10-Q 1 pnk6301810q.htm 10-Q Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
or
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission file number: 001-37666
____________________________
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
47-4668380
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3980 Howard Hughes Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(702) 541-7777
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 x NO o
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 x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting 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. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x

As of the close of business on August 3, 2018, the number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock was 58,878,766.



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT




PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
505,903

 
$
581,974

 
$
1,005,166

 
$
1,156,143

Food and beverage
72,421

 
33,974

 
142,088

 
67,229

Lodging
42,552

 
13,475

 
80,371

 
25,462

Retail, entertainment and other
26,758

 
24,219

 
48,404

 
44,782

Total revenues
647,634

 
653,642

 
1,276,029

 
1,293,616

Expenses and other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
265,955

 
316,234

 
524,718

 
629,473

Food and beverage
63,735

 
32,277

 
126,459

 
63,691

Lodging
15,451

 
6,501

 
29,797

 
12,563

Retail, entertainment and other
14,301

 
11,638

 
24,732

 
19,930

General and administrative
115,316

 
114,659

 
227,850

 
227,274

Depreciation and amortization
49,625

 
56,157

 
99,664

 
112,175

Pre-opening, development and other costs
705

 
1,795

 
2,525

 
2,594

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
2,597

 
7,928

 
4,998

 
8,452

Total expenses and other costs
527,685

 
547,189

 
1,040,743

 
1,076,152

Operating income
119,949

 
106,453

 
235,286

 
217,464

Interest expense, net
(101,129
)
 
(96,630
)
 
(193,482
)
 
(190,738
)
Loss from equity method investment
(89
)
 
(90
)
 
(89
)
 
(90
)
Income before income taxes
18,731

 
9,733

 
41,715

 
26,636

Income tax benefit (expense)
3,035

 
(1,307
)
 
1,845

 
(1,002
)
Net income
21,766

 
8,426

 
43,560

 
25,634

Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
131

 
951

 
280

 
960

Net income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
21,897

 
$
9,377

 
$
43,840

 
$
26,594

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.38

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.77

 
$
0.47

Diluted
$
0.35

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.70

 
$
0.43

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
57,543

 
56,648

 
57,225

 
56,314

Diluted
62,266

 
61,884

 
62,255

 
61,463


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
21,766

 
$
8,426

 
$
43,560

 
$
25,634

Comprehensive income
21,766

 
8,426

 
43,560

 
25,634

Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
131

 
951

 
280

 
960

Comprehensive income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
21,897

 
$
9,377

 
$
43,840

 
$
26,594


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
148,558

 
$
184,218

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,205 and $6,167
46,492

 
53,998

Inventories
10,644

 
10,145

Prepaid expenses and other assets
35,941

 
21,944

Total current assets
241,635

 
270,305

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net
2,567,506

 
2,629,013

Goodwill
610,889

 
610,889

Other intangible assets, net
380,351

 
383,569

Deferred incomes taxes
1,117

 
1,468

Other assets, net
57,521

 
54,984

Total assets
$
3,859,019

 
$
3,950,228

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
55,182

 
$
81,071

Accrued interest
6,482

 
5,401

Accrued compensation
56,392

 
74,204

Accrued taxes
56,063

 
56,538

Current portion of long-term financing obligation
11,003

 
24,658

Other accrued liabilities
90,133

 
89,150

Total current liabilities
275,255

 
331,022

Long-term debt less current portion
749,221

 
812,315

Long-term financing obligation less current portion
3,083,272

 
3,088,871

Other long-term liabilities
32,732

 
38,991

Total liabilities
4,140,480

 
4,271,199

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

Stockholders’ Deficit:
 
 
 
Preferred stock—$0.01 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

 

Common stock—$0.01 par value, 150,000,000 authorized, 58,878,766 and 57,629,392 shares issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares
663

 
650

Additional paid-in capital
931,467

 
932,246

Accumulated deficit
(1,130,159
)
 
(1,170,715
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
264

 
264

Treasury stock, at cost, 7,386,998 and 7,371,080 of treasury shares
(92,511
)
 
(92,511
)
Total Pinnacle stockholders’ deficit
(290,276
)
 
(330,066
)
Non-controlling interest
8,815

 
9,095

Total stockholders’ deficit
(281,461
)
 
(320,971
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
3,859,019

 
$
3,950,228


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
Capital Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of Shares
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total Pinnacle Stockholders’ Deficit
 
Non-Controlling Interest
 
Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
Balance as of January 1, 2018
57,629

 
$
650

 
$
932,246

 
$
(1,170,715
)
 
$
264

 
$
(92,511
)
 
$
(330,066
)
 
$
9,095

 
$
(320,971
)
Net income (loss)

 

 

 
43,840

 

 

 
43,840

 
(280
)
 
43,560

Share-based compensation

 

 
8,750

 

 

 

 
8,750

 

 
8,750

Common stock issuance and option exercises
1,266

 
13

 
785

 

 

 

 
798

 

 
798

Tax withholding related to vesting of share-based payment awards
(16
)
 

 
(10,314
)
 

 

 

 
(10,314
)
 

 
(10,314
)
Cumulative effect adjustment from new revenue standard

 

 

 
(3,284
)
 

 

 
(3,284
)
 

 
(3,284
)
Balance as of June 30, 2018
58,879

 
$
663

 
$
931,467

 
$
(1,130,159
)
 
$
264

 
$
(92,511
)
 
$
(290,276
)
 
$
8,815

 
$
(281,461
)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
43,560

 
$
25,634

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
99,664

 
112,175

Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net
3,905

 
4,750

Loss from equity method investment
89

 
90

Impairment of held-to-maturity securities

 
3,844

Impairment of long-lived assets
18

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums
1,873

 
5,189

Share-based compensation expense
8,750

 
6,711

Change in income taxes
(4,365
)
 
(1,793
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables, net
7,506

 
8,189

Prepaid expenses and other
(17,190
)
 
(19,825
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
(44,819
)
 
(53,939
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
98,991

 
91,025

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(39,553
)
 
(38,684
)
Proceeds from sales of furniture, fixtures and equipment
15

 
74

Loans receivable
(1,075
)
 
(1,250
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(40,613
)
 
(39,860
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from Senior Secured Credit Facilities
322,800

 
324,700

Repayments under Senior Secured Credit Facilities
(386,988
)
 
(379,195
)
Repayments under financing obligation
(19,254
)
 
(24,036
)
Proceeds from common stock options exercised
798

 
2,483

Tax withholdings on share-based payment awards
(10,314
)
 
(1,697
)
Other
(1,234
)
 
(261
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(94,192
)
 
(78,006
)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(35,814
)
 
(26,841
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period
187,440

 
188,911

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period
$
151,626

 
$
162,070

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
190,734

 
$
185,904

Cash payments related to income taxes, net
$
1,946

 
$
2,677

Increase (decrease) in construction-related deposits and liabilities
$
(621
)
 
$
1,578

Non-cash issuance of common stock
$
13

 
$

 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
148,558

 
$
159,117

Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other assets
980

 
865

Restricted cash included in Other assets, net
2,088

 
2,088

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
151,626

 
$
162,070


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 1—Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization: Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates 16 gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses, of which 15 operate in leased facilities. Our owned facility is located in Ohio and our leased facilities are located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada and Pennsylvania. The leased facilities located outside of Pennsylvania are subject to the Master Lease and our leased facility in Pennsylvania is subject to the Meadows Lease (see Note 3, “Master Lease Financing Obligation and Meadows Lease” for the definitions and further discussion of the Master Lease and Meadows Lease). References in these footnotes to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.
We view each of our operating businesses as an operating segment with the exception of our two businesses in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
Midwest segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Ameristar East Chicago
East Chicago, Indiana
Ameristar Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Ameristar St. Charles
St. Charles, Missouri
Belterra Resort
Florence, Indiana
Belterra Park
Cincinnati, Ohio
Meadows
Washington, Pennsylvania
River City
St. Louis, Missouri
 
 
South segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Boomtown Bossier City
Bossier City, Louisiana
Boomtown New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
L’Auberge Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
L’Auberge Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
 
 
West segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Black Hawk
Black Hawk, Colorado
Cactus Petes and Horseshu
Jackpot, Nevada
On December 17, 2017, Pinnacle entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Penn National Merger Agreement”) with Penn National Gaming, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn National”), and Franchise Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn National (“Franchise Merger Sub”), providing for the merger of Franchise Merger Sub with and into Pinnacle (the “Proposed Company Sale”), with Pinnacle surviving the Proposed Company Sale as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn National.
At the effective time of the Proposed Company Sale, each share of Pinnacle common stock, par value $0.01 per share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares held by Penn National and other than dissenting shares) will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive (i) $20.00 in cash (plus, if the Proposed Company Sale is not consummated on or prior to October 31, 2018, $0.01 for each day during the period commencing on November 1, 2018 through the effective time of the Proposed Company Sale) (the “Cash Consideration”) and (ii) 0.42 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Penn National (the “Penn National Common Stock”) (together with the Cash Consideration and cash required to be paid in lieu of fractional shares of Penn National Common Stock, the “Proposed Company Sale Consideration”).
In connection with the Proposed Company Sale, Penn National entered into (i) a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 17, 2017 (the “Membership Interest Purchase Agreement”), with Boyd Gaming Corporation

8



(“Boyd”), which Pinnacle will become a party to immediately prior to the Proposed Company Sale, pursuant to which a subsidiary of Boyd will acquire the gaming and related operations of Ameristar St. Charles, Ameristar Kansas City, Belterra Resort and Belterra Park, in connection with the Proposed Company Sale; and (ii) definitive agreements with a subsidiary of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), a Pennsylvania corporation and real estate investment trust, which Pinnacle will become a party to immediately prior to the Proposed Company Sale, pursuant to which GLPI’s subsidiary will acquire the real estate associated with Belterra Park, from Pinnacle, and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts, from Penn National. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, GLPI and Boyd will enter into a master lease agreement for the gaming operations acquired by Boyd and Penn National will assume Pinnacle’s existing Master Lease and Meadows Lease and enter into certain amendments thereto.
On March 29, 2018, the shareholders of Penn National and stockholders of Pinnacle approved the Proposed Company Sale, including the approval by Penn National shareholders of the issuance of Penn National’s common stock in connection with the Proposed Company Sale Consideration.

Completion of the Proposed Company Sale is subject to certain conditions, many of which are beyond our control, including, among others: (1) the absence of any injunction, restraining order or other orders or laws prohibiting the consummation of the Proposed Company Sale; (2) the expiration or termination of any waiting period applicable to the Proposed Company Sale under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Acts of 1976, as amended; (3) the receipt of the remaining required regulatory approvals in a timely manner (including receipt of necessary approvals from gaming regulatory authorities); (4) the registration of the shares of Penn National to be issued to stockholders of Pinnacle; and (5) the listing of the shares of Penn National on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The obligation of each party to consummate the Proposed Company Sale is also conditioned upon the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties, the absence of a material adverse effect involving the other party, and the other party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Penn National Merger Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions, the Proposed Company Sale is expected to close early in the fourth quarter 2018.
If the Proposed Company Sale is not consummated on or before October 31, 2018, subject to certain limited extensions (including pursuant to Penn National’s election to extend under certain circumstances) provided in the Penn National Merger Agreement, either party may terminate the Penn National Merger Agreement. Consummation of the Proposed Company Sale is not subject to a financing condition.
Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The results for the periods indicated are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The results of operations for interim periods are not indicative of a full year of operations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Principles of Consolidation: The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in the common stock of unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our guest loyalty program, the initial measurement of the financing obligation associated with the Master Lease, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and other intangible assets, contingencies and litigation, and estimates of the forfeiture rate and expected term of share-based payment awards and stock price volatility when computing share-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Fair Value: Fair value measurements affect our accounting and impairment assessments of our long-lived assets, investments in unconsolidated affiliates, assets acquired in an acquisition, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value measurements also affect our accounting for certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would

9



be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and is measured according to a hierarchy that includes: “Level 1” inputs, such as quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities; “Level 2” inputs, which are observable inputs for similar assets; or “Level 3” inputs, which are unobservable inputs.
The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
Total Carrying Amount
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
As of June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities
$
10.3

