UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________  
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016
or
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 001-37666
____________________________
PINNACLE 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, NV 89169
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(702) 541-7777
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO o
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.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x

As of the close of business on August 5, 2016 , the number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock was 57,130,945 .



PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT



Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
$
505,698

 
$
519,326

 
$
1,026,539

 
$
1,033,673

Food and beverage
29,746

 
31,430

 
61,741

 
63,460

Lodging
13,134

 
13,133

 
24,381

 
24,628

Retail, entertainment and other
17,654

 
18,071

 
33,596

 
33,038

Total revenues
566,232

 
581,960

 
1,146,257

 
1,154,799

Expenses and other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming
266,659

 
281,960

 
533,792

 
546,845

Food and beverage
28,182

 
28,984

 
58,092

 
58,151

Lodging
6,175

 
6,343

 
11,783

 
12,131

Retail, entertainment and other
6,887

 
8,150

 
11,400

 
13,240

General and administrative
127,006

 
107,086

 
231,868

 
209,376

Depreciation and amortization
53,973

 
61,875

 
108,069

 
129,706

Pre-opening, development and other costs
44,028

 
6,108

 
49,357

 
7,675

Impairment of goodwill
332,900

 
3,319

 
332,900

 
3,319

Impairment of other intangible assets
129,500

 
4,966

 
129,500

 
4,966

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
4,750

 
(8,038
)
 
7,640

 
(4,894
)
Total expenses and other costs
1,000,060

 
500,753

 
1,474,401

 
980,515

Operating income (loss)
(433,828
)
 
81,207

 
(328,144
)
 
174,284

Interest expense, net
(85,047
)
 
(59,995
)
 
(144,840
)
 
(121,078
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5,207
)
 

 
(5,207
)
 

Loss from equity method investment
(90
)
 

 
(90
)
 
(83
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(524,172
)
 
21,212

 
(478,281
)
 
53,123

Income tax benefit (expense)
34,970

 
(5,419
)
 
29,972

 
(10,251
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
(489,202
)
 
15,793

 
(448,309
)
 
42,872

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
271

 
4,699

 
396

 
4,916

Net income (loss)
(488,931
)
 
20,492

 
(447,913
)
 
47,788

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(7
)
 
(1,252
)
 
(15
)
 
(1,262
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
(488,924
)
 
$
21,744

 
$
(447,898
)
 
$
49,050

Net income (loss) per common share—basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.28

 
$
(7.34
)
 
$
0.73

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
0.00

 
0.08

 
0.01

 
0.08

Net income (loss) per common share—basic
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.36

 
$
(7.33
)
 
$
0.81

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.27

 
$
(7.34
)
 
$
0.70

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
0.00

 
0.07

 
0.01

 
0.08

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.34

 
$
(7.33
)
 
$
0.78

Number of shares—basic
60,791

 
60,976

 
61,077

 
60,808

Number of shares—diluted
60,791

 
63,355

 
61,077

 
62,973

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income (loss)
$
(488,931
)
 
$
20,492

 
$
(447,913
)
 
$
47,788

Comprehensive income (loss)
(488,931
)
 
20,492

 
(447,913
)
 
47,788

Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(7
)
 
(1,252
)
 
(15
)
 
(1,262
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
(488,924
)
 
$
21,744

 
$
(447,898
)
 
$
49,050

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
119,374

 
$
164,034

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,297 and $9,445
29,073

 
33,594

Inventories
9,363

 
10,309

Income tax receivable, net

 
1,133

Prepaid expenses and other assets
31,748

 
14,624

Assets held for sale and assets of discontinued operations
9,953

 
9,938

Total current assets
199,511

 
233,632

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net
2,797,123

 
2,856,011

Goodwill
581,625

 
914,525

Intangible assets, net
344,103

 
479,543

Other assets, net
44,454

 
47,200

Total assets
$
3,966,816

 
$
4,530,911

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
42,056

 
$
67,297

Accrued interest
6,286

 
50,091

Accrued compensation
61,756

 
74,069

Accrued taxes
46,487

 
38,910

Other accrued liabilities
90,274

 
84,872

Current portion of long-term debt
12,257

 
11,006

Current portion of long-term financing obligation
47,235

 

Total current liabilities
306,351

 
326,245

Long-term debt less current portion
810,707

 
3,616,729

Long-term financing obligation less current portion
3,139,263

 

Other long-term liabilities
31,068

 
36,605

Deferred income taxes
12,291

 
187,823

Total liabilities
4,299,680

 
4,167,402

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

 

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
 
 
 
Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

 

Common stock—$0.01 par value, 150,000,000 authorized, 59,326,059 and 60,870,749 shares issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares
616

 
6,724

Additional paid-in capital
904,936

 
1,122,661

Accumulated deficit
(1,224,307
)
 
(705,319
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
408

 
408

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,237,728 and 6,374,882 of treasury shares, respectively
(24,724
)
 
(71,090
)
Total Pinnacle stockholders’ equity (deficit)
(343,071
)
 
353,384

Non-controlling interest
10,207

 
10,125

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
(332,864
)
 
363,509

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
$
3,966,816

 
$
4,530,911

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(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 (Deficit)
 
Non-Controlling Interest
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity (Deficit)
Balance as of January 1, 2016
60,871

 
$
6,724

 
$
1,122,661

 
$
(705,319
)
 
$
408

 
$
(71,090
)
 
$
353,384

 
$
10,125

 
$
363,509

Net loss

 

 

 
(447,898
)
 

 

 
(447,898
)
 
(15
)
 
(447,913
)
Share-based compensation

 

 
30,039

 

 

 

 
30,039

 

 
30,039

Impact of Spin-Off and Merger, net

 
(6,134
)
 
(247,665
)
 
(71,090
)
 

 
71,090

 
(253,799
)
 

 
(253,799
)
Common stock issuance and option exercises
693

 
26

 
1,033

 

 

 

 
1,059

 

 
1,059

Treasury stock purchases
(2,238
)
 

 

 

 

 
(24,724
)
 
(24,724
)
 

 
(24,724
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
97

 
97

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock units

 

 
(1,132
)
 

 

 

 
(1,132
)
 

 
(1,132
)
Balance as of June 30, 2016
59,326

 
$
616

 
$
904,936

 
$
(1,224,307
)
 
$
408

 
$
(24,724
)
 
$
(343,071
)
 
$
10,207

 
$
(332,864
)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


6


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(447,913
)
 
$
47,788

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
108,069

 
129,706

Loss (gain) on sales or disposals of long-lived assets, net
6,925

 
(12,003
)
Loss from equity method investment
90

 
83

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
5,207

 

Impairment of goodwill
332,900

 
3,319

Impairment of other intangible assets
129,500

 
4,966

Impairment of land, buildings, vessels and equipment
215

 
2,903

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums
4,952

 
2,596

Share-based compensation expense
30,039

 
8,912

Change in income taxes
(35,304
)
 
28,273

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables, net
4,181

 
(5,141
)
Prepaid expenses and other
(15,176
)
 
(3,953
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
(36,634
)
 
(21,394
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
87,051

 
186,055

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(47,555
)
 
(41,749
)
Net proceeds from disposition of asset held for sale
325

 
25,066

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
51

 
349

Purchase of intangible asset

 
(25,000
)
Loans receivable
(750
)
 
(825
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(47,929
)
 
(42,159
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from Former Pinnacle Senior Secured Credit Facilities
134,500

 
73,100

Repayments under Former Pinnacle Senior Secured Credit Facilities
(1,011,285
)
 
(265,100
)
Proceeds from Senior Secured Credit Facilities
600,800

 

Repayments under Senior Secured Credit Facilities
(136,800
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
375,000

 

Repayments under financing obligation
(7,791
)
 

Proceeds from common stock options exercised
373

 
6,517

Purchase of treasury stock
(23,729
)
 

Debt issuance costs and debt discount
(13,812
)
 

Other
(1,038
)
 
(1,056
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(83,782
)
 
(186,539
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(44,660
)
 
(42,643
)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
164,034

 
164,654

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$
119,374

 
$
122,011

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
149,716

 
$
118,663

Cash payments (refunds) related to income taxes, net
4,339

 
(16,279
)
Increase (decrease) in construction-related deposits and liabilities
2,926

 
(6,494
)
Non-cash issuance of common stock
686

 
417

Non-cash retirement of debt in connection with Spin-Off and Merger
(2,761,287
)
 

Non-cash settlement of accrued interest in connection with Spin-Off and Merger
(34,133
)
 

Non-cash recognition of financing obligation
3,194,287

 


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7


Table of Contents

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 1—Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization: Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is an owner, operator and developer of casinos and related hospitality and entertainment businesses. 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. References to “Former Pinnacle” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. prior to the Spin-Off and Merger (as such terms are defined below).

We own and operate 15 gaming businesses, 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

On April 28, 2016, Former Pinnacle completed the transactions under the terms of a definitive agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), a real estate investment trust. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Former Pinnacle separated its operating assets and liabilities (and its Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) into the Company and distributed to its stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (such distribution referred to as the “Spin-Off”). As a result, Former Pinnacle stockholders received one share of the Company’s common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, for each share of Former Pinnacle common stock that they owned. Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI (“Merger Sub”), then merged with and into Former Pinnacle (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI. Following the Merger, the Company was renamed Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and operates its gaming businesses under a triple-net master lease agreement for the facilities acquired by GLPI (the “Master Lease”). For more information regarding the Spin-Off and Merger, see Note 2, “Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease Financing Obligation.”

Former Pinnacle’s historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto have been determined to represent the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements based on the conclusion that, for accounting purposes, the Spin-Off should be evaluated as the reverse of its legal form under the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 505-60, Spinoffs and Reverse Spinoffs , resulting in the Company being considered the accounting spinnor. In addition, the Master Lease of the gaming facilities acquired by GLPI does not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting pursuant to

8



ASC Topic 840, Leases . Therefore, the Master Lease has been accounted for as a financing obligation and the gaming facilities remain on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basis of Presentation: 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 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 Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016.

Principles of Consolidation: 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.

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, the initial measurement of the financing obligation associated with the Master Lease, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and other 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 June 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation
$
0.4

 
$
0.4

 
$

 
$

As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation
$
0.4

 
$
0.4

 
$

 
$



9



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 June 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities
$
14.3

 
$
15.8

 
$

 
$
12.8

 
$
3.0

Promissory notes
$
14.9

 
$
19.5

 
$

 
$
19.5

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
823.0

 
$
833.6

 
$

 
$
833.6

 
$

As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities
$
14.4

 
$
15.2

 
$

 
$
12.1

 
$
3.1

Promissory notes
$
14.1

 
$
19.2

 
$

 
$
19.2

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
3,627.7

 
$
3,740.6

 
$

 
$
3,740.6

 
$


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 include the fair values of our senior notes, senior subordinated notes, and/or senior secured credit facilities, were based on Level 2 inputs of observable market data on comparable debt instruments on or about June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , as applicable.

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 $33.2 million as of June 30, 2016 . 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 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.


10



As a result of the Spin-Off and Merger transactions, substantially all of the real estate assets used in the Company's operations are subject to the Master Lease and owned by GLPI. See Note 2, “Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease Financing Obligation.”

The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment, including those subject to the Master Lease:
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
 

 
 

Land and land improvements
$
424.9

 
$
422.8

Buildings, vessels and improvements
2,679.0

 
2,674.6

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
768.8

 
763.8

Construction in progress
46.7

 
33.2

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross
3,919.4

 
3,894.4

Less: accumulated depreciation
(1,122.3
)
 
(1,038.4
)
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net
$
2,797.1

 
$
2,856.0


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 for which it is reasonably assured that we will continue to renew indefinitely. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter (October 1st test date), or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. Amortizing intangible assets include player 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.

