As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2015

File No.  001-[ ]

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   47-4668380

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3980 Howard Hughes Parkway

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(702) 541-7777

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

to be so registered

 

Name of each exchange on which

each class is to be registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨   Non-accelerated filer   x     Smaller reporting company   ¨
        

(Do not check if a

smaller reporting

company)

     

 

 

 

 


INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND

ITEMS OF FORM 10

Our information statement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference to this Form 10. For your convenience, we have provided below a cross-reference sheet identifying where the items required by Form 10 can be found in the information statement.

 

Item No.

 

Caption

 

Location in Information Statement

Item 1.   Business   See “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Business,” “The Separation,” “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Where You Can Find More Information”
Item 1a.   Risk Factors   See “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”
Item 2.   Financial Information   See “Summary,” “Capitalization,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
Item 3.   Properties   See “Business — Operating Facilities”
Item 4.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”
Item 5.   Directors and Executive Officers   See “Management”
Item 6.   Executive Compensation   See “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”
Item 7.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence   See “Risk Factors,” “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”
Item 8.   Legal Proceedings   See “Business — Legal Proceedings”
Item 9.   Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters   See “Summary,” “The Separation,” “Capitalization,” “Dividend Policy” and “Description of Capital Stock”
Item 10.   Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities   Not Applicable
Item 11.   Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered   See “The Separation,” “Dividend Policy” and “Description of Capital Stock”
Item 12.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers   See “Management” and “Description of Capital Stock”
Item 13.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   See “Summary,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Index to Financial Statements” and the statements referenced therein

 


Item No.

 

Caption

 

Location in Information Statement

Item 14.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   Not Applicable
Item 15.   Financial Statements and Exhibits   See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Index to Financial Statements” and the statements referenced therein

 

 

(a) List of Financial Statements and Schedules

The following financial statements are included in the Information Statement and filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form 10:

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of PNK Entertainment, Inc., and

Consolidated Financial Statements, including Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

(b) Exhibits

The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto unless otherwise indicated:

 

 Exhibit No.     

 

Exhibit Description

  2.1

  Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and, solely with respect to Article VIII, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.†

  3.1

  Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  3.2

  Form of Amended and Restated By-laws of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  10.1

  Form of Master Lease by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.†

  10.2

  Tax Matters Agreement, dated July 20, 2015, by and among Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and PNK Entertainment, Inc.

  10.3

  Form of Employee Matters Agreement by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

  21.1

  Subsidiaries of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  99.1

  Preliminary Information Statement of PNK Entertainment, Inc., subject to completion, dated December 22, 2015

  99.2

  Government Regulations and Gaming Issues*

 

 

* To be filed by amendment.

 

The form agreement contains a brief list identifying all schedules and exhibits thereto. Such schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted schedules and exhibits to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

PNK Entertainment, Inc.
By:    

        /s/ Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  Name:       Carlos A. Ruisanchez
  Title:   President, Treasurer and Secretary

Dated: December 22, 2015

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 Exhibit No.    

 

Exhibit Description

  2.1

  Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and, solely with respect to Article VIII, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.†

  3.1

  Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  3.2

  Form of Amended and Restated By-laws of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  10.1

  Form of Master Lease by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.†

  10.2

  Tax Matters Agreement, dated July 20, 2015, by and among Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and PNK Entertainment, Inc.

  10.3

  Form of Employee Matters Agreement by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

  21.1

  Subsidiaries of PNK Entertainment, Inc.*

  99.1

  Preliminary Information Statement of PNK Entertainment, Inc., subject to completion, dated December 22, 2015

  99.2

  Government Regulations and Gaming Issues*

 

 

* To be filed by amendment.

 

The form of agreement contains a brief list identifying all schedules and exhibits thereto. Such schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted schedules and exhibits to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

Exhibit 2.1

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

[OPCO]

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

AND,

SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO Article VIII,

GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.

Dated [                    ]


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
Article I   
DEFINITIONS   

1.1

  

Certain Definitions

     2   
Article II   
THE REORGANIZATION   

2.1

  

Transfer of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities

     12   

2.2

  

OpCo Cash Payment

     14   

2.3

  

Assets

     15   

2.4

  

Liabilities

     16   

2.5

  

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities from and After the Time of Distribution

     18   

2.6

  

Approvals and Notifications

     18   

2.7

  

Responsibility for Liabilities

     20   

2.8

  

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

     21   
Article III   
THE DISTRIBUTION   

3.1

  

Actions on or Prior to the Distribution Date

     21   

3.2

  

Conditions Precedent to Distribution

     22   

3.3

  

The Distribution

     23   

3.4

  

Corporate Name

     23   
Article IV   
ACCESS TO INFORMATION   

4.1

  

Agreement for Exchange of Information

     23   

4.2

  

Ownership of Information

     24   

4.3

  

Compensation for Providing Information

     24   

4.4

  

Record Retention

     24   

4.5

  

Liability

     25   

4.6

  

Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information

     25   

4.7

  

Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation

     25   

4.8

  

Privileged Matters

     26   


Article V
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION
5.1    Release of Pre-Distribution Claims    27
5.2    General Indemnification by OpCo    29
5.3    General Indemnification by Pinnacle    29
5.4    Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts    30
5.5    Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims    30
5.6    Tax Procedures    32
5.7    Additional Matters    33
5.8    Remedies Cumulative; Limitations of Liability    35
5.9    Survival of Indemnities    35
Article VI
OTHER AGREEMENTS
6.1    Further Assurances    35
6.2    Confidentiality    36
6.3    Insurance Matters    38
6.4    Litigation; Cooperation    38
6.5    Tax Matters    40
6.6    Employee Matters    40
6.7    Compliance with Legal Requirements    40
Article VII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
7.1    General Provisions    40
7.2    Arbitration    41
Article VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1    Corporate Power    43
8.2    Governing Law; Jurisdiction    43
8.3    Survival of Covenants    43
8.4    Force Majeure    43
8.5    Notices    43
8.6    Termination    44
8.7    Severability    45
8.8    Entire Agreement    45
8.9    Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries    45


8.10    Specific Performance    45
8.11    Amendment    45
8.12    Rules of Construction    46
8.13    Counterparts    46
8.14    GLPI Guaranty    46


SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a)   Pinnacle Contracts
Schedule 1.1(b)   Transfer Fee
Schedule 2.1(a)   Plan of Reorganization
Schedule 2.3(a)   Pinnacle Assets
Schedule 2.3(b)   OpCo Assets
Schedule 2.4(a)   Pinnacle Liabilities
Schedule 2.4(b)   OpCo Liabilities
Schedule 2.6(g)   Certain Leases
Schedule 6.4(a)(ii)   Pinnacle Assumed Actions
Schedule 6.4(b)(i)   Pinnacle Transferred Actions
EXHIBITS  
Exhibit A   Form of Restrictive Declaration


SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of [                    ] (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between [OpCo], a Delaware corporation (“ OpCo ”), Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Pinnacle ”), and, solely with respect to Article VIII , Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“ GLPI ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Pinnacle, GLPI, and Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), have entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as July 20, 2015 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), providing for, among other things, the merger of Pinnacle with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving such merger (the “ Merger ”) as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of GLPI;

WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, prior to the consummation of the Merger, Pinnacle shall separate its operations into an independent publicly-traded company by means of the Distribution (as defined below), all as more fully described in this Agreement and the agreements and actions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Reorganization ”);

WHEREAS, in order to effect the Reorganization, immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), Pinnacle shall distribute, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of OpCo Common Stock (as defined below) owned by Pinnacle to record holders of shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share (“ Pinnacle Common Stock ”), of Pinnacle (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger and the agreements contemplated thereby, including the Transactions (as defined below), Pinnacle, for the benefit of OpCo, has entered into the Company Financing Commitment (as defined below) in order to, among other things, make the OpCo Cash Payment (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Pinnacle (the “ Pinnacle Board of Directors ”) has approved the Reorganization;

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the Merger that, prior to the Effective Time, the Reorganization and Distribution be consummated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Reorganization and the Distribution and to set forth certain other agreements that will, following the Distribution, govern certain matters relating to the Reorganization and the Distribution and the relationship of Pinnacle, OpCo and their respective Affiliates.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1.1 :

Action ” means any demand, action, claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

Affiliate ” (including, with a correlative meaning, “ affiliated ”) means, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purpose of this definition and the definitions of “Pinnacle Group” and “OpCo Group,” “ control ” (including with correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that, from and after the Time of Distribution and for purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, no member of the OpCo Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the Pinnacle Group, and no member of the Pinnacle Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the OpCo Group.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Approval Costs ” means any fees, costs or expenses associated with the obtaining or making of the Required Approvals, other than the Transfer Fee.

Approvals or Notifications ” means any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any third Person, including any Governmental Authority.

Assets ” means, with respect to any Person, the assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill) of such Person, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third Persons or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of such Person, including the following:

(a) all accounting and other books, records and files whether in paper, microfilm, microfiche, computer tape or disc, magnetic tape, electronic or any other form and including all

 

2


architectural, structural, service manuals, engineering and mechanical plans, electrical, soil, wetlands, environmental, and similar reports, studies and audits in a Person’s possession or control;

(b) all office, hotel, casino, barge, showroom, restaurant, bar, convention, meeting and other furniture, furnishings, fittings, appliances, equipment, equipment manuals, slot machines, gaming tables and gaming paraphernalia (including parts or inventories thereof), passenger/delivery vehicles, computer hardware and IT hardware systems, reservations terminals, software, point of sale equipment, two-way security radios and base station, machinery, spare parts, apparatus, appliances, draperies, art work, carpeting, keys, building materials, telephones and other communications equipment, televisions, maintenance equipment, tools, signs and signage, office supplies, engineering, maintenance and cleaning supplies and other supplies of all kinds, stationery and printing, linens (sheets, towels, blankets, napkins), uniforms, silverware, glassware, chinaware, pots, pans and utensils, and food, beverage, alcoholic beverage inventories and all other articles of tangible personal property;

(c) all interests in Real Property;

(d) (i) all interests in any capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary or any other Person, (ii) all bonds, notes, debentures or other securities issued by any Subsidiary or any other Person, (iii) all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Subsidiary or any other Person and (iv) all other investments in securities of any Person;

(e) all license agreements, leases of personal property, supplies, parts or services and other contracts, agreements or commitments;

(f) all deposits, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds;

(g) all written (including in electronic form) or oral technical information, data, specifications, research and development information, engineering drawings and specifications, operating and maintenance manuals, and materials and analyses prepared by consultants and other third Persons;

(h) all Intellectual Property and Technology;

(i) all Software;

(j) all cost information, sales data, customer lists, markers, supplier records, customer and supplier lists, customer and vendor data, correspondence and lists, product data and literature, artwork, design, formulations and specifications, bookings, contracts, reservations, advertising, marketing and promotional materials, telephone numbers, quality records and reports and other books, records, studies, surveys, reports, plans and documents;

(k) all prepaid expenses, trade accounts and other accounts and notes receivable;

(l) all rights under contracts or agreements, all claims or rights against any Person arising from the ownership of any Asset, all rights in connection with any bids or offers and all claims, choses in action or similar rights, whether accrued or contingent;

 

3


(m) all rights under insurance policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution;

(n) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Authority;

(o) all Cash and Cash Equivalents, bank accounts, lock boxes and other deposit arrangements; and

(p) all interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements.

Belterra Park ” means PNK (Ohio), LLC, any of its Subsidiaries and any Assets and Liabilities held therein, including any real property interest.

Cash and Cash Equivalents ” means, as of any date of determination, all cash and cash equivalents determined in accordance with GAAP, all Restricted Cash and all marketable securities.

Closing Existing Indebtedness ” means the amount of Existing Indebtedness as of the Distribution Date.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company Financing Commitment ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

CPR ” means the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

CPR Arbitration Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a) .

Delaware Courts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(d) .

Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Distribution Agent ” means [●].

Distribution Date ” means the date on which the Distribution to Pinnacle’s stockholders is effective.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Employee Matters Agreement ” means the Employee Matters Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement, to be entered into by and between Pinnacle and OpCo on or prior to the Distribution Date.

Environmental Law ” means any Law relating to pollution, protection or restoration of or prevention of harm to the environment or natural resources, including the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Materials or the protection of or prevention of harm to human health and safety.

 

4


Estimated Existing Indebtedness ” means an amount of Existing Indebtedness equal to three billion six hundred seventy five million dollars ($3,675,000,000).

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time that reference is made.

Existing Indebtedness ” means (i) $850.0 million principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes issued by Pinnacle due 2021; (ii) $1.04 billion principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes issued by Ameristar Casinos, Inc. due 2021; (iii) $325.0 million principal amount of 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes issued by Pinnacle due 2022; (iv) $350.0 million principal amount of 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes issued by Pinnacle due 2020 and (v) the aggregate principal amount of obligations outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated August 13, 2013, by and among Pinnacle, as borrower, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent; but excluding, for avoidance of doubt, any and all accrued and unpaid interest on the items listed in clauses (i) through (v) above.

Fee Letter ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(f) .

Force Majeure ” means, with respect to a party, an event beyond the control of such party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which by its nature could not reasonably have been foreseen by such party (or such Person), or, if it could have reasonably been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, storms, floods, riots, fires, sabotage, civil commotion or civil unrest, interference by civil or military authorities, acts of war (declared or undeclared) or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity or one (1) or more acts of terrorism or failure of energy sources. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable and such party’s response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.

Form 10 ” means the registration statement on Form 10 filed by OpCo with the SEC relating to the OpCo Common Stock, as amended from time to time.

GLPI ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof.

Group ” means the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group, as the context requires.

Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.14(a) .

 

5


Hazardous Materials ” means any chemical, material, substance, waste, pollutant, emission, discharge, release or contaminant that could result in liability under, or that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to, any Environmental Law, and any natural or artificial substance (whether solid, liquid or gas, noise, ion, vapor or electromagnetic) which could cause harm to human health or the environment, including petroleum, petroleum products and byproducts, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, toxic mold, lead (including lead-based paint), electronic, medical or infectious wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, radioactive substances, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances.

Indemnification Trust Agreement ” means that certain Indemnification Trust Agreement dated as of August 16, 2005 by and between Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company and, as an additional party, Bruce Leslie, as Beneficiaries’ Representative.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) .

Indemnity Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) .

Information ” means information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer names, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.

Insurance Proceeds ” means those monies (i) received by an insured from an insurance carrier, (ii) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured or (iii) received (including by way of set off) from any third Person in the nature of insurance, contribution or indemnification in respect of any Liability; in any such case net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof.

Intellectual Property ” means all of the following whether arising under the Laws of the United States or of any other foreign or multinational jurisdiction: (i) patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon) and statutory invention registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (ii) trademarks, service marks, brand names, trade names, service names, trade dress, logos, slogans, symbols and other source or business identifiers, including all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and any and all common law rights in and to any of the foregoing, registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or

 

6


conventions, and all reissues, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) Internet domain names, (iv) copyrightable works, copyrights, moral rights, mask work rights, database rights, assumed names, corporate names, fictitious names and design rights, in each case, other than Software, whether or not registered, and all registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, and all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (v) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, invention disclosures, processes and know-how, in each case, other than Software, and (vi) intellectual property rights arising from or in respect of any Technology.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Law ” means any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.

Leased Property ” has the meaning set forth in the Master Lease.

Liabilities ” means any and all debts, guarantees, liabilities, costs, expenses, interest and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any third Person product liability claim), demand, Action, whether asserted or unasserted, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all costs and expenses relating thereto.

Master Lease ” means the Master Lease Agreement, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B to the Merger Agreement, to be entered into by Pinnacle and OpCo as of the Time of Distribution.

Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

National Securities Exchange ” means a securities exchange that has registered with the SEC under Section 6 of the Exchange Act, including the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.

OpCo ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

OpCo Assets ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) .

OpCo Assumed Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a)(i) .

 

7


OpCo Business ” means the businesses and operations conducted prior to the Time of Distribution by any member of the Pinnacle Group that are not included in the Pinnacle Business, including the business of conducting gaming and hospitality operations. For the avoidance of doubt, OpCo Business shall exclude any Pinnacle Asset or Pinnacle Liability.

OpCo Cash Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

OpCo Common Stock ” means shares of common stock, par value $[●] per share, of OpCo.

OpCo Confidential Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a) .

OpCo Group ” means OpCo, and each Person that is an Affiliate of OpCo immediately after the Distribution Date or that becomes an Affiliate of OpCo after the Distribution Date; provided , however , that no director, officer, employee, agent or other representative of any of the foregoing who is a natural person shall be deemed to be a member of the OpCo Group.

OpCo Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 .

OpCo Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

OpCo Transferred Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)(ii) .

Parent REIT ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) .

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Pinnacle ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Pinnacle Assets ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) .

Pinnacle Assumed Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a)(ii) .

Pinnacle Board of Directors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Pinnacle Business ” means the business of owning or leasing the Pinnacle Real Property and owning and operating the Pinnacle Subsidiaries, provided , that for the avoidance of doubt, the Pinnacle Business shall not include the business of conducting gaming or hospitality operations, racetracks or other facilities located at the Pinnacle Real Property and shall not include the business of owning, leasing or operating Belterra Park (including the Real Property owned by it or located therein). For the avoidance of doubt, Pinnacle Business shall exclude any OpCo Asset or OpCo Liability.

Pinnacle Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Pinnacle Confidential Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b) .

 

8


Pinnacle Contracts ” means any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding listed or described on Schedule 1.1(a) (or any applicable licenses, leases, addenda and similar arrangements thereunder as described on Schedule 1.1(a) ) and any other contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding, whether or not in writing, that relates primarily to the Pinnacle Business.

Pinnacle Group ” means Pinnacle and each Person that is an Affiliate of Pinnacle immediately after the Distribution Date or that becomes an Affiliate of Pinnacle after the Distribution Date; provided , however , that no director, officer, employee, agent or other representative of any of the foregoing who is a natural person shall be deemed a member of the Pinnacle Group.

Pinnacle Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 .

Pinnacle Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a) .

Pinnacle Real Property ” means all the Real Property of OpCo Group and Pinnacle Group, other than Belterra Park and the OpCo Assets expressly set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) .

Pinnacle Subsidiaries ” means the entities intended to remain Subsidiaries of Pinnacle in the Reorganization pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.

Pinnacle Transferred Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)(i) .

Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

Qualifying Income ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) .

Real Property ” means all interests in real property of whatever nature, whether as owner, mortgagee or holder of a Security Interest in real property, lessor, sublessor, lessee, sublessee or otherwise, and including all buildings, vessels, and barges located thereon or moored thereto, and all associated parking areas, fixtures and all other improvements located on thereon, and including all rights, benefits, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other appurtenances on such a real property or otherwise appertaining to or benefitting the real property and/or the improvements situated thereon, including all mineral rights, development rights, air and water rights, subsurface rights, vested rights entitling, or prospective rights which may entitle the owner of the real property to related easements, land use rights, air rights, viewshed rights, density credits, water, sewer, electrical or other utility service, credits and/or rebates, strips and gores and any land lying in the bed of any street, road or alley, open or proposed, adjoining the real property, and all easements, rights of way and other appurtenances used or connected with the beneficial use or enjoyment of the real property.

Record Date ” means the close of business on the date to be determined by the Pinnacle Board of Directors as the record date for the Distribution.

REIT ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) .

 

9


Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Representatives ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a) .

Required Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) .

Restricted Cash ” means cash in escrow accounts or which is otherwise subject to any other contractual or legal restriction that impairs the ability of the owner of such cash to freely transfer or use such cash for any lawful purpose.

Restrictive Declarations ” mean those certain restrictive declarations, to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and made part hereof, to be recorded against the undeveloped lands in Lake Charles, LA and Baton Rouge, LA which constitute OpCo Assets, as listed on Schedule 2.3(b) hereto, which restrictive declarations shall provide for access to the adjacent Leased Property and restrict gaming use on such undeveloped land, as more specifically provided for therein.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Interest ” means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any other nature.

Software ” means any and all (i) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (ii) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (iii) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons, and (iv) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation, relating to any of the foregoing.

Special Damages ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8 .

Specified REIT Requirements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) .

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (i) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (A) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities of such Person, (B) the total combined equity interests or (C) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (ii) otherwise has the power to vote, either directly or indirectly, sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.

Tax ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

10


Tax Matters Agreement ” means the Tax Matters Agreement, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit D to the Merger Agreement, to be entered into by and between OpCo, GLPI and Pinnacle on or prior to the Distribution Date.

Technology ” means all technology, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, discoveries, processes, techniques, ideas, know-how, research and development, technical data, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship in any media, confidential, proprietary or non-public information, and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses and other writings, and other tangible embodiments of the foregoing in any form whether or not listed herein, in each case, other than Software.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a) .

Time of Distribution ” means the time at which the Distribution occurs on the Distribution Date, which shall be determined by the Pinnacle Board of Directors.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the Master Lease, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Restrictive Declarations and the Transfer Documents.

Transaction Expenses ” means all of the OpCo Group’s and the Pinnacle Group’s (as such group exists as of the Distribution) fees and expenses of legal counsel, brokers, finders, consultants, experts, advisors and investment bankers incurred by or on behalf of, or to be paid by, any such Person in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall include any Approval Costs but exclude the Transfer Fee, fees, costs or expenses associated with the Company Financing Commitment, and any fees, costs or expenses of GLPI (including with respect to any of its financing arrangements) and any fees, expenses or costs with respect to the Existing Indebtedness).

Transactions ” means, collectively, (i) the Reorganization, (ii) the Distribution and (iii) all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

Transfer Documents ” means the documents executed by OpCo, Pinnacle or their applicable Affiliates or Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by Section 2.1(b) , Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.5(b) .

Transfer Fee ” means the costs set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) .

Year End Interest Amount ” means the amount of accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Existing Indebtedness as of December 31, 2015 but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any overdue interest and costs or penalties in respect thereof accrued and unpaid as of December 31, 2015.

 

11


ARTICLE II

THE REORGANIZATION

2.1 Transfer of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities .

(a) Prior to the Distribution, Pinnacle shall effect the steps of the plan and structure set forth on Schedule 2.1(a) (such plan and structure being referred to herein as the “ Plan of Reorganization ”), including:

(i) Pinnacle shall, and shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to OpCo or certain Persons designated by OpCo who are or will become members of the OpCo Group, and OpCo or such Persons shall accept from Pinnacle and its applicable Subsidiaries, all of Pinnacle’s and such Subsidiaries’ respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all OpCo Assets;

(ii) OpCo shall, and shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Pinnacle or certain Persons designated by Pinnacle who are or will become members of the Pinnacle Group, and Pinnacle or such Persons shall accept from OpCo and its applicable Subsidiaries, all of OpCo’s and such Subsidiaries’ respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all Pinnacle Assets;

(iii) subject to Section 2.6(c) , OpCo and certain Persons designated by OpCo who are or will become members of the OpCo Group shall assume all the OpCo Liabilities. OpCo and such Persons shall be responsible for all OpCo Liabilities, regardless of when or where such OpCo Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Distribution Date, regardless of where or against whom such OpCo Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any OpCo Liabilities arising out of claims made by Pinnacle’s or OpCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates; and

(iv) subject to Section 2.6(c) , Pinnacle and certain Persons designated by Pinnacle who are or will become members of the Pinnacle Group shall assume all the Pinnacle Liabilities. Pinnacle and such Persons shall be responsible for all Pinnacle Liabilities, regardless of when or where such Pinnacle Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Distribution Date, regardless of where or against whom such Pinnacle Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any Pinnacle Liabilities arising out of claims made by Pinnacle’s or OpCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

12


(b) In furtherance of the assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the OpCo Assets and the assumption of the OpCo Liabilities in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(i) and Section 2.1(a)(iii) , on the date that such OpCo Assets are assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered or such OpCo Liabilities are assumed (i) Pinnacle shall execute and deliver, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to execute and deliver, such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of Pinnacle and its Subsidiaries’ (other than OpCo and its Subsidiaries) right, title and interest in and to the OpCo Assets to OpCo and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) OpCo shall execute and deliver, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to execute and deliver, such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the OpCo Liabilities by OpCo and its Subsidiaries.

(c) In furtherance of the assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Pinnacle Assets and the assumption of the Pinnacle Liabilities in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(ii) and Section 2.1(a)(iv) , on the date that such Pinnacle Assets are assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered or such Pinnacle Liabilities are assumed (i) OpCo shall execute and deliver, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to execute and deliver, such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of OpCo’s and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the Pinnacle Assets to Pinnacle and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) Pinnacle shall execute and deliver, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to execute and deliver, such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the Pinnacle Liabilities by Pinnacle and its Subsidiaries.

(d) If at any time or from time to time (whether prior to or after the Time of Distribution), any party hereto (or any member of such party’s respective Group), shall receive or otherwise possess any Asset or Liability (including any Intellectual Property or Technology) that is allocated to any other Person pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such party shall, as applicable, promptly transfer or accept, or cause to be transferred or accepted, such Asset (including, with respect to the OpCo Assets, the funds to be transferred to OpCo pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(vi) below) or Liability, as the case may be, to the Person entitled to such Asset or responsible for such Liability, as the case may be. Prior to any such transfer, the Person receiving, possessing or responsible for such Asset or Liability shall be deemed to be holding such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, in trust for any such other Person.

(e) OpCo hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the Pinnacle Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the OpCo Assets to any member of the OpCo Group.

(f) Pinnacle hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the OpCo Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the Pinnacle Assets to any member of the Pinnacle Group.

 

13


2.2 OpCo Cash Payment . For purposes of this Agreement, the “ OpCo Cash Payment ” shall mean a transfer from OpCo to Pinnacle or the applicable member of the Pinnacle Group, as directed by Pinnacle, of an amount equal to $975,000,000 in connection with the Company Financing Commitment, as such amount may be adjusted pursuant to this Section 2.2 , such amount of which will, substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution and the Merger, be used by Pinnacle to satisfy a portion of the Liabilities under the Existing Indebtedness; provided that:

(a) in the event the Closing Existing Indebtedness exceeds the Estimated Existing Indebtedness, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such difference;

(b) the OpCo Cash Payment shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by (i) the aggregate amount of Medicare Taxes (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement), (ii) all Transaction Expenses up to and including either (A) thirty two million dollars ($32,000,000) if the Distribution and the Merger are completed on or prior to March 31, 2016 or (B) $25,000,000 if the Distribution or the Merger is completed after March 31, 2016 and (iii) the Transfer Fee;

(c) in the event the accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Existing Indebtedness as of the Time of Distribution exceeds the Year End Interest Amount, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such difference;

(d) in the event the Year End Interest Amount exceeds the amount of accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Existing Indebtedness as of the Time of Distribution, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such difference;

(e) in the event the Estimated Existing Indebtedness exceeds the Closing Existing Indebtedness, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such difference; and

(f) in the event the Distribution and the Merger have not been consummated by December 31, 2015, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by (x) the amount payable under Section 1(a)(1)(c) of the Fee Letter dated as of July 20, 2015, among GLPI and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the “ Fee Letter ”), as in effect on such date and (y) the amount of any comparable time-based fees payable after December 31, 2015 with respect to any commitment for Parent Alternate Financing (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement); provided that in no event shall the OpCo Cash Payment be increased pursuant to this clause (f) by more than $3,375,000 in the aggregate.

 

14


2.3 Assets .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Pinnacle Assets ” shall mean (without duplication):

(i) all Leased Property;

(ii) all Pinnacle Real Property;

(iii) all permits or authorizations necessary to operate the Pinnacle Business;

(iv) all issued and outstanding capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Pinnacle Subsidiaries;

(v) all Pinnacle Contracts;

(vi) the proceeds of the OpCo Cash Payment to be distributed from OpCo to Pinnacle in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (vii) all Assets of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be Pinnacle Assets; and

(vii) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 2.3(a) .

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Pinnacle Assets shall not in any event include any Assets governed by the Tax Matters Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement.

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ OpCo Assets ” shall mean (without duplication) all Assets of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group as of the Time of Distribution, other than the Pinnacle Assets, including:

(i) all Intellectual Property, Software and Technology of any member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group;

(ii) all Cash and Cash Equivalents held by any member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group (other than the proceeds of the OpCo Cash Payment), or that any such member has or may have a right to, in each case, immediately prior to the Time of Distribution;

(iii) all Assets of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be OpCo Assets;

(iv) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 2.3(b) ;

(v) Belterra Park; and

(vi) all funds distributed to Pinnacle under the Indemnification Trust Agreement (or any renewal, substitute or similar agreement), including upon and following the expiration of such agreement.

 

15


Notwithstanding the foregoing, the OpCo Assets shall not in any event include any Assets governed by the Tax Matters Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement.

2.4 Liabilities .

(a) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Pinnacle Liabilities ” shall mean (without duplication):

(i) except as otherwise expressly set forth in any Transaction Document, all Liabilities to the extent (A) relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Pinnacle Assets or the Pinnacle Business and (B) arising after the Time of Distribution;

(ii) all Liabilities expressly provided by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be assumed by Pinnacle or any member of the Pinnacle Group;

(iii) subject to Section 2.2 , all Liabilities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, breakage fees or other fees, costs or expenses) pursuant to the Existing Indebtedness and in connection with the Parent Financing (as defined in the Merger Agreement), if applicable; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, any fees, costs or expenses in connection with the Company Financing (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) shall not constitute Pinnacle Liabilities (other than as provided in Section 2.4(a)(vi) );

(iv) all Liabilities arising under any Environmental Law or with respect to Hazardous Materials in connection with, related to or associated with the Pinnacle Assets, including any such Liabilities arising in connection with the exposure to or release, discharge, emission or disposal or arrangement for same of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, or migrating from or to the Pinnacle Assets or at any third party properties, or with respect to actual or alleged violations of Environmental Law, in each case solely to the extent that the Liabilities arise and the facts on which they are based occur subsequent to the Distribution Date;

(v) the Transfer Fee (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be satisfied as a reduction to the OpCo Cash Payment pursuant to Section 2.2(b) );

(vi) all Transaction Expenses up to and including either (i) thirty two million dollars ($32,000,000) if the Distribution and the Merger are completed on or prior to March 31, 2016 or (ii) $25,000,000 if the Distribution or the Merger is completed after March 31, 2016 (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be satisfied as a reduction to the OpCo Cash Payment pursuant to Section 2.2(b) );

(vii) the accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Existing Indebtedness (for the avoidance of doubt, the OpCo Cash Payment shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.2(c) ); and

(viii) those Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.4(a) .

 

16


provided , however , that Pinnacle Liabilities shall not include any Liabilities that are governed by the Tax Matters Agreement or Employee Matters Agreement.

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ OpCo Liabilities ” shall mean (without duplication) all of the Liabilities of Pinnacle, OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group or Pinnacle Group (as such group exists as of the Time of Distribution), other than the Pinnacle Liabilities, including:

(i) except as otherwise expressly set forth in any Transaction Document, all Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any OpCo Assets or the OpCo Business or Pinnacle Assets or the Pinnacle Business, arising at or before the Time of Distribution (with respect to the Pinnacle Assets or the Pinnacle Business) or whether arising before, at or after the Time of Distribution (with respect to the OpCo Assets or the OpCo Business);

(ii) all Liabilities expressly provided by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be assumed by OpCo or any other member of the OpCo Group;

(iii) all Liabilities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any related interest or fees, costs or expenses) pursuant to the Company Financing Commitment;

(iv) all Liabilities of the Pinnacle Group (as such group exists as of the Time of Distribution) in respect of stockholder and securities litigation and the administration thereof relating to the Form 10 and the Transaction Documents arising between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time of the Merger (excluding any Liabilities to the extent relating to information supplied by GLPI or any action or inaction by GLPI, which for the avoidance of doubt shall be Pinnacle Liabilities);

(v) all Transaction Expenses exceeding either (i) thirty two million dollars ($32,000,000) if the Distribution and the Merger are completed on or prior to March 31, 2016 or (ii) twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) if the Distribution or the Merger is completed after March 31, 2016.

(vi) all Liabilities arising under any Environmental Law or with respect to Hazardous Materials including any such Liabilities arising in connection with the exposure to or release, discharge, emission or disposal or arrangement for same of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, or migrating from or to the Pinnacle Assets or at any third party properties, or with respect to actual or alleged violations of Environmental Law, except for those Liabilities expressly assumed by Pinnacle pursuant to Section 2.4(a)(iv) ;

(vii) those Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.4(b) ; and

(viii) any Liability of any member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group (as such group exists as of the Time of Distribution) that is not to be expressly assumed by a member of the Pinnacle Group pursuant to clauses (a)(i) through (a)(vii) of Section 2.4(a) above.

 

17


provided , however , that OpCo Liabilities shall not include any Liabilities that are governed by the Tax Matters Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement.

2.5 Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities from and After the Time of Distribution .

(a) To the extent any Pinnacle Asset is transferred or assigned to, or any Pinnacle Liability is assumed by, a member of the OpCo Group at the Time of Distribution or is owned or held by a member of the OpCo Group after the Time of Distribution, and to the extent any OpCo Asset (including any funds to be transferred pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(vi) ) is not transferred or assigned to, or any OpCo Liability is not assumed by, a member of the OpCo Group at the Time of Distribution or is owned or held by a member of the Pinnacle Group after the Time of Distribution, from and after the Time of Distribution:

(i) OpCo or Pinnacle, as applicable, shall, and shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to, promptly assign, transfer, convey and deliver to the other party or certain of its Subsidiaries designated by such party, and OpCo or Pinnacle, or such Subsidiaries, as applicable, shall accept from Pinnacle or OpCo and such applicable Subsidiaries, all of Pinnacle’s or OpCo’s or such Subsidiaries’ respective right, title and interest in and to such Pinnacle or OpCo Assets; and

(ii) Pinnacle or OpCo, as applicable, or certain Subsidiaries of Pinnacle or OpCo designated by such party, shall promptly accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all such Liabilities of Pinnacle or OpCo in accordance with their respective terms.

(b) In furtherance of the assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of Assets and the assumption of Liabilities set forth in this Section 2.5 , and without any additional consideration therefor: (A) the applicable party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to execute and deliver, such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of such party’s and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the applicable Assets to the other party and its Subsidiaries, and (B) the applicable party shall execute and deliver such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the applicable Liabilities by such party.

2.6 Approvals and Notifications .

(a) From and after the Time of Distribution, to the extent that the transfer or assignment of any Asset, the assumption of any Liability, the Reorganization or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications (the “ Required Approvals ”), the parties will use their reasonable best efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

18


(b) If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment of any Assets or assumption of any Liabilities would be a violation of applicable Law or require any Approvals or Notifications in connection with the Reorganization, or the Distribution, that has not been obtained or made by the Time of Distribution then, unless the parties hereto mutually shall otherwise determine, the transfer or assignment of such Assets or the assumption of such Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any such purported transfer, assignment or assumption shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approvals or Notifications have been obtained or made; provided , however , that if such legal impediments are not removed, or such Approvals or Notifications are not obtained or made, in each case by the second (2nd) anniversary of the Distribution Date, then, unless the parties hereto mutually shall otherwise determine, all Assets and Liabilities that are held by any member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group, as the case may be, will be retained by such party indefinitely, and the parties shall execute mutually acceptable documentation to such effect in accordance with applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the funds to be transferred to OpCo pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(vi) shall be transferred to OpCo as soon as reasonably practicable following any distribution or distributions, as the case may be, of any such funds to Pinnacle.

(c) If any transfer or assignment of any Asset or any assumption of any Liability intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Distribution Date, whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.6(b) or for any other reason, then, insofar as reasonably possible, the party retaining such Asset or such Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the party entitled thereto (at the expense of such party entitled thereto) until such Asset or Liability is transferred to the party entitled thereto or until such Asset or Liability is retained by the other party pursuant to Section 2.6(b) , whichever is sooner. In addition, for such period, the member of the party retaining such Asset or such Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Asset or Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the party to whom such Asset is to be transferred or assigned, or which will assume such Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such party in a substantially similar position as if such Asset or Liability had been transferred, assigned or assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, is to inure from and after the Time of Distribution to such party.

(d) If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of transfer or assignment of any Asset or the deferral of assumption of any Liability pursuant to Section 2.6(b) , are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Asset or the assumption of any Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Asset or the assumption of the applicable Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and/or the applicable Transaction Document.

(e) Any party retaining an Asset or Liability due to the deferral of the transfer or assignment of such Asset or the deferral of the assumption of such Liability, as the case may

 

19


be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing and unless the parties have executed documentation providing for such asset or liability to be retained by such party pursuant to Section 2.6(b) , to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by the party entitled to the Asset or Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by such party entitled to such Asset or Liability.

(f) To the extent any Pinnacle Asset intended to be subject to the Master Lease is transferred to or retained by a member of the OpCo Group pursuant to this Section 2.6 , the rent payable under the Master Lease and the other obligations of the tenant under the Master Lease with respect to such Pinnacle Asset shall not be impacted by the transfer or retention of such Pinnacle Asset to a member of the OpCo Group (and such rent and other obligations shall be determined as if such Pinnacle Asset had been transferred or assigned to Pinnacle or a member of the Pinnacle Group); provided , that if such Pinnacle Asset is not transferred or assigned back to Pinnacle or a member of the Pinnacle Group by the second (2nd) anniversary of the Distribution Date, then the parties shall negotiate in good faith with respect to an alternative arrangement to place the parties in substantially equivalent economic circumstances with respect to the benefits and burdens of ownership of such Pinnacle Asset as if such Pinnacle Asset had been transferred as contemplated hereby.

(g) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations of the parties set forth in Section 2.1(d) , this Section 2.6 and Section 2.7 shall continue indefinitely (and shall not terminate on the second (2nd) anniversary of the Time of Distribution) with respect to any Assets or Liability associated with the leases specified on Schedule 2.6(g) , the transfer of which has been deferred pursuant to this Section 2.6 .

2.7 Responsibility for Liabilities . If Pinnacle or OpCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release required to transfer a Liability to the other party as required by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, then until the second (2nd) anniversary of the Time of Distribution, the applicable party shall continue to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability and, unless not permitted by the terms thereof or by Law, the other party shall, as agent or subcontractor for such party, as the case may be, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such party thereunder from and after the Time of Distribution. The party required to assume such Liability pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents shall indemnify the other party, and hold the other party and its Group harmless, against any Liabilities arising in connection therewith; provided , that pursuant hereto the party required to assume such Liability pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents shall have no obligation to indemnify any party that has engaged in any knowing and intentional violation of Law, breach of contract, tort, fraud or misrepresentation in connection therewith. The Indemnified Party shall cause each member of its Group without further consideration, to pay and remit, or cause to be paid or remitted, to the other party, promptly all money, rights and other consideration received by it or any member of its Group in respect of such performance (unless any such consideration is an Asset of such Group). If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the obligations under such agreement, lease, license or other obligations or Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the Indemnified Party shall promptly assign, or cause to be

 

20


assigned, all its obligations and other Liabilities thereunder or any obligations of any member of its Group to the other party without payment of further consideration and such other party shall, without the payment of any further consideration, assume such obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Transaction Document.

2.8 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH OF GLPI, PINNACLE (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PINNACLE GROUP) AND OPCO (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE OPCO GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING TO ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO OR THERETO IN ANY WAY AS TO THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, AS TO ANY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ANY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (II) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

ARTICLE III

THE DISTRIBUTION

3.1 Actions on or Prior to the Distribution Date . Prior to the Distribution, the following shall occur:

(a) Filings . OpCo and Pinnacle shall prepare and, in accordance with applicable Law, file with the SEC the Form 10, including amendments, supplements and any such other documentation which is necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and OpCo and Pinnacle shall each use reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable. OpCo shall prepare, file with the SEC and cause to become effective any registration statements or amendments thereto required to effect

 

21


the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. OpCo and Pinnacle shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or “blue sky” Laws of the states or other political subdivisions of the United States or of other foreign jurisdictions in connection with the Distribution. Promptly after receiving a request from Pinnacle, OpCo shall prepare and file, and shall use reasonable best efforts to have approved and made effective, an application for the original listing on a National Securities Exchange of the OpCo Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution.

(b) The Distribution Agent . Pinnacle shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Distribution Agent or otherwise provide instructions to the Distribution Agent regarding the Distribution.

(c) Transaction Documents . OpCo, Pinnacle and GLPI shall enter into the Transaction Documents.

3.2 Conditions Precedent to Distribution . In no event shall the Distribution occur unless each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) each of the conditions to the closing of the Merger Agreement set forth in Article VI thereof shall have been fulfilled or waived by the party for whose benefit such condition exists (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at such closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; provided that such conditions are then capable of being satisfied) and GLPI shall have confirmed to Pinnacle in writing that it is prepared to consummate the Merger, subject only to the consummation of the Distribution;

(b) each of the other Transaction Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, as applicable;

(c) the Reorganization shall have been substantially completed in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization;

(d) the Form 10 filed with the SEC shall have been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and the information statement shall have been mailed to holders of Pinnacle Common Stock as of the Record Date;

(e) prior to the Distribution Date, such registration statements on Form S-8 as are necessary to register the equity awards of OpCo held by or made available to directors and employees of OpCo shall have been filed with the SEC;

(f) all actions and filings with respect to the OpCo Common Stock necessary under applicable federal, state or foreign securities or “blue sky” Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken and, where applicable, become effective or been accepted;

 

22


(g) OpCo shall have obtained an opinion from a nationally-recognized valuation or accounting firm or investment bank, as to the adequacy of surplus under Delaware law to effect the Distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment, and as to the solvency of OpCo and Pinnacle after giving effect to the Distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment in a form reasonably satisfactory to OpCo and Pinnacle;

(h) the OpCo Common Stock to be delivered in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on a National Securities Exchange, subject to compliance with applicable listing requirements; and

(i) no injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction shall have been entered and shall continue to be in effect and no Law shall have been adopted or be effective preventing consummation of the Distribution or any of the Transactions or the Merger.

3.3 The Distribution . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i) on or prior to the Distribution Date, Pinnacle shall deliver to the Distribution Agent for the benefit of holders of record of Pinnacle Common Stock on the Record Date book-entry transfer authorizations for such number of the issued and outstanding shares of OpCo Common Stock necessary to effect the Distribution, (ii) the Distribution shall be effective at the Time of Distribution and (iii) Pinnacle shall instruct the Distribution Agent to distribute, on or as soon as practicable after the Time of Distribution, to each holder of record of Pinnacle Common Stock as of the Record Date, by means of a pro rata distribution, such number of shares of OpCo Common Stock as shall be determined by the Pinnacle Board of Directors (in its sole discretion) for every one (1) Pinnacle Common Stock so held. For the avoidance of doubt, all issued and outstanding shares of OpCo Common Stock held by Pinnacle shall be distributed to holders of Pinnacle Common Stock as of the Record Date pursuant to the prior sentence. Following the Distribution Date, (a) OpCo agrees to provide all book-entry transfer authorizations for shares of OpCo Common Stock that Pinnacle or the Distribution Agent shall require in order to effect the Distribution and (b) the Restrictive Declarations shall be recorded against the undeveloped lands in Lake Charles, LA and Baton Rouge, LA which constitute OpCo Assets, as listed on Schedule 2.3(b) hereto.

3.4 Corporate Name . Substantially concurrently with the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall execute, or shall cause the execution of, such amended organizational documents with respect to each member of the Pinnacle Group, as applicable, such that each member of Pinnacle Group, as applicable, shall effect a change in its respective name to a name not containing any Intellectual Property included in the OpCo Assets. Substantially concurrently with the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, file such amended organizational documents with the applicable Governmental Authority and take all other necessary action to fulfill its obligations set forth in this Section 3.4 .

ARTICLE IV

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

4.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information . After the Time of Distribution and until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, each of Pinnacle and OpCo, on

 

23


behalf of its respective Group, agrees to provide, or cause to be provided, to the other Group, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any Information in the possession or under the control of such respective Group which the requesting party reasonably needs for the conduct of its business; provided , however , that in the event that any party determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental, competitively sensitive, violate any Law or agreement (including any confidentiality provisions contained in any such agreement) or waive any attorney-client privilege, the parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. For the avoidance of doubt, OpCo and Pinnacle shall be permitted to retain copies or originals, as the case may be, of all documents relating to the OpCo Business and the Pinnacle Business, respectively.

4.2 Ownership of Information . Any Information owned by one Group that is provided to a requesting party pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing party, except where such Information is an Asset of the requesting party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any Information requested or provided pursuant to Section 4.1 .

4.3 Compensation for Providing Information . The party requesting Information agrees to reimburse the other party for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such Information to the extent that such costs are incurred in connection with such other party’s provision of Information in response to the requesting party.

4.4 Record Retention .

(a) To facilitate the possible exchange of Information pursuant to this Article IV and other provisions of this Agreement after the Time of Distribution, the parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to retain all Information in their respective possession or control in accordance with the policies or ordinary course practices of Pinnacle in effect on the Distribution Date (including any Information that is subject to a “litigation hold” issued by either party prior to the Distribution Date) or such other policies or practices as may be reasonably adopted by the appropriate party after the Time of Distribution until such Information is seven (7) years old or until such later date as may be required by applicable Law.

(b) No party will destroy, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to destroy, any Information required to be retained by applicable Law.

(c) In the event of either party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ inadvertent failure to comply with its applicable document retention policies as required under this Section 4.4 , such party shall be liable to the other party solely for the amount of any monetary fines or penalties imposed or levied against such other party by a Governmental Authority (which fines or penalties shall not include any Liabilities asserted in connection with the claims underlying the applicable Action, other than fines or penalties resulting from any claim of spoliation) as a result of such other party’s inability to produce Information caused by such inadvertent failure and, notwithstanding Section 5.2 and Section 5.3 , shall not be liable to such other party for any other Liabilities.

 

24


4.5 Liability . No party shall have any liability to any other party in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement which is an estimate or forecast, or which is based on an estimate or forecast, is found to be inaccurate in the absence of willful misconduct by the party providing such Information.

4.6 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information .

(a) The rights and obligations granted under this Article IV are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of Information set forth in the Merger Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

(b) Any party that receives, pursuant to a request for Information in accordance with this Article IV , Information that is not relevant to its request shall (i) either promptly destroy such Information or promptly return it to the providing party (at the receiving party’s option) and (ii) promptly deliver to the providing party a certificate certifying that such Information was destroyed or returned, as the case may be, which certificate shall be signed by a duly authorized officer of the receiving party.

(c) When any Information provided by one Group to the other (other than Information provided pursuant to Section 4.4 ) is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or is no longer required to be retained by applicable Law, the receiving party will promptly, after request of the other party, either return to the other party all Information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or certify to the other party that it has destroyed such Information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon).

4.7 Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .

(a) After the Time of Distribution, except in the case of an adversarial Action by one party hereto (or any member of such party’s Group) against another party hereto (or any member of such party’s Group) each party hereto shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to each other party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b) If an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to such Indemnifying Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise

 

25


has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Persons (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents that may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise, or the prosecution, evaluation or pursuit thereof, as the case may be, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be. The Indemnifying Party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 4.7 are in furtherance of the provisions of Section 4.1 and shall not be deemed to in any way limit or otherwise modify the parties’ rights and obligations under Section 4.1 .

4.8 Privileged Matters .

(a) The parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Time of Distribution have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Pinnacle Group and the OpCo Group, and that each of the members of the Pinnacle Group and the OpCo Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such services for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith.

(b) The parties agree as follows:

(i) Pinnacle shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with any privileged Information that relates solely to the Pinnacle Business and not to the OpCo Business, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Pinnacle Group or any member of the OpCo Group. Pinnacle shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with any privileged Information that relates solely to any Pinnacle Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Pinnacle Group or any member of the OpCo Group; and

(ii) OpCo shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with any privileged Information that relates solely to the OpCo Business and not to the Pinnacle Business, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the OpCo Group or any member of the Pinnacle Group. OpCo shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with any privileged Information that relates solely to any OpCo Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the OpCo Group or any member of the Pinnacle Group.

(c) Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 4.8 , the parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, each with equal right to assert or waive any such shared

 

26


privilege, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to Section 4.8(b) and all privileges relating to any Actions or other matters that involve both the Pinnacle Group and the OpCo Group and in respect of which both parties have Liabilities under this Agreement, and that no such shared privilege or immunity may be waived by either party without the consent of the other party.

(d) In the event of any Actions between Pinnacle and OpCo, or any members of their respective Groups, either party may waive a privilege in which the other party or member of such other party’s Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining consent pursuant to Section 4.8(c) ; provided , that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of Information with respect to the Action between the parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any third Person.

(e) If any dispute arises between Pinnacle and OpCo, or any members of their respective Groups, regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interests of either the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group, each party agrees that it shall (i) negotiate with the other party in good faith, (ii) endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other party and (iii) not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay consent to any request for waiver by the other party. Further, each party specifically agrees that it will not withhold its consent to the waiver of a privilege for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.

(f) In furtherance of the parties’ agreement under this Section 4.8 , Pinnacle and OpCo shall, and shall cause applicable members of their respective Group to, maintain their respective separate and joint privileges, including by executing joint defense and common interest agreements where necessary or useful for this purpose.

ARTICLE V

RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION

5.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

(a) Except as provided in (i)  Section 5.1(c) and (ii) any Transaction Document, effective as of the Time of Distribution, OpCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the OpCo Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Time of Distribution have been directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the OpCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), release and forever discharge Pinnacle and the other members of the Pinnacle Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Time of Distribution have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Pinnacle Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any contract or agreement, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Time of Distribution, including in

 

27


connection with the Transactions and all other activities to implement the Reorganization, the Distribution and any of the other transactions contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents.

(b) Except as provided in (i)  Section 5.1(c) and (ii) any Transaction Document, effective as of the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Pinnacle Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Time of Distribution have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Pinnacle Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), release and forever discharge OpCo, the other members of the OpCo Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Time of Distribution have been directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the OpCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any contract or agreement, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Time of Distribution, including in connection with the Transactions and all other activities to implement the Reorganization, the Distribution and any of the other transactions contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents.

(c) Nothing contained in Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in each case in accordance with its terms. In addition, nothing contained in Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) shall release any member of a Group from:

(i) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; or

(ii) any Liability that the parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.

Further, nothing contained in Section 5.1(a) shall release Pinnacle from indemnifying any past or present director, officer or employee of Pinnacle, OpCo or their respective Affiliates, to the extent such director, officer or employee is or becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which he or she was or is entitled to such indemnification pursuant to then-existing obligations.

(d) OpCo shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the OpCo Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Pinnacle or any member of the Pinnacle Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 5.1(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 5.1(a) . Pinnacle shall not, and shall not permit any

 

28


member of the Pinnacle Group, to make any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification against OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 5.1(b) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 5.1(b) .

(e) It is the intent of each of Pinnacle and OpCo, by virtue of the provisions of this Section 5.1 , to provide for a full and complete release and discharge of all Liabilities existing or arising from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur and all conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Time of Distribution, between or among OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group and their respective directors, officers, agents or employees, on the one hand, and Pinnacle or any member of the Pinnacle Group and their respective directors, officers, agents or employees, on the other hand (including any contractual agreements or arrangements existing or alleged to exist between or among any such members on or before the Distribution Date), except as expressly set forth in Section 5.1(c) .

5.2 General Indemnification by OpCo . Except as provided in Section 5.4 , to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, OpCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the OpCo Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Pinnacle, each other member of the Pinnacle Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Pinnacle Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the Pinnacle Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly any of the following items (without duplication): (i) any OpCo Liability, (ii) except to the extent it related to a Pinnacle Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support contract for the benefit of any member of the OpCo Group by any member of the Pinnacle Group that survived following the Time of Distribution, (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Form 10 or the related information statement (as amended or supplemented if OpCo shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or any other filings with the SEC or Gaming Authorities (as defined in the Merger Agreement) made in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Transaction Documents, but excluding any such Liabilities to the extent relating to information supplied by GLPI and included in the Form 10, the related information statement or such other filings and (iv) except as provided in Section 5.1 , any and all Liabilities of the Pinnacle Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from OpCo’s breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (other than the Master Lease) in accordance with the provisions of such applicable agreement.

5.3 General Indemnification by Pinnacle . Except as provided in Section 5.4 , to the fullest extent permitted by Law, Pinnacle shall and shall cause the other members of the Pinnacle Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless OpCo, each other member of the OpCo Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ OpCo Indemnified Parties ”), from and against

 

29


any and all Liabilities of the OpCo Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly any of the following items (without duplication) (i) any Pinnacle Liability, (ii) except to the extent it related to an OpCo Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support contract for the benefit of any member of the Pinnacle Group by any member of the OpCo Group that survived following the Time of Distribution, (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information supplied by GLPI and included in the Form 10, related information statement or other filings with the SEC or Gaming Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or Transaction Documents and (iv) except as provided in Section 5.1 , any and all Liabilities of the OpCo Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from Pinnacle’s breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (other than the Master Lease) in accordance with the provisions of such applicable agreement.

5.4 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts .

(a) Any Liability subject to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Article V will be net of recoverable Insurance Proceeds. Accordingly, the amount which any party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification under this Article V (an “ Indemnified Party ”) will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds that are recoverable by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in respect of the related Liability, as applicable. If an Indemnified Party receives a payment (an “ Indemnity Payment ”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds, then the Indemnified Party will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to such Insurance Proceeds but not exceeding the amount of the Indemnity Payment paid by the Indemnifying Party in respect of such Liability.

(b) An insurer who would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek to collect or recover any third-party Insurance Proceeds (other than Insurance Proceeds under an arrangement where future premiums are adjusted to reflect prior claims in excess of prior premiums) to which the Indemnified Party is entitled in connection with any Liability for which the Indemnified Party seeks indemnification pursuant to this Article V ; provided , that the Indemnified Party’s inability to collect or recover any such Insurance Proceeds shall not limit the Indemnifying Party’s obligations hereunder.

5.5 Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims .

(a) If an Indemnified Party receives written notice that a Person (including any Governmental Authority) that is not a member of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group has asserted any claim or commenced any Action (collectively, a “ Third Party Claim ”) that may implicate an Indemnifying Party’s obligation to indemnify pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 , or any other Section of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as promptly as practicable (and no later than twenty (20) days or sooner, if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires) after

 

30


becoming aware of the Third Party Claim. Such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party relating to the Third Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnified Party to provide notice in accordance with this Section 5.5(a) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent to which the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by the Indemnified Party’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 5.5(a) .

(b) Subject to this Section 5.5(b) and Section 5.5(c) , an Indemnifying Party may elect to control the defense of (and seek to settle or compromise), at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnified Party in accordance with Section 5.5(a) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party whether the Indemnifying Party will assume responsibility for defending the Third Party Claim and shall specify any reservations or exceptions to its defense. After receiving notice of an Indemnifying Party’s election to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, whether with or without any reservations or exceptions with respect to such defense, an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, but the Indemnified Party shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of its counsel and, in any event, shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Indemnified Party’s possession or under such Indemnified Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party. If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, whether with or without any reservations or exceptions with respect to such defense, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnified Party for any such fees or expenses incurred during the course of its defense of such Third Party Claim, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.5(b) , if any Indemnified Party shall in good faith determine that there is an actual conflict of interest if counsel for the Indemnifying Party represented both the Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) separate counsel for all Indemnified Parties.

(d) If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnified Party of its election within thirty (30) days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnified Party as provided in Section 5.5(b) , the Indemnified Party may defend the Third Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnified Party is conducting the defense against any such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall cooperate with the Indemnified Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnified Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnified Party.

 

31


(e) Without the prior written consent of any Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, no Indemnified Party may settle or compromise, or seek to settle or compromise, any Third Party Claim; provided , however , in the event that the Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim or fails to notify the Indemnified Party of its election within thirty (30) days after the receipt of notice from the Indemnified Party as provided in Section 5.5(b) , the Indemnified Party shall have the right to settle or compromise such Third Party Claim in its sole discretion. Without the prior written consent of any Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of any pending or threatened Third Party Claim for which the Indemnified Party is seeking or may seek indemnity pursuant to this Section 5.5 unless such judgment or settlement is solely for monetary damages, does not impose any expense or obligation on the Indemnified Party, does not involve any finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of law by the Indemnified Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of that Indemnified Party from all liability in connection with the Third Party Claim.

5.6 Tax Procedures .

(a) With respect to any period in which (x) Pinnacle has made or will make an election to be taxed as a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code (a “ REIT ”) or (y) Pinnacle is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code) of a REIT (such other REIT, the “ Parent REIT ”), notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, any payments to be made by OpCo to the Pinnacle Group pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4 for any calendar year shall not exceed the sum of (i) the amount that it is determined will not be gross income of Pinnacle or the Parent REIT for purposes of the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code (the “ Specified REIT Requirements ”) for any period in which Pinnacle or the Parent REIT has made any election to be taxed as a REIT, with such determination to be set forth in an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by Pinnacle or the Parent REIT, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to Pinnacle or the Parent REIT plus (ii) such additional amount that is estimated can be paid to Pinnacle or the Parent REIT in such taxable year without causing Pinnacle or the Parent REIT to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements, determined (x) as if the payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A) through (I) and 856(c)(3)(A) through (I) of the Code (“ Qualifying Income ”) and (y) by taking into account any other payments to Pinnacle or the Parent REIT during such taxable year that do not constitute Qualifying Income, which determination shall be (A) made by independent tax accountants to Pinnacle or the Parent REIT, and (B) submitted to and approved by Pinnacle’s or the Parent REIT’s outside tax counsel, and (iii) in the event that Pinnacle or the Parent REIT receives a ruling from the IRS to the effect that Pinnacle or the Parent REIT’s receipt of the additional amount otherwise to be paid under this Agreement either would constitute Qualifying Income or would be excluded from gross income of Pinnacle or the Parent REIT for purposes of the Specified REIT Requirements, the aggregate payments otherwise required to be made pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4 (determined without regard to this Section 5.6(a) ) less the amount otherwise previously paid under clauses (i) and (ii)  above.

 

32


(b) OpCo shall place the full amount of any payments otherwise to be made by OpCo pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4 in a mutually agreed escrow account upon mutually acceptable terms (which shall provide that (i) the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of OpCo, unless it is released from such escrow account to any Pinnacle Indemnified Party), (ii) all income earned upon the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of OpCo and reported, as and to the extent required by applicable Law, by the escrow agent to the IRS, or any other taxing authority, on IRS Form 1099 or 1042S (or other appropriate form) as income earned by OpCo whether or not said income has been distributed during such taxable year and (iii) any portion thereof shall not be released to any Pinnacle Indemnified Party unless and until OpCo receives any of the following: (A) a letter from Pinnacle’s or the Parent REIT’s independent tax accountants indicating the amount that it is estimated can be paid at that time to the Pinnacle Indemnified Parties without causing Pinnacle or the Parent REIT to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements for the taxable year in which the payment would be made, which determination shall be made by such independent tax accountants or (B) an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by Pinnacle or the Parent REIT, such opinion to be reasonably satisfactory to Pinnacle or the Parent REIT, to the effect that, based upon a change in applicable Law after the date on which payment was first deferred hereunder, receipt of the additional amount otherwise to be paid pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4 either would be excluded from gross income of Pinnacle or the Parent REIT for purposes of the Specified REIT Requirements or would constitute Qualifying Income, in either of which events OpCo shall pay to the applicable Pinnacle Indemnified Parties the lesser of the unpaid amounts due pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4 (determined without regard to this Section 5.6 ) or the maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in clause (iii)(A) above.

(c) Any amount held in escrow pursuant to Section 5.6(b) for five (5) years shall be released from such escrow to be used as determined by OpCo in its sole and absolute discretion.

(d) Pinnacle shall bear all costs and expenses with respect to the escrow.

(e) OpCo shall cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 5.6 at the reasonable request of Pinnacle in order to (i) maximize the portion of such payment that may be distributed to Pinnacle hereunder without causing Pinnacle or the Parent REIT to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements, (ii) improve Pinnacle’s or the Parent REIT’s chances of securing a favorable ruling described in this Section 5.6 , or (iii) assist Pinnacle or the Parent REIT in obtaining a favorable opinion from its outside tax counsel or determination from its tax accountants as described in this Section 5.6 . Pinnacle shall reimburse OpCo for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such cooperation.

5.7 Additional Matters .

(a) Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article V shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnified Party, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification or contribution payment, including documentation with respect to calculations made and consideration of any Insurance Proceeds

 

33


that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article V shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnified Party of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(b) Any claim for indemnification under this Agreement which does not result from a Third Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnified Party to the applicable Indemnifying Party describing such claim in reasonable detail and including copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party relating to such claim. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have refused to accept responsibility to make payment. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(c) If payment is made by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnified Party in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnified Party as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnified Party may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.

(d) In an Action in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnified Party or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant if they conclude that substitution is desirable and practical. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in this Section 5.7(d) , and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys’ fees, experts fees and all other external expenses), the costs of any judgment or settlement, and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.

(e) For all Tax purposes, Pinnacle and OpCo agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Time of Distribution) as either a contribution by Pinnacle to OpCo or a distribution by OpCo to Pinnacle, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Time of Distribution or as a payment of an assumed or retained Liability, and (ii) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

34


5.8 Remedies Cumulative; Limitations of Liability . The rights provided in this Article V shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article VII , shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnified Party of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither OpCo or its Affiliates, on the one hand, nor Pinnacle or its Affiliates, on the other hand, shall be liable to the other for any special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages (collectively, “ Special Damages ”) of the other arising in connection with the Transactions ( provided , that any such liability with respect to a Third Party Claim shall be considered direct damages).

5.9 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of Pinnacle and OpCo and their respective Indemnified Parties under this Article V shall survive the sale or other transfer by any party of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities, including the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.

ARTICLE VI

OTHER AGREEMENTS

6.1 Further Assurances .

(a) In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto will cooperate with each other and use (and will cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to use) reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Distribution Date, to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary on its part under applicable Law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transactions, and the other Transaction Documents. In furtherance of such efforts, prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle may adjust or modify the Plan of Reorganization from time to time as it determines is advisable to effect the Reorganization, provided that no such adjustment or modification that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect Pinnacle or GLPI from and after the Distribution shall be implemented without GLPI’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably, withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, on and after the Distribution Date, each party hereto shall, subject to Section 2.6(a) , cooperate with the other parties, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting party from and after the Time of Distribution, to execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to obtain or make any Approvals or Notifications from or with any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument, and to take all such other actions as such party may reasonably be requested to take by any other party hereto from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transfers of the Assets and the assignment and assumption of the Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Transactions. Without limiting the foregoing, each party will, at the reasonable request, cost and

 

35


expense of any other party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such party under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, free and clear of any Security Interest except as contemplated by any Transaction Document or, solely in the case of OpCo Assets, as contemplated by any of the Company Financing Commitment.

(c) At or prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo in their respective capacities as direct and indirect shareholders of their respective Subsidiaries, shall each ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by OpCo or any other Subsidiary of Pinnacle or OpCo, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transactions.

6.2 Confidentiality .

(a) From and after the Time of Distribution, subject to Section 6.2(c) and except as contemplated by or otherwise provided in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, Pinnacle shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates and officers, directors, employees, and other agents and representatives, including attorneys, agents, customers, suppliers, contractors, consultants and other representatives of any Person providing financing (collectively, “ Representatives ”), not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to any Person other than Representatives of such party or of its Affiliates who reasonably need to know such information in providing services to any member of the Pinnacle Group, any OpCo Confidential Information. If any disclosures are made to any member of the Pinnacle Group in connection with any services provided to a member of the OpCo Group under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, then the OpCo Confidential Information so disclosed shall be used only as required in connection with the receipt of such services. Pinnacle shall use the same degree of care to prevent and restrain the unauthorized use or disclosure of the OpCo Confidential Information by any of its Representatives as it currently uses for its own confidential information of a like nature, but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care. For purposes of this Section 6.2(a) , any Information, material or documents relating to the OpCo Business currently or formerly conducted, or proposed to be conducted, by any member of the OpCo Group furnished to, or in possession of, Pinnacle, irrespective of the form of communication, and all notes, analyses, compilations, forecasts, data, translations, studies, memoranda or other documents prepared by Pinnacle or its officers, directors and Affiliates, that contain or otherwise reflect such information, material or documents is referred to herein as “ OpCo Confidential Information .” OpCo Confidential Information does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by Pinnacle not otherwise permissible hereunder, (ii) Pinnacle can demonstrate became available to Pinnacle after the Time of Distribution from a source other than Pinnacle, OpCo or their Affiliates or (iii) is developed independently by Pinnacle without reference to the OpCo Confidential Information; provided , however , that, in the case of clause (ii) , the source of such information was not known by Pinnacle to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to, OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group with respect to such information.

 

36


(b) From and after the Time of Distribution, subject to Section 6.2(c) and except as contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, OpCo shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates and their respective Representatives, not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to any Person other than Representatives of such party or of its Affiliates who reasonably need to know such information in providing services to OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group, any Pinnacle Confidential Information. If any disclosures are made to any member of the OpCo Group in connection with any services provided to a member of the OpCo Group under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, then the Pinnacle Confidential Information so disclosed shall be used only as required in connection with the receipt of such services. The OpCo Group shall use the same degree of care to prevent and restrain the unauthorized use or disclosure of the Pinnacle Confidential Information by any of their Representatives as they use for their own confidential information of a like nature, but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care. For purposes of this Section 6.2(b) , any Information, material or documents relating to the businesses currently or formerly conducted, or proposed to be conducted, by Pinnacle or any of its Affiliates (other than any member of the OpCo Group) furnished to, or in possession of, any member of the OpCo Group, irrespective of the form of communication, and all notes, analyses, compilations, forecasts, data, translations, studies, memoranda or other documents prepared by OpCo, any member of the OpCo Group or their respective officers, directors and Affiliates, that contain or otherwise reflect such information, material or documents is hereinafter referred to as “ Pinnacle Confidential Information .” Pinnacle Confidential Information does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by any member of the OpCo Group not otherwise permissible hereunder, (ii) OpCo can demonstrate became available to OpCo after the Time of Distribution from a source other than OpCo, Pinnacle or their respective Affiliates or (iii) is developed independently by such member of the OpCo Group without reference to the Pinnacle Confidential Information; provided , however , that, in the case of clause (ii) , the source of such information was not known by OpCo to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to, Pinnacle or its Affiliates with respect to such information.

(c) If Pinnacle or its Affiliates, on the one hand, or OpCo or its Affiliates, on the other hand, are requested or required (by oral question, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) by any Governmental Authority or pursuant to applicable Law to disclose or provide any OpCo Confidential Information or Pinnacle Confidential Information, as applicable, the Person receiving such request or demand shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the other party with written notice of such request or demand as promptly as practicable under the circumstances so that such other party shall have an opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order. The party receiving such request or demand agrees to take, and cause its representatives to take, at the requesting party’s expense, all other reasonable steps necessary to obtain confidential treatment by the recipient. Subject to the foregoing, the party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide any OpCo Confidential Information or Pinnacle Confidential Information, as the case may be, to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority.

(d) Each of Pinnacle and OpCo acknowledges that it and the other members of its Group may have in their possession confidential or proprietary information of third Persons that was received under confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with such third Person prior to the Distribution Date. Pinnacle and OpCo each agrees that it will hold, and will cause the other members of its Group and their respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary information of third Persons to which it or any other member of its respective Group has access, in accordance with the terms of any agreements entered into prior to the Distribution Date between or among one (1) or more members of the applicable party’s Group and such third Persons to the extent disclosed to such party.

 

37


6.3 Insurance Matters .

(a) Pinnacle acknowledges and agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the members of the Pinnacle Group, that, from and after the Time of Distribution, neither Pinnacle nor any members the Pinnacle Group shall have any rights to or under any of OpCo’s or the OpCo Group’ insurance policies.

(b) At the Time of Distribution, all insurance policies (and rights and obligations thereunder) of any member of OpCo Group or Pinnacle Group, shall be retained by or transferred to a member of OpCo Group, as applicable, other than the insurance policies acquired prior to the Time of Distribution by and in the name of Pinnacle or its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.3(c) hereof.

(c) At the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall, at GLPI’s cost, have in effect all insurance policies required to comply with Pinnacle’s statutory and contractual obligations and such other insurance policies (with such terms, conditions and limits) as are reasonably necessary or customary for companies operating a business similar to the Pinnacle Business. Such insurance policies include, in addition to any policies required pursuant to and in accordance with the Master Lease Agreement, general liability, commercial auto liability, workers’ compensation, employers liability, product liability, employment practices liability, employee dishonesty/crime, directors’ and officers’ liability and fiduciary liability.

(d) Neither OpCo nor any member of the OpCo Group shall have any obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any of OpCo’s or the OpCo Group claims-made or occurrence-reported liability policies for any acts or omissions by Pinnacle or any member of the Pinnacle Group incurred prior to the Time of Distribution.

(e) This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of either OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group in respect of any of the OpCo insurance policies and programs or any other contract or policy of insurance.

6.4 Litigation; Cooperation .

(a) Assumed Actions .

(i) As of the Time of Distribution, OpCo shall assume and thereafter, except as provided in Article V , be responsible for the administration of all Liabilities

 

38


that may result from the OpCo Assumed Actions and all fees and costs relating to the defense of the OpCo Assumed Actions, including attorneys’ fees and costs incurred after the Time of Distribution. “ OpCo Assumed Actions ” means all Actions in existence as of the Distribution Date in which any member of the OpCo Group, the Pinnacle Group (as such group exists as of the Time of Distribution) or any Affiliate of a member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group (as such group exists as of the Time of Distribution) is a defendant other than the Pinnacle Assumed Actions.

(ii) As of the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall assume and thereafter, except as provided in Article V , be responsible for the administration of all Liabilities that may result from the Pinnacle Assumed Actions and all fees and costs relating to the defense of the Pinnacle Assumed Actions, including attorneys’ fees and costs incurred after the Time of Distribution. “ Pinnacle Assumed Actions ” means those Actions listed on Schedule 6.4(a)(ii) .

(b) Transferred Actions .

(i) OpCo shall transfer the Pinnacle Transferred Actions to Pinnacle, and Pinnacle shall receive and have the benefit of all of the proceeds of such Pinnacle Transferred Actions. “ Pinnacle Transferred Actions ” means those Actions in which any member of the OpCo Group, the Pinnacle Group (as of the Time of Distribution) or any Affiliate of a member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group (as of the Time of Distribution) is a plaintiff or claimant that are listed on Schedule 6.4(b)(i) .

(ii) Pinnacle shall transfer the OpCo Transferred Actions to OpCo, and OpCo shall receive and have the benefit of all of the proceeds of such OpCo Transferred Actions. “ OpCo Transferred Actions ” means those Actions in which any member of the OpCo Group, the Pinnacle Group (as of the Time of Distribution) or any Affiliate of a member of the OpCo Group or Pinnacle Group (as of the Time of Distribution) is a plaintiff other than the Pinnacle Transferred Actions.

(c) (i) Pinnacle agrees that at all times from and after the Time of Distribution if a Third Party Claim relating primarily to the Pinnacle Business is commenced naming both Pinnacle and OpCo as defendants thereto, then Pinnacle shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause OpCo to be removed from such Third Party Claim; provided , that, if Pinnacle is unable to cause OpCo to be removed from such Third Party Claim, Pinnacle and OpCo shall cooperate and consult to the extent necessary or advisable with respect to such Third Party Claim.

(ii) OpCo agrees that at all times from and after the Time of Distribution if a Third Party Claim relating primarily to the OpCo Business is commenced naming both Pinnacle and OpCo as defendants thereto, then OpCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause Pinnacle to be removed from such Third Party Claim; provided , that, if OpCo is unable to cause Pinnacle to be removed from such Third Party Claim, Pinnacle and OpCo shall cooperate and consult to the extent necessary or advisable with respect to such Third Party Claim.

(iii) Pinnacle and OpCo agree that at all times from and after the Time of Distribution if a Third Party Claim which does not relate primarily to the OpCo Business or the Pinnacle Business is commenced naming both Pinnacle (or any member of the Pinnacle Group) and OpCo (or any member of the OpCo Group) as defendants thereto, then Pinnacle and OpCo shall cooperate fully with each other, maintain a joint defense (in a manner that would preserve for both parties and their respective Affiliates any attorney-client privilege, joint defense or other privilege with respect thereto) and consult each other to the extent necessary or advisable with respect to such Third Party Claim.

 

39


6.5 Tax Matters . Pinnacle, GLPI and OpCo shall enter into the Tax Matters Agreement on or prior to the Distribution Date. To the extent that any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements between the parties with respect to Taxes or other Tax matters are set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement, such Taxes and other Tax matters shall be governed exclusively by the Tax Matters Agreement and not by this Agreement.

6.6 Employee Matters . Pinnacle, GLPI and OpCo shall enter into the Employee Matters Agreement on or prior to the Distribution Date. To the extent that any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements between the parties with respect to employment matters are set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement, such employment matters shall be governed exclusively by the Employee Matters Agreement and not by this Agreement.

6.7 Compliance with Legal Requirements . After the Time of Distribution, each of OpCo and Pinnacle covenants and agrees that it will comply in all material respects with all legal requirements and regulations applicable to it that have been enacted by a Governmental Authority as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the Distribution.

ARTICLE VII

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.1 General Provisions .

(a) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents (other than the Master Lease), or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination thereof, or arising out of or related to the relationship and/or duties of the parties created by this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether arising out of contract, tort, equity or statute) (a “ Dispute ”), shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article VII , which shall be the sole and exclusive procedures for the resolution of any such Dispute unless otherwise specified in the applicable Transaction Document or in this Article VII below.

(b) Commencing with a request contemplated by Section 7.2 set forth below, all communications between the parties or their representatives in connection with the attempted resolution of any Dispute shall, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have been delivered in furtherance of a Dispute settlement and shall, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, be exempt from discovery and production, and shall not be admissible into evidence for any reason (whether as an admission or otherwise), in any arbitral or other proceeding for the resolution of any Dispute.

 

40


(c) By agreeing to arbitration, the parties hereto do not intend to deprive any court of its jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction, pre-arbitral attachment, or other order in aid of arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of any award. Without prejudice to such provisional remedies as may be available under the jurisdiction of a court pursuant to Section 7.2(f) , the arbitral tribunal shall have full authority to grant provisional remedies and to direct the parties to request that any court modify or vacate any temporary or preliminary relief issued by such court, and to award damages for the failure of any party to respect the arbitral tribunal’s orders to that effect.

(d) THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE AND FOREGO ANY RIGHT TO (I) SPECIAL DAMAGES, AS DEFINED HEREIN ( PROVIDED , THAT LIABILITY FOR ANY SUCH SPECIAL DAMAGES, AS DEFINED HEREIN, WITH RESPECT TO ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIM SHALL BE CONSIDERED DIRECT DAMAGES) AND (II) TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION PERMITTED HEREUNDER.

(e) The specific procedures set forth in this Article VII below, including the time limits referenced therein, may be modified by agreement of both of the parties in writing.

(f) All applicable statutes of limitations and defenses based upon the passage of time shall be tolled while the procedures specified in this Article VII are pending.

7.2 Arbitration .

(a) In the event of any Dispute, either party may (i) pursuant to its rights under Section 8.10 , submit a request for interim or preliminary injunctive relief to an arbitral tribunal appointed pursuant to Section 7.2(b) ( provided , that, if the tribunal shall not have been constituted, either party may seek interim relief either before a special arbitrator, as provided for in Rule 14 of the CPR Arbitration Rules, or before any court of competent jurisdiction) if, in the reasonable opinion of such party, such interim injunctive relief is necessary to preserve its rights pending resolution of the Dispute, and (ii) submit such Dispute to be finally resolved by binding arbitration, in each case, pursuant to the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration as then in effect (the “ CPR Arbitration Rules ”).

(b) The arbitral tribunal will be composed of three arbitrators appointed in the manner provided by the CPR Arbitration Rules.

(c) The seat of arbitration shall be Wilmington, Delaware.

(d) The arbitral tribunal will have the right to award, on an interim basis, or include in the final award, any relief which it deems proper in the circumstances, including money damages (with interest on unpaid amounts from the due date), final, complete, interim, or interlocutory relief, including specific performance or any other form of injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees and costs; provided , that the arbitral tribunal will not award and shall not be empowered to award any Special Damages. By agreeing to arbitration, the parties hereto do not intend to deprive any court of its jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction, pre-arbitral

 

41


attachment, or other order in aid of arbitration proceedings. In any such action, Pinnacle and OpCo each unconditionally and irrevocably (i) consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery located in Wilmington, Delaware, or where such court does not have jurisdiction, the state or federal court located within the County of New Castle in the State of Delaware (“ Delaware Courts ”); (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or any right of objection to jurisdiction on account of its place of incorporation or domicile, which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in any Delaware Court; (iii) consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.5 below, or in any other manner permitted by applicable law; and (IV) WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. Without prejudice to such provisional remedies as may be available under the jurisdiction of a court pursuant to this Section 7.2(d) , the arbitral tribunal shall have full authority to grant provisional remedies and to direct the parties to request that any court or a special arbitrator modify or vacate any temporary or preliminary relief issued by such court or special arbitrator, and to award damages for the failure of any party to respect the arbitral tribunal’s orders to that effect.

(e) So long as either party has a timely claim to assert, the agreement to arbitrate Disputes set forth in this Section 7.2 will continue in full force and effect subsequent to, and notwithstanding the completion, expiration or termination of, this Agreement.

(f) A party obtaining an order of interim injunctive relief may enter judgment upon such award in any court of competent jurisdiction. The final award in an arbitration pursuant to this Article VII shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties, and a party obtaining a final award may enter judgment upon and enforce such award in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(g) It is the intent of the parties that the agreement to arbitrate Disputes set forth in this Section 7.2 shall be interpreted and applied broadly such that all reasonable doubts as to arbitrability of a Dispute shall be decided in favor of arbitration.

(h) If a Dispute includes both arbitrable and nonarbitrable claims, counterclaims or defenses, the parties shall arbitrate all such arbitrable claims, counterclaims or defenses and shall concurrently litigate, subject to and in accordance with Section 8.2 , all such nonarbitrable claims, counterclaims or defenses.

(i) The parties agree that the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq., shall govern any arbitration between the parties pursuant to this Section 7.2 .

(j) Each party shall bear its own fees, costs and expenses and shall bear an equal share of the expenses of the arbitration, including the fees, costs and expenses of the arbitrator; provided , in the case of any Disputes relating to the parties’ rights and obligations with respect to indemnification under Article V , the substantially prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement by the other party of its reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the arbitration.

 

42


ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Corporate Power . Pinnacle represents on behalf of itself and on behalf of other members of the Pinnacle Group, and OpCo represents on behalf of itself and on behalf of other members of the OpCo Group, as follows:

(a) each such Person has the requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform each of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Transactions; and

(b) this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

8.2 Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each other Transaction Document, shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware which might compel the applications of the law of another jurisdiction.

8.3 Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in any other Transaction Document, the covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement and each other Transaction Document, and liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein or therein, shall survive each of the Reorganization and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.

8.4 Force Majeure . No party hereto (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any other Transaction Document, so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure.

A party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (i) notify the other parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (ii) use due diligence to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

8.5 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the other Transaction Documents shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.5 ):

If to GLPI, Pinnacle or a member of the Pinnacle Group, to:

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

825 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 400

Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610

Facsimile:      (610) 401-2901
Email:      bmoore@glpropinc.com
Attention:      Brandon J. Moore

 

43


with a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Attn:      Daniel A. Neff
     Gregory E. Ostling
Email:      DANeff@wlrk.com
     GEOstling@wlrk.com
Telephone:      (212) 403-1000
Facsimile:      (212) 403-2000

if to OpCo:

[●]

with a copy to:

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP

Four Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Attn:      Stephen F. Arcano
     Neil P. Stronski
Email:      stephen.arcano@skadden.com
     neil.stronski@skadden.com
Telephone:      (212) 735-3000
Facsimile:      (212) 735-2000

8.6 Termination . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement may be terminated and the Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Time of Distribution by and in the sole discretion of Pinnacle without the prior approval of any Person, including OpCo. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no party, or any of its officers and directors shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement. After the Time of Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties to this Agreement.

 

44


8.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transactions, be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

8.8 Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

8.9 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Except as provided in Article V with respect to Indemnified Parties, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties to this Agreement and members of their respective Group and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

8.10 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the party or parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (on an interim or permanent basis) of its rights under this Agreement or such Transaction Document, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the parties to this Agreement.

8.11 Amendment . Except as provided in Section 8.14 , this Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by OpCo and Pinnacle which, unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, shall not become effective unless GLPI has provided its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , that it shall be deemed reasonable for GLPI to withhold its consent to any amendment which would be adverse to GLPI in GLPI’s good faith determination). No waiver by any party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving; provided , that unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, no party may waive any provision of this Agreement without GLPI’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , that it shall be deemed reasonable for GLPI to withhold its consent to any amendment which would be adverse to GLPI in GLPI’s good faith determination). The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach.

 

45


8.12 Rules of Construction . Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction: (i) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires, (ii) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, (iv) references to “$” shall mean U.S. dollars, (v) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive, (vii) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form, (viii) unless the context requires otherwise, references to “party” shall mean Pinnacle or OpCo, as appropriate, and references to “parties” shall mean Pinnacle and OpCo (except that with reference to Article VII and Article VIII , “parties” shall mean Pinnacle, OpCo and, to the extent applicable in the context, GLPI, and to the extent applicable, “party” shall mean Pinnacle or OpCo or GLPI, as applicable), (ix) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions, (x) the table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement, (xi) Pinnacle and OpCo have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any interim drafts of this Agreement, and (xii) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

8.13 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and by the different parties to each such agreement in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (.PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

8.14 GLPI Guaranty .

(a) GLPI hereby guarantees unconditionally and as a primary obligation, for the benefit of OpCo, the due performance by Pinnacle of its obligations under the Transaction Documents following the Effective Time (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). If Pinnacle fails to perform any such obligation, GLPI, upon written request of OpCo, shall, or shall cause Pinnacle to, perform such obligations promptly upon receipt of such request. This guaranty shall apply regardless of any amendments, variations, alterations, waivers or extensions to this Agreement, except to the extent any of the foregoing modifies the application thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, this guaranty of this Section 8.14 shall only be effective from and after the Effective Time.

 

46


(b) GLPI hereby waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of the Guaranteed Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by OpCo upon this Section 8.14 or acceptance of this Section 8.14 . The Guaranteed Obligation conclusively shall be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Section 8.14 , and all dealings between OpCo, on the one hand, and Pinnacle, on the other, likewise conclusively shall be presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Section 8.14 . When pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against GLPI, OpCo shall be under no obligation to pursue such rights and remedies it may have against Pinnacle or any other Person for the Guaranteed Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by OpCo to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from Pinnacle or any such other Person or to realize upon or to exercise any such right of offset shall not relieve GLPI of any liability hereunder.

(c) GLPI expressly and irrevocably waives any election of remedies by OpCo, promptness, diligence, acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice of any kind not provided for herein or not required to be provided to Pinnacle under or in connection with this Agreement, other than defenses that are available to Pinnacle hereunder. OpCo acknowledges and agrees that GLPI shall be entitled to all rights, remedies and benefits of Pinnacle hereunder following the Time of Distribution. GLPI acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and that the waivers set forth in this Section 8.14 are made knowingly in contemplation of such benefits.

(d) GLPI represents and warrants that (i) it is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (ii) it has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement solely for purposes of this Section 8.14 and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of GLPI, enforceable against GLPI in accordance with its terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization, preference or similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law)) and (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not contravene any law to which GLPI is subject or result in any breach of any contract to which GLPI is a party, other than such contravention or breach that would not be material to GLPI or limit its ability to carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement solely for purposes of this Section 8.14 .

(e) OpCo agrees that its rights in respect of any claim or liability under this Agreement asserted by it against GLPI shall be limited solely to satisfaction out of, and enforcement against, the assets of GLPI and the Pinnacle Group, and OpCo covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any of GLPI’s former, current or future directors, officers, agents, or stockholders or any former, current or future directors, officers, agents, employees, general or limited partners, members, managers or stockholders of any of the foregoing, as such, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable law.

 

47


(f) No amendment, supplement or modification to this Section 8.14 shall be made without the written agreement of GLPI.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. ]

 

48


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers.

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[OPCO]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Solely with respect to Article VIII
GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[ Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement ]

 

49

Exhibit 10.1

MASTER LEASE


TABLE OF CONTENTS

TO

MASTER LEASE

 

          Page  
     ARTICLE I       

1.1

  

Leased Property

     1   

1.2

  

Single, Indivisible Lease

     2   

1.3

  

Term

     2   

1.4

  

Renewal Terms

     2   
     ARTICLE II       

2.1

  

Definitions

     3   
     ARTICLE III       

3.1

  

Rent

     22   

3.2

  

Late Payment of Rent

     22   

3.3

  

Method of Payment of Rent

     23   

3.4

  

Net Lease

     23   
     ARTICLE IV       

4.1

  

Impositions

     23   

4.2

  

Utilities

     24   

4.3

  

Impound Account

     25   
     ARTICLE V       

5.1

  

No Termination, Abatement, etc.

     25   
     ARTICLE VI       

6.1

  

Ownership of the Leased Property

     26   

6.2

  

Tenant’s Property

     27   

6.3

  

Guarantors; Tenant’s Property

     28   
     ARTICLE VII       

7.1

  

Condition of the Leased Property

     28   

7.2

  

Use of the Leased Property

     28   

7.3

  

Competing Business

     29   


     ARTICLE VIII       

8.1

  

Representations and Warranties

     31   

8.2

  

Compliance with Legal and Insurance Requirements, etc.

     31   

8.3

  

Zoning and Uses

     32   

8.4

  

Compliance with Ground Lease

     33   
     ARTICLE IX       

9.1

  

Maintenance and Repair

     34   

9.2

  

Encroachments, Restrictions, Mineral Leases, etc.

     35   
     ARTICLE X       

10.1

  

Construction of Capital Improvements to the Leased Property

     36   

10.2

  

Construction Requirements for All Capital Improvements

     37   

10.3

  

Landlord’s Right of First Offer to Fund

     38   
     ARTICLE XI       

11.1

  

Liens

     40   
     ARTICLE XII       

12.1

  

Permitted Contests

     42   
     ARTICLE XIII       

13.1

  

General Insurance Requirements

     43   

13.2

  

Maximum Foreseeable Loss

     45   

13.3

  

Additional Insurance

     45   

13.4

  

Waiver of Subrogation

     45   

13.5

  

Policy Requirements

     45   

13.6

  

Increase in Limits

     46   

13.7

  

Blanket Policy

     46   

13.8

  

No Separate Insurance

     46   
     ARTICLE XIV       

14.1

  

Property Insurance Proceeds

     47   

14.2

  

Tenant’s Obligations Following Casualty

     47   

14.3

  

No Abatement of Rent

     48   

14.4

  

Waiver

     48   

14.5

  

Insurance Proceeds Paid to Facility Mortgagee

     48   

14.6

  

Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent

     49   
     ARTICLE XV       

15.1

  

Condemnation

     50   

15.2

  

Award Distribution

     51   

15.3

  

Temporary Taking

     51   

15.4

  

Condemnation Awards Paid to Facility Mortgagee

     51   

15.5

  

Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent

     51   


     ARTICLE XVI       

16.1

  

Events of Default

     52   

16.2

  

Certain Remedies

     54   

16.3

  

Damages

     55   

16.4

  

Receiver

     56   

16.5

  

Waiver

     56   

16.6

  

Application of Funds

     56   
     ARTICLE XVII       

17.1

  

Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees

     56   

17.2

  

Landlord’s Right to Cure Tenant’s Default

     64   

17.3

  

Landlord’s Right to Cure Debt Agreement

     64   
     ARTICLE XVIII       

18.1

  

Sale of the Leased Property

     65   
     ARTICLE XIX       

19.1

  

Holding Over

     65   
     ARTICLE XX       

20.1

  

Risk of Loss

     66   
     ARTICLE XXI       

21.1

  

General Indemnification

     66   
     ARTICLE XXII       

22.1

  

Subletting and Assignment

     66   

22.2

  

Permitted Assignments

     67   

22.3

  

Permitted Sublease Agreements

     69   

22.4

  

Required Assignment and Subletting Provisions

     70   

22.5

  

Costs

     71   

22.6

  

No Release of Tenant’s Obligations; Exception

     71   
     ARTICLE XXIII       

23.1

  

Officer’s Certificates and Financial Statements

     71   

23.2

  

Confidentiality; Public Offering Information

     74   

23.3

  

Financial Covenants

     75   

23.4

  

Landlord Obligations

     76   


     ARTICLE XXIV       

24.1

  

Landlord’s Right to Inspect

     76   
     ARTICLE XXV       

25.1

  

No Waiver

     77   
     ARTICLE XXVI       

26.1

  

Remedies Cumulative

     77   
     ARTICLE XXVII       

27.1

  

Acceptance of Surrender

     77   
     ARTICLE XXVIII       

28.1

  

No Merger

     77   
     ARTICLE XXIX       

29.1

  

Conveyance by Landlord

     77   
     ARTICLE XXX       

30.1

  

Quiet Enjoyment

     78   
     ARTICLE XXXI       

31.1

  

Landlord’s Financing

     78   

31.2

  

Attornment

     79   

31.3

  

Compliance with Facility Mortgage Documents

     79   
     ARTICLE XXXII       

32.1

  

Hazardous Substances

     81   

32.2

  

Notices

     81   

32.3

  

Remediation

     82   

32.4

  

Indemnity

     82   

32.5

  

Environmental Inspections

     83   
     ARTICLE XXXIII       

33.1

  

Memorandum of Lease

     83   

33.2

  

Tenant Financing

     83   


     ARTICLE XXXIV       

34.1

  

Expert Valuation Process

     84   
     ARTICLE XXXV       

35.1

  

Notices

     86   
     ARTICLE XXXVI       

36.1

  

Transfer of Tenant’s Property and Operational Control of the Facilities

     87   

36.2

  

Determination of Successor Lessee and Gaming Assets FMV

     87   

36.3

  

Operation Transfer

     89   
     ARTICLE XXXVII       

37.1

  

Attorneys’ Fees

     89   
     ARTICLE XXXVIII       

38.1

  

Brokers

     90   
     ARTICLE XXXIX       

39.1

  

Anti-Terrorism Representations

     90   
     ARTICLE XL       

40.1

  

GLP REIT Protection

     90   
     ARTICLE XLI       

41.1

  

Survival

     91   

41.2

  

Severability

     92   

41.3

  

Non-Recourse

     92   

41.4

  

Successors and Assigns

     92   

41.5

  

Governing Law

     92   

41.6

  

Waiver of Trial by Jury

     92   

41.7

  

Entire Agreement

     93   

41.8

  

Headings

     93   

41.9

  

Counterparts

     93   

41.10

  

Interpretation

     93   

41.11

  

Time of Essence

     93   

41.12

  

Further Assurances

     93   

41.13

  

Gaming Regulations

     94   

41.14

  

Certain Provisions of Nevada Law

     94   

41.15

  

Certain Provisions of Louisiana Law

     95   


EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
EXHIBIT A – LIST OF FACILITIES
EXHIBIT B – LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS
EXHIBIT C – GAMING LICENSES
EXHIBIT D – FORM OF GUARANTY
EXHIBIT E – FORM OF NONDISTURBANCE AND ATTORNMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT F – FORM OF SUBORDINATION, NONDISTURBANCE AND ATTORNMENT AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A – DISCLOSURE ITEMS
SCHEDULE B – BASE YEAR NET REVENUE
SCHEDULE C – REVENUE GENERATING SPACES
SCHEDULE D – PROPERTY AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE 1.1 – EXCLUSIONS FROM LEASED PROPERTY
SCHEDULE 6.3 – GUARANTORS UINDER THE MASTER LEASE


MASTER LEASE

This MASTER LEASE (the “ Master Lease ”) is entered into as of                     , by and among [Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.] ( together with its permitted successors and assigns, “ Landlord ”), and [Pinnacle Entertainment OpCo Entity] (together with its permitted successors and assigns, “ Tenant ”).

RECITALS

A. Capitalized terms used in this Master Lease and not otherwise defined herein are defined in Article II hereof.

B. In connection with that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [                    ] (the “ Separation Agreement ”), among [Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.] and [OpCo] (“ Tenant’s Parent ”), Landlord desires to lease the Leased Property to Tenant and Tenant desires to lease the Leased Property from Landlord upon the terms set forth in this Master Lease.

C. Pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”), dated as of July 20, 2015, [Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.] will, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (the “ Merger Transaction ”).

D. A list of the thirteen (13) facilities covered by this Master Lease as of the date hereof is attached hereto as Exhibit A (each a “ Facility ,” and collectively, the “ Facilities ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

1.1 Leased Property . Upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord all of Landlord’s rights and interest in and to the following with respect to each of the Facilities (collectively, the “ Leased Property ”):

(a) the real property or properties described in Exhibit B attached hereto (collectively, the “ Land ”);

(b) all buildings, structures, barges, riverboats, Fixtures (as hereinafter defined) and other improvements of every kind now or hereafter located on the Land or connected thereto including, but not limited to, alleyways and connecting tunnels, sidewalks, utility pipes, conduits and lines (on-site and off-site to the extent Landlord has obtained any interest in the same), parking areas and roadways appurtenant to such buildings and structures of each such Facility (collectively, the “ Leased Improvements ”);

(c) all easements, rights and appurtenances relating to the Land and the Leased Improvements; and

(d) all equipment, machinery, fixtures, and other items of property, including all components thereof, that (i) are now or hereafter located in, on or used in connection with and permanently affixed to or otherwise incorporated into the Leased Improvements and (ii) qualify as Long-Lived Assets, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and additions thereto (collectively, the “ Fixtures ”).

 

1


The Leased Property is leased subject to all covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other matters affecting the Leased Property as of the Commencement Date and such subsequent covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other matters as may be agreed to by Landlord or Tenant in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease, whether or not of record, including any matters which would be disclosed by an inspection or accurate survey of the Leased Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Leased Property shall exclude those items referenced on Schedule 1 .1 .

1.2 Single, Indivisible Lease . This Master Lease constitutes one indivisible lease of the Leased Property and not separate leases governed by similar terms. The Leased Property constitutes one economic unit, and the Rent and all other provisions have been negotiated and agreed to based on a demise of all of the Leased Property to Tenant as a single, composite, inseparable transaction and would have been substantially different had separate leases or a divisible lease been intended. Except as expressly provided in this Master Lease for specific, isolated purposes (and then only to the extent expressly otherwise stated), all provisions of this Master Lease apply equally and uniformly to all of the Leased Property as one unit. An Event of Default with respect to any portion of the Leased Property is an Event of Default as to all of the Leased Property. The parties intend that the provisions of this Master Lease shall at all times be construed, interpreted and applied so as to carry out their mutual objective to create an indivisible lease of all of the Leased Property and, in particular but without limitation, that, for purposes of any assumption, rejection or assignment of this Master Lease under 11 U.S.C. Section 365, or any successor or replacement thereof or any analogous state law, this is one indivisible and non-severable lease and executory contract dealing with one legal and economic unit and that this Master Lease must be assumed, rejected or assigned as a whole with respect to all (and only as to all) of the Leased Property. The parties may amend this Master Lease from time to time to include one or more additional Facilities as part of the Leased Property and such future addition to the Leased Property shall not in any way change the indivisible and nonseverable nature of this Master Lease and all of the foregoing provisions shall continue to apply in full force.

1.3 Term . The “ Term ” of this Master Lease is the Initial Term plus all Renewal Terms, to the extent exercised. The initial term of this Master Lease (the “ Initial Term ”) shall commence on the date hereof (the “ Commencement Date ”) and end on the last day of the calendar month in which the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, subject to renewal as set forth in Section 1.4 below.

1.4 Renewal Terms . The term of this Master Lease may be extended for five (5) separate “Renewal Terms” of five (5) years each if: (a) at least twelve (12), but not more than eighteen (18) months prior to the end of the then current Term, Tenant delivers to Landlord a Notice that it desires to exercise its right to extend this Master Lease for one (1) Renewal Term (a “ Renewal Notice ”); and (b) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date Landlord receives the Renewal Notice (the “ Exercise Date ”) or on the last day of the then current Term. During any such Renewal Term, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, all of the terms and conditions of this Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2


Tenant may exercise such options to renew with respect to all (and no fewer than all) of the Facilities which are subject to this Master Lease as of the Exercise Date.

ARTICLE II

2.1 Definitions . For all purposes of this Master Lease, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) the terms defined in this Article II have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular; all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; (ii) all references in this Master Lease to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Master Lease; (iii) the word “including” shall have the same meaning as the phrase “including, without limitation,” and other similar phrases; (iv) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Master Lease as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and (v) for the calculation of any financial ratios or tests referenced in this Master Lease (including the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio and the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio), this Master Lease, regardless of its treatment under GAAP, shall be deemed to be an operating lease and the Rent payable hereunder shall be treated as an operating expense and shall not constitute Indebtedness or interest expense.

AAA : As defined in Section 34.1(b).

Accounts : All accounts, including deposit accounts and any Facility Mortgage Reserve Account (to the extent actually funded by Tenant), all rents, profits, income, revenues or rights to payment or reimbursement derived from the use of any space within the Leased Property and/or from goods sold or leased or services rendered from the Leased Property (including, without limitation, from goods sold or leased or services rendered from the Leased Property by any subtenant) and all accounts receivable, in each case whether or not evidenced by a contract, document, instrument or chattel paper and whether or not earned by performance, including without limitation, the right to payment of management fees and all proceeds of the foregoing.

Additional Charges : All Impositions and all other amounts, liabilities and obligations which Tenant assumes or agrees to pay under this Master Lease and, in the event of any failure on the part of Tenant to pay any of those items, except where such failure is due to the acts or omissions of Landlord, every fine, penalty, interest and cost which may be added for non-payment or late payment of such items.

Adjusted Revenue : For any Test Period, Net Revenue (i)  minus expenses other than Specified Expenses and (ii)  plus Specified Proceeds, if any; provided , however , that for purposes of calculating Adjusted Revenue, Net Revenue shall not include Gaming Revenues, Retail Sales or Promotional Allowances of any subtenants of Tenant or any deemed payments under subleases of this Master Lease, licenses or other access rights from Tenant to its operating subsidiaries. Adjusted Revenue shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to any increase or decrease in Rent as a result of the addition or removal of Leased Property to this Master Lease since the beginning of any Test Period of Tenant as if each such increase or decrease had been effected on the first day of such Test Period.

 

3


Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio : As at any date of determination, the ratio for any period of Adjusted Revenue to Rent. For purposes of calculating the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio, Adjusted Revenue shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (and shall be calculated to give effect to (x) pro forma adjustments reasonably contemplated by Tenant and (y) such other pro forma adjustments consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to give effect to any material acquisitions and material asset sales consummated by the Tenant or any Guarantor during any Test Period of Tenant as if each such material acquisition had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and as if each such material asset sale had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such Test Period. In addition, (i) Adjusted Revenue and Rent shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to any increase or decrease in Rent as a result of the addition or removal of Leased Property to this Master Lease during any Test Period as if such increase or decrease had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and (ii) in the event Rent is to be increased in connection with the addition or inclusion of a Long-Lived Asset that is projected to increase Adjusted Revenue, such Rent increase shall not be taken into account in calculating the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio until the first fiscal quarter following the completion of the installation or construction of such Long-Lived Assets.

Affected Facility : As defined in Section 7.3(a).

Affiliate : When used with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, the term “Affiliate” shall mean any person which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such corporation, limited liability company or partnership. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, through the ownership of voting securities, partnership interests or other equity interests.

Appointing Authority : As defined in Section 34.1(b).

Awar d : All compensation, sums or anything of value awarded, paid or received on a total or partial Taking.

Base Rent : The sum of (i) the Building Base Rent, and (ii) the Land Base Rent.

 

4


Base Year Net Revenue : The amounts set forth on Schedule B 1 for the Facilities.

Building Base Rent :

(A) During the Initial Term, an annual amount equal to [Two Hundred Eighty Nine Million Fifty Six Thousand Dollars ($289,056,000.00] 2 ; provided , however , that commencing with the second (2 nd ) Lease Year and continuing each Lease Year thereafter during the Initial Term, the Building Base Rent shall increase to an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation.

(B) The Building Base Rent for the first year of each Renewal Term shall be an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation. Commencing with the second (2nd) Lease Year of any Renewal Term and continuing each Lease Year thereafter during such Renewal Term, the Building Base Rent shall increase to an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation.

(C) As applicable during the Term, Building Base Rent shall be increased pursuant to Section 10.3(c) in respect of Capital Improvements funded by Landlord (which increases shall, in each case, be subject to the Escalations provided in the foregoing clauses (A) and (B)).

Building Base Rent shall be subject to further adjustment as and to the extent provided in Section 14.6.

Business Day : Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which national banks in the City of New York, New York or Las Vegas, Nevada are authorized, or obligated, by law or executive order, to close.

Capital Improvements : With respect to any Facility, any improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements, including without limitation capital improvements and structural alterations, modifications or improvements, or one or more additional structures annexed to any portion of any of the Leased Improvements of such Facility, or the expansion of existing improvements, which are constructed on any parcel or portion of the Land of such Facility, during the Term, including construction of a new wing or new story, all of which shall constitute a portion of the Leased Improvements and Leased Property hereunder in accordance with Section 10.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Article X only, “Capital Improvements” shall not include any improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements or any expansion of the existing improvements if such (i) commenced prior to the Term in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) costs less than Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) on an individual project basis and less than Fifty Million Dollars

 

1   Schedule B to list the trailing 12 months Net Revenues for the Facilities as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease.
2   $377M minus (i) Land Base Rent and (ii) Percentage Rent. Current amount is as of June 30, 2015. Initial Building Base Rent to be updated as of the date of execution of the Master Lease.

 

5


($50,000,000) in the aggregate with respect to all of the Facilities, it being agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, such improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements or any expansion of the existing improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the Facilities for all purposes hereunder.

Cash : Cash and cash equivalents and all instruments evidencing the same or any right thereto and all proceeds thereof.

Casualty Event : Any loss of title or any loss of or damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any governmental authority) of, any asset for which Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries (directly or through Tenant’s Parent) receives cash insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or other similar compensation (excluding proceeds of business interruption insurance). “Casualty Event” shall include, but not be limited to, any taking of all or any part of any real property of Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any applicable law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any real property of Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or any part thereof by any governmental authority, civil or military.

Change in Control : (i) Any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute), (a) shall have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership or control of fifty percent (50%) or more on a fully diluted basis of the direct or indirect voting power in the Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent, or (b) shall have caused the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors or equivalent body of Tenant’s Parent, which such members have not been nominated by a majority of the members of the board of directors or equivalent body of Tenant’s Parent as such were constituted immediately prior to such election, (ii) except as permitted or required hereunder, the direct or indirect sale by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent of all or substantially all of Tenant’s assets, whether held directly or through Subsidiaries, relating to the Facilities in one transaction or in a series of related transactions (excluding sales to Tenant or its Subsidiaries), or (iii) (a) Tenant ceasing to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary (directly or indirectly) of Tenant’s Parent or (b) Tenant’s Parent ceasing to control one hundred percent (100%) of the voting power in the Equity Interests of Tenant or (iv) Tenant’s Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, Tenant’s Parent, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute or are converted into or exchanged into or exchanged for a majority (determined by voting power in an election of directors) of the outstanding Equity Interests ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such transaction).

Code : The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, to the extent applicable, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, each as amended from time to time.

 

6


Commencement Date : As defined in Section 1.3.

Competing Facility : As defined in Section 7.3(e).

Competing Facility Floor : As defined in Section 7.3(e).

Condemnation : The exercise of any governmental power, whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, by a Condemnor or a voluntary sale or transfer by Landlord to any Condemnor, either under threat of condemnation or while legal proceedings for condemnation are pending.

