounted for as a finite-lived intangible asset.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets with finite livesprimarily represent assets related to its customer relationships, player relationships, and non-compete agreements, and were acquired in a business combination. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the periods estimated to be benefited.also comprised of leasehold interest and licenses. Finite-lived intangible assets are also reviewed for impairment if factsamortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of its finite-lived intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances warrant. Impairment tests are


performed on October 1stwarrant a revision to the remaining period of each year,amortization.

The Company’s customer relationship assets represent the value associated with space lease agreements and participation agreements with its distributed gaming customers acquired in an asset purchase or more frequently when negativea business acquisition. The Company’s player relationships represent the value associated with its rated casino guests. The initial fair value of these intangible assets was determined using the income approach. The recoverability of the finite-lived intangible assets could be affected by, among other things, increased competition within the gaming industry, a downturn in the economy, declines in customer spending which could impact the expected future cash flows associated with the rated casino guests, declines in the number of customer visits which could impact the expected attrition rate of the rated casino guests, and erosion of operating margins associated with rated casino guests. Should events or changes in circumstances are experienced. No indicatorscause the carrying amount of possible impairment have been identified and no impairment charges have been recorded.

Derivative Instruments

In November 2017, the Company executed a trade with Credit Suissecustomer relationship intangible asset to purchase a derivative instrument from whichexceed its estimated fair value, the Company will receive cash payments at the end of each period in which the interest rate exceeds the agreed upon strike price (the “Interest Rate Cap”). Derivative financial instruments such as the Interest Rate Cap are recorded at fair value. Changesrecognize an impairment charge in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Rewards Programs

The Company offers various rewards and loyalty programs at its resort casino properties to encourage repeat business. At its Las Vegas and Laughlin casinos in Nevada, the Company offers the ace|PLAY rewards program. Under this program, participants earn points based on gaming activity that can be redeemed for cash, free play, lodging, food and beverages and merchandise. Participant points expire after thirteen months of no activity.

At its Pahrump, Nevada casinos, the Company offers the Gold Mine Rewards loyalty program. Under this program, participants earn points based on play and retail purchases, which points are redeemable for food, beverages and hotel rooms, among other items. The close proximityamount of the Company’s three Pahrump, Nevada casino properties allows it to leverage the convenience of a one-card player rewards system, where reward points and other benefits can be earned and redeemed across all threeexcess of the Company’s Pahrump casinos via a single card.

At Rocky Gap, the Company offers the Rewards Club loyalty program. Under this program, participants earn points based on play and amounts spent on the purchase of rooms, food, beverage and resort activities, which points are redeemable for complimentary slot play and free goods and services at Rocky Gap’s hotel, restaurants, spa and golf course.

Incarrying amount over its Distributed Gaming segment, the Company offers a Golden Rewards promotional program for its taverns. Golden Rewards tavern player relationships represent loyalty program members who earn points based on play and amounts spent on the purchase of food and beverage, which points are redeemable for complimentary slot play, food and beverages, among other items.

With respect to each of the Company’s rewards and loyalty programs, the Company records a liability based on the value of points earned, less an estimate for points not expected to be redeemed (“breakage”). The Company records net points earned for complimentary gaming play as a reduction to gaming revenue and points earned for free goods and services as promotional allowances. Redemption history at the Company’s casinos and taverns is used to assist in the determination of the estimated accruals. Changes in the programs, increases in membership and changes in the redemption patterns of the participants can impact this liability. The ace|PLAY, Gold Mine Rewards, Rewards Club and Golden Rewards points accruals are included in current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

fair value.

Long-Term Debt Net

Long-term debt net is reported as the outstanding debt amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount costs.discount. These costs include legal and other direct costs related to the issuance of the Company’s outstanding debt and discounts granted to the initial purchasers or lenders of the Company’s debt instruments, and are recorded as a direct reduction to the face amount of the Company’s outstanding debt.long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets. The debt discount and debt issuance costs are accreted to interest expense using the effective interest method or, if the amounts approximate the effective interest method, on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the underlying debt. InThe amount amortized to interest expense was $4.1 million, $4.3 million and $4.5 million for the event thatyears ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Derivative Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate exposure. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is recognized as an asset or liability at each balance sheet date, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings as the Company’s debt is modified, repurchased or otherwise reduced prior to its original maturity date,derivative financial instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value approximates the amount the Company ratably reduceswould pay if these contracts were settled at the unamortized debt issuance costsrespective valuation dates.
Leases
The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception or modification of a contract. An arrangement is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of the identified asset means the lessee has both the right to obtain substantially all economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset.
Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date for the arrangements with a term of 12 months or longer and are initially measured based on the present value of lease payments over the defined lease term. The measurement of the operating lease ROU assets also includes any prepaid lease payments made and is net of lease incentives. If the implicit interest rate to be applied to the determination of the present value of lease payments over the lease term is not readily determinable, the Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company assesses these options using a threshold of reasonably certain. For leases the Company is reasonably certain to renew, those option periods are included within the lease term and, therefore, the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability. For operating leases, lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases,
51


the ROU asset depreciates on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or useful life of the ROU asset and the lease liability accretes interest based on the interest method using the discount and records a loss on extinguishment of debt.

rate determined at lease commencement.

Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances

Gaming revenueThe Company is the difference betweenlessor under non-cancelable operating leases for retail and food and beverage outlet space within its casino properties. The Company also enters into operating lease agreements with certain equipment providers for placement of amusement devices and automated teller machines within its casino properties and taverns. The lease arrangements generally include minimum base rent and/or contingent rental clauses based on a percentage of net sales exceeding minimum base rent. Revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company recognizes revenue for contingent rentals when the contingency has been resolved.

Revenue Recognition
Revenue from contracts with customers primarily consists of casino wagers, room sales, food and beverage transactions, rental income from the Company’s retail tenants, and entertainment sales.
Casino gaming revenues are the aggregate of gaming wins and losseslosses. The commissions rebated to premium players for cash discounts and is recognizedother cash incentives to patrons related to gaming play are recorded as winsa reduction to casino gaming revenues. Gaming contracts include a performance obligation to honor the patron’s wager and losses occur fromtypically include a performance obligation to provide a product or service to the patron on a complimentary basis to incentivize gaming activities.

or in exchange for points earned under the Company’s True Rewards® loyalty program.

The Company generally enters into threetwo types of slot and amusement device placement contracts as part of theits distributed gaming business: space lease revenue shareagreements and participation agreements. Under space lease agreements, the Company pays a fixed monthly rental fee for the right to install, maintain and operate the Company’s slotsits slot machines at a business location.location and the Company is the sole holder of the applicable gaming license that allows it to operate such slot machines. Under these agreements, the Company recognizes all gaming revenue and records fixed monthly rental fees as gaming expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.expense. Under revenue shareparticipation agreements, the Company pays the business location retains a percentage of the gaming revenue generated from the Company’s slots placed atslot machines, and as a result both the business location rather than a fixed monthly rental fee. With regard to both space lease and revenue share agreements, the Company holds the applicable gaming license to conduct gaming at the location (although revenue share locationsGolden are required to obtain separate regulatory approval to receivehold a percentage of thestate issued gaming revenue). Under participation agreements, the business location holds the applicable gaming license and retains a percentage of the gaming revenue that it generates from the Company’s slots.license. In Montana, the Company’s slot and amusement device placement contracts are all participation agreements.
In its distributed gaming business, the Company concluded it maintains control of the services directly before they are transferred to its customer and it considers its customer to be the gaming player since the Company controls all aspects of the slot machines. The Company retains control over the slot machines placed at the business location’s premises by controlling the hold percentage, types of slot machines and games made available on such machines, physical access to the contents of the gaming devices, and the repair and servicing of the slot machines. Therefore, these agreements do not contain a lease under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 and are accounted for under ASC 606. The Company is considered to be the principal in these arrangements and records its share of revenue generated under participation agreements on a gross basis with the business location’s share agreements.

The retail value of revenue recorded as gaming expenses.

Wagering contracts that include complimentary products and services provided by the Company to incentivize gaming, such as complimentary food, beverage, rooms, food and beverage,entertainment, merchandise and other discretionary complimentaries, and wagering contracts that include products and services furnishedprovided to customers without charge, including couponsa patron in exchange for points earned under the Company’s loyalty program contain more than one performance obligation. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in the gaming wagering contract. The amount allocated to loyalty points earned is based on an estimate of the standalone selling price of the loyalty points, which is determined by the redemption value less an estimate for points not expected to be redeemed. The amount allocated to discretionary complimentaries is the standalone selling price of the underlying goods or services, which is determined using the retail price at which those goods or services would be sold separately in similar transactions. The remaining amount of the transaction price is allocated to wagering activity using the residual approach as the standalone selling price for gaming wagers is highly variable due to wide disparity of wagering options available to the Company’s patrons. The amount wagered, frequency of wagering, patron betting habits, and outcomes of the games of chance are unpredictable. As a result, no stand-alone selling price of a gaming transaction is determinable and the residual approach is utilized to represent the net revenue ascribed to the gaming wager.
For wagering contracts that include discretionary complimentaries, the Company allocates the stand-alone selling price of each product and service to the respective revenue type. Complimentary products or services provided under the Company’s control and discretion that are supplied by third parties are recorded as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. For wagering contracts that include products and services provided to a patron in exchange for points earned under the Company’s loyalty program, the Company allocates the estimated stand-alone selling price of the points earned to the loyalty program liability. The loyalty program liability is a deferral of revenue until redemption occurs under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Upon redemption of loyalty program points for Company-owned products and
52


services, the stand-alone selling price of each product or service is allocated to the respective revenue type. For redemptions of points with third parties, the redemption amount is deducted from the loyalty program liability and paid directly to the third party. Any discounts received by the Company from the third party in connection with this transaction are recorded to other revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s performance obligation related to its loyalty program is generally completed within one year, as participants’ points expire after thirteen months of no activity.
After allocation to the other revenue types for products and services provided to patrons as part of a wagering contract, the residual amount is recorded to casino gaming revenue as soon as the wager is settled. As all wagers have similar characteristics, the Company accounts for its gaming contracts collectively on a portfolio basis. Gaming contracts are typically completed daily based on the outcome of the wagering transaction and include a distinct performance obligation to provide gaming activities.
Revenue from leases is recorded to other revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and is generated from base rents through long-term leases with retail tenants. Base rent, adjusted for contractual escalations as applicable, is recognized on a straight-lined basis over the term of the related lease. Overage rent is paid by a tenant when redeemed,its sales exceed an agreed upon minimum amount and is included in gross revenues and then deducted as a promotional allowance. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowancesnot recognized by the Company until the threshold is included primarily in gaming expenses.

met.

Food, beverage, and retail revenues are recorded at the time of sale. Room revenue is recorded at the time of occupancy. Sales taxes and surcharges collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.

Contract and Contract Related Liabilities
The Company provides numerous products and services to its customers. There is often a timing difference between the cash payment by the customers and recognition of revenue for each of the associated performance obligations. The Company generally has three types of liabilities related to contracts with customers:
Outstanding Chip Liability — The outstanding chip liability represents the collective amounts owed to customers in exchange for gaming chips in their possession. Outstanding chips are expected to be recognized as revenue or redeemed for cash within one year of being purchased.
Loyalty ProgramThe Company offers its True Rewards loyalty program at all ten of its casino properties, as well as at all of its branded taverns and other participating distributed gaming locations. Members of the Company’s True Rewards loyalty program earn points based on gaming activity and food and beverage purchases at the Company’s casino properties, branded taverns and participating distributed gaming locations. Loyalty points are redeemable for slot play, promotional table game chips, food and beverages and grocery gift cards. All points earned in the loyalty program roll up into a single account balance which is redeemable at over 140 participating locations.
The Company records a liability based on the value of points earned, less an estimate for points not expected to be redeemed. This liability represents a deferral of revenue until such time as the participant redeems the points earned. Redemption history at the Company’s casinos and branded taverns is used to assist in the determination of the estimated accruals. Loyalty program points are expected to be redeemed and recognized as revenue within one year of being earned, since participants’ points expire after thirteen months of no activity. The True Rewardspoints accruals are included in current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the program, increases in membership and changes in the redemption patterns of the participants can impact this liability.
Customer Deposits and Other — Customer deposits and other deferred revenue represent cash deposits made by customers for future non-gaming services to be provided by the Company. With the exception of tenant deposits, which are tied to the terms of the lease and typically extend beyond a year, the majority of these customer deposits and other deferred revenue are expected to be recognized as revenue or refunded to the customer within one year of the date the deposit was recorded.
53


The following table summarizes the Company’s activity for contract and contract related liabilities:
Outstanding Chip LiabilityLoyalty ProgramCustomer Deposits and Other
(In thousands)202220212022202120222021
Balance at January 1$1,184 $997 $2,995 $3,969 $4,937 $3,497 
Balance at December 31 (1)
1,312 1,308 2,861 3,250 5,119 5,656 
Increase (decrease)$128 $311 $(134)$(719)$182 $2,159 
(1) Balance at December 31, 2021 included $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.7 million in Outstanding Chip Liability, Loyalty Program and Customer Deposits and Other, respectively, related to assets held for sale. Such balances were excluded from 2022 amounts.
Costs to Acquire a Contract with a Customer
As part of the Company’s distributed gaming business, the Company incurs incremental costs to acquire customer contracts in the form of up-front fully recoverable consideration provided to a customer upon execution of the agreement. Such costs are recorded as other current and non-current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the term of the contract. The amount of costs to acquire customer contracts recorded by the Company was $7.3 million as of both December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Gaming Taxes

The Company’s casinos located in Nevada casinos are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues and pay annual fees based on the number of slotsslot machines and table games licensed during the year. Rocky Gap is subject to gaming taxes based on gross gaming revenues and also pays an annual flat tax based on the number of table games and video lottery terminals in operation during the year. The Company’s distributed gaming operations in Nevada are subject to taxes based on the Company’s share of non-restricted gross gaming revenue for those locations that have grandfathered rights to more than 15 slotsslot machines for play, and/or annual and quarterly fees at all branded tavern and third partythird-party distributed gaming locations. The Company’s distributed gaming operations in Montana are subject to taxes based on the Company’s share of gross gaming revenue. These gaming taxes are recorded as gaming expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Total gaming taxes and licenses were $41.5$73.2 million, $35.7$72.2 million and $24.2$51.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, 2021 and 2015,2020, respectively.

Advertising Expenses 

The Company expenses advertising, marketing and promotional costs as incurred. Advertising expenses, which are primarilycosts included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations were $3.3$12.2 million, $2.6$9.9 million and $3.4$6.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, 2021 and 2015,2020, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The Company has various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards including stock options, andtime-based restricted stock units.units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Share-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the employee'semployee’s requisite service period. Compensation costs related to stock option awards are calculated based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For restricted stock units,RSUs and PSUs, compensation expense is calculated based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All of the Company’s share-based compensation expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9, Share-Based Compensation,
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States. Accounting standards require the recognition of deferred tax assets, net of applicable reserves, and liabilities for additional discussion.


Income Taxes 

The determinationthe estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of the Company’s income tax-related account balances requires the exercise of significant judgment by management. Accordingly, the Company determines deferredexisting assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilitiesare measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which thethose temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income. Management assessesbe recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on the likelihood thatincome tax provision and deferred tax assets will be recovered fromand liabilities generally is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Accounting standards also require recognition of a future taxable income and establishestax benefit to the extent that realization of such benefit is more likely than not; otherwise, a valuation allowance when management believes recovery is not likely. applied.

54


The Company establishes assets and liabilities for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken inCompany’s income tax returns usingare subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities in the locations where it operates. The Company assesses potentially unfavorable outcomes of such examinations based on accounting standards for uncertain income taxes. The accounting standards prescribe a more-likely-than-notminimum recognition threshold.

threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

Uncertain tax position accounting standards apply to all tax positions related to income taxes. These accounting standards utilize a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. If a tax position, based on its technical merits, is deemed more likely than not to be sustained, then the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement.
The Company records estimated penalties and interest related to income tax matters, including uncertain tax positions, if any, as a component of income tax expense.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

For all periods, basic

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share in profitable periods reflects the effect of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding by dividing net income by the weighted-average of all common and potentially dilutive shares outstanding. In the event of a net loss, diluted shares are not considered because of their anti-dilutive effect.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, diluted net income per share excluded the weighted average effect of 150,384 shares of common stock. No shares of common stock related to time-based and performance-based restricted stock units were anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, the amount of potential common share equivalents excluded from the computation was 915,025.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to generally accepted accounting principles in the United StatesGAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), in the form of Accounting Standards Updatesaccounting standards updates (“ASUs”), to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification.ASC. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. While management continues to assess the possible impact onof the Company's consolidated financial statementsadoption of new accounting standards and the future adoption of the new accounting standards that are not yet effective on the Company’s financial statements, management currently believes that the following new standards have or may have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures:
Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted
In July 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-05, Leases (Topic 842): Lessors — Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments. The ASU addresses an issue related to a lessor’s accounting for lease contracts that have variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate and would have resulted in the recognition of a selling loss at lease commencement if classified as sales-type or direct financing. The amendment allows the lessor to classify and account for such lease contracts as operating. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2022, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures:

or disclosures.

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In May 2017, October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which amendsNo. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The ASU improves the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice and inconsistency related to recognition of contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination. The provisions of this ASU 2017-09 provides guidance onrequire that an acquiring entity account for the types of changes torelated revenue contracts in accordance with ASC 606 as if it had originated the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting.contracts. The standard is effective for annual periodsfiscal years beginning after December 15, 20172022 and interim periods therein, andwithin those fiscal years with early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the standard as of January 1, 2018, and does not expect the impact of the adoption of this ASU to be material to its financial statements or disclosures.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued accounting standards that are not yet effective are likely to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangiblesstatements.

Note 3Goodwill and Other, which addresses goodwill impairment testing. Instead of determining goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill, an entity should perform a goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. ASU 2017-04 is effectiveAssets Held for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. Sale
The Company classifies assets as held for sale when a sale is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations, which clarified the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The standardprobable, is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. The Company will adopt the standard as of January 1, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which replaces the existing guidance. ASU 2016-02 requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein, with early application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.