As a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, we tested our reporting unit goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, which resulted in non-cash impairment charges. For more information, see Note 7, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

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 combination 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 patterns could produce different results. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we had accrued $24.9 million and $25.4 million , respectively, for the estimated cost of providing these benefits, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


11



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 June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Food and beverage
$
33.7

 
$
34.8

 
$
67.5

 
$
69.9

Lodging
16.3

 
16.0

 
32.1

 
31.1

Other
3.9

 
4.7

 
7.6

 
9.2

Total promotional allowances
$
53.9

 
$
55.5

 
$
107.2

 
$
110.2


The costs to provide such complimentary benefits were as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense
$
38.3

 
$
44.1

 
$
76.5

 
$
83.4


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 June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Gaming taxes
$
142.7

 
$
148.4

 
$
288.5

 
$
293.1


12



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; and lease payments, real estate taxes, and other general and administrative costs prior to the opening of an operating facility. In addition, pre-opening, development and other costs include acquisition and restructuring costs. 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 June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Restructuring costs (1)
$
43.2

 
$
5.8

 
$
46.8

 
$
6.9

Meadows acquisition costs (2)
0.4

 

 
2.1

 

Other
0.4

 
0.3

 
0.5

 
0.8

Total pre-opening, development and other costs
$
44.0

 
$
6.1

 
$
49.4

 
$
7.7

(1)
Amounts comprised of costs associated with the Spin-Off and Merger. See Note 2, “Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease Financing Obligation.”
(2)
Amounts comprised of costs associated with the Company’s acquisition of The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (“Meadows”) business. See Note 8, “Investment and Acquisition Activities.”

Earnings Per Share: The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on net income (loss) 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 share-based awards. We calculate the effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. A total of 1.0 million , 1.4 million , 0.1 million , and 0.8 million out-of-the-money share-based awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , and 2015 , respectively, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , 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 periods. Share-based awards that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share were 2.9 million and 2.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , respectively.

Treasury Stock: In May 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $50 million of shares of our common stock. The cost of the shares acquired is treated as a reduction to stockholders’ equity. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we repurchased 2.2 million shares of common stock and reduced stockholders’ equity by $24.7 million . In July 2016, we completed the share repurchase program having repurchased 4.5 million shares of common stock for $50 million .

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.


13



Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which is 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 standard must be adopted using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date , which defers the implementation of this new standard to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations , which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard pursuant to ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing , and in May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which amend certain aspects of the new revenue recognition standard pursuant to ASU 2014-09. We are currently evaluating which transition approach we will utilize and the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Recognition and Measurement of Leases . Under the new guidance, for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases), at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Further, the new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities, which no longer provides a source for off balance sheet financing. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments , which clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call or put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting , which, among other things, eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our unaudited Condensed 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

14



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—Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease Financing Obligation
Overview of the Spin-Off and Merger: On April 28, 2016, Former Pinnacle completed the transactions under the terms of the Merger Agreement with GLPI. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Former Pinnacle separated its operating assets and liabilities (and its Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) into the Company (newly formed subsidiary) and distributed to its stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. As a result, Former Pinnacle stockholders received  one share of the Company's common stock, with a par value of  $0.01  per share, for each share of Former Pinnacle common stock that they owned. Merger Sub, then merged with and into Former Pinnacle, with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI. Following the Merger, the Company was renamed Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and operates its gaming businesses under the Master Lease for the facilities acquired by GLPI. The Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years with five subsequent, five -year renewal periods at our option.
In completing the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Former Pinnacle (the “Former Pinnacle Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares of Former Pinnacle Common Stock (i) owned or held in treasury by Former Pinnacle or (ii) owned by GLPI, its subsidiaries or Merger Sub) were canceled and converted into the right to receive 0.85 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GLPI.

As further described in Note 3, “Long-Term Debt,” in connection with the Spin-Off and Merger, we made a dividend to Former Pinnacle of $808.4 million (the “Cash Payment”), which was equal to the amount of debt outstanding as of April 28, 2016, less $2.7 billion that GLPI assumed pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Following the consummation of the Spin-Off and Merger, we had no outstanding obligations under the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the 6.375% Notes, the 7.50% Notes, the 7.75% Notes and the 8.75% Notes (as such terms are defined in Note 3, “Long-Term Debt”).
Failed Spin-Off-Leaseback: The Spin-Off and the subsequent leaseback of the gaming facilities under the terms of the Master Lease did not meet all of the requirements for sale-leaseback accounting treatment under ASC Topic 840, Leases , and therefore is accounted for as a financing obligation. Specifically, the Master Lease contains provisions that indicate prohibited forms of continuing involvement in the leased assets.
Master Lease Financing Obligation: The Master Lease is accounted for as a financing obligation. The obligation was calculated at lease inception based on the future minimum lease payments due to GLPI under the Master Lease discounted at 10.5% . The discount rate represents the estimated incremental borrowing rate over the lease term of 35 years, which included renewal options that were reasonably assured of being exercised. As of April 28, 2016, the commencement date of the Master Lease, the financing obligation was determined to be $3.2 billion .
Fourteen of our fifteen gaming facilities are subject to the Master Lease with GLPI. Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable is $377 million and rent is payable in monthly installments. The rent is comprised of base rent, which includes a land and a building component, and percentage rent. In the first year of the lease, the land base rent, the building base rent, and the percentage rent are $44 million , $289 million , and $44 million , respectively.
The land base rent is fixed for the entire lease term. Beginning in the second year of the lease, the building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to 2% , depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Master Lease) of 1.8 :1. The percentage rent, which is fixed for the first two years, will be adjusted every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two -year period. Each new fixed amount will be calculated by multiplying 4% by the difference between (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two -year period and (ii) $1.1 billion .
Total cash payments under the Master Lease, which commenced on April 28, 2016, were $66.1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, of which $58.3 million was recognized as interest expense and $7.8 million reduced the financing obligation.

15



Note 3—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
June 30, 2016
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Long-Term Debt, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2021
$
17.0

 
$

 
$
17.0

Term Loan A Facility due 2021
185.0

 
(3.5
)
 
181.5

Term Loan B Facility due 2023
262.0

 
(5.5
)
 
256.5

5.625% Senior Notes due 2024
375.0

 
(7.1
)
 
367.9

Other
0.1

 

 
0.1

Total debt including current maturities
839.1

 
(16.1
)
 
823.0

Less: current maturities
(12.3
)
 

 
(12.3
)
Total long-term debt
$
826.8

 
$
(16.1
)
 
$
810.7


 
December 31, 2015
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Unamortized (Discount) Premium and (Debt Issuance Costs)
 
Long-Term Debt, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility due 2018
$
750.1

 
$

 
$
750.1

B-2 Term Loan due 2020
302.2

 
(13.3
)
 
288.9

6.375% Senior Notes due 2021
850.0

 
(13.0
)
 
837.0

7.50% Senior Notes due 2021
1,040.0

 
46.7

 
1,086.7

7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022
325.0

 
(4.7
)
 
320.3

8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
350.0

 
(5.4
)
 
344.6

Other
0.1

 

 
0.1

Total debt including current maturities
3,617.4

 
10.3

 
3,627.7

Less: current maturities
(11.0
)
 

 
(11.0
)
Total long-term debt
$
3,606.4

 
$
10.3

 
$
3,616.7


In connection with the Spin-Off and Merger, we made the Cash Payment to Former Pinnacle in the amount of $808.4 million , which was equal to the amount of existing debt outstanding of Former Pinnacle as of April 28, 2016, less approximately $2.7 billion that GLPI assumed pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off and Merger, the August 2013 amended and restated credit agreement (“Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) was repaid in full and terminated and the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”), the 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”) and the 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”) were redeemed. Former Pinnacle’s indenture governing its 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”) was redeemed on May 15, 2016. Following the consummation of the Spin-Off and Merger, the Company had no outstanding obligations under the Former Credit Facility, the 6.375% Notes, the 7.50% Notes, the 7.75% Notes and the 8.75% Notes. See Note 2, “Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease,” for further discussion of the Spin-Off and Merger.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities: On April 28, 2016, in connection with the Spin-Off and Merger, the Company entered into a credit agreement with certain lenders (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement is comprised of (i) a $185.0

16



million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a $300.0 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan B Facility”) and (iii) a $400.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). As of June 30, 2016 , we had approximately $17.0 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility and had approximately $11.0 million committed under various letters of credit.

Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility initially bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 2.00% or the base rate plus 1.00% and, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, such loans will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50% , in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter. Loans under the Term Loan B Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 3.00% or the base rate plus 2.00% and in no event will LIBOR be less than 0.75% . In addition, we pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter.

The Term Loan A Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to a percentage of the original outstanding principal amount at closing as follows: (i) 5% per annum in the first two years, (ii) 7.5% per annum in the third year and (iii) 10% per annum in the fourth and fifth year. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2021. The Term Loan B Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to 1% per annum of the original outstanding principal amount at closing. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2023. The Revolving Credit Facility is not subject to amortization and is due and payable on April 28, 2021.

The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, certain affirmative and negative covenants and, solely for the benefit of the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, financial covenants, including a maximum permitted Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, a maximum permitted Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and a required minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control, revocation of material licenses by gaming authorities (subject to a cure period), termination of the Master Lease and cross-default to certain events of default under the Master Lease.

5.625% Senior Notes due 2024: On April 28, 2016, we issued $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “ 5.625% Notes”). The 5.625% Notes were issued at par, mature on May 1, 2024, and bear interest at the rate of 5.625% per annum. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year, commencing November 1, 2016.

On April 28, 2016, the proceeds of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, together with the proceeds from the 5.625% Notes were used (i) to make the Cash Payment and (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the issuance of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the 5.625% Notes.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , we recorded a $5.2 million loss related to the repayment, in full, of the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The loss included the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount.

17



Interest expense, net, was as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest expense from financing obligation (1)
$
58.3

 
$

 
$
58.3

 
$

Interest expense from debt (2)
24.4

 
60.1

 
84.3

 
121.2

Interest income
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
Capitalized interest
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

Other (3)
2.5

 

 
2.5

 

Interest expense, net
$
85.0

 
$
60.0

 
$
144.8

 
$
121.1

(1)
Total cash payments under the Master Lease, which commenced on April 28, 2016, were $66.1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, of which $58.3 million was recognized as interest expense and $7.8 million reduced the financing obligation.
(2)
Interest expense associated with the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the 6.375% Notes, the 7.50% Notes, the 7.75% Notes, and the 8.75% Notes, which were no longer obligations of the Company as of April 28, 2016, included in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, was $16.8 million and $76.5 million , respectively.
(3)
Represents a one-time expense associated with the GLPI transaction.

Note 4—Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , was 6.7% , or a benefit of $35.0 million , and 6.3% or a benefit of $30.0 million , respectively, as compared to an effective tax rate of 25.5% , or an expense of $5.4 million and 19.3% or an expense of $10.3 million , respectively, for the corresponding prior year periods. The rate includes the tax impact of certain discrete items including changes of tax status of certain of our legal entities. 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, legal entity status changes, 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.

The Spin-Off described in Note 2, “Spin-Off, Merger and Master Lease Financing Obligation” was a taxable transaction. A gain was recognized for tax purposes and the tax bases of the operating assets were stepped up to fair market value at the time of the transaction. Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes , the tax impact directly related to the transaction amongst shareholders was recorded to equity, consistent with the overall accounting treatment of the transaction. All changes in tax bases of assets and liabilities caused by the transactions were recorded to additional paid-in capital.

As previously noted, the failed sale-leaseback is accounted for as a financial obligation. As a result, the gaming facilities are presented on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and the financing obligation is recognized and amortized over the lease term. For federal and state income tax purposes, the Spin-Off and the subsequent leaseback of the gaming facilities is an operating lease. As such, the Company recognizes no tax bases in the leased gaming facilities, which creates basis differences that give rise to deferred taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes .

Note 5—Employee Benefit Plans
Share-based Compensation: As of June 30, 2016 , we had approximately 10.2 million share-based awards outstanding, including stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and restricted stock, which are detailed below. Our 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan has approximately 5.4 million  share-based awards available for grant as of June 30, 2016 .
As a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, each outstanding vested and non-vested share-based award granted by Former Pinnacle on or prior to July 16, 2015 (“Pre-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards”) were converted into a combination of (1) corresponding share-based awards of the Company, which will continue to vest on the same schedule as Pre-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards based on service with the Company and (2) adjusted Pre-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards, which immediately became fully-vested and settled in shares of GLPI common stock as a result of the Merger. The conversion of the Pre-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards, which included adjustments for exercise prices of stock options, were based on the relative common share value of the Company and Former Pinnacle immediately prior to the Spin-Off and Merger in order to

18



preserve the same intrinsic value. As such, no significant incremental share-based compensation expense was or will be recorded as a result of this conversion. However, share-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $22.6 million of incremental expense attributable to the accelerated vesting of adjusted Pre-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards, which were settled in shares of GLPI common stock.

Each of the outstanding share-based awards granted by Former Pinnacle after July 16, 2015 (“Post-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards”) were converted into share-based awards of the Company (“Post-July 2015 Company Awards”). The conversion to Post-July 2015 Company Awards included adjustments to the exercise prices for stock options and to the number of shares subject to share-based awards in order to preserve the same intrinsic value at the time of the Spin-Off and Merger. As such, no significant incremental share-based compensation expense was or will be recorded as a result of this conversion. The Post-July 2015 Company Awards will continue to vest on the same schedule as the Post-July 2015 Former Pinnacle Awards based on service with the Company.
We recorded share-based compensation expense as follows:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Share-based compensation expense
$
25.7

 
$
4.8

 
$
30.1

 
$
8.9



Stock options: The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options:
 
Number of
Stock Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Former Pinnacle options outstanding as of January 1, 2016
5,375,476

 
$
16.04

Granted

 
$

Exercised
(14,405
)
 
$
14.90

Canceled or forfeited
(2,675
)
 
$
23.23

Former Pinnacle options outstanding as of April 28, 2016
5,358,396

 
$
16.04

Conversion related to the Spin-Off and Merger
 
 
 
Conversion of Former Pinnacle options outstanding as of April 28, 2016
(5,358,396
)
 
$
16.04

Converted Pinnacle options outstanding as of April 28, 2016
5,839,044

 
$
5.23

Post Spin-Off and Merger activities
 
 
 
Granted
1,038,945

 
$
11.47

Exercised
(52,932
)
 
$
6.25

Canceled or forfeited
(87,176
)
 
$
8.39

Options outstanding as of June 30, 2016
6,737,881

 
$
6.14

Options exercisable as of June 30, 2016
4,112,182

 
$
3.95

Expected to vest as of June 30, 2016
2,206,416

 
$
9.63


The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options totaled approximately $8.0 million as of June 30, 2016 . The weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years. The aggregate amount of cash we received from the exercise of stock options was $0.4 million and $6.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 , and 2015, respectively. The associated shares were newly issued common stock. The following information is provided for our stock options:
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted-average grant date fair value
$
4.05

 
$
9.44


19



Restricted Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units:
 
Number of
Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Former Pinnacle non-vested as of January 1, 2016
1,311,423

 
$
25.16

Granted
5,505

 
$
32.78

Vested
(48,129
)
 
$
26.16

Canceled or forfeited
(4,818
)
 
$
28.46

Former Pinnacle non-vested as of April 28, 2016
1,263,981

 
$
25.14

Conversion related to the Spin-Off and Merger
 
 
 
Conversion of Former Pinnacle non-vested units as of April 28, 2016
(1,263,981
)
 
$
25.14

Converted Pinnacle non-vested units as of April 28, 2016
1,811,186

 
$
8.38

Post Spin-Off and Merger activities
 
 
 
Granted
997,401

 
$
11.50

Vested
(105,882
)
 
$
6.20

Canceled or forfeited
(108,150
)
 
$
8.11

Non-vested as of June 30, 2016
2,594,555

 
$
9.67


The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to non-vested restricted stock units, totaled approximately $20.2 million as of June 30, 2016 . 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
Former Pinnacle non-vested as of January 1, 2016
408,228

 
$
23.23

Granted

 
$

Canceled or forfeited

 
$

Former Pinnacle non-vested as of April 28, 2016
408,228

 
$
23.23

Conversion related to the Spin-Off and Merger
 
 
 
Conversion of Former Pinnacle non-vested units as of April 28, 2016
(408,228
)
 
$
23.23

Converted Pinnacle non-vested units as of April 28, 2016
408,228

 
$
6.87

Post Spin-Off and Merger activities
 
 
 
Granted

 
$

Canceled or forfeited
(18,459
)
 
$
6.70

Non-vested as of June 30, 2016
389,769

 
$
6.88


Restricted Stock: During the second quarter of 2016, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock awards, subject to certain market vesting conditions. The grant-date fair value of the awards was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation. The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of January 1, 2016

 
$

Granted
345,620

 
$
14.24

Canceled or forfeited

 
$

Non-vested as of June 30, 2016
345,620

 
$
14.24




20



Note 6—Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries, Net

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consist of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net
$
4.2

 
$
(7.5
)
 
$
6.9

 
$
(7.2
)
Impairment of long-lived assets

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
3.0

Other
0.6

 
(0.7
)
 
0.5

 
(0.7
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
$
4.8

 
$
(8.0
)
 
$
7.6

 
$
(4.9
)

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recorded net losses of $4.2 million , $6.9 million , $0.9 million , and $1.2 million , respectively, related primarily to disposals of furniture, fixtures and equipment at our properties in the normal course of business. Additionally, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a gain on the sale of land in Springfield, Massachusetts of $8.4 million .

Impairment of long-lived assets: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recorded non-cash impairments on slot and other equipment at our properties. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a $2.6 million non-cash impairment of our land in Central City, Colorado to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less cost to sell.

Note 7—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Spin-Off and Merger transactions, which closed on April 28, 2016, represented a significant financial restructuring event that increased our cash flow obligations in connection with the Master Lease, which we concluded represented an indicator that impairment may exist on our goodwill and other intangible assets. As a result, we have performed a preliminary impairment assessment on goodwill and completed impairment assessments on gaming licenses and trade names. As a result of these impairment assessments, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized non-cash impairments to goodwill, gaming licenses and trade names totaling $332.9 million , $68.5 million and $61.0 million , respectively.
The non-cash impairment to goodwill recognized in the second quarter 2016 represents our best estimate based on the work that has been performed as of the date of this filing. We expect to complete the preliminary impairment assessment on goodwill during the third quarter 2016. Our fair value estimates are based on assumptions that are subject to inherent uncertainty. Therefore, no assurance can be provided that no material adjustment to the preliminary estimate will be required after the analysis is finalized. Following completion of the analysis, we will adjust our preliminary estimate, if necessary, and record any required adjustment in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.
The gaming license impairments pertained to our Midwest segment and the trade name impairments related to our Midwest, South and West segments, in the amounts of $35.3 million , $22.2 million and $3.5 million , respectively.
The estimated fair values of the reporting units, gaming licenses and trade names were determined by using discounted cash flow models, which utilized Level 3 inputs. These impairment charges are included in “Impairment of goodwill” and “Impairment of other intangible assets,” as appropriate, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

21



The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the valuation date:
 
Fair Value as of 4/28/16
(in millions)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range or Amount
Gaming Licenses
$
302.0

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
8.8% - 17.5%
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term revenue growth rate
 
2.0%
Trade Names
$
125.5

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
14.9% - 15.1%
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term revenue growth rate
 
2.0%
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax royalty rate
 
1.5% - 1.8%
The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
 
 
Total Fair Value as of April 28, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
$
120.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
120.8

 
$
332.9

Gaming licenses
$
302.0

 
$

 
$

 
$
302.0

 
$
68.5

Trade names
$
125.5

 
$

 
$

 
$
125.5

 
$
61.0

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, we determined that there was an indication of impairment on the intangible assets of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC, (“PRP”) due to the lack of legislative progress and on-going negative 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. These impairment charges are included in “Impairment of goodwill” and “Impairment of other intangible assets,” as appropriate, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated fair values of the reporting unit and the license were determined by using probability-weighted discounted cash flow models, which utilized Level 3 inputs.

22



The following tables set forth changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets:
 
June 30, 2016
 
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Cumulative Amortization
 
Cumulative Impairment Losses
 
Intangible Assets, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Goodwill:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment
Indefinite
 
$
586.9

 
$

 
$
(136.1
)
 
$
450.8

South segment
Indefinite
 
248.3

 

 
(157.7
)
 
90.6

West segment
Indefinite
 
78.2

 

 
(39.1
)
 
39.1

Other
Indefinite
 
5.9

 

 
(4.7
)
 
1.2

 
 
 
919.3

 

 
(337.6
)
 
581.7

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming licenses
Indefinite
 
318.6

 

 
(127.1
)
 
191.5

Trade names
Indefinite
 
187.2

 

 
(61.7
)
 
125.5

 
 
 
505.8

 

 
(188.8
)
 
317.0

Amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Player relationships
3.5
 
75.1

 
(51.3
)
 
(0.7
)
 
23.1

Favorable leasehold interests
29.5
 
4.4

 
(0.4
)
 

 
4.0

 
 
 
79.5

 
(51.7
)
 
(0.7
)
 
27.1

Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
 
$
1,504.6

 
$
(51.7
)
 
$
(527.1
)
 
$
925.8


 
December 31, 2015
 
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Cumulative Amortization
 
Cumulative Impairment Losses
 
Intangible Assets, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Goodwill:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment
Indefinite
 
$
586.9

 
$

 
$

 
$
586.9

South segment
Indefinite
 
248.3

 

 

 
248.3

West segment
Indefinite
 
78.2

 

 

 
78.2

Other
Indefinite
 
5.9

 

 
(4.7
)
 
1.2

 
 
 
919.3

 

 
(4.7
)
 
914.6

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gaming licenses
Indefinite
 
318.6

 

 
(58.6
)
 
260.0

Trade names
Indefinite
 
187.2

 

 
(0.7
)
 
186.5

Racing license
Indefinite
 
5.0

 

 
(5.0
)
 

 
 
 
510.8

 

 
(64.3
)
 
446.5

Amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Player relationships
4.0
 
75.1

 
(45.5
)
 
(0.7
)
 
28.9

Favorable leasehold interests
30.0
 
4.4

 
(0.3
)
 

 
4.1

 
 
 
79.5

 
(45.8
)
 
(0.7
)
 
33.0

Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
 
$
1,509.6

 
$
(45.8
)
 
$
(69.7
)
 
$
1,394.1

   

23



Note 8—Investment and Acquisition Activities

Acquisition of the Meadows Business: On March 29, 2016, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with GLP Capital, L.P. (“GLPC”), a subsidiary of GLPI, pursuant to which we will acquire the Meadows located in Washington County, Pennsylvania for total consideration of approximately $138 million , subject to closing and working capital adjustments. Following the close of the transaction, we will own and operate the Meadows’ gaming entertainment and harness racing business subject to a triple-net lease of its underlying real property with GLPI (the “Meadows Lease”).

The Meadows Lease will provide for a 10 -year initial term, including renewal terms at our option, up to a total of 29 years . The initial annual rent will be $25.5 million , comprised of a base rent of $14.0 million , which is subject to annual escalation in the future, and an initial percentage rent of $11.5 million , which will adjust every two years.
The completion of the transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including obtaining the approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission. The Company anticipates funding the acquisition with its Revolving Credit Facility. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of conditions in the Purchase Agreement, we expect the transaction to close by the end of the third quarter of 2016.

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 three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , our proportional share of the investment's losses totaled $0.1 million . As of June 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , the carrying amount of this investment was $1.6 million and $1.7 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. As of June 30, 2016 , PRP held $14.9 million in promissory notes issued by Retama Development Corporation (“RDC”), a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas, and $11.3 million in local government corporation bonds issued by RDC, at amortized cost. The promissory notes and local government corporation bonds, which are included in “Other assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, have long-term contractual maturities and are collateralized by the assets of the Retama Park Racetrack. The contractual terms of the promissory notes include interest payments due at maturity; however, we have not recorded accrued interest because uncertainty exists as to RDC’s ability to make the interest payments. We have the positive intent and ability to hold the local government corporation bonds to maturity and until the amortized cost basis is recovered.