Condemnor : Any public or quasi-public authority, or private corporation or individual, having the power of Condemnation.

Confidential Information : Any and all financial, technical, proprietary, confidential, and other information, including data, reports, interpretations, forecasts, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries, extracts, records, know-how, statements (written or oral) or other documents of any kind, that contain information concerning the business and affairs of a party or its affiliates, divisions and subsidiaries, which such party or its Related Persons provide to the other party or its Related Persons, whether furnished before or after the date of this Master Lease, and regardless of the manner in which it was furnished, and any material prepared by a party or its Related Persons, in whatever form maintained, containing, reflecting or based upon, in whole or in part, any such information; provided, however, that “Confidential Information” shall not include information which: (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the other party or its Related Persons in breach of this Master Lease; (ii) was or becomes available to the other party or its Related Persons on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure hereunder as evidenced by the written records of the other party or its Related Persons, provided that the source of the information is not bound by a confidentiality agreement or otherwise prohibited from transmitting such information by a contractual, legal or fiduciary duty; or (iii) was independently developed by the other party without the use of any Confidential Information, as evidenced by the written records of the other party.

Consolidated Interest Expense : For any period, interest expense of Tenant and its Subsidiaries that are Guarantors for such period as determined on a consolidated basis for Tenant and its Subsidiaries that are Guarantors in accordance with GAAP.

CPI : The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Revised Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1982-84=100), U.S. City Average, All Items, or, if that index is not available at the time in question, the index designated by such Department as the successor to such index, and if there is no index so designated, an index for an area in the United States that most closely corresponds to the entire United States, published by such Department, or if none, by any other instrumentality of the United States.

CPI Increase : The product of (i) the CPI published for the beginning of each Lease Year, divided by (ii) the CPI published for the beginning of the first Lease Year. If the product is less than one, the CPI Increase shall be equal to one.

CPR Institute : As defined in Section 34.1(b).

 

7


Date of Taking : The date the Condemnor has the right to possession of the property being condemned.

Debt Agreement : If designated by Tenant to Landlord in writing to be included in the definition of “Debt Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, (i) entered into from time to time by Tenant and/or its Affiliates, (ii) as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time, (iii) which may be secured by assets of Tenant and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, their Cash, Accounts, Tenant’s Property, real property and leasehold estates in real property (including this Master Lease), and (iv) which shall provide Landlord, in accordance with Section 17.3 hereof, the right to receive copies of notices of Specified Debt Agreement Defaults thereunder and opportunity to cure any breaches or defaults by Tenant thereunder within the cure period, if any, that exists under such Debt Agreement.

Dollars and $ : The lawful money of the United States.

Discretionary Transferee : A transferee that meets all of the following requirements: (a) such transferee has (1) at least five (5) years of experience (directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries) operating or managing casinos with revenues in the immediately preceding fiscal year of at least Seven Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($750,000,000) (or retains a manager with such qualifications, which manager shall not be replaced other than in accordance with Article XXII hereof) that is not in the business, and that does not have an Affiliate in the business, of leasing properties to gaming operators, or (2) agreement(s) in place in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord to retain for a period of eighteen (18) months (or more) after the effective time of the transfer at least (i) eighty percent (80%) of Tenant and its Subsidiaries’ personnel employed at the Facilities who have employment contracts as of the date of the relevant agreement to transfer and (ii) seventy percent (70%) of Tenant’s and Tenant’s Parent’s ten most highly compensated corporate employees as of the date of the relevant agreement to transfer based on total compensation determined in accordance with Item 402 of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (b) such transferee (directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries) is licensed or certified by each gaming authority with jurisdiction over any portion of the Leased Property as of the date of any proposed assignment or transfer to such entity (or will be so licensed upon its assumption of the Master Lease); (c) such transferee is Solvent, and, other than in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, if such transferee has a Parent Company, the Parent Company of such transferee is Solvent, and (d) (i) other than in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, (x) the Parent Company of such transferee or, if such transferee does not have a Parent Company, such transferee, has sufficient assets so that, after giving effect to its assumption of Tenant’s obligations hereunder or the applicable assignment (including pursuant to a Change in Control under Section 22.2(iii)(x) or Section 22.2(iii)(y), its Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP is less than 8:1 on a pro forma basis based on projected earnings and after

 

8


giving effect to the proposed transaction or (y) an entity that has an investment grade credit rating from a nationally recognized rating agency with respect to such entity’s long term, unsecured debt has provided a Guaranty, or (ii) in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, (x) Tenant has an Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio of less than 8:1 on a pro forma basis based on projected earnings and after giving effect to the proposed transaction or (y) an entity that has an investment grade credit rating from a nationally recognized rating agency with respect to such entity’s long term, unsecured debt has provided a Guaranty.

EBITDA : For any Test Period, the consolidated net income or loss of the Parent Company of a Discretionary Transferee (or, in the case of (x) a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party or (y) a Discretionary Transferee that does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee) on a consolidated basis for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding (1) income tax expense, (2) consolidated interest expense (net of interest income), (3) depreciation and amortization expense, (4) any income, gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of indebtedness or cancellation of indebtedness, (5) gains or losses on discontinued operations and asset sales, disposals or abandonments, (6) impairment charges or asset write-offs including, without limitation, those related to goodwill or intangible assets, long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities, in each case, in accordance with GAAP, (7) any non-cash items of expense (other than to the extent such non-cash items of expense require or result in an accrual or reserve for future cash expenses), (8) extraordinary gains or losses and (9) unusual or non-recurring gains or items of income or loss.

Encumbrance : Any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, encumbrance or other matter affecting title to any of the Leased Property, or any portion thereof or interest therein.

End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice : As defined in Section 36.1.

Environmental Costs : As defined in Section 32.4.

Environmental Laws : Any and all federal, state, municipal and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, guidances, policies, orders, decrees or judgments, whether statutory or common law, as amended from time to time, now or hereafter in effect, or promulgated, pertaining to the environment, public health and safety and industrial hygiene, including the use, generation, manufacture, production, storage, release, discharge, disposal, handling, treatment, removal, decontamination, cleanup, transportation or regulation of any Hazardous Substance, including the Industrial Site Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Equity Interests : With respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), of equity of such person, including, if such person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited) and any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership.

 

9


Equity Rights : With respect to any Person, any then outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including any stockholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of any additional Equity Interests of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, such person; provided , however , that a debt instrument convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Equity Interests shall not be deemed an Equity Right.

Escalated Building Base Rent : For any Lease Year (other than the first Lease Year), an amount equal to 102% of the Building Base Rent as of the end of the immediately preceding Lease Year.

Escalation : For any Lease Year (other than the first Lease Year), the lesser of (a) an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Escalated Building Base Rent for such Lease Year over (ii) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (b) an amount (but not less than zero) that adding such amount to the Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year will have yielded an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio for such preceding Lease Year of 1.8:1.

Event of Default : As defined in Section 16.1.

Excluded Sublease : Any sublease permitted hereunder relating to solely portions of the Leased Property (a) that are within the footprint of a building located on the Leased Property as of the date hereof, (b) that are not Revenue Generating Spaces as of the date hereof and (c) with respect to which (i) a Person that is not an Affiliate of Tenant is subtenant, and (ii) the premises subleased thereunder will not be used for gaming or lodging purposes.

Exercise Date : As defined in Section 1.4.

Expert : An independent third party professional, with expertise in respect of a matter at issue, appointed by the agreement of Landlord and Tenant or otherwise in accordance with Article XXXIV hereof.

Facilit(y)(ies) : As defined in Recital D.

Facility Mortgage : As defined in Section 13.1.

Facility Mortgage Documents : With respect to each Facility Mortgage and Facility Mortgagee, the applicable Facility Mortgage, loan agreement, debt agreement, credit agreement or indenture, lease, note, collateral assignment instruments, guarantees, indemnity agreements and other documents or instruments evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to the loan made, credit extended, or lease or other financing vehicle entered into pursuant thereto.

Facility Mortgage Reserve Account : As defined in Section 31.3(b).

Facility Mortgagee : As defined in Section 13.1.

Financial Statements : (i) For a Fiscal Year, consolidated statements of Tenant’s Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries (as defined by GAAP) of income, stockholders’ equity

 

10


and comprehensive income and cash flows for such period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year to the end of such period and the related consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such period, together with the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited by a “big four” or other nationally recognized accounting firm, and (ii) for a fiscal quarter, consolidated statements of Tenant’s Parent’s income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for such period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year to the end of such period and the related consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such period, together with the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Fiscal Year : The annual period commencing January 1 and terminating December 31 of each year.

Fixtures : As defined in Section 1.1(d).

Foreclosure Assignment : As defined in Section 22.2(iii).

Foreclosure COC : As defined in Section 22.2(iii).

Foreclosure Purchaser : As defined in Section 31.1.

GAAP : Generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied in the preparation of financial statements, as in effect from time to time (except with respect to any financial ratio defined or described herein or the components thereof, for which purposes GAAP shall refer to such principles as in effect as of the date hereof).

Gaming Assets FMV : As defined in Section 36.1.

Gaming Facility : A facility at which there are operations of slot machines, table games or pari-mutuel wagering.

Gaming License : Any license, permit, approval, finding of suitability or other authorization issued by a state regulatory agency to operate, carry on or conduct any gambling game, gaming device, slot machine, race book or sports pool on the Leased Property, or required by any Gaming Regulation, including each of the licenses, permits or other authorizations set forth on Exhibit C , as amended from time to time, and those related to any Facilities that are added to this Master Lease after the date hereof.

Gaming Regulation(s) : Any and all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, orders, codes, decrees or judgments, and Gaming License conditions or restrictions, as amended from time to time, now or hereafter in effect or promulgated, pertaining to the operation, control, maintenance or Capital Improvement of a Gaming Facility or the conduct of a person or entity holding a Gaming License, including, without limitation, any requirements imposed by a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body pursuant to the jurisdiction and authority granted to it under applicable law.

 

11


Gaming Revenues : As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.

GLP : Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

Greenfield Floor : As defined in Section 7.3(a).

Greenfield Project : As defined in Section 7.3(a).

Ground Leased Property : The real property leased pursuant to the Ground Leases.

Ground Leases : Those certain leases with respect to real property that is a portion of the Leased Property, pursuant to which Landlord is a tenant and which leases have either been approved by Tenant or are in existence as of the date hereof and listed on Schedule A hereto.

Ground Lessor : As defined in Section 8.4(a).

Guarantor : Any entity that guaranties the payment or collection of all or any portion of the amounts payable by Tenant, or the performance by Tenant of all or any of its obligations, under this Master Lease, including any replacement guarantor consented to by Landlord in connection with the assignment of the Master Lease or a sublease of Leased Property pursuant to Article XXII.

Guaranty : That certain Guaranty of Master Lease dated as of the date hereof, a form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time, by and between Tenant’s Parent, Landlord and certain Subsidiaries of Tenant from time to time party thereto, and any other guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Landlord executed by a Guarantor in favor of Landlord (as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time) pursuant to which such Guarantor agrees to guaranty all of the obligations of Tenant hereunder.

Handling : As defined in Section 32.4.

Hazardous Substances : Collectively, any petroleum, petroleum product or by product or any substance, material or waste regulated or listed pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor : Any Subsidiary of Tenant having assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than twenty-five million Dollars ($25.0 million) as of the most recent date on which Financial Statements have been delivered to Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1(b); provided , however , that in no event shall the aggregate fair market value of the assets of all Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantors exceed fifty million Dollars ($50.0 million) as of the most recent date on which Financial Statements have been delivered to Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1(b).

Impartial Appraiser : As defined in Section 13.2.

 

12


Impositions : Collectively, all taxes, including capital stock, franchise, margin and other state taxes of Landlord, ad valorem, sales, use, single business, gross receipts, transaction privilege, rent or similar taxes; assessments including assessments for public improvements or benefits, whether or not commenced or completed prior to the date hereof and whether or not to be completed within the Term; ground rents (pursuant to the Ground Leases); all obligations of Landlord and its Affiliates under the documents listed on Schedule D hereto; water, sewer and other utility levies and charges; excise tax levies; fees including license, permit, inspection, authorization and similar fees; and all other governmental charges, in each case whether general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or unforeseen, of every character in respect of the Leased Property and/or the Rent and Additional Charges and all interest and penalties thereon attributable to any failure in payment by Tenant (other than failures arising from the acts or omissions of Landlord) which at any time prior to, during or in respect of the Term hereof may be assessed or imposed on or in respect of or be a lien upon (i) Landlord or Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property, (ii) the Leased Property or any part thereof or any rent therefrom or any estate, right, title or interest therein, or (iii) any occupancy, operation, use or possession of, or sales from or activity conducted on or in connection with the Leased Property or the leasing or use of the Leased Property or any part thereof; provided , however , that nothing contained in this Master Lease shall be construed to require Tenant to pay (a) any tax based on net income (whether denominated as a franchise or capital stock or other tax) imposed on Landlord or any other Person, (b) any transfer, or net revenue tax of Landlord or any other Person except Tenant and its successors, (c) any tax imposed with respect to the sale, exchange or other disposition by Landlord of any Leased Property or the proceeds thereof, or (d) any principal or interest on any indebtedness on or secured by the Leased Property owed to a Facility Mortgagee for which Landlord or its Subsidiaries or GLP is the obligor; provided , further , Impositions shall include any tax, assessment, tax levy or charge set forth in clause (a) or (b) that is levied, assessed or imposed in lieu of, or as a substitute for, any Imposition.

Indebtedness : Of any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) all obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases which have been or should be recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (d) all indebtedness secured by a lien on the property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person, (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to the face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn) and banker’s acceptances issued for the account of such Person, (f) all obligations under any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar arrangement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or combination of transactions, (g) all guarantees by such Person of any of the foregoing and (h) all indebtedness of the nature described in the foregoing clauses (a)-(g) of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner.

Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio : As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness of the applicable (x) Discretionary Transferee or Parent Company of the Discretionary Transferee or (y) in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party,

 

13


the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party (such Discretionary Transferee, Parent Company or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, as applicable the “ Relevant Party ”) on a consolidated basis, as of such date (excluding (i) Indebtedness of the type referenced in clauses (e) or (f) of the definition of Indebtedness or Indebtedness referred to in clauses (d) or (g) of the definition of Indebtedness to the extent relating to Indebtedness of the type referenced in clauses (e) or (f) of the definition of Indebtedness, to (b) EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements are available. For purposes of calculating the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio, EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (and shall be calculated, except for pro forma adjustments reasonably contemplated by the potential transferee which may be included in such calculations, otherwise in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to give effect to any material acquisitions and material asset sales consummated by the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries since the beginning of any Test Period of the Relevant Party as if each such material acquisition had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and as if each such material asset sale had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such period. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the Relevant Party or any Subsidiary of the Relevant Party has incurred any Indebtedness or repaid, repurchased, acquired, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements are available, Indebtedness shall be calculated (for purposes of this definition) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase, acquisition, defeasance or discharge and the applications of any proceeds thereof as if it had occurred prior to the first day of such Test Period and (ii) the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio shall give pro forma effect to the transactions whereby the applicable Discretionary Transferee becomes party to the Master Lease or the Change in Control transactions permitted under Section 22.2(iii) and shall include the Indebtedness and EBITDA of Tenant and its Subsidiaries for the relevant period.

Initial Term : As defined in Section 1.3.

Insurance Requirements : The terms of any insurance policy required by this Master Lease and all requirements of the issuer of any such policy and of any insurance board, association, organization or company necessary for the maintenance of any such policy.

Investment Fund : A bona fide private equity fund or bona fide investment vehicle arranged by and managed by or controlled by, or under common control with, a private equity fund (excluding any private equity fund investment vehicle the primary assets of which are Tenant and its Subsidiaries and/or this Master Lease and assets related thereto) that is engaged in making, purchasing, funding or otherwise or investing in a diversified portfolio of businesses and companies and is organized primarily for the purpose of making equity investments in companies.

Land : As defined in Section 1.1(a).

 

14


Land Base Rent : An annual amount equal to [Forty Three Million Nine Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Dollars ($43,972,000.00)] 3 . Land Base Rent shall be subject to further adjustment as and to the extent provided in Section 14.6.

Landlord : As defined in the preamble.

Landlord Representatives : As defined in Section 23.4.

Landlord Tax Returns : As defined in Section 4.1(b).

Lease Year : The first Lease Year for each Facility shall be the period commencing on the Commencement Date and ending on the last day of the calendar month in which the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, and each subsequent Lease Year for each Facility shall be each period of twelve (12) full calendar months after the last day of the prior Lease Year.

Leased Improvements : As defined in Section 1.1(b).

Leased Property : As defined in Section 1.1.

Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event : As defined in Section 14.6.

Leasehold Estate : As defined in Section 17.1(a).

Legal Requirements : All federal, state, county, municipal and other governmental statutes, laws, rules, policies, guidance, codes, orders, regulations, ordinances, permits, licenses, covenants, conditions, restrictions, judgments, decrees and injunctions (including common law, Gaming Regulations and Environmental Laws) affecting either the Leased Property, Tenant’s Property and all Capital Improvements or the construction, use or alteration thereof, whether now or hereafter enacted and in force, including any which may (i) require repairs, modifications or alterations in or to the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, (ii) in any way adversely affect the use and enjoyment thereof, or (iii) regulate the transport, handling, use, storage or disposal or require the cleanup or other treatment of any Hazardous Substance.

Liquor Authority : As defined in Section 41.13(a).

Liquor Laws : As defined in Section 41.13(a).

Long-Lived Assets : (i) With respect to property owned by Tenant’s Parent as of the date hereof, all property capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than fifteen (15) years as initially reflected on the books and records of Tenant’s Parent at or about the time of acquisition thereof or (ii) with respect to those assets purchased, replaced or otherwise maintained by Tenant after the date hereof, such asset capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than fifteen (15) years as of or about the time of the acquisition thereof, as classified by Tenant in accordance with GAAP.

 

3   Calculated as two percent (2%) of the trailing 12 months Net Revenues as of June 30, 2015. To be updated as of the date of execution of the Master Lease to equal two percent (2%) of the aggregate Base Year Net Revenue.

 

15


Master Lease : As defined in the preamble.

Material Indebtedness : At any time, Indebtedness of any one or more of the Tenant (and its Subsidiaries) and any Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount exceeding ten percent (10%) of Adjusted Revenue of Tenant and the Guarantors that are Subsidiaries of Tenant on a consolidated basis over the most recent Test Period for which financial statements are available. As of the date hereof, until financial statements are available for the initial Test Period, such amount shall be [$         [amount equal to 10% of Adjusted Revenue for 12 month trailing period as of the date of the Lease] ].

Maximum Foreseeable Loss : As defined in Section 13.2.

Merger Agreement : As defined in Recital C.

Merger Transaction : As defined in Recital C.

Net Revenue : The sum of, without duplication, (i) the amount received by Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and its subtenants) from patrons at any Facility for gaming, less refunds and free promotional play provided to the customers and invitees of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) pursuant to a rewards, marketing, and/or frequent users program, and less amounts returned to patrons through winnings at any Facility (the amounts in this clause (i), “ Gaming Revenues ”); and (ii) the gross receipts of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) for all goods and merchandise sold, the charges for all services performed, or any other revenues generated by Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) in, at, or from the Leased Property for cash, credit, or otherwise (without reserve or deduction for uncollected amounts), but excluding any Gaming Revenues (the amounts in this clause (ii), “ Retail Sales ”); less (iii) the retail value of accommodations, food and beverage, and other services furnished without charge to guests of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) at any Facility (the amounts in this clause (iii), “ Promotional Allowance ”). For the avoidance of doubt, gaming taxes and casino operating expenses (such as salaries, income taxes, employment taxes, supplies, equipment, cost of goods and inventory, rent, office overhead, marketing and advertising and other general administrative costs) will not be deducted in arriving at Net Revenue. Net Revenue will be calculated on an accrual basis for these purposes, as required under GAAP. For the absence of doubt, if Gaming Revenues, Retail Sales or Promotional Allowances of a Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, are taken into account for purposes of calculating Net Revenue, any rent received by Tenant from such Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, pursuant to any sublease with such Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, shall not also be taken into account for purposes of calculating Net Revenues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to any Specified Sublease, Net Revenue shall not include Gaming Revenues or Retail Sales from the subtenants under such subleases and shall include the rent received by Tenant or its subsidiaries thereunder, and (ii) with respect to any Excluded Sublease, Net Revenue shall not include Retail Sales from the subtenants under such subleases.

New Lease : As defined in Section 17.1(f).

 

16


Notice : A notice given in accordance with Article XXXV.

Notice of Termination . As defined in Section 17.1(f).

NRS : As defined in Section 41.14.

OFAC : As defined in Section 39.1.

Officer’s Certificate : A certificate of Tenant or Landlord, as the case may be, signed by an officer of such party authorized to so sign by resolution of its board of directors or by its sole member or by the terms of its by-laws or operating agreement, as applicable.

Overdue Rate : On any date, a rate equal to five (5) percentage points above the Prime Rate, but in no event greater than the maximum rate then permitted under applicable law.

Parent Company : With respect to any Discretionary Transferee, any Person (other than an Investment Fund) (x) as to which such Discretionary Transferee is a Subsidiary; and (y) which is not a Subsidiary of any other Person (other than an Investment Fund).

Payment Date : Any due date for the payment of the installments of Rent or any other sums payable under this Master Lease.

Percentage Rent : Initially, an annual amount equal to equal to [Forty Three Million Nine Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Dollars ($43,972,000.00)] 4 . The Percentage Rent shall be reset each Percentage Rent Reset Year to a fixed annual amount equal to the product of (i) four percent (4%) and (ii) the excess (if any) of (a) the average annual Net Revenues for the trailing two-year period (i.e., the first (1 st ) and second (2 nd ) Lease Years, the third (3 rd ) and fourth (4 th ) Lease Years, the fifth (5 th ) and sixth (6 th ) Lease Years, etc.) over (b) [One Billion, Ninety Nine Million, Three Hundred Five Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,099,305,500.00)] 5 . For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of any Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event, the “average annual Net Revenues” shall be calculated as if such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event occurred on the first day of such trailing two-year period. Percentage Rent shall be subject to further adjustment as and to the extent provided in Section 14.6 and in Section 22.3.

Percentage Rent Reset Year : Each and every other Lease Year commencing with the third (3 rd ) Lease Year, and continuing with the fifth (5 th ) Lease Year, the seventh (7 th ) Lease Year, the ninth (9 th ) Lease Year, the first (1 st ), third (3 rd ) and fifth (5 th ) Lease Years of the first Renewal Term, the second (2 nd ) and fourth (4 th ) Lease Years of the second Renewal Term, etc.

Permitted Leasehold Mortgage : A document creating or evidencing an encumbrance on Tenant’s leasehold interest (or a subtenant’s subleasehold interest) in the Leased Property, granted to or for the benefit of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as security for the obligations under a Debt Agreement.

 

4   Calculated as two percent (2%) of the trailing 12 months Net Revenues as of June 30, 2015. To be updated as of the date of execution of the Master Lease to equal two percent (2%) of the aggregate Base Year Net Revenue.
5   Calculated as fifty percent (50%) of the trailing 12 months Net Revenues as of June 30, 2015. To be updated as of the date of execution of the Master Lease to equal fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Base Year Net Revenue.

 

17


Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee : The lender or agent or trustee or similar representative on behalf of one or more lenders or noteholders or other investors under a Debt Agreement, in each case as and to the extent such Person has the power to act on behalf of all lenders under such Debt Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof; provided such lender, agent or trustee or similar representative (but not necessarily the lenders, noteholders or other investors which it represents) is a banking institution in the business of generally acting as a lender, agent or trustee or similar representative (in each case, on behalf of a group of lenders) under debt agreements or instruments similar to the Debt Agreement.

Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee : An entity designated by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and acting for the benefit of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, or the lenders, noteholders or investors represented by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.

Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party : A Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee that forecloses on this Master Lease and assumes this Master Lease or a Subsidiary of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee that assumes this Master Lease in connection with a foreclosure on this Master Lease by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.

Person or person : Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other form of entity.

Pre-Opening Expense : With respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (including Consolidated Interest Expense) incurred with respect to capital projects which are appropriately classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries for such period.

Primary Intended Use : Gaming and/or pari-mutuel use consistent, with respect to each Facility, with its current use (as specified on Exhibit A attached hereto as it may be amended from time to time), or with prevailing gaming industry use at any time, together with all ancillary uses consistent with gaming use and operations, including hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.

Prime Rate : On any date, a rate equal to the annual rate on such date publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (provided that if JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ceases to publish such rate, the Prime Rate shall be determined according to the Prime Rate of another nationally known money center bank reasonably selected by Landlord), to be its prime rate for ninety (90)-day unsecured loans to its corporate borrowers of the highest credit standing, but in no event greater than the maximum rate then permitted under applicable law.

Proceeding : As defined in Section 23.1(b)(v).

Prohibited Persons : As defined in Section 39.1.

Promotional Allowance : As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.

 

18


Qualified Successor Tenant : As defined in Section 36.2.

Related Persons : With respect to a party, such party’s Affiliates and Subsidiaries and the directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons of such party and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries.

Renewal Notice : As defined in Section 1.4(a).

Renewal Term : A period for which the Term is renewed in accordance with Section 1.4.

Rent : Collectively, the Base Rent and the Percentage Rent.

Representative : With respect to the lenders or holders under a Debt Agreement, a Person designated as agent or trustee or a Person acting in a similar capacity or as representative for such lenders or holders.

Restricted Area : The geographical area that at any time during the Term is within a sixty (60)  mile radius of any Facility covered under this Master Lease at such time.

Restricted Information : As defined in Section 23.1(c).

Restricted Payment : Dividends (in cash, property or obligations) on, or other payments or distributions on account of, or the setting apart of money for a sinking or other analogous fund for, or the purchase, redemption, retirement, repurchase or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests or Equity Rights (other than outstanding securities convertible into Equity Interests) of Tenant, but excluding dividends, payments or distributions paid through the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests and any redemption, retirement or exchange of any Equity Interest through, or with the proceeds of, the issuance of Equity Interests of Tenant.

Retail Sales : As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.

Revenue Generating Spaces . The portions of the footprint of the buildings located on the Leased Property that are designated as “Revenue Generating Space” on Schedule C hereto.

SEC : The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Separation Agreement : As defined in Recital B.

Solvent : With respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person, on a going-concern basis, is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person, on a going-concern basis, is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts (including contingent liabilities)

 

19


as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person has not incurred, and does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur, debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital and (e) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Accounting Standards Codification No. 450).

Specified Debt Agreement Default : Any event or occurrence under a Debt Agreement or Material Indebtedness that enables or permits the lenders or holders (or Representatives of such lenders or holders) to accelerate the maturity of the Indebtedness outstanding under a Debt Agreement or Material Indebtedness.

Specified Expenses : For any Test Period, (i) Rent incurred for the same Test Period, and (ii) the (1) income tax expense, (2) consolidated interest expense, (3) depreciation and amortization expense, (4) any nonrecurring, unusual, or extraordinary items of income, cost or expense, including but not limited to, (a) any gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of indebtedness, (b) gains or losses on discontinued operations and asset sales, disposals or abandonments, and (c) impairment charges or asset write-offs including, without limitation, those related to goodwill or intangible assets, long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, (5) any non-cash items of expense (other than to the extent such non-cash items of expense require an accrual or reserve for future cash expenses ( provided that if such accrual or reserve is for contingent items, the outcome of which is subject to uncertainty, such non-cash items of expense may, at the election of the Tenant, be added to net income and deducted when and to the extent actually paid in cash)), (6) any Pre-Opening Expenses, (7) transaction costs for the spin-off of Tenant’s Parent, the entry into this Master Lease, the negotiation and consummation of the financing transactions in connection therewith and the other transactions contemplated in connection with the foregoing consummated on or before the date hereof, (8) non-cash valuation adjustments, (9) any expenses related to the repurchase of stock options, and (10) expenses related to the grant of stock options, restricted stock, or other equivalent or similar instruments; in the case of each of (1) through (10), of Tenant and the Subsidiaries of Tenant that are Guarantors on a consolidated basis for such period.

Specified Proceeds : For any Test Period, to the extent not otherwise included in Net Revenue, the amount of insurance proceeds received during such period by Tenant or the Guarantors in respect of any Casualty Event; provided , however , that for purposes of this definition, (i) with respect to any Facility subject to such Casualty Event which had been in operation for at least one complete fiscal quarter the amount of insurance proceeds plus the Net Revenue (excluding such insurance proceeds), if any, attributable to the Facility subject to such Casualty Event for such period shall not exceed an amount equal to the Net Revenue attributable to such Facility for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the date of such Casualty Event (calculated on a pro forma annualized basis to the extent such Facility was not operational for the full previous Test Period) and (ii) with respect to any Facility subject to such Casualty Event which

 

20


had not been in operation for at least one complete fiscal quarter, the amount of insurance proceeds plus the Net Revenue attributable to such Facility for such period shall not exceed the Net Revenue reasonably projected by Tenant to be derived from such Facility for such period.

Specified Sublease : Any lease in effect on the Commencement Date constituting part of the Leased Property with respect to which Tenant is a sublessor, substantially as in effect on the Commencement Date, a list of which is attached on Schedule A hereto.

State : With respect to each Facility, the state or commonwealth in which such Facility is located.

Subsidiary : As to any Person, (i) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time of determination owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such person has more than a fifty percent (50%) equity interest at the time of determination. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Master Lease shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Tenant.

Successor Tenant : As defined in Section 36.1.

Successor Tenant Rent : As defined in Section 36.2.

Taking : As defined in Section 15.1(a).

Tenant : As defined in the preamble.

Tenant Capital Improvement : A Capital Improvement funded by Tenant, as compared to Landlord.

Tenant COC : As defined in Section 22.2(iii).

Tenant Parent COC : As defined in Section 22.2(iii).

Tenant Representatives : As defined in Section 23.4.

Tenant’s Parent : As defined in Recital B.

Tenant’s Property : With respect to each Facility, all assets (other than the Leased Property and property owned by a third party) primarily related to or used in connection with the operation of the business conducted on or about the Leased Property, together with all replacements, modifications, additions, alterations and substitutes therefor.

Term : As defined in Section 1.3.

 

21


Termination Notice : As defined in Section 17.1(d).

Test Period : With respect to any Person, for any date of determination, the period of the four (4) most recently ended consecutive fiscal quarters of such Person.

Unavoidable Delay : Delays due to strikes, lock-outs, inability to procure materials, power failure, acts of God, governmental restrictions, enemy action, civil commotion, fire, unavoidable casualty or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the party responsible for performing an obligation hereunder; provided that lack of funds shall not be deemed a cause beyond the reasonable control of a party.

Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use : A state or condition of any Facility such that by reason of damage or destruction, or a partial taking by Condemnation, such Facility cannot, following restoration thereof (to the extent commercially practical), be operated on a commercially practicable basis for its Primary Intended Use, taking into account, among other relevant factors, the amount of square footage and the estimated revenue affected by such damage or destruction.

ARTICLE III

3.1 Rent . During the Term, Tenant will pay to Landlord the Rent and Additional Charges in lawful money of the United States of America and legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, in the manner provided in Section 3.3. The Base Rent during any Lease Year is payable in advance in consecutive monthly installments on the fifth (5 th ) Business Day of each calendar month during that Lease Year and the Percentage Rent during any Lease Year is payable in advance in consecutive monthly installments on the fifth (5 th ) Business Day of each calendar month during that Lease Year; provided that during the first three (3) months of each Percentage Rent Reset Year the amount of the Percentage Rent payable monthly in advance shall remain the same as in the then preceding Lease Year, and provided , further , that Tenant shall make a payment to Landlord (or be entitled to set off against its Rent payment due) on the fifth (5 th ) Business Day of the fourth (4 th ) calendar month of such Lease Year in the amount necessary to “true-up” any Percentage Rent payments not yet (or overpayments having been) made for such three (3) month period. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, Rent and Additional Charges shall be prorated as to any partial months at the beginning and end of the Term. The parties will agree on an allocation of the Base Rent on a declining basis for federal income tax purposes within the 115/85 safe harbor of Section 467 of the Code, assuming a projected schedule of Base Rent for this purpose.

3.2 Late Payment of Rent . Tenant hereby acknowledges that late payment by Tenant to Landlord of Rent will cause Landlord to incur costs not contemplated hereunder, the exact amount of which is presently anticipated to be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Charges payable to a Person other than Landlord shall not be paid within five (5) days after its due date, Tenant will pay Landlord on demand a late charge equal to the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the amount of such installment or (b) the maximum amount permitted by law. The parties agree that this late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs that Landlord will incur by reason of late payment by Tenant. The parties further agree that such late charge is Rent and not interest and such

 

22


assessment does not constitute a lender or borrower/creditor relationship between Landlord and Tenant. Thereafter, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Charges payable to a Person other than Landlord shall not be paid within ten (10) days after its due date, the amount unpaid, including any late charges previously accrued, shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the due date of such installment to the date of payment thereof, and Tenant shall pay such interest to Landlord on demand. The payment of such late charge or such interest shall not constitute waiver of, nor excuse or cure, any default under this Master Lease, nor prevent Landlord from exercising any other rights and remedies available to Landlord.

3.3 Method of Payment of Rent . Rent and Additional Charges to be paid to Landlord shall be paid by electronic funds transfer debit transactions through wire transfer of immediately available funds and shall be initiated by Tenant for settlement on or before the Payment Date; provided , however , if the Payment Date is not a Business Day, then settlement shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. Landlord shall provide Tenant with appropriate wire transfer information in a Notice from Landlord to Tenant. If Landlord directs Tenant to pay any Rent to any party other than Landlord, Tenant shall send to Landlord, simultaneously with such payment, a copy of the transmittal letter or invoice and a check whereby such payment is made or such other evidence of payment as Landlord may reasonably require.

3.4 Net Lease . Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that (i) this Master Lease is and is intended to be what is commonly referred to as a “net, net, net” or “triple net” lease, and (ii) the Rent shall be paid absolutely net to Landlord, so that this Master Lease shall yield to Landlord the full amount or benefit of the installments of Rent and Additional Charges throughout the Term with respect to each Facility, all as more fully set forth in Article IV and subject to any other provisions of this Master Lease which expressly provide for adjustment or abatement of Rent or other charges. If Landlord commences any proceedings for non-payment of Rent, Tenant will not interpose any counterclaim or cross complaint or similar pleading of any nature or description in such proceedings unless Tenant would lose or waive such claim by the failure to assert it. This shall not, however, be construed as a waiver of Tenant’s right to assert such claims in a separate action brought by Tenant. The covenants to pay Rent and other amounts hereunder are independent covenants, and Tenant shall have no right to hold back, offset or fail to pay any such amounts for default by Landlord or for any other reason whatsoever, except as provided in Section 3.1.

ARTICLE IV

4.1 Impositions. (a) Subject to Article XII relating to permitted contests, Tenant shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Impositions before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added for non-payment. Tenant shall make such payments directly to the taxing authorities where feasible, and promptly furnish to Landlord copies of official receipts or other satisfactory proof evidencing such payments. Tenant’s obligation to pay Impositions shall be absolutely fixed upon the date such Impositions become a lien upon the Leased Property or any part thereof subject to Article XII. If any Imposition may, at the option of the taxpayer, lawfully be paid in installments, whether or not interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance of such Imposition, Tenant may pay the same, and any accrued interest on the unpaid balance of such Imposition, in installments as the same respectively become due and before any fine, penalty, premium, further interest or cost may be added thereto.

 

23


(b) Landlord or GLP shall prepare and file all tax returns and reports as may be required by Legal Requirements with respect to Landlord’s net income, gross receipts, franchise taxes and taxes on its capital stock and any other returns required to be filed by or in the name of Landlord (the “ Landlord Tax Returns ”), and Tenant or Tenant’s Parent shall prepare and file all other tax returns and reports as may be required by Legal Requirements with respect to or relating to the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements), and Tenant’s Property.

(c) Any refund due from any taxing authority in respect of any Imposition paid by or on behalf of Tenant shall be paid over to or retained by Tenant.

(d) Landlord and Tenant shall, upon request of the other, provide such data as is maintained by the party to whom the request is made with respect to the Leased Property as may be necessary to prepare any required returns and reports. If any property covered by this Master Lease is classified as personal property for tax purposes, Tenant shall file all personal property tax returns in such jurisdictions where it must legally so file. Landlord, to the extent it possesses the same, and Tenant, to the extent it possesses the same, shall provide the other party, upon request, with cost and depreciation records necessary for filing returns for any property so classified as personal property. Where Landlord is legally required to file personal property tax returns, Tenant shall be provided with copies of assessment notices indicating a value in excess of the reported value in sufficient time for Tenant to file a protest.

(e) Billings for reimbursement by Tenant to Landlord of personal property or real property taxes and any taxes due under the Landlord Tax Returns, if and to the extent Tenant is responsible for such taxes under the terms of this Section 4.1, shall be accompanied by copies of a bill therefor and payments thereof which identify the personal property or real property or other tax obligations of Landlord with respect to which such payments are made.

(f) Impositions imposed or assessed in respect of the tax-fiscal period during which the Term terminates shall be adjusted and prorated between Landlord and Tenant, whether or not such Imposition is imposed or assessed before or after such termination, and Tenant’s obligation to pay its prorated share thereof in respect of a tax-fiscal period during the Term shall survive such termination. Landlord will not voluntarily enter into agreements that will result in additional Impositions without Tenant’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to customary additional Impositions that other property owners of properties similar to the Leased Property customarily consent to in the ordinary course of business); provided Tenant is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement.

4.2 Utilities . Tenant shall pay or cause to be paid all charges for electricity, power, gas, oil, water and other utilities used in the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements). Tenant shall also pay or reimburse Landlord for all costs and expenses of any kind whatsoever which at any time with respect to the Term hereof with respect to any Facility may be imposed against Landlord by reason of any of the covenants, conditions and/or restrictions

 

24


affecting the Leased Property or any portion thereof, or with respect to easements, licenses or other rights over, across or with respect to any adjacent or other property which benefits the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement, including any and all costs and expenses associated with any utility, drainage and parking easements. Landlord will not enter into agreements that will encumber the Leased Property without Tenant’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to encumbrances that do not adversely affect the use or future development of the Facility as a Gaming Facility or increase Additional Charges payable under this Master Lease); provided Tenant is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement. Tenant will not enter into agreements that will encumber the Leased Property after the expiration of the Term without Landlord’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to encumbrances that do not adversely affect the value of the Leased Property or the Facility); provided Landlord is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement.

4.3 Impound Account . At Landlord’s option following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or a default by Tenant of Section 23.3(b) hereof (to be exercised by thirty (30) days’ written notice to Tenant); and provided Tenant is not already being required to impound such payments in accordance with the requirements of Section 31.3(b) below, Tenant shall be required to deposit, at the time of any payment of Base Rent, an amount equal to one-twelfth of the sum of (i) Tenant’s estimated annual real and personal property taxes required pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof (as reasonably determined by Landlord), and (ii) Tenant’s estimated annual maintenance expenses and insurance premium costs pursuant to Articles IX and XIII hereof (as reasonably determined by Landlord). Such amounts shall be applied to the payment of the obligations in respect of which said amounts were deposited in such order of priority as Landlord shall reasonably determine, on or before the respective dates on which the same or any of them would become delinquent. The reasonable cost of administering such impound account shall be paid by Tenant. Nothing in this Section 4.3 shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of Landlord hereunder.

ARTICLE V

5.1 No Termination, Abatement, etc. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, Tenant shall remain bound by this Master Lease in accordance with its terms and shall not seek or be entitled to any abatement, deduction, deferment or reduction of Rent, or set-off against the Rent. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, the respective obligations of Landlord and Tenant shall not be affected by reason of (i) any damage to or destruction of the Leased Property or any portion thereof from whatever cause or any Condemnation of the Leased Property, any Capital Improvement or any portion thereof; (ii) other than as a result of Landlord’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, the lawful or unlawful prohibition of, or restriction upon, Tenant’s use of the Leased Property, any Capital Improvement or any portion thereof, the interference with such use by any Person or by reason of eviction by paramount title; (iii) any claim that Tenant has or might have against Landlord by reason of any default or breach of any warranty by Landlord hereunder or under any other agreement between Landlord and Tenant or to which Landlord and Tenant are parties; (iv) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, consolidation, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other proceedings affecting Landlord or any assignee or transferee of Landlord; or

 

25


(v) for any other cause, whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, other than a discharge of Tenant from any such obligations as a matter of law. Tenant hereby specifically waives all rights arising from any occurrence whatsoever which may now or hereafter be conferred upon it by law (a) to modify, surrender or terminate this Master Lease or quit or surrender the Leased Property or any portion thereof, or (b) which may entitle Tenant to any abatement, reduction, suspension or deferment of the Rent or other sums payable by Tenant hereunder except in each case as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article V shall preclude Tenant from bringing a separate action against Landlord for any matter described in the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) or (v) and Tenant is not waiving other rights and remedies not expressly waived herein. The obligations of Landlord and Tenant hereunder shall be separate and independent covenants and agreements and the Rent and all other sums payable by Tenant hereunder shall continue to be payable in all events unless the obligations to pay the same shall be terminated pursuant to the express provisions of this Master Lease or by termination of this Master Lease as to all or any portion of the Leased Property other than by reason of an Event of Default. Tenant’s agreement that, except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, any eviction by paramount title as described in item (ii) above shall not affect Tenant’s obligations under this Master Lease, shall not in any way discharge or diminish any obligation of any insurer under any policy of title or other insurance and, to the extent the recovery thereof is not necessary to compensate Landlord for any damages incurred by any such eviction, Tenant shall be entitled to a credit for any sums recovered by Landlord under any such policy of title or other insurance up to the maximum amount paid by Tenant to Landlord under this Section 5.1, and Landlord, upon request by Tenant, shall assign Landlord’s rights under such policies to Tenant; provided that such assignment does not adversely affect Landlord’s rights under any such policy and provided further , that Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and save Landlord harmless from and against any liability, cost or expense of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with any such assignment except to the extent such liability, cost or expense arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord.

ARTICLE VI

6.1 Ownership of the Leased Property . (a) Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that they have executed and delivered this Master Lease with the understanding that (i) the Leased Property is the property of Landlord, (ii) Tenant has only the right to the possession and use of the Leased Property upon the terms and conditions of this Master Lease, (iii) this Master Lease is a “true lease,” is not a financing lease, capital lease, mortgage, equitable mortgage, deed of trust, trust agreement, security agreement or other financing or trust arrangement, and the economic realities of this Master Lease are those of a true lease, (iv) the business relationship created by this Master Lease and any related documents is and at all times shall remain that of landlord and tenant, (v) this Master Lease has been entered into by each party in reliance upon the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, and (vi) none of the agreements contained herein is intended, nor shall the same be deemed or construed, to create a partnership between Landlord and Tenant, to make them joint venturers, to make Tenant an agent, legal representative, partner, subsidiary or employee of Landlord, or to make Landlord in any way responsible for the debts, obligations or losses of Tenant.

 

26


(b) Each of the parties hereto covenants and agrees, subject to Section 6.1(c), not to (i) file any income tax return or other associated documents; (ii) file any other document with or submit any document to any governmental body or authority; (iii) enter into any written contractual arrangement with any Person; or (iv) release any financial statements of Tenant, in each case that takes a position other than that this Master Lease is a “true lease” with Landlord as owner of the Leased Property and Tenant as the tenant of the Leased Property, including (x) treating Landlord as the owner of such Leased Property eligible to claim depreciation deductions under Sections 167 or 168 of the Code with respect to such Leased Property, (y) Tenant reporting its Rent payments as rent expense under Section 162 of the Code, and (z) Landlord reporting the Rent payments as rental income under Section 61 of the Code.

(c) If Tenant should reasonably conclude that GAAP or the SEC require treatment different from that set forth in Section 6.1(b) for applicable non-tax purposes, then (x) Tenant shall promptly give prior Notice to Landlord, accompanied by a written statement that references the applicable pronouncement that controls such treatment and contains a brief description and/or analysis that sets forth in reasonable detail the basis upon which Tenant reached such conclusion, and (y) notwithstanding Section 6.1(b), Tenant may comply with such requirements.

(d) The Rent is the fair market rent for the use of the Leased Property and was agreed to by Landlord and Tenant on that basis, and the execution and delivery of, and the performance by Tenant of its obligations under, this Master Lease does not constitute a transfer of all or any part of the Leased Property.

(e) Tenant waives any claim or defense based upon the characterization of this Master Lease as anything other than a true lease and as a master lease of all of the Leased Property. Tenant stipulates and agrees (1) not to challenge the validity, enforceability or characterization of the lease of the Leased Property as a true lease and/or as a single, unseverable instrument pertaining to the lease of all, but not less than all, of the Leased Property, and (2) not to assert or take or omit to take any action inconsistent with the agreements and understandings set forth in Section 3.4 or this Section 6.1.

6.2 Tenant’s Property . Tenant shall, during the entire Term, own (or lease) and maintain (or cause its Subsidiaries to own (or lease) and maintain) on the Leased Property adequate and sufficient Tenant’s Property, and shall maintain (or cause its Subsidiaries to maintain) all of such Tenant’s Property in good order, condition and repair, in all cases as shall be necessary and appropriate in order to operate the Facilities for the Primary Intended Use in compliance with all applicable licensure and certification requirements and in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements, Insurance Requirements and Gaming Regulations. If any of Tenant’s Property requires replacement in order to comply with the foregoing, Tenant shall replace (or cause a Subsidiary to replace) it with similar property of the same or better quality at Tenant’s (or such Subsidiary’s) sole cost and expense. Subject to the foregoing, Tenant and its Subsidiaries may sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of Tenant’s Property (other than Gaming Licenses and subject to Section 6.3) in their discretion in the ordinary course of its business and Landlord shall have no rights to such Tenant’s Property. Tenant shall, upon Landlord’s request, from time to time but not more frequently than one time per Lease Year, provide Landlord with a list of the material Tenant’s Property located at each of the Facilities. In the case of

 

27


any such Tenant’s Property that is leased (rather than owned) by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries), Tenant shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the lease agreements pursuant to which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) leases such Tenant’s Property are assignable to third parties in connection with any transfer by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) to a replacement lessee or operator at the end of the Term. Tenant shall remove all of Tenant’s Property from the Leased Property at the end of the Term, except to the extent Tenant has transferred ownership of such Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant or Landlord. Any Tenant’s Property left on the Leased Property at the end of the Term whose ownership was not transferred to a Successor Tenant shall be deemed abandoned by Tenant and shall become the property of Landlord.

6.3 Guarantors; Tenant’s Property . Each of Tenant’s Parent and each of Tenant’s Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 6.3 shall be a Guarantor under this Master Lease and shall execute and deliver to the Landlord the Guaranty attached hereto as Exhibit D . In addition, if any material Gaming License or other license or other material asset necessary to operate any portion of the Leased Property is owned by a Subsidiary, Tenant shall within two (2) Business Days after the date such Subsidiary acquires such Gaming License, other license or other material asset, (a) notify the Landlord thereof and (b) cause such Subsidiary (if it is not already a Guarantor) to become a Guarantor by executing the Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord.

ARTICLE VII

7.1 Condition of the Leased Property . Tenant acknowledges receipt and delivery of possession of the Leased Property and confirms that Tenant has examined and otherwise has knowledge of the condition of the Leased Property prior to the execution and delivery of this Master Lease and has found the same (except as included in the disclosures on Schedule A ) to be in good order and repair and, to the best of Tenant’s knowledge, free from Hazardous Substances not in compliance with Legal Requirements and satisfactory for its purposes hereunder. Regardless, however, of any examination or inspection made by Tenant and whether or not any patent or latent defect or condition was revealed or discovered thereby, Tenant is leasing the Leased Property “as is” in its present condition. Tenant waives any claim or action against Landlord in respect of the condition of the Leased Property including any defects or adverse conditions not discovered or otherwise known by Tenant as of the Commencement Date. LANDLORD MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN RESPECT OF THE LEASED PROPERTY OR ANY PART THEREOF, EITHER AS TO ITS FITNESS FOR USE, DESIGN OR CONDITION FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE, OR AS TO THE NATURE OR QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP THEREIN, OR THE EXISTENCE OF ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, IT BEING AGREED THAT ALL SUCH RISKS, LATENT OR PATENT, ARE TO BE BORNE SOLELY BY TENANT INCLUDING ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ANY ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

7.2 Use of the Leased Property . (a) Tenant shall use or cause to be used the Leased Property and the improvements thereon of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use. Tenant shall not use the Leased Property or any portion thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto for any other use without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent Landlord

 

28


may withhold in its sole discretion. Landlord acknowledges that operation of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use generally requires a Gaming License under applicable Gaming Regulations and that without such a license neither Landlord nor GLP may operate, control or participate in the conduct of the gaming and/or racing operations at the Facilities.

(b) Tenant shall not commit or suffer to be committed any waste on the Leased Property (including any Capital Improvement thereto) or cause or permit any nuisance thereon or to, except as required by law, take or suffer any action or condition that will diminish the ability of the Leased Property to be used as a Gaming Facility after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.

(c) Tenant shall neither suffer nor permit the Leased Property or any portion thereof to be used in such a manner as (i) might reasonably tend to impair Landlord’s title thereto or to any portion thereof or (ii) may make possible a claim of adverse use or possession, or an implied dedication of the Leased Property or any portion thereof.

(d) Except in instances of casualty or condemnation, Tenant shall continuously operate each of the Facilities for the Primary Intended Use. Tenant in its discretion shall be permitted to cease operations at a Facility or Facilities if such cessation would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, taken as a whole, provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately prior to or immediately after the date that operations are ceased or as a result of such cessation; and (ii) the Percentage Rent due from each and every such Facility whose operations have ceased will thereafter be subject to a floor which will be calculated based on the Percentage Rent that would have been paid for such Facility if Percentage Rent were adjusted based on Net Revenues for the Fiscal Year immediately preceding the time that Tenant ceased operations at the Facility.

7.3 Competing Business.

(a) Tenant’s Obligations for Greenfields . Tenant agrees that during the Term, neither Tenant nor any of its Affiliates shall build or otherwise participate in the development of a new Gaming Facility (including a facility that has been shut down for a period of more than twelve (12) months) (a “ Greenfield Project ”) within a Restricted Area of a Facility (the Facility in whose Restricted Area there is activity under this Section 7.3, an “ Affected Facility ”), unless Tenant shall first offer Landlord the opportunity to include the Greenfield Project as a Leased Property under this Master Lease on terms to be negotiated by the parties (which terms with respect to Landlord funding such development shall include the terms set forth in Section 10.3 hereof regarding Capital Improvements). Within thirty (30) days of Landlord’s receipt of notice from Tenant providing the opportunity to fund and include as Leased Property under this Master Lease a Greenfield Project on terms to be negotiated by the parties, Landlord shall notify Tenant as to whether it intends to participate in such Greenfield Project and, if Landlord indicates such intent, the parties shall negotiate in good faith the terms and conditions upon which this would be effected, including the terms of any amendment to this Master Lease and any development or funding agreement, which Landlord might require. Should Landlord notify Tenant that it does not intend to pursue such Greenfield Project (or should Landlord decline to notify Tenant of its affirmative response within such thirty (30) day period), or if the parties despite good faith efforts

 

29


on both sides fail to reach agreement on the terms under which such opportunity would be jointly pursued under this Master Lease and such new Greenfield Project would become a portion of the Leased Property hereunder, in any event, within forty-five (45) days after Landlord’s notice to Tenant of Landlord’s intent to participate in such Greenfield Project, then the Percentage Rent due from each and every Affected Facility will thereafter (a) be subject to a floor which will be calculated based on the Percentage Rent that would have been paid for such Affected Facility if Percentage Rent were adjusted based on Net Revenues for the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the Greenfield Project is first opened to the public (the “ Greenfield Floor ”), and (b) be subject to normal periodic adjustments; provided that annual Percentage Rent may not be reduced below the Greenfield Floor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.3(a), Tenant and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(a) from (i) expanding any Facility under this Master Lease (subject to Tenant’s compliance with the terms of Section 10.3 and the other provisions of Article X), and (ii) subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 7.3(e) hereof, acquiring or operating any competing Gaming Facility that is in operation at the time of its acquisition or operation by Tenant or its Affiliates.

(b) Landlord’s Obligations for Greenfields . Landlord agrees that during the Term, neither Landlord nor any of its Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent of the Tenant (which consent may be withheld in Tenant’s sole discretion), build or otherwise participate in the development of a Greenfield Project within the Restricted Area. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.3(b), (i) Landlord and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(b) from acquiring, financing or providing refinancing for any facility that is in operation or has been in operation at any time during the twelve month period prior to the time in question, and (ii) subject to the provisions of Section 7.3(d) hereof, Landlord and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(b) from expanding any Competing Facility existing at the time in question.

(c) Tenant’s Rights Regarding Facility Expansions . Tenant shall be permitted to construct Capital Improvements in accordance with the terms of Article X hereof.

(d) Landlord’s Rights Regarding Facility Expansions . Landlord shall be permitted to finance expansions of any Competing Facility within the Restricted Area that is already in existence at any time in question, provided that the Percentage Rent attributable to any Affected Facilities shall thereafter be calculated monthly (based on (i) how much each preceding monthly Net Revenues for the Affected Facility is greater (or is less) than 1/12th of the portion of the Base Year Net Revenue attributable to the Affected Facility, and (ii) not on how much the average annual Net Revenues is greater (or is less) than the trailing two-year period as would have otherwise been the case).

(e) Tenant’s Rights to Acquire or Operate Existing Facilities . In the event Tenant or its Affiliate acquires or operates any existing competing Gaming Facility within the Restricted Area (a “ Competing Facility ”), the Percentage Rent due from any Affected Facility will thereafter (a) be subject to a floor which will be based on the Percentage Rent that would have been paid for such Affected Facility if Percentage Rent were adjusted based on Net Revenues for the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the competing facility is acquired or first operated by Tenant or its Affiliate (the “ Competing Facility Floor ”), and (b) be subject to normal periodic adjustments; provided that annual Percentage Rent may not be reduced below the Competing Facility Floor.

 

30


(f) Landlord’s Rights to Acquire or Finance Existing Facilities . Landlord shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3 from acquiring or providing any kind of financing or refinancing to any Competing Facility within the Restricted Area that is already in existence at any time in question.

(g) No Restrictions Outside of Restricted Area . Each of Landlord and Tenant shall not be restricted from participating in opportunities, including, without limitation, developing, building, purchasing or operating Gaming Facilities, outside the Restricted Area at any time.

ARTICLE VIII

8.1 Representations and Warranties . Each party represents and warrants to the other that: (i) this Master Lease and all other documents executed or to be executed by it in connection herewith have been duly authorized and shall be binding upon it; (ii) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation and is duly authorized and qualified to perform this Master Lease within the State(s) where any portion of the Leased Property is located; and (iii) neither this Master Lease nor any other document executed or to be executed in connection herewith violates the terms of any other agreement of such party. Tenant represents and warrants that as of the date hereof, the Revenue Generating Spaces represent all portions of the footprints of the buildings located on the Leased Property that generate Net Revenue.

8.2 Compliance with Legal and Insurance Requirements, etc. Subject to Article XII regarding permitted contests, Tenant, at its expense, shall promptly (a) comply in all material respects with all Legal Requirements and Insurance Requirements regarding the use, operation, maintenance, repair and restoration of the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements thereto) and Tenant’s Property whether or not compliance therewith may require structural changes in any of the Leased Improvements or interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Leased Property, and (b) procure, maintain and comply in all material respects with all Gaming Regulations and Gaming Licenses, and other authorizations required for the use of the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements) and Tenant’s Property for the applicable Primary Intended Use and any other use of the Leased Property (including Capital Improvements then being made) and Tenant’s Property, and for the proper erection, installation, operation and maintenance of the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property. In an emergency or in the event of a breach by Tenant of its obligations under this Section 8.2 which is not cured within any applicable cure period, Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, enter upon the Leased Property and take such reasonable actions and incur such reasonable costs and expenses to effect such compliance as it deems advisable to protect its interest in the Leased Property, and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for all such reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with such actions. Tenant covenants and agrees that the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property shall not be used for any unlawful purpose. In the event that a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body notifies Tenant that it is in jeopardy of losing a Gaming License material to the continued operation of a Facility, and, assuming no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Tenant shall be given reasonable time to address the regulatory issue,

 

31


after which period (but in all events prior to an actual revocation of such Gaming License) Tenant shall be required to sell (i) if permitted by applicable law, the Gaming License, and to the extent such sale is not permitted by applicable law Tenant shall use reasonable best efforts to transfer the applicable Gaming License or to cause the issuance of a new or replacement Gaming License, pursuant to the procedures permitted by applicable state law, and (ii) Tenant’s Property related to such Facility to a successor operator of such Facility determined by Landlord choosing one and Tenant choosing three (for a total of four) potential operators and Landlord indicating the reasonable, market terms under which it would agree to lease such Facility to such potential operators, which in Landlord’s reasonable discretion may contain reasonable variations in terms to the extent required to account for credit quality differences among the potential operators ( e.g. , Landlord may require different letter of credit terms and amounts, but may not set different rent terms). Tenant will then be entitled to auction off Tenant’s Property relating to such Facility and Landlord will thereafter be entitled to lease the Facility to the potential successor that is the successful bidder. In the event of a new lease from Landlord to the successor, the Leased Property relating to such Facility shall be severed from the Leased Property hereunder and thereafter Rent shall be reduced based on the formula set forth in Section 14.6 hereof. Landlord shall comply with any Gaming Regulations or other regulatory requirements required of it as owner of the Facilities taking into account its Primary Intended Use (except to the extent Tenant fulfills or is required to fulfill any such requirements hereunder). In the event that a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body notifies Landlord that it is in jeopardy of failing to comply with any such Gaming Regulation or other regulatory requirements material to the continued operation of a Facility for its Primary Intended Use, Landlord shall be given reasonable time to address the regulatory issue, after which period (but in all events prior to an actual cessation of the use of the Facility for its Primary Intended Use as a result of the failure by Landlord to comply with such regulatory requirements) Landlord shall be required to sell the Leased Property relating to such Facility to the highest bidder (and Tenant shall be entitled to be one of the bidders) who would agree to lease such Facility to Tenant on terms substantially the same as the terms hereof (including rent calculated in the manner provided pursuant to Section 14.6 hereof, an identical amount of which, after the effective time of such sale, shall be credited against Rent hereunder); provided that if Tenant is the bidder it shall not be required to agree to lease the Facility, but if it is the winning bidder shall be entitled to a credit against the Rent hereunder calculated in the manner provided pursuant to Section 14.6. In the event during the period in which Landlord conducts such auction such regulatory agency notifies Landlord and Tenant that Tenant may not pay any portion of the Rent to Landlord, Tenant shall be entitled to fund such amount into an escrow account, to be released to Landlord or the party legally entitled thereto at or upon resolution of such regulatory issues and otherwise on terms reasonably satisfactory to the parties. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, no transfer of Tenant’s Property used in the conduct of gaming (including the purported or attempted transfer of a Gaming License) or the operation of a Gaming Facility for its Primary Intended Use shall be effected or permitted without receipt of all necessary approvals and/or Gaming Licenses in accordance with applicable Gaming Regulations.

8.3 Zoning and Uses . Without the prior written consent of Landlord, which shall not be unreasonably withheld unless the action for which consent is sought could adversely affect the Primary Intended Use of a Facility (in which event Landlord may withhold its consent in its sole and absolute discretion), Tenant shall not (i) initiate or support any limiting change in the permitted uses of the Leased Property (or to the extent applicable, limiting zoning reclassification

 

32


of the Leased Property); (ii) seek any variance under existing land use restrictions, laws, rules or regulations (or, to the extent applicable, zoning ordinances) applicable to the Leased Property or use or permit the use of the Leased Property; (iii) impose or permit or suffer the imposition of any restrictive covenants, easements or encumbrances (other than Permitted Leasehold Mortgages) upon the Leased Property in any manner that adversely affects in any material respect the value or utility of the Leased Property; (iv) execute or file any subdivision plat affecting the Leased Property, or institute, or permit the institution of, proceedings to alter any tax lot comprising the Leased Property; or (v) permit or suffer the Leased Property to be used by the public or any Person in such manner as might make possible a claim of adverse usage or possession or of any implied dedication or easement ( provided that the proscription in this clause (v) is not intended to and shall not restrict Tenant in any way from complying with any obligation it may have under applicable Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, Gaming Regulations, to afford to the public access to the Leased Property).

8.4 Compliance with Ground Lease .

(a) This Master Lease, to the extent affecting and solely with respect to the Ground Leased Property, is and shall be subject and subordinate to all of the terms and conditions of the Ground Lease. Tenant hereby acknowledges that Tenant has reviewed and agreed to all of the terms and conditions of the Ground Lease. Tenant hereby agrees that Tenant shall not do, or fail to do, anything that would cause any violation of the Ground Lease. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) Tenant shall pay Landlord on demand as an Additional Charge hereunder all rent required to be paid by, and other monetary obligations of, Landlord as tenant under the Ground Lease (and, at Landlord’s option, Tenant shall make such payments directly to the Ground Lessor); provided, however, such Additional Charges payable by Tenant shall exclude any additional costs under the Ground Lease which are caused solely by Landlord after the date hereof without consent or fault of or omission by Tenant, (ii) to the extent Landlord is required to obtain the written consent of the lessor under the Ground Lease (the “ Ground Lessor ”) to alterations of or the subleasing of all or any portion of the Ground Leased Property pursuant to the Ground Lease, Tenant shall likewise obtain Ground Lessor’s written consent to alterations of or the subleasing of all or any portion of the Ground Leased Property, and (iii) Tenant shall carry and maintain general liability, automobile liability, property and casualty, worker’s compensation and employer’s liability insurance in amounts and with policy provisions, coverages and certificates as required of Landlord as tenant under the Ground Lease.

(b) In the event of cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease for any reason whatsoever whether voluntary or involuntary (by operation of law or otherwise) prior to the expiration date of this Master Lease, including extensions and renewals granted thereunder, then, at Ground Lessor’s option, Tenant shall make full and complete attornment to Ground Lessor with respect to the obligations of Landlord to Ground Lessor in connection with the Ground Leased Property for the balance of the term of the Ground Lease (notwithstanding that this Master Lease shall have expired with respect to the Ground Leased Property as a result of the cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease). Tenant’s attornment shall be evidenced by a written agreement which shall provide that the Tenant is in direct privity of contract with Ground Lessor (i.e., that all obligations previously owed to Landlord under this Master Lease with respect to the Ground Lease or the Ground Leased Property shall be obligations owed to Ground Lessor for the balance of the term of this Master Lease, notwithstanding that this Master Lease shall have expired

 

33


with respect to the Ground Leased Property as a result of the cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease) and which shall otherwise be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ground Lessor. Tenant shall execute and deliver such written attornment within thirty (30) days after request by Ground Lessor. Unless and until such time as an attornment agreement is executed by Tenant pursuant to this Section 8.4(b), nothing contained in this Master Lease shall create, or be construed as creating, any privity of contract or privity of estate between Ground Lessor and Tenant.

(c) Nothing contained in this Master Lease amends, or shall be construed to amend, any provision of the Ground Lease.

ARTICLE IX

9.1 Maintenance and Repair . (a) Tenant, at its expense and without the prior consent of Landlord, shall maintain the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, and every portion thereof, and all private roadways, sidewalks and curbs appurtenant to the Leased Property, and which are under Tenant’s control in good order and repair whether or not the need for such repairs occurs as a result of Tenant’s use, any prior use, the elements or the age of the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, and, with reasonable promptness, make all reasonably necessary and appropriate repairs thereto of every kind and nature, including those necessary to ensure continuing compliance with all Legal Requirements, whether interior or exterior, structural or non-structural, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen or arising by reason of a condition existing prior to the Commencement Date. All repairs shall be at least equivalent in quality to the original work. Tenant will not take or omit to take any action the taking or omission of which would reasonably be expected to materially impair the value or the usefulness of the Leased Property or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto for its Primary Intended Use.

(b) Landlord shall not under any circumstances be required to (i) build or rebuild any improvements on the Leased Property; (ii) make any repairs, replacements, alterations, restorations or renewals of any nature to the Leased Property, whether ordinary or extraordinary, structural or non-structural, foreseen or unforeseen, or to make any expenditure whatsoever with respect thereto; or (iii) maintain the Leased Property in any way. Tenant hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law, the right to make repairs at the expense of Landlord pursuant to any law in effect at the time of the execution of this Master Lease or hereafter enacted.

(c) Nothing contained in this Master Lease and no action or inaction by Landlord shall be construed as (i) constituting the consent or request of Landlord, expressed or implied, to any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, materialman or vendor to or for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property for the construction, alteration, addition, repair or demolition of or to the Leased Property or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto; or (ii) giving Tenant any right, power or permission to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against Landlord in respect thereof or to make any agreement that may create, or in any way be the basis for, any right, title, interest, lien, claim or other encumbrance upon the estate of Landlord in the Leased Property, or any portion thereof or upon the estate of Landlord in any Capital Improvement thereto.

 

34


(d) Tenant shall, upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, vacate and surrender the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements, subject to the provisions of Article X), in each case with respect to such Facility, to Landlord in the condition in which such Leased Property was originally received from Landlord and Capital Improvements were originally introduced to such Facility, except as repaired, rebuilt, restored, altered or added to as permitted or required by the provisions of this Master Lease and except for ordinary wear and tear.

(e) Without limiting Tenant’s obligations to maintain the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property under this Master Lease, within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar year (commencing with the calendar year ending [December 31, 201    ]), Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence satisfactory to Landlord in the reasonable exercise of Landlord’s discretion that Tenant has in such calendar year spent, with respect to the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, an aggregate amount equal to at least 1% of its actual Net Revenue from the Facilities for such calendar year on installation or restoration and repair or other improvement of items, which installations, restorations and repairs and other improvements are capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than three (3) years. If Tenant fails to make at least the above amount of expenditures and fails within sixty (60) days after receipt of a written demand from Landlord to either (i) cure such deficiency or (ii) obtain Landlord’s written approval, in its reasonable discretion, of a repair and maintenance program satisfactory to cure such deficiency, then the same shall be deemed an Event of Default hereunder.

9.2 Encroachments, Restrictions, Mineral Leases, etc. If any of the Leased Improvements shall, at any time, encroach upon any property, street or right-of-way, or shall violate any restrictive covenant or other agreement affecting the Leased Property, or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto, or shall impair the rights of others under any easement or right-of-way to which the Leased Property is subject, or the use of the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto is impaired, limited or interfered with by reason of the exercise of the right of surface entry or any other provision of a lease or reservation of any oil, gas, water or other minerals, then promptly upon the request of Landlord or any Person affected by any such encroachment, violation or impairment, each of Tenant and Landlord, subject to their right to contest the existence of any such encroachment, violation or impairment, shall protect, indemnify, save harmless and defend the other party hereto from and against fifty percent (50%) of all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses) based on or arising by reason of any such encroachment, violation or impairment. In the event of an adverse final determination with respect to any such encroachment, violation or impairment, either (a) each of Tenant and Landlord shall be entitled to obtain valid and effective waivers or settlements of all claims, liabilities and damages resulting from each such encroachment, violation or impairment, whether the same shall affect Landlord or Tenant or (b) Tenant at the shared cost and expense of Tenant and Landlord on a 50-50 basis shall make such changes in the Leased Improvements, and take such other actions, as Tenant in the good faith exercise of its judgment deems reasonably practicable, to remove such encroachment or to end such violation or impairment, including, if necessary, the alteration of any of the Leased Improvements, and in any event take all such actions as may be necessary in order to be able to continue the operation of the Leased Improvements for the Primary Intended Use substantially in the manner and to the extent the Leased Improvements were operated prior to the assertion of such encroachment, violation or impairment.

 

35


Tenant’s (and Landlord’s) obligations under this Section 9.2 shall be in addition to and shall in no way discharge or diminish any obligation of any insurer under any policy of title or other insurance and, to the extent the recovery thereof is not necessary to compensate Landlord and Tenant for any damages incurred by any such encroachment, violation or impairment, Tenant shall be entitled to fifty percent (50%) of any sums recovered by Landlord under any such policy of title or other insurance up to the maximum amount paid by Tenant under this Section 9.2 and Landlord, upon request by Tenant, shall assign Landlord’s rights under such policies to Tenant; provided such assignment does not adversely affect Landlord’s rights under any such policy. Landlord agrees to use reasonable efforts to seek recovery under any policy of title or other insurance under which Landlord is an insured party for all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses) based on or arising by reason of any such encroachment, violation or impairment as set forth in this Section 9.2; provided , however , that in no event shall Landlord be obligated to institute any litigation, arbitration or other legal proceedings in connection therewith unless Landlord is reasonably satisfied that Tenant has the financial resources needed to fund such litigation and Tenant and Landlord have agreed upon the terms and conditions on which such funding will be made available by Tenant, including, but not limited to, the mutual approval of a litigation budget.

ARTICLE X

10.1 Construction of Capital Improvements to the Leased Property. Tenant shall, with respect to any Facility, have the right to make a Capital Improvement, including, without limitation, any Capital Improvement required by Section 8.2 or 9.1(a), without the consent of Landlord if the Capital Improvement (i) is of equal or better quality than the existing Leased Improvements it is improving, altering or modifying, (ii) does not consist of adding new structures or enlarging existing structures, and (iii) does not have an adverse effect on the structure of any existing Leased Improvements. Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of the plans and specifications in respect of all Capital Improvements, which plans and specifications shall be prepared in a high-grade professional manner and shall adequately demonstrate compliance with clauses (i)-(iii) of the preceding sentence with respect to projects that do not require Landlord’s written consent and shall be in such form as Landlord may reasonably require for any other projects. All other Capital Improvements shall be subject to Landlord’s review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. For any Capital Improvement which does not require the approval of Landlord, Tenant shall, prior to commencing construction of such Capital Improvement, provide to Landlord a written description of such Capital Improvement and on an ongoing basis supply Landlord with related documentation and information as Landlord may reasonably request (including plans and specifications of any such Capital Improvements). If Tenant desires to make a Capital Improvement for which Landlord’s approval is required, Tenant shall submit to Landlord in reasonable detail a general description of the proposal, the projected cost of construction and such plans and specifications, permits, licenses, contracts and other information concerning the proposal as Landlord may reasonably request. Such description shall indicate the use or uses to which such Capital Improvement will be put and the impact, if any, on current and forecasted gross revenues and operating income attributable thereto. It shall be reasonable for Landlord to condition its approval of any Capital Improvement upon any or all of the following terms and conditions:

(a) Such construction shall be effected pursuant to detailed plans and specifications approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;

 

36


(b) Such construction shall be conducted under the supervision of a licensed architect or engineer selected by Tenant and approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;

(c) Landlord’s receipt, from the general contractor and, if reasonably requested by Landlord, a major subcontractor(s) of a performance and payment bond for the full value of such construction, which such bond shall name Landlord as an additional obligee and otherwise be in form and substance and issued by a Person reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;

(d) In the case of a Tenant Capital Improvement, such construction shall not be undertaken unless Tenant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord the financial ability to complete the construction without adversely affecting its cash flow position or financial viability; and

(e) No Capital Improvement will result in the Leased Property becoming a “limited use” property for purposes of United States federal income taxes.

10.2 Construction Requirements for All Capital Improvements . Whether or not Landlord’s review and approval is required, for all Capital Improvements:

(a) Such construction shall not be commenced until Tenant shall have procured and paid for all municipal and other governmental permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to such commencement, including those permits and authorizations required pursuant to any Gaming Regulations, and Landlord shall join in the application for such permits or authorizations whenever such action is necessary; provided , however , that (i) any such joinder shall be at no cost or expense to Landlord; and (ii) any plans required to be filed in connection with any such application which require the approval of Landlord as hereinabove provided shall have been so approved by Landlord;

(b) (i) Such construction shall not, and Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer shall certify to Landlord that such architect or engineer believes that the design of such construction (as illustrated through the applicable corresponding construction documents) shall not, impair the structural strength of any component of the applicable Facility or overburden the electrical, water, plumbing, HVAC or other building systems of any such component in a manner that would violate applicable building codes or prudent industry practices, and (ii) Tenant’s general contractor shall certify to Landlord that such construction is in compliance with such design and corresponding construction documents;

(c) Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer shall certify to Landlord that such architect or engineer believes that the detailed plans and specifications conform to, and comply with, in all material respects all applicable building, subdivision and zoning codes, laws, ordinances and regulations imposed by all governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Leased Property of the applicable Facility;

 

37


(d) During and following completion of such construction, the parking and other amenities which are located in the applicable Facility or on the Land of such Facility shall remain adequate for the operation of such Facility for its Primary Intended Use and in no event shall such parking be less than that which is required by law (including any variances with respect thereto); provided , however , with Landlord’s prior consent and at no additional expense to Landlord, (i) to the extent additional parking is not already a part of a Capital Improvement, Tenant may construct additional parking on the Land; or (ii) Tenant may acquire off-site parking to serve such Facility as long as such parking shall be reasonably proximate to, and dedicated to, or otherwise made available to serve, such Facility;

(e) All work done in connection with such construction shall be done promptly and using materials and resulting in work that is at least as good product and condition as the remaining areas of the applicable Facility and in conformity with all Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, any applicable minority or women owned business requirements; and

(f) Promptly following the completion of such construction, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord “as built” drawings of such addition, certified as accurate by the licensed architect or engineer selected by Tenant to supervise such work, and copies of any new or revised certificates of occupancy.

10.3 Landlord’s Right of First Offer to Fund . Tenant shall request that Landlord fund or finance the construction and acquisition of any Capital Improvement that includes Long-Lived Assets (along with reasonably related fees and expenses, such as title fees, costs of permits, legal fees and other similar transaction related costs) if the cost of such Capital Improvements constituting Long-Lived Assets is expected to be in excess of $2 million (subject to the CPI Increase), and Tenant shall provide to Landlord any information about such Capital Improvements which Landlord may reasonably request (including any specifics regarding the terms upon which Tenant will be seeking financing for such Capital Improvements). Landlord may, but shall be under no obligation to, provide the funds necessary to meet the request. Within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of a request to fund a proposed Capital Improvement pursuant to this Section 10.3, Landlord shall notify Tenant as to whether it will fund all or a portion of such proposed Capital Improvement and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which it would do so (including the terms with respect to any increases in Rent hereunder due to such Capital Improvements). If Landlord agrees to fund such proposed Capital Improvement, Tenant shall have ten (10) Business Days to accept or reject Landlord’s funding proposal. If Landlord declines to fund a proposed Capital Improvement (or declines to provide Tenant written notice within such ten (10) Business Day period of the terms of its proposal to fund such Capital Improvements), Tenant shall be permitted to secure outside financing or utilize then existing available financing for such Capital Improvement for a six-month period, after which six-month period (if Tenant has not secured outside financing or determined to utilize then existing available financing) Tenant shall again be required to first seek funding from Landlord. If Landlord agrees to fund all or a portion of a proposed Capital Improvement and Tenant rejects the terms thereof, Tenant shall be permitted to either use then existing available financing or seek outside financing for such Capital Improvement for a six-month period. If Tenant constructs a Capital Improvement with its then existing available financing or outside financing obtained in accordance with this Section 10.3, (i) except as may otherwise be expressly provided in this Master Lease to the contrary, (A) during the Term, such Capital Improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the

 

38


Facilities solely for the purpose of calculating Net Revenues and Percentage Rent hereunder and shall for all other purposes be Tenant’s Property and (B) following expiration or termination of the Term, shall be either, at the option of Landlord, purchased by Landlord for fair market value or, if not purchased by Landlord, Tenant shall be entitled to either remove such Tenant Capital Improvements, provided that the Leased Property is restored in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, or receive fair value for such Tenant Capital Improvements in accordance with Article XXXVI. If Landlord agrees to fund a proposed Capital Improvement and Tenant accepts the terms thereof, such Capital Improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the Facilities for all purposes and Tenant shall provide Landlord with the following prior to any advance of funds:

(a) any information, certificates, licenses, permits or documents reasonably requested by Landlord which are necessary and obtainable to confirm that Tenant will be able to use the Capital Improvement upon completion thereof in accordance with the Primary Intended Use, including all required federal, state or local government licenses and approvals;

(b) an Officer’s Certificate and, if requested, a certificate from Tenant’s architect providing appropriate backup information, setting forth in reasonable detail the projected or actual costs related to such Capital Improvements;

(c) an amendment to this Master Lease (and any development or funding agreement agreed to in accordance with this Section 10.3), in a form reasonably agreed to by Landlord and Tenant, which may include, among other things, an increase in the Rent in amounts as agreed upon by the parties hereto pursuant to the agreed funding proposal terms described above and other provisions as may be necessary or appropriate;

(d) a deed conveying title to Landlord to any land acquired for the purpose of constructing the Capital Improvement free and clear of any liens or encumbrances except those approved by Landlord, and accompanied by an ALTA survey thereof satisfactory to Landlord;

(e) for each advance, endorsements to any outstanding policy of title insurance covering the Leased Property or commitments therefor reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Landlord (i) updating the same without any additional exception except those that do not materially affect the value of such land and do not interfere with the use of the Leased Property or as may be approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) increasing the coverage thereof by an amount equal to the cost of the Capital Improvement, except to the extent covered by the owner’s policy of title insurance referred to in paragraph (f) below;

(f) if appropriate, an owner’s policy of title insurance insuring the fair market value of fee simple title to any land and improvements conveyed to Landlord free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except those that do not materially affect the value of such land and do not interfere with the use of the Leased Property or are approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that if the requirement in this paragraph (f) is not satisfied (or waived by Landlord), Tenant shall be entitled to seek third party financing or use available financing in lieu of seeking such advance from Landlord;

 

39


(g) if requested by Landlord, an appraisal by a member of the Appraisal Institute of the Leased Property indicating that the fair market value of the Leased Property upon completion of the Capital Improvement will exceed the fair market value of the Leased Property immediately prior thereto by an amount not less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the cost of the Capital Improvement, provided that if the requirement in this paragraph (g) is not satisfied (or waived by Landlord), Tenant shall be entitled to seek third party financing or use available financing in lieu of seeking such advance from Landlord; and

(h) such other billing statements, invoices, certificates, endorsements, opinions, site assessments, surveys, resolutions, ratifications, lien releases and waivers and other instruments and information reasonably required by Landlord.

ARTICLE XI

11.1 Liens. Subject to the provisions of Article XII relating to permitted contests, Tenant will not directly or indirectly create or allow to remain and will promptly discharge at its expense any lien, encumbrance, attachment, title retention agreement or claim upon the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto or upon the Gaming Licenses (including indirectly through a pledge of shares in the direct or indirect entity owning an interest in the Gaming Licenses) or any attachment, levy, claim or encumbrance in respect of the Rent, excluding, however, (i) this Master Lease; (ii) the matters that existed as of the Commencement Date with respect to such Facility and disclosed on Schedule A ; (iii) restrictions, liens and other encumbrances which are consented to in writing by Landlord (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); (iv) liens for Impositions which Tenant is not required to pay hereunder; (v) subleases permitted by Article XXII; (vi) liens for Impositions not yet delinquent or being contested in accordance with Article XII, provided that Tenant has provided appropriate reserves as required under GAAP and any foreclosure or similar remedies with respect to such Impositions have not been instituted and no notice as to the institution or commencement thereof has been issued except to the extent such institution or commencement is stayed no later than the earlier of (x) ten (10) Business Days after such notice is issued or (y) five (5) Business Days prior to the institution or commencement thereof; (vii) liens of mechanics, laborers, materialmen, suppliers or vendors for sums either disputed or not yet due, provided that (1) the payment of such sums shall not be postponed under any related contract for more than sixty (60) days after the completion of the action giving rise to such lien unless being contested in accordance with Article XII and such reserve or other appropriate provisions as shall be required by law or GAAP shall have been made therefor and no foreclosure or similar remedies with respect to such liens has been instituted and no notice as to the institution or commencement thereof have been issued except to the extent such institution or commencement is stayed no later than the earlier of (x) ten (10) Business Days after such notice is issued or (y) five (5) Business Days prior to the institution or commencement thereof; or (2) any such liens are in the process of being contested as permitted by Article XII; (viii) any liens created by Landlord; (ix) liens related to equipment leases or equipment financing for Tenant’s Property which are used or useful in Tenant’s business on the Leased Property, provided that the payment of any sums due under such equipment leases or equipment financing shall either (1) be paid as and when due in accordance with the terms thereof, or (2) be in the process of being contested as permitted by Article XII and provided that a lien holder’s removal of any such Tenant’s Property from the Leased Property shall be made in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Section 11.1; (x) liens granted as security for the

 

40


obligations of Tenant and its Affiliates under a Debt Agreement; provided , however , in no event shall the foregoing be deemed or construed to permit Tenant to encumber its leasehold interest (or a subtenant to encumber its subleasehold interest) in the Leased Property or its direct or indirect interest (or the interest of any of its Subsidiaries) in the Gaming Licenses (other than, in each case, to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee), without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be granted or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion; and provided , further , that Tenant shall be required to provide Landlord with fully executed copies of any and all Permitted Leasehold Mortgages and related principal Debt Agreements; and (xi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), covenants, encroachments, protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies on or with respect to any Leased Property, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the conduct of the business on the Leased Property, taken as a whole. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that Tenant has not granted any liens in favor of Landlord as security for its obligations hereunder (except to the extent contemplated in the final paragraph of this Section 11.1) and nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the issuance of a lien on the Equity Interests in Tenant (it being agreed that any foreclosure by a lien holder on such interests in Tenant shall be subject to the restriction on Change in Control set forth in Article XXII) or to prohibit Tenant from pledging its Accounts and other Tenant’s Property and other property of Tenant, including fixtures and equipment installed by Tenant at the Facilities, as collateral in connection with financings from equipment lenders (or to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees); provided that Tenant shall in no event pledge to any Person that is not granted a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage hereunder any of the Gaming Licenses or other of Tenant’s Property to the extent that such Tenant’s Property cannot be removed from the Leased Property without damaging or impairing the Leased Property (other than in a de minimis manner). For the further avoidance of doubt, by way of example, Tenant shall not grant to any lender (other than a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) a lien on, and any and all lien holders (including a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) shall not have the right to remove, carpeting, internal wiring, elevators, or escalators at the Leased Property, but lien holders may have the right to remove (and Tenant shall have the right to grant a lien on) slot machines and other gaming equipment even if the removal thereof from the Leased Property could result in de minimis damage; provided any such damage is repaired by the lien holder or Tenant in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease.

Landlord and Tenant intend that this Master Lease be an indivisible true lease that affords the parties hereto the rights and remedies of landlord and tenant hereunder and does not represent a financing arrangement. This Master Lease is not an attempt by Landlord or Tenant to evade the operation of any aspect of the law applicable to any of the Leased Property. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or any accounting rules or regulations, Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge and agree that this Master Lease shall be treated as an operating lease for all purposes and not as a synthetic lease, financing lease or loan and that Landlord shall be entitled to all the benefits of ownership of the Leased Property, including depreciation for all federal, state and local tax purposes.

If, notwithstanding (a) the form and substance of this Master Lease and (b) the intent of the parties, and the language contained herein providing that this Master Lease shall at all times be construed, interpreted and applied to create an indivisible lease of all of the Leased Property, any court of competent jurisdiction finds that this Master Lease is a financing arrangement,

 

41


this Master Lease shall be considered a secured financing agreement and Landlord’s title to the Leased Property shall constitute a perfected first priority lien in Landlord’s favor on the Leased Property to secure the payment and performance of all the obligations of Tenant hereunder (and to that end, Tenant hereby grants, assigns and transfers to the Landlord a security interest in all right, title or interest in or to any and all of the Leased Property, as security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due of Tenant’s obligations hereunder). Tenant authorizes Landlord, at the expense of Tenant, to make any filings or take other actions as Landlord reasonably determines are necessary or advisable in order to effect fully this Master Lease or to more fully perfect or renew the rights of the Landlord, and to subordinate to the Landlord the lien of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, with respect to the Leased Property (it being understood that nothing herein shall affect the rights of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee under Article XVII hereof). At any time and from time to time upon the request of the Landlord, and at the expense of the Tenant, Tenant shall promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts as the Landlord may reasonably request in order to effect fully this Master Lease or to more fully perfect or renew the rights of the Landlord with respect to the Leased Property. Upon the exercise by the Landlord of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to this Master Lease which requires any consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization of any governmental authority, Tenant will execute and deliver, or will cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that Landlord may be required to obtain from Tenant for such consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization.

ARTICLE XII

12.1 Permitted Contests . Tenant, upon prior written notice to Landlord, on its own or in Landlord’s name, at Tenant’s expense, may contest, by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount, validity or application, in whole or in part, of any licensure or certification decision (including pursuant to any Gaming Regulation), Imposition, Legal Requirement, Insurance Requirement, lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance, charge or claim; provided , however , that (i) in the case of an unpaid Imposition, lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance, charge or claim, the commencement and continuation of such proceedings shall suspend the collection thereof from Landlord and from the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto; (ii) neither the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto, the Rent therefrom nor any part or interest in either thereof would be in any danger of being sold, forfeited, attached or lost pending the outcome of such proceedings; (iii) in the case of a Legal Requirement, neither Landlord nor Tenant would be in any danger of civil or criminal liability for failure to comply therewith pending the outcome of such proceedings; (iv) if any such contest shall involve a sum of money or potential loss in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord to the effect set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, to the extent applicable (it being agreed that the matters set forth in clause (i) can be addressed by Tenant paying the contested amount prior to any such contest); (v) in the case of a Legal Requirement, Imposition, lien, encumbrance or charge, Tenant shall give such reasonable security as may be required by Landlord to insure ultimate payment of the same and to prevent any sale or forfeiture of the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto or the Rent by reason of such non-payment or noncompliance; (vi) in the case of an Insurance Requirement, the coverage required by Article XIII shall be maintained; (vii) Tenant shall keep Landlord reasonably informed

 

42


as to the status of the proceedings; and (viii) if such contest be finally resolved against Landlord or Tenant, Tenant shall promptly pay the amount required to be paid, together with all interest and penalties accrued thereon, or comply with the applicable Legal Requirement or Insurance Requirement. Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, shall execute and deliver to Tenant such authorizations and other documents as may reasonably be required in any such contest, and, if reasonably requested by Tenant or if Landlord so desires, Landlord shall join as a party therein. The provisions of this Article XII shall not be construed to permit Tenant to contest the payment of Rent or any other amount (other than Impositions or Additional Charges which Tenant may from time to time be required to impound with Landlord) payable by Tenant to Landlord hereunder. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and save Landlord harmless from and against any liability, cost or expense of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with any such contest and any loss resulting therefrom, except in any instance where Landlord opted to join and joined as a party in the proceeding despite Tenant’s having sent written notice to Landlord of Tenant’s preference that Landlord not join in such proceeding.

ARTICLE XIII

13.1 General Insurance Requirements . During the Term, Tenant shall at all times keep the Leased Property, and all property located in or on the Leased Property, including Capital Improvements, the Fixtures and Tenant’s Property, insured with the kinds and amounts of insurance described below. Each element of insurance described in this Article XIII shall be maintained with respect to the Leased Property of each Facility and Tenant’s Property and operations thereon. Such insurance shall be written by companies permitted to conduct business in the applicable State. All third party liability type policies must name Landlord as an “additional insured.” All property policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee” for its interests in each Facility. All business interruption policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee” with respect to Rent only. Property losses shall be payable to Landlord and/or Tenant as provided in Article XIV. In addition, the policies, as appropriate, shall name as an “additional insured” and/or “loss payee” each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and as an “additional insured” or “loss payee” the holder of any mortgage, deed of trust or other security agreement (“ Facility Mortgagee ”) securing any indebtedness or any other Encumbrance placed on the Leased Property in accordance with the provisions of Article XXXI (“ Facility Mortgage ”) by way of a standard form of mortgagee’s loss payable endorsement. Except as otherwise set forth herein, any property insurance loss adjustment settlement shall require the written consent of Landlord, Tenant, and each Facility Mortgagee (to the extent required under the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents) unless the amount of the loss net of the applicable deductible is less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in which event no consent shall be required. Evidence of insurance shall be deposited with Landlord and, if requested, with any Facility Mortgagee(s). The insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant hereunder shall insure against all the following risks with respect to each Facility:

(a) Loss or damage by fire, vandalism, collapse and malicious mischief, extended coverage perils commonly known as “All Risk,” and all physical loss perils normally included in such All Risk insurance, including, but not limited to, sprinkler leakage and windstorm, in an amount not less than the insurable value on a Maximum Foreseeable Loss (as defined below in Section 13.2) basis and including a building ordinance coverage endorsement; provided , that Tenant shall have the right (i) to limit maximum insurance coverage for loss or damage by

 

43


earthquake (including earth movement) to a minimum amount of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) or as may be reasonably requested by Landlord and commercially available, and (ii) to limit maximum insurance coverage for loss or damage by windstorm (including but not limited to named windstorms) to a minimum amount of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) or as may be reasonably requested by Landlord and commercially available; provided, further, that in the event the premium cost of any or all of earthquake, flood, windstorm (including named windstorm) or terrorism coverages are available only for a premium that is more than 2.5 times the average premium paid by Tenant (or prior operator of Facilities) over the preceding three years for the insurance policy contemplated by this Section 13.1(a), then Tenant shall be entitled and required to purchase the maximum insurance coverage it deems most efficient and prudent to purchase and Tenant shall not be required to spend additional funds to purchase additional coverages insuring against such risks; and provided , further , that some property coverages might be sub-limited in an amount less than the Maximum Foreseeable Loss as long as the sub-limits are commercially reasonable and prudent as deemed by Tenant;

(b) Loss or damage by explosion of steam boilers, pressure vessels or similar apparatus, now or hereafter installed in each Facility, in such limits with respect to any one accident as may be reasonably requested by Landlord from time to time;

(c) Flood (when any of the improvements comprising the Leased Property of a Facility is located in whole or in part within a designated 100-year flood plain area) in an amount not less than the greater of (i) probable maximum loss of a 250 year event, and (ii) One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), and such other hazards and in such amounts as may be customary for comparable properties in the area;

(d) Loss of rental value in an amount not less than twelve (12) months’ Rent payable hereunder or business interruption in an amount not less than twelve (12) months of income and normal operating expenses including 90-days ordinary payroll and Rent payable hereunder with an extended period of indemnity coverage of at least ninety (90) days necessitated by the occurrence of any of the hazards described in Sections 13.1(a), 13.1(b) or 13.1(c), provided that Tenant may self-insure specific Facilities for the insurance contemplated under this Section 13.1(d), provided that (i) such Facilities that Tenant chooses to self-insure are not expected to generate more than ten percent (10%) of Net Revenues anticipated to be generated from all the Facilities and (ii) Tenant deposits in any impound account created under Section 4.3 hereof an amount equal to the product of (1) the sum of (A) the insurance premiums paid by Tenant for such period under this Section 13.1(d) to insurance companies and (B) the amount deposited by Tenant in an impound account pursuant to this provision, and (2) the percentage of Net Revenues that are anticipated to be generated by the Facilities that are being self-insured by Tenant under this provision;

(e) Claims for personal injury or property damage under a policy of comprehensive general public liability insurance with amounts not less than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) each occurrence and One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) in the annual aggregate, provided that such requirements may be satisfied through the purchase of a primary general liability policy and excess liability policies;

 

44


(f) During such time as Tenant is constructing any improvements, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall carry, or cause to be carried (i) workers’ compensation insurance and employers’ liability insurance covering all persons employed in connection with the improvements in statutory limits, (ii) a completed operations endorsement to the commercial general liability insurance policy referred to above, (iii) builder’s risk insurance, completed value form (or its equivalent), covering all physical loss, in an amount and subject to policy conditions satisfactory to Landlord, and (iv) such other insurance, in such amounts, as Landlord deems reasonably necessary to protect Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property from any act or omission of Tenant’s contractors or subcontractors.

13.2 Maximum Foreseeable Loss . The term “ Maximum Foreseeable Loss ” shall mean the largest monetary loss within one area that may be expected to result from a single fire with protection impaired, the control of the fire mainly dependent on physical barriers or separations and a delayed manual firefighting by public and/or private fire brigades. If Landlord reasonably believes that the Maximum Foreseeable Loss has increased at any time during the Term, it shall have the right (unless Tenant and Landlord agree otherwise) to have such Maximum Foreseeable Loss redetermined by an impartial national insurance company reasonably acceptable to both parties (the “ Impartial Appraiser ”), or, if the parties cannot agree on an Impartial Appraiser, then by an Expert appointed in accordance with Section 34.1 hereof. The determination of the Impartial Appraiser (or the Expert, as the case may be) shall be final and binding on the parties hereto, and Tenant shall forthwith adjust the amount of the insurance carried pursuant to this Article XIII to the amount so determined by the Impartial Appraiser (or the Expert, as the case may be), subject to the approval of the Facility Mortgagee, as applicable. Each party shall pay one-half (1/2) of the fee, if any, of the Impartial Appraiser. If Landlord pays the Impartial Appraiser, fifty percent (50%) of such costs shall be Additional Charges hereunder and if Tenant pays such Impartial Appraiser, fifty percent (50%) of such costs shall be a credit against the next Rent payment hereunder. If Tenant has undertaken any structural alterations or additions to the Leased Property having a cost or value in excess of Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000), Landlord may at Tenant’s expense have the Maximum Foreseeable Loss redetermined at any time after such improvements are made, regardless of when the Maximum Foreseeable Loss was last determined.

13.3 Additional Insurance . In addition to the insurance described above, Tenant shall maintain such additional insurance upon notice from Landlord as may be reasonably required from time to time by any Facility Mortgagee and shall further at all times maintain adequate workers’ compensation coverage and any other coverage required by Legal Requirements for all Persons employed by Tenant on the Leased Property in accordance with Legal Requirements.

13.4 Waiver of Subrogation . All insurance policies carried by either party covering the Leased Property or Tenant’s Property, including, without limitation, contents, fire and liability insurance, shall expressly waive any right of subrogation on the part of the insurer against the other party. Each party, respectively, shall pay any additional costs or charges for obtaining such waiver.

13.5 Policy Requirements . All of the policies of insurance referred to in this Article XIII shall be written in form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee

 

45


and issued by insurance companies with a minimum policyholder rating of “A-” and a financial rating of “VII” in the most recent version of Best’s Key Rating Guide, or a minimum rating of “BBB” from Standard & Poor’s or equivalent. If Tenant obtains and maintains the general liability insurance described in Section 13.1(e) above on a “claims made” basis, Tenant shall provide continuous liability coverage for claims arising during the Term. In the event such “claims made” basis policy is canceled or not renewed for any reason whatsoever (or converted to an “occurrence” basis policy), Tenant shall either obtain (a) “tail” insurance coverage converting the policies to “occurrence” basis policies providing coverage for a period of at least three (3) years beyond the expiration of the Term, or (b) an extended reporting period of at least three (3) years beyond the expiration of the Term. Tenant shall pay all of the premiums therefor, and deliver certificates thereof to Landlord prior to their effective date (and with respect to any renewal policy, prior to the expiration of the existing policy), and in the event of the failure of Tenant either to effect such insurance in the names herein called for or to pay the premiums therefor, or to deliver such certificates thereof to Landlord, at the times required, Landlord shall be entitled, but shall have no obligation, to effect such insurance and pay the premiums therefor, in which event the cost thereof, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate, shall be repayable to Landlord upon demand therefor. Tenant shall obtain, to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms, the agreement of each insurer, by endorsement on the policy or policies issued by it, or by independent instrument furnished to Landlord, that it will give to Landlord thirty (30) days’ (or ten (10) days’ in the case of non-payment of premium) written notice before the policy or policies in question shall be altered, allowed to expire or cancelled. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIII to the contrary, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that the coverage required to be maintained by Tenant may be provided under one or more policies with various deductibles or self-insurance retentions by Tenant or its Affiliates, subject to Landlord’s approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Upon written request by Landlord, Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of the property insurance policies when issued by the insurers providing such coverage.

13.6 Increase in Limits . If, from time to time after the Commencement Date, Landlord determines in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment that the limits of the personal injury or property damage-public liability insurance then carried pursuant to Section 13.1(e) hereof are insufficient, Landlord may give Tenant Notice of acceptable limits for the insurance to be carried; provided that in no event will Tenant be required to carry insurance in an amount which exceeds the product of (i) the amounts set forth in Section 13.1(e) hereof and (ii) the CPI Increase; and subject to the foregoing limitation, within ninety (90) days after the receipt of such Notice, the insurance shall thereafter be carried with limits as prescribed by Landlord until further increase pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.6.

13.7 Blanket Policy . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article XIII, Tenant’s obligations to carry the insurance provided for herein may be brought within the coverage of a so-called blanket policy or policies of insurance carried and maintained by Tenant; provided that the requirements of this Article XIII (including satisfaction of the Facility Mortgagee’s requirements and the approval of the Facility Mortgagee) are otherwise satisfied, and provided further that Tenant maintains specific allocations acceptable to Landlord.

13.8 No Separate Insurance . Tenant shall not, on Tenant’s own initiative or pursuant to the request or requirement of any third party, (i) take out separate insurance concurrent

 

46


in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required in this Article XIII to be furnished by, or which may reasonably be required to be furnished by, Tenant or (ii) increase the amounts of any then existing insurance by securing an additional policy or additional policies, unless all parties having an insurable interest in the subject matter of the insurance, including in all cases Landlord and all Facility Mortgagees, are included therein as additional insureds and the loss is payable under such insurance in the same manner as losses are payable under this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Tenant from insuring against risks not required to be insured hereby, and as to such insurance, Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee need not be included therein as additional insureds, nor must the loss thereunder be payable in the same manner as losses are payable hereunder except to the extent required to avoid a default under the Facility Mortgage.

ARTICLE XIV

14.1 Property Insurance Proceeds . All proceeds (except business interruption not allocated to rent expenses) payable by reason of any property loss or damage to the Leased Property, or any portion thereof, under any property policy of insurance required to be carried hereunder shall be paid to Facility Mortgagee or to an escrow account held by a third party depositary reasonably acceptable to Landlord and Tenant (pursuant to an escrow agreement acceptable to the parties and intended to implement the terms hereof) and made available to Tenant upon request for the reasonable costs of preservation, stabilization, emergency restoration, business interruption, reconstruction and repair, as the case may be, of any damage to or destruction of the Leased Property, or any portion thereof; provided , however , that the portion of such proceeds that are attributable to Tenant’s obligation to pay Rent shall be applied against Rents due by Tenant hereunder; and provided , further , that if the total amount of proceeds payable net of the applicable deductibles is One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) or less, and, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the proceeds shall be paid to Tenant and, subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XIV used for the repair of any damage to the Leased Property, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall have no obligation to rebuild any Tenant Capital Improvement, provided that the Leased Property is rebuilt in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. Any excess proceeds of insurance remaining after the completion of the restoration or reconstruction of the Leased Property to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before the damage or destruction and with materials and workmanship of like kind and quality and to Landlord’s reasonable satisfaction shall be provided to Tenant. All salvage resulting from any risk covered by insurance for damage or loss to the Leased Property shall belong to Landlord. Tenant shall have the right to prosecute and settle insurance claims, provided that Tenant shall consult with and involve Landlord in the process of adjusting any insurance claims under this Article XIV and any final settlement with the insurance company shall be subject to Landlord’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

14.2 Tenant’s Obligations Following Casualty . (a) If a Facility and/or any Tenant Capital Improvements to a Facility are damaged, whether or not from a risk covered by insurance carried by Tenant, except as otherwise provided herein, (i) Tenant shall restore such Leased Property (excluding any Tenant Capital Improvement, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall not be required to repair any Tenant Capital Improvement, provided that the Leased Property is rebuilt in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord), to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before such damage and (ii) such damage shall not terminate this Master Lease.

 

47


(b) If Tenant restores the affected Leased Property and the cost of the repair or restoration exceeds the amount of proceeds received from the insurance required to be carried hereunder, Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence reasonably acceptable to Landlord that Tenant has available to it any excess amounts needed to restore such Facility. Such excess amounts necessary to restore such Facility shall be paid by Tenant.

(c) If Tenant has not restored the affected Leased Property and gaming operations have not recommenced by the date that is the third anniversary of the date of any casualty, all remaining insurance proceeds shall be paid to and retained by Landlord free and clear of any claim by or through Tenant.

(d) In the event neither Landlord nor Tenant is required or elects to repair and restore the Leased Property, all insurance proceeds, other than proceeds reasonably attributed to any Tenant Capital Improvements (and, subject to no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing, any business interruption proceeds in excess of Tenant’s Rent obligations hereunder), which proceeds shall be and remain the property of Tenant, shall be paid to and retained by Landlord free and clear of any claim by or through Tenant except as otherwise specifically provided below in this Article XIV.

14.3 No Abatement of Rent . This Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect and Tenant’s obligation to pay the Rent and all other charges required by this Master Lease shall remain unabated during the period required for adjusting insurance, satisfying Legal Requirements, repair and restoration. Upon the occurrence of any casualty that has a negative impact on Net Revenue, the Percentage Rent shall continue during the period required to make all necessary repairs at the same rate then in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of such casualty and until such time as the affected Leased Property is rebuilt and gaming operations have recommenced thereon (or such time as this Master Lease has been terminated as to the affected Leased Property).

14.4 Waiver . Tenant waives any statutory rights of termination which may arise by reason of any damage or destruction of the Leased Property but such waiver shall not affect any contractual rights granted to Tenant under this Article XIV.

14.5 Insurance Proceeds Paid to Facility Mortgagee . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that any Facility Mortgagee is entitled to any insurance proceeds, or any portion thereof, under the terms of any Facility Mortgage, such proceeds shall be applied, held and/or disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Facility Mortgage. In the event that the Facility Mortgagee elects, or is required under the related financing document, to apply the insurance proceeds to the indebtedness secured by the Facility Mortgage, then Tenant shall not be obligated to repair or restore the Facility and Landlord shall either (i) refinance with a replacement Facility Mortgage (or otherwise fund) the amount of insurance proceeds applied to Facility Mortgage indebtedness within twelve (12) months of such application (in which case Tenant shall be obligated to restore the Facility upon receipt of such proceeds), or (ii) sell to Tenant the Leased Property consisting of such Facility (and Tenant shall be entitled to retain any

 

48


remaining insurance proceeds) in exchange for a payment equal to the greater of (1) the difference between (a) the value of such Facility immediately prior to such casualty, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility, and (b) the amount of insurance proceeds retained by the Facility Mortgagee, and (2) the value of such Facility after such casualty, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility.

