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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PENN Entertainment, 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 entities (“VOEs”) or variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period presentation.
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 provision for credit losses, income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, indemnification liabilities associated with certain tax matters, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities, the liabilities associated with our PENN PlayTM program, the initial measurements of financing obligations and lease liabilities associated with our 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 inclusive of financing arrangements in which the Company receives up-front cash proceeds, and stock-based compensation expense. We applied estimation methods consistently for all periods presented within our Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Segment Information: We have five reportable segments: Northeast, South, West, Midwest, and Interactive. Our gaming and racing properties are grouped by geographic location and each is viewed as an operating segment with the exception of our two properties in Jackpot, Nevada, which are viewed as one operating segment. We consider our combined Video Gaming Terminal (“VGT”) operations, by state, to be separate operating segments. Interactive includes all of our online sports betting, online casino/iCasino, and social gaming (collectively referred to as “online gaming”) operations, management of retail sports betting, media, and the operating results of Barstool. We owned 36% of Barstool common stock prior to the February 17, 2023 Barstool Acquisition (as defined in Note 6, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”) pursuant to which we acquired the remaining 64% of Barstool common stock. On August 8, 2023, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with David Portnoy (the “Barstool SPA”), and we sold 100% of the outstanding shares of Barstool common stock. See Note 18, “Segment Information” and Note
12, Leases for further segment and lease structure information, respectively. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
LocationReal Estate Assets Lease or Ownership Structure
Northeast segment
Ameristar East ChicagoEast Chicago, IndianaPinnacle Master Lease
Hollywood Casino BangorBangor, MaineAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town RacesCharles Town, West VirginiaAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino ColumbusColumbus, Ohio2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino at GreektownDetroit, MichiganGreektown Lease
Hollywood Casino LawrenceburgLawrenceburg, IndianaAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino MorgantownMorgantown, Pennsylvania
Morgantown Lease (1)
Hollywood Casino at PENN National Race CourseGrantville, PennsylvaniaAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino PerryvillePerryville, Maryland2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino at The MeadowsWashington, Pennsylvania2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino ToledoToledo, Ohio2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino YorkYork, PennsylvaniaOperating Lease (not with REIT Landlord)
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton RacewayDayton, OhioAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race CourseYoungstown, OhioAR PENN Master Lease
Marquee by PENN (2)
PennsylvaniaN/A
Plainridge Park CasinoPlainville, MassachusettsPinnacle Master Lease
South segment
1st Jackpot Casino
Tunica, MississippiAR PENN Master Lease
Ameristar VicksburgVicksburg, MississippiPinnacle Master Lease
Boomtown BiloxiBiloxi, MississippiAR PENN Master Lease
Boomtown Bossier CityBossier City, LouisianaPinnacle Master Lease
Boomtown New OrleansNew Orleans, LouisianaPinnacle Master Lease
Hollywood Casino Gulf CoastBay St. Louis, MississippiAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino TunicaTunica, MississippiAR PENN Master Lease
L’Auberge Baton RougeBaton Rouge, LouisianaPinnacle Master Lease
L’Auberge Lake CharlesLake Charles, LouisianaPinnacle Master Lease
Margaritaville Resort CasinoBossier City, LouisianaMargaritaville Lease
West segment
Ameristar Black HawkBlack Hawk, ColoradoPinnacle Master Lease
Cactus Petes and HorseshuJackpot, NevadaPinnacle Master Lease
M Resort Spa CasinoHenderson, Nevada2023 Master Lease
Zia Park CasinoHobbs, New MexicoAR PENN Master Lease
Midwest segment
Ameristar Council BluffsCouncil Bluffs, IowaPinnacle Master Lease
Argosy Casino Alton (3)
Alton, IllinoisAR PENN Master Lease
Argosy Casino RiversideRiverside, MissouriAR PENN Master Lease
Hollywood Casino AuroraAurora, Illinois2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino JolietJoliet, Illinois2023 Master Lease
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway (4)
Kansas City, KansasOwned - Joint Venture
Hollywood Casino St. LouisMaryland Heights, MissouriAR PENN Master Lease
Prairie State Gaming (2)
IllinoisN/A
River City CasinoSt. Louis, MissouriPinnacle Master Lease
(1)Upon termination of the Morgantown Lease, ownership of the constructed building and all tenant improvements will transfer from the Company to GLPI.
(2)VGT route operations.
(3)The riverboat is owned by us and not subject to the AR PENN Master Lease.