 
$
10.3

 
$

 
$
7.5

 
$
2.8

Promissory notes
$
16.9

 
$
17.2

 
$

 
$
17.2

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
749.2

 
$
773.7

 
$

 
$
773.7

 
$

Other long-term liabilities
$
4.7

 
$
4.7

 
$

 
$
4.7

 
$

As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities
$
10.4

 
$
10.4

 
$

 
$
7.5

 
$
2.9

Promissory notes
$
16.9

 
$
17.2

 
$

 
$
17.2

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
812.3

 
$
854.2

 
$

 
$
854.2

 
$

Other long-term liabilities
$
5.0

 
$
5.0

 
$

 
$
5.0

 
$

The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities and our long-term promissory notes were based on Level 2 inputs using observable market data for comparable instruments in establishing prices. The estimated fair values of certain of our other long-term liabilities were based on Level 2 inputs using a present value of future cash flow valuation technique, which is based on contractually obligated payments and terms.
The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities were based on Level 3 inputs using a present value of future cash flow valuation technique that relies on management assumptions and qualitative observations. Key significant unobservable inputs in this technique include discount rate risk premiums and probability-weighted cash flow scenarios.
The estimated fair values of our long-term debt were based on Level 2 inputs of observable market data on comparable debt instruments on or about June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. See Note 4, “Long-Term Debt.”
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase, are stated at the lower of cost or market value, and are valued using Level 1 inputs. Book overdraft balances are included in “Accounts payable” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable consist of casino, hotel, automatic teller machines (“ATM”), cash advances and other receivables, which principally arise from contracts with customers. We extend casino credit to approved customers in states where it is permitted following investigations of creditworthiness. Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. In order to reduce accounts receivable to their carrying amount, which approximates fair value, we have estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon, among other things, collection experience, customer credit evaluations and the age of the receivables.
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment: Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense repair and maintenance costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposition of land, buildings, vessels and equipment are included in the determination of income.

10



We review the carrying amounts of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment used in our operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying amount, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, then an impairment charge is recorded based on the fair value of the asset.
Development costs directly associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of the project during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. The costs incurred for development projects are carried at cost. Interest costs associated with development projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed asset. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project, or discernible portion of the project, is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed.
Substantially all of the land, buildings, vessels and associated improvements used in the Company’s operations and included in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are subject to the Master Lease and owned by GLPI. For more information regarding the Master Lease, see Note 3, “Master Lease Financing Obligation and Meadows Lease.” The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
 

 
 

Land and land improvements
$
432.5

 
$
431.6

Buildings, vessels and improvements
2,713.6

 
2,700.3

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
796.3

 
805.0

Construction in progress
23.1

 
28.6

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross
3,965.5

 
3,965.5

Less: accumulated depreciation
(1,398.0
)
 
(1,336.5
)
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net
$
2,567.5

 
$
2,629.0

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations and has been allocated to our reporting units. We consider each of our operating segments to represent a reporting unit. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses and trade names for which it is reasonably assured that we will continue to renew indefinitely. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter (October 1st test date), or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. In determining the carrying amount of our reporting units, we allocate each reporting unit that is subject to the Master Lease a pro-rata portion of the Master Lease financing obligation. Amortizing intangible assets include player relationships and favorable leasehold interests. We review amortizing intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Revenue Recognition: We generate revenues from the goods and services that we provide to our customers at the facilities in which we operate our gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses. Our revenues consist principally of gaming revenue and hospitality revenue, which consists of food and beverage revenue, lodging revenue, retail revenue and entertainment revenue. We recognize revenue when control over the goods and/or services we provide has transferred to the customer, which is primarily at a point-in-time. Although the majority of our operations results in the simultaneous exchange of consideration from our customers and the transfer of control over the goods and/or services, in the event that customers pay in advance, such amounts received are recorded as performance obligation liabilities. During the first quarter 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606” or the “new revenue standard”) using a modified retrospective approach as of the date of initial application, which was January 1, 2018. See Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” for a thorough discussion of the new revenue standard and its impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gaming Revenues: Gaming revenues include revenues generated by our casino operations and gaming-related activities such as poker and tournaments. The transaction price in gaming contracts is measured by the aggregate net difference between amounts wagered and amounts paid to winning customers. Cash discounts and other cash incentives, such as free play, to guests related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue. In general, the Company recognizes gaming revenue as the services are performed, which is principally at a point-in-time. We have applied the practical expedient under the

11



portfolio approach as prescribed in ASC paragraph 606-10-10-4 to our gaming contracts due to the similar characteristics of gaming transactions as well as the fact that the Company reasonably expects the financial statement effects of applying ASC 606 to the portfolio of gaming contracts rather than to individual gaming contracts to not differ materially.
A large portion of our revenues is generated by customers who have membership in our guest loyalty program, which operates under the name mychoice (“mychoice program” or “guest loyalty program”). Members of our mychoice program earn reward credits and credit toward tier status based on gaming activity. Under the terms of the mychoice program, members are able to accumulate, or bank, reward credits over time that they may redeem at their discretion for complimentary goods and/or services provided by the Company (“nondiscretionary complimentaries”), free slot play or cash back. The reward credit balance will be forfeited if the member does not earn or use any reward credits over the prior six-month period. Upon attainment of certain tier status levels, members are entitled to receive discounts similar in nature and amount to those provided as complimentaries. In addition, members of certain tiers of the mychoice program receive complimentary goods and/or services of third-parties.
Given the ability for members to bank such reward credits based on their past play and the significance of the mychoice program, we have determined that reward credits constitute a material right and, as such, represent a performance obligation associated with the gaming contracts. In addition, similar to reward credits, we have determined that certain benefits associated with our top tier also constitute material rights. We have determined that other tier status benefits, including discounts on goods and/or services sold and/or provided by the Company, are generally made available to customers other than through a past purchase (or provided on a complimentary basis at our discretion) and, therefore, do not represent material rights.
Therefore, gaming contracts with customers participating in the mychoice program contain multiple performance obligations whereas gaming contracts in which the customers are not participating in the mychoice program contain only a single performance obligation. In gaming contracts with customers participating in the mychoice program, we allocate the transaction price between (1) the reward credits and certain tier benefits that give rise to separate performance obligations, such as an annual gift to our top tier members (“annual gift”), based upon the relative standalone selling prices (“SSP”), and (2) an amount allocated to the gaming performance obligation using the residual approach as the SSP for gaming is highly variable and no set established price exists. Since reward credits are not independently sold, we have determined the estimated SSP of a reward credit by computing the redemption value of points expected to be redeemed. We determine this redemption value through an analysis of historical redemption activity, utilizing observed SSP of the goods and services provided through redemption of reward credits as well as the pre-established conversion ratios of reward credits pursuant to the terms of the mychoice program. This allocation results in an amount of the gaming transaction price being presented as a performance obligation liability associated with the mychoice program (“mychoice performance obligation liability”), which reduces gaming revenues in the period that the mychoice performance obligation liability is accrued. Revenue is recognized in the period in which the mychoice performance obligation liability is relieved through satisfaction of the associated performance obligations, depending on the type of good and/or service provided (food and beverage; lodging; or retail, entertainment and other).
The mychoice performance obligation liability consists of (1) reward credits and (2) the estimated SSP of goods and/or services purchased by the Company from third-parties and transferred to members of certain tiers of the mychoice program. Reward credits earned by customers are generally redeemed within a six-month period from the first date of activity earning such reward credits. Based on the terms of the mychoice program, specifically, the timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation associated with providing some goods and/or services to members of certain tiers of the mychoice program, the performance obligation liability associated with certain tier benefits, principally the annual gift, is generally settled between 6 months and 18 months from the first date of activity earning such tier benefits. Estimates and assumptions made regarding breakage rates and the combination of goods and services members choose impacts the estimated SSP of reward credits. Changes in estimates or member redemption patterns could produce different results, which would principally impact the recorded balance of the mychoice performance obligation liability and the amount of gaming revenues recorded during the period in which such reward credits are earned.
The mychoice performance obligation liability was $24.3 million and $21.0 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon adoption of ASC 606, the mychoice performance obligation liability was re-measured, resulting in a post-adoption balance of $24.3 million as of January 1, 2018. Unless the terms of the mychoice program are modified, the mychoice performance obligation liability is not subject to significant periodic fluctuations, particularly in comparing periods year over year. During the first quarter 2018, the Company implemented the mychoice program at Meadows, which previously operated its own loyalty program.
Liabilities arising from our casino operations and gaming-related activities (“gaming-related liabilities”) principally include funds deposited by customers in advance (commonly referred to as “safekeeping” or “front money”), outstanding chips

12



and slot tickets in the customers’ possession, and the incremental amount of progressive jackpots. Gaming-related liabilities are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until such amounts are redeemed for cash or used in gaming play by the customer. Gaming-related liabilities were $33.5 million and $35.5 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Given the nature of our business, gaming-related liabilities are not subject to significant periodic fluctuations, particularly in comparing periods year over year.
Discretionary Complimentaries: Outside of the mychoice program and at our discretion, we offer our guests complimentary goods and services, including food and beverage, lodging, retail and entertainment, which are provided in conjunction with revenue-generating gaming activity in order to entice contemporaneous and future revenue-generating gaming activities (“discretionary complimentaries”). We allocate a portion of the gaming transaction price we receive from such customers to the discretionary complimentaries with the allocated revenue for gaming wagers recognized using the residual approach. We perform this allocation based on the SSP of the underlying goods and services provided, which are determined based on observed SSP we receive for selling such goods and services at the facilities in which we operate our businesses.
Hospitality Revenues: Food and beverage revenues, lodging revenues, retail revenue and entertainment revenues include: (1) revenues generated through contracts with customers for such goods and/or services, (2) revenue recognized through the redemption of mychoice reward credits for such goods and/or services (the nondiscretionary complimentaries), and (3) from revenue as a result of providing such goods and/or services on a complimentary basis to entice contemporaneous and future revenue-generating gaming activities (the discretionary complimentaries). Hospitality revenues are recognized when goods are delivered, services are performed, or events take place. In general, performance obligations associated with hospitality contracts are satisfied at a point-in-time, but may also be satisfied over a period of time, which is typically over the course of a customer’s stay at one of the locations in which we operate our gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses. Advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales are recorded as a performance obligation liability until the goods and/or services are provided to the customer. Such liabilities are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Other Revenues: Other revenues primarily include amounts received in connection with ATM transactions and cash advances with customers, revenues generated from pari-mutuel wagering contracts, and management fees associated with Retama Park Racetrack (see Note 8, “Investments”).
Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, complimentary hospitality and other revenues were excluded from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Subsequent to the adoption of ASC 606, complimentary hospitality and other revenues are included in food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; as appropriate, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Complimentary hospitality and other revenues, whether provided as nondiscretionary complimentaries or discretionary complimentaries, were as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Food and beverage
$
39.1

 
$
36.0

 
$
77.2

 
$
71.1

Lodging (a)
28.7

 
16.2

 
55.1

 
31.3

Retail, entertainment and other
2.9

 
4.3

 
5.3

 
8.3

Total complimentaries
$
70.7

 
$
56.5

 
$
137.6

 
$
110.7

(a)
As described in Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” the adoption of ASC 606 impacted the measurement of complimentary lodging revenues, which increased the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounts by $12.9 million and $24.5 million, respectively.