In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition model, ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers which created a new Topic 606 (“ASC 606”). The new guidance is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for United States GAAP applicable to revenue transactions. Existing industry guidance will be eliminated, including revenue recognition guidance specific to the gaming industry. The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for and identifying performance obligations. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those reporting periods. The guidance should be adopted by applying either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application.

The Company will adopt the standard as of January 1, 2018, and will follow the full retrospective approach. The accompanying financial statements and related disclosures do not reflect the effects of the new revenue standard. The Company is finalizing the assessment of the effects of the standard on its consolidated financial statements, and will begin reporting under the new guidance in its consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2018. The quantitative effects of these changes have not yet been determined and are still being analyzed.

The Company’s current presentation, which reports the retail value of services provided to customers without charge as revenues, with a corresponding contra amount deducted as promotional allowances, will no longer be allowed under the new revenue standard. Upon adoption of the new guidance, revenues will be allocated among the Company’s departmental classifications based on the relative standalone selling prices of the goods and services provided to guests. The Company currently anticipates that this methodology will result in a reduction of reported gaming revenues by an amount equivalent to reported promotional allowance revenues, with no change to total net revenues.

Currently, the Company estimates the cost of fulfilling the redemption of rewards earned through customer loyalty programs based upon the cost of historical redemptions. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the Company will account for the rewards using a deferred revenue model for the classification and timing of revenue recognized as well as the classification of related expenses when player rewards are redeemed. The impact of this change in accounting is not expected to be material to any annual accounting period.

Historically,completed within one year, and in accordance with prior guidance, the Company reported the expense for amounts paid to operators of wide area progressive games as contra-revenues. Upon adoption of the new guidance, these payments will be reported as an operating expense. The impact of this classification change will be to increase our gaming revenues and gaming expenses by equal amounts.

Note 3 – Merger and Acquisitions

American Acquisition

Overview

On October 20, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition ofasset group meets all of the outstanding equity interestsaccounting criteria to be classified as held for sale. As discussed in “Note 1 — Nature of American from its former equity holders for aggregate consideration consisting of $781.0 million in cash (subject to certain post-closing adjustments) and the issuance by the Company of 4,046,494 shares of its common stock to W2007/ACEP Holdings, LLC (“ACEP Holdings”)Business, a former American equity holder. Pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions in the purchase agreement, the cash portion of the consideration paid in the American Acquisition was subsequently increased to $787.6 million.

At the time of the American Acquisition, American owned and operated four casino hotel properties in Nevada: the Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas, and the Aquarius in Laughlin. As of October 20, 2017, the American casino properties offered an aggregate of 3,865 slots, 89 table games and 4,896 hotel rooms.


Purchase Price

The American Acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), which, among other things, establishes that equity issued to effect the acquisition be measured at the closing date of the transaction at the then-current market price. Accordingly, the fair value of the Company's common stock issued to ACEP Holdings at the closing is based on the closing price per share of the Company's common stock on October 20, 2017 of $25.08.

The following is a summary of the components of the purchase price paid by the Company to the sellers in the American Acquisition (after taking into account the adjustment to the cash portion of the purchase price pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions of the purchase agreement, as described above):

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Amount

 

Cash consideration

 

 

 

$

787,581

 

Fair value of common stock issued to ACEP Holdings

 

 

 

 

101,486

 

Total purchase price

 

 

 

$

889,067

 

Purchase Price Allocation

Under ASC 805, the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values is recorded as goodwill. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill and will allocate goodwill to each of the business segments at the conclusion of the measurement period.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of October 20, 2017 (the closing date of the American Acquisition), based on preliminary estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Amount

 

Current assets

 

 

 

$

83,079

 

Property and equipment

 

 

 

 

754,581

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

 

 

264

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

66,140

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

52,479

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

(67,476

)

Total assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed

 

 

 

$

889,067

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary values assigned to acquired property and equipment and estimated useful lives by category:

 

 

Remaining

 

Amount Assigned

 

 

 

Useful Life (Years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Land

 

Not applicable

 

$

106,800

 

Land improvements

 

15

 

 

6,240

 

Building and improvements

 

45

 

 

607,698

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

3-4

 

 

32,829

 

Construction in process

 

Not applicable

 

 

1,014

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

$

754,581

 


The following table summarizes the preliminary values assigned to acquired intangible assets and estimated useful lives by category:

 

 

Remaining

 

Amount Assigned

 

 

 

Useful Life (Years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Trade names

 

Indefinite

 

$

34,510

 

Players loyalty programs

 

3

 

 

26,850

 

Leasehold interest

 

3-80

 

 

3,110

 

In-place lease value

 

3-4

 

 

1,670

 

Total intangible assets

 

 

 

$

66,140

 

See Note 12, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, for further discussion regarding the valuation of the tangible and intangible assets acquired through the American Acquisition.

Refinancing

In connection with the closing of the American Acquisition,August 24, 2022, the Company entered into two new creditdefinitive agreements with respect to sell Rocky Gap. The Rocky Gap Transactions are expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. As a $900.0 million senior secured first lien credit facility (consistingresult, the assets related to the Rocky Gap property were classified as held for sale as of $800.0 millionSeptember 30, 2022

55


and the Company ceased recording depreciation and amortization of the long-lived assets included in term loans and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at closing) (the “First Lien Facility”) and a $200.0 million senior secured second lien term loan facility (the “Second Lien Term Loan” and, together with the First Lien Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). The Company used the net proceedssale from the borrowings underdate of execution of the Credit Facilities at the closing primarily to fund the cash purchase pricedefinitive agreements. Operations of Rocky Gap have historically been represented in the American Acquisition (a portion of which was used to repay American’s outstanding senior secured indebtedness), to refinance the Company’s outstanding senior secured indebtedness under its then-existing senior secured credit facility (the “Former Credit Facility”), and to pay certain transaction fees and expenses. See Note 7, Debt, for a discussionMaryland Casino Resort reportable segment.
The carrying amounts of the Credit Facilitiesassets and associated refinancing.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared by managementliabilities held for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent whatsale in the results of operations, financial condition or other financial informationRocky Gap Transactions consisted of the Company would have been if the American Acquisition had occurred asfollowing:

(In thousands)December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$5,145 
Accounts receivables, net2,354 
Prepaid expenses539 
Inventories548 
Other46 
Total current assets held for sale8,632 
Property and equipment, net23,877 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net5,980 
Intangible assets, net1,064 
Other assets
Total assets held for sale$39,562 
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Current portion of finance leases$103 
Current portion of operating leases436 
Accounts payable1,195 
Accrued payroll and related1,071 
Other accrued liabilities1,972 
Total current liabilities related to assets held for sale4,777 
Non-current finance leases204 
Non-current operating leases5,206 
Total liabilities related to assets held for sale$10,187 
Rocky Gap generated revenues of the date indicated or what such results or financial condition will be for any future periods. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is based on preliminary estimates$78.0 million, $78.2 million, and assumptions$51.6 million, and on the information available at the timepretax income of the preparation thereof. Any of these preliminary estimates$23.0 million, $22.2 million, and assumptions may change, be revised or prove to be materially different, and the estimates and assumptions may not be representative of facts existing at the time of the American Acquisition. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information does not reflect non-recurring charges that will be incurred in connection with the American Acquisition, nor any cost savings and synergies expected to result from the American Acquisition (and associated costs to achieve such savings or synergies), nor any costs associated with severance, restructuring or integration activities resulting from the American Acquisition.


The following table summarizes certain unaudited pro forma combined financial information derived from a combination of the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and of American$10.1 million for the years ended December 31, 20172022, 2021, and 2016, adjusted to give effect to the American Acquisition and related transactions (including the refinancing). The unaudited pro forma combined financial information was prepared as if the American Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2016.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma combined net revenues

$

843,484

 

 

$

794,265

 

Pro forma combined net income

 

23,107

 

 

 

28,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma combined net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.88

 

 

$

1.08

 

Diluted

 

0.83

 

 

 

1.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

26,342

 

 

 

26,181

 

Diluted

 

27,897

 

 

 

26,500

 

The following adjustments have been made to the pro forma combined net income and pro forma combined net income per share in the table above:

Adjustment to eliminate the historical shareholders’ equity of American and the issuance of 4,046,494 shares of common stock of the Company to ACEP Holdings at the closing of the American Acquisition valued at $101.5 million.

Adjustment to eliminate transaction costs incurred by the Company and American in connection with the American Acquisition.

Adjustments to remove severance costs, sale-related expenses and restricted stock unit compensation costs incurred by American related to the American Acquisition.

Adjustments to depreciation and amortization expense of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets acquired by the Company resulting from the effect of the preliminary purchase price allocation.

Adjustments to interest expense and debt issuance costs resulting from the refinancing of the Company’s and American’s former senior secured credit facilities, and the removal of the historical interest expense of the Company and American related to their respective senior secured indebtedness that was repaid as part of the refinancing. The pro forma adjustments are based on the amounts borrowed in the refinancing and the interest rates in effect at the closing of the American Acquisition.

Adjustment to remove the loss on extinguishment of the Company and American’s senior secured indebtedness resulting from the refinancing.

Adjustments to income tax benefit (provision) as a result of the application of the guidance in ASC 740 and the Company’s combined federal and state statutory rate.

Montana Acquisitions

On January 29, 2016, the Company completed the Initial Montana Acquisition, which involved the acquisition of approximately 1,100 slots, as well as certain other non-gaming assets and the right to operate within certain locations, from C. Lohman Games, Inc., Rocky Mountain Gaming, Inc. and Brandy’s Shoreliner Restaurant, Inc., for total consideration of $20.1 million, including the issuance of $0.5 million of the Company’s common stock (comprising 50,252 shares at fair value at issuance of $9.95 per share). In connection with the Initial Montana Acquisition, the Company is required to pay the sellers contingent consideration of up to a total of $2.0 million in cash paid in four quarterly payments which began in September 2017, subject to certain potential adjustments. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company revalued the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration and recognized


a gain on revaluation of contingent consideration of $1.7 million on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. In the first quarter of 2018 the contingent consideration was paid in full. The allocation of the $20.1 million purchase price to the assets acquired as of January 29, 2016 includes $1.7 million of cash, $2.4 million of property and equipment, $14.4 million of intangible assets and $1.6 million of goodwill. The amounts assigned to intangible assets include customer relationships of $9.8 million with an economic life of 15 years, non-compete agreements of $3.9 million with an economic life of five years, trade names of $0.5 million with an economic life of four years and other amounts of $0.2 million with an economic life of 15 years.

On April 22, 2016, the Company completed the Second Montana Acquisition, which involved the acquisition of approximately 1,800 slots, as well as amusement devices and certain other non-gaming assets and the right to operate within certain locations, from Amusement Services, LLC, for total consideration of $25.7 million. The allocation of the $25.7 million purchase price to the assets acquired as of April 22, 2016 includes $0.3 million of cash, less than $0.1 million of prepaid gaming license fees, $7.8 million of property and equipment, $11.4 million of intangible assets and $6.0 million of goodwill. The amounts assigned to intangible assets include customer relationships of $9.1 million with an economic life of 15 years, non-compete agreements of $1.8 million with an economic life of five years, trade names of $0.2 million with an economic life of four years and other amounts of $0.3 million with an economic life of 15 years.

The goodwill recognized in the Montana Acquisitions is primarily attributable to potential expansion and future development of, and anticipated synergies from, the acquired businesses and is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The Company reports the results of operations from each of the Montana Acquisitions, subsequent to their respective closing dates, within its Distributed Gaming segment. Pro forma information is not being presented as there is no practicable method to calculate pro forma earnings given that the Montana Acquisitions were asset purchases that represented only a component of the businesses of the sellers. As a result, historical financial information obtained would have required significant estimates.

Merger with Sartini Gaming, Inc.

On July 31, 2015, the Company acquired Sartini Gaming through the consummation of the Merger. At the effective time of the Merger, all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Sartini Gaming were canceled and converted into the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock. At the closing of the Merger, the Company issued 7,772,736 shares of its common stock to The Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust (the “Sartini Trust”), as sole shareholder of Sartini Gaming in accordance with the agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). In addition, at the closing of the Merger, the Company issued 457,172 shares of its common stock to holders of warrants issued by a subsidiary of Sartini Gaming that elected to receive shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for their warrants. The total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger was subject to adjustment pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions of the Merger Agreement. In connection with such post-closing adjustment, the Company issued an additional 223,657 shares of its common stock to the Sartini Trust. As a result, the value of the purchase consideration following such adjustment was $77.4 million. This amount is the product of the 8,453,565 shares of the Company’s common stock issued in the aggregate in connection with the Merger and the closing price of $9.15 per share of the Company's common stock on July 31, 2015. In August 2016, the 777,274 shares previously held in escrow as security in the event of any claims for indemnifiable losses in accordance with the Merger Agreement were released to the Sartini Trust in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement.

Under the Merger Agreement, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger reflected the pre-Merger value of Sartini Gaming relative to the pre-Merger value of the Company, which pre-Merger values were calculated in accordance with formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement. To determine the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger, the sum of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding in-the-money stock options was divided by the percentage of the total pre-Merger value of both companies that represented the Company’s pre-Merger value to determine the total number of fully diluted shares immediately following the Merger. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger was the difference between the total number of fully diluted shares


immediately following the Merger and the total number of fully diluted shares immediately prior to the Merger. No fractional shares of the Company’s common stock were issued in connection with the Merger, and any fractional share was rounded to the nearest whole share.

The Merger Agreement specified the procedure for determining the pre-Merger values of Sartini Gaming and the Company. The final pre-Merger values of the Company and Sartini Gaming were determined and approved during the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions of the Merger Agreement.

The total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger was as follows:

Pre-Merger

Value of Lakes

 

 

Lakes %

 

 

Pre-Merger

Value of Sartini

Gaming

 

 

Sartini

Gaming %

 

 

Total Post-Closing

Shares(1)

 

 

Total Shares Issued

in Connection

with Merger(2)

 

$

134,615,083

 

 

62.6%

 

 

$

80,523,753

 

 

37.4%

 

 

 

22,592,260

 

 

 

8,453,565

 

(1)

Calculated as the sum of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger (on a fully diluted basis, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding in-the-money stock options) and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions of the Merger Agreement.

2020, respectively.

(2)

Includes 457,172 shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued to certain former holders of warrants issued by a subsidiary of Sartini Gaming upon the closing of the Merger.

Merger Accounting

The Merger has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. Under the purchase method, the total purchase price, or consideration transferred, was measured at the Merger closing date. The purchase price of the acquisition was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill recognized in the Merger was primarily attributable to potential expansion and future development of, and anticipated synergies from, the tavern brands and the acquired distributed gaming and casino businesses, while enhancing the Company’s existing brand and casino portfolio. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The Company allocated the goodwill to each reporting unit at the conclusion of the measurement period. 

Measurement Period Adjustments

The final pre-Merger values of the Company and Sartini Gaming were determined and approved during the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the post-closing adjustment provisions of the Merger Agreement. As a result of this post-closing adjustment calculation, the number of shares issued in connection with the Merger was increased by an additional 223,657 shares, and the 388,637 shares of the Company's common stock held in escrow as security for the post-closing adjustment were released to the Sartini Trust. The effect of the issuance of these additional shares on the purchase price consideration calculation was an increase of $2.1 million to $77.4 million. This amount is the product of the 8,453,565 total shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Merger on July 31, 2015 and issued pursuant to the post-closing “true-up” adjustment and the $9.15 per share closing price of the Company's common stock on July 31, 2015. The Company accounted for the issuance of the additional 223,657 shares, and the adjustment of the purchase price consideration, during the fourth quarter of 2015 when the additional shares were issued.

The measurement period for the Merger ended on July 31, 2016. In addition to the issuance of the additional shares pursuant to the post-closing adjustment calculation mentioned above, during the measurement period, the Company:

recorded a deferred tax liability totaling $14.7 million due to the assumption of a net deferred tax liability generated from intangible assets acquired in the Merger, with a corresponding increase to goodwill by the same amount;


recorded an adjustment to increase goodwill by $1.6 million, decreasing accounts receivable by the same amount, due to the determination that receivables acquired as part of the Merger were deemed to be uncollectible as of the Merger date;

further analyzed the trade names acquired as part of the Merger, which were originally given 10 year useful lives, and concluded that the trade names are indefinite-lived. An adjustment to reverse $0.2 million of amortization for the trade names in the third quarter of 2015 was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2015;

determined that the preliminary estimated useful lives of certain tangible acquired assets were not consistent with the useful lives used by other market participants. The useful lives determined during the measurement period were updated to reflect the Company’s determination and are reflected in the property and equipment by category table below; 

identified an acquired prepaid asset (recorded in other current assets previously) that was reclassified to a gaming license that represents the Company’s ability and right to operate in its current capacity in Montana. Management has valued the gaming license using estimates for explicit and implicit costs to obtain the gaming license and has determined the license has an indefinite life;

recorded an adjustment to increase goodwill by less than $0.1 million, increasing accrued taxes by the same amount, due to a tax liability resulting from a prior year assumed as part of the Merger;

recorded an adjustment to increase goodwill by $0.3 million, decreasing player relationships at the Company’s Gold Town Casino by the same amount, due to an increase in the discount rate used in the valuation upon further review. This adjustment triggered a release of $0.1 million of the previously recorded deferred tax liability, with a corresponding decrease to goodwill by the same amount; and

identified $0.9 million worth of equipment that was disposed of prior to the Merger but recorded in the opening balance. As such, the Company recorded an increase to goodwill for the amount of equipment written off.

