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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (“Monarch”), a Nevada corporation, was incorporated in 1993. Monarch’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc. (“Golden Road”), operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (the “Atlantis”), a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada. Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiaries, High Desert Sunshine, Inc. and Golden North, Inc., each own separate parcels of land located adjacent to the Atlantis. Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiary Monarch Growth Inc. (“Monarch Growth”) was formed in 2011, entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement on September 29, 2011 to purchase Riviera Black Hawk, Inc. (see Note 10.) and owns a parcel of land in Black Hawk, Colorado contiguous to the Riviera Black Hawk Casino. Unless stated otherwise, the “Company” refers collectively to Monarch and its subsidiaries.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Monarch and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Self-insurance Reserves

The Company reviews self-insurance reserves at least quarterly. The reserve is determined by reviewing the actual expenditures for the previous twelve-month period and reports prepared by the third party plan administrator for any significant unpaid claims. The reserve is accrued at an amount that is estimated to pay both reported and unreported claims as of the balance sheet date, which management believes are adequate.

Capitalized Interest

The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with debt incurred in connection with major construction projects. When no debt is specifically identified as being incurred in connection with a construction project, the Company capitalizes interest on amounts expended on the project at the Company’s average borrowing cost. Interest capitalization is ceased when the project is substantially complete. The Company did not capitalize interest during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, as well as investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of food, beverages, and retail merchandise, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment is depreciated principally on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Land improvements		15-40 years
Buildings		30-40 years
Building improvements		15-40 years
Furniture		5-10 years
Equipment		5-20 years

The Company evaluates property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with the guidance for accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. For assets to be disposed of, the Company recognizes the asset to be sold at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs of disposal. Fair value for assets to be disposed of is generally estimated based on comparable asset sales, solicited offers or a discounted cash flow model. For assets to be held and used, the Company reviews fixed assets for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. If an indicator of impairment exists, we compare the estimated future cash flows of the asset, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying value of the asset. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is measured based on fair value compared to carrying value, with fair value typically based on a discounted cash flow model or market comparables, when available. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, there were no impairment charges.

Casino Revenues

Casino revenues represent the net win from gaming activity, which is the difference between wins and losses. Additionally, net win is reduced by a provision for anticipated payouts on slot participation fees, progressive jackpots and any pre-arranged marker discounts.

Promotional Allowances

The Company’s frequent player program, Club Paradise, allows members, through the frequency of their play at the Company’s casino, to earn and accumulate points which may be redeemed for a variety of goods and services at the Atlantis. Points may be applied toward room stays at the hotel, food and beverage consumption at the food outlets, gift shop items as well as goods and services at the spa and beauty salon. Points earned may also be applied toward off-property events such as concerts, shows and sporting events. Points may not be redeemed for cash.

In October 2009, the Company launched a new program under the Club Paradise program called “EZ Comp(SM)”. Among other things, the technology allows Atlantis patrons to see their redeemable Complimentary point balances. Prior to the launch of the EZ Comp(SM) program, the Company recognized expense at the time Complimentary points were redeemed and the redemption value was at the Company’s discretion. Under the new program, the Company recognizes Complimentaries expense at the time points are earned, which occurs commensurate with casino patron play. The redemption value is now known to the patron. This change in the Company’s program resulted in a one-time, non-cash charge in 2009 of approximately $1.4 million to recognize the liability for redeemable Complimentary point balances on the date the EZ Comp(SM) program was launched.

The retail value of hotel, food and beverage services provided to customers without charge is included in gross revenue and deducted as promotional allowances. The estimated departmental costs of providing such promotional allowances are included in casino costs and expenses as follows:

	Years ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Food and beverage	$	16,244,303	$	15,878,288	$	13,844,611
Hotel	2,328,566		2,276,414		3,023,164
Other	1,696,485		1,505,020		641,404
	$	20,269,354	$	19,659,722	$	17,509,179

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense, was $4,083,700, $3,883,958 and $3,844,432 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the liability method pursuant to authoritative guidance. Under the asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes, the following basic principles are applied in accounting for income taxes at the date of the financial statements: (a) a current liability or asset is recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on taxes for the current year; (b) a deferred income tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards; (c) the measurement of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on the provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated; and (d) the measurement of deferred income taxes is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based upon available evidence, are not expected to be realized.