(4)Pursuant to a joint venture with NASCAR Holdings LLC (“NASCAR”) and includes the Company’s 50% investment in Kansas Entertainment, LLC (“Kansas Entertainment”), which owns Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all cash balances and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk: Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s policy is to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution, and place investments with financial institutions evaluated as being creditworthy, or in short-term money market and tax-free bond funds which are exposed to minimal interest rate and credit risk. The Company has bank deposits and overnight repurchase agreements that exceed federally-insured limits.
Concentration of credit risk, with respect to casino receivables, is limited through the Company’s credit evaluation process. The Company issues markers to approved casino customers following investigations of creditworthiness. The Company utilizes a forward-looking current expected credit loss model to measure the provision for credit losses.
The Company’s receivables as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 primarily consisted of the following:
December 31,
(in millions)20232022
Markers and returned checks$14.3 $13.1 
Payment processors, credit card, and other advances to customers117.2 80.2 
Receivables from ATM and cash kiosk transactions39.3 26.1 
Hotel and banquet4.9 4.7 
Racing settlements10.2 8.0 
Online gaming and licensing receivables from third party operators, including taxes77.4 62.7 
Media receivables16.0 15.0 
Other43.9 45.7 
Provision for credit losses(4.2)(8.5)
Accounts receivable, net$319.0 $247.0 
Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Capital expenditures are accounted for as either project capital (new facilities or expansions) or maintenance (replacement). Project capital expenditures are for fixed asset additions associated with constructing new facilities, or expansions of existing facilities. Maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost-effective to repair. Maintenance and repairs that neither add materially to the value of the asset nor appreciably prolong its useful life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in the determination of income.
The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are determined based on the nature of the assets as well as the Company’s current operating strategy. Depreciation of property and equipment is recorded using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the related lease term, if any, as follows:
 Years
Land improvements15
Buildings and improvements
5 to 31
Vessels
10 to 31
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
1 to 31
All costs funded by the Company considered to be an improvement to the real estate assets subject to any of our Triple Net Leases are recorded as leasehold improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the related lease term.
The Company reviews the carrying amount of its property and equipment for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other regulatory and economic factors. For purposes of recognizing and measuring impairment, assets are grouped at the individual property level representing the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying amount of property and equipment, we must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets. Such an impairment loss would be recognized as a non-cash component of operating income. See Note 8, “Property and Equipment.”
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the future economic benefits of a business combination measured as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired and has been allocated to our reporting units. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on October 1st of each year, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. For the quantitative goodwill impairment test, an income approach, in which a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model is utilized, and a market-based approach using guideline public company multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) from the Company’s peer group are utilized in order to estimate the fair market value of the Company’s reporting units. In determining the carrying amount of each reporting unit that utilizes real estate assets subject to our Triple Net Leases, if and as applicable, (i) the Company allocates each reporting unit their pro-rata portion of the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, lease liabilities, and/or financing obligations, and (ii) pushes down the carrying amount of the property and equipment subject to such leases. The Company compares the fair value of its reporting units to the carrying amounts. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment is recorded equal to the amount of the excess (not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit).
We consider our gaming licenses, trademarks, and certain other intangible assets to be indefinite-lived based on our future expectations to operate our gaming properties indefinitely as well as our historical experience in renewing these intangible assets at minimal cost with various state commissions. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment on October 1st of each year, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the recorded assets to their carrying amount. If the carrying amounts of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceed their fair value, an impairment is recognized. The Company completes its testing of its indefinite-lived intangible assets prior to assessing the realizability of its goodwill.
The Company assesses the fair value of its gaming licenses using the Greenfield Method under the income approach, which estimates the fair value using a DCF model assuming the Company built a casino with similar utility to that of the existing casino. The method assumes a theoretical start-up company going into business without any assets other than the intangible asset being valued. The Company assesses the fair value of its trademarks using the relief-from-royalty method under the income approach. The principle behind this method is that the value of the trademark is equal to the present value of the after-tax royalty savings attributable to the owned trademark.
Other intangible assets that have a definite-life, including gaming technology and media technology, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or related service contract. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its amortizing intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Should events and circumstances indicate amortizing intangible assets may not be recoverable, the Company performs a test for recoverability whereby estimated undiscounted cash flows are compared to the carrying values of the assets. Should the estimated undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairments are recorded. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying values, an impairment is recorded based on the fair value of the asset, typically measured using either a discounted cash flow or replacement cost approach.
