NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly-liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying value of the deposits and instruments approximates their fair value due to their short-term maturities.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price). When reporting the fair values of our financial instruments, we prioritize those fair value measurements into one of three levels based on the nature of the inputs, as follows:


•	Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;


•	Level 2 – Valuations based on observable inputs that do not meet the criteria for Level 1, including quoted prices in inactive markets and observable market data for similar, but not identical instruments; and


•	Level 3 – Valuations based on unobservable inputs, which are based upon the best available information when external market data is limited or unavailable.

The fair value hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. For some products or in certain market conditions, observable inputs may not be available.

Accounts Receivable

We periodically perform credit evaluations of our customers to minimize the risk of credit losses. To determine an allowance for potential credit losses related to our accounts receivable, we review accounts receivable balances based on our collections experience and the age of the receivables.

Inventory

We record our inventory, which includes food, beverage, retail items and gasoline, at the lower of cost or market value. We determine cost using the first-in, first-out method.

Property and Equipment

We state property and equipment at cost and depreciate such assets using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of each assets category. For leasehold improvements, we determine amortization using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

Debt Issuance Costs

We capitalize all direct, incremental costs we pay to parties other than the creditor(s) in connection with the issuance of long-term debt and amortize such costs to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the related debt agreements. Any amounts we pay to the creditor(s) are recorded as a component of the premium or discount associated with the debt.

With regard to transactions for which we apply modification accounting, we capitalize any new amounts paid to the creditor(s) whose debt is modified, adding it to the unamortized debt issuance cost balance of such creditor(s), and we amortize such costs to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the new debt agreement(s). We expense any costs we incur with third parties.

With regard to transactions for which we apply extinguishment accounting, we include the unamortized debt issuance cost related to the extinguished creditor(s) plus any new amounts paid to the extinguished creditor(s) as a component of the gain or loss on the transaction. We associate any costs we incur with third parties with the new debt, and amortize such costs to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the new debt agreement(s).

Self-Insurance Reserves

We are self-insured up to certain stop loss amounts for costs associated with general liability claims and workers’ compensation claims arising from our operations in Nevada and Colorado. To estimate our accruals related to claims reserves, we consider historical loss experience and make judgments about the expected levels of costs per claim. We believe our estimates of future liability are reasonable based upon our methodology; however, changes in health care costs, accident frequency and severity, and other factors could materially affect the estimate for these liabilities. We include self-insurance reserves in Accrued expense on our consolidated balance sheets in the amounts of $1.5 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, we evaluate long-lived assets for potential impairment, basing our testing method upon whether the assets are held for sale or held for use. For assets classified as held for sale, we recognize the asset at the lower of carrying value or fair market value less costs of disposal, as estimated based on comparable asset sales, offers received, or a discounted cash flow model. For assets held and used, we estimate the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, we recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value.

During 2013, we recognized an immaterial loss on impairment of a fixed asset related to the closure of the Henderson casino.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

As of October 31 of each year, we test goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. We also conduct tests between our annual tests if events occur or circumstances change which would, more likely than not, indicate a reduction in the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying values. When testing for impairment, we may choose to evaluate qualitative factors first to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that, more likely than not, an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after evaluating the totality of events and circumstances and their potential effect on significant inputs to the fair value determination, we determine that, more likely than not, an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, we then quantitatively test for impairment.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of license rights, which we test for impairment using a discounted cash flow approach, and trademarks, which we test for impairment using the relief-from-royalty method. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. We test goodwill for relevant reporting units for impairment using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our budgeted future results which are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital. The weighted average cost of capital is developed using a standard capital asset pricing model, based on guideline companies in our industry and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates.

We make several estimates when evaluating indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. In particular, future cash flow estimates are, by their nature, subjective and actual results may differ materially from our estimates. In addition, the determination of capitalization rates and the discount rates used in the impairment tests are highly judgmental and dependent in large part on expectations of future market conditions.

During 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $20.2 million due to the Company’s revised estimate of future cash flows in its Colorado segment. During our regular annual testing in 2014, the estimated fair values of our reporting units with associated goodwill exceeded their carrying values for all our reporting units, so we did not record impairment charges.

Revenue and Promotional Allowances

We recognize casino revenue equal to the amounts wagered by patrons less the amounts we pay to winning patrons. Additionally, we recognize lodging revenue at the time guests occupy hotel rooms, and all other revenue at the time we provide the goods or services to the patron. We present revenue from retail sales net of sales tax. Total revenue from casino operations includes the retail value of food, beverage, goods and services we provide to customers on a complimentary basis; such complimentary amounts are then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating net revenue. Promotional allowances also include certain incentives earned in our guest rewards programs.

The retail value of complimentary food, beverage, goods and services included in promotional allowances consists of the following (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Lodging	$	10,704	$	13,797	$	12,891
Food and Beverage	28,305		31,726		28,176
Other	8,820		12,279		12,821
Total	$	47,829	$	57,802	$	53,888

The estimated departmental cost of providing these promotional allowances is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Lodging	$	10,700	$	13,797	$	12,891
Food and Beverage	13,263		15,587		13,639
Other	7,926		10,861		11,194
Total	$	31,889	$	40,245	$	37,724

Guest Rewards Programs

Our guest rewards programs allow guests to earn certain point-based cash rewards or complimentary goods and services based on the volume of the guests' gaming activity. Guests can accumulate reward points over time which they may redeem at their discretion under the terms of the programs. If a guest does not earn any reward credits over the subsequent 12- to 18-month period, depending upon the casino, that guest forfeits their reward credit balance. Because guests can accrue the reward points, we expense those reward points, after giving effect to estimated forfeitures, as the guests earn them. We base our accruals on historical data, estimates and assumptions regarding the mix of rewards that guests will redeem and the costs of providing those rewards. We record the retail value of the point-based rewards or complimentary goods and services as promotional allowance. We record the cost of free slot play and cash rewards as a reduction of revenue.

