XML 106 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation.  The Company is a party to various legal and administrative proceedings, which have arisen in the normal course of its business. Estimated losses are accrued for these proceedings when the loss is probable and can be estimated. The current liability for the estimated losses associated with these proceedings is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition and those estimated losses are not expected to have a material impact on its results of operations. In addition, the Company maintains what it believes is adequate insurance coverage to further mitigate the risks of such proceedings. However, such proceedings can be costly, time consuming and unpredictable and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of such proceedings may not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that the Company’s existing insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover losses, if any, arising from such proceedings.

 

As of November 6, 2019, eight putative class action lawsuits have been filed in connection with the Merger.  The Company has been named as a party in three of such actions: Stein v. Caesars Entertainment Corp., et al, Civil Action No. 1:19-cv-01656, United States District Court for the District of Delaware (9/5/2019), Romaniuk v. Caesars Entertainment Corp., et al, Civil Action No 1:19-cv-17871, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (9/11/2019), and Biasi v. Caesars Entertainment Corp., et al, Civil Action No. 1:19-cv-08547, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (9/13/2019).  In general, the complaints assert claims under sections 14(a), 20(a) and Rule 14a-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 challenging the adequacy of certain disclosures in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed in connection with the Merger.  In addition, one of the complaints, in which the Company has not been named a party, alleges state law breach of fiduciary duty claims against the Caesars directors.  The complaints seek, among other relief, an injunction preventing consummation of the Merger, damages in the event that the Merger is consummated and attorneys’ fees.   The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.

 

On September 23, 2019, the Company and certain of its officers were named as defendants in a putative class action complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and captioned as Elberts v. Eldorado Resorts, Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-18230-SRC-CLW.  The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The complaint alleges that the Company made material misstatements and/or omissions during the period from March 1, 2019 through September 2, 2019.  The allegations relate to the subpoenas that certain of the Company’s directors and officers received from the SEC, which have been previously disclosed in the proxy statement/prospectus filed by the Company relating to the pending transaction with CaesarsThe complaint seeks unspecified damages on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased the Company’s securities during the period from March 1, 2019 through September 2, 2019. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.

 

Agreements with Horsemen and Pari-mutuel Clerks.  The Federal Interstate Horse Racing Act and the state racing laws in West Virginia and Ohio require that, in order to simulcast races, we have written agreements with the horse owners and trainers at those racetracks. In addition, in order to operate slot machines in West Virginia, we are required to enter into written agreements regarding the proceeds of the slot machines (a “proceeds agreement”) with a representative of a majority of the horse owners and trainers and with a representative of a majority of the pari‑mutuel clerks. We are required to have a proceeds agreement in effect on July 1 of each year with the horsemen and the pari‑mutuel clerks as a condition to renewal of our video lottery license for such year. If the requisite proceeds agreement is not in place as of July 1 of a particular year, Mountaineer’s application for renewal of its video lottery license could be denied, in which case Mountaineer would not be permitted to operate either its slot machines or table games. In Ohio, we must have an agreement with the representative of the horse owners. We currently have all the requisite agreements in place referenced in this sub section at Mountaineer and Scioto Downs. Certain agreements referenced above may be terminated upon written notice by either party.