Once an impairment of goodwill or other intangible asset has been recorded, it cannot be reversed. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
Equity Securities: The Company’s equity securities (including warrants) are measured at fair value each reporting period with unrealized gains and losses included in current period earnings. The Company records realized and unrealized gains and losses in “Other” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Convertible Debt: Our Convertible Notes (as defined within Note 11, “Long-term Debt”) are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” (“ASC 470-20”). Prior to January 1, 2022, pursuant to ASC 470‑20, we accounted for the Convertible Notes using the separate liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument. The equity component was included in “Additional paid-in capital” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the issuance date and the value of the equity component was treated as a debt discount. Effective January 1, 2022, we adopted ASU 2020-06, using the modified retrospective approach. As a result, the Convertible Notes are accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost, as no other embedded features require bifurcation. See Note 11, “Long-term Debt” for additional information.
Financing Obligations: In accordance with ASC 842, “ Leases” (“ASC 842”), for transactions in which the Company enters into a contract to sell an asset and leases it back from the seller under a sale and leaseback transaction, the Company must
determine whether control of the asset has transferred from the Company. In cases whereby control has not transferred from the Company, we continue to recognize the underlying asset as “Property and equipment, net” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is then depreciated over the shorter of the remaining useful life or lease term. Additionally, a financial liability is recognized and referred to as a financing obligation, in accordance with ASC 470, “Debt” (“ASC 470”). The accounting for financing obligations under ASC 470 is materially consistent with the accounting for finance leases under ASC 842. The Company recognizes interest expense on the minimum lease payments related to a financing obligation under the effective yield method. Contingent payments are recorded to interest expense as incurred. Principal payments associated with financing obligations are presented as financing cash outflows and interest payments associated with financing obligations are presented as operating cash outflows within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For more information, see Note 8, “Property and Equipment” and Note 12, “Leases.”
We concluded that certain components contained within the Master Leases and the Morgantown Lease are required to be accounted for as financing obligations on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 842, as control of the underlying assets were not considered to have transferred from the Company.
Operating and Finance Leases: The Company determines if a contract is or contains a leasing element at contract inception or the date in which a modification of an existing contract occurs. In order for a contract to be considered a lease, the contract must transfer the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is determined to have occurred if the lessee has the right to (i) obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use and (ii) direct the use of the identified asset.
In accordance with ASC 842, we elected the following policies: (a) to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for all classes of underlying assets and (b) to not recognize short-term leases (i.e., leases that are less than 12 months and do not contain purchase options) within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the expense related to these short-term leases recorded in total operating expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company has leasing arrangements that contain both lease and non-lease components. We account for both the lease and non-lease components as a single component for all classes of underlying assets. In determining the present value of lease payments at lease commencement date, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available, unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable. The liability for operating and finance leases is based on the present value of future lease payments. Operating lease expenses are primarily recorded as rent expense, which are included within “General and administrative” within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and presented as operating cash outflows within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Finance lease expenses are recorded as depreciation expense, which is included within “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the lease term. Principal payments associated with finance leases are presented as financing cash outflows and interest payments associated with finance leases are presented as operating cash outflows within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
ROU assets are monitored for potential impairment similar to the Company’s property and equipment, using the impairment model in ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. If the Company determines the carrying amount of a ROU asset is not recoverable, it would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value.
Debt Discount and Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs that are incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual term of the underlying indebtedness. These costs are classified as a direct reduction of long-term debt within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Self-Insurance Reserves: The Company is self-insured for employee health coverage, general liability and workers’ compensation up to certain stop-loss amounts (for general liability and workers’ compensation). We use a reserve method for each reported claim plus an allowance for claims incurred but not yet reported to a fully-developed claims reserve method based on an actuarial computation of ultimate liability. Self-insurance reserves are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contingent Purchase Price: The consideration for the Company’s acquisitions may include future payments that are contingent upon the occurrence of a particular event. We record an obligation for such contingent payments at fair value as of the acquisition date. We revalue our contingent purchase price obligations each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of the contingent purchase price obligation can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the discount rate and changes in the assumed probabilities of successful achievement of certain financial targets. The changes in the fair value of contingent purchase price are recognized within our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of “General and administrative” expense.
