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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments Capital Spending and Development We continually perform on-going refurbishment and maintenance at our facilities to maintain our standards of quality. Certain of these maintenance costs are capitalized, if such improvement or refurbishment extends the life of the related asset, while other maintenance costs that do not so qualify are expensed as incurred. The commitment of capital and the related timing thereof are contingent upon, among other things, negotiation of final agreements and receipt of approvals from the appropriate regulatory bodies. We must also comply with covenants and restrictions set forth in our debt agreements. Echelon In August 2008, we announced the delay of our multibillion dollar Echelon development project on the Las Vegas Strip. At that time, we did not anticipate the long-term effects of the current economic downturn, evidenced by lower occupancy rates, declining room rates and reduced consumer spending across the country, but particularly in the Las Vegas geographical area; nor did we predict that the incremental supply becoming available on the Las Vegas Strip would face such depressed demand levels, thereby elongating the time for absorption of this additional supply into the market. The further delay of the Echelon project implied that the carrying amounts of the assets related to the development may not be recoverable; therefore, at the time, we performed an impairment test of these assets. These impairment tests were comprised of an appraisal of the development and an analysis of its future undiscounted cash flow, and contemplated several viable alternative plans for the future development of Echelon. The cash inflows related to the revenue projections for the individual components associated with each planned construction scenario, offset by outflows for estimated costs to complete the development and ongoing maintenance and operating costs. We initially performed this evaluation during the year ended December 31, 2009. We updated these analyses during the year ended December 31, 2011 to evaluate any further depression in real estate or land values as well as any deterioration in our in initial cash flow assumptions. The outcome of this evaluation resulted in no impairment of Echelon's assets, as the estimated weighted net undiscounted cash flows from the project exceed the current carrying value of the assets of approximately 1.1 billion at December 31, 2011. In December 2012, we reconsidered our commitment to complete the Echelon project and concluded we would not resume development. As a result of this decision, we now expect to dispose of the assets. We updated our impairment analysis to compare the difference between the book value of the assets and the estimated realizable value of the assets. Based on this scenario, we recognized an impairment at December 31, 2012, of $993.9 million based on the difference between the book value of the assets and the estimated realizable value of the assets as discussed in Note 4, Property and Equipment, net, and Note 5, Assets Held for Development. Due to the termination of the project, no additional project costs will be capitalized. The following information summarizes the contractual obligations during the year ended December 31, 2012 with respect to our various material commitments, which are in addition to capitalized costs and annual recurring project costs, related to Echelon: Energy Sales Agreement LVE is a joint venture between Marina Energy LLC and DCO ECH Energy, LLC. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Echelon Resorts, we entered into an Energy Sales Agreement ("ESA") with LVE, to design, build, own (other than the underlying real property which is leased from Echelon Resorts) and operate a central energy center and related distribution system for our planned Echelon resort development. Pursuant to the ESA, LVE would provide chilled and hot water, electricity and emergency electricity generation to Echelon and potentially other joint venture entities associated with the Echelon development project or other third parties. However, since we are obligated to purchase substantially all of the output of the central energy center, we were the primary beneficiary under the terms of the ESA. LVE suspended construction of the central energy center while the Echelon project was delayed. On April 3, 2009, LVE notified us that, in its view, Echelon Resorts would be in breach of the ESA unless it recommenced and proceeded with construction of the Echelon development project by May 6, 2009. On March 7, 2011, Echelon Resorts and LVE entered into both a purchase option agreement (the "Purchase Option Agreement") and a periodic fee agreement (the "Periodic Fee Agreement"). Under the Periodic Fee Agreement, Echelon Resorts and LVE had mutually agreed that neither LVE nor Echelon Resorts would give notice of, file or otherwise initiate any claim or cause of action, in or before any court, administrative agency, arbitrator, mediator or other tribunal, that arises under the ESA, subject to certain exceptions, and any statute of limitations or limitation periods for defenses, claims, causes of actions and counterclaims shall be tolled while the Periodic Fee Agreement is in effect. The prohibition on the initiation of litigation and the tolling of the statute of limitations provided for in the Periodic Fee Agreement should be applicable to any litigation with respect to LVE's April 3, 2009 claim of an alleged breach of the ESA. Under the Periodic Fee Agreement, Echelon Resorts agreed to pay LVE, beginning on March 4, 2011, a monthly Periodic Fee and an operation and maintenance fee until either (i) Echelon Resorts notified LVE that it has resumed construction of a portion of the Echelon development project that it owns and Echelon Resorts and LVE have mutually agreed to changes to the dates in their respective construction milestones under the ESA, or (ii) Echelon Resorts exercised its option to purchase LVE's assets pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Option Agreement. The amount of the Periodic Fee was fixed at $11.9 million annually through November 2013. The