24



Note 9—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. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , income before income taxes reported in discontinued operations was $0.3 million , $0.4 million , $5.1 million , and $5.4 million , respectively. The fair value of the assets to be sold was determined using a market approach using Level 2 inputs, as defined in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Central City, Colorado: In March 2016, we completed the sale of approximately two acres of land in Central City, Colorado, which had a carrying amount of $0.3 million , for cash consideration of $0.3 million . This land was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2015 . During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , in order to reduce the carrying amount of this land to its estimated fair value less cost to sell, we recorded a $2.6 million non-cash impairment charge, which is included in “Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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, which was collected in July 2016.
Total assets for entities and operations classified as held for sale are summarized as follows:
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net
$

 
$
0.3

Other assets, net
9.9

 
9.6

Total assets
$
9.9

 
$
9.9


Note 10—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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we had total self-insurance accruals of $25.7 million and $25.5 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 was 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. In June 2012, we filed a tax appeal petition with the Indiana Tax Court (the “ITC”) to set aside the final assessment. In August 2013, we filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the 1999 Hollywood Park sale asking 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 ITC regarding our motion for summary judgment. In June 2015, the ITC denied our motion for summary judgment and set the case for trial. In April 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the IDR, which did not have a material effect on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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.

25



Note 11—Segment Information
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. Operating segments are aggregated based on their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, types of services provided, the regulatory environments in which they operate, and their management and reporting structure. We have aggregated our operating segments into three reportable segments based on the similar characteristics of the operating segments within the regions in which they operate: Midwest, South and West. Corporate expenses and other is included in the following segment disclosures to reconcile to consolidated results.
We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined below) and Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined below) for each segment to compare operating results among our segments and allocate resources. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR to Income (loss) from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 .
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
318.8

 
$
322.9

 
$
647.3

 
$
636.8

South segment (a)
188.2

 
200.5

 
381.9

 
404.1

West segment (a)
57.8

 
57.2

 
114.4

 
110.9

 
564.8

 
580.6

 
1,143.6

 
1,151.8

Corporate and other (c)
1.4

 
1.4

 
2.6

 
3.0

Total revenues
$
566.2

 
$
582.0

 
$
1,146.2

 
$
1,154.8

Adjusted EBITDAR (b):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
98.7

 
$
96.0

 
$
206.1

 
$
196.8

South segment (a)
57.8

 
59.0

 
122.5

 
126.5

West segment (a)
21.6

 
20.1

 
42.6

 
40.7

 
178.1

 
175.1

 
371.2

 
364.0

Corporate expenses and other (c)
(21.1
)
 
(20.8
)
 
(41.8
)
 
(40.0
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (b)
157.0

 
154.3

 
329.4

 
324.0

Other benefits (costs):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
(54.0
)
 
(61.9
)
 
(108.1
)
 
(129.7
)
Pre-opening, development and other costs
(44.0
)
 
(6.1
)
 
(49.4
)
 
(7.7
)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense
(25.7
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(30.1
)
 
(8.9
)
Impairment of goodwill
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
Impairment of other intangible assets
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
(4.8
)
 
8.0

 
(7.6
)
 
4.9

Interest expense, net
(85.0
)
 
(60.0
)
 
(144.8
)
 
(121.1
)
Loss from equity method investment
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5.2
)
 

 
(5.2
)
 

Income tax benefit (expense)
35.0

 
(5.4
)
 
30.0

 
(10.3
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(489.2
)
 
$
15.8

 
$
(448.3
)
 
$
42.8



26



 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
24.1

 
$
22.8

South segment (a)
15.5

 
12.0

West segment (a)
5.0

 
3.6

Corporate and other, including development projects
3.0

 
3.3

 
$
47.6

 
$
41.7


(a)
See Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.
(b)
We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR 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, discontinued operations and rent expense associated with the anticipated Meadows Lease with GLPI, which the Company anticipates will be accounted for as an operating lease. Consequently, the Company is altering the format of its presentation from EBITDA to EBITDAR prospectively for the anticipated closing of that transaction during the third quarter of 2016. We define Adjusted EBITDAR for each reportable 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, discontinued operations and rent expense associated with the anticipated Meadows Lease with GLPI. We define Adjusted EBITDAR margin as Adjusted EBITDAR for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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 EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR approximates the measures used in the debt covenants within the Company's debt agreements. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR do not include depreciation or interest expense and, therefore, do not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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 EBITDAR and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

27



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following 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, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 contained in our Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is an owner, operator and developer of casinos and related hospitality and entertainment businesses. References to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates. References to “Former Pinnacle” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. prior to the Spin-Off and Merger (as such terms are defined below).

We own and operate 15 gaming entertainment businesses, located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, and 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 own and operate gaming entertainment businesses, all of which include gaming, food and beverage, and retail facilities, and most of which include hotel and resort amenities. Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our properties, 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 properties generate significant operating cash flow. Our industry is capital-intensive, and we rely on the ability of our properties to generate operating cash flow to satisfy our obligations under the Master Lease (as defined below), pay interest, repay debt, 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 our my choice customer loyalty program. We seek to improve cash flows by focusing on operational excellence and efficiency while meeting our guests’ expectations of value. Our long-term strategy

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includes disciplined capital expenditures to improve and maintain our existing facilities, while growing the number of businesses we own and operate by pursuing gaming entertainment opportunities we can acquire and improve or develop. We intend to diversify our revenue sources by growing our portfolio of operating facilities, while remaining gaming and entertainment centric. We intend to implement these strategies either alone or with third parties when we believe it benefits our stockholders to do so. In making decisions, we consider our stockholders, guests, team members and other constituents in the communities in which we operate.

On April 28, 2016, Former Pinnacle completed the transactions under the terms of a definitive agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), a real estate investment trust. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Former Pinnacle separated its operating assets and liabilities (and its Belterra Park property and excess land at certain locations) into the Company, a newly formed subsidiary, and distributed to its stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (such distribution referred to as the “Spin-Off”). As a result, Former Pinnacle stockholders received one share of the Company's common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, for each share of Former Pinnacle common stock that they owned. Gold Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI (“Merger Sub”), then merged with and into Former Pinnacle (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GLPI. The Company was renamed Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. immediately following the Merger.

In completing the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Former Pinnacle (the “Former Pinnacle Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares of Former Pinnacle Common Stock (i) owned or held in treasury by Former Pinnacle or (ii) owned by GLPI, its subsidiaries or Merger Sub) were canceled and converted into the right to receive 0.85 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GLPI.

Following the Spin-Off and Merger, we operate our gaming businesses under a triple-net master lease agreement for the facilities acquired by GLPI (the “Master Lease”). The Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years with five subsequent, five -year renewal periods at our option. The Company will pay initial annual rent of $377 million to GLPI.

On March 29, 2016, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with GLP Capital, L.P. (“GLPC”), a subsidiary of GLPI, pursuant to which we will acquire The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (the “Meadows”) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania for total consideration of approximately $138 million , subject to closing and working capital adjustments. Following the close of the transaction, we will own and operate the Meadows’ gaming entertainment and harness racing business subject to a triple-net lease of its underlying real property with GLPI (the “Meadows Lease”).

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table highlights our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 . As discussed in Note 11, “Segment Information,” to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we report segment operating results based on revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR. Such segment reporting is on a basis consistent with how we measure our business and allocate resources internally. See Note 11, “Segment Information,” to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our segment information. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDAR (defined below) for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (defined below) and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments (as defined below) to Income (loss) from continuing operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
318.8

 
$
322.9

 
$
647.3

 
$
636.8

South segment (a)
188.2

 
200.5

 
381.9

 
404.1

West segment (a)
57.8

 
57.2

 
114.4

 
110.9

 
564.8

 
580.6

 
1,143.6

 
1,151.8

Corporate and other (c)
1.4

 
1.4

 
2.6

 
3.0

Total revenues
$
566.2

 
$
582.0

 
$
1,146.2

 
$
1,154.8

Adjusted EBITDAR (b):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest segment (a)
$
98.7

 
$
96.0

 
$
206.1

 
$
196.8

South segment (a)
57.8

 
59.0

 
122.5

 
126.5

West segment (a)
21.6

 
20.1

 
42.6

 
40.7

 
178.1

 
175.1

 
371.2

 
364.0

Corporate expenses and other (c)
(21.1
)
 
(20.8
)
 
(41.8
)
 
(40.0
)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (b)
157.0

 
154.3

 
329.4

 
324.0

Lease Payments (d)
(66.1
)
 

 
(66.1
)
 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments (d)
90.9

 
154.3

 
263.3

 
324.0

Other benefits (costs) and adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease Payments (d)
66.1

 

 
66.1

 

Depreciation and amortization
(54.0
)
 
(61.9
)
 
(108.1
)
 
(129.7
)
Pre-opening, development and other costs
(44.0
)
 
(6.1
)
 
(49.4
)
 
(7.7
)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense
(25.7
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(30.1
)
 
(8.9
)
Impairment of goodwill
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
Impairment of other intangible assets
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
(4.8
)
 
8.0

 
(7.6
)
 
4.9

Interest expense, net
(85.0
)
 
(60.0
)
 
(144.8
)
 
(121.1
)
Loss from equity method investment
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5.2
)
 

 
(5.2
)
 

Income tax benefit (expense)
35.0

 
(5.4
)
 
30.0

 
(10.3
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(489.2
)
 
$
15.8

 
$
(448.3
)
 
$
42.8

 
(a)
See “Executive Summary” section for listing of properties included in each segment.

(b)
We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR 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

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investments, non-controlling interest, discontinued operations and rent expense associated with the anticipated Meadows Lease with GLPI, which the Company anticipates will be accounted for as an operating lease. Consequently, the Company is altering the format of its presentation from EBITDA to EBITDAR prospectively for the anticipated closing of that transaction during the third quarter of 2016. We define Adjusted EBITDAR for each reportable 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, discontinued operations and rent expense associated with the anticipated Meadows Lease with GLPI. We define Adjusted EBITDAR margin as Adjusted EBITDAR for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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 EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR approximates the measures used in the debt covenants within the Company's debt agreements. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR do not include depreciation or interest expense and, therefore, do not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 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 EBITDAR and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

(d)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is defined as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR (as defined in footnote b above), net of Lease Payments. The Company defines Lease Payments as cash rent payments made to GLPI for the Master Lease, and prospectively following the completion of the transaction and execution of the Meadows Lease, cash rent payments made to GLPI for the Meadows Lease. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is a useful measure to compare operating results between accounting periods. In addition, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments is a useful measure for investors because it is an indicator of the performance of ongoing business operations after incorporating the cash flow obligations associated with the Master Lease and, prospectively, the Meadows Lease. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, net of Lease Payments may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. The Master Lease is accounted for as a financing obligation. Total cash payments under the Master Lease, which commenced on April 28, 2016, were $66.1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, of which, $58.3 million was recognized as interest expense and $7.8 million reduced the financing obligation.

Consolidated Overview

Total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were $566.2 million and $1.1 billion , respectively, representing year over year decreases of $15.8 million , or 2.7% , and $8.6 million , or 0.7% , respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , loss from continuing operations was $489.2 million and $448.3 million , respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, loss from continuing operations was negatively impacted by non-cash impairments to goodwill, gaming licenses and trade names totaling $332.9 million , $68.5 million and $61.0 million , respectively.

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Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR was $157.0 million , an increase of $2.7 million , or 1.7% , year over year, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and was $329.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 , an increase of $5.4 million , or 1.7% . For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR was negatively impacted by lost business volume at L’Auberge Lake Charles due to persistent rain and regional flooding and adjustments to legal reserves.

Total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were $582.0 million and $1.2 billion , respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , income from continuing operations was $15.8 million and $42.8 million , respectively. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was negatively impacted by $0.6 million of cost related to the L’Auberge Lake Charles retention program and from repair costs and lost business volume related to flooding of the Red River in Bossier City. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR benefited from a $3.6 million refund received on disputed vendor payments in the first quarter of 2015, partially offset by $1.4 million in costs related to the L’Auberge Lake Charles retention program and by repair costs and lost business volume related to the flooding of the Red River in Bossier City.