13



We assess our revenues based upon the type of goods or services we provide and the geographic location of the related businesses. The geographic locations are consistent with our reportable segments. For more information on our reportable segments, see Note 10, “Segment Information.” The following tables present disaggregated revenue information:
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 (a)
 
Midwest
 
South
 
West
 
Corporate and other (b)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
321.8

 
$
141.7

 
$
42.4

 
$

 
$
505.9

Food and beverage
38.0

 
26.1

 
8.2

 
0.1

 
72.4

Lodging
17.3

 
16.4

 
8.8

 

 
42.5

Retail, entertainment and other
15.8

 
6.7

 
3.1

 
1.2

 
26.8

Total
$
392.9

 
$
190.9

 
$
62.5

 
$
1.3

 
$
647.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2017 (a)
 
Midwest
 
South
 
West
 
Corporate and other (b)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
349.5

 
$
181.7

 
$
50.8

 
$

 
$
582.0

Food and beverage
19.4

 
10.3

 
4.1

 
0.2

 
34.0

Lodging
5.4

 
4.8

 
3.2

 

 
13.4

Retail, entertainment and other
15.4

 
5.0

 
2.7

 
1.1

 
24.2

Total
$
389.7

 
$
201.8

 
$
60.8

 
$
1.3

 
$
653.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 (a)
 
Midwest
 
South
 
West
 
Corporate and other (b)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
635.4

 
$
287.0

 
$
82.8

 
$

 
$
1,005.2

Food and beverage
74.6

 
51.0

 
16.3

 
0.2

 
142.1

Lodging
32.6

 
30.5

 
17.2

 

 
80.3

Retail, entertainment and other
27.8

 
12.5

 
5.9

 
2.2

 
48.4

Total
$
770.4

 
$
381.0

 
$
122.2

 
$
2.4

 
$
1,276.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2017 (a)
 
Midwest
 
South
 
West
 
Corporate and other (b)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
702.5

 
$
356.0

 
$
97.6

 
$

 
$
1,156.1

Food and beverage
39.2

 
19.8

 
7.9

 
0.3

 
67.2

Lodging
10.1

 
9.2

 
6.2

 

 
25.5

Retail, entertainment and other
28.2

 
9.3

 
5.0

 
2.3

 
44.8

Total
$
780.0

 
$
394.3

 
$
116.7

 
$
2.6

 
$
1,293.6

(a)
The disaggregated revenue information above is not comparable principally due to the fact that, subsequent to the adoption of ASC 606, complimentary hospitality and other revenues are included in food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; as appropriate, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenues, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of

14



Operations. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, such complimentary hospitality and other revenues were excluded from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations with no impact on gaming revenues.
(b)
Corporate and other includes revenues from a live and televised poker tournament series that operates under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour (“HPT”) and management fees associated with Retama Park Racetrack.
Gaming Taxes: We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments. These gaming taxes are an assessment on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. These taxes were as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Gaming taxes
$
177.6

 
$
177.6

 
$
351.4

 
$
353.8

Leases: The Company has certain long-term lease obligations, including the Meadows Lease, ground leases at certain properties, office space, and equipment. Rent associated with operating leases, excluding contingent rent, is expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease beginning on the date of possession of the leased property. To the extent it is considered probable, contingent rent associated with operating leases is expensed as incurred. At lease inception, the lease term is determined by assuming the exercise of those renewal options that are reasonably assured. The lease term is used to determine whether a lease is capital or operating and is used to calculate the straight-line rent expense. Additionally, the depreciable life of capital lease assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term if less than the useful life of the asset. Rent expenses are included in “General and administrative” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For more information on the Meadows Lease, see Note 3, “Master Lease Financing Obligation and Meadows Lease.”
Pre-opening, Development and Other Costs: Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of payroll costs to hire, employ and train the workforce prior to opening an operating facility; marketing campaigns prior to and in connection with the opening; legal and professional fees related to the project but not otherwise attributable to depreciable assets; and lease payments, real estate taxes, and other general and administrative costs prior to the opening of an operating facility. In addition, pre-opening, development and other costs include acquisition and restructuring costs. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Proposed Company Sale costs (a)
$
0.6

 
$
0.8

 
$
2.4

 
$
0.9

Other
0.1

 
1.0

 
0.1

 
1.7

Total pre-opening, development and other costs
$
0.7

 
$
1.8

 
$
2.5

 
$
2.6

(a)
Amounts comprised principally of legal, advisory, and other costs associated with the respective transactions.
Earnings Per Share: The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively. Diluted EPS reflects the addition of potentially dilutive securities, such as stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock and performance stock units (“share-based payment awards”). We calculate the dilutive effect of share-based payment awards using the treasury stock method. A total of 187,548; 164,589; 1,937 and 187,949 share-based payment awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 2—Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which introduced a new standard related to revenue recognition, ASC 606. Under ASC 606, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new revenue standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the

15



Effective Date, which deferred the implementation of ASC 606 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarified the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue standard pursuant to ASU No. 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, and in May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which amended certain aspects of the new revenue standard pursuant to ASU No. 2014-09. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20; Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers; which further clarified and corrected certain elements of ASC 606.
The Company adopted ASC 606 during the first quarter 2018 using the modified retrospective approach to all contracts as of the date of initial application, which was January 1, 2018. Adoption of the new revenue standard principally affected (1) how we measure the liability associated with our mychoice program and (2) the classification and, as it related to lodging, the measurement, of revenues and expenses between gaming; food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other. The modified retrospective approach required the Company to recognize the impact of adopting ASC 606 as a cumulative effect adjustment to our beginning accumulated deficit, which was an increase of $3.3 million. The cumulative effect adjustment related exclusively to re-measuring the liability associated with the mychoice program from a cost approach to an approach that reflects the estimated SSP of the reward credits and certain tier benefits. In addition, the modified retrospective approach required the Company to provide disclosures describing the financial statement line items impacted by the new revenue standard (see below).
Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, we determined our liability for mychoice reward credits based on the estimated costs of goods and services to be provided and estimated redemption rates. Upon adoption of ASC 606, as described in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” points awarded under our mychoice program constitute a material right and, as such, represent a performance obligation associated with the gaming contracts. In addition, certain tier benefits associated with our mychoice program, represent material rights in a manner similar to reward credits, which results in such benefits constituting separate performance obligations. Therefore, ASC 606 required us to allocate the revenues associated with the players’ activity between gaming revenue and the estimated SSP of the reward credits and certain tier benefits.
In addition to the above, prior to the adoption of ASC 606, complimentary revenues pertaining to food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; were excluded from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the estimated costs of providing such complimentary goods and services were included as gaming expenses in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, subsequent to the adoption of ASC 606, as described in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to our guests on a complimentary basis is measured at the estimated SSP and included as revenues within food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; as appropriate, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenues. Furthermore, specifically as it relates to lodging, the transition from complimentary retail value to estimated SSP increased the recorded amount of complimentary lodging revenue. Additionally, subsequent to the adoption of ASC 606, the costs of providing such complimentary goods and services is included as expenses within food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; as appropriate, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

16



The amount by which each line item in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was affected by the new revenue standard as compared with the accounting guidance that was in effect before the change was as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2018
 
As Reported -
With Adoption of ASC 606
 
As Adjusted - Without Adoption of ASC 606
 
Effect of Accounting Change
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
505,903

 
$
579,585

 
$
(73,682
)
Food and beverage
72,421

 
33,318

 
39,103

Lodging
42,552

 
13,854

 
28,698

Retail, entertainment and other
26,758

 
24,522

 
2,236

Total revenues
647,634

 
651,279

 
(3,645
)
Expenses and other costs (b):
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
265,955

 
315,591

 
(49,636
)
Food and beverage
63,735

 
30,263

 
33,472

Lodging
15,451

 
7,031

 
8,420

Retail, entertainment and other
14,301

 
10,451

 
3,850

Other expenses and other costs
168,243

 
168,243

 

Total expenses and other costs
527,685

 
531,579

 
(3,894
)
Operating income
$
119,949

 
$
119,700

 
$
249

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
21,766

 
$
21,517

 
$
249

Net income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
21,897

 
$
21,648

 
$
249

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.38

 
$
0.38

 
$

Diluted
$
0.35

 
$
0.35

 
$

(a)
The decrease in gaming revenues is principally attributable to the allocation of portions of the transaction price in gaming contracts to (1) complimentary hospitality and other revenues of $70.7 million, which increased food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other, and (2) certain tier benefits, such as the annual gift, of $3.5 million, which was previously included in gaming expenses. These decreases were offset by a net $0.5 million increase in other adjustments.
(b)
The decrease in gaming expenses is principally attributable to (1) the cessation of the Company’s prior accounting practice of including the estimated costs of providing complimentaries in gaming expenses rather than in food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; expenses of $40.7 million, and (2) the allocation of a portion of the transaction price in gaming contracts to certain tier benefits, such as the annual gift, of $3.5 million, which was previously included in gaming expenses.

17



 
For the six months ended June 30, 2018
 
As Reported -
With Adoption of ASC 606
 
As Adjusted - Without Adoption of ASC 606
 
Effect of Accounting Change
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
1,005,166

 
$
1,148,095

 
$
(142,929
)
Food and beverage
142,088

 
64,943

 
77,145

Lodging
80,371

 
25,287

 
55,084

Retail, entertainment and other
48,404

 
44,150

 
4,254

Total revenues
1,276,029

 
1,282,475

 
(6,446
)
Expenses and other costs (b):
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
524,718

 
621,899

 
(97,181
)
Food and beverage
126,459

 
59,835

 
66,624

Lodging
29,797

 
12,871

 
16,926

Retail, entertainment and other
24,732

 
17,789

 
6,943

Other expenses and other costs
335,037

 
335,037

 

Total expenses and other costs
1,040,743

 
1,047,431

 
(6,688
)
Operating income
$
235,286

 
$
235,044

 
$
242

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
43,560

 
$
43,318

 
$
242

Net income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
43,840

 
$
43,598

 
$
242

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.77

 
$
0.76

 
$
0.01

Diluted
$
0.70

 
$
0.70

 
$

(a)
The decrease in gaming revenues is attributable to the allocation of portions of the transaction price in gaming contracts to (1) complimentary hospitality and other revenues of $137.6 million, which increased food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other, and (2) certain tier benefits, such as the annual gift, of $5.9 million, which was previously included in gaming expenses. These decreases were offset by a net $0.6 million increase in other adjustments.
(b)
The decrease in gaming expenses is principally attributable to (1) the cessation of the Company’s prior accounting practice of including the estimated costs of providing complimentaries in gaming expenses rather than in food and beverage; lodging; and retail, entertainment and other; expenses of $80.5 million, and (2) the allocation of a portion of the transaction price in gaming contracts to certain tier benefits, such as the annual gift, of $5.9 million, which was previously included in gaming expenses.
The line items included in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018 that were affected by the new revenue standard were “Other accrued liabilities” and “Accumulated deficit,” which both increased by $3.1 million as a result of the re-measurement of the liability associated with the mychoice program.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Recognition and Measurement of Leases, which introduced a new standard related to lease recognition, ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842” or the “new lease standard”). In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which clarified and corrected certain elements of the new lease standard, and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which introduced a transition option for all entities and an option for lessors to combine lease and non-lease components. Entities may apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, either (1) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements or (2) the date of adoption. If an entity chooses the latter, a cumulative-effect adjustment would be recorded to beginning retained earnings as of the adoption date.
Under ASC 842, for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases), at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new lease standard, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Further, ASC 842

18



simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities, which no longer provides a source for off balance sheet financing.
The Company currently anticipates adopting the new lease standard during the first quarter 2019 using the modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, January 1, 2019. Operating leases, including the Meadows Lease and our ground leases at certain properties, will be recorded in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability, which will represent the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. Additionally, as a result of this ASU, the Company will be required to reassess the sale-leaseback accounting treatment of the Master Lease. The Company currently expects to use the package of practical expedients, which does not require the Company to reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts as of the adoption date are or contain a lease, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date and (3) whether previously capitalized costs continue to qualify as initial direct costs on expired or existing leases as of the adoption date. Although the full qualitative and quantitative effects of these changes have not yet been determined and are still being analyzed, the adoption of ASC 842 will increase “Total assets” and “Total liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Accounting for Credit Losses, which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. This update adds an impairment model (known as the current expected credit losses model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes, as an allowance, its estimate of expected credit losses. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, which amended the previous accounting standard to require the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, which was intended to reduce the diversity in practice caused by the lack of specificity in the previous accounting standard regarding the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter 2018 using a retrospective transition approach. As a result of adopting this guidance, our net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as presented in our unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, increased by approximately $0.9 million.
In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842), which made amendments to the SEC paragraphs pursuant to the staff announcement at the July 20, 2017 Emerging Issues Task Force meeting and rescinds prior SEC staff announcements and observer comments. To the extent this guidance is applicable, it is effective immediately. As discussed above, the Company adopted ASC 606 during the first quarter 2018 and has not yet adopted ASC 842. The guidance applicable to the Company in this ASU did not have a material impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. This ASU adds various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of the December 2017 SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”), which was effective immediately. The SEC issued SAB 118 to address concerns about reporting entities’ ability to timely comply with the accounting requirements to recognize all of the effects of the new tax legislation, commonly referred to as The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) in the period of enactment. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the Tax Act are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and, if possible, to provide a reasonable estimate. For more information, see Note 5, “Income Taxes.”
A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Given the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 3—Master Lease Financing Obligation and Meadows Lease