14.6 Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent . In the event this Master Lease is terminated as to an affected Leased Property pursuant to Section 8.2 (in respect of Tenant being in jeopardy of losing a Gaming License or Landlord being in jeopardy of failing to comply with a regulatory requirement material to the continued operation of a Facility), Section 14.5 (in the event Facility Mortgagee elects to apply insurance proceeds to pay down indebtedness secured by a Facility Mortgage following the damage to or destruction of all or any portion of the Leased Property or such prepayment is required under the related financing document) or Section 15.5 (as provided therein) (such termination or cessation, a “ Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event ”), then:

 

  (i) the Building Base Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for the affected Leased Property and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property (in each case, determined by reference to the most recent Test Period for which Tenant’s Parent’s financial results are available), by (B) the Building Base Rent payable under this Master Lease immediately prior to the effective date of the Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event as to the affected Leased Property;

 

  (ii) the Land Base Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for the affected Leased Property and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property (in each case, determined by reference to the most recent Test Period for which Tenant’s Parent’s financial results are available), by (B) the Land Base Rent payable under this Master Lease immediately prior to the effective date of the Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event as to the affected Leased Property;

 

  (iii) the Percentage Rent due from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event with respect to a Leased Property, shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for the affected Leased Property and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Adjusted Revenue for all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property (in each case, determined by reference to the most recent Test Period for which Tenant’s Parent’s financial results are available), by (B) the Percentage Rent payable immediately prior to the effective date of the Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event as to the affected Leased Property;

 

49


  (iv) the amount set forth in clause (b) of the second sentence of the definition of Percentage Rent shall be modified from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event with respect to a Leased Property by reducing the amount set forth in clause (b) of the second sentence of the definition of Percentage Rent by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the Adjusted Revenue for the affected Leased Property and (y) the denominator of which is the Adjusted Revenue for all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property (in each case, determined by reference to the most recent Test Period for which Tenant’s Parent’s financial results are available), by (B) the amount set forth in clause (b) of the second sentence of the definition of Percentage Rent immediately prior to the effective date of the Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event as to the affected Leased Property; and

 

  (v) Landlord shall retain any claim which Landlord may have against Tenant for failure to insure such Leased Property as required by Article XIII.

ARTICLE XV

15.1 Condemnation .

(a) Total Taking. If the Leased Property of a Facility is totally and permanently taken by Condemnation (a “ Taking ”), this Master Lease shall terminate with respect to such Facility as of the day before the Date of Taking for such Facility.

(b) Partial Taking. If a portion of the Leased Property of, and any Tenant Capital Improvements to, a Facility are taken by Condemnation, this Master Lease shall remain in effect if the affected Facility is not thereby rendered Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use, but if such Facility is thereby rendered Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use, this Master Lease shall terminate with respect to such Facility as of the day before the Date of Taking for such Facility.

(c) Restoration. If there is a partial Taking of the Leased Property of, and any Tenant Capital Improvements to, a Facility and this Master Lease remains in full force and effect with respect to such Facility, Landlord shall make available to Tenant the portion of the Award applicable to restoration of the Leased Property (excluding any Tenant Capital Improvements, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall not be required to repair or restore any Tenant Capital Improvements, provided that the Leased Property is restored in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord), and Tenant shall accomplish all necessary restoration whether or not the amount provided by the Condemnor for restoration is sufficient and the Base Rent shall be reduced by such amount as may be agreed upon by Landlord and Tenant or, if they are unable to reach such an agreement within a period of thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the Taking, then the Base Rent for such Facility shall be proportionately reduced, based on the proportion of the Facility that was subject to the partial Taking and pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 14.6

 

50


hereof. Tenant shall restore such Leased Property (as nearly as possible under the circumstances) to a complete architectural unit of the same general character and condition as such Leased Property existing immediately prior to such Taking.

15.2 Award Distribution . Except as set forth below (and to the extent provided in Section 15.1(c) hereof), the entire Award shall belong to and be paid to Landlord. Tenant shall, however, be entitled to pursue its own claim with respect to the Taking for Tenant’s lost profits value and moving expenses and, the portion of the Award, if any, allocated to any Tenant Capital Improvements (subject to Tenant’s restoring the Leased Property not subject to a Taking in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) and Tenant’s Property shall be and remain the property of Tenant free of any claim thereto by Landlord.

15.3 Temporary Taking . The taking of the Leased Property, or any part thereof, shall constitute a taking by Condemnation only when the use and occupancy by the taking authority has continued for longer than 180 consecutive days. During any shorter period, which shall be a temporary taking, all the provisions of this Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect and the Award allocable to the Term shall be paid to Tenant.

15.4 Condemnation Awards Paid to Facility Mortgagee . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that any Facility Mortgagee is entitled to any Condemnation Award, or any portion thereof, under the terms of any Facility Mortgage or related financing agreement, such award shall be applied, held and/or disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Facility Mortgage or related financing agreement. In the event that the Facility Mortgagee elects to apply the Condemnation Award to the indebtedness secured by the Facility Mortgage in the case of a Taking as to which the restoration provisions apply (or the related financing agreement requires such application), Landlord shall either (i) within ninety (90) days of the notice from the Facility Mortgagee make available to Tenant for restoration of such Leased Property funds (either through refinance or otherwise) equal to the amount applied by the Facility Mortgagee or applicable to restoration of the Leased Property, or (ii) sell to Tenant the portion of the Leased Property consisting of the Facility that is not subject to the Taking in exchange for a payment equal to the greater of (1) the difference between (a) the value of such Facility immediately prior to such Taking, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility, and (b) the amount of the Condemnation Award retained by the Facility Mortgagee, and (2) the value of the remaining portion of such Facility after such Taking, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility.

15.5 Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent . In the event this Master Lease is terminated with respect to the affected portion of the Leased Property as a result of a Taking (or pursuant to Section 15.4 hereof as a result of a Facility Mortgagee electing to apply a Condemnation Award to the indebtedness secured by the Facility Mortgage), the Base Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of such termination shall be reduced by an amount determined in the same manner as set forth in Section 14.6 hereof.

 

51


ARTICLE XVI

16.1 Events of Default . Any one or more of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default :

 

  (a) (i) Tenant shall fail to pay any installment of Rent within four (4) Business Days of when due and such failure is not cured by Tenant within three (3) Business Days after notice from Landlord of Tenant’s failure to pay such installment of Rent when due (and such notice of failure from Landlord may be given any time after such installment is four (4) Business Days late);

 

  (ii) Tenant shall fail on any two separate occasions in the same Fiscal Year to pay any installment of Rent within four (4) Business Days of when due;

 

  (iii) Tenant shall fail on any occasion to pay any installment of Rent within ten (10) Business Days of when due; or

 

  (iv) Tenant shall fail to pay any Additional Charge within five (5) Business Days after notice from Landlord of Tenant’s failure to make such payment of such Additional Charge when due (and such notice of failure from Landlord may be given any time after such payment is more than one (1) Business Day late);

(b) a default shall occur under any Guaranty, where the default is not cured within any applicable grace period set forth therein or, if no cure periods are provided, within fifteen (15) days after notice from Landlord (or in the case of a breach of Paragraph 8 of the Guaranty, the cure periods provided herein with respect to such action or omission);

(c) Tenant or any Guarantor shall:

 

  (i) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;

 

  (ii) file a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any insolvency act;

 

  (iii) make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

  (iv) consent to the appointment of a receiver of itself or of the whole or any substantial part of its property; or

 

  (v) file a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement under the United States bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state thereof;

(d) Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be adjudicated as bankrupt or a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter an order or decree appointing, without the consent of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary

 

52


Guarantor), a receiver of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) or of the whole or substantially all of the Tenant’s or any Guarantor’s (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor’s) property, or approving a petition filed against Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) seeking reorganization or arrangement of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) under the United States bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state thereof, and such judgment, order or decree shall not be vacated or set aside or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of the entry thereof;

(e) Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be liquidated or dissolved (except that any Guarantor may be liquidated or dissolved into another Guarantor or the Tenant or so long as its assets are distributed following such liquidation or dissolution to another Guarantor or Tenant);

(f) the estate or interest of Tenant in the Leased Property or any part thereof shall be levied upon or attached in any proceeding relating to more than $1,000,000 and the same shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed pending appeal (or bonded or otherwise similarly secured payment) within the later of ninety (90) days after commencement thereof or thirty (30) days after receipt by Tenant of notice thereof from Landlord; provided , however , that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law;

(g) except as a result of material damage, destruction or Condemnation, Tenant voluntarily ceases operations for its Primary Intended Use at a Facility and such event would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, in each case, taken as a whole;

(h) any of the representations or warranties made by Tenant hereunder or by any Guarantor in a Guaranty proves to be untrue when made in any material respect which materially and adversely affects Landlord;

(i) any applicable license or other agreements material to a Facility’s operation for its Primary Intended Use are at any time terminated or revoked or suspended for more than thirty (30) days (and causes cessation of gaming activity at a Facility) and such termination, revocation or suspension is not stayed pending appeal and would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, taken as a whole;

(j) except to a permitted assignee pursuant to Section 22.2 or a permitted subtenant or Subsidiary that joins as a Guarantor to the Guaranty pursuant to Section 22.3, or with respect to the granting of a permitted pledge hereunder to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, the sale or transfer, without Landlord’s consent, of all or any portion of any Gaming License or similar certificate or license relating to the Leased Property;

(k) Tenant or any Guarantor, by its acts or omissions, causes the occurrence of a default under any provision (to the extent Tenant has knowledge of such provision and Tenant’s or such Guarantor’s obligations with respect thereto) of any Facility Mortgage, related documents or obligations thereunder by which Tenant is bound in accordance with Section 31.1 or has agreed under the terms of this Master Lease to be bound, which default is not cured within

 

53


the applicable time period, if the effect of such default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Facility Mortgage or Indebtedness secured by that Facility Mortgage (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, that Facility Mortgage (or the Indebtedness secured thereby) to become or be declared due and payable (or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity (excluding in any case any default related to the financial performance of Tenant or any Guarantor);

(l) (x) a breach by Tenant of Section 23.3(a) hereof for two consecutive Test Periods ending on the last day of two consecutive fiscal quarters or (y) a breach of Section 23.3(b) hereof;

(m) [Reserved];

(n) if Tenant shall fail to observe or perform any other term, covenant or condition of this Master Lease and such failure is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord, unless such failure cannot with due diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days, in which case such failure shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default if Tenant proceeds promptly and with due diligence to cure the failure and diligently completes the curing thereof within one hundred twenty (120) days after such notice from Landlord; provided , however , that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law;

(o) if Tenant or any Guarantor shall fail to pay, bond, escrow or otherwise similarly secure payment of one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of the product of (i) $100 million and (ii) the CPI Increase (and only to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days; and

(p) an assignment of Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease (including pursuant to a Change in Control) shall have occurred without the consent of Landlord to the extent such consent is required under Article XXII or Tenant is otherwise in default of the provisions set forth in Section 22.1 below.

No Event of Default (other than a failure to make payment of money) shall be deemed to exist under this Section 16.1 during any time the curing thereof is prevented by an Unavoidable Delay, provided that upon the cessation of the Unavoidable Delay, Tenant remedies the default without further delay.

16.2 Certain Remedies . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Landlord may (a) terminate this Master Lease by giving Tenant no less than ten (10) days’ notice of such termination and the Term shall terminate and all rights of Tenant under this Master Lease shall cease, (b) seek damages as provided in Section 16.3 hereof, and/or (c) exercise any other right or remedy at law or in equity available to Landlord as a result of any Event of Default. Tenant shall pay as Additional Charges all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Landlord, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, as a result of any Event of Default hereunder. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, whether or not this Master Lease has been terminated pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 16.2, Tenant

 

54


shall, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), if required by Landlord to do so, immediately surrender to Landlord possession of all or any portion of the Leased Property (including any Tenant Capital Improvements of the Facilities) as to which Landlord has so demanded and quit the same and Landlord may, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), enter upon and repossess such Leased Property and any Capital Improvement thereto by reasonable force, summary proceedings, ejectment or otherwise, and, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), may remove Tenant and all other Persons and any of Tenant’s Property from such Leased Property (including any such Tenant Capital Improvement thereto).

16.3 Damages . None of (i) the termination of this Master Lease, (ii) the repossession of the Leased Property (including any Capital Improvements to any Facility), (iii) the failure of Landlord to relet the Leased Property or any portion thereof, (iv) the reletting of all or any portion of the Leased Property, or (v) the inability of Landlord to collect or receive any rentals due upon any such reletting, shall relieve Tenant of its liabilities and obligations hereunder, all of which shall survive any such termination, repossession or reletting. Landlord and Tenant agree that Landlord shall have no obligation to mitigate Landlord’s damages under this Master Lease. If any such termination of this Master Lease occurs (whether or not Landlord terminates Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property), Tenant shall forthwith pay to Landlord all Rent due and payable under this Master Lease to and including the date of such termination. Thereafter:

Tenant shall forthwith pay to Landlord, at Landlord’s option, as and for liquidated and agreed current damages for the occurrence of an Event of Default, either:

(A) the sum of:

 

  (i) the worth at the time of award of the unpaid Rent which had been earned at the time of termination to the extent not previously paid by Tenant under this Section 16.3;

 

  (ii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided;

 

  (iii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided; plus

 

  (iv) any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all the detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Master Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom.

As used in clauses (i) and (ii) above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by allowing interest at the Overdue Rate. As used in clause (iii) above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by discounting

 

55


such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at the time of award plus one percent (1%) and reducing such amount by the portion of the unpaid Rent that Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided. For purposes of determining the worth at the time of the award, Percentage Rent that would have been payable for the remainder of the Term shall be deemed to be the greater of (y) the same as the Percentage Rent for the then current Lease Year or, if not determinable, the immediately preceding Lease Year; and (z) such other amount as Landlord shall demonstrate could reasonably have been earned (assuming Net Revenues will have not been impacted by any of the conditions that contributed to the Event of Default).

or

(B) if Landlord chooses not to terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property (whether or not Landlord terminates the Master Lease), each installment of said Rent and other sums payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Master Lease as the same becomes due and payable, together with interest at the Overdue Rate from the date when due until paid, and Landlord may enforce, by action or otherwise, any other term or covenant of this Master Lease (and Landlord may at any time thereafter terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property and seek damages under subparagraph (A) hereof, to the extent not already paid for by Tenant under this subparagraph (B)).

16.4 Receiver . Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, and upon commencement of proceedings to enforce the rights of Landlord hereunder, but subject to any limitations of applicable law, Landlord shall be entitled, as a matter of right, to the appointment of a receiver or receivers acceptable to Landlord of the Leased Property and of the revenues, earnings, income, products and profits thereof, pending the outcome of such proceedings, with such powers as the court making such appointment shall confer.

16.5 Waiver . If Landlord initiates judicial proceedings or if this Master Lease is terminated by Landlord pursuant to this Article XVI, Tenant waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) any right of redemption, re-entry or repossession; and (ii) the benefit of any laws now or hereafter in force exempting property from liability for rent or for debt.

16.6 Application of Funds . Any payments received by Landlord under any of the provisions of this Master Lease during the existence or continuance of any Event of Default which are made to Landlord rather than Tenant due to the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied to Tenant’s obligations in the order which Landlord may reasonably determine or as may be prescribed by the laws of the State.

ARTICLE XVII

17.1 Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees .

(a) On one or more occasions without Landlord’s prior consent Tenant may mortgage or otherwise encumber Tenant’s estate in and to the Leased Property (the “ Leasehold

 

56


Estate ”) to one or more Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees under one or more Permitted Leasehold Mortgages and pledge its right, title and interest under this Master Lease as security for such Permitted Leasehold Mortgages or any Debt Agreement secured thereby; provided that no Person shall be considered a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee unless (1) such Person delivers to Landlord a written agreement (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) providing (i) that (unless this Master Lease has been terminated as to a particular Facility) such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and any lenders for whom it acts as representative, agent or trustee, will not use or dispose of any Gaming License for use at a location other than at the Facility to which such Gaming License relates as of the date such Person becomes a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (or, in the case of any Facility added to the Master Lease after such date, as of the date that such Facility is added to the Master Lease), and (ii) an express acknowledgement that, in the event of the exercise by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of its rights under the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall be required to (except for a transfer that meets the requirements of Section 22.2(iii)) secure the approval of Landlord for the replacement of Tenant with respect to the affected portion of the Leased Property and contain the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s acknowledgment that such approval may be granted or withheld by Landlord in accordance with the provisions of Article XXII of this Master Lease, and (2) the underlying Permitted Leasehold Mortgage includes an express acknowledgement that any exercise of remedies thereunder that would affect the Leasehold Estate shall be subject to the terms of the Master Lease.

(b) Notice to Landlord .

(i) (1) If Tenant shall, on one or more occasions, mortgage Tenant’s Leasehold Estate and if the holder of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall provide Landlord with written notice of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage together with a true copy of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage and the name and address of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, Landlord and Tenant agree that, following receipt of such written notice by Landlord, the provisions of this Section 17.1 shall apply in respect to each such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage.

(2) In the event of any assignment of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or in the event of a change of address of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or of an assignee of such Mortgage, written notice of the new name and address shall be provided to Landlord.

(ii) Landlord shall promptly upon receipt of a communication purporting to constitute the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above acknowledge by an executed and notarized instrument receipt of such communication as constituting the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above and confirming the status of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as such or, in the alternative, notify the Tenant and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of the rejection of such communication as not conforming with the provisions of this Section 17.1 and specify the specific basis of such rejection.

(iii) After Landlord has received the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above, the Tenant, upon being requested to do so by Landlord, shall with

 

57


reasonable promptness provide Landlord with copies of the note or other obligation secured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage and of any other documents pertinent to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage as specified by the Landlord. If requested to do so by Landlord, Tenant shall thereafter also provide the Landlord from time to time with a copy of each amendment or other modification or supplement to such instruments. All recorded documents shall be accompanied by the appropriate recording stamp or other certification of the custodian of the relevant recording office as to their authenticity as true and correct copies of official records and all nonrecorded documents shall be accompanied by a certification by Tenant that such documents are true and correct copies of the originals. From time to time upon being requested to do so by Landlord, Tenant shall also notify Landlord of the date and place of recording and other pertinent recording data with respect to such instruments as have been recorded.

(c) Default Notice . Landlord, upon providing Tenant any notice of: (i) default under this Master Lease or (ii) a termination of this Master Lease, shall at the same time provide a copy of such notice to every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof. No such notice by Landlord to Tenant shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until a copy thereof has been sent, in the manner prescribed in Section 35.1 of this Master Lease, to every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof. From and after such notice has been sent to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall have the same period, after the giving of such notice upon its remedying any default or acts or omissions which are the subject matter of such notice or causing the same to be remedied, as is given Tenant after the giving of such notice to Tenant, plus in each instance, the additional periods of time specified in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 17.1 to remedy, commence remedying or cause to be remedied the defaults or acts or omissions which are the subject matter of such notice specified in any such notice. Landlord shall accept such performance by or at the instigation of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as if the same had been done by Tenant. Tenant authorizes each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (to the extent such action is authorized under the applicable Debt Agreement) to take any such action at such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s option and does hereby authorize entry upon the premises by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for such purpose.

(d) Notice to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee . Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, if any default shall occur which entitles Landlord to terminate this Master Lease, Landlord shall have no right to terminate this Master Lease on account of such default unless, following the expiration of the period of time given Tenant to cure such default or the act or omission which gave rise to such default, Landlord shall notify every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof of Landlord’s intent to so terminate at least thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed effective date of such termination if such default is capable of being cured by the payment of money, and at least ninety (90) days in advance of the proposed effective date of such termination if such default is not capable of being cured by the payment of money (“ Termination Notice ”). The provisions of subsection (e) below of this Section 17.1 shall apply if, during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) days (as the case may be) Termination Notice period, any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall:

 

  (i) notify Landlord of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s desire to nullify such Termination Notice; and

 

58


  (ii) pay or cause to be paid all Rent, Additional Charges, and other payments (i) then due and in arrears as specified in the Termination Notice to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and (ii) which may become due during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) day (as the case may be) period (as the same may become due); and

 

  (iii) comply or in good faith, with reasonable diligence and continuity, commence to comply with all nonmonetary requirements of this Master Lease then in default and reasonably susceptible of being complied with by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, provided , however , that such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall not be required during such ninety (90) day period to cure or commence to cure any default consisting of Tenant’s failure to satisfy and discharge any lien, charge or encumbrance against the Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease or the Leased Property, or any of Tenant’s other assets junior in priority to the lien of the mortgage or other security documents held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee; and

 

  (iv) during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) day period, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall respond, with reasonable diligence, to requests for information from Landlord as to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s (and related lenders’) intent to pay such Rent and other charges and comply with this Master Lease.

(e) Procedure on Default .

 

  (i) If Landlord shall elect to terminate this Master Lease by reason of any Event of Default of Tenant that has occurred and is continuing, and a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall have proceeded in the manner provided for by subsection (d) of this Section 17.1, the specified date for the termination of this Master Lease as fixed by Landlord in its Termination Notice shall be extended for a period of six (6) months; provided that such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall, during such six-month period (and during the period of any continuance referred to in subsection (e)(ii) below):

(1) pay or cause to be paid the Rent, Additional Charges and other monetary obligations of Tenant under this Master Lease as the same become due, and continue its good faith efforts to perform or cause to be performed all of Tenant’s other obligations under this Master Lease, excepting (A) obligations of Tenant to satisfy or otherwise discharge any lien, charge or encumbrance against Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease or the Leased Property or any of Tenant’s other assets junior in priority to the lien of the mortgage or other security documents held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and (B) past nonmonetary obligations then in default and not reasonably susceptible of being cured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee; and

(2) if not enjoined or stayed pursuant to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or other judicial order, diligently continue to pursue acquiring or selling Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease and the Leased Property by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or other appropriate means and diligently prosecute the same to completion.

 

59


  (ii) If at the end of such six (6) month period such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is complying with subsection (e)(i) above, this Master Lease shall not then terminate, and the time for completion by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of its proceedings shall continue ( provided that for the time of such continuance, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is in compliance with subsection (e)(i) above) (x) so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is enjoined or stayed pursuant to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or other judicial order and if so enjoined or stayed, thereafter for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee proceeds to complete steps to acquire or sell Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or by other appropriate means with reasonable diligence and continuity but not to exceed twelve (12) months after the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is no longer so enjoined or stayed from prosecuting the same and in no event longer than twenty-four (24) months from the date of Landlord’s initial notification to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee pursuant to Section 17.1(d) hereof, and (y) if such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is not so enjoined or stayed, thereafter for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee proceeds to complete steps to acquire or sell Tenant’s interests in this Master Lease by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or by other appropriate means with reasonable diligence and continuity but not to exceed twelve (12) months from the date of Landlord’s initial notification to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee pursuant to Section 17.1(d) hereof. Nothing in this subsection (e) of this Section 17.1, however, shall be construed to extend this Master Lease beyond the original term thereof as extended by any options to extend the term of this Master Lease properly exercised by Tenant or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee in accordance with Section 1.4, nor to require a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to continue such foreclosure proceeding after the default has been cured. If the default shall be cured pursuant to the terms and within the time periods allowed in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 17.1 and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall discontinue such foreclosure proceedings, this Master Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if Tenant had not defaulted under this Master Lease.

 

  (iii) If a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is complying with subsection (e)(i) of this Section 17.1, upon the acquisition of Tenant’s Leasehold Estate herein by a Discretionary Transferee this Master Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if Tenant had not defaulted under this Master Lease, provided that such Discretionary Transferee cures all outstanding defaults that can be cured through the payment of money and all other defaults that are reasonably susceptible of being cured.

 

60


  (iv) For the purposes of this Section 17.1, the making of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment or transfer of this Master Lease nor of the Leasehold Estate hereby created, nor shall any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, as such, be deemed to be an assignee or transferee of this Master Lease or of the Leasehold Estate hereby created so as to require such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, as such, to assume the performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions on the part of the Tenant to be performed hereunder; but the purchaser at any sale of this Master Lease (including a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee if it is the purchaser at foreclosure) and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in any proceedings for the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, or the assignee or transferee of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created under any instrument of assignment or transfer in lieu of the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, shall be subject to Article XXII hereof (including the requirement that such purchaser assume the performance of the terms, covenants or conditions on the part of the Tenant to be performed hereunder and meet the qualifications of Discretionary Transferee or be reasonably consented to by Landlord in accordance with Section 22.2(i) hereof).

 

  (v) Any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or other acquirer of the Leasehold Estate of Tenant pursuant to foreclosure, assignment in lieu of foreclosure or other proceedings in accordance with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease may, upon acquiring Tenant’s Leasehold Estate, without further consent of Landlord, sell and assign the Leasehold Estate in accordance with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease and enter into Permitted Leasehold Mortgages in the same manner as the original Tenant, subject to the terms hereof.

 

  (vi) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Master Lease, any sale of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in any proceedings for the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, or the assignment or transfer of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in lieu of the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, shall be deemed to be a permitted sale, transfer or assignment of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created to the extent that the successor tenant under this Master Lease is a Discretionary Transferee and the transfer otherwise complies with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease or the transferee is reasonably consented to by Landlord in accordance with Section 22.2(i) hereof.

(f) New Lease . In the event of the termination of this Master Lease other than due to a default as to which the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee had the opportunity to, but did not, cure the default as set forth in Sections 17.1(d) and 17.1(e) above, Landlord shall provide each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee with written notice that this Master Lease has been terminated (“ Notice of Termination ”), together with a statement of all sums which would at that time be due under this Master Lease but for such termination, and of all other defaults, if any, then known to Landlord. Landlord agrees to enter into a new lease (“ New Lease ”) of the Leased Property with such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee (in each case if a Discretionary Transferee) for the remainder of the term of this Master Lease, effective as of the date of termination, at the rent and additional rent, and upon the terms, covenants and conditions (including all options to renew but excluding requirements which have already been fulfilled) of this Master Lease, provided :

(i) Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall make a binding, written, irrevocable commitment to Landlord for such New Lease within thirty (30) days after the date such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee receives Landlord’s Notice of Termination of this Master Lease given pursuant to this Section 17.1(f);

 

61


(ii) Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall pay or cause to be paid to Landlord at the time of the execution and delivery of such New Lease, any and all sums which would at the time of execution and delivery thereof be due pursuant to this Master Lease but for such termination and, in addition thereto, all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, which Landlord shall have incurred by reason of such termination and the execution and delivery of the New Lease and which have not otherwise been received by Landlord from Tenant or other party in interest under Tenant; and

(iii) Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall agree to remedy any of Tenant’s defaults of which said Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee was notified by Landlord’s Notice of Termination (or in any subsequent notice) and which can be cured through the payment of money or are reasonably susceptible of being cured by Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee.

(g) New Lease Priorities . If more than one Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall request a New Lease pursuant to subsection (f)(i) of this Section 17.1, Landlord shall enter into such New Lease with the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee whose mortgage is senior in lien, or with its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee acting for the benefit of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee prior in lien foreclosing on Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease. Landlord, without liability to Tenant or any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee with an adverse claim, may rely upon a title insurance policy issued by a reputable title insurance company as the basis for determining the appropriate Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee who is entitled to such New Lease.

(h) Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Need Not Cure Specified Defaults . Nothing herein contained shall require any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as a condition to its exercise of the right hereunder to cure any default of Tenant not reasonably susceptible of being cured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee (including but not limited to the default referred to in Section 16.1(c), (d), (e), (f) (if the levy or attachment is in favor of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee ( provided such levy is extinguished upon foreclosure or similar proceeding or in a transfer in lieu of any such foreclosure) or is junior to the lien of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and would be extinguished by the foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee), (m) (as related to the Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is junior to the lien of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and such junior lien would be extinguished by the foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) or (o) (if the judgment is in favor of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee other than a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee holding a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is senior to the lien of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) and any other sections of this Master

 

62


Lease which may impose conditions of default not susceptible to being cured by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a subsequent owner of the Leasehold Estate through foreclosure hereof), in order to comply with the provisions of Sections 17.1(d) and 17.1(e), or as a condition of entering into the New Lease provided for by Section 17.1(f).

(i) Casualty Loss . A standard mortgagee clause naming each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof may be added to any and all insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant hereunder on condition that the insurance proceeds are to be applied in the manner specified in this Master Lease and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall so provide; except that the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage may provide a manner for the disposition of such proceeds, if any, otherwise payable directly to the Tenant (but not such proceeds, if any, payable jointly to the Landlord and the Tenant or to the Landlord, to the Facility Mortgagee or to a third-party escrowee) pursuant to the provisions of this Master Lease.

(j) Arbitration; Legal Proceedings . Landlord shall give prompt notice to each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof) of any arbitration or legal proceedings between Landlord and Tenant involving obligations under this Master Lease.

(k) No Merger . The fee title to the Leased Property and the Leasehold Estate of Tenant therein created by this Master Lease shall not merge but shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the acquisition of said fee title and said Leasehold Estate by Landlord or by Tenant or by a third party, by purchase or otherwise.

(l) Notices . Notices from Landlord to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof shall be provided in the method provided in Section 35.1 hereof to the address or fax number furnished Landlord pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 17.1, and those from the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to Landlord shall be mailed to the address designated pursuant to the provisions of Section 35.1 hereof. Such notices, demands and requests shall be given in the manner described in this Section 17.1 and in Section 35.1 and shall in all respects be governed by the provisions of those sections.

(m) Limitation of Liability . Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, (i) Landlord agrees that any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s liability to Landlord in its capacity as Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee hereunder howsoever arising shall be limited to and enforceable only against such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s interest in the Leasehold Estate and the other collateral granted to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to secure the obligations under its Debt Agreement, and (ii) each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee agrees that Landlord’s liability to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee hereunder howsoever arising shall be limited to and enforceable only against Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property, and no recourse against Landlord shall be had against any other assets of Landlord whatsoever.

(n) Sale Procedure . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof with the most senior lien on the Leasehold Estate

 

63


shall have the right to make all determinations and agreements on behalf of Tenant under Article XXXVI (including, without limitation, requesting that the sale process described in Article XXXVI be commenced, the determination and agreement of the Gaming Assets FMV, the Successor Tenant Rent, and the potential Successor Tenants that should be included in the process, and negotiation with such Successor Tenants), in each case, in accordance with and subject to the terms and provisions of Article XXXVI, including without limitation the requirement that Successor Tenant meet the qualifications of Discretionary Transferee.

(o) Third Party Beneficiary . Each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee holds a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage) is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Article XVII entitled to enforce the same as if a party to this Master Lease.

17.2 Landlord’s Right to Cure Tenant’s Default . If Tenant shall fail to make any payment or to perform any act required to be made or performed hereunder when due or within any cure period provided for herein, Landlord, without waiving or releasing any obligation or default, may, but shall be under no obligation to, make such payment or perform such act for the account and at the expense of Tenant, and may, to the extent permitted by law, enter upon the Leased Property for such purpose and take all such action thereon as, in Landlord’s opinion, may be necessary or appropriate therefor. No such entry shall be deemed an eviction of Tenant. All sums so paid by Landlord and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate from the date on which such sums or expenses are paid or incurred by Landlord, shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord on demand as an Additional Charge.

17.3 Landlord’s Right to Cure Debt Agreement . Tenant agrees that each and any agreement related to Material Indebtedness and any Debt Agreement (or the principal or controlling agreement relating to such Material Indebtedness or series of related Debt Agreements) will include a provision requiring the lender or lenders thereunder (or the Representative of such lenders) to provide a copy to Landlord of any notices issued by such lenders or the Representative of such lenders to Tenant of a Specified Debt Agreement Default. In addition, Tenant agrees that it will ensure that any such agreement related to Material Indebtedness and any Debt Agreement (or the principal or controlling agreement relating to such Material Indebtedness or series of related Debt Agreements) includes a provision with the effect that should Tenant fail to make any payment or to perform any act required to be made or performed under an agreement related to Material Indebtedness or under the Debt Agreement when due or within any cure period provided for therein (if any), Landlord may, subject to applicable Gaming Regulations and the terms hereof, cure any such default by making such payment to the applicable lenders or Representative or otherwise performing such acts within the cure period thereunder (if any) for the account of Tenant, to the extent such default is susceptible to cure by Landlord; provided that Landlord’s right to cure such default shall not be any greater than the rights of the obligors under such Material Indebtedness or Debt Agreement to cure such default. Landlord and Tenant agree that all sums so paid by Landlord and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate from the date on which such sums or expenses are paid or incurred by Landlord, shall be for the account of Tenant and paid by Tenant to Landlord on demand.

 

64


ARTICLE XVIII

18.1 Sale of the Leased Property . Landlord shall not voluntarily sell all or portions of the Leased Property (including via entering into a merger transaction other than the Merger Transaction that is contemplated in the Recitals hereof) during the Term without the prior written consent of Tenant, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant’s consent shall not be required for (A) any transfer to a Facility Mortgagee contemplated under Article XXXI hereof which may include, without limitation, a transfer by foreclosure brought by the Facility Mortgagee or a transfer by deed in lieu of foreclosure (and the first subsequent sale by such Facility Mortgagee to the extent the Facility Mortgagee has been diligently attempting to expedite such first subsequent sale from the time it initiated foreclosure proceedings taking into account the interest of such Facility Mortgagee to maximize the proceeds of such sale), (B) a sale by Landlord of all of the Leased Property to a single buyer or group of buyers, other than to an operator, or an Affiliate of an operator, of Gaming Facilities ( provided that Landlord shall be permitted to sell all of the Leased Property to a real estate investment trust even if such real estate investment trust is an Affiliate of an operator), (C) a merger transaction or sale by Landlord or GLP involving all of the Facilities, other than with an operator, or an Affiliate of an operator, of Gaming Facilities ( provided that Landlord or GLP shall be permitted to merge with or sell all of the Leased Property to a real estate investment trust even if such real estate investment trust is an Affiliate of an operator), (D) a sale/leaseback transaction by Landlord with respect to any or all of the Leased Properties for financing purposes, (E) any sale of all or a portion of the Leased Property or the Facilities that does not change the identity of the Landlord hereunder, including without limitation a participating interest in Landlord’s interest under this Master Lease or a sale of Landlord’s reversionary interest in the Leased Property, or (F) a sale or transfer to an Affiliate of GLP or a joint venture entity in which GLP or its Affiliate is the managing member or partner. Any sale by Landlord of all or any portion of the Leased Property pursuant to this Section 18.1 shall be subject in each instance to all of the rights of Tenant under this Master Lease and, to the extent necessary, any purchaser or successor Landlord and/or other controlling persons must be approved by all applicable gaming regulatory agencies to ensure that there is no material impact on the validity of any of the Gaming Licenses or the ability of Tenant to continue to use the Facilities for gaming activities in substantially the same manner as immediately prior to Landlord’s sale.

ARTICLE XIX

19.1 Holding Over . If Tenant shall for any reason remain in possession of the Leased Property of a Facility after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term without the consent, or other than at the request, of Landlord, such possession shall be as a month-to-month tenant during which time Tenant shall pay as Base Rent each month twice the monthly Base Rent applicable to the prior Lease Year for such Facility, together with all Percentage Rent and Additional Charges and all other sums payable by Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease. During such period of month-to-month tenancy, Tenant shall be obligated to perform and observe all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Master Lease, but shall have no rights hereunder other than the right, to the extent given by law to month-to-month tenancies, to continue its occupancy and use of the Leased Property of, and/or any Tenant Capital Improvements to, such Facility. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the consent, express or implied, of Landlord to the holding over of Tenant after the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease.

 

65


ARTICLE XX

20.1 Risk of Loss . The risk of loss or of decrease in the enjoyment and beneficial use of the Leased Property as a consequence of the damage or destruction thereof by fire, the elements, casualties, thefts, riots, wars or otherwise, or in consequence of foreclosures, attachments, levies or executions (other than by Landlord and Persons claiming from, through or under Landlord) is assumed by Tenant, and except as otherwise provided herein no such event shall entitle Tenant to any abatement of Rent.

ARTICLE XXI

21.1 General Indemnification . In addition to the other indemnities contained herein, and notwithstanding the existence of any insurance carried by or for the benefit of Landlord or Tenant, and without regard to the policy limits of any such insurance, Tenant shall protect, indemnify, save harmless and defend Landlord from and against all liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses, imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against Landlord by reason of: (i) any accident, injury to or death of Persons or loss of or damage to property occurring on or about the Leased Property or adjoining sidewalks under the control of Tenant; (ii) any use, misuse, non-use, condition, maintenance or repair by Tenant of the Leased Property; (iii) any failure on the part of Tenant to perform or comply with any of the terms of this Master Lease; (iv) the non-performance of any of the terms and provisions of any and all existing and future subleases of the Leased Property to be performed by any party thereunder; (v) any claim for malpractice, negligence or misconduct committed by any Person on or working from the Leased Property; and (vi) the violation by Tenant of any Legal Requirement. Any amounts which become payable by Tenant under this Article XXI shall be paid within ten (10) days after liability therefor is determined by a final non appealable judgment or settlement or other agreement of the parties, and if not timely paid shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the date of such determination to the date of payment. Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall contest, resist and defend any such claim, action or proceeding asserted or instituted against Landlord. For purposes of this Article XXI, any acts or omissions of Tenant, or by employees, agents, assignees, contractors, subcontractors or others acting for or on behalf of Tenant (whether or not they are negligent, intentional, willful or unlawful), shall be strictly attributable to Tenant.

ARTICLE XXII

22.1 Subletting and Assignment . Tenant shall not, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which, except as specifically set forth herein, may be withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion, voluntarily or by operation of law assign (which term includes any transfer, sale, encumbering, pledge or other transfer or hypothecation) this Master Lease, sublet all or any part of the Leased Property of any Facility or engage the services of any Person (other than an Affiliate of Tenant that is also a Guarantor) for the management or operation of any Facility ( provided that the foregoing shall not restrict a transferee of Tenant from retaining a manager necessary for such transferee’s satisfying the requirement set forth in clause (a)(1) of the definition of “Discretionary Transferee”). Tenant acknowledges that Landlord is relying upon the expertise of Tenant in the operation of the Facilities and that Landlord entered into this Master Lease with the expectation that Tenant would remain in and operate such Facilities during the

 

66


entire Term and for that reason, except as set forth herein, Landlord retains sole and absolute discretion in approving or disapproving any assignment or sublease. Any Change in Control shall constitute an assignment of Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease within the meaning of this Article XXII and the provisions requiring consent contained herein shall apply.

22.2 Permitted Assignments . Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 40.1, Tenant may:

(i) with Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, allow to occur or undergo a Change in Control (including without limitation a transfer or assignment of this Master Lease to any third party in conjunction with a sale by Tenant of all or substantially all of Tenant’s assets relating to the Facilities);

(ii) without Landlord’s prior written consent, assign this Master Lease or sublease the Leased Property to Tenant’s Parent, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Tenant’s Parent or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Tenant if all of the following are first satisfied: (w) such Affiliate becomes a party to the Guaranty as a Guarantor and in the case of an assignment of this Master Lease, becomes party to and bound by this Master Lease; (x) Tenant remains fully liable hereunder; (y) the use of the Leased Property continues to comply with the requirements of this Master Lease; and (z) Landlord in its reasonable discretion shall have approved the form and content of all documents for such assignment or sublease and received an executed counterpart thereof; and

(iii) without Landlord’s prior written consent:

(w) undergo a Change in Control of the type referred to in clause (i)(a) of the definition of Change in Control (such Change in Control, a “ Tenant Parent COC ”) if a Person acquiring such beneficial ownership or control is (1) a Discretionary Transferee and (2) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;

(x) undergo a Change in Control whereby a Person acquires beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant in connection with a Change in Control that does not constitute a Tenant Parent COC or a Foreclosure COC (such Change in Control, a “ Tenant COC ”) if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, and (3) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio with respect to all of the Facilities (determined at the proposed effective time of the Change in Control) for the then most recently preceding four (4) fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available is at least 1.4:1;

 

67


(y) assign this Master Lease to any Person in an assignment that does not constitute a Foreclosure Assignment if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) such Discretionary Transferee agrees in writing to assume the obligations of the Tenant under this Master Lease without amendment or modification other than as provided below, (3) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, and (4) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio with respect to all of the Facilities (determined at the proposed effective time of the assignment) for the then most recently preceding four (4) fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available is at least 1.4:1; or

(z) (i) assign this Master Lease by way of foreclosure of the Leasehold Estate or an assignment-in-lieu of foreclosure to any Person (any such assignment, a “ Foreclosure Assignment ”) or (ii) undergo a Change in Control whereby a Person acquires beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant as a result of the purchase at a foreclosure on a permitted pledge of the Equity Interests in Tenant or an assignment in lieu of such foreclosure (a “ Foreclosure COC ”) or (iii) effect the first subsequent sale or assignment of the Leasehold Estate or Change in Control after a Foreclosure Assignment or a Foreclosure COC whereby a Person so acquires the Leasehold Estate or beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant or the Person who acquired the Leasehold Estate in connection with the Foreclosure Assignment, in each case, effected by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, to the extent such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee has been diligently attempting to expedite such first subsequent sale from the time it has initiated foreclosure proceedings taking into account the interest of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee in maximizing the proceeds of such disposition if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) in the case of any Foreclosure Assignment, if such Discretionary Transferee is not a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee such Discretionary Transferee agrees in writing to assume the obligations of the Tenant under this Master Lease without amendment or modification other than as provided below (which written assumption, in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, may be made by a Subsidiary of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee) and (3) if such Discretionary Transferee is not a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;

 

68


provided that no such Change in Control or assignment referred to in this Section 22.2(iii) shall be permitted without Landlord’s prior written consent unless, and in which case such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (A) the use of the Leased Property at the time of such Change in Control or assignment and immediately after giving effect thereto is permitted by Section 7.2 hereof, and (B) Landlord in its reasonable discretion shall have approved the form and content of all documents for such assignment and assumption and received an executed counterpart thereof ( provided no such approval shall be required in the case of a Tenant Parent COC or a Tenant COC, so long as (A) Tenant remains obligated under the Master Lease and the Guaranty remains in effect except with respect to any release of Tenant’s Parent permitted thereunder, (B) the requirements for a Guaranty from the Parent Company or Discretionary Transferee under clause (w) or (x) above are met, and (C) any modifications to this Master Lease required pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph are made); and

(iv) without Landlord’s prior written consent, pledge or mortgage its Leasehold Estate to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and permit a pledge of the equity interests in Tenant to be pledged to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.

Upon the effectiveness of any Change in Control or assignment permitted pursuant to this Section 22.2, such Discretionary Transferee (and, if applicable, its Parent Company) and Landlord shall make such amendments and other modifications to this Master Lease as are reasonably requested by either party to give effect to such Change in Control or assignment and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of such requesting party in connection with such Change in Control or assignment including, without limitation, changes to the definition of Change in Control to substitute the Parent Company (or, if the Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, the Discretionary Transferee) for Tenant’s Parent therein and in the provisions of this Master Lease regarding delivery of financial statements and other reporting requirements with respect to Tenant’s Parent. After giving effect to any such Change in Control or assignment, unless the context otherwise requires, references to Tenant and Tenant’s Parent hereunder shall be deemed to refer to the Discretionary Transferee or its Parent Company, as applicable.

22.3 Permitted Sublease Agreements . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.1, but subject to compliance with the provisions of this Section 22.3 and of Section 40.1, (a)  provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Tenant shall be permitted to sublease gaming operations to a wholly-owned Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor by executing the Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, (b) the Specified Subleases shall be permitted without any further consent from Landlord, and (c)  provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Tenant may enter into any sublease agreement without the prior written consent of Landlord, provided , further that, (i) in either of clause (b) or (c), the subleased space pursuant to such sublease will not be used for gaming purposes (and any such space sublet for any gaming use will require Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld), except to the extent permitted under the Specified Subleases; (ii) all sublease agreements under clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 22.3 are made in the normal course of the Primary Intended Use and to concessionaires or other third party users or operators of portions of the Leased Property in furtherance of the Primary Intended Use, except with respect to the Specified Subleases; (iii) each sublease agreement

 

69


under this Section 22.3 include a provision providing Landlord audit rights (subject to reasonable confidentiality obligations) to the fullest extent necessary to determine Net Revenues hereunder, except with respect to the Specified Subleases; and (iv) Landlord shall have the right to reasonably approve the identity of any subtenants under this Section 22.3 (except with respect to subtenants under the Specified Subleases and any permitted assignment by such subtenants with respect to such Specified Sublease) that will be operating all or portions of the Leased Property for its Primary Intended Use to ensure that all are adequately capitalized and competent and experienced for the operations which they will be conducting. After an Event of Default has occurred and while it is continuing, Landlord may collect rents from any subtenant and apply the net amount collected to the Rent, but no such collection shall be deemed (i) a waiver by Landlord of any of the provisions of this Master Lease, (ii) the acceptance by Landlord of such subtenant as a tenant or (iii) a release of Tenant from the future performance of its obligations hereunder. If reasonably requested by Tenant in connection with a sublease permitted under clause (c) above, Landlord and such sublessee shall enter into a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement with respect to such sublease in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord (and if a Facility Mortgage is then in effect, Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Facility Mortgagee to enter into such subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement).

22.4 Required Assignment and Subletting Provisions . Any assignment and/or sublease must provide that:

(i) in the case of a sublease, it shall be subject and subordinate to all of the terms and conditions of this Master Lease;

(ii) the use of the applicable Facility (or portion thereof) shall not conflict with any Legal Requirement or any other provision of this Master Lease;

(iii) except as otherwise provided herein, no subtenant or assignee shall be permitted to further sublet all or any part of the applicable Leased Property or assign this Master Lease or its sublease except insofar as the same would be permitted if it were a sublease by Tenant under this Master Lease (it being understood that any subtenant under Section 22.3(a) may pledge and mortgage its subleasehold estate (or allow the pledge of its equity interests) to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee);

(iv) in the case of a sublease, in the event of cancellation or termination of this Master Lease for any reason whatsoever or of the surrender of this Master Lease (whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law) prior to the expiration date of such sublease, including extensions and renewals granted thereunder, then, subject to Article XXXVI, at Landlord’s option, the subtenant shall make full and complete attornment to Landlord for the balance of the term of the sublease, which attornment shall be evidenced by an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Landlord and which the subtenant shall execute and deliver within five (5) days after request by Landlord and the subtenant shall waive the provisions of any law now or hereafter in effect which may give the subtenant any right of election to terminate the sublease or to surrender possession in the event any proceeding is brought by Landlord to terminate this Master Lease; and

(v) in the event the subtenant receives a written notice from Landlord stating that this Master Lease has been cancelled, surrendered or terminated, then, subject to Article XXXVI, the subtenant shall thereafter be obligated to pay all rentals accruing under said sublease directly to Landlord (or as Landlord shall so direct); all rentals received from the subtenant by Landlord shall be credited against the amounts owing by Tenant under this Master Lease.

 

70


22.5 Costs . Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for Landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in conjunction with the processing and documentation of any assignment, subletting or management arrangement, including reasonable attorneys’, architects’, engineers’ or other consultants’ fees whether or not such sublease, assignment or management agreement is actually consummated.

22.6 No Release of Tenant’s Obligations; Exception . No assignment (other than a permitted transfer pursuant to Section 22.2(i) or Section 22.2(iii)(y) or Section 22.2(iii)(z)(1) or Section 22.2(iii)(z)(3), in connection with a sale or assignment of the Leasehold Estate), subletting or management agreement shall relieve Tenant of its obligation to pay the Rent and to perform all of the other obligations to be performed by Tenant hereunder. The liability of Tenant and any immediate and remote successor in interest of Tenant (by assignment or otherwise), and the due performance of the obligations of this Master Lease on Tenant’s part to be performed or observed, shall not in any way be discharged, released or impaired by any (i) stipulation which extends the time within which an obligation under this Master Lease is to be performed, (ii) waiver of the performance of an obligation required under this Master Lease that is not entered into for the benefit of Tenant or such successor, or (iii) failure to enforce any of the obligations set forth in this Master Lease, provided that Tenant shall not be responsible for any additional obligations or liability arising as the result of any modification or amendment of this Master Lease by Landlord and any assignee of Tenant that is not an Affiliate of Tenant.

ARTICLE XXIII

23.1 Officer’s Certificates and Financial Statements .

(a) Officer’s Certificate . Each of Landlord and Tenant shall, at any time and from time to time upon receipt of not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written request from the other party hereto, furnish an Officer’s Certificate certifying (i) that this Master Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect, or that this Master Lease is in full force and effect as modified and setting forth the modifications; (ii) the Rent and Additional Charges payable hereunder and the dates to which the Rent and Additional Charges payable have been paid; (iii) that the address for notices to be sent to the party furnishing such Officer’s Certificate is as set forth in this Master Lease (or, if such address for notices has changed, the correct address for notices to such party); (iv) whether or not, to its actual knowledge, such party or the other party hereto is in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Master Lease (together with back-up calculation and information reasonably necessary to support such determination) and, if so, specifying each such default of which such party may have knowledge; (v) that Tenant is in possession of the Leased Property; and (vi) responses to such other questions or statements of fact as such other party, any ground or underlying landlord, any purchaser or any current or prospective Facility Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall reasonably request. Landlord’s or Tenant’s failure to deliver such statement within such time shall constitute

 

71


an acknowledgement by such failing party that, to such party’s knowledge, (x) this Master Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect except as may be represented to the contrary by the other party; (y) the other party is not in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Master Lease; and (z) the other matters set forth in such request, if any, are true and correct. Any such certificate furnished pursuant to this Article XXIII may be relied upon by the receiving party and any current or prospective Facility Mortgagee, Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, ground or underlying landlord or purchaser of the Leased Property. Each Guarantor or Tenant, as the case may be, shall deliver a written notice within two (2) Business Days of obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of a default hereunder. Such notice shall include a detailed description of the default and the actions such Guarantor or Tenant has taken or shall take, if any, to remedy such default.

(b) Statements . Tenant shall furnish the following statements to Landlord:

(i) Within sixty-five (65) days after the end of Tenant Parent’s Fiscal Years (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending [December 31, 201    ]) or concurrently with the filing by Tenant’s Parent of its annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC, whichever is earlier: (x) Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements; (y) a certificate, executed by the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Tenant’s Parent (a) certifying that no default has occurred under this Master Lease or, if such a default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (b) setting forth the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 23.3 hereof in reasonable detail as of such Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending [December 31, 201    ]); and (z) a report with respect to Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements from Tenant’s Parent’s accountants, which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding any qualification as to going concern relating to any debt maturities in the twelve month period following the date of such audit or any projected financial performance or covenant default in any Material Indebtedness or this Master Lease in such twelve month period) and shall provide in substance that (a) such consolidated financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP and (b) that the examination by Tenant’s Parent’s accountants in connection with such Financial Statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;

(ii) Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of the Tenant’s Parent’s Fiscal Year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending [            , 201    ]) or concurrently with the filing by Tenant’s Parent of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC, whichever is earlier, a copy of Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements for such period, together with a certificate, executed by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Tenant’s Parent (i) certifying that no default has occurred or, if such a default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 23.3 hereof in reasonable detail as of such quarter, to the extent one complete Test Period has been completed which has commenced following the date of this Master Lease and (iii) certifying that such Financial Statements

 

72


fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

(iii) Promptly following Landlord’s request from time to time, (a) five-year forecasts of Tenant’s income statement and balance sheet covering such quarterly and annual periods as may be reasonably requested by Landlord, and in a format consistent with Tenant Parent’s quarterly and annual financial statements filed with the SEC, and such additional financial information and projections as may be reasonably requested by Landlord in connection with syndications, private placements, or public offerings of GLP’s or Landlord’s debt securities or loans or equity or hybrid securities and (b) such additional information and unaudited quarterly financial information concerning the Leased Property and Tenant as Landlord or GLP may require for its ongoing filings with the SEC under both the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to 10-Q Quarterly Reports, 10-K Annual Reports and registration statements to be filed by Landlord or GLP during the Term of this Master Lease, the Internal Revenue Service (including in respect of GLP’s qualification as a “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code)) and any other federal, state or local regulatory agency with jurisdiction over GLP or its Subsidiaries subject to Section 23.1(c) below);

(iv) Within thirty-five (35) days after the end of each calendar month, a copy of Tenant’s income statement for such month and Tenant’s balance sheet as of the end of such month (which may be subject to quarterly and year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes); provided , however , that with respect to each calendar quarter, Tenant shall provide such financial reports for the final month thereof as soon as is reasonably practicable following the closing of the books for such month and in sufficient time so that Landlord or its Affiliate is able to include the operational results for the entire quarter in its current Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or supplemental report filed in connection therewith);

(v) Prompt Notice to Landlord of any action, proposal or investigation by any agency or entity, or complaint to such agency or entity, (any of which is called a “ Proceeding ”), known to Tenant, the result of which Proceeding would reasonably be expected to be to revoke or suspend or terminate or modify in a way adverse to Tenant, or fail to renew or fully continue in effect, any license or certificate or operating authority pursuant to which Tenant carries on any part of the Primary Intended Use of all or any portion of the Leased Property;

(vi) As soon as it is prepared and in no event later than sixty (60) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a capital and operating budget for each Facility for that Fiscal Year; and

(vii) Tenant further agrees to provide the financial and operational reports to be delivered to Landlord under this Master Lease in such electronic format(s) as may reasonably be required by Landlord from time to time in order to (i) facilitate Landlord’s internal financial and reporting database and (ii) permit Landlord to calculate any rent, fee

 

73


or other payments due under Ground Leases. Tenant also agrees that Landlord shall have audit rights with respect to such information to the extent required to confirm Tenant’s compliance with the Master Lease terms (including, without limitation, calculation of Net Revenues).

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 23.1, Tenant shall not be obligated (1) to provide information that is subject to the quality assurance immunity or is subject to attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine or (2) to provide information or assistance that could give Landlord or its Affiliates a “competitive” advantage with respect to markets in which GLP, Landlord or any of Landlord’s Affiliates and Tenant, Tenant’s Parent or any of Tenant’s Affiliates might be competing at any time (“ Restricted Information ”) it being understood that Restricted Information shall not include revenue and expense information relevant to Landlord’s calculation and verification of (i) the Escalation amount hereunder and (ii) Tenant’s compliance with Section 23.3(a) hereof, provided that the foregoing information shall be provided on a portfolio wide (as opposed to Facility by Facility) basis, except where required by Landlord to be able to make submissions to, or otherwise to comply with requirements of, gaming and other regulatory authorities, in which case such additional information (including Facility by Facility performance information) will be provided by Tenant to Landlord to the extent so required (provided that Landlord shall in such instance first execute a nondisclosure agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to Tenant with respect to such information). Landlord shall retain audit rights with respect to Restricted Information to the extent required to confirm Tenant’s compliance with the Master Lease terms (and GLP’s compliance with Securities Exchange Commission, Internal Revenue Service and other legal and regulatory requirements) and provided that appropriate measures are in place to ensure that only Landlord’s auditors and attorneys (and not Landlord or GLP or any of Landlord’s other Affiliates) are provided access to such information). In addition, Landlord shall not disclose any Restricted Information to any Person or any employee, officer or director of any Person (other than GLP or a Subsidiary of Landlord) that directly or indirectly owns or operates any gaming business or is a competitor of Tenant, Tenant’s Parent or any Affiliate of Tenant.

23.2 Confidentiality; Public Offering Information .

(a) The parties recognize and acknowledge that they may receive certain Confidential Information of the other party. Each party agrees that neither such party nor any of its Representatives acting on its behalf shall, during or within five (5) years after the term of the termination or expiration of this Master Lease, directly or indirectly use any Confidential Information of the other party or disclose Confidential Information of the other party to any person for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except as reasonably required in order to comply with the obligations and otherwise as permitted under the provisions of this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a party or any of its Representatives is requested or becomes legally compelled (pursuant to any legal, governmental, administrative or regulatory order, authority or process) to disclose any Confidential Information of the other party, it will, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by law, provide the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs prompt written notice of the existence, terms or circumstances of such event so that the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 23.2(a). In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or the party to

 

74


whom such Confidential Information belongs waives compliance with this Section 23.2(a), the party compelled to disclose such Confidential information will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information or take only such action as, based upon the advice of your legal counsel, is legally required and will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded any Confidential Information so furnished. The party compelled to disclose the Confidential Information shall cooperate with any action reasonably requested by the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs to obtain a protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to the Confidential Information.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 23.2(a), Tenant specifically agrees that Landlord may include financial information and such information concerning the operation of the Facilities (1) which is approved by Tenant in its sole discretion, (2) which is publicly available, (3) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio, or (4) the inclusion of which is approved by Tenant in writing, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld, in offering memoranda or prospectuses or confidential information memoranda, or similar publications or marketing materials, rating agency presentations, investor presentations or disclosure documents in connection with syndications, private placements or public offerings of GLP’s or Landlord’s securities or loans or securities or loans of any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord, and any other reporting requirements under applicable federal and state laws, including those of any successor to Landlord, provided that, with respect to matters permitted to be disclosed solely under this clause (4), the recipients thereof shall be obligated to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information. Unless otherwise agreed by Tenant, neither Landlord nor GLP shall revise or change the wording of information previously publicly disclosed by Tenant and furnished to Landlord or GLP or any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1 or this Section 23.2 and Landlord’s Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or supplemental report filed in connection therewith) shall not disclose the operational results of the Facilities prior to Tenant’s Parent’s, Tenant’s or its Affiliate’s public disclosure thereof so long as Tenant’s Parent, Tenant or such Affiliate reports such information in a timely manner consistent with historical practices and SEC disclosure requirements. Tenant agrees to provide such other reasonable information and, if necessary, participation in road shows and other presentations at Landlord’s or GLP’s sole cost and expense, with respect to Tenant and its Leased Property to facilitate a public or private debt or equity offering or syndication by Landlord or GLP or any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord or GLP or to satisfy GLP’s or Landlord’s SEC disclosure requirements or the disclosure requirements of any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord or GLP. In this regard, Landlord shall provide to Tenant a copy of any information prepared by Landlord to be published, and Tenant shall have a reasonable period of time (not to exceed three (3) Business Days) after receipt of such information to notify Landlord of any corrections.

23.3 Financial Covenants . (a) Tenant on a consolidated basis with respect to all of the Facilities shall maintain an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio determined on the last day of any fiscal quarter on a cumulative basis for the preceding Test Period (commencing with the Test Period ending on [December 31, 201    ]) of at least 1.2:1.

(b) In the event that Tenant does not satisfy at any time the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio set forth in Section 23.3(a), Tenant’s Parent shall not be permitted to make any Restricted Payment until Tenant is in compliance with such ratio in a subsequent period.

 

75


23.4 Landlord Obligations . Landlord acknowledges and agrees that certain of the information contained in the Financial Statements may be non-public financial or operational information with respect to Tenant and/or the Leased Property. Landlord further agrees (i) to maintain the confidentiality of such non-public information; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 23.2(a) hereof or otherwise herein, Landlord shall have the right to share such information with GLP and their respective officers, employees, directors, Facility Mortgagee, agents and lenders party to material debt instruments entered into by GLP or Landlord, actual or prospective arrangers, underwriters, investors or lenders with respect to Indebtedness or Equity Interests that may be issued by GLP or Landlord, rating agencies, accountants, attorneys and other consultants (the “ Landlord Representatives ”), provided that such Landlord Representative is advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees, to the extent such information is not publicly available, to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information and (ii) that neither it nor any Landlord Representative shall be permitted to engage in any transactions with respect to the stock or other equity or debt securities or syndicated loans of Tenant or Tenant’s Parent based on any such non-public information provided by or on behalf of Landlord or GLP ( provided that this provision shall not govern the provision of information by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent). In addition to the foregoing, Landlord agrees that, upon request of Tenant, it shall from time to time provide such information as may be reasonably requested by Tenant with respect to Landlord’s capital structure and/or any financing secured by this Master Lease or the Leased Property in connection with Tenant’s review of the treatment of this Master Lease under GAAP. In connection therewith, Tenant agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any such non-public information; provided , however , Tenant shall have the right to share such information with Tenant’s Parent and their respective officers, employees, directors, Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees, agents and lenders party to material debt instruments entered into by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent, actual or prospective arrangers, underwriters, investors or lenders with respect to Indebtedness or Equity Interests that may be issued by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent, rating agencies, accountants, attorneys and other consultants (the “ Tenant Representatives ”) so long as such Tenant Representative is advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees, to the extent such information is not publicly available, (i) to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information and (ii) not to engage in any transactions with respect to the stock or other equity or debt securities or syndicated loans of GLP or Landlord based on any such non-public information provided by or on behalf of Tenant or Tenant’s Parent ( provided that this provision shall not govern the provision of information by Landlord or GLP).

ARTICLE XXIV

24.1 Landlord’s Right to Inspect . Upon reasonable advance notice to Tenant, Tenant shall permit Landlord and its authorized representatives to inspect its Leased Property during usual business hours. Landlord shall take care to minimize disturbance of the operations on the Leased Property, except in the case of emergency.

 

76


ARTICLE XXV

25.1 No Waiver . No delay, omission or failure by Landlord to insist upon the strict performance of any term hereof or to exercise any right, power or remedy hereunder and no acceptance of full or partial payment of Rent during the continuance of any default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or constitute a waiver of any such breach or of any such term. No waiver of any breach shall affect or alter this Master Lease, which shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach.

ARTICLE XXVI

26.1 Remedies Cumulative . To the extent permitted by law, each legal, equitable or contractual right, power and remedy of Landlord now or hereafter provided either in this Master Lease or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by Landlord of any one or more of such rights, powers and remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or subsequent exercise by Landlord of any or all of such other rights, powers and remedies.

ARTICLE XXVII

27.1 Acceptance of Surrender . No surrender to Landlord of this Master Lease or of any Leased Property or any part thereof, or of any interest therein, shall be valid or effective unless agreed to and accepted in writing by Landlord, and no act by Landlord or any representative or agent of Landlord, other than such a written acceptance by Landlord, shall constitute an acceptance of any such surrender.

ARTICLE XXVIII

28.1 No Merger . There shall be no merger of this Master Lease or of the leasehold estate created hereby by reason of the fact that the same Person may acquire, own or hold, directly or indirectly, (i) this Master Lease or the leasehold estate created hereby or any interest in this Master Lease or such leasehold estate and (ii) the fee estate in the Leased Property.

ARTICLE XXIX

29.1 Conveyance by Landlord . If Landlord or any successor owner of the Leased Property shall convey the Leased Property in accordance with Section 18.1 and the other terms of this Master Lease other than as security for a debt, and the grantee or transferee expressly assumes all obligations of Landlord arising after the date of the conveyance, Landlord or such successor owner, as the case may be, shall thereupon be released from all future liabilities and obligations of the Landlord under this Master Lease arising or accruing from and after the date of such conveyance or other transfer and all such future liabilities and obligations shall thereupon be binding upon the new owner.

 

77


ARTICLE XXX

30.1 Quiet Enjoyment . So long as Tenant shall pay the Rent as the same becomes due and shall fully comply with all of the terms of this Master Lease and fully perform its obligations hereunder, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Leased Property for the Term, free of any claim or other action by Landlord or anyone claiming by, through or under Landlord, but subject to all liens and encumbrances of record as of the Commencement Date or thereafter provided for in this Master Lease or consented to by Tenant. No failure by Landlord to comply with the foregoing covenant shall give Tenant any right to cancel or terminate this Master Lease or abate, reduce or make a deduction from or offset against the Rent or any other sum payable under this Master Lease, or to fail to perform any other obligation of Tenant hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall have the right, by separate and independent action to pursue any claim it may have against Landlord as a result of a breach by Landlord of the covenant of quiet enjoyment contained in this Article XXX.

ARTICLE XXXI

31.1 Landlord’s Financing . Without the consent of Tenant, Landlord may from time to time, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist any Facility Mortgage upon the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein; provided , however , if Tenant has not consented to any such Facility Mortgage entered into by Landlord after the Commencement Date, Tenant’s obligations with respect thereto shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 31.3. This Master Lease is and at all times shall be subject and subordinate to any such Facility Mortgage which may now or hereafter affect the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements, restatements and extensions thereof or any parts or portions thereof; provided , however , that the subjection and subordination of this Master Lease and Tenant’s leasehold interest hereunder to any Facility Mortgage shall be conditioned upon the execution by the holder of each Facility Mortgage and delivery to Tenant of a nondisturbance and attornment agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E and with respect to any Facility Mortgage on any vessel or barge, Landlord shall be required to deliver such nondisturbance and attornment agreement to Tenant from each holder of a Facility Mortgage on such vessel or barge prior to the recording or registration of such Facility Mortgage on such vessel or barge in a manner that would, or the enforcement of remedies thereunder would, affect or disturb the rights of Tenant under this Master Lease or the provisions of Article XVII which benefit any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, in the case of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee ( provided that upon the request of Landlord such nondisturbance and attornment agreement shall also incorporate subordination provisions referenced above, as contemplated below, and be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F , and be executed by Tenant as well as Landlord), which will bind such holder of such Facility Mortgage and its successors and assigns as well as any person who acquires any portion of the Leased Property in a foreclosure or similar proceeding or in a transfer in lieu of any such foreclosure or a successor owner of the Leased Property (each, a “ Foreclosure Purchaser ”) and which provides that so long as there is not then outstanding and continuing an Event of Default under this Master Lease, the holder of such Facility Mortgage, and any Foreclosure Purchaser shall disturb neither Tenant’s leasehold interest or possession of the Leased Property in accordance with the terms hereof, nor any of its rights, privileges and options, and shall give effect to this Master Lease, including the provisions of Article XVII which benefit any Permitted Leasehold

 

78


Mortgagee (as if such Facility Mortgagee or Foreclosure Purchaser were the landlord under this Master Lease (it being understood that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time such parties shall be subject to the terms and provisions hereof concerning the exercise of rights and remedies upon such Event of Default including the provisions of Articles XVI and XXXVI)). In connection with the foregoing and at the request of Landlord, Tenant shall promptly execute a subordination, nondisturbance and attornment agreement, in form and substance substantially in the form of Exhibit F or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Tenant, and the Facility Mortgagee or prospective Facility Mortgagee, as the case may be, which will incorporate the terms set forth in the preceding sentence. Except for the documents described in the preceding sentences, this provision shall be self-operative and no further instrument of subordination shall be required to give it full force and effect. If, in connection with obtaining any Facility Mortgage for the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, a Facility Mortgagee or prospective Facility Mortgagee shall request (A) reasonable cooperation from Tenant, Tenant shall provide the same at no cost or expense to Tenant, it being understood and agreed that Landlord shall be required to reimburse Tenant for all such costs and expenses so incurred by Tenant, including, but not limited to, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, or (B) reasonable amendments or modifications to this Master Lease as a condition thereto, Tenant hereby agrees to execute and deliver the same so long as any such amendments or modifications do not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect.

31.2 Attornment . If Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein is sold, conveyed or terminated upon the exercise of any remedy provided for in any Facility Mortgage Documents (or in lieu of such exercise), or otherwise by operation of law: (a) at the request and option of the new owner or superior lessor, as the case may be, Tenant shall attorn to and recognize the new owner or superior lessor as Tenant’s “landlord” under this Master Lease or enter into a new lease substantially in the form of this Master Lease with the new owner or superior lessor, and Tenant shall take such actions to confirm the foregoing within ten (10) days after request; and (b) the new owner or superior lessor shall not be (i) liable for any act or omission of Landlord under this Master Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (ii) subject to any offset, abatement or reduction of rent because of any default of Landlord under this Master Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (iii) bound by any previous modification or amendment to this Master Lease or any previous prepayment of more than one month’s rent, unless such modification, amendment or prepayment shall have been approved in writing by such Facility Mortgagee (to the extent such approval was required at the time of such amendment or modification or prepayment under the terms of the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents) or, in the case of such prepayment, such prepayment of rent has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor or in either case, such modification, amendment or prepayment occurred before Landlord provided Tenant with notice of the Facility Mortgage and the identity and address of the Facility Mortgagee; or (iv) liable for any security deposit or other collateral deposited or delivered to Landlord pursuant to this Master Lease unless such security deposit or other collateral has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor.

31.3 Compliance with Facility Mortgage Documents . (a) Tenant acknowledges that any Facility Mortgage Documents executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord

 

79


may impose certain obligations on the “borrower” or other counterparty thereunder to comply with or cause the operator and/or lessee of a Facility to comply with all representations, covenants and warranties contained therein relating to such Facility and the operator and/or lessee of such Facility, including, covenants relating to (i) the maintenance and repair of such Facility; (ii) maintenance and submission of financial records and accounts of the operation of such Facility and related financial and other information regarding the operator and/or lessee of such Facility and such Facility itself; (iii) the procurement of insurance policies with respect to such Facility; and (iv) without limiting the foregoing, compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to such Facility and the operation of the business thereof. For so long as any Facility Mortgages encumber the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, Tenant covenants and agrees, at its sole cost and expense and for the express benefit of Landlord, to operate the applicable Facility(ies) in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of the Facility Mortgage Documents (other than payment of any indebtedness evidenced or secured thereby) and to timely perform all of the obligations of Landlord relating thereto, or to the extent that any of such duties and obligations may not properly be performed by Tenant, Tenant shall cooperate with and assist Landlord in the performance thereof (other than payment of any indebtedness evidenced or secured thereby); provided , however , notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 31.3(a) shall not be deemed to, and shall not, impose on Tenant obligations which (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect. For purposes of the foregoing, any proposed implementation of new financial covenants shall be deemed to diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in a material respect (it being understood that Landlord may agree to such financial covenants in any Facility Mortgage Documents and such financial covenants will not impose obligations on Tenant). If any new Facility Mortgage Documents to be executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord would impose on Tenant any obligations under this Section 31.3(a), Landlord shall provide copies of the same to Tenant for informational purposes (but not for Tenant’s approval) prior to the execution and delivery thereof by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord; provided , however , that neither Landlord nor its Affiliates shall enter into any new Facility Mortgage Documents imposing obligations on Tenant with respect to impounds that are more restrictive than obligations imposed on Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease.

(b) Without limiting or expanding Tenant’s obligations pursuant to Section 31.3(a), during the Term of this Master Lease, Tenant acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Master Lease, it shall undertake at its own cost and expense the performance of any and all repairs, replacements, capital improvements, maintenance items and all other requirements relating to the condition of a Facility that are required by any Facility Mortgage Documents or by Facility Mortgagee, and Tenant shall be solely responsible and hereby covenants to fund and maintain any and all impound, escrow or other reserve or similar accounts required under any Facility Mortgage Documents as security for or otherwise relating to any operating expenses of a Facility, including any capital repair or replacement reserves and/or impounds or escrow accounts for taxes or insurance premiums (each a “ Facility Mortgage Reserve Account ”); provided , however , this Section 31.3(b) shall not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iv) impose obligations to fund such reserve or similar accounts in excess of amounts required under this Master Lease in respect of reserve or similar

 

80


accounts under the circumstances required under this Master Lease; and provided , further , that any amounts which Tenant is required to fund into a Facility Mortgage Reserve Account with respect to satisfaction of any repair or replacement reserve requirements imposed by a Facility Mortgagee or Facility Mortgage Documents shall be credited on a dollar for dollar basis against the mandatory expenditure obligations of Tenant for such applicable Facility(ies) under Section 9.1(e). During the Term of this Master Lease and provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, Tenant shall, subject to the terms and conditions of such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account and the requirements of the Facility Mortgagee(s) thereunder (and the related Facility Mortgage Documents), have access to and the right to apply or use (including for reimbursement) to the same extent as Landlord all monies held in each such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account for the purposes and subject to the limitations for which such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account is maintained, and Landlord agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant in connection therewith. Landlord hereby acknowledges that funds deposited by Tenant in any Facility Mortgage Reserve Account are the property of Tenant and Landlord is obligated to return the portion of such funds not previously released to Tenant within fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (x) the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease with respect to such applicable Facility, (y) the maturity or earlier prepayment of the applicable Facility Mortgage and obligations secured thereby, or (z) an involuntary prepayment or deemed prepayment arising out of the acceleration of the amounts due to a Facility Mortgagee or secured under a Facility Mortgage as a result of the exercise of remedies under the applicable Facility Mortgage or Facility Mortgage Documents; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not be deemed or construed to limit or prohibit Landlord’s right to bring any damage claim against Tenant for any breach of its obligations under this Master Lease that may have resulted in the loss of any impound funds held by a Facility Mortgagee.

ARTICLE XXXII

32.1 Hazardous Substances . Tenant shall not allow any Hazardous Substance to be located in, on, under or about the Leased Property or incorporated in any Facility; provided , however , that Hazardous Substances may be brought, kept, used or disposed of in, on or about the Leased Property in quantities and for purposes similar to those brought, kept, used or disposed of in, on or about similar facilities used for purposes similar to the Primary Intended Use or in connection with the construction of facilities similar to the applicable Facility or to the extent in existence at any Facility and which are brought, kept, used and disposed of in strict compliance with Legal Requirements. Tenant shall not allow the Leased Property to be used as a waste disposal site or for the manufacturing, handling, storage, distribution or disposal of any Hazardous Substance other than in the ordinary course of the business conducted at the Leased Property and in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements.

32.2 Notices . Tenant shall provide to Landlord, within five (5) Business Days after Tenant’s receipt thereof, a copy of any notice, or notification with respect to, (i) any violation of a Legal Requirement relating to Hazardous Substances located in, on, or under the Leased Property or any adjacent property; (ii) any enforcement, cleanup, removal, or other governmental or regulatory action instituted, completed or threatened with respect to the Leased Property; (iii) any claim made or threatened by any Person against Tenant or the Leased Property relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss, or injury resulting from or claimed to result from any Hazardous Substance; and (iv) any reports made to any federal, state or local environmental

 

81


agency arising out of or in connection with any Hazardous Substance in, on, under or removed from the Leased Property, including any complaints, notices, warnings or assertions of violations in connection therewith.

32.3 Remediation . If Tenant becomes aware of a violation of any Legal Requirement relating to any Hazardous Substance in, on, under or about the Leased Property or any adjacent property, or if Tenant, Landlord or the Leased Property becomes subject to any order of any federal, state or local agency to repair, close, detoxify, decontaminate or otherwise remediate the Leased Property, Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of such event and, at its sole cost and expense, cure such violation or effect such repair, closure, detoxification, decontamination or other remediation. If Tenant fails to implement and diligently pursue any such cure, repair, closure, detoxification, decontamination or other remediation, Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to carry out such action and to recover from Tenant all of Landlord’s costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

32.4 Indemnity . Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect, save, hold harmless, and reimburse Landlord for, from and against any and all costs, losses (including, losses of use or economic benefit or diminution in value), liabilities, damages, assessments, lawsuits, deficiencies, demands, claims and expenses (collectively, “ Environmental Costs ”) (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and regardless of whether liability without fault is imposed, or sought to be imposed, on Landlord) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, directly or indirectly, before (except to the extent first discovered after the end of the Term) or during (but not after) the Term or such portion thereof during which the Leased Property is leased to Tenant (i) the production, use, generation, storage, treatment, transporting, disposal, discharge, release or other handling or disposition of any Hazardous Substances from, in, on or about the Leased Property (collectively, “ Handling ”), including the effects of such Handling of any Hazardous Substances on any Person or property within or outside the boundaries of the Leased Property, (ii) the presence of any Hazardous Substances in, on, under or about the Leased Property and (iii) the violation of any Environmental Law. “Environmental Costs” include interest, costs of response, removal, remedial action, containment, cleanup, investigation, design, engineering and construction, damages (including actual and consequential damages) for personal injuries and for injury to, destruction of or loss of property or natural resources, relocation or replacement costs, penalties, fines, charges or expenses, attorney’s fees, expert fees, consultation fees, and court costs, and all amounts paid in investigating, defending or settling any of the foregoing.

Without limiting the scope or generality of the foregoing, Tenant expressly agrees that, in the event of a breach by Tenant in its obligations under this Section 32.4 that is not cured within any applicable cure period, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for any and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, directly or indirectly, before (with respect to any period of time in which Tenant or its Affiliate was in possession and control of the applicable Leased Property) or during (but not after) the Term or such portion thereof during which the Leased Property is leased to Tenant of the following:

(a) in investigating any and all matters relating to the Handling of any Hazardous Substances, in, on, from, under or about the Leased Property;

 

82


(b) in bringing the Leased Property into compliance with all Legal Requirements; and

(c) in removing, treating, storing, transporting, cleaning-up and/or disposing of any Hazardous Substances used, stored, generated, released or disposed of in, on, from, under or about the Leased Property or off-site other than in the ordinary course of the business conducted at the Leased Property and in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements.

If any claim is made by Landlord for reimbursement for Environmental Costs incurred by it hereunder, Tenant agrees to pay such claim promptly, and in any event to pay such claim within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt by Tenant of written notice thereof and any amount not so paid within such sixty (60) calendar day period shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the date due to the date paid in full.

32.5 Environmental Inspections . In the event Landlord has a reasonable basis to believe that Tenant is in breach of its obligations under this Article XXXII, Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, during normal business hours and upon not less than five (5) days written notice to Tenant, except in the case of an emergency in which event no notice shall be required, to conduct an inspection of the Leased Property to determine the existence or presence of Hazardous Substances on or about the Leased Property. Landlord shall have the right to enter and inspect the Leased Property, conduct any testing, sampling and analyses it deems necessary and shall have the right to inspect materials brought into the Leased Property. Landlord may, in its discretion, retain such experts to conduct the inspection, perform the tests referred to herein, and to prepare a written report in connection therewith. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord under this Section 32.5 shall be paid on demand as Additional Charges by Tenant to Landlord. Failure to conduct an environmental inspection or to detect unfavorable conditions if such inspection is conducted shall in no fashion be intended as a release of any liability for environmental conditions subsequently determined to be associated with or to have occurred during Tenant’s tenancy. Tenant shall remain liable for any environmental condition related to or having occurred during its tenancy regardless of when such conditions are discovered and regardless of whether or not Landlord conducts an environmental inspection at the termination of this Master Lease. The obligations set forth in this Article XXXII shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease.

ARTICLE XXXIII

33.1 Memorandum of Lease . Landlord and Tenant shall enter into one or more short form memoranda of this Master Lease, in form suitable for recording in each county or other applicable location in which the Leased Property is located. Tenant shall pay all costs and expenses of recording any such memorandum and shall fully cooperate with Landlord in removing from record any such memorandum upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term with respect to the applicable Facility.

33.2 Tenant Financing . If, in connection with granting any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or entering into a Debt Agreement, Tenant shall reasonably request (A) reasonable cooperation from Landlord, Landlord shall provide the same at no cost or expense to Landlord, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall be required to reimburse

 

83


Landlord for all such costs and expenses so incurred by Landlord, including, but not limited to, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, or (B) reasonable amendments or modifications to this Master Lease as a condition thereto, Landlord hereby agrees to execute and deliver the same so long as any such amendments or modifications do not (i) increase Landlord’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Landlord’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iii) diminish Landlord’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iv) adversely impact the value of the Leased Property or (v) adversely impact Landlord’s (or any Affiliate of Landlord’s) tax treatment or position.

ARTICLE XXXIV

34.1 Expert Valuation Process .

(a) In the event that the opinion of an “Expert” is required under this Master Lease and Landlord and Tenant have not been able to reach agreement on such Person after at least ten (10) days of good faith negotiations, then either party shall each have the right to seek appointment of the Expert by the “Appointing Authority,” as defined below, by writing to the Appointing Authority and asking it to serve as the Appointing Authority and appoint the Expert. The Appointing Authority shall appoint an Expert who is independent of the parties and has at least ten (10) years of experience valuing commercial real estate and/or in leasing or other matters, as applicable with respect to any of the matters to be determined by the Expert.

(b) The “ Appointing Authority ” shall be (i) the Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (also known as, and shall be defined herein as, the “ CPR Institute ”), unless it is unable to serve, in which case the Appointing Authority shall be (ii) the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) under its Arbitrator Select Program for non-administered arbitrations or whatever AAA process is in effect at the time for the appointment of arbitrators in cases not administered by the AAA, unless it is unable to serve, in which case (iii) the parties shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint an Appointing Authority or an Expert in accordance with the court’s power to appoint arbitrators. The CPR Institute and the AAA shall each be considered unable to serve if it no longer exists, or if it no longer provides neutral appointment services, or if it does not confirm (in form or substance) that it will serve as the Appointing Authority within thirty (30) days after receiving a written request from either Landlord or Tenant to serve as the Appointing Authority, or if, despite agreeing to serve as the Appointing Authority, it does not confirm its Expert appointment within sixty (60) after receiving such written request. The Appointing Authority’s appointment of the Expert shall be final and binding upon the parties. The Appointing Authority shall have no power or authority except to appoint the Expert, and no rules of the Appointing Authority shall be applied to the valuation or other determination of the Expert other than the rules necessary for the appointment of the Expert.

(c) Once the Expert is finally selected, either by agreement of the parties or by confirmation to the parties from the Appointing Authority, the Expert will determine the matter in question, by proceeding as follows:

In the case of an Expert required for any other purpose, including without limitation under Section 13.2 and Section 36.2(a) hereof, each of Landlord and Tenant

 

84


shall have a period of ten (10) days to submit to the Expert its position as to the Maximum Foreseeable Loss, as to the replacement cost of the Facilities as of the date of the expiration of this Master Lease and as to the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities at the time in question (or as to any other matter to be resolved by an Expert hereunder), as the case may be, and any materials each of Landlord and Tenant wishes the Expert to consider when determining such Maximum Foreseeable Loss, replacement cost of the Facilities and the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities (or as to any other matter to be resolved by an Expert hereunder), and the Expert will then make the relevant determination, by a “baseball arbitration” proceeding with the Expert limited to awarding only one or the other of the two positions submitted (and not any position in between or other compromise or ruling not consistent with one of the two positions submitted, except that in the case of a determination in respect of a dispute under Section 36.2(a), the Expert in its discretion may choose the position of one party with respect to the replacement cost of the Facilities as of the date of the expiration of this Master Lease and the position of the other party with respect to the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities at the time in question), which shall then be binding on the parties hereto. The Expert, in his or her sole discretion, shall consider any and all materials that he or she deems relevant, except that there shall be no live hearings and the parties shall not be permitted to take discovery. The Expert may submit written questions or information requests to the parties, and the parties may respond with written materials within a time frame agreed by the parties or, absent agreement by the parties, set by the Expert.

(d) All communications between a party and either the Appointing Authority or the Expert shall also be copied to the other party. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to facilitate the valuation or other determination by the Expert.

(e) The costs of any Appointing Authority or Expert engaged with respect to any issue under Section 34.1(c) of this Master Lease shall be borne by the party against whom the Expert rules on such issue. If Landlord pays such Expert or Appointing Authority and is the prevailing party, such costs shall be Additional Charges hereunder and if Tenant pays such Expert or Appointing Authority and is the prevailing party, such costs shall be a credit against the next Rent payment hereunder.

 

85


ARTICLE XXXV

35.1 Notices . Any notice, request or other communication to be given by any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, by hand delivery or express courier service, by facsimile transmission or by an overnight express service to the following address:

 

To Tenant:    [                    ]
   3980 Howard Hughes Parkway
   Las Vegas, NV 89169
   Attention: [                    ]
   Facsimile: [                    ]
With a copy to:    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
(that shall not    4 Times Square
constitute notice)    New York, New York 10036
   Attention: Evan R. Levy, Esq.
   Facsimile: (917) 777-3889
To Landlord (prior to    [                    ]
consummation of the    3980 Howard Hughes Parkway
Merger Transaction):    Las Vegas, NV 89169
   Attention: [                    ]
   Facsimile: [                    ]
And with copy to    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
(which shall not    4 Times Square
constitute notice):    New York, New York 10036
   Attention: Evan R. Levy, Esq.
   Facsimile: (917) 777-3889
To Landlord (after the    [                     c/o]
consummation of the    Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
Merger Transaction):    825 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 400
   Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610
   Attention:    Chief Executive Officer
   Facsimile:    (610) 401-2901

And with copy to

(which shall not

constitute notice):

  

or to such other address as either party may hereafter designate. Notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of delivery if such delivery is made on a Business Day, or if not, on the first Business Day after delivery. If delivery is refused, Notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivery was first attempted. Notice sent by facsimile transmission shall be deemed given upon confirmation that such Notice was received at the number specified above or in a Notice to the sender.

 

86


ARTICLE XXXVI

36.1 Transfer of Tenant’s Property and Operational Control of the Facilities . Upon the written request (an “ End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice ”) of Landlord either immediately prior to or in connection with the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, or of Tenant in connection with a termination of this Master Lease that occurs (i) either on the last date of the Initial Term or the last date of any Renewal Term, or (ii) in the event Landlord exercises its right to terminate this Master Lease or repossess the Leased Property in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease and, provided that, in each of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii), Tenant complies with the provisions of Section 36.3, Tenant shall transfer (or cause to be transferred) upon the expiration of the Term, or as soon thereafter as Landlord shall request, the business operations conducted by Tenant and its Subsidiaries at the Facilities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all Tenant’s Property relating to each of the Facilities other than tradenames and trademarks, but including all customer lists and all other Facility specific information and assets) to a successor lessee or operator (or lessees or operators) of the Facilities (collectively, the “ Successor Tenant ”) designated pursuant to Section 36.2 for consideration to be received by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) from the Successor Tenant in an amount equal to the fair market value of such business operations conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property (including any Tenant Capital Improvements not funded by Landlord in accordance with Section 10.3) (the “ Gaming Assets FMV ”) as negotiated and agreed by Tenant and the Successor Tenant; provided , however , that in the event an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice is delivered hereunder, then notwithstanding the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, until such time that Tenant transfers the business operations conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant, Tenant shall (or shall cause its Subsidiaries to) continue to (and Landlord shall permit Tenant to maintain possession of the Leased Property to the extent necessary to) operate the Facilities in accordance with the applicable terms of this Master Lease and the course and manner in which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) has operated the Facilities prior to the end of the Term (including, but not limited to, the payment of Rent hereunder). If Tenant and a potential Successor Tenant designated by Landlord cannot agree on the Gaming Assets FMV within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder, then such Gaming Assets FMV shall be determined, and Tenant’s transfer of Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant in consideration for a payment in such amount shall be determined and transferred, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36.2.

36.2 Determination of Successor Lessee and Gaming Assets FMV .

If not effected pursuant to Section 36.1, then the determination of the Gaming Assets FMV and the transfer of Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant in consideration for the Gaming Assets FMV shall be effected by (i)  first , determining in accordance with Section 36.2(a) the rent that Landlord would be entitled to receive from Successor Tenant assuming a lease term of ten (10) years (the “ Successor Tenant Rent ”) pursuant to a lease agreement containing substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in such new lease), (ii)  second , identifying and designating in accordance with the terms of Section 36.2(b), a pool of qualified potential Successor Tenants (each, a “ Qualified Successor Tenant ”) prepared to lease the Facilities at the Successor Tenant Rent and to bid for the business operations (which will include a two (2) year transition license for tradenames and

 

87


trademarks used at the Facilities) conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property, and (iii)  third , in accordance with the terms of Section 36.2(c), determining the highest price a Qualified Successor Tenant would agree to pay for Tenant’s Property and setting such highest price as the Gaming Assets FMV in exchange for which Tenant shall be required to transfer Tenant’s Property and Landlord will enter into a lease with such Qualified Successor Tenant on substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in such new lease) through the remaining term of this Master Lease (assuming that this Master Lease will not have terminated prior to its natural expiration at the end of the final Renewal Term) or ten (10) years, whichever is greater for a rent calculated pursuant to Section 36.2(a) hereof. Notwithstanding anything in the contrary in this Article XXXVI, the transfer of Tenant’s Property will be conditioned upon the Successor Tenant obtaining the Gaming Licenses or the approval of the applicable regulatory agencies of the transfer of the Gaming Licenses and any other gaming assets to the Successor Tenant and/or the issuance of new gaming licenses as required by applicable Gaming Regulations and the relevant regulatory agencies both with respect to operating and suitability criteria, as the case may be.

(a) Determining Successor Tenant Rent. Landlord and Tenant shall first attempt to agree on the amount of Successor Tenant Rent that it will be assumed Landlord will be entitled to receive for a term of ten (10) years and pursuant to a lease containing substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in such new lease). If Landlord and Tenant cannot agree on the Successor Tenant Rent amount within a reasonable time not to exceed sixty (60) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder, then the Successor Tenant Rent shall be set as follows:

(i) for the period preceding the last day of the calendar month in which the thirty-fifth (35 th ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, then the annual Successor Tenant Rent shall be an amount equal to the annual Rent that would have accrued under the terms of this Master Lease for such period (assuming the Master Lease will have not been terminated prior to its natural expiration); and

(ii) for the period following the last day of the calendar month in which the thirty-fifth (35 th ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, then the Successor Tenant Rent shall be calculated in the same manner as Rent is calculated under this Master Lease.

(b) Designating Potential Successor Tenants. Landlord will select one and Tenant will select three additional (for a total of up to four) potential Qualified Successor Tenants prepared to lease the Facilities for the Successor Tenant Rent, each of whom must meet the criteria established for a Discretionary Transferee (and none of whom may be Tenant or an Affiliate of Tenant (it being understood and agreed that there shall be no restriction on Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord from being a potential Qualified Successor Tenant), except in the case of termination of the Master Lease on the last day of the calendar month in which the thirty fifth (35 th ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs). Landlord and Tenant must designate their proposed Qualified Successor Tenants within ninety (90) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder. In the event that Landlord or Tenant fails to designate

 

88


such party’s allotted number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants, the other party may designate additional potential Qualified Successor Tenants such that the total number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants does not exceed four; provided that, in the event the total number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants is less than four, the transfer process will still proceed as set forth in Section 36.2(c) below.

(c) Determining Gaming Assets FMV. Tenant will have a three (3) month period to negotiate an acceptable sales price for Tenant’s Property with one of the Qualified Successor Tenants, which three (3) month period will commence immediately upon the conclusion of the steps set forth above in Section 36.2(b). If Tenant does not reach an agreement prior to the end of such three (3) month period, Landlord shall conduct an auction for Tenant’s Property among the four potential successor lessees, and Tenant will be required to transfer Tenant’s Property to the highest bidder.

36.3 Operation Transfer . Upon designation of a Successor Tenant (pursuant to either Section 36.1 or 36.2, as the case may be), Tenant shall reasonably cooperate and take all actions reasonably necessary (including providing all reasonable assistance to Successor Tenant) to effectuate the transfer of operational control of the Facilities to Successor Tenant in an orderly manner so as to minimize to the maximum extent possible any disruption to the continued orderly operation of the Facilities for its Primary Intended Use. Notwithstanding the expiration or earlier termination of the Term and anything to the contrary herein, unless Landlord consents to the contrary, until such time that Tenant transfers Tenant’s Property and operational control of the Facilities to a Successor Tenant in accordance with the provisions of this Article XXXVI, Tenant shall (or shall cause its Subsidiaries to) continue to (and Landlord shall permit Tenant to maintain possession of the Leased Property to the extent necessary to) operate the Facilities in accordance with the applicable terms of this Master Lease and the course and manner in which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) has operated the Facilities prior to the end of the Term (including, but not limited to, the payment of Rent hereunder). Concurrently with the transfer of Tenant’s Property to Successor Tenant, Landlord and Successor Tenant shall execute a new master lease in accordance with the terms as set forth in the final clause of the first sentence of Section 36.2 hereof.

ARTICLE XXXVII

37.1 Attorneys’ Fees . If Landlord or Tenant brings an action or other proceeding against the other to enforce or interpret any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or any instrument executed pursuant to this Master Lease, or by reason of any breach or default hereunder or thereunder, the party prevailing in any such action or proceeding and any appeal thereupon shall be paid all of its costs and reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred therein. In addition to the foregoing and other provisions of this Master Lease that specifically require Tenant to reimburse, pay or indemnify against Landlord’s attorneys’ fees, Tenant shall pay, as Additional Charges, all of Landlord’s reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Master Lease (except to the extent provided above), including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the review, negotiation or documentation of any subletting, assignment, or management arrangement or any consent requested in connection therewith, and the collection of past due Rent.

 

89


ARTICLE XXXVIII

38.1 Brokers . Tenant warrants that it has not had any contact or dealings with any Person or real estate broker which would give rise to the payment of any fee or brokerage commission in connection with this Master Lease, and Tenant shall indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend Landlord from and against any liability with respect to any fee or brokerage commission arising out of any act or omission of Tenant. Landlord warrants that it has not had any contact or dealings with any Person or real estate broker which would give rise to the payment of any fee or brokerage commission in connection with this Master Lease, and Landlord shall indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend Tenant from and against any liability with respect to any fee or brokerage commission arising out of any act or omission of Landlord.

ARTICLE XXXIX

39.1 Anti-Terrorism Representations . Tenant hereby represents and warrants that neither Tenant, nor, to the knowledge of Tenant, any persons or entities holding any legal or beneficial interest whatsoever in Tenant, are (i) the target of any sanctions program that is established by Executive Order of the President or published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”); (ii) designated by the President or OFAC pursuant to the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 5, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-06, the Patriot Act, Public Law 107-56, Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 2001) or any Executive Order of the President issued pursuant to such statutes; or (iii) named on the following list that is published by OFAC: “List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (collectively, “ Prohibited Persons ”). Tenant hereby represents and warrants to Landlord that no funds tendered to Landlord by Tenant under the terms of this Master Lease are or will be directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene U.S. federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws. If the foregoing representations are untrue at any time during the Term and Landlord suffers actual damages as a result thereof, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred, without the necessity of notice to Tenant.

Tenant will not during the Term of this Master Lease knowingly engage in any transactions or dealings, or knowingly be otherwise associated with, any Prohibited Persons in connection with the use or occupancy of the Leased Property. A breach of the representations contained in this Section 39.1 by Tenant as a result of which Landlord suffers actual damages shall constitute a material breach of this Master Lease and shall entitle Landlord to any and all remedies available hereunder, or at law or in equity.

ARTICLE XL

40.1 GLP REIT Protection . (a) The parties hereto intend that Rent and other amounts paid by Tenant hereunder will qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto and this Master Lease shall be interpreted consistent with this intent.

(b) Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant shall not without Landlord’s advance written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably

 

90


withheld) (i) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property on any basis such that the rental or other amounts to be paid by the subtenant, assignee or manager thereunder would be based, in whole or in part, on either (x) the income or profits derived by the business activities of the subtenant, assignee or manager or (y) any other formula such that any portion of any amount received by Landlord would fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto; (ii) furnish or render any services to the subtenant, assignee or manager or manage or operate the Leased Property so subleased, assigned or managed; (iii) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property to any Person (other than a “taxable REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code) of GLP) in which Tenant, Landlord or GLP owns an interest, directly or indirectly (by applying constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 856(d)(5) of the Code); or (iv) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property in any other manner which could cause any portion of the amounts received by Landlord pursuant to this Master Lease or any sublease to fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto, or which could cause any other income of Landlord to fail to qualify as income described in Section 856(c)(2) of the Code. The requirements of this Section 40.1(b) shall likewise apply to any further subleasing by any subtenant.

(c) Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, the parties acknowledge and agree that Landlord, in its sole discretion, may assign this Master Lease or any interest herein to another Person (including without limitation, a “taxable REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code)) in order to maintain Landlord’s status as a “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code); provided , however , Landlord shall be required to (i) comply with any applicable legal requirements related to such transfer and (ii) give Tenant notice of any such assignment; and provided , further , that any such assignment shall be subject to all of the rights of Tenant hereunder.

(d) Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord in good faith and at no cost or expense to Tenant, and provide such documentation and/or information as may be in Tenant’s possession or under Tenant’s control and otherwise readily available to Tenant as shall be reasonably requested by Landlord in connection with verification of GLP’s “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code) compliance requirements. Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant shall take such reasonable action as may be requested by Landlord from time to time in order to ensure compliance with the Internal Revenue Service requirement that Rent allocable for purposes of Section 856 of the Code to personal property, if any, at the beginning and end of a calendar year does not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total Rent due hereunder as long as such compliance does not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease or (ii) materially and adversely increase Tenant’s nonmonetary obligations under this Master Lease or (iii) materially diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease.

ARTICLE XLI

41.1 Survival . Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, all claims against, and liabilities and indemnities of Tenant or Landlord arising prior to the expiration or earlier termination of the Term shall survive such expiration or termination.

 

91


41.2 Severability . If any term or provision of this Master Lease or any application thereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Master Lease and any other application of such term or provision shall not be affected thereby.

41.3 Non-Recourse . Tenant specifically agrees to look solely to the Leased Property for recovery of any judgment from Landlord (and Landlord’s liability hereunder shall be limited solely to its interest in the Leased Property, and no recourse under or in respect of this Master Lease shall be had against any other assets of Landlord whatsoever). It is specifically agreed that no constituent partner in Landlord or officer or employee of Landlord shall ever be personally liable for any such judgment or for the payment of any monetary obligation to Tenant. The provision contained in the foregoing sentence is not intended to, and shall not, limit any right that Tenant might otherwise have to obtain injunctive relief against Landlord, or any action not involving the personal liability of Landlord. Furthermore, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, in no event shall Landlord ever be liable to Tenant for any indirect or consequential damages suffered by Tenant from whatever cause.

41.4 Successors and Assigns . This Master Lease shall be binding upon Landlord and its successors and assigns and, subject to the provisions of Article XXII, upon Tenant and its successors and assigns.

41.5 Governing Law . THIS MASTER LEASE WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH STATE THE PARTIES AGREE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE PARTIES AND TO THE UNDERLYING TRANSACTION EMBODIED HEREBY. ACCORDINGLY, IN ALL RESPECTS THIS MASTER LEASE (AND ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OR CONFLICTS OF LAW) AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EXCEPT THAT ALL PROVISIONS HEREOF RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE LEASEHOLD ESTATE AND ALL REMEDIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE XVI RELATING TO RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF THE LEASED PROPERTY OF ANY FACILITY (SUCH AS AN ACTION FOR UNLAWFUL DETAINER, IN REM ACTION OR OTHER SIMILAR ACTION) SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED ACCORDING TO, AND GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE LEASED PROPERTY IS LOCATED.

41.6 Waiver of Trial by Jury . EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS HAD THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO ITS RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE. EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS MASTER LEASE (OR ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) OR (ii) IN ANY MANNER CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE

 

92


DEALINGS OF LANDLORD AND TENANT WITH RESPECT TO THIS MASTER LEASE (OR ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREINAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT EITHER PARTY MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

41.7 Entire Agreement . This Master Lease and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto constitute the entire and final agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties and, with respect to the provisions set forth in Section 40.1, no such change or modification shall be effective without the explicit reference to such section by number and paragraph. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that all prior or contemporaneous oral understandings, agreements or negotiations relative to the leasing of the Leased Property are merged into and revoked by this Master Lease.

41.8 Headings . All titles and headings to sections, subsections, paragraphs or other divisions of this Master Lease are only for the convenience of the parties and shall not be construed to have any effect or meaning with respect to the other contents of such sections, subsections, paragraphs or other divisions, such other content being controlling as to the agreement among the parties hereto.

41.9 Counterparts . This Master Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be a valid and binding original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

41.10 Interpretation . Both Landlord and Tenant have been represented by counsel and this Master Lease and every provision hereof has been freely and fairly negotiated. Consequently, all provisions of this Master Lease shall be interpreted according to their fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed against any party.

41.11 Time of Essence . TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS MASTER LEASE AND EACH PROVISION HEREOF IN WHICH TIME OF PERFORMANCE IS ESTABLISHED.

41.12 Further Assurances . The parties agree to promptly sign all documents reasonably requested to give effect to the provisions of this Master Lease. In addition, Landlord agrees to, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, reasonably cooperate with all applicable gaming authorities in connection with the administration of their regulatory jurisdiction over Tenant’s Parent, Tenant and its Subsidiaries, including the provision of such documents and other information as may be requested by such gaming authorities relating to Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or to this Master Lease and which are within Landlord’s reasonable control to obtain and provide.

 

93


41.13 Gaming Regulations . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master Lease, this Master Lease and any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof are subject to the Gaming Regulations and the laws involving the sale, distribution and possession of alcoholic beverages (the “ Liquor Laws ”). Without limiting the foregoing, each of Tenant, Landlord, and each of Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns acknowledges that (i) it is subject to being called forward by the gaming authority or governmental authority enforcing the Liquor Laws (the “ Liquor Authority ”), in each of their discretion, for licensing or a finding of suitability or to file or provide other information, and (ii) all rights, remedies and powers under this Master Lease and any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof, including with respect to the entry into and ownership and operation of the Gaming Facilities, and the possession or control of gaming equipment, alcoholic beverages or a gaming or liquor license, may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provisions of the Gaming Regulations and Liquor Laws and only to the extent that required approvals (including prior approvals) are obtained from the requisite governmental authorities.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master Lease or any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof, each of Tenant, Landlord, and each of Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns agrees to cooperate with each gaming authority and each Liquor Authority in connection with the administration of their regulatory jurisdiction over the parties hereto, including, without limitation, the provision of such documents or other information as may be requested by any such gaming authorities and/or Liquor Authorities relating to Tenant, Landlord, Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns or to this Master Lease or any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof.

41.14 Certain Provisions of Nevada Law. Pursuant to Section 108.234 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (as amended or supplemented from time to time, “ NRS ”), to the extent the Leased Property is located in Nevada, Landlord hereby informs Tenant that Tenant must comply with the requirements of NRS § 108.2403 and NRS § 108.2407. Tenant shall (a) take all actions necessary under laws of the State of Nevada to ensure that no liens encumbering Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property located in Nevada arise as a result of Capital Improvements by Tenant, which actions shall include, without limitation, the recording of a notice of posted security in the Office of the County Recorder of Clark County, Nevada, in accordance with NRS § 108.2403(1)(a), and (b) either (i) establish a construction disbursement account pursuant to NRS § 108.2403(1)(b)(1), or (ii) furnish and record, in accordance with NRS § 108.2403(1)(b)(2), a surety bond for the prime contract for such Capital Improvements at such Leased Property that meets the requirements of NRS § 108.2415. Tenant shall notify Landlord of the name and address of Tenant’s prime contractor who will be performing such Capital Improvements as soon as it is known. Tenant shall notify Landlord immediately upon the signing of any contract with the prime contractor for such Capital Improvements or other construction, alteration or repair of any portion of such Leased Property or any improvements to such Leased Property. Tenant may not enter such Leased Property to begin any alteration or other work in such Leased Property until Tenant has delivered evidence satisfactory to Landlord that Tenant has complied with the terms of this Section 41.14. Failure by Tenant to comply with the terms of this Section 41.14 shall permit Landlord to declare an Event of Default. Further, Landlord shall have the right to post and maintain any notices of non-responsibility.

 

94


41.15 Certain Provisions of Louisiana Law. For Facilities located in the State of Louisiana, Landlord hereby waives and releases all liens and privileges it may have now or hereafter on or against any personal property ( e.g., movable property under Louisiana law) now or hereafter located on or about the Leased Property, whether such property is owned by Tenant or any other Person, including without limitation the lessor’s lien and privilege provided by Louisiana Civil Code Articles 2707 - 2710. This waiver and release shall be self-operative. However, Landlord shall, upon request of Tenant made from time to time, execute instruments reasonably required to effect or confirm this waiver and release.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

95


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Master Lease has been executed by Landlord and Tenant as of the date first written above.

 

LANDLORD :
[PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

96


TENANT :
[PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT OPCO ENTITY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

97

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF JULY 20, 2015

BY AND AMONG

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,

AND

GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.

 

 

 


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 20, 2015 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Pinnacle ”) and Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“ GLPI ”). Each of OpCo (as defined below), Pinnacle, and GLPI is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and, collectively, as the “ Parties .”

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Pinnacle has determined, among other things, that it is in the best interests of Pinnacle’s stockholders (i) to create a new publicly traded company (“ OpCo ”) that shall own the OpCo Assets, and distribute, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of OpCo (the “ OpCo Common Stock ”) to Pinnacle’s stockholders and (ii) to merge, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Pinnacle, GLPI and Merger Sub (as defined below), dated as of July 20, 2015 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), with and into a newly formed Subsidiary of GLPI, which will be a Delaware limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), with Merger Sub surviving such merger (the “ Merger ”) as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of GLPI;

WHEREAS, Pinnacle, OpCo and GLPI will enter into the Separation Agreement, a form of which is attached to the Merger Agreement (the “ Separation Agreement ”), pursuant to which, among other things (i) (a) Pinnacle will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, transfer the OpCo Assets to OpCo and its Subsidiaries, (b) OpCo or certain of its Subsidiaries will assume certain liabilities of Pinnacle; and (c) OpCo will distribute, directly or indirectly, to Pinnacle the proceeds of an OpCo borrowing of $975 million, as such amount may be adjusted pursuant to the Separation Agreement (the transactions described in this clause (i), together with certain related transactions, the “ Reorganization ”); and (ii) Pinnacle will distribute, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the OpCo Common Stock to the holders of the issued and outstanding shares, par value one-tenth of one dollar ($0.10) per share, of Pinnacle (“ Pinnacle Common Stock ” and such distribution, the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, Pinnacle, GLPI and Merger Sub have entered into the Merger Agreement pursuant to which Pinnacle will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of GLPI; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Reorganization and the Merger, the Parties wish to provide for the payment of Tax liabilities and entitlement to Refunds, allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing of Tax Returns, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Parties mutually covenants and agrees as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 General . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Accounting Firm ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).

