On December 6, 2019, certain subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the “Tenant”) and certain subsidiaries of VICI PropCo (collectively, the “Landlord”) entered into a sale and leaseback transaction in connection with the acquisition of the Company’s West Virginia and Missouri properties and entered into the Master Lease to lease the real estate assets. See Note 1 for a list of the Company’s subsidiaries under the Master Lease.

On December 1, 2022, an amendment provided for (i) modifications with respect to certain project work to be done by the Company related to Century Casino Caruthersville, (ii) modifications to rent under the Master Lease to provide for an increase in initial annualized rent by approximately $4.2 million after completion of the Caruthersville casino project and (iii) other related modifications.

On July 25, 2023, an amendment (i) added Rocky Gap to the Master Lease, (ii) increased initial annualized rent by approximately $15.5 million and (iii) extended the initial Master Lease term for 15 years from the date of the amendment (subject to the existing four five year renewal options).

On September 6, 2023, an amendment (i) added the Century Canadian Portfolio to the Master Lease, (ii) increased initial annualized rent by approximately CAD 17.3 million ($13.1 million based on the exchange rate on December 31, 2023) and (iii) extended the initial Master Lease term for 15 years from the date of the amendment (subject to the existing four five year renewal options).

The Master Lease does not transfer control of the properties under the Master Lease to VICI PropCo subsidiaries. The Company accounts for the transaction as a failed sale-leaseback financing obligation. When cash proceeds are exchanged, a failed sale-leaseback financing obligation is equal to the proceeds received for the assets that are sold and then leased back. The value of the failed sale-leaseback financing obligations recognized in this transaction was determined to be the fair value of the leased real estate assets. In subsequent periods, a portion of the periodic payment under the Master Lease will be recognized as interest expense with the remainder of the payment reducing the failed sale-leaseback financing obligation using the effective interest method. The failed sale-leaseback obligations will not be reduced to less than the net book value of the leased real estate assets as of the end of the lease term.

The fair values of the real estate assets and the related failed sale-leaseback financing obligation were estimated based on the present value of the estimated future payments over the term plus renewal options of 35 years, using the imputed discount rate of approximately 8.9%. The value of the failed sale-leaseback financing obligation is dependent upon assumptions regarding the amount of the payments and the estimated discount rate of the payments required by a market participant.

The Master Lease provides for the lease of land, buildings, structures and other improvements on the land (including barges and riverboats), easements and similar appurtenances to the land and improvements relating to the operations of the leased properties. The Master Lease has an initial term of 15 years with no purchase option. At the Company’s option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to four five year renewal terms beyond the initial 15 year term. The Company exercised one five year renewal option when the Master Lease was amended on December 1, 2022. The renewal terms are effective as to all, but not less than all, of the property then subject to the Master Lease. The Company does not have the ability to terminate its obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without the Landlord’s consent.

The Master Lease has a triple-net structure, which requires the Tenant to pay substantially all costs associated with the Company’s properties that are subject to the Master Lease, including real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and operating costs. The Master Lease contains certain covenants, including minimum capital improvement expenditures. The Company has provided a guarantee of the Tenant’s obligations under the Master Lease.

The rent payable under the Master Lease currently escalates at the greater of either 1.0125% (the “Base Rent Escalator”) or the increase in CPI. The CPI rent escalator for the Century Canadian Portfolio is capped at 2.5%. The Base Rent Escalator is subject to adjustment from and after the sixth year if the Minimum Rent Coverage (as defined in the Master Lease) is not satisfied.

The estimated future payments in the table below include payments and adjustments to reflect estimated payments as described in the Master Lease, including the minimum annual escalator of 1.0125%. The estimated future payments in the table below are not adjusted for increases based on the CPI or the additional rent related to the Caruthersville casino project that is anticipated to be completed in late 2024. Cash rent payments adjusted for CPI for the year ended December 31, 2024 are estimated to be $52.2 million.


Amounts in thousands
2024	$	50,152
2025		55,395
2026		56,088
2027		56,789
2028		57,499
Thereafter		2,082,469
Total payments		2,358,392
Residual value		21,643
Less imputed interest		(1,722,028)
Total	$	658,007

Total payments and interest expense related to the Master Lease for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:


	For the year ended
	December 31,
Amounts in thousands	2023		2022		2021
Payments made per Master Lease	$	39,048	$	25,529	$	25,271
CPI increase		1,691		137		—
Total payments made including CPI increase		40,739		25,666		25,271

Cash paid for principal ¹	$	—	$	—	$	—
Cash paid for interest		40,739		25,666		25,271

Interest expense	$	42,426	$	28,532	$	28,232