Cash, Hotel and Food Coupons

On a discretionary basis, we may award cash, lodging and food coupons to our gaming patrons, based in part on their play volume, to induce future play. The coupons are redeemable within a short time period (generally seven days for cash coupons and one month for lodging and food coupons), and guests cannot renew or extend the offer. We record the retail value of the good or service underlying the coupons as promotional allowance when guests redeem these coupons. The cash coupons are recorded as a reduction of casino revenue.

Share-Based Compensation

We grant share-based awards to employees and non-employees in exchange for services; we have neither made share-based payments in exchange for goods nor do we currently have plans to do so. For share-based payments to employees and non-employees, we recognize compensation expense over the vesting period during which the employee or non-employee provides services in exchange for the award and, in the case of share-based payments to non-employees, we recognize a prepaid asset representing the portion of total estimated compensation expense for which the non-employee has not yet provided services.

To measure compensation expense related to stock options awarded, we use information available as of the reporting date to estimate the fair value of awards. We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which requires estimates for expected volatility, expected dividends, the risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the share-based award. To measure compensation expense related to restricted stock shares awarded to employees, we use an estimate of the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date, while we use an estimate of the fair market value of our common stock on the reporting date for awards granted to non-employees. We include an estimate of the number of awards which we expect will be forfeited, and we update that number based on actual forfeitures.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, we changed our accounting for stock options from classifying them as equity instruments to classifying them as liabilities. See Note 10 for more information.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, which result from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets or liabilities resulting from a change in enacted tax rates is included in income during the period that includes the enactment date.

We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if we determine that, more likely than not, we will be unable to realize such assets. Such assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, our forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and our experience with the utilization of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before expiration.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

We maintain cash balances at certain financial institutions located in the states in which we operate. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At times, cash balances may be in excess of FDIC limits. As of December 31, 2015, we do not believe we have any significant concentrations of credit risk.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases, that changes the accounting for leases and requires expanded disclosures about leasing activities. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis, at the commencement date for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged, other than certain targeted improvements intended to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and with the updated revenue recognition guidance issued in 2014. Lessees and lessors are required to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the adoption-period financial statements. Any leases that expire before the initial application date will not require any accounting adjustment. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the reporting thereof.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs will be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which clarifies that the guidance issued in ASU 2015-03 does not apply to line-of-credit arrangements. According to the additional guidance, line-of-credit arrangements will continue to present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. This ASU will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the reporting thereof.

In August 2014, the FASB modified the Accounting Standards Codification by issuing ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). The amendments in ASU 2014-15 place responsibility on management to determine whether substantial doubt exists regarding the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The amendments state that for each annual and interim reporting period, management should evaluate whether conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, raise doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the financial statements are issued. If management determines that substantial doubt exists regarding the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the amendments require disclosure of the conditions or events that led to such determination, management’s evaluation of the significance of such conditions or events, and management’s plans to mitigate such conditions or events, including whether the plans alleviated substantial doubt. The amendments in ASU 2014-15 are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The amendments in ASU 2014-15 will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the reporting thereof.

In May 2014, the FASB modified the Accounting Standards Codification by issuing ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The amendments in ASU 2014-09 stipulate that an entity should recognize revenue in an amount which reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to customers, and they provide a five-step process to assist entities with achieving that core principle. The ASU also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. With regard to disclosures, ASU 2014-09 states that entities should disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, and it requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures concerning contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes therein, and assets recognized from the costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 have been deferred for one year and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein, and they permit either retrospective application to all prior periods or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of application recognized on the initial application date. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2016. We are currently evaluating what effect(s) the ASU will have.

We have reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and, other than those we have disclosed above or in previous filings with the SEC, we do not believe any of such pronouncements will have a material effect on our operations.

Correction of Immaterial Error and Reclassifications

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company identified that immaterial amounts of promotional items provided to its patrons including cash back awards to casino customers were improperly recorded as either casino expenses, general and administrative expenses or promotional allowances rather than being recorded as an offset to casino revenue. In accordance with ASC Topic 605-50, Revenue Recognition, cash incentives should be recorded as an offset to revenues. The following table compares previously reported net revenues and operating expenses to as adjusted amounts, reflecting the reclassification of immaterial promotional amounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2014							Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Previously Reported		Correction			As Adjusted		Previously Reported		Correction			As Adjusted
Net Revenue	$	387,991	$	(2,089	)	$	385,902	$	390,488	$	(714	)	$	389,774
Operating Expenses	$	366,055	$	(2,089	)	$	363,966	$	361,489	$	(714	)	$	360,775

There was no impact on previously reported operating income, net income (loss) or cash flows of the Company.

The Company has evaluated the change in presentation on prior period financial statements taking into account the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. In accordance with the relevant guidance, we evaluated the materiality of the error from a qualitative and quantitative perspective and concluded that correcting the error did not have a material impact on any individual prior period financial statement or affect the trend of financial results. As provided by SAB No. 108, the portion of the immaterial error and reclassification that impacts previously reported net revenues and operating expenses in the annual and quarterly periods for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 will not require the previously filed annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q to be amended and the correction is permitted to be made the next time we file our prior period financial statements.