Under the accounting guidance, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50.0% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in current and noncurrent tax liabilities, based on when expected to be recognized, within the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2011.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company extends short-term credit to its gaming customers. Such credit is non-interest bearing and is due on demand. In addition, the Company also has receivables due from hotel guests which are primarily secured with a credit card at the time a customer checks in. An allowance for doubtful accounts is set up for all Company receivables based upon the Company’s historical collection and write-off experience, unless situations warrant a specific identification of a necessary reserve related to certain receivables. The Company charges off its uncollectible receivables once all efforts have been made to collect such receivables. The book value of receivables approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the receivables.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the authoritative guidance requiring that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options, and based on the closing share price of the Company’s stock on the grant date for restricted stock awards. The cost is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period of the equity award). The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plan is more fully discussed in Note 8. - Share-Based Compensation.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the additional dilution for all potentially dilutive securities such as stock options.

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations (shares in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	Shares	Per Share Amount		Shares	Per Share Amount		Shares	Per Share Amount
Net income
Basic	16,138	$	0.35	16,131	$	0.51	16,123	$	0.30
Effect of dilutive stock options	93	—		75	—		36	—
Diluted	16,231	$	0.35	16,206	$	0.51	16,159	$	0.30

The following options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and their inclusion would be antidilutive:

	Years ended December 31,
	2011	2010	2009
Options to purchase shares of common stock (in thousands)	1,720	1,715	1,528
Exercise prices	$10.43-$29.00	$10.43-$29.00	$9.00-$29.00
Expiration dates (mo./yr.)	10/14-12/21	10/14-10/19	11/14-11/18

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments has been determined by the Company, using available market information and valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value; thus, the estimates provided herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of bank deposits and trade receivables. The Company maintains its surplus cash in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and accounts receivable. 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.

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s operations are dependent on its continued licensing by the Nevada gaming commission. The loss of a license could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations.

The Company is dependent on the local market for a significant number of its patrons and revenues. If economic conditions in these areas deteriorate or additional gaming licenses are awarded, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company is dependent on the U.S. economy 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 location that it operates in. Any change in the tax structure could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In April 2010, the FASB issued guidance on accruing for jackpot liabilities that clarifies that an entity should not accrue jackpot liabilities (or portions thereof) before a jackpot is won if the entity can legally avoid paying that jackpot (for example, by removing the gaming machine from the casino floor). Jackpots should be accrued and charged to revenue when an entity has the obligation to pay the jackpot. This guidance applies to both base jackpots and the incremental portion of progressive jackpots. The guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010 and was applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. Under Nevada gaming regulations, the removal of base jackpots is not prohibited and upon adoption, the Company reversed previously accrued base jackpots of $639 thousand as of January 1, 2011 as a credit to opening retained earnings. This adoption did not affect the accounting for progressive jackpots, as the Company’s existing accounting was in accordance with the new guidance.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amendments to enhance disclosures about offsetting and related arrangements. This information will enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial and derivative instruments. These amendments are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The disclosures required by these amendments should be provided retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Management does not believe that these amendments will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amendments to guidance regarding the presentation of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The amendments eliminate the option to present components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments require that comprehensive income be presented in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In a single continuous statement, the entity would present the components of net income and total net income, the components of OCI and a total of OCI, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, the entity would present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income and a statement of OCI would immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of OCI and a total for OCI, along with a total for comprehensive income. The amendments also require the entity to present on the face of the financial statements any reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of OCI are presented. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in OCI, when an item of OCI must be reclassed to net income or the option to present components of OCI either net of related tax effects or before related tax effects. The amendments, excluding the specific requirement to present on the face of the financial statements any reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of OCI are presented which was deferred by the FASB in December 2011, are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2012 which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued amendments to existing fair value measurement guidance in order to achieve common requirements for measuring fair value and disclosures in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance clarifies how a principal market is determined, addresses the fair value measurement of instruments with offsetting market or counterparty credit risks, addresses the concept of valuation premise and highest and best use, extends the prohibition on blockage factors to all three levels of the fair value hierarchy and requires additional disclosures. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2012, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and 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 any such proposed or revised standards would have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net revenues, income from operations or net income. Revenues and expenses from the spa operations that were classified as hotel revenues and expenses in 2009 have been reclassified to other revenues and other expenses to conform with the 2011 and 2010 presentation.

The Company reclassified $2.4 million from hotel revenues to other revenues and reclassified $1.3 million from hotel operating expenses to other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009.