Adjustment ” means an adjustment of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or any other item affecting Taxes of a taxpayer pursuant to a Final Determination.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Assumptions ” means, collectively, that (i) Pinnacle had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of $631,643,714 as of the close of the taxable year ended December 31, 2014; (ii) Pinnacle had general business tax credits of $19,766,633 as of the close of the taxable year ended December 31, 2014; (iii) Pinnacle’s net operating loss carryforwards and general business credits described in clauses (i) and (ii) will, to the extent not otherwise utilized during a Pre-Closing Period (but only to the extent contemplated by clause (v)), be available to offset taxable gain recognized in connection with the Transactions for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes (disregarding for these purposes any alternative minimum tax that may apply) and, in connection with such availability to offset such taxable gain, will not be subject to any limitation for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes including, but not limited to, any limitation imposed by Section 382 or Section 383 of the Code (disregarding for these purposes any limitations that may apply for alternative minimum tax purposes); (iv) Pinnacle had an adjusted U.S. federal income tax basis of $1,167,572,672 in the OpCo Assets as of the close of the taxable year ended December 31, 2014; and (v) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (A) Pinnacle’s taxable income for the taxable year ended December 31, 2015 (excluding any taxable income attributable to the Transactions, any Section 481(a) Adjustment, and any Adjustment otherwise made that results in a change to the applicable recovery period of any of the Specified Assets to 39 years under Section 168(a) of the Code for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date, the “ Pinnacle 2015 Operating Taxable Income ”) will not exceed the Adjusted Operating Taxable Income Cap and (B) Pinnacle’s taxable income for the portion of the taxable year beginning January 1, 2016 and ending on the Closing Date (excluding any taxable income attributable to the Transactions, any Section 481(a) Adjustment, and any Adjustment otherwise made that results in a change to the applicable recovery period of any of the Specified Assets to 39 years under Section 168(a) of the Code for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date) will not exceed the excess of (x) the Adjusted Operating Taxable Income Cap over (y) the Pinnacle 2015 Operating Taxable Income, provided, however, that the limitation contained in this clause (v)(B) shall not apply in the event that the Closing has not occurred on or before March 31, 2016. For purposes of this definition, “ Adjusted Operating Taxable Income Cap ” means the sum of (A) $195 million and (B) the excess of (x) actual 2015 EBITDA (as reported in the Company Financial Statements (as that term is defined in the Merger Agreement)) over (y) $621,672,000.

Barges ” means, collectively, Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, River City Casino Hotel, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge, and L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles.

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Merger is consummated.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2


Commissioner ” shall mean the Commissioner of the IRS.

Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03.

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Employee Matters Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Final Determination ” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax for any taxable period, by or as a result of (i) a final decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction that can no longer be appealed, (ii) a final settlement with the IRS, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the Laws of other jurisdictions, which resolves the entire Tax liability for any taxable period, (iii) any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund or credit may be recovered by the jurisdiction imposing the Tax, or (iv) any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Taxing Authority.

GLPI ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

GLPI Entity ” means any Subsidiary of GLPI immediately after the Effective Time, including members of the Pinnacle Group.

GLPI Group ” means, individually or collectively, as applicable, GLPI and any GLPI Entity.

GLPI Returns ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

Income Taxes ” means any Taxes based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to: (i) net income, profits, gains or net receipts (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, minimum Tax or any Tax on items of Tax preference, but not including sales, use, real or personal property, or transfer or similar Taxes) or (ii) multiple bases (including corporate franchise, doing business and occupation Taxes) if one or more bases upon which such Tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i).

IRS ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

IRS Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03 of this Agreement.

IRS Submission ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03.

Law ” means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, administrative pronouncement, order, requirement or rule of law (including common law).

Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

3


Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Non-Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03.

OpCo ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

OpCo Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

OpCo Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

OpCo Entity ” means any Subsidiary of OpCo immediately after the Effective Time.

OpCo Group ” means, individually or collectively, as the case may be, OpCo and any OpCo Entity.

Party ” and “ Parties ” have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Pinnacle ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Pinnacle Entity ” means any Subsidiary of Pinnacle immediately after the Effective Time.

Pinnacle Group ” means, individually or collectively, as the case may be, Pinnacle and any Pinnacle Entity.

Pinnacle Returns ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

Person ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Post-Closing Period ” means any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date.

Pre-Closing Period ” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date.

Prime Rate ” means the base rate on corporate loans charged by Citibank, N.A. from time to time, compounded daily on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 (as applicable) days and actual days elapsed.

Refund ” means any refund (or credit in lieu thereof) of Taxes (including any overpayment of Taxes that can be refunded or, alternatively, applied to other Taxes payable), including any interest paid on or with respect to such refund of Taxes; provided , however , that for purposes of this Agreement, the amount of any Refund required to be paid to another Party shall be reduced by the net amount of any Income Taxes imposed on, related to, or attributable to, the receipt or accrual of such Refund by the Party otherwise required to pay such amount.

Riverboats ” means Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago, Belterra Casino Resort, Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, Boomtown Casino & Hotel Bossier City, and Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans.

 

4


Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Required Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07.

Ruling Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03.

Section 336(e) Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

Section 481(a) Adjustments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

Separation Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Specified Assets ” means, collectively, the Riverboats and the Barges.

Straddle Period ” means any taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date.

Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Tax ” means (i) all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, or other similar assessments, imposed by any U.S. federal, state or local or foreign governmental authority, including, but not limited to, net income, gross income, gross receipts, excise, real property, personal property, sales, use, service, service use, license, lease, capital stock, transfer, recording, franchise, business organization, occupation, premium, gaming, environmental, windfall profits, profits, customs, duties, payroll, wage, withholding, social security, employment, unemployment, insurance, severance, workers compensation, stamp, alternative minimum, estimated, value added, ad valorem, escheat, unclaimed property, and other taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, or other similar assessments, (ii) any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto and (iii) all liabilities in respect of any items described in clauses (i) or (ii) payable by reason of assumption, transferee or successor liability, operation of Law or Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous or similar provision under Law).

Tax Attributes ” means net operating losses, capital losses, investment tax credit carryovers, earnings and profits, foreign tax credit carryovers, overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses, any other losses, deductions, credits or other comparable items, and asset basis, that could affect a Tax liability for any taxable period.

Tax Matter ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

Tax Proceeding ” means any audit, assessment of Taxes, pre-filing agreement, other examination by any Taxing Authority, proceeding, appeal of a proceeding or litigation relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings relating to competent authority determinations.

Tax Return ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, or declaration of estimated Tax) required to be supplied to, or filed with, a Taxing Authority in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any Laws relating to any Tax and any amended Tax return or claim for refund.

 

5


Taxing Authority ” means any governmental authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or entity thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

Time of Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Transaction Documents ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Transactions ” means the Reorganization, the Distribution, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Merger Agreement.

Transfer Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05.

Treasury Regulations ” means the final and temporary (but not proposed) income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

Section 1.02 Additional Definitions . Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE II

ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES

Section 2.01 General Rule . OpCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Pinnacle Group and the GLPI Group from and against any liability for, Taxes that are allocated to OpCo under this Article II. GLPI shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the OpCo Group from and against any liability for, Taxes that are allocated to GLPI under this Article II.

Section 2.02 Liability for Taxes . Except as otherwise provided in this Article II, (i) OpCo shall be liable for any Taxes (a) of the Pinnacle Group for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and (b) of the OpCo Group, and (ii) GLPI shall be liable for any Taxes of the Pinnacle Group for any Post-Closing Period or the portion of any Straddle Period beginning the day after the Closing Date.

Section 2.03 Distribution Taxes . GLPI shall be liable for the excess of (a) the amount of any Income Taxes imposed on any member of the OpCo Group or the Pinnacle Group with respect to Pre-Closing Periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015, or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on or before the Closing Date, over (b) the amount of such Income Taxes that would have been imposed with respect to such Pre-Closing Periods (or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on or before the Closing Date), determined as if the Transactions had not occurred (but such Pre-Closing Periods otherwise ended on the date such Pre-Closing Periods actually

 

6


ended); provided , however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the aggregate amount of Taxes for which GLPI is liable pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall not exceed the aggregate amount of Income Taxes for which GLPI would have been liable pursuant to this Section 2.03 (without regard to this proviso) had the Assumptions been accurate in all respects. For purposes of this Section 2.03, in determining the limitation on GLPI’s liabilities hereunder, clause (iii) of the Assumptions shall be modified to factor in 50% of any utilization of or reduction in U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards or general business tax credits of Pinnacle resulting from or attributable to either (i) the Section 481(a) Adjustments, or (ii) any Adjustment otherwise made that results in a change to the applicable recovery period of any of the Specified Assets to 39 years under Section 168(a) of the Code for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date.

Section 2.04 Section 481(a) Adjustments and Associated Taxes .

(a) Without duplication of any amount for which OpCo is liable under Section 2.02, OpCo shall be liable for 50% of any Income Taxes resulting from (i) the Section 481(a) Adjustments, or (ii) any Adjustment otherwise made that results in a change to the applicable recovery period of any of the Specified Assets to 39 years under Section 168(a) of the Code for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date.

(b) Without duplication of any amount for which GLPI is liable under Section 2.03, GLPI shall be liable for 50% of any Income Taxes resulting from (i) the Section 481(a) Adjustments, or (ii) any Adjustment otherwise made that results in a change to the applicable recovery period of any of the Specified Assets to 39 years under Section 168(a) of the Code for Pre-Closing Periods or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date.

Section 2.05 Transfer Taxes . GLPI shall be liable for any excise, sales, use, transfer (including real property transfer), stamp, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar Taxes (collectively, “ Transfer Taxes ”) imposed with respect to the Transactions.

Section 2.06 Indemnity Payments .

(a) If a Party (or one or more of its Subsidiaries) is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Taxing Authority a Tax that the other Party (the “ Required Party ”) is liable for under this Agreement, the Required Party shall reimburse the other Party within twenty (20) days of delivery by the other Party to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The reimbursement shall include interest on the Tax payment computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of the payment to the Taxing Authority to the date of reimbursement under this Section 2.06.

(b) For all Tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (a) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Time of Distribution) as either a contribution by Pinnacle to OpCo or a distribution by OpCo to Pinnacle, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Time of Distribution or as a payment of an assumed or retained liability, and (b) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

7


Section 2.07 Allocations for Straddle Periods . For purposes of this Article II, the portion of Taxes of a Straddle Period allocable to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be determined (i) in the case of Income Taxes, via a “closing of the books” as of the Closing Date (with deductions determined on a time basis, such as depreciation, allocated to the period prior to and after the “closing of the books” on a daily basis consistent with the principles set forth in clause (ii)), and (ii) in the case of other Taxes, by comparing the number of days in such Straddle Period up to and including the Closing Date to the total number of days in such Straddle Period and allocating on a pro-rata basis.

Section 2.08 Post-Closing Actions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, OpCo shall not be liable for any Taxes attributable to any actions undertaken by the Pinnacle Group on the Closing Date but after the Effective Time.

ARTICLE III

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

Section 3.01 Pre-Closing Period and Straddle Period Tax Returns . OpCo shall prepare and file when due (including extensions) any Tax Returns of the Pinnacle Group or the OpCo Group for Pre-Closing Periods and any Tax Returns of the OpCo Group for Straddle Periods (“ Pinnacle Returns ”). OpCo shall prepare any such Pinnacle Returns that are Tax Returns of the Pinnacle Group for Pre-Closing Periods in a manner that is consistent with past practice and in accordance with Schedule A . GLPI shall prepare and file when due (including extensions) any Tax Returns of the Pinnacle Group for Straddle Periods (“ GLPI Returns ”). The Parties shall provide, and shall cause their Subsidiaries to provide, reasonable assistance and cooperation to one another with respect to the preparation and filing of Tax Returns.

Section 3.02 Review of Tax Returns .

(a) At least sixty (60) days prior to the due date for filing any Pinnacle Return, OpCo shall provide a draft of such Pinnacle Return to GLPI for its review and comment, to the extent (i) such Pinnacle Return relates to Taxes for which GLPI would reasonably be expected to be liable under this Agreement, or (ii) GLPI reasonably determines that it must inspect such Tax Return to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement. OpCo shall consider in good faith any comments made by GLPI with respect to such Tax Return. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve all disputed issues. Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved by a nationally recognized independent public accounting firm (the “ Accounting Firm ”). The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the due date for filing the applicable Pinnacle Return and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. OpCo and GLPI shall equally share all fees and any other charges of the Accounting Firm.

(b) At least sixty (60) days prior to the due date for filing any GLPI Return, GLPI shall provide a draft of such GLPI Return to OpCo for its review and comment, to the extent

 

8


(i) such GLPI Return relates to Taxes for which OpCo would reasonably be expected to be liable under this Agreement, or (ii) OpCo reasonably determines that it must inspect such Tax Return to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement. GLPI shall consider in good faith any comments made by OpCo with respect to such Tax Return. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve all disputed issues. Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved by the Accounting Firm. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the due date for filing the applicable GLPI Return and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. OpCo and GLPI shall equally share all fees and any other charges of the Accounting Firm.

Section 3.03 Transfer Tax Returns . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Tax Returns relating to Transfer Taxes shall be prepared and filed when due (including extensions) by the Person obligated to file such Tax Returns under applicable Law. The Parties shall provide, and shall cause their Subsidiaries to provide, assistance and cooperation to one another with respect to the preparation and filing of such Tax Returns.

Section 3.04 Distribution Tax Reporting . The Parties shall cause the Distribution to be reported to holders of Pinnacle Common Stock on IRS Form 1099-DIV. The Parties shall not take any position on any U.S. federal or state income tax return or take any other U.S. tax reporting position that is inconsistent with the treatment of the Distribution as a distribution to which Section 301 of the Code applies, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

ARTICLE IV

REFUNDS, CARRYBACKS, AND AMENDMENTS

Section 4.01 Refunds .

(a) GLPI shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which GLPI is responsible pursuant to Article II, and OpCo shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which OpCo is responsible pursuant to Article II. A Party receiving a Refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall pay the amount to which such other Party is entitled within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Refund by the Party otherwise required to pay such amount.

(b) To the extent that the amount of any Refund under this Section 4.01 is later reduced by a Taxing Authority or in a Tax Proceeding, such reduction shall be allocated to the Party to which such Refund was allocated pursuant to this Section 4.01, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made.

Section 4.02 Carrybacks . Unless OpCo consents in writing, no carryback of any loss, credit or other Tax Attribute from any Post-Closing Period shall be made to a Pre-Closing Period of any member of the Pinnacle Group.

Section 4.03 Amended Tax Returns . Unless required by a Final Determination, or unless OpCo consents in writing, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, GLPI shall not be permitted to amend any Pinnacle Returns.

 

9


ARTICLE V

TAX PROCEEDINGS

Section 5.01 Notice . OpCo, on the one hand, and GLPI, on the other hand, shall provide prompt notice to the other of any written communication from a Taxing Authority regarding any pending Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Proceeding of which it becomes aware related to Taxes for which it is indemnified by the other Party hereunder or for which it may be required to indemnify the other Party hereunder. Such notice shall attach copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Taxing Authority and contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Taxing Authority in respect of any such matters. If an indemnified party has knowledge of an asserted Tax liability with respect to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder and such party fails to give the indemnifying party prompt notice of such asserted Tax liability, such failure shall not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the indemnified party under this Agreement except to the extent that the indemnifying party was actually harmed by such failure.

Section 5.02 Control . OpCo shall have exclusive control over any Tax Proceeding relating to a Pre-Closing Period and any Tax Proceeding of the OpCo Group relating to a Straddle Period, in each case subject to Section 5.03. GLPI shall have exclusive control over any Tax Proceeding relating to any Tax Proceeding of the Pinnacle Group relating to a Straddle Period, subject to Section 5.03.

Section 5.03 Settlement and Participation Rights . The Party in control of a Tax Proceeding, as determined under Section 5.02 (the “ Controlling Party ”), shall have the sole right to contest, litigate, compromise and settle such Tax Proceeding, without obtaining the prior consent of whichever of OpCo or GLPI is not the Controlling Party (the “ Non-Controlling Party”) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Tax Proceeding relating to Taxes for which the Non-Controlling Party may be liable hereunder or which would reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Non-Controlling Party:

(a) (i) The Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party informed in a timely manner of all substantive actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Controlling Party in such Tax Proceeding with respect to such Taxes; (ii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Proceeding received from any Taxing Authority with respect to such Taxes; (iii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of any correspondence or filings submitted to any Taxing Authority or judicial authority in connection with such Taxes in such Tax Proceeding; (iv) the Controlling Party shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party and offer the Non-Controlling Party a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such potential Taxes in such Tax Proceeding; (v) the Controlling Party shall defend such Tax Proceeding diligently and in good faith; and (vi) the Controlling Party shall not settle any such Tax Proceeding without the prior written consent of the Non-Controlling Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The failure of the Controlling Party to take any action specified in the preceding sentence shall

 

10


not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure.

(b) The Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with written notice reasonably in advance of, and the Non-Controlling Party shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with Taxing Authorities or hearings or proceedings before any judicial authorities in connection with any potential adjustment in any such Tax Proceeding. The failure of the Controlling Party to provide any notice specified in this Section 5.03(b) to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure.

ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

Section 6.01 Section 336(e) Election . The Parties agree that Pinnacle shall timely make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code (and any similar provision of any U.S. state or local jurisdiction) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.336-2(j) (a “ Section 336(e) Election ”) with respect to the Distribution in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.336-2(h). OpCo shall prepare and timely file such forms as may be contemplated by applicable Tax Law or administrative practice to effect such Section 336(e) Election. OpCo shall determine the allocation of amounts to be reflected on such forms in its reasonable discretion; provided , however that Pinnacle (and, after the Effective Time, GLPI) shall have the opportunity to review such allocation, and the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any disputed issues. The Parties shall not and shall not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, take any position for Tax purposes inconsistent with the relevant Section 336(e) Election or the allocations described in the preceding sentence, except as may be required pursuant to a Final Determination.

Section 6.02 Section 481(a) Adjustments . The Parties agree that, prior to the Closing Date, Pinnacle shall file an application under Revenue Procedure 2015-13 (as modified by Revenue Procedure 2015-33) for consent of the Commissioner to change Pinnacle’s method of accounting for depreciation of the Barges under section 168(a) of the Code to a method of depreciating the Barges over a period of 39 years. Further, in the event that Pinnacle obtains the IRS Ruling with respect to the Riverboats, the Parties agree that Pinnacle shall promptly file an application for consent of the Commissioner to change Pinnacle’s method of accounting for depreciation of the Riverboats under section 168(a) of the Code to a method of depreciating the Riverboats over a period of 39 years. Any adjustments required under Section 481(a) of the Code (and any similar provision of any U.S. state or local jurisdiction) with respect to the changes in method of accounting referred to in this Section 6.02 are collectively referred to as the “ Section 481(a) Adjustments ”. The Parties agree that OpCo shall cause Pinnacle to make an “eligible acquisition transaction election” on the tax return filed with respect to the final Pre-Closing Period pursuant to Section 7.03(3)(d) of Revenue Procedure 2015-13 with respect to each of the Section 481(a) Adjustments.

 

11


Section 6.03 IRS Ruling . Pinnacle has submitted to the IRS a request (the “ Ruling Request ”) for a private letter ruling from the IRS (the “ IRS Ruling ”) to the effect that the Barges and the Riverboats will qualify as real property for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code. Until the Closing Date (and, after the Closing Date, in the sole discretion of GLPI), Pinnacle shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the IRS Ruling and, in consultation with GLPI, shall prepare and submit to the IRS supplemental materials relating thereto that Pinnacle determines are necessary or appropriate to obtain the IRS Ruling (each, an “ IRS Submission ”). Pinnacle shall provide GLPI with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on each material IRS Submission and shall consider any such comments in good faith. Pinnacle shall provide GLPI with copies of each IRS Submission as filed with the IRS promptly following the filing thereof. Pinnacle shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify GLPI and GLPI’s representatives of any substantive communications with the IRS regarding any material issue arising with respect to the Ruling Request. The Parties acknowledge that the obtaining of the IRS Ruling is not a condition to the consummation of any of the Transactions. The Parties further acknowledge that Pinnacle shall not revoke the Ruling Request or otherwise cease attempting to obtain the IRS Ruling (including, for clarification, the portion of the IRS Ruling relating to the Riverboats) without the consent of GLPI, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

ARTICLE VII

COOPERATION

Section 7.01 General Cooperation . The Parties shall each cooperate fully (and each shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to cooperate fully) with all reasonable requests in writing from another Party hereto, or from an agent, representative or advisor to such Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, claims for Refunds, Tax Proceedings, and calculations of amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, related or attributable to or arising in connection with Taxes of any of the Parties (including matters related to a Party’s qualification as a “real estate investment trust” under the Code) or their respective Subsidiaries covered by this Agreement and the establishment of any reserve required in connection with any financial reporting (a “ Tax Matter ”). Such cooperation shall include the provision of any information reasonably necessary or helpful in connection with a Tax Matter and shall include, without limitation, at each Party’s own cost:

(a) the provision of any Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis of property), documentation and other information relating to such Tax Returns, including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities;

(b) the execution of any document (including any power of attorney) in connection with any Tax Proceedings of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, or the filing of a Tax Return or a Refund claim of the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries;

(c) the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any documentation in connection with a Tax Matter; and

(d) the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any Tax Returns (including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents), documents, books, records or other information in connection with the filing of any Tax Returns of any of the Parties or their Subsidiaries.

 

12


Each Party shall make its employees, advisors, and facilities available, without charge, on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the foregoing matters.

Section 7.02 Retention of Records . OpCo and GLPI shall retain or cause to be retained all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers, and all material records or other documents relating thereto in their possession, until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions thereof) of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate or until the expiration of any additional period that any Party reasonably requests, in writing, with respect to specific material records and documents. A Party intending to destroy any material records or documents shall provide the other Party with reasonable advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such records and documents. The Parties hereto will notify each other in writing of any waivers or extensions of the applicable statute of limitations that may affect the period for which the foregoing records or other documents must be retained.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01 Dispute Resolution . Except as otherwise specified herein, any dispute between the Parties as to any matter covered by this Agreement shall be resolved pursuant to Article VII of the Separation Agreement.

Section 8.02 Tax Sharing Agreements . All Tax sharing, indemnification and similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between OpCo or an OpCo Entity, on the one hand, and GLPI or a GLPI Entity, on the other (other than this Agreement or any other Transaction Document), shall be or shall have been terminated no later than the Effective Time and, after the Effective Time, none of OpCo or an OpCo Entity, or GLPI or a GLPI Entity shall have any further rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreement.

Section 8.03 Interest on Late Payments . With respect to any payment between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement not made by the due date set forth in this Agreement for such payment, the outstanding amount will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect for underpayments under Section 6621 of the Code from such due date to and including the earlier of the ninetieth (90 th ) day or the payment date and thereafter will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to 9%.

Section 8.04 Survival of Covenants . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

Section 8.05 Termination . This Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties to this Agreement; provided, that if the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement may be terminated in the sole discretion of Pinnacle without the prior approval of any Person, including GLPI.

 

13


Section 8.06 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner.

Section 8.07 Joinder of OpCo . Promptly following the formation of Opco, Pinnacle shall cause OpCo to execute a joinder to this Agreement in a form reasonably agreed to by Pinnacle and GLPI.

Section 8.08 Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 8.09 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties to this Agreement and their respective Subsidiaries and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 8.10 Amendment . No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the Parties to this Agreement. No waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the Party so waiving. The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach.

Section 8.11 Rules of Construction . Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction: (a) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires; (b) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (c) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto; (d) references to “$” shall mean U.S. dollars; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form; (h) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions; (i) the headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (j) Pinnacle and GLPI have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity

 

14


or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any interim drafts of this Agreement; and (k) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

Section 8.12 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

Section 8.13 Coordination with the Employee Matters Agreement . To the extent any covenants or agreements between the Parties with respect to employee withholding Taxes are set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement, such Taxes shall be governed exclusively by the Employee Matters Agreement and not by this Agreement.

Section 8.14 Effective Date . This Agreement shall, apart from Section 6.02 and Section 6.03, become effective only upon the occurrence of the Merger. Sections 6.02 and 6.03 shall become effective as of the date of this Agreement.

 

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By   /s/ John A. Godfrey
Name:   John A. Godfrey
Title:   Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

[ Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement ]

 

16


GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
By   /s/ Brandon J. Moore
Name:   Brandon J. Moore
Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel

[ Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement ]

 

17

Exhibit 10.3

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN [OPCO] AND

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Dated [                    ]


EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                    ] is by and between [OpCo], a Delaware corporation (“ OpCo ”), and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Pinnacle ” and together with OpCo, the “ Parties ” and each a “ Party ”).

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Pinnacle has determined that it is in the best interests of Pinnacle and its shareholders to create a new publicly-traded company which shall operate the OpCo Business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof Pinnacle and OpCo have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [                    ] (the “ Separation Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Pinnacle has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”), dated as of July 20, 2015, with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“ GLPI ”), and Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned Subsidiary of GLPI (“ Merger Sub ”);

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger of Pinnacle with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving such merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of GLPI; and

WHEREAS, as contemplated by the Separation Agreement, Pinnacle and OpCo desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for the allocation of assets, Liabilities (as defined below), and responsibilities with respect to certain matters relating to employees, individual independent contractors and Directors (as defined below) (including employee compensation and benefit plans and programs) between them.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.1 “ 2005 Plan ” means the Pinnacle 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.

1.2 “ 2015 Plan ” means the Pinnacle 2015 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.

1.3 “ Adjusted Pinnacle Awards ” means the Adjusted Pinnacle Options, the Adjusted Pinnacle RSUs and the Adjusted Pinnacle PUAs.

 

1


1.4 “ Adjusted Pinnacle Option ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i).

1.5 “ Adjusted Pinnacle PUA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

1.6 “ Adjusted Pinnacle RSU ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b)(ii).

1.7 “ CBAs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

1.8 “ Closing Pinnacle Stock Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i)(2).

1.9 “ COBRA ” means the continuation coverage requirements for “group health plans” under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and as codified in Code Section 4980B and ERISA Sections 601 through 608.

1.10 “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor federal income tax law. Reference to a specific Code provision also includes any proposed, temporary, or final regulation in force under that provision.

1.11 “ Director ” means a member of the Board of Directors of Pinnacle.

1.12 “ Directors Deferred Compensation Plan ” means the 2008 Amended and Restated Pinnacle Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.

1.13 “ Distribution Ratio ” means the number of shares of OpCo Common Stock received by each holder of record of Pinnacle Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Separation Agreement with respect to each share of Pinnacle Common Stock.

1.14 “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific provision of ERISA also includes any proposed, temporary, or final regulation in force under that provision.

1.15 “ Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ” means the Pinnacle Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated.

1.16 “ Exempt Award ” means each Exempt PUA Award, each Exempt Option and each Exempt RSU.

1.17 “ Exempt Option ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).

1.18 “ Exempt PUA Award ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

1.19 “ Exempt RSU ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(c).

1.20 “ Former Pinnacle Service Provider ” means any individual whose employment or, in the case of an individual independent contractor or Director, service with either Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates is or was terminated for any reason before the Time of Distribution.

 

2


1.21 “ GLPI Common Stock ” means Parent Common Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

1.22 “ HIPAA ” means the health insurance portability and accountability requirements for “group health plans” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.

1.23 “ Income Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

1.24 “ Medicare Taxes ” means, with respect to the Adjusted Pinnacle Awards, an amount equal to the product of (a) 1.45% multiplied by (b) the aggregate cash value (determined based on the closing price of GLPI Common Stock on the Distribution Date (or, if shares of GLPI Common Stock are not traded on such date, then the closing price of GLPI Common Stock on the trading date immediately preceding the Distribution Date)) of the shares of GLPI Common Stock to be delivered to holders of Adjusted Pinnacle Awards pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Merger Agreement.

1.25 “ Non-Plan Awards ” means any Pinnacle equity incentive awards other than those granted under the 2005 Plan, 2015 Plan, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan or the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.

1.26 “ OpCo Health and Welfare Plan ” means the health and welfare plans sponsored and maintained by OpCo or any of its subsidiaries which provide group health, life, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, health care reimbursements, dependent care assistance and disability benefits.

1.27 “ OpCo Long Term Incentive Plan ” means the new OpCo Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan adopted by OpCo prior to the Time of Distribution and, with respect to Non-Plan Awards, substantially similar award agreements governing Non-Plan Awards after the Time of Distribution.

1.28 “ OpCo Participant ” means any individual who is an OpCo Service Provider or a Former Pinnacle Service Provider, and any beneficiary, dependent, or alternate payee of such individual, as the context requires.

1.29 “ OpCo Service Provider ” means any individual who, as of immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, is employed by, is an individual independent contractor for, or is a Director of, Pinnacle or any of its subsidiaries, including any individual on a leave of absence or on short-term or long-term disability.

1.30 “ Opening OpCo Stock Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i)(2).

1.31 “ Opening Pinnacle Stock Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i)(2).

1.32 “ Option ” when immediately preceded by “Pinnacle,” means an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle Common Stock granted by Pinnacle prior to the Time of Distribution pursuant to a Pinnacle Equity-Based Plan and, when immediately preceded by “OpCo,” means an option to purchase shares of OpCo Common Stock, which option is granted pursuant to the OpCo Long Term Incentive Plan as part of the adjustment to Pinnacle Options as set forth in Section 5.2.

 

3


1.33 “ Participating Company ” means (a) Pinnacle, (b) any Person (other than an individual) that Pinnacle has approved for participation in, and which is participating in, a Plan and (c) any Person (other than an individual) which, by the terms of such a Plan, participates in such Plan.

1.34 “ Performance Units ” means cash denominated performance units granted by Pinnacle under the 2005 Plan on or around March 19, 2015 or after the date of this Agreement.

1.35 “ Pinnacle Defined Contribution Plan ” means the Pinnacle 401(k) Investment Plan.

1.36 “ Pinnacle Equity-Based Plans ” means the 2005 Plan, 2015 Plan, Non-Plan Awards, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, each as amended from time to time.

1.37 “ Pinnacle FSAs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

1.38 “ Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans ” means the health and welfare plans sponsored and maintained by Pinnacle or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the Time of Distribution which provide group health, life, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, health care reimbursements, dependent care assistance and disability benefits.

1.39 “ Plan ,” when immediately preceded by “Pinnacle,” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle (including a Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plan and the Pinnacle Defined Contribution Plan) for which the eligible classes of participants include current and/or former directors and employees of Pinnacle or its subsidiaries (which may include current or former employees of OpCo Group members prior to the Time of Distribution) (and their eligible dependents), and when immediately preceded by “OpCo,” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle (including an OpCo Health and Welfare Plan) for which the eligible classes of participants are limited to current and former employees (and their eligible dependents) of OpCo or an OpCo Group member, but no other Pinnacle Group member.

1.40 “ Restricted Stock Unit ,” when immediately preceded by “Pinnacle,” means a unit granted by Pinnacle prior to the Time of Distribution pursuant to a Pinnacle Equity-Based Plan representing a general unsecured promise by Pinnacle to deliver a Pinnacle Common Share (or its cash value), including phantom stock unit awards, restricted stock unit awards, other stock unit awards, performance share grants, Director other stock unit awards, deferred shares under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan and any other similar instruments, including those deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and when immediately preceded by “OpCo,” means a unit granted by OpCo representing a general unsecured promise by OpCo to deliver a share of OpCo Common Stock (or its cash value), which unit is granted pursuant to the OpCo Long Term Incentive Plan as part of the adjustment to Pinnacle Restricted Stock Units as set forth in Section 5.2.

 

4


1.41 “ Retained Deferred Equity Awards ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b)(ii).

1.42 “ Tax Matters Agreement ” means that certain Tax Matters Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and between the parties hereto.

ARTICLE II

TRANSFER OF OPCO SERVICE PROVIDERS; GENERAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Transfer of Employment and Service of Certain OpCo Service Providers . Pinnacle and OpCo will each use best efforts to cause the employment of or, with respect to individual independent contractors, the engagement of each OpCo Service Provider who is not employed by or, with respect to an individual independent contractor or Director, engaged by an OpCo Group member as of the date hereof to be transferred to an OpCo Group member prior to the Time of Distribution.

2.2 Assumption and Retention of Liabilities . Pinnacle and OpCo intend that all employment-related and, with respect to individual independent contractors or Directors, service-related Liabilities and rights associated with OpCo Participants are to be assumed by OpCo or an OpCo Group member, in each case, except as specifically set forth herein. Accordingly, as of the Time of Distribution, OpCo or another member of the OpCo Group hereby retains or assumes and agrees to pay, perform, fulfill, and discharge, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) all Liabilities and rights arising under or related to the Pinnacle Plans and the OpCo Plans, (ii) all employment or service-related Liabilities (including Liabilities relating to terminations of employment or service and any deemed termination of employment or service) and rights with respect to (A) all OpCo Participants and (B) any individual who is, or was, an individual independent contractor, Director, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment or similar relationship primarily connected to Pinnacle, any of its Subsidiaries, OpCo or an OpCo Group member, (iii) all Liabilities resulting from any failure of Pinnacle or a Pinnacle Group member to take any action required by this Agreement to be taken prior to the Time of Distribution, and (iv) any other Liabilities expressly transferred to OpCo or an OpCo Group member under this Agreement. In accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, OpCo shall indemnify and hold harmless Pinnacle and each Pinnacle Group member against any Liabilities or obligations allocated to, or retained or assumed by, OpCo or any member of the OpCo Group pursuant to this Agreement.

2.3 Sponsorship of the OpCo Plans . Except as otherwise provided herein, effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause OpCo or an OpCo Group member to assume sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, each Pinnacle Plan and each OpCo Plan and for Pinnacle to transfer and assign sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, all Pinnacle Plans to OpCo or an OpCo Group member.

2.4 Reimbursements . From time to time after the Time of Distribution, the Parties shall promptly reimburse one another, upon reasonable request of the Party requesting

 

5


reimbursement and the presentation by such Party of such substantiating documentation as the other Party shall reasonably request, for the cost of any Liabilities satisfied or assumed by the Party requesting reimbursement or its Affiliates that are, pursuant to this Agreement, the responsibility of the other Party or any of its Affiliates.

2.5 Approval of Plan . (i) Prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall cause OpCo to adopt the OpCo Long Term Incentive Plan and (ii) at or prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo shall take all actions (including actions taken by Pinnacle and/or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries as shareholder(s) of OpCo) as may be necessary or applicable to approve the OpCo Long Term Incentive Plan and any non-qualified deferred compensation plan under which equity awards may be granted or will be outstanding after the Time of Distribution in order to satisfy the requirements of the applicable rules and regulations of the applicable National Security Exchange.

2.6 Delivery of Shares; Registration Statement . From and after the Time of Distribution, OpCo shall have sole responsibility for delivery of shares of OpCo Common Stock pursuant to awards issued under an OpCo Plan in satisfaction of any obligations to deliver such shares under the OpCo Plans and shall do so without compensation from any Pinnacle Group member. OpCo shall cause a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) to be filed with respect to such issued or issuable shares prior to the Time of Distribution and shall cause such registration to remain in effect for so long as there may be an obligation to deliver OpCo shares under such OpCo Plans. Prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist OpCo in completing such registration.

2.7 Labor Relations . To the extent required by applicable Law or any agreement with a labor union, works council or similar employee organization, OpCo shall provide notice, engage in consultation and take any similar action which may be required on its part in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement and shall fully indemnify each Pinnacle Group member against any Liabilities arising from its failure to comply with such requirements. Effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, (a) OpCo shall, or shall cause the applicable member of the OpCo Group to, assume the collective bargaining agreements (collectively, the “ CBAs ”) that cover OpCo Participants (including the obligation to honor the terms and conditions thereof and any obligations thereunder requiring a successor to recognize a particular labor union as authorized representative and bargaining agent of an employee group or for any other purpose), (b) OpCo (or the applicable member of the OpCo Group) shall be the “Employer” for purposes of each such CBA, and (c) the OpCo Group shall have sole responsibility for all Liabilities arising under the CBAs.

2.8 Assumption of Employment Agreements . Effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle shall assign to OpCo or an OpCo Group Member, and Pinnacle and OpCo shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause OpCo or an OpCo Group member to assume, all employment agreements, individual supplemental benefit agreements and other individual agreements entered into between an OpCo Participant and Pinnacle or any of its Subsidiaries, and OpCo shall indemnify and hold harmless Pinnacle and each member of the Pinnacle Group against any Liabilities pursuant to any such agreement. In addition, nothing in the Separation Agreement or this Agreement shall be construed to change the at-will status of any Pinnacle or OpCo employee.

 

6


ARTICLE III

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

3.1 Pinnacle Defined Contribution Plan . Effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause OpCo or an OpCo Group member to assume sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, the Pinnacle Defined Contribution Plan and for Pinnacle to transfer and assign sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, the Pinnacle Defined Contribution Plan to OpCo or an OpCo Group member. If, and to the extent, investments under such Plan are comprised of Pinnacle Common Stock, OpCo shall determine the extent to which and when Pinnacle Common Stock shall cease to be investment alternatives thereunder.

3.2 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans . Except as provided in Section 5.2, effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause OpCo or an OpCo Group member to assume sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, the Director Deferred Compensation Plan and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and for Pinnacle to transfer and assign sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, the Director Deferred Compensation Plan and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan to OpCo or an OpCo Group member. For purposes of determining when a distribution is required from the 2005 Plan, 2015 Plan, Non-Plan Awards, or the OpCo Plans described in this Section 3.2, OpCo Service Providers who were participants in such plans will be treated as not having experienced a separation from service until such employees have separated from service from all OpCo Group members.

ARTICLE IV

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

4.1 Cessation of Participation in Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans . Prior to the Time of Distribution, OpCo shall assume and Pinnacle shall assign to OpCo the Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans. The transfer of employment from Pinnacle to OpCo or an OpCo Group member prior to or as of the Time of Distribution shall not be treated as a “status change” with respect to any OpCo Participant under the Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans.

4.2 Allocation of Health and Welfare Plan Liabilities . All outstanding Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of OpCo Participants or their covered dependents under the Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans or the OpCo Health and Welfare Plans on, before or after the Time of Distribution shall be assumed or retained, as applicable, by OpCo upon the Time of Distribution.

4.3 Flexible Spending Plan Treatment . Effective no later than immediately prior to the Time of Distribution, Pinnacle and OpCo shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause OpCo or an OpCo Group member to assume sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities

 

7


with respect to, dependent care and medical care flexible spending accounts (the “ Pinnacle FSAs ”) and for Pinnacle to transfer and assign sponsorship of, and all assets and Liabilities with respect to, Pinnacle FSAs to OpCo or an OpCo Group member.

4.4 Workers’ Compensation Liabilities . All workers’ compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by OpCo Participants that result from an accident or from an occupational disease which is incurred or becomes manifest, as the case may be, on or before the Time of Distribution and while such individual was employed by Pinnacle or its Subsidiaries or by OpCo or any OpCo Group Member shall be assumed or retained, as applicable, by OpCo as of the Time of Distribution. OpCo and each OpCo Group member shall also be solely responsible for all workers’ compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim incurred for a compensable injury sustained by an OpCo Participant that results from an accident or from an occupational disease which is incurred or becomes manifest, as the case may be, after the Time of Distribution. Pinnacle, each Pinnacle Group member, OpCo and each OpCo Group member shall cooperate with respect to any notification to appropriate governmental agencies of the disposition and the issuance of new, or the transfer of existing, workers’ compensation insurance policies and claims handling contracts.

4.5 Payroll Taxes and Reporting . Pinnacle and OpCo (i) shall, to the extent practicable, treat OpCo (or an OpCo Group member designated by OpCo) as a “successor employer” and Pinnacle (or the appropriate Pinnacle Group member) as a “predecessor,” within the meaning of Sections 3121(a)(1) and 3306(b)(1) of the Code, with respect to OpCo Service Providers for purposes of taxes imposed under the United States Federal Unemployment Tax Act or the United States Federal Insurance Contributions Act, and (ii) hereby agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the alternate procedure described in Section 5 of Revenue Procedure 2004-53. Without limiting in any manner the obligations and Liabilities of the Parties under the Tax Matters Agreement, including all withholding obligations otherwise set forth therein, except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement, OpCo and each OpCo Group member shall bear its responsibility for payroll tax obligations and for the proper reporting to the appropriate governmental authorities of compensation earned after the Time of Distribution.

4.6 COBRA and HIPAA Compliance . As of the Time of Distribution, OpCo shall assume and be responsible for administering compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans and the OpCo Health and Welfare Plans with respect to OpCo Participants who incur a COBRA qualifying event or loss of coverage under the Pinnacle Health and Welfare Plans or the OpCo Health and Welfare Plans at any time on or before the Time of Distribution. OpCo shall also be responsible for administering compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the OpCo Health and Welfare Plans with respect to OpCo Participants who incur a COBRA qualifying event or loss of coverage under the OpCo Health and Welfare Plans at any time after the Time of Distribution.

4.7 Vacation and Paid Time Off . As of the Time of Distribution, the applicable OpCo Group Member shall credit each OpCo Service Provider with the unused vacation days and

 

8


personal and sickness days that such individual has accrued immediately prior to the Time of Distribution in accordance with the vacation and personnel policies applicable to such employee immediately prior to the Time of Distribution.

ARTICLE V

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION, EQUITY COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

5.1 Cash-Based Incentive Awards . OpCo shall pay each OpCo Service Provider who is participating in cash incentive programs of Pinnacle such OpCo Service Provider’s payments under any such plan, based on actual performance under each such plan in the ordinary course and subject to applicable plan award terms, as may be adjusted by OpCo to reflect the Time of Distribution or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each award of Performance Units, other than the Exempt Awards, which is outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution will be converted upon the Time of Distribution into two separate awards of Performance Units, an adjusted Pinnacle Performance Unit award (each, an “ Adjusted Pinnacle PUA ”) and an OpCo Performance Unit award, as set forth below. The number of Performance Units subject to each Adjusted Pinnacle PUA will be equal to the number of Performance Units subject to such Performance Unit award outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Opening Pinnacle Stock Price (as defined below) and the denominator of which shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price (as defined below), which product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. The number of Performance Units subject to each OpCo Performance Unit award will be equal to the number of Performance Units subject to a corresponding Performance Unit award outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution minus the number of Performance Units subject to the corresponding Adjusted Pinnacle PUA. Each Adjusted Pinnacle PUA shall be treated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement. Each OpCo Performance Unit Award issued pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be subject to the same terms and conditions regarding term, vesting (as may be equitably adjusted), and other provisions as set forth in the related Performance Unit award before the Time of Distribution.

5.2 Awards under the Pinnacle Equity-Based Plans . Except with respect to Exempt Awards, Pinnacle and OpCo and each of their successors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions necessary or appropriate so that each outstanding Pinnacle Option and Restricted Stock Unit outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution shall be adjusted as set forth in this Section 5.2. All share rounding described below shall be done on an aggregated award by award basis.

(a) Options .

(i) Conversion . Each Pinnacle Option (other than any Exempt Option) which is outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution will be converted upon the Time of Distribution into two separate options, an adjusted Pinnacle Option (each, an “ Adjusted Pinnacle Option ”) and an OpCo Option, as set forth below.

(1) Number of Shares Subject to Options . The number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to each of the Adjusted Pinnacle Options will

 

9


be equal to the number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to the Pinnacle Option immediately prior to the Time of Distribution. The number of shares of OpCo Common Stock subject to the OpCo Option will be equal to the number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to the Pinnacle Option immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by the Distribution Ratio and rounded down to the nearest whole share.

(2) Exercise Price . The per share exercise price of the Adjusted Pinnacle Option shall be equal to the product of (A) the per share exercise price of the Pinnacle Option immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Opening Pinnacle Stock Price (as defined below) and the denominator of which shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price (as defined below), which product shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. The per share exercise price of the OpCo Option shall be equal to the product of (x) the per share exercise price of the Pinnacle Option immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Opening OpCo Stock Price (as defined below) and the denominator of which shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price, which product shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. The “ Opening Pinnacle Stock Price ” shall mean the per share closing trading price of Pinnacle Common Stock, as traded on an ex-distribution basis on the last trading day immediately preceding the Time of Distribution. The “ Opening OpCo Stock Price ” shall mean the per share closing “when-issued” trading price of OpCo Common Stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the Time Distribution. The “ Closing Pinnacle Stock Price ” shall be the per share closing trading price of Pinnacle Common Stock trading on the “regular way” basis on the last trading day immediately prior to the Time of Distribution.

(ii) Option Terms . Each Adjusted Pinnacle Option shall be treated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement. Each OpCo Option issued pursuant to this Section 5.2(a) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions regarding term, vesting, and other provisions regarding exercise as set forth in the related Pinnacle Option before the Time of Distribution.

(b) Restricted Stock Units .

(i) Restricted Stock Units . Upon the Time of Distribution, holders of Pinnacle Restricted Stock Unit awards (other than Exempt RSUs) will receive OpCo Restricted Stock Unit awards with respect to a number of shares of OpCo Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to the corresponding Pinnacle Restricted Stock Unit awards immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by the Distribution Ratio and rounded to the nearest whole share of OpCo Common Stock.

(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms . Each Pinnacle Restricted Stock Unit outstanding immediately following the Time of Distribution (other than any Exempt RSU) (each, an “ Adjusted Pinnacle RSU ”) shall be treated in accordance with the Merger Agreement. Each OpCo Restricted Stock Unit issued pursuant to this Section 5.2(b) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the related

 

10


Pinnacle Restricted Unit award before the Time of Distribution. Following the Time of Distribution, all Adjusted Pinnacle RSUs that were prior to the Time of Distribution subject to the Director Deferred Compensation Plan or Executive Deferred Compensation Plan or otherwise constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall continue to be the Liability of Pinnacle (and shall not be assigned to OpCo), shall continue to be governed by the applicable terms of the 2005 Plan, 2015 Plan, Non-Plan Awards, Director Deferred Compensation Plan or Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (such Restricted Stock Units, the “ Retained Deferred Equity Awards ”), and shall be treated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement, including the provision for the immediate termination of such Retained Deferred Equity Awards in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(B).

(c) Allocation of Deductions . Income Tax deductions with respect to the vesting and settlement of Adjusted Pinnacle Awards pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Merger Agreement shall be claimed solely by the Pinnacle Group (including, after the Effective Time of the Merger, GLPI and its Affiliates).

5.3 Exempt Awards . The following provisions of this Section 5.3 shall apply to Exempt Awards.

(a) Performance Units . Each award of Performance Units which is outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution and was granted after July 16, 2015 (each, an “ Exempt PUA Award ”) will be converted upon the Time of Distribution into an OpCo Performance Unit award. The number of Performance Units subject to each OpCo Performance Unit award will be equal to the number of Performance Units subject to the corresponding Performance Unit award outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution. Each OpCo Performance Unit Award issued pursuant to this Section 5.3(a) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions regarding term, vesting (as may be equitably adjusted), and other provisions as set forth in the related Performance Unit award before the Time of Distribution.

(b) Options . Each Pinnacle Option which is outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution and was granted after July 16, 2015 (each, an “ Exempt Option ”) will be converted at the Time of Distribution into an adjusted OpCo Option. The number of shares of OpCo Common Stock subject to the OpCo Option will be equal to (i) the number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to the Exempt Option multiplied by (ii) a fraction, where the numerator shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price and the denominator shall be the Opening OpCo Stock Price, which product shall be rounded down to the whole share. Each OpCo Option issued pursuant to this Section 5.3(b) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions regarding term, vesting, and other provisions regarding exercise as set forth in the related Pinnacle Option before the time Distribution. The per share exercise price of the OpCo Option shall be equal to the product of (A) the per share exercise price of the Pinnacle Option immediately prior to the Time of Distribution multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Opening OpCo Stock Price and the denominator of which shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price, which product shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent.

(c) Restricted Stock Units . Each Pinnacle Restricted Stock Unit which is outstanding immediately prior to the Time of Distribution and was granted after July 16, 2015

 

11


(each, an “ Exempt RSU ”) will be converted upon the Time of Distribution into an adjusted OpCo Restricted Stock Unit. The number of shares of OpCo Common Stock subject to each OpCo Restricted Stock Unit award will be equal to (i) the number of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock subject to the Exempt RSU award multiplied by (ii) a fraction, where the numerator shall be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price and the denominator shall be the Opening OpCo Stock Price. Each OpCo Restricted Stock Unit issued pursuant to this Section 5.3(c) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the related Pinnacle Restricted Stock Unit award before the Distribution.

5.4 No Effect on Subsequent Awards . The provisions of this Article 5 shall have no effect on the terms and conditions of equity and equity-based awards granted following the Time of Distribution by Pinnacle or OpCo.

5.5 Pinnacle Actions . Prior to the transfer of employment described in Section 2.1, the Board of Directors of Pinnacle and/or an appropriate committee thereof (including the “Committee” as defined under 2005 Plan or the 2015 Plan) shall adopt such resolutions providing for, and take all other actions necessary to effectuate, the treatment of the Adjusted Pinnacle Awards pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Merger Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

6.1 Sharing of Participant Information . To the maximum extent permitted under applicable Law, Pinnacle and OpCo shall share, and shall cause each member of its respective Group to share, with each other and their respective agents and vendors all participant information reasonably necessary for the efficient and accurate administration of each of the Pinnacle Plans and the OpCo Plans. Pinnacle and OpCo and their respective authorized agents shall, subject to applicable laws on confidentiality, be given reasonable and timely access to, and may make copies of, all information relating to the subjects of this Agreement in the custody of the other Party, to the extent necessary for such administration. Until the Time of Distribution, all participant information shall be provided in the manner and medium applicable to Participating Companies in the Pinnacle Plans generally, and thereafter until the time at which the Parties subsequently determine, all participant information shall be provided in a manner and medium that are compatible with the data processing systems of Pinnacle as in effect as of the Time of Distribution, unless otherwise agreed to by Pinnacle and OpCo.

6.2 Non-Termination of Employment; No Third Party Beneficiaries . No provision of this Agreement or the Separation Agreement shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any future, present, or former employee of Pinnacle, OpCo, or an OpCo Group member under any Pinnacle Plan or OpCo Plan or otherwise. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude OpCo or any OpCo Group member, at any time after the Time of Distribution, from amending, merging, modifying, terminating, eliminating, reducing, or otherwise altering in any respect any OpCo Plan, any benefit under any OpCo Plan or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related to any OpCo Plan.

 

12


6.3 Audit Rights with Respect to Information Provided . Each of Pinnacle and OpCo, and their duly authorized representatives, shall have the right to conduct reasonable audits with respect to all information provided to it by the other Party. The Parties shall cooperate to determine the procedures and guidelines for conducting audits under this Section 6.3, which shall require reasonable advance notice by the auditing Party. The auditing Party shall have the right to make copies of any records at its expense, subject to applicable Law.

6.4 Fiduciary Matters . Pinnacle and OpCo each acknowledge that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable Law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good faith determination (as supported by advice from counsel experienced in such matters) that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release and indemnify the other Party for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.

6.5 Consent of Third Parties . If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party (such as a vendor or Governmental Authority) and such consent is withheld, Pinnacle and OpCo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, Pinnacle and OpCo shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner. The phrase “commercially reasonable efforts” as used herein shall not be construed to require the incurrence of any non-routine or unreasonable expense or liability or the waiver of any right.

ARTICLE VII

GOVERNING LAW; INCORPORATION OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT PROVISIONS

7.1 Governing Law . This Agreement and the legal relations between the Parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof to the extent such rules would require the application of the law of another jurisdiction.

7.2 Incorporation of Separation Agreement Provisions . The following provisions of the Separation Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and unless otherwise expressly specified herein, such provisions shall apply to indemnification described herein as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis (references in this sentence of Section 7.2 to an “Article” or “Section” shall mean Articles or Sections of the Separation Agreement, and references in the material incorporated herein by reference shall be references to the Separation Agreement): Section 5.2 (General Indemnification by OpCo); Section 5.3 (General Indemnification by Pinnacle); Section 5.4 (Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts); Section 5.5 (Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims); Section 5.6 (Tax Procedures); Section 5.7 (Additional Matters); Section 5.8 (Remedies Cumulative; Limitations of

 

13


Liabilities); Section 5.9 (Survival of Indemnities). Article VII (Dispute Resolution) of the Separation Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and unless otherwise expressly specified herein, such Article shall apply as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis (references in the material incorporated herein by reference shall be references to the Separation Agreement).

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Complete Agreement; Construction . This Agreement, together with the Separation Agreement and the Merger Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and thereto), constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between on behalf of the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

8.2 Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, any covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Time of Distribution and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

8.3 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.3):

If to OpCo, to:

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036-6522
Attention:      Regina Olshan, Esq. and
     Stephen F Arcano, Esq.
Facsimile:      (212) 735-2000

 

14


if to GLPI, Pinnacle or a member of the Pinnacle Group, to:

 

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
825 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 400
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610
Facsimile: (610) 401-2901   
Email: bmoore@glpropinc.com   
Attention:      Brandon J. Moore

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:      Daniel A. Neff
     Gregory E. Ostling
Facsimile:      (212) 403-2000

8.4 Termination . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Time of Distribution by and in the sole discretion of Pinnacle without the prior approval of any Person, including OpCo. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no Party, or any of its officers and directors, shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement. After the Time of Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.

8.5 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

8.6 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except that OpCo may assign (i) any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates and (ii) any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in connection with a sale or disposition of any assets or entities or lines of business of OpCo; provided , however , that, in each case, no such assignment shall release OpCo from any liability or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, (A) is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, (B) shall confer any right to employment or continued employment for any period or terms of employment, (C) be interpreted to prevent or restrict the Parties from modifying or terminating any Pinnacle Plan or OpCo Plan or the employment or terms of

 

15


employment of any OpCo Service Provider, or (D) shall establish, modify or amend any Pinnacle Plan or OpCo Plan covering a Pinnacle Participant, OpCo Participant, any collective bargaining agreements, national collective bargaining agreements, or the terms and conditions of employment applicable to an OpCo Service Provider.

8.7 Specific Performance . Subject to the provisions of Article VII of this Agreement, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party which is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (on an interim or permanent basis) of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at Law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at Law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at Law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

8.8 Amendment . No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by all the Parties which, unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, shall not become effective unless GLPI has provided its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , that it shall be deemed reasonable for GLPI to withhold its consent to any amendment which would be adverse to GLPI in GLPI’s good faith determination). No waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the Party so waiving; provided that, unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, no Party may waive any provision of this Agreement without GLPI’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , that it shall be deemed reasonable for GLPI to withhold its consent to any amendment which would be adverse to GLPI in GLPI’s good faith determination). The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach.

8.9 Rules of Construction . Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction: (i) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires, (ii) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, (iv) references to “$” shall mean U.S. dollars, (v) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive, (vii) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form, (viii) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions, (ix) the table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement, (x) Pinnacle and OpCo have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise

 

16


favoring or burdening either Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any interim drafts of this Agreement, and (xi) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

8.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank .]

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers.

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
[OPCO]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

[ Signature Page to Employee Matters Agreement ]

 

18

Table of Contents

Exhibit 99.1

Preliminary Information Statement

(Subject to Completion, Dated December 22, 2015)

 

 

LOGO

                    , 201[●]

Dear Pinnacle Stockholder:

I am pleased to inform you that on                     , 201[●], the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) approved the distribution of all of the shares of common stock of PNK Entertainment, Inc. (“OpCo”), a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Pinnacle, to Pinnacle stockholders. Following the distribution, OpCo will conduct all of the businesses and operations conducted prior to the separation by Pinnacle or any subsidiary of Pinnacle, other than the ownership or leasing of real property (except for the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations, which OpCo will continue to own).

This distribution will be made as part of a plan approved by our Board to separate Pinnacle’s operations from its real estate (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) into a stand-alone, publicly traded company prior to the proposed merger (the “merger”) of Pinnacle with a wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”) of Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (“GLPI”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 20, 2015. Pursuant to the merger, stockholders of Pinnacle will be entitled to receive 0.85 shares of GLPI common stock for every share of Pinnacle common stock that they own. Completion of the distribution is one of a number of conditions to completion of the merger, and the distribution is contingent upon all other conditions to completion of the merger having been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing of the merger, provided that such conditions are capable of being satisfied). Upon completion of the distribution and immediately following the merger of Pinnacle with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the merger, OpCo will change its corporate name to “Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.”

Upon the distribution of OpCo shares, Pinnacle stockholders who hold their shares of Pinnacle at the close of business on                     , 201[●], the record date for the distribution (the “record date”), will own 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of OpCo. Pinnacle’s Board of Directors believes that the separation of its real estate from its business and operations and subsequent merger with GLPI is the best way to unlock the full value of our real estate assets for the benefit of Pinnacle and our stockholders.

The distribution of OpCo common stock is expected to occur on                     , 201[●], immediately prior to the merger, by way of a pro rata dividend to Pinnacle stockholders. Each Pinnacle stockholder will be entitled to receive one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held by such stockholder as of the record date. The dividend will be issued in book-entry form only, which means that no physical stock certificates will be issued. No fractional shares of OpCo common stock will be issued. If you would otherwise have been entitled to a fractional share of OpCo common stock in the distribution, you will receive the net cash value of such fractional share instead.

No vote of Pinnacle stockholders is required in connection with this distribution . You are not required to take any action to receive your OpCo common stock. We are not asking you for a proxy in connection with the distribution, and you are requested not to send us a proxy. Pinnacle stockholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the shares of our common stock they receive in the distribution, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange shares of their Pinnacle common stock or take any other action in connection with the distribution.

Following the distribution, you will own shares in both Pinnacle (which will be exchanged for shares of GLPI common stock in the merger) and OpCo. Because we currently own all of the outstanding shares of OpCo common stock, no trading market for OpCo common stock currently exists. We intend to apply to have the


Table of Contents

common stock of OpCo listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PNK.” Pinnacle’s common stock will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market following the merger with GLPI.

The enclosed information statement, which is being mailed to all Pinnacle stockholders, describes the distribution in detail and contains important information about OpCo. We urge you to read the information statement carefully. In addition, stockholders seeking information concerning the merger are encouraged to read GLPI’s separate proxy statement and prospectus, Pinnacle’s proxy statement and recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by GLPI and Pinnacle.

I want to thank you for your continued support of Pinnacle and we look forward to your support of OpCo in the future.

Sincerely,

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

Chief Executive Officer and Director


Table of Contents

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

                    , 201[●]

Dear Future PNK Entertainment, Inc. Stockholder:

It is our pleasure to welcome you as a future stockholder of our company, PNK Entertainment, Inc. (“OpCo”). We are a Delaware incorporated company involved in the business of owning and operating casinos and related hospitality and entertainment facilities.

Our mission is to increase stockholder value. We seek to increase revenues through enhancing the guest experience by providing our guests with their favorite games, restaurants, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other amenities in attractive surroundings with high-quality guest service and guest rewards programs. We seek to improve profit margins by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value. In making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

We believe we will begin life as a public company in a strong position, as a result of a number of factors, including our management team’s track record in conducting gaming or hospitality operations, our focus on operational excellence and maximizing financial performance and a capital structure that provides us with the financial flexibility to capitalize on internal and external growth opportunities.

We intend to apply to have our common stock listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PNK” in connection with the distribution of our company’s common stock by Pinnacle.

We are excited about the opportunities ahead for OpCo and we invite you to learn more about OpCo by reviewing the enclosed information statement. We look forward to our future as a publicly traded company and to your support as a holder of OpCo common stock.

Sincerely,

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

Chief Executive Officer and Director


Table of Contents

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Preliminary Information Statement

(Subject to Completion, Dated December 22, 2015)

 

 

LOGO

Information Statement

Distribution of

Common Stock of

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

by

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

to Pinnacle Stockholders

This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) to its stockholders of all of its shares of common stock of PNK Entertainment, Inc. (“OpCo,” “our,” “us” or “we”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pinnacle which holds all of Pinnacle’s operating assets and liabilities and the real property of Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment (“Belterra Park”) and excess land at certain locations.

The distribution is being conducted in connection with the proposed merger of Pinnacle with a wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”) of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”) that was previously announced on July 21, 2015. The distribution is planned to occur immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and the distribution is contingent upon all other conditions to completion of the merger having been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing of the merger, provided that such conditions are capable of being satisfied). Pursuant to the merger, stockholders of Pinnacle will be entitled to receive 0.85 shares of GLPI common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own. Upon completion of the distribution, Pinnacle will immediately merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the merger, and OpCo will then change its corporate name to “Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.”

To implement the distribution, Pinnacle will distribute all of its shares of OpCo common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of Pinnacle common stock. Each of you, as a holder of Pinnacle common stock, will receive one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock that you held at the close of business on                     , 201[●], the record date for the distribution. Pinnacle will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The distribution will be effective as of                     , 201[●]. Immediately after the distribution is completed, OpCo will be a public company.

No vote of Pinnacle stockholders is required in connection with this distribution. We are not asking you for a proxy, and you are requested not to send us a proxy in connection with the distribution. Pinnacle stockholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the shares of our common stock they receive in the distribution, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange shares of their Pinnacle common stock or take any other action in connection with the distribution. You will receive separate instructions for exchanging your Pinnacle shares for GLPI shares in connection with the merger.

All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are currently owned by Pinnacle. Accordingly, there currently is no public trading market for our common stock. We intend to file an application to list our common stock under the ticker symbol “PNK” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”). Assuming that our common stock is approved for listing, we anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, for our common stock will develop on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and will continue up to and including through the distribution date, and we anticipate that “regular-way” trading of our common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date.

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 16 of this information statement.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Colorado Division of Gaming, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the Ohio State Racing Commission, the Ohio Lottery Commission, the Texas Racing Commission or any state securities commission or any other gaming authority or other regulatory agency, has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

The date of this information statement is                     , 201[●].

This information statement was first mailed to Pinnacle stockholders on or about                     , 201[●].


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

SUMMARY

    1   

RISK FACTORS

  16

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  40

BUSINESS

  41

THE SEPARATION

  47

DIVIDEND POLICY

  56

CAPITALIZATION

  57

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  59

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  61

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  69

MANAGEMENT

  94

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

  133

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

  134

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

  144

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT

  150

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  151

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  152

 

i


Table of Contents

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this information statement relating to our company, our separation from Pinnacle and the distribution of our common stock by Pinnacle to its stockholders. For a more complete understanding of our business and the separation and distribution, you should carefully read the entire information statement and the exhibits attached hereto or referenced herein.

Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement, including the consolidated financial statements of the OpCo business of Pinnacle, which is comprised of the assets and liabilities used in Pinnacle’s operating business, the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations (and assumes the completion of all the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution). Throughout this information statement, for purposes of simplicity, PNK Entertainment, Inc. prior to the distribution and merger, and PNK Entertainment, Inc. following the distribution and merger (which will immediately be renamed Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.) are referred to as “OpCo.” Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, “OpCo,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer to OpCo and its subsidiaries and “Pinnacle” refers to historical Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries prior to the distribution and the merger. “PropCo” refers to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. immediately following the distribution of OpCo, which will own most of Pinnacle’s historical real estate and be merged into Gold Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GLPI.

Our Company

We are an owner, operator and developer of casinos, a racetrack and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. We own and operate fifteen gaming facilities in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio, of which fourteen properties will be subject to the Master Lease. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these facilities, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour.

Our mission is to increase stockholder value. We seek to increase revenues through enhancing the guest experience by providing our guests with their favorite games, restaurants, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other amenities in attractive surroundings with high-quality guest service and guest rewards programs. We seek to improve profit by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value and reducing our leverage. Our long-term strategy includes disciplined capital expenditures to improve and maintain our existing operations, and growing the number and quality of our facilities by pursuing gaming entertainment opportunities we can improve or develop. In making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

The Separation

Overview

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Pinnacle approved a plan to separate Pinnacle’s real estate (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations. To effect this separation, Pinnacle’s operations, the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations will be transferred to OpCo or its subsidiaries, which will be spun-off as a stand-alone, publicly traded company prior to the proposed merger (the “merger”) of PropCo with Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 20, 2015 (the “Merger Agreement”).

In connection with our separation from Pinnacle, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with PropCo and GLPI, including an Employee Matters Agreement and a triple-net master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”), as more fully described below, pursuant to which

 



 

1


Table of Contents

PropCo (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle.

The Master Lease

Immediately prior to the closing of the merger, Pinnacle MLS, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OpCo (“Tenant”), will enter into the Master Lease with PropCo (“Landlord”). Immediately upon closing of the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI will become successor by merger to Landlord. We will lease from Landlord real property assets associated with fourteen of the gaming facilities used in our operations. The obligations of the Tenant under the Master Lease will be guaranteed by OpCo and all subsidiaries of Tenant that will operate the facilities leased under the Master Lease, or that own a gaming license, other license or other material asset necessary to operate any portion of the facilities and certain other subsidiaries.

Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable by Tenant will be $377 million. Tenant will make the rent payment in monthly installments. The rent structure under the Master Lease 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 every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change to net revenues of all facilities under the Master Lease during the preceding two years.

The Master Lease is a “triple-net lease.” Accordingly, in addition to rent, the Tenant will be required to pay the following: (i) all facility maintenance, (ii) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (iii) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the Landlord) and (iv) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.

At Tenant’s option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to five five-year renewal terms beyond the initial ten-year term, on the same terms and conditions. If Tenant elects to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease.

Tenant does not have the ability to terminate Tenant’s obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without Landlord’s consent. If the Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with Landlord’s consent, Tenant may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued payment of rent through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the leased property. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information regarding the Master Lease and other separation agreements.

Other Information

Pinnacle’s Board believes that the separation unlocks the value of Pinnacle’s real estate assets and delivers substantial value to its stockholders. Pinnacle believes that the separation of OpCo will allow it to monetize its real estate, focus on its operations, and pursue growth opportunities that leverage Pinnacle’s management and development skills. We expect the separation to position OpCo for future growth and maintain the financial flexibility to capitalize on future value-enhancing opportunities.

 



 

2


Table of Contents

The distribution of our common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. See “The Separation — Conditions to the Distribution,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

We are a newly formed company that will, as a result of an internal reorganization implemented by Pinnacle prior to the distribution, hold all of the assets and liabilities of Pinnacle’s operating business and certain real estate property, which does not include Pinnacle’s real property that is being purchased by GLPI in the proposed merger. Our headquarters will be located at 3980 Howard Hughes Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, which is the location of Pinnacle’s current headquarters. We will maintain an internet website at www.pnkinc.com, which is Pinnacle’s current website. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, will not be incorporated by reference into this information statement.

Questions and Answers about OpCo and the Separation

 

Why is the separation of OpCo structured as
a distribution?

Pinnacle believes that a taxable distribution of shares of OpCo is an efficient way to separate Pinnacle’s real estate assets (other than Pinnacle’s Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations. The separation will facilitate the merger of PropCo with GLPI in a manner that provides flexibility and creates benefits for us, and long-term value for Pinnacle stockholders. In the merger, which will occur promptly following the distribution, each share of Pinnacle common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.85 shares of GLPI common stock as merger consideration. After the distribution, we expect to maintain the financial flexibility to capitalize on future value-enhancing opportunities.

 

How will the separation of OpCo work?

The separation will be accomplished through a series of transactions in which Pinnacle’s real estate assets (except for the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) will be separated from its operating assets and assigned to or assumed by OpCo or its subsidiaries. The common stock of OpCo will then be distributed by Pinnacle to its stockholders on a pro rata basis immediately prior to the merger of PropCo with GLPI. In the merger of PropCo with GLPI, Pinnacle stockholders will be entitled to receive 0.85 shares of GLPI common stock as merger consideration for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own.

 

What is the record date for the distribution?

Pinnacle will determine record ownership of its shares for purposes of the distribution as of the close of regular trading on NASDAQ on [●], 201[●]. Only holders of Pinnacle common stock on the record date will be entitled to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution.

 

When will the distribution occur?

We expect that Pinnacle will distribute the shares of OpCo common stock on [●], 201[●] to holders of record of Pinnacle common stock on [●], 201[●], the record date.

 

What do stockholders need to do to
participate in the distribution?

No action is required by stockholders, but we urge you to read this entire document carefully as well as other documents referenced herein. Stockholders who hold Pinnacle common stock as of the record date will not be required to take any action to receive OpCo

 



 

3


Table of Contents
 

common stock in the distribution. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required or sought. We are not asking you for a proxy and you are requested not to send us a proxy in connection with the distribution. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Pinnacle common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our common stock. If you own Pinnacle common stock as of the close of business on the record date, Pinnacle, with the assistance of American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC (“American Stock Transfer and Trust Company”), the distribution agent, will electronically issue shares of our common stock to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. American Stock Transfer and Trust Company will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of OpCo common stock or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. If you sell shares of Pinnacle common stock in the “regular-way” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution. Following the distribution, stockholders whose shares are held in book-entry form may request that their shares of OpCo common stock held in book-entry form be transferred to a brokerage or other account at any time, without charge.

 

Does OpCo plan to pay dividends?

We do not expect to declare dividends in the short term. We currently intend that OpCo will retain earnings to support our operations, finance the growth and development of our business and pay down indebtedness. The declaration and payment of any future dividends by OpCo will be subject to the discretion of OpCo’s Board and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, compliance with debt covenants, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by OpCo’s Board.

 

Will OpCo have any debt?

Yes. At the time of the distribution, OpCo will pay to PropCo a cash payment equal to the amount of existing Pinnacle debt at the time of the distribution, less $2.7 billion of debt assumed by GLPI, subject to certain adjustments, as more fully described herein (the “OpCo Cash Payment”), which will be used by PropCo to pay off a portion of Pinnacle’s existing indebtedness substantially concurrently with the consummation of the distribution and the merger.

 

  To provide OpCo with the debt financing required to consummate the proposed transactions, including payment of the OpCo Cash Payment described above, OpCo will utilize either (but not both) of the following debt commitments:

 

 

(1) an amended and restated commitment letter, dated November 17, 2015 (the “Bridge Commitment Letter”) from certain lenders and certain of their affiliates pursuant to which OpCo has received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in financing, comprised of (i) a $900 million senior secured 364-day

 



 

4


Table of Contents
 

term loan bridge facility (the “Term Loan Bridge Facility”) and (ii) a $200 million senior secured 364-day revolving credit facility (the “Bridge Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan Bridge Facility, collectively, the “Bridge Facility”); and

 

  (2) a commitment letter, dated November 17, 2015 (the “Takeout Commitment Letter”) from certain lenders and certain of their affiliates pursuant to which OpCo has received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $585 million in financing, comprised of a (i) $185 million senior secured term loan A facility (the “Term Loan A Facility”) and (ii) $400 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Takeout Revolving Credit Facility”, and together with the Term Loan A Facility, collectively, the “Committed Takeout Facilities”). The lenders under the Takeout Commitment Letter have also agreed to use their commercially reasonable efforts to syndicate a $350 million senior secured term loan B facility, which may, at OpCo’s election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million in connection with the issuance of senior unsecured notes to finance a portion of the transactions, as further described in the Takeout Commitment Letter (the “Term Loan B Facility”, and together with the Committed Takeout Facilities, collectively, the “Takeout Facilities”). As noted in the Takeout Commitment Letter, it is anticipated that we will also issue senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million to provide a portion of the debt financing required by Pinnacle to consummate the transactions. The principal amount of the Senior Notes may, at OpCo’s election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million, as further described in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Takeout Commitment Letter. Both the issuance of the Senior Notes and the receipt by the lenders under the Takeout Commitment Letter of commitments from lenders for the Term Loan B Facility, in each case, on or prior to the closing date of the merger, are conditions to the availability of the Takeout Facilities. Further, the Senior Notes are only contemplated in connection with the commitments provided in the Takeout Commitment Letter.

 

  At this time, OpCo has not yet determined which of the two commitments described above will be utilized to provide the debt financing required to consummate the proposed transactions because it will be dependent on future market conditions. However, we intend to use the Takeout Commitment Facilities if market conditions are favorable at the time of the distribution and not use the Bridge Facility.

 

 

The proceeds of loans under either the Bridge Facility or the Takeout Facilities, as applicable, together with the proceeds from any Senior Notes, if applicable, will be used to pay the OpCo Cash Payment (as more fully described herein) and to pay transaction fees and expenses. Remaining amounts under the Bridge Revolving Credit Facility or the Takeout Revolving Credit Facility, as

 



 

5


Table of Contents
 

applicable, will be used for OpCo’s general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, permitted acquisitions or dividends. Loans under the Bridge Revolving Credit Facility or the Takeout Revolving Credit Facility, as applicable, may be repaid and reborrowed from time to time.

 

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution to Pinnacle stockholders?

The receipt by you of shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution (including any fractional shares sold on your behalf) will generally be a taxable dividend to the extent of your ratable share of Pinnacle’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, with the excess treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in shares of Pinnacle’s common stock and then as capital gain. For a more detailed discussion see “The Separation — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

  You should consult your tax advisor about the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the application of state, local and foreign tax laws.

 

How will I determine the tax basis I will have
in the OpCo shares I receive in the
distribution?

Your tax basis in the OpCo shares of common stock received generally will equal the fair market value of such shares on the distribution date. For a more detailed discussion see “The Separation — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

What will be the relationship between
PropCo, GLPI and OpCo following the
separation?

Before the separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with PropCo and GLPI, including an Employee Matters Agreement and a Master Lease pursuant to which PropCo (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

  It is anticipated that Pinnacle’s Chairman of the Board and its Chief Executive Officer will serve as OpCo’s Chairman of the Board and its Chief Executive Officer, respectively, following the separation and distribution and that Pinnacle’s independent directors will serve as directors of OpCo. Such individuals will not continue as officers or directors of PropCo following the merger.

 



 

6


Table of Contents

Will I receive physical certificates
representing shares of OpCo common stock
following the separation?

No. You will not receive physical certificates representing shares of OpCo common stock following the separation. In connection with the separation, neither Pinnacle nor OpCo will be issuing physical certificates representing shares of OpCo common stock. Instead, Pinnacle, with the assistance of American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the distribution agent, will electronically issue shares of our common stock to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form.

 

  American Stock Transfer and Trust Company will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of OpCo common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. A benefit of issuing stock electronically in book-entry form is that there will be none of the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities that are inherent in owning physical stock certificates.

 

Should I sell my Pinnacle common
stock or my OpCo common stock?

You should consult with your financial advisors, such as your stockbroker, bank or tax advisor. Neither Pinnacle nor OpCo makes any recommendations on the purchase, retention or sale of shares of Pinnacle common stock or the OpCo common stock to be distributed.

 

Where will I be able to trade shares of OpCo common stock?

There is not currently a public market for OpCo common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “PNK.” We anticipate that trading in shares of OpCo common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on or shortly before the record date and will continue up to and including through the distribution date and that “regular-way” trading in shares of OpCo common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. “When-issued” trading in the context of a spin-off refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally on or before the distribution date because the security of the spun-off entity has not yet been distributed. “When-issued” trades will not settle until after the distribution date. We cannot predict the trading prices for OpCo common stock before, on or after the distribution date.

 

Will the number of Pinnacle shares I own change as a result of the distribution?

The number of shares of Pinnacle common stock you own will not change as a result of the distribution. However, promptly following the distribution and as a result of PropCo’s merger with GLPI, each share of Pinnacle common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.85 shares of GLPI common stock as merger consideration.

 

What will be the business of PropCo
following the distribution?

Following the distribution and as a result of the reorganization, PropCo will no longer operate and manage gaming and hospitality properties. PropCo’s primary business will be the leasing of substantially all of its real estate properties to Pinnacle MLS, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, pursuant to the Master Lease. PropCo will be acquired by GLPI as a result of the merger promptly following the distribution.

 



 

7


Table of Contents

What will happen to the listing of Pinnacle common stock?

Immediately after the distribution of OpCo common stock and as a result of the merger with GLPI, Pinnacle common stock will be delisted from NASDAQ.

 

Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the separation?

No. Holders of Pinnacle common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the separation or the merger.

 

Are there risks to owning OpCo common
stock?

Yes. Our business is subject to both general and specific risks relating to our business, our relationship with PropCo (and, following the merger, with GLPI), the ability of OpCo to make the rent payments pursuant to the Master Lease and our being a stand-alone, publicly traded company. Our business is also subject to risks relating to the separation. These risks are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement beginning on page 16. We encourage you to read that section carefully.

 

Where can Pinnacle stockholders get more information?

Before the separation, if you have any questions relating to the separation, you should contact:

 

  Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

  Investor Relations

3980 Howard Hughes Parkway

 

  Las Vegas, NV 89169

 

  (702) 541-7777

 

  www.pnkinc.com

 

  After the separation and the merger (in connection with which OpCo will have changed its corporate name to “Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.”), if you have any questions relating to OpCo common stock, you should contact:

 

  Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

  Investor Relations

3980 Howard Hughes Parkway

 

  Las Vegas, NV 89169

 

  (702) 541-7777

 

  www.pnkinc.com

 

  After the separation, if you have any questions relating to the distribution of OpCo shares, you should contact:

 

  American Stock Transfer and Trust Company

 

  6201 15th Ave

 

  Brooklyn, NY 11219

 

  (800) 937-5449

 

  www.amstock.com

 



 

8


Table of Contents

Summary of the Separation

The following is a summary of the material terms of the separation and other related transactions.

 

Distributing Company

Pinnacle. After the distribution, Pinnacle will not own any shares of OpCo common stock.

 

Distributed Company

OpCo, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Pinnacle that was formed to hold all of Pinnacle’s operating assets and liabilities and the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations. After the distribution, OpCo will be a stand-alone, publicly traded company.

 

Distribution Ratio

Each holder of Pinnacle common stock will receive one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held on [●], 201[●]. Cash will be distributed in lieu of fractional shares, as described below.

 

Distributed Securities

All of the shares of OpCo common stock owned by Pinnacle, which will be 100% of OpCo common stock outstanding immediately prior to the distribution. Based on the approximately [●] shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on [●], 201[●] and applying the distribution ratio of one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock, approximately [●] shares of OpCo common stock will be distributed to Pinnacle stockholders who hold Pinnacle common stock as of the record date. The number of shares that Pinnacle will distribute to its stockholders will be reduced to the extent that cash payments are to be made in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of our common stock.

 

Fractional Shares

Pinnacle will not distribute any fractional shares of OpCo common stock to its stockholders. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales pro rata to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares generally will be taxable to the recipient stockholders as described in “The Separation — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

Distribution Agent

American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

 

Record Date

The record date for the distribution is the close of business on [●], 201[●].

 

Distribution Date

The distribution date is [●], 201[●].

 



 

9


Table of Contents

Distribution

On the distribution date, Pinnacle, with the assistance of American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the distribution agent, will electronically issue shares of OpCo common stock to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Pinnacle common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of OpCo common stock. If you sell shares of Pinnacle common stock in the “regular-way” market, up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution. Registered stockholders will receive additional information from the distribution agent shortly after the distribution date. Following the distribution, stockholders whose shares are held in book-entry form may request that their shares of OpCo common stock be transferred to a brokerage or other account at any time, without charge. Beneficial stockholders that hold shares through a brokerage firm will receive additional information from their brokerage firms shortly after the distribution date.

 

OpCo Cash Payment

OpCo will pay to Pinnacle at the time of the distribution the OpCo Cash Payment which will be used by PropCo to pay off a portion of Pinnacle’s existing indebtedness substantially concurrently with the consummation of the distribution and the merger.

 

Conditions to the Distribution

The distribution of OpCo common stock is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including without limitation:

 

    each of the conditions to Merger Agreement has been fulfilled or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing of the merger, provided that such conditions are capable of being satisfied) and GLPI has confirmed to Pinnacle in writing that it is prepared to consummate the merger, subject only to the distribution;

 

    each of the transaction documents contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall having been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

 

    the plan of reorganization to effectuate the separation having been substantially completed in accordance with the plan of reorganization;

 

    the Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the separation has been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and the information statement shall have been mailed to holders of Pinnacle common stock as of the record date of the distribution;

 



 

10


Table of Contents
    prior to the date of the distribution, such registration statements on Form S-8 as are necessary to register the equity awards of OpCo held by or made available to directors and employees of OpCo has been filed with the SEC;

 

    all actions and filings with respect to the OpCo common stock necessary under applicable federal, state or foreign securities or “blue sky” laws and the rules and regulations thereunder having been taken and, where applicable, become effective or been accepted;

 

    OpCo will have obtained an opinion from a nationally-recognized valuation or accounting firm or investment bank, as to the adequacy of surplus under the laws of the State of Delaware to effect the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment, and as to the solvency of OpCo and PropCo after giving effect to the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment in a form reasonably satisfactory to OpCo and Pinnacle;

 

    the OpCo common stock to be delivered in the distribution has been accepted for listing on a national securities exchange, subject to compliance with applicable listing requirements; and

 

    no injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction has been entered and continue to be in effect and no law has been adopted or be effective preventing consummation of the distribution or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

Stock Exchange Listing

We intend to file an application to list shares of OpCo common stock on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “PNK.” We anticipate that on or shortly prior to the record date, trading of shares of OpCo common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue up to and including through the distribution date. See “The Separation — Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

Trading Market and Symbol

We intend to file an application to list OpCo common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “PNK.” We anticipate that trading in shares of OpCo common stock will begin on a “when-issued” on or shortly before and will continue up to and including through the distribution date. Shares of OpCo common stock will begin to trade on a “regular-way” basis on the first trading day following the distribution.

 

Dividend Policy

We do not expect to declare dividends in the short term. We currently intend to retain earnings to support OpCo’s operations, finance the growth and development of our business and pay down indebtedness. The declaration and payment of any future dividends by OpCo will be subject to the discretion of OpCo’s Board and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition,

 



 

11


Table of Contents
 

earnings, capital requirements of OpCo’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by OpCo’s Board.

 

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock and the Distribution

Our business is subject to both general and specific risks and uncertainties relating to our business, our leverage, our relationship with GLPI, our ability to make the lease payments under the Master Lease, and our being a stand-alone, publicly traded company. Our business is also subject to risks relating to the separation. You should read carefully “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 16 in this information statement.

 

Tax Consequences of the Distribution

The receipt by a stockholder of shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution (including any fractional shares sold on such holder’s behalf) will generally be a taxable dividend to the extent of such holder’s ratable share of Pinnacle’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, with the excess treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of such holder’s tax basis in its shares of Pinnacle common stock and then as capital gain. For a more detailed discussion see “The Separation — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

  Holders should consult their tax advisors about the particular consequences of the distribution to them, including the application of state, local and foreign tax laws.

 

Certain Agreements with PropCo and GLPI

In connection with the distribution, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with PropCo and GLPI, including an Employee Matters Agreement and a Master Lease, pursuant to which PropCo (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle. For a discussion of these arrangements, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 



 

12


Table of Contents

Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

The following tables present certain summary consolidated financial data for OpCo as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 data are derived from Pinnacle’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and the September 30, 2015 data are derived from Pinnacle’s historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto. Pinnacle’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and its historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2015 and accompanying notes thereto have been determined to represent OpCo based on the conclusion that, for accounting purposes, the spin-off of OpCo should be evaluated as the reverse of its legal form under the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 505-60 (“ASC”), Spinoff and Reverse Spinoffs , resulting in OpCo being considered the accounting spinnor and PropCo the accounting spinnee. The gaming facilities acquired by GLPI, which will be leased back by OpCo under the Master Lease, will not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and therefore the Master Lease will be accounted for as a financing obligation and the gaming facilities will remain on OpCo’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Because the data in these tables are only a summary, you should read the consolidated financial statements and condensed consolidated financial statements, including the related notes included elsewhere in this information statement, and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this information statement. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future periods.

The table below also sets forth unaudited summary pro forma condensed financial information for the year ended December 31, 2014 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which have been derived from the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information included in this information statement under “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” and which should be read in conjunction with the presentation of such information, including the accompanying notes thereto and Pinnacle’s historical consolidated financial statements and condensed consolidated financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information gives effect to events that are directly attributable to the spin-off of OpCo as a newly formed corporation and separation of Pinnacle’s real estate assets (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations business, as if each had occurred on January 1, 2014, in the case of income statement data and other financial data derived therefrom, and gives effect to these transactions on September 30, 2014, in the case of balance sheet data and other financial data derived therefrom. To effect this separation, Pinnacle’s operations, the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations will be transferred to OpCo or its subsidiaries, which will be spun-off as a publicly traded company, following which PropCo will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI, with OpCo operating the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI under the Master Lease. However, there can be no assurance that the spin-off and merger will be completed. The unaudited summary pro forma consolidated financial information should not be considered indicative of actual results that would have been achieved had the spin-off and merger occurred on the respective dates indicated and does not purport to indicate balance sheet information or results of operations as of any future date or for any future period. We cannot assure you that the assumptions used in the preparation of the unaudited consolidated pro forma financial information will prove to be correct.

 



 

13


Table of Contents
     Historical          Pro Forma  
    Year Ended December 31,    

Nine Months
Ended

September 30,

         Year Ended
December 31,
2014
    Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
2015
 
    2012     2013     2014     2015         
                      (Unaudited)          (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

              

Statement of operations data:

              

Revenues

  $   1,002,836      $   1,487,836      $   2,210,543      $ 1,733,429         $   2,210,543      $ 1,733,429   

Operating income

    136,695        104,387        310,473        255,201           312,316        265,354   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA(a)

    250,275        370,681        584,823        473,730           584,934        473,813   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    (13,237)        (133,381)        38,331        56,340           (72,667)        (26,641)   

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share - basic

  $ (0.22)      $ (2.27)      $ 0.64      $ 0.94         $ (1.22)      $ (0.42)   

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share - diluted

  $ (0.22)      $ (2.27)      $ 0.62      $ 0.91         $ (1.22)      $ (0.42)   

(a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement. OpCo defines Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening and development expenses, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure because it is used by management as a performance measure to analyze the performance of OpCo’s business, and is especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because it provides a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. OpCo eliminates the results from discontinued operations as they are discontinued. OpCo also reviews pre-opening and development expenses separately as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. OpCo believes that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure for investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of ongoing business operations, including OpCo’s ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and operations. This calculation is commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within OpCo’s industry. In addition, we expect OpCo’s credit agreement and bond indentures will require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. OpCo’s calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

 



 

14


Table of Contents

A reconciliation from Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations is as follows:

 

     Historical    

 

  Pro Forma  
    Year Ended December 31    

Nine

Months
Ended
September 30,

        Year Ended
December 31,
   

Nine

Months
Ended
September 30,

 
(dollars in thousands)   2012     2013     2014     2015    

 

  2014     2015  
                      (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

    $ 250,275        $ 370,681        $ 584,823        $ 473,730          $ 584,934        $ 473,813   

Depreciation and amortization

    (82,689)        (148,456)          (241,062)          (187,290)            (241,062)        (187,290)   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    (21,508)        (89,009)        (12,962)        (11,712)          (11,230)        (1,642)   

Non-cash share-based compensation

    (8,554)        (11,564)        (13,939)        (12,972)          (13,939)        (12,972)   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

    (829)        (17,265)        (6,387)        (6,555)          (6,387)        (6,555)   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (20,718)        (30,830)        (8,234)        -          -        -   

Loss from equity method investment

    (30,780)        (92,181)        (165)        (83)          (165)        (83)   

Interest expense, excluding interest expense from Master Lease, net of capitalized interest

    (93,670)        (169,812)        (252,647)        (186,105)          (47,249)        (35,437)   

Interest expense from Master Lease financing obligation

    -        -        -        -          (329,870)        (247,402)   

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (4,764)        55,055        (11,096)        (12,673)          (7,699)        (9,073)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    $   (13,237)        $   (133,381)        $ 38,331        $ 56,340          $ (72,667)        $ (26,641)   

 

     Historical         Pro Forma  
    As of December 31,     As of
September 30,
2015
        As of
September 30,
2015
 
    2012     2013     2014        
                      (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)  

(dollars in thousands)

           

Balance Sheet Data:

           

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents

    $ 100,467        $ 203,530        $ 170,321        $ 123,012          $ 123,012   

Total assets

      2,108,994          5,159,426          4,833,682          4,588,921            4,345,623   

Total long-term debt (including current portion)

    1,440,501        4,380,051        3,986,654        3,676,932          1,001,328   

Total financing obligation (including current portion)

    -        -        -        -          2,780,892   

Stockholders’ equity

    447,117        225,170        289,382        372,005          280,452   

 



 

15


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risk factors and all of the other information set forth in this information statement. The risk factors generally have been separated into three groups: (i) risks relating to the separation, (ii) risks relating to our business following the separation and (iii) risks relating to our common stock. Based on the information currently known to us, we believe that the following information identifies the most significant risk factors affecting our company in each of these categories of risks. However, the risks and uncertainties our company faces are not limited to those set forth in the risk factors described below. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

If any of the following risks and uncertainties develops into actual events, these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline .

Risks Relating to the Separation

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from our separation from Pinnacle.

As a new, publicly traded company, we believe that our business will benefit from, among other things, allowing our management to design and implement strategies that are based primarily on the characteristics of our operating business, allowing us to focus our time and financial resources wholly on our own operations and implement and maintain a capital structure designed to meet our own specific needs. We may not be able to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as a new operating company or such benefits may be delayed or may not occur at all.

Our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

The historical and pro forma financial statements we have included in this information statement may not reflect what our business, financial position or results of operations would have been had we been a publicly traded company during the periods presented or what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows will be in the future when we are a stand-alone company. In connection with the distribution, significant changes have occurred in our cost structure, financing and business operations as a result of our operation as a stand-alone company separate from Pinnacle and our entering into transactions with PropCo that have not existed historically, including the rent payment obligations under the Master Lease. For additional information about our past financial performance and the basis of presentation of our financial statements, please see “Selected Historical Financial Information,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement.

Pinnacle’s and GLPI’s inability to obtain all material authorizations, consents, approvals and clearances of third parties including U.S. federal, state and local governmental agencies (“Third-Party Approvals”) in connection with the distribution and merger may have a material adverse effect on Pinnacle’s ability to consummate the distribution.

There are numerous Third-Party Approvals that Pinnacle and GLPI must obtain in connection with the distribution and the restructuring of Pinnacle’s business in connection therewith, including approvals by gaming and regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions. In some cases, these approvals must be obtained before the distribution can be completed. Although Pinnacle and GLPI have commenced the process of seeking the necessary Third-Party Approvals required in connection with the distribution, they currently do not have all the necessary Third-Party Approvals. There is no assurance that Pinnacle and GLPI will be able to obtain these Third-Party Approvals.

 

16


Table of Contents

The distribution could give rise to disputes or other unfavorable effects, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Disputes with third parties could arise out of the distribution, and we could experience unfavorable reactions to the distribution from employees, credit ratings agencies, regulators or other interested parties. These disputes and reactions of third parties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, following the distribution and merger between PropCo and GLPI, disputes between OpCo (and its subsidiaries) and GLPI could arise in connection with any of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Master Lease, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement or other agreements.

In the event we fund the Bridge Facility to consummate the transactions, we may face challenges in refinancing the resulting debt within the short period of time required.

We have received commitments from lenders for the Bridge Facility. In the event that credit markets and capital markets deteriorate between now and the time of the closing of the transactions, we may need to fund the Bridge Facility to consummate the transactions with GLPI. If funded, the loans under the Bridge Facility would mature and become due on the first anniversary of the funding of the closing of the transactions. Since the Bridge Facility’s maturity is within one year of funding, generally accepted accounting principles would require that amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility, which amounts would be substantial, be treated as a current liability at the time of the closing of the transactions, which may lead to a “going concern” or like qualification or exception from our auditors with respect to our 2016 audited financial statements.

As a result, we would need to access capital markets and other credit markets necessary to refinance the Bridge Facility, which will depend upon market conditions at that time.

We cannot assure you that conditions in capital markets or other credit markets will be sufficient after we fund the Bridge Facility to refinance the Bridge Facility or that we will be able to obtain additional financing on terms we find acceptable or without substantial expense. If we raise the necessary funds through the issuance of additional equity, your ownership in us may be diluted. If we are not able to repay the Bridge Facility when it becomes due, or we are unable to refinance the Bridge Facility on favorable terms at or prior to such time, our interest costs could increase and/or our creditors could proceed against the collateral that secures the Bridge Facility. The failure to obtain new debt on favorable or reasonable terms to replace the Bridge Facility could have material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and would likely reduce the market price of our common stock.

Our potential indemnification liabilities pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially adversely affect us.

The Separation and Distribution Agreement between OpCo and PropCo will provide for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the distribution, certain conditions to the distribution and provisions governing the relationship between us and PropCo with respect to and resulting from the separation. For a description of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with PropCo — Separation and Distribution Agreement.” Among other things, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide for indemnification obligations designed to make us financially responsible for substantially all liabilities relating to or arising out of Pinnacle’s historical business, including tax matters and environmental matters. If we are required to indemnify PropCo under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

In connection with OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, PropCo will indemnify us for certain liabilities, and GLPI will guarantee such indemnification. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure OpCo against the full

 

17


Table of Contents

amount of such liabilities, or that PropCo’s ability to satisfy (or GLPI’s ability to guarantee) its indemnification obligations will not be impaired in the future. Third parties could also seek to hold OpCo responsible for any of the liabilities that PropCo will agree to retain, and there can be no assurance that PropCo or GLPI will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from PropCo or GLPI any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from PropCo or GLPI.

A court could deem the distribution of the OpCo common stock by Pinnacle to be a fraudulent conveyance and void the transaction or impose substantial liabilities upon us.

If the transaction is challenged by a third party, a court could deem the distribution by Pinnacle of our common stock or certain internal restructuring transactions undertaken by us in connection with the distribution to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. Fraudulent conveyances or transfers are defined to include transfers made or obligations incurred with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud current or future creditors or transfers made or obligations incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value when the debtor was insolvent, or that rendered the debtor insolvent, inadequately capitalized or unable to pay its debts as they become due. In such circumstances, a court could void the transactions or impose substantial liabilities upon us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations. Among other things, the court could require our stockholders to return to us some or all of the shares of our common stock issued in the distribution or require us to fund liabilities of other companies involved in the restructuring transactions for the benefit of creditors. Whether a transaction is a fraudulent conveyance or transfer will vary depending upon the laws of the applicable jurisdiction.

Following the separation, OpCo will be a new publicly traded company with no operating history and we may be unable to operate as a stand-alone, publicly traded company.

Prior to the separation, Pinnacle owned or leased the gaming and hospitality establishments and other real property on which it operated its business. Following the separation, OpCo will operate fourteen of its gaming properties pursuant to a Master Lease with GLPI. OpCo will have less collateral to secure new financings and our market capitalization will be substantially smaller than Pinnacle prior to the separation. As a result, OpCo’s ability to obtain debt financings and to access the capital markets may be on less favorable terms than existed for Pinnacle prior to the separation. In addition, OpCo will be required to make a rent payment to GLPI of a substantial portion of its cash flows from operations.

While we expect that our employees and executive officers will remain the same as under Pinnacle, we cannot assure you that this will be the case following the separation. In the event that employees and executive officers leave OpCo, we may not be able to replace them. The loss of one or more key employees or executive officers may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

In addition, OpCo will be a new public company that will have no operating history as an independent public company and there will be many costs and expenses associated with OpCo running its business similar to how Pinnacle operated prior to the separation. Because our business has not been operated as a stand-alone company, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully implement the changes necessary to operate independently or that we will not incur additional costs operating independently that would have a negative effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Business Following the Separation

Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in consumers’ discretionary spending as a result of downturns in the economy or other changes we cannot accurately predict.

Demand for entertainment and leisure activities is sensitive to consumers’ disposable incomes, and thus demand can be affected by changes in the economy that we cannot predict. We compete with a broad range of entertainment and leisure activities and consumer preferences may change. Perceived or actual unfavorable

 

18


Table of Contents

changes in general economic conditions, including recession, economic slowdown, high unemployment levels, the housing and credit crises, high fuel or other transportation costs, and changes in consumer confidence may reduce disposable income of our customers or result in fewer patrons visiting our casinos. As a result, we cannot ensure that demand for entertainment and leisure activities will not be adversely affected or that customers will continue to want to frequent our facilities or continue to spend money at our facilities. Many of our younger customers do not play slot machines, which is where we derive the majority of our revenue. In the event that our customers do not use slot machines, this may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Continued adverse developments affecting economies throughout the world, including a general tightening of the availability of credit, potentially rising interest rates, increasing energy costs, rising prices, inflation, acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters, declining consumer confidence or significant declines in the stock market could lead to a reduction in discretionary spending on entertainment and leisure activities, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Deterioration in operating results could affect our liquidity and our ability to comply with financial covenant ratios, other covenants and requirements in our proposed debt financing and our ability to pay rent and comply with the terms of the Master Lease, discussed in other risk factors below.

The gaming industry is very competitive and increased competition, including through legislative legalization or expansion of gaming by states in or near where we operate facilities or through Native American gaming facilities and Internet gaming, could adversely affect our financial results.

We face significant competition in all of the areas in which we operate. Increased competitive pressures may adversely affect our ability to continue to attract customers or affect our ability to compete efficiently. We have a number of strategic alliances to compete with other competitors. The loss of one or more of these strategic alliances may adversely affect our business.

Several of the facilities on which we operate are located in jurisdictions that restrict gaming to certain areas and/or may be affected by state laws that currently prohibit or restrict gaming operations. Economic difficulties faced by state governments could lead to intensified political pressures for the legalization of gaming in jurisdictions where it is currently prohibited. The legalization of gaming in such jurisdictions could be an expansion opportunity for us, or create competitive pressure, depending on where the legalization occurs and our ability to capitalize on it. Our ability to attract customers to the existing casinos on which we operate could be significantly and adversely affected by the legalization or expansion of gaming in new jurisdictions, including, in particular, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas areas where our customers may also visit, and by the development or expansion of Native American casinos in areas where our customers may visit.

In addition, because global economic pressures have reduced the revenues of state governments from traditional tax sources, voters and state legislatures may be more sympathetic to proposals authorizing or expanding gaming in those jurisdictions. We also face the risk that existing casino licensees will expand their operations and the risk that Native American gaming will continue to grow.

In December 2014, a new casino resort, Golden Nugget Casino, opened adjacent to and in competition with our L’Auberge Lake Charles property. In addition, a new casino resort opened in December 2015 in D’lberville, Mississippi, which will provide additional competition to our Boomtown New Orleans and L’Auberge Baton Rouge properties and a racetrack located outside of Cincinnati is adding instant racing machines in 2016, which will provide increased competition for our Belterra Park and Belterra Resort properties.

In Nebraska, there is an effort to gather signatures for a referendum for a vote to allow casinos at racetracks. If casinos at racetracks became legal in Nebraska, this would provide increased competition for our Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs property.

From time to time, our competitors refurbish, rebrand or expand their casino offerings, which could function to increase competition. In addition, changes in ownership may result in improved quality of our competitors’ facilities, which may make such facilities more competitive.

 

19


Table of Contents

We face competition from racetracks that offer VLT’s, including seven operating in Ohio, one of which is our property, Belterra Park. In addition, a racetrack located outside of Cincinnati is adding instant racing machines in 2016, which will provide increased competition for our Belterra Park and Belterra Resort properties. On July 24, 2013, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed to determine whether opponents of VLT’s have standing to challenge the decision to allow VLT’s at the state’s seven horse racetracks. The opponents assert that expanding the Ohio lottery by allowing VLT’s was an unconstitutional expansion of gaming in Ohio. A lower court ruled that the opponents lacked legal standing in the case. That decision was appealed and unanimously upheld by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. The opponents appealed again and the Ohio Supreme Court heard the case in June 2015. We do not know how the Ohio Supreme Court will rule and what impact, if any, the ruling may have on VLT operations at racetracks in Ohio.

We also compete with other forms of legalized gaming and entertainment such as bingo, pull-tab games, card parlors, sports books, pari-mutuel or telephonic betting on horse and dog racing, state-sponsored lotteries, instant racing machines, VLTs, video poker terminals and, in the future, we may compete with gaming or entertainment at other venues. Furthermore, competition from Internet lotteries and other Internet wagering gaming services, which allow their customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and play Las Vegas-style casino games from home, could divert customers from the facilities we operate and thus adversely affect our business. Such internet wagering services are likely to expand in future years and become more accessible to domestic gamblers as a result of recently announced U.S. Department of Justice positions related to the application of federal laws to intrastate internet gaming and initiatives in some states to consider legislation to legalize intrastate internet wagering. In particular, certain states including Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey passed legislation to authorize various forms of intrastate internet gaming. Notably, in February 2013, Nevada amended its internet gaming law to permit Nevada licensed internet providers to commence internet poker and to allow the state to enter into agreements with other states to create multi-state poker wagering, and in February 2013, New Jersey enacted legislation authorizing intrastate internet gaming through Atlantic City casinos, which went into effect in November 2013. The law in this area has been rapidly evolving, and additional legislative developments may occur at the federal and state levels that would accelerate the proliferation of certain forms of internet gaming in the United States.

Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services provided by third parties. In the event that there is an interruption of these services to us, it may have an adverse effect on our operations and financial conditions.

We engage a number of third parties to provide gaming operating systems for the facilities we operate. As a result, we rely on such third parties to provide uninterrupted services to us in order to run our business efficiently and effectively. In the event one of these third parties experiences a disruption in its ability to provide such services to us (whether due to technological difficulties or power problems), this may result in a material disruption at the casinos on which we operate and have a material effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Any unscheduled interruption in our technology services is likely to result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenues due to a shutdown of our gaming operations, cloud computing and lottery systems. Such interruptions may occur as a result of, for example, catastrophic events or rolling blackouts. Our systems are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks and similar events.

Our business may be harmed from cyber security risk and we may be subject to legal claims if there is loss, disclosure or misappropriation of or access to our guests’ or our business partners’ or our own information or other breaches of our information security.

We make extensive use of online services and centralized data processing, including through third party service providers. The secure maintenance and transmission of customer information is a critical element of our operations. Our information technology and other systems that maintain and transmit guest information, or those

 

20


Table of Contents

of service providers, business partners, or employee information may be compromised by a malicious third party penetration of our network security, or that of a third party service provider or business partner, or impacted by intentional or unintentional actions or inactions by our employees, or those of a third party service provider or business partner. As a result, our guests’ information may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without our guests’ consent.

In addition, third party service providers and other business partners process and maintain proprietary business information and data related to our guests, suppliers and other business partners. Our information technology and other systems that maintain and transmit this information, or those of service providers or business partners, may also be compromised by a malicious third party penetration of our network security or that of a third party service provider or business partner, or impacted by intentional or unintentional actions or inactions by our employees or those of a third party service provider or business partner. As a result, our business information, guest, supplier, and other business partner data may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without their consent.

Any such loss, disclosure or misappropriation of, or access to, guests’ or business partners’ information or other breach of our information security can result in legal claims or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions, may have a serious impact on our reputation and may adversely affect our businesses, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, the loss, disclosure or misappropriation of our business information may adversely affect our reputation, businesses, operating results and financial condition.