Allocation

The final allocation of the $77.4 million purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 31, 2015 was as follows:

(In thousands)

 

Amount

 

Cash

 

$

25,539

 

Other current assets

 

 

14,830

 

Property and equipment

 

 

83,173

 

Intangible assets

 

 

80,460

 

Goodwill

 

 

97,462

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(13,245

)

Warrant liability

 

 

(3,435

)

Debt

 

 

(190,587

)

Deferred tax liability

 

 

(14,576

)

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

(2,217

)

Total purchase price

 

$

77,404

 


The amounts assigned to property and equipment by category are summarized in the table below:

 

 

Remaining

 

Amount Assigned

 

 

 

Useful Life (Years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Land

 

Not applicable

 

$

12,470

 

Land improvements

 

5-14

 

 

4,030

 

Building and improvements

 

19-25

 

 

21,310

 

Leasehold improvements

 

1-28

 

 

20,793

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

1-11

 

 

21,935

 

Construction in process

 

Not applicable

 

 

2,635

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

$

83,173

 

The amounts assigned to intangible assets by category as of July 31, 2015 are summarized in the table below:

 

 

Remaining

 

Amount Assigned

 

 

 

Useful Life (Years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Trade names

 

Indefinite

 

$

12,200

 

Player relationships

 

8-14

 

 

7,300

 

Customer relationships

 

13-16

 

 

59,200

 

Gaming licenses

 

Indefinite

 

 

960

 

Other intangible assets

 

2-10

 

 

800

 

Total intangible assets

 

 

 

$

80,460

 

See Note 12, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, for further discussion regarding the valuation of the tangible and intangible assets acquired through the Merger.

Refinancing

In connection with the Merger, the Company entered into the Former Credit Facility to refinance the outstanding senior secured indebtedness of Sartini Gaming and the Company’s then-existing financing facility with Centennial Bank.

Jamul Note and Distribution to Shareholders

On December 9, 2015, the Company sold its $60.0 million subordinated promissory note (“Jamul Note”) from the Jamul Indian Village (“Jamul Tribe”) to a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. for $24.0 million in cash. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement with Sartini Gaming and subject to applicable law, the Company agreed that the proceeds received from the sale of the Jamul Note, net of related costs, would be distributed in a cash dividend to its shareholders holding shares as of the record date for such dividend (other than shareholders that had waived their right to receive such dividend in connection with the Merger). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Sartini Gaming’s former sole shareholder, for itself and any related party transferees of its shares, waived their right to receive such dividend with respect to their shares (which totaled 7,996,393 shares in the aggregate). Also in connection with the Merger, holders of an additional 457,172 shares waived their right to receive such dividend. On June 17, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and declared the special dividend to the eligible shareholders of record on the close of business on June 30, 2016 (the “Record Date”) of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million (the “Special Dividend”), which was paid on July 14, 2016. The $1.71 per share amount of the Special Dividend was calculated by dividing the aggregate amount of the Special Dividend by 13,759,374 outstanding shares of common stock held by eligible shareholders on the close of business on the Record Date (rounded down to the nearest whole cent per share).


Note 4 – Property and Equipment Net

The following table summarizes the components of property

Property and equipment, net:

net, consisted of the following:

 

December 31,

 

At December 31,

(In thousands)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

(In thousands)20222021

Land

 

$

121,081

 

 

$

12,470

 

Land$125,240 $125,240 

Building and site improvements

 

 

705,266

 

 

 

77,515

 

Building and improvementsBuilding and improvements923,157 937,759 

Furniture and equipment

 

 

125,339

 

 

 

75,740

 

Furniture and equipment244,735 246,323 

Construction in process

 

 

6,972

 

 

 

5,246

 

Construction in process23,224 16,347 

Property and equipment

 

 

958,658

 

 

 

170,971

 

Property and equipment1,316,356 1,325,669 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(63,417

)

 

 

(33,390

)

Accumulated depreciationAccumulated depreciation(475,625)(421,449)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

895,241

 

 

$

137,581

 

Property and equipment, net$840,731 $904,220 

Depreciation expense for property and equipment, including capitalfinance leases, totaled $31.3$92.7 million, $20.2$98.6 million, and $8.5$103.4 million for 2017, 2016,the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2015,2020, respectively.

The Company reviews the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
56


Due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company revised its cash flow projections throughout the year ended December 31, 2020 to reflect the then-current economic environment, including the uncertainty around the nature, timing and extent of elimination or easing of the restrictions on its operations, and utilized such projections in performing interim and annual qualitative and quantitative assessments of its property and equipment for potential impairment. The revised cash flow projections also reflected the Company’s decision to keep operations of its Colorado Belle property suspended. Based on the results of interim and annual assessments conducted during the year, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. Management determined that for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no new indicators of impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets aside from the Colorado Belle, the operations of which remain suspended. Based on the qualitative and quantitative assessments conducted during the year, including specific procedures on the Colorado Belle property, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Note 5 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets Net

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Finite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for potential impairment whenever there is an indicator that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. Refer to “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further information on the Company’s accounting policies related to its goodwill and intangible assets.
Mandatory shut-down of the Company’s properties commencing in March 2020 that lasted for a majority of the second quarter of 2020 resulted in a deterioration in the performance of the Company’s casino properties in particular, which required the Company to revise its cash flow projections to reflect the then-current economic environment, including the uncertainty surrounding the nature, timing, and extent of elimination of or change to the restrictions on the Company’s operations. As a result, the Company conducted an interim qualitative and quantitative assessment of its goodwill and intangible assets for potential impairment in each quarter of 2020 and performed its annual quantitative test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment during the fourth quarter of 2020. The analyses performed by the Company throughout 2020 resulted in non-cash impairment charges recorded to the Company’s Nevada Casino Resorts goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names in the amount of $27.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively.
Management determined that there were no new indicators of impairment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the Company concluded that there was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The estimated fair value of goodwill during the interim periods in 2021 and for the annual quantitative test in both 2021 and 2022 was determined using an income valuation approach utilizing discounted cash flow models. The annual quantitative test in 2020 was conducted using a combination of an income valuation approach utilizing discounted cash flow models and a market valuation approach. The market valuation approach considers comparable market data based on multiples of revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The income valuation approach conducted in 2020 utilized the following Level 3 inputs: discount rate of 12.0% - 13.5%; long-term revenue growth rate of 2.0% - 3.0%. The income valuation approach conducted in 2021 and 2022 utilized a discount rate of 13% and 13.5%, respectively, and long-term revenue growth rate of 2.5% in both periods.
The estimated fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2020, 2021 and 2022 was determined using the income approach by applying the relief from royalty methodology using Level 3 inputs. For 2020, the Company applied a royalty rate of 0.75% to 2.0%, a discount rate of 12.0% to 13.5% and long-term revenue growth rate of 2.0% to 3.0%. For 2021, the Company utilized a royalty rate of 1.0% to 2.0%, a discount rate of 13.0% and a long-term revenue growth rate of 2.5%. For 2022, the Company utilized a royalty rate of 1.0% to 2.0%, a discount rate of 13.5% and a long-term revenue growth rate of 2.5%.
The following table summarizes goodwill activitybalances by reportable segment:

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming

 

 

Total

Goodwill

 

Balance, January 1, 2016

 

$

17,080

 

 

$

79,208

 

 

$

96,288

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

 

 

 

 

8,193

 

 

 

8,193

 

Acquired goodwill adjusted during the year

 

 

(9,284

)

 

 

10,458

 

 

 

1,174

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

 

7,796

 

 

 

97,859

 

 

 

105,655

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

 

52,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,479

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

$

60,275

 

 

$

97,859

 

 

$

158,134

 

(In thousands)Nevada Casino ResortsNevada Locals CasinosMaryland Casino ResortNevada TavernsDistributed GamingTotal Goodwill
Balance, December 31, 2021 and 2022$22,105 $38,187 $— $20,459 $77,645 $158,396 

Goodwill represents the initial goodwill allocation related to the Merger and the Montana Acquisitions and final adjustments to purchase price allocations during the applicable measurement periods, and the initial goodwill allocation related to the American Acquisition. The impact of the final purchase price allocation adjustments related to the Merger and the Montana Acquisitions on the Company's results of operations and financial position was immaterial. The Company may continue to record adjustments to the carrying value of assets acquired with a corresponding offset to goodwill during the measurement period related to the American Acquisition, which can be up to one year from the date of the consummation of the acquisition. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, for a description of the intangible assets acquired through the Merger, the Montana Acquisitions and the American Acquisition.



57


Intangible assets, net, consisted of the following:

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

Weighted-

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Life

 

Carrying

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Intangible

 

At December 31, 2022

(In thousands)

 

Remaining

 

Value

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Assets, Net

 

(In thousands)Useful Life (Years)Gross Carrying
Value
Cumulative
Amortization
Cumulative ImpairmentIntangible Assets, Net

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Gaming licenses

 

Indefinite

 

$

960

 

 

$

 

 

$

960

 

Trade names

 

Indefinite

 

 

46,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,710

 

Trade namesIndefinite$53,690 $— $(6,890)$46,800 

Other

 

Indefinite

 

 

185

 

 

 

 

 

 

185

 

 

 

 

 

47,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,855

 

53,690 — (6,890)46,800 

Amortizing intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortizing intangible assets

Customer relationships

 

12.1 years

 

 

80,320

 

 

 

(12,524

)

 

 

67,796

 

Customer relationships4-1681,105 (41,743)— 39,362 

Player relationships

 

4.2 years

 

 

34,150

 

 

 

(3,045

)

 

 

31,105

 

Player relationships2-1442,990 (40,455)— 2,535 

Gaming license

 

10.3 years

 

 

2,100

 

 

 

(648

)

 

 

1,452

 

Non-compete agreements

 

3.0 years

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

(2,395

)

 

 

3,605

 

Non-compete agreements2-59,840 (9,114)— 726 
In-place lease valueIn-place lease value41,170 (1,170)— — 

Leasehold interest

 

65.7 years

 

 

3,110

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

3,078

 

Leasehold interest4570 (570)— — 

In-place lease value

 

3.3 years

 

 

1,670

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

1,589

 

Other

 

8.2 years

 

 

1,769

 

 

 

(557

)

 

 

1,212

 

Other4-251,366 (1,237)— 129 

 

 

 

 

129,119

 

 

 

(19,282

)

 

 

109,837

 

137,041 (94,289)— 42,752 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

 

$

176,974

 

 

$

(19,282

)

 

$

157,692

 

Balance, December 31, 2022Balance, December 31, 2022$190,731 $(94,289)$(6,890)$89,552 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

Weighted-

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Life

 

Carrying

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Intangible

 

At December 31, 2021

(In thousands)

 

Remaining

 

Value

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Assets, Net

 

(In thousands)Useful Life (Years)Gross Carrying
Value
Cumulative
Amortization
Cumulative ImpairmentIntangible Assets, Net

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Gaming licenses

 

Indefinite

 

$

960

 

 

$

 

 

$

960

 

Trade names

 

Indefinite

 

 

12,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,200

 

Trade namesIndefinite$53,690 $— $(6,890)$46,800 

Other

 

Indefinite

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

13,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,270

 

53,690 — (6,890)46,800 

Amortizing intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortizing intangible assets

Customer relationships

 

13.2 years

 

 

78,100

 

 

 

(6,932

)

 

 

71,168

 

Customer relationships4-1681,105 (35,879)— 45,226 

Player relationships

 

10.4 years

 

 

7,300

 

 

 

(910

)

 

 

6,390

 

Player relationships2-1442,990 (39,812)— 3,178 

Gaming license

 

11.4 years

 

 

2,100

 

 

 

(508

)

 

 

1,592

 

Non-compete agreements

 

4.0 years

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

(1,168

)

 

 

4,832

 

Non-compete agreements2-59,840 (8,349)— 1,491 
Gaming license (1)
Gaming license (1)
152,100 (1,210)— 890 
In-place lease valueIn-place lease value41,170 (1,155)— 15 
Leasehold interestLeasehold interest4570 (570)— — 

Other

 

9.5 years

 

 

1,648

 

 

 

(297

)

 

 

1,351

 

Other4-251,814 (1,356)— 458 

 

 

 

 

95,148

 

 

 

(9,815

)

 

 

85,333

 

139,589 (88,331)— 51,258 

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

 

 

$

108,418

 

 

$

(9,815

)

 

$

98,603

 

Balance, December 31, 2021Balance, December 31, 2021$193,279 $(88,331)$(6,890)$98,058 

The

(1) Relates to Rocky Gap gaming license is being amortized over its 15 year term.

Gap.

Total amortization expense related to intangible assets was $9.5$7.4 million, $7.3$8.1 million, and $2.3$21.0 million for 2017, 2016,the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2015,2020, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets which includes acquiredis as follows:
(In thousands)20232024202520262027Thereafter
Total (1)
Estimated amortization expense$7,209 $6,313 $5,974 $5,869 $5,737 $11,650 $42,752 
(1) The Company did not have intangible assets recorded on a preliminary basis, isthat were not placed in service as follows:

of December 31, 2022.

(In thousands)

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

Thereafter

 

Estimated amortization expense

 

$

17,562

 

 

$

17,562

 

 

$

15,923

 

 

$

7,023

 

 

$

6,624

 

 

$

45,143

 




58


Note 6 – Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consistconsisted of the following:

 

December 31,

 

At December 31,

(In thousands)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

(In thousands)20222021

Gaming liabilities

 

$

11,123

 

 

$

1,479

 

Gaming liabilities$10,952 $12,311 
Accrued taxes, other than income taxesAccrued taxes, other than income taxes9,291 9,035 

Interest

 

 

1,770

 

 

 

9

 

Interest6,036 6,168 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

6,402

 

 

 

2,358

 

Other accrued liabilities5,027 5,549 

Total accrued liabilities

 

$

19,295

 

 

$

3,846

 

DepositsDeposits2,059 2,284 
Total current accrued liabilitiesTotal current accrued liabilities$33,365 $35,347 

Note 7 – Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt, net, consisted of the following:
At December 31,
(In thousands)20222021
Term Loan$575,000 $650,000 
2026 Unsecured Notes335,461 375,000 
Finance lease liabilities2,157 3,005 
Notes payable90 602 
Total long-term debt and finance leases912,708 1,028,607 
Unamortized discount(7,899)(11,689)
Unamortized debt issuance costs(3,790)(5,392)
Total long-term debt and finance leases after debt issuance costs and discount901,019 1,011,526 
Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases(555)(1,057)
Long-term debt, net and finance leases$900,464 $1,010,469 
Senior Secured Credit Facilities

As of December 31,Facility

In October 2017, the Company’s Credit Facilities consistedCompany entered into a senior secured credit facility consisting of a $900.0$900 million First Lien Facilitysenior secured first lien credit facility (consisting of $800.0an $800 million in term loansloan (the “Term Loan”) maturing on October 20, 2024 and a $100.0$100 million revolving credit facility)facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”)) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as administrative agent and collateral agent), the lenders party thereto and the other entities party thereto (the “Credit Facility”). The Revolving Credit Facility was subsequently increased from $100 million to $200 million in 2018, increasing the total Credit Facility capacity to $1 billion. On October 12, 2021, the Company further modified the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility by increasing its size to $240 million and a $200.0extending the maturity date from October 20, 2022 to April 20, 2024. The Company incurred $0.7 million Second Lien Term Loan within debt modification costs and fees related to this modification of the Revolving Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (as administrative agentFacility that have been deferred and collateral agent),are being amortized over the lenders party thereto andterm of the other entities party thereto. Revolving Credit Facility using the straight-line method.
As of December 31, 2017, $800.02022, the Company had $575 million and $200.0 millionin principal amount of term loan borrowings were outstanding under our First Lien Facility and Second Lien Term Loan respectively, there wereborrowings under its Credit Facility, no outstanding letters of credit outstandingand no borrowings under the First LienRevolving Credit Facility, and our revolving credit facility was undrawn, leavingsuch that the full borrowing availability of $240 million under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2017 of $100.0 million.

Revolving Credit Facility was available to the Company.

Interest and Fees

Borrowings under each of the Credit FacilitiesFacility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (1) a base rate equal to the greatest of the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, the applicable administrative agent’s prime rate as announced from time to time, or the LIBOR rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 1.75% (with respect to the term loans)loan) or 1.00% (with respect to borrowings under the revolving credit facility)Revolving Credit Facility) or (2) the LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period, subject to a floor of 0.75% (with respect to the term loansloan only), plus in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the term loansloan under the First LienCredit Facility is 2.00% for base rate loans and 3.00% for LIBOR rate loans. The applicable margin for borrowings under the revolving credit facility under the First LienRevolving Credit Facility ranges from 1.50% to 2.00% for base rate loans and 2.50% to 3.00% for LIBOR rate loans, based on the Company’s net leverage ratio. The applicable margin for the Second Lien Term Loan is 6.00% for base rate loans and 7.00% for LIBOR rate loans. The commitment fee for the revolving credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility is payable quarterly at a rate of between 0.375% andor 0.50%, depending on the Company’s net leverage ratio, and is accrued based on the average
59


daily unused amount of the available revolving commitment. As of December 31, 2017, theThe weighted-average effective interest rate on the Company’s outstanding borrowings under the Credit FacilitiesFacility was approximately 5.1%.

4.85% for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Optional and Mandatory Prepayments

and Related Loss on Debt Extinguishment and Modification

The revolving credit facility under the First Lien Facility matures on October 20, 2022, and the term loans under the First Lien Facility mature on October 20, 2024. The term loans under the First Lien Facility must be repaidTerm Loan is repayable in 27 quarterly installments of $2.0$2 million each, which commencecommenced in March 2018, followed by a final installment of $746.0$746 million at maturity. The term loansIn April 2019, the Company made a $18 million prepayment of the Term Loan under the Second LienCredit Facility with the proceeds from the issuance of the Company’s 7.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Unsecured Notes”). During 2019, the Company recognized a $5.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt and $3.7 million of expense related to modification of debt, related to the repayment of the Company’s former second lien term loan discussed below and $18 million prepayment.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company prepaid $75 million and $122 million, respectively, of principal under the Term Loan, must be repaid in fullthereby eliminating the requirement to make any further quarterly installment payments, prior to maturity. As of December 31, 2022, the final installment payment due at the maturity on date of October 20, 2025.

2024 is $575 million. The Company recorded non-cash charges in the amounts of $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance costs and discount related to the prepayments of the Term Loan for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Guarantees and Collateral

Borrowing

Borrowings under each of the Credit FacilitiesFacility are guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (other than certain insignificant or unrestricted subsidiaries), and are secured by substantially all of the present and future assets of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors (subject to of certain exceptions).