operation and maintenance fee could not exceed $0.6 million per annum without Echelon's prior approval. We had posted a letter of credit in the amount of $6 million to secure Echelon's Resorts obligation to pay the Periodic Fee and the operation and maintenance fee. On January 27, 2013, the Purchase Option Agreement was amended. Under the Amended Purchase Option Agreement, Echelon Resorts had the right, at its sole discretion, upon written notice to LVE, to purchase the assets of LVE including the central energy center and related distribution system for a price of $187.0 million, subject to certain possible adjustments. Both the ESA and the Periodic Fee Agreement would have been terminated concurrent with the purchase of the LVE assets pursuant to the Purchase Option Agreement, as amended. On March 1, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Echelon site for $350 million in cash, which resulted in the execution of the Purchase Option Agreement. The sale agreement included the 87-acre land parcel, as well as site improvements, including the district energy system and central energy center that was to be built by LVE. The transaction was completed on March 4, 2013, and we received $163.8 million of proceeds after payments were made to LVE for the central energy center and related distribution system. After certain additional transaction fees are paid, we realized approximately $157 million in net proceeds from the sale after payment of a portion of the proceeds to a third party to fulfill our obligations to LVE Energy Partners, LLC. Line Extension and Service Agreement (“LEA”) In March 2007, we entered into an LEA with Nevada Power Company (currently known as NV Energy) related to the construction of a substation at Echelon and the delivery of power to Echelon. The agreement provides that Echelon is to pay liquidated damages of $5 million to NV Energy, in the event that we do not physically accept permanent electric service by January 1, 2012 through the substation to be built by NV Energy pursuant to the LEA. On August 29, 2008, NV Energy issued a letter declaring a force majeure event that extended the time for performance of obligations under the LEA, including its obligation to construct the substation from which Echelon was to accept delivery of permanent electric service. NV Energy has not built the substation, and we currently do not have an obligation to pay the liquidated damage amount of $5 million due to the force majeure event and because delivery of permanent electric service from the substation is not possible. Clark County Fees In November 2007, we entered into an agreement with Clark County for the development of the project. The agreement required payment of $5.2 million, allocated among four annual installments, which commenced in January 2008. We made the first of those payments. In December 2008, Clark County granted us a one year deferral for each of the remaining fixed annual installments due under the development agreement and was in the process of reviewing our request for a further deferral of the remaining fixed annual payments for up to five years. At December 31, 2012, the outstanding amount on this agreement is $3.9 million. We have accounted for this liability in our impairment. LEED Tax Credits We were pursuing Echelon's certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) Silver Standard (or equivalent) for the project as part of the State of Nevada's tax incentive program (the “LEED Program”). The LEED Program allowed for Echelon to receive an exemption on the non-state, local sales and use tax rate of 5.75% on qualifying construction materials purchased prior to December 31, 2010. We reconsidered our commitment to complete the Echelon project and concluded that we would not resume construction of Echelon. As such, we would not qualify for the LEED Silver Standard (or equivalent) certification. As a result, we do not remain eligible for the LEED program. We included the estimated amount for the abated local portion of sales and use tax, plus interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum, on the qualifying construction materials as part of our impairment at December 31, 2012. Other Agreements During the year ended December 31, 2012, certain other agreements, such as office leases and warehouse leases were charged to preopening expense as incurred. While we can provide no assurances, we do not believe that any of our other agreements for the project give rise to any material liabilities resulting from the decision not to pursue further development of the project. Kansas Management Contract On January 14, 2011, the Kansas Management Contract was approved by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission ("KRGC"). The Kansas Management Contract contractually obligates the Kansas Star Casino, LLC ("KSC") to open certain phases of the project by certain specified dates. With certain exceptions, the permanent gaming facility must be completed by January 14, 2013, and the entire construction project (as set forth in the contract) including the development of an equine complex for events and shows that includes multiple arenas and barn facilities and 150 additional hotel rooms must be completed no later than January 14, 2015. In addition, as of January 14, 2015, KSC is obligated to have made a minimum investment in infrastructure related to the Kansas Star development of $225.0 million, inclusive of any third party investments but exclusive of a $25.0 million privilege fee. We opened its permanent gaming facility on December 12, 2012 and project to date expenditures total more than $225.0 million as of December 31, 2012 which exceeds the minimum investment in infrastructure commitment. We currently expect to meet the remaining January 14, 2015 completion date. As part of the Kansas Management Contract, KSC committed to donate $1.5 million each year to support education in the local area in which the Kansas Star casino operates for the duration of the Kansas Management Contract. The first distribution under this commitment was made as scheduled in 2012 and was recorded as an expense in Selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Mulvane Development Agreement On March 7, 2011, Kansas