FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's market assumptions. These inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Thus, assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 may be measured at fair value using inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Management's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Balances Measured at Fair Value

The following tables show the fair values of certain of our financial instruments:



	March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Balance		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	167,007	$	167,007	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash	22,047		22,047		—		—
Investment available for sale	17,865		—		—		17,865

Liabilities
Contingent payments	$	3,348	$	—	$	—	$	3,348



	December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Balance		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	193,862	$	193,862	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash	16,488		16,488		—		—
Investment available for sale	17,259		—		—		17,259

Liabilities
Contingent payments	$	3,038	$	—	$	—	$	3,038

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, classified in the fair value hierarchy as Level 1, are based on statements received from our banks at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Investment Available for Sale

We have an investment in a single municipal bond issuance of $21.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Urban Renewal Tax Increment Revenue Bonds, Taxable Series 2007 that is classified as available for sale. We are the only holder of this instrument and there is no quoted market price for this instrument. As such, the fair value of this investment is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the instrument is estimated using a discounted cash flows approach and the significant unobservable input used in the valuation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is a discount rate of 10.1% and 10.3%, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses on this instrument resulting from changes in the fair value of the instrument are not charged to earnings, but rather are recorded as other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders' equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $0.4 million of the carrying value of the investment available for sale is included as a current asset in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $17.5 million and $16.8 million, respectively, is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The discount associated with this investment of $3.1 million at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, is netted with the investment balance and is being accreted over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. The accretion of such discount is included in interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Contingent Payments

In connection with the development of the Kansas Star Casino ("Kansas Star"), Kansas Star agreed to pay a former casino project promoter 1% of Kansas Star's EBITDA each month for a period of ten years commencing on December 20, 2011. The liability is recorded at the estimated fair value of the contingent payments using a discounted cash flows approach and the significant unobservable input used in the valuation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, is a discount rate of 9.3% and 18.5%, respectively. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was a current liability of $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to this agreement, which is recorded in accrued liabilities on the respective condensed consolidated balance sheets, and long-term obligation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, of $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, which is included in other liabilities on the respective condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2017					March 31, 2016
	Assets		Liability			Assets		Liability
(In thousands)	Investment Available for Sale		Contingent Payments			Investment Available for Sale		Contingent Payments
Balance at beginning of reporting period	$	17,259	$	(3,038	)	$	17,839	$	(3,632	)
Total gains (losses) (realized or unrealized):
Included in interest income (expense)	35		(129		)	33		(154		)
Included in other comprehensive income	571		—			522		—
Included in other items, net	—		(391		)	—		—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements:
Settlements	—		210			—		226
Balance at end of reporting period	$	17,865	$	(3,348	)	$	18,394	$	(3,560	)

Balances Disclosed at Fair Value

The following tables provide the fair value measurement information about our obligation under minimum assessment agreements and other financial instruments:



	March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Outstanding Face Amount		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Liabilities
Obligation under assessment arrangements	$	32,973	$	26,345	$	27,002	Level 3
Other financial instruments	10		9		9		Level 3



	December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Outstanding Face Amount		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Liabilities
Obligation under assessment arrangements	$	33,456	$	26,660	$	27,054	Level 3
Other financial instruments	100		97		97		Level 3

The following tables provide the fair value measurement information about our long-term debt:



	March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Outstanding Face Amount		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Credit Facility	$	1,764,175	$	1,733,612	$	1,771,530	Level 2
6.875% senior notes due 2023	750,000		738,140		808,125		Level 1
6.375% senior notes due 2026	750,000		739,229		801,563		Level 1
Other	546		546		546		Level 3
Total debt	$	3,264,721	$	3,211,527	$	3,381,764



	December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Outstanding Face Amount		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Credit Facility	$	1,782,538	$	1,752,147	$	1,791,853	Level 2
6.875% senior notes due 2023	750,000		738,791		806,250		Level 1
6.375% senior notes due 2026	750,000		737,926		804,375		Level 1
Other	591		591		591		Level 3
Total debt	$	3,283,129	$	3,229,455	$	3,403,069

The estimated fair value of our Credit Facility is based on a relative value analysis performed on or about March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The estimated fair values of our Senior Notes are based on quoted market prices as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The other debt is a fixed-rate debt that is payable in 32 semi-annual installments, beginning in 2008. It is not traded and does not have an observable market input; therefore, we have estimated its fair value to be equal to the carrying value.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 measurements during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.