Financial and Other Covenants

Under the Credit Facilities,Facility, the Company and its restricted subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations, including limitations on their respective ability to: incur additional debt, grant liens, sell assets, make certain investments, pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments. In addition, the Company will be required to pay down the term loansloan under the Credit FacilitiesFacility under certain circumstances if the Company or its restricted subsidiaries issue debt, sell assets, receive certain extraordinary receipts or generate excess cash flow (subject to exceptions). The revolving credit facility under the First LienCredit Facility contains a financial covenant regarding a maximum net leverage ratio that applies when borrowings under the revolving credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility exceed 30% of the total revolving commitment. The Credit FacilitiesFacility also prohibitprohibits the occurrence of a change of control, which includes the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Company’s capital stock (other than by certain permitted holders, which include, among others, Blake L. Sartini, Lyle A. Berman, Neil I. Sell and certain affiliated entities). If the Company defaults under the Credit FacilitiesFacility due to a covenant breach or otherwise, the lenders may be entitled to, among other things, require the immediate repayment of all outstanding amounts and sell the Company’s assets to satisfy the obligations thereunder. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants under the Credit FacilitiesFacility as of December 31, 2017.

Former 2022.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Unsecured Notes

On April 15, 2019, the Company issued $375 million in principal amount of 2026 Unsecured Notes in a private placement to institutional buyers at face value. The 2026 Unsecured Notes bear interest at 7.625%, payable semi-annually on April 15th and October 15th of each year.
In connection with the American Acquisitionissuance of the 2026 Unsecured Notes, the Company incurred $6.7 million in debt financing costs and fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the entry intoterm of the 2026 Unsecured Notes using the effective interest method.
The net proceeds of the 2026 Unsecured Notes were used to (i) repay the Company’s former $200 million second lien term loan, (ii) repay outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) repay $18 million of the outstanding Term Loan indebtedness under the Credit Facilities, in October 2017 the Company repaid all principal amounts outstanding under the Company’s Former Credit Agreement with Capital One, National Association (as administrative agent)Facility, and the lenders named therein, which amounted(iv) pay accrued interest, fees and expenses related to approximately $173.4 million, together with accrued interest. As a resulteach of the repayment and discharge of the Former Credit Facility, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.7 million duringforegoing.
During the year ended December 31, 2017.

Former Rocky Gap Financing Facility

In connection with the entry into the Former Credit Agreement, in July 20152022, the Company repaid allrepurchased $39.5 million in principal amounts outstanding underamount of 2026 Unsecured Notes in open market transactions, thereby reducing the Company’s then-existing $17.5final payment due at maturity to $335.5 million. The Company recorded a non-cash charge in the amount of $1.1 million financing facility with Centennial Bank, which amounted to approximately $10.7 million, together with accrued interest. As a resultfor the accelerated amortization of the repayment of this facility, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million,issuance costs and discount related to the unamortized discountrepurchase of 2026 Unsecured Notes.

60


Optional Prepayments
The 2026 Unsecured Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time during the 12 months beginning on April 15, 2022 at a redemption price of 103.813%, during the 12 months beginning on April 15, 2023 at a redemption price of 101.906%, and at any time on or after April 15, 2024 at a redemption price of 100%, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date.
Financial and Other Covenants
The 2026 Unsecured Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s existing and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantees the Credit Facility. The 2026 Unsecured Notes are the Company and its subsidiary guarantors’ general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s respective existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt. The 2026 Unsecured Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to the Company and its subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future secured debt, including under the facility, duringCredit Facility (to the year endedextent of the value of the assets securing such debt), are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of any of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2026 Unsecured Notes, and are senior in right of payment to all of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
Under the Indenture, the Company and its restricted subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations, including limitations on their respective ability to: incur additional debt. grant liens, sell assets, make certain investments, pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments. In the event of a change of control (which includes the acquisition of more than 50% of the Company’s capital stock, other than by certain permitted holders, which include, among others, Blake L. Sartini, Lyle A. Berman, and certain affiliated entities), each holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 2026 Unsecured Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Unsecured Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.
Derivative Instruments
In November 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement (the “Interest Rate Cap”) with a notional value of $650 million for a cash payment of $3.1 million. The Interest Rate Cap established a range whereby the counterparty would pay the Company if one-month LIBOR exceeds the ceiling rate of 2.25%. The Interest Rate Cap settled monthly commencing in January 2018 through its expiration on December 31, 2015.

Summary of Outstanding Debt

Long-term debt, net is comprised2020. No payments or receipts were required to be exchanged on the Interest Rate Cap unless interest rates rose above the pre-determined ceiling rate. The estimated fair value of the following:

Company’s Interest Rate Cap was derived from a market price obtained from a dealer quote. Such quote represents the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the contract.

 

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Term loans

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

$

150,000

 

Revolving credit facility

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

5,839

 

 

 

1,970

 

Notes payable

 

 

1,159

 

 

 

3,777

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

1,006,998

 

 

 

185,747

 

Less unamortized discount

 

 

(30,122

)

 

 

 

Less unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(3,917

)

 

 

(2,305

)

 

 

 

972,959

 

 

 

183,442

 

Less current maturities

 

 

(9,759

)

 

 

(15,752

)

Long-term debt, net

 

$

963,200

 

 

$

167,690

 


Scheduled Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt

The scheduled principal payments due on long-term debt are as follows:

follows (in thousands):

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2018

$

9,759

 

2019

 

9,177

 

2020

 

9,111

 

2021

 

8,465

 

2022

 

8,143

 

Thereafter

 

962,343

 

Total outstanding principal of long-term debt

$

1,006,998

 

Year Ending December 31,Amount
2023$555 
2024575,158 
2025133 
2026137 
2027335,616 
Thereafter1,109 
Total outstanding principal of long-term debt$912,708 

Note 8 – Promotional Allowances

The retail valueShareholders’ Equity and Stock Incentive Plans

Share Repurchase Program
On August 3, 2021, the Company’s Board of foodDirectors authorized a share repurchase program of $50 million, which was re-authorized on May 3, 2022 and beverages, roomssubsequently increased to $75 million on November 1, 2022. Share repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, block trades or in private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations and other services furnishedlegal requirements, including compliance with the Company’s finance agreements. There is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to customersrepurchase and the repurchase program may be suspended or
61


discontinued at any time without charge, including coupons for discounts when redeemed,prior notice. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $61.5 million of remaining share repurchase availability under its November 1, 2022 authorization.
The following table includes the Company’s share repurchase activity:
Year Ended December 31,
202220212020
(In thousands, except per share data)
Shares repurchased (1)
1,113 227 50 
Total cost, including brokerage fees$51,202 $10,616 $950 
Average repurchase price per share (2)
$46.01 $46.87 $19.00 
(1)All repurchased shares were retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share is included in gross revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances. The estimated retail value of the promotional allowances are as follows:

calculated based on unrounded numbers.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Food and beverage

$

23,886

 

 

$

18,324

 

 

$

6,633

 

Rooms

 

3,790

 

 

 

2,263

 

 

 

2,035

 

Other

 

1,192

 

 

 

604

 

 

 

214

 

Total promotional allowances

$

28,868

 

 

$

21,191

 

 

$

8,882

 

Stock Incentive Plans

The estimated cost of providing these promotional allowances, which is primarily included in gaming expenses, are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Food and beverage

$

21,007

 

 

$

15,201

 

 

$

2,263

 

Rooms

 

1,451

 

 

 

818

 

 

 

608

 

Other

 

413

 

 

 

367

 

 

 

205

 

Total estimated cost of promotional allowances

$

22,871

 

 

$

16,386

 

 

$

3,076

 

Note 9 – Share-Based Compensation

Overview

On August 27, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2016 annual meeting. The 2015 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, (“RSUs”), dividend equivalents, stock payment awards, stock appreciation rights, performance bonus awards and other incentive awards. The 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. Options generally have a ten-year term. Except as provided in any employment agreement between the Company and the employee, if an employee is terminated, (voluntarily or involuntarily), any unvested options as of the date of termination will be forfeited.

The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock for which grants may be made under the 2015 Plan is 2.25 million shares, plus an annual increase on January 1st of each year during the ten-year term of the 2015 Plan equal to the lesser of 1.8 million shares, 4% of the total shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) and such smaller amount as may be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. The


annual increase on January 1, 20172022 was 889,2591,153,210 shares. In addition, the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be subject to awards granted to any one participant during a calendar year is 2.0 million shares. As of December 31, 2017,2022, a total of 109,2633,135,469 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for grants of awards under the 2015 Plan.

The 2015 Plan provides that no stock option or stock appreciation right (even if vested) may be exercised prior to the earlier of August 1, 2018 or immediately prior to the consummation of a change in control of the Company that would result in an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

In June 2007, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2007 Lakes Stock Option and Compensation Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which is authorized to grant a total of 1.25 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Vested options are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant; however, if the employee is terminated (voluntarily or involuntarily), any unvested options as of the date of termination will be forfeited. As of December 31, 2017, no shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for grants of awards under the 2007 Plan.

In connection with the Special Dividend discussed in Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, and in accordance with the Company’s equity incentive plans approved by the Company’s shareholders, equitable anti-dilutive adjustments were made to the exercise prices of outstanding stock options to purchase shares of Company common stock, in order to preserve the value of such stock options following the Special Dividend. Accordingly, effective as of the close of business on July 14, 2016, the exercise price of each outstanding stock option granted prior to the Record Date under the 2015 Plan, the 2007 Plan and the 1998 Stock Option and Compensation Plan (collectively, the “Adjusted Options”) was reduced by $1.71 per share. The weighted-average exercise price of the Adjusted Options presented in the table below have been adjusted accordingly. The Adjusted Options had a weighted-average exercise price of $7.04 per share after giving effect to such anti-dilutive adjustments. The Adjusted Options have varying remaining terms, which were not affected by the adjustments. The Company measured the incremental compensation cost as the excess of the fair value of the Adjusted Options immediately following such anti-dilutive adjustments over the fair value of the Adjusted Options immediately prior to such anti-dilutive adjustments. Of the 2,337,643 Adjusted Options, 1,908,070 were unvested and 429,573 were vested at the time of the adjustment. The incremental fair value related to the unvested Adjusted Options resulting from the anti-dilutive adjustments was estimated to be $1.7 million, which will be recorded over the remaining vesting period of such Adjusted Options. The incremental fair value related to the vested Adjusted Options resulting from the anti-dilutive adjustments, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $0.7 million and was recorded as share-based compensation expense during the third quarter of 2016.















62


Stock Options

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity:

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Term

 

 

Average

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

(in years)

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

 

3,402,481

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

$

9.02

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

1,124,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

15.88

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(22,989

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

7.36

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

(128,105

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

11.36

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

 

 

4,375,929

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

$

10.73

 

 

$

95,937

 

Vested at December 31, 2017

 

 

1,851,799

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

$

7.99

 

 

$

45,705

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2017

 

 

388,040

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

$

4.33

 

 

$

10,989

 

Stock Options Outstanding
Weighted-Average Remaining Term
(in years)
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 20203,126,521 6.1$11.61 
Granted— $— 
Exercised(84,875)$3.88 
Cancelled(2,292)$13.50 
Expired(148,013)$26.61 
Outstanding at December 31, 20202,891,341 5.5$11.07 $25,520 
Granted— $— 
Exercised(749,847)$10.39 
Cancelled— $— 
Expired— $— 
Outstanding at December 31, 20212,141,494 4.5$11.31 $83,992 
Granted— $— 
Exercised(69,500)$9.94 
Cancelled— $— 
Expired— $— 
Outstanding at December 31, 20222,071,994 3.5$11.35 $53,966 
Exercisable at December 31, 20202,854,813 5.5$11.04 $25,286 
Exercisable at December 31, 20212,141,494 4.5$11.31 $83,992 
Exercisable at December 31, 20222,071,994 3.5$11.35 $53,966 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised duringwas $2.6 million, $26.1 million, and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 2015 was $0.1 million, $1.8 million and $0.1 million,2020, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value ofCompany has not granted any stock options granted duringsince 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7.30, $4.80 and $3.72 per share, respectively.


The total amount of cash received from stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 20172022 was $0.2less than $0.1 million.

The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value and compensation cost associated with employee incentive stock options, which requires the consideration of historical employee exercise behavior data and the use of a number of assumptions including volatility of the Company’s stock price, the weighted-average risk-free interest rate and the weighted-average expected life of the options. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model is affected by the following assumptions regarding complex and subjective variables. Any changes in these assumptions may materially affect the estimated fair value of the share-based award.

Expected dividend yield — As the Company has not historically paid dividends, with the exception of the Special Dividend, the dividend rate variable used in the Black-Scholes model is zero.

Risk-free interest rate — The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and with maturities consistent with the expected term of options.

Expected term — The expected term of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. It is based upon the Company’s experience as to the average historical term of option grants that were exercised, canceled or forfeited. Management believes historical data is reasonably representative of future exercise behavior.

Expected volatility — The volatility assumption is based on the historical actual volatility of the Company’s stock. Management concluded there were no factors identified which were unusual and which would distort the volatility

63


figure if used to estimate future volatility. Future volatility may be substantially less or greater than expected volatility.

RSUs and PSUs

Executive officers of the Company receive long-term incentive equity awards in a combination of RSUs and PSUs, issued under the 2015 Plan. The following assumptions were usednumber of PSUs that will be eligible to estimatevest with respect to these PSU awards will be determined based on the fair valueCompany’s attainment of performance goals set by the Compensation Committee. Following the one- or two-year performance periods, the number of “vesting eligible” PSUs will then be subject to two- or one- additional years of time-based vesting, respectively. Share-based compensation costs related to RSU and PSU awards are calculated based on the market price on the date of the grant. The Company periodically reviews the estimates of performance against the defined criteria to assess the expected payout of each outstanding PSU grant and adjusts the stock options granted:

compensation expense accordingly.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Expected dividend yield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

2.21 – 2.47%

 

 

1.43 – 2.40%

 

 

2.18 – 2.36%

 

Expected term (in years)

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Expected volatility

29.07 – 34.43%

 

 

24.03 – 26.95%

 

 

27.24 – 27.60%

 

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Restricted

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Fair Value

 

RSUs

 

Stock

 

 

Average

 

 

of Shares

 

SharesWeighted-
Average Grant Date Fair Value
Total Fair Value of Shares Vested
(in thousands)

 

Units

 

 

Grant Date

 

 

Vested

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

141,296

 

 

$

12.57

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

 

141,296

 

 

$

12.57

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2020Outstanding at January 1, 2020661,258 $16.44 

Granted

 

 

62,791

 

 

$

27.87

 

 

 

 

 

Granted624,415 $9.65 

Vested

 

 

(111,660

)

 

$

12.57

 

 

$

2,556

 

Vested(308,222)$16.06 $3,336 

Cancelled

 

 

(29,636

)

 

$

12.57

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled(33,494)$16.58 

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

 

 

62,791

 

 

$

27.87

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2020Outstanding at December 31, 2020943,957 $12.06 
GrantedGranted318,356 $31.46 
VestedVested(426,770)$14.20 $14,203 
CancelledCancelled(20,123)$26.08 
Outstanding at December 31, 2021Outstanding at December 31, 2021815,420 $18.17 
GrantedGranted123,970 $51.86 
VestedVested(363,450)$17.78 $18,963 
CancelledCancelled(28,269)$17.63 
Outstanding at December 31, 2022Outstanding at December 31, 2022547,671 $26.09 

There was no RSU activity

The following table summarizes the Company’s PSU activity:
PSUs
Shares (1)
Weighted-
Average Grant Date Fair Value
Total Fair Value of Shares Vested
(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020376,328 $20.65 
Granted404,880 $8.86 
Vested(5,254)(2)$28.72 $47 
Cancelled(32,235)(2)$28.72 
Outstanding at December 31, 2020743,719 $13.82 
Granted129,503 $29.00 
Vested(89,920)(2) (3)$25.73 $2,608 
Cancelled(77,725)(2) (3)$25.23 
Outstanding at December 31, 2021705,577 (4)$13.84 
Granted83,579 $53.51 
Performance certification534,383 (5)$— 
Vested(247,380)(6)$12.51 $13,030 
Cancelled— $— 
Outstanding at December 31, 20221,076,159 $17.17 
64


(1)The number of shares for the PSUs listed as granted represents the “target” number of PSUs granted to each recipient eligible to vest if the Company meets its “target” performance goals for the applicable period. The actual number of PSUs eligible to vest for those PSUs will vary depending on whether or not the Company meets or exceeds the applicable threshold, target, or maximum performance goals for the PSUs, with 200% of the “target” number of PSUs eligible to vest at “maximum” performance levels.
(2)During the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s financial results for the performance goals applicable to the PSUs granted in March 2018 were certified, which resulted in the reduction of the PSUs granted in 2018 to the number of PSUs eligible to vest from 108,957 to 76,722 shares (with the 32,235 share adjustment shown in the table above as “Cancelled”), 5,254 of which shares vested in March 2020 and 71,468 of which shares vested in March 2021.
(3)62,791 of the 77,725 PSUs cancelled during the year ended December 31, 2015.

2021 related to PSUs granted in November 2017, for which applicable performance goals were not met. 14,934 of the 77,725 PSUs cancelled during the period related to PSUs granted in March 2019 (the “2019 PSU Awards”). The Company’s financial results for the applicable performance goals were certified in March 2021, which resulted in the reduction of the shares subject to the 2019 PSU Awards from 204,580 to 189,646. In addition, 18,452 of the shares under the 2019 PSU Awards vested during the first quarter of 2021
.

(4)Includes 171,194 shares of PSUs granted in March 2019 that were certified below target during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and vested in March 2022. Also includes PSUs granted in March 2020 and March 2021 at “target.”