We will be required to pay a significant portion of our cash flows pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease, which could adversely affect our ability to fund our operations and growth and limit our ability to react to competitive and economic changes.

We will be required to pay a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to GLPI pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease. Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable by Pinnacle MLS, LLC, the tenant under the Master Lease, will be $377 million. As a result of our significantly reduced cash flow, our ability to fund our own operations or development projects, raise capital, make acquisitions and otherwise respond to competitive and economic changes may be adversely affected. For example, our obligations under the Master Lease may:

 

  l     make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness and to obtain additional indebtedness;

 

  l     increase our vulnerability to general or regional adverse economic and industry conditions or a downturn in our business;

 

  l     require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to making lease obligation payments, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

  l     limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

 

  l     restrict our ability to raise capital, make acquisitions, divestitures and engage in other significant transactions.

Any of the above listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The following are certain provisions of the Master Lease which restrict our ability to freely operate and could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition:

 

  l    

Escalations in Rent – We are obligated to pay base rent under the Master Lease, and base rent is composed of building base rent and land base rent. After the first year of the Master Lease term,

 

21


Table of Contents
 

building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to two percent (2%) and we are required to pay the escalated building base rent regardless of our revenues, cash flow or general financial condition.

 

  l     Variable Rent – We are obligated to pay percentage rent under the Master Lease, which is re-calculated every two years. Such percentage rent shall equal four percent (4%) of the excess (if any) of (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two-year period over (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the trailing twelve (12) months net revenues as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease. We may be required to pay an increase in percentage rent based on increases in net revenues without a corresponding increase in our profits.

 

  l     New Developments – If we contemplate developing or building a new facility which is located within a sixty (60) mile radius of a facility that will be subject to the Master Lease, the annual percentage rent due from the affected existing facility subject to the Master Lease may thereafter be subject to a floor. Therefore, our percentage rent may not decline as a result of a subsequent decline in revenues at the leased properties.

 

  l     Guaranty by Parent – In connection with certain assignments of the Master Lease, the ultimate parent company of such assignee of the Master Lease must execute a guaranty and shall be required to be solvent. Such requirement may limit our ability to freely assign the Master Lease or pursue certain transactions.

 

  l     Master Lease Guaranties – The Master Lease will be guaranteed by Tenant’s parent and certain subsidiaries of Tenant (the “Guarantors”). A default under any of the Master Lease guaranties that is not cured within applicable grace periods will constitute an event of default under the Master Lease.

 

  l     Cross-Defaults – If Tenant or any of the Guarantors fail to pay or bond final judgments aggregating in excess of $100 million, and such judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed within 45 days, an event of default will arise under the Master Lease.

 

  l     GLPI’s Mortgage Financing – Tenant and the Guarantors have agreed to satisfy certain non-monetary obligations that may be imposed if GLPI mortgages the properties that are subject to the Master Lease. A default by Tenant or the Guarantors under these non-monetary obligations that results in an acceleration of GLPI’s mortgage financing will constitute an event of default under the Master Lease.

 

  l     Effect of End of Term or Not Renewing the Master Lease – If we do not renew the Master Lease at the stipulated renewals or we do not enter into a new Master Lease at the end of the term, we will be required to sell the business of the Tenant. If we cannot agree upon acceptable terms of sale with a qualified successor tenant within a three (3) month period after potential successive tenants are identified, GLPI will select the successor tenant to purchase the Tenant’s business through a competitive auction. If this occurs, we will be required to transfer the Tenant’s business to the highest bidder at the auction, subject to regulatory approvals.

 

  l     Accounting Treatment – The Master Lease will not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment, which results in the Master Lease being presented as a financing obligation in our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. As a result, our financial statements will look materially different than the financial statements would have looked had the Master Lease qualified for sale-leaseback accounting treatment, which could impact the demand for our common stock.

Substantially all of our gaming facilities will be leased and could experience risks associated with leased property, including risks relating to lease termination, lease extensions, charges and our relationship with GLPI, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, Pinnacle MLS, LLC, will lease fourteen of the gaming facilities we operate pursuant to the Master Lease. The Master Lease provides that GLPI may terminate the lease for a number

 

22


Table of Contents

of reasons, including, subject to applicable cure periods, the default in any payment of rent, taxes or other payment obligations or the breach of any other covenant or agreement in the lease. Termination of the Master Lease could result in a default under our debt agreements and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. There can also be no assurance that we will be able to comply with our obligations under the Master Lease in the future.

The Master Lease is a “triple-net lease.” Accordingly, in addition to rent, we will be required to pay among other things the following: (i) all facility maintenance, (ii) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (iii) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (iv) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. We are responsible for incurring the costs described in the preceding sentence notwithstanding the fact that many of the benefits received in exchange for such costs shall in part accrue to GLPI as owner of the associated facilities. In addition, if some of our leased facilities should prove to be unprofitable, we could remain obligated for lease payments and other obligations under the Master Lease even if we decided to withdraw from those locations. We could incur special charges relating to the closing of such facilities including lease termination costs, impairment charges and other special charges that would reduce our net income and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face risks associated with growth and acquisitions.

We regularly evaluate opportunities for growth through development of gaming operations in existing or new markets, through acquiring other gaming entertainment facilities or through redeveloping our existing facilities. The expansion of our operations, whether through acquisitions, development or internal growth, could divert management’s attention and could also cause us to incur substantial costs, including legal, professional and consulting fees. It is uncertain that we will be able to identify, acquire, develop or profitably manage additional companies or operations or successfully integrate such companies or operations into our existing operations without substantial costs, delays or other problems. Additionally, it is uncertain that we will receive gaming or other necessary licenses or governmental approvals for our new projects or in jurisdictions that we have not operated in the past or that gaming will be approved in jurisdictions where it is not currently approved. Further, we may not obtain adequate financing for such opportunities on acceptable terms.

If we make new acquisitions or new investments, we may face additional risks related to our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and ability to satisfy our financial covenants and comply with other restrictive covenants under our proposed debt financing.

We derived 30.1% and 29.7% of our revenues for the nine-months ended September 30, 2015 from casinos located in Louisiana and Missouri, respectively, and are especially subject to certain risks, including economic and competitive risks, associated with the conditions in those areas and in the states from which we draw patrons.

Four of our fifteen facilities on which we operate are located in Louisiana. During the nine-months ended September 30, 2015, we derived 30.1% of our revenues from these four casinos and 15.6% from one of them, L’Auberge Lake Charles in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In addition, we derived 29.7% of our revenues from three casinos in the Missouri region during the nine-months ended September 30, 2015.

Because we expect to derive a significant percentage of our revenues from operating facilities concentrated in two states, we are subject to greater risks from regional conditions than a gaming company operating facilities in several different geographies. A decrease in revenues from or increase in costs for one of these locations is likely to have a proportionally greater impact on our business and operations than it would for a gaming company with more geographically diverse facilities. Risks from regional conditions include the following:

 

  l     regional economic conditions;

 

  l     regional competitive conditions, including legalization or expansion of gaming;

 

23


Table of Contents
  l     reduced land and air travel due to increasing fuel costs or transportation disruptions;

 

  l     inaccessibility of the area due to inclement weather, road construction or closure of primary access routes;

 

  l     the outbreak of public health threats at any of our facilities, or in the areas in which they are located, or the perception that such threats exist; and

 

  l     a decline in the number of visitors.

Our expected indebtedness and projected future borrowings could adversely affect our financial health; future cash flows may not be sufficient to meet our obligations, and we may have difficulty obtaining additional financing; and we may experience adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations.

There can be no assurance in the future that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or through asset sales to meet our expected long-term debt service obligations. Our expected indebtedness and projected future borrowings could have important adverse consequences to us, such as:

 

  l     making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our expected indebtedness and pursuant to the Master Lease;

 

  l     limiting our ability to obtain additional financing without restructuring the covenants in our expected indebtedness to permit the incurrence of such financing;

 

  l     requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow to be used for payments on the debt and related interest, thereby reducing our ability to use cash flow to fund other working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements;

 

  l     limiting our ability to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions and to withstand competitive pressures, which may affect our financial condition;

 

  l     causing us to incur higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates on our borrowings that have variable interest rates or in the event of refinancing existing debt at higher interest rates;

 

  l     limiting our ability to make investments, dispose of assets, pay cash dividends or repurchase stock;

 

  l     increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our business, our industry or the general economy and restricting us from making improvements or acquisitions or exploring business opportunities;

 

  l     placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors with less debt or greater resources; and

 

  l     subjecting us to financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, the non-compliance with which could result in an event of default.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our proposed debt financing in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or lease payments and other obligations under the Master Lease, or to fund our other liquidity needs. In addition, if we undertake substantial new developments or facility renovations or consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements and our debt service requirements may increase significantly.

If we fail to generate sufficient cash flow from future operations to meet our expected debt service obligations and rent payments under the Master Lease, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms or at all, particularly because of our anticipated high levels of debt and the debt incurrence restrictions imposed by the agreements expected to govern our debt.

 

24


Table of Contents

Our expected borrowings under our proposed debt financing are at variable rates of interest which could expose us to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates. While we may enter into interest rate hedges in the future, we currently have no such interest rate hedges. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable-rate indebtedness could increase significantly even though the amount borrowed would remain the same.

Our proposed indebtedness will impose restrictive covenants on us.

Our proposed debt financing will impose various customary negative covenants on us and our restricted subsidiaries. The restrictions that are expected to be imposed by these debt instruments include, among other obligations, limitations on our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

  l     incur additional debt;

 

  l     make payments on subordinated obligations;

 

  l     make dividends or distributions and repurchase stock;

 

  l     make investments;

 

  l     grant liens on our property to secure debt;

 

  l     enter into certain transactions with affiliates;

 

  l     sell assets or enter into mergers or consolidations;

 

  l     create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;

 

  l     change the nature of our lines of business;

 

  l     designate restricted and unrestricted subsidiaries; and

 

  l     make material amendments to the Master Lease.

Under the instruments governing our proposed debt financing, we will also be subject to certain financial maintenance covenants, as well as customary affirmative covenants and events of default. Our ability to comply with the covenants contained in these instruments may be affected by general economic conditions, industry conditions, and other events beyond our control, including delay in the completion of new projects under construction. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these covenants. Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in the Bridge Facility, the Takeout Facilities or any Senior Notes, as applicable, including failure to comply as a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and our financial condition.

If there were an event of default under one of our proposed debt instruments, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable, subject to applicable grace periods. This could trigger cross-defaults under our other proposed debt instruments. We cannot assure you that our assets or cash flow would be sufficient to repay borrowings under our proposed debt instruments if accelerated upon an event of default, or that we would be able to repay, refinance or restructure the payments on any of those proposed debt instruments.

To service our expected indebtedness and make payments under the Master Lease, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our expected indebtedness, make payments under the Master Lease and fund planned capital expenditures and expansion efforts will depend upon our ability to

 

25


Table of Contents

generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our proposed debt financing in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our obligations under the Master Lease or pay our expected indebtedness, as such indebtedness matures and to fund our other liquidity needs. In such circumstances, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our expected indebtedness, at or before maturity, and cannot provide assurances that we will be able to refinance any of our expected indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. We may have to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying planned expenses and capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt, or obtaining additional equity or debt financing or joint venture partners. These financing strategies may not be completed on satisfactory terms, if at all. In addition, certain states’ laws contain restrictions on the ability of companies engaged in the gaming business to undertake certain financing transactions. Some restrictions may prevent us from obtaining necessary capital.

Our ability to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms may be limited.

Although we believe that our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as well as future cash from operations and availability under our proposed debt financing, will provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, we may need to seek additional financing to compete effectively. As a result of the separation and merger with GLPI, Pinnacle will be selling substantially all of its real estate assets and as a result, we will have less collateral with which we are able to secure financing in the future. This may result in us entering into debt financing terms that are more expensive and on less than ideal terms. Our debt ratings affect both our ability to raise debt financing and the cost of that financing. Future downgrades of our debt ratings may increase our borrowing costs and affect our ability to access the debt markets on terms and in amounts that would be satisfactory to us. If we are unable to obtain financing on commercially reasonable terms, it could:

 

  l     reduce funds available to us for purposes such as working capital, capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

 

  l     restrict our ability to capitalize on business opportunities;

 

  l     increase our vulnerability to economic downturns and competitive pressures in the markets in which we operate; and

 

  l     place us at a competitive disadvantage.

In the event that we undertake future development plans for capital-intensive projects, we may be required to borrow significant amounts under our proposed debt financing and, depending on which projects are pursued to completion, may cause us to incur substantial additional indebtedness.

We expect to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (including our development activities) with cash flow from operations and funding from our proposed debt financing, but cannot provide assurances that such financing will provide adequate funding for our future developments. In the event that we pursue future developments and our future cash flows from operations do not match the levels we currently anticipate, whether due to downturns in the economy or otherwise, we may need to amend the terms of our credit facility or obtain waivers from our lenders in order to implement future development plans. We may not be able to obtain such an amendment or waiver from our lenders. In such event, we may need to raise funds through the capital markets and may not be able to do so on favorable terms or on terms acceptable to us.

We may experience an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We expect to test goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be

 

26


Table of Contents

recoverable. A significant amount of judgment is involved in performing fair value estimates for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets because the results are based on estimated future cash flows and assumptions related thereto. Significant assumptions include estimates of future sales and expense trends, liquidity and capitalization, among other factors. We will base our fair value estimates on projected financial information, which we believe to be reasonable. If we are required to recognize an impairment to some portion of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, it could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We will review the carrying value of our long-lived assets whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. When performing this assessment, we will consider current operating results, trends and prospects, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic, legal, and regulatory factors. If we are required to recognize an impairment to some portion of the carrying value of our long-lived assets, it could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Insufficient or lower-than-expected results generated from our new developments and acquisitions may negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.

We cannot assure you that the revenues generated from our new developments and acquisitions will be sufficient to pay related expenses if and when these developments are completed, or, even if revenues are sufficient to pay expenses, that the new developments and acquisitions will yield an adequate return or any return on our significant investments. Our projects, if completed, may take significantly longer than we expect to generate returns, if any. Moreover, lower-than-expected results from the opening of a new facility may negatively affect our operating results and financial condition and may make it more difficult to raise capital, even as such a shortfall would increase the need to raise capital. In addition, as new facilities on which we operate open, they may compete with the existing facilities on which we own or operate.

Rising operating costs at our gaming facilities could have a negative impact on our business.

The operating expenses associated with our gaming facilities could increase due to, among other reasons, the following factors:

 

  l     changes in the foreign, federal, state or local tax or regulations, including state gaming regulations or taxes, could impose additional restrictions or increase our operating costs;

 

  l     aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns by our competitors for an extended period of time could force us to increase our expenditures for marketing and promotional campaigns in order to maintain our existing customer base and attract new customers;

 

  l     as our facilities age, we may need to increase our expenditures for repairs, maintenance, and to replace equipment necessary to operate our business in amounts greater than what we have spent historically;

 

  l     the Master Lease requires us to pay variable rent and base rent, and base rent is composed of building base rent and land base rent. After the first year of the Master Lease term, building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to two percent (2%) and may increase without a corresponding increase in revenues. Our annual variable rent is based on changes in our net revenue and as our revenues increase, our variable rent may increase without a corresponding increase in our profits;

 

  l     an increase in the cost of health care benefits for our employees could have a negative impact on our financial results;

 

  l     our reliance on slot play revenues and any additional costs imposed on us from vendors;

 

  l     availability and cost of the many products and service we provide our customers, including food, beverages, retail items, entertainment, hotel rooms, spa and golf services;

 

27


Table of Contents
  l     availability and costs associated with insurance;

 

  l     increase in costs of labor, including due to potential unionization of our employees;

 

  l     our facilities use significant amounts of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy, and energy price increase may adversely affect our cost structure; and

 

  l     our facilities use significant amounts of water, and a water shortage may adversely affect our operations.

If our operating expenses increase without any offsetting increase in our revenues, our results of operations would suffer.

Recessions have affected our business and financial condition, and economic conditions may affect us in ways that we currently cannot accurately predict.

Economic recessions have had and may continue to have far reaching adverse consequences across many industries, including the gaming industry, which may have an effect on our business and financial condition. The U.S. economy continues to experience some weakness following a severe recession, which resulted in increased unemployment, decreased consumer spending and a decline in housing values. While the U.S. economy has slowly emerged from the recession, high levels of unemployment have continued to persist. In addition, while the Federal Reserve took policy actions to promote market liquidity and encourage economic growth following the recession, such actions are now being curtailed as signs of improvement in the economy have emerged, and the impact of these monetary policy actions on the recovery is uncertain. Moreover, we rely on the strength of regional and local economies for the performance of each of our properties. If the national economic recovery slows or stalls, the national economy experiences another recession or any of the relevant regional or local economies suffers a downturn, we may experience a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We expect to be engaged from time to time in one or more construction and development projects, and many factors could prevent us from completing them as planned, including the escalation of construction costs beyond increments anticipated in our construction budgets.

Construction of major buildings has certain inherent risks, including the risks of fire, structural collapse, human error and electrical, mechanical and plumbing malfunction. In addition, projects entail additional risks related to structural heights and the required use of cranes. Our expected development and expansion projects also entail significant risks, including:

 

  l     shortage of materials;

 

  l     shortage of skilled labor or work stoppages;

 

  l     unforeseen construction scheduling, engineering, excavation, environmental or geological problems;

 

  l     natural disasters, hurricanes, weather interference, changes in river levels, floods, fires, earthquakes or other casualty losses or delays;

 

  l     unanticipated cost increase or delays in completing the project;

 

  l     delays in obtaining or inability to obtain or maintain necessary license or permits;

 

  l     changes to plans or specifications;

 

  l     performance by contractors and subcontractors;

 

  l     disputes with contractors;

 

28


Table of Contents
  l     disruption of our operations caused by diversion of management’s attention to new development projects and construction at our existing facilities;

 

  l     remediation of environmental contamination at some of our proposed construction sites, which may prove more costly than anticipated in our construction budgets;

 

  l     failure to obtain and maintain necessary gaming regulatory approvals and licenses, or failure to obtain such approvals and licenses on a timely basis;

 

  l     requirements or government-established “goals” concerning union labor or requiring that a portion of the project expenditures be through companies controlled by specific ethnic or gender groups, goals that may not be obtainable, or may only be obtainable at additional project cost; and

 

  l     increases in the cost of raw materials for construction, driven by worldwide demand, higher labor and construction costs and other factors, may cause price increases beyond those anticipated in the budgets for our development projects.

Escalating construction costs may cause us to modify the design and scope of projects from those initially contemplated or cause the budgets for those projects to be increased. We will generally carry insurance to cover certain liabilities related to construction, but not all risks are covered, and it is uncertain whether such insurance will provide sufficient payment in a timely fashion even for those risks that are insured and material to us.

Construction of our development projects exposes us to risks of cost overruns due to typical construction uncertainties associated with any project or changes in the designs, plans or concepts of such projects. For these and other reasons, construction costs may exceed the estimated cost of completion, notwithstanding the existence of any guaranteed maximum price construction contracts.

Our industry is highly regulated, which makes us dependent on obtaining and maintaining gaming licenses and subjects us to potentially significant fines and penalties.

The ownership, management and operation of gaming facilities are subject to extensive state and local regulation. The statutes, rules and regulations of the states and local jurisdictions in which we and our subsidiaries conduct gaming operations require us to hold various licenses, registrations, permits and approvals and to obtain findings of suitability. The various regulatory authorities, including the Colorado Division of Gaming, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, Indiana Gaming Commission, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Ohio State Racing Commission, the Ohio Lottery Commission, and the Texas Racing Commission may, among other things, limit, condition, suspend, revoke or fail to renew a license to conduct gaming operations or prevent us from owning the securities of any of our gaming subsidiaries for any cause deemed reasonable by such licensing authorities. Substantial fines or forfeitures of assets for violations of gaming laws or regulations may be levied against us, our subsidiaries and the persons involved, including, but not limited to, our management, employees and holders of 5% or more of our securities. In addition, many of our key vendors must be licensed and found suitable by regulatory authorities and there can be no assurance that such vendors will be able to be licensed and found suitable.

We expect to obtain all governmental licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for the operation of our existing gaming facilities. It is uncertain, however, whether we will be able to obtain any new licenses, registrations, permits, approvals and findings of suitability that may be required in the future or that existing ones will be renewed or will not be suspended or revoked. Any expansion of our gaming operations in our existing jurisdictions or into new jurisdictions may require various additional licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals of the gaming authorities. The approval process can be time consuming and costly, and there can be no assurance of success.

 

29


Table of Contents

We will also be subject to a variety of other rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations governing payment card information and the serving of alcoholic beverages at our operating facilities. If we are not in compliance with these laws, it could adversely affect our business.

Potential changes in the regulatory environment could harm our business.

Changes in regulations affecting the casino business can affect our operations. In addition, legislators and special-interest groups have proposed legislation from time to time that would restrict or prevent gaming operations. Other regulatory restrictions or prohibitions on our gaming operations could curtail our operations and could result in decreases in revenues.

Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking.

Legislation in various forms to ban indoor tobacco smoking in public places has been enacted or introduced in many states and local jurisdictions, including several of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We believe the smoking bans and restrictions have significantly impacted business volumes.

In February 2014, the Indiana Supreme Court struck down an ordinance that extended a smoking ban to restaurants and bars, but exempted a local casino. The Indiana Supreme Court held that the ordinance violated the state constitution’s equal privileges and immunities clause. While the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision only applies to this ordinance, similar challenges may be made to invalidate exemptions for casinos in ordinances and laws in Indiana which may result in new laws and ordinances that prohibit smoking at Belterra Casino Resort and Ameristar East Chicago. If smoking was prohibited at the facilities we operate in Indiana, we believe that this will adversely effect on our businesses.

In January 2015, the New Orleans City Council unanimously approved an ordinance in the City of New Orleans that prohibits smoking in casinos, bars and restaurants. The Boomtown New Orleans facility is located in the West Bank and not in the City of New Orleans, so the smoking ban does not apply to such facility. However, if a smoking ban was approved in the West Bank, we believe that this will adversely effect on our business.

Our operations are largely dependent on the skill and experience of our management and key personnel. The loss of management and other key personnel could significantly harm our business, and we may not be able to effectively replace members of management who have left our company.

Our success and our competitive position are largely dependent upon, among other things, the efforts and skills of our senior executives and management team. Although we will enter into employment agreements with certain of our senior executives and key personnel, we cannot guarantee that these individuals will remain employed by us. If we lose the services of any members of our management team or other key personnel, our business may be significantly impaired. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our existing senior executive and management personnel or attract additional qualified senior executive and management personnel.

We expect to experience strong competition in hiring and retaining qualified property and corporate management personnel, including competition from numerous Native American gaming facilities that are not subject to the same taxation regimes as we are and therefore may be willing and able to pay higher rates of compensation. From time to time, we expect to have a number of vacancies in key corporate and property management positions. If we are unable to successfully recruit and retain qualified management personnel at our facilities or at our corporate level, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition, our officers, directors and key employees will be required to file applications with the gaming authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate and are required to be licensed or found suitable by these gaming authorities. If the gaming authorities were to find an officer, director or key employee unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with us, we would have to sever all relationships with that person. Furthermore, the gaming authorities may require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications. Either result could significantly impair our operations.

 

30


Table of Contents

Adverse weather conditions, road construction, gasoline shortages and other factors affecting our facilities and the areas in which we operate could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to the facilities on which we operate and deter customers from visiting our facilities.

Our business depends upon our ability to draw customers from each of the geographic markets in which we operate. Adverse weather conditions or road construction can deter our customers from traveling to the facilities on which we operate or make it difficult for them to frequent the facilities on which we operate. In late 2013 and early 2014, there were severe cold temperatures in the Midwest, that we believe adversely affected Pinnacle’s financial performance in its Midwest segment. In 2015, Boomtown Bossier City and Belterra Park both experienced flooding which resulted in temporary closures at both properties, repair and clean-up costs and lost business volume. Moreover, gasoline shortages or fuel price increases in regions that constitute a significant source of customers for the facilities on which we operate could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to such facilities and deter customers from visiting. The dockside gaming facilities in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri, as well as any additional riverboat or dockside casino facilities that might be developed or acquired, are also subject to risks, in addition to those associated with land-based casinos, which could disrupt our operations. Although none of the vessels on which we operate leave their moorings in normal operations, there are risks associated with the movement or mooring of vessels on waterways, including risks of casualty due to river turbulence, flooding, collisions with other vessels and severe weather conditions.

Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the occurrence of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, or other catastrophic events, including war and terrorism.

Natural disasters, such as major hurricanes, typhoons, floods, fires and earthquakes, could adversely affect our business and operating results. Hurricanes are common in the areas in which our Louisiana facilities are located, and the severity of such natural disasters is unpredictable. The facilities on which we operate in St. Louis (River City and Ameristar St. Charles) are located near an earthquake fault line and are subject to earthquakes. In addition, the River City casino on which we operate is in an area along the Mississippi River that has historically experienced flooding. Although its foundation is built up to be above historical flooding levels, there is no certainty that this will be sufficient in future floods.

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused significant damage in the Gulf Coast region. Hurricane Katrina destroyed Pinnacle’s former Biloxi, Mississippi facility. In August 2005, the Boomtown New Orleans casino on which we operate was forced to close for 34 days as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In September 2005, Hurricane Rita caused significant damage in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area and forced our L’Auberge Lake Charles facility to close for 16 days, in addition to causing physical damage. In the third quarter of 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which struck during two key weekends, affected our Louisiana operations and our Texas customer base. Hurricane Ike also caused flooding in St. Louis, necessitating the temporary closure of Pinnacle’s former President Casino, and caused a power outage over the course of two days at the Belterra Casino Resort in Indiana. In March 2011, our Belterra Park racetrack was forced to delay the opening of live racing due to flooding from the Ohio River. In October 2012, Hurricane Isaac delayed the opening of L’Auberge Baton Rouge for approximately a week and caused a temporary closure of Boomtown New Orleans for five days. In 2015, Boomtown Bossier City and Belterra Park both experienced flooding, which resulted in temporary closures at both properties.

Catastrophic events, such as terrorist and war activities in the United States and elsewhere, have had a negative effect on travel and leisure expenditures, including lodging, gaming (in some jurisdictions) and tourism. We cannot accurately predict the extent to which such events may affect us, directly or indirectly, in the future. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain or choose to purchase any insurance coverage with respect to occurrences of terrorist acts and any losses that could result from these acts. If there is a prolonged disruption at our facilities due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.

 

31


Table of Contents

We are exposed to a variety of natural disasters such as named windstorms, floods and earthquakes and this can make it challenging for us to obtain adequate levels of weather catastrophe occurrence insurance coverage for our facilities at reasonable rates, if at all.

Because of significant historical loss experience and the potential for future similar losses caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters, adequate insurance may be limited or may be cost prohibitive. Therefore, we expect our policy to contain sub-limits specifically for weather catastrophe occurrences. We expect that our coverage for a named windstorm, flood and earthquake will be $200 million per occurrence, subject to a deductible, including business interruption. For other catastrophes, we expect that our coverage will be $700 million per occurrence, subject to a deductible, including business interruption. In addition, as a result of the worldwide economic conditions, there may be uncertainty as to the viability of certain insurance companies and their ability to pay a claim. While we believe that the insurance companies will remain solvent, there is no certainty that this will be the case in the event of a loss.

We may incur property and other losses that are not adequately covered by insurance, which may harm our results of operations.

Although we maintain insurance that our management believes is customary and appropriate for our business, we cannot assure you that insurance will be available or adequate to cover all losses and damage to which our business or our assets might be subjected. The lack of adequate insurance for certain types or levels of risk could expose us to significant losses in the event that a catastrophe occurred for which we are uninsured or underinsured. Any losses we incur that are not adequately covered by insurance may decrease our future operating income, require us to find replacements or repairs for destroyed property and reduce the funds available for payments of our obligations. The Master Lease will require us, in the event of a casualty event, to rebuild a leased property to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before such casualty event. We renew our insurance policies (other than our builder’s risk insurance) on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so material that we may need to further reduce our policy limits, further increase our deductibles, or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage.

The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry or other technological conditions could impose additional costs on us.

A substantial majority of our revenues is attributable to slot machines operated by us at our casinos. It is important that, for competitive reasons, we offer the most popular and up-to-date slot machine games with the latest technology to our guests.

In recent years, the prices of new slot machines with additional features have escalated faster than the general rate of inflation. Furthermore, in recent years, slot machine manufacturers have frequently refused to sell slot machines featuring the most popular games, instead requiring participation lease arrangements in order to acquire the machines. Participation slot machine leasing arrangements typically require the payment of a fixed daily rental. Such agreements may also include a percentage payment of coin-in or net win. Generally, a participation lease is substantially more expensive over the long-term than the cost to purchase a new machine.

For competitive reasons, we may choose to purchase new slot machines or enter into participation lease arrangements that are more expensive than the costs associated with the continued operation of our existing slot machines. If the newer slot machines do not result in sufficient incremental revenues to offset the increased investment and participation lease costs, it could hurt our profitability.

We materially rely on a variety of hardware and software products to maximize revenue and efficiency in our operations. Technology in the gaming industry is developing rapidly, and we may need to invest substantial amounts to acquire the most current gaming and hotel technology and equipment in order to remain competitive in the markets in which we operate. Ensuring the successful implementation and maintenance of any new technology acquired is an additional risk.

 

32


Table of Contents

We operate in a highly taxed industry and it may be subject to higher taxes in the future. If the jurisdictions in which we operate increase gaming taxes and fees, our operating results could be adversely affected.

In gaming jurisdictions in which we operate, state and local governments raise considerable revenues from taxes based on casino revenues and operations. We also pay property taxes, admission taxes, occupancy taxes, sales and use taxes, payroll taxes, franchise taxes and income taxes.

Our profitability depends on generating enough revenues to pay gaming taxes and other largely variable expenses, such as payroll and marketing, as well as largely fixed expenses, such as property taxes and interest expense. From time to time, state and local governments have increased gaming taxes and such increases can significantly impact the profitability of gaming operations.

We cannot assure you that governments in jurisdictions in which we operate, or the federal government, will not enact legislation that increases gaming tax rates. Global economic pressures have reduced the revenues of state governments from traditional tax sources, which may cause state legislatures or the federal government to be more inclined to increase gaming tax rates.

Work stoppages, organizing drives and other labor problems could negatively impact our future profits.

We expect to be a party to two collective bargaining agreements at our Belterra Park facility and two collective bargaining agreements with certain employees at our East Chicago facility. In addition, other unions have approached our employees. A lengthy strike or other work stoppages at any of our casino facilities or construction projects could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Labor unions are making a concerted effort to recruit more employees in the gaming industry. We cannot provide any assurance that we will not experience additional and more aggressive union activity in the future.

We face environmental and archaeological regulation of the real estate on which we operate.

Our business is subject to a variety of federal, state and local governmental statutes and regulations relating to activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water and use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous materials and concentrated animal feeding operations. These laws and regulations are complex, and subject to change, and failure to comply with such laws could result in the imposition of severe penalties or restrictions on our operations by government agencies or courts of law or the incurrence of significant costs for the remediation of spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes. Under certain of these laws and regulations, and under our contractual arrangements with GLPI, including the Master Lease, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating contamination on its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time that they occurred. We endeavor to maintain compliance with environmental laws, but from time to time, current or historical operations on, or adjacent to, our property may have resulted or may result in noncompliance with environmental laws or liability for cleanup pursuant to environmental laws. A material fine or penalty, severe operational or development restriction, or imposition of material remediation costs could adversely affect our business. In addition, the locations of our current or future developments may coincide with sites containing archaeologically significant artifacts, such as Native American remains and artifacts. Federal, state and local governmental regulations relating to the protection of such sites may require us to modify, delay or cancel construction projects at significant cost to us.

We are subject to litigation, which, if adversely determined, could cause us to incur substantial losses.

From time to time during the normal course of operating our businesses, we are subject to various litigation claims and legal disputes. Some of the litigation claims may not be covered under our insurance policies, or our insurance carriers may seek to deny coverage. As a result, we might also be required to incur significant legal fees, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position. In addition, because we cannot accurately predict the outcome of any action, it is possible that, as a result of current and/or future litigation, we will be subject to adverse judgments or settlements that could significantly reduce our earnings or result in losses.

 

33


Table of Contents

We are subject to certain federal, state and other regulations.

We are subject to certain federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and ordinances that apply to businesses generally, The Bank Secrecy Act, enforced by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) of the U.S. Treasury Department, requires us to report currency transactions in excess of $10,000 occurring within a gaming day, including identification of the guest by name and social security number, to the IRS. This regulation also requires us to report certain suspicious activity, including any transaction that exceeds $5,000 that we know, suspect or have reason to believe involves funds from illegal activity or is designed to evade federal regulations or reporting requirements and to verify sources of funds, in response to which we have implemented Know Your Customer processes. Periodic audits by the IRS and our internal audit department assess compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, and substantial penalties can be imposed against us if we fail to comply with this regulation. In recent years the U.S. Treasury Department has increased its focus on Bank Secrecy Act compliance throughout the gaming industry, and public comments by FinCEN suggest that casinos should obtain information on each customer’s sources of income. This could impact our ability to attract and retain casino guests.

The riverboats on which we operate must comply with certain federal and state laws and regulations with respect to boat design, on-board facilities, equipment, personnel and safety. In addition, we are required to have third parties periodically inspect and certify all of our casino barges for stability and single compartment flooding integrity. The casino barges on which we operate also must meet local fire safety standards. We would incur additional costs if any of the gaming facilities on which we operate were not in compliance with one or more of these regulations.

We are also subject to a variety of other federal, state and local laws and regulations, including those relating to zoning, construction, land use, employment, marketing and advertising and the production, sale and service of alcoholic beverages. If we are not in compliance with these laws and regulations, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The imposition of a substantial penalty could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Climate change, climate change regulations and greenhouse effects may adversely impact our operations and markets.

There is a growing political and scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions, also referred to herein as “GHG” continue to alter the composition of the global atmosphere in ways that are affecting and are expected to continue affecting the global climate. Climate change, including the impact of global warming, creates physical and financial risk. Physical risks from climate change include an increase in sea level and changes in weather conditions, such as an increase in changes in precipitation and extreme weather events. Climate change could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. We have described the risks to us associated with extreme weather events in the risk factors above.

We may become subject to legislation and regulation regarding climate change, and compliance with any new rules could be difficult and costly. Concerned parties, such as legislators and regulators, stockholders and non-governmental organizations, as well as companies in many business sectors, are considering ways to reduce GHG emissions. Many states have announced or adopted programs to stabilize and reduce GHG emissions and in the past federal legislation have been proposed in Congress. If such legislation is enacted, we could incur increased energy, environmental and other costs and capital expenditures to comply with the limitations. Unless and until legislation is enacted and its terms are known, we cannot reasonably or reliably estimate its impact on our financial condition, operating performance or ability to compete. Further, regulation of GHG emissions may limit our guests’ ability to travel to our facilities as a result of increased fuel costs or restrictions on transport related emissions.

We face business and regulatory risks associated with our investment in ACDL.

PNK Development 18, LLC, one of our wholly owned unrestricted subsidiaries, owns a minority interest in Asian Coast Development (Canada) Ltd., a British Columbia corporation (“ACDL”). Entities affiliated

 

34


Table of Contents

with Harbinger Capital Partners (“Harbinger”) are the majority shareholders of ACDL. ACDL’s wholly owned subsidiary Ho Tram Project Company Limited (“HTP”) is the owner and developer of the Ho Tram Strip beachfront complex of destination integrated resorts, residential developments and golf course in the Province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau in southern Vietnam (the “Ho Tram Strip”). As a minority shareholder of ACDL, our ability to control the management, record keeping, operations and decision-making of ACDL is limited. We fully impaired the value of our investment in ACDL in the first quarter of 2013.

HTP’s operations are subject to the significant business, economic, regulatory and competitive uncertainties and contingencies frequently encountered by new businesses in new gaming jurisdictions and other risks associated with this investment, many of which are beyond ACDL’s, HTP’s or our control. The gaming elements of the businesses are subject to regulation by the government of Vietnam and uncertainty exists as to how such regulation will affect HTP’s gaming operations. Because ACDL and HTP have limited operating history, it may be more difficult for them to prepare for and respond to these types of risks than for a company with an established business and operating cash flow.

ACDL has operations outside the United States, which expose us to complex foreign and U.S. regulations inherent in doing business in Vietnam. We are subject to regulations imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), and other anti-corruption laws that generally prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from offering, promising, authorizing or making improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Violations of the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal and civil sanctions as well as other penalties. The SEC and U.S. Department of Justice in recent years have increased their enforcement activities with respect to the FCPA.

Internal control policies and procedures and the compliance program that ACDL has implemented to deter prohibited practices may not be effective in prohibiting its employees, contractors or agents from violating or circumventing our policies and the law. Even though our investment in ACDL is expected to be through an unrestricted subsidiary under our debt agreements, if ACDL’s or our employees or agents fail to comply with applicable laws or company policies governing ACDL’s international operations, we and our subsidiaries may face investigations, prosecutions and other legal and regulatory proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administrative remedies and criminal sanctions which could, in turn, serve as the basis for the initiation of like proceedings by gaming regulators in one or more of the states wherein we and our subsidiaries hold gaming licenses. Any determination that we have violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and on the gaming licenses and approvals held by us and our subsidiaries.

Compliance with international and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to ACDL’s international operations increases the cost of doing business in foreign jurisdictions. ACDL will also deal with significant amounts of cash in its operations and will be subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations. Any violation of anti-money laundering laws or regulations by ACDL could have a negative effect on us.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulations that impose restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our securities.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulations that relate to our current or future gaming operations and that impose certain restriction on the ownership and transfer of our securities.

In addition, we may be required by gaming authority to redeem shares of our common stock in the event that a stockholder is deemed to be unsuitable by a gaming regulatory authority. We expect that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require that if a person owns or controls our securities, including shares of our common stock, and is determined by a gaming authority to be unsuitable to own or control such securities or in the sole discretion of our Board is deemed likely to jeopardize our right to conduct gaming activities in any of the jurisdictions in which we conduct or intend to conduct gaming activities, we may redeem, and we may be required by a gaming authority to redeem, such person’s securities to the extent required by the government gaming authority or deemed necessary or advisable by us.

 

35


Table of Contents

If a gaming authority requires us, or if we deem it necessary or advisable, to redeem such securities, we will serve notice on the holder who holds securities subject to redemption and will call for the redemption of the securities of such holder at a redemption price equal to that required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability, or if such gaming authority does not require a certain price per share to be paid, a sum deemed reasonable by us, which in our discretion may be the original purchase price, the then current trading price of the securities or another price we determine. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not so required, as we elect. Unless the gaming authority requires otherwise, the redemption price will in no event exceed:

 

  l     the closing sales price of the securities on the national securities exchange on which such shares are then listed on the date the notice of redemption is delivered to the person who has been determined to be unsuitable, or

 

  l     if such shares are not then listed for trading on any national securities exchange, then the closing sales price of such shares as quoted in the NASDAQ National Market System, or

 

  l     if the shares are not then so quoted, then the mean between the representative bid and the ask price as quoted by NASDAQ or another generally recognized reporting system.

Beginning on the date that a gaming authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or the loss or threatened loss of a gaming license upon us, and until the securities owned or controlled by the unsuitable person are owned or controlled by persons found by such gaming authority to be suitable to own them, it is unlawful for the unsuitable person or any affiliate of such person (i) to receive any dividend, payment, distribution or interest with regard to the securities, (ii) to exercise, directly or indirectly or through any proxy, trustee, or nominee, any voting or other right conferred by such securities, and such securities shall not for any purposes be included in our securities entitled to vote, or (iii) to receive any remuneration in any form from the corporation or an affiliated company for services rendered or otherwise.

From and after the date of redemption, such securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the person who was determined to be unsuitable, other than the right to receive the redemption price, will cease. Such person must surrender the certificates for any securities to be redeemed in accordance with the requirements of the redemption notice.

All persons owning or controlling securities of OpCo and any affiliated companies must comply with all requirements of the gaming laws in each gaming jurisdiction in which we or any of our affiliated companies conduct or intend to conduct gaming activities. All securities of OpCo must be held subject to the requirements of such gaming laws, including any requirement that (i) the holder file applications for gaming licenses with, or provide information to, applicable gaming authorities, or (ii) that any transfer of such securities may be subject to prior approval by gaming authorities, and any transfer of our securities in violation of any such approval requirement are not permitted and the purported transfer is void ab initio.

Ownership and transfer of our securities could be subjected at any time to additional or more restrictive regulations, including regulation in applicable jurisdictions where there are no current restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our securities or in new jurisdictions where we may conduct our operations in the future. A detailed description of such regulations, including the requirements under gaming laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate, can be found in Exhibit 99.2 to this Registration Statement on Form 10 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

36


Table of Contents

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

There is no existing market for our common stock and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop for our common stock. In addition, once our common stock begins trading, the market price of our shares may fluctuate widely.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. It is anticipated that on or shortly prior to the record date for the distribution, trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue up to and including through the distribution date. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will develop as a result of the distribution or be sustained in the future.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade after the distribution. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

 

  l     our business profile and market capitalization may not fit the investment objectives of Pinnacle stockholders, and as a result, Pinnacle stockholders may sell our shares after the distribution;

 

  l     a shift in our investor base;

 

  l     a dislocation in our stockholder base due to the separation;

 

  l     our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

 

  l     actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;

 

  l     changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

  l     announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;

 

  l     the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the distribution;

 

  l     changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

 

  l     the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

  l     overall market fluctuations; and

 

  l     general economic conditions.

In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to companies’ operating performance. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholder derivative lawsuits and/or securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.

Investors may be unable to accurately value our common stock.

Investors often value companies based on stock prices and results of operations of other comparable companies. Currently, there are a limited number of gaming and hospitality operating companies that exist that are directly comparable to our size, scale and service and product offerings and to our business model as a gaming operator that does not own substantially all of the real estate on which its gaming facilities are located. As such, investors may find it difficult to accurately value our common stock, which may cause our common stock to trade below its true value.

 

37


Table of Contents

Substantial sales of common stock may occur in connection with the distribution, which could cause our stock price to decline.

The shares of OpCo common stock that Pinnacle distributes to its stockholders generally may be sold immediately in the public market. Although we have no actual knowledge of any plan or intention on the part of any 5% or greater stockholder to sell our common stock following the distribution, it is possible that some Pinnacle stockholders, including possibly some of our large stockholders will sell our common stock received in the distribution for reasons such as that our business profile or market capitalization as a stand-alone company does not fit their investment objectives. The sales of significant amounts of our common stock or the perception in the market that this will occur may result in the lowering of the market price of our common stock.

Your percentage ownership in OpCo may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in OpCo may be diluted in the future because of equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees and the accelerated vesting of other equity awards. Pinnacle’s existing 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) will be assumed in connection with the separation. It is anticipated that we will also adopt a new equity and incentive plan (the “OpCo Plan”) which terms will be substantially similar to those contained in the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan provides and the OpCo Plan will provide for the grant of equity based awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards to our directors, officers and other employees, advisors and consultants.

For a more detailed description of the 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan and the Equitable Adjustment Awards, see “Management — Executive Compensation.”

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation, by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the raider and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our Board rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:

 

  l     rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings; and

 

  l     the right of our Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval.

Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock — Anti-takeover Effects of Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law.”

We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our Board and by providing our Board with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make our company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board determines is not in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.

We do not expect to pay any dividends in the short term.

We do not expect to declare dividends in the short term. We currently intend to retain earnings to support our operations, finance the growth and development of our business and pay down indebtedness. There

 

38


Table of Contents

can be no assurance that we will have sufficient surplus under Delaware law to be able to pay any dividends or that our debt covenants under our financings will permit the payment of dividends. This may result from extraordinary cash expenses, actual expenses exceeding contemplated costs funding of capital expenditures, or increases in reserves. If we do not pay dividends, the price of our common stock that you receive in the distribution must appreciate for you to receive a gain on your investment in OpCo. This appreciation may not occur.

 

39


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) provides certain “safe harbor” provisions for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in our public filings or other public statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or other public statements. These forward-looking statements were based on various facts and were derived utilizing numerous important assumptions and other important factors, and changes in such facts, assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate,” and similar expression or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward looking in nature and not historical facts.

Such forward-looking statements, which may include, without limitation, statements regarding expected results of operations and future operating performance and future growth, adequacy of resources to fund development and expansion projects, liquidity, financing options, including the state of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets, the state of the credit markets and economy, cash needs, cash reserves, operating and capital expenses, expense reductions, the sufficiency of insurance coverage, anticipated marketing costs at various projects, our future outlook and the future outlook of the gaming industry and pending regulatory and legal matters, our ability to meet the financial and other covenants governing our indebtedness, our ability to sell or otherwise dispose of discontinued operations, our anticipated future capital expenditures, our ability to implement strategies to improve revenues and operating margins at our facilities, reduce costs and debt, our ability to successfully implement marketing programs to increase revenue at our facilities, our ability to improve operations and performance, the benefits of the expected separation, the receipt of Third-Party Approvals, the consummation of the distribution or merger, the loss of any of our senior management, difficulties in obtaining or retaining the management and other employees, our inability to operate effectively as a stand-alone, publicly traded company, our relationship with our landlord, and the actual costs of separation being higher than expected, are all subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by us. This can occur as a result of inaccurate assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause our actual performance to differ materially from that contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the various risk factors discussed above, in addition to general domestic and international economic and political conditions as well as market conditions in our industry.

Other factors not identified above, including the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by our forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond our control.

You should consider the areas of risk described above, as well as those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” above, in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by us and our businesses generally. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, to report events, including to report the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless we are required to do so by law.

 

40


Table of Contents

BUSINESS

Overview

We are an owner, operator and developer of casinos, a racetrack and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. We own and operate 15 gaming facilities in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these facilities, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour.

Our mission is to increase stockholder value. We seek to increase revenues through enhancing the guest experience by providing our guests with their favorite games, restaurants, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other amenities in attractive surroundings with high-quality guest service and guest rewards programs. We seek to improve profit by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value and reducing our leverage. Our long-term strategy includes disciplined capital expenditures to improve and maintain our existing operations, and growing the number and quality of our facilities by pursuing gaming entertainment opportunities we can improve or develop. In making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

Our History

OpCo is a newly-formed company that was incorporated in Delaware on July 23, 2015. While OpCo will not have operated prior to the distribution, Pinnacle (whose operations will be transferred to us as more fully described herein) has an extensive operating history. Pinnacle, a Delaware corporation, is the successor to the Hollywood Park Turf Club, which was organized in 1938. It was incorporated in 1981 under the name Hollywood Park Realty Enterprises, Inc. In 1992, Pinnacle changed its name to Hollywood Park, Inc. and in February 2000, it became Pinnacle.

Prior to the distribution, Pinnacle will contribute substantially all of its operating assets and liabilities and the real property of Belterra Park and excess land at certain locations to us and our subsidiaries. OpCo’s common stock will then be distributed by Pinnacle to its stockholders on a pro rata basis. Following the distribution, PropCo will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Immediately following the closing of the merger, we will be renamed “Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.”

In connection with our separation from Pinnacle, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with PropCo and GLPI, including an Employee Matters Agreement and a triple-net master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”), as more fully described below, pursuant to which PropCo (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle.

As of January 31, 2015, Pinnacle employed 14,738 full-time and part-time employees, all of who remain employed by Pinnacle immediately prior to the separation are expected to be transferred to OpCo in connection with the internal reorganization and distribution.

 

41


Table of Contents

Operating Facilities

The following table presents selected statistical and other information concerning the facilities which we operate as of December 31, 2014:

 

Properties (a)

  Location     Opening
Year
    Casino
Square
  Footage  
    Slot
Machines/
Video
Lottery
Terminals
    Table
Games
    Hotel
Rooms (b)
    Food &
Beverage
Outlets (c)
    Parking
Spaces
 

Midwest segment:

               

Ameristar Council Bluffs

    Council Bluffs, IA        1996        38,500        1,588        23        444        8        3,027   

Ameristar East Chicago

    East Chicago, IN        1997        56,000        1,768        56        288        8        2,245   

Ameristar Kansas City

    Kansas City, MO        1997        140,000        2,450        71        184        12        8,320   

Ameristar St. Charles

    St. Charles, MO        1994        130,000        2,507        77        397        14        6,250   

River City

    St. Louis, MO        2010        90,000        2,011        61        200        9        4,122   

Belterra

    Florence, IN        2000        47,000        1,210        45        662        9        2,200   

Belterra Park

    Cincinnati, OH        2014        51,800        1,325                      8        2,246   

South segment:

               

Ameristar Vicksburg

    Vicksburg, MS        1994        70,000        1,549        37        149        5        2,500   

Boomtown Bossier City

    Bossier City, LA        1996        30,000        866        16        187        3        1,800   

Boomtown New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA        1994        30,000        1,242        31        150        5        1,907   

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

    Baton Rouge, LA        2012        74,000        1,428        56        205        6        2,400   

L’Auberge Lake Charles

    Lake Charles, LA        2005        70,000        1,568        75        995        11        3,236   

West segment:

               

Ameristar Black Hawk

    Black Hawk, CO        2001        56,000        1,368        55        536        7        1,500   

Cactus Petes and Horseshu

    Jackpot, NV        1956        29,000        782        20        416        10        920   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        912,300        21,662        623        4,813        115        42,673   

 

 

(a) All of the properties described above are subject to the Master Lease, except for Belterra Park.
(b) Includes 284 rooms at Ameristar Council Bluffs operated by a third party and located on land owned by Pinnacle and leased to such third party and 54 rooms at Belterra relating to the Olge Haus Inn, which is operated by us and located in close proximity to Belterra.
(c) Includes two outlets at Ameristar East Chicago and one outlet at Ameristar Kansas City that are leased to and operated by third parties.

Midwest Segment

The Ameristar Council Bluffs facility is located across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, and includes the largest riverboat in Iowa. This facility serves the Omaha and southwestern Iowa markets. Ameristar Council Bluffs operates one of three gaming licenses issued in the Council Bluffs gaming market pursuant to an operating agreement with Iowa West Racing Association. The two other licenses are operated by a single company and consist of another riverboat casino and a land-based casino with a pari-mutuel racetrack.

The Ameristar East Chicago facility is located approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois and serves metropolitan Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Ameristar East Chicago’s core competitive markets include Northwest Indiana and Northeast Illinois.

The Ameristar Kansas City facility, located seven miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, has one of the largest casino floors in Missouri. The facility attracts guests from the greater Kansas City area, as well as regional overnight guests. Ameristar Kansas City competes with several other gaming operations located in and around Kansas City, Missouri, and other regional Midwest markets.

The Ameristar St. Charles facility and the River City facility are located in the St. Louis, Missouri market. The Ameristar St. Charles facility is located in St. Charles at the Missouri River, strategically situated to attract guests from the St. Charles and the greater St. Louis areas, as well as tourists from outside the region. The facility, which is in close proximity to the St. Charles convention facility, includes a 130,000 square-foot casino located on approximately 52 acres along the western bank of the Missouri River. The River City Casino facility, which includes a single-level, 90,000 square-foot casino, is located on approximately 56 acres just south of the confluence of the Mississippi River and the River des Peres in the south St. Louis community of Lemay, Missouri.

 

42


Table of Contents

Both of the St. Louis facilities compete with several other gaming operations located in the metropolitan St. Louis area and other regional Midwest markets. Two of these competitors are located in Illinois.

The southern Indiana facility, Belterra, is located along the Ohio River near Vevay, Indiana, approximately 50 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, 70 minutes from Louisville, Kentucky, and 90 minutes from Lexington, Kentucky. Belterra is also approximately two and one-half hours from Indianapolis, Indiana. Belterra Casino Resort currently competes with four dockside riverboat casinos; a casino-resort in French Lick, Indiana, approximately 100 miles west of Belterra Casino Resort, two racetrack casinos in the Indianapolis, Indiana metropolitan area, and multiple casino and racino developments in the state of Ohio, including the Belterra Park facility.

The Belterra Park facility is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, situated on approximately 160 acres of land, 40 of which are undeveloped. Following an extensive re-development, the facility was re-opened in May 2014 as a gaming and entertainment center offering live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, video lottery terminal gaming, six restaurants, a VIP lounge, and new racing facilities. Belterra Park faces competition from casinos and racinos in Ohio and Indiana, including the Belterra Casino facility, discussed above. The real estate property underlying Belterra Park will not be subject to Master Lease.

South Segment

The Ameristar Vicksburg facility is located in Vicksburg, Mississippi along the Mississippi River approximately 45 miles west of Mississippi’s largest city, Jackson. Ameristar Vicksburg is the largest dockside casino in central Mississippi. The facility caters primarily to guests from the Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana areas, along with tourists visiting the area. Ameristar Vicksburg primarily competes with three other gaming operations located in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The facility also faces competition from two casinos owned by a Native American tribe in Philadelphia, Mississippi, located about 70 miles east of Jackson and 115 miles east of Vicksburg and from gaming facilities located in or immediately surrounding Biloxi, Mississippi and the broader Mississippi Gulf Coast area.

The Boomtown Bossier City facility is located in Bossier City, Louisiana. Boomtown Bossier City features a hotel adjoining a dockside riverboat casino and competes with five dockside riverboat casino-hotels, a racetrack slot operation and large Native American casinos in southern Oklahoma. Such Native American facilities are approximately 60 miles north of Dallas.

The Boomtown New Orleans facility is the only casino in the West Bank area, across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. Boomtown New Orleans competes with a large land-based casino in downtown New Orleans, two riverboat casinos, a racetrack with slot machines and numerous truck stop casinos with video poker machines, as well as casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In December 2014, Pinnacle opened a 150-guestroom hotel tower at the Boomtown New Orleans facility.

The L’Auberge Baton Rouge facility is located on a portion of the 577 acres of land that we own approximately ten miles southeast of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. L’Auberge Baton Rouge offers a fully integrated casino entertainment experience. L’Auberge Baton Rouge competes directly with two casinos in the Baton Rouge area and other resort facilities regionally in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In December 2015, a new casino resort opened in D’lberville, Mississippi, which will provide additional competition to our Boomtown New Orleans and L’Auberge Baton Rouge properties. OpCo will continue to own approximately 478 acres of excess land adjacent to L’Auberge Baton Rouge following the transaction.

The L’Auberge Lake Charles facility, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, offers one of the closest full-scale casino-hotel facilities to Houston, Texas, as well as to the Austin, Texas and San Antonio, Texas metropolitan areas. The facility is approximately 140 miles from Houston and approximately 300 miles and 335 miles from Austin and San Antonio, respectively.

 

43


Table of Contents

L’Auberge Lake Charles competes with other full-service regional and destination resort casinos, including those in Lake Charles, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Las Vegas, Nevada. In December 2014, a new competitor, the Golden Nugget Lake Charles, opened in Lake Charles, Louisiana and is located adjacent to the facility. The facility also competes with a land-based Native American casino, which is approximately 43 miles northeast of Lake Charles; a racetrack slot operation located approximately 25 miles to the west; and numerous truck stops with slot machines in many parishes of Louisiana. OpCo will continue to own 54 acres of excess land near L’Auberge Lake Charles following the transaction.

West Segment

The Ameristar Black Hawk facility, located in the center of the Black Hawk gaming district, is approximately 40 miles west of Denver. The facility caters primarily to patrons from the Denver metropolitan area and surrounding states and primarily competes with 23 other gaming operations located in the Black Hawk and Central City gaming market in Colorado.

The Cactus Petes and Horseshu facilities (collectively, the “Jackpot Facilities”) are located in Jackpot, Nevada, just south of the Idaho border. The Jackpot Facilities serve guests primarily from Idaho, and secondarily from Oregon, Washington, Montana, northern California and the southwestern Canadian provinces. The Jackpot Facilities compete primarily with three other hotels and motels (all of which also have casinos) in Jackpot and a Native American casino and hotel near Pocatello, Idaho.

Other Assets and Operations

OpCo will own and operate the Heartland Poker Tour, which is a live and televised poker tournament series that broadcasts its events on hundreds of network television, cable and satellite stations.

OpCo will own 75.5% of the equity of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC, which is the owner of the racing license utilized in the operation of Retama Park Racetrack. We expect to have a management contract with Retama Development Corporation to manage the day-to-day operations of Retama Park Racetrack.

Financial information about segments and geographic areas is incorporated by reference from Notes 1 and 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Information Statement.

Description of Debt

We have entered into commitment letters with certain lenders to provide financing to us in connection with the merger of PropCo with GLPI. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information—Financing in Connection with GLPI Transaction,” included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information regarding our contemplated debt financing arrangements.

Competition

We face significant competition in each of the jurisdictions in which we will operate. Such competition may intensify in some of these jurisdictions if new gaming operations open in these markets or existing competitors expand their operations. The facilities we will operate compete directly with other gaming facilities in each state in which we operate, as well as facilities in other states. We also will compete for customers with other casino operators in other markets, including casinos located on Native American reservations, and other forms of gaming, such as lotteries and Internet gaming. Many of our competitors are larger and have substantially greater name recognition and marketing and financial resources. In some instances, particularly with Native American casinos, our competitors pay substantially lower taxes or no taxes at all, as compared to us. We believe that increased legalized gaming in certain states, particularly in areas close to our existing gaming facilities such as Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas; the development or expansion of Native American gaming in or near the states in which we will operate; and the potential legalization of Internet gaming could create additional competition for us and could adversely affect our operations or proposed development projects.

 

44


Table of Contents

Government Regulation and Gaming Issues

The gaming industry is highly regulated, and we must obtain and maintain certain licenses to continue our operations. Each of the casinos on which we will operate is subject to extensive regulation under the laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdiction in which it is located. These laws, rules and regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners, managers, and persons with financial interests in the gaming operations. Violations of laws in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions.

Our businesses will be subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in addition to gaming regulations. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, employees, currency transactions, taxation, zoning and building codes, and marketing and advertising. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our operating results.

From time to time, certain development projects may require substantial costs for environmental remediation due to prior use of our development sites. The River City site on which we will operate, for example, was previously used for heavy industrial purposes, necessitating remediation of the site as part of the overall project, which has been completed. The project budgets for such a site typically include amounts expected to cover the remediation work required.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The persons who are expected to serve as OpCo’s executive officers and their positions with us are as follows:

 

NAME

  

POSITION WITH PNK ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

   Chief Executive Officer and Director

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

   President and Chief Financial Officer

John A. Godfrey

   Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Virginia E. Shanks

   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Troy A. Stremming

   Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs

Neil E. Walkoff

   Executive Vice President, Operations

Directors of the Registrant

The following table lists persons who are expected to serve as directors, their principal occupations and principal employers as of [●], 201[●]:

 

NAME

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

   Chief Executive Officer of PNK Entertainment, Inc .

Charles L. Atwood

   Corporate Director, Advisor and Lead Trustee, Equity Residential

Stephen C. Comer

   Retired Accounting Firm Managing Partner

Bruce A. Leslie

   Attorney, Bruce A. Leslie, Chtd.

James L. Martineau

   Non-executive Chairman of the Board of PNK Entertainment, Inc . , Business Advisor and Private Investor

Desirée Rogers

   Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Publishing Company, LLC

Jaynie M. Studenmund

   Corporate Director and Advisor

 

45


Table of Contents

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we expect to be a party to a variety of legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. While the results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

46


Table of Contents

THE SEPARATION

General

The Board of Pinnacle approved a plan to separate Pinnacle’s real estate (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations. To effect this separation, Pinnacle’s operations, the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations will be transferred to OpCo or its subsidiaries, which will be spun-off as a stand-alone, publicly traded company prior to the proposed merger of PropCo with a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI pursuant to the Merger Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2015.

In furtherance of this plan, the Pinnacle Board approved the distribution of all of the shares of our common stock held by Pinnacle to holders of Pinnacle common stock. In the distribution of the shares of OpCo common stock, each holder of Pinnacle common stock will receive on [●], 201[●], the distribution date, one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held at the close of business on the record date, as described below. Pinnacle will not distribute any fractional shares of OpCo common stock. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. Following the distribution, Pinnacle stockholders will own 100% of OpCo’s issued and outstanding common stock.

You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Pinnacle common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our common stock.

Concurrently with OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle and as a result of an internal reorganization implemented by Pinnacle, Pinnacle will transfer all of Pinnacle’s operating assets and liabilities and the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations to us, in return for the number of shares of our common stock distributable in the distribution.

Furthermore, the distribution of OpCo common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see “Conditions to the Distribution” below.

Reasons for the Separation

Pinnacle believes that the separation of its real estate (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations will be in the best interests of stockholders. The reasons for the separation include:

 

  l     Business Focus:   As a result of the separation, OpCo will be better able to focus financial and operational resources on its own business and on pursuing appropriate growth opportunities and executing its own strategic plan.

 

  l     Improved Conventional Leverage :   The proposed separation will meaningfully reduce OpCo’s conventional leverage and will provide financial flexibility to capitalize on internal and external growth opportunities.

 

  l     Unlocking Value:   Pinnacle believes that the separation will unlock the significant embedded value in Pinnacle’s real estate assets and deliver substantial value to its stockholders.

 

  l     Management Continuity:   Following the separation, OpCo will continue to benefit from our management team’s expertise in conducting gaming and hospitality operations.

 

  l     Future Growth:   Following the separation, OpCo will be well-positioned to pursue growth opportunities.

 

47


Table of Contents

In determining whether to effect the separation, the Pinnacle Board was mindful of the costs associated with the separation and the risks OpCo faces as a public company, which weighed against the separation. The Pinnacle Board determined, however, that for the reasons stated above, the separation provided the separated companies with certain opportunities and benefits that could enhance stockholder value.

Formation of a Holding Company Prior to the Distribution

In connection with and prior to the distribution, Pinnacle organized OpCo as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of transferring to OpCo all of Pinnacle’s operating assets and liabilities and the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations, including any entities holding substantially all of its operating assets and liabilities.

The Number of Shares You Will Receive

For each share of Pinnacle common stock that you owned at the close of business on [●], 201[●], the record date, you will receive one share of OpCo common stock on the distribution date. Pinnacle will not distribute any fractional shares of OpCo common stock to its stockholders. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The transfer agent, in its sole discretion, without any influence by Pinnacle or us, will determine when, how, through which broker-dealer and at what price to sell the whole shares. Any broker-dealer used by the transfer agent will not be an affiliate of either Pinnacle or us. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.

When and How You Will Receive the Dividend

Pinnacle will distribute the shares of OpCo common stock on [●], 201[●], the distribution date. American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, which currently serves as the transfer agent and registrar for Pinnacle common stock, will serve as transfer agent and registrar for OpCo common stock and as distribution agent in connection with the distribution.

If you own Pinnacle common stock as of the close of business on the record date, the shares of OpCo common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Registration in book-entry form refers to a method of recording stock ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in this distribution. If you sell shares of Pinnacle common stock in the “regular-way” market, up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution.

Commencing on or shortly after the distribution date, if you hold physical stock certificates that represent your shares of Pinnacle common stock and you are the registered holder of the Pinnacle shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of shares of our common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of our common stock registered in book-entry form, we encourage you to contact American Stock Transfer and Trust Company at the address set forth on page 8 of this information statement.

Most Pinnacle stockholders hold their shares of Pinnacle common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the stock in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your Pinnacle common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of our common stock held in “street name,” we encourage you to contact your bank or brokerage firm.

 

48


Table of Contents

American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as distribution agent, will not deliver any fractional shares of our common stock in connection with the distribution. Instead, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them on behalf of the holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales, which generally will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be distributed pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution” below for an explanation of the tax consequences of the distribution. If you physically hold Pinnacle common stock certificates and are the registered holder, you will receive a check from the distribution agent in an amount equal to your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales. We estimate that it will take approximately four to six weeks from the distribution date for the distribution agent to complete the distributions of the aggregate net cash proceeds. If you hold your Pinnacle stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will receive on your behalf your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales and will electronically credit your account for your share of such proceeds.

Results of the Separation

After our separation from Pinnacle, we will be a stand-alone, publicly traded company. Immediately following the distribution, we expect to have approximately [●] stockholders of record, based on the number of registered stockholders of Pinnacle common stock on [●], 201[●], and approximately [●] shares of our common stock outstanding. The actual number of shares of OpCo common stock to be distributed will be determined on the record date and will reflect any exercise of Pinnacle options between the date the Pinnacle Board declares the dividend for the distribution and the record date for the distribution.

In connection with the separation, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with PropCo and GLPI, including an Employee Matters Agreement and a Master Lease pursuant to which PropCo (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to a wholly owned subsidiary of OpCo, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle.

As a result of the contribution of Pinnacle’s operating assets and the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations and the assumption of certain of Pinnacle’s liabilities and the subsequent distribution of our stock, Pinnacle and its subsidiaries will recognize taxable gain equal to the excess, if any, of our fair market value on the first day of trading over the tax basis of Pinnacle in our stock (as a result of the contribution of assets and assumption of liabilities) prior to the distribution. To the extent this gain results in a tax liability after taking into account certain tax attributes available to Pinnacle and its subsidiaries, under the Tax Matters Agreement, the tax liability for such gain will be borne by GLPI and its subsidiaries rather than us. GLPI’s liability in this regard will be limited by certain assumptions relating to Pinnacle’s tax attributes and projected taxable income, with us bearing liability to the extent additional taxes may result from an inaccuracy in such assumptions.

For a more detailed description of these agreements, see “The Master Lease” included in the next section below and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” included elsewhere in this information statement.

The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock or any rights of Pinnacle stockholders.

 

49


Table of Contents

The Master Lease

Immediately prior to the closing of the merger, Pinnacle MLS, LLC, one of Pinnacle’s wholly owned subsidiaries (“Tenant”), will enter into a triple-net Master Lease with PropCo (also referred to as “Landlord”). Immediately upon closing of the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI will become successor by merger to Landlord. Tenant will lease from Landlord real property assets associated with fourteen (14) of the gaming facilities used in Pinnacle’s operations (the “facilities”). The obligations of the Tenant under the Master Lease will be guaranteed by OpCo and all subsidiaries of Tenant that will operate the facilities leased under the Master Lease, or that own a gaming license, other license or other material asset necessary to operate any portion of the facilities and certain other subsidiaries. A default by Tenant with regard to any facility will cause a default with regard to the entire portfolio.

The following description of the Master Lease does not purport to be complete but contains a summary of certain material provisions of the Master Lease.

Term and Renewals

The Master Lease will provide 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 operation of the leased properties.

The Master Lease will provide for an initial term of ten years with no purchase option. At Tenant’s option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to five five-year renewal terms beyond the initial ten-year term, on the same terms and conditions. If Tenant elects to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease.

Tenant will not have the ability to terminate its obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without the Landlord’s consent. If the Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with Landlord’s consent, the Tenant may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued payment of rent through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the property.

Rental Amounts and Escalators

The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, the Tenant will be required to pay the following: (i) all facility maintenance, (ii) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (iii) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the Landlord) and (iv) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.

Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable by Tenant will be $377 million. Tenant will make the rent payment in monthly installments. The rent will be comprised of “Base Rent” and “Percentage Rent” components which are described below.

 

  l     Base Rent .  The base rent amount will be the sum of:

 

  l     Building Base Rent: a fixed component equal to approximately $289,056,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease, during the first year of the Master Lease, and thereafter escalated annually by 2%, subject to a cap that would cause the preceding year’s adjusted revenue to rent ratio (as it will be defined in the Master Lease) for the properties in the aggregate not to fall below 1.8:1; plus

 

  l     Land Base Rent: an additional fixed component equal to approximately $43,972,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease.

 

50


Table of Contents
  l     Percentage Rent .  A variable percentage rent component that will be calculated as follows and is expected to equal approximately $43,972,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease, during the first year of the Master Lease:

 

  l     Fixed amount for the first two years. An adjustment will be recorded every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two-year period based on the average actual net revenues of Tenant from the facilities during the two-year period then ended (and calculated by multiplying 4% by the excess (if any) of (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two-year period over (ii) 50% of the trailing twelve (12) months net revenues as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease).

Maintenance and Capital Improvements

The Tenant will be required to make all expenditures reasonably necessary to maintain the premises in good appearance, repair and condition. The Tenant will own and be required to maintain all personal property located at the leased properties in good repair and condition as is necessary to operate all the premises in compliance with applicable legal, insurance and licensing requirements. Without limiting the foregoing, the Tenant will be required to spend an amount equal to at least 1% of its actual net revenue each calendar year on installation or maintenance, restoration and repair of items that are capitalized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as of the date of lease execution with a life of not less than three years.

Capital improvements by the Tenant will be permitted without Landlord’s consent only if such capital improvements (i) are of equal or better quality than the existing improvements they are improving, altering or modifying, (ii) do not consist of adding new structures or enlarging existing structures and (iii) do not have an adverse effect on the structure of any existing improvements. All other capital improvements will require the Landlord’s review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Tenant will be required to provide copies of the plans and specifications in respect of all capital improvements, which shall be prepared in a high-grade professional manner and shall adequately demonstrate compliance with the foregoing with respect to permitted projects not requiring approval and shall be in such form as Landlord may reasonably require for any other projects.

The Tenant will be required to pay for all maintenance expenditures and capital improvements, provided that the Landlord will have a right of first offer to finance certain capital improvement projects. The Tenant shall be permitted to seek outside financing for such capital improvements during the six month period following Landlord’s offer of financing. Whether or not capital improvements are financed by the Landlord, the Landlord will be entitled to receive Percentage Rent based on the net revenues generated by the new improvements as described above and such capital improvements will be subject to the terms of the Master Lease.

New Opportunities

Tenant and Landlord generally will not be prohibited from developing, redeveloping, expanding, purchasing, building or operating facilities. However, certain limitations will apply within a sixty (60) mile radius of a facility that will be subject to the Master Lease (the “Restricted Area”). Within the Restricted Area, Tenant and the Landlord will be subject to the following restrictions.

 

  l     Developing or building a new facility within the Restricted Area.

 

  l    

Tenant may develop or build a new facility only if it first offers Landlord the opportunity to participate (by including the newly developed property in the Master Lease portfolio) on terms to be negotiated by the parties. If Landlord declines, or if the parties cannot reach agreement on the terms, the annual Percentage Rent due from the affected existing facility subject to the Master Lease will thereafter be subject to (y) a floor which will be calculated based on the Percentage Rent

 

51


Table of Contents
 

that would have been paid for such facility if such Percentage Rent were adjusted based on net revenues for the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the new facility is first opened to the public (the “Floor”) and (z) normal periodic adjustments provided that it may not be reduced below the Floor.

 

  l     Landlord may not build or develop a new facility without Tenant’s prior consent, which may be withheld in Tenant’s sole discretion (but post-development sale-leasebacks or financings will be permitted without restriction as provided in the paragraph “Acquisition/refinance existing facilities within the Restricted Area” below).

 

  l     Expanding existing facilities within the Restricted Area.

 

  l     Tenant shall provide the Landlord with a right of first offer to finance any proposed expansion. Tenant shall be permitted to seek outside financing for such capital improvements during the six month period following Landlord’s offer of financing.

 

  l     Landlord shall have the right to finance expansions by competitors but the Percentage Rent from the affected facilities will thereafter be calculated monthly, based on how much each preceding monthly net revenues for the affected facility is greater (or is less) than 1/12th of the portion of the trailing twelve (12) months net revenues as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease attributable to the affected facility (and thereafter no longer based on the trailing two-year period that would have been the case).

 

  l     Acquisition/refinance existing facilities within the Restricted Area .  Either Tenant or Landlord may avail itself on the following terms of opportunities to, in the case of Tenant, purchase or operate (and, in the case of Landlord, purchase or refinance) an existing facility (whether built prior to or after the date of the Master Lease) within the Restricted Area:

 

  l     Tenant:  The annual Percentage Rent due from the affected existing facility in the territory will thereafter (i) be subject to the Floor and (ii) be subject to normal periodic adjustments provided that it may not be reduced below the Floor.

 

  l     Landlord:  No restriction on the purchase or refinance of an existing gaming facility.

We and Pinnacle encourage you to read the Master Lease carefully because it is the principal document governing the relationship between OpCo and GLPI following the merger.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Distribution

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution by Pinnacle of the shares of OpCo common stock will not be eligible for treatment as a tax-free distribution. Accordingly, an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of OpCo common stock received by a stockholder on the distribution date (including any fractional share deemed to be received by and sold on behalf of the stockholder) will be treated as a taxable dividend to the extent of such stockholder’s ratable share of any current or accumulated earnings and profits of Pinnacle, with the excess treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of such shareholder’s tax basis in its shares of Pinnacle’s common stock and then as capital gain. Pinnacle’s earnings and profits generally will be increased by any gain Pinnacle recognizes as a result of the contribution of assets to us and the subsequent distribution. In addition, Pinnacle or other applicable withholding agents may be required or permitted to withhold at the applicable rate on all or a portion of the distribution payable to non-U.S. stockholders, and any such withholding would be satisfied by Pinnacle or the other applicable withholding agent withholding and selling a portion of our shares of common stock otherwise distributable to non-U.S. stockholders. A stockholder’s tax basis in its shares of Pinnacle common stock held on the distribution date will be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent the fair market value of our shares received by such stockholder from Pinnacle exceeds such stockholder’s ratable share of Pinnacle’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Pinnacle will not be able to advise stockholders of the amount of its earnings and profits until after the end of the 2016 year.

 

52


Table of Contents

A stockholder’s tax basis in shares of OpCo common stock received in the distribution will equal the fair market value of such shares on the distribution date. A stockholder’s holding period for such shares will begin the day after the distribution date.

Although Pinnacle will be ascribing a value to shares of OpCo common stock it distributes for tax purposes, this valuation is not binding on the IRS or any other tax authority. These taxing authorities could ascribe a higher valuation to such shares, particularly if such shares trade at prices significantly above the value ascribed to them by Pinnacle in the period following the distribution. Such a higher valuation may cause a larger reduction in the tax basis of a stockholder’s shares of Pinnacle common stock or may cause a stockholder to recognize additional dividend or capital gain income.

Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences of the distribution to them.

Market for Common Stock

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “PNK.”

Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date

Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including through the distribution date, we anticipate that there will be two markets in Pinnacle common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of Pinnacle common stock that trade on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to shares of OpCo common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares of Pinnacle common stock that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of Pinnacle common stock in the “regular-way” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution. If you own shares of Pinnacle common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares of Pinnacle common stock on the “ex-distribution” market, up to and including through the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of OpCo common stock that you would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of the shares of Pinnacle common stock.

We anticipate that a “when-issued” market in shares of OpCo common stock may develop on or shortly prior to the record date and continue up to and including through the distribution date. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for shares of OpCo common stock that will be distributed to Pinnacle stockholders on the distribution date. On the first trading day following the distribution date, “when-issued” trading with respect to shares of OpCo common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin.

OpCo Cash Payment

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that at the time of distribution, OpCo will pay to PropCo the OpCo Cash Payment equal to the amount of existing Pinnacle debt at the time of the distribution, less $2.7 billion of debt assumed by GLPI, subject to certain adjustments, which will be used by PropCo to pay off a portion of Pinnacle’s existing indebtedness substantially concurrently with the consummation of the distribution and the merger. The OpCo Cash Payment is subject to the following adjustments:

 

  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased or decreased, as applicable, on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount that the existing indebtedness of Pinnacle at the time of the distribution is greater than or less than $3,675,000,000, respectively;

 

53


Table of Contents
  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by (i) the aggregate amount of Medicare taxes (ii) all Pinnacle transaction expenses up to and including either $32,000,000 if the merger is completed on or prior to March 31, 2016 or $25,000,000 if the merger is completed after March 31, 2016 and (iii) one-half of a potential fee related to third party consent;

 

  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased or decreased, as applicable, on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount that the accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the existing indebtedness of Pinnacle is greater than or less than the amount of such interest as of December 31, 2015; and

 

  l     in the event the distribution and the merger have not been consummated by December 31, 2015, the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by certain time-based fees payable after December 31, 2015 with respect to GLPI’s financing commitments (up to a cap of $3,375,000).

Conditions to the Distribution

We expect that the distribution will be effective on [●], 201[●], the distribution date, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including without limitation:

 

  l     each of the conditions to Merger Agreement has been fulfilled or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing of the merger, provided that such conditions are capable of being satisfied) and GLPI has confirmed to Pinnacle in writing that it is prepared to consummate the merger, subject only to the distribution;

 

  l     each of the transaction documents contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall having been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

 

  l     the plan of reorganization to effectuate the separation having been substantially completed in accordance with the plan of reorganization;

 

  l     the Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, filed with the SEC in connection with the separation has been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and the information statement shall have been mailed to holders of Pinnacle common stock as of the record date of the distribution;

 

  l     prior to the date of the distribution, such registration statements on Form S-8 as are necessary to register the equity awards of OpCo held by or made available to directors and employees of OpCo has been filed with the SEC;

 

  l     all actions and filings with respect to the OpCo common stock necessary under applicable federal, state or foreign securities or “blue sky” laws and the rules and regulations thereunder having been taken and, where applicable, become effective or been accepted;

 

  l     OpCo will have obtained an opinion from a nationally-recognized valuation or accounting firm or investment bank, as to the adequacy of surplus under the laws of the State of Delaware to effect the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment, and as to the solvency of OpCo and PropCo after giving effect to the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment in a form reasonably satisfactory to OpCo and Pinnacle;

 

  l     the OpCo common stock to be delivered in the distribution has been accepted for listing on a national securities exchange, subject to compliance with applicable listing requirements; and

 

  l     no injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction has been entered and continue to be in effect and no law has been adopted or be effective preventing consummation of the distribution or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

54


Table of Contents

Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement

This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to Pinnacle stockholders who are entitled to receive shares of OpCo common stock in the distribution. The information statement is not, and is not to be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold or sell any of our securities. We believe that the information in this information statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither Pinnacle nor OpCo will undertake any obligation to update such information except in the normal course of our respective public disclosure obligations.

 

55


Table of Contents

DIVIDEND POLICY

We do not expect to declare dividends in the short term. We currently intend to retain earnings to support our operations, finance the growth and development of our business and pay down indebtedness. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our businesses, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our Board deems relevant. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay any dividend if we do commence the payment of dividends.

 

56


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

The following table, which should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere herein, sets forth our unaudited consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2015 on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the separation and distribution and the transactions related to the separation and distribution as if they occurred on September 30, 2015. For an explanation of the pro forma adjustments made to our historical consolidated financial statements for the separation and distribution and the transactions related to the separation and distribution to derive the pro forma capitalization described below, please see “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

    September 30, 2015  
(In thousands, except share and per share data)   Historical      Pro Forma (a)  
           (Unaudited)  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 123,012       $ 123,012   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Existing revolving credit facility

    715,118         –             

Existing tranche B2 term loan

    360,999         –             

New revolving credit facility (b)

    –                   179,878   

New Term Loan A

    –                   185,000   

New Term Loan B

    –                   350,000   

Total senior secured debt

    1,076,117         714,878   

6.375% senior notes due 2021

    850,000         –             

7.50% senior notes due 2021

    1,040,000         –             

7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022

    325,000         –             

8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020

    350,000         –             

Other debt

    85         –             

New senior unsecured notes offered hereby

    –                   300,000   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

  $ 3,641,202       $ 1,014,878   

Pinnacle preferred stock, $1.00 par value

    –                   –             

Pinnacle common stock, $0.10 par value (net of treasury shares)

    6,724         –             

OpCo common stock, $0.01 par value

    –                   609   

Additional paid-in capital

    1,117,514         1,336,701   

Accumulated deficit

    (691,407)         (1,067,122)   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    132         132   

Treasury stock (at cost)

    (71,090)         –             
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle/OpCo stockholders’ equity

  $ 361,873       $ 270,320   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

    10,132         10,132   

Total stockholders’ equity

  $ 372,005       $ 280,452   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

  $ 4,013,207       $ 1,295,330   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) This capitalization table assumes that we will utilize the commitments provided in the Takeout Commitment Letter, including issuing the Senior Notes, and will not utilize the Bridge Facility. However, we have not yet determined which of the Pinnacle Commitments will be utilized to provide the debt financing required by Pinnacle to consummate the transactions.

 

  (b) As of September 30, 2015, on an as adjusted basis, without regard to letters of credit, we would have had approximately $220.1 million in unused revolver capacity under the New Credit Facility.

 

57


Table of Contents

Upon the closing of the separation and related transactions, Pinnacle’s net investment in OpCo will be reclassified as OpCo stockholders’ equity and will be allocated between common stock and additional paid-in capital based on the number of shares of OpCo common stock outstanding at the closing of the separation and related transactions. We have assumed for purposes of the pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for each share of outstanding Pinnacle common stock, excluding shares held in treasury.

 

58


Table of Contents

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following selected financial information for the years ended 2010 through 2014 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2015 was derived from Pinnacle historical audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the historical audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto. Pinnacle’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto have been determined to represent OpCo based on the conclusion that, for accounting purposes, the spin-off of OpCo should be evaluated as the reverse of its legal form under the requirements of ASC 505-60, Spinoff and Reverse Spinoffs , resulting in OpCo being considered the accounting spinnor and PropCo the accounting spinnee, following which PropCo will be acquired by GLPI. The OpCo leaseback of the gaming facilities under the terms of the Master Lease will not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and therefore the Master Lease will be accounted for as a financing obligation and the gaming facilities will remain on OpCo’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

    For the year ended December 31,     For the nine months
ended September 30,
 
    2014 (a)     2013 (b)     2012 (c)     2011 (d)     2010 (e)     2015     2014  
    (in millions, except per share data)                    (Unaudited)              

Results of Operations:

             

Revenues

  $ 2,210.5        $ 1,487.8      $ 1,002.8        $ 940.9        $ 859.0      $ 1,733.4        $ 1,656.3     

Operating income

    310.5          104.4        136.7          127.3          52.4        255.2          231.7     

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income taxes

    38.3          (133.4     (13.2)         28.9          (41.0     56.3          24.1     

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    5.5          (122.5     (18.6)          (31.4)         17.6        5.2          5.1     

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:

             

Basic

  $ 0.64        $ (2.27   $ (0.22)       $ 0.47        $ (0.67   $ 0.94        $ 0.41     

Diluted

  $ 0.62        $ (2.27   $ (0.22)       $ 0.46        $ (0.67   $ 0.91        $ 0.39     

Other Data:

             

Capital expenditures and land additions

  $ 230.8        $ 292.6      $ 299.5        $ 153.5        $ 157.5      $ 57.5        $ 188.7     

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (f)

    1.1x        —           1.0x        1.2x        —           1.4x        1.1x   

Cash Flows Provided by (Used in):

             

Operating activities

  $ 328.5        $ 161.1      $ 186.9        $ 131.8        $ 88.7      $ 316.8        $ 270.5     

Investing activities

    33.2          (1,842.7     (302.1)         (293.4)         (130.7     (53.0)         75.5     

Financing activities

    (395.6)         1,778.5        136.7          46.5          108.2        (305.4)         (389.6)    

Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents (g)

  $ 170.3        $ 203.5      $ 100.5        $ 82.9        $ 199.9      $ 123.0        $ 160.7     

Total assets

    4,833.7          5,159.4        2,109.0          1,950.6          1,883.8        4,588.9          4,848.1     

Long-term debt less current portion

    3,975.6          4,364.0        1,437.3          1,223.9          1,176.6        3,665.9          3,982.3     

Total stockholders’ equity

    289.4          225.2        447.1          519.4          507.4        372.0          271.0     

 

 

(a) The financial results for 2014 include the full year impact of Pinnacle’s acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. In addition, financial results include the opening of Belterra Park, which opened May 1, 2014, the redemption of approximately $514.3 million of aggregate principal amount of term loans, for a net reduction in total debt of $401.3 million under Pinnacle’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, a portion of which resulted in a $8.2 million loss on early extinguishment of debt.

 

(b) The financial results for 2013 include the impact of Pinnacle’s acquisition of Ameristar in August 2013. In addition, Pinnacle incurred $85.3 million in costs associated with the acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc., Pinnacle incurred a $30.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, a $144.6 million charge to discontinued operations for the impairment of the Lumiére Place Casino, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and HoteLumiére and related excess land parcels classified as assets held for sale in 2013, a $10.0 million charge related to the impairment of Pinnacle’s Boomtown Bossier City gaming license, a tax benefit from the release of $58.4 million of Pinnacle’s valuation allowance as a result of the consolidation of Pinnacle’s deferred tax assets with Ameristar’s deferred tax liabilities, and a $92.2 million impairment of Pinnacle’s investment in ACDL.

 

(c) The financial results for 2012 include the opening of L’Auberge Baton Rouge, which opened September 1, 2012. In addition, Pinnacle incurred a $20.7 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, a $10.2 million charge related to cash and land donation commitments made for various projects in the City of St. Louis to satisfy obligations under Pinnacle’s redevelopment agreement, and a $25 million impairment of Pinnacle’s investment in ACDL.

 

59


Table of Contents
(d) The financial results for 2011 include a full year of operations at River City, and the purchase of River Downs racetrack for approximately $45.2 million in January 2011, as well as Pinnacle’s $95 million investment in ACDL in August 2011, which results have been included from the time of close. The purchase price of these entities has been excluded from the capital expenditures shown for 2011.

 

(e) The financial results for 2010 reflect impairment charges totaling $35.5 million related to indefinite-lived intangible assets, land and development costs and buildings and equipment. In addition, the 2010 results reflect the March 2010 opening of River City and income from discontinued operations related to the recovery of insurance proceeds from Pinnacle’s former Casino Magic Biloxi property.

 

(f) In computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges: (x) earnings were the income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest; and (y) fixed charges were the sum of interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, capitalized interest and the estimated interest component included in rental expense. Due principally to Pinnacle’s large non-cash charges deducted to compute such earnings, earnings so calculated were less than fixed charges by $44.5 million and $56.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2010, respectively.

 

(g) Excludes amounts of cash and cash equivalents associated with entities and operations included in discontinued operations in the respective year.

 

60


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information presents the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of continuing operations as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and for the year ended December 31, 2014 based upon the consolidated historical financial statements of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (“Pinnacle”).

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet presents the financial position of PNK Entertainment, Inc. (“OpCo,” we,” “us,” “our” and “our company”) as of September 30, 2015 giving effect to events that are directly attributable to the spin-off of OpCo as a newly formed corporation and separation of Pinnacle’s real property (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations, with OpCo becoming a stand-alone, publicly traded company, following which the remaining Pinnacle entity (“PropCo”), which will own most of Pinnacle’s historical real estate, will merge (the “merger”) with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (“GLPI”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), with OpCo operating the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI under a triple-net master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”), as if they occurred on such date. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 give effect to the Merger Agreement and Master Lease as if they had occurred on January 1, 2014.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared based upon currently available information and assumptions deemed appropriate by Pinnacle’s management and is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the transactions had been completed as of the dates set forth above, nor is it indicative of the future results or current financial conditions. Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of continuing operations exclude certain nonrecurring charges associated with the Merger Agreement and Master Lease. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the separate historical financial statements and accompanying notes of Pinnacle.

 

61


Table of Contents

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Pro Forma Adjustments

As of September 30, 2015

(amounts in thousands)

 

    Historical                  
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
   

Notes

  Pro Forma  

ASSETS

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 123,012      $ 1,014,878      a   $ 123,012   
      (13,550   b  
      (60,125   c  
      (941,203   d  

Accounts receivable, net

    29,703                 29,703   

Inventories

    10,796                 10,796   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    22,177        (111   e     22,066   

Deferred income taxes

    7,509        (7,509   f       

Assets held for sale and assets of discontinued operations

    9,776                 9,776   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

    202,973        (7,620       195,353   

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net

    2,885,328                 2,885,328   

Goodwill

    914,525                 914,525   

Intangible assets, net

    511,520        (244,500   g     267,020   

Other assets, net

    74,575        (37,068   h     37,192   
      (315   e  

Deferred income taxes

           46,205      f     46,205   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 4,588,921      $ (243,298     $ 4,345,623   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable

  $ 26,467      $        $ 26,467   

Accrued interest

    69,855        (69,855   i       

Accrued compensation

    77,311                 77,311   

Accrued taxes

    57,659                 57,659   

Other accrued liabilities

    80,086                 80,086   

Current portion of long-term debt

    11,006        (11,006   j     3,500   
      3,500      a  

Current portion of long-term financing obligation

           5,671      k     5,671   

Liabilities held for sale and liabilities of discontinued operations

    63                 63   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    322,447        (71,690       250,757   

Long-term debt less current portion

    3,665,926        (3,630,196   j     997,828   
      1,011,378      a  
      (35,730   l  
      (13,550   b  

Long-term financing obligation less current portion

           2,775,221      k     2,775,221   

Other long-term liabilities

    41,365                 41,365   

Deferred income taxes

    187,178        (187,178   f       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,216,916        (151,745       4,065,171   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

       

Stockholders’ equity:

       

Common stock

    6,724        (6,724   m     609   
      609      n  

Additional paid-in capital

    1,117,514        219,187      o     1,336,701   

Accumulated deficit

    (691,407     (71,090   p     (1,067,122
      (60,125   c  
      (244,500   g  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    132                 132   

Treasury stock

    (71,090     71,090      p       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

    361,873        (91,553       270,320   

Non-controlling interest

    10,132                 10,132   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

    372,005        (91,553       280,452   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 4,588,921      $ (243,298     $ 4,345,623   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

62


Table of Contents

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Continuing Operations and Pro Forma Adjustments

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

    Historical                  
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
   

Notes

  Pro Forma  

Revenues:

       

Gaming

  $ 1,547,353      $        $ 1,547,353   

Food and beverage

    95,224                 95,224   

Lodging

    39,488                 39,488   

Retail, entertainment and other

    51,364                 51,364   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total revenues

    1,733,429                 1,733,429   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses

       

Gaming

    823,603                 823,603   

Food and beverage

    88,836                 88,836   

Lodging

    19,408                 19,408   

Retail, entertainment and other

    22,034                 22,034   

General and administrative

    318,790        (83   a     318,707   

Depreciation and amortization

    187,290                 187,290   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    11,712        (10,070   b     1,642   

Write-downs, reserves, and recoveries, net

    6,555                 6,555   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    1,478,228        (10,153       1,468,075   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

    255,201        10,153          265,354   

Interest expense, net

    (186,105     186,105      c     (282,839
      (35,437   d  
      (247,402   e  

Loss from equity method investment

    (83              (83
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     69,013        (86,581       (17,568

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (12,673     3,600      f     (9,073
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    56,340        (82,981       (26,641

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

    (1,271              (1,271
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment Inc./PNK Entertainment Inc.   $ 57,611      $ (82,981     $ (25,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:        

Basic

  $ 0.94        n/a        $ (0.42

Diluted

  $ 0.91        n/a        $ (0.42

Weighted average shares:

       

Basic

    60,936                 60,936   

Diluted

    63,191                 60,936   

 

63


Table of Contents

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Continuing Operations and Pro Forma Adjustments

For the year ended December 31, 2014

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

    Historical                  
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
   

Notes

  Pro Forma  

Revenues:

       

Gaming

  $ 1,974,410      $        $ 1,974,410   

Food and beverage

    118,397                 118,397   

Lodging

    50,553                 50,553   

Retail, entertainment and other

    67,183                 67,183   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total revenues

    2,210,543                 2,210,543   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses

       

Gaming

    1,056,878                 1,056,878   

Food and beverage

    110,349                 110,349   

Lodging

    24,002                 24,002   

Retail, entertainment and other

    27,031                 27,031   

General and administrative

    421,399        (111   a     421,288   

Depreciation and amortization

    241,062                 241,062   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    12,962        (1,732   b     11,230   

Write-downs, reserves, and recoveries, net

    6,387                 6,387   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    1,900,070        (1,843       1,898,227   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

    310,473        1,843          312,316   

Interest expense, net

    (252,647     252,647      c     (377,119
      (47,249   d  
      (329,870   e  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (8,234     8,234      f       
Loss from equity method investment     (165              (165
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     49,427        (114,395       (64,968
Income tax (expense) benefit     (11,096     3,397      g     (7,699
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     38,331        (110,998       (72,667
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest     (63              (63
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment Inc./PNK Entertainment Inc.   $ 38,394      $ (110,998     $ (72,604
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:        

Basic

  $ 0.64        n/a        $ (1.22

Diluted

  $ 0.62        n/a        $ (1.22

Weighted average shares:

       

Basic

    59,666                 59,666   

Diluted

    61,606                 59,666   

 

64


Table of Contents

PNK Entertainment, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to events that are (i) directly attributable to the legal separation of Pinnacle’s real estate assets (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operating assets and liabilities into OpCo, pursuant to the Merger Agreement in which PropCo will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI following the separation of OpCo, with OpCo operating the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI under the Master Lease (ii) factually supportable, and (iii) with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of continuing operations, expected to have a continuing impact on results. The pro forma adjustments are based on the determination that the separation of OpCo should be evaluated for accounting purposes as the reverse of its legal form under the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 505-60, Spinoff and Reverse Spinoffs , resulting in OpCo being considered the accounting spinnor and PropCo the accounting spinnee, following which PropCo will be acquired by GLPI. The OpCo leaseback of the gaming facilities under the terms of the Master Lease will not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and therefore the Master Lease will be accounted for as a financing obligation and the gaming facilities will remain on OpCo’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The pro forma adjustments giving effect to the Master Lease and Merger Agreement are based on book values and estimates of fair value. All pro forma adjustments have been prepared to illustrate the estimated effect of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

This information should be read in conjunction with Pinnacle’s historical financial statements and accompanying notes in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as filed with the SEC on November 9, 2015, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015. All pro forma adjustments and their underlying assumptions are described more fully in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.

Note 2.  Description of Transactions

On July 20, 2015, Pinnacle entered into the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Pinnacle will separate its real estate assets (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operating assets into OpCo and it will distribute to its stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of OpCo (such distribution referred to as the “Spin-Off”). As a result, Pinnacle stockholders will receive one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own. PropCo will then merge with and into Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI (“Merger Sub”), with Merger Sub surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI.

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Pinnacle (the “Pinnacle Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares of Pinnacle Common Stock (i) owned or held in treasury by Pinnacle or (ii) owned by GLPI, its subsidiaries or Merger Sub) will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive 0.85 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GLPI.

After the closing of the merger, OpCo will own and operate Pinnacle’s fifteen facilities, of which fourteen properties will be subject to the Master Lease, and OpCo will own Belterra Park and certain excess land not acquired by GLPI. OpCo will operate the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI under a triple-net 10-year master lease agreement that will have five subsequent, five-year extension periods at OpCo’s option. OpCo will pay an initial annual aggregate rent payment of $377 million to GLPI. The consummation of the merger is subject to customary conditions, including without limitation, receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval by stockholders of GLPI and Pinnacle.

 

65


Table of Contents

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Spin-Off, to provide us with the debt financing required to consummate the proposed transactions, Pinnacle has entered into two commitment letters, the Bridge Commitment Letter and a Takeout Commitment Letter, which are described below, and will utilize the funding from either the Bridge Commitment Letter or the Takeout Commitment Letter (but not both).

Pursuant to the Bridge Commitment Letter, Pinnacle received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in financing, comprised of a $900 million senior secured 364-day term loan bridge facility and a $200 million senior secured 364-day revolving credit facility.

Pursuant to the Takeout Commitment Letter, Pinnacle received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $585 million in financing, comprised of a (i) $185 million senior secured term loan A facility and (ii) $400 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The lenders under the Takeout Commitment Letter have also agreed to use their commercially reasonable efforts to syndicate a $350 million senior secured term loan B facility, which may, at our election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million in connection with the issuance of senior unsecured notes to finance a portion of the transactions, as further described in the Takeout Commitment Letter.

As noted in the Takeout Commitment Letter, it is anticipated that we will also issue senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million to provide a portion of the debt financing required by Pinnacle to consummate the transactions. The principal amount of the Senior Notes may, at our election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million, as further described in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Takeout Commitment Letter. Both the issuance of the Senior Notes and the receipt by the Takeout Commitment Parties of commitments from lenders for the Term Loan B Facility, in each case, on or prior to the closing date of the merger, are conditions to the availability of the Takeout Facilities.

The Senior Notes are only contemplated in connection with the Takeout Commitment Letter. Depending on market conditions at the time of closing of the transaction with GLPI, PropCo intends to use the financing under the Takeout Commitment Letter to consummate the proposed transactions with GLPI.

Note 3.  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet presented above reflects the following specific adjustments:

 

  (a) Represents the gross cash proceeds received from expected OpCo financing and the associated current and long-term debt balances. The anticipated OpCo debt structure includes the following:

 

(dollars in thousands)

       Estimated Proceeds      

Revolving Credit Facility (total borrowing capacity of $400,000)

   $                         179,878   

Term Loan A Facility

     185,000   

Term Loan B Facility

     350,000   

Senior Unsecured Notes

     300,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $                     1,014,878   
  

 

 

 

 

  (b) Represents the debt issuance costs and original issuance discount on the Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loans, and the Senior Unsecured Notes.
  (c) Represents the cash outflow for the payment of estimated transaction expenses required to close the transaction.
  (d) Represents the cash outflow for the OpCo cash contribution to pay off a portion of Pinnacle’s existing indebtedness assumed by Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
  (e) Represents the removal of certain insurance policies that will be acquired by Merger Sub.

 

66


Table of Contents
  (f) Represents the adjustments to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as a result of the transaction. The adjustments assume that OpCo will recognize a valuation allowance that offsets deferred tax assets for all jurisdictions except for certain states that are more likely than not to be realized.
  (g) Represents our best estimate of the non-cash impairment of other intangible assets (consisting of trade names and gaming licenses) based on our preliminary analysis. Additionally, for all OpCo reporting units with goodwill balances, we performed a preliminary Step 1 goodwill impairment test under ASC 350. Based on this preliminary analysis, one OpCo reporting unit failed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. As of September 30, 2015, the carrying amount of goodwill at this reporting unit totaled $46.5 million. We have not yet completed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for this reporting unit and accordingly, we were unable to reasonably estimate a goodwill impairment charge, if any, that would be reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015. OpCo’s impairment tests will be finalized in connection with the completion of the transaction, which may result in an impairment of goodwill and revisions to our preliminary estimate of impairment of other intangible assets.
  (h) Represents the removal of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the historical debt assumed by Merger Sub.
  (i) Represents the removal of accrued interest associated with the historical debt assumed by Merger Sub.
  (j) Represents the removal of current and long-term portions of the principal debt outstanding assumed by Merger Sub.
  (k) Represents the current and long-term portions of the financing obligation associated with the Triple Net Master Lease Agreement with GLPI. The financing obligation has been calculated as the present value of future minimum lease payments over the 35-year lease term discounted using an incremental borrowing rate of 12%.
  (l) Represents the removal of unamortized original issuance premium, net of discounts associated with the outstanding debt assumed by Merger Sub.
  (m) Represents the removal of historical Pinnacle common stock.
  (n) Represents the addition of newly-issued OpCo common stock.
  (o) Represents the reverse transfer of assets and liabilities assumed by Merger Sub, the removal of historical Pinnacle common stock with the addition of the newly-issued OpCo common stock, and changes to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.
  (p) Represents the removal of the historical treasury stock of Pinnacle, which will be canceled as part of this transaction.

Note 4.  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Continuing Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of continuing operations presented above reflects the following specific adjustments:

 

  (a) Represents the removal of amortization on insurance policies, which are assumed by Merger Sub.
  (b) Represents the removal of restructuring costs that were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to complete the Spin-off and the Merger.
  (c) Represents the removal of interest expense associated with the historical debt to be refinanced.
  (d) Represents the interest expense associated with the debt expected to be incurred under the proposed OpCo debt structure, including the amortization of debt issuance costs and original issuance discount. The pro forma interest expense arising from these debt instruments has been computed using assumed rates, which on a weighted-average principal outstanding basis is 4.35%. Additionally, it is assumed that the Revolving Credit Facility carries a 0.50% fee for unused borrowing capacity, less outstanding letters of credit. Each 1/8th% change in the assumed rates on these debt instruments would result in a total change in consolidated interest expense of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
  (e) Represents the interest expense associated with the financing obligation related to the leased real estate assets. Interest expense has been determined by utilizing an incremental borrowing rate of 12%.

 

67


Table of Contents
  (f) Represents the income tax expense effect of the transaction assuming the Master Lease is treated as an operating lease for tax purposes with OpCo being subject to a full valuation allowance.

Note 5.  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Continuing Operations for the year ended December 31, 2014

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of continuing operations presented above reflects the following specific adjustments:

 

  (a) Represents the removal of amortization on insurance policies, which are assumed by Merger Sub.
  (b) Represents the removal of restructuring costs that were incurred during 2014 to complete the Spin-off and the Merger.
  (c) Represents the removal of interest expense associated with the historical debt to be refinanced.
  (d) Represents the interest expense associated with the debt expected to be incurred under the proposed OpCo debt structure, including the amortization of debt issuance costs and original issuance discount. The pro forma interest expense arising from these debt instruments has been computed using assumed rates, which on a weighted-average principal outstanding basis is 4.35%. Additionally, the Revolving Credit Facility carries a 0.50% fee for unused borrowing capacity, less outstanding letters of credit. Each 1/8th% change in the assumed rates on these debt instruments would result in a total change in consolidated interest expense of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
  (e) Represents the interest expense associated with the financing obligation related to the leased real estate assets. Interest expense has been determined by utilizing an incremental borrowing rate of 12%.
  (f) Represents the removal of the loss on early extinguishment of historical Pinnacle debt not associated with the proposed OpCo debt.
  (g) Represents the income tax expense effect of the transaction assuming the Master Lease is treated as an operating lease for tax purposes with OpCo being subject to a full valuation allowance.

 

68


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, Pinnacle’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and Pinnacle’s historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2015 and the accompanying notes thereto, included in this information statement, and Pinnacle’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pinnacle’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and its historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2015 and the accompanying notes thereto have been determined to represent OpCo based on the conclusion that for accounting purposes, the spin-off of OpCo should be evaluated as the reverse of its legal form under the requirements of ASC 505-60, Spinoff and Reverse Spinoffs, resulting in OpCo being considered the accounting spinnor and PropCo the accounting spinnee. The OpCo leaseback of the gaming facilities under the terms of the Master Lease will not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and therefore the Master Lease will be accounted for as a financing obligation and the gaming facilities will remain on OpCo’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The following is historical financial information of Pinnacle and does not account for the spin-off, merger and the Master Lease.

Executive Overview

We are an owner, operator and developer of casinos, a racetrack and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. We operate 15 gaming entertainment facilities in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these facilities, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour. We view each of our operating facilities as an operating segment with the exception of our two facilities in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:

 

Segments (1)

   

Midwest segment, which includes:

   

Location

Ameristar Council Bluffs

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ameristar East Chicago

    East Chicago, Indiana

Ameristar Kansas City

    Kansas City, Missouri

Ameristar St. Charles

    St. Charles, Missouri

River City

    St. Louis, Missouri

Belterra

    Florence, Indiana

Belterra Park

    Cincinnati, Ohio

South segment, which includes:

   

Location

Ameristar Vicksburg

    Vicksburg, Mississippi

Boomtown Bossier City

    Bossier City, Louisiana

Boomtown New Orleans

    New Orleans, Louisiana

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

L’Auberge Lake Charles

    Lake Charles, Louisiana

West segment, which includes:

   

Location

Ameristar Black Hawk

    Black Hawk, Colorado

Cactus Petes and Horseshu

    Jackpot, Nevada

(1) All of the properties described above are subject to the Master Lease, except for Belterra Park.