Star entered into a Development Agreement with Mulvane (“Mulvane Development Agreement”) related to the provision of water, sewer, and electrical utilities to the Kansas Star site. This agreement sets forth certain parameters governing the use of public financing for the provision of such utilities, through the issuance of general obligation bonds by Mulvane, paid for through the imposition of a special tax assessment on the Kansas Star site payable over 15 years in an amount equal to Mulvane's full obligations under the general obligation bonds. During the construction period of the infrastructure improvements, Mulvane will issue obligation bonds, the proceeds of which will be used to pay for the construction costs of the improvements. During the year ended, December 31, 2012, Mulvane has issued $18.8 million in general obligation bonds related to these infrastructure improvements. All payments under the special tax assessment are secured by an irrevocable letters of credit issued by the Company in favor of Mulvane. The amount of the outstanding letters of credit supporting these utilities improvements shall be reduced to an amount equal to three times the annual special assessment tax imposed on KSC plus outstanding letters of credit issued related to infrastructure improvements to be completed in future years. During 2013, the City of Mulvane will perform additional infrastructure improvements that will benefit the Kansas Star site. Upon completion of the improvements, the City will issue additional 15 years general obligation bonds to repay construction costs of the improvements. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has issued $0.9 million in letters of credit in favor of the City to secure payments made by the City related to these additional infrastructure improvements which will be reduced to an amount equal to three times the annual special assessment tax imposed on KSC upon completion of these additional improvements and issuance of the additional general obligation bonds. Future obligations approximate less than $2.0 million per year through 2027. Minimum Assessment Agreement In 2007, Diamond Jo Dubuque entered a Minimum Assessment Agreement with the City of Dubuque. Under the Minimum Assessment Agreement, Diamond Jo Dubuque and the City agreed to a minimum taxable value related to the new casino of $57.9 million. Diamond Jo Dubuque and the City agreed to pay property taxes to the City based on the actual taxable value of the casino, but not less than the minimum taxable value. Scheduled payments of principal and interest on the City Bonds will be funded through Diamond Jo Dubuque's payment obligations under the Minimum Assessment Agreement. Diamond Jo Dubuque's is also obligated to pay any shortfall should property taxes be insufficient to fund the principal and interest payments on the City Bonds. As a result of purchase accounting the Minimum Assessment Agreement obligation was revalued to fair value. Interest costs under the Minimum Assessment Agreement obligation are expensed as incurred. The remaining obligation under the Minimum Assessment Agreement at December 31, 2012 was $1.9 million, which was recorded in Accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and $15.2 million, net of a $3.3 million discount, which was recorded as a long-term obligation in Other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The discount will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the Minimum Assessment Agreement. Total minimum payments by Diamond Jo Dubuque under the Minimum Assessment Agreement are approximately $1.9 million per year through 2036. Merger Earnout Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Boyd Acquisition II, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Boyd, is obligated to make an additional payment to PGP in 2016 if KSC's EBITDA, as defined in the Merger Agreement, for 2015 exceeds $105.0 million. The additional payment would be in an amount equal to 7.5 times the amount by which KSC's 2015 EBITDA exceeds $105.0 million. The actual payout will be determined based on actual EBITDA of KSC for calendar year 2015, and payments are not limited by a maximum value. If the actual 2015 EBITDA of KSC is less than the target, the Company is not required to make any additional consideration payment. Contingent Payments In connection with KSC’s acquisition of a land purchase option to purchase land upon which KSC’s casino is currently being developed, KSC is required to pay a former casino project developer and option holder 1% of KSC’s EBITDA each month for a period of 10 years commencing December 20, 2011. Borgata Utility Contract In 2005, Borgata amended its executory contracts with a wholly-owned subsidiary of a local utility company, extending the end of the term to twenty years from the opening of The Water Club. The utility company provides Borgata with electricity and thermal energy (hot water and chilled water). Obligations under the thermal energy executory contract contain both fixed fees and variable fees based upon usage rates. The fixed fee components under the thermal energy executory contract are currently estimated at approximately $11.6 million per annum. Borgata also committed to purchase a certain portion of its electricity demand at essentially a fixed rate, which is estimated at approximately $1.7 million per annum. Electricity demand in excess of the commitment is subject to market rates based on Borgata's tariff class. Investment Alternative Tax The New Jersey Casino Control Act provides, among other things, for an assessment of licensees equal to 1.25% of their gross gaming revenues in lieu of an investment alternative tax equal to 2.5% of gross gaming revenues. Generally, Borgata may satisfy this investment obligation by investing in qualified eligible direct investments, by making qualified contributions or by depositing funds with the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (“CRDA”). Funds deposited with the CRDA may be used to purchase bonds designated by the CRDA or, under certain circumstances, may be donated to the CRDA in exchange for credits against future CRDA investment obligations. CRDA bonds have terms up to fifty years and bear interest at below market