Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation, Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation, Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation, Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates that do not meet the consolidation criteria of the authoritative guidance for voting interest, controlling interest or variable interest entities (“VIEs”), are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our customer loyalty programs, the initial measurements of financing obligations associated with the Master Leases, projected cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and other intangible assets, projected cash flows in assessing the initial valuation of intangible assets in conjunction with acquisitions, the initial selection of useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets in conjunction with acquisitions, contingencies and litigation, and the expected term of stock-based compensation awards and stock price volatility when computing stock-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.