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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Gaming Taxes
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 $79.7 million and $83.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $243.8 million and $252.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Taxes
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. We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance, if after weighing all positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Use of the term "more likely than not" indicates the likelihood of occurrence is greater than 50%. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is continually assessed 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 profitability and taxable income, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with the utilization of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before expiration and tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.

In performing our third quarter valuation allowance analysis, we determined that the positive evidence in favor of releasing the valuation allowance, particularly evidence that was objectively verifiable, outweighed the negative evidence. We utilize a rolling twelve quarters of pretax income adjusted for permanent book to tax differences as a measure of cumulative results in recent years. We transitioned from a cumulative loss position to a cumulative income position over the rolling twelve quarters ended September 30, 2016. Other evidence considered in the analysis included, but was not limited to, a trend reflective of improvement in recent earnings, forecasts of profitability and taxable income and the reversal of existing temporary differences. The change in these conditions during the three months ended September 30, 2016 provided positive evidence that supported the release of the valuation allowance against a significant portion of our deferred tax assets. As such, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the benefit from our deferred tax assets would be realized. As a result, during the third quarter, we released $190.4 million of valuation allowance on our federal and unitary state income tax net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we computed our benefit for income taxes by applying the actual effective tax rate, under the discrete method, to year-to-date income. The discrete method was used to calculate our income tax benefit as the annual effective tax rate was not considered a reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax benefit.

Our tax rate is impacted by adjustments that are largely independent of our operating results before taxes. In the current year, such adjustments relate primarily to the release of our valuation allowance on a significant portion of our deferred tax assets. In the prior year, the adjustments relate primarily to changes in our valuation allowance and 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 when determining our valuation allowance.

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.

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 is 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. Accrued interest and penalties are included in other long-term tax liabilities on the balance sheet.

Use of Estimates
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. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows ("Update 2016-15")
In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Update 2016-15, which amends the guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") is intended to reduce the lack of consistent principles on certain classifications such as debt prepayment, debt extinguishment costs, distributions, insurance claims and beneficial interest in securitization transactions. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2016-15 to the financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses ("Update 2016-13")
In June 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-13, which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. Update 2016-13 adds to GAAP an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2016-13 to the financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients ("Update 2016-12"); Accounting Standards Update 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting ("Update 2016-11"); Accounting Standards Update 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing ("Update 2016-10"); and Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) ("Update 2016-08")
In March 2016 through May 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-08, Update 2016-10, Update 2016-11 and Update 2016-12, which amend and further clarify the new revenue standard, Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Update 2014-09"), which was subsequently amended and deferred in Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date ("Update 2015-14", and collectively with the original standard, Update 2014-09, and subsequent amendments, Update 2016-08, Update 2016-10, Update 2016-11 and Update 2016-12, the "Revenue Standard"). The Revenue Standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the impact of the Revenue Standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation ("Update 2016-09")
In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-09 which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2016-09 to the financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures ("Update 2016-07")
In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-07 which simplifies the equity method of accounting by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method to an investment that subsequently qualifies for such accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company determined that the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements will not be material.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases ("Update 2016-02")
In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2016-02 to the financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("Update 2016-01")
In January 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-01, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted only if explicit early adoption guidance is applied. The Company is evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently being studied 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.