Trade and Other Receivables, net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Trade and other receivables, net are recorded at cost.



	December 31, 2016
	Trade and other receivables
($ thousands)	Gross	Allowance for credit losses		Net

Trade receivables	991,556	(58,884	)	932,672
Related party receivables (Note 25)	12,638	—		12,638
Sales-type lease receivables	1,927	—		1,927
	1,006,121	(58,884	)	947,237



	December 31, 2015
	Trade and other receivables
($ thousands)	Gross	Allowance for credit losses		Net

Trade receivables	1,013,330	(76,137	)	937,193
Related party receivables (Note 25)	20,727	—		20,727
Sales-type lease receivables	1,672	—		1,672
	1,035,729	(76,137	)	959,592

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to trade receivables:



	December 31,
($ thousands)	2016		2015		2014

Balance at beginning of year	(76,137	)	(91,819	)	(99,657	)
Provisions, net	(13,594	)	(18,883	)	(14,655	)
Amounts written off as uncollectible	29,289		25,703		14,310
Foreign currency translation	1,558		9,263		11,695
Other	—		(401	)	(3,512	)
Balance at end of year	(58,884	)	(76,137	)	(91,819	)

In 2014 and 2013, the Company entered into two agreements with major European financial institutions to sell certain accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis, related to the Italy segment. These receivables have been derecognized from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The agreements have a three- and five-year duration, respectively, and are subject to early termination by either party. The aggregate amount of outstanding accounts receivables is limited to a maximum amount of €300 million and €150 million for Scratch & Win and Commercial Services, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the following receivables had been sold:



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
(in thousands)	euro	$	euro	$

Scratch & Win	144,625	152,449	179,904	195,862
Commercial services	59,334	62,544	60,265	65,611
	203,959	214,993	240,169	261,473