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Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies . Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is a party to various legal proceedings. Such proceedings can be costly, time consuming and unpredictable and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of such proceedings will not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. While the Company maintains insurance coverage that the Company believes is adequate to mitigate the risks of such proceedings, no assurance can be given that the amount or scope of existing insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover losses arising from such matters.
On July 14, 2020, the Company filed a lawsuit for damages and declaratory relief in state court in New York relating to a transfer fee of $50 million that was assessed by the Indiana Gaming Commission upon the Company’s purchase of Hoosier Park Racino and Casino in 2017 from Centaur Holdings, LLC. Contemporaneous with the filing of the lawsuit, the Company notified Centaur that it was withholding payment of $50 million from Centaur Holdings that was otherwise due as a portion of a deferred payment for the purchase from Centaur. In the lawsuit, the Company seeks a declaration from the Court that the Sellers are required to indemnify Caesars for its losses arising out of or relating to payment of the transfer fee and that the Company is entitled to offset the $50 million transfer fee against payments otherwise due to Centaur.
General
In addition, 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 the Company’s results of operations.
Contractual Commitments
The following contractual commitments were assumed by the Company associated with Former Caesars as result of the consummation of the Merger.
Extension of Casino Operating Contract and Ground Lease for Harrah’s New Orleans
On April 1, 2020, the Company and the State of Louisiana, by and through the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (the “LGCB”), entered into an Amended and Restated Casino Operating Contract (as amended by a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Casino Operating Contract dated April 9, 2020, the “Casino Operating Contract”) to amend and restate the casino operating contract between the Company and the LGCB with respect to Harrah’s New Orleans to, among other things: (a) extend the term of the Company’s authority to conduct gaming operations at Harrah’s New Orleans for thirty (30) years to 2054; (b) require the Company to make (i) a capital investment of $325 million on or around Harrah’s New Orleans by July 15, 2024 (subject to extensions for force majeure events) (the “Capital Investment”), (ii) certain one-time payments totaling $65 million to the City of New Orleans (the “City”) and the State of Louisiana, (iii) annual payments totaling $9 million to the City and the State of Louisiana and (iv) an annual license payment of $3 million to the LGCB starting April 1, 2022; and (c) delay the date by which the Company must deliver certain payments to the State of Louisiana and the City primarily driven by the reopening date of the casino.
On April 3, 2020, the Company, New Orleans Building Corporation (“NOBC”) and the City (collectively, the “Ground Lease Parties”) entered into a Second Amended and Restated Lease Agreement (as amended by a letter agreement of the same date, the “Ground Lease”) to amend and restate the ground lease among the Ground Lease Parties with respect to Harrah’s New Orleans to, among other things: (a) require the Company to make (i) the Capital Investment, (ii) certain payments to the City as also required by the Casino Operating Contract and (iii) certain one-time payments totaling $29 million to NOBC; (b) increase the minimum amount of certain annual payments to be made by the Company to NOBC; (c) provide that NOBC approves (subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions) of (i) the consummation of the Merger and (ii) a sale-leaseback transaction between the Company and an affiliate of VICI; and (d) delay the date by which the Company must deliver certain payments to the City and NOBC primarily driven by the reopening date of the casino.
As certain operations have resumed at Harrah’s New Orleans, under Former Caesars, approximately $61 million was paid of which $47 million reflected additional gaming rights, and $14 million was operating costs, related to the payments described above. Subsequent to the Merger, the Company made additional payments totaling approximately $20 million of additional gaming rights as of, or for the period ended, September 30, 2020, related to the payments described above.
Sports Sponsorship/Partnership Obligations
We have agreements with certain professional sports leagues and teams, sporting event facilities and sports television networks for tickets, suites, and advertising, marketing, promotional and sponsorship opportunities. As of September 30, 2020, obligations related to these agreements were $318 million with contracts extending through 2035. We recognize expenses in the period services are rendered in accordance with the various agreements. In addition, assets or liabilities may be recorded related to the timing of payments as required by the respective agreement. On September 1, 2020, we amended our agreement with Turner Sports, Inc. for advertising and televised specials. On September 10, 2020, the Company entered into a multi-year agreement with ESPN including link integrations from ESPN’s website and app to sportsbooks with our sports betting partner, William Hill.
Self-Insurance
We are self-insured for workers compensation and other risk insurance, as well as health insurance. Our total estimated self-insurance liability was $235 million as of September 30, 2020.
Due to the novel nature of the disruption resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency, actuarial data is limited for determining its effect. The assumptions utilized by our actuaries are subject to significant uncertainty and if outcomes differ from these assumptions or events develop or progress in a negative manner, the Company could experience a material adverse effect and additional liabilities may be recorded in the future. Alternatively, as a result of the current work stoppages, a reduction of claims in future periods could be beneficial to our financial condition and results of operations.
Contingent Liabilities
Uncertainties
Since 2009, Harrah’s New Orleans has undergone audits by state and local departments of revenue related to sales taxes on hotel rooms, parking and entertainment complimentaries. The periods that have been or are currently being audited are 2004 through 2016. In connection with these audits, certain periods have been paid under protest or are currently in various stages of litigation. On July 2, 2019, the judge denied Harrah’s New Orleans’ motion for partial summary judgment and granted the Department of Revenue’s (the “Department”) partial motion for summary judgment, finding that Harrah’s New Orleans owes state sales taxes, as well as district and New Orleans occupancy taxes to the Department on all discounted or complimentary
rooms furnished by Harrah’s New Orleans to patrons or guests at Harrah’s New Orleans hotel and certain third party hotels. On September 3, 2019, Harrah’s New Orleans filed a Motion for Suspensive Appeal, which was granted. Harrah’s filed its reply on February 3, 2020. Oral argument was on February 20, 2020. Under Former Caesars, $9 million has been paid under protest and is being held in escrow by the Department. Harrah’s New Orleans had accrued contingent liabilities of $42 million on September 30, 2020.
Weather disruption - Lake Charles
On August 27, 2020 Hurricane Laura made landfall on Lake Charles as a Category 4 storm. The hurricane severely damaged the Isle of Capri Casino Lake Charles and the Company has recorded an insurance receivable of $31 million, of which $15 million related to fixed asset impairments and $16 million related to remediation costs and repairs that have been incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2020. The property has remained closed.