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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 4. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all cash balances and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, corporate debt securities, and accounts receivable. The Company's policy is to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution, and place investments with financial institutions evaluated as being creditworthy, or in short-term money market and tax-free bond funds which are exposed to minimal interest rate and credit risk. The Company has bank deposits and overnight repurchase agreements that exceed federally-insured limits. Concentration of credit risk, with respect to casino receivables, is limited through the Company's credit evaluation process. The Company issues markers to approved casino customers only following credit checks and investigations of creditworthiness. Marker balances issued to approved casino customers were $4.9 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $4.3 million at December 31, 2013. The Company's receivables of $41.6 million and $52.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily consist of $4.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively, due from the West Virginia Lottery for gaming revenue settlements and capital reinvestment projects at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, $6.8 million and $10.3 million, respectively, for reimbursement of expenses paid on behalf of Casino Rama, $2.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for racing settlements due from simulcasting at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for reimbursement of payroll expenses paid on behalf of the Company's joint venture in Kansas, and markers issued to customers mentioned above. For 2013, receivables included $6.5 million of tax obligations that were reimbursed by GLPI in 2014. Accounts are written off when management determines that an account is uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined to reduce the Company's receivables to their carrying value, which approximates fair value. The allowance is estimated based on historical collection experience, specific review of individual customer accounts, and current economic and business conditions. Historically, the Company has not incurred any significant credit-related losses. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs that neither add materially to the value of the asset nor appreciably prolong its useful life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in the determination of income. Depreciation of property and equipment is recorded using the straight- line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Land improvements |  | 15 years
Building and improvements |  | 5 to 31 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment |  | 3 to 31 years
All construction costs funded by Penn considered to be an improvement to the real property assets leased from GLPI under the Master Lease are recorded as leasehold improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the related lease term. The estimated useful lives are determined based on the nature of the assets as well as the Company's current operating strategy. The Company reviews the carrying value of its property and equipment for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors. For purposes of recognizing and measuring impairment in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360, "Property, Plant, and Equipment," assets are grouped at the individual property level representing the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets. Such an impairment loss would be recognized as a non-cash component of operating income. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets At December 31, 2014, the Company had $277.6 million in goodwill and $370.6 million in other intangible assets within its consolidated balance sheet, representing 12.4% and 16.6% of total assets, respectively, resulting from the Company's acquisition of other businesses and payment for gaming licenses. Two issues arise with respect to these assets that require significant management estimates and judgment: (i) the valuation in connection with the initial purchase price allocation; and (ii) the ongoing evaluation for impairment. In connection with the Company's acquisitions, valuations are completed to determine the allocation of the purchase prices. The factors considered in the valuations include data gathered as a result of the Company's due diligence in connection with the acquisitions, projections for future operations, and data obtained from third-party valuation specialists as deemed appropriate. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits of a business combination measured as the excess purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, in two steps. In step 1 of the impairment test, the current fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow model which is then compared to the carrying value of each reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value in step 1 of the impairment test, then step 2 of the impairment test is performed to determine the implied fair value of goodwill for that reporting unit. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the goodwill allocated for that reporting unit, an impairment is recognized. In accordance with ASC 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other," the Company considers its gaming licenses and other various intangible assets as indefinite-life intangible assets that do not require amortization based on the Company's future expectations to operate its gaming facilities indefinitely (notwithstanding the recent events in Iowa which the Company concluded was an isolated incident and the first time in the Company's history a gaming regulator has taken an action which could cause it to lose its gaming license) as well as its historical experience in renewing these intangible assets at minimal cost with various state commissions. Rather, these intangible assets are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the recorded assets to their carrying amount. If the carrying amounts of the indefinite-life intangible assets exceed their fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company completes its testing of its intangible assets prior to assessing the realizability of its goodwill. The Company assessed the fair value of its indefinite-life intangible assets (which are primarily gaming licenses) using the Greenfield Method under the income approach. The Greenfield Method estimates the fair value of the license using a discounted cash flow model assuming the Company built a casino with similar utility to that of the existing facility. The method assumes a theoretical start-up company going into business without any assets other than the intangible asset being valued. As such, the value of the license is a function of the following items:
• | Projected revenues and operating cash flows (including an allocation of the Company's projected rental obligation to its reporting units);
• | Theoretical construction costs and duration;
• | Pre-opening expenses;
• | Discounting that reflects the level of risk associated with receiving future cash flows attributable to the license; and
• | Remaining useful life of the license.