Income Taxes: Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and are measured at the prevailing enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences are settled or realized. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not (a greater than 50% probability) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The realizability of the net deferred tax assets is evaluated quarterly by assessing the valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of the allowance, if necessary. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including projected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. The evaluation of both positive and negative evidence is a requirement pursuant to ASC 740 in determining more-likely-than-not the net deferred tax assets will be realized. In the event the Company determines that the deferred tax assets would be realized in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
ASC 740 also creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions and clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. See Note 14, “Income Taxes.”
Revenue Recognition: Our revenue from contracts with customers consists primarily of gaming wagers, inclusive of sports betting and iCasino products, food and beverage transactions, hotel room sales, retail transactions, racing wagers, and third-party revenue sharing agreements. See Note 5, “Revenue Disaggregation” for information on our revenue by type and geographic location.
The transaction price for a gaming wagering contract is the difference between gaming wins and losses, not the total amount wagered. The transaction price for food and beverage, hotel, and retail contracts is the net amount collected from the customer for such goods and services. Sales tax and other taxes collected on behalf of governmental authorities are accounted for on the net basis and are not included in revenues or expenses. The transaction price for our racing operations, inclusive of live racing events conducted at our racing facilities and our import and export arrangements, is the commission received from the pari-mutuel pool less contractual fees and obligations primarily consisting of purse funding requirements, simulcasting fees, tote fees and certain pari-mutuel taxes that are directly related to the racing operations. The transaction price for our management service contracts is the amount collected for services rendered in accordance with the contractual terms. 
Gaming revenue contracts involve two performance obligations for those customers earning points under our PENN PlayTM program and a single performance obligation for customers that do not participate in the PENN PlayTM program. The Company applies a practical expedient by accounting for its gaming contracts on a portfolio basis as opposed to an individual wagering contract. For purposes of allocating the transaction price in a gaming contract between the wagering performance obligation and the obligation associated with the loyalty points earned, we allocate an amount to the loyalty point contract liability based on the standalone selling price (“SSP”) of the points earned, which is determined by the value of a point that can be redeemed for slot play and complimentaries such as, food and beverage at our restaurants, lodging at our hotels and products offered at our PENN PlayTM mall and retail stores, less estimated breakage. The allocated revenue for gaming wagers is recognized when the wagering occurs as all such wagers settle immediately. The liability associated with the loyalty points is deferred and recognized as revenue when the customer redeems the loyalty points for slot play and complimentaries and such goods and services are delivered to the customer.
Food and beverage, hotel, and retail services have been determined to be separate, standalone performance obligations and the transaction price for such contracts is recorded as revenue as the good or service is transferred to the customer over their stay at the hotel or when the delivery is made for the food and beverage or retail product. Cancellation fees for hotel and meeting space services are recognized upon cancellation by the customer and are included in food, beverage, hotel, and other revenue within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Racing revenue contracts, inclusive of our (i) host racing facilities, (ii) import arrangements that permit us to simulcast in live racing events occurring at other racetracks, and (iii) export arrangements that permit our live racing events to be simulcast at other racetracks, provide access to and the processing of wagers into the pari-mutuel pool. The Company has concluded it is not the controlling entity to the arrangement, but rather functions as an agent to the pari-mutuel pool. Commissions earned from the pari-mutuel pool less contractual fees and obligations are recognized on a net basis, which is included within food, beverage, hotel, and other revenues within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Management services have been determined to be separate, standalone performance obligations and the transaction price for such contracts are recorded as services are performed. The Company records revenues on a monthly basis calculated by applying the contractual rate called for in the contracts.
In addition to sports betting and iCasino revenues, PENN Interactive generates in-app purchase and advertising revenues from free-to-play social casino games, which can be downloaded to mobile phones and tablets from digital storefronts. Players can purchase virtual playing credits within our social casino games, which allows for increased playing opportunities and functionality. PENN Interactive records deferred revenue from the sale of virtual playing credits and recognizes this revenue over the average redemption period of the credits, which is generally one day. Advertising revenues are recognized in the period when the advertising impression, click, or install delivery occurs. 
PENN Interactive also enters into multi-year agreements with sports betting operators for online sports betting and iCasino market access (“Skins”) across our portfolio, of which the Company generally receives upfront (i) cash or (ii) cash and equity securities. Additionally, in consideration for the use of each Skin, the Company receives a monthly revenue share amount of the revenues earned by the operators less contractual fees and obligations primarily consisting of taxes, promotional credits, data fees and player costs.
