Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates CPL, CDR and CBS as majority owned subsidiaries for which the Company has a controlling interest. The portion of CPL, CDR and CBS that are not wholly-owned are reflected as non-controlling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates –The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016; provided, however, that in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”), which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year. ASU 2015-14 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standards permit retrospective application using either of the following methodologies: (i) restatement of each prior reporting period presented or (ii) recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14, including the transition method to be applied; however, the standards are not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). The objective of ASU 2014-15 is to provide guidance on management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016, and annual and interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-15; however, the standard is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items: Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (“ASU 2015-01”). The objective of ASU 2015-01 is to eliminate from US GAAP the concept of an extraordinary item. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). The objective of ASU 2015-02 is to change the consolidation analysis requirement under US GAAP. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and annual and interim periods thereafter. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-02 as of December 31, 2015. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-02 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The objective of ASU 2015-03 is to present debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-03 as of December 31, 2015, and as a result, $0.4 million was reclassified from long-term assets to long-term debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”). The objective of ASU 2015-11 is to simplify the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market by requiring entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2015-11 is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2015-11; however, the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”). The objective of ASU 2015-16 is to simplify the accounting for measurement-period adjustments for acquisitions. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2015-16 is permitted. ASU 2015-16 could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; however, the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the terms of acquisitions consummated in the future. The Company currently has no acquisitions in the measurement period.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”). The objective of ASU 2015-17 is to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2015-17 is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2015-17; however, the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). The objective of ASU 2016-02 is to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents – All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

Concentrations Of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. Although the amount of credit exposure to any one institution may exceed federally insured amounts, the Company limits its cash investments to high quality financial institutions in order to minimize its credit risk.

Inventories

Inventories –Inventories, which consist primarily of food, beverage, retail merchandise and operating supplies, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of assets in service is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leased property and equipment under capital leases are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or over the service lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. Estimated service lives used are as follows:

Buildings and improvements	7–39 years
Gaming equipment	3–7 years
Furniture and non-gaming equipment	3-7 years

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If there is an indication of impairment, determined by the excess of the carrying value in relation to anticipated undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying amount of the asset is written down to its estimated fair value by a charge to operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company wrote down the leasehold improvements at Casinos Poland’s Sosnowiec casino based on the decision to suspend operations at the casino and charged $0.5 million to operating costs and expenses. No long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013.

Goodwill

Goodwill—Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired related to third party business combinations.  See Note 6.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets—Identifiable intangible assets include trademarks and casino licenses.  The Company’s trademarks and CDR’s licenses issued by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (“AGLC”) and Horse Racing Alberta (“HRA”) are indefinite-lived intangible assets and therefore are not amortized.  The Company’s casino licenses related to CPL are finite-lived intangible assets and are amortized over their respective useful lives.  See Note 6

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation –

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD” or “$”).  Foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar translate assets and liabilities at current exchange rates at the end of the reporting periods, while income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods.  The Company and its subsidiaries enter into various transactions made in currencies different from their functional currencies.  These transactions are typically denominated in the Canadian dollar (“CAD”), Euro (“EUR”) and Polish zloty (“PLN”).  Gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to these transactions are included in earnings from operations as they occur. 

The exchange rates to the U.S. dollar used to translate balances at the end of the reported periods are as follows:

	December 31,	December 31,
Ending Rates	2015	2014
Canadian dollar (CAD)	1.3840	1.1601
Euros (EUR)	0.9209	0.8264
Polish zloty (PLN)	3.9464	3.5401

	For the year
	ended December 31,			% Change
Average Rates	2015	2014	2013	2015/2014	2014/2013
Canadian dollar (CAD)	1.2786	1.1046	1.0302	(15.8%)	(7.2%)
Euros (EUR)	0.9014	0.7539	0.7532	(19.6%)	(0.1%)
Polish zloty (PLN)	3.7706	3.1558	3.1597	(19.5%)	0.1%
Source: Pacific Exchange Rate Service

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Comprehensive income (loss) includes the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on the values of the Company’s foreign investments.