We operate gaming entertainment facilities, all of which include gaming and dining facilities, and most of which include hotel, retail and other amenities. In addition, we manage a racetrack and own and operate a

 

69


Table of Contents

poker tour. Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our facilities, which, in turn, affects the price we can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities. While we do provide casino credit in several gaming jurisdictions, most of our revenue is cash-based, with customers wagering with cash or paying for non-gaming services with cash or credit cards. Our facilities generate significant operating cash flow. Our industry is capital-intensive, and we rely on the ability of our facilities to generate operating cash flow to pay interest, repay debt costs and fund maintenance capital expenditures.

Our mission is to increase stockholder value. We seek to increase revenues through enhancing the guest experience by providing them with their favorite games, restaurants, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other amenities in attractive surroundings with high-quality guest service and guest rewards programs. We seek to improve profit by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value and reducing our leverage. Our long-term strategy includes disciplined capital expenditures to improve and maintain our existing operations, while growing the number and quality of our facilities by pursuing gaming entertainment opportunities we can improve or develop. In making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

Results of Operations

Results of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

The following table highlights our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. We report segment operating results based on revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Such segment reporting is on a basis consistent with how we measure our business and allocate resources internally. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDA for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) to Income from continuing operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

     For the nine months ended September 30,  
                         2015                                              2014                       
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

    

Midwest segment (a)

   $ 955.1      $ 881.8   

South segment (a)

     601.3        606.2   

West segment (a)

     172.0        162.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,728.4        1,650.8   

Corporate and other (c)

     5.0        5.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 1,733.4      $ 1,656.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (b):

    

Midwest segment (a)

   $ 289.5      $ 260.8   

South segment (a)

     182.8        183.0   

West segment (a)

     63.5        59.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     535.8        503.3   

Corporate expenses and other (c)

     (62.1     (68.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)

   $ 473.7      $ 435.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other costs:

    

Depreciation and amortization

   $ (187.3   $ (177.2

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     (11.7     (11.9

Non-cash share-based compensation expense

     (13.0     (10.1

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     (6.5     (4.4

Interest expense, net

     (186.1     (191.3

Loss from equity method investment

     (0.1       

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

            (8.2

Income tax expense

     (12.7     (8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 56.3      $ 24.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

70


Table of Contents
(a) See “Executive Summary” section for listing of facilities included in each segment.
(b) We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our facilities and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, we expect our credit agreement and bond indentures will require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
(c) Corporate and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. Corporate expenses represent unallocated payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

Consolidated Overview for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Total revenues increased by $77.2 million, or 4.7%, year over year, to $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, income from continuing operations was $56.3 million. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $473.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $38.4 million, or 8.8%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA benefited from a $3.6 million refund received on disputed vendor payments in the first quarter of 2015, partially offset by $2.5 million in costs related to the L’Auberge Lake Charles team member retention program payments and by repair and clean-up costs and lost business volume related to flooding of the Red River in Bossier City.

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.7 billion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, income from continuing operations was $24.1 million. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was negatively impacted by referendum opposition costs of $5.1 million, L’Auberge Lake Charles team member retention program costs of $1.7 million, and severance expenses of $3.5 million.

Our revenue consists mostly of gaming revenue, which is primarily from slot machines and to a lesser extent, table games. Slot revenue represented approximately 83% and 79% of gaming revenue in 2014 and 2013, respectively. In analyzing the performance of our facilities, the key indicators related to gaming revenue are slot handle and table games drop (which are volume indicators) and win or hold percentage.

Slot handle or video lottery terminal (“VLT”) handle represents the total amount wagered in a slot machine or VLT, and table games drop represents the total amount of cash and net markers issued that are deposited in gaming table drop boxes. Win represents the amount of wagers retained by us and recorded as gaming revenue, and hold represents win as a percentage of slot handle, VLT handle or table games drop. Given the stability in our slot and VLT hold percentages, we have not experienced any significant impact on our results of operations as a result of changes in hold percentages.

 

71


Table of Contents

For table games, customers usually purchase cash chips at the gaming tables. The cash and markers (extensions of credit granted to certain credit-worthy customers) are deposited in the drop box of each gaming table. Table game win is the amount of drop that is retained and recorded as gaming revenue, with liabilities recognized for funds deposited by customers.

We offer incentives to our customers through our my choice customer loyalty program. Under the my choice customer loyalty program, customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the program will be forfeited if the customer does not earn or use any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items.

We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding the cost of providing such benefits, breakage rates, and the mixture of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had accrued $22.8 million and $26.6 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing my choice benefits.

Segment comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Midwest Segment

 

     For the nine months ended September 30,      Percentage change
                   2015                                   2014                                 2015 vs. 2014            
     (in millions)       

Gaming revenues

   $ 865.2          $ 798.5                         8.4%

Total revenues

     955.1           881.8                         8.3%

Operating income

     189.5           156.9                       20.8%

Adjusted EBITDA

     289.5           260.8                       11.0%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Midwest segment performance was driven by strong year over year increases in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at Ameristar East Chicago, River City, Ameristar Kansas City and Belterra Park.

South Segment

 

     For the nine months ended September 30,      Percentage change
                   2015                                   2014                                 2015 vs. 2014            
     (in millions)       

Gaming revenues

   $ 538.9         $ 542.5                   (0.7)%

Total revenues

     601.3           606.2                   (0.8)%

Operating income

     118.5           122.8                   (3.5)%

Adjusted EBITDA

     182.8           183.0                   (0.1)%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the South segment’s results were driven by year over year increases in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at Boomtown New Orleans and L’Auberge Baton Rouge. L’Auberge Baton Rouge continues to ramp up its operations and profitably increase its market share and regional presence. L’Auberge Lake Charles experienced decreases in total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA as the Lake Charles market absorbs the addition of a new competitor that opened in December 2014.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the South segment’s results were negatively affected by a $1.7 million reduction in Adjusted EBITDA due to the L’Auberge Lake Charles team member retention program costs.

 

72


Table of Contents

West Segment

 

     For the nine months ended September 30,      Percentage change
                   2015                                   2014                                 2015 vs. 2014            
     (in millions)       

Gaming revenues

   $ 143.3         $ 136.0                           5.4%

Total revenues

     172.0           162.8                          5.7%

Operating income

     43.8           38.8                         12.9%

Adjusted EBITDA

     63.5           59.5                           6.7%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the West segment’s results were primarily driven by year over year increases in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at Ameristar Blackhawk.

Other factors affecting income from continuing operations

The following is a description of the other costs affecting income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
    Percentage change  
               2015                         2014                        2015 vs. 2014           
     (in millions)        

Other costs:

      

Corporate expenses and other

   $ (62.1   $ (68.0     (8.7)%           

Depreciation and amortization

     (187.3     (177.2     5.7%           

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     (11.7     (11.9     (1.7)%           

Share-based compensation expense

     (13.0     (10.1     28.7%           

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     (6.5     (4.4     47.7%           

Loss from equity method investment

     (0.1            NM               

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

            (8.2     NM               

Interest expense, net

     (186.1     (191.3     (2.7)%           

Income tax expense

     (12.7     (8.1     56.8%           

NM — Not Meaningful

Corporate expenses and other is principally comprised of corporate overhead expenses, the Heartland Poker Tour, and the Retama Park management operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, corporate expenses decreased $5.9 million year over year to $62.1 million. The decline is primarily attributable to a refund received on disputed vendor payments in the first quarter of 2015, $7.3 million of non-recurring expenses related to referendum opposition costs and severance incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and offset by increases in other costs.

Depreciation and amortization increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the prior year period, due to the opening of Belterra Park in May 2014, the opening of the Boomtown New Orleans hotel in December 2014, and other capital projects placed into service since the third quarter of 2014.

Pre-opening, development and other costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, consist of the following:

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
              2015                       2014          
     (in millions)  

Restructuring costs (1)

    $ 10.0       $ 0.9   

Belterra Park (2)

            8.2   

Other (3)

     1.7        2.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pre-opening, development and other costs

    $ 11.7       $ 11.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

73


Table of Contents
  (1) Amounts comprised of cost associated with the separation of our real estate assets from our operating assets.
  (2) Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.
  (3) Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses, including those related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”).

Share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased compared to the prior year period primarily due to the determination during the third quarter of 2014 that certain performance share awards were no longer expected to vest resulting in the reversal of previously recognized share-based compensation expense.

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consist of the following:

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
                 2015                             2014              
     (in millions)  

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net

   $ (6.7   $ 1.0   

Lease abandonment

            2.9   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     3.4        0.5   

Impairment of goodwill

     4.7          

Impairment of other intangible assets

     5.9          

Other write-downs, reserves and (recoveries)

     (0.8       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

   $ 6.5      $ 4.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net:   During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a gain on the sale of land in Springfield, Massachusetts of $8.4 million. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded net losses related to disposals of slot and other equipment at our facilities in the normal course of business.

Lease abandonment: During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $2.9 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters.

Impairment of long-lived assets: During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $3.0 million in non-cash impairments of our land in Central City, Colorado to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to our estimated fair value less cost to sell. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded non-cash impairments on slot and other equipment at our facilities.

Impairment of goodwill:   During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded a $3.3 million non-cash impairment of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC’s goodwill. During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded a $1.4 million non-cash impairment of HPT’s goodwill.

Impairment of other intangible assets: During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded a non-cash impairment of $5.0 million fully impairing the Retama Park Racetrack license. During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded non-cash impairments of HPT’s trade name and customer relationship intangible of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Loss on equity method investment represents losses recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, for our allocable share of an investment in a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis.

 

74


Table of Contents

Interest expense, net, consists of the following:

 

    For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
    (in millions)  

Interest expense

  $ 186.4      $ 194.3   

Interest income

    (0.3     (0.3

Capitalized interest

           (2.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

  $ 186.1      $ 191.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the prior year period, interest expense decreased due to the reduction in total debt principal outstanding achieved principally with operating cash flow and proceeds from asset sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, excluding the amortization of debt issuance costs and original issuance discount/premium, interest expense was $176.0 million as compared to $182.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, consist of our effective tax rate for continuing operations of 18.4%, or an expense of $12.7 million as compared to an effective tax rate of 25.1% or an expense of $8.1 million for the corresponding prior year period. Our tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35.0% due to the effects of permanent items, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes and a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. Our state tax provision represents taxes in the jurisdictions of Indiana and Louisiana, as well as the city jurisdictions in Missouri, where we have no valuation allowance.

Discontinued operations

Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels: In August 2013, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase Agreement to sell the ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries, which own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels. During 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $250.3 million.

Boomtown Reno: In April 2015, we completed the sale of approximately 783 acres of land associated with our former Boomtown Reno operations, with a carrying amount of $8.3 million, for cash consideration of $13.1 million, resulting in a gain on disposition of $4.8 million, net of costs to sell.

Total discontinued operations: Revenues and income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, are summarized as follows:

 

    For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
    (in millions)  

Revenues

  $      $ 41.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    5.5        5.2   

Income tax expense

    (0.3     (0.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

  $ 5.2      $ 5.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

75


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

The following table highlights our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and includes our Adjusted EBITDA (defined above) for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (defined above) to Income (loss) from continuing operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

      

Midwest segment

   $ 1,185.2      $ 650.9      $ 367.3   

South segment

     801.9        748.1        634.9   

West segment

     216.0        82.9          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,203.1        1,481.9        1,002.2   

Corporate and other

     7.4        6.0        0.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 2,210.5      $ 1,487.9      $ 1,002.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

      

Midwest segment

   $ 348.4      $ 183.7      $ 94.3   

South segment

     244.4        213.5        176.6   

West segment

     78.2        27.7          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     671.0        424.9        270.9   

Corporate expenses and other

     (86.2     (54.3     (20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 584.8      $ 370.6      $ 250.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other benefits (costs):

      

Depreciation and amortization

   $ (241.1   $ (148.5   $ (82.7

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     (13.0     (89.0     (21.5

Non-cash share-based compensation

     (13.9     (11.5     (8.5

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     (6.4     (17.3     (0.8

Interest expense, net

     (252.6     (169.8     (93.7

Loss from equity method investment

     (0.2     (92.2     (30.8

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (8.2     (30.8     (20.7

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (11.1     55.1        (4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 38.3      $ (133.4   $ (13.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Overview for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

During 2014, consolidated income from continuing operations was $38.3 million, consolidated revenues increased by $722.7 million, or 48.6% year over year to $2.2 billion, and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $584.8 million, an increase of $214.1 million, or 57.8%, year over year. The results reflect twelve months of revenues and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of Ameristar operations acquired in August of 2013.

During 2014, we substantially completed the integration of the Ameristar facilities into our operations. As a key part of the integration, we implemented operational changes to take advantage of synergies that were created as a result of our increased size and diversity. Additionally, as a part of the integration, we implemented company-wide best practices that positively impacted our operating results for 2014. For example, improvements made to our risk management program throughout our organization have benefited our operations through a reduction in the number and severity of general liability and workers’ compensation claims, lower general liability and workers’ compensation self-insurance costs, and a reduction in our general liability and workers’ compensation self-insurance accruals as of December 31, 2014.

 

76


Table of Contents

In April 2014, we expanded the my choice loyalty program to all Ameristar facilities as part of the integration of the Ameristar facilities, and now we offer benefits solely through the my choice customer loyalty program. The expansion of the my choice loyalty program negatively impacted consolidated operating results by $4.5 million in 2014.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had accrued $26.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing my choice benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under the Ameristar customer loyalty program.

Our consolidated operating results were impacted by the May 2014 opening of our Belterra Park facility. The re-developed gaming and entertainment facility contributed $39.1 million in additional revenue during 2014.

Segment comparison of years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

Midwest Segment

 

       For the year ended December 31,          % Increase/Decrease    
     2014      2013      2012      2014 vs.
2013
    2013 vs.
2012
 
     (in millions)               

Gaming revenues

   $ 1,075.0       $ 586.0       $ 323.0         83.4     81.4

Total revenues

     1,185.2         650.9         367.3         82.1     77.2

Operating income

     209.3         117.2         54.7         78.6     114.3

Adjusted EBITDA

     348.4         183.7         94.3         89.6     94.8

In the Midwest segment, total revenues increased by $534.4 million or 82.1% to $1,185.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $164.6 million or 89.6%, to $348.4 million during the same period. During 2014, the Midwest segment’s operating results improved year over year as a result of twelve months of operating results of the Ameristar facilities, which were acquired in August 2013. The increase in total revenues is also attributable to the May 2014 opening of Belterra Park, which contributed $39.1 million in additional revenue during 2014. However, Midwest segment Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by Belterra Park operating results during 2014.

Midwest segment results were also impacted by an improvement in revenue trends and profitability at Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar East Chicago. Net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2014 at Ameristar Kansas City and Ameristar Council Bluffs were relatively unchanged year over year, however, operational efficiency permitted these facilities to contribute year over year Adjusted EBITDA growth to the Midwest segment results. Belterra Resort continues to see revenue pressure from increased regional competition, however, a focus on cost control helped limit the impact of declining gaming revenue on Midwest segment results. Midwest segment Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by a one-time $3.1 million charge due to the expansion of the my choice customer loyalty program at the Ameristar-branded facilities during the second quarter of 2014.

In 2013, Midwest segment operating results were positively impacted by the acquired Ameristar operations in August 2013. Midwest segment results were negatively affected by a generally challenging revenue environment in its core gaming markets. Belterra experienced year over year declines in its key metrics as a result of several new competitors in Cincinnati, Ohio, including Belterra Park, ramping up operations.

 

77


Table of Contents

South Segment

 

     For the year ended December 31,      % Increase/Decrease  
     2014      2013      2012      2014 vs.
2013
    2013 vs.
2012
 
     (in millions)               

Gaming revenues

   $ 718.8       $ 671.9       $ 569.3         7.0     18.0

Total revenues

     801.9         748.1         634.9         7.2     17.8

Operating income

     163.9         136.7         119.9         19.9     14.0

Adjusted EBITDA

     244.4         213.5         176.6         14.5     20.9

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the South segment’s total revenues increased by $53.8 million or 7.2% year over year to $801.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $30.9 million or 14.5%, to $244.4 million. Twelve months of operating results from our Ameristar Vicksburg facility, acquired in August 2013, contributed to the total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increases in the South segment. In addition, South segment results were positively impacted by strong core demand trends and margin performance at our L’Auberge Lake Charles facility, a stabilization of demand trends and profitability at Boomtown Bossier City, and increased operational efficiency at Ameristar Vicksburg. Boomtown New Orleans negatively impacted South Segment results in 2014, with declining operating results in 2014 as compared to 2013. In December 2014, we opened a new 150-guestroom hotel tower at Boomtown New Orleans and we expect this opening to drive incremental business to the facility.

South Segment gaming revenues, total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA in 2014 were positively impacted by the operating results of L’Auberge Lake Charles. In December 2014, a new competitor in Lake Charles commenced operations. In an effort to retain L’Auberge Lake Charles team members, we implemented a one year team member retention program, which began in the second quarter of 2014. South Segment Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by $2.8 million in costs incurred in connection with the retention program.

In 2013, South segment operating results were positively impacted by the addition of Ameristar Vicksburg acquired in August 2013. In addition, performance was driven by strong revenue and cash flow performance at L’Auberge Lake Charles and L’Auberge Baton Rouge. L’Auberge Lake Charles delivered revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth to the South Segment in 2013 primarily through strong regional demand trends. L’Auberge Baton Rouge ramped up its revenue with further penetration of the Baton Rouge gaming market and increasing high end regional gaming volume. Boomtown Bossier’s 2013 financial performance was adversely impacted by the addition of a new competitor in the Bossier City/Shreveport gaming market in June 2013.

West Segment

 

     For the year ended December 31,      % Increase/Decrease  
     2014      2013      2012      2014 vs.
2013
    2013 vs.
2012
 
     (in millions)               

Gaming revenues

   $ 180.6       $ 69.4       $         160.2     NA   

Total revenues

     216.0         82.9                 160.6     NA   

Operating income

     51.1         17.6                 190.3     NA   

Adjusted EBITDA

     78.2         27.7                 182.3     NA   

NA — Not Applicable

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the West segment’s total revenues increased by $133.1 million year over year to $216.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased $50.5 million to $78.2 million. The segment’s Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36.2%.

 

78


Table of Contents

The increase in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA in 2014 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, was primarily a result of the timing of the acquisition of the Ameristar facilities, which comprises 100% of the total West segment results. In addition, operating performance was positively impacted by operational efficiencies at each facility. West segment Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by $1.0 million due to a one-time charge related to the expansion of the my choice player loyalty program at each West segment facility during the second quarter of 2014.

Severe weather and flooding constrained visitation to Ameristar Black Hawk in September 2013, which negatively affected the facility’s operating performance and West segment results.

Other factors affecting income (loss) from continuing operations

 

    For the year ended December 31,      % Increase/
(Decrease)
 
    2014      2013      2012      2014 vs.
2013
     2013 vs.
2012
 
    (in millions)                

Other benefits (costs):

             

Corporate expenses and other

  $ (86.2)       $ (54.3)       $ (20.6)         58.7%         NM   

Depreciation and amortization expense

    (241.1)         (148.5)         (82.7)         62.4%         79.6%   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    (13.0)         (89.0)         (21.5)         (85.4)%         NM   

Non-cash share-based compensation expense

    (13.9)         (11.5)         (8.5)         20.9%         35.3%   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

    (6.4)         (17.3)         (0.8)         (63.0)%         NM   

Interest expense, net

    (252.6)         (169.8)         (93.7)         48.8%         81.2%   

Loss from equity method investment

    (0.2)         (92.2)         (30.8)         (99.8)%         NM   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (8.2)         (30.8)         (20.7)         (73.4)%         48.8%   

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (11.1)         55.1         (4.8)         NM         NM   

NM — Not Meaningful

Corporate expenses and other is principally comprised of corporate overhead expense, the Heartland Poker Tour and the Retama Park management operations. Corporate overhead expense increased by $31.9 million year over year to $86.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in corporate overhead expense was primarily driven by the change in allocation methodology and the timing of the acquisition of Ameristar. The increase in corporate overhead expenses was also attributable to $8.1 million in expenses associated with costs incurred in opposition of a Colorado referendum to expand casino gambling to racetracks and severance costs related to operational leadership changes.

The increase in corporate expense and other in 2013, as compared to 2012, was due to the acquisition of Ameristar and the change in allocation methodology.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2014 as compared to 2013 due to the timing of the acquisition of Ameristar and the opening of Belterra Park in May 2014. Depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2013 as compared to 2012 due to the acquisition of Ameristar in August 2013 and the opening of L’Auberge Baton Rouge in September 2012.

Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of the following:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in millions)  

Ameristar acquisition (1)

   $ 2.2       $ 85.3       $ —     

Belterra Park (2)

     8.2         1.2         0.4   

Other (3)

     2.6         2.5         21.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total pre-opening, development and other costs

   $ 13.0       $ 89.0       $ 21.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

79


Table of Contents

 

(1) Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar.
(2) Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.
(3) Costs in 2014 include $1.7 million of cost associated with our evaluation and previous plan to separate our real estate from our operating assets. The 2012 total includes costs incurred in connection with our L’Auberge Baton Rouge facility, which opened in 2012.

Non-cash share-based compensation consists of the following:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in millions)  

Non-cash share-based compensation expense

   $ 13.9       $ 11.5       $ 8.5   

Share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, increased primarily due to new stock awards granted, which includes new stock awards granted to employees associated with the Ameristar acquisition.

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of the following:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014     2013      2012  
     (in millions)  

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net

   $ 3.5      $ 2.8       $ (1.2

Lease abandonment

     3.0        –           –     

Reserve on loan receivable

     –          0.1         1.7   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     –          2.9         0.3   

Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets

     –          10.0         –     

Other

     (0.1     1.5         –     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

   $ 6.4      $ 17.3       $ 0.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of $6.4 million in losses for the year ended December 31, 2014. The losses related to a $3.0 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters and net losses of $3.5 million from the disposal or abandonment of slot and other equipment at our facilities in the normal course of business.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized net losses of $17.3 million. The losses were primarily a result of an impairment loss on our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license of $10.0 million, an impairment charge of $1.5 million related to a decline in value of some of our excess land, and losses of $2.8 million from disposals of slot and other equipment at our facilities in the normal course of business.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized net losses of $0.8 million. The losses were primarily a result of a $1.7 million reserve made against an outstanding loan receivable. This loss was offset by a net gain of $1.2 million on disposals of assets.

Interest expense, net, was as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in millions)  

Interest expense

   $ 255.9      $ 173.5      $ 114.8   

Interest income

     (0.4     (0.4     (0.8

Capitalized interest

     (2.9     (3.3     (20.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense, net

   $ 252.6      $ 169.8      $ 93.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

80


Table of Contents

Interest expense is capitalized on internally constructed assets at our overall weighted average cost of borrowing. During 2014, we capitalized interest on our Belterra Park re-development project and our Boomtown New Orleans hotel. Interest expense increased due to the additional debt incurred to fund our acquisition of Ameristar and other development projects.

Loss on equity method investment. We have a minority ownership interest in Asian Coast Development (Canada), Ltd. (“ACDL”). During 2013, we recorded impairments of approximately $94.0 million fully impairing the remaining asset carrying value of our investment in ACDL. During 2012, we recorded an initial impairment of approximately $25 million. The loss recognized during 2014 entirely relates to our allocable share of Farmworks losses, a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt. During the second quarter of 2014, we incurred a $8.2 million loss related to the redemption of our then existing Tranche B-1 term loans. The loss included the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.

During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded a $30.8 million loss related to the early redemption of our 8.625% senior notes due 2017 and the amendment and restatement of our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The loss included redemption premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.

During 2012, we incurred a $20.7 million loss related to the early redemption of our 7.50% senior subordinated notes due 2015. The loss included redemption premiums, write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original debt issuance discounts.

Income taxes. Our income tax expense for continuing operations was $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to an income tax benefit of $55.1 million in the prior year period. For 2014 and 2013, the effective tax rates were 22.5% and 29.2%, respectively. Our effective tax rate differs from the expected statutory tax rate of 35% due to the effect of permanent items, the recording of a valuation allowance release, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes and a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. Our income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014, included a tax benefit from the release of $3.0 million of our valuation allowance as a result of additional deferred tax liabilities recognized from the preparation of the Ameristar pre-acquisition tax returns during the second quarter of 2014. Our income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 included a tax benefit from the release of $58.4 million of our valuation allowance as a result of the consolidation of our deferred tax assets with the Ameristar deferred tax liabilities. Our state tax provision represents taxes in the jurisdictions of Indiana, Louisiana and the city jurisdictions of Missouri where we have no valuation allowance.

Discontinued operations. Discontinued operations consist of disposal groups classified as held for sale and measured at the lower of our carrying value or the fair value less cost to sell.

Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels: In August 2013, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase Agreement to sell the ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries, which own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and HoteLumiére and related excess land parcels in St. Louis, Missouri. During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $144.6 million, to reduce the carrying value of the assets to their net realizable value, less costs to sell. During 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $250.3 million.

Ameristar Casino Lake Charles: In July 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of our subsidiary, which was developing the Ameristar Lake Charles development project. In November 2013, we closed the sale of the equity interests of our subsidiary. We have received approximately $209.8 million in cash consideration and $10.0 million of deferred consideration in the form of a note receivable from the buyer, due in July 2016. The recovery of proceeds from escrow and adjustments to our cost to sell estimates resulted in the recognition of an approximate $2.3 million gain during 2014.

 

81


Table of Contents

Boomtown Reno: In June 2012, we closed the sale of the Boomtown Reno operations for total proceeds of approximately $12.9 million, resulting in a loss of $1.1 million. In August 2014, we closed the sale of the membership interest of PNK (Reno), LLC, which owns 27 acres of the excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. At closing, we received approximately $3.5 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2014, we continued to hold approximately 783 acres of remaining excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. During the third quarter of 2014, we entered into agreement to sell this land and we completed the sale in April 2015.

Atlantic City : During the third quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of our land holdings in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for total consideration of approximately $29.5 million.

Springfield, Massachusetts: we owned approximately 40 acres of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, originally purchased by Ameristar for a possible future casino resort. During the first quarter of 2014, we entered into an option agreement to sell this land. We completed the sale of this land in April 2015.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

As of September 30, 2015, we held $123.0 million of cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $715.1 million drawn on our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility and had approximately $12.0 million committed under various letters of credit. During the third quarter 2015, we borrowed $225.0 million on our revolving credit facility and used the proceeds to repay Tranche B-2 term loans in order to reduce cash interest payments through the closing of the merger. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we retired $312.8 million in aggregate principal amount of credit facility debt. The debt retired in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was accomplished principally with cash flow from operations and net proceeds received from the dispositions of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Reno, Nevada, during the second quarter of 2015.

We generally produce significant positive cash flows from operations, though this is not always reflected in our reported net income due to large non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization. However, our ongoing liquidity will depend on a number of factors, including available cash resources, cash flow from operations, funding of construction of development projects, and our compliance with covenants contained in our amended and restated credit facility and the indentures governing our senior subordinated notes and senior notes.

 

    For the nine months
ended September 30,
    % Increase/(Decrease)  
    2015     2014             2015 vs. 2014          
    (in millions)        

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 316.7      $ 270.5        17.1%         

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

  $ (53.0   $ 75.5        (170.2)%         

Net cash used in financing activities

  $ (305.4   $ (389.6     (21.6)%         

Operating Cash Flow

Our cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the prior year period, increased due primarily to an improvement in operating results and the receipt of approximately $17.4 million of net cash refunds related to income taxes.

 

82


Table of Contents

Investing Cash Flow

The following is a summary of our capital expenditures by segment:

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2015      2014  
     (in millions)  

Midwest segment

   $ 30.0       $ 137.1   

South segment

     18.7         37.7   

West segment

     6.9         3.4   

Other

     1.9         10.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 57.5       $ 188.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the prior year period, decreased due primarily to the completion of Belterra Park in May of 2014.

In addition to our capital expenditures summarized above, during the second quarter of 2015, we made our final installment payment of $25.0 million for Belterra Park’s VLT license and we received approximately $25.1 million in combined net proceeds from the dispositions of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Reno, Nevada, in separate transactions.

Our intention is to use existing cash resources, expected cash flows from operations and funds available under our debt facilities to fund operations, maintain existing facilities, make necessary debt service payments, and fund any potential development projects. In the event that our future cash flows from operations do not match the levels we currently anticipate, whether due to downturns in the economy or otherwise, we may need to raise funds through the capital markets, if possible.

Our ability to borrow under our debt facilities will be contingent upon, among other things, meeting customary financial and other covenants. If we are unable to borrow under our debt facilities, or if our operating results are adversely affected because of a reduction in consumer spending, or for any other reason, our ability to maintain our existing facilities or complete our ongoing projects may be affected unless we sell assets, enter into leasing arrangements, or take other measures to find additional financial resources. There is no certainty that we will be able to do so on terms that are favorable to us or at all.

We have entered into commitment letters with certain lenders to provide financing to us in connection with the Merger with GLPI.

We may face significant challenges if conditions in the economy and financial markets worsen, the effect of which could adversely affect consumer confidence and the willingness of consumers to spend money on leisure activities. Because of the current economic environment, certain of our customers may curtail the frequency of their visits to our casinos and may reduce the amounts they wager and spend when compared to similar statistics in better economic times. All of these effects could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

Financing Cash Flow

Credit Facility

In August 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Ameristar, we entered into the Credit Facility, which consists of (i) $1.6 billion of term loans comprised of $500.0 million of Tranche B-1 term loans and $1.1 billion of Tranche B-2 term loans and (ii) a $1.0 billion revolving credit commitment. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $715.1 million drawn under the $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, approximately $361.0 million in outstanding principal Tranche B-2 term loan debt, and approximately $12.0 million committed under various letters of credit under our Credit Facility. We fully repaid the outstanding principal balances of our Tranche B-1 term loans during 2014.

 

83


Table of Contents

In the third quarter 2015, we repaid $360.7 million of Tranche B-2 term loans and drew an additional $240.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility, for a net reduction in principal amount of debt of $120.7 million.

The Credit Facility will be refinanced in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.

Senior and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness

As of September 30, 2015, we had outstanding $850.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”), $1.04 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”), $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”), and $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”). The 8.75% Notes, 7.75% Notes, 6.375% Notes and 7.50% Notes are expected to be refinanced in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.

6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 and 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021

On August 5, 2013, we closed an offering of $850.0 million of 6.375% Notes at a price equal to par. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various other costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $835.0 million. We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with the proceeds from our Credit Facility (which is described above), to finance the aggregate cash consideration for the merger with Ameristar, pay transaction fees and expenses, redeem our 8.625% senior notes due in 2017, and provide working capital and funds for general corporate purposes. The 6.375% Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on February 1st and August 1st of each year. The 6.375% Notes mature on August 1, 2021.

Ameristar originally issued $1.04 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Notes in 2011 and the Company assumed the 7.50% Notes in August 2013. The 7.50% Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on April 15th and October 15th of each year. The 7.50% Notes mature on April 15, 2021.

7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 and 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020

In March 2012, we issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Notes at a price equal to par. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $318.3 million. The 7.75% Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per year, payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year. The 7.75% Notes mature on April 1, 2022.

We issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Notes at a price equal to par in May 2010. Net of the initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $341.5 million. The 8.75% Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.75% per year, payable on May 15th and November 15th of each year. The 8.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2020.

As of September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with the financial covenant ratios under the Credit Facility and indentures governing our 7.50% Notes, 8.75% Notes, 6.375% Notes, and 7.75% Notes and compliance with these financial covenant ratios does not have a material impact on our financial flexibility, including our ability to incur new indebtedness based on our operating plans.

 

84


Table of Contents

Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

 

    For the year ended December 31,     % Increase/(Decrease)  
    2014     2013     2012     2014 vs.
2013
    2013 vs.
2012
 
    (in millions)              

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 328.5      $ 161.1      $ 186.9        103.9     (13.8)%   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  $ 33.2      $ (1,842.7   $ (302.1     (101.8 )%      NM   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  $ (395.6   $ 1,778.5      $ 136.7        (122.2 )%      NM   

NM — Not Meaningful

Operating Cash Flow

Our cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased from 2013 primarily as a result of the August 2013 acquisition of Ameristar.

Investing Cash Flow

The following is a summary of our capital expenditures by segment:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in millions)  

Midwest segment

   $ 158.2       $ 139.4       $ 37.1   

South segment

     51.0         77.8         249.0   

West segment

     7.7         1.7         –     

Other

     13.9         73.7         13.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 230.8       $ 292.6       $ 299.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We opened our Belterra Park facility in May 2014. We opened a 150-guestroom hotel tower at our Boomtown New Orleans facility in December 2014.

Financing Cash Flow

Credit Facility

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $606.6 million borrowed under the $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, approximately $782.2 million borrowed under the Tranche B-2 term loans, and approximately $12.7 million committed under various letters of credit under our Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, we fully repaid the outstanding principal balances of our Tranche B-1 term loans.

In 2014, we repaid $514.3 million of aggregate principal amount of term loans, including the aggregate principal outstanding of Tranche B-1 term loans, for a net total principal reduction of approximately $401.3 million after giving effect to incremental revolving credit facility drawings during the time period.

Senior and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness

As of December 31, 2014, we had outstanding $350 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Notes, $325 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Notes, $850 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Notes, and $1.04 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Notes. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the financial covenant ratios under the Credit Facility and indentures governing the 8.75%

 

85


Table of Contents

Notes, 7.75% Notes, 6.375% Notes and 7.50% Notes and compliance with these financial covenant ratios does not have a material impact on our financial flexibility, including our ability to incur new indebtedness based on our operating plans.

Financing in Connection with GLPI Transaction

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the spin-off, to provide us with the debt financing required to consummate the proposed transactions, Pinnacle has entered into two commitment letters, a Bridge Commitment Letter and a Takeout Commitment Letter, which are described below, and will utilize the funding from either the Bridge Commitment Letter or the Takeout Commitment Letter (but not both).

Pursuant to the Bridge Commitment Letter, Pinnacle received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in financing, comprised of a $900 million senior secured 364-day term loan bridge facility and a $200 million senior secured 364-day revolving credit facility.

Pursuant to the Takeout Commitment Letter, Pinnacle received commitments for an aggregate principal amount of $585 million in financing, comprised of a (i) $185 million senior secured term loan A facility and (ii) $400 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The lenders under the Takeout Commitment Letter have also agreed to use their commercially reasonable efforts to syndicate a $350 million senior secured term loan B facility, which may, at our election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million in connection with the issuance of senior unsecured notes to finance a portion of the transactions, as further described in the Takeout Commitment Letter. As noted in the Takeout Commitment Letter, it is anticipated that we will also issue Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million to provide a portion of the debt financing required by Pinnacle to consummate the transactions. The principal amount of the Senior Notes may, at our election, be increased or decreased by up to $125 million, as further described in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Takeout Commitment Letter. Both the issuance of the Senior Notes and the receipt by the Takeout Commitment Parties of commitments from lenders for the Term Loan B Facility, in each case, on or prior to the closing date of the merger, are conditions to the availability of the Takeout Facilities.

The Senior Notes are only contemplated in connection with the Takeout Commitment Letter. Depending on market conditions at the time of closing of the transaction with GLPI, Pinnacle intends to use the financing under the Takeout Commitment Letter to consummate the proposed transactions with GLPI.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and other commitments as of December 31, 2014.

 

     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
     Other  
     (in millions)  

Long-term debt obligations (a)

   $ 5,419.6       $ 245.9       $ 490.5       $ 1,070.4       $ 3,612.8       $ —     

Operating lease obligations (b)

     614.2         12.5         22.9         20.6         558.2         —     

Purchase obligations: (c)

                 

Construction contractual obligations (d)

     12.7         12.7         —           —           —           —     

Other (e)

     32.7         31.0         1.7         —           —           —     

Other long-term liabilities reflected on the registrant’s balance sheet under GAAP (f)

     20.6         —           6.2         —           —           14.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,099.8       $ 302.1       $ 521.3       $ 1,091.0       $ 4,171.0       $ 14.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

86


Table of Contents

 

(a) Includes interest obligations through the debt maturity dates associated with the debt obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

 

(b) For those lease obligations in which annual rent includes both a minimum lease payment and a percentage of future revenue, the table reflects only the known minimum lease obligation. In addition, the table reflects all renewal options for those lease obligations that have multiple renewal periods. The Master Lease obligation is not included in the table above, which summarizes obligations as of December 31, 2014.

 

(c) Purchase obligations represent agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding.

 

(d) Includes obligations under our construction projects, a portion of which relates to the remaining spend for our Belterra Park facility and Boomtown New Orleans hotel tower.

 

(e) Includes open purchase orders and commitments and service agreements.

 

(f) Includes executive deferred compensation, potential uncertain tax position liabilities and other long-term obligations. The amount included in the “Other” column includes uncertain tax position liabilities for which we are unable to make a reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with the taxing authority.

The table above excludes certain commitments as of December 31, 2014, for which the timing of expenditures associated with such commitments is unknown, or contractual agreements have not been executed, or the guaranteed maximum price for such contractual agreements has not been agreed upon.

On July 20, 2015, Pinnacle entered into the Merger Agreement with GLPI and Gold Merger Sub, LLC. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, GLPI will acquire substantially all of Pinnacle’s real estate assets in an all-stock transaction.

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Spin-Off, Pinnacle has entered into two commitment letters, a Bridge Commitment Letter and a Takeout Commitment Letter, only one of which will be utilized, to provide the required debt financing. For more information regarding the GLPI transaction, see “—Financing in Connection with GLPI Transaction” to complete the transactions above.

In connection with the merger and separation, we will also enter into a Master Lease pursuant to which Pinnacle (and following the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI, as the successor by merger), as landlord, will lease to our wholly owned subsidiary, as tenant, certain real estate properties that will be owned by GLPI following the merger, to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with GLPI after the separation and the merger. The Master Lease will provide for an initial term of ten years with no purchase option. At our option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to five five-year renewal terms beyond the initial ten-year term, on the same terms and conditions. If we elect to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease. Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable by us will be $377 million.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Certain of the accounting policies require management to apply significant judgment in defining the estimates and assumptions for calculating financial estimates. These judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Management’s judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of various past and present agreements and contracts, industry trends, and information available from other sources, as appropriate. There can be no assurance that actual results will be similar to those estimates. Changes in these estimates could adversely affect our financial position or our results of operations.

We have determined that the following accounting policies and related estimates are critical to the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:

Land, buildings, vessels, equipment and other long-lived assets: We have a significant investment in long-lived property and equipment. Judgments are made in determining the estimated useful lives of assets, the salvage values to be assigned to assets and if or when an asset has been impaired. The accuracy of these estimates affects the amount of depreciation expense recognized in the financial results and whether to record a gain or loss on disposition of an asset.

 

87


Table of Contents

We review the carrying value of our property and equipment used in our operations whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. Adverse industry or economic trends, lower projections of profitability, or a sustained decline in our market capitalization, among other items, may be indications of potential impairment issues, which are triggering events requiring the testing of an asset’s carrying value for recoverability. 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 recorded based on the fair value of the asset.

There are three generally accepted approaches available in developing an opinion of value, the cost approach, which is the price a prudent investor would pay to produce or construct a similar new item, the sales comparison approach, which is typically used for land valuations by analyzing recent sales transactions of similar sites, and the income approach, which is based on a discounted cash flow model using the estimated future results of the relevant reporting unit discounted using our weighted-average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year free cash flow multiples. If necessary, we solicit third-party valuation expertise to assist in the valuation of our assets. We apply the most indicative approach to the overall valuation, or in some cases, a weighted analysis of any or all of these methods. The determination of fair value uses accounting judgments and estimates, including market conditions, and the reliability is dependent upon the availability and comparability of the market data uncovered, as well as the decision making criteria used by marketing participants when evaluating a property. Changes in estimates or application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a total of $3.0 million in non-cash impairments of our land in Central City, Colorado to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less cost to sell.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no impairments charges to land, buildings, vessels, equipment and other long-lived assets included in continued operations.

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets: Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses, trade names and a racing license, which are not subject to amortization, but instead are reviewed annually for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

We have the option to elect to perform the impairment assessment by qualitatively evaluating events and circumstances that have occurred since the last quantitative test. Under the qualitative evaluation, we consider both positive and negative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry events, financial performance and other changes, and make a determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset being tested is less than its carrying value. These factors require significant judgment and estimates, and application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value, we are required to perform a quantitative assessment to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset.

If the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the difference. Fair value is calculated using a discounted cash flows approach, using the estimated future results of the relevant reporting unit discounted using our weighted-average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year free cash flow multiples. If necessary, we may solicit third-party valuation expertise to assist in the valuation of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions including among other factors, forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, EBITDA margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, and risk premiums produce significantly different results.

 

88


Table of Contents

We recorded impairments to other intangible assets at Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC (“PRP”) and Heartland Poker Tour (“HPT”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We recognized non-cash impairments on its trade name and customer relationship intangible assets, of $0.2 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, during the third quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, we recognized non-cash impairments of PRP’s Retama Park Racetrack license of $5.0 million, which fully impaired this intangible assets.

There were no impairments to indefinite-lived intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Self-insurance Reserves: We are self-insured up to certain limits for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation and employee medical coverage. Self-insurance reserves include accruals of estimated settlements for known claims (“Case Reserves”), as well as accruals of estimates for claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). Case Reserves represent estimated liabilities for unpaid losses, based on a claims administrator’s estimates of future payments on individual reported claims, including Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”). Generally, LAE includes claims settlement costs directly assigned to specific claims, such as legal fees. We estimate Case Reserves and LAE on a combined basis, but do not include claim administration costs in our estimated ultimate loss reserves. IBNR includes the provision for unreported claims, changes in case reserves, and future payments on reopened claims.

Key variables and assumptions include (but are not limited to) loss development factors, trend factors and the expected loss rates/ratios used. These loss development factors and trend factors are developed using our actual historical losses. It is possible that reasonable alternative selections would produce materially different reserve estimates. We believe the estimates of future liability are reasonable based upon this methodology; however, changes in key variables and assumptions, or generally in health care costs, accident frequency and severity could materially affect the estimate for these reserves.

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities: We utilize estimates related to cash flow projections for the realization of deferred income tax assets. The estimates are based upon recent operating results and budgets for future operating results. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in this assessment.

We assess tax positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a “more likely than not” threshold, and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. We review uncertain tax positions at each balance sheet date. Liabilities we record as a result of this analysis are recorded separately from any current or deferred income tax accounts, and are classified as current (“Other accrued liabilities”) or long-term (“Other long-term liabilities”) based on the time until expected payment.

We assess the tax uncertainties on a quarterly basis and maintain the required tax reserves until the underlying issue is effectively settled or upon the expiration of the statute of limitations. Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issue is highly subjective; however, we believe we have adequately provided for any reasonable and foreseeable outcomes related to uncertain tax matters.

Goodwill: We perform an annual review for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Adverse industry or economic trends, lower projections of profitability, or a sustained decline in our market capitalization, among other items, may be indications of potential impairment issues, which are triggering events requiring the testing of an asset’s carrying value for recoverability. Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

Goodwill can or may be required to be tested using a two-step impairment test. We are allowed to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the two-step impairment test using a more likely than not criteria. If an entity believes it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the two-step test can be bypassed. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, among

 

89


Table of Contents

others. These factors require significant judgment and estimates, and application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the two-step approach require us to estimate, among other factors, forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, EBITDA margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values and fair market values of our reporting units and assets. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. We recorded impairments to goodwill at PRP and HPT during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $1.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively. There were no impairments to goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Share-based Compensation: Share-based payment expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period. Determination of the fair values of share-based payment awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating the expected term of the relevant share-based awards and the expected volatility of our stock. Additionally, we must estimate the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term of share-based awards represents the period of time that the share-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the awards, vesting schedules and expectation of future employee behavior. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions may significantly impact the stock-based compensation expense for the future.

Customer Loyalty Program: We currently offer incentives to our customers through our my choice customer loyalty program. Under the program customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance will be forfeited if the customer does not earn any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items.

We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding cost of providing the benefits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results.

Application of Business Combination Accounting: We allocate the business combination purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. We determined the fair value of identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships, trademarks and any other significant tangible assets or liabilities, such as long-lived property. The fair value allocation methodology requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities primarily using discounted cash flows and replacement cost analysis.

The provisional fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed may be retrospectively adjusted during the measurement period. The measurement period ends once we are able to determine that we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date or once we determine that such information is unavailable. The measurement period does not extend beyond one year from the acquisition date.

Equity Method Investments: We apply equity method accounting for investments in the stock of corporations when we do not control the investee, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and finance policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, with the allocable portion of the investee’s income or loss reported in earnings.

We evaluate our investment in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value. If such conditions exist, we would compare the estimated fair value of the investment to its

 

90


Table of Contents

carrying value to determine if an impairment is indicated. In addition, we would determine if the impairment is other-than-temporary based on our assessment of all relevant factors, including consideration of our intent and ability to retain the investment. To estimate fair value, we use a discounted cash flow analysis based on estimated future results of the investee and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for income taxes which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The objective in issuing this amendment is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. Under the amendment, an entity must present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except under certain conditions. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those years, and should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update in connection with reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of entities. The accounting standards update changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendment, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (i) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; (ii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; and (iii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. This new guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity and all business activities, on acquisition, that are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services or goods in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our consolidated financial statements.

 

91


Table of Contents

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the new standard, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which clarifies that companies may continue to present unamortized debt issuance costs associated with line of credit arrangements as an asset. The new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The effective dates for these updates are for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We intend to early adopt these standards, which are not expected to have a material impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, effective December 31, 2015.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Given 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 our consolidated financial statements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk disclosures as of the nine months ended September 30, 2015

At times, we are exposed to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates with respect to the short-term floating interest rate on borrowings under our Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $12.0 million committed under various letters of credit under our Credit Facility and approximately $715.1 million in revolver and base rate borrowings under our Credit Facility. Any borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility accrued interest at LIBOR plus a margin determined by our consolidated total leverage ratio, which margin was 2.50% as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $361.0 million outstanding under these term loans. The term loans bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% and carried a 1.0% LIBOR floor. The revolving credit facility bore interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% or at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75%, in either case, based on our consolidated total leverage ratio.

As of September 30, 2015, for every 10 basis points decrease in LIBOR, our annual interest expense would decrease by approximately $0.7 million, assuming constant debt levels. If LIBOR were to increase by one percentage point, our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $7.9 million, assuming constant debt levels.

 

92


Table of Contents

The table below provides the principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by contractual maturity dates for our debt obligations as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, we did not hold any material investments in market-risk-sensitive instruments of the type described in Item 305 of Regulation S-K.

 

Liabilities

   2015     2016     2017     2018     2019     Thereafter     Total     Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands)  
Credit Facility    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 715,118      $ —        $ —        $ 715,118      $ 708,110   
Interest Rate      2.70     2.70     2.70     2.70     2.70     2.70     2.70  
Term B-2 Loans    $ 2,750      $ 11,000      $ 11,000      $ 11,000      $ 11,000      $ 314,249      $ 360,999      $ 360,422   
Interest Rate      3.75     3.75     3.75     3.75     3.75     3.75     3.75  
6.375% Notes    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 850,000      $ 850,000      $ 901,000   
Interest Rate      6.375     6.375     6.375     6.375     6.375     6.375     6.375  
7.50% Notes    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1,040,000      $ 1,040,000      $ 1,098,500   
Fixed Rate      7.50     7.50     7.50     7.50     7.50     7.50     7.50  
7.75% Notes    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 325,000      $ 325,000      $ 357,500   
Fixed Rate      7.75     7.75     7.75     7.75     7.75     7.75     7.75  
8.75% Notes    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 350,000      $ 350,000      $ 363,125   
Fixed Rate      8.75     8.75     8.75     8.75     8.75     8.75     8.75  
Other    $ 2      $ 7      $ 8      $ 8      $ 9      $ 51      $ 85      $ 85   
Fixed rate      10.00     10.00     10.00     10.00     10.00     10.00     10.00  

 

93


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT

Our Directors and Executive Officers Following the Separation

The following table sets forth information as of [●], 201[●], regarding individuals who are expected to serve as our directors and/or executive officers following the distribution, including their anticipated positions with our company following the distribution. James L. Martineau is expected to be the Chairman of the OpCo Board and Anthony M. Sanfilippo is expected to be the Chief Executive Officer of OpCo. Pinnacle will elect our directors prior to the consummation of the distribution.

Executive Officers

 

 Name

       Age      

 Position with PNK Entertainment, Inc.

 Anthony M. Sanfilippo

    57          Chief Executive Officer and Director

 Carlos A. Ruisanchez

    44      President and Chief Financial Officer

 John A. Godfrey

    65      Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

 Virginia E. Shanks

    55      Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

 Troy A. Stremming

    48      Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public  Affairs

 Neil E. Walkoff

    46      Executive Vice President, Operations

Anthony M. Sanfilippo, Director and Chief Executive Officer — has been Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer and one of Pinnacle’s directors since March 2010. He was also Pinnacle’s President from March 2010 to May 2013. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Mr. Sanfilippo was the President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Multimedia Games, Inc., a slot machine manufacturer (which is now known as Everi Holdings Inc.) from June 2008 until March 2010. Before joining Multimedia Games, he was employed with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation), the world’s largest casino company and a provider of branded casino entertainment. While at Harrah’s, Mr. Sanfilippo served as President of both the Western Division (2003 – 2004) and the Central Division (1997 – 2002 and 2004 – 2007), overseeing the operations of more than two dozen casino and casino-hotel destinations. He was also part of the senior management team that led the successful integration of numerous gaming companies acquired by Harrah’s, including Jack Binion’s Horseshoe Casinos, the Grand Casino & Hotel brand, Players International, and Louisiana Downs Racetrack. In addition to his duties as divisional President, Mr. Sanfilippo was also President and Chief Operating Officer for Harrah’s New Orleans and a member of the Board of Directors of Jazz Casino Corporation prior to its acquisition by Harrah’s. He has directed tribal gaming operations in Arizona, California and Kansas, and has held gaming licenses in most states that offer legalized gambling. Mr. Sanfilippo brings to us and our Board more than 30 years of industry experience, including managing and developing gaming operations in diverse jurisdictions, including Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Nevada. Mr. Sanfilippo’s extensive experience as a senior executive in the gaming industry and gaming manufacturing industry will provide our Board with valuable expertise in these areas.

Carlos A. Ruisanchez, President and Chief Financial Officer — has served as Pinnacle’s President since May 2013 and Chief Financial Officer since April 2011. Prior to becoming President in May 2013, he served as Executive Vice President of Pinnacle since August 2008. Mr. Ruisanchez also served as Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Development from August 2008 to April 2011. Before joining Pinnacle, Mr. Ruisanchez was Senior Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. (a brokerage, investment advisory, and corporate advisory services company) where he held various positions starting from 1997 to 2008. As Senior Managing Director of Bear, Stearns & Co., Mr. Ruisanchez was responsible for corporate clients in the gaming, lodging and leisure industries, as well as financial sponsor banking relationships.

John A. Godfrey, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel — has served as the Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President since February 2005 and as Secretary and General Counsel of Pinnacle since

 

94


Table of Contents

August 2002; Senior Vice President of Pinnacle from August 2002 to February 2005; Partner, Schreck Brignone Godfrey (law firm) from January 1997 to August 2002; Partner, Schreck, Jones, Bernhard, Woloson & Godfrey (law firm) from June 1984 to December 1996; Chief Deputy Attorney General, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Gaming Division, from 1983 to 1984; Deputy Attorney General, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Gaming Division, from 1980 to 1983; Deputy State Industrial Attorney for the State of Nevada from 1977 to 1980; Trustee, International Association of Gaming Advisors (and former President) from October 2000 to October 2006 and Counselor from 2007 to present; and Member, Executive Committee of the Nevada State Bar’s Gaming Law Section since June 2002.

Virginia E. Shanks, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer — has served as Pinnacle’s Chief Administrative Officer since May 2013 and Executive Vice President since October 2010. Prior to becoming Pinnacle’s Chief Administrative Officer in May 2013, she served as Chief Marketing Officer since October 2010. Before joining Pinnacle, Ms. Shanks served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Multimedia Games, Inc., a slot machine manufacturer (which is now known as Everi Holdings Inc.) from July 2008 until October 2010. Ms. Shanks brings to us more than 30 years of marketing experience in gaming entertainment, including as Senior Vice President of Brand Management for Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (which is now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation). During her time with Harrah’s, Ms. Shanks was responsible for maximizing the value of the company’s key strategic brands—Caesars, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe Casinos; the Total Rewards player loyalty program; and the World Series of Poker.

Troy A. Stremming, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs — has served as Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs since August 2013. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Mr. Stremming served as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs with Ameristar Casinos, Inc. from December 2000 to August 2013. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Stremming was General Counsel for Station Casinos, Inc.’s Midwest operations, which was acquired in 2000 by Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Prior to working in the casino industry, Mr. Stremming practiced as an attorney specializing in corporate and commercial defense law. In his current role, Mr. Stremming oversees government relations and public and community relations for Pinnacle.

Neil E. Walkoff, Executive Vice President, Operations — has served as Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President, Operations since August 2013. From April 2012 to August 2013, he served as Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President, Regional Operations. Mr. Walkoff currently oversees all of the operations of Pinnacle’s properties in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri. Prior to April 2012, Mr. Walkoff served as Senior Vice President and General Manager—St. Louis since August 2010. Before joining Pinnacle in August 2010, Mr. Walkoff served as the General Manager of the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel and Buffalo Creek Casino for Seneca Gaming Corporation from February 2010 to August 2010. From May 1993 to February 2010, Mr. Walkoff served in various management positions at the operational and regional levels of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (which is now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation) and was Vice President and Assistant General Manager of Horeshoe Southern Indiana from August 2007 to January 2010.

Board of Directors

 

 Name

      Age        

 Position with OpCo

 Anthony M. Sanfilippo

    57      Chief Executive Officer and Director

 Charles L. Atwood (b)(c)

    66      Director

 Stephen C. Comer (a)(b)

    66      Director

 Bruce A. Leslie (a)(d)

    64      Director

 James L. Martineau (d)

    75      Chairman of the Board and Director

 Desirée Rogers (a)(c)(d)

    56      Director

 Jaynie M. Studenmund (b)(c)

    61      Director

 

 

(a) Member of the Audit Committee

 

95


Table of Contents
(b) Member of the Compensation Committee
(c) Member of the Compliance Committee
(d) Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

For biographical information for Mr. Sanfilippo, see “—Executive Officers” above.

Charles L. Atwood, Director — was elected as a director of Pinnacle on March 12, 2015. Since March 2009, he has served as lead trustee of Equity Residential, a public real estate investment trust. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation), a private gaming and hospitality company, until retiring from Harrah’s in December 2008. Mr. Atwood had been Vice Chairman of Harrah’s public predecessor company until its sale in January 2008, a member of its Board since 2005, its Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2006, and had been with Harrah’s and its predecessors since 1979. During his tenure at Harrah’s, Mr. Atwood led that company’s merger, acquisition and divestiture activities, new development, and design and construction projects, representing tens of billions of dollars of transactions. Mr. Atwood serves as a director of Gala Coral, a private United Kingdom gaming industry company and ALST Casino Holdco, LLC, a private company in the casino and hospitality industry. Mr. Atwood’s extensive career, including as a Chief Financial Officer and director for a large international gaming company and as lead trustee of a real estate investment trust, will bring to our Board expertise in operations, accounting, real estate investment trusts, corporate finance, corporate governance, regulatory and risk assessment issues.

Stephen C. Comer, Director — has been one of Pinnacle’s directors since July 2007. He is a retired accounting firm managing partner. He brings substantial accounting expertise to OpCo. He serves as a director of Southwest Gas Corporation, a public company and provider of natural gas service, has served in that role since January 2007. He began his career with Arthur Andersen LLP (accounting firm) in Los Angeles and established Arthur Andersen’s Las Vegas office, as its managing partner, in 1985. Leaving Arthur Andersen in 2002, Mr. Comer took a position as partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting firm) and was promoted to managing partner of its Nevada practice in 2004 and retired in 2006. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants and holds a professional CPA license in Nevada. He is also active in numerous civic, educational, and charitable organizations. Mr. Comer’s over 35 years of accounting experience and expertise and his integral involvement in other public gaming companies’ auditing practices will provide our Board with valuable expertise in these areas, including in his role as Chair of our Audit Committee.

Bruce A. Leslie, Director — has been one of the Pinnacle’s directors since October 2002. Since January 2014, he has been practicing as an attorney with his own law firm, Bruce A. Leslie, Chtd. From January 2008 to December 2013, Mr. Leslie was a Partner of Armstrong Teasdale LLP (law firm). Prior to January 2008, he practiced with a number of law firms in Nevada, including Beckley, Singleton; Leslie & Campbell; and Bernhard & Leslie. He is a member in SunRay Gaming of New Mexico, LLC, which operates the SunRay Park and Casino, and is an honorary citizen of the City of New Orleans. Mr. Leslie’s extensive legal career, including his representation of a broad base of clients on gaming, hospitality and entertainment industry issues, will give him the leadership and consensus building skills to guide our Board on a variety of matters, including governance, audit, compliance, risk management and legal oversight, and provides our Board with valuable expertise in these areas, including in his role as Chair of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

James L. Martineau, Chairman of the Board of Directors — has been one of Pinnacle’s directors since 1999 and has served as Chairman of the Board since May 2014. From May 2012 to May 2014, he served as Pinnacle’s Vice Chairman of the Board. He is also a business advisor and private investor. In addition, he was Chairman, Genesis Portfolio Partners, LLC (start-up company development) from 1998 to 2009; Director, Apogee Enterprises, Inc. from 1973 to June 2010; Director, Borgen Systems from 1994 to 2005; Director, Northstar Photonics (telecommunications business) from 1998 to 2002; Executive Vice President, Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (a glass design and development corporation that acquired Viracon, Inc. in 1973) from 1996 to 1998; President and Founder, Viracon, Inc. (flat glass fabricator) from 1970 to 1996; and Trustee, Owatonna

 

96


Table of Contents

Foundation since 1973. Mr. Martineau’s background as an entrepreneur and as a businessman will be very valuable to our Board both in an operational context and in terms of evaluating its various development projects. Mr. Martineau’s service on several other boards of directors provides him with insights that are valuable to our Board in the areas of compensation, corporate governance and other Board functions, including in his role as Chairman of our Board.

Desirée Rogers, Director — has been one of Pinnacle’s directors since March 2012. She brings over 25 years of experience to our Board of Directors from working in both the public and private sectors. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Publishing Company, LLC, a lifestyle company inspired by the African American experience, and has served in this role since August 2010. Johnson Publishing Company publishes Ebony, the largest African American print publication in the world and also owns Fashion Fair Cosmetics, a prestige makeup line geared to women of color. In May 2013, Ms. Rogers accepted the role as Chairman of the Chicago tourism bureau, ChooseChicago. Prior to this position, she served as the White House Social Secretary for President Obama from January 2009 to April 2010; President of Social Networking for Allstate Financial, a business unit of The Allstate Corporation, an insurance provider, from July 2008 to December 2008; President of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, two utility companies of Peoples Energy Corporation (a public company acquired by Integrys Energy Group), from 2004 to July 2008; Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Peoples Energy Corporation from 1997 to 2004; and Director, Illinois Lottery from 1991 to 1997. In addition, Ms. Rogers served on the Board of Trustees of Equity Residential, a public real estate investment trust, from October 2003 to January 2009. She has also served on several corporate and not-for-profit boards, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, and as the Vice Chairman of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Museum of Science and Industry. She also currently serves on the boards of DonorsChoose, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, The Economic Club and World Business Chicago. Ms. Rogers’ extensive experience as a senior executive in the public and private sectors will provide significant insight and expertise to our Board related to operations, marketing, real estate investment trusts, development and financings activities.

Jaynie M. Studenmund, Director — has been one of Pinnacle’s directors since March 2012. She is a corporate director and advisor of Pinnacle. In addition, she serves as a director for CoreLogic, Inc., a business analytics company, and has served in that role since July 2012. She also currently serves as a director of LifeLock, Inc., an identity theft protection services company, and has served in that role since May 2015. She also has serves as a director for several public funds as well as other funds for Western Asset, a major fixed income fund, since 2004; and as a director of several private companies, including Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, an industry-leading memorial parks provider, since 2002. She is also a director of Huntington Memorial Hospital, a regional teaching hospital in Pasadena, California. She was a director of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., an online travel company, from July 2007 to February 2014. From January 2001 to January 2004, Ms. Studenmund was Chief Operating Officer of Overture Services, Inc., the creator of paid search, acquired by Yahoo! Inc. in 2004. From February 2000 to January 2001, she was President and Chief Operating Officer of PayMyBills.com, the leading online bill management company. Before becoming an executive in the internet business, she was an executive in the financial services industry, primarily at First Interstate Bank, now known as Wells Fargo. Ms. Studenmund has over 30 years of comprehensive executive management and operating experience across a diverse set of businesses, including start-ups, rapid growth, turnarounds and mergers and acquisitions in the internet and financial services industries. Within these environments, she has served as a successful President, Chief Operating Officer and director of both public and private companies. Ms. Studenmund’s extensive experience as a senior executive and as a director will provide our Board with broad operational expertise and insights that are valuable to the Board in the areas of compensation, corporate governance and other Board functions, including in her role as Chair of our Compensation Committee.

The Board of Directors Following the Separation

We expect that our Board following the distribution will be comprised of seven directors, six of whom will be considered independent under the independence requirements of NASDAQ.

 

97


Table of Contents

Director Independence

Following the separation, we expect that our Board will affirmatively determine that each of the following directors is an independent director as defined by the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and our categorical independence standards: Charles L. Atwood, Stephen C. Comer, Bruce A. Leslie, James L. Martineau, Desirée Rogers, and Jaynie Miller Studenmund. We expect our Board to determine that Anthony M. Sanfilippo, who is expected to be our Chief Executive Officer, is not an independent director. In making such assessments, our Board will consider all relationships between the independent directors and OpCo and determine that each such director has no relationship with OpCo (except as director, stockholder and bondholder). The categorical independence standards are available on OpCo’s website at www.pnkinc.com. We expect that that all members of our Audit, Corporate Governance and Nominating, and Compensation Committees will be independent directors, as defined by the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and the categorical independence standards that will be adopted by our Board.

We do not expect there to be a family relationship between any of the individuals who are expected to serve as members of our Board and as our executive officers following the distribution.

Board Committees

Following the separation, our Board will establish the following committees: an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a Compliance Committee.

The table below provides the anticipated committee assignments for each of our Board committees:

 

     Committee Memberships

Name

 

 

  Age  

 

 

  Director of  
Pinnacle
Since

 

 

Principal Occupation & Employer

 

 

  Independent  

 

 

  AC  

 

 

  CC  

 

 

  NG  

 

 

  CPC  

 

 

Other
Current
Public
Boards

 

 Charles L. Atwood

  66   2015  

Corporate Director, Advisor and

Lead Trustee, Equity Residential

  Yes       LOGO         LOGO     1

 Stephen C. Comer

  66   2007   Retired Accounting Firm Managing Partner   Yes   LOGO     LOGO             1

 Bruce A. Leslie

  64   2002   Attorney, Bruce A. Leslie, Chtd.   Yes   LOGO         LOGO        

 James L. Martineau

  75   1999  

Chairman of the Board, Business

Advisor and Private Investor

  Yes           LOGO        

 Desirée Rogers

  56   2012   Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Publishing Company, LLC   Yes   LOGO         LOGO     LOGO    
 Anthony M.  Sanfilippo   57   2010   Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.   No                  
 Jaynie Miller  Studenmund   61   2012   Corporate Director and Advisor   Yes       LOGO         LOGO     2

AC = Audit Committee

CPC = Compliance Committee

  CC = Compensation Committee   NGC = Nominating & Governance Committee
LOGO  = Member              LOGO  = Chair    

Audit Committee

We will have a separately-designated standing Audit Committee within the meaning of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our Audit Committee is expected to be chaired by Mr. Comer and consists of Messrs. Comer and Leslie and Ms. Rogers. Among its functions, the Committee is:

 

  l     to be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any independent public accounting firm engaged to audit our financial statements or to perform other audit, review or attest services for us;

 

98


Table of Contents
  l     to discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including discussing our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures and to discuss the guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken;

 

  l     to discuss with the independent auditors their independence;

 

  l     to review and discuss with our independent auditors and management our audited financial statements; and

 

  l     to recommend to our Board whether our audited financial statements should be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the previous fiscal year for filing with the SEC.

Messrs. Comer and Leslie and Ms. Rogers are independent as that term is defined in the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(ii) of the Exchange Act. Pinnacle’s Board has determined that Mr. Comer is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules, based upon, among other things, his accounting background and having served as a partner of a major accounting firm.

Compensation Committee

We will have a Compensation Committee, which is expected to be chaired by Ms. Studenmund and consists of Ms. Studenmund and Messrs. Atwood and Comer. Among its functions, the Compensation Committee is:

 

  l     to approve corporate goals and objectives, including annual performance objectives, relevant to the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, and evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers in light of these goals and objectives;

 

  l     to evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, determine, approve and report to the full Board the annual compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, including salary, bonus, equity awards and other benefits, direct and indirect and obtain the Board’s approval (excluding the Chief Executive Officer) regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation;

 

  l     to provide recommendations to the Board with respect to, and administer, our incentive-compensation, stock option and other equity-based compensation plans; and

 

  l     to evaluate and provide recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation.

The Compensation Committee may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, form and delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee so long as such subcommittee consists of at least two members of the Compensation Committee. In carrying out its purposes and responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has authority to retain outside counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate. For a discussion regarding the Compensation Committee’s use of outside advisors and the role of executive officers in compensation matters, see “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Role of Management in Compensation Process and —Role of Outside Consultants” below.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

We will have a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is expected to be chaired by Mr. Leslie and consists of Messrs. Leslie and Martineau and Ms. Rogers. Among its functions, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is:

 

  l     to establish procedures for the selection of directors;

 

99


Table of Contents
  l     to identify, evaluate and recommend to the Board candidates for election or reelection as directors, consistent with criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines;

 

  l     to develop and recommend to the Board, if appropriate, modifications or additions to our Corporate Governance Guidelines or other corporate governance policies or procedures; and

 

  l     to develop procedures for, and oversee, an annual evaluation of the Board and management.

The Board has adopted a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which are available on our website at www.pnkinc.com. Printed copies of these documents are also available upon written request to Investor Relations, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 3980 Howard Hughes Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169.

Compliance Committee

We will have a Compliance Committee that monitors our compliance with gaming laws in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Mr. Atwood and Mses. Rogers and Studenmund are expected to serve on our Compliance Committee with other Compliance Committee members who are not directors, and on the Compliance Subcommittee of the Board. The Compliance Subcommittee will ensure timely notification to the Board of any material compliance issues, assist the Compliance Committee in performing its duties, and supervise our actions in response to reports received from our employee hotline.

Board of Directors’ Compensation

For purposes of the following discussion, the above individuals served as our non-employee directors. While this group of directors reflected the Board of Pinnacle as of [●], 201[●], it is currently contemplated that these individuals will constitute our Board. Except with regard to Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards (as described more fully below in “Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”), we will assume responsibility for, and will pay and be liable for, all wages, salaries, welfare, incentive compensation and employment-related liabilities, and will assume all compensation and employment-related plans and agreements, with respect to each of Pinnacle’s directors. Except with regard to Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards (as described more fully below in “Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”), prior to the separation, Pinnacle will transfer all of the assets, if any, and liabilities relating to the compensation and benefit plans and agreements to us.

Director Fees

The compensation of Pinnacle’s non-employee directors was historically paid in the form of an annual retainer, meeting and chair fees and stock-based awards. The fees that each non-employee director (other than the Chairman of the Board) or committee chair received for his or her service during 2014 were, and for 2015 are, the following:

 

  l     An annual retainer of $80,000 effective as of May 20, 2014; prior to that date the annual retainer was $75,000;

 

  l     An additional $20,000 retainer for the Chair of the Audit Committee;

 

  l     An additional $20,000 retainer for the Chair of the Compensation Committee;

 

  l     An additional $20,000 retainer for the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;

 

  l     An attendance fee of $1,500 for each regularly scheduled Board or committee meeting (telephonic or in person), other than meetings of the Audit Committee (whether regularly scheduled meetings or special meetings); and

 

100


Table of Contents
  l     An attendance fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Audit Committee (whether regularly scheduled or special meetings).

Director Fees Paid to the Chairman of the Board

The Chairman of the Board received an annual retainer of $230,000 effective as of May 20, 2014; prior to that date the annual retainer was $225,000. The annual retainer historically paid to the Chairman of the Board is in lieu of the annual retainer of $80,000 that will be paid to other directors and attendance fees for attending Board or committee meetings paid to other directors. In addition, the Chairman of the Board received an additional $40,000 for meeting fees related to the transaction with GLPI in 2015.

Effective as of January 1, 2016, the Chairman of the Board shall receive an annual retainer of $80,000 and an additional retainer of $150,000 for service as the Chairman of the Board, and be entitled to receive attendance fees for attending Board or committee meetings paid to other directors.

Director Fees Paid In Connection With Evaluation of Real Estate Investment Trust Transaction

In connection with the Pinnacle’s plan to pursue a real estate investment trust transaction, independent directors that attended meetings with stockholders received a fee of $2,000 per day of service.

Charitable Matching Contributions Program for Directors

We expect to maintain the Pinnacle Charitable Matching Contributions Program for Directors at OpCo, consistent with Pinnacle’s historical program that has matched contributions made by Pinnacle directors (including executive directors) to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal income tax up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7,500 per eligible director per calendar year.

Equity Grants

In 2014, Pinnacle granted to each non-employee director who was then serving 6,565 restricted stock units, which were granted and fully vested on the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Please refer to “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation” beginning on page 130 for the treatment of the restricted stock units in connection with the distribution.

Directors Health Plan

We expect to assume Pinnacle’s Directors Health and Medical Insurance Plan, or the Directors Health Plan, in connection with the spin-off, pursuant to which directors and their dependents have historically been entitled to receive the same coverage as Pinnacle employees under Pinnacle’s group health plan. The Directors Health Plan has historically provided for coverage for members of the Board, their spouses and children up to age 26 under Pinnacle’s group health plan, and upon cessation of the services of a member who was serving as a director on January 1, 2011, a continuation of health and medical coverage under Pinnacle’s group health plans for the member, his or her spouse and children up to age 26 for a period, for one year for every two years of service, up to a maximum of five years of extended medical coverage. Any director who joined Pinnacle’s Board after January 1, 2011 is not entitled to extended coverage following cessation of service as a director, but may be eligible to elect continuation coverage as provided by law under Pinnacle’s group health plan. The Directors Health Plan further provides that, to the extent that a director receives coverage outside of Pinnacle’s group health plan network, the director will be responsible for paying the first $5,000 of any co-payments or co-deductibles, and Pinnacle will be responsible for any amount that exceeds $5,000. If at any time during this extended coverage period, the eligible director, or his or her spouse or minor children, is insured under another health plan or Medicare, Pinnacle’s health plans will provide secondary coverage to the extent permitted by law. Upon a change in control, Pinnacle will use its best efforts to provide continuation of health insurance under individual policies provided to the directors.

 

101


Table of Contents

2008 Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan

We expect to assume the 2008 Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Directors Plan”) in connection with the spin-off. The Directors Plan is limited to directors of Pinnacle, and each eligible director may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her annual retainer and any fees for meetings attended. Any such deferred compensation is credited to a deferred compensation account, either in cash or in shares of Pinnacle common stock, at each director’s election. The only condition to each director’s receipt of shares credited to his or her deferred compensation account is cessation of such director’s service as a director of Pinnacle.

As of the date the director’s compensation would otherwise be paid, and depending on the director’s election, the director’s deferred compensation account will be credited with either:

 

  l     cash;

 

  l     the number of full and/or fractional shares of Pinnacle common stock obtained by dividing the amount of the director’s compensation for the calendar quarter which he or she elected to defer, by the average of the closing price of Pinnacle common stock on NASDAQ on the last ten business days of the calendar quarter for which such compensation is payable; or

 

  l     a combination of cash and shares of Pinnacle common stock as described above.

If a director elects to defer compensation in cash, all such amounts credited to the director’s deferred compensation account will bear interest at an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board. No current director has deferred compensation in cash. Pinnacle does not match any compensation deferred into the Directors Plan.

If a director has elected to receive shares of Pinnacle common stock in lieu of his or her cash, and Pinnacle declares a dividend, such director’s deferred compensation account is credited at the end of each calendar quarter with the number of full and/or fractional shares of Pinnacle common stock obtained by dividing the dividends which would have been paid on the shares credited to the director’s deferred compensation account by the closing price of Pinnacle common stock on NASDAQ on the date such dividend was paid.

Participating directors do not have any interest in the cash and/or Pinnacle common stock credited to their deferred compensation accounts until their distribution in accordance with the Directors Plan, nor do they have any voting rights with respect to such shares until shares credited to their deferred compensation accounts are distributed. The rights of a director to receive payments under the Directors Plan are no greater than the rights of an unsecured general creditor of Pinnacle.

Each participating director may elect to have the aggregate amount of cash and shares credited to his or her deferred compensation account distributed to him or her in one lump sum payment or in a number of approximately equal annual installments over a period of time not to exceed fifteen years. The lump sum payment or the first installment will be paid as of the first business day of the calendar quarter immediately following the cessation of the director’s service as a director. Before the beginning of any calendar year, a director may elect to change the method of distribution of any future interests in cash and/or Pinnacle common stock credited to his or her deferred compensation account in such calendar year.

The maximum number of shares of Pinnacle common stock that are authorized pursuant to the Directors Plan is 525,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock. Until December 31, 2015, 200,700 shares of Pinnacle common stock are available for issuance under the Directors Plan. The shares of Pinnacle common stock to be issued under the Directors Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares or reacquired shares. Messrs. Leslie and Comer are the only directors that currently participate in the Directors Plan.

 

102


Table of Contents

Director Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation earned by or paid to each non-employee director who served on the Board of Pinnacle in 2014.

 

 Name (a)

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(b)
    Stock
Awards
($)(c)
    Option
Awards
($)(d)
    All Other
Compensation
($)(e)
    Total
($)
 

 Stephen C. Comer

  $ 162,078      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 0             $ 316,684   

 Richard J. Goeglein

  $ 160,129      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 0             $ 314,735   

 Bruce A. Leslie

  $ 152,078      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 0             $ 306,684   

 James L. Martineau

  $ 194,605      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 0             $ 349,211   

 Desirée Rogers

  $ 122,078      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 0             $ 276,684   

 Jaynie M. Studenmund

  $ 145,890      $ 154,606      $ 0      $ 7,500      $ 307,996   

 

 

 (a) Mr. Goeglein’s term as a director expired on May 19, 2015. Charles L. Atwood was elected as a director on March 12, 2015.

 

 (b) All fees earned in fiscal 2014 for services as a director, including annual retainer fees, meeting fees, and fees for committee chairmanships, whether paid in cash or deferred under the Director Plan, are included in this column. During 2014, Messrs. Comer and Leslie participated in the Directors Plan and each elected to receive Pinnacle common stock in lieu of payment of fifty percent of director fees.

 

 (c) Each non-employee director was granted 6,565 fully vested restricted stock units on May 20, 2014, which become payable in shares of Pinnacle common stock following the director’s cessation of service as a director for any reason. The value in this column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 6 to Pinnacle’s audited financial statements, included within its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The aggregate number of stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 for each non-employee director was as follows: Stephen C. Comer—58,653; Richard J. Goeglein—31,831; Bruce A. Leslie—122,364; James L. Martineau—46,950; Desirée Rogers—19,922; and Jaynie Miller Studenmund—19,992. Each of the stock awards is fully vested. The aggregate number of stock awards for Messrs. Comer, Leslie, and Martineau include stock awards received by such directors pursuant to the Directors Plan.

 

 (d) None of the non-employee directors received options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The aggregate number of option awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 for each non-employee director was as follows: Stephen C. Comer—69,000; Richard J. Goeglein—94,000; Bruce A. Leslie—94,000; James L. Martineau—94,000; Desirée Rogers—20,000; and Jaynie Miller Studenmund—20,000. Each of the option awards is fully vested.

 

 (e) The amounts shown in this column reflect contributions made in 2014 to charitable organizations under the Pinnacle’s Charitable Matching Contribution Program for Directors.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2014, Messrs. Martineau, Goeglein, Comer and Ms. Studenmund served on the Compensation Committee of Pinnacle. In addition, in 2015, Ms. Studenmund, Messrs. Goeglein, Comer and Atwood served on the Compensation Committee. None of the members of the Compensation Committee of Pinnacle in 2014 and 2015 was an officer or employee or former officer or employee of Pinnacle or its subsidiaries or has any interlocking relationships that are subject to disclosure under the rules of the SEC relating to compensation committees.

Executive Compensation

For purposes of the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Executive Compensation disclosures, we expect the individuals who served as the principal executive officer and chief financial officer of Pinnacle in 2014 and the next three most highly compensated individuals who served in other senior executive positions with Pinnacle in 2014 to be our named executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”). While this group of executive officers reflected the senior executive team for Pinnacle for 2014, it is currently contemplated that such individuals will hold consistent positions following the distribution (see “Management — Our Directors and Executive Officers Following the Separation”).

 

103


Table of Contents

Except with regard to Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards (as described more fully below in “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”), we will assume responsibility for, and will pay and be liable for, all wages, salaries, welfare, incentive compensation and employment-related liabilities, and will assume all compensation and employment-related plans and agreements, with respect to each of Pinnacle’s executive officers. Except with regard to Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards (as described more fully below in “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”), prior to the separation, Pinnacle will transfer all of the assets, if any, and liabilities relating to the compensation and benefit plans and agreements to us.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

We are currently part of Pinnacle and are not yet a stand-alone company, and, accordingly, our compensation committee has not yet been formed. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the historical compensation practices of Pinnacle and attempts to outline certain aspects of our anticipated compensation structure for its senior executive officers following the separation. While we have discussed its anticipated programs and policies with Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee, they remain subject to the review and approval of our compensation committee. Following the separation, the compensation of our executive officers will be determined by consistent with the compensation and benefit plans, programs and policies adopted by us. The compensation historically paid to our executive officers by Pinnacle, as discussed here and described further below, is not indicative of our compensation may be paid following the distribution.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides narrative disclosure regarding the compensation plans, programs and arrangements Pinnacle employed for individuals serving as a Named Executive Officer.

During fiscal 2014, Pinnacle’s named executive officers were:

 

  l     Anthony M. Sanfilippo, Chief Executive Officer and director;

 

  l     Carlos A. Ruisanchez, President and Chief Financial Officer;

 

  l     Virginia E. Shanks, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer;

 

  l     John A. Godfrey, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; and

 

  l     Neil E. Walkoff, Executive Vice President, Operations.

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

In developing compensation plans for its named executive officers, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically sought to balance all of these business characteristics and create a program that will motivate and reward named executive officers for their performance and for creating value for its stockholders over time. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee regularly evaluated and revised, as necessary, its compensation programs to ensure that they supported business objectives and provided competitive compensation levels for its named executive officers. As an operator of gaming facilities, the business objectives that needed to be recognized in Pinnacle’s compensation programs include:

 

  l     Focusing on prudent growth in both current and future projects;

 

  l     Maximizing operational efficiency;

 

  l     Managing cash flow for investment and debt management;

 

  l     Maximizing operating earnings of its current properties; and

 

  l     Creating long-term value for its stockholders.

 

104


Table of Contents

More specifically, Pinnacle’s compensation programs strived to support its business needs by meeting the following objectives:

 

  l     Allowing it to attract and retain a high quality management team capable of managing and growing the business for the benefit of its stockholders;

 

  l     Providing a competitive compensation program appropriate for the size and complexity of Pinnacle relative to the market for executive pay;

 

  l     Aligning actual pay results with performance for stockholders, with an opportunity to realize pay above target medians for excellent performance and below target pay for poor performance;

 

  l     Incentivizing management to maximize stockholder value without taking undue financial risks and while maintaining credibility in the capital markets;

 

  l     Rewarding individual contribution, in addition to team efforts; and

 

  l     Maintaining effective incentives during different economic environments.

Although Pinnacle referenced the market from time to time for competitive pay practices in setting overall target pay levels for its executives, it did not define a specific percentile of market for targeting executive pay. Pinnacle considered many factors, including the actual performance and contribution of its executives, and internal pay comparisons between its executives, when determining individual executive pay, as discussed in more detail below.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically considered all relevant information in light of their individual experience, knowledge of its company, knowledge of the peer companies discussed below, knowledge of each named executive officers and their business judgment when making decisions regarding its executive compensation program.

Pay for Performance

Pinnacle has a strong philosophy that executive pay should increase and decrease as performance increases and decreases in order to align executive interests with those of its stockholders over time. Pinnacle’s executive pay system was thoughtfully designed to reinforce this philosophy and to drive value-creating financial, operating, and strategic results, while also taking its external environment into account. Pinnacle’s executive compensation program has historically brought this philosophy to life by incorporating the following features:

 

  l     The majority of its pay is delivered through performance-based incentives that result in above target pay when performance is high and below target pay when performance is poor;

 

  l     A significant portion of its executive incentive awards are delivered over the longer-term to encourage strong sustainable results over multiple years;

 

  l     One-quarter of its annual incentive is paid out in the form of restricted stock units with the underlying shares distributed on January 1 of the year following the completion of the annual performance cycle;

 

  l     A significant portion of the equity awards grants to executives is heavily weighted based on performance share awards, which vest over a multi-year performance horizon;

 

  l     The performance criteria used in Pinnacle’s 2014 Annual Incentive Plans are weighted heavily toward objective financial measures and encourage the achievement of its financial commitments to its stockholders;

 

105


Table of Contents
  l     Pinnacle institutes clawbacks and stock ownership guidelines for executives that are intended to encourage and reward for sustained performance without taking undue financial risks;

 

  l     Its insider trading policy prohibits executive officers and directors from hedging their ownership of its common stock, including transactions in puts, calls, or other derivative instruments related to its common stock;

 

  l     Its insider trading policy also prohibits executive officers and directors from placing shares of its common stock in margin accounts and pledging shares of its common stock; and

 

  l     Pinnacle avoids tax gross-ups, single triggers on payments in the event of a change-in-control, and other employment provisions that could cause excessive awards in the event of a termination or change-in-control situation.

Fiscal 2014 Performance Context for Compensation Decisions

Pinnacle achieved record overall financial results in 2014. In 2014, Pinnacle’s consolidated net revenues climbed 48.6% to a record $2.2 billion and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased 57.8% to a record $584.8 million. In 2014, Pinnacle achieved record financial performance by having eight new properties in its consolidated results for the year as a result of the Ameristar transaction in 2013, and by implementing revenue growth and operational improvement initiatives across its properties. For a further discussion regarding Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) from continuing operations, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of Pinnacle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In 2014, Pinnacle repaid $514.3 million in term loans under its revolving credit facility, for a net reduction in total debt of $401.3 million after giving effect to incremental revolving credit facility borrowings during the year.

In addition, Pinnacle’s other accomplishments for the year include the following:

 

  l     Substantially completed the integration of its operations in connection with the merger with Ameristar, including the implementation and realization of synergies from the combined businesses and the successful implementation and expansion of its my choice loyalty program to the Ameristar facilities;

 

  l     Successfully opened its newest entertainment destination, Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio in May 2014;

 

  l     Closed the sale of the ownership interests in certain subsidiaries that own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and HoteLumiére and related excess land parcels in St. Louis, Missouri for net cash consideration of $250.3 million in April 2014; and

 

  l     Opened a 150-room hotel at Boomtown New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana in December 2014.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee took each of these accomplishments into account in assessing the performance of its named executive officers in 2014.

Oversight of Executive Compensation

Role of Compensation Committee

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee had overall responsibility for the compensation programs and policies pertaining to its named executive officers. The specific responsibilities of Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee related to executive compensation include:

 

  l     Overseeing development and implementation of its compensation plans for named executive officers;

 

106


Table of Contents
  l     Overseeing development, implementation, and administration of its equity compensation plans for executives and other employees;

 

  l     Reviewing and approving compensation for its Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers, including setting goals, objectives, evaluating performance, verifying results, and determining pay levels;

 

  l     Overseeing regulatory compliance with respect to executive and equity compensation matters, including assessing the extent to which its compensation programs could encourage undue risk-taking by executives and employees; and

 

  l     Approving, or recommending to the Board for approval when deemed appropriate, all employment, retention and/or severance agreements for named executive officers.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee also has been responsible for reviewing and submitting to the Board recommendations concerning compensation for its non-employee directors.

Role of Management in Compensation Process

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically relied significantly on the input and recommendations of its Chief Executive Officer when evaluating factors relative to the compensation of the named executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer provided its Compensation Committee with his assessment of the performance of each named executive officer and his perspective on the factors described above in developing his recommendations for each named executive officer’s compensation, including salary adjustments, equity grants and incentive bonuses. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee discussed its Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, consulted with its independent advisor, and then approved or modified the recommendations in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer.

Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer’s compensation was determined solely by its Compensation Committee, which approved any adjustments to his base salary, performance incentive compensation and equity awards from year to year. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee solicited its Chief Executive Officer’s perspective on his compensation, but made determinations regarding his compensation independently and without him present. Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer attended portions of its Compensation Committee meetings, but did not attend portions of those meetings related to making specific decisions on his compensation.

In addition to recommendations put forth by Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer, other members of Pinnacle’s executive team were involved in the compensation process by assembling data to present to its Compensation Committee and by working with the outside independent compensation consultants to give them the information necessary for them to complete their reports. Other members of its executive management team also occasionally attended portions of Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee meetings.

Role of Outside Consultants

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee retained the services of an outside independent executive compensation consultant to assess the competitiveness of its compensation programs, conduct other research as directed by its Compensation Committee, and support its Compensation Committee in the design of executive and Board compensation. In 2014, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee retained Exequity LLP (“Exequity”) to assist in the review and assessment of its compensation programs. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Exequity pursuant to SEC rules and concluded that there were no conflicts of interest. Exequity is a nationally recognized independent provider of executive compensation advisory services, with no affiliation with any other service provider. In 2014, Exequity provided Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee with

 

107


Table of Contents

assistance on a variety of matters, including a competitive assessment of compensation pertaining to its executive officers and senior management, an assessment regarding its director compensation levels and practices, support related to incentive plan design, regulatory and legislative matters affecting compensation and provided opinions on various management proposals. For the services described in the previous sentence, Exequity charged Pinnacle an aggregate fee of $149,089.

Competitive Pay Comparisons

When determining the compensation opportunity for individual named executive officers, including salaries, bonuses, and equity grants, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee historically took many factors into account, including such executive’s experience, responsibilities, management abilities, job performance, the performance of Pinnacle as a whole, current market conditions, competitive pay for similar positions at comparable companies and at companies in other industries that could recruit its executives, and pay relative to other executives at Pinnacle. These factors were considered by its Compensation Committee in a subjective manner without any specific formula or weighting. Pinnacle did not set compensation at a specific percentile of market comparisons. However, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee referenced the market from time to time for executives at similar companies to assess the overall competitiveness and reasonableness of pay.

In order to assist Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee in evaluating the pay of the Chief Executive Officer and also in evaluating the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation for the pay of the Chief Financial Officer, its Compensation Consultant provided a competitive compensation analysis in 2014 which relied, in part, on an analysis of compensation at peer companies (in the gaming industry and the hospitality industry general) that are considered to be the closest comparisons to Pinnacle. In developing this group of peer companies, it considered input from Exequity which conducted an evaluation considering industry categorizations, revenue sizes, and peer company overlap among potential peers. Pinnacle also incorporated feedback from management and the compensation committee regarding labor markets and comparability of potential peers. The peer group used for 2014 comparative purposes consisted of 15 companies with median revenues of roughly $1.7 billion. For 2014, these peer companies included:

 

  l     Boyd Gaming Corporation

 

  l     Caesars Entertainment Corporation

 

  l     Churchill Downs Incorporated

 

  l     Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

 

  l     Las Vegas Sands Corp.

 

  l     MGM Resorts International

 

  l     Penn National Gaming, Inc.

 

  l     Wynn Resorts, Limited

 

  l     Hyatt Hotels Corporation

 

  l     Bally Technologies, Inc.*

 

  l     International Game Technology*

 

  l     Scientific Games Corporation

 

  l     Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

 

108


Table of Contents
  l     Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

 

  l     Vail Resorts, Inc.

 

* Starting in fiscal 2015, these companies will not be included in Pinnacle’s peer group due to consolidation in the gaming industry, including Scientific Games Corporation’s acquisition of Bally Technologies, Inc. and GTECH S.p.A.’s acquisition of International Game Technology.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee also periodically considered information from compensation surveys, which include data from companies in other industries that might recruit its executives.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee believed that its executive team has unique skills and experience that, in some cases, limit the direct comparability of market data due to the relatively few number of gaming companies. Therefore, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically believed that variances from market data, where they occur, are acceptable and appropriate for certain members of its senior leadership team. From time to time, it re-evaluated the companies that are in its peer group and for continued appropriateness.

Elements of Compensation

Overview of Compensation Elements

During fiscal 2014, Pinnacle’s executive compensation and benefits consisted of the components listed in the table below, which provides a brief description of the principal types of compensation, how performance is factored into each type of compensation, and the objectives served by each element. A description of each element is discussed in greater detail following the table.

 

Fiscal 2014 Principal Elements of Executive Compensation

Element

 

Description

 

Performance
Considerations

 

Primary Objectives

Base Salary  

•  Fixed cash payment

 

•  Based on level of responsibility, experience, and individual performance, compared to other executives and the external market

 

•  Attract and retain talent

 

•  Recognize career experience and individual performance

 

•  Provide a competitive salary

 

•  Recognize internal relationship between pay and responsibility by level

Annual Bonuses  

•  Performance-based annual incentive bonuses for named executive officers, which are payable 75% in cash and 25% in restricted stock units

 

•  Named executive officer bonus amounts tied to level of achievement of financial objectives

 

•  Promote and reward achievement of Company annual financial objectives and individual performance contribution

 

•  Align executive interests with stockholder interests

 

•  Retain talent

Long-Term Incentives  

•  Annual grants of stock options, performance shares and restricted stock units with multi-year vesting, except for new hire or promotional grants which may be episodic

 

•  Value of pay directly linked with long-term stock price performance due to all awards being stock based

 

•  Align executive interests with stockholder interests

 

•  Attract and retain talent

 

•  Focus on long-term performance outcomes

 

109


Table of Contents

Fiscal 2014 Principal Elements of Executive Compensation

Element

 

Description

 

Performance
Considerations

 

Primary Objectives

Retirement and Welfare Benefits  

•  Medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long-term disability insurance

 

•  Non-qualified deferred compensation plan

 

•  Group Term Life Insurance

 

• Not applicable

 

• Attract and retain talent

 

•  Provide competitive compensation

Executive Perquisites  

•  Financial and Tax Planning, Relocation Expenses, Annual Physical and Commuting Expenses

 

• Not applicable

 

• Attract and retain talent

 

•  Provide competitive compensation

Base Salary

Pinnacle’s intended for the base salaries of its named executive officers to provide a minimum level of compensation for highly qualified executives. The base salaries of its named executive officers were subject to occasional modification based on an evaluation of each executive’s contribution, experience, responsibilities, external market data as well as the relative pay among its senior executives. Each factor is considered on a discretionary basis without formulas or weights. Pinnacle historically considered relative pay between executives because its perspective is that some consistency in pay emphasized teamwork across the senior leadership level.

The table below shows the salaries for each named executive officer of Pinnacle during 2014.

 

Name

              2014 Salary               

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

  $ 1,200,000               

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  $ 800,000               

Virginia E. Shanks

  $ 600,000               

John A. Godfrey

  $ 525,000               

Neil E. Walkoff

  $ 525,000               

Annual Bonuses

Pinnacle intends that bonuses paid to its named executive officers will reward them for the achievement of successful financial, strategic, and operational performance over a short period of time. Pinnacle’s 2014 Annual Incentive Plan measures and rewards its named executive officers based on a formula directly linked to the annual financial results of Pinnacle, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-Tax Income. Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-Tax Income are discussed below and were used for calculating bonuses. These measures provide a highly operational focus and align the pay for its top executives directly with the short-term results delivered to its stockholders. It is Pinnacle’s perspective and the perspective of Pinnacle and its Compensation Committee that an objective annual incentive system provides clarity for the senior executive team regarding their focus and rewards and encourages the attainment of “stretch” performance objectives by providing a clearly defined upside in the incentive plan design. The specific decisions related to 2014 are described in more detail below.

The 2014 Annual Incentive Plan approved by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee established a clearly defined annual incentive opportunity for all of its named executive officers. The objectives include:

 

  l     Creating a clearly defined target bonus opportunity for named executive officers, which it believes enhances motivation and competitiveness with the external market;

 

  l     Providing well-defined upside opportunities, to encourage stretch performance beyond the annual operating plans;

 

110


Table of Contents
  l     Clearly aligning pay with performance for stockholders in both the near-term and over multiple years; and

 

  l     Providing stock ownership opportunities that further align executives with stockholder interests.

Specifically, Pinnacle’s annual bonuses for the named executive officers for 2014 were based on a formula using objective factors, with quantitative short-term financial targets set at the beginning of the year. Each executive had a defined bonus target as a percentage of salary, and the final bonus payable at the end of the year was determined based on the quantitative financial results at year end, compared to the targets set at the beginning of the year, along with a portion (up to 20% for 2014) linked to individual performance. The upside potential for the quantitative performance goals was up to 200% of the target award for superior performance, with the potential to earn zero for underperformance relative to the stated performance objective.

Pursuant to the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan, as adopted under the 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, each named executive officer was paid 75% of his or her bonus in cash and 25% of his or her bonus in restricted stock units (“RSUs”), except Mr. Sanfilippo was paid 65% of his bonus in cash and 35% of his bonus in RSUs. The RSUs are scheduled to vest on December 31, 2015 and settle in shares of Pinnacle common stock on January 1, 2016.

For 2014, the specific award opportunities at threshold, target and maximum performance for Pinnacle’s named executive officers were as follows:

 

Name

  2014 Threshold
Incentive as % of
Salary
  2014 Target
Incentive as % of
Salary
  2014 Maximum
Incentive as % of
Salary

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

  50%   100%   200%

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  45%     90%   180%

Virginia E. Shanks, John A. Godfrey and Neil E. Walkoff

  40%     80%   160%

Based on a review of competitive pay study by Exequity, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee determined to increase the bonus percentages effective January 1, 2015. In order to bring pay opportunities in line with competitive norms, bonus percentages were increased for Messrs. Sanfilippo and Ruisanchez and Ms. Shanks. Mr. Sanfilippo’s threshold bonus percentage was increased from 50% to 75%, target bonus percentage was increased from 100% to 150% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 200% to 300%. Mr. Ruisanchez’s threshold bonus percentage was increased from 45% to 50%, target bonus percentage was increased from 90% to 100% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 180% to 200%. Ms. Shanks’ threshold target bonus percentage was increased from 40% to 45%, target bonus percentage was increased from 80% to 90% and her maximum bonus percentage was increased from 160% to 180%.

On December 21, 2015, Pinnacle entered into amendments to the employment agreements with Messrs. Sanfilippo and Walkoff and Ms. Shanks to increase the target and maximum bonus percentages under their respective employment agreements, effective as of January 1, 2016. Mr. Sanfilippo’s target bonus percentage was increased from 150% to 160% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 300% to 320%. Mr. Walkoff’s target bonus percentage was increased from 80% to 100% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 160% to 200%. Ms. Shanks’ target bonus percentage was increased from 90% to 100% and her maximum bonus percentage was increased from 180% to 200%.

For the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee selected a combination of Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-Tax Income to measure performance in order to balance near term operational performance with delivering sustained improvements in cash flow from reduction of costs, investment and financing activities.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee established targets for Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-Tax Income in 2014. For 2014, the threshold Adjusted EBITDA was $526 million, the target Adjusted EBITDA was $619

 

111


Table of Contents

million and the maximum Adjusted EBITDA was $712 million. The percentage of the bonuses allocated to the achievement of Adjusted EBITDA was 100% of the total bonus. In addition, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee established a minimum Pre-Tax Income of greater than or equal to $30 million before any bonus would be paid to the executive officers. In establishing the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee retained the discretion to decrease, but not to increase, the amount of any bonus even if the Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-Tax Income goals were met or exceeded, based on such objective or subjective factors and circumstances as its Compensation Committee deems relevant or appropriate.

For purposes of determining bonuses, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee determined that Pinnacle had achieved Adjusted EBITDA of $601.7 million and Pre-Tax Income of $109.6 million in 2014. Based on the 2014 consolidated results, the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan funded at 97% of the overall target bonus.

In calculating Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of determining bonuses, Pinnacle began with income (loss) from continuing operations and made adjustments for the following items: income tax benefit (expense); other non-operating income; loss on extinguishment of debt; loss from equity method investment; interest expense, net of capitalized interest, write-downs, reserves, and recoveries; non-cash share-based compensation; pre-opening, development and other costs; and depreciation and amortization. In addition, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee made adjustments for the following items in calculating Adjusted EBITDA: expenses associated with the roll-out of my choice to Ameristar facilities; severance related changes; expenses associated with the defeat of the Colorado referendum (which would have expanded gaming in Colorado); lost revenues due to property closures; property damage to Vicksburg for water damage; expenses associated with the Lake Charles retention program; lost revenues due to delay in opening of New Orleans hotel; and benefit of delayed opening of a competitor in Lake Charles.

In calculating Pre-Tax Income for purposes of determining bonuses, Pinnacle began with income (loss) from continuing operations and made adjustments for the following items: pre-opening, development and other costs; write-downs, reserves and recoveries; stock based compensation, loss on early extinguishment of debt; interest expense adjustment; adjustments for taxes; expenses associated with the roll-out of my choice to Ameristar facilities; severance related changes; expenses associated with the defeat of the Colorado referendum (which would have expanded gaming in Colorado); lost revenues due to property closures; property damage to Vicksburg due to water damage; expenses associated with the Lake Charles retention program; lost revenues due to delay in opening of New Orleans hotel; and benefit of delayed opening of a competitor in Lake Charles.

Based on the factors described in the table above, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee approved the following bonuses for its named executive officers for 2014:

 

2014 Performance Bonus

 

Name

   Bonus
  Payable in Cash  
    Bonus Payable in
  Restricted Stock Units  
    Number of
  Restricted Stock Units  
    Total Dollar
  Value of 2014 Bonus  
 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

   $ 741,000      $ 399,000        16,542      $ 1,140,000   

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

   $ 513,000      $ 171,000        7,090      $ 684,000   

Virginia E. Shanks

   $ 342,000      $ 114,000        4,726      $ 456,000   

John A. Godfrey

   $ 299,250      $ 99,750        4,136      $ 399,000   

Neil E. Walkoff

   $ 299,250      $ 99,750        4,136      $ 399,000   

Long-Term Incentives

Pinnacle believes that awards of equity to its named executive officers provide a valuable incentive for them and help align their interests with that of its stockholders for periods of time longer than one fiscal year. As part of its long-term incentive plan, Pinnacle granted to its executive officers stock options, restricted stock units and performance shares in 2014. Stock options have historically been an important part of its philosophy for aligning pay for performance, as executives can realize value on their stock options only if the stock price increases over the exercise price. RSU and Performance share awards also help align pay with performance as

 

112


Table of Contents

their value fluctuates with changes in the share price over time. However, RSU awards also maintain some value in difficult economic environments and, therefore, meet its objectives of retaining executive talent and maintaining effective incentives during different economic environments. All of Pinnacle’s equity awards are subject to vesting and require each executive to remain employed with it for a period of time or risk forfeiting the award. Please refer to “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation” beginning on page 130 for the treatment of the long-term incentives in connection with the distribution.

Performance shares entitle recipients to receive a number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to Pinnacle achieving specified performance criteria. There was not a performance period that ended in 2014 for Pinnacle related to performance shares. The 2014 performance share award is intended to provide rewards in connection with achieving its long-term financial growth objectives and for achieving superior shareholder returns relative to companies in similar industries. The performance share initially measures Adjusted EBITDA relative to three-year targets as developed in its strategic plan. Up to 125% of a named executive officer’s target award can be earned based on Adjusted EBITDA achievement. The Adjusted EBITDA results are then further modified by performance relative to its three-year revenue growth targets. The revenue growth component can modify the Adjusted EBITDA outcomes by 80% to 120%. Finally, results are subject to a relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) test. Pinnacle measures its TSR over the performance period relative to the S&P Leisure Company Index. In the event that its TSR falls within the middle third of the index, no modifications to the outcomes are made. For TSR results in the top third of the index, Pinnacle increases awards by 33% and for TSR results in the bottom third of the index, it reduces awards by 33%. Thus, total opportunities associated with the award are equal to 200% of target assuming maximum Adjusted EBITDA results, maximum revenue growth results, and TSR results in the top third of the S&P Leisure Company Index.

In 2014, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee revised its long-term incentive plan to provide that the equity granted to the executive officers shall consist of 40% stock options, 40% performance shares and 20% restricted stock units. In determining the size of the equity awards, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee took into consideration each executive’s contribution, experience, responsibilities, external market data as well as the relative pay among senior executives at Pinnacle. The exercise price of each stock option is the closing price of its common stock on the date of grant.

As a result of these considerations, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee approved the following equity grants for the following named executive officers as part of the Long-Term Incentive Plan:

 

Name

           Stock Options(a)             Restricted Stock Units(b)       Performance Shares(c)  

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

   110,760   23,640   46,652

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

     41,020     8,750   17,279

Virginia E. Shanks

     30,770     6,570   12,959

John A. Godfrey

     21,540     4,600     9,071

Neil E. Walkoff

     21,540     4,600     9,071

 

(a) The stock options were granted on May 20, 2014, vest in four equal annual installments beginning on May 20, 2015 and have 7-year terms.

 

(b) The RSUs were granted on May 20, 2014 and vest in four equal annual installments beginning on March 20, 2015.

 

(c) The Performance Shares were granted on February 28, 2014 and vest on December 31, 2016. The performance period is from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016. Depending on Pinnacle’s performance during the performance period, the ultimate number of shares of common stock awarded ranges between 0% to 200% of the number of performance shares granted.

Further, as discussed above, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee granted RSUs to the executive officers as part of their 2014 bonus.

Equity Awards in Connection With New Employment Agreements

In 2014, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee approved new employment agreements for each of the named executive officers. In connection with the employment agreements, each of the executive officers received

 

113


Table of Contents

a grant of the following number of restricted stock units that vest 100% on the third anniversary of the effective dates of the Employment Agreements: Mr. Sanfilippo, 100,000, Mr. Ruisanchez, 80,000, Ms. Shanks, 60,000 and Messrs. Godfrey and Walkoff, 50,000 each. In addition, Mr. Sanfilippo also received a grant of a non-qualified stock option covering 50,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock, of which 50% vests on the fourth anniversary of the date of the employment agreement and 50% vests on the fifth anniversary of the date of the employment agreement. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee granted these equity awards in order to ensure that the named executive officers remain with Pinnacle over the term of their employment agreements. These equity awards will not be permitted to vest in the event the named executive officer is terminated for “cause” as defined in his or her employment agreement.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In December 2010, Pinnacle’s Board approved of stock ownership guidelines for each of its executive officers and directors. Pursuant to its stock ownership guidelines, as amended on December 12, 2013, Pinnacle’s executive officers are required to own the following shares of Pinnacle common stock within five years of January 1, 2011 or by December 31, 2016:

 

Title of Executive Officer

  Number of Shares of Common Stock  

Chief Executive Officer

    300,000   

President

    140,000   

Executive Vice Presidents

    50,000   

Senior Vice Presidents

    20,000   

Member of Board of Directors

    20,000   

The following count toward the targeted ownership: (i) shares of Pinnacle common stock owned outright; (ii) shares of Pinnacle common stock held in benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) Plan); (iii) vested and/or unvested restricted stock; (iv) vested and/or unvested restricted stock units; and (v) phantom stock units. Unexercised options and unearned performance shares do not count toward the targeted ownership. Each of the named executive officers exceeds the targeted ownership pursuant to the stock ownership guidelines.