The Company’s revenue consists mostly of gaming revenue, which is primarily from slot machines and to a lesser extent, table games. Slot revenue represented approximately 82% and 83% of gaming revenue in 2015 and 2014, respectively. In analyzing the performance of our properties, 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.

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 different results. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we had accrued $24.9 million and $25.4 million , respectively, for the estimated cost of providing my choice benefits.

Segment comparison of the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

Midwest Segment
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Gaming revenues
$
288.3

 
$
291.7

 
(1.2
)%
 
$
586.4

 
$
577.3

 
1.6
%
Total revenues
318.8

 
322.9

 
(1.3
)%
 
647.3

 
636.8

 
1.6
%
Operating income (loss)
(173.9
)
 
62.4

 
NM

 
(95.8
)
 
128.2

 
NM

Adjusted EBITDAR
98.7

 
96.0

 
2.8
 %
 
206.1

 
196.8

 
4.7
%
NM - Not Meaningful


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In the Midwest segment, total revenues decreased by $4.1 million, or 1.3% year over year, to $318.8 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Operating loss for the second quarter of 2016 was $173.9 million as compared to operating income of $62.4 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDAR increased by $2.7 million, or 2.8% year over year, to $98.7 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 31.0% , an increase of 130 basis points year over year.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , the Midwest segment operating results benefited from strong performance at Belterra Park, where gaming volumes continue to ramp up and additional cost efficiencies are realized. Additionally, River City, Ameristar Council Bluffs and Belterra contributed to the strong performance in Adjusted EBITDAR, largely through operational efficiencies. The Midwest segment operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were negatively impacted by lost business volume at Ameristar St. Charles due primarily to major Interstate 70 interchange construction that impeded access to the property. In addition, we recorded $239.9 million of non-cash impairment to goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, which resulted in operating losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 .

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , the Midwest segment results were primarily driven by particularly strong operating results at our Ameristar St. Charles, River City, and Ameristar Kansas City properties. In addition to these same store increases, our Belterra Park property, which opened in May 2014, contributed to year over year net revenue and Adjusted EBITDAR growth in the segment.

South Segment   
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Gaming revenues
$
168.8

 
$
179.6

 
(6.0
)%
 
$
343.9

 
$
363.2

 
(5.3
)%
Total revenues
188.2

 
200.5

 
(6.1
)%
 
381.9

 
404.1

 
(5.5
)%
Operating income (loss)
(141.4
)
 
37.9

 
NM

 
(98.5
)
 
82.3

 
NM

Adjusted EBITDAR
57.8

 
59.0

 
(2.0
)%
 
122.5

 
126.5

 
(3.2
)%
NM - Not Meaningful

In the South segment, total revenues decreased by $12.3 million, or 6.1% year over year, to $188.2 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Operating loss for the second quarter of 2016 was $141.4 million as compared to operating income of $37.9 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDAR decreased by $1.2 million, or 2.0% year over year, to $57.8 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 30.7% , an increase of 130 basis points year over year.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , the South segment operating results benefited by strong operating performance at L’Auberge Baton Rouge, which continues to experience revenue growth while further refining its cost structure in its fourth year of operations. South segment operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were negatively impacted by lost business volume at L’Auberge Lake Charles due to persistent rain and regional flooding, which has impeded visitation to the property. In addition, we recorded $179.9 million of non-cash impairment to goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, which resulted in operating losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 .

For the three months ended June 30, 2015 , the South segment’s results were negatively impacted by $0.6 million in costs related to the L’Auberge Lake Charles retention program and by repair costs and lost business volume related to the flooding of the Red River in Bossier City. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , the South segment’s results were negatively impacted by a $1.4 million in costs related to the L’Auberge Lake Charles retention program and by repair costs and lost business volume related to the flooding of the Red River in Bossier City and benefited by $1.3 million from a refund received on disputed vendor payments.


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West Segment    
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
( in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Gaming revenues
$
48.6

 
$
48.1

 
1.0
%
 
$
96.3

 
$
93.1

 
3.4
%
Total revenues
57.8

 
57.2

 
1.0
%
 
114.4

 
110.9

 
3.2
%
Operating income (loss)
(26.3
)
 
13.1

 
NM

 
(10.6
)
 
26.9

 
NM

Adjusted EBITDAR
21.6

 
20.1

 
7.5
%
 
42.6

 
40.7

 
4.7
%
NM - Not Meaningful

In the West segment, total revenues increased by $0.6 million, or 1.0% year over year, to $57.8 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Operating loss for the second quarter of 2016 was $26.3 million as compared to operating income of $13.1 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDAR increased by $1.5 million, or 7.5% year over year, to $21.6 million during the second quarter of 2016 . Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 37.4% , an increase of 230 basis points year over year.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , the West segment performance was driven by strong year over year increases in total revenues and Adjusted EBITDAR at the Jackpot Properties due primarily to the opening of the newly renovated buffet at Cactus Petes in April 2016 and continued operational efficiencies at Ameristar Black Hawk. We recorded $42.6 million of non-cash impairment to goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, which resulted in operating losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 .

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , the West segment’s operating performance was positively impacted by revenue growth and operational efficiency at Ameristar Black Hawk, and a focus on expense discipline at the Jackpot Properties.

Other factors affecting income (loss) from continuing operations
The following is a description of the other benefits (costs) affecting income (loss) from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 :
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Other benefits (costs):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate expenses and other
$
(21.1
)
 
$
(20.8
)
 
1.4
 %
 
$
(41.8
)
 
$
(40.0
)
 
4.5
 %
Depreciation and amortization
(54.0
)
 
(61.9
)
 
(12.8
)%
 
(108.1
)
 
(129.7
)
 
(16.7
)%
Pre-opening, development and other costs
(44.0
)
 
(6.1
)
 
NM

 
(49.4
)
 
(7.7
)
 
NM

Share-based compensation expense
(25.7
)
 
(4.8
)
 
NM

 
(30.1
)
 
(8.9
)
 
NM

Impairment of goodwill
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
 
NM

 
(332.9
)
 
(3.3
)
 
NM

Impairment of other intangible assets
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
 
NM

 
(129.5
)
 
(5.0
)
 
NM

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
(4.8
)
 
8.0

 
NM

 
(7.6
)
 
4.9

 
NM

Loss from equity method investment
(0.1
)
 

 
NM

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5.2
)
 

 
NM

 
(5.2
)
 

 
NM

Interest expense, net
(85.0
)
 
(60.0
)
 
41.7
 %
 
(144.8
)
 
(121.1
)
 
19.6
 %
Income tax benefit (expense)
35.0

 
(5.4
)
 
NM

 
30.0

 
(10.3
)
 
NM

NM - Not Meaningful

Corporate expenses and other is principally comprised of corporate overhead expenses, the Heartland Poker Tour, and the Retama Park management operations. Corporate expenses and other increased by $0.3 million year over year to $21.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and increased by $1.8 million year over year to $41.8 million for the six

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months ended June 30, 2016 . The increases are primarily attributable to adjustments to legal reserves during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 . In addition, the six months ended June 30, 2015 , benefited from a $0.2 million refund received on disputed vendor payments.

Depreciation and amortization decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , as compared to the prior year periods, due primarily to the timing of certain equipment that became fully depreciated during 2015 and the accelerated method of amortization on player relationships intangible assets.

Pre-opening, development and other costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , consist of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Restructuring costs (1)
$
43.2

 
$
5.8

 
$
46.8

 
$
6.9

Meadows acquisition costs (2)
0.4

 

 
2.1

 

Other
0.4

 
0.3

 
0.5

 
0.8

Total pre-opening, development and other costs
$
44.0

 
$
6.1

 
$
49.4

 
$
7.7

(1)
Amounts comprised of costs associated with the Spin-Off and Merger.
(2)
Amounts comprised of costs associated with the Company’s acquisition of the Meadows business.

Share-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 increased as compared to the prior year periods primarily due to the accelerated vesting of share-based payment awards in the amount of $22.6 million , as a result of the Spin-Off and Merger.

Impairment of goodwill for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 consists of a non-cash impairment charge of $332.9 million as a result of a preliminary impairment assessment. Given that the Spin-Off and Merger transactions represented a significant financial restructuring event that increased our cash flow obligations in connection with the Master Lease, we concluded that an indicator of impairment existed as of April 28, 2016, the closing date of the transactions. The impairment pertained to goodwill previously allocated to our Midwest, South and West segments in the amounts of $136.1 million , $157.7 million and $39.1 million , respectively.

The non-cash impairment to goodwill recognized in the second quarter 2016 represents our best estimate based on the work that has been performed as of the date of this filing and we expect to complete the preliminary impairment assessment on goodwill during the third quarter 2016. Our fair value estimates are based on assumptions that are subject to inherent uncertainty. Therefore, no assurance can be provided that no material adjustment to the preliminary estimate will be required after the analysis is finalized. Following completion of the analysis, we will adjust our preliminary estimate, if necessary, and record any required adjustment in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a non-cash impairment of $3.3 million to the goodwill of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC, which fully impaired the goodwill at this reporting unit.

Impairment of other intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 consists of non-cash impairment charges to gaming licenses and trade names, in the amounts of $68.5 million and $61.0 million , respectively. As a result of the Spin-Off and Merger, we concluded that an indicator of impairment existed as of April 28, 2016. The gaming license impairments pertained to our Midwest segment and the trade name impairments related to our Midwest, South and West segments, in the amounts of $35.3 million , $22.2 million and $3.5 million , respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a non-cash impairment of $5.0 million, which fully impaired the Retama Park Racetrack license.


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Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net consist of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net
$
4.2

 
$
(7.5
)
 
$
6.9

 
$
(7.2
)
Impairment of long-lived assets

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
3.0

Other
0.6

 
(0.7
)
 
0.5

 
(0.7
)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
$
4.8

 
$
(8.0
)
 
$
7.6

 
$
(4.9
)

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets, net: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recorded net losses of $4.2 million , $6.9 million , $0.9 million , and $1.2 million , respectively, related primarily to disposals of furniture, fixtures and equipment at our properties in the normal course of business. Additionally, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a gain on the sale of land in Springfield, Massachusetts of $8.4 million .

Impairment of long-lived assets: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recorded non-cash impairments on slot and other equipment at our properties. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2015 , we recorded a $2.6 million non-cash impairment of our land in Central City, Colorado to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less cost to sell.

Loss on equity method investment represents losses recognized for our allocable share of an investment in a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt relates to the repayment, in full, of the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as defined in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below). The loss included the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount.

Interest expense, net, consists of the following:
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest expense from financing obligation (1)
$
58.3

 
$

 
$
58.3

 
$

Interest expense from debt (2)
24.4

 
60.1

 
84.3

 
121.2

Interest income
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
Capitalized interest
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

Other (3)
2.5

 

 
2.5

 

Interest expense, net
$
85.0

 
$
60.0

 
$
144.8

 
$
121.1

(1)
Total cash payments under the Master Lease, which commenced on April 28, 2016, were $66.1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, of which $58.3 million was recognized as interest expense and $7.8 million reduced the financing obligation.
(2)
Interest expense associated with the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the 6.375% Notes, the 7.50% Notes, the 7.75% Notes, and the 8.75% Notes, which were no longer obligations of the Company as of April 28, 2016, included in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, was $16.8 million and $76.5 million , respectively.
(3)
Represents a one-time expense associated with the GLPI transaction.

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 , interest expense increased as compared to the prior year periods due principally to the interest expense incurred under our Master Lease financing obligation, which offset the decrease in interest expense incurred related to our debt borrowings.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , excluding the amortization of debt issuance costs and original issuance discount/premium, interest expense was $81.8 million and $137.4 million , respectively, as compared to $59.1 million and $118.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , respectively.

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Income taxes
Our effective tax rate for continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , was 6.7% , or a benefit of $35.0 million , and 6.3% or a benefit of $30.0 million , respectively, as compared to an effective tax rate of 25.5% , or an expense of $5.4 million and 19.3% or an expense of $10.3 million , respectively, for the corresponding prior year periods. The rate includes the tax impact of certain discrete items including changes of tax status of certain of our legal entities. 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, legal entity status change, 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.