rates. Borgata's CRDA obligations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $7.7 million, $8.1 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of which valuation provisions of $4.4 million, $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, were recorded due to the respective underlying agreements. Purse Enhancement Agreement In August 2008, Borgata and the ten other casinos in the Atlantic City market (collectively, the “Casinos”) entered into a Purse Enhancement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (the “NJSEA”) and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in the interest of further deferring or preventing the proliferation of competitive gaming at New Jersey racing tracks through December 31, 2011. In addition to the continued prohibition of casino gaming in New Jersey outside of Atlantic City, legislation was enacted to provide for the deduction of certain promotional gaming credits from the calculation of the tax on casino gross revenue. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Casinos are required to make scheduled payments to the NJSEA totaling $90 million to be used for certain authorized purposes (the “Authorized Uses”) as defined by the Agreement. For each year, each casino's share of the scheduled payments will equate to a percentage representing its gross gaming revenue for the prior calendar year compared to the gross gaming revenues for that period for all Casinos. Each casino, solely and individually, shall be responsible for its respective share of the scheduled amounts due. In the event that any casino shall fail to make its payment as required, the remaining Casinos shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure a payment delinquency. As a result, Borgata expenses its pro rata share of the $90 million, estimated to be approximately $15.0 million based on its actual market shares of gross gaming revenue, on a straight-line basis over the applicable term of the Agreement. Borgata recorded expense of $5.1 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Atlantic City Tourism District As part of the State of New Jersey's plan to revitalize Atlantic City, a new law was enacted in February 2011 requiring that a tourism district (the “Tourism District”) be created and managed by the CRDA. The Tourism District has been established to include each of the Atlantic City casino properties along with certain other tourism related areas of Atlantic City. The law requires that a public-private partnership be created between the CRDA and a private entity that represents existing and future casino licensees. The private entity, known as The Atlantic City Alliance (the “ACA”), has been established in the form of a not-for-profit limited liability company, of which MDDC is a member. The public-private partnership between the ACA and CRDA shall be for an initial term of five years and its general purpose shall be to revitalize the Tourism District. The law requires that a $5 million contribution be made to this effort by all casinos prior to 2012 followed by an annual amount of $30 million to be contributed by the casinos commencing January 1, 2012 for a term of five years. Each casino's share of the annual contributions will equate to a percentage representing its gross gaming revenue for the prior calendar year compared to the aggregate gross gaming revenues for that period for all casinos. As a result, Borgata will expense their pro rata share of the $155 million as incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Borgata incurred expense of $6.1 million and $0.9 million for the pro rata share of the initial contribution to the ACA. Boyd Leases The Orleans Hotel and Casino The Orleans is situated on approximately 77 acres of leased land. The lease had an effective commencement date of October 1, 1995, an initial term of 50 years, and includes an option, exercisable by us, to extend the initial term for an additional 25 years. The lease provides for monthly rental payments of $0.3 million through February 2011 which such annual rental payments will thereafter increase by a compounding basis at a rate of 3.0% per annum. In addition, we have an option to purchase the real property during a two-year period commencing February 2016. Suncoast Hotel and Casino Suncoast is situated on approximately 49 acres of leased land. The lease had an effective commencement date of September 1, 1995, an initial term of 60 years, and contains three options to extend the term of the lease for ten years each. The original lease term expires in December 2055, exclusive of the three options to extend the term of the lease for 10 years each. The lease provides for monthly rental payments of approximately $0.2 million in 2004 that increase slightly each year. The landlord has the option to require us to purchase the property at the end of 2014 and each year end through 2018, at the fair market value of the real property at the time the landlord exercises the option, subject to certain pricing limitations. If we do not purchase the property if and when required, we would be in default under the lease agreement. California Hotel and Casino The California is situated on approximately 14 acres of owned land, and two acres of leased land, respectively. The leased land had an effective commencement date of September 1, 1973 with a term of 60 years. The lease provides for monthly rental payments of $3,000 through the June 30, 1973, and $6,500 from July 1, 1974 through August 31, 2003, with a cost-of-living index adjustment preceding the initial month of each of three-year periods from September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2027, and the initial month of each of the final two-year periods from September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2030, and the initial month of the final two-month remaining period. Monthly rent for the last 30 years of the lease will be negotiated and agreed upon, but shall be no less than $6,500 per month, or less than any rent computed for a prior month, whichever is more. In addition, we have the right of first refusal in the event the lessor shall receive from a third party a bona fide offer to purchase the premises. Fremont Hotel and Casino The Fremont is