Master Lease Financing Obligation: Fourteen of our sixteen gaming facilities are subject to a triple-net master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”) with GLPI, which commenced on April 28, 2016. The Master Lease is accounted for as a financing obligation. At lease inception, the financing obligation was determined to be $3.2 billion and was calculated based on the future minimum lease payments discounted at 10.5%. For purposes of calculating the financing obligation, beginning in the third year of the lease, the percentage rent (discussed below) was excluded since the payment is contingent upon the achievement of future financial results. The discount rate represented the estimated incremental borrowing rate over the lease

19



term of 35 years, which included renewal options that were reasonably assured of being exercised, at lease inception. Lease payments determined to be contingent at lease inception, such as the annual escalation of the building base rent (discussed below) and the percentage rent, are expensed as incurred and included in “Interest expense, net,” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years with five subsequent, five-year renewal periods at our option. The rent, which is payable in monthly installments, is comprised of base rent, which includes a land and a building component, and percentage rent. The land base rent is fixed for the entire lease term. The building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Master Lease) of 1.8:1. The percentage rent, which was fixed for the first two years, will be adjusted every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two-year period. Each new fixed amount will be calculated by multiplying 4% by the difference between (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two-year period and (ii) $1.1 billion.
Effective the beginning of May 2018, the building base rent was increased by an annual amount of $5.9 million, which was the result of the annual escalation. The percentage rent for the third and fourth years of the Master Lease, which was effective beginning in May 2018, was finalized in July 2018 and resulted in an annual decrease of $1.1 million. As of June 30, 2018, annual rent under the Master Lease was $387.5 million, which was comprised of the land base rent, the building base rent and the percentage rent, which were $44.1 million, $300.4 million and $43.0 million, respectively.

Total lease payments under the Master Lease were as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Reduction of financing obligation
$
6.2

 
$
12.2

 
$
19.3

 
$
24.0

Percentage rent credit receivable (a)
0.2

 

 
0.2

 

Interest expense attributable to financing obligation
90.0

 
82.7

 
171.3

 
163.9

Total lease payments under the Master Lease
$
96.4

 
$
94.9

 
$
190.8

 
$
187.9

(a)
Prior to the finalization of the reset percentage rent in July 2018, the Company continued to make the monthly lease payment based on the initial percentage rent established at lease inception. Consequently, the lease payment made in August 2018 was reduced by the $0.2 million overpayment from the May and June 2018 lease payments.
Meadows Lease: We own and operate the Meadows’ gaming, entertainment and harness racing business subject to a triple-net lease of its underlying real estate with GLPI (the “Meadows Lease”), which commenced on September 9, 2016. The Meadows Lease provides for a 10-year initial term, including renewal terms at our option, up to a total of 29 years. As of June 30, 2018, annual rent under the Meadows Lease was $25.8 million, payable in monthly installments, and comprised of a base rent of $14.4 million, which is subject to certain adjustments, and a percentage rent of $11.4 million. The base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to 5% for the initial term or until the lease year in which base rent plus percentage rent is a total of $31.0 million, subject to certain adjustments, and up to 2% thereafter, subject to an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Meadows Lease) of 1.8:1 during the second year of the lease, 1.9:1 during the third year of the lease and 2.0:1 during the fourth year of the lease and thereafter. The percentage rent is fixed for the first two years and will be adjusted every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two-year period equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues during the trailing two-year period. According to the terms of the Meadows Lease, the annual escalator of the base rent and the reset of the percentage rent are scheduled to take place in October 2018.


20



Note 4—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
June 30, 2018
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Unamortized Discount, Net of Premium, and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Long-Term Debt, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2021
$
162.5

 
$

 
$
162.5

Term Loan A Facility due 2021
95.0

 
(1.7
)
 
93.3

5.625% Notes due 2024
500.0

 
(6.7
)
 
493.3

Other
0.1

 

 
0.1

Total long-term debt
$
757.6

 
$
(8.4
)
 
$
749.2


 
December 31, 2017
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Unamortized Discount, Net of Premium, and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Long-Term Debt, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2021
$
169.2

 
$

 
$
169.2

Term Loan A Facility due 2021
152.4

 
(2.2
)
 
150.2

5.625% Notes due 2024
500.0

 
(7.2
)
 
492.8

Other
0.1

 

 
0.1

Total long-term debt
$
821.7

 
$
(9.4
)
 
$
812.3


Senior Secured Credit Facilities: On April 28, 2016, we entered into a credit agreement with certain lenders (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement is comprised of (i) a $185.0 million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a $300.0 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan B Facility”) and (iii) a $400.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). As of June 30, 2018, we had $162.5 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility and $9.2 million committed under various letters of credit. The Term Loan B Facility was repaid in full prior to December 31, 2017.

Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50%, in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter. In addition, we pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter.

The Term Loan A Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to a percentage of the original outstanding principal amount at closing as follows: (i) 5% per annum in the first two years, (ii) 7.5% per annum in the third year and (iii) 10% per annum in the fourth and fifth year. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2021. The voluntary repayments we made during the year ended December 31, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018 have satisfied all quarterly amortization payments that otherwise would have been due prior to maturity. The Revolving Credit Facility is not subject to amortization and any amounts outstanding are due and payable on April 28, 2021.
5.625% Notes: On April 28, 2016, we issued $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “Existing 5.625% Notes”). The Existing 5.625% Notes were issued at par, mature on May 1, 2024, and bear interest

21



at the rate of 5.625% per annum. Interest on the Existing 5.625% Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year.

On October 12, 2016, we issued an additional $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “Additional 5.625% Notes” and together with the Existing 5.625% Notes, the “5.625% Notes”), under the bond indenture governing the Existing 5.625% Notes issued on April 28, 2016, as amended and supplemented by that certain first supplemental indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016. The Additional 5.625% Notes were issued at par plus a premium of 50 basis points.
Interest expense, net, was as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest expense from financing obligation (a)
$
90.0

 
$
82.7

 
$
171.3

 
$
163.9

Interest expense from debt
11.2

 
14.0

 
22.5

 
27.0

Interest income

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Capitalized interest
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

Interest expense, net
$
101.1

 
$
96.6

 
$
193.5

 
$
190.7

(a)
See Note 3, “Master Lease Financing Obligation and Meadows Lease,” for information on total lease payments under the Master Lease.

Note 5—Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was (16.2)%, or a benefit of $3.0 million, and (4.4)%, or a benefit of $1.8 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, our effective tax rate was 13.4%, or an expense of $1.3 million, and 3.8%, or an expense of $1.0 million, respectively. The Tax Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law by, among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and granting indefinite carry-forward of net operating losses generated on or after January 1, 2018.

ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment even though the effective date for most provisions was for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, or in the case of certain other provisions, January 1, 2018. SAB No. 118 allows registrants to record provisional amounts during a one-year “measurement period” similar to that used when accounting for business combinations. However, the measurement period is deemed to have ended earlier when the registrant has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting. During the measurement period, impacts of the law are expected to be recorded at the time a reasonable estimate for all or a portion of the effects can be made, and provisional amounts can be recognized and adjusted as information becomes available, prepared or analyzed.

To the extent a reasonable estimate could have been made, we accounted for the impact of the Tax Act during the year ended December 31, 2017. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act, further collect and analyze data, interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts.

The rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included the tax impact of certain discrete items, such as benefits related to share-based compensation and the release of a reserve of an uncertain tax position. The rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 included the tax impact of certain discrete items, such as changes in the tax status of certain of our legal entities. In general, our effective tax rate may differ from the expected federal statutory tax rate due to the effect of permanent items, utilization of general business credits, changes in valuation allowances, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits.

22



Note 6—Employee Benefit Plans
Share-based Compensation: Our 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), which was approved and adopted in April 2016, allows us to grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, other stock unit awards and dividend equivalents to directors, employees, consultants and/or advisors of the Company. As of June 30, 2018, we had 7.2 million share-based payment awards outstanding, including stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock. The 2016 Plan had 4.3 million share-based payment awards available for grant as of June 30, 2018.
The Company estimates the number of awards that are expected to vest as opposed to accounting for forfeitures as they occur. We recorded share-based compensation expense as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Share-based compensation expense
$
4.8

 
$
4.3

 
$
8.8

 
$
6.7


Stock options: The following table summarizes information related to our stock options:
 
Number of
Stock Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Options outstanding as of January 1, 2018
5,026,722

 
$
6.53

Exercised
(815,639
)
 
$
4.31

Options outstanding as of June 30, 2018
4,211,083

 
$
6.96

Options exercisable as of June 30, 2018
3,301,462

 
$
5.90

Expected to vest as of June 30, 2018
730,190

 
$
10.88


The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options totaled $2.8 million as of June 30, 2018. The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is 1.1 years. The aggregate amount of cash we received from the exercise of stock options was $0.8 million and $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The associated shares were newly-issued common stock.

Restricted Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units:
 
Number of
Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of January 1, 2018
1,524,529

 
$
13.61

Granted
294,600

 
$
32.86

Vested
(478,738
)
 
$
13.87

Canceled or forfeited
(15,264
)
 
$
18.57

Non-vested as of June 30, 2018
1,325,127

 
$
17.74


The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to non-vested restricted stock units totaled $20.6 million as of June 30, 2018. The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is 1.4 years.

23



Restricted Stock: The Company grants restricted stock awards, which may be subject to either market or performance conditions. The grant date fair value of the awards subject to market conditions was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation. The grant date fair value of the awards subject to other conditions, including performance conditions, was determined as the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. To the extent that restricted stock awards are forfeited, the forfeited shares will be included in treasury stock. The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of January 1, 2018
1,042,662

 
$
18.77

Granted
426,940

 
$
32.94

Vested
(109,241
)
 
$
19.22

Non-vested as of June 30, 2018
1,360,361

 
$
23.18


The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to restricted stock totaled $18.5 million as of June 30, 2018. The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is 1.4 years.

Note 7—Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries, Net

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consisted of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net
$
2.1

 
$
4.4

 
$
3.9

 
$
4.8

Impairment of held-to-maturity securities

 
3.8

 

 
3.8

Other
0.5

 
(0.3
)
 
1.1

 
(0.1
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
$
2.6

 
$
7.9

 
$
5.0

 
$
8.5


Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we recorded net losses related primarily to disposals of building improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment at the properties in the normal course of business.

Impairment of held-to-maturity securities: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, as a result of the lack of legislative progress and on-going negative operating results at Retama Park Racetrack, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment on our local government corporation bonds issued by Retama Development Corporation (“RDC”), a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas. For further information, see Note 8, “Investments.”


24



Note 8—Investments

Retama Park Racetrack: We hold 75.5% of the equity of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC (“PRP”), which owns the racing license of Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. We consolidate the accounts of PRP in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We also manage Retama Park Racetrack under a management contract with RDC.

As of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, PRP held $16.9 million in promissory notes issued by RDC and $7.5 million in local government corporation bonds issued by RDC, at amortized cost. The promissory notes and local government corporation bonds, which are included in “Other assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, have long-term contractual maturities and are collateralized by the assets of the Retama Park Racetrack. As noted in Note 7, “Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net,” during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment on the local government corporation bonds in the amount of $3.8 million.

The contractual terms of the promissory notes include interest payments due at maturity; however, we have not recorded accrued interest because uncertainty exists as to RDC’s ability to make the interest payments. We have the positive intent and ability to hold the local government corporation bonds to maturity and until the amortized cost basis is recovered.

