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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures and information normally required in audited financial statements.
We believe the disclosures made are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. However, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC.
All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been included.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020.
Principles of Consolidation and Non-controlling Interest
Principles of Consolidation and Non-controlling Interest
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our Operating Partnership, and the subsidiaries in which we or our Operating Partnership has a controlling interest, which includes a single variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest and VIEs for which we or one of our consolidated subsidiaries is the primary beneficiary.
We present non-controlling interest and classify such interest as a component of consolidated stockholders’ equity, separate from VICI stockholders’ equity. Our non-controlling interest represents a 20% third-party ownership of Harrah’s Joliet LandCo LLC, the entity that owns the Harrah’s Joliet facility and is the lessor under the related Joliet Lease Agreement.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash consists of cash-on-hand and cash-in-bank. Any investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase are considered cash equivalents and are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Investments with an original maturity of greater than three months and less than one year from the date of purchase are considered short-term investments and are stated at fair value.
As of June 30, 2020, restricted cash was solely related to funds held in escrow from the February 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes offering, which were subsequently released from escrow and used to consummate the Eldorado Transaction on July 20, 2020. As of June 30, 2019, restricted cash was primarily comprised of funds paid by us into a restricted account for a lender required furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement reserve for the CPLV CMBS Debt.
Short-Term Investments Short-Term InvestmentsWe generally invest our excess cash in short-term investment grade commercial paper as well as discount notes issued by government-sponsored enterprises including the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and certain of the Federal Home Loan Banks. These investments generally have original maturities between 91 and 180 days and are accounted for as available for sale securities.
Investments in Leases and Loans, net
Investments in Leases - Direct Financing and Sales-Type, Net
We account for our investments in leases under ASC 842 “Leases” (“ASC 842”). Upon lease inception or lease modification, we assess lease classification to determine whether the lease should be classified as a direct financing, sales-type or operating lease. As required by ASC 842, we separately assess the land and building components of the property to determine the classification of each component, unless the impact of doing so is immaterial. If the lease component is determined to be a direct financing or sales-type lease, we record a net investment in the lease, which is equal to the sum of the lease receivable and the unguaranteed residual asset, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. Any difference between the fair value of the asset and the net investment in the lease is considered selling profit or loss and is either recognized upon execution of the lease or deferred and recognized over the life of the lease, depending on the classification of the lease. Due to the nature of our assets, the net investment in the lease is generally equal to the purchase price of the asset, and the land and building components of an investment generally have the same lease classification.
Upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, we made an accounting policy election to use a package of practical expedients that, among other things, allow us to not reassess prior lease classifications or initial direct costs for leases that existed as of the balance sheet date. As such, we did not reassess the classification of our Caesars Lease Agreements, as these leases existed prior to our adoption of ASC 842.
Prior to the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, the Caesars Lease Agreements continued to be accounted for as direct financing leases and were included within Investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type, net on the Balance Sheet, with the exception of the land component of Caesars Palace Las Vegas which was determined to be an operating lease and was included in Investments in leases - operating on the Balance Sheet. The income recognition for our direct financing leases recognized under ASC 840 was consistent with the income recognition for our sales-type lease under ASC 842.
Upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction on July 20, 2020, we modified the CPLV Lease Agreement, HLV Lease Agreement, Non-CPLV Lease Agreement and Joliet Lease Agreement, which included amending certain of the lease terms, and combining the CPLV Lease Agreement and HLV Lease Agreement into the Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement and replacing the Non-CPLV Lease Agreement with the Regional Master Lease Agreement. Upon modification, we prospectively reassessed the lease classification of the Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement, Regional Master Lease Agreement and Joliet Lease Agreement and determined the leases meet the definition of a sales-type lease, including the land component of Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Accordingly, we will reclassify the land component of Caesars Palace Las Vegas from Investments in leases - operating to Investments in leases - sales-type. Further, as a result of the reclassifications of the Caesars Lease Agreements from direct financing and operating leases to sales-type leases subsequent to June 30, 2020, we will be required to record the investments at their estimated fair values as of the modification date and recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference in fair value of the asset and its carrying value immediately prior to the modification. Subsequent to the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, we will no longer have any leases classified as direct financing or operating and, as such, there will no longer be any amounts recorded through Investments in leases - operating. Refer to Note 4 - Property Transactions for further discussion surrounding the lease modifications.
We have determined that the land and building components of the Margaritaville Lease Agreement, the Greektown Lease Agreement, the Hard Rock Cincinnati Lease Agreement and the Century Portfolio Lease Agreement meet the definition of a sales-type lease under ASC 842.