The Spin-Off described in the “Executive Summary” was a taxable transaction. A gain was recognized for tax purposes and the tax bases of the operating assets were stepped up to fair market value at the time of the transaction. Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes , the tax impact directly related to the transaction amongst shareholders was recorded to equity, consistent with the overall accounting treatment of the transaction. All changes in tax bases of assets and liabilities caused by the transactions were recorded to additional paid-in capital.

As previously noted, the failed sale-leaseback is accounted for as a financial obligation. As a result, the gaming facilities are presented on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and the financing obligation is recognized and amortized over the lease term. For federal and state income tax purposes, the Spin-Off and the subsequent leaseback of the gaming facilities is an operating lease. As such, the Company recognizes no tax bases in the leased gaming facilities, which creates basis differences that give rise to deferred taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes .
Discontinued operations

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 , income before income taxes reported in discontinued operations was $0.3 million , $5.1 million , $0.4 million , and $5.4 million , respectively.


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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of June 30, 2016 , we held $119.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2016 , we had approximately $17.0 million drawn on our $400.0 million Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) and had approximately $11.0 million committed under various letters of credit. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , we retired $21.0 million in aggregate principal amount of debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as defined below). The debt retired during the six months ended June 30, 2016 was accomplished principally with cash from operations as of December 31, 2015 .

We generally produce significant positive cash flows from operations, though this is not always reflected in our reported net income (loss) due to large non-cash charges such as impairments to goodwill and other intangible assets and 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 under our debt agreements.
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Percentage change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
87.1

 
$
186.0

 
(53.2
)%
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(47.9
)
 
$
(42.2
)
 
13.5
 %
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(83.8
)
 
$
(186.5
)
 
(55.1
)%
Operating Cash Flow
Our cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016 , as compared to the prior year period, decreased due primarily to interest payments made on the financing obligation of $58.3 million ; expenses and other costs associated with the completion of the Spin-Off and Merger, including costs to obtain the financing; and the timing of payments and receipts of working capital items. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2016 , net cash payments related to income taxes were $4.3 million , as compared to the prior year period, in which we received $16.3 million of net cash refunds related to income taxes.
Investing Cash Flow

The following is a summary of our capital expenditures by segment:
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Midwest segment
$
24.1

 
$
22.8

South segment
15.5

 
12.0

West segment
5.0

 
3.6

Corporate and other, including development projects
3.0

 
3.3

Total capital expenditures
$
47.6

 
$
41.7


In addition to our capital expenditures summarized above, we received approximately $0.3 million in net proceeds from the disposition of land in Central City, Colorado.

Our intention is to use existing cash resources, expected cash flows from operations and funds available under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities to fund operations, maintain existing properties, make necessary debt service payments, make necessary Master Lease 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 Senior Secured Credit Facilities is contingent upon, among other things, meeting customary financial and other covenants. If we are unable to borrow under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or if our

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operating results are adversely affected because of a reduction in consumer spending, or for any other reason, our ability to maintain our existing properties 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 the Company or at all.

On March 29, 2016, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with GLPC, a subsidiary of GLPI, pursuant to which we will acquire the Meadows located in Washington County, Pennsylvania for total consideration of approximately $138 million , subject to closing and working capital adjustments. Following the close of the transaction, we will own and operate the Meadows’ gaming entertainment and harness racing business subject to the Meadows Lease.

The Meadows Lease will provide for a 10 -year initial term, including renewal terms at our option, up to a total of 29 years . The initial annual rent will be $25.5 million , comprised of a base rent of $14.0 million , which is subject to annual escalation in the future, and an initial percentage rent of $11.5 million , which will adjust every two years.
The completion of the transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including obtaining the approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission. The Company anticipates funding the acquisition with its Revolving Credit Facility. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of conditions in the Purchase Agreement, we expect the transaction to close by the end of the third quarter of 2016.

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. When economic conditions worsen, 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
Master Lease Financing Obligation
The Master Lease is accounted for as a financing obligation. The obligation was calculated at lease inception based on the future minimum lease payments due to GLPI under the Master Lease discounted at 10.5% . The discount rate represents the estimated incremental borrowing rate over the lease term of 35 years, which included renewal options that were reasonably assured of being exercised. As of April 28, 2016, the commencement date of the Master Lease, the financing obligation was determined to be $3.2 billion .
Fourteen of our fifteen gaming facilities are subject to the Master Lease with GLPI. Under the Master Lease, the initial annual aggregate rent payable is $377 million and rent is payable in monthly installments. The rent is comprised of base rent, which includes a land and a building component, and percentage rent. In the first year of the lease, the land base rent, the building base rent, and the percentage rent are $44 million, $289 million, and $44 million, respectively.
The land base rent is fixed for the entire lease term. Beginning in the second year of the lease, the building base rent is subject to an annual escalation of up to 2% , depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Master Lease) of 1.8:1. The percentage rent, which is fixed for the first two years, will be adjusted every two years to establish a new fixed amount for the next two -year period. Each new fixed amount will be calculated by multiplying 4% by the difference between (i) the average net revenues for the trailing two -year period and (ii) $1.1 billion.
Total cash payments under the Master Lease, which commenced on April 28, 2016, were $66.1 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, of which $58.3 million was recognized as interest expense and $7.8 million reduced the financing obligation.
Financing in Connection with the Spin-Off and Merger
In connection with the Spin-Off and Merger, the Company made a dividend to Former Pinnacle in the amount of $808.4 million (the “Cash Payment”), which was equal to the amount of existing debt outstanding of Former Pinnacle as of April 28, 2016, less approximately $2.7 billion that GLPI assumed pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off and Merger, the August 2013 amended and restated credit agreement (“Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) was repaid in full and terminated and the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”), the 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”) and the 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”) were redeemed. Former Pinnacle’s indenture governing its 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”) was redeemed on May

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15, 2016. Following the consummation of the Spin-Off and Merger, the Company had no outstanding obligations under the Former Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the 6.375% Notes, the 7.50% Notes, the 7.75% Notes and the 8.75% Notes.
On April 28, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), the Company completed its debt financings in connection with the Merger, consisting of (i) $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (the “5.625% Notes”) and (ii) the credit agreement among the Company and certain lenders thereto (the “Credit Agreement”), comprised of (x) a $185.0 million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (y) a $300.0 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan B Facility”) and (z) a $400.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”).
The proceeds of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, together with the proceeds of the 5.625% Notes were used on the Closing Date (i) to make the Cash Payment and (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the issuance of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the 5.625% Notes. Proceeds from loans under the Revolving Credit Facility are used for working capital, to fund permitted dividends, distributions and acquisitions, for general corporate purposes and for any other purpose not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

As of June 30, 2016 , we had approximately $17.0 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, $185.0 million of loans outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility, $262.0 million of loans outstanding under the Term Loan B Facility and had approximately $11.0 million committed under various letters of credit.

Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility initially bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 2.00% or the base rate plus 1.00% and, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, such loans will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50% , in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter. Loans under the Term Loan B Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 3.00% or the base rate plus 2.00% and in no event will LIBOR be less than 0.75% . In addition, we pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter.

The Term Loan A Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to a percentage of the original outstanding principal amount at closing as follows: (i) 5% per annum in the first two years, (ii) 7.5% per annum in the third year and (iii) 10% per annum in the fourth and fifth year. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2021. The Term Loan B Facility amortizes in equal quarterly amounts equal to 1% per annum of the original outstanding principal amount at closing. The remaining principal amount is payable on April 28, 2023. The Revolving Credit Facility is not subject to amortization and is due and payable on April 28, 2021.

Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities may be prepaid at par and commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility may be reduced at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (except for LIBOR breakage costs); provided that certain repricing transactions relating to the Term Loan B Facility will be subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium for a period of twelve months after April 28, 2016. Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be subject to mandatory prepayment with (i) a percentage of the Company’s excess cash flow depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio of the Company, (ii) net cash proceeds from asset sales and casualty and condemnation events (subject to customary reinvestment rights and other customary exceptions) and (iii) net cash proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of indebtedness after the closing date (subject to customary exceptions).

All obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions. All obligations of the Company under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the guarantees of those obligations will be secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors thereto, subject to certain exceptions. The property pledged by the Company and such guarantors includes a first priority pledge of the leasehold interests of tenant in the Master Lease; a first priority pledge of all of the equity interests owned by the Company and such guarantors in the direct wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company and such guarantors.

The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, certain affirmative and negative covenants and, solely for the benefit of the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, financial covenants, including a maximum permitted Consolidated

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Total Net Leverage Ratio, a maximum permitted Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and a required minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control, revocation of material licenses by gaming authorities (subject to a cure period), termination of the Master Lease and cross-default to certain events of default under the Master Lease.

5.625% Senior Notes due 2024: The 5.625% Notes were issued at par, mature on May 1, 2024, and bear interest at the rate of 5.625% per annum. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year, commencing November 1, 2016. The 5.625% Notes were issued pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. We are required to file a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the 5.625% Notes, which must be declared effective by the SEC by July 30, 2017.

The Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 1, 2019, at the declining redemption premiums set forth in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to May 1, 2019, the Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” redemption premium described in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2019, the Company may redeem the 5.625% Notes with an amount of cash equal to the net proceeds of one or more equity offerings, within a specified period of time after the closing of any such equity offering, at a redemption price equal to 105.625% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest, so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Notes originally issued under the indenture remains outstanding. If the Company engages in any asset sales, subject to certain exceptions, the Company generally must use the proceeds for specified purposes within a specified period of time or use the excess net proceeds from such asset sales to offer to purchase the 5.625% Notes from holders at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

The 5.625% Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s senior indebtedness, and senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. The 5.625% Notes are effectively subordinated to the Company’s secured indebtedness, including the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 5.625% Notes will not be guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries, except in the event that the Company in the future incurs certain subsidiary-guaranteed unsecured indebtedness, and, therefore, the 5.625% Notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries, including their guarantees of the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

The indenture contains covenants limiting the Company’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: pay dividends or distributions or repurchase equity; incur additional debt or issue disqualified stock and, in the case of subsidiaries, preferred stock; make investments; create liens on assets to secure certain debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; transfer and sell assets; create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries; designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and make certain amendments to the Master Lease. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.

Events of default under the indenture include, among others, the following: default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the 5.625% Notes; default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the 5.625% Notes; failure to comply with covenants in the indenture for 60 days after the receipt of notice from the trustee or holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Notes (unless such failure to comply has been waived); acceleration or payment default of debt in excess of a specified amount; unpaid judgments in excess of a specified amount; certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; and the Master Lease terminating or ceasing to be effective in certain circumstances.

As of June 30, 2016 , we were in compliance with the financial covenant ratios under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and indentures governing the Company’s 5.625% 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.

Share Repurchase Program

In May 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $50 million of shares of our common stock. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we repurchased 2.2 million shares of common stock and reduced stockholders’ equity by $24.7 million . In July 2016, we completed the share repurchase program having repurchased 4.5 million shares of common stock for $50 million .


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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
Below summarizes the material changes that have occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2016 to our contractual obligations and commitments as disclosed in our Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016.
On April 28, 2016, we conducted the following financing transactions: (1) we entered into a credit agreement with certain lenders, which is comprised of (i) a $185.0 million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years, (ii) a $300.0 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years and (iii) a $400.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years; (2) we issued $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2024, which pay interest semi-annually at a rate of 5.625% per annum on May 1st and November 1st of each year, commencing November 1, 2016; (3) we entered into a triple-net master lease agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. for 35 years (including optional renewal terms), which commences on April 28, 2016 and requires an initial annual rental payment of $377 million. Upon initial recognition, we recorded a financing obligation associated with the Master Lease in the amount of $3.2 billion , which is equal to the future minimum lease payments over the lease term of 35 years discounted at 10.5% .
For further information regarding these financing transactions, please see Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
A description of our critical accounting estimates can be found in Item 7 of our Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016. For a more extensive discussion of our accounting policies, see Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 in our Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016. There were no newly identified critical accounting policies and estimates in the second quarter of 2016 , nor were there any material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed for the year ended December 31, 2015 in our Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016.