situated on approximately three acres of land, of which one acre is leased pursuant to six separate long-term ground lease agreements (collectively, the “Fremont Ground Leases”). The Fremont Ground Leases have lease terms ranging between 79 to 99 years. Five of the Fremont Ground Leases have expiration dates in either July or August 2053, and the sixth Fremont Ground Lease has an expiration date in December 2077. The lease expiring in December 2077, also contains a right of first refusal in the event that the lessor intends to sell that leased premises. None of the Fremont Ground Leases have option rights to further extend their lease terms. Each of the Fremont Ground Leases provide for monthly rental payments, with a cumulative current monthly rent of approximately $0.1 million. The monthly rental obligations of the Fremont Ground Leases are generally subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the consumer price index (“CPI”). Principally, these CPI adjustments are done in either five or ten-year lease term cycles; however, one of the Fremont Ground Leases adjusts every two years of its lease term. Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall Sam's Town Tunica is located on approximately 150 acres of owned real estate (the “Property”). However, the original sellers of the Property have an option to repurchase the Property in 2033 (the “Option Exercise Date”) for $0.9 million. The option will be deemed to be automatically exercised unless the original sellers notify the Company to the contrary at least 60 days prior to the Option Exercise Date. Sam's Town Hotel and Casino Sam's Town Shreveport is located on 18 acres of leased land and is a party to a Hotel Ground Lease with the City of Shreveport dated as of March 10, 1998, as amended, and an Amended and Restated Ground Lease dated as of March 10, 1998, as amended (together, the “Shreveport Ground Leases”). The initial terms of the Shreveport Ground Leases expired on April 30, 1999, but the Shreveport Ground Leases have been renewed and are still in effect. The Shreveport Ground Leases may be renewed for additional renewal terms which finally expire on March 10, 2048. Aggregate rent payable under the Shreveport Ground Leases is equal to (i) base rent of $0.53 million, as of December 31, 2012 plus (ii) percentage rent of 1% of the adjusted gross revenue from hotel and casino operations plus (iii) 4.75% of adjusted gross gaming revenue for admission taxes. Also, real estate taxes, insurance, utilities and other charges against the property are payable by the Company. Sam's Town Shreveport is also a party to a Commercial Lease with the State of Louisiana dated as of July 6, 1994, as amended by an amendment dated as of April 24, 2001 (together, the “Lease”). The initial term of the Lease expired in July 2004 but was renewed for an additional ten-year term and is still in effect. The Lease may be renewed for two additional ten-year renewal terms. The annual rent now payable under the Lease is $0.07 million. Treasure Chest Casino Treasure Chest is located on 14 acres of leased land and is a party to an Amended and Restated Lease for Parking and Other Amenities with the City of Kenner dated as of December 3, 1993, as amended (the “Lease”). The initial term of the Lease expired but the Lease has been renewed and is still in effect. The Lease may be renewed for additional renewal terms which finally expire on July 1, 2029. Rent payable under the Lease is the sum of (i) a base rent determined by formula plus (ii) a $2.50 per capita rent for each person entering the casino. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, rent paid to the City was $5.1 million, $5.1 million and $4.6 million. Treasure Chest is also a party to a Commercial Lease with the State of Louisiana dated as of March 9, 1994 (the “State Lease”). The initial term of the State Lease expired in March 2004 but was renewed for an additional ten-year term and is still in effect. The Lease may be renewed for two additional ten-year renewal terms. The annual rent now payable under the Lease is $0.1 million. IP Casino Resort Spa IP is located on 24 acres of owned land and leases approximately 4 acres of submerged tidelands from the state of Mississippi. The lease commenced on December 2005 and expires in 2035. The lease payment is adjusted annually at the end of each term based on the all urban consumer price index. The lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately $0.2 million for the stub period and will approximate $0.8 million during the year ending December 31, 2012. Additionally, IP leases a parking lot from the City of Biloxi on a monthly basis. The parking lot lease will expire in August 2013 unless extended by written agreement. Diamond Jo Dubuque DJL currently has approximately 500 surface parking spaces that are in close proximity to its casino located on properties that DJL leases under an operating lease for $500,000 annually through December 2018. In accordance with an operating agreement between DJL and the Dubuque Racing Association, Ltd. (“DRA”), the DRA reimburses DJL for these lease payments. Diamond Jo Worth DJW leases, under an operating lease, 10 acres of land north of the casino that is used for patron parking. This lease requires DJW to pay less than $0.1 million per year as rent through June 2016. The property lease also allows for the purchase of the leased land at the expiration of the lease for a total purchase price of approximately $0.8 million. In addition, DJW also leases, under an operating lease, 30 acres of land through August 2013 for use as additional hunting land at its Pheasant Links facility in Emmons, Minnesota. Total rent expense for these leases are less than $0.1 million annually. The Company currently leases, under an operating lease, approximately 10,876 square feet of office space in Dubuque, Iowa. Total rent expense for this lease is approximately $0.2 million annually. The Company leases three of its OTB facilities and other equipment under noncancelable operating leases. The Company also leases certain gaming machines and other equipment under cancelable leases. These cancelable leases require either fixed monthly payments or contingent monthly rental payments based on usage