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance: We are self-insured up to certain limits for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation, and employee health coverage. Insurance reserves include accruals for estimated settlements for known claims, as well as accruals for estimates of claims not yet made. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had total self-insurance accruals of $23.5 million and $23.3 million, respectively, which are included in “Total current liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Other: We are a party to a number of other pending legal proceedings. Management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.


25



Note 10—Segment Information
We view each of our operating businesses as an operating segment with the exception of our two businesses in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. Operating segments are aggregated based on their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, types of services provided, the regulatory environments in which they operate, and their management and reporting structure. We have aggregated our operating segments into three reportable segments based on the similar characteristics of the operating segments within the regions in which they operate: Midwest, South and West. Corporate and other is included in the following segment disclosures to reconcile to consolidated results.
We use Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined below) for each reportable segment to compare operating results and allocate resources. The following table highlights our total revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR for each reportable segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. In addition, the following table includes a reconciliation of net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined below), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. For disaggregated revenue information by reportable segment, see Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
392.9

 
$
389.7

 
$
770.4

 
$
780.0

South segment (a)
190.9

 
201.8

 
381.0

 
394.3

West segment (a)
62.5

 
60.8

 
122.2

 
116.7

 
646.3

 
652.3

 
1,273.6

 
1,291.0

Corporate and other (b)
1.3

 
1.3

 
2.4

 
2.6

Total revenues
$
647.6

 
$
653.6

 
$
1,276.0

 
$
1,293.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
114.4

 
$
109.1

 
$
224.3

 
$
222.1

South segment (a)
61.3

 
67.8

 
124.9

 
129.5

West segment (a)
24.9

 
23.6

 
48.0

 
44.1

 
200.6

 
200.5

 
397.2

 
395.7

Corporate expenses and other (b)
(18.7
)
 
(19.8
)
 
(37.6
)
 
(40.1
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (c)
$
181.9

 
$
180.7

 
$
359.6

 
$
355.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
21.8

 
$
8.4

 
$
43.5

 
$
25.6

Rent expense under the Meadows Lease
4.2

 
4.1

 
8.3

 
8.2

Depreciation and amortization
49.6

 
56.2

 
99.7

 
112.2

Pre-opening, development and other costs
0.7

 
1.8

 
2.5

 
2.6

Non-cash share-based compensation expense
4.8

 
4.3

 
8.8

 
6.7

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
2.6

 
7.9

 
5.0

 
8.5

Interest expense, net
101.1

 
96.6

 
193.5

 
190.7

Loss from equity method investment
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

Income tax expense (benefit)
(3.0
)
 
1.3

 
(1.8
)
 
1.0

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (c)
$
181.9

 
$
180.7

 
$
359.6

 
$
355.6




26



 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
27.4

 
$
21.6

South segment (a)
6.6

 
10.2

West segment (a)
3.0

 
2.1

Corporate and other, including development projects
2.6

 
4.8

 
$
39.6

 
$
38.7

(a)
See Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.
(b)
Corporate and other includes revenues from HPT and management fees associated with Retama Park Racetrack. Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property are allocated to each applicable property. Other includes expenses relating to the operation of HPT and management of Retama Park Racetrack.
(c)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense associated with the Meadows Lease, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense associated with the Meadows Lease, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations and discontinued operations. We use Adjusted EBITDAR for each reportable segment to compare operating results among our businesses and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR approximates the measures used in the debt covenants within the Company’s debt agreements. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR do not include depreciation or interest expense and, therefore, do not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.


27



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates 16 gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses, of which 15 operate in leased facilities. Our owned facility is located in Ohio and our leased facilities are located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada and Pennsylvania. The leased facilities located outside of Pennsylvania are subject to a triple-net master lease with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation and real estate investment trust (“GLPI”) (the “Master Lease”) and our leased facility in Pennsylvania is subject to a triple-net lease of its underlying real estate with GLPI (the “Meadows Lease”). References in these footnotes to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.

We view each of our operating businesses as an operating segment with the exception of our two businesses in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
Midwest segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Ameristar East Chicago
East Chicago, Indiana
Ameristar Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Ameristar St. Charles
St. Charles, Missouri
Belterra Resort
Florence, Indiana
Belterra Park
Cincinnati, Ohio
Meadows
Washington, Pennsylvania
River City
St. Louis, Missouri
 
 
South segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Boomtown Bossier City
Bossier City, Louisiana
Boomtown New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
L’Auberge Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
L’Auberge Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
 
 
West segment, which includes:
Location
Ameristar Black Hawk
Black Hawk, Colorado
Cactus Petes and Horseshu
Jackpot, Nevada

All of our gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses include gaming, food and beverage, and retail facilities, and most include hotel and resort amenities. Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume of guests at our businesses, which, in turn, affects the prices we can charge for hotel rooms and other amenities. While we do provide casino credit in several gaming jurisdictions, most of our revenue is cash-based, with guests wagering with cash or paying for hospitality or entertainment services with cash or credit cards. Our businesses generate significant operating cash flow. Our industry is capital-intensive and we rely on the ability of our businesses to generate operating cash flow to satisfy our obligations under the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease, pay interest, repay debt, and fund maintenance capital expenditures.

Our mission is to increase stockholder value. We seek to increase revenues through enhancing the guest experience by providing them with their favorite games, restaurants, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other amenities in attractive surroundings with high-quality guest service and our mychoice guest loyalty program (“mychoice program”). We seek to improve cash flows by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value. In

28



making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

On December 17, 2017, Pinnacle entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Penn National Merger Agreement”) with Penn National Gaming, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn National”), and Franchise Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn National (“Franchise Merger Sub”), providing for the merger of Franchise Merger Sub with and into Pinnacle (the “Proposed Company Sale”), with Pinnacle surviving the Proposed Company Sale as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn National.

At the effective time of the Proposed Company Sale, each share of Pinnacle common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Pinnacle Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares held by Penn National and other than dissenting shares) will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive (i) $20.00 in cash (plus, if the Proposed Company Sale is not consummated on or prior to October 31, 2018, $0.01 for each day during the period commencing on November 1, 2018 through the effective time of the Proposed Company Sale) (the “Cash Consideration”) and (ii) 0.42 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Penn National (the “Penn National Common Stock”) (the “Exchange Ratio”; together with the Cash Consideration and cash required to be paid in lieu of fractional shares of Penn National Common Stock, the “Proposed Company Sale Consideration”).

In connection with the Proposed Company Sale, Penn National entered into (i) a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 17, 2017 (the “Membership Interest Purchase Agreement”), with Boyd Gaming Corporation (“Boyd”), which Pinnacle will become a party to immediately prior to the Proposed Company Sale, pursuant to which a subsidiary of Boyd will acquire the gaming and related operations of Ameristar St. Charles, Ameristar Kansas City, Belterra Resort and Belterra Park, in connection with the Proposed Company Sale; and (ii) definitive agreements with a subsidiary of GLPI, which Pinnacle will become a party to immediately prior to the Proposed Company Sale, pursuant to which GLPI’s subsidiary will acquire the real estate associated with Belterra Park, from Pinnacle, and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts, from Penn National. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, GLPI and Boyd will enter into a master lease agreement for the gaming operations acquired by Boyd and Penn National will assume Pinnacle’s existing Master Lease and Meadows Lease and enter into certain amendments thereto.

On March 29, 2018, the shareholders of Penn National and stockholders of Pinnacle approved the Proposed Company Sale, including the approval by Penn National shareholders of the issuance of Penn National’s common stock in connection with the Proposed Company Sale Consideration.

Completion of the Proposed Company Sale is subject to certain conditions, many of which are beyond our control, including, among others: (1) the absence of any injunction, restraining order or other orders or laws prohibiting the consummation of the Proposed Company Sale; (2) the expiration or termination of any waiting period applicable to the Proposed Company Sale under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Acts of 1976, as amended; (3) the receipt of the remaining required regulatory approvals in a timely manner (including receipt of necessary approvals from gaming regulatory authorities); (4) the registration of the shares of Penn National to be issued to stockholders of Pinnacle; and (5) the listing of the shares of Penn National on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The obligation of each party to consummate the Proposed Company Sale is also conditioned upon the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties, the absence of a material adverse effect involving the other party, and the other party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Penn National Merger Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions, the Proposed Company Sale is expected to close early in the fourth quarter 2018. If the Proposed Company Sale is completed, we estimate that Pinnacle stockholders will hold approximately 22% of the combined company’s outstanding shares.

If the Proposed Company Sale is not consummated on or before October 31, 2018, subject to certain limited extensions (including pursuant to Penn National’s election to extend under certain circumstances) provided in the Penn National Merger Agreement, either party may terminate the Penn National Merger Agreement. Consummation of the Proposed Company Sale is not subject to a financing condition.


29



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table highlights our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. As discussed in Note 10, “Segment Information,” to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we report segment operating results based on revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined below). Such segment reporting is on a basis consistent with how we measure our business and allocate resources internally. The following table highlights our total revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment. In addition, the following table includes a reconciliation of net income, which is determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR, net of Lease Payments (as such terms are defined below), which are non-GAAP financial measures.
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
392.9

 
$
389.7

 
$
770.4

 
$
780.0

South segment (a)
190.9

 
201.8

 
381.0

 
394.3

West segment (a)
62.5

 
60.8

 
122.2

 
116.7

 
646.3

 
652.3

 
1,273.6

 
1,291.0

Corporate and other (b)
1.3

 
1.3

 
2.4

 
2.6

Total revenues
$
647.6

 
$
653.6

 
$
1,276.0

 
$
1,293.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
114.4

 
$
109.1

 
$
224.3

 
$
222.1

South segment (a)
61.3

 
67.8

 
124.9

 
129.5

West segment (a)
24.9

 
23.6

 
48.0

 
44.1

 
200.6

 
200.5

 
397.2

 
395.7

Corporate expenses and other (b)
(18.7
)
 
(19.8
)
 
(37.6
)
 
(40.1
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (c)
181.9

 
180.7

 
359.6

 
355.6

Lease Payments (d)
(102.9
)
 
(101.3
)
 
(203.7
)
 
(200.6
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments (d)
$
79.0

 
$
79.4

 
$
155.9

 
$
155.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
21.8

 
$
8.4

 
$
43.5

 
$
25.6

Rent expense under the Meadows Lease
4.2

 
4.1

 
8.3

 
8.2

Depreciation and amortization
49.6

 
56.2

 
99.7

 
112.2

Pre-opening, development and other costs
0.7

 
1.8

 
2.5

 
2.6

Non-cash share-based compensation expense
4.8

 
4.3

 
8.8

 
6.7

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
2.6

 
7.9

 
5.0

 
8.5

Interest expense, net
101.1

 
96.6

 
193.5

 
190.7

Loss from equity method investment
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

Income tax expense (benefit)
(3.0
)
 
1.3

 
(1.8
)
 
1.0

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (b)
181.9

 
180.7

 
359.6

 
355.6

Lease Payments (d)
(102.9
)
 
(101.3
)
 
(203.7
)
 
(200.6
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments (d)
$
79.0

 
$
79.4

 
$
155.9

 
$
155.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income margin
3.4
%
 
1.3
%
 
3.4
%
 
2.0
%
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin
28.1
%
 
27.6
%
 
28.2
%
 
27.5
%
(a)
See “Executive Summary” above for listing of properties included in each segment.

30



(b)
Corporate and other includes revenues from a live and televised poker tournament series that operates under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour (“HPT”) and management fees associated with Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property are allocated to each applicable property. Other includes expenses relating to the operation of HPT and management of Retama Park Racetrack.
(c)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin are non-GAAP financial measures. We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense associated with the Meadows Lease, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDAR for each reportable segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense associated with the Meadows Lease, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations and discontinued operations. We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR divided by revenues on a consolidated basis. We define Adjusted EBITDAR margin as Adjusted EBITDAR for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment to compare operating results among our businesses and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin and Adjusted EBITDAR are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR approximates the measures used in the debt covenants within the Company’s debt agreements. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR do not include depreciation or interest expense and, therefore, do not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
(d)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is a non-GAAP financial measure. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is defined as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined above), less Lease Payments. The Company defines Lease Payments as lease payments made to GLPI for the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is a useful measure to compare operating results between accounting periods. In addition, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is a useful measure for investors because it is an indicator of the performance of ongoing business operations after incorporating the cash flow obligations associated with the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

31



Consolidated Overview

Total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 were $647.6 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, representing year-over-year decreases of $6.0 million, or 0.9%, and $17.6 million or 1.4%, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, net income was $21.8 million and $43.5 million, respectively, representing year-over-year increases of $13.4 million, or 159.5%, and $17.9 million or 69.9%, respectively. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR was $181.9 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 0.7%, year over year, for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and was $359.6 million, an increase of $4.0 million or 1.1% year over year, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, net income margin was 3.4% in both periods and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 28.1% and 28.2%, respectively.

