Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy

Basis of Presentation

Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information reliable. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments of normal recurring nature necessary to fairly present our financial position as of June 30, 2012, the results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2012 is unaudited; however the condensed consolidated balance sheet presented as of December 31, 2011 has been derived from our audited financial statements as of such date. Our operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, are unaudited, and are not necessarily indicative of the results that would be achieved for the full year or future periods.

Equity Method Investments, Policy

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which are less than 50% owned and do not meet the consolidation criteria of the authoritative accounting guidance for voting interest, controlling interest or variable interest entities, are accounted for under the equity method.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, for leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the asset's useful life or term of the lease.

The estimated useful lives of our major components of property and equipment are:

Building and improvements	10 through 40 years
Riverboats and barges	10 through 40 years
Furniture and equipment	3 through 10 years

Gains or losses on disposals of assets are recognized as incurred, using the specific identification method. Costs of major improvements are capitalized, while costs of normal repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

We test certain of these property and equipment assets for recoverability if a recent operating or cash flow loss, combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses, is associated with the use of a long-lived asset. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. An impairment loss shall be recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. That assessment shall be based on the carrying amount of the asset at the date it is tested for recoverability. An impairment loss shall be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Assets Held for Development, Policy

Assets Held for Development

The costs incurred relative to projects under development are carried at cost. Development costs clearly associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of that project, during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. Certain pre-acquisition costs, not qualifying for capitalization, are charged to preopening or other operating expense as incurred.

Inventory, Interest Capitalization Policy

Capitalized Interest

Interest costs associated with major construction projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed assets. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project (or discernible portions of the project) is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed.

Debt Financing Costs, Policy

Debt Financing Costs

Debt financing costs, which include legal, and other direct costs related to the issuance of our outstanding debt, are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the underlying long-term debt using the effective interest method. In the event that our debt is modified, repurchased or otherwise reduced prior to its original maturity date, we ratably reduce the unamortized debt financing costs.

Restricted Investments, Policy

Restricted Investments

In accordance with the terms of the tax-exempt loan agreements, which are the obligations of LVE, unused proceeds are required to be held in escrow pending approval of construction expenditures. These investments are held in an interest-bearing account.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include customer relationships, favorable lease rates, development agreements, gaming license rights and trademarks.

Amortizing Intangible Assets

Customer relationships represent the value of repeat business associated with our customer loyalty programs. These intangible assets are being amortized on an accelerated method over their approximate useful life. Favorable lease rates represent the amount by which acquired lease rental rates are favorable to market terms. These favorable lease values are amortized over the remaining lease term, primarily on leasehold land interests, originally ranging in duration from 41 to 52 years. Development agreements are contracts between two parties establishing an agreement for development of a product or service. These agreements are amortized over the respective cash flow period of the related agreement.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Trademarks are based on the value of our brand, which reflects the level of service and quality we provide and from which we generate repeat business. Gaming license rights represent the value of the license to conduct gaming in certain jurisdictions, which is subject to highly extensive regulatory oversight, and a limitation on the number of licenses available for issuance with these certain jurisdictions. These assets, considered indefinite-lived intangible assets, are not subject to amortization, but instead are subject to an annual impairment test, performed in the second quarter of each year, and between annual test dates in certain circumstances. If the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference. License rights are tested for impairment using a discounted cash flow approach, and trademarks are tested for impairment using the relief-from-royalty method.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy

Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is not subject to amortization, but it is subject to an annual impairment test in the second quarter of each year and between annual test dates in certain circumstances.

Goodwill for relevant reporting units is tested for impairment using a weighted discounted cash flow analysis and an earnings multiple valuation technique based on the estimated future results of our reporting units discounted using our weighted-average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates. The implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill is compared to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its assets and liabilities and the amount remaining, if any, is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying value then it must be written down to its implied fair value.

In January 2012, the Company adopted accounting guidance simplifying how entities test goodwill for impairment. The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test. If it is determined the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the entity must perform the test to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. An entity is no longer required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.

Debt, Policy

Long-Term Debt, Net

Long-term debt is reported at amortized cost. Any discount and underwriting or other transaction costs paid to the initial purchasers or lenders upon issuance of our debt instruments are recorded as an adjustment to the face amount of our outstanding debt. This resulting difference between the net proceeds upon issuance and the face amount of the underlying debt is accreted to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the underlying debt.

Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy

Noncontrolling Interest

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, noncontrolling interests are comprised of: (i) the 50% interest in Borgata, held in trust for the economic benefit of another 50% interest holder; and (ii) all 100% of the members' equity interest in LVE, the variable interest entity, which is consolidated in our condensed financial statements, but in which we hold no equity interest. Noncontrolling interests includes the portion of the ownership in Borgata not directly attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation, as well as the ownership of LVE, none of which is attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation, which are reported as a separate component of our stockholders' equity in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Our consolidated net income is reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both us and the noncontrolling interest.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenue Recognition

Gaming revenue represents the net win from gaming activities, which is the aggregate difference between gaming wins and losses. The majority of our gaming revenue is counted in the form of cash and chips and therefore is not subject to any significant or complex estimation procedures. Cash discounts, commissions and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction of gross gaming revenues.

Race revenue recognition criteria are met at the time the results of the event are official.

Room revenue recognition criteria are met at the time of occupancy.

Food and beverage revenue recognition criteria are met at the time of service.

Revenue Recognition, Allowances

Promotional Allowances

The retail value of accommodations, food and beverage, and other services furnished to guests without charge is included in gross revenues and then deducted as a promotional allowance. Promotional allowances also include incentives such as cash, goods and services (such as complimentary rooms and food and beverages) earned in our slot bonus point program. We reward customers, through the use of bonus programs, with points based on amounts wagered that can be redeemed for a specified period of time, principally for cash play, and to a lesser extent for goods or services, depending upon the property. We record the estimated retail value of these goods and services as revenue and then deduct them as a promotional allowance.

Gaming Taxes, Policy

Gaming Taxes

We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These gaming taxes are assessed based on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Share, Policy

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to Boyd Gaming Corporation stockholders, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities, such as stock options.

Comprehensive Income, Policy

Comprehensive Income

In January 2012, the Company adopted guidance requiring the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Comprehensive income includes net income and all other non-stockholder changes in equity, or other comprehensive income. Components of the Company's comprehensive income are reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The cumulative balance of other comprehensive income consists solely of fair value adjustments related to hedged derivative instruments held by the variable interest entity.

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates incorporated into our condensed consolidated financial statements include the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, recoverability of assets held for development, measurement of the fair value of our controlling interest and the noncontrolling interest in Borgata, fair valuations of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets and assumptions relative to the valuation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, estimated valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, accruals for slot bonus point programs, estimates of certain tax liabilities and uncertain tax positions, determination of self-insured liability reserves, computation of share-based payment valuation assumptions, estimates of fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, estimates of fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed at fair value, fair values of derivative instruments and assessments of contingencies and litigation and claims. Actual results could differ from these estimates.