Investments in Leases - Financing Receivables, net
For leases determined to be sales-type leases, we further assess to determine whether the transaction is considered a sale leaseback transaction. If we determine that the lease meets the definition for a sale leaseback transaction, the lease is considered a lease financing receivable and is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310 “Receivables” (“ASC 310”). The accounting for a lease as an investment in leases - financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type under ASC 842. We determined that the land and building components of the JACK Cleveland/Thistledown Lease Agreement meets the definition of a sales-type lease and further meets the definition for a sale leaseback transaction. As such, the JACK Cleveland/Thistledown Lease Agreement is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310 and presented as Investments in leases - financing receivables on our Balance Sheet, net of allowance for credit losses.
Upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction on July 20, 2020, and reassessment of the classification of the Caesars Lease Agreements, as described above, we determined that the MTA Properties Acquisitions, as defined in Note 4 - Property Transaction, meet the definition of a separate contract under ASC 842. In accordance with this guidance, we are required to separately assess the lease classification apart from the other assets in the Regional Master Lease Agreement. We determined that the MTA Properties (as defined in Note 4 - Property Transactions) will meet the definition of a sales-type lease and will further meet the definition of a sale leaseback transaction under ASC 842. Accordingly, subsequent to July 20, 2020, the MTA Properties will be accounted for as Investments in leases - financing receivables in accordance with ASC 310.
Investments in Loans, net
Investments in loans, representing our investment in the ROV Loan (as defined in Note 4 - Property Transactions), are held-for-investment and are carried at historical cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees and allowances for credit losses. Income is recognized on an effective interest basis at a constant rate of return over the life of the related loan.
Lease Term
We assess the noncancelable lease term under ASC 842, which includes any reasonably assured renewal periods. All of our Lease Agreements provide for an initial term, with multiple tenant renewal options. We have individually assessed all of our Lease Agreements and concluded that the lease term includes all of the periods covered by extension options as it is reasonably certain our tenants will renew the Lease Agreements. We believe our tenants are economically compelled to renew the Lease
Agreements due to the importance of our real estate to the operation of their business, the significant capital they have invested in our properties and the lack of suitable replacement assets.  
Income from Leases and Lease Financing Receivables
We recognize the related income from our direct financing leases, sales-type leases and lease financing receivables on an effective interest basis at a constant rate of return over the terms of the applicable leases. As a result, the cash payments accounted for under direct financing leases, sales-type leases and lease financing receivables will not equal income from our Lease Agreements. Rather, a portion of the cash rent we receive is recorded as Income from direct financing and sales-type leases or Income from lease financing receivables and loans, as applicable, in our Statement of Operations and a portion is recorded as a change to Investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type, net or Investments in leases - financing receivables, net, as applicable.
Under ASC 840, we determined that the land component of Caesars Palace Las Vegas was greater than 25% of the overall fair value of the combined land and building components. At lease inception the land was determined to be an operating lease and we recorded the related income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The amount of annual minimum lease payments attributable to the land element after deducting executory costs, including any profit thereon, was determined by applying the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate to the value of the land. Revenue from this lease was recorded as Income from operating leases in our Statement of Operations. Upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction on July 20, 2020, the land component of Caesars Palace Las Vegas was reassessed for lease classification and determined to be a sales-type lease. Accordingly, subsequent to July 20, 2020, the income will be recognized as Income from sales-type leases.
Initial direct costs incurred in connection with entering into investments classified as direct financing or sales-type leases are included in the balance of the net investment in lease. Such amounts will be recognized as a reduction to Income from investments in leases over the life of the lease using the effective interest method. Costs that would have been incurred regardless of whether the lease was signed, such as legal fees and certain other third-party fees, are expensed as incurred to Transaction and acquisition expenses in our Statement of Operations.
Loan origination fees and costs incurred in connection with entering into investments classified as lease financing receivables are included in the balance of the net investment and such amounts will be recognized as a reduction to Income from investments in loans and lease financing receivables over the life of the lease using the effective interest method.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASC 326 - “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”) which requires that we measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”) for the majority of our investments, the scope of which includes our investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type, investment in leases - financing receivables and investments in loans.
We have elected to use a discounted cash flow model to estimate the CECL allowance. This model requires us to develop cash flows which project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan and discount these cash flows at the asset’s effective interest rate. We then record a CECL allowance equal to the difference between the amortized cost basis of the asset and the present value of the expected cash flows.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our tenants and their parent guarantors over the life of each individual lease or financial asset. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD of our tenants and their parent guarantors. The PD and LGD are estimated during a reasonable and supportable period for which we believe we are able to estimate future economic conditions (the “R&S Period”) and a long-term period for which we revert to long-term historical averages (the “Long-term Period”). The PD and LGD estimates for the R&S Period are developed using the current financial condition of the tenant and applied to a projection of economic conditions over a two-year term. The PD and LGD for the Long-term Period are estimated using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of public companies over the past 35 years that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to our tenants and their parent guarantors. We were unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as we have no loss history to date.
The CECL allowance is recorded as a reduction to our net Investments in leases - direct financing and sales type, Investments in leases - financing receivables and Investments in loans on our Balance Sheet. We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Statement of Operations for the relevant period. Finally, each time we make a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we are required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Statement of Operations for the relevant period.