During the first quarter 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), using a modified retrospective approach as of the date of initial application, which was January 1, 2018. Under the modified retrospective approach, the prior periods were not recast to reflect the impact of ASC 606. The adoption of ASC 606 had the effect of decreasing our total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 by $3.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and increasing both our net income and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR by $0.2 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Therefore, principally as a result of the reduction in total revenues, the adoption of ASC 606 increased our Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR margin by 20 basis points for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, increased our net income margin by 10 basis points for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and had minimal impact on our net income margin for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, total revenues, net income and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR were positively impacted by the operating performances of Ameristar East Chicago, Ameristar Kansas City, Belterra Resort and Ameristar Black Hawk, and were negatively impacted by the operating performances of River City, L’Auberge Baton Rouge and L’Auberge Lake Charles. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, total revenues, net income and Adjusted EBITDAR were negatively impacted by adverse winter weather conditions during the first quarter 2018, principally in our Midwest segment at River City, Ameristar East Chicago, Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar Council Bluffs and Meadows, where visitation was impeded. In addition, Belterra Park and Belterra Resort both experienced closures and incurred clean-up costs as a result of flooding of the Ohio River. The operating performances of L’Auberge Lake Charles; which experienced strong table games hold during the first quarter 2018, as compared to the prior-year period; Ameristar Black Hawk; and the Jackpot Properties; partially offset the negative impacts of the adverse winter weather conditions and the flooding of the Ohio River. Continued management focus on achieving operational efficiencies helped contribute to an increase in Adjusted EBITDAR margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year periods.
Total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were $653.6 million and $1.3 billion, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, net income was $8.4 million and $25.6 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, total revenues, net income and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR were positively impacted by the operating performances of L’Auberge Baton Rouge, L’Auberge Lake Charles, Belterra Park, Belterra Resort, River City and Ameristar Black Hawk, and were negatively impacted by lost business volume at Ameristar Kansas City due to road construction surrounding the facility and lower gaming and hospitality volume at Ameristar Vicksburg due, in part, to a city-wide water outage in May 2017. Additionally, total revenues, net income and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the six months ended June 30, 2017, were adversely impacted by a $3.2 million out-of-period adjustment at Ameristar Kansas City.

The Company’s total revenues consist mostly of gaming revenues, which are primarily from slot machines and to a lesser extent, table games. The slot revenues represented approximately 83% and 82% of gaming revenues in 2017 and 2016, respectively. In analyzing the performance of our businesses, the key indicators related to gaming revenues are slot handle and table games drop (which are volume indicators) and win or hold percentage.

Slot handle or video lottery terminal (“VLT”) handle represents the total amount wagered in a slot machine or VLT, and table games drop represents the total amount of cash and net markers issued that are deposited in gaming table drop boxes. Win represents the amount of wagers retained by us and recorded as gaming revenue and hold represents win as a percentage of slot handle, VLT handle or table games drop. Given the stability in our slot and VLT hold percentages, we have not experienced any significant impact on our results of operations or cash flows as a result of changes in hold percentages.

For table games, guests usually purchase chips at the gaming tables. The cash and markers (extensions of credit granted to certain credit-worthy guests) are deposited in the drop box of each gaming table. Table game win is the amount of drop that is retained and recorded as gaming revenue, with liabilities recognized for funds deposited by guests.


32



The Company also generates hospitality revenues, which consist of food and beverage, lodging, retail and entertainment revenues. Hospitality revenues may be sold or provided to customers on a complimentary basis in order to induce contemporaneous and future gaming-related activities. Regardless of whether such goods and/or services are sold or provided on a complimentary basis, hospitality revenues are recorded at the respective standalone selling prices (“SSP”) of such goods and/or services provided. Upon adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, complimentary revenues are presented as either food and beverage revenues; lodging revenues; or retail, entertainment and other revenues; as appropriate, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenues. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, complimentary revenues were excluded from total revenues and had no impact on gaming revenues. Accordingly, the year-over-year comparability of gaming revenues; food and beverage revenues; lodging revenues; and retail, entertainment and other revenues; was impacted as a result of adopting ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach. Complimentary hospitality and other revenues were as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Food and beverage
$
39.1

 
$
36.0

 
$
77.2

 
$
71.1

Lodging (a)
28.7

 
16.2

 
55.1

 
31.3

Retail, entertainment and other
2.9

 
4.3

 
5.3

 
8.3

Total complimentaries
$
70.7

 
$
56.5

 
$
137.6

 
$
110.7

(a)
The adoption of ASC 606 also impacted the measurement of complimentary lodging revenues since such complimentaries are required to be recorded at the SSP, which increased the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounts by $12.9 million and $24.5 million, respectively.
We offer incentives to our guests through our mychoice program. Under the mychoice program, guests earn reward credits (or points) based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the program will be forfeited if the guest does not earn any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, guests can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as an annual gift, among other items, as a result of achieving a certain tier status. In January 2018, the Company implemented the mychoice program at Meadows, which previously operated its own loyalty program.

We accrue a performance obligation liability associated with the mychoice program, which includes the estimated SSP of (1) reward credits and (2) certain tier benefits that are earned by our guests. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding SSP of the goods and services redeemable for reward credits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services guests choose. Changes in estimates or guest redemption habits could produce different results, which would principally impact the recorded balance of the performance obligation liability and the amount of gaming revenues recorded during the period in which such reward credits are earned. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had accrued $24.3 million and $21.0 million, respectively, for the performance obligation liability associated with the mychoice program. The increase relates principally to the adoption of ASC 606.


33



Segment comparison of the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

Midwest Segment
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions, except margin)
Revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
321.8

 
$
349.5

 


 
$
635.4

 
$
702.5

 


Food and beverage
38.0

 
19.4

 


 
74.6

 
39.2

 
 
Lodging
17.3

 
5.4

 


 
32.6

 
10.1

 
 
Retail, entertainment and other
15.8

 
15.4

 


 
27.8

 
28.2

 
 
Total revenues
$
392.9

 
$
389.7

 
0.8
%
 
$
770.4

 
$
780.0

 
(1.2
)%
Operating income
$
79.2

 
$
70.2

 
12.8
%
 
$
153.5

 
$
146.7

 
4.6
 %
Adjusted EBITDAR
$
114.4

 
$
109.1

 
4.9
%
 
$
224.3

 
$
222.1

 
1.0
 %
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
29.1
%
 
28.0
%
 
110 bps
 
29.1
%
 
28.5
%
 
60 bps
(a)
As noted above, the adoption of ASC 606 using the modified retrospective transition approach principally impacted the year-over-year comparability of gaming revenues; food and beverage revenues; lodging revenues; and retail, entertainment and other revenues; but had minimal impact on total revenues (see below).

In the Midwest segment, total revenues increased by $3.2 million, or 0.8%, and decreased by $9.6 million, or 1.2%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Operating income increased by $9.0 million, or 12.8%, and $6.8 million, or 4.6%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR increased by $5.3 million, or 4.9%, and $2.2 million, or 1.0%, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR margin increased year over year by 110 and 60 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

The adoption of ASC 606 had the effect of reducing our Midwest segment total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 by $2.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively, as compared to the prior-year periods, which increased Adjusted EBITDAR margin by 10 basis points for both periods since Adjusted EBITDAR was not significantly impacted. Midwest segment operating income was not significantly impacted by the adoption of ASC 606.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Midwest segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR were positively impacted by the operating performances of Ameristar East Chicago, Ameristar Kansas City and Belterra Resort. In May 2018, Ameristar East Chicago completed a gaming floor remodel and expansion for high-limit players, which contributed to the improved operating results. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Midwest segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR were negatively impacted by adverse winter weather conditions throughout the region, particularly at River City, Ameristar East Chicago, Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar Council Bluffs and Meadows, where visitation was impeded. In addition, Belterra Park and Belterra Resort both experienced closures and incurred clean-up costs as a result of flooding of the Ohio River. Continued management focus on achieving operational efficiencies helped contribute to an increase in Adjusted EBITDAR margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year periods.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Midwest segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR benefited from strong operating performances at Belterra Park, where gaming and hospitality volumes continued to ramp up and additional cost efficiencies were realized; Belterra Resort, where modest growth in gaming revenues and an emphasis on cash hospitality revenue streams, resulted in Adjusted EBITDAR growth; and River City, where Asian table games drop increased and hospitality revenue increased, in part, from the ramp up of new food and beverage outlets. In June 2017, a gaming floor expansion was completed at Ameristar Council Bluffs, which increased casino square footage and the number of slot machines. The Midwest segment operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were negatively impacted by lost business volume at Ameristar Kansas City due to road construction surrounding the facility. Additionally, the Midwest segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR for the six months June 30, 2017, were adversely impacted by a $3.2 million out-of-period adjustment at Ameristar Kansas City.


34



South Segment  
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions, except margin)
Revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
141.7

 
$
181.7

 


 
$
287.0

 
$
356.0

 


Food and beverage
26.1

 
10.3

 


 
51.0

 
19.8

 
 
Lodging
16.4

 
4.8

 


 
30.5

 
9.2

 
 
Retail, entertainment and other
6.7

 
5.0

 


 
12.5

 
9.3

 
 
Total revenues
$
190.9

 
$
201.8

 
(5.4
)%
 
$
381.0

 
$
394.3

 
(3.4
)%
Operating income
$
45.5

 
$
48.8

 
(6.8
)%
 
$
93.9

 
$
92.5

 
1.5
 %
Adjusted EBITDAR
$
61.3

 
$
67.8

 
(9.6
)%
 
$
124.9

 
$
129.5

 
(3.6
)%
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
32.1
%
 
33.6
%
 
(150) bps
 
32.8
%
 
32.8
%
 
(a)
As noted above, the adoption of ASC 606 using the modified retrospective transition approach principally impacted the year-over-year comparability of gaming revenues; food and beverage revenues; lodging revenues; and retail, entertainment and other revenues; but had minimal impact on total revenues (see below).

In the South segment, total revenues decreased by $10.9 million, or 5.4%, and $13.3 million, or 3.4%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Operating income decreased by $3.3 million, or 6.8%, and increased by $1.4 million, or 1.5%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR decreased by $6.5 million, or 9.6%, and $4.6 million, or 3.6%, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased year over year by 150 basis points for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and remained unchanged for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

The adoption of ASC 606 had the effect of reducing our South segment total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 by $1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, as compared to the prior-year periods, which increased Adjusted EBITDAR margin by 20 basis points for both periods since Adjusted EBITDAR was not significantly impacted. South segment operating income was not significantly impacted by the adoption of ASC 606.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the South segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR were negatively impacted by the operating performances of L’Auberge Baton Rouge, where the prior-year period was particularly strong due to elevated economic activity in the greater Baton Rouge area from flood-related recovery efforts, and L’Auberge Lake Charles, where an increase in slot handle was unable to completely offset a decrease in table games drop. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the South segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR were negatively impacted by the operating performance of L’Auberge Baton Rouge, where the prior-year period was particularly strong, offset by the operating performance of L’Auberge Lake Charles, which experienced strong table games hold during the first quarter 2018, as compared to the prior-year period. Lastly, the operating performance of L’Auberge Baton Rouge for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflect the initial negative impact of the smoking ban in Baton Rouge, which went into effect on June 1, 2018.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the South segment total revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR benefited from strong operating performance at L’Auberge Baton Rouge. L’Auberge Lake Charles benefited from strong slots and table games volume as well as increased marketing efficiencies. Partially offsetting these strong performances was Ameristar Vicksburg, which experienced lower gaming and hospitality volume during the three months ended June 30, 2017, partially due to a city-wide water outage in May 2017.