The market access provided to operators by jurisdiction and by activity represent separate performance obligations. The transaction price includes fixed fees for access to certain geographic markets and variable consideration in the form of a monthly revenue share, annual minimum guarantee amounts, and reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses including jurisdictional gaming taxes. The upfront and fixed access fees relate solely to distinct markets and are allocated to the performance obligations specific to those markets. Market access fees are recognized as revenue over the term of the related market access agreement which commences upon the online launch of the activity by the third-party operator. Monthly revenue share and annual minimum guarantee variable consideration relate directly to the Company’s efforts to satisfy each individual performance obligation and, as such, is allocated to each performance obligation. Revenues from monthly revenue shares are recognized in the period in which the revenue was earned by our third-party operators. Minimum guarantee revenue is deferred at the end of the period in which it relates and subsequently recognized as revenue over the remaining term of the market access agreement. The Company also recognizes revenue for reimbursements of certain out-of-pocket expenses, including license fees and jurisdictional gaming taxes. The Company has elected the “right to invoice” practical expedient and recognizes revenue upon incurring reimbursable costs, as appropriate.
Complimentaries Associated with Gaming Contracts
Food, beverage, hotel, and other services furnished to patrons for free as an inducement to gamble at our retail properties or through the redemption of our customers’ loyalty points are recorded as “Food, beverage, hotel, and other” revenues at their estimated standalone selling prices, with an offset recorded as a reduction to “Gaming” revenues. The cost of providing complimentary goods and services to patrons as an inducement to gamble as well as for the fulfillment of our loyalty point obligation is included in “Food, beverage, hotel, and other” expenses. Revenues recorded to “Food, beverage, hotel, and other” and offset to “Gaming” revenues were as follows:
For the year ended December 31,
(in millions)202320222021
Food and beverage$215.5 $209.5 $173.7 
Hotel139.0 138.3 125.4 
Other12.4 12.3 10.2 
Total complimentaries associated with gaming contracts$366.9 $360.1 $309.3 
Additionally, the Company provides discretionary complimentaries in the form of online casino gaming slots and table games and online sports betting free play bonuses. Free play bonuses provided to patrons indirectly contribute to the gaming revenue earned by the Company and are recorded as a reduction of “Gaming” revenues.
Customer-related Liabilities
The Company has three general types of liabilities related to contracts with customers: (i) the obligation associated with its PENN PlayTM program (loyalty points and tier status benefits), (ii) advance payments on goods and services yet to be provided and for unpaid wagers, and (iii) deferred revenue associated with third-party online sports betting and/or iCasino for online sports betting and iCasino market access.
Our PENN PlayTM program connects the Company’s brands under one loyalty program and allows members to earn loyalty points, or “PENN Cash,” redeemable for slot play and complimentaries, such as food and beverage at our restaurants, lodging at our hotels, the PENN PlayTM redemption marketplace that features popular retailers, and products offered at our retail stores across the vast majority of our properties. In addition, members of the PENN PlayTM program earn credit toward tier status, which entitles them to receive certain other benefits, such as priority access, discounts, gifts, trips to PENN destinations, partner experiences, and PENN Cash. The obligation associated with our PENN PlayTM program, which is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $33.1 million and $39.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and consisted principally of the obligation associated with the loyalty points. Our loyalty point obligations are generally settled within six months of issuance. Changes between the opening and closing balances primarily relate to the timing of our customers’ election to redeem loyalty points as well as the timing of when our customers receive their earned tier status benefits.