(5)The Company’s financial results for the applicable performance goals were certified during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 200% of the target PSUs granted in March 2020 and March 2021 were deemed “earned.” Includes 38,093 incremental shares issued in March 2022 in connection with vesting of PSUs granted in March 2020 due to such award “earned” at 200% of the “target.” The remaining PSUs granted in March 2020 and March 2021 will be eligible to vest on March 14, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
(6)Comprises 171,194 shares of PSUs granted in March 2019 and 76,186 shares of PSUs granted in March 2020 that vested in March 2022.
Share-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs by award type:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

(In thousands)202220212020

Stock options

 

$

5,135

 

 

$

3,717

 

 

$

809

 

Stock options$— $191 $1,919 

Restricted stock units

 

 

3,619

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

 

RSUsRSUs6,900 6,867 5,264 
PSUsPSUs5,980 6,786 2,342 

Total share-based compensation costs

 

$

8,754

 

 

$

3,878

 

 

$

809

 

Total share-based compensation costs$12,880 $13,844 $9,525 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, management has evaluated all applicable positive and negative evidence and believes that the positive evidence is strong enough to warrant a full release of the valuation allowance associated with the share-based compensation deferred tax asset.  The deferred tax asset associated with share-based compensation was $2.5 million as of December 31, 2017

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, no income tax benefit was recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation arrangements. Management assessed the likelihood that the deferred tax assets relating to future tax deductions from share-based compensation will be recovered from future taxable income and determined that a valuation allowance is necessary to the extent that management currently believes it is more likely than not that tax benefits will not be realized. Management’s determination is based primarily on historical losses and earnings volatility.

As of December 31, 2017,2022, the Company’s unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to stock optionsRSUs and PSUs was approximately $13.0$8.2 million and $6.2 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years.

As1.2 years and 0.6 years for RSUs and PSUs, respectively. The Company did not have any remaining unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options as of December 31, 2017, there was $1.7 million of unamortized compensation related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.9 years.

2022.











65


Note 109 – Income Taxes

Income tax provision (benefits) are(benefit) is summarized as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

(In thousands)202220212020

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

Federal

$

(91

)

 

$

 

 

$

247

 

Federal$13,877 $— $(371)

State

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

State274 95 — 

Total current tax benefit (provision)

 

(96

)

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

Total current tax provision (benefit)Total current tax provision (benefit)$14,151 $95 $(371)

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

Federal

$

(7,456

)

 

$

(4,091

)

 

$

(8,939

)

Federal$(13,462)$325 $430 

State

 

(369

)

 

 

(234

)

 

 

(1,277

)

State(168)16 

Total deferred tax benefit

 

(7,825

)

 

 

(4,325

)

 

 

(10,216

)

Income tax benefit

$

(7,921

)

 

$

(4,325

)

 

$

(9,969

)

Total deferred tax (benefit) provisionTotal deferred tax (benefit) provision(13,630)341 432 
Income tax provisionIncome tax provision$521 $436 $61 


Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s actual rate based on income (loss) before income tax benefitprovision (benefit) is summarized as follows:

below:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Statutory federal tax rate

 

35

%

 

 

35

%

 

 

35

%

State income taxes, net of federal income taxes

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

6.9

 

State tax credit

 

 

 

 

(45.9

)

 

 

 

State rate adjustment

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

Permanent tax differences – Merger expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.4

 

Permanent tax differences – investment in unconsolidated investee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.8

 

Permanent tax differences – executive compensation

 

(12.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permanent tax differences – other

 

(17.0

)

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

Purchase price allocation adjustment – Merger

 

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

Change in valuation allowance

 

193.5

 

 

 

(34.8

)

 

 

(131.1

)

FICA credit generated

 

11.8

 

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

 

Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

 

(74.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

(0.4

)

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(1.8

)

Effective tax rate

 

137.8

%

 

 

-36.1

%

 

 

-68.4

%

Year Ended December 31,
202220212020
Statutory federal tax rate21.00 %21.00 %21.00 %
State income taxes, net of federal income taxes0.62 1.41 0.89 
Permanent tax differences – stock compensation(6.31)(3.93)(0.43)
Permanent tax differences – business meals0.44 0.23 (0.07)
Permanent tax differences – executive compensation and other9.27 2.13 (0.86)
Change in valuation allowance(23.99)(19.69)(19.09)
FICA credit generated(1.09)(0.28)0.33 
Change in tax rate and apportionment(0.26)(0.03)0.11 
Deferred only adjustment to beginning deferred balances0.95 (0.57)(1.92)
Effective tax rate0.63 %0.27 %(0.04)%


















66


The Company’s current and non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

December 31,

 

December 31,

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

(In thousands)20222021

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets:Deferred tax assets:

Accruals and reserves

$

4,348

 

 

$

1,144

 

Accruals and reserves$6,350 $7,688 

Share-based compensation expense

 

2,532

 

 

 

2,366

 

Share-based compensation expense966 5,781 

Development costs

 

 

 

 

5

 

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward

 

1,483

 

 

 

1,468

 

General business credit carryforward

 

1,126

 

 

 

481

 

General business credit carryforward— 489 

State tax credits

 

5,500

 

 

 

5,500

 

State tax credits3,867 4,192 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

17,350

 

 

 

28,025

 

Net operating loss carryforwards753 6,076 
Operating lease obligationOperating lease obligation36,483 41,877 
Depreciation of fixed assetsDepreciation of fixed assets6,532 4,875 

Other

 

701

 

 

 

1,065

 

Other493 545 

 

33,040

 

 

 

40,054

 

55,444 71,523 

Valuation allowances

 

(6,983

)

 

 

(18,109

)

Valuation allowances(5,680)(30,783)

$

26,057

 

 

$

21,945

 

$49,764 $40,740 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

Prepaid services

 

(884

)

 

 

(1,034

)

Prepaid services$(2,116)$(3,282)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(14,304

)

 

 

(20,024

)

Amortization of intangible assets(2,895)(941)

Depreciation of fixed assets

 

(3,082

)

 

 

(925

)

Right-of-use assetsRight-of-use assets(32,984)(38,378)

 

(18,270

)

 

 

(21,983

)

(37,995)(42,601)

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

$

7,787

 

 

$

(38

)

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$11,769 $(1,861)
Non-current deferred tax assetsNon-current deferred tax assets$11,822 $— 
Non-current deferred tax liabilitiesNon-current deferred tax liabilities(53)(1,861)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$11,769 $(1,861)

Deferred tax assets are evaluated by considering historical levels of income, estimates of future taxable income and the impact of tax planning strategies. The Company'sCompany’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017,2022 include the release of a portion of thenet decrease in valuation allowance recorded againstof $25.1 million. During the deferred tax assetsfirst quarter of 2022, the Company. This release resulted in the recognition of a $7.9 million income tax benefit. The Company has performed a continuing evaluation of its deferred tax asset valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. The Company concluded that as of December 31, 2017, it iswas more likely than not that the Company willwould generate sufficient taxable income within the applicable net operating loss carry-forward periods to realize a portion of its deferred tax assets. This conclusion, and the resultingassets, which resulted in a partial releasereversal of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, was based upon consideration of several factors, including the Company's completion of eight consecutive quarters of profitability,

allowance.

its demonstrated ability to meet or exceed budgets, and its forecast of future profitability. Although the Company’s operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 reported a book loss, this loss was primarily attributable to costs associated with the American Acquisition and accordingly is not expected to be recurring.

As of December 31, 2017,2022, the Company had approximately $77.1$70.5 million of federalMaryland net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), which will begin to expire in 2032.do not expire. These net operating losses have the potential to be used to offset future ordinary taxable income and reduce future cash tax liabilities. However, in connection with the American Acquisition, the Company issued 4,046,494 shares of its common stock to ACEP Holdings, which resulted in an “ownership change” under Section 382 that will generally limit the amount of net operating losses the Company can utilize annually. Following an “ownership change” under Section 382, the amount of net operating losses the Company can utilize in a given year is limited to an amount equal to the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s common stock immediately prior to the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term exempt interest rate in effect for the month of the ownership change. The Company estimates that the amount of net operating losses that it will be able to utilize following the closing of the American Acquisition is limited to approximately $10.8 million annually.

Additionally, the Company had deferred tax assets of approximately $1.5$3.9 million related to Alternative Minimum Tax credits and approximately $1.1 million related to general businessMaryland tax credits. The general businessMaryland credit carryforward expiresbegins to expire in 2037. With2029. Maryland NOLs and credits have been reduced by a full valuation allowance.

As of December 31, 2022, the enactmentCompany’s 2017 and 2018 federal tax returns were under audit by the IRS.
As of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Alternative Minimum Tax credits can no longer be carried forward indefinitely. Due to the Section 382 limitations and projected taxable income estimates, it has been determined thatDecember 31, 2022, the Company will not be able to utilize any of its Alternative Minimum Tax credits. A valuation allowance against the Alternative Minimum Tax credits has been created accordingly.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company was notified by the state of California that its audit of the Company for the 2010had no material uncertain tax year had been completed and resulted in no adjustments.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company completed an IRS audit for the 2009 through 2013 tax years. The impact of the audit was not material and has been reflected in the financial statements. The 2014 and 2015 tax years are still subject to examination.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced the corporate federal income tax rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The Company has completed its accounting for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the Company has recorded a decrease related to the net deferred tax assets of $4.3 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017.

positions.

Note 1110 – Employee Retirement and Benefit Plans

Defined contribution employee savings plans

The Company has aCompany’s qualified defined contribution employee savings plan for employees (other than those who were acquired though the American Acquisition). The savings plan allows eligible participants to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their salary and accumulate tax-deferred earnings as a retirement fund. The Company currently matches employee contributions up to a maximum of 4% of participating employees’ gross wages. Company contributions are vested immediately for this plan.

The Company inherited a qualified defined contribution employee savings plan through the American Acquisition for all non-union employees previously employed by American and its subsidiaries. The plan allows eligible participants to defer, within prescribed limits, up to 75% of their income on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the plan.

The Company also inherited a qualified defined contribution employee savings plan through the Merger for all employees previously employed by Sartini Gaming. The savings plan for those former Sartini Gaming employees allows eligible participants to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their salary and accumulate tax-deferred earnings as a retirement fund. Beginning on August 1, 2015, the Company matched employee contributions for this plan up to a maximum of 1% of participating employees’ gross wages. Company contributions are vested over a five-year schedule.


With respect to the two plans with Company contributions, theThe Company contributed approximately $0.2$0.5 million, $0.3$0.4 million, and $0.2$0.6 million duringfor the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 2015, respectively.

2020, respectively, to its defined contribution employee savings plan. The Company’s contributions vest over a five-year period.

Pension plans

The Company inherited various other employee multiemployer benefit and pension plans through the American Acquisition.

As of December 31, 2017, approximately2022, over 1,700 of the Company’s employees were members of various unions and covered by union-sponsored,union-
67


sponsored, collectively bargained, multiemployer health and welfare and defined benefit pension plans. The Company recorded $2.1$11.2 million, $9.1 million, and $7.1 million in expenses for these plans for the yearyears ended December 31, 2017.2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The Company has no obligation to fund the plans beyond payments made based upon hours worked. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans, including in the following aspects:

Assets contributed to multiemployer plans by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers;

If a participating employer stops contributing to a multiemployer plan, the unfunded obligations of the multiemployer plan may be required to be borne by the remaining participating employers; and

If an entity chooses to stop participating in some of its multiemployer plans, the entity may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of those plans, referred to as a “withdrawal liability.”

The Company considers the following multiemployer pension plans to be significant:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIR/RP

 

 

 

Expiration Date

 

 

 

Pension Protection

 

Status

 

 

 

Of Collective-

 

 

 

Zone Status (1)

 

Pending/

 

Surcharge

 

Bargaining

Pension Protection Zone Status (1)
FIR/RP Status Pending/ImplementedSurcharge ImposedExpiration Date Of Collective-
Bargaining Agreement

Multiemployer Pension Plans

 

EIN/Plan Number

 

2016

 

2015

 

Implemented

 

Imposed

 

Agreement

Multiemployer Pension PlansEIN/Plan Number20212020

Central Pension Fund of the IUOE and Participating Employers

 

36-6052390-001

 

Green

 

Green

 

No

 

No

 

3/31/2018 and

3/31/2020

Central Pension Fund of the IUOE and Participating Employers36-6052390-001 Green Green No No3/31/2022(2)

Southern Nevada Culinary and Bartenders Pension Plan

 

88-6016617-001

 

Green

 

Green

 

No

 

No

 

5/31/2018

Southern Nevada Culinary and Bartenders Pension Plan88-6016617-001 Green Green No No5/31/2023

(1)

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires plans that are certified as endangered (yellow) or critical (red) to develop and implement a funding improvement plan.

(1)The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires plans that are certified as endangered (yellow) or critical (red) to develop and implement a funding improvement plan.

(2)The Company is in the process of negotiating an extension to this collective-bargaining agreement following its expiration.
The Company’s cash contributions to each multiemployer pension and benefit plans are as follows:

 

Year End

 

December 31,

(In thousands)

 

December 31, 2017

 

(In thousands)202220212020

Multiemployer pension plans

 

 

 

 

Multiemployer pension plans

Operating Engineers Local 501 Security Fund

 

$

165

 

Central Pension Fund of the IUOE and Participating EmployersCentral Pension Fund of the IUOE and Participating Employers$691 $637 $545 

Southern Nevada Culinary and Bartenders Pension Plan

 

 

453

 

Southern Nevada Culinary and Bartenders Pension Plan2,054 1,645 1,356 

Other pension plans

 

 

45

 

Other pension plans168 146 142 

Total contributions

 

$

663

 

Total contributions$2,913 $2,428 $2,043 

Multiemployer benefit plans (excluding pension plans)

 

 

 

 

Multiemployer benefit plans (excluding pension plans)

HEREIU Welfare Fund

 

$

1,691

 

HEREIU Welfare Fund$8,007 $6,353 $5,216 

All other

 

 

2

 

All other— 

Total contributions

 

$

1,693

 

Total contributions$8,014 $6,353 $5,219 

For the 20162021 plan year, the latest period for which plan data is available, the Company did not make anymade less than 5% of total contributions to thefor all multiemployer pension and benefit plans it inherited from American, asto which the American Acquisition was not consummated until October 2017.

Company contributes.

Note 1211 – Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Overview

Estimates of fair value for financial assets and liabilities are based on the framework established in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements. The framework defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. The framework discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow) and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The framework utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

68


Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Thus, assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 may be measured at fair value using inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, an Interest Rate Cap derivative and debt.

The carrying valuevalues of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short duration of these financial instruments.
The carryingfollowing table summarizes the fair value measurement of the Company’s debt approximates fair value because the terms were recently negotiated and based on the Company’s expected borrowing rate for debt with similar remaining maturities and comparable risk.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had one Interest Rate Cap outstanding, with a notional amount totaling $650 million and a purchase price of $3.1 million, which expires on December 31, 2020. Using Level 2 inputs, the Company adjusts the carrying value of its Interest Rate Cap derivative to estimate fair value quarterly. The fair value of the Company's asset under its Interest Rate Cap is based upon observable market-based inputs that reflect the present values of the difference between estimated future fixed rate payments and future variable receipts. Fair value of the Company’s Interest Rate Cap at December 31, 2017 was $3.3 million. The change in fair value was recorded on the consolidated statement of operations.

Business Combinations and Long-lived Assets

In connection with business combinations, the Company recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed at estimated fair value and adjusts liabilities for contingent consideration to estimates of fair value quarterly. For the American Acquisition, these amounts remain preliminary as of December 31, 2017. For the Initial Montana Acquisition and Second Montana Acquisition, these amounts were finalized during the first and second quarter of 2017, respectively. All value metrics and estimates utilize Level 3 inputs.

Fair value estimates for land, land improvements, building and leasehold improvements, and other property and equipment are calculated with primary reliance on the cost approach, with secondary consideration being placed on the market/sales comparison approach. Significant inputs include consideration of highest and best use, replacement costs, sales comparisons (recent transactions of comparable properties), and market approaches (and the properties’ ability to generate future benefits).

Fair value estimates of intangible assets are based on a variety of methods. Some examples are as follows:

Trade names – Primary reliance for estimating fair value of trade names is typically placed on a relief-from-royalty method and includes an estimate for a reasonable royalty rate (0.25% to 1.0% in the American Acquisition) that give consideration to third-party license agreements to determine an implied royalty rate. Estimated after-tax cash flows are discounted to present value utilizing a range of discount rates from 11.0%

long-term debt:

December 31, 2022
(In thousands)Carrying AmountFair ValueFair Value Hierarchy
Term Loan$575,000 $575,000 Level 2
2026 Unsecured Notes335,461 330,630 Level 2
Finance lease liabilities2,157 2,157 Level 3
Notes payable90 90 Level 3
Total debt$912,708 $907,877 

to 14.5% depending on the trade name, which reflects the risk of the cash flows related to the asset and the risk and uncertainty of the cash flows for the trade name relative to the overall business. The trade names associated with the American Acquisition and the Merger were given an indefinite life. The trade names associated with the Montana Acquisitions were given a four year useful life.

Player and customer relationships

December 31, 2021
(In thousands)Carrying AmountFair ValueFair Value Hierarchy
Term Loan$650,000 $650,813 Level 2
2026 Unsecured Notes375,000 390,938 Level 2
Finance lease liabilities3,005 3,005 Level 3
Notes payable602 602 Level 3
Total debt$1,028,607 $1,045,358 
The estimated fair value of playerthe Company’s Term Loan and customer relationships acquired typically relies2026 Unsecured Notes is based on an excess earnings method undera relative value analysis performed as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. The finance lease liabilities and notes payable are fixed-rate debt, are not traded and do not have observable market inputs, therefore, the income approach and/or a cost-to-replace approach. After-tax cash flow discount rates have varied from 11.0% to 14.0%. The player relationships associated with the American Acquisition were given a useful life of three years. The player relationships associated with the Merger were given a useful life of eight years for the taverns and 12 to 14 years for the Pahrump casinos. The customer relationships associated with the Montana Acquisitions were given a useful life of 15 years, and the distributed gaming customer relationships associated with the Merger were given a useful life of 13 to 16 years.

Gaming and liquor licenses – Estimated fair value for gaming and liquor licenses is generally determined based on the cost approach. In performing the cost approach, management uses estimates for explicit and implicit costs to obtain the licenses. The economic life of the Company’s Nevada gaming licenses, Montana gaming license and various liquor licenses are anticipatedestimated to be indefinite,equal to the carrying value.

Note 12 – Leases
Company as they are easily maintained. The Company’s Maryland gaming license associated with Rocky Gap is subject to amortization as it has a finite life of 15 years.

Leasehold interest and in-place lease value – The leasehold interest acquired as part of the American Acquisition comprises third party rights to lease retail space within the casinos. The leasehold interest acquired as part of the American Acquisition was given a useful life 3 to 80 years and the in-place lease value was given a useful life of 3 to 4 years.