35



West Segment   
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions, except margin)
Revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
42.4

 
$
50.8

 


 
$
82.8

 
$
97.6

 


Food and beverage
8.2

 
4.1

 


 
16.3

 
7.9

 
 
Lodging
8.8

 
3.2

 


 
17.2

 
6.2

 
 
Retail, entertainment and other
3.1

 
2.7

 


 
5.9

 
5.0

 
 
Total revenues
$
62.5

 
$
60.8

 
2.8
%
 
$
122.2

 
$
116.7

 
4.7
%
Operating income
$
20.0

 
$
17.6

 
13.6
%
 
$
38.2

 
$
32.9

 
16.1
%
Adjusted EBITDAR
$
24.9

 
$
23.6

 
5.5
%
 
$
48.0

 
$
44.1

 
8.8
%
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
39.8
%
 
38.8
%
 
100 bps
 
39.3
%
 
37.8
%
 
150 bps
(a)
As noted above, the adoption of ASC 606 using the modified retrospective transition approach principally impacted the year-over-year comparability of gaming revenues; food and beverage revenues; lodging revenues; and retail, entertainment and other revenues; but had minimal impact on total revenues (see below).

In the West segment, total revenues increased by $1.7 million, or 2.8%, and $5.5 million, or 4.7%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Operating income increased by $2.4 million, or 13.6%, and $5.3 million, or 16.1%, respectively, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR increased by $1.3 million, or 5.5%, and $3.9 million, or 8.8%, year over year, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Adjusted EBITDAR margin increased year over year by 100 and 150 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

The adoption of ASC 606 had the effect of reducing our West segment total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 by $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, as compared to the prior-year periods, which increased Adjusted EBITDAR margin by 20 basis points for both periods since Adjusted EBITDAR was not significantly impacted. West segment operating income was not significantly impacted by the adoption of ASC 606.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the West segment operating results were positively impacted by strong performances at Ameristar Black Hawk, which continues to experience growth in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR, and the Jackpot Properties. Operational efficiencies at Ameristar Black Hawk and the Jackpot Properties led to increases in operating income and Adjusted EBITDAR margin expansion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the West segment operating results were positively impacted by strong performance at Ameristar Black Hawk, which experienced increases in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR as well as operational efficiencies. The performance at the Jackpot Properties was strong during the three months ended June 30, 2017, but the six months ended June 30, 2017 were negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions, which decreased guest visitation during the first quarter 2017.


36



Other factors affecting net income
The following is a description of the other benefits (costs) affecting net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Other benefits (costs):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate expenses and other
$
(18.7
)
 
$
(19.8
)
 
(5.6
)%
 
$
(37.6
)
 
$
(40.1
)
 
(6.2
)%
Rent expense under the Meadows Lease
$
(4.2
)
 
$
(4.1
)
 
2.4
 %
 
$
(8.3
)
 
$
(8.2
)
 
1.2
 %
Depreciation and amortization
$
(49.6
)
 
$
(56.2
)
 
(11.7
)%
 
$
(99.7
)
 
$
(112.2
)
 
(11.1
)%
Pre-opening, development and other costs
$
(0.7
)
 
$
(1.8
)
 
(61.1
)%
 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
(2.6
)
 
(3.8
)%
Share-based compensation expense
$
(4.8
)
 
$
(4.3
)
 
11.6
 %
 
$
(8.8
)
 
$
(6.7
)
 
31.3
 %
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
$
(2.6
)
 
$
(7.9
)
 
(67.1
)%
 
$
(5.0
)
 
$
(8.5
)
 
(41.2
)%
Interest expense, net
$
(101.1
)
 
$
(96.6
)
 
4.7
 %
 
$
(193.5
)
 
$
(190.7
)
 
1.5
 %
Loss from equity method investment
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
 %
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
 %
Income tax benefit (expense)
$
3.0

 
$
(1.3
)
 
NM

 
$
1.8

 
$
(1.0
)
 
NM

NM - Not Meaningful

Corporate expenses and other is principally comprised of corporate overhead expenses, HPT and the management of Retama Park Racetrack. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, corporate expenses and other decreased year over year by $1.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, which is the result of lower compensation and other costs.

Rent expense under the Meadows Lease increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year periods, due to the annual escalator of the base rent that went into effect in October 2017.

Depreciation and amortization decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year periods, as a result of the timing of assets becoming fully depreciated and the accelerated method of amortization on player relationships.

Pre-opening, development and other costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, consisted of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Proposed Company Sale costs (a)
$
0.6

 
$
0.8

 
$
2.4

 
$
0.9

Other
0.1

 
1.0

 
0.1

 
1.7

Total pre-opening, development and other costs
$
0.7

 
$
1.8

 
$
2.5

 
$
2.6

(a)
Amounts comprised principally of legal, advisory, and other costs associated with the respective transactions.

Share-based compensation expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year periods, principally as a result of share-based payment awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2018.


37



Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consisted of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net
$
2.1

 
$
4.4

 
$
3.9

 
$
4.8

Impairment of held-to-maturity securities

 
3.8

 

 
3.8

Other
0.5

 
(0.3
)
 
1.1

 
(0.1
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
$
2.6

 
$
7.9

 
$
5.0

 
$
8.5


Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we recorded net losses related primarily to disposals of building improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment at the properties in the normal course of business.

Impairment of held-to-maturity securities: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, as a result of the lack of legislative progress and on-going negative operating results at Retama Park Racetrack, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment on our local government corporation bonds issued by Retama Development Corporation, a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas.

Interest expense, net, consisted of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest expense from financing obligation (a)
$
90.0

 
$
82.7

 
$
171.3

 
$
163.9

Interest expense from debt
11.2

 
14.0

 
22.5

 
27.0

Interest income

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Capitalized interest
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

Interest expense, net
$
101.1

 
$
96.6

 
$
193.5

 
$
190.7

(a)
Total lease payments under the Master Lease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were $96.4 million, $190.8 million, $94.9 million, and $187.9 million, respectively.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense, net, increased as compared to the prior-year periods due principally to the percentage rent under the Master Lease, which reset to a new fixed amount for the third and fourth years of the lease beginning in May 2018. Percentage rent beyond the initial, fixed two-year period at lease inception was considered contingent rent and, as such, is expensed as incurred. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further discussion of the percentage rent. The increases attributable to the percentage rent were partially offset by decreases caused by a reduction in debt outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as defined in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below).
Income tax benefit (expense) effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was (16.2)%, or a benefit of $3.0 million, and (4.4)%, or a benefit of $1.8 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, our effective tax rate was 13.4%, or an expense of $1.3 million, and 3.8%, or an expense of $1.0 million, respectively. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law by, among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and granting indefinite carry-forward of net operating losses generated on or after January 1, 2018.
The rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included the tax impact of certain discrete items, such as benefits related to share-based compensation and the release of a reserve of an uncertain tax position. The rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 included the tax impact of certain discrete items, such as changes in the tax status of certain of our legal entities. In general, our effective tax rate may differ from the expected federal statutory tax rate due to the effect of permanent items, utilization of general business credits, changes in valuation allowances, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits.

38



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We generally produce significant positive cash flows from operations, though this is not always reflected in our reported net income (loss) due to large non-cash charges such as impairments to goodwill and other intangible assets and depreciation. However, our ongoing liquidity will depend on a number of factors, including available cash resources, cash flow from operations, funding of construction of development projects, and our compliance with covenants contained under our debt agreements. As of June 30, 2018, we held $148.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2018, we had $162.5 million drawn on our $400.0 million Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) and $9.2 million committed under various letters of credit.
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
99.0

 
$
91.0

 
8.8
%
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(40.6
)
 
$
(39.9
)
 
1.8
%
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(94.2
)
 
$
(78.0
)
 
20.8
%
Operating Cash Flow
Our net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year period, increased due primarily to continued management focus on achieving operational efficiencies and the timing of payments and receipts of working capital items, offset by an increase in cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized, which is principally due to the percentage rent under the Master Lease that reset beginning in May 2018.
Investing Cash Flow

The following is a summary of our capital expenditures by segment:
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Midwest segment
$
27.4

 
$
21.6

South segment
6.6

 
10.2

West segment
3.0

 
2.1

Corporate and other, including development projects
2.6

 
4.8

Total capital expenditures
$
39.6

 
$
38.7

Financing Cash Flow

Our intention is to use existing cash resources, expected operating cash flows from operations and funds available under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities to fund operations, maintain existing facilities, make necessary debt service payments, and make necessary payments under the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease. In the event that our future cash flows from operations do not match the levels we currently anticipate, whether due to downturns in the economy or otherwise, we may need to raise funds through the capital markets, if possible.

Our ability to borrow under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities is contingent upon, among other things, meeting customary financial and other covenants. If we are unable to borrow under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or if our operating results are adversely affected because of a reduction in consumer spending, or for any other reason, our ability to maintain our existing facilities or complete our ongoing projects may be affected unless we sell assets, enter into leasing arrangements, or take other measures to find additional financial resources. There is no certainty that we will be able to do so on terms that are favorable to the Company or at all. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Penn National Merger Agreement, we may only incur indebtedness under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, except with the prior written consent of Penn National.

39



Master Lease Financing Obligation
The Master Lease is accounted for as a financing obligation. At lease inception, the financing obligation was determined to be $3.2 billion and was calculated based on the future minimum lease payments due to GLPI under the Master Lease discounted at 10.5%. For purposes of calculating the financing obligation, beginning in the third year of the lease, the percentage rent (discussed below) was excluded since the payment is contingent upon the achievement of future financial results. The discount rate represented the estimated incremental borrowing rate over the lease term of 35 years, which included renewal options that were reasonably assured of being exercised, at lease inception.
Fourteen of our sixteen gaming facilities are subject to the Master Lease with GLPI. The Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years with five subsequent, five-year renewal periods at our option. The rent, which is payable in monthly installments, is comprised of base rent, which includes a land and a building component, and percentage rent. The land base rent is fixed for the entire lease term. The building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Master Lease) of 1.8:1. The percentage rent, which was fixed for the first two years, will be adjusted every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two-year period. Each new fixed amount will be calculated by multiplying 4% by the difference between (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two-year period and (ii) $1.1 billion.
Effective the beginning of May 2018, the building base rent was increased by an annual amount of $5.9 million, which was the result of the annual escalation. The percentage rent for the third and fourth years of the Master Lease, which was effective beginning in May 2018, was finalized in July 2018 and resulted in an annual decrease of $1.1 million. As of June 30, 2018, annual rent under the Master Lease was $387.5 million, which was comprised of the land base rent, the building base rent and the percentage rent, which were $44.1 million, $300.4 million and $43.0 million, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company made principal payments on the Master Lease financing obligation of $19.3 million and $24.0 million, respectively.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities
On April 28, 2016, the Company completed its debt financings in connection with the Merger, consisting of (i) $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “Existing 5.625% Notes”) and (ii) the credit agreement among the Company and certain lenders thereto (the “Credit Agreement”), comprised of (x) a $185.0 million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (y) a $300.0 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan B Facility”) and (z) a $400.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Proceeds from loans under the Revolving Credit Facility are used for working capital, to fund permitted dividends, distributions and acquisitions, for general corporate purposes and for any other purpose not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

As of June 30, 2018, we had $162.5 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, $95.0 million of loans outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility and $9.2 million committed under various letters of credit. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we repaid $64.2 million of loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, net of borrowings, which was accomplished principally with cash flows from operations. The Term Loan B Facility was repaid in full prior to December 31, 2017.

Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50%, in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter. In addition, we pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter.

The Term Loan A Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to a percentage of the original outstanding principal amount at closing as follows: (i) 5% per annum in the first two years, (ii) 7.5% per annum in the third year and (iii) 10% per annum in the fourth and fifth year. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2021. The voluntary repayments we made during the year ended December 31, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018 have satisfied all quarterly amortization payments that otherwise would have been due prior to maturity. The Revolving Credit Facility is not subject to amortization and any amounts outstanding are due and payable on April 28, 2021.