of the equipment. Borgata Leases As of December 31, 2010, MDDC owns approximately 26 acres of land and all improvements thereon with respect to that portion of the property consisting of the Borgata Hotel. In addition, MDDC, as lessee, entered into a series of ground leases with MGM, as lessor, for a total of approximately 20 acres of land underlying the employee parking garage, public space expansion, rooms expansion, and modified surface parking lot reside, as well as, an undeveloped parcel. On November 4, 2010, MGM announced that it had closed the sale of land leased to MDDC for the public space expansion, rooms expansion, parking structure and the undeveloped parcel. Other than MDDC's obligation to pay rent (in an amount equal to the amount paid under the parking structure ground lease) and property taxes pursuant to the alternative parking structure ground lease, Borgata's obligations under the ground leases were not modified by the sale. The leases consist of:
• | Lease and Option Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2002, as amended by a letter agreement, dated April 10, 2009, a letter agreement, dated September 21, 2009, the Modification of Lease and Option Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2004, and the Second Modification of Employee Parking Structure Lease and Option Agreement, dated March 23, 2010, for approximately 2 acres of land underlying the parking garage;
• | Expansion Ground Lease, dated as of January 1, 2005, as amended by the Modification of Expansion Ground Lease, dated March 23, 2010, for approximately 4 acres of land underlying the Public Space Expansion;
• | Tower Expansion & Additional Structured Parking Ground Lease Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2005, as amended by the Modification of Tower Expansion & Additional Structured Parking Ground Lease Agreement, dated February 20, 2010, and the Second Modification of Tower Expansion & Additional Structured Parking Ground Lease Agreement, dated March 23, 2010, for approximately 2 acres of land underlying the Rooms Expansion and 3 acres of land underlying a parking structure each;
• | Surface Lot Ground Lease, dated as of August 20, 2004, as amended by the Modification of Surface Lot Ground Lease, dated March 23, 2010, for approximately 8 acres of land consisting of the surface parking lot; and
• | Ground Lease Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2010, for approximately 1 acre of an undeveloped land parcel.
Pursuant to the alternative parking structure ground lease, (i) commencing on the date of the Divestiture Trust's agreement to sell the land underlying the ground leases, MDDC became responsible for all real property taxes assessed against the land underlying the alternative parking structure ground lease and (ii) payment of monthly rent under the alternative parking structure ground lease shall be deferred until the earliest to occur of (x) the date 18 months following the execution of the sale agreement, (y) completion of construction of The Water Club parking garage, and (z) expiration of the term of the Divestiture Trust. Effective as of the date of execution of the sale agreement, the monthly rent due under the alternative parking structure ground lease was in an amount consistent with the rent due under the parking structure ground lease on a per square foot basis. The lease terms extend until December 31, 2070 with the exception of the surface parking lot lease. The surface parking lot ground lease is on a month-to-month term and may be terminated by either party effective on the last day of the month that is six months after notice is given. In addition, the surface parking lot ground lease will terminate on any termination of the Divestiture Trust, unless the New Jersey Casino Control Commission ("NJCCC") approves an extended term of such lease. MDDC owns all improvements made on the leased lands during the term of each ground lease. Upon expiration of such term, ownership of such improvements reverts back to the landlord. If during the term of the rooms expansion ground lease, the public space expansion ground lease or the alternate parking structure ground lease, the third party landlord ("Landlord") or any person associated with the Landlord is found by the NJCCC to be unsuitable to be associated with a casino enterprise and such person is not removed from such association in a manner acceptable to the NJCCC, then MDDC may, upon written notice to the Landlord, elect to purchase the leased land for the appraised value as determined under the terms of such ground leases, unless the Landlord elects, upon receipt of such notice, to sell the land to a third party, subject to the ground leases. If the Landlord elects to sell the land to a third party but is unable to do so within one year, then the Landlord must sell the land to MDDC for the appraised value. In addition, MDDC has an option to purchase the land leased under the parking structure ground lease at any time during the term of that lease so long as it is not in default thereunder, at fair market value as determined in accordance with the terms of parking structure ground lease. In the event that the land underlying the surface parking lot ground lease is sold to a third party, MDDC has the option to build a parking garage, if necessary, to replace the lost parking spaces on the land underlying the alternate parking structure ground lease. Future Minimum Lease Payments and Rental Income Future minimum lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases, which are primarily these land leases, as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:
| Boyd Gaming Lease Obligations |  | Borgata Lease Obligations |  | Total Lease Obligations
For the Year Ending December 31, | (In thousands)
2013 | $ | 19,174 |  |  | $ | 7,195 |  |  | $ | 26,369 |
2014 | 13,657 |  |  | 6,863 |  |  | 20,520 |
2015 | 11,776 |  |  | 6,480 |  |  | 18,256 |
2016 | 10,215 |  |  | 6,414 |  |  | 16,629 |
2017 | 10,040 |  |  | 6,382 |  |  | 16,422 |
Thereafter | 396,584 |  |  | 323,931 |  |  | 720,515 |
| $ | 461,446 |  |  | $ | 357,265 |  |  | $ | 818,711 |