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) provides certain “safe harbor” provisions for forward-looking statements. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters addressed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as in other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC or statements made by us, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, we may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in our other periodic reports on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, press releases and other materials released to the public. All forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any documents we incorporate by reference are made pursuant to the Act. Words such as, but not limited to, “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, the 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, the future outlook of Pinnacle and the gaming industry and pending regulatory and legal matters, the ability of the Company to continue to meet its financial and other covenants governing its indebtedness and the Master Lease with GLPI, the Company’s ability to complete the transaction between the Company and a subsidiary of GLPI whereby the Company would acquire the operations of The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (the “Meadows”); the expected synergies and benefits of the Meadows transaction; and the consummation of the Meadows transaction and the timing thereof; the Company’s anticipated future capital expenditures, ability to implement strategies to improve revenues and operating margins at the Company’s properties, reduce costs and debt, the Company’s ability to successfully implement marketing programs to increase revenue at the Company’s properties, and the Company’s ability to improve operations and performance, 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. For more information on the potential factors that could affect our operating results and financial condition in addition to the risk factors described above, review our other filings (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC Rules rather than filed) with the SEC, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed in final form on April 11, 2016 and the risk factors described therein. Factors that may cause our actual performance to differ materially from that contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others:

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;

The gaming industry is very competitive and increased competition, including through legislative legalization or expansion of gaming by states in or near where we own properties or through Native American gaming facilities and Internet gaming, could adversely affect our financial results;

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 condition;

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 are 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;

Certain provisions of the Master Lease restrict our ability to freely operate and could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition;

Substantially all of our gaming facilities are 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;

We face risks associated with growth and acquisitions;


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We derived 30.1% and 29.9% of our revenues in 2015 from our 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;

Our present indebtedness (including our obligations under the Master Lease) 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;

Our indebtedness imposes restrictive covenants on us;

To service our 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 obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms may be limited;

In the event that we undertake future development plans for capital-intensive projects, we may be required to borrow significant amounts under our credit facility and, depending on which projects are pursued to completion, may cause us to incur substantial additional indebtedness;

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;

Insufficient or lower-than-expected results generated from our new developments and acquired properties may negatively affect our operating results and financial condition;

Rising operating costs at our gaming properties could have a negative impact on our business;

Recessions have affected our business and financial condition, and economic conditions may continue to affect us in ways that we currently cannot accurately predict;

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;

Our industry is highly regulated, which makes us dependent on obtaining and maintaining gaming licenses and subjects us to potentially significant fines and penalties;

Potential changes in the regulatory environment could harm our business;

Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking;

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 our properties and deter customers from visiting our properties;

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;

The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry or other technological conditions could impose additional costs on us;

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;

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;


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We may incur property and other losses that are not adequately covered by insurance, which may harm our results of operations;

Work stoppages, organizing drives and other labor problems could negatively impact our future profits;

We face environmental and archaeological regulation of our real estate;

We are subject to litigation, which, if adversely determined, could cause us to incur substantial losses;

We are subject to certain federal, state and other regulations;

Climate change, climate change regulations and greenhouse effects may adversely impact our operations and markets;

We face business and regulatory risks associated with our investment in Asian Coast Development (Canada), Ltd.;

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 the company;

We are subject to extensive governmental regulations that impose restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our securities;

The timing to consummate the transaction for the Meadows and the possibility that the transaction does not close when expected or at all and the ability and timing to obtain approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission; and

The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and you may not be able to sell our stock at a favorable price or at all.

In addition, these forward-looking statements could be affected by general domestic and international economic and political conditions, uncertainty as to the future direction of the economy and vulnerability of the economy to domestic or international incidents, as well as market conditions in our industry.

For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, please see the “Risk Factors” in our Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016 and review our other filings (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) with the SEC. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
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 Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As of June 30, 2016 , we had $17.0 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility and had $11.0 million committed under various letters of credit. In addition, as of June 30, 2016 , we had $185.0 million and $262.0 million of principal outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility, respectively.
Loans under the Term Loan A Facility and Revolving Credit Facility initially bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 2.00% or the base rate plus 1.00% and, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, such loans will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 1.50% to 2.50% or the base rate plus an applicable margin from 0.50% to 1.50% , in each case, depending on the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recent fiscal quarter. Loans under the Term Loan B Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus 3.00% or the base rate plus 2.00% and in no event will LIBOR be less than 0.75% .
As of June 30, 2016 , for every 50 basis points decrease in LIBOR, our annual interest expense would decrease by approximately $0.9 million , assuming constant debt levels. As of June 30, 2016 , if LIBOR were to increase by 50 basis points, our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $1.5 million , assuming constant debt levels.
The table below provides the principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by contractual maturity dates for our debt obligations as of June 30, 2016 . As of June 30, 2016 , we did not hold any material investments in market-risk-sensitive instruments of the type described in Item 305 of Regulation S-K.
 
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
17,000

 
$
17,000

 
$
16,828

Interest Rate
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
 
Term Loan A Facility
 
$
4,625

 
$
9,250

 
$
11,563

 
$
16,187

 
$
18,500

 
$
124,875

 
$
185,000

 
$
182,225

Interest Rate
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
2.45
%
 
 
Term Loan B Facility
 
$
1,500

 
$
3,000

 
$
3,000

 
$
3,000

 
$
3,000

 
$
248,500

 
$
262,000

 
$
261,345

Interest Rate
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
 
2.45
%
 
 
5.625% Notes
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
375,000

 
$
375,000

 
$
373,125

Interest Rate
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 
 
Other
 
$
4

 
$
8

 
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
10

 
$
41

 
$
80

 
$
80

Interest Rate
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as of June 30, 2016 . Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, concluded that, as of June 30, 2016 , the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in that they provide a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives.

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

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.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors affecting our business that were discussed in “Risk Factors” in our Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC in final form on April 11, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table contains information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Pinnacle or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a) (3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during our second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) (1)
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that may be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
April 1 - April 30, 2016
 

 
$

 

 
$

May 1 - May 31, 2016
 
100,000

 
$
11.22

 
100,000

 
$
48,877,600

June 1 - June 30, 2016
 
2,117,028

 
$
11.15

 
2,117,028

 
$
26,398,479

Total
 
2,217,028

 
$
11.15

 
2,217,028

 
$
26,398,479


(1)
Average price paid per share for shares purchased as part of our share repurchase program (includes brokerage commissions).
(2)
As announced on May 27, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $50 million. In July 2016, we completed the share repurchase program having repurchased 4.5 million shares of common stock for $50 million.


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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
2.1†
 
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, by and among PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and, solely with respect to Article VIII, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.2†
 
Master Lease, dated as of April 28, 2016, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.3
 
Employee Matters Agreement, dated April 28, 2016, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.4
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, among PNK Entertainment, Inc., the subsidiaries of PNK Entertainment, Inc., the lender parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.3
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Indenture dated as of April 28, 2016, governing the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.2
 
Form of 5.625% Senior Note due 2024 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.3
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, among PNK Entertainment, Inc. and the representatives of the initial purchasers party thereto is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.1††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.2††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.3††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.4††
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice and Agreement for the Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.5††
 
Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of May 23, 2016, by and between Pinnacle Entertainment,
Inc. and John A. Godfrey is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.6*††
 
Employment Agreement, dated May 23, 2016, by and between Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and Donna S. Negrotto.
 
 
 
11*
 
Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.

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Table of Contents

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
32**
 
Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
101*
 
Financial statements from Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):
(i)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
(ii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss),
(iii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
(iv)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit),
(v)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and
(vi)
Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements .
 ________________
*
 
Filed herewith.
**
 
Furnished herewith.
 
Exhibits have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit to the SEC upon its request; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any document so furnished.
††
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Registrant)
Date:
August 11, 2016
By:  
/s/ Carlos A. Ruisanchez  
 
 
 
Carlos A. Ruisanchez
 
 
 
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)  


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
2.1†
 
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, by and among PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., and, solely with respect to Article VIII, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.2†
 
Master Lease, dated as of April 28, 2016, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.3
 
Employee Matters Agreement, dated April 28, 2016, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
2.4
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, among PNK Entertainment, Inc., the subsidiaries of PNK Entertainment, Inc., the lender parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
3.3
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Indenture dated as of April 28, 2016, governing the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024, by and between PNK Entertainment, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.2
 
Form of 5.625% Senior Note due 2024 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
4.3
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2016, among PNK Entertainment, Inc. and the representatives of the initial purchasers party thereto is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.1††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.2††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.3††
 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.4††
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice and Agreement for the Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.5††
 
Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of May 23, 2016, by and between Pinnacle Entertainment,
Inc. and John A. Godfrey is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-37666)
 
 
 
10.6*††
 
Employment Agreement, dated May 23, 2016, by and between Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and Donna S. Negrotto.
 
 
 
11*
 
Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
 
 
 


Table of Contents

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
31.1*
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
32**
 
Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
101*
 
Financial statements from Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):
(i)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
(ii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss),
(iii)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
(iv)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit),
(v)
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and
(vi)
Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements .
 ________________
*
 
Filed herewith.
**
 
Furnished herewith.
 
Exhibits have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit to the SEC upon its request; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any document so furnished.
††
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


Exhibit 10.6

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of this 23 rd day of May, 2016, effective as of July 1, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and DONNA S. NEGROTTO, an individual (“ Executive ”), with respect to the following facts and circumstances:
RECITALS
The Company is currently employing Executive as its Vice President and Legal Counsel pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement dated April 14, 2014 (the “ Current Agreement ”).
The Company wishes to have Executive become Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company effective as of July 1, 2016 and Executive is willing to assume such position, in each case on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
EMPLOYMENT AND TERM
1.1     Employment . The Company agrees to engage Executive in the capacity as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company effective as of July 1, 2016, and Executive hereby accepts such engagement by the Company upon the terms and conditions specified below.
1.2     Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated under Article 6 below, shall continue in force until July 31, 2019 (the " Initial Term "); provided that commencing on March 31, 2019 and as of March 31 of each year thereafter (a " Renewal Date "), this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one-year periods (each, a " Renewal Period "), unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the next Renewal Date. The Initial Term of this Agreement, together with any Renewal Periods, is referred to as the " Term ."
ARTICLE 2.
DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE
2.1     Duties . Executive shall perform all the duties and obligations generally associated with the position of Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel subject to the control and supervision of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and such other executive duties consistent with the foregoing as may be assigned to her from time to time by the Company. Executive shall perform the services contemplated herein faithfully, diligently, to the best of her ability and in the best interests of the Company. Executive shall at all times perform

1




such services in compliance with, and to the extent of her authority, shall to the best of her ability cause the Company to be in compliance with, any and all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company of which Executive is aware. Executive shall, at all times during the Term, in all material respects adhere to and obey any and all written internal rules and regulations governing the conduct of the Company’s employees, as established or modified from time to time; provided, however, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any such rules or regulations, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
2.2     Location of Services . Executive’s principal place of employment shall be at the Company’s headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, or at such other location as Executive and the Chief Executive Officer shall agree upon. Executive understands she will be required to travel to the Company’s various operations as part of her employment.
2.3     Exclusive Service . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Executive shall devote her entire business time, attention, energies, skills, learning and best efforts to the business of the Company. Executive may participate in social, civic, charitable, religious, business, educational or professional associations so long as such participation does not materially interfere with the duties and obligations of Executive hereunder. This Section 2.3, however, shall not be construed to prevent Executive from making passive outside investments so long as such investments do not require material time of Executive or otherwise interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder. Executive shall not make any investment in an enterprise that competes with the Company without the prior written approval of the Company after full disclosure of the facts and circumstances; provided, however, that this sentence shall not preclude Executive from owning up to one-half percent (0.5%) of the securities of a publicly traded entity (a “ Permissible Investment ”). During the Term, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, work for or provide services to or, except as permitted above, own an equity interest in any person, firm or entity engaged (directly or indirectly through an investment in another entity) in the casino gaming, card club, video lottery terminal (“ VLT ”) or horse racing business. In this regard, and for purposes of this section only, Executive acknowledges that the gaming industry is national in scope and that accordingly this covenant shall apply throughout the United States. With the prior approval of the Board (which approval may subsequently be revoked by the Board in its discretion) Executive may (i) serve on boards of charitable and not for profit organizations; (ii) serve on one board of a for profit public corporation in addition to the Company's Board (and retain any compensation received therefrom); and (iii) serve on boards of privately held entities in which Executive has an ownership interest (and retain any compensation received therefrom); so long as such activities, individually or in the aggregate do not materially interfere with Executive’s duties hereunder.
ARTICLE 3.
COMPENSATION
3.1     Base Salary . In consideration for Executive’s services hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary at the rate of Four Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($440,000.00) per year during each of the years of the Term; payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule from time to time (less any deductions required for Social

