SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition

Gaming revenue represents the net win from gaming activities, which is the aggregate difference between gaming wins and losses. The majority of our gaming revenue is counted in the form of cash and chips and therefore is not subject to any significant or complex estimation procedures. Cash discounts, commissions and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction of gross gaming revenues. Race revenue recognition criteria are met at the time the results of the event are official. Room revenue recognition criteria are met at the time of occupancy. Food and beverage revenue recognition criteria are met at the time of service.

Asset Transaction Costs

Asset transaction costs are comprised of certain costs incurred related to the activities associated with various acquisition opportunities and other business development activities, as well as, transaction costs incurred to dispose of assets, including, but not limited to, the sales of Echelon and Dania.

Promotional Allowances

The retail value of accommodations, food and beverage, and other services furnished to guests without charge is included in gross revenues and then deducted as a promotional allowance. Promotional allowances also include incentives such as cash, goods and services (such as complimentary rooms and food and beverages) earned in our slot bonus point program. We reward customers, through the use of bonus programs, with points based on amounts wagered that can be redeemed for a specified period of time, principally for cash play, and to a lesser extent for goods or services, depending upon the property. We record the estimated retail value of these goods and services as revenue and then deduct them as a promotional allowance.

The amounts included in promotional allowances for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Rooms	$	35,120	$	34,682
Food and beverage	50,788		48,298
Other	26,015		27,646
Total promotional allowances	$	111,923	$	110,626

The estimated costs of providing such promotional allowances for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Rooms	$	14,711	$	14,827
Food and beverage	45,059		44,851
Other	5,126		5,806
Total cost of promotional allowances	$	64,896	$	65,484

Gaming Taxes

We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These gaming taxes are assessed based on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. These taxes totaled approximately $102.3 million and $71.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

CRDA Investments

New Jersey state law provides, among other things, for an assessment of licensees equal to 1.25% of gross gaming revenues in lieu of an investment alternative tax equal to 2.5% of gross gaming revenues. Generally, a licensee may satisfy this investment obligation by: (i) investing in qualified eligible direct investments; (ii) making qualified contributions; or (iii) 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. Our net deposits with the CRDA, held by Borgata, eligible to be used to fund qualified investments were $29.1 million and $28.5 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and are included in other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheets.

Investment

We have an investment in $22.4 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Urban Renewal Tax Increment Revenue Bonds, Taxable Series 2007 ("City Bonds"). This investment is classified as available-for-sale and is recorded at fair-value. The fair value at March 31, 2013 was $18.2 million. At March 31, 2013, $0.3 million is included as a current asset in other current assets, and $17.9 million is included in long-term other assets, net.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded under the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and attributable to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance, if based on the available evidence it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically based on a more-likely-than-not realization threshold. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with the usability of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before expiration, and tax planning alternatives.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, in accordance with GAAP, we have computed our provision for income taxes by applying the actual effective tax rate, under the discrete method, to quarter-to-date income. The discrete method was used to calculate the income tax expense or benefit as the annual effective tax rate was not considered a reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax expense or benefit. Our current rate is impacted by adjustments that are largely independent of our operating results before taxes. Such adjustments relate primarily to the accrual of non-cash tax expense in connection with the tax amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets that are not available to offset existing deferred tax assets. The deferred tax liabilities created by the tax amortization of these intangibles cannot be used to offset corresponding increases in the net operating loss deferred tax assets in determining our valuation allowance. As such, we believe this method provides the most reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax expense.

Other Long Term Tax Liabilities

The Company's income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities in the locations where it operates. The Company assesses potentially unfavorable outcomes of such examinations based on accounting standards for uncertain income taxes, which prescribe a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

Uncertain tax position accounting standards apply to all tax positions related to income taxes. These accounting standards utilize a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Recognition occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement is only addressed if the position is deemed to be more likely than not to be sustained. The tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. Use of the term “more likely than not” indicates the likelihood of occurrence is greater than 50%.

Tax positions, failing to qualify for initial recognition, are recognized in the first subsequent interim period that they meet the “more likely than not” standard. If it is subsequently determined that a previously recognized tax position no longer meets the “more likely than not” standard, it is required that the tax position be derecognized. Accounting standards for uncertain tax positions specifically prohibit the use of a valuation allowance as a substitute for derecognition of tax positions. As applicable, the Company will recognize accrued penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.

Unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are $22.0 million and $38.4 million, respectively. Included in the $22.0 million balance of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2013, are $19.9 million of benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax provision. We have accrued $9.0 million and $12.4 million of interest and penalties in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

In 2013, we reached agreement on certain proposed adjustments in connection with our IRS examination for tax years ended 2005 through 2009. As a result of the agreed adjustments, we reduced our unrecognized tax benefits by $16.7 million, of which $0.9 million impacted our effective tax rate. Such agreements also resulted in a reduction to the interest accrued on our unrecognized tax benefits and a corresponding benefit to our tax provision of $3.8 million. During 2012, we reached an agreement with the Appeals Division in our IRS examination for tax years ended 2001 through 2004. We reduced our federal unrecognized tax benefits, primarily related to the settlement, by approximately $20.8 million on a net basis, of which $0.1 million impacted our effective tax rate. Additionally, we reduced the interest accrued on our federal unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $4.9 million and recorded a $3.2 million benefit to our tax provision.

We are in various stages of the examination and appeals process in connection with many of our audits and it is difficult to determine when these examinations will be closed; however, it is reasonably possible over the next twelve-month period, that we may experience a decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits, as of March 31, 2013, of up to $10.1 million. Approximately $8.0 million of the total reduction would impact our effective tax rate.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to Boyd Gaming Corporation's stockholders, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities, such as stock options.

The weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following amounts:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013	2012
	(In thousands)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	87,974	87,530
Potential dilutive effect	—	457
Diluted	87,974	87,987

Due to the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the effect of all potential common share equivalents was anti-dilutive, and therefore all such shares were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Such exclusion included anti-dilutive options totaling 9.1 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, as these shares were out of the money. Anti-dilutive options totaling 8.1 million have been excluded during the three months ended March 31, 2012, as these shares were out of the money.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates incorporated into our condensed consolidated financial statements include the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, recoverability of assets held for development, measurement of the fair value of our controlling interest and the noncontrolling interest in Borgata, fair valuations of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets and assumptions relative to the valuation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, estimated valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, accruals for slot bonus point programs, estimates of certain tax liabilities and uncertain tax positions, determination of self-insured liability reserves, computation of share-based payment valuation assumptions, estimates of fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, estimates of fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed at fair value, fair values of derivative instruments and assessments of contingencies and litigation and claims. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of such proposed standards would have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2013-02 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("Update 2013-02")

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Update 2013-02 which is an amendment to Topic 220-10 of the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC").

The objective of Update 2013-02 is to amend ASC 220-10 to require entities to provide information about amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income by component. The Company is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, the amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to the respective line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Update 2013-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. In February 2013, the Company adopted Update 2013-02. Update 2013-02 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.