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $29.3 million, $28.4 million and $26.7 million, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Future minimum rental income, which is primarily related to retail and restaurant facilities located within our properties, as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:
| Boyd Gaming Rental Income |  | Borgata Rental Income |  | Total Rental Income
| (In thousands)
For the Year Ending December 31, |
2013 | $ | 1,091 |  |  | $ | 1,743 |  |  | $ | 2,834 |
2014 | 496 |  |  | 1,605 |  |  | 2,101 |
2015 | 377 |  |  | 1,605 |  |  | 1,982 |
2016 | 196 |  |  | 1,506 |  |  | 1,702 |
2017 | 146 |  |  | 1,435 |  |  | 1,581 |
Thereafter | 54 |  |  | 6,327 |  |  | 6,381 |
| $ | 2,360 |  |  | $ | 14,221 |  |  | $ | 16,581 |
Contingencies Copeland Alvin C. Copeland, the sole shareholder (deceased) of an unsuccessful applicant for a riverboat license at the location of our Treasure Chest Casino (“Treasure Chest”), has made several attempts to have the Treasure Chest license revoked and awarded to his company. In 1999 and 2000, Copeland unsuccessfully opposed the renewal of the Treasure Chest license and has brought two separate legal actions against Treasure Chest. In November 1993, Copeland objected to the relocation of Treasure Chest from the Mississippi River to its current site on Lake Pontchartrain. The predecessor to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board allowed the relocation over Copeland's objection. Copeland then filed an appeal of the agency's decision with the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. Through a number of amendments to the appeal, Copeland unsuccessfully attempted to transform the appeal into a direct action suit and sought the revocation of the Treasure Chest license. Treasure Chest intervened in the matter in order to protect its interests. The appeal/suit, as it related to Treasure Chest, was dismissed by the District Court and that dismissal was upheld on appeal by the First Circuit Court of Appeal. Additionally, in 1999, Copeland filed a direct action against Treasure Chest and certain other parties seeking the revocation of Treasure Chest's license, an award of the license to him, and monetary damages. The suit was dismissed by the trial court, citing that Copeland failed to state a claim on which relief could be granted. The dismissal was appealed by Copeland to the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. On June 21, 2002, the First Circuit Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's decision and remanded the matter to the trial court. On January 14, 2003, we filed a motion to dismiss the matter and that motion was partially denied. The Court of Appeal refused to reverse the denial of the motion to dismiss. In May 2004, we filed additional motions to dismiss on other grounds. There was no activity regarding this matter during 2005 and 2006, and the case was set to be dismissed by the court for failure to prosecute by the plaintiffs in mid-May 2007; however on May 1, 2007, the plaintiff filed a motion to set a hearing date related to the motions to dismiss. The hearing was scheduled for September 10, 2007, at which time all parties agreed to postpone the hearing indefinitely. The hearing has not yet been rescheduled. Mr. Copeland has since passed away and his son, the executor of his estate, has petitioned the court to be substituted as plaintiff in the case. On June 9, 2009, the plaintiff filed to have the exceptions set for hearing. The parties decided to submit the exceptions to the court on the previously filed briefs. The court issued a ruling denying the exceptions on August 9, 2010. Copeland's counsel indicated a desire to move forward with the litigation and requested that the parties respond to outstanding discovery. Subsequently, on August 11, 2010, Robert J. Guidry, the co-defendant, filed a third party demand against the U.S. Attorney's Office seeking enforcement of Guidry's plea agreement which would limit Guidry's exposure in the case. On September 9, 2010, the U.S. Attorney's Office removed the suit to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana. Pending before the District Court are a motion to dismiss for failing to state a cause of action filed by Guidry, asserting the same arguments he tried in state court, which the Company joined, and a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction filed by the U.S. Attorney, which may result in the case being remanded to state court. The U.S. District Court heard the motions on March 16, 2011. A ruling has not yet been issued. On April 1, 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office moved for summary judgment, maintaining its jurisdictional argument as well as seeking substantive relief. On September 2, 2011, the judge issued an Order stating that the case should be remanded to state district court but allowed for additional filings by September 13, 2011. A Remand Order was issued on September 15, 2011, sending the case back to the 19 th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge Parish, State of Louisiana. Guidry filed a motion for partial summary judgment on November 14, 2011 to limit the damages in the case. Treasure Chest joined in the motion. The hearing on the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment was held on September 10, 2012. On October 3, 2012, Judge Clark granted the motion which effectively struck Copeland's demands for loss profits, the value of the Treasure Chest license and the value of Treasure Chest's success. On October 26, 2012, Copeland filed a supervisory writ application with the First Circuit Court of Appeal asking that the partial summary judgment be reversed. Treasure Chest and Guidry opposed the writ. On February 13, 2013, the writ was denied leaving intact the partial summary judgment. Discovery is proceeding. We currently are vigorously defending the lawsuit. If this matter ultimately results in the Treasure Chest license being revoked, it could have a significant adverse effect on Treasure Chest's business, financial condition and results of operations. Nevada Use Tax Refund Claims On March 27, 2008, the Nevada Supreme Court issued a decision in Sparks Nugget, Inc. vs. The State of Nevada Department of Taxation (the “Department”), holding that food purchased for subsequent use in the provision of