Revenue Recognition And Promotional Allowances

Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances – Casino revenue is the aggregate net difference between gaming wins and losses, with liabilities recognized for chips in the customer’s possession. Hotel, bowling, food and beverage revenue is recognized when products are delivered or services are performed. Pari-mutuel revenue is the aggregate difference between racing handle and payouts, with liabilities recognized for host fees and commissions. Management and consulting fees are recognized as revenue when services are provided. Advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer. The incremental amount of unpaid progressive jackpots is recorded as a liability and a reduction of casino revenue in the period during which the progressive jackpot increases. Revenue is recognized net of incentives related to gaming play and points earned in point-loyalty programs.

At the Company’s casinos in Edmonton and Calgary, the AGLC retains 85% of slot machine net win, of which 15% is allocated to licensed charities and 70% is allocated to the Alberta Lottery Fund. At Century Downs, the AGLC retains 33% of slot machine net win, which is allocated to the Alberta Lottery Fund, and HRA retains 23.25% of slot machine net win, which is used to fund horse racing programs. For all table games, excluding poker and craps, the casino is required to allocate 50% of its net win to a charity designated by the AGLC. For poker and craps, 25% of the casino’s net win is allocated to the charity. Century Casino & Hotel in Edmonton, Century Casino Calgary and Century Downs record revenue net of the amounts retained by the AGLC, HRA and charities.

Hotel accommodations and food and beverage furnished without charge to customers are included in gross revenue at retail value and are deducted as promotional allowances to arrive at net operating revenue. The Company issues coupons and downloadable promotional credits to customers for the purpose of generating future revenue. The value of coupons and downloadable promotional credits redeemed is applied against the revenue generated on the day of the redemption. The estimated cost of providing promotional allowances is included in casino expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2015,  2014, and 2013, the cost of providing promotional allowances were as follows:

	For the year
	ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Amounts in thousands
Hotel	$	59	$	90	$	82
Food and beverage		1,004		1,112		1,070
	$	1,063	$	1,202	$	1,152

Loyalty Programs

Loyalty Programs - Members of the Company’s casinos’ player clubs earn points based on, among other things, their volume of play at the Company’s casinos. Players can accumulate points over time that they may redeem at their discretion under the terms of the program. The Company records a liability based on the redemption value of the points earned, and records a corresponding reduction in casino revenue. Points can be redeemed for cash, downloadable promotional credits and/or various amenities at the casino, such as meals, hotel stays and gift shop items. The value of the points is offset against the revenue in the period in which the points were earned. The value of unused or unredeemed points is included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The expiration of unused points results in a reduction of the liability. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the outstanding balance of this liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of all option grants.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs – Advertising costs are expensed when incurred by the Company.Advertising costs were $1.7 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2015,2014 and 2013, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes, at a rate expected to be in effect when the differences become deductible or payable. Recorded deferred tax assets are evaluated for impairment by reviewing internal estimates for future taxable income. Due to the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company had deferred tax assets of $6.0 million resulting from net operating losses in the U.S. and $2.0million resulting from one of the Company’s Canadian properties (see Note 11). The Company will assess the continuing need for a valuation allowance that results from uncertainty regarding its ability to realize the benefits of the Company’s deferred tax assets. Further, the Company’s implementation of certain tax strategies could reduce the need for a valuation allowance in the future. 

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share – The calculation of basic earnings per share considers the weighted average outstanding common shares in the computation. The calculation of diluted earnings per share also gives effect to all potentially dilutive securities. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus, if dilutive, the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method. Weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

	For the year
	ended December 31,
Amounts in thousands	2015		2014		2013
Weighted average common shares, basic		24,395		24,381		24,052
Dilutive effect of stock options		40		38		161
Weighted average common shares, diluted		24,435		24,419		24,213

The following stock options are anti-dilutive and have not been included in the weighted- average shares outstanding calculation:

	For the year
	ended December 31,
Amounts in thousands	2015		2014		2013
Stock options		1,438		1,505		68