The evaluation of goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets requires the use of estimates about future operating results of each reporting unit to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit and the indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company must make various assumptions and estimates in performing its impairment testing. The implied fair value includes estimates of future cash flows (including an allocation of the Company's projected rental obligation to its reporting units) that are based on reasonable and supportable assumptions which represent the Company's best estimates of the cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets including their eventual disposition. Changes in estimates, increases in the Company's cost of capital, reductions in transaction multiples, changes in operating and capital expenditure assumptions or application of alternative assumptions and definitions could produce significantly different results. Future cash flow estimates are, by their nature, subjective and actual results may differ materially from the Company's estimates. If the Company's ongoing estimates of future cash flows are not met, the Company may have to record additional impairment charges in future accounting periods. The Company's estimates of cash flows are based on the current regulatory and economic climates, recent operating information and budgets of the various properties where it conducts operations. These estimates could be negatively impacted by changes in federal, state or local regulations, economic downturns, or other events affecting the Company's properties. Forecasted cash flows (based on the Company's annual operating plan as determined in the fourth quarter) can be significantly impacted by the local economy in which its reporting units operate. For example, increases in unemployment rates can result in decreased customer visitations and/or lower customer spend per visit. In addition, the impact of new legislation which approves gaming in nearby jurisdictions or further expands gaming in jurisdictions where the Company's reporting units currently operate can result in opportunities for the Company to expand its operations. However, it also has the impact of increasing competition for the Company's established properties which generally will have a negative effect on those locations' profitability once competitors become established as a certain level of cannibalization occurs absent an overall increase in customer visitations. Lastly, increases in gaming taxes approved by state regulatory bodies can negatively impact forecasted cash flows. Assumptions and estimates about future cash flow levels and multiples by individual reporting units are complex and subjective. They are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors, such as industry, geopolitical and economic trends, and internal factors, such as changes in the Company's business strategy, which may reallocate capital and resources to different or new opportunities which management believes will enhance its overall value but may be to the detriment of an individual reporting unit. Once an impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-life intangible assets has been recorded, it cannot be reversed. Because the Company's goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets are not amortized, there may be volatility in reported income because impairment losses, if any, are likely to occur irregularly and in varying amounts. Intangible assets that have a definite-life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or related service contract. The Company reviews the carrying value of its intangible assets that have a definite-life for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the intangible assets that have a definite-life exceed their fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs that are incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual term of the underlying indebtedness. Other Comprehensive Income The Company accounts for comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 220, "Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for the reporting and presentation of comprehensive income in the consolidated financial statements. The Company presents comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements. The net of tax changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component were as follows (in thousands):
|  | Foreign Currency |  | Available for sale securities |  | Total |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2012 |  | $ | 1,628 |  | $ | 1,394 |  | $ | 3,022 |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |  |  | (1,245 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,245 | )
Unrealized holding losses on corporate debt securities |  |  | — |  |  | (98 | ) |  | (98 | )
Realized gain on redemption of corporate debt securities |  |  | — |  |  | (1,296 | ) |  | (1,296 | )
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Ending balance at December 31, 2013 |  |  | 383 |  |  | — |  |  | 383 |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |  |  | (1,665 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,665 | )
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Ending balance at December 31, 2014 |  | $ | (1,282 | ) | $ | — |  | $ | (1,282 | )
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Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and are measured at the prevailing enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences are settled or realized. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realizability of the net deferred tax assets is evaluated quarterly by assessing the valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of the allowance, if necessary. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including projected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. The evaluation of both positive and negative evidence is a requirement pursuant to ASC 740 in determining more-likely-than-not the net deferred tax assets will be realized. In the event the Company determines that the deferred income tax assets would be realized in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. ASC 740 also creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions, and clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise's financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in noncurrent tax liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances Gaming revenue consists mainly of slot and video lottery gaming machine revenue as well as to a lesser extent table game and poker revenue. Gaming revenue is the aggregate net difference between gaming wins and losses, with liabilities recognized for funds deposited by customers before gaming play occurs, for "ticket-in, ticket-out" coupons