Non-compete agreements – The estimated fair value of non-compete agreements is generally based on the lost profits method under the income approach. It uses the difference between estimated future cash flows “With” and “Without” the non-compete agreements and probability factors associated with the assumptions. The non-compete agreements associated with the Montana Acquisitions and the Merger were given a useful life of five years and two years, respectively.

Note 13 – Leases

American Leases

Lessee

The Company acquired various operating and capital leases through the American Acquisition in October 2017. See Note 3, Merger and Acquisitions, foris a description of the American Acquisition.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded rental revenue of $1.3 million.

The future minimum lease payments to be received by the Companylessee under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2018

$

4,137

 

2019

 

2,953

 

2020

 

1,764

 

2021

 

911

 

2022

 

102

 

Thereafter

 

 

    Total

$

9,867

 

The above minimum rental income does not include contingent rental income or common area maintenance cost reimbursement contained within certain retail operating leases.


Rocky Gap Lease

The Company entered into an operating ground lease with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for approximately 270 acres in the Rocky Gap State Park in which Rocky Gap is situated. The lease expires in 2052, with an option to renew for an additional 20 years.

Under the lease, rent payments are due and payable annually in the amount of $275,000 plus 0.9% of any gross operator share of gaming revenue (as defined in the lease) in excess of $275,000, and $150,000 plus any surcharge revenue in excess of $150,000. Surcharge revenue consists of amounts billed to and collected from guests and are $3.00 per room per night and $1.00 per round of golf. Rent expense associated with the lease was $0.3 million (net of surcharge revenue of $0.1 million) during each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Gold Town Casino Leases

The Company’s Gold Town Casino is located on four leased parcels of land, comprising approximately nine acres in the aggregate, in Pahrump, Nevada. The leases are with unrelated third parties and have various expiration dates beginning in 2026 (for the parcel on which the Company’s main casino building is located, which the Company leases from a competitor). Rent expense associated with these leases was $0.5 million during December 31, 2017 and $0.6 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company subleases approximately two of the acres to an unrelated third party. Rental income during each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was less than $0.1 million related to the sublease of the two acres in Pahrump, Nevada.

Other Operating Leases

The Company leases its branded tavern locations, office headquarters building, equipment and vehicles under noncancelable operating leases that are not subject to contingent rents. The original terms of the currentfinance leases for the Company’s branded tavern locations range from one to 15 years with various renewal options from one to 15 years. The Company has operating leases with related parties for certain of its tavern locationsoffices, taverns, land, vehicles, slot machines and its office headquarters building. The lease for the Company’s office headquarters building expires in July 2025. A portion of the office headquarters building is sublet to a related party. Rental income during each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was less than $0.1 million for the sublet portion of the office headquarters building. See Note 15, Related Party Transactions, for more detail. Slotequipment. In addition, slot placement contracts in the form of space lease agreements at chain stores are also accounted for as operating leases. Under chain store space lease agreements, the Company pays fixed monthly rental fees for the right to install, maintain and operate its slotsslot machines at business locations, which are recorded in gaming expenses.

Operating The Company’s slot machine lease rentalagreements with gaming equipment manufacturers are short-term in nature with the majority of such leases being under variable rent structure, with amounts determined based on the performance of the leased machines. Certain other short-term slot machine lease agreements are under fixed fee payment structure.

The leases have remaining lease terms of less than 1 year to 75 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for an additional 1 to 25 years. Some equipment leases and space lease agreements include options to terminate the lease with 60 days to 1 year notice. The Company assesses the options to extend or terminate the lease using a threshold of reasonably certain. For leases the Company is reasonably certain to renew, those option periods are included within the lease term and, therefore, the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability.
The Company’s lease agreements for land, buildings and taverns with lease and non-lease components are accounted for
69


separately. The lease and non-lease components of certain vehicle and equipment leases are accounted for as a single lease component. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants.
Lease expense whichfor arrangements with a fixed fee payment structure is calculatedrecognized on a straight-line basis net of surcharge revenue,over the lease term. Lease expense for arrangements under a variable rent structure is as follows:

recognized in the period in which the obligation for the payment is incurred.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Space lease agreements

$

37,061

 

 

$

40,848

 

 

$

16,032

 

Related party leases

 

2,035

 

 

 

2,429

 

 

 

1,108

 

Other operating leases

 

13,447

 

 

 

11,784

 

 

 

4,619

 

    Total rent expense

$

52,543

 

 

$

55,061

 

 

$

21,759

 

Future minimum lease payments, not subjectThe Company historically leased its office headquarters building and leases the office space in a building adjacent to contingent rents, are as follows:

the Company’s office headquarters building from a related party. Refer to “Note 14 — Related Party Transactions” for more detail.

 

 

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Space lease agreements

 

$

28,038

 

 

$

27,006

 

 

$

7,373

 

 

$

3,652

 

 

$

1,737

 

 

$

703

 

 

$

68,509

 

Related party leases

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,535

 

 

 

1,536

 

 

 

6,097

 

 

 

13,797

 

Other operating leases

 

 

12,221

 

 

 

11,513

 

 

 

11,360

 

 

 

10,572

 

 

 

9,428

 

 

 

82,428

 

 

 

137,522

 

Total minimum operating lease

   payments

 

$

41,818

 

 

$

40,054

 

 

$

20,268

 

 

$

15,759

 

 

$

12,701

 

 

$

89,228

 

 

$

219,828

 


Capital Leases

The current and long-termnon-current obligations under capitalfinance leases are included in “CurrentCurrent portion of long-term debt”debt and “Long-termfinance leases” and “Long-term debt, net and non-current finance leases in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, respectively. The majorityfinance leases relate to equipment for the Company’s casino properties and buildings for certain casino and branded tavern locations.

The components of lease expense were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)Classification20222021
Operating lease cost
Operating lease costOperating and SG&A expenses$55,907 $54,131 
Variable lease costOperating and SG&A expenses17,943 20,449 
Short-term lease costOperating and SG&A expenses4,796 4,862 
Total operating lease cost$78,646 $79,442 
Finance lease cost
Amortization of leased assetsDepreciation and amortization$934 $1,693 
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense, net114 300 
Total finance lease cost$1,048 $1,993 
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20222021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows used under operating lease agreements$55,846 $53,527 
Operating cash flows used under finance lease agreements109 293 
Financing cash flows used under finance lease agreements541 6,179 










70


Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
December 31,
(In thousands)20222021
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets, gross$193,565 $221,732 
Accumulated amortization(45,672)(42,481)
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net$147,893 $179,251 
Current portion of operating leases$42,200 $40,151 
Non-current operating leases121,979 155,098 
Total operating lease liabilities$164,179 $195,249 
Finance leases
Property and equipment, gross$5,719 $6,278 
Accumulated depreciation(3,341)(2,407)
Property and equipment, net$2,378 $3,871 
Current portion of finance leases$465 $546 
Non-current finance leases1,692 2,459 
Total finance lease liabilities$2,157 $3,005 
The following presents additional information related to the Company’s leases as of December 31, 2022:
December 31,
20222021
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases7.5 years7.8 years
Finance leases18.0 years16.4 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases5.9 %5.7 %
Finance leases6.4 %6.1 %
Maturities of Lease Liabilities
As of December 31, 2022, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
(In thousands)Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
2023$50,372 $521 $50,893 
202443,268 227 43,495 
202526,378 200 26,578 
202616,933 200 17,133 
202712,755 214 12,969 
Thereafter54,674 3,213 57,887 
Total lease payments204,380 4,575 208,955 
Amount of interest(40,201)(2,418)(42,619)
Present value of lease liabilities$164,179 $2,157 $166,336 
As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any leases that have not yet commenced but that create significant rights and obligations.

71


Company as Lessor
The Company leases space to third-party tenants under operating leases primarily for retail and food and beverage outlets within its casino properties. Golden also enters into operating lease agreements with certain equipment providers for placement of amusement devices, gaming machines and automated teller machines within its casino properties and branded taverns. The leases have remaining lease terms of 1 to 10 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for an additional 1 to 15 years.
Lease payments from tenants generally include minimum base rent, adjusted for contractual escalations as applicable, and/or contingent rental clauses based on a percentage of net sales exceeding minimum base rent. The Company records revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the capital leases related to vehicles with minimum lease payment termsand recognizes revenue for contingent rentals when the contingency has been resolved. The Company combines lease and non-lease components for the purpose of four years or less.

measuring lease revenue, which is recorded in “Other revenue” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Minimum and contingent operating lease income was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Minimum rental income$7,380 $6,041 $3,913 
Contingent rental income4,071 3,169 1,840 
Total rental income$11,451 $9,210 $5,753 
Future minimum capital leaserent payments to be received under operating leases are as follows:

follows (in thousands):

 

 

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Furniture and equipment

 

$

1,087

 

 

$

1,140

 

 

$

1,028

 

 

$

439

 

 

$

85

 

 

$

6,306

 

 

$

10,085

 

Building

 

 

150

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

1,588

 

 

 

2,351

 

Less: Amounts representing interest

 

 

(319

)

 

 

(254

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(145

)

 

 

(128

)

 

 

(5,563

)

 

 

(6,597

)

Total obligations under capital leases

 

$

918

 

 

$

1,036

 

 

$

990

 

 

$

444

 

 

$

120

 

 

$

2,331

 

 

$

5,839

 

Year Ending December 31,Amount
2023$5,025 
20244,913 
20254,875 
20264,072 
20271,173 
Thereafter1,371 
Total future minimum rent payments$21,429 

Note 1413 – Commitments and Contingencies

Participation and Revenue Share Agreements

In addition to the space lease agreements described above in Note 13, Leases,12 — Leases” and “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” the Company also enters into slot placement contracts in the form of participation and revenue share agreements. Under revenue shareparticipation agreements, the Company paysand the business location each hold a state issued gaming license in order to be able to receive a percentage of gaming revenue earned on the Company’s slot machines. The business location retains a percentage of the gaming revenue generated from the Company’s slots placed atslot machines. The Company is considered to be the location, rather than a fixed monthly rental fee. Underprincipal in these arrangements and therefore, records its share of revenue generated under participation agreements on a gross basis with the business location holds the applicablelocation’s share of revenue recorded as gaming license and retains a percentage of the gaming revenue that it generates from the Company’s slots. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, theexpenses.
The aggregate contingent payments recognized by the Company (recorded inas gaming expenses)expenses under revenue share and participation agreements were $143.3$215.0 million, $128.1$211.5 million, and $41.7$133.2 million respectively, including $1.0 million, $2.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, under revenue share and participation agreements with related parties, as described in Note 15, Related Party Transactions.

The Company also enters into amusement device and ATM placement contracts in the form of revenue share agreements. Under these revenue share agreements, the Company pays the business location a percentage of the non-gaming revenue generated from the Company’s amusement devices and ATMs placed at the location. Duringfor the years ended December 31, 20172022, 2021, and 2016,2020, respectively. For the totalyear ended December 31, 2020, such contingent payments recognized byalso included $0.7 million incurred in related party agreements described in “Note 14 — Related Party Transactions.”

Collective Bargaining Agreements
As of December 31, 2022 the Company (recordedhad over 6,400 employees, of which over 1,700 were covered by various collective bargaining agreements. The Company’s collective bargaining agreements expire between 2023 and 2024 (with some having expired in other operating expenses) for amusement devices and ATMs under2022 with extensions being negotiated). There can be no assurance that, upon the expiration of existing collective bargaining agreements, new agreements will be reached without union action or that any such new agreements were $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. No amounts were recognized bywill be on terms satisfactory to the Company under such agreements during 2015.

Company.

72


Employment Agreements

The Company has entered into at-will employment agreements with eachcertain of the Company’s executive officers. Under each employment agreement, in addition to the executive’s annual base salary, the executive is entitled to participate in the Company’s incentive compensation programs applicable to executive officers of the Company. The executivesexecutive officers are also eligible to participate in all health benefits, insurance programs, pension and retirement plans and other employee benefit and compensation arrangements. Each executive officer is also provided with other benefits as set forth in his employment agreement. In the event of a termination without “cause” or a “constructive termination” of the Company’s executive officers (as defined in their respective employment agreements), the Company could be liable for estimated severance payments of up to $6.1$4.8 million for Mr.Blake L. Sartini, $1.9$3.2 million for Charles H. Protell, $2.6 million for Stephen A. Arcana, $1.9and $1.0 million for Charles H. Protell, $1.6 million for Sean T. Higgins, and amounts ranging from $0.4 million to $0.7 million for the Company’s other executive officersBlake L. Sartini II (assuming each officer’s respective annual salary and health benefit costs as of December 31, 2017 are the2022, subject to amounts in effect at the time of termination and excluding potential expense related to acceleration of stock options, RSUs and RSUs)PSUs).

Miscellaneous

Legal Matters

and Other

From time to time, the Company is involved in a variety of lawsuits, claims, investigations and other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings concerning labor and employment matters, personal injury claims, breach of contract claims, commercial disputes, business practices, intellectual property, tax and other matters for which the Company has recorded $1.5 million for claims as of the date of this


filing.records reserves. Although lawsuits, claims, investigations and other legal proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that the resolution of its currently pending matters should not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Regardless of the outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on the Company because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. In addition, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could in the future materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in a particular period.

In FebruaryJanuary 2021, the Company was affected by a ransomware cyber-attack that temporarily disrupted the Company’s access to certain information located on the Company’s network and April 2017, several former employees filed two separate purported class action lawsuits againstincurred expenses relating thereto. The Company’s financial information and business operations were not materially affected. The Company implemented a variety of measures to further enhance its cybersecurity protections and minimize the impact of any future cyber incidents. The Company has insurance related to this event and has recovered a portion of the costs it incurred to remediate this matter, which amounts were received and recorded during 2021 and the three months ended March 31, 2022.
In September 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with American Wagering, Inc. and William Hill U.S. HoldCo, Inc. (collectively, “William Hill”), which contemplated that William Hill would be obligated to make a one-time payment to the Company in the District Courtevent of Clark County, Nevada, and on behalfa change of similarly situated individuals employedcontrol transaction with respect to William Hill. Under this agreement, as amended, the April 22, 2021 acquisition of William Hill PLC by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (“Caesars”) constituted the change of control event triggering this payment. On May 26, 2021, the Company, inWilliam Hill and Caesars executed an amendment to the State of Nevada. The lawsuits allege thatagreement requiring William Hill and Caesars, as the Company violated certain Nevada labor laws includingacquiring party, to make a payment of an hourly wage below the statutory minimum wage without providing a qualified health insurance plan and an associated failure to pay proper overtime compensation. The complaints seek, on behalf of the plaintiffs and members of the putative class, an unspecified amount of damages (including punitive damages), injunctive and equitable relief, and an award of attorneys’ fees, interest and costs. In the second half of 2017, the Company agreed to settle the first of these two cases, subject to court approval. The second case is in the discovery phase.

In February 2018, a prior guest of the Stratosphere filed a purported class action complaint against the Company in the United States District Court, District of Nevada, on behalf of similarly situated individuals and entities that paid the Clark County Combined Transient Lodging Tax (“Tax”) on the portion of a resort fee that constitutes charges for Internet access, during the period of February 6, 2014 through the date the alleged conduct ceases. The lawsuit alleges that the Tax was charged in violation of the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, which imposes a national moratorium on the taxation of Internet access by states and their political subdivisions, and seeks, on behalf of the plaintiff and the putative class, damages equal to the amount of the Tax collected on the Internet access component of the resort fee, injunctive relief, disgorgement, interest, fees and costs.$60 million by July 15, 2021. The Company not yet been served withreceived this payment in July 2021 and recognized $60.0 million in non-operating income for the complaint. In the event a complaint is served on the Company, it anticipates being accorded a stay to respond in connection with an agreement that other hotel casino operators have entered into with regard to case consolidation while the federal court reviews subject matter jurisdiction. This case is at an early stage in the proceedings, and the Company is therefore unable to make a reasonable estimate of the probable loss or range of losses, if any, that might arise from this matter.

While legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any of the above matters, based on management’s current understanding of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that these proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

year ended December 31, 2021.

Note 1514 – Related Party Transactions

As of December 31, 2017, the

The Company historically leased its office headquarters building and one tavern location from a company 33% beneficially owned by Blake L. Sartini, 5% owned by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Sartini’s immediate family members (including Blake L. Sartini, II) for which Mr. Sartini serves as trustee, and 3% beneficially owned by Stephen A. Arcana,Arcana. On May 24, 2021 the building was sold to an independent third party, and leased one tavern location fromtherefore this lease is no longer with a company controlled by Mr. Sartini through a trust for the benefit of Mr. Sartini’s immediate family members (including Blake L. Sartini, II) for which Mr. Sartini serves as trustee. In addition, two tavern locations that the Company had previously leased from related parties were sold in 2017 to unrelated third parties. The lease for the Company’s office headquarters building expires on July 31, 2025.party. The rent expense for the office headquarters building duringfor the period in which the location was leased from a related party was $0.5 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162021 and 2015 was $1.2 million, $1.1 million, and $0.5 million2020, respectively. Under the office headquarters lease, there was no amount and less than $0.1 million owed to the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and no amount was due and payable by the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. The leases for the tavern locations have remaining terms of up to 10 years. The rent for the tavern locations (including sold tavern locations for the periods in which the leases were with related parties) was $0.9 million, $1.3 million, and $0.6 million during the years ended December 31 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Under the tavern leases, there was no amount and less than $0.1 million owed to the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and no amount was due and payable by the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Additionally, a portion of the office headquarters building iswas sublet to Sartini Enterprises, Inc., a company owned or controlled by Mr. Sartini. Rental income during each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2022, 2021, and 20152020 for the sublet portion of the office headquarters building was less than $0.1 million. Under this sublease, thereNo amount was no amount and less than $0.1 million owed to the Company under such sublease as of December 31, 20172022 and 2016, respectively.2021. In addition, the Company and Sartini Enterprises, Inc. participate in certain cost-sharing arrangements. No amount was owed by the Company under such arrangements as of December 31, 2022 and the amount due and payable by the Company under such arrangements as of December 31, 2021 was insignificant. Mr. Sartini serves as the Chairman of the Board


President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and is a co-trustee of theThe Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust, which is a significant shareholder of the Company. Mr. Arcana serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. All of these related party

73


In November 2018, the Company entered into a lease agreements wereagreement for office space in place priora building adjacent to the consummationCompany’s office headquarters building to be constructed and owned by a company 33% beneficially owned by Mr. Sartini, 5% owned by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Sartini’s immediate family members (including Blake L. Sartini, II) for which Mr. Sartini serves as trustee, and 3% beneficially owned by Mr. Arcana. The lease commenced in August 2020 and expires on December 31, 2030. The rent expense for the space was $0.3 million for each of the Merger.

years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, the lease agreement includes a right of first refusal for additional space on the second floor of the building.

