Basis of Presentation & Consolidation (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), which require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management believes the accounting estimates are appropriate and reasonably determined. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. For the year ended December 31, 2017, $12 million was reclassified from Other revenue to Management fees on our Statement of Operations.

Adoption of New Revenue Recognition Standard

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new accounting standard Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments. See Note 15 for additional information and details on the effects of adopting the new standard.

Reportable Segments

We view each property as an operating segment and aggregate all such properties into three regionally-focused reportable segments: (i) Las Vegas, (ii) Other U.S., and (iii) All Other, which is consistent with how we manage the business. See Note 21.

Consolidation of Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Caesars Entertainment and its subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions.

We consolidate all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which we or one of our consolidated subsidiaries is the primary beneficiary. Control generally equates to ownership percentage, whereby (i) affiliates that are more than 50% owned are consolidated; (ii) investments in affiliates of 50% or less but greater than 20% are generally accounted for using the equity method where we have determined that we have significant influence over the entities; and (iii) investments in affiliates of 20% or less are generally accounted for using the cost method.

We consolidate a VIE when we have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the results of the VIE and the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Along with the VIEs that are consolidated in accordance with the above guidelines, we also hold variable interests in other VIEs that are not consolidated because we are not the primary beneficiary. We continually monitor both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs to determine if any events have occurred that could cause the primary beneficiary to change. A change in determination could have a material impact on our financial statements.

Consolidation of Korea JV

During 2017, CEC formed a joint venture referred to herein as the Korea JV. The purpose of the Korea JV is to acquire, develop, own, and operate a casino resort project in Incheon, South Korea. We determined that the Korea JV is a VIE and CEC is the primary beneficiary and, therefore, CEC consolidates the Korea JV into its financial statements.

Horseshoe Baltimore Casino

Through August 31, 2017, we consolidated Horseshoe Baltimore Casino (“Horseshoe Baltimore”) as a VIE for which we were the primary beneficiary. Due to the expiration of certain transfer restrictions, we were no longer considered the primary beneficiary and deconsolidated Horseshoe Baltimore.

Horseshoe Baltimore generated year-to-date net revenues of $190 million and net loss attributable to Caesars of $7 million until its deconsolidation effective August 31, 2017. Upon deconsolidation, we derecognized total assets and liabilities of $350 million and $356 million, respectively, including long-term debt totaling $294 million. We recorded our interest in Horseshoe Baltimore at its estimated fair value of $28 million, recognizing a gain on deconsolidation of $31 million, and are accounting for Horseshoe Baltimore as an equity method investment subsequent to the deconsolidation. We estimated the fair value of the interest in Horseshoe Baltimore by weighting the results of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline public company method.

Horseshoe Baltimore will continue to be a managed property of CEOC LLC subsequent to its deconsolidation, and transactions with Horseshoe Baltimore are not eliminated under the equity method of accounting. These related party transactions include but are not limited to items such as casino management fees paid to CEOC LLC, reimbursed management costs, and the allocation of other expenses. See Note 20.