To the extent we have contractual commitments to extend credit, such as those under revolving credit facilities, we are required to estimate a CECL allowance related to these future funding commitments. The CECL allowance related to these future commitments is recorded as a component of Other liabilities on our Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2020, we did not have any contractual commitments to extend credit.
Write-offs are deducted from the allowance in the period in which they are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries previously written off are recorded when received. There were no write-offs or recoveries for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.
Impairment
Impairment
We assess our investments in operating leases, land and property and equipment used in operations for impairment under ASC 360 - “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”) on a quarterly basis or whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment of the carrying value of the asset. Events or circumstances that may occur include changes in management’s intended holding period or potential sale to a third party, significant changes in real estate market conditions or tenant financial difficulties resulting in non-payment of the lease.
Impairments are measured as the amount by which the current book value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. With respect to estimated expected future cash flows for determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows.
Tenant Reimbursements
Other income and Other expenses
Other income primarily represents sub-lease income related to certain ground and use leases, the cost of which is passed to our tenants through the Lease Agreements, which require the tenants to pay all costs associated with such ground and use leases and provides for their direct payment to the landlord. This income and the related expense are recorded on a gross basis in our Statement of Operations as required under GAAP as we are the primary obligor under the ground and use leases.
We previously recorded the sub-lease income as a component of General and administrative expenses on a net basis with the sub-lease expense. In the prior quarter, we re-classified these amounts to be presented gross in Other income with an offsetting amount in Other expenses within the Statement of Operations.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
We measure the fair value of financial instruments based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, a fair value hierarchy distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. In accordance with the fair value hierarchy, Level 1 assets/liabilities are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets, Level 2 assets/liabilities are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, on quoted prices in less active or inactive markets or on other “observable” market inputs, and Level 3 assets/liabilities are valued based significantly on “unobservable” market inputs.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
We record our derivative financial instruments as either Other assets or Other liabilities on our Balance Sheet at fair value.
The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows are considered cash flow hedges. We formally document our hedge relationships and designation at the contract’s inception. This documentation includes the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives, strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction and our evaluation of the effectiveness of its hedged transaction.
On a quarterly basis, we also assess whether the derivative we designated in each hedging relationship is expected to be, and has been, highly effective in offsetting changes in the value or cash flows of the hedged items. If it is determined that a
derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued and the changes in fair value of the instrument are included in net income prospectively. If the hedge relationship is terminated, then the value of the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized in earnings when the cash flows that were hedged affect earnings. Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments that qualify as hedges are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated financial statements.
We use derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of interest rate volatility inherent in our variable rate debt, which could unfavorably impact our future earnings and forecasted cash flows. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Pre-Merger Caesars was the guarantor of all the lease payment obligations of the tenants under the respective leases of the properties that it leases from us, with the exception of Harrah’s Las Vegas, which was guaranteed by a subsidiary of Pre-Merger Caesars. In connection with the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, Caesars replaced Pre-Merger Caesars as guarantor of all of the Caesars Lease Agreements. Revenue from the Caesars Lease Agreements represented 80% and 81% of our lease revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and 95% and 96% of our lease revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Additionally, our properties on the Las Vegas Strip generated approximately 28% and 29% of our lease revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and 34% and 34% of our lease revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Other than having a single tenant from which we derive and will continue to derive a substantial portion of our revenue and our concentration in the Las Vegas market, we do not believe there are any other significant concentrations of credit risk.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted and Not Yet Adopted
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 - Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) - June 2016 (as amended through February 2020): This amended guidance changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including direct financing and sales-type leases, that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance replaces the current “incurred loss” model with an “expected loss” approach, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowance for credit losses.
As a result of the guidance, we are required to estimate and record non-cash credit losses related to our Investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type, Investments in lease - financing receivables and loans and expand our credit quality disclosures. The new standard did not materially impact any of our other financial assets or instruments that we currently have on our Balance Sheet.
We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach method of adoption. Under this method we recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to our opening Balance Sheet as a reduction in our Investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type and a corresponding charge to retained (deficit) earnings. Such amount was determined by applying our methodology for estimating allowances for credit losses to our existing Investments in leases - direct financing and sales-type as of January 1, 2020, which resulted in a $309.4 million cumulative adjustment, representing a 2.88% credit allowance upon adoption. Periods prior to the adoption date that are presented for comparative purposes are not adjusted.
Each time we enter into a new direct financing or sales-type lease, lease financing receivable or loan, we will be required to estimate a credit allowance which will result in a non-cash charge to the Statement of Operations and a corresponding reduction in our net investment in the asset. Finally, each reporting period we are required to update the estimated allowance for any estimated changes in the credit loss, with the resulting change being recorded on the Statement of Operations and a corresponding change in our net investment in the asset.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet AdoptedASU No. 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - March 2020: This amended guidance contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. Specifically, the amendment provides accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. We continue to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply the elections as and when applicable.