From time to time, the Company’s executive officers and employees use a private aircraft leased to Sartini Enterprises, Inc. for Company business a privatepurposes pursuant to aircraft owned bytime-sharing, co-user and cost-sharing agreements between the Company and Sartini Enterprises, Inc., a company controlledall of which have been approved by Mr. Sartini. In April 2016, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved the Company’s entering into an aircraft timesharing agreement between the Company and Sartini Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to which the Company will reimburse Sartini Enterprises, Inc. for direct costs and expenses incurred for travel on the private aircraft by Company employees while on Company business. Sartini Enterprises, Inc. sold the aircraft subject to this agreement in December 2017. In June 2017, the Audit Committee approved the Company’s entering into a second aircraft timesharing agreement between the Company and Sartini Enterprises, Inc. on similar terms for a private aircraft leased by Sartini Enterprises Inc.Directors. The aircraft timesharingtime-sharing, co-user and cost-sharing agreements specify the maximum expense reimbursement that Sartini Enterprises, Inc. can charge the Company under the applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration for the use of the aircraft and the flight crew. Such costs include fuel, landing fees, hangar and tie-down costs away from the aircraft’s operating base, flight planning and weather contract services, crew costs and other related expenses. The Company’s compliance department regularly reviews these reimbursements. DuringThe Company incurred $0.6 million, $0.8 million, and $0.5 million in costs under these arrangements for the years ended December 31, 20172022, 2021, and 2016, the2020, respectively. The Company paid approximatelyowed $0.1 million and $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, andunder such agreements as of December 31, 20172022 and 2021, respectively. No amount was owed to the Company owed less than $0.1 million, under the aircraft timesharing agreements.

Three of the distributed gaming locations at which the Company’s slots are located are owned in part by the spouse of Matthew W. Flandermeyer, the Company’s former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. On November 11, 2016, Matthew Flandermeyer resigned, effectivethese agreements as of November 28, 2016, from his position with the Company. Net revenues and gaming expenses recorded by the Company from the use of the Company’s slots at these three locations were $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2016, in each case excluding net revenues2022 and gaming expenses incurred during the period after the termination of Mr. Flandermeyer’s employment with the Company (as during such period the agreement was not with a related party). The gaming expenses recorded by the Company represent amounts retained by the counterparty (with respect to the two locations that are subject to participation agreements) or paid to the counterparty (with respect to the location that is subject to a revenue share agreement) from the operation of the slots. All of the agreements were in place prior to the consummation of the Merger.

2021.

One of the distributed gaming locations at which the Company’s slotsslot machines are located iswas owned in part by Sean T. Higgins, who servespreviously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officerof Government Affairs of the Company. This agreement was in place prior to Mr. HigginsHiggins’s joining the Company on March 28, 2016.2016 and terminated in 2020. Net revenues and gaming expenses recorded by the Company from the use of the Company’s slotsslot machines at this location were $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2017, and were $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2016, in each case excluding net revenues and gaming expenses incurred during the period prior to the commencement of Mr. Higgins employment with the Company (as during such period the agreement was not with a related party). No amounts were owed to or due and payable by the Company related to this agreement as of December 31, 2017.

Additionally, one distributed gaming location at which the Company’s slots are located was owned in part by Terrence L. Wright, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Company, who divested his interest in such distributed gaming location in March 2016. Net revenues and gaming expenses recorded by the Company from the use of the Company’s slots at this location during the period in which the agreement was with a related party were $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. This agreement was in place prior to the consummation of the Merger. 

In connection with the Merger, Lyle A. Berman, who serves on the Board of the Directors of the Company, entered into a three-year consulting agreement with the Company that pays his wholly-owned consulting firm $200,000 annually, plus reimbursements for certain health insurance, administrative assistant and office costs. Expenses recorded by the Company for the agreement with Mr. Berman were $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. No amounts were due and payable by the Company related to this agreement at December 31, 2017.


Additionally, in connection with the Merger, Timothy J. Cope, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Company, entered into a short-term consulting agreement for the period from July 31, 2015 to April 1, 2016 under which Mr. Cope was paid a total of $140,000, plus reimbursement of certain health insurance costs. Expenses recorded by the Company for the agreement with Mr. Cope were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2020, for the period in which the location was leased from a related party. Gaming expenses related to this location were $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, for the period in which the location was leased by a related party.
On December 22, 2020, the Company repurchased 50,000 shares of its common stock from Lyle A. Berman, then an independent non-employee member of the Company’s Board of Directors, pursuant to its share repurchase program at a price of $19.00 per share, resulting in a charge to accumulated deficit for $1.0 million. On May 18, 2022 and November 23, 2022, the Company repurchased 210,000 and 263,418 shares of its common stock, respectively, from Anthony A. Marnell III, an independent non-employee member of the Company’s Board of Directors, pursuant to its share repurchase program. The repurchase prices were $42.61 and $41.35 per share, respectively, resulting in charges to accumulated deficit of $8.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively. All of the affiliate share repurchase transactions were approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors prior to being executed.

Note 1615 – Segment Information

The Company conducts its business through twofive reportable operating segments: Nevada Casino Resorts, Nevada Locals Casinos, Maryland Casino Resort, Nevada Taverns, and Distributed Gaming. During
The Nevada Casino Resorts segment is comprised of destination casino resort properties offering a variety of food and beverage outlets, entertainment venues and other amenities. The casino resort properties in this segment cater primarily to a regional drive-in customer base seeking a value-oriented vacation experience, with guests typically traveling from Southern California or Arizona. The Company’s casino resort properties in Nevada have a significantly larger number of hotel rooms compared to the third quarter of 2015, the Company redefined its reportable segments to reflect the changeother casino properties in its business followingportfolio. While hotel stays at these casino resorts are typically longer, the Merger. Prioroverall frequency of visitation from guests is lower when compared to the Merger, the Company conducted its business through the following two segments: Rocky Gap and Other. Information for the period priorNevada Locals Casinos.
The Nevada Locals Casinos segment is comprised of casino properties that cater to the Merger has been recast to reflect the new segment structure and present comparative year-over-year results.

local customers who generally live within a five-mile radius. The Company’s Casinos segment involves the ownership and operationlocals casino properties typically experience a higher frequency of eightcustomer visits compared to its casino resort casino properties in Nevada and Maryland.Maryland, with many of the customers visiting the Company’s Nevada Locals Casinos on a weekly basis. The casino properties within this reportable segment have no or a limited number of hotel rooms and offer fewer food and beverage outlets or other amenities, with revenues primarily generated from slot machine play.

The Maryland Casino Resort segment is comprised of the Rocky Gap casino resort, which is geographically disparate from the Company’s Nevada properties, operates in a separate regulatory jurisdiction and has only a limited number of hotel rooms compared to the Nevada Casino Resorts. Rocky Gap caters to a regional drive-in customer base traveling from mid-Atlantic areas (Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) and offers a full range of amenities, including various food and beverage outlets, signature golf course, spa and pool. As discussed in “Note 1 — Nature of Business,” on August 24, 2022, the Company entered into definitive agreements to sell Rocky Gap. The Rocky Gap Transactions are required
74


by their terms to close concurrently and the Company expects the Rocky Gap Transactions to close during the second quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
The Nevada Taverns segment is comprised of branded tavern locations, where the Company controls the food and beverage operations as well as the slot machines located within the tavern. The Company’s branded taverns offer a casual, upscale environment catering to local patrons offering superior food, craft beer and other alcoholic beverages, and are typically limited to 15 slot machines.
The Distributed Gaming segment involvesis comprised of the installation, maintenance and operation of slotsslot machines and amusement devices in certain strategic, high-traffic,over 1,000 third party non-casino locations, (suchsuch as grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores and liquor stores) ingrocery stores, across Nevada and Montana with a limited number of slot machines in each location. Distributed Gaming operations cater to local residents with high frequency visitation to these locations. The Company places its slot machines and the operation of wholly-owned branded taverns targeting local patrons located primarilyamusement devices in the greater Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area. locations where it believes they will receive maximum customer traffic.
The Corporate and Other segment includes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, miscellaneous receivables and corporate overhead. Costs recorded in the Corporate and Other segment have not been allocated to the Company’s reportable operating segments because these costs are not easily allocable and to do so would not be practical. Amounts in the Eliminations column represent the intercompany management fee for Rocky Gap.

The Company evaluatespresents Adjusted EBITDA in its segment disclosures because it is the primary metric used by the Company’s chief operating decision makers in measuring both the Company’s past and future expectations of performance. Further, the Company’s annual performance plan used to determine compensation of its executive officers and employees is tied to the Adjusted EBITDA metric. Adjusted EBITDA represents each segment’s profitability based upon such segment’s Adjusted EBITDA, which represents each segment's earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, severance expenses, preopening expense, acquisition and mergerrelated expenses, share-based compensation expenses, executive severance and sign-on bonuses, gain on revaluation of contingent consideration, class action litigation expenses, gain/or loss on disposal of property and equipment or investments, and impairmentsassets, share-based compensation expenses, non-cash lease expense, and other losses,non-cash charges that are deemed to be not indicative of the Company’s core operating results, calculated before corporate overhead (which is not allocated to each reportable segment).


The following table sets forth,Due to the Company’s use of Adjusted EBITDA as its measure of profit for its reportable segments, the periods indicated, certain operating data for our segments, and reconcilesCompany includes a reconciliation of the total of the Company’s consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to the Company’s consolidated net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company also discloses Adjusted EBITDA at the reportable segment level, as set forth in the table below:

75


Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Revenues
Nevada Casino Resorts
Gaming$175,014 $179,793 $114,571 
Food and beverage89,424 83,092 55,588 
Rooms104,375 94,952 61,070 
Other (1)
38,137 31,875 19,414 
Nevada Casino Resorts revenues$406,950 $389,712 $250,643 
Nevada Locals Casinos
Gaming$114,388 $120,537 $82,522 
Food and beverage25,219 24,036 18,406 
Rooms10,162 7,626 5,598 
Other (1)
7,745 7,656 6,505 
Nevada Locals Casinos revenues$157,514 $159,855 $113,031 
Maryland Casino Resort
Gaming$59,553 $60,797 $40,505 
Food and beverage8,440 7,932 4,669 
Rooms7,787 7,224 4,743 
Other2,230 2,202 1,719 
Maryland Casino Resort revenues$78,010 $78,155 $51,636 
Nevada Taverns
Gaming$53,619 $53,909 $28,128 
Food and beverage51,564 52,002 33,047 
Other (1)
4,782 4,259 2,866 
Nevada Taverns revenues$109,965 $110,170 $64,041 
Distributed Gaming
Gaming$358,332 $351,274 $211,027 
Food and beverage716 753 371 
Other (1)
6,424 5,387 2,817 
Distributed Gaming revenues$365,472 $357,414 $214,215 
Corporate and other3,808 1,237 589 
Total Revenues$1,121,719 $1,096,543 $694,155 
(1) Includes lease revenue accounted for each segment, under ASC 842 for the arrangements in which the Company is a lessor. Refer to “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Note 12 — Leases” for details.
76


Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Adjusted EBITDA
Nevada Casino Resorts$135,104 $149,077 $57,462 
Nevada Locals Casinos75,848 80,005 45,610 
Maryland Casino Resort25,383 26,697 15,094 
Nevada Taverns37,610 39,762 10,086 
Distributed Gaming44,021 47,514 16,866 
Corporate and other(50,886)(51,337)(34,861)
Total Adjusted EBITDA267,080 291,718 110,257 
Adjustments
Other non-operating income— 60,000 — 
Depreciation and amortization(100,123)(106,692)(124,430)
Non-cash lease expense(165)(762)(1,344)
Share-based compensation(13,433)(14,401)(9,637)
Loss on disposal of assets(934)(1,260)(803)
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification(1,590)(975)— 
Preopening and related expenses (1)
(161)(246)(533)
Severance expenses(378)(228)(3,710)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets— — (33,964)
Other, net(3,939)(2,089)(3,275)
Interest expense, net(63,490)(62,853)(69,110)
Change in fair value of derivative— — (1)
Income tax provision(521)(436)(61)
Net income (loss)$82,346 $161,776 $(136,611)
(1) Preopening and related expenses consist of labor, food, utilities, training, initial licensing, rent and organizational costs incurred in connection with the opening of branded tavern and casino locations as reported in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming

 

 

Corporate

and Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

 

$

179,175

 

 

$

330,050

 

 

$

583

 

 

$

509,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

50,979

 

 

 

48,890

 

 

 

(26,954

)

 

 

72,915

 

Acquisition expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,041

)

 

 

(5,041

)

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,754

)

 

 

(8,754

)

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

 

 

 

 

 

1,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,719

 

Preopening expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(1,234

)

 

 

(398

)

 

 

(1,632

)

Class action litigation expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,617

)

 

 

(1,617

)

Executive severance and sign-on bonuses

 

 

(636

)

 

 

 

 

 

(506

)

 

 

(1,142

)

Other operating, net

 

 

(377

)

 

 

(174

)

 

 

267

 

 

 

(284

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(19,544

)

 

 

(19,601

)

 

 

(1,641

)

 

 

(40,786

)

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

30,422

 

 

 

29,600

 

 

 

(44,644

)

 

 

15,378

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

16

 

 

 

(390

)

 

 

(19,224

)

 

 

(19,598

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,708

)

 

 

(1,708

)

Gain on change in fair value of derivative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

178

 

 

 

178

 

Total non-operating income (expense), net

 

 

16

 

 

 

(390

)

 

 

(20,754

)

 

 

(21,128

)

Income (loss) before income tax benefit

 

 

30,438

 

 

 

29,210

 

 

 

(65,398

)

 

 

(5,750

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,921

 

 

 

7,921

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

30,438

 

 

$

29,210

 

 

$

(57,477

)

 

$

2,171

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming

 

 

Corporate

and Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

 

$

97,132

 

 

$

305,792

 

 

$

280

 

 

$

403,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

23,571

 

 

 

43,555

 

 

 

(18,531

)

 

 

48,595

 

Merger expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(614

)

 

 

(614

)

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,878

)

 

 

(3,878

)

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

(94

)

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

(54

)

Preopening expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(2,179

)

 

 

(292

)

 

 

(2,471

)

Executive severance and sign-on bonuses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,037

)

 

 

(1,037

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(7,351

)

 

 

(18,889

)

 

 

(1,266

)

 

 

(27,506

)

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

16,126

 

 

 

22,527

 

 

 

(25,618

)

 

 

13,035

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(144

)

 

 

(6,301

)

 

 

(6,454

)

Gain on sale of land held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,525

 

 

 

4,525

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

869

 

Total non-operating expense, net

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(144

)

 

 

(907

)

 

 

(1,060

)

Income (loss) before income tax benefit (provision)

 

 

16,117

 

 

 

22,383

 

 

 

(26,525

)

 

 

11,975

 

Income tax benefit (provision)

 

 

 

 

 

(60

)

 

 

4,385

 

 

 

4,325

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

16,117

 

 

$

22,323

 

 

$

(22,140

)

 

$

16,300

 

well as food and beverage and other venues within the casino locations.

Assets

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming (1)

 

 

Corporate

and Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net revenues

 

$

73,245

 

 

$

103,610

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

$

(1,798

)

 

$

177,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

14,390

 

 

 

14,254

 

 

 

(10,370

)

 

 

 

 

 

18,274

 

Merger expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,525

)

 

 

 

 

 

(11,525

)

Disposition of notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,590

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(809

)

 

 

 

 

 

(809

)

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

Gain on sale of investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

 

 

 

750

 

Impairments and other losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(682

)

 

 

 

 

 

(682

)

Preopening expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(380

)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

(421

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(4,928

)

 

 

(5,315

)

 

 

(555

)

 

 

 

 

 

(10,798

)

Income from operations

 

 

9,454

 

 

 

8,559

 

 

 

350

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,363

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(626

)

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(2,034

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,728

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(1,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,174

)

Other, net

 

 

(1,798

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

Total non-operating expense, net

 

 

(3,598

)

 

 

(67

)

 

 

(147

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,812

)

Income before income tax benefit

 

 

5,856

 

 

 

8,492

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,551

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,969

 

Net income

 

$

5,856

 

 

$

8,492

 

 

$

10,172

 

 

$

 

 

$

24,520

 

Assets

The Company’s assets by segment consisted of the following amounts:

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming

 

 

Corporate

and Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

$

1,039,025

 

 

$

298,453

 

 

$

27,697

 

 

$

1,365,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

$

108,418

 

 

$

294,822

 

 

$

15,838

 

 

$

419,078

 

 

(In thousands)Nevada Casino ResortsNevada Locals CasinosMaryland Casino ResortNevada TavernsDistributed GamingCorporate and OtherConsolidated
Balance at December 31, 2022$784,242 $164,580 $39,562 $145,065 $258,260 $116,961 $1,508,670 
Balance at December 31, 2021$811,016 $165,362 $41,403 $149,296 $262,046 $186,441 $1,615,564 

77


Capital Expenditures

The Company’s capital expenditures by segment consisted of the following amounts:

(In thousands)

 

Casinos

 

 

Distributed

Gaming

 

 

Corporate

and Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017

 

$

9,665

 

 

$

18,011

 

 

$

1,787

 

 

$

29,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2016

 

$

10,267

 

 

$

17,730

 

 

$

2,637

 

 

$

30,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

$

2,594

 

 

$

4,595

 

 

$

757

 

 

$

7,946

 

(In thousands)
Nevada Casino Resorts (1)
Nevada Locals Casinos (2)
Maryland Casino Resort (3)
Nevada Taverns (4)
Distributed Gaming (5)
Corporate and Other (6)
Consolidated
For the year ended December 31, 2022$26,347 $4,035 $1,878 $2,712 $9,146 $7,301 $51,419 
For the year ended December 31, 2021$7,859 $2,813 $1,447 $1,573 $9,912 $5,655 $29,259 
For the year ended December 31, 2020$23,649 $911 $2,531 $1,750 $5,136 $2,525 $36,502 

(1)

(1)Capital expenditures in the Distributed Gaming segment exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of approximately $2.6 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


Note 17 – Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited):

The following tables present selected quarterly financial information:

 

Year ended December 31, 2017

 

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth (1)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

$

106,646

 

 

$

110,493

 

 

$

108,322

 

 

$

184,347

 

Income from operations

 

5,318

 

 

 

2,578

 

 

 

2,389

 

 

 

5,093

 

Net income (loss)

 

5,342

 

 

 

1,713

 

 

 

8,555

 

 

 

(13,439

)

Basic income (loss) per share

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

(0.53

)

Diluted income (loss) per share (4)

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.07

 

 

$

0.36

 

 

$

(0.53

)

 

Year ended December 31, 2016

 

 

First (2)

 

 

Second (3)

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

$

91,034

 

 

$

102,558

 

 

$

104,226

 

 

$

105,386

 

Income from operations

 

3,737

 

 

 

5,051

 

 

 

2,752

 

 

 

1,495

 

Net income

 

2,239

 

 

 

2,800

 

 

 

1,302

 

 

 

9,959

 

Basic income per share

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.06

 

 

$

0.45

 

Diluted income per share

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.12

 

 

$

0.06

 

 

$

0.44

 

(1)

Results included the operating results of American from and after October 20, 2017, following the completion of the American Acquisition.