in the customers' possession, and for accruals related to the anticipated payout of progressive jackpots. Progressive slot machines, which contain base jackpots that increase at a progressive rate based on the number of coins played, are charged to revenue as the amount of the jackpots increases. Table game revenue is the aggregate of table drop adjusted for the change in aggregate table chip inventory. Table drop is the total dollar amount of the currency, coins, chips, tokens and outstanding markers (credit instruments) that are removed from the live gaming tables. Food, beverage and other revenue, including racing revenue, is recognized as services are performed. Racing revenue includes the Company's share of pari-mutuel wagering on live races after payment of amounts returned as winning wagers, its share of wagering from import and export simulcasting, and its share of wagering from its off-track wagering facilities ("OTWs'). Revenue from the management service contract for Casino Rama is based upon contracted terms and is recognized when services are performed. Revenues are recognized net of certain sales incentives in accordance with ASC 605-50, "Revenue Recognition—Customer Payments and Incentives." The Company records certain sales incentives and points earned in point-loyalty programs as a reduction of revenue. 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 promotional allowances. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in food, beverage and other expense. The amounts included in promotional allowances for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Year ended December 31, |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Rooms |  | $ | 33,513 |  | $ | 36,132 |  | $ | 26,612 |
Food and beverage |  |  | 106,936 |  |  | 123,263 |  |  | 108,250 |
Other |  |  | 9,870 |  |  | 11,244 |  |  | 9,878 |
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Total promotional allowances |  | $ | 150,319 |  | $ | 170,639 |  | $ | 144,740 |
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The estimated cost of providing such complimentary services for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Year ended December 31, |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Rooms |  | $ | 10,559 |  | $ | 12,565 |  | $ | 9,814 |
Food and beverage |  |  | 45,629 |  |  | 50,842 |  |  | 44,383 |
Other |  |  | 5,142 |  |  | 5,369 |  |  | 7,013 |
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Total cost of complimentary services |  | $ | 61,330 |  | $ | 68,776 |  | $ | 61,210 |
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Gaming and Racing Taxes The Company is subject to gaming and pari-mutuel taxes based on gross gaming revenue and pari-mutuel revenue in the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company primarily recognizes gaming and pari-mutuel tax expense based on the statutorily required percentage of revenue that is required to be paid to state and local jurisdictions in the states where or in which wagering occurs. In certain states in which the Company operates, gaming taxes are based on graduated rates. The Company records gaming tax expense at the Company's estimated effective gaming tax rate for the year, considering estimated taxable gaming revenue and the applicable rates. Such estimates are adjusted each interim period. If gaming tax rates change during the year, such changes are applied prospectively in the determination of gaming tax expense in future interim periods. Finally, the Company recognizes purse expense based on the statutorily required percentage of revenue that is required to be paid out in the form of purses to the winning owners of horse races run at the Company's racetracks in the period in which wagering occurs. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, these expenses, which are recorded primarily within gaming expense in the consolidated statements of operations, were $0.89 billion, $1.02 billion, and $1.07 billion, respectively. Rental Expense related to the Master Lease As of December 31, 2014, the Company leased from GLPI real property assets associated with eighteen of the Company's gaming and related facilities used in the Company's operations. The rent structure under the Master Lease, which became effective November 1, 2013, includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to a floor of zero (i) every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change to net revenues of all facilities under the Master Lease (other than Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo) during the preceding five years, and (ii) monthly by an amount equal to 20% of the change in net revenues of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo during the preceding month. In addition, with the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in the third quarter of 2014, these properties began paying rent subject to the terms of the Master Lease, which had the impact of increasing the Company's annual rental expense related to the Master Lease by approximately $19 million, which approximates ten percent of the real estate construction costs paid for by GLPI related to these facilities. In April 2014, an amendment to the Master Lease was entered into in order to revise certain provisions relating to the Sioux City property. In accordance with the amendment, upon the ceasing of gaming operations at Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014 due to the termination of its gaming license, the annual rent payable to GLPI was reduced by $6.2 million. Additionally, the Company finalized its calculation of rent coverage in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Master Lease to determine if an annual base rent escalator is due. The calculation of the escalator resulted in an increase to the Company's annual rent expense of $3.2 million starting November 1, 2014. The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, the Company is required to pay the following, among other things: (1) all facility maintenance; (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties; (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor); and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. At the Company's option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to four five-year renewal terms beyond the initial fifteen-year term, on the same terms and conditions. Total rental expense under the Master Lease was $421.4 million and $69.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Earnings Per Share The Company calculates earnings per share ("EPS") in accordance with ASC 260, "Earnings Per Share" ("ASC 260"). Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities such as stock options and unvested restricted shares. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had outstanding 8,624 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and at December 31, 2012, had outstanding 12,275 of Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock"). The Company determined that both classes of preferred stock qualified as a participating security as defined in ASC 260 since these securities participate in dividends with the Company's common stock. In accordance with ASC 260, a company is required to use the two-class method when computing EPS when a company has a security that qualifies as a "participating security." The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. A participating security is included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, basic EPS for the Company's common stock is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS for the Company's common stock is computed using the more dilutive of the two-class method or the if-converted method. Since the Company's preferred shareholders are not obligated to fund the losses of the Company nor is the contractual principal of the Series C Preferred Stock reduced as a result of losses incurred by the Company, no allocation of the Company's undistributed losses resulting from the net loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is required. As such, since the Company reported a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, it was required by ASC 260 to use basic weighted-average common shares outstanding, rather than diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding, when calculating diluted EPS. The following table sets forth the allocation of net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 under the two-class method:
Year ended December 31, |  | 2012 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Net income |  | $ | 211,971 |
Net income applicable to preferred stock |  |  | 41,023 |
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Net income applicable to common stock |  | $ | 170,948 |
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The following table reconciles the weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic EPS to the weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2012:
Year ended December 31, |  | 2012 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Determination of shares: |  |  |  |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 76,345 |
Assumed conversion of dilutive employee stock-based awards |  |  | 2,305 |
Assumed conversion of restricted stock |  |  | 159 |
Assumed conversion of preferred stock |  |  | 24,995 |
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Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 103,804 |
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For the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company was required to adjust its diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the purpose of calculating diluted EPS as follows: 1) when the price of the Company's common stock at the end of the reporting period was less than $45, the diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding was increased by 26,777,778 shares (regardless of how much the stock price was below $45); 2) when the price of the Company's common stock at the end of the reporting period was between $45 and $67, the diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding was increased by an amount which was calculated by dividing $1.205 billion (face value) by the current price per share of the Company's common stock, which resulted in an increase in the diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding of between 17,985,075 shares and 26,777,778 shares; and 3) when the price of the Company's common stock at the end of the reporting period was above $67, the diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding was increased by 17,985,075 shares (regardless of how much the stock price exceeded $67). Options to purchase 6,633,622 shares, 7,316,713 shares and 1,693,500 shares were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were antidilutive. The following tables present the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the Company's common stock for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
Year ended December 31, |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |
Calculation of basic and diluted EPS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net loss |  | $ | (233,195 | ) | $ | (794,339 | )
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 78,425 |  |  | 78,111 |
Basic and Diluted EPS |  | $ | (2.97 | ) | $ | (10.17 | )
Year ended December 31, |  | 2012 |
Calculation of basic EPS: |  |  |  |
Net income applicable to common stock |  | $ | 170,948 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 76,345 |
Basic EPS |  | $ | 2.24 |
Calculation of diluted EPS using if-converted method: |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 211,971 |
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 103,804 |
Diluted EPS |  | $ | 2.04 |
Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock compensation under ASC 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation," which requires the Company to expense the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period following the date of grant. The fair value for stock options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires management to make certain assumptions. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury spot rate with a term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Expected volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock price over a period of 5.45 years, in order to match the expected life of the options at the grant date. The decline in the weighted average expected life compared to the prior years is due to the fact that the Company did not issue stock options in 2013 as well as lower amounts of stock options issued compared to years prior to 2013. Historically, at the grant date, there has been no expected dividend yield assumption since the Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock since its initial public offering in May 1994 and since the Company intends to retain all of its earnings to finance the development of its business for the foreseeable future. The weighted-average expected life was based on the contractual term of the stock option and expected employee exercise dates, which was based on the historical and expected exercise behavior of the Company's employees. The following are the weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
Year ended December 31, |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |
Risk-free interest rate |  |  | 1.68 | % |  | 1.08 | % |  | 0.84 | %
Expected volatility |  |  | 44.80 | % |  | 46.27 | % |  | 45.78 | %
Dividend yield |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Weighted-average expected life (years) |  |  | 5.45 |  |  | 6.57 |  |  | 6.64 |