Hedging, Margin Accounts and Pledging Pinnacle Common Stock

Pinnacle’s insider trading plan prohibits executive officers and directors from hedging their ownership of its common stock, including transactions in puts, calls, or other derivative instruments related to its common stock. In addition, Pinnacle’s insider trading plan prohibits executive officers and directors from placing shares of its common stock in margin accounts and pledging shares of its common stock.

Risk Assessments

With respect to risk related to compensation matters, Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee considered, in establishing and reviewing its executive compensation program, whether the program encourages unnecessary or excessive risk taking and has concluded that it does not. Executives’ base salaries are fixed in amount and thus do not encourage risk-taking. Bonuses have historically been capped and are tied to overall corporate performance. A portion of compensation provided to the executive officers is in the form of options, restricted stock units and performance shares that are important to help further align executives’ interests with those of its stockholders. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically believed that these awards do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking, as the value of these types of equity awards fluctuate dollar for dollar with its stock price and do not represent significant downward/upward risk and reward.

Recovery of Incentive Compensation Policy

Pinnacle’s Board has adopted a policy on recovery of incentive compensation in the event of a financial restatement, also known as a “clawback policy.” The policy provides that its Compensation Committee may take any action to recover all or a portion of any excess bonus paid to an executive officer provided that (i) there is a

 

114


Table of Contents

restatement of its financial statements for the fiscal year for which a bonus is paid, other than a restatement due to changes in accounting principles or applicable law, and (ii) its Compensation Committee determines that the executive officer has received an “excess bonus” for the relevant fiscal year. The amount of the excess bonus shall be equal to the difference between the bonus paid to the executive officer and the payment or grant that would have been made based on the restated financial results. The requirement of an executive officer to repay all or a portion of the excess bonus as determined by its Compensation Committee shall only exist if the Audit Committee has taken steps to consider restating the financials prior to the end of the third year following the year in question.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee may take such action in its discretion that it determines appropriate to recover all or a portion of the excess bonus if it deems such action appropriate under the facts and circumstances. Such actions may include recovery of all or a portion of such amount from the executive officer from any of the following sources: prior incentive compensation payments, future payments of incentive compensation, cancellation of outstanding equity awards, future equity awards, gains realized on equity awards, and direct repayment by the executive officer.

Retirement and Welfare Benefits

The named executive officers have historically been eligible to participate in all of Pinnacle’s normal retirement, and welfare programs on the same terms as generally available to substantially all of its full-time employees. These include a 401(k) plan and matching contributions, health and disability insurance coverage, and group life insurance programs. In addition, Pinnacle’s named executive officers have historically been covered by Pinnacle’s general health plan applicable to all of Pinnacle’s employees.

In addition to these standard retirement and welfare benefits, Pinnacle has historically provided certain additional savings and benefit programs available to its senior management, which it believes are in the best interest of its stockholders, as they enable it to attract and retain high quality executives and help those executives maintain their focus on its business needs rather than their own personal financial considerations. During 2014, additional executive benefits for Pinnacle’s named executive officers included:

 

  l     An Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, or the Executive Plan; and

 

  l     Financial and Tax Planning

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan

The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Executive Plan”) allows executive officers to elect to defer a portion of their salary and bonuses each year into a non-qualified deferred compensation account, which is an unsecured obligation of Pinnacle to pay compensation at a later date. This allows the executives to receive tax-deferred savings and appreciation to support their individual retirement needs.

Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has historically had the discretion to change the floating crediting rate for deferrals under the Executive Plan on a prospective basis as of the beginning of any quarter. Amounts that an executive officer elects to defer under the Executive Plan are credited with a floating rate of interest based on average yields on 30-year U.S. treasury bonds, plus two percentage points, not to exceed 8% per annum, compounded quarterly.

Financial and Tax Planning

Pinnacle has historically reimbursed certain members of senior management, including the named executive officers, for expenses related to financial or tax assistance and estate planning. Mr. Sanfilippo is entitled to be reimbursed up to $7,500 for related expenses and the other named executives officers are entitled to be reimbursed up to $5,000 for related expenses.

 

115


Table of Contents

Executive Perquisites

Pinnacle’s also historically provided limited perquisites to its named executive officers. In 2014, Pinnacle’s perquisites consisted of the following: (a) financial and tax planning expenses (as discussed above); (b) relocation expenses; and (c) expenses associated with the annual physical examination of the executive and his or her spouse or significant other, which include travel expenses, accommodations and related expenses. In addition, Pinnacle paid for certain travel expenses associated with Ms. Shanks who lives in Reno, Nevada and commutes to Las Vegas, Nevada, including a corporate apartment and incidental expenses associated with the corporate apartment, use of a company automobile, airfare and incidental expenses associated with Ms. Shanks traveling to and from Reno, Nevada to Pinnacle’s Las Vegas, Nevada offices. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee believes that its named executive officers value the perquisites provided to them and the cost to it of the perquisites is de minimis. Further, Mr. Sanfilippo is entitled to receive a matching contribution up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7,500 per calendar year, pursuant to the Charitable Matching Contributions Program for Directors.

Other Considerations

Impact of Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1,000,000 paid to its chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated officers, except for compensation that is “performance based.” Pinnacle’s general intent is to provide compensation awards to its named executive officers so that most, if not all, awards will be deductible without limitation. However, Pinnacle may make compensation awards that are not deductible if its best interests so require. In addition, in recent years, Pinnacle has not had to pay federal income tax due to loss carry-forwards, tax depreciation (particularly from new properties) and financial leverage. Pinnacle believes that its cash flow from operations will not be subject to current income taxation over the next few years, limiting the impact of Section 162(m) as it related to current compensation practices.

Consideration of Say-on-Pay Vote Results

At the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of Pinnacle’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, by 98% of votes cast, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee reviewed and considered the final vote results for that resolution, and it has not made any changes to its executive compensation policies or decisions as a result of the vote. An advisory vote on the compensation of Pinnacle’s named executive officers is held annually.

 

116


Table of Contents

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to each of Pinnacle’s named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, except for Neil E. Walkoff, who was not a named executive officer in 2013 or 2012.

 

Name and Principal

Position

  Year    

Salary

($) (a)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Stock

Awards

($) (b)

   

Option

Awards

($) (c)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($) (d)

   

Change in

Nonquali-

fied

Deferred

Compensa-

tion

Earnings

($) (e)

   

All Other

Compen-
sation

($) (f)

   

Total

($)

 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

Chief Executive Officer

    2014          $ 1,200,000      $      $ 4,475,908      $ 1,424,426      $ 741,000      $      $ 3,900      $ 7,845,234     
    2013          $ 1,077,689      $      $ 3,674,523      $ 1,086,376      $ 808,266      $      $ 22,538      $ 6,669,392     
    2012          $ 900,000      $      $ 769,953      $ 970,460      $ 737,100      $      $ 3,875      $ 3,381,388     
                                                                       

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

President and Chief Financial

Officer

    2014          $ 800,000      $      $ 2,595,877      $ 367,428      $ 513,000      $      $ 3,900      $ 4,280,205     
    2013          $ 718,149      $      $ 1,749,120      $ 402,357      $ 430,889      $      $ 21,487      $ 3,322,002     
    2012          $ 600,000      $      $ 157,811      $ 145,569      $ 453,600      $      $ 3,875      $ 1,360,855     
                                                                         

Virginia E. Shanks

Executive Vice President and

Chief Administrative Officer

    2014          $ 600,000      $      $ 1,948,603      $ 275,616      $ 342,000      $ 5,259      $ 63,896      $ 3,235,374     
    2013          $ 544,959      $      $ 1,316,583      $ 301,768      $ 326,976      $ 3,244      $ 78,085      $ 2,571,615     
    2012          $ 465,000      $      $ 178,796      $ 203,797      $ 351,525      $ 1,290      $ 54,808      $ 1,255,216     
                                                                       

John A. Godfrey

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

    2014          $ 525,000      $  —      $ 1,569,574      $ 192,940      $ 299,250      $      $ 3,900      $ 2,590,664     
    2013          $ 504,611      $      $ 1,093,563      $ 218,583      $ 302,767      $      $ 3,875      $ 2,123,399     
    2012          $ 475,000      $      $ 178,796      $ 203,797      $ 351,525      $      $ 3,875      $ 1,212,993     
                                                                         

Neil E. Walkoff

Executive Vice President,

Operations

    2014          $ 525,000      $      $ 1,563,791      $ 192,940      $ 299,250      $      $ 3,900      $ 2,584,881     

 

(a) Reflects amounts actually earned in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

(b) The value in this column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 6 to Pinnacle’s audited financial statements, included within Pinnacle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(c) The value in this column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 6 to Pinnacle’s audited financial statements, included within Pinnacle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(d) The amount in this column for each of the named executive officers includes the bonus that he or she earned based on achievement of pre-established performance targets, a portion of which was deferred in restricted stock units to be paid in future years. For a more detailed discussion of these bonuses, see the “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Annual Bonuses” section above.

 

(e) Amounts reflect the 2014, 2013 and 2012 above-market earnings for contributions into the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(f) For Messrs. Sanfilippo, Ruisanchez, Godfrey, and Walkoff, All Other Compensation in 2014 consisted of $3,900 in 401(k) matching contributions. For Ms. Shanks, All Other Compensation in 2014 consisted of (1) $3,900 in 401(k) matching contributions; (2) $3,300 in financial planning expenses; (3) $2,509 in airfare and incidental expenses associated with annual physical; (4) $14,224 in airfare and incidental expenses associated with personal travel to the executive’s home; (5) $5,366 for automobile lease and related expenses; and (6) $34,597 for expenses related to the use of the corporate apartment.

Employment Agreements and Other Change of Control Provisions

Pinnacle has entered into employment agreements with the named executive officers. In the discussion of the terms of their employment agreements below, such executive officers are sometimes referred to

 

117


Table of Contents

collectively, as the “Executives” and individually, as an “Executive.” Pursuant to the terms of the Employee Matters Agreement, the employment agreements with the Executives will be assigned to and assumed by OpCo in connection with the distribution.

On August 18, 2014, Pinnacle entered into an employment agreement with Anthony M. Sanfilippo for his role as Pinnacle’s Chief Executive Officer and a director of Pinnacle, with an annual base salary of $1,200,000. Mr. Sanfilippo does not receive any compensation for his service as a member of the Board.

Mr. Sanfilippo’s employment agreement provides for an initial term ending August 31, 2019, provided that, commencing on April 30, 2019 and as of April 30 of each year thereafter, his employment agreement shall renew automatically for successive one-year periods, unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at least 120 days before the next renewal date. In connection with the employment agreement, Mr. Sanfilippo received a grant of 100,000 restricted stock units that vest 100% on the third anniversary of the date of the employment agreement. Mr. Sanfilippo also received a grant of a non-qualified stock option covering 50,000 shares of Pinnacle’s common stock, of which 50% vests on the fourth anniversary of the date of the employment agreement and 50% vests on the fifth anniversary of the date of the employment agreement.

On October 13, 2014, Pinnacle entered into an employment agreement with Carlos A. Ruisanchez, Pinnacle’s President and Chief Financial Officer, Virginia E. Shanks, Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, John A. Godfrey, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and Neil E. Walkoff, Executive Vice President, Operations. Pursuant to the employment agreements, Mr. Ruisanchez shall earn an annual base salary of $800,000, Ms. Shanks shall earn an annual base salary of $600,000, and Messrs. Godfrey and Walkoff shall earn an annual base salary of $525,000. The employment agreements provide for an initial term ending October 31, 2017, provided that, commencing on June 30, 2017 and as of June 30 of each year thereafter, the employment agreements shall renew automatically for successive one-year periods, unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at least 120 days before the next renewal date. In connection with the employment agreements, each of the Executives received a grant of the following number of restricted stock units that vest 100% on the third anniversary of the Effective Date of the employment agreements: Mr. Ruisanchez, 80,000, Ms. Shanks, 60,000 and Messrs. Godfrey and Walkoff, 50,000 each.

On December 16, 2014, Pinnacle entered into amendments to the employment agreements with Messrs. Sanfilippo and Ruisanchez and Ms. Shanks to increase the target and maximum bonus percentages under their respective employment agreements, effective as of January 1, 2015. Mr. Sanfilippo’s target bonus percentage was increased from 100% to 150% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 200% to 300%. Mr. Ruisanchez’s target bonus percentage was increased from 90% to 100% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 180% to 200%. Ms. Shanks’ target bonus percentage was increased from 80% to 90% and her maximum bonus percentage was increased from 160% to 180%.

On December 21, 2015, Pinnacle entered into amendments to the employment agreements with Messrs. Sanfilippo and Walkoff and Ms. Shanks to increase the target and maximum bonus percentages under their respective employment agreements, effective as of January 1, 2016. Mr. Sanfilippo’s target bonus percentage was increased from 150% to 160% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 300% to 320%. Mr. Walkoff’s target bonus percentage was increased from 80% to 100% and his maximum bonus percentage was increased from 160% to 200%. Ms. Shanks’ target bonus percentage was increased from 90% to 100% and her maximum bonus percentage was increased from 180% to 200%.

 

118


Table of Contents

Bonus Eligibility

The table below sets forth information about the Executives’ eligibility for bonuses under the terms of their respective employment agreements. The parties to the employment agreements contemplate that the setting of the targets and goals and the payment of bonuses described below shall be done in such a manner as to qualify such bonuses as “performance based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The bonus percentages in the tables below reflect the increased bonus percentages, discussed above.

 

Name

 

Bonus Eligibility

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

 

¡     Targeted annual bonus of 150% of annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the targeted annual bonus was increased to 160% of Mr. Sanfilippo’s annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee; and

 

¡     An upside potential for the annual bonus to be not less than 300% of the annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the upside potential for the annual bonus was increased to 320% of Mr. Sanfilippo’s annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied.

 

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

 

¡     Targeted annual bonus of 100% of annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee; and

 

¡     An upside potential for the annual bonus to be not less than 200% of the annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied.

 

Virginia E. Shanks

 

¡     Targeted annual bonus of 90% of annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the targeted annual bonus was increased to 100% of Ms. Shanks’ annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee; and

 

¡     An upside potential for the annual bonus to be not less than 180% of the annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the upside potential for the annual bonus was increased to 200% of Ms. Shanks’ annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied.

 

John A. Godfrey,

and Neil E. Walkoff

 

¡       Targeted annual bonus of 80% of annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the targeted annual bonus for Mr. Walkoff has been increased to 100% of his annual base salary based upon meeting performance targets developed by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee; and

 

¡     An upside potential for the annual bonus to be not less than 160% of the annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied. Effective as of January 1, 2017, the upside potential for Mr. Walkoff’s annual bonus was increased to not less than 200% of his annual base salary if the maximum performance goals are satisfied.

 

All of the Executives

 

¡     Eligible to receive special bonuses, in addition to his or her annual bonus, in the discretion of the Board or Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee.

 

¡     Bonuses earned may be paid in cash, restricted stock, or a combination thereof, as determined in the Committee’s discretion.

 

119


Table of Contents

Payments and Benefits upon Termination; Treatment of Equity Grants–Generally

In general, if an Executive’s employment is terminated (regardless of the reason therefor), Pinnacle shall pay or cause to be paid to such Executive all accrued but unpaid annual base salary and bonus and any compensation previously voluntarily deferred by such Executive, and all benefits provided to such Executive under his or her employment agreement shall cease, except as otherwise required by applicable law or the terms of the applicable employment agreement. In addition, the Executives shall be entitled to receive a prorated annual bonus for the year of termination, except in the case of termination for “cause.”

Except in the event an Executive’s employment is terminated for “cause” or by the Executive without “good reason,” the Executive shall be entitled to receive continuation of health benefits coverage for the Executive and his or her dependents and disability insurance coverage for the Executive for 24 months following termination or, if earlier, until the Executive and his or her dependents become covered or eligible for coverage under another group health plan or group disability plan, subject to certain pre-existing condition limitations. During the applicable period, Pinnacle shall pay any applicable premiums on such coverage on behalf of the Executive, provided that, in the event such premium payment by Pinnacle results in a violation of applicable law, Pinnacle shall pay to the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as applicable, a fully taxable monthly amount that, after the payment of all applicable taxes by the Executive or the Executive’s estate, is equal to the total monthly premiums payable for such coverage.

The Executives’ employment agreements provide that, in the event of an Executive’s employment with Pinnacle is terminated for any reason other than (i) termination by the Executive without “good reason” or (ii) termination by Pinnacle for “cause,” all vested equity awards that contain exercise periods shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of their stated terms or (b) two (2) years after the termination of his employment with us. In the event of an Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without “good reason,” all vested equity awards shall terminate on the earlier of the expiration of the stated term or eighteen (18) months after the termination. In the event of an Executive’s employment is terminated by Pinnacle for “cause,” all vested equity awards shall terminate on the earlier of the expiration of the stated term or thirty (30) days after the termination. Other than in the event an Executive’s employment is terminated by Pinnacle without “cause” or by the Executive for “good reason,” in each case within 24 month following a change of control, the post-termination survival of unexercised and/or unpaid equity awards is dependent on the Executive’s compliance with certain restrictive covenants in the employment agreement, including non-competition, no-hire-away, and non-solicitation covenants. Further, unvested equity awards shall terminate on the termination of an Executive’s employment with us, except as otherwise provided under the applicable terms, if any, of the equity plan, the equity award agreements or the employment agreements.

The Executives may be entitled to receive additional payments or benefits, or the consequences of termination of employment described above may be subject to change, depending on the circumstances under which an Executive’s employment is terminated, as further described below under the headings “ Payments and Benefits upon Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, Other than upon Change of Control ,” “ Payments and Benefits upon Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason upon a Change of Control ” and “ Payments and Benefits upon Termination Due to Death or Disability .”

Payments and Benefits upon Termination by Pinnacle for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason

If an Executive’s employment is terminated by Pinnacle for Cause or by such Executive without “good reason,” such Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits other than as specified above under the heading “ Payments and Benefits upon Termination; Treatment of Equity Grants – Generally .”

 

120


Table of Contents

Payments and Benefits upon Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, Other than upon a Change of Control

If an Executive’s employment is terminated by Pinnacle without “cause” or by such Executive for “good reason” other than within 24 months following a Change of Control, the following shall apply:

 

  l     Such Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits specified above under the heading “Payments and Benefits upon Termination; Treatment of Equity Grants – Generally.”

 

  l     Such Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 150% of the sum of (a) such Executive’s annual base salary in effect on the date of termination and (b) the average annual bonus paid to such Executive in the three years before termination. The salary component shall be paid in monthly installments over 18 months in accordance with Pinnacle’s regular salary payment schedule, and the bonus component shall be paid in two equal annual installments on the first and second anniversaries of the termination of employment.

 

  l     In addition, with respect to all outstanding equity awards that do not contain performance-based vesting conditions, the portion of such equity awards that would have become vested and/or exercisable during the eighteen months following the date of termination shall continue to vest as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated, except that, with respect to the Employment Agreement RSUs, if the date of termination is prior to the third anniversary of the date of the Executive’s employment agreement, then a prorated portion of the Employment Agreement RSUs shall vest immediately based on the number of days from the date of the Executive’s employment agreement up to but not including the date of the Executive’s termination divided by 1,096.

 

  l     With respect to any of Mr. Sanfilippo’s outstanding performance-based equity awards, Mr. Sanfilippo shall be entitled to participate in such performance-based awards on a prorated basis at the end of the applicable performance period (with such determination to be based on actual performance through the applicable performance period), and such prorated portion shall be based on (i) the number of full months employed by Mr. Sanfilippo during the applicable performance period plus eighteen months of continued accrual service credit following the date of termination of employment (or if shorter, through the end of the performance period) divided by (ii) the number of full months in the performance period.

 

  l     With respect to any other outstanding performance-based equity awards, the Executive (other than Mr. Sanfilippo who is discussed above) shall be entitled to participate in such performance-based awards on a prorated basis at the end of the applicable performance period (with such determination to be based on actual performance through the applicable performance period), and such prorated portion shall be based on (i) the number of full months the Executive was employed during the applicable performance period divided by (ii) the number of full months in the performance period.

Payments and Benefits upon Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason upon a Change of Control

If an Executive’s employment is terminated by Pinnacle without “cause” or by such Executive for “good reason” at the time of or within 24 months after a change of control, the following shall apply:

 

  l     Such Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits specified above under the heading “Payments and Benefits upon Termination; Treatment of Equity Grants–Generally.”

 

  l     Such Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 200% of the sum of (a) such Executive’s annual base salary in effect on the date of termination and (b) the target bonus for the year of termination, payable in a lump sum as soon as practicable but in no event more than 30 days after the termination of employment.

 

121


Table of Contents
  l     In addition to those already vested, any unvested equity awards and any unvested replacement equity awards that may have been granted to such Executive to replace unvested equity awards that expired by their terms in connection with a change of control, shall become fully vested and may be exercised immediately by such Executive and, with respect to performance-based equity awards, all such awards shall be considered to be earned at target levels and payable as of the termination of Executive’s employment. To the extent that any unvested equity awards terminate by their terms at the time of or in connection with a change of control and replacement equity awards of at least equivalent value are not granted to an Executive, the Executive shall receive, as additional cash severance at the time of termination, the consideration paid by the acquiring person for the securities underlying the unvested expired equity awards at the time of the change of control less, to the extent applicable, (a) the exercise price or other consideration payable by the Executive for the equity awards and (b) the value of any replacement equity awards realized by the Executive through or as a result of such termination.

Payments and Benefits upon Termination Due to Death or Disability

If an Executive dies or Pinnacle terminates the Executive’s employment due to disability, the following shall apply:

 

  l     Such Executive, the Executive’s estate, or the Executive’s dependents, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits specified above under the heading “ Payments and Benefits upon Termination; Treatment of Equity Grants–Generally .”

 

  l     With respect to all outstanding equity awards that do not contain performance-based vesting conditions, such equity awards shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable by such Executive or the Executive’s estate, as applicable. With respect to any outstanding performance-based equity awards, all such performance-based awards shall continue to vest and/or be paid on the schedule set forth in the applicable award agreement as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated.

Additional Terms

Under certain circumstances, any payment on account of termination of an Executive’s employment which is deemed to be “deferred compensation” under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A will be delayed for six months after the termination, except in the case of such Executive’s death.

It is a condition to an Executive’s right to receive severance payments and benefits under such Executive’s employment agreement that the Executive execute a general release in favor of Pinnacle and its affiliates. In addition, certain non-competition, no-hire-away, and non-solicitation covenants apply to the Executives for specified periods following the termination of employment under certain circumstances.

The employment agreements of the Executives contain a “best net” provision in the event any payment or benefit to be paid or made payable to an Executive or for his or her benefit under his or her employment agreement on a “change of control” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code). Under the employment agreements, if the excise tax is triggered, then the payments or benefits received under the employment agreement shall be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid triggering the excise tax, unless the Executive would have a more favorable after-tax result by receiving the unreduced payments and benefits and paying the excise tax himself or herself, without a gross-up from us. Accordingly, the amounts payable under the employment agreements of the Executives set forth below may be reduced.

 

122


Table of Contents

Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, Other than upon a Change of Control

The following table sets forth the amounts payable under the employment agreements of the Executives in the event of a termination by Pinnacle without “cause” or by the Executive for “good reason” other than in connection with a change of control. The amounts in the table assume that the triggering event took place on December 31, 2014. The closing price of Pinnacle Common Stock on December 31, 2014 was $22.25.

 

Name

  Cash
Severance
($) (a)
    Value of Equity
Awards

that have Accelerated
Vesting
($) (b)
    Value of
Benefits
Continuation
($) (c)
    Total
($)
 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

  $ 5,407,244      $ 7,508,078      $ 33,413      $ 12,948,735   

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  $ 2,958,510      $ 2,054,401      $ 37,372      $ 5,050,283   

Virginia E. Shanks

  $ 2,424,948      $ 1,185,303      $ 37,372      $ 3,647,623   

John A. Godfrey

  $ 1,962,715      $ 995,777      $ 19,664      $ 2,978,156   

Neil E. Walkoff

  $ 1,838,309      $ 966,983      $ 37,372      $ 2,842,664   

 

(a) These amounts include cash severance payments mandated by each Executive’s employment agreement (including the increased bonus potential pursuant to amendments to Messrs. Sanfilippo and Ruisanchez and Ms. Shank’s employment agreements) and, in the case of Ms. Shanks, amounts deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(b) Options having an exercise price in excess of the closing market price of Pinnacle Common Stock on December 31, 2014 are not included in the value of equity grants that have accelerated vesting.

 

(c) These amounts are estimates based on current costs for the continuation of health and disability benefits and current base salary.

Termination by Pinnacle without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason upon a Change of Control

The following table sets forth the amounts payable under the employment agreements of the Executives in the event of a termination by Pinnacle without “cause” or by the Executive for “good reason” at the time of or within 24 months after a change of control. The amounts in the table assume that the triggering event took place on December 31, 2014. The closing price of Pinnacle’s common stock on December 31, 2014 was $22.25.

 

Name

  Cash
Severance
($) (a)
    Value of Equity
Awards
that have Accelerated
Vesting
($) (b)
    Value of
Benefits
Continuation
($) (c)
    Total
($)
 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

  $ 7,800,000      $ 10,501,848      $ 33,413      $ 18,335,261   

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  $ 4,000,000      $ 4,825,913      $ 37,372      $ 8,863,285   

Virginia E. Shanks

  $ 3,047,614      $ 3,264,037      $ 37,372      $ 6,349,023   

John A. Godfrey

  $ 2,310,000      $ 2,688,084      $ 19,664      $ 5,017,748   

Neil E. Walkoff

  $ 2,310,000      $ 2,659,290      $ 37,372      $ 5,006,662   

 

(a) These amounts include cash severance payments mandated by each Executive’s employment agreement (including the increased bonus potential pursuant to amendments to Messrs. Sanfilippo and Ruisanchez and Ms. Shank’s employment agreements) and, in the case of Ms. Shanks, amounts deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(b) Options having an exercise price in excess of the closing market price of Pinnacle’s common stock on December 31, 2014 are not included in the value of equity grants that have accelerated vesting.

 

(c) These amounts are estimates based on current costs for the continuation of health and disability benefits and current base salary.

 

123


Table of Contents

Termination due to Death or Disability

The following table sets forth the amounts payable under the employment agreements of the Executives in the event of a termination due to death or disability. The amounts in the table assume that the termination took place on December 31, 2014. The closing price of Pinnacle’s common stock on December 31, 2014 was $22.25.

 

Name

  Cash
Severance
($) (a)
    Value of Equity
Awards

that have Accelerated
Vesting
($) (b)
    Value of
Benefits
Continuation
($) (c)
    Total
($)
 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

  $ 1,800,000      $ 10,501,848      $ 33,413      $ 12,335,261   

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

  $ 800,000      $ 4,825,913      $ 37,372      $ 5,663,285   

Virginia E. Shanks

  $ 767,614      $ 3,264,037      $ 37,372      $ 4,069,023   

John A. Godfrey

  $ 420,000      $ 2,688,084      $ 19,664      $ 3,127,748   

Neil E. Walkoff

  $ 420,000      $ 2,659,290      $ 37,372      $ 3,116,662   

 

(a) These amounts include cash severance payments mandated by each Executive’s employment agreement (including the increased bonus potential pursuant to amendments to Messrs. Sanfilippo and Ruisanchez and Ms. Shank’s employment agreements) and, in the case of Ms. Shanks, amounts deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(b) Options having an exercise price in excess of the closing market price of Pinnacle’s common stock on December 31, 2014 are not included in the value of equity grants that have accelerated vesting.

 

(c) These amounts are estimates based on current costs for the continuation of health and disability benefits and current base salary.

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2000, Pinnacle adopted the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Executive Plan”), which allows certain of its highly compensated employees to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their base annual salaries and bonuses. The Executive Plan is administered by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee, and participation in the Executive Plan is limited to employees who are (i) determined by Pinnacle to be includable within a select group of employees, (ii) subsequently chosen from the select group, and (iii) approved by its Compensation Committee.

Under the Executive Plan, a participating employee may elect to defer up to 75% of his or her salary for the next year, and up to 90% of his or her bonus for the next year. Any such deferred compensation is credited to a deferral contribution account. A participating employee is at all times fully vested in his or her deferred contributions, as well as any appreciation or depreciation attributable thereto. Amounts that a participating employee elects to defer under the Executive Plan are credited with a floating rate of interest based on average yields on 30-year U.S. treasury bonds, plus two percentage points, not to exceed 8% per annum, compounded quarterly. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has the discretion to change the crediting rate for deferrals under the Executive Plan on a prospective basis as of the beginning of any quarter. The Executive Plan was amended and restated effective December 27, 2004 and December 31, 2007 to cause these distribution terms and other plan provisions to comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), and to make certain other changes in the Executive Plan.

In general, distributions under the Executive Plan are payable upon termination (before the participating employee qualifies for retirement), retirement, death, disability and upon the occurrence of a financial emergency. A participating employee will also receive distributions upon a change in control of Pinnacle, to the extent permitted under Section 409A. When making an election to defer salary and bonus, a participating employee can specify that the amounts deferred will be paid on certain dates at least two years after the amounts are deferred or at retirement.

The Executive Plan was further amended March 1, 2011, effective January 1, 2011, to permit the deferral of compensation in the form of restricted stock units, to be distributed upon the elected or predetermined distribution date in the form of a whole number of shares, with any fractional unit to be paid in cash. These

 

124


Table of Contents

provisions coordinate with Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan to allow for the payment of annual bonuses in the form of restricted stock units, which are deferred under the Executive Plan, and vested and distributed on such dates as determined by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee on the date of grant.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table

The following table shows the deferred compensation activity for Pinnacle’s named executive officers for the Executive Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Ms. Shanks was the only named executive officer to participate in the Executive Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Name

  Executive
Contributions in
Last FY

($) (a)
  Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY

($)
  Aggregate
Earnings in

Last FY
($) (b)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions ($)
  Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE ($)

Virginia E. Shanks

  $        59,769       $                0       $      10,527       $            0       $      227,614    

 

(a) The amount shown in the “Executive Contributions in Last FY” is reported as compensation in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 in the Summary Compensation Table for Ms. Shanks.

 

(b) The amount shown in “Aggregate Earnings in Last FY” which is reported as compensation in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 in the Summary Compensation Table for Ms. Shanks is $5,259.

2015 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan and New Equity and Performance Incentive Plan

Pinnacle’s Board approved the adoption of the 2015 Plan on February 10, 2015, subject to approval of its stockholders. On May 19, 2015, Pinnacle stockholders approved the 2015 Plan at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The 2015 Plan was adopted as a result of the expiration of Pinnacle’s 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, which expired on April 1, 2015. Awards under the 2015 Plan may consist of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock unit awards, performance awards, dividend equivalents or any combination of the foregoing. As of November 30, 2015, we had 5,089 shares of Pinnacle common stock available for grant under the 2015 Plan.

The 2015 Plan is administered by Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee has broad discretion and power in administering the 2015 Plan, in determining which of its employees, directors, and consultants could participate, and the terms of individual awards. The 2015 Plan has a ten year term, which expires on February 10, 2025.

Performance awards under the 2015 Plan are for awards that provide payments determined by the achievement of performance goals over a performance period. Pinnacle’s Compensation Committee may determine the relevant performance goals and the performance period. The performance goals may be based on the attainment of specified levels of, or growth of, one or any combination of (or a formula based on) modified calculations of certain specified factors. The eligible factors included: net sales; pretax income before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; earnings per share; net income; division, group or corporate financial goals; return on stockholders’ equity; return on assets; attainment of strategic and operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the shares or any of its other publicly-traded securities; market share; gross profits; earnings before taxes; earnings before interest and taxes; EBITDA; an adjusted formula of EBITDA; economic value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs, and/or return on invested capital of Pinnacle or any affiliate, division or business unit of Pinnacle for or within which the participant is primarily employed.

As described above, we will assume 2015 Plan and may continue to make grants under such plan. In addition, it is anticipated that we will adopt a new equity and performance incentive plan to provide for grants of equity awards following the separation. It has not yet been determined how many shares of our common stock will be reserved under this plan. This plan is expected to otherwise have terms and conditions substantially similar to the 2015 Plan (please see “Proposal 4 – Approval of 2015 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan” in Pinnacle’s Proxy Statement relating to its 2015 Annual Meeting for a detailed description of 2015 Plan.

 

125


Table of Contents

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information regarding Pinnacle’s grant of plan-based awards made to each named executive officer in 2014.

 

            Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
(b)
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
(c)
                         

Name

  Grant
Date

(a)
  Date of
Compensa-
tion
Committee
Action
  Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Thresh-
old (#)
        Target    
(#)
    Maxi-
mum
(#)
    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares

of
Stock or
Units (#)
    All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number

of
Securities
Underlying
Options

(#)
    Exercise
or
Base
Price
of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
(d)
    Grant
Date
Fair

Value
of

Stock
and

Option
Awards

(e)
 
Anthony M. Sanfilippo   —     —       600,000        1,200,000        2,400,000                 
  2/28/2014   —             18,661        46,652        93,304        —          —          —          1,236,073   
  2/28/2014   —                   13,338        —          —          324,113   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                 23,640        —          —          556,722   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                   110,760        23.55        992,111   
  8/18/2014   —                   100,000        —          —          2,359,000   
  8/18/2014   —                     50,000        23.59        432,315   
Carlos A. Ruisanchez   —     —       360,000        720,000        1,440,000                 
  2/28/2014   —             6,912        17,279        34,558        —          —          —          457,817   
  2/28/2014   —                   7,111        —          —          172,797   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                 8,750        —          —          206,063   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                   41,020        23.55        367,428   
  10/13/2014   10/06/2014                 80,000        —          —          1,759,200   
Virginia E. Shanks   —     —       240,000        480,000        960,000                 
  2/28/2014   —             5,184        12,959        25,918        —          —          —          343,356   
  2/28/2014   —                   5,396        —          —          131,123   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                 6,570        —          —          154,724   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                   30,770        23.55        275,616   
  10/13/2014   10/06/2014                 60,000        —          —          1,319,400   
John A. Godfrey   —     —       210,000        420,000        840,000                 
  2/28/2014   —             3,628        9,071        18,142        —          —          —          240,342   
  2/28/2014   —                   4,996        —          —          121,403   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                 4,600        —          —          108,330   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                   21,540        23.55        192,940   
  10/13/2014   10/06/2014                 50,000        —          —          1,099,500   
Neil E. Walkoff   —     —       210,000        420,000        840,000                 
  2/28/2014   —             3,628        9,071        18,142        —          —          —          240,342   
  2/28/2014   —                   4,758        —          —          115,619   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                 4,600        —          —          108,330   
  5/20/2014   5/19/2014                   21,540        23.55        192,940   
  10/13/2014   10/06/2014                 50,000        —          —          1,099,500   

 

(a) All of the grants of stock awards and option awards presented above were made pursuant to the 2005 Plan.

 

(b) As discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above, the following bonuses were awarded under the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan adopted pursuant to the 2005 Plan: (i) for Mr. Sanfilippo, $1,140,000, of which $741,000 was paid in cash and $399,000 was paid in restricted stock units; (ii) for Mr. Ruisanchez, $684,000, of which $513,000 was paid in cash and $171,000 was paid in restricted stock units; (iii) for Ms. Shanks, $456,000, of which $342,000 was paid in cash and $114,000 was paid in restricted stock units; (iv) for Mr. Godfrey, $399,000, of which $299,250 was paid in cash and $99,750 was paid in restricted stock units; and (v) for Mr. Walkoff, $399,000, of which $299,250 was paid in cash and $99,750 was paid in restricted stock units.

 

(c) Each of the named executive officers received grants of performance shares at target amounts shown above.

 

(d) The exercise price reflected in this column is the closing price of Pinnacle’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

(e) The amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value of each equity award computed in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

126


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End-2014

The following table provides information regarding outstanding equity award grants held at December 31, 2014 by each named executive officer.

 

 

   Option Awards (a)      Stock Awards (b)  

Name  

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
     Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($) (c)
     Equity Incen-
tive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or
Other Rights
that have Not
Vested
(#) (d)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Vested
($) (c)
 

Anthony

M.

Sanfilippo

     520,000         130,000(e)       $ 8.64         3/14/2020               
     100,000         100,000(f)       $ 9.66         5/22/2019               
     26,341         79,025(g)       $ 20.90         5/21/2020               
     —           110,760(h)       $ 23.55         5/20/2021               
     —           50,000(i)       $ 23.59         8/18/2024               
                 15,000(f)         333,750         
                 19,863(g)         441,952         
                 23,640(h)         525,990         
                 100,000(j)         2,225,000         
                       21,187(k)           $471,411   
                       29,426(l)           $654,729   
                       18,661(m)         $415,207   

Carlos A.

Ruisanchez

     200,000         —         $ 11.35         8/01/2018               
     60,000         15,000(n)       $ 7.67         3/01/2020               
     180,000         60,000(o)       $ 13.14         3/28/2018               
     15,000         15,000(f)       $ 9.66         5/22/2019               
     9,756         29,268(g)       $ 20.90         5/21/2020               
     —           41,020(h)       $     23.55         5/20/2021               
                 7,357(g)         163,693         
                 8,750(h)         194,688         
                 80,000(p)         1,780,000         
                       7,847(k)       $ 174,596   
                       19,618(l)       $ 436,501   
                       6,912(m)       $ 153,792   

Virginia E.

Shanks

     100,000         —         $ 11.15         10/02/2017               
     15,000         5,000(q)       $ 14.25         5/24/2018               
     21,000         21,000(f)       $ 9.66         5/22/2019               
     7,317         21,951(g)       $ 20.90         5/21/2020               
     —           30,770(h)       $ 23.55         5/20/2021               
                 2,500(f)         55,625         
                 5,518(g)         122,776         
                 6,570(h)         146,183         
                 60,000(p)         1,335,000         
                       5,885(k)       $ 130,941   
                       14,713(l)       $ 327,364   
                       5,184(m)       $ 115,344   

John A.

Godfrey

     50,000         —         $ 16.92         5/16/2015               
     70,000         —         $ 14.68         5/20/2018               
     20,000         —         $ 11.13         7/30/2018               
     60,000         15,000(n)       $ 7.67         3/01/2020               
     21,000         7,000(q)       $ 14.25         5/24/2018               
     21,000         21,000(f)       $ 9.66         5/22/2019               

 

127


Table of Contents

 

   Option Awards (a)      Stock Awards (b)  

Name  

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
     Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($) (c)
     Equity Incen-
tive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or
Other Rights
that have Not
Vested
(#) (d)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Vested
($) (c)
 
     5,300         15,900(g)       $ 20.90         5/21/2020               
     —           21,540(h)       $ 23.55         5/20/2021               
                 700(q)         15,575         
                 2,500(f)         55,625         
                 4,050(g)         90,113         
                 4,600(h)         102,350         
                 50,000(p)         1,112,500         
                       4,273(k)       $ 95,074   
                       12,874(l)       $ 286,447   
                       3,628(m)       $ 80,723   

Neil E.

Walkoff

     60,000         —         $ 10.36         8/23/2017               
     15,000         5,000(q)       $ 14.25         5/24/2018               
     21,000         21,000(f)       $ 9.66         5/22/2019               
     5,300         15,900(g)       $ 20.90         5/21/2020               
     —           21,540(h)       $ 23.55         5/20/2021               
                 500(q)         11,125         
                 2,500(f)         55,625         
                 4,050(g)         90,113         
                 4,600(h)         102,350         
                 50,000(p)         1,112,500         
                       4,273(k)       $ 95,074   
                       12,874(l)       $ 286,447   
                       3,628(m)       $ 80,723   

 

(a) The option awards were granted pursuant to Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan, as well as certain options granted outside of the stockholder approved plans (see the Equity Compensation Plan Information at Fiscal Year-End table below).

 

(b) The stock awards consist of (i) restricted stock units and (ii) performance shares granted pursuant to Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan.

 

(c) The market value of stock awards reported in the columns above were computed by multiplying $22.25, the closing market price of Pinnacle’s stock at December 31, 2014, by the number of shares of stock awarded.

 

(d) The number of performance shares shown above is based on achieving the threshold performance goals as set forth in the equity incentive plans.

 

(e) The vesting date is March 14, 2015.

 

(f) The vesting dates are May 22, 2015 and May 22, 2016.

 

(g) The vesting dates are May 21, 2015, May 21, 2016 and May 21, 2017.

 

(h) The vesting dates are May 20, 2015, May 20, 2016, May 20, 2017 and May 20, 2018.

 

(i) The vesting dates are August 18, 2018 and August 18, 2019.

 

(j) The vesting date is August 18, 2017.

 

(k) The vesting date is December 31, 2015.

 

(l) The vesting date is August 31, 2016.

 

(m) The vesting date is December 31, 2016.

 

(n) The vesting date is March 1, 2015.

 

(o) The vesting date is March 28, 2015.

 

 

128


Table of Contents
(p) The vesting date is October 13, 2017.

 

(q) The vesting date is May 24, 2015.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding the exercise of Pinnacle’s options and vesting of Pinnacle’s restricted stock units during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name                                 

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
     Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#) (a)
     Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

     —           —           27,459       $       638,608       

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

     —           —           16,951       $ 396,572       

Virginia E. Shanks

     —           —           20,405       $ 489,435       

John A. Godfrey

     50,000       $     485,250           15,684       $ 370,964       

Neil E. Walkoff

     —           —           12,858       $ 299,722       

 

(a) Pinnacle’s named executive officers were granted the following restricted stock units as a part of their 2013 bonus, which vested on December 31, 2014: (1) Mr. Sanfilippo, 13,338 restricted stock units; (2) Mr. Ruisanchez, 7,111 restricted stock units; (3) Ms. Shanks, 5,396 restricted stock units; (4) Mr. Godfrey, 4,996 restricted stock units; and (5) Mr. Walkoff, 4,758 restricted stock units. Pursuant to the restricted stock unit agreements with each of the named executive officers described in this footnote (a), the issuance of the shares underlying the restricted stock units shall be deferred until January 1, 2017.

Equity Compensation Plan Information at Fiscal Year-End-2014

 

Plan category

   Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and
rights(b)
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders         
Stock Options and Other Awards(a)      6,404,026       $ 15.73         392,696   
Directors Plan(c)      128,974                 204,130   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 
Total      6,533,000            596,826   
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (d)      1,324,000       $ 13.17           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total      7,857,000       $             15.17         596,826   

 

(a) Consists of:

 

  l     shares of Pinnacle common stock to be issued upon the exercise of 4,342,128 options granted pursuant to Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan and Pinnacle’s 2002 stock option plan; and
  l     shares of Pinnacle common stock to be issued upon the vesting of 1,535,940 restricted stock unit awards, 5,636 phantom stock unit awards and 520,322 performance share awards, pursuant to Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan.
(b) The weighted average exercise price in this column does not take into account restricted stock unit awards, phantom stock unit awards and performance share awards, pursuant to Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan or under the outside the 2005 Plan equity grants.

 

(c) Consists of shares of Pinnacle Common Stock credited to directors’ deferred compensation accounts to be issued pursuant to the Directors Plan, described under “Board of Directors Compensation — Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan” above. All such shares are fully vested and payable upon cessation of service as a director.

 

129


Table of Contents
(d) Consists of:

 

  l     200,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to options granted to Carlos Ruisanchez in 2008 and 650,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to options granted to Anthony M. Sanfilippo in 2010. The options granted to Messrs. Ruisanchez and Sanfilippo were granted as an inducement to employment. The exercise price of the options granted to Mr. Ruisanchez is $11.35 and the options vested over a four-year period. The options expire on August 1, 2018, subject to certain termination events as governed by award agreement for the options and Mr. Ruisanchez’s employment agreement. The exercise price of the options granted to Mr. Sanfilippo is $8.64, and the options vested over a five-year period as of March 14, 2015. The options expire on March 14, 2020, subject to certain termination events as governed by the award agreement for the options and Mr. Sanfilippo’s employment agreement.
  l     376,500 shares of Pinnacle common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and 97,500 shares of Pinnacle common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units granted to certain employees of Ameristar. The options and restricted stock units were granted on August 13, 2013 as an inducement to employment. The options have an exercise price of $21.96, vest over four years and expire on August 13, 2020, subject to certain termination events as governed by the grant of options and restricted stock units and the employment agreements with the employees, if any. The restricted stock units vest over four years.

On April 1, 2015, Pinnacle’s 2005 Plan expired pursuant to its terms and the 2002 stock option plan has been cancelled when the 2005 Plan was approved by stockholders. The stock option and restricted stock unit grants described in footnote (a) and (d) above will continue in effect and such shares will be authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan, which was approved by Pinnacle stockholders on May 19, 2015, in the event of forfeiture, expiration or termination without issuance of shares.

Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The Employee Matters Agreement will provide for, following the distribution, the conversion of all outstanding awards granted under Pinnacle’s long term incentive compensation plans (whether held by Pinnacle employees or other participants) into adjusted Pinnacle awards and OpCo awards. The material terms of the conversion are described below.

Options

Options Granted On or Prior to July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, each Pinnacle stock option (including any Pinnacle stock option held by an executive officer or non-employee director), whether vested or unvested, that was granted on or prior to July 16, 2015 and that is outstanding immediately prior to the time of distribution will be converted into two separate stock option awards, an adjusted Pinnacle stock option (an “Adjusted Pinnacle Option”) and an OpCo stock option (an “OpCo Option”).

The number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to each Adjusted Pinnacle Option will be equal to the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock underlying the Pinnacle stock option immediately prior to the time of distribution. The per share exercise price of each Adjusted Pinnacle Option will be equal to the product (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (i) the per share exercise price of the Pinnacle stock option prior to the time of distribution multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the per share closing trading price of Pinnacle common stock, as traded on an ex-distribution basis on the last trading day immediately preceding the time of distribution (the “Opening Pinnacle Stock Price”), and the denominator of which will be the per share closing trading price of Pinnacle common stock trading on the “regular way” basis on the last trading day immediately preceding the time of distribution (the “Closing Pinnacle Stock Price”).

The number of shares of OpCo common stock subject to each OpCo Option will be equal to the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to the Pinnacle stock option immediately prior to the time of distribution multiplied by the distribution ratio and rounded down to the nearest whole share. The per share exercise price of each OpCo Option will be equal to the product (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (i) the

 

130


Table of Contents

per share exercise price of the Pinnacle stock option immediately prior to the time of distribution multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the per share closing “when-issued” trading price of OpCo common stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the time of distribution (the “Opening OpCo Stock Price”) and the denominator of which will be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price, the product of which will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent.

Upon completion of the merger, each Adjusted Pinnacle Option (including any Adjusted Pinnacle Option held by an executive officer or non-employee director), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will become fully vested and will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a number of shares of GLPI common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) having an aggregate value equal to the intrinsic value of the Adjusted Pinnacle Option. Following the distribution, each OpCo Option will continue to vest based on continued service with OpCo and on the same terms and conditions as was applicable to such Pinnacle stock option immediately prior to the distribution.

Options Granted After July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, each Pinnacle stock option (including any Pinnacle stock option held by an executive officer or non-employee director) that is outstanding and was granted after July 16, 2015 (an “Exempt Option”) will be converted into an adjusted OpCo Option (an “Adjusted OpCo Option”) on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to each such Exempt Option immediately prior to the time of distribution. The number of shares of OpCo common stock subject to each Adjusted OpCo Option will be equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to the Exempt Option multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price and the denominator of which will be the Opening OpCo Stock Price. The per share exercise price of each Adjusted OpCo Option will be equal to the product (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (i) the per share exercise price of the Exempt Option immediately prior to the time of distribution multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Opening OpCo Stock Price and the denominator of which will be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units Granted On or Prior to July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, the holder of each Pinnacle restricted stock unit (including any Pinnacle restricted stock unit held by an executive officer or non-employee director) (including each phantom stock unit, restricted stock unit, other stock unit, performance share, director other stock unit, deferred share and any other similar instrument) granted on or prior to July 16, 2015 (an “Adjusted Pinnacle RSU”), will receive one OpCo restricted stock unit award (an “OpCo RSU”).

Upon completion of the merger, each Adjusted Pinnacle RSU (including any Adjusted Pinnacle RSU held by an executive officer or non-employee director), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will become fully vested (with any performance-based vesting requirements deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) and will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive, in respect of each share of Pinnacle common stock underlying such Adjusted Pinnacle RSU, the number of shares of GLPI common stock (rounded to the nearest whole share) equal to the exchange ratio. Following the distribution, each OpCo RSU will continue to vest based on continued service with OpCo and on the same terms and conditions as was applicable to such Pinnacle restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the distribution.

Restricted Stock Units Granted After July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, each Pinnacle restricted stock unit (including any Pinnacle restricted stock unit held by an executive officer or non-employee director) (including each phantom stock unit award, restricted stock unit award, other stock unit award, performance share grant, director other stock unit award, deferred share

 

131


Table of Contents

and any other similar instrument) that is outstanding and was granted after July 16, 2015 (an “Exempt RSU”) will be converted into an adjusted OpCo restricted stock unit (an “Adjusted OpCo RSU”) on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to each such Exempt RSU prior to the time of distribution. The number of shares of OpCo common stock subject to each Adjusted OpCo RSU will be equal to the product (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to the Exempt RSU multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price and the denominator of which will be the Opening OpCo Stock Price.

Performance Units

Performance Units Granted On or Prior to July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, each Pinnacle cash performance unit (including any Pinnacle cash performance unit held by an executive officer), whether vested or unvested, that was granted on or prior to July 16, 2015, and that is outstanding immediately prior to the time of distribution will be converted into two separate cash performance unit awards, an adjusted Pinnacle cash performance unit (an “Adjusted Pinnacle PUA”) and an OpCo performance unit (an “OpCo Performance Unit”), based on the relative equity value of Pinnacle and OpCo.

The number of Pinnacle cash performance units subject to each Adjusted Pinnacle PUA (rounded to the nearest whole dollar) will be equal to the number of Pinnacle cash performance units outstanding immediately prior to the time of distribution multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Opening Pinnacle Stock Price and the denominator of which will be the Closing Pinnacle Stock Price.

The number of OpCo cash performance units subject to each OpCo Performance Unit will be equal to the number of Pinnacle cash performance units subject to the corresponding Pinnacle cash performance unit award outstanding immediately prior to the time of distribution minus the number of Pinnacle cash performance units subject to the corresponding Adjusted Pinnacle PUA.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon completion of the merger, each Adjusted Pinnacle PUA (including any Adjusted Pinnacle PUA held by an executive officer), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will become fully vested (with any performance-based vesting requirements deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) and will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the number of shares of GLPI common stock (rounded to the nearest whole share) equal to the aggregate dollar value of the Adjusted Pinnacle PUA divided by the value of GLPI common stock at the time of the closing. Following the distribution, each OpCo Performance Unit will continue to vest based on continued service with OpCo and on the same terms and conditions as was applicable to such Pinnacle cash performance unit award immediately prior to the distribution.

Performance Units Granted After July 16, 2015

At the time of distribution, each Pinnacle cash performance unit (including any Pinnacle cash performance unit held by an executive officer or non-employee director), whether vested or unvested, that was granted after July 16, 2015 (an “Exempt PUA”) will be converted into an OpCo cash performance unit (an “OpCo PUA”), having the same value as the corresponding Pinnacle cash performance unit, on the same terms and conditions regarding term, vesting (as may be equitably adjusted) and other provisions as were applicable to each such Exempt PUA prior to the time of distribution.

 

132


Table of Contents

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of the date hereof, all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are owned by Pinnacle. After the distribution, Pinnacle will own none of our common stock. The following table provides information with respect to the expected beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) each of our stockholders who we believe will be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer (as defined in the SEC rules) and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. In each instance, except as otherwise indicated, information as to the number of shares owned and the nature of ownership has been provided by the individuals or entities identified or described and is not within the direct knowledge of OpCo. We based the share amounts on each person’s beneficial ownership of Pinnacle common stock as of [●], 201[●] (“Date of Determination”), unless we indicate some other basis for the share amounts, and assuming a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock.

To the extent our directors and officers own Pinnacle common stock at the time of the separation, they will participate in the distribution on the same terms as other holders of Pinnacle common stock. For a description of the equitable adjustments expected to be made to Pinnacle stock-based awards, see “Executive Compensation — Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation.”

Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. Following the distribution, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately [●] shares of common stock based upon approximately [●] shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on [●], 201[●], excluding treasury shares and assuming no exercise of Pinnacle options, and applying the distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held as of the record date.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  

Shares

Beneficially

Owned

 

Percent of Shares

Outstanding

Anthony M. Sanfilippo

   

Charles L. Atwood

   

Stephen C. Comer

   

John A. Godfrey

   

Bruce A. Leslie

   

James L. Martineau

   

Desirée Rogers

   

Carlos A. Ruisanchez

   

Virginia E. Shanks

   

Jaynie Miller Studenmund

   

Troy A. Stremming

   

Neil E. Walkoff

   

Directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)

   

 

* Less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding common shares.

 

133


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Distribution from Pinnacle

The distribution will be accomplished by Pinnacle distributing all of its shares of our common stock to holders of Pinnacle common stock entitled to such distribution, as described in “The Separation” section included elsewhere in this information statement. Completion of the distribution will be subject to satisfaction of the conditions to the separation and distribution described below under “Agreements with PropCo”.

Related Party Transactions

Our Audit Committee charter will require that the Audit Committee review on an ongoing basis and approve or disapprove all related party transactions that are required to be disclosed by Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Our General Counsel will review all relationships and transactions reported to him in which we and our directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest.

Agreements with PropCo

Before our separation from Pinnacle, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and other agreements with PropCo to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with PropCo and GLPI after the separation and the merger. These agreements will govern the relationships between OpCo and GLPI subsequent to the completion of the separation plan and the merger and provide for the allocation between OpCo and PropCo (and after the completion of the merger, GLPI) of Pinnacle’s assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to OpCo’s separation from Pinnacle. In addition to the Separation and Distribution Agreement (which contains many of the key provisions related to our separation from Pinnacle and the distribution of our shares of common stock to Pinnacle stockholders), these agreements include the Master Lease and the Employee Matters Agreement. We have also entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Pinnacle and GLPI that generally governs the parties’ respective rights and obligations after the separation and the merger with respect to certain tax matters.

The principal agreements described below are filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part, and the summaries of each of these agreements set forth the terms of the agreements that we believe are material. These summaries are qualified in their entireties by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which are incorporated by reference into this information statement.

The terms of the agreements described below that will be in effect following our separation have not yet been finalized; changes, some of which may be material, may be made prior to our separation from Pinnacle.

Separation and Distribution Agreement

The Separation and Distribution Agreement, which will be entered into at or prior to the distribution and the closing of the merger, identifies assets to be transferred, liabilities to be assumed and contracts to be assigned to or retained by PropCo as part of the separation of Pinnacle’s real property assets (except the Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) from its operations, which will be retained by or transferred to us, and it will provide for when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur.

Distribution

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that each holder of Pinnacle common stock will receive a pro rata distribution of such number of shares of OpCo common stock as shall be determined by the Pinnacle’s Board for every one Pinnacle common share so held. Pursuant to the distribution, each holder

 

134


Table of Contents

of Pinnacle common stock will receive one share of our common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held as of the record date. Following the distribution, Pinnacle’s stockholders will collectively hold 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of OpCo.

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be assigned to OpCo and to PropCo as part of the separation, and it will provide for when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur. In particular, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide, among other things, that, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein:

 

  l     certain assets will be transferred to or retained by PropCo, including (i) all of PropCo’s leased and real property assets, other than Belterra Park and certain other real property assets (the “PropCo business”), (ii) all permits or authorizations necessary to operate the PropCo business, (iii) all issued and outstanding capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the entities which will be transferred with, or retained by, PropCo, (iv) specified contracts relating to the PropCo business, (v) proceeds of the OpCo Cash Payment, subject to adjustment (described below) and (vi) certain other specified assets (collectively, the “PropCo assets”).

 

  l     all other assets will be as of the time of the distribution, other than the PropCo assets will be transferred to or retained by OpCo.

 

  l     certain liabilities will be assumed by or retained by PropCo specifically: (i) all liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the PropCo assets or the PropCo business arising after the distribution, (ii) certain liabilities in connection with GLPI’s financing for the merger (including, for example, breakage fees or other fees, costs and expenses), (iii) environmental liabilities relating to the PropCo assets solely to the extent that the liabilities arise and the facts on which they are based occur subsequent to the distribution, (iv) the fees and expenses of PropCo relating to legal counsel, investment bankers and other advisors as well as certain fees, expenses and costs associated with third party consents and PropCo’s financing (the “PropCo transaction expenses”) up to and including $32,000,000 if the distribution and merger are completed on or prior to March 31, 2016, or up to $25,000,000 if the distribution and merger are completed after March 31, 2016, (v) the accrued and unpaid interest with respect to PropCo’s existing debt (which will serve as an adjustment to the OpCo Cash Payment, as described below) and (vi) certain other specified liabilities, which will not include any liabilities that are governed by the tax matters agreement or employees matters agreement (collectively, the “PropCo liabilities).

 

  l     all of other liabilities as of the time of the distribution, other than the PropCo liabilities, will be assumed by or retained by OpCo.

OpCo Cash Payment

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that at the time of distribution, OpCo will pay to PropCo the OpCo Cash Payment equal to the amount of existing Pinnacle debt at the time of the distribution, less $2.7 billion of debt assumed by GLPI, subject to certain adjustments, which will be used by PropCo to pay off a portion of Pinnacle’s existing indebtedness substantially concurrently with the consummation of the distribution and the merger. The OpCo Cash Payment is subject to the following adjustments:

 

  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased or decreased, as applicable, on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount that the existing indebtedness of Pinnacle at the time of the distribution is greater than or less than $3,675,000,000, respectively;

 

  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by (i) the aggregate amount of Medicare taxes (ii) all Pinnacle transaction expenses up to and including either $32,000,000 if the merger is completed on or prior to March 31, 2016 or $25,000,000 if the merger is completed after March 31, 2016 and (iii) one-half of a potential fee related to third party consent;

 

135


Table of Contents
  l     the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased or decreased, as applicable, on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount that the accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the existing indebtedness of Pinnacle is greater than or less than the amount of such interest as of December 31, 2015; and

 

  l     in the event the distribution and the merger have not been consummated by December 31, 2015, the OpCo Cash Payment will be increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by certain time-based fees payable after December 31, 2015 with respect to GLPI’s financing commitments (up to a cap of $3,375,000).

Conditions to the Distribution

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, specifically:

 

  l     each of the conditions to Merger Agreement has been fulfilled or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing of the merger, provided that such conditions are capable of being satisfied) and GLPI has confirmed to Pinnacle in writing that it is prepared to consummate the merger, subject only to the distribution;

 

  l     each of the transaction documents contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall having been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

 

  l     the plan of reorganization to effectuate the separation having been substantially completed in accordance with the plan of reorganization;

 

  l     the Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, filed with the SEC in connection with the separation has been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and the information statement shall have been mailed to holders of Pinnacle common stock as of the record date of the distribution;

 

  l     prior to the date of the distribution, such registration statements on Form S-8 as are necessary to register the equity awards of OpCo held by or made available to directors and employees of OpCo has been filed with the SEC;

 

  l     all actions and filings with respect to the OpCo common stock necessary under applicable federal, state or foreign securities or “blue sky” laws and the rules and regulations thereunder having been taken and, where applicable, become effective or been accepted;

 

  l     OpCo will have obtained an opinion from a nationally-recognized valuation or accounting firm or investment bank, as to the adequacy of surplus under the laws of the State of Delaware to effect the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment, and as to the solvency of OpCo and PropCo after giving effect to the distribution and the OpCo Cash Payment in a form reasonably satisfactory to OpCo and Pinnacle;

 

  l     the OpCo common stock to be delivered in the distribution has been accepted for listing on a national securities exchange, subject to compliance with applicable listing requirements; and

 

  l     no injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction has been entered and continue to be in effect and no law has been adopted or be effective preventing consummation of the distribution or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Efforts

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that the parties must use their reasonable best efforts following the distribution to obtain any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any third

 

136


Table of Contents

person, including governmental entities, as soon as reasonably practicable, to the extent that the transfer or assignment of any assets, the assumption of any liability, or the distribution requires any approvals or notifications.

If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment of any assets or assumption of any liabilities would be a violation of applicable law or require any approvals in connection with the distribution, that has not been obtained or made by the time of distribution then, the transfer or assignment of such assets or the assumption of such liabilities, will be automatically deferred until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such approvals been obtained or made. However, if such legal impediments are not removed or such approvals not obtained or made by the second anniversary of the date of distribution, then all assets and liabilities that are held by PropCo (and following the merger, GLPI) or OpCo, as the case may be, will be retained by such party indefinitely, except for certain specified real property, for which parties will continue indefinitely to work to transfer to PropCo (and following the merger, GLPI). For such period of time, the party retaining such asset or liability will, to the extent reasonably possible and permitted by applicable law, treat such asset or liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the party to whom such asset is to be transferred or assigned, or which will assume such liability, in order to place such party in a substantially similar position as if the asset or liability had been transferred, assigned or assumed and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to the asset or liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over the asset or liability, as the case may be, is to inure from and after the time of distribution to such party. However, neither party will be obligated to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by the party entitled to the asset or liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which will be promptly reimbursed by such party entitled to such asset or liability. Moreover, notwithstanding the foregoing, the rent payable under the Master Lease will not be affected by the retention or transfer of any PropCo asset or liability, provided that if such asset or liability is not assigned to PropCo (and following the merger, GLPI) by the second anniversary after the distribution date, the parties will negotiate in good faith with respect to an alternative arrangement to place the parties in substantially equivalent economic circumstances with respect to the benefits and burdens of ownership of such asset as if the asset had been transferred to PropCo (and following the merger, GLPI).

In addition to the actions specifically provided for in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, except as otherwise set forth therein or in any other transaction document, both OpCo and PropCo will agree in the Separation and Distribution Agreement to use reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the distribution date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and to make effective the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other transaction documents.

Releases

Except as otherwise provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any other transaction agreements, each party will release and forever discharge the other party and its respective subsidiaries and affiliates from all liabilities existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the separation of OpCo from Pinnacle. The releases will not extend to or amend obligations or liabilities under any agreements between the parties that remain in effect following the separation.

Indemnification

In addition, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide for mutual indemnities principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of OpCo’s business with OpCo and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of the PropCo business with PropCo. In general, each party will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party, its affiliates and subsidiaries and its officers,

 

137


Table of Contents

directors, employees and agents for any losses arising out of or otherwise in connection with the liabilities that each such party assumed or retained pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other transaction agreements.

Insurance

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide for the allocation between the parties of rights and obligations with respect to insurance policies.

Dispute Resolution

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will contain provisions that govern, except as otherwise provided in the master lease, the resolution of disputes, controversies or claims that may arise between OpCo and PropCo related to the spin-off. These provisions will contemplate that either OpCo or PropCo will submit the dispute, controversy or claim to binding alternative dispute resolution, subject to the provisions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

We and Pinnacle encourage you to read the Separation and Distribution Agreement carefully because it is the principal document governing the separation and forms a critical part of the transactions.

The Master Lease

Immediately prior to the closing of the merger, Pinnacle MLS, LLC, one of Pinnacle’s wholly owned subsidiaries, will enter into a triple-net Master Lease with PropCo. Immediately upon closing of the merger, a subsidiary of GLPI will become successor by merger to Landlord. Tenant will lease from Landlord real property assets associated with fourteen (14) of the gaming facilities used in Pinnacle’s operations (referred to previously in this information statement as the facilities). The obligations of the Tenant under the Master Lease will be guaranteed by OpCo and all subsidiaries of Tenant that will operate the facilities leased under the Master Lease, or that own a gaming license, other license or other material asset necessary to operate any portion of the facilities and certain other subsidiaries. A default by Tenant with regard to any facility will cause a default with regard to the entire portfolio.

The following description of the Master Lease does not purport to be complete but contains a summary of certain material provisions of the Master Lease.

Term and Renewals

The Master Lease will provide 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 operation of the leased properties.

The Master Lease will provide for an initial term of ten years with no purchase option. At Tenant’s option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to five five-year renewal terms beyond the initial ten-year term, on the same terms and conditions. If Tenant elects to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease.

Tenant will not have the ability to terminate its obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without the Landlord’s consent. If the Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with Landlord’s consent, the Tenant may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued payment of rent through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the property.

Rental Amounts and Escalators

The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, the Tenant will be required to pay the following: (i) all facility maintenance, (ii) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (iii) taxes levied on or with respect to

 

138


Table of Contents

the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the Landlord) and (iv) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.

Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable by Tenant will be $377 million. Tenant will make the rent payment in monthly installments. The rent will be comprised of “Base Rent” and “Percentage Rent” components which are described below.

 

  l     Base Rent .  The base rent amount will be the sum of:

 

  l     Building Base Rent: a fixed component equal to approximately $289,056,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease, during the first year of the Master Lease, and thereafter escalated annually by 2%, subject to a cap that would cause the preceding year’s adjusted revenue to rent ratio (as it will be defined in the Master Lease) for the properties in the aggregate not to fall below 1.8:1; plus

 

  l     Land Base Rent: an additional fixed component equal to approximately $43,972,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease.

 

  l     Percentage Rent .  A variable percentage rent component that will be calculated as follows and is expected to equal approximately $43,972,000, subject to adjustment based on the actual revenue from the leased properties during the twelve months prior the commencement of the Master Lease, during the first year of the Master Lease:

 

  l     Fixed amount for the first two years. An adjustment will be recorded every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two-year period based on the average actual net revenues of Tenant from the facilities during the two-year period then ended (and calculated by multiplying 4% by the excess (if any) of (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two-year period over (ii) 50% of the trailing twelve (12) months net revenues as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease).

Maintenance and Capital Improvements

The Tenant will be required to make all expenditures reasonably necessary to maintain the premises in good appearance, repair and condition. The Tenant will own and be required to maintain all personal property located at the leased properties in good repair and condition as is necessary to operate all the premises in compliance with applicable legal, insurance and licensing requirements. Without limiting the foregoing, the Tenant will be required to spend an amount equal to at least 1% of its actual net revenue each calendar year on installation or maintenance, restoration and repair of items that are capitalized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as of the date of lease execution with a life of not less than three years.

Capital improvements by the Tenant will be permitted without Landlord’s consent only if such capital improvements (i) are of equal or better quality than the existing improvements they are improving, altering or modifying, (ii) do not consist of adding new structures or enlarging existing structures and (iii) do not have an adverse effect on the structure of any existing improvements. All other capital improvements will require the Landlord’s review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Tenant will be required to provide copies of the plans and specifications in respect of all capital improvements, which shall be prepared in a high-grade professional manner and shall adequately demonstrate compliance with the foregoing with respect to permitted projects not requiring approval and shall be in such form as Landlord may reasonably require for any other projects.

 

139


Table of Contents

The Tenant will be required to pay for all maintenance expenditures and capital improvements, provided that the Landlord will have a right of first offer to finance certain capital improvement projects. The Tenant shall be permitted to seek outside financing for such capital improvements during the six month period following Landlord’s offer of financing. Whether or not capital improvements are financed by the Landlord, the Landlord will be entitled to receive Percentage Rent based on the net revenues generated by the new improvements as described above and such capital improvements will be subject to the terms of the Master Lease.

“Capital improvements” as used herein shall mean any improvements, alterations or modifications other than ordinary maintenance of existing improvements, including, without limitation, capital improvements and structural alterations, modifications or improvements, one or more additional structures annexed to any facility or the expansion of existing improvements, but excluding any improvements or alterations or modifications of the leased improvements or any expansion of the existing improvements if such (i) commenced prior to the term of the Master Lease in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) costs less than $15 million on an individual project basis and less than $50 million in the aggregate with respect to all of the facilities.

Use of the Leased Property

The Master Lease will require that the Tenant utilize the leased property solely for gaming and/or pari-mutuel use consistent, with respect to each facility, with its current use, or with prevailing gaming industry use at any time, together with all ancillary uses consistent with gaming use and operations, including hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. and such other uses as the Landlord of the leased property may otherwise approve in its sole discretion. The Tenant will be responsible for maintaining or causing to be maintained all licenses, certificates and permits necessary for the leased properties to comply with various gaming and other regulations.

Events of Default

Under the Master Lease, an “Event of Default” will be deemed to occur upon certain events, including: (i) the failure by a Tenant to pay rent or other amounts when due or within certain grace or cure periods of the due date, (ii) the failure by a Tenant to comply with the covenants set forth in the Master Lease when due or within any applicable cure period, (iii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to Tenant or a guarantor, (iv) the occurrence of an event that causes, or permits the holders thereof to cause, any material indebtedness of Tenant and its subsidiaries or any guarantor of the Master Lease (including Tenant), (v) the occurrence of a default under any guaranty of the Master Lease that is not cured within a certain grace period, (vi) Tenant breaches a representation or warranty in the Master Lease in a material manner which materially and adversely affects Landlord, (vii) the occurrence of a default in respect of a loan secured by a leased property, which default is the responsibility of Tenant or (viii) the occurrence of certain events of regulatory non-compliance which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the operations at the leased property or the financial condition of the Tenant.

Remedies for an Event of Default

Upon an Event of Default under the Master Lease, the Landlord of the leased property may, at its option, exercise the following remedies:

 

  l     terminate the Master Lease, repossess any leased property, relet any leased property to a third party and require that the Tenant pay to the Landlord, as liquidated damages, the net present value of the rent for the balance of the term, discounted at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at the time of award plus one percent (1%) and reducing such amount by the portion of the unpaid rent that Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided, plus any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for Tenant’s failure to perform (or likely to result therefrom) in the ordinary course,

 

  l    

with or without terminating the Master Lease, decline to terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the leased property and require that Tenant pay to Landlord rent and other sums payable pursuant to the Master Lease with interest calculated at the overdue rate provided for in the Master Lease with Landlord

 

140


Table of Contents
 

permitted to enforce any other provision of the Master Lease or terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the leased property and seek any liquidated damages as set forth in clause (i) above, and/or

 

  l     seek any and all other rights and remedies available under law or in equity.

Assignment and Subletting

Except as noted below, the Master Lease will provide that a Tenant may not assign or otherwise transfer any leased property or any portion of a leased property as a whole (or in substantial part), including by virtue of a change of control of the Tenant, without the consent of the Landlord, which may not be unreasonably withheld. Landlord’s consent to an assignment of the Master Lease will not be required if (i) the proposed purchaser (1) is a creditworthy entity with sufficient financial stability to satisfy its obligations under the Master Lease, (2) agrees to assume the Master Lease without modification beyond that necessary to reflect the new party, (3) is licensed by each gaming authority with jurisdiction over one or more facilities covered by the Master Lease, (4) is solvent and (5) has, or retains a manager with, at least five years of experience operating casinos with revenues in the immediately preceding fiscal year of at least $750 million and is not in the business of leasing properties to gaming operators, or has agreement(s) in place to retain 70% of Tenant’s and OpCo’s ten most highly compensated corporate employees and 80% of Tenant and its subsidiaries’ facility employees with employment contracts, (ii) the adjusted revenues to rent ratio for each of the four calendar quarters immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction is at least 1.4:1 (provided that this requirement shall not be in effect with respect to (x) a secured lender that is foreclosing, as well as with respect to such leasehold mortgagee’s effectuating thereafter an initial sale or (y) a change of control resulting from the acquisition by any person or group of 50% or more of the voting power of Tenant), and (iii) the leverage to EBITDA ratio after giving effect to the proposed transaction and assumption of Tenant’s obligations will be less than 8:1 or Landlord receives a guaranty of Tenant’s obligations from an entity with an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized rating agency (provided that this requirement shall not be in effect with respect to Tenant becoming controlled by a secured lender that is foreclosing on a permitted pledge of interests in Tenant). In connection with certain assignments, the ultimate parent company of such assignee shall also execute a guaranty and shall be required to be solvent.

The Master Lease will also provide that Tenant may assign or otherwise transfer any leased property or a portion thereof to an affiliate subject to the Landlord’s reasonable approval of the transfer documents. Upon any such assignment or transfer to an affiliate of the Tenant, such affiliate shall guaranty Tenant’s obligations under the Master Lease and the Tenant will not be released from obligations under the applicable Master Lease.

In addition, the Master Lease will allow Tenant to sublease any space at any of the properties, subject in certain instances to Landlord’s consent not to be unreasonably withheld as set forth in the Master Lease. Landlord shall be entitled to receive the same base and percentage rent that would have been received had Tenant continued to operate the subleased space.

New Opportunities

Tenant and Landlord generally will not be prohibited from developing, redeveloping, expanding, purchasing, building or operating facilities. However, certain limitations will apply within a sixty (60) mile radius of a facility that will be subject to the Master Lease (the “Restricted Area”). Within the Restricted Area, Tenant and the Landlord will be subject to the following restrictions.

 

  l     Developing or building a new facility within the Restricted Area.

 

  l    

Tenant may develop or build a new facility only if it first offers Landlord the opportunity to participate (by including the newly developed property in the Master Lease portfolio) on terms to be negotiated by the parties. If Landlord declines, or if the parties cannot reach agreement on the terms, the annual Percentage Rent due from the affected existing facility subject to the Master Lease will thereafter be subject to (y) a floor which will be calculated based on the Percentage Rent

 

141


Table of Contents
 

that would have been paid for such facility if such Percentage Rent were adjusted based on net revenues for the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which the new facility is first opened to the public (the “Floor”) and (z) normal periodic adjustments provided that it may not be reduced below the Floor.

 

  l     Landlord may not build or develop a new facility without Tenant’s prior consent, which may be withheld in Tenant’s sole discretion (but post-development sale-leasebacks or financings will be permitted without restriction as provided in the paragraph “Acquisition/refinance existing facilities within the Restricted Area” below).

 

  l     Expanding existing facilities within the Restricted Area.

 

  l     Tenant shall provide the Landlord with a right of first offer to finance any proposed expansion. Tenant shall be permitted to seek outside financing for such capital improvements during the six month period following Landlord’s offer of financing.

 

  l     Landlord shall have the right to finance expansions by competitors but the Percentage Rent from the affected facilities will thereafter be calculated monthly, based on how much each preceding monthly net revenues for the affected facility is greater (or is less) than 1/12th of the portion of the trailing twelve (12) months net revenues as of the month ending immediately prior to the execution of the Master Lease attributable to the affected facility (and thereafter no longer based on the trailing two-year period that would have been the case).

 

  l     Acquisition/refinance existing facilities within the Restricted Area . Either Tenant or Landlord may avail itself on the following terms of opportunities to, in the case of Tenant, purchase or operate (and, in the case of Landlord, purchase or refinance) an existing facility (whether built prior to or after the date of the Master Lease) within the Restricted Area:

 

  l     Tenant: The annual Percentage Rent due from the affected existing facility in the territory will thereafter (i) be subject to the Floor and (ii) be subject to normal periodic adjustments provided that it may not be reduced below the Floor.

 

  l     Landlord: No restriction on the purchase or refinance of an existing gaming facility.

Gaming Licenses/Successor Lessee Provisions

Gaming licenses and all other assets necessary to operate the facilities that will be subject to the Master Lease will be held and maintained by Tenant pursuant to the terms of the Master Lease. The transfer of Tenant’s property at the end of the term of the Master Lease will (x) exclude tradenames and trademarks, but include all customer lists and all other facility specific information and assets, (y) be at their fair market value, and (z) be conditioned upon the successor tenant obtaining the gaming licenses or the approval of the applicable regulatory agencies of the transfer of the gaming licenses and any other gaming assets to the successor tenant and/or the issuance of new gaming licenses as required by applicable gaming regulations and the relevant regulatory agencies both with respect to operating and suitability criteria, as the case may be.

We and Pinnacle encourage you to read the Master Lease carefully because it is the principal document governing the relationship between OpCo and GLPI following the merger.

Tax Matters Agreement

The Tax Matters Agreement will govern OpCo’s and GLPI’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes incurred as a result of the spin-off), tax attributes, tax returns, tax contests and certain other tax matters.

 

142


Table of Contents

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we will generally be liable for taxes of Pinnacle relating to time periods before the effective time of the merger. GLPI, however, will be liable for taxes of Pinnacle arising as a result of the merger, the spin-off and certain related transactions. GLPI’s liability in this regard will be limited by certain assumptions relating to Pinnacle’s tax attributes and projected taxable income, with us bearing liability to the extent additional taxes may result from an inaccuracy in such assumptions. We and GLPI have also agreed to share liability for certain taxes relating to the assets to be acquired by GLPI. GLPI will bear liability for any transfer taxes incurred on the merger, the spin-off and certain related transactions.

The Tax Matters Agreement provides that we will generally prepare and file any tax returns for tax periods of Pinnacle ending on or prior to the effective time of the merger and will control any tax contests related to such tax returns, subject to certain review, participation and consent rights of GLPI.

We and Pinnacle encourage you to read the Tax Matters Agreement carefully.

Employee Matters Agreement

The Employee Matters Agreement will generally allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and programs. The Employee Matters Agreement, in conjunction with the Merger Agreement, will provide for the treatment of Pinnacle’s outstanding equity awards in connection with the spin-off (as described more fully above in “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”). In addition, the Employee Matters Agreement will set forth the general principles relating to employee matters, including with respect to the assignment of employees and the transfer of employees from Pinnacle to OpCo, the assumption and retention of liabilities and related assets, workers’ compensation, labor relations, and related matters.

The Employee Matters Agreement, in conjunction with the Merger Agreement, will provide that all Pinnacle employees will be transferred to OpCo prior to the separation and distribution. Except with regard to certain of Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards (as described more fully above in “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”), OpCo will assume responsibility for, and will pay and be liable for, all wages, salaries, welfare, incentive compensation and employment-related liabilities, and will assume all compensation and employment-related plans and agreements, with respect to each of the employees and directors. Except with regard to certain of Pinnacle’s outstanding long-term incentive awards, which will be adjusted and settled in connection with the merger as described more fully above in “—Treatment of Pinnacle Long-Term Incentive Compensation”, prior to the separation, Pinnacle will transfer all of the assets, if any, and liabilities relating to the compensation and benefit plans and agreements to OpCo.

We and Pinnacle encourage you to read the Employee Matters Agreement carefully.

 

143


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following is a summary of information concerning our capital stock. All references herein to our “certificate of incorporation” and “by-laws” shall mean our “amended and restated certificate of incorporation” and “amended and restated by-laws,” both of which will be filed as exhibits to our registration statement on Form 10. The summaries and descriptions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws below are what we expect such documents will provide for when filed. These summaries and descriptions do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of our certificate of incorporation or of our by-laws and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these documents, which you must read for complete information on our capital stock.

Distributions of Securities

Since our formation, we have not sold any securities, including sales of reacquired securities, new issues, securities issued in exchange for property, services, or other securities, and new securities resulting from the modification of outstanding securities, which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Authorized Capital Stock

Immediately following the distribution, our authorized capital stock will consist of up to [●] million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and [●] shares of Preferred Stock.

Common Stock

Shares Outstanding.   Immediately following the distribution, we expect that approximately [●] million shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding based upon approximately [●] million shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding as of [●], 201[●], and assuming no exercise of Pinnacle options, and applying the distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock held as of the record date. We intend to file an application to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “PNK.” We anticipate that trading in shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on or shortly prior to the record date and will continue up to and including through the distribution date. We anticipate that “regular-way” trading in shares of our common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date.

Dividends.   Subject to prior dividend rights of the holders of any preferred shares, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our Board out of funds legally available for that purpose.

Voting Rights.   Each outstanding share of common stock will be entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our common stock will not be entitled to cumulative voting of their shares in elections of directors.

Other Rights.   In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, after the satisfaction in full of the liquidation preferences of holders of any preferred shares, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to ratable distribution of the remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders. The shares of our common stock are not subject to redemption by operation of a sinking fund or otherwise. Holders of shares of our common stock are not currently entitled to pre-emptive rights.

Fully Paid.   The issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional shares of common stock that we may issue in the future will also be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

144


Table of Contents

Preferred Stock

Our Board, without further action by our stockholders, may issue shares of our Preferred Stock. Our Board, subject to limitations prescribed by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and by our certificate of incorporation, is vested with the authority to fix by resolution the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock. The authority possessed by our Board to issue Preferred Stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of our company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. Our Board may issue Preferred Stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of the common stock. There are no current agreements or understanding with respect to the issuance of Preferred Stock and our Board has no present intention to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.

Anti-takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and of Delaware law could make more difficult (i) the acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise and (ii) the removal of our incumbent officers and directors.

These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our Board. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us and outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals because negotiation of the proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Removal of Directors

A director may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of shares of common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Size of Board and Vacancies

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws will provide that our Board may consist of one or more members. The number of directors shall be fixed and may be changed from time to time exclusively by our Board or the Executive Committee thereof pursuant to a resolution adopted by our Board or the Executive Committee. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in our authorized number of directors will be filled by a majority of our Board then in office and any vacancies in our Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled generally by the majority vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present.

Stockholder Meetings

Our by-laws will provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called by (a) the Chairman of our Board, (b) our Board, or (c) our Secretary, following the receipt of a written request from stockholders who hold, in the aggregate, a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock to call a special meeting of stockholders.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our by-laws will have advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nominations of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of our Board or a committee of our Board. The business to be conducted at an annual meeting will be limited to business properly

 

145


Table of Contents

brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of our Board or a duly authorized committee thereof or by a stockholder of record who has given timely written notice to our secretary of that stockholder’s intention to bring such business before such meeting.

Delaware Anti-takeover Law

Upon the distribution, we will be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

  l     prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or

 

  l     upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding specified shares; or

 

  l     at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. The stockholders cannot authorize the business combination by written consent.

The application of Section 203 may limit the ability of stockholders to approve a transaction that they may deem to be in their best interests.

In general, Section 203 defines “business combination” to include:

 

  l     any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; or

 

  l     any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of ten percent (10)% or more of the assets of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder; or

 

  l     subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any of its stock to the interested stockholder; or

 

  l     any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

  l     the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any person that is:

 

  l     the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation; or

 

  l     an affiliate or associate of the corporation who was the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date; or

 

  l     the affiliates and associates of the above.

Under specific circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the stockholders may, by adopting an amendment to the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, elect not to be governed by this section, effective twelve months after adoption.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws do not exclude us from the restrictions imposed under Section 203. We anticipate that the provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring

 

146


Table of Contents

us to negotiate in advance with our Board since the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if a majority of the directors then in office approve either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder.

No Cumulative Voting

We expect that our certificate of incorporation and by-laws will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Gaming Suitability Requirements

Our certificate of incorporation will require that if a person owns or controls our securities or the securities of our affiliated companies and is determined by a gaming authority to be unsuitable to own or control such securities or in the sole discretion of our Board is deemed likely to jeopardize our right to conduct gaming activities in any of the jurisdictions in which we conduct or intend to conduct gaming activities, we may redeem, and if required by a gaming authority shall redeem, such person’s securities to the extent required by the government gaming authority or deemed necessary or advisable by us.

If a gaming authority requires us, or if we deem it necessary or advisable, to redeem such securities, we will serve notice on the holder who holds securities subject to redemption and will call for the redemption of the securities of such holder at a redemption price equal to that required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability, or if such gaming authority does not require a certain price per share to be paid, a sum deemed reasonable by us, which in our discretion may be the original purchase price, the then current trading price of the securities or another price we determine. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not so required, as we elect. Unless the gaming authority requires otherwise, the redemption price will in no event exceed:

 

  l     the closing sales price of the securities on the national securities exchange on which such shares are then listed on the date the notice of redemption is delivered to the person who has been determined to be unsuitable, or

 

  l     if such shares are not then listed for trading on any national securities exchange, then the closing sales price of such shares as quoted in the NASDAQ National Market System, or

 

  l     if the shares are not then so quoted, then the mean between the representative bid and the ask price as quoted by NASDAQ or another generally recognized reporting system.

Beginning on the date that a gaming authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or the loss or threatened loss of a gaming license upon us, and until the securities owned or controlled by the unsuitable person are owned or controlled by persons found by such gaming authority to be suitable to own them, it shall be unlawful for the unsuitable person or any affiliate of such person (i) to receive any dividend, payment, distribution or interest with regard to the securities, (ii) to exercise, directly or indirectly or through any proxy, trustee, or nominee, any voting or other right conferred by such securities, and such securities shall not for any purposes be included in our securities entitled to vote, or (iii) to receive any remuneration in any form from the corporation or an affiliated company for services rendered or otherwise.

From and after the date of redemption, such securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the person who was determined to be unsuitable, other than the right to receive the redemption price, will cease. Such person shall surrender the certificates for any securities to be redeemed in accordance with the requirements of the redemption notice.

All persons owning or controlling our securities and any securities of our affiliated companies must comply with all requirements of the gaming laws in each gaming jurisdiction in which we or any of our affiliated companies conduct or intend to conduct gaming activities. All of our securities must be held subject to the

 

147


Table of Contents

requirements of such gaming laws, including any requirement that (i) the holder file applications for gaming licenses with, or provide information to, applicable gaming authorities, or (ii) that any transfer of such securities may be subject to prior approval by gaming authorities, and any transfer of our securities in violation of any such approval requirement are not permitted and the purported transfer is void.

Restrictions on Payment of Dividends

We are incorporated in Delaware and are governed by Delaware law. Delaware law allows a corporation to pay dividends only out of surplus, as determined under Delaware law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

NASDAQ Listing

We intend to file an application to list our shares of common stock on NASDAQ. We expect that our shares will trade under the ticker symbol “PNK.”

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which such person is made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation — a “derivative action”), if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that no director shall be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation on liability is not permitted under the DGCL. Currently, Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL requires that liability be imposed for the following:

 

  l     any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders;

 

  l     any act or omission not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

  l     unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; and

 

  l     any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws will provide that, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the DGCL, as now in effect or as amended, we will indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was our director or officer

 

148


Table of Contents

or was serving, at our request, as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”). We will indemnify such persons against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee, provided , however , that, except as otherwise will be provided in our by-laws, with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, we shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by our Board. Any amendment of this provision will not reduce our indemnification obligations relating to actions taken before an amendment.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Article XII of our certificate of incorporation will provide that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by such director for corporate actions as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. As permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, our bylaws will provide that directors and elected officers who are made, or are threatened to be made, parties to, or are involved in any action, suit or proceeding will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. Our bylaws will require us to advance expenses to our directors and elected officers, provided that, if the DGCL so requires, they undertake to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined by a court that they are not entitled to indemnification. Our bylaws will also provide that the Chief Executive Officer may also appoint officers. Such appointed officers will serve at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer and hold officer titles solely for purposes of identification and business convenience. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Chief Executive Officer and except as required by law, such appointed officers shall not be considered officers for any purpose, including, without limitation, for purposes of indemnification under our bylaws or otherwise.

We intend to obtain policies that insure our directors and officers and those of our subsidiaries against certain liabilities they may incur in their capacity as directors and officers. Under these policies, the insurer, on our behalf, may also pay amounts for which we have granted indemnification to the directors or officers.

We intend to enter into employment agreements with certain of Pinnacle’s executive officers which would contain indemnification provisions that provide for the maximum protection permitted under applicable law. We also intend to enter into Indemnification Agreements with each of Pinnacle’s directors and executive officers. The Indemnification Agreements would require us, among other things, to indemnify the director or executive officer against specified expenses and liabilities, such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlements, reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the individual was a director or executive officer, and to advance expenses incurred by the individual in connection with any proceeding against the individual with respect to which the individual may be entitled to indemnification by us.

 

149


Table of Contents

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers, to satisfy delivery requirements for information statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single information statement to those stockholders. This process, known as “householding,” is intended to provide greater convenience for stockholders, and cost savings for companies, by reducing the number of duplicate documents that stockholders receive. Unless contrary instructions from one or more stockholders sharing an address have been received, only one copy of this information statement will be delivered to those multiple stockholders sharing an address.

If, at any time, a stockholder no longer wishes to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive separate copies of the information statement, the stockholder should notify his or her intermediary or, if shares are registered in the stockholder’s name, should contact us at the address and telephone number provided below. Any stockholder who currently receives multiple copies of the information statement at his or her address and would like to request “householding” of communications should contact his or her intermediary or, if shares are registered in the stockholder’s name, should contact us at the address and telephone number provided below. Additionally, we will deliver, promptly upon written or oral request directed to the address or telephone number below, a separate copy of the information statement to any stockholders sharing an address to which only one copy was mailed.

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

Investor Relations

3980 Howard Hughes Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89169

(702) 541-7777

 

150


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of our common stock that Pinnacle stockholders will receive in the distribution. This information statement is a part of that registration statement and, as allowed by SEC rules, does not include all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. For additional information relating to our company and the distribution, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this information statement as to the contents of any contract or document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the applicable document.

After the distribution, we will file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing consolidated financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm. The registration statement is, and any of these future filings with the SEC will be, available to the public over the Internet on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may read and copy any filed document at the SEC’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the SEC’s regional offices in New York at 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279 and in Chicago at Citicorp Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms.

We will maintain an Internet site at http://www.pnkinc.com, which is Pinnacle’s current website. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement on Form 10.

 

151


Table of Contents

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-1   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-6   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

     F-47   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

     F-48   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the nine months ended September  30, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014

     F-49   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015

     F-50   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2015 and 2014

     F-51   

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-52   


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 2, 2015

 

F-1


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Revenues:

      

Gaming

   $     1,974,410       $     1,327,266       $     892,284    

Food and beverage

     118,397        78,857        53,474   

Lodging

     50,553        31,297        21,937   

Retail, entertainment and other

     67,183        50,416        35,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,210,543        1,487,836        1,002,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses and other costs:

      

Gaming

     1,056,878        733,459        501,354   

Food and beverage

     110,349        69,756        47,110   

Lodging

     24,002        14,820        11,624   

Retail, entertainment and other

     27,031        23,303        19,852   

General and administrative

     421,399        287,381        181,175   

Depreciation and amortization

     241,062        148,456        82,689   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     12,962        89,009        21,508   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     6,387        17,265        829   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses and other costs

     1,900,070        1,383,449        866,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     310,473        104,387        136,695   

Interest expense, net

     (252,647     (169,812     (93,670

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (8,234     (30,830     (20,718

Loss from equity method investments

     (165     (92,181     (30,780
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     49,427        (188,436     (8,473

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (11,096     55,055        (4,764
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     38,331        (133,381     (13,237

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     5,449        (122,540     (18,568
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     43,780        (255,921     (31,805

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     (63     (51       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

   $ 43,843      $ (255,870   $ (31,805
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share—basic

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.64      $ (2.27   $ (0.22

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     0.09        (2.09     (0.30
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share—basic

   $ 0.73      $ (4.36   $ (0.52
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.62      $ (2.27   $ (0.22

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     0.09        (2.09     (0.30
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted

   $ 0.71      $ (4.36   $ (0.52
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares—basic

     59,666        58,707        61,258   

Number of shares—diluted

     61,606        58,707        61,258   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(amounts in thousands)

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
           2014                 2013               2012      

Net income (loss)

   $ 43,780      $     (255,921 )      $ (31,805 )   

Post-retirement benefit obligations

     (258     381        73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     43,522        (255,540     (31,732

Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     (63     (51       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle

Entertainment, Inc.

   $     43,585      $     (255,489   $     (31,732
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,
          2014             2013     
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 164,654       $ 191,938    

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,963 and $5,178

     28,424        33,569   

Inventories

     9,877        8,193   

Income tax receivable, net

     20,289        17,397   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     27,102        20,871   

Deferred income taxes

     7,509        7,662   

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

     21,260        322,548   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

     279,115        602,178   

Restricted cash

     5,667        11,592   

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

     3,017,009        3,036,515   

Goodwill

     919,282        919,282   

Equity method investment

     1,835        1,975   

Intangible assets, net

     529,269        500,084   

Other assets, net

     81,505        87,800   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

   $     4,833,682      $     5,159,426   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 57,632      $ 69,036   

Accrued interest

     49,760        49,318   

Accrued compensation

     73,698        77,322   

Accrued taxes

     39,287        38,348   

Other accrued liabilities

     119,106        96,273   

Current portion of long-term debt

     11,006        16,006   

Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale

     413        26,103   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     350,902        372,406   

Long-term debt less current portion

     3,975,648        4,364,045   

Other long-term liabilities

     40,021        31,321   

Deferred income taxes

     177,729        166,484   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,544,300        4,934,256   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

              

Common stock—$0.10 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 59,979,853 and 59,197,606 shares outstanding, net of treasury shares

     6,635        6,557   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,096,508        1,075,896   

Accumulated deficit

     (754,206     (798,049

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     132        390   

Treasury stock, at cost, 6,374,882 of treasury shares for both periods

     (71,090     (71,090
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders’ equity

     277,979        213,704   

Non-controlling interest

     11,403        11,466   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     289,382        225,170   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 4,833,682      $ 5,159,426   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(amounts in thousands)

 

    Capital Stock    

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

   

Accumulated
Deficit

    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total
Attributed
to Parent
    Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
    Number of
Shares
    Common
Stock
               
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance as of January 1, 2012     62,144      $ 6,416      $ 1,043,358      $ (510,374   $ 82      $ (20,090   $ 519,392      $      $ 519,392   

Net loss

                         (31,805                   (31,805            (31,805

Post-retirement benefit obligations

                  146               (73            73               73   
                 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

        (31,732

Share-based compensation

                  8,795                             8,795               8,795   

Common stock issuance and option exercises

    429        42        1,620                             1,662               1,662   

Treasury stock repurchase

    (4,366                                 (51,000     (51,000            (51,000
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance as of December 31, 2012     58,207        6,458        1,053,919        (542,179     9        (71,090     447,117               447,117   

Net loss

                         (255,870                   (255,870     (51     (255,921

Post-retirement benefit obligations

                                381               381               381   
                 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

        (255,540

Distribution to minority owner

                                                     (911     (911

Non-controlling interest

                                                     12,428        12,428   

Share-based compensation

                  11,978                             11,978               11,978   

Common stock issuance and option exercises

    991        99        9,934                             10,033               10,033   

Tax benefit from stock option exercise

                  65                             65               65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance as of December 31, 2013     59,198        6,557        1,075,896        (798,049     390        (71,090     213,704        11,466        225,170   

Net income (loss)

                         43,843                      43,843        (63     43,780   

Post-retirement benefit obligations

                                (258            (258            (258
                 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

      43,522   

Share-based compensation

                  14,043                             14,043               14,043   

Common stock issuance and option exercises

    782        78        6,569                             6,647               6,647   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance as of December 31, 2014     59,980      $ 6,635      $ 1,096,508      $ (754,206   $ 132      $ (71,090   $ 277,979      $ 11,403      $ 289,382   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
           2014                 2013                 2012        
Cash flows from operating activities:       

Net income (loss)

   $ 43,780      $ (255,921   $ (31,805

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     241,062        160,997        115,804   

Loss on disposal of assets

     1,395        3,554        1,952   

Loss from equity method investment

     165        92,181        30,780   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     8,234        30,830        20,718   

Reserve on uncollectible loan receivable

            86        1,700   

Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets

            10,000          

Impairment of buildings, vessels and equipment

     4,691        144,726          

Impairment of land

            1,534        6,950   

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts

     9,696        6,432        6,519   

Share-based compensation expense

     14,043        11,978        8,795   

Change in income taxes

     11,093        (51,627     848   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables, net

     2,099        (1,721     6,348   

Prepaid expenses, inventories and other

     (10,698     10,565        997   

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

     2,926        (2,547     17,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     328,486        161,067        186,906   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures and land additions

     (230,815     (292,623     (299,464

Payment for business combinations

            (1,749,736     (4,300

Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest

     (25     (2,732     (24,408

Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities

            (5,853     (20,062

Proceeds from matured investments

            4,428        12,757   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     441        1,148        4,295   

Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale

     258,507        205,703        10,784   

Purchase of intangible asset

     (25,000            (1,057

Escrow and deposit refund

     25,000        3,151        25,000   

Restricted cash

     5,925        656        413   

Loans receivable

     (817     (6,884     (6,037
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     33,216        (1,842,742     (302,079
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from credit facility

     291,700        2,168,835        47,500   

Repayments under credit facility

     (692,987     (15,122     (103,500

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

            850,000        646,750   

Repayment of long-term debt

            (1,190,313     (391,500

Proceeds from common stock options exercised

     6,644        10,070        1,482   

Payments on other secured and unsecured notes payable

                   (653

Purchase of treasury stock

                   (51,000

Distribution to non-controlling interest minority owner

            (911       

Debt issuance and other financing costs

     (980     (44,101     (12,408
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (395,623     1,778,458        136,671   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      (33,921     96,783        21,498   
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year      198,575        101,792        80,294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year    $ 164,654      $ 198,575      $ 101,792   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

      

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 242,507      $ 141,199      $ 82,831   

Cash payments related to income taxes, net

     118        2,629        3,474   

Decrease in construction related deposits and liabilities

     (24,899     (163     (1,340

Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset

     25,000                 

Non-cash consideration for business combination

                   (300

Non-cash issuance of common stock

     881        227        180   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Organization.   Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is an owner, operator and developer of casinos and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. References in these footnotes to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.

We own and operate 15 gaming entertainment properties, located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these properties, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour. We view each of our operating properties as an operating segment with the exception of our two properties in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:

 

  
Midwest segment, which includes:    Location

Ameristar Council Bluffs

   Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ameristar East Chicago

   East Chicago, Indiana

Ameristar Kansas City

   Kansas City, Missouri

Ameristar St. Charles

   St. Charles, Missouri

River City

   St. Louis, Missouri

Belterra

   Florence, Indiana

Belterra Park

   Cincinnati, Ohio
  
South segment, which includes:    Location

Ameristar Vicksburg

   Vicksburg, Mississippi

Boomtown Bossier City

   Bossier City, Louisiana

Boomtown New Orleans

   New Orleans, Louisiana

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

   Baton Rouge, Louisiana

L’Auberge Lake Charles

   Lake Charles, Louisiana
  
West segment, which includes:    Location

Ameristar Black Hawk

   Black Hawk, Colorado

Cactus Petes and Horseshu

   Jackpot, Nevada

We have classified certain of our assets and liabilities as held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and included the related results of operations in discontinued operations. The operating results of Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, and related excess land parcels (collectively, the “Lumière Place Casino and Hotels”) have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in the Lumière Place Casino and Hotels. For further information, see Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.” Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have not been adjusted for discontinued operations.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

In November 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a plan to pursue a separation of our operating assets and real estate assets into two publicly traded companies. We intend to carry out the proposed separation of our real estate assets through the creation of a newly formed, publicly traded, real estate investment trust (“REIT” or “Prop Co”), the common stock of which would be distributed to Pinnacle stockholders in a tax-free spin-off (“REIT transaction”), with Pinnacle remaining an operating entity (“Op Co”) following the transaction. The completion of the REIT transaction is subject to the successful resolution of various contingencies, including, but not limited to, approval by the required gaming regulators, obtaining a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and completion of financing transactions for both Prop Co and Op Co.

In November 2014, in connection with our plan to pursue a REIT transaction, our Board of Directors adopted a short-term REIT protection shareholder rights plan to prohibit ownership of 9.8% or more of its outstanding common stock in order to safeguard our ability to pursue a pro rata dividend in the proposed REIT transaction under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Under the shareholder rights plan, any person or group that acquires beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of Pinnacle common stock without Board approval would be subject to significant dilution. The rights will expire upon the earliest of (i) November 6, 2016, (ii) the first business day after the closing of the proposed Prop Co spin-off transaction, or (iii) the time at which the rights are redeemed or exchanged under the shareholder rights plan.

In December 2014, we filed a request for a private letter ruling with the IRS. The private letter ruling seeks guidance on various technical tax matters related to the proposed REIT transaction. We expect to complete the REIT transaction in 2016 with REIT election for corporate tax purposes occurring shortly thereafter. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the proposed REIT transaction in 2016 or at all.

Principles of Consolidation.   The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results for the periods reflect all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in the common stock of unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates.   The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our customer loyalty programs, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and intangible assets, contingencies and litigation, and estimates of the forfeiture rate and expected life of share-based awards and stock price volatility when computing share-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Fair Value.   Fair value measurements affect our accounting and impairment assessments of our long-lived assets, investments in unconsolidated affiliates, assets acquired in an acquisition, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value measurements also affect our accounting for certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and is measured according to a hierarchy that includes: “Level 1” inputs, such as quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities; “Level 2” inputs, which are observable inputs for similar assets; or “Level 3” inputs, which are unobservable inputs.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

    Total Fair
Value
    Fair Value Measurements Using:  
          Level 1             Level 2             Level 3      
 

 

 

 
    (in millions)  

As of December 31, 2014

     

Liabilities:

     

Deferred compensation

  $         0.6      $         0.6      $         —      $         —     

As of December 31, 2013

     

Liabilities:

     

Deferred compensation

  $         0.8      $         0.8      $         —      $         —     

The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:

 

   

Total

  Carrying  

Value

   

  Total Fair  

Value

    Fair Value Measurements Using:  
           
            Level 1             Level 2             Level 3      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (in millions)  

As of December 31, 2014

     

Assets:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

  $ 14.8      $ 21.7        $      $ 18.5      $ 3.2     

Promissory notes

  $ 12.0      $ 16.8        $      $ 16.8      $ —     

Liabilities:

     

Long-term debt

  $     3,986.6      $         4,029.9        $         —      $     4,029.9      $         —     

As of December 31, 2013

     

Assets:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

  $ 14.8      $ 30.1        $      $ 26.7      $ 3.4     

Promissory notes

  $ 9.5      $ 16.5        $      $ 16.5      $ —     

Liabilities:

     

Long-term debt

  $ 4,380.1      $ 4,511.9        $      $ 4,511.9      $ —     

The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities and our long-term promissory notes were based on Level 2 inputs using observable market data for comparable instruments in establishing prices.

The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities were based on Level 3 inputs using a present value of future cash flow valuation technique that relies on management assumptions and qualitative observations. Key significant unobservable inputs in this technique include discount rate risk premiums and probability-weighted cash flow scenarios.

The estimated fair values of our long-term debt include the fair value of our senior notes, senior subordinated notes, senior secured credit facility and term loans were based on Level 2 inputs of observable market data on comparable debt instruments on or about December 31, 2014.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.   Cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $164.7 million and $191.9 million at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months and are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are valued using Level 1 inputs.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Accounts Receivable.   Accounts receivable consist primarily of casino, hotel and other receivables. We extend casino credit to approved customers in states where it is permitted following investigations of creditworthiness. Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. We have estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.0 million and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, to reduce receivables to their carrying amount, which approximates fair value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based upon, among other things, collection experience, customer credit evaluations and the age of the receivables. Bad debt expense totaled $2.4 million, $2.2 million, and $3.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Inventories.   Inventories, which consist primarily of food, beverage and retail items, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out and the weighted average methods.

Restricted Cash.   Long-term restricted cash of $5.7 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, consists primarily of indemnification trust deposits.

Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment.   Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. Land includes land not currently being used in our operations that totaled $37.6 million and $39.2 million at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
          2014                 2013                 2012        
    (in millions)  
Depreciation expense   $         220.3      $         139.1      $         82.5   

We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense maintenance and repairs costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the dispositions of land, buildings, vessels or equipment are included in the determination of income. We depreciate our land improvements, buildings, vessels and equipment using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the related lease term, as follows:

 

         Years    
Land improvements    5 to 20
Buildings and improvements    10 to 35
Vessels    10 to 25
Furniture, fixtures and equipment    3 to 20

Development costs directly associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of the project during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. The costs incurred for development projects are carried at cost. Interest costs associated with development projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed asset. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project, or discernible portions of the project, is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed. For further discussion, see Note 3, “Long-Term Debt.”

Equity Method Investments.   We apply equity method accounting for investments when we do not control the investee, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and finance policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, with the allocable portion of the investee’s income or loss reported in earnings, and adjusted for capital contributions to and distributions from the investee. Distributions in excess of equity method earnings, if any, are recognized as a return of investment and recorded as investing cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We review our equity investments for impairment whenever events

 

F-10


Table of Contents

or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value. If such conditions exist, we would compare the estimated fair value of the investment to its carrying value to determine if an impairment is indicated. In addition, we would determine if the impairment is other-than-temporary based on our assessment of all relevant factors, including consideration of our intent and ability to retain the investment. To estimate fair value, we would use a discounted cash flow analysis based on estimated future results of the investee and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets.   Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses, trademarks and a racing license. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. There were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012. During the third quarter of 2013, we determined there was an indication of impairment for our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license due to a decrease in forecasted financial performance resulting from new competition, and we recorded an impairment charge of $10.0 million. There were no impairments to other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2012. For further discussion, see Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million indefinite-lived intangible asset related to Belterra Park’s video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. As of December 31, 2014, we have made payments of $25.0 million for Belterra Park’s VLT license and have accrued $25.0 million for the remaining amount due in 2015, which is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a total of $864.1 million of goodwill and $529.2 million of intangible assets related to our acquisitions of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”) and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC. In November 2013, we completed the sale of our equity interests in the entity developing the Ameristar Casino Lake Charles project, and as a result, we no longer hold a $29.8 million gaming license acquired through the Ameristar acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 7, “Investments and Acquisition Activities” and Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.”

Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts/Premiums.   Debt issuance costs include costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt and are capitalized and amortized over the contractual term of the debt to interest expense. Debt issuance costs of the revolving credit facility are amortized on a straight-line basis, while all other debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs were $44.1 million and $54.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt discounts/premiums incurred in connection with the issuance of debt have been included as a component of the carrying value of debt and are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums included in interest expense was $9.7 million, $6.4 million, and $6.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Self-Insurance Accruals.   We are self-insured up to certain limits for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation and employee health coverage. Insurance claims and reserves include accruals of estimated settlements for known claims, legal costs related to settling such claims and accruals of actuarial estimates of incurred but not reported claims. At December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.4 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating these accruals, we consider historical loss experience and make judgments about the expected level of costs per claim. We believe the estimates of future liability are reasonable based upon our methodology; however, changes in health care costs, accident frequency and severity could materially affect the estimate for these liabilities.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Customer Loyalty Program.   We offer incentives to our customers through our my choice customer loyalty program. Under the my choice customer loyalty program, customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the plan will be forfeited if the customer does not earn any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items. In April 2014, we expanded the my choice loyalty program to all Ameristar properties as part of the integration of the Ameristar properties, and now we offer benefits solely through the my choice customer loyalty program.

We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding cost of providing the benefits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results. At December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had accrued $26.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing these benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under Ameristar customer loyalty program. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Taxes.   Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within a reasonable time period. We assess tax positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a “more likely than not” threshold, and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50.0% percent of being realized. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed each balance sheet date. Liabilities recorded as a result of this analysis are classified as current or long-term based on the timing of expected payment. See Note 4, “Income Taxes,” for additional information.

Revenue Recognition.   Gaming revenues consist of the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between amounts wagered and amounts paid to winning patrons. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed. Advance deposits on lodging are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer.

The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating total revenues. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in gaming expenses. Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Food and beverage    $ 135.3         $ 94.7         $ 58.1     
Lodging      61.1           49.3           28.1     
Retail, entertainment and other      18.2           13.4           9.6     
  

 

 

 
Total promotional allowances    $         214.6         $         157.4         $         95.8     
  

 

 

 

 

F-12


Table of Contents

The cost to provide such complimentary benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense    $         160.9         $         111.2         $         72.4     

Gaming Taxes.   We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments. These gaming taxes are an assessment on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming department expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Gaming taxes    $         557.3         $         378.6         $       261.8     

Advertising Costs.   We expense advertising costs the first time the advertising takes place. These costs are included in gaming expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, advertising costs associated with development projects are included in pre-opening, development and other costs until the project is completed. These costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Advertising costs    $           30.6         $           20.9         $         22.1     

Pre-opening, Development and Other Costs.   Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of payroll costs to hire, employ and train the workforce prior to opening an operating facility; marketing campaigns prior to and commensurate with the opening; master planning and conceptual design fees; legal and professional fees related to the project but not otherwise attributable to depreciable assets; lease payments; real estate taxes; acquisition costs; restructuring costs; and other general and administrative costs related to our projects. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Ameristar acquisition (1)    $ 2.2         $ 85.3         $ —     
Belterra Park (2)      8.2           1.2           0.4     
Other (3)      2.6           2.5           21.1     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total pre-opening, development and other costs    $           13.0         $           89.0         $         21.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1) Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar.
  (2) Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.

 

F-13


Table of Contents
  (3) Costs in 2014 include $1.7 million of costs in 2014 associated with our evaluation and plan to pursue a REIT spin-off transaction. The 2012 total includes costs incurred in connection with our L’Auberge Baton Rouge property, which opened in 2012.

Share-based Compensation.   We measure the cost of awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The grant-date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, is amortized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. See Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans.”

Earnings per Share.   Diluted earnings per share reflects the addition of potentially dilutive securities, which include in-the money stock options, restricted stock units and phantom stock units. We calculate the effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. A total of 1.6 million, 1.0 million, and 4.4 million out-of-money stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.

For the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a net loss from continuing operations. Accordingly, the potential dilution from the assumed exercise of stock options is anti-dilutive. As a result, basic earnings per share is equal to diluted earnings per share for such years. Options and securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share were 1.7 million and 0.5 million, respectively.

Business Combinations.   We allocate the business combination purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. We determined the fair value of identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships and trademarks, as well as any other significant tangible assets or liabilities, such as long-lived property. The fair value allocation methodology requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities primarily using discounted cash flows and replacement cost analysis. Provisional fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed may be retrospectively adjusted during the measurement period. The measurement period ends once we are able to determine we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date or once we determine that such information is unavailable. The measurement period does not extend beyond one year from the acquisition date. See Note 7, “Investment and Acquisition Activities,” for additional information.

Reclassifications.   The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or losses.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for income taxes which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The objective in issuing this amendment is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. Under the amendment, an entity must present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except under certain conditions. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those years, and should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update in connection with reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of entities. The accounting standards update changes the

 

F-14


Table of Contents

criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendment, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (i) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; (ii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; and (iii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. This new guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity and all business activities, on acquisition, that are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services or goods in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our 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. Given 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 our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2—Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment

Impairment of long-lived assets: We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded impairment charges totaling $1.5 million related to a decline in value of some of our excess land.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
         2014           2013    
     (in millions)

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:

    

Land and land improvements

    $ 401.9         $ 391.7     

Buildings, vessels and improvements

     2,677.8        2,492.2   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     721.9        633.1   

Construction in progress

     75.6        175.6   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross      3,877.2        3,692.6   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (860.2     (656.1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net     $       3,017.0       $       3,036.5   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 3—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

     December 31, 2014
     Outstanding
Principal
  Unamortized
(Discount)
Premium
    Long-Term
Debt, Net
     (in millions)

Senior Secured Credit Facility:

      

Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

    $ 606.6          $       $ 606.6    

Term B-2 Loan due 2020

     782.2        (21.1     761.1   
6.375% Senior Notes due 2021      850.0               850.0   
7.50% Senior Notes due 2021      1,040.0        53.8        1,093.8   
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022      325.0               325.0   
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020      350.0               350.0   
Other      0.1               0.1   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt including current maturities      3,953.9        32.7        3,986.6   
Less current maturities      (11.0            (11.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt     $         3,942.9       $         32.7       $         3,975.6   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-16


Table of Contents
     December 31, 2013
     Outstanding
Principal
  Unamortized
(Discount)
Premium
    Long-Term
Debt, Net
     (in millions)

Senior Secured Credit Facility:

      

Revolving Credit Facility due 2018

     $ 493.6          $       $ 493.6    

Term B-1 Loan due 2016

     202.0        (7.7    $ 194.3   

Term B-2 Loan due 2020

     1,094.5        (26.0    $ 1,068.5   
6.375% Senior Notes due 2021      850.0              $ 850.0   
7.50% Senior Notes due 2021      1,040.0        58.6       $ 1,098.5   
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022      325.0              $ 325.0   
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020      350.0              $ 350.0   
Other      0.1              $ 0.1   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt including current maturities      4,355.2        24.9        4,380.1   
Less current maturities      (16.0            (16.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt     $         4,339.2       $         24.9       $         4,364.1   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility: On August 13, 2013, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”), which amended and restated our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2011, as amended. The Credit Facility consists of (i) $1.6 billion of term loans comprised of $500 million of Tranche B-1 term loans and $1.1 billion in Tranche B-2 term loans and (ii) a $1.0 billion revolving credit commitment. As of December 31, 2014, we fully repaid the outstanding principal balance of our Tranche B-1 term loans, had approximately $782.2 million in outstanding principal Tranche B-1 term loan debt, and had approximately $606.6 million drawn under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $12.7 million committed under letters of credit. The outstanding principal on the Tranche B-2 term loans have been discounted on issuance for the reduction in the proceeds received when the transaction was consummated.

The loans under the Credit Facility are due to be paid as follows: (i) the revolving credit loans are due and payable in full on August 13, 2018; and (ii) the Tranche B-2 term loans are subject to 0.25% quarterly principal amortization requirements and the remaining principal outstanding is due and payable in full on August 13, 2020; provided, that such date shall be accelerated to November 15, 2019, if any portion of the Company’s 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 are outstanding on November 19, 2019.

The term loans bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus 2.75% or at a base rate plus 1.75% and in no event will LIBOR be less than 1.00%. The revolving credit facility bears interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% or at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75%, in either case based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, which in general is the ratio of consolidated total debt (less excess cash, as defined in the Credit Facility) to annualized adjusted EBITDA.

The Credit Facility has, among other things, financial covenants and other affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2014, the Credit Facility requires compliance with the following ratios so long as there are outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility: (1) maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 7.50 to 1.00; (2) minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 2.00 to 1.00; and (3) maximum consolidated senior secured debt ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 3.00 to 1.00. In addition, the Credit Facility has covenants that limit the amount of senior unsecured debt we may incur to $3.5 billion, unless our maximum consolidated total leverage ratio is less than 6.00 to 1.00. The maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and maximum senior secured debt ratio are

 

F-17


Table of Contents

subject to change periodically for future fiscal quarters. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with each of these ratios, and compliance with these ratios does not have a material impact on our financial flexibility, including our ability to incur new indebtedness.

The Credit Facility permits us, in the future, to increase the commitments under the revolving credit facility and to obtain term loan commitments, in each case from existing or new lenders that are willing to commit to such an increase, so long as we are in pro-forma compliance with the Credit Facility’s financial and other covenants, including a consolidated senior secured debt ratio and a consolidated total leverage ratio.

6.375% Senior Notes due 2021: In August 2013, we issued $850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”). The 6.375% Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1st and August 1st of each year. The 6.375% Notes mature on August 1, 2021. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $835.0 million.

7.50% Senior Notes due 2021: As part of the acquisition of Ameristar, we assumed $1.04 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”) that were originally issued by Ameristar. The 7.50% Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15th and October 15th of each year. The 7.50% Notes mature on April 15, 2021. The 7.50% Notes were recorded at fair value as part of the purchase price allocation with a premium of $72.8 million. In addition, a consent fee payment to the holders of the 7.50% Notes at acquisition was included as a discount component of the total carrying value.

7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022: In March 2012, we issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”). The 7.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year. The 7.75% Notes mature on April 1, 2022. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $318.3 million.

8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 : In May 2010, we issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”). The 8.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on May 15th and November 15th of each year. The 8.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2020. Net of the initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $341.5 million.

The 6.375% Notes, 8.75% Notes, 7.75% Notes, and 7.50% Notes, become callable at a premium over their face amount on August 1, 2016, May 15, 2015, April 1, 2017, and April 15, 2015, respectively. Such premiums decline periodically as the notes progress toward their respective maturities. All of our notes are redeemable prior to such times at a price that reflects a yield to the first call that is equivalent to the applicable Treasury bond yield plus 0.5 percentage points.

 

6.375% Notes
Redeemable
  8.75% Notes Redeemable   7.75% Notes Redeemable   7.50% Notes Redeemable
On or after

 

August 1,

  At a % of
par equal
to
  On or after

 

May 15,

  At a % of
par equal
to
  On or after

 

April 1,

  At a % of
par equal
to
  On or after

 

April 15,

  At a % of
par equal
to
2016   104.781%   2015   104.375%   2017   103.875%   2015   105.625%
2017   103.188%   2016   102.917%   2018   102.583%   2016   103.750%
2018   101.594%   2017   101.458%   2019   101.292%   2017   101.875%
2019 and
thereafter
  100.000%   2018 and
thereafter
  100.000%   2020 and
thereafter
  100.000%   2018 and
thereafter
  100.000%

Our indentures governing our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility limit the amount of dividends we are permitted to pay.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Interest expense, net, was as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,
         2014           2013           2012    
     (in millions)
Interest expense     $ 255.9        $ 173.5        $ 114.8    
Interest income      (0.4     (0.4     (0.8
Capitalized interest      (2.9     (3.3     (20.3
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest expense, net     $         252.6       $         169.8       $            93.7   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense is capitalized on internally constructed assets at our overall weighted average cost of borrowing. During 2014, we capitalized interest on our Belterra Park re-development project and our Boomtown New Orleans hotel. Interest expense increased due to the additional debt incurred to fund our acquisition of Ameristar and other development projects. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized, were $242.5 million, $141.2 million, and $82.8 million, respectively.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt was as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      
     (in millions)  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt     $                8.2        $            30.8        $            20.7     

During 2014, we incurred a $8.2 million loss related to the redemption of our then existing Tranche B-1 term loans. The loss included the write off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs. For 2013, we recorded a $30.8 million loss related to the early redemption of our 8.625% Notes and the amendment and restatement of our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The loss included redemption premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs. For 2012, we recorded a $20.7 million loss related to the early redemption of our 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015. The loss included redemption premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt: As of December 31, 2014, annual maturities of secured and unsecured notes payable are as follows (amounts shown in millions):

 

Year ended December 31:   

2015

    $ 11.0   

2016

     11.0   

2017

     11.0   

2018

     617.6   

2019

     11.0   

Thereafter

     3,292.3   
  

 

 

 

Total

     3,953.9   

Less unamortized debt discounts

     (21.1

Unamortized debt premium

     53.8   
  

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

    $         3,986.6    

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Note 4—Income Taxes

The composition of our income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, was as follows:

 

         Current             Deferred             Total      
     (in millions)  

Year ended December 31, 2014:

      

U.S. Federal

    $ 3.7       $ (8.3    $ (4.6

State

     (1.7     (4.8     (6.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 2.0       $ (13.1    $ (11.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2013:

      

U.S. Federal

    $       $ 53.8       $ 53.8   

State

     (3.3     4.6        1.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (3.3    $ 58.4       $ 55.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2012:

      

U.S. Federal

    $       $ (0.9    $ (0.9

State

     (4.0     0.1        (3.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (4.0    $ (0.8    $ (4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate from continuing operations to the federal statutory tax rate of 35%:

 

    2014     2013     2012  
      Percent         Amount         Percent         Amount         Percent         Amount    
    (dollars in millions)  
Federal income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate     35.0  %     $ (17.3     35.0  %     $ 66.0        35.0  %     $ 3.0   
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits     (0.1 )%      0.1        3.4  %      6.5        (52.5 )%      (4.4
Non-deductible expenses and other     5.1  %      (2.5     (0.9 )%      (1.8     (8.1 )%      (0.7
Cancellation of stock options      %              %             (24.5 )%      (2.1
Acquisition costs     1.1  %      (0.5     (5.4 )%      (10.2      %        
Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits     1.8  %      (0.9     (0.1 )%      (0.2     (1.4 )%      (0.1
Credits     (4.8 )%      2.3        0.8  %      1.6        6.2  %      0.4   
Change in valuation allowance/reserve of deferred tax assets     (15.6 )%      7.7        (3.6 )%      (6.8     (10.9 )%      (0.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations     22.5    $ (11.1     29.2  %     $ 55.1        (56.2 )%     $ (4.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-20


Table of Contents

The following table shows the allocation of income tax (expense) benefit between continuing operations, discontinued operations and equity:

 

     For the year ended December 31,
         2014           2013           2012    
     (in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     $ 49.4        $ (188.5 )      $ (8.4 )   
Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to continuing operations      (11.1     55.1        (4.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations      38.3        (133.4     (13.2
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes      5.2        (123.8     (18.9
Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to discontinued operations      0.3        1.2        0.3   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations      5.5        (122.6     (18.6
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)     $         43.8       $         (255.9    $         (31.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents

At December 31, 2014, and 2013, the tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were:

 

     December 31,
     2014   2013
     (in millions)

Deferred tax assets—current:

    

Workers’ compensation insurance reserve

    $ 4.3        $ 4.3    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     2.5        2.8   

Legal and merger costs

     2.3        4.8   

Accruals, reserves and other

     28.4        29.2   

Less valuation allowance

     (17.9     (22.5
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets—current      19.6        18.6   

Deferred tax liabilities—current:

    

Prepaid expenses

     (7.8     (7.0

Accruals, reserves and other

     (4.3     (3.9
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities—current      (12.1     (10.9
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net current deferred tax asset

    $ 7.5       $ 7.7   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets—non-current:

    

Federal tax credit carry-forwards

    $ 34.1       $ 31.2   

Federal net operating loss carry-forwards

             214.5                188.1   

State net operating loss carry-forwards

     36.6        29.6   

Capital loss carry-forwards

            5.9   

Deferred compensation

     2.6        2.6   

Pre-opening expenses capitalized for tax purposes

     13.2        10.8   

ACDL investment write-down

     38.5        38.5   

Share-based compensation expense—book cost

     10.0        8.8   

Bond payable

     23.2        27.7   

Accruals, reserves and other

     43.7        42.0   

Less valuation allowance

     (227.8     (237.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets—non-current      188.6        147.5   

Deferred tax liabilities—non-current:

    

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net

     (221.4     (187.2

Intangible assets

     (144.9     (126.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities—non-current      (366.3     (314.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net non-current deferred tax liabilities

    $ (177.7    $ (166.5
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-22


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the total deferred tax assets and total deferred tax liabilities provided in the previous table:

 

     December 31,
     2014   2013
     (in millions)
Total deferred tax assets     $ 453.9        $ 426.3    
Less valuation allowances      (245.7     (260.2
Less total deferred tax liabilities      (378.4     (324.9
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

    $         (170.2    $         (158.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2013, we recorded a tax benefit from the release of $58.4 million of our valuation allowance as a result of the consolidation of our deferred tax assets with the Ameristar deferred tax liability. As of December 31, 2014, we continue to provide a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for all jurisdictions except for certain states that are more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, forecasts of future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. We have a cumulative U.S. pretax accounting loss for the years 2012 through 2014. Considering all available evidence both positive and negative, and in light of the cumulative losses in recent years, we determined that a full valuation allowance was appropriate.

As of December 31, 2014, our tax filings reflected available Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carry-forwards of $3.1 million, General Business Credit (“GBC”) carry-forwards of $20.6 million and Foreign Tax Credit (“FTC”) carry-forwards of $10.4 million. The FTC and GBC carry-forwards will begin to expire in 2020 through 2034, while the AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future regular tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, we had $632.9 million of federal net operating losses, which can be carried forward 20 years and will begin to expire in 2028. We also have $1.0 billion of state net operating loss carry-forwards, predominantly in Louisiana and Missouri, that expire on various dates. Our net operating loss carry-forwards include a $17.8 million excess tax benefit from stock option deductions, which have not been recognized for financial statement purposes. The excess tax benefit will be credited to additional paid-in capital when the net operating loss is utilized and reduces current-year income tax payable.

In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued final regulations on tangible depreciable property. The regulations establish requirements to determine when certain costs for acquisition production and improvement of tangible property may be immediately deducted, capitalized and deducted in the future. The regulations are effective for the first day of the taxable year that begins on or after January 1, 2014. The implication of these final regulations had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

We file income tax returns in federal and state jurisdictions and are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2011 and state income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2000. In 2012, our federal tax return was examined by the IRS for tax years 2009 and 2010. The examination concluded in January 2013 with adjustments to certain timing items that resulted in an immaterial impact on our 2012 income tax expense. In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue commenced an income tax examination of the Company’s Indiana income tax filings for the 2005 to 2007 period. We filed an appeal in June 2012 with the Indiana Tax Court to set aside the entire audit assessment. Our appeal is currently pending Court review. For further discussion, see Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

As of December 31, 2014, we had $14.2 million of uncertain tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Authoritative guidance requires companies to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax positions for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax

 

F-23


Table of Contents

expense. During 2014, we accrued approximately $0.3 million of interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. We had $2.2 million of cumulative interest accrued as of the end of December 31, 2014. No penalties were accrued for in any years.

The following table summarizes the activity related to uncertain tax benefits for 2014 and 2013, excluding any interest or penalties:

 

     2014   2013
     (in millions)
Balance as of January 1     $ 35.7       $ 9.4   
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods      1.4          
Gross increases - tax positions in current period      0.6        3.5   
Gross decreases - tax positions in current period             (0.9
Acquisition             23.8   
Statute of limitation expirations             (0.1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31     $         37.7        $         35.7    
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 5—Lease Obligations

We have certain long-term operating lease obligations, including corporate office space, land at various locations, water bottom leases in Louisiana, and office and gaming equipment. Minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (amounts are reflected in millions):

 

Period:   
2015     $ 12.5   
2016      12.1   
2017      10.8   
2018      10.5   
2019      10.1   
Thereafter      558.2   
  

 

 

 

    $         614.2    
  

 

 

 

Total rent expense for these long-term lease obligations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, was $15.0 million, $13.1 million and $11.3 million, respectively.

We lease the 232 acres underlying our L’Auberge Lake Charles property. The lease has an initial term of 10 years, which commenced in May 2005, with six renewal options of 10 years each. The annual base rent for the lease is approximately $1.1 million per year, which amount adjusts annually for changes in the consumer price index.

We lease the 56 acres that our River City property occupies in St. Louis, Missouri. The lease has a term of 99 years, which commenced in September 2005. The annual rent for the lease is the greater of $4.0 million or 2.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts, as defined in the lease agreement.

We lease approximately 148 of the 315 acres that our Belterra property occupies in southern Indiana. The lease period is 50 years total, including an initial five -year lease term with nine consecutive five -year automatic renewal periods. The current lease term is through September 2015 and has seven remaining renewal periods.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

The lease currently provides for minimum annual rental payments of approximately $1.4 million, plus 1.5% of gross gaming win (as defined in the lease agreement) in excess of $100 million. We also have the option to purchase the land on or after October 2020 for $30 million, subject to adjustments as defined in the lease agreement.

We lease the Ameristar East Chicago site from the City of East Chicago under a ground lease that expires (after giving effect to our renewal options) in 2086.

We lease corporate office space in Las Vegas, Nevada at various locations. Base rent for these locations ranges from $1.5 million per year to $1.9 million per year, subject to periodic base rate increases. The lease periods range from month-to-month to 10 years, subject to certain renewal options.

We are a party to a number of cancellable slot participation and some table game participation arrangements at our various casinos that are customary for casino operations. The slot arrangements generally consist of either a fixed-rent agreement on a per-day basis or a percentage of each slot machine’s gaming revenue, generally payable at month-end. Slot and table game participation fees included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in millions)  
Slot and table game participation fees    $         27.8         $         20.7         $         16.4     

Note 6—Employee Benefit Plans

Share-based Compensation: Our 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) allows us to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other performance awards to officers, employees and consultants. The 2005 Plan permits the issuance of up to approximately 9.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. There were approximately 0.6 million share-based awards available for grant under our 2005 plan as of December 31, 2014. Grants of stock options or stock appreciation rights are counted against the approximately 9.0 million share limit as one share for every one share granted. All other awards under the 2005 Plan are counted against the share limit as 1.4 shares for every one share granted. The 2005 Plan expires in April 2015.

In addition, in 2008 and 2010, in order to recruit our executive officers, we granted options outside of the 2005 Plan for the purchase of 850,000 shares of common stock, all of which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2014. In connection with the acquisition of Ameristar, we granted new employees, who were former employees of Ameristar, options to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units. Pursuant to our Annual Incentive Plans, as adopted under the 2005 Plan, 25% of our executive officers’ bonuses are payable in restricted stock units, and such executive officers may elect to receive an additional 25% of their bonus in restricted stock units.

As of December 31, 2014, we have approximately 7.7 million share-based awards outstanding, including common stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units which are detailed below.

Directors Deferred Compensation Plan: Any director may elect to receive phantom stock units in lieu of payment of an annual retainer and Board fees under the Company’s Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. Phantom stock units are fully expensed when granted. Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of one share of our common stock. Units of phantom stock are payable in common stock following the director’s cessation of service as a director for any reason.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Stock options : Options are granted at the current market price at the date of grant. The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options under the Stock Option Plans:

 

    Number of Stock
Options
    Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
 
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014     5,509,246      $ 14.01       

Granted

    939,780      $ 23.45       

Exercised

    (480,495   $ 13.57       

Canceled / Forfeited

    (399,903   $ 20.51       
 

 

 

       
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014     5,568,628      $ 15.17        4.75      $ 41.7   
 

 

 

       
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014     3,210,753      $ 12.81        4.12      $ 31.3   
 

 

 

       
Expected to vest at December 31, 2014     1,802,431      $ 18.67        5.63      $ 7.5   

The following information is provided for our stock options:

 

       For the year ended December 31,  
       2014        2013        2012  
       (in millions, except grant date fair value)  
Weighted-average grant date fair value      $         9.04         $         10.63         $         5.06     
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised      $ 5.4         $ 9.2         $ 0.5     
Net cash proceeds from exercise of stock options      $ 6.6         $ 10.1         $ 1.5     

Unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options granted totaled approximately $12.1 million at December 31, 2014 and the weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years.

Restricted stock units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units as of December 31, 2014:

 

     Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average Fair
Value
Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014      629,518       $         20.11    

Granted

     1,003,918      $ 22.94   

Vested

     (263,864   $ 20.25   

Canceled / Forfeited

     (156,639   $ 22.78   
  

 

 

 

 
Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014              1,212,933      $ 22.20   
  

 

 

 

 

Unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to non-vested shares totaled approximately $18.7 million at December 31, 2014 and the weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Performance stock units : The following table summarizes information related to our performance stock units as of December 31, 2014:

 

     Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average Fair
Value
 
Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014      431.858      $ 22.79     

Granted

     123,283      $ 26.50     

Canceled / Forfeited

     (34,819   $ 23.14     
  

 

 

 

 
Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014              520,322       $         23.64     
  

 

 

 

 

Compensation cost: We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the Monte Carlo simulation in order to calculate the compensation costs of employee share-based compensation. Such models require the use of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the option, the expected volatility of the underlying stock, and the expected dividend on the stock.

In computing the share-based compensation, the following is a weighted average of the assumptions used:

 

     Risk-Free
  Interest Rate  
     Expected Life at
 Issuance (in years) 
     Expected
    Volatility    
     Expected
    Dividends    
 

Options granted in the following periods:

           

2014

     1.5%         5.17             41.2%         None   

2013

     1.2%         5.11             57.0%         None   

2012

     0.8%         5.25             58.0%         None   

The expected volatility was derived from an analysis of both the historic actual volatility of our common stock and the implied volatilities of traded options in our common stock. Future volatility may be substantially less or greater than the expected volatility. We do not currently pay dividends, and we do not anticipate that dividends will be paid within the average expected life of existing options. U.S. Treasury rates with similar maturities are used as the proxy for the risk-free rate. The expected life at issuance is based on our experience as to the average historical term of option grants that were exercised, canceled or forfeited. The total compensation costs recognized were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in millions)  
Share-based compensation expense    $         13.9         $         11.5         $         8.5     

The total fair value of share-based awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $12.8 million, $9.0 million, and $9.0 million, respectively.

401(k) Plan: We maintain the Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 401(k) Investment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan is an employee benefit plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Participants of the 401(k) Plan may contribute up to 100% of pretax income, subject to the legal limitation ($17,500 for 2014). In addition, participants who are age 50 or older may make an additional contribution to the 401(k) Plan, commonly referred to as a “catch-up” contribution ($5,500 for 2014). We consider discretionary matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan, which vest ratably over four to five years, of a 50% discretionary match, up to 3% of eligible compensation. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan totaled $3.3 million, $2.4 million, and $1.5 million, respectively.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan: We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Executive Plan”), which allows certain highly compensated employees to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their annual base salary and bonus. Participation in the Executive Plan is limited. A participant is at all times fully vested in his or her contributions, as well as any attributable appreciation or depreciation thereof. We do not make matching contributions to the Executive Plan for the benefit of participating employees, and the payment of benefits under the plan is an unsecured obligation. The total obligation under the Executive Plan and the cash surrender value of insurance policies are as follow:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (in millions)  
Total obligation under Executive Plan (a)    $ 6.7         $ 6.5     
Cash surrender value of insurance policies (b)    $             2.9         $             2.8     
  (a) Recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
  (b) Recorded in “Other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Directors’ Medical Plan: In February 2007, the Board of Directors approved a directors’ health and medical plan designed to provide health and medical insurance benefits comparable to those provided to corporate executives (the “Directors’ Medical Plan”). To the extent that a covered individual has other insurance or Medicare coverage, the benefits under the Company’s coverage would be supplemental to those otherwise provided. The Directors’ Medical Plan covers directors and their dependents while the director is in office and provides benefits for those directors who leave the board after age 70 and their dependents and for directors in office at the time of a change in control and their dependents for a period of 5 years. The benefit obligation is approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 7— Investments and Acquisition Activities

Acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc.: On August 13, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Ameristar pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 20, 2012, as amended. Upon completion of the acquisition, Ameristar was merged with and into Pinnacle and ceased to exist as a separate entity.

The purchase price totaled $1.8 billion (excluding assumed debt). The purchase price was comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

Consideration for Ameristar equity    $ 962,428     
Repayment of Ameristar debt      878,828     
  

 

 

 
   $     1,841,256     
  

 

 

 

We were required to allocate the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill, of which $176.9 million is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recognized was attributable primarily to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of Ameristar. The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment. Management finalized its valuation analysis during the second quarter of 2014.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

The following table reflects the August 13, 2013, allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the excess recorded as goodwill (in thousands).

 

Current and other assets    $ 152,165   
Property and equipment      1,783,735   
Goodwill      860,805   
Intangible assets      524,200   
Other non-current assets      39,496   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     3,360,401   
  

 

 

 
  
Current liabilities      179,493   
Deferred tax liabilities      218,646   
Other long-term liabilities      8,109   
Debt      1,112,897   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,519,145   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $   1,841,256   
  

 

 

 

Of the $860.8 million in goodwill, approximately $551.1 million was assigned to the Midwest segment, approximately $231.5 million was assigned to the South segment, and approximately $78.2 million was assigned to the West segment.

The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value of acquired property and equipment.

 

     As Recorded at
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)   
Land and land improvements    $           162,770   
Buildings, vessels and improvements      1,308,151   
Furniture, fixtures and equipment      158,999   
Construction in progress (a)      153,815   
  

 

 

 
Total property and equipment acquired    $ 1,783,735   
  

 

 

 

(a) Included in acquired construction in progress were the assets of the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles development. These assets were sold in November 2013. See Note 8, “Discontinued Operations,” for further detail.

The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value acquired intangible assets.

 

     As Recorded at
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)   
Trade names    $           187,000   
Gaming licenses      258,800   
Player relationships      74,000   
Favorable leasehold interests      4,400   
  

 

 

 
   $ 524,200   
  

 

 

 

 

F-29


Table of Contents

ACDL Investments : We have a minority ownership interest in Asian Coast Development (Canada), Ltd. (“ACDL”). During 2013, we recorded impairments of approximately $94.0 million, fully impairing the remaining asset carrying value of our investment in ACDL. During 2012, we recorded an initial impairment of approximately $25.0 million. We have discontinued accounting for our investment in ACDL under the equity method and will not provide for additional losses until our share of future net income, if any, equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period the equity method was suspended.

Equity Method Investment : As of December 31, 2014, we have invested $2.0 million in Farmworks, a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis, which is accounted for under the equity method and included in “Equity method investment” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our proportional share of Farmworks’ losses totaled $0.2 million.

Retama Park Racetrack : On January 29, 2013, we acquired 75.5% of the equity of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC (“PRP”). The acquisition of the equity of PRP was accounted for as a business combination. The purchase price for the equity of PRP was allocated based upon estimated fair values of the assets, with the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired recorded as goodwill. The purchase price allocation includes goodwill of $3.3 million and other intangibles of $5.0 million.

As of December 31, 2014, we held $12.0 million in promissory notes issued by RDC that are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The promissory notes have long-term contractual maturities and are collateralized by Retama Park Racetrack assets. The contractual terms of these promissory notes include interest payments due at maturity. We have not recorded accrued interest on these promissory notes because uncertainty exists as to RDC’s ability to make interest payments.

As of December 31, 2014, we held, at amortized cost, $11.4 million in local government corporation bonds that were issued by RDC, a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas. These bonds have long-term contractual maturities and are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We have both the intent and ability to hold these investments until the amortized cost is recovered.

Note 8—Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 consist primarily of our former Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels operation, our former Boomtown Reno operations, our former Atlantic City operations, and our former Ameristar Casino Lake Charles, LLC (“Ameristar Lake Charles”) development. We also have also classified certain excess land parcels as held for sale. A disposal group classified as held for sale shall be measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The fair value of the assets to be sold was determined using a market approach using Level 2 inputs, as defined in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels: In August 2013, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase Agreement to sell the ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries, which own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels. During 2013, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $144.6 million, to reduce the carrying value of the assets to their net realizable value, less costs to sell. During 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $250.3 million. We expect no material ongoing financial impact from the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels.

Ameristar Casino Lake Charles: In July 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of our subsidiary, which was constructing the Ameristar Lake Charles development project. In November 2013, we closed the sale of the equity interests of our subsidiary. We have received approximately $209.8 million in cash consideration and $10.0 million in deferred consideration in the form of a note receivable from the buyer due in July 2016. The recovery of proceeds from escrow and adjustments to our cost to sell estimates resulted in the recognition of an approximate $2.3 million gain during 2014.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

Boomtown Reno: In June 2012, we closed the sale of the Boomtown Reno operations for total proceeds of approximately $12.9 million, resulting in a loss of $1.1 million. In August 2014, we closed the sale of the membership interest of PNK (Reno), LLC, which owns 27 acres of the excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. At closing, we received approximately $3.5 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2014, we continue to hold approximately 783 acres of remaining excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. During the third quarter of 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell this land, subject to a due diligence period.

Atlantic City : During the third quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of our land holdings in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for total consideration of approximately $29.5 million. We expect no ongoing financial impact from Atlantic City.

Springfield, Massachusetts: We own approximately 40 acres of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, originally purchased by Ameristar for a possible future casino resort. During the first quarter of 2014, we entered into an option agreement to sell this land. As of December 31, 2014, this option had not been exercised.

Revenue, expense and net income (loss) for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013     2012  
     (in millions)  
Revenues    $           41.0       $ 181.3      $           213.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)      4.7                 (123.5     (19.0
Other non-operating income (loss), net      0.5         (0.3     0.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) before income taxes      5.2         (123.8     (18.9
Income tax benefit      0.3         1.2        0.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes    $ 5.5       $ (122.6   $ (18.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (in millions)  

Assets:

     

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

   $ 11.8       $ 275.3   

Other assets, net

     9.4         47.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $            21.2       $            322.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities:      

Total liabilities

     0.4         26.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 20.8       $ 296.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 9—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill . Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. There were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. During 2013, we recorded $864.1 million of goodwill related to our acquisitions of Ameristar and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

Other Intangible Assets . Other intangible assets consist of indefinite-lived intangible assets that include gaming licenses, trademarks and a racing license, and amortizing intangible assets, which include customer relationships and favorable leasehold interests. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but instead are reviewed annually for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

During 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million intangible asset related to Belterra Park’s video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. Such amount is included in “Intangible assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2014, we have made payments of $25.0 million for Belterra Park’s VLT license and have accrued $25.0 million for the remaining amount due in 2015. Such amount is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

During 2013, we acquired $529.2 million of intangible other assets related to our acquisition of Ameristar and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC. In November 2013, we completed the sale of our equity interests in the entity developing the Ameristar Casino Lake Charles project, and as a result, we no longer hold a $29.8 million gaming license acquired through the Ameristar acquisition.

There were no impairments to indefinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. During 2013, we determined there was an indication of impairment for our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license due to a decrease in forecasted financial performance resulting from new competition, and we recorded an impairment of $10.0 million. The fair value of the license was calculated using discounted cash flows using Level 3 inputs.

The following tables set forth changes in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets:

 

    December 31, 2014  
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Useful Life
(years)
    Gross
Carrying
      Value      
    Cumulative
  Amortization  
    Cumulative
Impairment
      Losses      
    Intangible
  Assets, Net  
 
Goodwill:   (in millions)  

Ameristar acquisition

    Indefinite      $ 860.8      $      $      $ 860.8   

Belterra Park

    Indefinite        35.8                      35.8   

Boomtown New Orleans

    Indefinite        16.8                      16.8   

Other

    Indefinite        5.9                      5.9   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      919.3                      919.3   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:          

Gaming licenses

    Indefinite        318.6               (31.1     287.5   

Trade names

    Indefinite        187.2                      187.2   

Racing license

    Indefinite        5.0                      5.0   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      510.8               (31.1     479.7   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortizing Intangible Assets:

         

Player relationships

    5        75.1        (29.7            45.4   

Favorable leasehold interests

    31        4.4        (0.2            4.2   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      79.5        (29.9            49.6   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets     $     1,509.6      $ (29.9   $ (31.1   $ 1,448.6   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-32


Table of Contents
    December 31, 2013  
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Useful Life
(years)
    Gross
Carrying
      Value      
    Cumulative
  Amortization  
    Cumulative
Impairment
      Losses      
    Intangible
  Assets, Net  
 
Goodwill:   (in millions)  

Ameristar acquisition

    Indefinite      $ 860.8      $      $      $ 860.8   

Belterra Park

    Indefinite        35.8                      35.8   

Boomtown New Orleans

    Indefinite        16.8                      16.8   

Other

    Indefinite        5.9                      5.9   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      919.3                      919.3   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:          

Gaming licenses

    Indefinite        268.6               (31.1     237.5   

Trade names

    Indefinite        187.2                      187.2   

Racing license

    Indefinite        5.0                      5.0   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      460.8               (31.1     429.7   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortizing Intangible Assets:

         

Player relationships

    6        75.1        (9.0            66.1   

Favorable leasehold interests

    32        4.4        (0.1            4.3   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      79.5        (9.1            70.4   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets     $ 1,459.6      $ (9.1   $ (31.1   $ 1,419.4   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Player relationships are being amortized on an accelerated basis over an approximate weighted average remaining useful life of 5 years. Favorable leasehold interests are being amortized on a straight-line basis over an approximate weighted average remaining useful life of 31 years.

The aggregate amortization expense for indefinite-lived intangible assets was $20.8 million, $9.0 million, and $0.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Estimated future annual amortization is as follows:

 

    Player
    Relationships    
    Favorable
Leasehold
      Interests      
          Total        
    (in millions)  

Year ended December 31:

     

2015

  $ 15.8      $ 0.1      $ 15.9   

2016

    11.9        0.1        12.0   

2017

    8.8        0.1        8.9   

2018

    6.5        0.1        6.6   

2019

    2.1        0.1        2.2   

Thereafter

    0.3        3.7        4.0   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 45.4      $ 4.2      $ 49.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-33


Table of Contents

Note 10—Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of the following:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
          2014                 2013                 2012        
    (in millions)  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net   $ 3.5      $ 2.8      $ (1.2
Lease abandonment     3.0                 
Reserve on loan receivable            0.1        1.7   
Impairment of long-lived assets            2.9        0.3   
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets            10.0          
Other     (0.1     1.5          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net   $         6.4      $         17.3      $         0.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of $6.4 million in losses for the year ended December 31, 2014. The losses related to a $3.0 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters and net losses of $3.5 million from the disposal or abandonment of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized net losses of $17.3 million. The losses were primarily a result of an impairment loss on our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license of $10.0 million, an impairment charge of $1.5 million related to a decline in value of some of our excess land, and losses of $2.8 million from disposals of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized net losses of $0.8 million. The losses were primarily a result of a $1.7 million reserve made against an outstanding loan receivable. This loss was offset by a net gain of $1.2 million on disposals of assets.

Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies

Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement for Belterra Park: In January 2013, we entered into an Agreement for Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Services with a general contractor for the mobilization, demolition, site work and foundation work for Belterra Park. This agreement provides, among other things, that the general contractor will complete the initial work for a total guaranteed maximum price of approximately $20.1 million. In July 2013, we entered into an amendment to the agreement with the general contractor, which provides that the guaranteed date of completion for the Belterra Park project is May 1, 2014 and the total guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the Belterra Park project is approximately $131.0 million, which includes the $20.1 million described above.

Self-Insurance: We self-insure various levels of general liability and workers’ compensation at all of our properties and medical coverage at most of our properties. Insurance reserves include accruals for estimated settlements for known claims, as well as accruals for estimates of claims not yet made. At December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.4 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Indiana Tax Dispute : In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue (“IDR”) commenced an income tax examination of the Company’s Indiana income tax filings for the 2005 to 2007 period. In February 2010, the Company received a notice of proposed adjustment from the field agent in the amount of $7.3 million, excluding interest and penalties. We filed a protest requesting abatement of all taxes, interest and penalties and had two

 

F-34


Table of Contents

hearings with the IDR where we provided additional facts and support. At issue is whether income and gains from certain asset sales, including the sale of the Hollywood Park Racetrack in 1999, and other transactions outside of Indiana, such as the Aztar merger termination fee in 2006, which we reported on our Indiana state tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007, resulted in business income subject to apportionment. In April 2012, we received a supplemental letter of findings from the IDR that denied our protest on most counts. In the supplemental letter of findings, the IDR did not raise any new technical arguments or advance any new theory that would alter our judgment regarding the recognition or measurement of the unrecognized tax benefit related to this audit. We believe that our tax return position is sustainable on the merits. In June 2012, we filed a tax appeal petition with the Indiana tax court to set aside the final assessment. In August 2013, we filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on the 1999 Hollywood Park sale. We asked the court to grant summary judgment in our favor based on the technical merit of Indiana tax law. In January 2014, oral arguments were held at the Indiana Tax Court regarding our motion for summary judgment. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is still awaiting the issuance of the Indiana Tax Court’s ruling on our Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.

Other:   We are a party to a number of pending legal proceedings. Management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Note 12—Consolidating Condensed Financial Information

Our subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 2014, that include a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries) have fully, unconditionally, jointly, and severally guaranteed the payment of all obligations under our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility. Separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the subsidiary guarantors are not included herein because management has determined that such information is not material to investors. In lieu thereof, we include the following:

 

    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  

Statements of Operations

         
For the year ended December 31, 2014          

Revenues:

         

Gaming

  $      $ 1,974.4      $      $      $ 1,974.4   

Food and beverage

           118.4                      118.4   

Lodging

           50.6                      50.6   

Retail, entertainment and other

    0.1        67.0                      67.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    0.1        2,210.4                      2,210.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-35


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  

Expenses:

         

Gaming

           1,056.9                      1,056.9   

Food and beverage

           110.3                      110.3   

Lodging

           24.0                      24.0   

Retail, entertainment and other

           27.0                      27.0   

General and administrative

    96.2        324.9        0.3               421.4   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    4.3        8.3        0.3               12.9   

Depreciation and amortization

    8.5        232.5                      241.0   

Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net

    4.2        2.2                      6.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    113.2        1,786.1                      0.6                    —                1,900.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)     (113.1     424.3        (0.6            310.5   
Equity earnings of subsidiaries     292.5                      (292.5       
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net     (255.4     2.7                      (252.7
Loss on early extinguishment of debt     (8.2                          (8.2
Loss from equity method investment                   (0.2            (0.2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes     (84.2     427.0        (0.8     (292.5     49.4   
Management fee and inter-company interest     149.8        (149.8                     
Income tax benefit (expense)     (21.8     10.7                      (11.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     43.8        287.9        (0.8     (292.5     38.3   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes            5.5                      5.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)    $           43.8       $           293.4       $ (0.8    $ (292.5    $ 43.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-36


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
For the year ended December 31, 2013          

Revenues:

         

Gaming

  $      $ 1,327.3      $      $      $ 1,327.3   

Food and beverage

           78.9                      78.9   

Lodging

           31.3                      31.3   

Retail, entertainment and other

    0.1        50.2                      50.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    0.1        1,487.7                      1,487.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

         

Gaming

           733.5                      733.5   

Food and beverage

           69.8                      69.8   

Lodging

           14.8                      14.8   

Retail, entertainment and other

           23.3                      23.3   

General and administrative

    63.1        223.8        0.5               287.4   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    86.2        2.1        0.7               89.0   

Depreciation and amortization

    6.5        142.0                      148.5   

Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net

    1.1        14.5        1.6               17.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    156.9        1,223.8        2.8               1,383.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)     (156.8     263.9        (2.8            104.3   
Equity earnings of subsidiaries     (16.1                   16.1          
Loss on early extinguishment of debt     (30.8                          (30.8
Loss from equity method investment                   (92.2            (92.2
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net     (177.4     7.7                      (169.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes     (381.1     271.6        (95.0     16.1        (188.4
Management fee and inter-company interest     70.1        (70.1                     
Income tax benefit     55.1                             55.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     (255.9     201.5        (95.0     16.1        (133.3
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes            (122.5     (0.1            (122.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)   $         (255.9   $             79.0      $             (95.1   $             16.1      $         (255.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-37


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
For the year ended December 31, 2012          

Revenues:

         

Gaming

  $               —      $             892.3      $               —      $             —      $         892.3   

Food and beverage

           53.5                      53.5   

Lodging

           21.9                      21.9   

Retail, entertainment and other

    0.1        34.5        0.5               35.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    0.1        1,002.2        0.5               1,002.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

         

Gaming

           501.4                      501.4   

Food and beverage

           47.1                      47.1   

Lodging

           11.6                      11.6   

Retail, entertainment and other

           19.1        0.7               19.8   

General and administrative

    26.7        153.9        0.6               181.2   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    3.2        16.7        1.6               21.5   

Depreciation and amortization

    3.3        79.2        0.2               82.7   

Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net

    0.3        (1.2     1.7               0.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    33.5        827.8        4.8               866.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)     (33.4     174.4        (4.3            136.7   
Equity earnings of subsidiaries     111.3        (0.1            (111.2       
Loss on early extinguishment of debt     (20.7                          (20.7
Loss from equity method investment                   (30.8            (30.8
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net     (114.4     12.0        8.7               (93.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes     (57.2     186.3        (26.4     (111.2     (8.5
Management fee and inter-company interest     30.1        (20.2     (8.4     (1.5       
Income tax expense     (4.7                          (4.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     (31.8     166.1        (34.8     (112.7     (13.2
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes            (20.0     (0.1     1.5        (18.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)   $ (31.8   $ 146.1      $ (34.9   $ (111.2   $ (31.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-38


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  

Balance Sheets

         

As of December 31, 2014

         
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations   $           73.4      $             184.5      $               23.3      $       (23.3   $         257.9   
Property and equipment, net     34.3        2,977.2        5.4               3,016.9   
Goodwill            916.0        3.3               919.3   
Intangible assets, net            524.3        5.0               529.3   
Other non-current assets     60.0        4.6        24.4               89.0   
Investment in subsidiaries     4,470.8                      (4,470.8       
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale     3.6        17.7                      21.3   
Inter-company            352.0               (352.0       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 4,642.1      $ 4,976.3      $ 61.4      $ (4,846.1   $ 4,833.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations   $ 100.8      $ 273.1      $      $ (23.3   $ 350.6   
Notes payable, long term     3,975.5        0.1                      3,975.6   
Other non-current liabilities     (63.0     280.6                      217.6   
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale            0.4                      0.4   
Inter-company     350.8               1.2        (352.0       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,364.1        554.2        1.2        (375.3     4,544.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

    278.0        4,422.1        48.8        (4,470.8     278.1   
Non-controlling interest                   11.4               11.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    278.0        4,422.1        60.2        (4,470.8     289.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 4,642.1      $ 4,976.3      $ 61.4      $ (4,846.1   $ 4,833.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

       
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations   $ 66.8      $ 185.1      $ 27.7      $      $ 279.6   
Property and equipment, net     47.7        2,983.1        5.7               3,036.5   
Goodwill            916.0        3.3               919.3   
Intangible assets, net            495.1        5.0               500.1   
Other non-current assets     72.6        6.6        22.1               101.3   
Investment in subsidiaries     4,508.3                      (4,508.3       
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale     3.4        318.8        1.2        (0.8     322.6   
Inter-company            55.7               (55.7       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 4,698.8      $ 4,960.4      $ 65.0      $ (4,564.8   $ 5,159.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-39


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations   $ 114.8      $ 231.4      $ 0.1      $      $ 346.3   
Notes payable, long term     4,363.9        0.1                      4,364.0   
Other non-current liabilities     (48.1     245.9                      197.8   
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale            26.1                      26.1   
Inter-company     54.5               1.2        (55.7       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,485.1        503.5        1.3        (55.7     4,934.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

    213.7        4,456.9        52.2        (4,509.1     213.7   
Non-controlling interest                   11.5               11.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

  $ 213.7      $ 4,456.9      $ 63.7      $ (4,509.1   $ 225.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 4,698.8      $ 4,960.4      $ 65.0      $ (4,564.8   $ 5,159.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
Statements of Cash Flows          
For the year ended December 31, 2014        
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities   $         119.3      $         234.4      $       (25.2   $         —      $         328.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Capital expenditures and land additions     (12.0     (218.8                   (230.8
Purchases of intangible assets            (25.0                   (25.0
Escrow funds            25.0                      25.0   
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale            258.5                      258.5   
Restricted cash     5.9                             5.9   
Inter-company transfers of proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale and other     260.2        (258.1     (2.5            (0.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities     254.1        (218.4     (2.5            33.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Proceeds from credit facility     291.7                             291.7   
Repayments under credit facility     (693.0                          (693.0
Other     5.7                             5.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash provided by financing activities     (395.6                          (395.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-40


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.           
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (22.2     16.0        (27.7            (33.9
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     28.6        142.3        27.7               198.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period    $ 6.4       $ 158.3       $       $       $ 164.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
For the year ended December 31, 2013        
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities    $ (1,754.5    $ 1,895.5       $ 20.1       $       $ 161.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Capital expenditures and land additions     (5.8     (286.8                   (292.6
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net     4.4               (5.9            (1.5
Payments for business combinations, net            (1,749.7                   (1,749.7
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale            205.7                      205.7   
Loans receivable, net                   (6.9            (6.9
Other     0.5        4.1        (2.4            2.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash used in investing activities     (0.9     (1,826.7     (15.2            (1,842.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Proceeds from credit facility     2,168.8                             2,168.8   
Repayments under credit facility     (15.1                          (15.1
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     850.0                             850.0   
Repayments of long-term debt     (1,190.3                          (1,190.3
Other     (34.9                          (34.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash provided by financing activities     1,778.5                             1,778.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     23.1        68.8        4.9               96.8   
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     5.5        73.5        22.8               101.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period    $ 28.6       $ 142.3       $ 27.7       $       $ 198.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-41


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
          Inc.        
    100% Owned
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(a)  
    Non-
Guarantor
  Subsidiaries(b)  
    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
      Entries      
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
  Consolidated  
 
    (in millions)  
For the year ended December 31, 2012        
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities     $     (140.0    $         277.7       $           49.2       $         —       $       186.9   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Capital expenditures and land additions     (4.1     (294.8     (0.5            (299.4
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities, net     (4.5            (15.6            (20.1
Refund from escrow deposit            25.0                      25.0   
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations            10.8                      10.8   
Equity method investment            (0.3     (24.1            (24.4
Loans receivable, net                   (6.0            (6.0
Other     0.1        7.1        4.8               12.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash used in investing activities     (8.5     (252.2     (41.4            (302.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Proceeds from credit facility     47.5                             47.5   
Repayments under credit facility     (103.5                          (103.5
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     646.8                             646.8   
Repayment of long-term debt     (392.2                          (392.2
Debt issuance and other financing costs     (12.4                          (12.4
Purchase of treasury stock     (51.0                          (51.0
Other     1.5                             1.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash provided by financing activities     136.7                             136.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (11.8     25.5        7.8               21.5   
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     17.3        48.0        15.0               80.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period    $ 5.5       $ 73.5       $ 22.8       $       $ 101.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) As of December 31, 2014, the following material subsidiaries are identified as guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes: Belterra Resort Indiana, LLC; Boomtown, LLC; Casino Magic, LLC; Louisiana-I Gaming; PNK (Baton Rouge) Partnership; PNK (BOSSIER CITY), Inc.; PNK Development 7, LLC; PNK Development 8, LLC; PNK Development 9, LLC; PNK (LAKE CHARLES), L.L.C.; PNK (Ohio), LLC; PNK (Ohio) II, LLC; PNK (Ohio) III, LLC; PNK (River City), LLC; PNK (SAM), LLC; PNK (SAZ), LLC; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, Inc.; Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc.; Cactus Pete’s, Inc.; Ameristar East Chicago Holdings, LLC; Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC; and Ameristar Casino Springfield, LLC. In addition, certain other immaterial subsidiaries are also guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes.

 

F-42


Table of Contents
  (b) Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 2014, that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Note 13—Segment Information

We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) for each segment to compare operating results among our segments and allocate resources. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDA for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

      
Midwest segment (a)     $       1,185.2       $ 650.9       $ 367.3   
South segment (a)      801.9        748.1        634.9   
West segment (a)      216.0        82.9          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,203.1        1,481.9        1,002.2   
Corporate and other (c)      7.4        6.0        0.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    $ 2,210.5       $       1,487.9       $       1,002.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (b):

      
Midwest segment (a)     $ 348.4       $ 183.7       $ 94.3   
South segment (a)      244.4        213.5        176.6   
West segment (a)      78.2        27.7          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     671.0        424.9        270.9   
Corporate expenses and other (c)      (86.2     (54.3     (20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)

    $ 584.8       $ 370.6       $ 250.3   

Other benefits (costs):

      
Depreciation and amortization      (241.1     (148.5     (82.7
Pre-opening, development and other costs      (13.0     (89.0     (21.5
Non-cash share-based compensation      (13.9     (11.5     (8.5
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net      (6.4     (17.3     (0.8
Interest expense, net      (252.6     (169.8     (93.7
Loss from equity method investment      (0.2     (92.2     (30.8
Loss on early extinguishment of debt      (8.2     (30.8     (20.7
Income tax benefit (expense)      (11.1     55.1        (4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     $ 38.3       $ (133.4    $ (13.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

      
Midwest segment (a)     $ 158.2       $ 139.4       $ 37.1   
South segment (a)      51.0        77.8        249.0   
West segment (a)      7.7        1.7          
Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations      13.9        73.7        13.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 230.8       $ 292.6       $ 299.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-43


Table of Contents
     December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (in millions)  

Assets:

    
Midwest segment (a)     $ 2,758.1       $ 2,669.1   
South segment (a)      1,294.8        1,322.8   
West segment (a)      546.6        568.4   
Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations      1,008.2        1,627.0   
Eliminations      (774.0     (1,027.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $         4,833.7       $       5,159.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for a listing of properties included in each segment.

(b) We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

(c) Corporate and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Beginning in the 2013 third quarter, we changed the methodology used to allocate corporate expenses to our reportable segments. Historically, we allocated direct and some indirect expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters to each property. Expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters that were related to property operations, but not

 

F-44


Table of Contents

directly attributable to a specific property, were allocated, typically on a pro rata basis, to each property. Only the remaining corporate expenses that were not related to an operating property were retained in the Corporate expense category. Under our new methodology, only corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property were allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are now allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. The change in methodology increases Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments with a corresponding increase in corporate expense, resulting in no impact to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

Note 14—Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     2014  
     Dec. 31,      Sept. 30,      Jun. 30,     Mar. 31,  
     (in millions, except per share data)  
Revenues     $       554.3        $       568.3        $       555.2       $       532.8   
Operating income (a)      78.7         77.2         66.8        87.7   
Income (loss) from continuing operations      14.2         7.7         (2.3     18.7   
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes      0.4         4.8                0.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)      14.6         12.5         (2.3     19.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.     $ 14.6        $ 12.5        $ (2.3    $ 19.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Share Data—Basic (b)

          

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    $ 0.24        $ 0.13        $ (0.04    $ 0.32   

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01         0.08                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—basic

    $ 0.25        $ 0.21        $ (0.04    $ 0.32   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Share Data—Diluted (b)

          

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    $ 0.23        $ 0.13        $ (0.04    $ 0.31   

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01         0.08                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—diluted

    $ 0.24        $ 0.21        $ (0.04    $ 0.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-45


Table of Contents
     2013  
     Dec. 31,      Sept. 30,     Jun. 30,     Mar. 31,  
     (in millions, except per share data)  
Revenues    $       535.0       $       418.9      $       267.3      $       266.6   
Operating income (loss) (a)      69.8         (15.2     17.9        31.9   
Income (loss) from continuing operations      8.6         (47.1     (7.1     (87.8
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes      6.4         (133.3     2.0        2.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)      15.0         (180.4     (5.1     (85.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.    $ 15.0       $ (180.4   $ (5.1   $ (85.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Share Data—Basic (b)

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.15       $ (0.80   $ (0.12   $ (1.50

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.11         (2.27     0.03        0.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—basic

   $ 0.26       $ (3.07   $ (0.09   $ (1.46
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Share Data—Diluted (b)

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.14       $ (0.80   $ (0.12   $ (1.50

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.11         (2.27     0.03        0.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—diluted

   $ 0.25       $ (3.07   $ (0.09   $ (1.46
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) Among other items, the estimates inherent in the accounting process can impact quarterly comparability.
  (b) Net income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods; accordingly, the sum of the quarters may not equal the full-year income (loss) per share.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2015     2014     2015     2014  

Revenues:

        
Gaming    $ 513,680      $ 503,620      $ 1,547,353      $ 1,477,041   
Food and beverage      31,764        31,259        95,224        89,228   
Lodging      14,860        14,485        39,488        39,077   
Retail, entertainment and other      18,326        18,935        51,364        50,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total revenues      578,630        568,299        1,733,429        1,656,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses and other costs:

        
Gaming      276,758        271,306        823,603        785,903   
Food and beverage      30,685        29,648        88,836        82,559   
Lodging      7,277        6,715        19,408        18,309   
Retail, entertainment and other      8,794        9,184        22,034        20,448   
General and administrative      109,414        111,369        318,790        323,784   
Depreciation and amortization      57,584        60,152        187,290        177,236   
Pre-opening, development and other costs      4,037        1,598        11,712        11,917   
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net      3,164        1,135        6,555        4,359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total expenses and other costs      497,713        491,107        1,478,228        1,424,515   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     80,917        77,192        255,201        231,743   
Interest expense, net      (65,027     (62,498     (186,105     (191,290
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                           (8,234
Loss from equity method investment                    (83       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes      15,890        14,694        69,013        32,219   
Income tax expense      (2,422     (6,975     (12,673     (8,072
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income from continuing operations      13,468        7,719        56,340        24,147   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes      272        4,771        5,188        5,096   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     13,740        12,490        61,528        29,243   
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest      (9     (16     (1,271     (52
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.    $ 13,749      $ 12,506      $ 62,799      $ 29,295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share—basic

        
Income from continuing operations    $ 0.22      $ 0.13      $ 0.94      $ 0.41   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes             0.08        0.09        0.09   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income per common share—basic    $ 0.22      $ 0.21      $ 1.03      $ 0.50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share—diluted

        
Income from continuing operations    $ 0.22      $ 0.13      $ 0.91      $ 0.39   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes             0.08        0.08        0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income per common share—diluted    $ 0.22      $ 0.21      $ 0.99      $ 0.47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Number of shares—basic      61,187        59,817        60,936        59,560   
Number of shares—diluted      63,591        61,800        63,191        61,493   

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(amounts in thousands)

 

     For the three months ended 
September 30,
     For the nine months ended 
September 30,
 
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
Net income   $ 13,740      $ 12,490      $ 61,528      $ 29,243   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    13,740        12,490        61,528        29,243   
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest     (9     (16     (1,271     (52
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Comprehensive income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.   $ 13,749      $ 12,506      $ 62,799      $ 29,295   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-48


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

     September 30,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    
Current Assets:     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 123,012      $ 164,654   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,567 and $4,963

     29,703        28,424   

Inventories

     10,796        9,877   

Income tax receivable, net

            20,289   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     22,177        27,102   

Deferred income taxes

     7,509        7,509   

Assets held for sale and assets of discontinued operations

     9,776        21,260   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     202,973        279,115   
Restricted cash             5,667   
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net      2,885,328        3,017,009   
Goodwill      914,525        919,282   
Intangible assets, net      511,520        529,269   
Other assets, net      74,575        83,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,588,921      $ 4,833,682   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    
Current Liabilities:     

Accounts payable

   $ 26,467      $ 57,632   

Accrued interest

     69,855        49,760   

Accrued compensation

     77,311        73,698   

Accrued taxes

     57,659        39,287   

Other accrued liabilities

     80,086        119,106   

Current portion of long-term debt

     11,006        11,006   

Liabilities held for sale and liabilities of discontinued operations

     63        413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     322,447        350,902   
Long-term debt less current portion      3,665,926        3,975,648   
Other long-term liabilities      41,365        40,021   
Deferred income taxes      187,178        177,729   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,216,916        4,544,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

              

Common stock—$0.10 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 60,870,749 and 59,979,853 shares issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares

     6,724        6,635   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,117,514        1,096,508   

Accumulated deficit

     (691,407     (754,206

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     132        132   

Treasury stock, at cost, 6,374,882 of treasury shares for both periods

     (71,090     (71,090
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

     361,873        277,979   

Non-controlling interest

     10,132        11,403   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     372,005        289,382   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 4,588,921      $ 4,833,682   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-49


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(amounts in thousands)

 

    Capital Stock                                            
    Number of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Treasury
Stock
    Total Pinnacle
Stockholders’
Equity
    Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Balance as of January 1, 2015     59,980       $ 6,635       $ 1,096,508          $ (754,206    $ 132       $ (71,090)         $ 277,979       $ 11,403       $ 289,382   

Net income (loss)

                  —           62,799               —           62,799        (1,271     61,528   

Share-based compensation

                  12,972                         —           12,972               12,972   

Common stock issuance and option exercises

    891        89        8,905                         —           8,994               8,994   

Other

                  (871)                        —           (871            (871
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance as of September 30, 2015     60,871       $ 6,724       $ 1,117,514          $ (691,407    $ 132       $ (71,090)         $ 361,873       $ 10,132       $ 372,005   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-50


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(amounts in thousands)

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2015     2014  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    
Net income     $ 61,528       $ 29,243   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     187,290        177,236   

Gain on sales or disposals of long-lived assets, net

     (11,526     (1,327

Loss from equity method investment

     83          

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

            8,234   

Impairment of goodwill

     4,757          

Impairment of other intangible assets

     5,845          

Impairment of land, buildings, vessels and equipment

     3,380        5,132   

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums

     10,085        8,370   

Share-based compensation expense

     12,972        10,126   

Change in income taxes

     29,954        7,024   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Receivables, net

     (849     6,008   

Prepaid expenses and other

     6,755        (7,801

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

     6,476        28,282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     316,750        270,527   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (57,544     (188,722

Net proceeds from dispositions of discontinued operations and assets held for sale

     25,066        258,507   

Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest

            (25

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     351        103   

Purchase of intangible asset

     (25,000     (25,000

Escrow refund

            25,000   

Loans receivable

     (1,575     (317

Restricted cash

     5,667        5,925   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (53,035     75,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from credit facility

     353,800        217,600   

Repayments under credit facility

     (666,550     (612,837

Proceeds from common stock options exercised

     8,905        6,352   

Other financing activities

     (1,512     (699
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (305,357     (389,584
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Change in cash and cash equivalents      (41,642     (43,586
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period      164,654        198,575   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period     $ 123,012       $ 154,989   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

    

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

    $ 156,176       $ 162,652   

Cash refunds related to income taxes, net

     (17,427     (2,036

Decrease in construction-related deposits and liabilities

     (7,970     (17,270

Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset

            (25,000

Non-cash issuance of common stock

     634        718   

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-51


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Organization. Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is an owner, operator and developer of casinos and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. References in these footnotes to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.

We own and operate 15 gaming entertainment properties, located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these properties, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour (“HPT”). We view each of our operating properties as an operating segment with the exception of our two properties in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:

 

Midwest segment, which includes:

  Location

Ameristar Council Bluffs

  Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ameristar East Chicago

  East Chicago, Indiana

Ameristar Kansas City

  Kansas City, Missouri

Ameristar St. Charles

  St. Charles, Missouri

River City

  St. Louis, Missouri

Belterra

  Florence, Indiana

Belterra Park

  Cincinnati, Ohio
 
South segment, which includes:   Location

Ameristar Vicksburg

  Vicksburg, Mississippi

Boomtown Bossier City

  Bossier City, Louisiana

Boomtown New Orleans

  New Orleans, Louisiana

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

  Baton Rouge, Louisiana

L’Auberge Lake Charles

  Lake Charles, Louisiana
 
West segment, which includes:   Location

Ameristar Black Hawk

  Black Hawk, Colorado

Cactus Petes and Horseshu

  Jackpot, Nevada

The operating results of Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, and related excess land parcels (collectively, the “Lumière Place Casino and Hotels”) and excess land associated with our former Boomtown Reno property have been classified as discontinued operations in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in the Lumière Place Casino and Hotels. We completed the sale of our excess land in Reno associated with our former Boomtown Reno operations in April 2015. For further information, see Note 7, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale.” Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have not been adjusted for discontinued operations.

On July 20, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), a real estate investment trust, whereby GLPI will acquire substantially all of our real estate assets,

 

F-52


Table of Contents

excluding our Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations. For more information regarding the GLPI transaction, see Note 6, “Investment, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities.”

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The results for the periods indicated are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in the common stock of unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The results of operations for interim periods are not indicative of a full year of operations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our customer loyalty programs, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and intangible assets, contingencies and litigation, and estimates of the forfeiture rate and expected life of share-based awards and stock price volatility when computing share-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Fair Value. Fair value measurements affect our accounting and impairment assessments of our long-lived assets, investments in unconsolidated affiliates, assets acquired in an acquisition, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value measurements also affect our accounting for certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and is measured according to a hierarchy that includes: “Level 1” inputs, such as quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities; “Level 2” inputs, which are observable inputs for similar assets; or “Level 3” inputs, which are unobservable inputs.

The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

            Fair Value Measurements Using:  
     Total Fair
Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     (in millions)  

As of September 30, 2015

           

Liabilities:

        

Deferred compensation

   $ 0.4       $ 0.4       $       $   

As of December 31, 2014

        

Liabilities:

        

Deferred compensation

   $ 0.6       $ 0.6       $       $   

 

F-53


Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:

 

            Fair Value Measurements Using:  
     Total
Carrying
Amount
     Total Fair
Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     (in millions)  

As of September 30, 2015

              

Assets:

              

Held-to-maturity securities

   $ 14.4       $ 15.0       $       $ 11.9       $ 3.1   

Promissory notes

   $ 13.6       $ 19.1       $       $ 19.1       $   

Liabilities:

              

Long-term debt

   $ 3,676.9       $ 3,788.7       $       $ 3,788.7       $   

As of December 31, 2014

              

Assets:

              

Held-to-maturity securities

   $ 14.8       $ 21.7       $       $ 18.5       $ 3.2   

Promissory notes

   $ 12.0       $ 16.8       $       $ 16.8       $   

Liabilities:

              

Long-term debt

   $ 3,986.6       $ 4,029.9       $       $ 4,029.9       $   

The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities and our long-term promissory notes were based on Level 2 inputs using observable market data for comparable instruments in establishing prices.

The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities were based on Level 3 inputs using a present value of future cash flow valuation technique that relies on management assumptions and qualitative observations. Key significant unobservable inputs in this technique include discount rate risk premiums and probability-weighted cash flow scenarios.

The estimated fair values of our long-term debt, which includes the fair value of our senior notes, senior subordinated notes, senior secured credit facility and term loans, were based on Level 2 inputs of observable market data on comparable debt instruments on or about September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

The fair values of our short-term financial instruments approximate the carrying amounts due to their short-term nature.

Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment. Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. Land includes land not currently being used in our operations, which totaled $34.6 million as of September 30, 2015. We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense repair and maintenance costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposition of land, buildings, vessels and equipment are included in the determination of income.

We review the carrying amounts of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment used in our operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying amount, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, then an impairment charge is recorded based on the fair value of the asset.

Development costs directly associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of the project, during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for

 

F-54


Table of Contents

its intended use are in progress. The costs incurred for development projects are carried at cost. Interest costs associated with development projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed asset. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project, or discernible portion of the project, is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed. For further discussion, see Note 2, “Long-Term Debt.”

The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:

 

     September 30,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
     (in millions)  

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:

    

Land and land improvements

   $ 422.5      $ 401.9   

Buildings, vessels and improvements

     2,676.3        2,677.8   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     784.0        721.9   

Construction in progress

     22.7        75.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross      3,905.5        3,877.2   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (1,020.2     (860.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net

   $ 2,885.3      $ 3,017.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On July 20, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement with GLPI, whereby GLPI will acquire substantially all of our real estate assets. For more information regarding the GLPI transaction, see Note 6, “Investment, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities.”

Equity Method Investments. We apply equity method accounting for investments when we do not control the investee, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and finance policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, with the allocable portion of the investee’s income or loss reported in earnings, and adjusted for capital contributions to and distributions from the investee. Distributions in excess of equity method earnings, if any, are recognized as a return of investment and recorded as investing cash flows in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We review our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of our investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses and trade names. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. Amortizing intangible assets include customer relationships and favorable leasehold interests. We review amortizing intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

We recorded impairments to goodwill and other intangible assets at Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC (“PRP”) and HPT during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the third quarter of 2015, we determined that there was an indication of impairment on the assets of HPT due to its operating performance. As a result, we recognized non-cash impairments on its goodwill, trade name, and customer relationship intangible assets, of $1.4 million, $0.2 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. The impairments were measured using discounted cash flow models, which utilized Level 3 inputs. During the second quarter of 2015, we determined that there was an indication of impairment on the assets of PRP due to the lack of legislative progress and on-going negative

 

F-55


Table of Contents

operating results at Retama Park Racetrack. As a result, we recognized non-cash impairments of the goodwill of PRP and the Retama Park Racetrack license of $3.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively, which fully impaired these intangible assets. The impairments were measured using probability-weighted discounted cash flow models, which utilized Level 3 inputs. PRP and HPT impairment charges are included in “Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 5, “Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries, Net,” and Note 6, “Investment, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities.”

There were no impairments to goodwill or other intangible assets recognized during the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2014.

In April 2015, we made our final installment payment of $25.0 million for Belterra Park’s video lottery terminal license, which we had accrued as of December 31, 2014 in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Customer Loyalty Programs. We offer incentives to our customers through our my choice customer loyalty program. Under the my choice customer loyalty program, customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the plan will be forfeited if the customer does not earn or use any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items.

We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding cost of providing the benefits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had accrued $22.8 million and $26.6 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing my choice benefits. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revenue Recognition. Gaming revenues consist of the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between amounts wagered and amounts paid to winning patrons. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed. Advance deposits on lodging are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer.

The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating total revenues. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in gaming expenses. Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
             2015                      2014                      2015                          2014          
     (in millions)  
Food and beverage    $           34.1       $           35.2       $           104.1       $           102.1   
Lodging      16.2         15.4         47.4         46.6   
Other      4.6         4.9         13.7         13.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total promotional allowances    $ 54.9       $ 55.5       $ 165.2       $ 161.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-56


Table of Contents

The costs to provide such complimentary benefits were as follows:

 

    For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
            2015                     2014                     2015                     2014          
    (in millions)  
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense   $           42.3      $           42.1      $           125.6      $           119.4   

Gaming Taxes. We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments. These gaming taxes are an assessment on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. These taxes were as follows:

 

    For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
            2015                     2014                     2015                     2014          
    (in millions)  
Gaming taxes   $           145.8      $           142.1      $           438.9      $           416.4   

Pre-opening, Development and Other Costs. Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of payroll costs to hire, employ and train the workforce prior to opening an operating facility; marketing campaigns prior to and in connection with the opening; legal and professional fees related to the project but not otherwise attributable to depreciable assets; lease payments; real estate taxes; acquisition costs; restructuring costs; and other costs prior to the opening of an operating facility. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of the following:

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
             2015                      2014                     2015                      2014          
     (in millions)  
Restructuring costs (1)    $         3.7       $         0.9      $         10.0       $         0.9   
Belterra Park (2)              0.8                8.2   
Other (3)      0.3         (0.1     1.7         2.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total pre-opening, development and other costs    $ 4.0       $ 1.6      $ 11.7       $ 11.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
(1) Amounts comprised of cost associated with the separation of our real estate assets from our operating assets. See Note 6, “Investment, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities.”
(2) Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.
(3) Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses, including those related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”).

Earnings Per Share. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively. Diluted earnings per share reflect the addition of potentially dilutive securities, which include in-the-money stock options and restricted stocks units. A total of 0.1 million and 0.2 million out-of-the-money stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to a total of 1.8 million and 1.5 million out-of-the-money stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively, for the corresponding prior-year periods, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.

 

F-57


Table of Contents

Reclassifications. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income amounts.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update in connection with reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of entities. The accounting standards update changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendment, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (i) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; (ii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; and (iii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. This new guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity and all business activities, on acquisition, that are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2015 and it did not have a material impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services or goods in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of this new standard to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the new standard, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which clarifies that companies may continue to present unamortized debt issuance costs associated with line of credit arrangements as an asset. The new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The effective dates for these updates are for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We intend to early adopt these standards, which are not expected to have a material impact on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, effective December 31, 2015.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Given the tentative and preliminary nature of such

 

F-58


Table of Contents

proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

     September 30, 2015  
     Outstanding
Principal
    Unamortized
(Discount)
Premium
    Long-Term
Debt, Net
 
     (in millions)  

Senior Secured Credit Facility:

      

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 715.1      $      $ 715.1   

Term B-2 Loans due 2020

     361.0        (12.8     348.2   
6.375% Senior Notes due 2021      850.0               850.0   
7.50% Senior Notes due 2021      1,040.0        48.5        1,088.5   
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022      325.0               325.0   
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020      350.0               350.0   
Other      0.1               0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total debt including current maturities      3,641.2        35.7        3,676.9   
Less current maturities      (11.0            (11.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total long-term debt    $ 3,630.2      $ 35.7      $ 3,665.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2014  
     Outstanding
Principal
    Unamortized
(Discount)
Premium
    Long-Term
Debt, Net
 
     (in millions)  

Senior Secured Credit Facility:

      

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 606.6      $      $ 606.6   

Term B-2 Loans due 2020

     782.2        (21.1     761.1   
6.375% Senior Notes due 2021      850.0               850.0   
7.50% Senior Notes due 2021      1,040.0        53.8        1,093.8   
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022      325.0               325.0   
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020      350.0               350.0   
Other      0.1               0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total debt including current maturities      3,953.9        32.7        3,986.6   
Less current maturities      (11.0            (11.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total long-term debt    $ 3,942.9      $ 32.7      $ 3,975.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility: In August 2013, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”), which amended and restated our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2011, as amended. The Credit Facility consists of (i) $1.6 billion of term loans comprised of $500.0 million of Tranche B-1 term loans and $1.1 billion of Tranche B-2 term loans and (ii) a $1.0 billion revolving credit commitment. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $715.1 million drawn under the

 

F-59


Table of Contents

$1.0 billion revolving credit facility, approximately $361.0 million outstanding principal Tranche B-2 term loan debt, and approximately $12.0 million committed under various letters of credit under our Credit Facility. We fully repaid the outstanding principal balances of our Tranche B-1 term loans during 2014. The outstanding principal on the Tranche B-2 term loans has been discounted on issuance for the reduction in the proceeds received when the transaction was consummated.

6.375% Senior Notes due 2021: In August 2013, we issued $850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”) to fund the acquisition of Ameristar. The 6.375% Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1st and August 1st of each year. The 6.375% Notes mature on August 1, 2021. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $835.0 million.

7.50% Senior Notes due 2021: As part of the acquisition of Ameristar, we assumed $1.04 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”) that were originally issued by Ameristar. The 7.50% Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15th and October 15th of each year. The 7.50% Notes mature on April 15, 2021. The 7.50% Notes were recorded at fair value as part of the purchase price allocation with a premium of $72.8 million. In addition, a consent fee payment to the holders of the 7.50% Notes at acquisition was included as a discount component of the total carrying amount.

7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022: In March 2012, we issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”). The 7.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year. The 7.75% Notes mature on April 1, 2022. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $318.3 million.

8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020: In May 2010, we issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”). The 8.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on May 15th and November 15th of each year. The 8.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2020. Net of the initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $341.5 million.

Financing in Connection with GLPI Transaction

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as defined in Note 6, “Investments, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities”), we have entered into a commitment letter, dated July 20, 2015, with certain lenders to provide the required debt financing. For more information regarding the GLPI transaction, see Note 6, “Investments, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities.”

Interest expense, net, was as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2015     2014     2015     2014  
     (in millions)  
Interest expense    $ 65.2      $ 62.8      $ 186.4      $ 194.3   
Interest income      (0.2            (0.3     (0.3
Capitalized interest             (0.3            (2.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Interest expense, net    $ 65.0      $ 62.5      $ 186.1      $ 191.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-60


Table of Contents

Interest expense is capitalized on internally constructed assets at our overall weighted average cost of borrowing. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we capitalized interest on our Boomtown New Orleans hotel. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we capitalized interest on our Belterra Park re-development project and our Boomtown New Orleans hotel.

Note 3—Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was 15.2%, or an expense of $2.4 million, and 18.4% or an expense of $12.7 million, respectively, as compared to an effective tax rate of 47.5%, or an expense of $7.0 million and 25.1% or an expense of $8.1 million, respectively, for the corresponding prior year periods. Our tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35.0% due to the effects of permanent items, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes, and a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. Our state tax provision represents taxes in the jurisdictions of Indiana and Louisiana as well as the city jurisdictions in Missouri, where we have no valuation allowance.

Note 4—Employee Benefit Plans

Share-based Compensation: As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately 7.3 million share-based awards outstanding, including common stock options, restricted stock units, and performance stock units, which are detailed below. Our 2015 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan has approximately 0.5 million share-based awards available for grant as of September 30, 2015.

We recorded share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2015      2014      2015      2014  
     (in millions)  

Share-based compensation expense

   $ 4.1       $ 1.4       $ 13.0       $ 10.1   

Stock options: The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options:

 

     Number of
  Stock Options  
     Weighted
Average

  Exercise Price  
 
Options outstanding at January 1, 2015      5,568,628          $ 15.17     

Granted

     169,090          $ 26.51     

Exercised

     (523,469)         $ 17.40     

Canceled or forfeited

     (29,903)         $ 21.88     
  

 

 

    
Options outstanding at September 30, 2015      5,184,346          $ 15.28     
  

 

 

    
Options exercisable at September 30, 2015      3,632,520          $ 12.84     
  

 

 

    
Expected to vest after September 30, 2015      1,175,282          $ 21.15     
  

 

 

    

 

F-61


Table of Contents

The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options totaled approximately $11.9 million as of September 30, 2015. The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately one year. The aggregate amount of cash we received from the exercise of stock options was $8.9 million and $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The associated shares were newly issued common stock. The following information is provided for our stock options:

 

         For the nine months ended    
September 30,
 
     2015      2014  
Weighted-average grant date fair value    $ 9.44         $ 8.93     

Restricted Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units:

 

         Number of    
Units
     Weighted
Average

Grant Date Fair  
Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2015      1,212,933          $ 22.20     

Granted

     172,741          $ 26.32     

Vested

     (196,155)         $ 21.07     

Canceled or forfeited

     (22,769)         $ 24.09     
  

 

 

    
Non-vested at September 30, 2015      1,166,750          $ 22.96     
  

 

 

    

The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to non-vested restricted stock units, totaled approximately $21.3 million as of September 30, 2015. The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years.

Performance Stock Units : The following table summarizes information related to our performance stock units:

 

         Number of    
Units
     Weighted
Average

Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2015      520,322         $ 23.64     

Granted

     —         $ —     

Canceled or forfeited

     —         $ —     
  

 

 

    
Non-vested at September 30, 2015      520,322         $ 23.64     
  

 

 

    

 

F-62


Table of Contents

Note 5—Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries, Net

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consist of the following:

 

        For the three months ended    
September 30,
        For the nine months ended    
September 30,
 
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
    (in millions)  
Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net    $ 0.5         $ 0.7         $ (6.7)         $ 1.0     
Lease abandonment     —          —          —           2.9     
Impairment of long-lived assets     0.4          0.4          3.4           0.5     
Impairment of goodwill     1.4          —          4.7           —     
Impairment of other intangible assets     0.9          —          5.9           —     
Other write-downs, reserves and (recoveries)     —          —          (0.8)          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net    $ 3.2         $ 1.1         $ 6.5           $ 4.4     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net: During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a gain on the sale of land in Springfield, Massachusetts of $8.4 million. Additionally, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded net losses related to disposals of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business.

Lease abandonment: During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $2.9 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters.

Impairment of long-lived assets: During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $0.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in non-cash impairments of our land in Central City, Colorado to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less cost to sell. Additionally, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded non-cash impairments on slot and other equipment at our properties.

Impairment of goodwill: During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded a $3.3 million non-cash impairment of PRP’s goodwill. During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded a $1.4 million non-cash impairment of HPT’s goodwill.

Impairment of other intangible assets: During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded a non-cash impairment of $5.0 million fully impairing the Retama Park Racetrack license. During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded non-cash impairments of HPT’s trade name and customer relationship intangible assets of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Note 6—Investment, Restructuring and Acquisition Activities

Merger Agreement with GLPI: On July 20, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement with GLPI (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, we will separate our operating assets (and certain real estate assets) and liabilities into a newly formed subsidiary (“OpCo”) and we will distribute to our stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of OpCo (such distribution referred to as the “Spin-Off”). As a result, Pinnacle stockholders will receive one share of OpCo common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own. Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI (“Merger Sub”), will then merge with and into Pinnacle (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI.

 

F-63


Table of Contents

At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Pinnacle (the “Pinnacle Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares of Pinnacle Common Stock (i) owned or held in treasury by Pinnacle or (ii) owned by GLPI, its subsidiaries or Merger Sub) will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive 0.85 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GLPI.

After the closing of the Merger, OpCo will own Belterra Park and excess land not acquired by GLPI. OpCo will operate the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI under a triple-net 10 -year master lease agreement that will have five subsequent, five -year extension periods at OpCo’s option. OpCo will initially pay GLPI $377 million in rent in the first year after the Merger. The consummation of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including without limitation, receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval by stockholders of GLPI and Pinnacle. If approved by the stockholders of Pinnacle and GLPI, we anticipate that the transaction will close in the first quarter of 2016.

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and Spin-Off, GLPI will refinance approximately $2.7 billion (subject to certain adjustments) of principal amount of Pinnacle debt, with the remaining outstanding debt to be refinanced by OpCo at closing. We have entered into a commitment letter, dated July 20, 2015, with certain lenders to provide the debt financing required by OpCo. In connection with the commitment letter, the lenders have agreed to provide us with financing in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion, comprised of a (i) $900 million senior secured term loan bridge facility and (ii) $200 million senior secured revolving credit facility (collectively, the “Facilities”). The Facilities would mature on the one year anniversary of the initial borrowings under the Facilities. The interest rates on the Facilities would be based on customary market LIBOR or base rates plus an applicable margin. The obligations of OpCo and the guarantors under the Facilities would be secured by substantially all assets of OpCo and the guarantors, subject to certain exceptions. Funding of the lenders’ commitments is subject to certain customary conditions, including, but not limited to, receipt of financial information, delivery of customary documentation relating to OpCo and its subsidiaries and consummation of the Spin-Off. We expect to obtain permanent financing for the transaction prior to the closing date, which would replace the Facilities described above.

Equity Method Investment: We have invested in a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis, which is accounted for under the equity method and included in “Other assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our proportional share of the investment’s losses totaled $0.1 million. As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of this investment was $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Retama Park Racetrack: We hold 75.5% of the equity of PRP and consolidate the accounts of PRP in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. During the second quarter of 2015, we determined that there was an indication of impairment on the assets of PRP due to the lack of legislative progress and on-going negative operating results at Retama Park Racetrack. As a result, we recorded non-cash impairments of the goodwill of PRP and the Retama Park Racetrack license of $3.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively, during the second quarter of 2015.

As of September 30, 2015, PRP held $13.6 million in promissory notes issued by Retama Development Corporation (“RDC”), a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas, included in “Other assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The promissory notes have long-term contractual maturities and are collateralized by Retama Park Racetrack assets. The contractual terms of these promissory notes include interest payments due at maturity. We have not recorded accrued interest on these promissory notes because uncertainty exists as to RDC’s ability to make interest payments.

As of September 30, 2015, we held, at amortized cost, $11.3 million in local government corporation bonds, with long-term contractual maturities, issued by RDC, included in “Other assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have both the intent and ability to hold these investments until the amortized cost is recovered.

 

F-64


Table of Contents

Note 7—Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. The results of operations of a component or group of components that has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale is included in discontinued operations when certain criteria are met. The fair value of the assets to be sold was determined using a market approach using Level 2 inputs, as defined in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels: In August 2013, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase Agreement to sell the ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries, which own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels. During 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $250.3 million.

Boomtown Reno: In April 2015, we completed the sale of approximately 783 acres of land associated with our former Boomtown Reno operations, with a carrying amount of $8.3 million, for cash consideration of $13.1 million, resulting in a gain on disposition of $4.8 million, net of costs to sell.

Total discontinued operations: Revenues and income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, are as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
              September  30,              
    For the nine months ended
              September 30,               
 
         2015              2014             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  
Revenues    $           —       $           —      $           —      $         41.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income before income taxes      0.2         4.9        5.5        5.2   
Income tax benefit (expense)      0.1         (0.1     (0.3     (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes    $ 0.3       $ 4.8      $ 5.2      $ 5.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Springfield, Massachusetts: In April 2015, we completed the sale of approximately forty acres of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, originally purchased by Ameristar for a possible future casino resort, with a carrying amount of $3.5 million, for cash consideration of $12.0 million, resulting in a gain on disposition of $8.4 million, net of costs to sell. This gain is included in “Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Central City, Colorado: We own approximately two acres of land in Central City, Colorado, which is classified as held for sale. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $0.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in non-cash impairments of this land to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less cost to sell. These impairment charges are included in “Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In October 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell this land for approximately $0.4 million exclusive of costs to sell.

Ameristar Lake Charles: In July 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of our subsidiary, which was constructing the Ameristar Lake Charles development project. In November 2013, we closed the sale of the equity interests of our subsidiary. We received approximately $209.8 million in cash consideration and $10.0 million in deferred consideration in the form of a note receivable from the buyer due in July 2016.

 

F-65


Table of Contents

Net assets for entities and operations classified as held for sale are summarized as follows:

 

     September 30,
            2015             
     December 31,
            2014             
 
     (in millions)  

Assets:

     

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net

   $                 0.3       $                 11.8   

Other assets, net

     9.5         9.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 9.8       $ 21.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities:      

Total liabilities

   $ 0.1       $ 0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net assets    $ 9.7       $ 20.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance: We self-insure various levels of general liability, workers’ compensation, and medical coverage at most of our properties. Insurance reserves include accruals for estimated settlements for known claims, as well as accruals for estimates of claims not yet made. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.6 million and $24.4 million, respectively, which are included in “Total current liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Indiana Tax Dispute: In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue (the “IDR”) commenced an examination of our Indiana income tax filings for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2010, we received a proposed assessment in the amount of $7.3 million, excluding interest and penalties. We filed a protest requesting abatement of all taxes, interest and penalties and had two hearings with the IDR where we provided additional facts and support. At issue is whether income and gains from certain asset sales, including the sale of the Hollywood Park Racetrack in 1999, and other transactions outside of Indiana, such as the Aztar merger termination fee in 2006, which we reported on our Indiana state tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007, resulted in business income subject to apportionment. In April 2012, we received a supplemental letter of findings from the IDR that denied our protest on most counts. In the supplemental letter of findings, the IDR did not raise any new technical arguments or advance any new theory that would alter our judgment regarding the recognition or measurement of the unrecognized tax benefit related to this audit. We believe that our tax return position is sustainable on the merits. In June 2012, we filed a tax appeal petition with the Indiana Tax Court to set aside the final assessment. In August 2013, we filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the 1999 Hollywood Park sale. We asked the court to grant summary judgment in our favor based on the technical merit of Indiana tax law. In January 2014, oral arguments were heard at the Indiana Tax Court regarding our motion for summary judgment. In June 2015, the Indiana Tax Court denied our motion for summary judgment and set the case for trial.

Other: We are a party to a number of other pending legal proceedings. Management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

F-66


Table of Contents

Note 9—Consolidating Condensed Financial Information

Our subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries with approximately $41.4 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2015, that include a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries) have fully, unconditionally, jointly, and severally guaranteed the payment of all obligations under our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility. Separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the subsidiary guarantors are not included herein because management has determined that such information is not material to investors. In lieu thereof, we include the following:

 

    

Pinnacle

Entertainment,

Inc.

   

100% Owned
Guarantor

Subsidiaries(a)

   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries(b)

    

Consolidating

and

Eliminating

Entries

   

Pinnacle

Entertainment,

Inc.

Consolidated

 
     (in millions)  

Statements of Operations

           

For the three months ended September 30, 2015

  

      

Revenues:

           

Gaming

   $          —      $          513.7      $           —       $          —      $         513.7   

Food and beverage

            31.8                       31.8   

Lodging

            14.8                       14.8   

Retail, entertainment and other

            18.3                       18.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
            578.6                       578.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

           

Gaming

            276.7                       276.7   

Food and beverage

            30.7                       30.7   

Lodging

            7.3                       7.3   

Retail, entertainment and other

            8.8                       8.8   

General and administrative

     24.5        84.9                       109.4   

Depreciation and amortization

     2.0        55.6                       57.6   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     4.0                              4.0   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     0.3        2.9                       3.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     30.8        466.9                       497.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (30.8     111.7                       80.9   
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries      77.2                       (77.2       

Interest expense, net

     (65.0                           (65.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes      (18.6     111.7                (77.2     15.9   
Management fee and inter-company interest      34.8        (34.8                      

Income tax expense

     (2.4                           (2.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations      13.8        76.9                (77.2     13.5   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes             0.3                       0.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 13.8      $ 77.2      $       $ (77.2   $ 13.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-67


Table of Contents
   

Pinnacle

Entertainment,

Inc.

    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries(b)

   

Consolidating

and

Eliminating

Entries

    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
    (in millions)  

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015

  

       
Revenues:          

Gaming

  $           —      $       1,547.3      $             —      $             —      $       1,547.3   

Food and beverage

           95.2                      95.2   

Lodging

           39.5                      39.5   

Retail, entertainment and other

    0.1        51.3                      51.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    0.1        1,733.3                      1,733.4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Expenses:          

Gaming

           823.6                      823.6   

Food and beverage

           88.9                      88.9   

Lodging

           19.4                      19.4   

Retail, entertainment and other

           22.0                      22.0   

General and administrative

    70.1        248.6        0.1               318.8   

Depreciation and amortization

    8.3        179.0                      187.3   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    11.4        0.2        0.1               11.7   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

    3.2        (5.1     8.4               6.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    93.0        1,376.6        8.6               1,478.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)     (92.9     356.7        (8.6            255.2   
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries     248.3                      (248.3       
Interest expense, net     (186.1                          (186.1
Loss from equity method investment                   (0.1            (0.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes     (30.7     356.7        (8.7     (248.3     69.0   
Management fee and inter-company interest     106.2        (106.2                     
Income tax expense     (12.7                          (12.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     62.8        250.5        (8.7     (248.3     56.3   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes            5.2                      5.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)     62.8        255.7        (8.7     (248.3     61.5   
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                   (1.3            (1.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.   $ 62.8      $ 255.7      $ (7.4   $ (248.3   $ 62.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-68


Table of Contents
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
   

Non-

Guarantor
Subsidiaries(b)

    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
Entries
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
    (in millions)  

For the three months ended September 30, 2014

  

     
Revenues:          

Gaming

  $             —      $         503.6      $             —      $           —      $         503.6   

Food and beverage

           31.3                      31.3   

Lodging

           14.5                      14.5   

Retail, entertainment and other

    0.1        18.8                      18.9   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    0.1        568.2                      568.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Expenses:          

Gaming

           271.3                      271.3   

Food and beverage

           29.6                      29.6   

Lodging

           6.7                      6.7   

Retail, entertainment and other

           9.2                      9.2   

General and administrative

    24.1        87.2        0.1               111.4   

Depreciation and amortization

    1.3        58.9                      60.2   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

    0.7        0.8        0.1               1.6   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

           1.1                      1.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    26.1        464.8        0.2               491.1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)     (26.0     103.4        (0.2            77.2   
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries     69.7                      (69.7       
Interest expense, net     (62.7     0.2                      (62.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes     (19.0     103.6        (0.2     (69.7     14.7   
Management fee and inter-company interest     38.5        (38.5                     
Income tax expense     (7.0                          (7.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     12.5        65.1        (0.2     (69.7     7.7   
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes            4.8                      4.8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)   $ 12.5      $ 69.9      $ (0.2   $ (69.7   $ 12.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-69


Table of Contents
     Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
   

Non-

Guarantor
Subsidiaries(b)

    Consolidating
and
Eliminating
Entries
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
     (in millions)  

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014

  

     
Revenues:           

Gaming

   $      $ 1,477.0      $      $      $ 1,477.0   

Food and beverage

            89.2                      89.2   

Lodging

            39.1                      39.1   

Retail, entertainment and other

     0.1        50.8                      50.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     0.1        1,656.1                      1,656.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Expenses:           

Gaming

            785.9                      785.9   

Food and beverage

            82.6                      82.6   

Lodging

            18.3                      18.3   

Retail, entertainment and other

            20.4                      20.4   

General and administrative

     75.4        248.2        0.2               323.8   

Depreciation and amortization

     4.9        172.4                      177.3   

Pre-opening, development and other costs

     3.3        8.3        0.3               11.9   

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net

     3.0        1.3                      4.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     86.6        1,337.4        0.5               1,424.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating income (loss)      (86.5     318.7        (0.5            231.7   
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries      210.8                      (210.8       
Interest expense, net      (193.9     2.6                      (191.3
Loss on early extinguishment of debt      (8.2                          (8.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes      (77.8     321.3        (0.5     (210.8     32.2   
Management fee and inter-company interest      115.1        (115.1                     
Income tax expense      (8.1                          (8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income (loss) from continuing operations      29.2        206.2        (0.5     (210.8     24.1   
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes             5.2        (0.1            5.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net income (loss)    $ 29.2      $ 211.4      $ (0.6   $ (210.8   $ 29.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-70


Table of Contents
     Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
    

Non-

Guarantor
Subsidiaries(b)

     Consolidating
and
Eliminating
Entries
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
     (in millions)  

Balance Sheets

            

As of September 30, 2015

            
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations    $ 51.6      $ 131.3       $ 10.3       $      $ 193.2   
Property and equipment, net      23.2        2,856.9         5.2                2,885.3   
Goodwill             914.5                        914.5   
Intangible assets, net             511.5                        511.5   
Other non-current assets      45.3        3.4         25.9                74.6   
Investment in subsidiaries      4,610.9                        (4,610.9       
Assets held for sale and assets of discontinued operations      0.3        9.5                        9.8   
Inter-company             642.3                 (642.3       
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,731.3      $ 5,069.4       $ 41.4       $ (5,253.2   $ 4,588.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations    $ 115.0      $ 207.3       $       $      $ 322.3   
Long-term debt less current portion      3,665.8        0.1                        3,665.9   
Other non-current liabilities      (52.5     281.1                        228.6   
Liabilities held for sale and liabilities of discontinued operations             0.1                        0.1   
Inter-company      641.1                1.2         (642.3       
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,369.4        488.6         1.2         (642.3     4,216.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

     361.9        4,580.8         30.1         (4,610.9     361.9   
Non-controlling interest                     10.1                10.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     361.9        4,580.8         40.2         (4,610.9     372.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 4,731.3      $ 5,069.4       $ 41.4       $ (5,253.2   $ 4,588.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014

            
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations    $ 73.4      $ 184.5       $ 23.3       $ (23.3   $ 257.9   
Property and equipment, net      34.3        2,977.2         5.4                3,016.9   
Goodwill             916.0         3.3                919.3   
Intangible assets, net             524.3         5.0                529.3   
Other non-current assets      60.0        4.6         24.4                89.0   
Investment in subsidiaries      4,470.8                        (4,470.8       
Assets held for sale and assets of discontinued operations      3.6        17.7                        21.3   
Inter-company             352.0                 (352.0       
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,642.1      $ 4,976.3       $ 61.4       $ (4,846.1   $ 4,833.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-71


Table of Contents
     Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
    

Non-

Guarantor
Subsidiaries(b)

     Consolidating
and
Eliminating
Entries
    Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
     (in millions)  
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations    $ 100.8      $ 273.1       $       $ (23.3   $ 350.6   
Long-term debt less current portion      3,975.5        0.1                        3,975.6   
Other non-current liabilities      (63.0     280.7                        217.7   
Liabilities held for sale and liabilities of discontinued operations             0.4                        0.4   
Inter-company      350.8                1.2         (352.0       
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,364.1        554.3         1.2         (375.3     4,544.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity

     278.0        4,422.0         48.8         (4,470.8     278.0   
Non-controlling interest                     11.4                11.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     278.0        4,422.0         60.2         (4,470.8     289.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 4,642.1      $ 4,976.3       $ 61.4       $ (4,846.1   $ 4,833.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-72


Table of Contents
     Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries(b)
   

 Consolidating 

and

Eliminating

Entries

     Pinnacle
Entertainment,
Inc.
Consolidated
 
     (in millions)  

Statements of Cash Flows

        
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015            
Cash provided by operating activities     $ 281.0       $ 23.7       $ 12.0       $        $ 316.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Capital expenditures      (1.8     (55.7                    (57.5
Net proceeds from dispositions of discontinued operations and assets held for sale             25.1                       25.1   
Purchase of intangible asset             (25.0                    (25.0
Restricted cash      5.7                              5.7   
Other      25.1        (24.8     (1.6             (1.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities      29.0        (80.4     (1.6             (53.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Proceeds from credit facility      353.8                              353.8   
Repayments under credit facility      (666.6                           (666.6
Other      7.4                              7.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash used in financing activities      (305.4                           (305.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Change in cash and cash equivalents      4.6        (56.7     10.4                (41.7
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      6.4        158.3                       164.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $ 11.0       $ 101.6       $ 10.4       $        $ 123.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014         
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities     $ 111.3       $ 163.1       $ (3.9    $        $ 270.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Capital expenditures      (9.8     (178.9                    (188.7
Net proceeds from disposition of discontinued operations and assets held for sale             258.5                       258.5   
Purchase of intangible asset             (25.0                    (25.0

Escrow refund

            25.0                       25.0   
Restricted cash      5.9                              5.9   
Other      258.2        (258.8     0.4                (0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities      254.3        (179.2     0.4                75.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Proceeds from credit facility      217.6                              217.6   
Repayments under credit facility      (612.8                           (612.8
Other      5.6                              5.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash used in financing activities      (389.6                           (389.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Change in cash and cash equivalents      (24.0     (16.1     (3.5             (43.6
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      28.6        142.3        27.7                198.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $ 4.6       $ 126.2       $ 24.2       $        $ 155.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-73


Table of Contents

 

(a) As of September 30, 2015, the following material subsidiaries are identified as guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes: Belterra Resort Indiana, LLC; Boomtown, LLC; Casino Magic, LLC; Louisiana-I Gaming; PNK (Baton Rouge) Partnership; PNK (BOSSIER CITY), Inc.; PNK Development 7, LLC; PNK Development 8, LLC; PNK Development 9, LLC; PNK (LAKE CHARLES), L.L.C.; PNK (Ohio), LLC; PNK (Ohio) II, LLC; PNK (Ohio) III, LLC; PNK (River City), LLC; PNK (SAM), LLC; PNK (SAZ), LLC; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, Inc.; Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc.; Cactus Pete’s, Inc.; Ameristar East Chicago Holdings, LLC; and Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC. In addition, certain other immaterial subsidiaries are also guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes.

 

(b) Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $41.4 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2015, that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Note 10—Segment Information

We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) for each segment to compare operating results among our segments and allocate resources. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDA for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 2014.

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
             2015                     2014                     2015                     2014          
     (in millions)  
Revenues:         
Midwest segment (a)    $ 318.4      $ 305.1      $ 955.1      $ 881.8   
South segment (a)      197.1        202.6        601.3        606.2   
West segment (a)      61.1        58.5        172.0        162.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     576.6        566.2        1,728.4        1,650.8   
Corporate and other (c)      2.0        2.2        5.0        5.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 578.6      $ 568.4      $ 1,733.4      $ 1,656.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Adjusted EBITDA (b):         
Midwest segment (a)    $ 92.8      $ 86.5      $ 289.5      $ 260.8   
South segment (a)      56.3        56.3        182.8        183.0   
West segment (a)      22.7        22.2        63.5        59.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     171.8        165.0        535.8        503.3   
Corporate expenses and other (c)      (22.0     (23.5     (62.1     (68.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)

   $ 149.8      $ 141.5      $ 473.7      $ 435.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other costs:

        
Depreciation and amortization      (57.6     (60.2     (187.3     (177.2
Pre-opening, development and other costs      (4.0     (1.6     (11.7     (11.9
Non-cash share-based compensation expense      (4.1     (1.4     (13.0     (10.1
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net      (3.2     (1.1     (6.5     (4.4
Interest expense, net      (65.0     (62.5     (186.1     (191.3
Loss from equity method investment                    (0.1       
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                           (8.2
Income tax expense      (2.4     (7.0     (12.7     (8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 13.5      $ 7.7      $ 56.3      $ 24.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-74


Table of Contents
             For the nine months ended        
September 30,
 
     2015      2014  
     (in millions)  
Capital expenditures:      
Midwest segment (a)    $ 30.0         $ 137.1     
South segment (a)      18.7           37.7     
West segment (a)      6.9           3.4     
Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations      1.9           10.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 57.5         $ 188.7     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.

 

(b) We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

 

(c) Corporate and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property are allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to the management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results.

 

F-75