The Company’s advance payments on goods and services yet to be provided and for unpaid wagers primarily consist of the following: (i) deposits on rooms and convention space, (ii) money deposited on behalf of a customer in advance of their property visit (referred to as “safekeeping” or “front money”), (iii) money deposited in an online wallet not yet wagered or wagered and not yet withdrawn, (iv) outstanding tickets generated by slot machine play, sports betting, or pari-mutuel wagering, (v) outstanding chip liabilities, (vi) unclaimed jackpots, and (vii) gift cards redeemable at our properties. Unpaid wagers generally represent obligations stemming from prior wagering events, of which revenue was previously recognized. The Company’s advance payments on goods and services yet to be provided and for unpaid wagers were $192.6 million and $125.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s deferred revenue is primarily related to PENN Interactive, our wholly-owned interactive division, which enters into multi-year agreements with third party online sports betting and/or iCasino operators for online sports betting and iCasino market access across our portfolio of properties. We recognized $21.6 million, $10.7 million, and $8.2 million of previously deferred revenue during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively. Deferred revenue primarily associated with third-party online sports betting and/or iCasino operators for online sports betting and iCasino market access, which is included in “Other long-term liabilities” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets was $39.0 million and $46.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Advertising: The Company expenses advertising costs the first time the advertising takes place or as incurred. Advertising expenses, which generally relate to media placement costs and are primarily included in “Gaming” expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations, were $173.3 million, $94.8 million, and $88.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Gaming and Pari-mutuel Taxes: We are subject to gaming and pari-mutuel taxes based on gross gaming revenue and pari-mutuel revenue in the jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as taxes on revenues derived from arrangements which allow for third-party online sports betting and/or iCasino partners to operate online sportsbooks and iCasinos under our gaming licenses. The Company primarily recognizes gaming and pari-mutuel tax expense based on the statutorily required percentage of revenue that is required to be paid to state, provincial and/or local jurisdictions in the states and provinces where or in which the wagering occurs. Also, included in gaming and pari-mutuel taxes are costs to support the operations of local regulatory authorities which some jurisdictions require us to pay. Gaming and pari-mutuel taxes are recorded in “Gaming” expenses or “Food, beverage, hotel, and other” expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and were $2.3 billion, $2.2 billion, and $2.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. Balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded to other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the year. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in “Other” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and all other non-stockholder changes in equity, or other comprehensive income (loss). The balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on debt securities.
Stock-Based Compensation: The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant-date fair value of the award and the expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The Company accounts for forfeitures in the period in which they occur based on actual amounts. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires us to make assumptions, including the
expected term, which is based on the contractual term of the stock option and historical exercise data of the Company’s employees; the risk-free interest rate, which is based on the U.S. Treasury spot rate with a term equal to the expected term assumed at the grant date; the expected volatility, which is estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected term assumed at the grant date; and the expected dividend yield, which is zero since we have not historically paid dividends. See Note 16, “Stock-based Compensation.”
Earnings (Loss) Per Share: Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income or loss applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution, if any, for all potentially-dilutive securities such as warrants, stock options, unvested restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (collectively with RSAs, “restricted stock”), outstanding convertible preferred stock, and convertible debt.
Holders of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock (as defined in Note 7, “Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates”) were entitled to participate equally and ratably in all dividends and distributions paid to holders of PENN common stock irrespective of any vesting requirement. Accordingly, the Series D Preferred Stock shares were considered a participating security, and the Company was required to apply the two-class method to consider the impact of the preferred shares on the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. The previous holders of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock were not obligated to absorb losses; therefore, in reporting periods where the Company was in a net loss position, it did not apply the two-class method. In reporting periods where the Company was in a net income position, the two-class method was applied by allocating all earnings during the period to common shares and preferred shares. See Note 17, “Earnings (Loss) per Share” for more information. As discussed in Note 15, “Stockholders’ Equity,” all remaining outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock became eligible for the conversion and were converted to common stock during the third quarter of 2023. There are no outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock as of December 31, 2023.
Guarantees and Indemnifications: The Company accounts for indemnity obligations in accordance with the ASC 460-20, “Contingencies” and records a liability at fair value. Pursuant to the Barstool SPA, as described in Note 6, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” the Company agreed to indemnify Barstool and its subsidiaries and David Portnoy for certain tax matters. The indemnity provisions generally provide for the Company’s control of defense and settlement of claims, as well as certain other costs associated with potential tax matters related to Barstool and its subsidiaries and David Portnoy. The Company has not previously incurred costs to settle claims under this indemnification obligation, nor did we did have a liability associated with this obligation as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $70.0 million in liabilities associated with this obligation. See Note 6, “Acquisitions and Dispositions” for more information.
Application of Business Combination Accounting: We utilize the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” which requires us to allocate the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value ascribed to tangible and identifiable intangible assets is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value ascribed to tangible and identifiable intangible assets changes during the measurement period (due to additional information being available and related Company analysis), the measurement period adjustment is recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined and offset against goodwill. The measurement period for our acquisitions is no more than one year in duration. See Note 6, “Acquisitions and Dispositions.”
Voting Interest Entities and Variable Interest Entities: The Company consolidates all subsidiaries or other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine if an entity should be evaluated for consolidation using the VOE model or the VIE model. Under the VOE model, controlling financial interest is generally defined as a majority ownership of voting rights. Under the VIE model, controlling financial interest is defined as (i) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For those entities that qualify as a VIE, the primary beneficiary is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. The Company consolidates the financial position and results of operations of every VOE in which it has a controlling financial interest and VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. See Note 7, “Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates.”