See Note 15 for a discussion on the impact of the Spin-Off on the Company's stock-based equity awards. Segment Information The Company's Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") as that term is defined in ASC 280, "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), measures and assesses the Company's business performance based on regional operations of various properties grouped together based primarily on their geographic locations. In January 2014, the Company named Jay Snowden as its Chief Operating Officer and the Company decided in connection with this announcement to re-align its reporting structure. Starting in January 2014, the Company's reportable segments are: (i) East/Midwest, (ii) West, and (iii) Southern Plains. The East/Midwest reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Bangor, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino Toledo, which opened on May 29, 2012, Hollywood Casino Columbus, which opened on October 8, 2012, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which opened on August 28, 2014, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, which opened on September 17, 2014. It also includes the Company's Casino Rama management service contract and the Plainville project in Massachusetts which the Company expects to open in June 2015. It also previously included Hollywood Casino Perryville, which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013. The West reportable segment consists of the following properties: Zia Park Casino and the M Resort, as well as the Jamul development project, which the Company anticipates completing in mid-2016. The Southern Plains reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast (formerly Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis), Boomtown Biloxi, and Hollywood Casino St. Louis (formerly Harrah's St. Louis which was acquired from Caesars Entertainment on November 2, 2012), and includes the Company's 50% investment in Kansas Entertainment, LLC ("Kansas Entertainment"), which owns the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. On July 30, 2014, the Company closed Argosy Casino Sioux City. This segment also previously included Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013. The Other category consists of the Company's standalone racing operations, namely Rosecroft Raceway, Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, and the Company's joint venture interests in Sam Houston Race Park, Valley Race Park, and Freehold Raceway, as well as the Company's 50% joint venture with the Cordish Companies in New York. It also previously included the Company's Bullwhackers property, which was sold in July 2013. If the Company is successful in obtaining gaming operations at these locations, they would be assigned to one of the Company's reportable segments. The Other category also includes the Company's corporate overhead operations which does not meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280. The prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the Company's new reporting structure in accordance with ASC 280. See Note 16 for further information with respect to the Company's segments. Statements of Cash Flows The Company has presented the consolidated statements of cash flows using the indirect method, which involves the reconciliation of net (loss) income to net cash flow from operating activities. Acquisitions The Company accounts for its acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations." The results of operations of acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. Variable Interest Entities In accordance with the authoritative guidance of ASC 810, "Consolidation" ("ASC 810"), the Company consolidates a VIE if the Company is the primary beneficiary, defined as the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. A variable interest is a contractual, ownership or other interest that changes with changes in the fair value of the VIE's net assets exclusive of variable interests. To determine whether a variable interest the Company holds could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of its involvement with the VIE. The Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE or the holder of a significant variable interest in a VIE on an on-going basis for each such interest. Certain Risks and Uncertainties The Company faces intense gaming competition in most of the markets where its properties operate. Various states are currently considering or implementing legislation to legalize or expand gaming. Such legislation presents potential opportunities for the Company to establish new properties; however, this also presents potential competitive threats to the Company's existing properties. For example, the Company's two facilities—one in Charles Town, West Virginia and one in Grantville, Pennsylvania—that each generated approximately 10% or more of our net revenues will face or have faced new sources of significant competition in the near term. Namely, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and, to a lesser extent, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course faced increased competition from the opening in June 2012 of a significant casino complex at the Arundel Mills mall in Anne Arundel, Maryland. The Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, which opened at the end of August 2014, has not had a significant negative impact on the operations of these two properties, however may have a negative impact in 2015 as the new facility becomes more established. Additionally, a mid-2016 opening of a casino operated by MGM in Prince George's County, Maryland will also negatively impact the operations at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and, to a lesser extent, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The Company's operations are dependent on its continued licensing by state gaming commissions. The loss of a license, in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates, could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations. The Company is dependent on each gaming property's local market for a significant number of its patrons and revenues. If economic conditions in these areas deteriorate or additional gaming licenses are awarded in these markets, the Company's results of operations could be adversely affected. The Company is dependent on the economy of the U.S. in general, and any deterioration in the national economic, energy, credit and capital markets could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations. The Company is dependent upon a stable gaming and admission tax structure in the locations that it operates in. Any change in the tax structure could have a material adverse affect on future results of operations.

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