(2)

Results included the operating results of the Initial Montana Acquisition from and after January 30, 2016, following the completion of the acquisition.

(3)

Results included the operating results of the Second Montana Acquisition from and after April 23, 2016, following the completion of the acquisition.

(4)

For the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company generated a net loss. Accordingly, the effect of all potential common share equivalents was anti-dilutive, and therefore all such shares were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding and diluted loss per share for this period. The amount of potential common share equivalents was 2,373 for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Because net income (loss) per share amounts are calculated using the weighted-average number of common equivalent shares outstanding during each quarter, the sum of the per share amounts for the four quarters in the tables above may not equal the total net income (loss) per share amounts for the year.

Note 18 – Subsequent Events

The Company's management evaluates subsequent events through the dateNevada Casino Resorts segment exclude non-cash purchases of issuanceproperty and equipment of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require adjustment to or disclosure$5.0 million, $0.6 million, and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

(2)Capital expenditures in the consolidated financial statementsNevada Locals Casinos segment exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of $0.1 million and $0.2 million as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.


2022 and 2021, respectively.

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING ANDFINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

(3)Capital expenditures in the Maryland Casino Resort segment exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2020.

(4)Capital expenditures in the Nevada Taverns segment exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(5)Capital expenditures in the Distributed Gaming segment exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of $0.3 million and $2.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(6)Capital expenditures for Corporate and Other exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment of $0.1 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
78


ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING ANDFINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

a.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

a.Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the objective that information in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified and pursuant to the requirements of the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017,2022, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2017.

On October 20, 2017, the American Acquisition was completed. As discussed below, we have excluded American from our evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control2022.

b.Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over financial reporting. Accordingly, pursuant to the SEC's general guidance that an assessment of an acquired business’ internal control over financial reporting may be omitted from the scope of an assessment for one year following the acquisition, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures does not include American.

Financial Reporting

b.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO.Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

On October 20, 2017, the American Acquisition was completed. Management has begun the evaluation of the internal control structures of American. However, SEC guidance permits management to omit an assessment of an acquired business’ internal control over financial reporting from management’s assessments of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures for a period not to exceed one year from the date of the acquisition. Accordingly, we excluded American from our annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. We have reported the operating results of American in our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows from the acquisition date through December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, total assets related to American represented approximately 68.1% of our total assets, which consisted primarily of intangible assets, including goodwill, recorded on a preliminary basis as the measurement period for the business combination remained open as of December 31, 2017. Net revenues from American comprised

2022.

approximately 15% of our consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. We will include American in our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as ofDecember 31, 2017, likewise excluding the internal control over financial reporting of American,2022 has been audited by Piercy Bowler TaylorErnst & Kern,Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

c.

Management’s Remediation of Previous Material Weakness

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies,c.Changes in internal controlInternal Control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the registrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, we reported the following material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting:

Untimely Preparation and Review of Account Reconciliations. Account reconciliations were not consistently prepared on a timely basis and subjected to proper review and written approval by a person not involved in their preparation.

We took the following actions to remediate this material weakness:

In November 2016 and January 2017, we hired a new principal financial officer (Charles H. Protell) and principal accounting officer (Gary A. Vecchiarelli), respectively;

Financial Reporting

During the second quarter of 2017, management presented to the Audit Committee an action plan for remediating the identified material weakness and strengthening internal controls overall;

During 2017, in accordance with this action plan, we hired additional personnel with the requisite expertise in the key functional areas of finance and accounting to supervise the preparation of account reconciliations and to perform proper reviews of such reconciliations;

Also in accordance with this action plan, we established or enhanced numerous processes and policies during 2017 relating to various accounting, financial reporting and internal audit tasks;

We also implemented new reconciliation management software to track the status and progress of account reconciliations each period and quantify unreconciled or unidentified variances; and

In addition, we provided, and will continue to provide, additional training to new and existing accounting and financial reporting personnel regarding our procedures and systems concerning the preparation and review of account reconciliations.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2017, management tested the design and operating effectiveness of the newly implemented controls and concluded that the material weakness described above had been remediated as of December 31, 2017.

d.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except as described above, thereThere have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 20172022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As described above, on October 20, 2017, the American Acquisition was completed. Management excluded American from its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. Our integration of American may lead us to modify certain internal controls in future periods.

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.


ITEM 9C.    DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item regarding the members of our boardBoard of directorsDirectors and our audit committee, including our audit committee financial expert, will be included in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with
79


our 20182023 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Proxy“2023 Proxy Statement”) under the headings “Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers,” “Election of Directors” and “Ownership of Securities,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by this item relating to our executive officers is included under the caption “Executive Officers” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference into this section.

We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our employees (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer). The code of ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The full text of our code of ethics is published in the “Investors-Governance”“Investors — Governance” section of our website at www.goldenent.com.

www.goldenent.com.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission statements of ownership and changes in ownership. The same persons are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. We believe that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, all of our executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities complied with the applicable filing requirements, except that a late Form 4 report was filed for Terrence Wright on January 27, 2023.
In making these statements, we have relied upon examination of the copies of all Section 16(a) forms provided to us and the written representations of our executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item will be included in the 2023 Proxy Statement under the headings “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners will be included in the 2023 Proxy Statement under the heading “Ownership of Securities,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

On August 27, 2015, our Board of Directors approved the Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which was subsequently approved by our shareholders at our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. The 2015 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, stock payment awards, stock appreciation rights, performance bonus awards and other incentive awards. The 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. Options generally have a ten-year term. Except as provided in any employment agreement between us and the employee, if an employee is terminated (voluntarily or involuntarily), any unvested options as of the date of termination will be forfeited.

The maximum number of shares of our common stock for which grants may be made under the 2015 Plan is 2,250,000 shares, plus an annual increase on January 1st of each year during the ten-year term of the 2015 Plan equal to the lesser of 1,800,000 shares, 4% of the total shares of our common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) and such smaller amount as may be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The annual increases on January 1, 2018 and 2017 were 889,259 shares and 874,709 shares, respectively. The following annual limitations also apply: (i) the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be subject to awards granted to any one participant during a calendar year is 2,000,000 shares; and (ii) the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid to any one participant during any calendar year with respect to awards initially payable in cash is $10 million.

At our June 6, 2007 annual shareholders meeting, our shareholders approved the 2007 Lakes Stock Option and Compensation Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which authorized a total of 250,000 shares of our common stock. In August of 2009, our shareholders approved an amendment to the 2007 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for awards from 250,000 to 1,250,000. The 2007 Plan is designed to integrate


compensation of our executives and employees, including our officers and directors, with our long-term interests and those of our shareholders and to assist in the retention of executives and other key personnel.

The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 20172022 with respect to our equity compensation plans:

 

Number of

Securities to be

Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants,

and Rights

 

 

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights

 

 

Number of Securities

Remaining Available

for Future Issuance

Under Equity

Compensation Plans

(Excluding

Securities Reflected

in First Column)

 

Plan Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Plan(1)

 

3,730,254

 

 

$

11.24

 

 

 

109,263

 

2007 Plan

 

645,675

 

 

 

7.73

 

 

 

 

Total

 

4,375,929

 

 

$

10.73

 

 

 

109,263

 

(1)

As of December 31, 2017, we had 62,791 restricted stock units outstanding that do not have an exercise price; therefore, the weighted-average exercise price per share only relates to outstanding stock options.  

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and RightsWeighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and RightsNumber of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in First Column)
Plan Category
Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan (1)
2,046,994 $11.33 3,135,469 
2007 Lakes Stock Option and Compensation Plan25,000 $13.50 — 
Total2,071,994 $11.35 3,135,469 
(1)As of December 31, 2022, we had 547,671 time-based restricted stock units and 1,076,159 performance-based restricted stock units outstanding that do not have an exercise price; therefore, the weighted-average exercise price per share only relates to outstanding stock options.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item will be included in the 2023 Proxy Statement under the headings “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item will be included in the 2023 Proxy Statement under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference.


80



PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Golden Entertainment, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements:

Statements (including related notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) filed in Part II of this report are listed below
:

Page

47

50

51

52

53

55

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules: 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

99

We have omitted all other financial statement schedules because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes to the consolidated financial statements.


GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In thousands)
Balance at Beginning of PeriodIncreaseDecreaseBalance at End of Period
Deferred income tax valuation allowance:
Year Ended December 31, 2022$30,783 $— $(25,103)$5,680 
Year Ended December 31, 202162,724 — (31,941)30,783 
Year Ended December 31, 202036,652 26,072 — 62,724 
(a)(3) Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or

Furnished

Herewith

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

 

File No.

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    2.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 25, 2015, by and among Lakes Entertainment, Inc., LG Acquisition Corporation, Sartini Gaming, Inc. and The Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

2.1

 

1/26/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    2.1.1

 

First Amendment dated June 4, 2015, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 25, 2015, among Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Sartini Gaming, Inc., LG Acquisition Corporation and The Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

2.1

 

6/4/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    2.2

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2017, by and among Golden Entertainment, Inc., W2007/ACEP Managers Voteco, LLC, and W2007/ACEP Holdings, LLC.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

2.1

 

6/12/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Golden Entertainment, Inc.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

3.1

 

8/4/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    3.2

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Golden Entertainment, Inc.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

3.2

 

8/4/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.1

 

First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2017, by and among Golden Entertainment, Inc. (as borrower), the subsidiaries of Golden Entertainment, Inc. party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as administrative agent and collateral agent) and the other lenders party thereto.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.3

 

10/23/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.2

 

Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2017, by and among Golden Entertainment, Inc., (as borrower), the subsidiaries of Golden Entertainment, Inc. party thereto, Credit Suisse AG (as administrative agent and collateral agent) and the other lenders party thereto.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.4

 

10/23/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.3

 

Amended and Restated Ground Lease by and between Evitts Resort, LLC and the State of Maryland to the use of the Department of Natural Resources, effective August 3, 2012.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

8/9/2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.4

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2015, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and The Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

8/4/2015

 

 

Exhibits:

Incorporated by ReferenceFiled or Furnished Herewith
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionFormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
2.18-K000-249932.18/25/2022
2.28-K000-249932.28/25/2022
3.18-K000-249933.18/4/2015
3.210-Q000-249933.111/7/2022
4.110-Q000-249934.15/10/2019

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or

Furnished

Herewith

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

 

File No.

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.5

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2017, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and W2007/ACEP Holdings, LLC.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.1

 

10/23/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.6

 

Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2015, by and among Lakes Entertainment, Inc., The Blake L. Sartini and Delise F. Sartini Family Trust, Lyle A. Berman and certain other shareholders of Lakes Entertainment, Inc.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

1/26/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.7

 

Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2017, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and W2007/ACEP Holdings, LLC.

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

10/23/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.8

 

Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2015, between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Blake L. Sartini

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.4

 

8/4/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.9

 

Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2015, between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Lyle A. Berman

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.3

 

8/4/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.10#

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Blake Sartini

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.1

 

10/5/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.10.1#

 

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2016, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Blake L. Sartini

 

10-K

 

000-24993

 

10.11.1

 

3/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.11#

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Stephen Arcana

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

10/5/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.11.1#

 

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2016, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Stephen Arcana

 

10-K

 

000-24993

 

10.12.1

 

3/14/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.11.2#

 

Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2017, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Stephen Arcana

 

10-K

 

000-24993

 

10.11.2

 

3/16/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.12#

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2016, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Charles Protell

 

8-K

 

000-24993

 

10.2

 

11/17/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10.12.1#

 

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2017, by and between Golden Entertainment, Inc. and Charles Protell

 

10-K

 

000-24993

 

10.12.1

 

3/16/2017

 

 

81



Incorporated by ReferenceFiled or Furnished Herewith
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionFormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
4.210-Q000-249934.15/10/2019
4.310-K000-249934.33/13/2020
10.18-K000-2499310.310/23/2017
10.1.18-K000-2499310.16/12/2018
10.1.210-Q000-2499310.111/9/2018
10.1.38-K000-2499310.110/14/2021
10.28-K000-2499310.28/9/2012
10.38-K000-2499310.28/4/2015
10.48-K000-2499310.48/4/2015
10.5#


8-K000-2499310.110/5/2015
10.5.1#10-K000-2499310.11.13/14/2016
10.5.2#10-Q000-2499310.15/10/2018
82


Incorporated by Reference

Filed or

Furnished

Herewith

Exhibit


Number

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

10.5.3#

10-Q

000-24993

10.1

5/6/2022

  10.13#

10.6#

8-K

000-24993

10.3

10.2

11/17/2016

  10.14#

10.6.1#

10-K000-2499310.12.13/16/2017
10.6.2#10-Q000-2499310.35/10/2018
10.6.3#10-Q000-2499310.111/8/2019
10.6.4#10-Q000-2499310.25/6/2022
10.7#8-K000-2499310.210/5/2015
10.7.1#

10-K

000-24993

10.14

10.12.1

3/16/2017

14/2016

  10.15#

10.7.2#

10-K000-2499310.11.23/16/2017
10.7.3#10-Q000-2499310.25/10/2018
10.7.4#10-Q000-2499310.305/6/2022
10.8#

10-K

000-24993

10.15

3/16/2017

  10.16#

10.8.1#

10-Q

000-24993

10.4

5/10/2018

X

  10.17#

10.8.2#

8-K

10-Q

000-24993

10.1

10.4

11/17/2016

5/6/2022

  10.18#

10.9#

Amended and Restated Independent Contractor Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2015, among Golden Entertainment, Inc., Berman Consulting Corporation and Lyle A. Berman  

10-Q

000-24993

10.10.1

11/6/2015

  10.19#

DEF 14A

000-24993

Appendix D

6/24/2009

  10.19.1#

10.9.1#

10-K

000-24993

10.16.1

3/14/2016

  10.19.2#

10.9.2#

10-K

000-24993

10.16.2

3/14/2016

  10.19.3#

10.9.3#

8-K

000-24993

10.5

11/17/2016

83


  10.20#

Incorporated by ReferenceFiled or Furnished Herewith
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionFormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
10.10#

8-K

000-24993

10.1

9/2/2015

  10.20.1#

10.10.1#

8-K

000-24993

10.2

9/2/2015

  10.20.2#

10.10.2#

8-K

000-24993

10.4

11/17/2016

  10.21#

10.10.3#

10-Q000-2499310.55/10/2018
10.10.4#10-Q000-2499310.65/10/2018
10.11#

10-K

10-Q

000-24993

10.21

10.2

3/16/2017

8/9/2018


Incorporated by Reference

Filed or

Furnished

Herewith

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

21.1

  12.1

Statement Regarding the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

X

  21

X

23.1

X

31.1

X

31.2

X

32.1

X

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document

– the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document

X

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

X

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

X

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Definition Document

X

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

X

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

X

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

#

#    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement in which one or more executive officers or directors participates

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

ITEM 16.    FORM10-K SUMMARY
None.


84

SIGNATURES



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: March 1, 2023GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Registrant

By:

By:

/s/ BLAKE L. SARTINI

Blake L. Sartini

Chairman of the Board President and

Chief Executive Officer

Dated as of March 16, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 16, 2018.

1, 2023.

Name

Title

Name

Title

/s/ BLAKE L. SARTINI

Chairman of the Board President

Blake L. Sartini

and Chief Executive Officer

Blake L. Sartini(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ CHARLES H. PROTELL

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

Charles H. Protell

Strategy and Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ GARY A. VECCHIARELLI

THOMAS E. HAAS

Senior Vice President of

Accounting

Gary A. Vecchiarelli

Thomas E. Haas

Accounting and Finance

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ LYLE A. BERMAN

ANDY CHIEN

Director

Lyle A. Berman

Andy Chien

/s/ TIMOTHY J. COPE

ANN DOZIER

Director

Timothy J. Cope

Ann Dozier

/s/ MARK A. LIPPARELLI

Director

Mark A. Lipparelli

/s/ ROBERT L. MIODUNSKI

ANTHONY A. MARNELL III

Director

Robert L. Miodunski

Anthony A. Marnell III

/s/ NEIL I. SELL

Director

Neil I. Sell

/s/ TERRENCE L. WRIGHT

Director

Terrence L. Wright


85

GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(In thousands)

 

Balance at

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Increase

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Balance at

End of Period

 

Deferred income tax valuation allowance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

$

18,109

 

 

$

 

 

$

(11,126

)

 

$

6,983

 

Year Ended December 28, 2016

 

25,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,484

)

 

 

18,109

 

Year Ended December 29, 2015

 

44,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,107

)

 

 

25,593

 

99