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Note 5. Investment in Unconsolidated Investee
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block]
5.  Investment in Unconsolidated Investee

Lakes has an investment in Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC (“Rock Ohio Ventures”), a privately-held company, that owns the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio which opened to the public in May 2012, the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio which opened in March 2013, and the Thistledown Racino in North Randall, Ohio which added VLTs to its existing racetrack in April 2013. This investment is accounted for using the cost method since Lakes owns less than 20% of Rock Ohio Ventures and does not have the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial decisions of the entity. At March 31, 2013 and December 30, 2012, Lakes had invested a total of $21.0 million and $20.2 million, respectively, in Rock Ohio Ventures, which is included in investment in unconsolidated investee in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company's cost method investment is evaluated, on at least a quarterly basis, for potential other-than-temporary impairment, or when an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.  Lakes monitors this investment for impairment by considering all information available to the Company including the economic environment, market conditions, and operational performance and other specific factors relating to the business underlying the investment.

The fair value of the cost method investment is considered impracticable to estimate.  The impracticability in developing such an estimate is due primarily to insufficient information necessary to prepare a valuation model to determine fair value. Lakes is not aware of any events or changes in circumstances that could have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of this investment.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 30, 2012, no impairment was identified.

Lakes has the right, but not the obligation, to make additional investments up to 10% of equity required by Rock Ohio Ventures to develop the gaming properties in Ohio in return for a corresponding equity interest in those casinos (see note 13, Commitments and Contingencies).