40



Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities may be prepaid at par and commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility may be reduced at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (except for LIBOR breakage costs). Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are subject to mandatory prepayment with (i) a percentage of the Company’s excess cash flow depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio of the Company, (ii) net cash proceeds from asset sales and casualty and condemnation events (subject to customary reinvestment rights and other customary exceptions) and (iii) net cash proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of indebtedness after the closing date (subject to customary exceptions).

All obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions. All obligations of the Company under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the guarantees of those obligations are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors thereto, subject to certain exceptions. The property pledged by the Company and such guarantors includes a first priority pledge of the leasehold interests of tenant in the Master Lease; a first priority pledge of all of the equity interests owned by the Company and such guarantors in the direct wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company and such guarantors.

The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, certain affirmative and negative covenants and, solely for the benefit of the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, financial covenants, including (1) maximum permitted Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio of 3.75 to 1.00; (2) maximum permitted Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 2.50 to 1.00; and (3) required minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 2.50 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control, revocation of material licenses by gaming authorities (subject to a cure period), termination of the Master Lease and cross-default to certain events of default under the Master Lease.

As of June 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the financial covenant ratios under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and compliance with these financial covenant ratios does not have a material impact on our financial flexibility, including our ability to incur new indebtedness based on our operating plans.

5.625% Notes

The Existing 5.625% Notes were issued at par, mature on May 1, 2024, and bear interest at the rate of 5.625% per annum. Interest on the Existing 5.625% Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year, commencing November 1, 2016. On October 12, 2016, we issued an additional $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “Additional 5.625% Notes” and together with the Existing 5.625% Notes, the “5.625% Notes”), under the bond indenture governing the Existing 5.625% Notes issued on April 28, 2016, as amended and supplemented by that certain first supplemental indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016. The Additional 5.625% Notes were issued at par plus a premium of 50 basis points.

The Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 1, 2019, at the declining redemption premiums set forth in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to May 1, 2019, the Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” redemption premium described in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2019, the Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes with an amount of cash equal to the net proceeds of one or more equity offerings, within a specified period of time after the closing of any such equity offering, at a redemption price equal to 105.625% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest, so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Notes originally issued under the indenture remains outstanding. If the Company engages in any asset sales, subject to certain exceptions, the Company generally must use the proceeds for specified purposes within a specified period of time or use the excess net proceeds from such asset sales to offer to purchase the 5.625% Notes from holders at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

The 5.625% Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s senior unsecured indebtedness, and senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. The 5.625% Notes are effectively subordinated to the Company’s secured indebtedness, including the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 5.625% Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries, except in the event that the Company in the future incurs certain subsidiary-guaranteed unsecured indebtedness, and, therefore, the 5.625% Notes are structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries, including their guarantees of the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

The indenture contains covenants limiting the Company’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: pay dividends or

41



distributions or repurchase equity; incur additional debt or issue disqualified stock and, in the case of subsidiaries, preferred stock; make investments; create liens on assets to secure certain debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; transfer and sell assets; create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries; designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and make certain amendments to the Master Lease. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.

Events of default under the indenture include, among others, the following: default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the 5.625% Notes; default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the 5.625% Notes; failure to comply with covenants in the indenture for 60 days after the receipt of notice from the trustee or holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Notes (unless such failure to comply has been waived); acceleration or payment default of debt in excess of a specified amount; unpaid judgments in excess of a specified amount; certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; and the Master Lease terminating or ceasing to be effective in certain circumstances.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
There were no material changes during the three months ended June 30, 2018 to our contractual obligations and commitments as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the effects of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
A description of our critical accounting estimates can be found in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. For a more extensive discussion of our accounting policies, see Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
With the exception of the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, there have not been any newly identified or material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates, as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” for further information regarding our updated revenue recognition and guest loyalty program accounting policies, including estimates inherent in the accounting of such items, and the impact of adoption of ASC 606 on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) provides certain “safe harbor” provisions for forward-looking statements. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters addressed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as in other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC or statements made by us, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, we may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in our other periodic reports on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, press releases and other materials released to the public. All forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any documents we incorporate by reference are made pursuant to the Act. Words such as, but not limited to, “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, which may include, without limitation, statements regarding the Proposed Company Sale and the Penn National Merger Agreement, the consummation of the Proposed Company Sale and the timing thereof, the ability of the Company and Penn National to obtain required regulatory approvals, the stock price of the Company and Penn National following the consummation of a transaction with Penn National, expected results of operations and future operating performance and future growth; adequacy of resources to fund development and expansion projects; liquidity; financing options, including the state of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets; the state of the credit markets and economy; cash needs; cash reserves; operating and capital expenses; expense reductions, the sufficiency of insurance coverage; anticipated marketing costs at various projects; the future outlook of the Company and the gaming industry and pending regulatory and legal matters; the potential occurrence of impairments to goodwill, other intangible assets or long-lived assets; extreme weather conditions or climate change; potential work stoppages or other labor problems; cyber security risks; the ability of the Company to continue to meet its financial and other covenants governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities,

42



the bond indenture governing its 5.625% Notes, the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease; the Company’s anticipated future capital expenditures; the ability to implement strategies to improve revenues and operating margins at the Company’s properties; reduce costs and debt; the Company’s ability to successfully implement marketing programs to increase revenue at the Company’s properties; and the Company’s ability to improve operations and performance, are all subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by us. This can occur as a result of inaccurate assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. For more information on the potential factors that could affect our operating results and financial condition in addition to the risk factors described above, review our other filings (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) with the SEC, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the risk factors described therein. Factors that may cause our actual performance to differ materially from that contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others:

The announcement and pendency of the Proposed Company Sale to Penn National may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price;

Because the Exchange Ratio is fixed and the market prices of Penn National Common Stock and Pinnacle Common Stock may fluctuate, our stockholders cannot be sure of the value of the Penn National Common Stock they will receive on the closing date;

The Proposed Company Sale to Penn National may not be completed;

Failure to complete the Proposed Company Sale to Penn National could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of the Company;

The Penn National Merger Agreement contains provisions that limit the Company’s ability to pursue alternatives to the Proposed Company Sale, could discourage a potential competing acquirer of the Company from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require the Company to pay Penn National a termination fee of $60.0 million;

The completion of the transactions contemplated by the Penn National Merger Agreement may trigger change in control or other provisions in certain agreements to which the Company is a party;

Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in consumers’ discretionary spending as a result of downturns in the economy or other changes we cannot accurately predict;

The gaming industry is very competitive and increased competition, including through legislative legalization or expansion of gaming by states in or near where we operate facilities or through Native American gaming facilities and internet gaming, could adversely affect our financial results;
    
Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services provided by third parties. In the event that there is an interruption of these services to us, it may have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition;
    
Our business may be harmed from cyber security risk and we may be subject to legal claims if there is loss, disclosure or misappropriation of or access to our guests’ or our business partners’ or our own information or other breaches of our information security;
    
We are required to pay a significant portion of our cash flows pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease, which could adversely affect our ability to fund our operations and growth and limit our ability to react to competitive and economic changes;

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

We face risks associated with growth and acquisitions;
    
We derived 26.3% and 26.4% of our revenues in 2017 from our casinos located in Louisiana and Missouri, respectively, and are especially subject to certain risks, including economic and competitive risks, associated with the conditions in those areas and in the states from which we draw patrons;

43



    
Our present indebtedness and projected future borrowings could adversely affect our financial health; future cash flows may not be sufficient to meet our obligations, and we may have difficulty obtaining additional financing; and we may experience adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations;
    
Our indebtedness imposes restrictive covenants on us;
    
To service our indebtedness and make payments under the Master Lease and the Meadows Lease, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control;
    
Our ability to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms may be limited;
    
We may experience an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;
    
Insufficient or lower-than-expected results generated from our new developments and acquisitions may negatively affect our operating results and financial condition;
    
Rising operating costs at our operations could have a negative impact on our business;
    
Our slots and table games hold percentages may fluctuate;
    
Recessions have affected our business and financial condition, and economic conditions may continue to affect us in ways that we currently cannot accurately predict;
    
We expect to be engaged from time to time in one or more construction and development projects, and many factors could prevent us from completing them as planned, including the escalation of construction costs beyond increments anticipated in our construction budgets;
    
Our industry is highly regulated, which makes us dependent on obtaining and maintaining gaming licenses and subjects us to potentially significant fines and penalties;
    
Potential changes in the regulatory environment could harm our business;

Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking;

Our operations are largely dependent on the skill and experience of our management and key personnel. The loss of management and other key personnel could significantly harm our business, and we may not be able to effectively replace members of management who have left our company;

Adverse weather conditions, road construction, gasoline shortages and other factors affecting our facilities and the areas in which we operate could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to the facilities on which we operate and deter customers from visiting our facilities;

Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the occurrence of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, or other catastrophic events, including war and terrorism;

We are exposed to a variety of natural disasters such as named windstorms, floods and earthquakes and this can make it challenging for us to obtain adequate levels of weather catastrophe occurrence insurance coverage for our facilities at reasonable rates, if at all;

We may incur property and other losses that are not adequately covered by insurance, which may harm our results of operations;

The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry or other technological conditions could impose additional costs on us;
    
We operate in a highly taxed industry and it may be subject to higher taxes in the future. If the jurisdictions in which we operate increase gaming taxes and fees, our operating results could be adversely affected;

44



    
Work stoppages, organizing drives and other labor problems could negatively impact our future profits;
    
We face environmental and archaeological regulation of the real estate on which we operate;
    
We are subject to litigation, which, if adversely determined, could cause us to incur substantial losses;

We are subject to certain federal, state and other regulations;
    
Climate change, climate change regulations and greenhouse effects may adversely impact our operations and markets;
    
We face business and regulatory risks associated with our investment in Asian Coast Development (Canada), Ltd.;
    
We are subject to extensive governmental regulations that impose restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our securities; and
    
The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and you may not be able to sell our stock at a favorable price or at all.

In addition, these forward-looking statements could be affected by general domestic and international economic and political conditions, uncertainty as to the future direction of the economy and vulnerability of the economy to domestic or international incidents, as well as market conditions in our industry.

For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, please see the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and review our other filings (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) with the SEC. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

45



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates with respect to the short-term floating interest rate on borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As of June 30, 2018, we had $162.5 million drawn under our Revolving Credit Facility and had $9.2 million committed under various letters of credit. In addition, as of June 30, 2018, we had $95.0 million of principal outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility.
Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50%, in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter.
As of June 30, 2018, for every 50 basis points decrease in LIBOR, our annual interest expense would decrease by approximately $1.3 million and our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $1.3 million for every 50 basis points increase in LIBOR, assuming constant debt levels.
The table below provides the principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by contractual maturity dates for our debt obligations as of June 30, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, we did not hold any material investments in market-risk-sensitive instruments of the type described in Item 305 of Regulation S-K.
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
162,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
162,500

 
$
159,250

Interest Rate
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 

 

 
3.57
%
 
 
Term Loan A Facility
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
95,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
95,000

 
$
95,000

Interest Rate
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 
3.57
%
 

 

 
3.57
%
 
 
5.625% Notes
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
500,000

 
$
500,000

 
$
519,400

Interest Rate
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
 
Other
$
5

 
$
9

 
$
11

 
$
11

 
$
13

 
$
16

 
$
65

 
$
65

Interest Rate
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as of June 30, 2018. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, concluded that, as of June 30, 2018, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in that they provide a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


47



PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are a party to a number of other pending legal proceedings. Management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There were no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
3.1
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
4.1*†
 
 
 
 
11*
 
 
 
 
31.1*
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
 
 
 
32**
 
 
 
 
101*
 
Financial statements from Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):
(i)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
(ii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,
(iii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
(iv)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit,
(v)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and
(vi)
Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 ________________
*
 
Filed herewith.
 
 
 
**
 
Furnished herewith.
 
 
 
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

48



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
 
 
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Registrant)
Date:
August 7, 2018
By:  
/s/ Carlos A. Ruisanchez  
 
 
 
Carlos A. Ruisanchez
 
 
 
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) 


49