complimentary and/or employee meals was exempt from use tax. As a result of this decision, refund claims were filed for use taxes paid, over the period November 2000 through May 2008, on food purchased for subsequent use in complimentary and employee meals at our Nevada casino properties. We estimate the refund to be in the range of $17.9 million to $20.3 million, including interest. In 2009, the Department audited and denied our refund claim while simultaneously issuing a $12.3 million sales tax deficiency assessment, plus interest of $7.5 million. We appealed both the denial of the refund claim as well as the deficiency assessment in a hearing before the Nevada Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") in September 2010. In April 2011, the judge issued a split decision, granting a refund on employee meals and applying a sales tax measure on complimentary meals; however, the ruling barred retroactive application of the sales tax measure to all years in the refund claim period, effectively overturning the Department's 2009 deficiency assessment. Both we and the Department appealed the decision to the Nevada State Tax Commission (the "Commission"). On August 8, 2011, the Commission remanded the case back for a second administrative hearing, which was held on September 26, 2011, to allow for the introduction of additional supporting documentation. The ALJ issued a decision on November 8, 2011, reversing her position on the employee meal refund claim while also affirming the denial of the complimentary meal refund, as well as the denial of a retroactive application of the sales tax measure to both employee and complimentary meals. The ALJ's decision was affirmed in a Commission hearing on January 23, 2012. On February 15, 2012 we filed a petition for judicial review in Clark County District Court. We received a split decision at our District Court hearing on October 17, 2012. The District Court Judge (“Judge”) affirmed the ALJ decision that sales tax was applicable to complimentary meals and reversed the decision on employee meals, concluding that such meals were exempt from sales tax. The Department has asserted that, although the statute of limitations prohibits their ability to collect incremental sales tax on complimentary meals, the statutes provide for an offset of the incremental sales tax against refunds due on employee meals. As such, the Department believes that it is not required to pay the employee meal refunds. We are appealing the decision on complimentary meals to the Nevada State Supreme Court and the Department has appealed the decision on employee meals. The Judge did not issue a decision with respect to the refund claim offset; and pending the ultimate resolution of the appeal at the State Supreme Court, we expect the offset issue will either be addressed by the Supreme Court or remanded back to District Court. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate resolution of our appeal to the State Supreme Court, we will not record any gain until a final, non-appealable decision has been rendered. On July 6, 2012 the Department retracted its previous guidance requiring payment of sales tax, on complimentary and employee meals, for periods subsequent to February 15, 2012. The updated guidance defers the requirement to collect and remit sales tax, without interest or penalty, on complimentary and employee meals until the occurrence of a defined future event. Based on the Department's updated guidance, we have not collected, remitted or accrued a liability for sales tax on complimentary and employee meals at our Nevada casino properties. Blue Chip Property Taxes Blue Chip previously received a valuation notice from the county assessor indicating an unanticipated increase of nearly 400% to its assessed property value as of January 1, 2006. In December 2007, we received the property tax bill related to our 2006 tax assessment in the amount $6.2 million, which we appealed. In February 2009, we received a notice of revaluation, reducing the initial tax assessment by approximately $2.2 million. Since then, we have made the minimum required payment against provisional bills received in years 2007 through 2012, all of which were based on the 2006 valuation notice. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we reached settlements with the county assessor, reducing the annual valuation for years 2006 through 2009. Based on these settlements, we revised our cumulative property tax accrual to reflect the retrospective effect of the revised valuations. The impact of these revisions to the valuations resulted in a reduction of our property tax accrual of approximately $9.7 million, which was cumulatively reversed through property tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2011. We received the 2010 tax assessment in January 2013 but have not received valuation notices or final tax rates for the years 2011 or 2012. The 2010 tax assessment increased the taxable property value approximately 46% over the 2009 settlement valuation. We have appealed the 2010 tax assessment and believe the assessments for the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012 could result in a total property tax obligation, net of previous payments, ranging between $5.0 million and $14.1 million. We have accrued, net of the payment of the minimum requirements discussed above, approximately $14.1 million for this property tax liability as of December 31, 2012, based on what we believe to be the most likely outcome within our range, once all valuations have been received and all tax rates have been finalized; however, we can provide no assurances that the estimated amount accrued will approximate the actual amount billed. The final tax assessment notices for the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012, which have not been received as of December 31, 2012, could result in further adjustment to our estimated property tax liability at Blue Chip. Legal Matters We are also parties to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that, except for the Copeland matter discussed above, all pending claims, if adversely decided, would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

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