2




Security, state, federal and local withholding taxes, and any other authorized or mandated similar withholdings).
3.2     Annual and Other Bonuses . Executive shall be entitled to earn bonuses with respect to each year of the Term during which Executive is employed under this Agreement up to not less than One Hundred Sixty Percent (160%) of her base salary, with a targeted bonus of not less than Eighty Percent (80%) of Executive's base salary (such targeted bonus, as may be increased from time to time, the “ Target Bonus ”), determined under the Company's Annual Performance Based Plan for Executive Officers, or any successor Plan (the “ Bonus Plan ”), provided that such percentages are subject to increase at the discretion of the Committee. Any such bonus shall be based on performance criteria developed by the Committee. Any such bonus shall be subject to (i) the Executive being employed by the Company on the last day of the Company's fiscal year or such later date as the Bonus Plan shall specify; and (ii) the Company’s Policy on Recovery of Incentive Compensation in Event of Financial Restatement attached as Appendix A hereto (or any successor policy). Any such bonus earned by Executive shall be paid annually as soon as practicable (but in no event later than March 15 th ) after the conclusion of the Company’s fiscal year, except for any portion of the bonus which is paid in the Company's discretion in restricted stock units or other equity award, and any portion of the bonus which Executive shall elect to defer under the Company's deferred compensation plan. Bonuses relative to partial years shall be prorated. Executive may also receive special bonuses in addition to her annual bonus eligibility at the discretion of the Board or the Committee; it being understood that there is no entitlement thereto hereunder. Any bonuses paid hereunder shall be paid, in the Company’s discretion, in cash, restricted stock units and/or other equity awards; provided, however, that Executive’s allocation of cash, restricted stock units and other equity awards shall be the same as that of other senior executives offices for the year in question, except as may be provided under the Bonus Plan.
3.3     Equity Awards . The Company may provide Equity Awards to Executive pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the then current equity compensation plan of the Company. The Committee shall set the amount and terms of such Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Equity Awards ” includes all awards of equity granted to Executive, including but not limited to, options, restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares, performance share units, and stock appreciation rights.
ARTICLE 4.
EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
4.1     Vacation . In accordance with the general policies of the Company applicable generally to other senior executives of the Company pursuant to the Company’s personnel policies from time to time, Executive shall be entitled to not less than four (4) weeks of vacation each calendar year, without reduction in compensation. Vacation expense will not accrue and unused vacation time will not accrue for severance purposes.
4.2     Benefits . Executive shall receive all other such benefits as the Company may offer to other senior executives of the Company generally under the Company personnel plans,

3




practices, policies and programs in effect from time to time, such as health and disability insurance coverage, paid sick leave and fully eligible participation in deferred compensation plans. The Company will provide an executive physical on an annual basis to Executive. The Company shall provide Executive coverage for those benefit items made generally available to its senior level executive employees on the same terms provided to its other senior level executive employees.
4.3     Indemnification . Executive shall have the benefit of indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, which indemnification shall continue after the termination of this Agreement for such period as may be necessary to continue to indemnify Executive for her acts while an officer of the Company. In addition, the Company shall cause Executive to be covered by the Company’s policies of directors and officers liability insurance in effect from time to time in accordance with their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any officer of the Company. In the event of any merger or other acquisition of the Company, the Company shall, no later than immediately prior to consummation of such transaction, purchase "tail" coverage under the officers liability insurance in effect at the time of such merger or acquisition.
ARTICLE 5.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
5.1    Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of her duties or otherwise in furtherance of the business of the Company in accordance with the policies of the Company in effect from time to time. Executive shall keep accurate and complete records of all such expenses, including but not limited to, proof of payment and purpose. Executive shall account fully for all such expenses to the Company. No reimbursement will be made later than the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred. Expenses eligible for reimbursement in any one taxable year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the right to expense reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
ARTICLE 6.
TERMINATION
6.1     Termination for Cause . Without limiting the generality of Section 6.3, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment, without further obligation or liability to Executive, upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events, which events shall be deemed termination for cause (“ Cause ”).
6.1.1     Failure to Perform Duties . If Executive neglects to perform the material duties of her employment under this Agreement in a professional and businesslike manner, other than due to her Disability (unless such Disability is due to substance or alcohol abuse), after

4




having received thirty (30) days written notice specifying such failure to perform and a reasonable opportunity to perform.
6.1.2     Willful Breach . If Executive willfully commits a material breach of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of written notice thereof or commits a material willful breach of her fiduciary duty to the Company.
6.1.3     Wrongful Acts . If Executive is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving acts of moral turpitude or commits fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or other acts of material misconduct against the Company (including violating or condoning the violation of any material rules or regulations of gaming authorities which could have a material adverse effect on the Company) that would make the continuance of her employment by the Company materially detrimental to the Company.
6.1.4     Failure To Be Licensed or Approved by the Company’s Compliance Committee . Executive shall promptly, accurately and truthfully complete all forms provided by the Company’s Compliance Committee and shall fully cooperate in any background investigation conducted pursuant to the Company’s Compliance Program. Executive shall also promptly apply for all applicable gaming licenses, if required, to the extent Executive is not already licensed or on file as of the date hereof. If Executive fails to be recommended for approval and retention by the Compliance Committee or Executive fails to be licensed in all jurisdictions in which the Company or its subsidiaries has gaming facilities within the date required by any jurisdiction, or if any of such licenses shall be revoked or suspended at any time during the Term, or if the Company is directed to cease business with Executive by any governmental authority; or if the Company determines in its reasonable judgment that Executive was or might be involved in, or is about to be involved in, any activity, relationship(s) or circumstance which could or does jeopardize the Company’s business, reputation or any of such licenses; or any of the Company’s licenses is threatened to be, or is, denied, curtailed, suspended or revoked as a result of Executive’s employment by the Company or as a result of her actions, then the Company may by thirty (30) days written notice to Executive terminate the Agreement for Cause. Executive agrees to promptly submit to the licensing requirements of all jurisdictions in which the Company or its subsidiaries does business. The Company shall bear all expenses incurred in connection with such licenses.
6.2     Death or Disability . Executive’s employment shall terminate on Executive’s death and the Company may terminate Executive’s employment due to " Disability ." Executive will be deemed to have a " Disability " when she is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a substantially continuous period of not less than 180 days, or begins receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan of the Company or an affiliate by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 6 months. If there should be a dispute between the Company and Executive as to Executive's physical or mental Disability for purposes of this Agreement, the question shall be settled by the opinion of an impartial reputable

5




physician or psychiatrist agreed upon by the parties or their representatives, or if the parties cannot agree within ten (10) days after a request for designation of such party, then a physician or psychiatrist designated by the Clark County Medical Association or similar body. The certification of such a physician or psychiatrist as to the questioned dispute shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto.
6.3     Termination Without Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement at any time without Cause by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to Executive. Failure by the Company to extend the Term for any Renewal Period shall not be a termination of this Agreement without Cause.
6.4     Termination by Executive for Good Reason . Executive may terminate her employment under this Agreement on thirty (30) days prior notice to the Company for good reason (“ Good Reason ”). For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean and be limited to (i) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company (including without limitation the assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with her status as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company), or any material reduction in the authority, duties or responsibilities of Executive; or (ii) any relocation of her or its principal place of business outside the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area (without Executive’s consent); or (iii) a material reduction by the Company in Executive’s then Base Salary or Target Bonus, a material reduction in other benefits (except as such benefits may be changed or reduced for other senior executives), or the failure by the Company to pay Executive any material portion of her current compensation when due; or (iv) following a Change of Control, (A) the failure of any acquiring or successor company, or, if the acquiring or successor company is a subsidiary of another company, the failure of the highest-level parent of the acquiring or successor company, to enter into an agreement naming Executive as the Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the acquiring or successor company with duties materially consistent with Executive’s duties as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, or, if the acquiring or successor company is a subsidiary of another company, of the highest-level parent with duties materially consistent with Executive’s duties as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, as the case may be; or (B) Executive’s termination for Good Reason from the Company and any parent entity or termination without Cause by the Company and any parent entity within twenty-four (24) months of a Change of Control. For the avoidance of doubt, each of the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv), of the preceding sentence is a separate and independent basis for termination by Executive for Good Reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to a termination by Executive following a Change of Control, Executive’s resignation shall not be treated as a resignation for Good Reason unless (a) Executive notifies the Company (including any acquiring and/or successor company) in writing of a condition constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days following Executive’s becoming aware of such condition; (b) the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days following such written notice (the “ Remedy Period ”); and (c) Executive resigns within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Remedy Period. Further, in the event that Executive resigns for Good Reason and within two years from such date accepts employment with the Company, any acquirer or successor to the Company’s

6




business or any affiliate, parent, or subsidiary of either the Company or its successor, then Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments hereunder and will reimburse the Company for the full amount of such payments received by Executive within thirty (30) days of accepting such employment.
6.5     Effect of Termination .
6.5.1     Payment of Salary, Bonus and Expenses Upon Termination . Any termination under this Section 6 shall be effective upon receipt of notice by Executive or the Company, as the case may be, of such termination or upon such other later date as may be provided herein or specified by the Company or Executive in the notice (the “ Termination Date ”), except as otherwise provided in this Section 6. If Executive’s employment is terminated, all benefits provided to Executive by the Company hereunder shall thereupon cease, except as provided in this Section 6.5, and the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive all accrued but unpaid base salary, any compensation previously voluntarily deferred by Executive payable in accordance with the provisions of the applicable deferred compensation plan and in accordance with Executive's election under such plan, and, except in the case of Termination for Cause, as additional severance and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.2 hereof, a prorated bonus for the year of termination. Such prorated bonus shall be determined and paid as follows: (a) First, the performance criteria shall be applied to the entire year of termination to determine the bonus that Executive would have received for the entire year if her employment had not terminated, (b) Second, the amount determined under clause (a) of this sentence shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year before the date of the termination of Executive's employment and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty five (365), to determine the amount of the prorated bonus, and (c) Third, the prorated bonus shall be paid at the times and in the form specified when the Committee determined the performance criteria for the year, or, if no such time was then specified, as soon as practicable (but in no event later than March 15 th ) after the end of the year in which the termination of employment occurred. If at the Termination Date, Executive shall have satisfied all the requirements to earn an annual bonus relative to the calendar year immediately preceding or ending on the Termination Date but such bonus has not yet been paid, then except in the case of a Termination for Cause, such bonus shall be paid to Executive at the same time such bonus was otherwise scheduled to have been paid. In addition, promptly upon submission by Executive of her unpaid expenses incurred prior to the Termination Date and owing to Executive pursuant to Article 5, reimbursement for such expenses shall be made. If Executive’s employment is terminated for “Cause,” or by the Executive without "Good Reason", Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments other than as specified in this Section 6.5.1. Termination by the Company for Cause shall be in addition to and without prejudice to any other right or remedy that the Company may be entitled to at law, in equity, or under this Agreement.
6.5.2     Termination Without Cause or Termination by Executive for Good Reason Other than in Connection with a Change of Control . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason (other than in connection with a Change of Control as contemplated by Section 6.5.4), the following shall apply:

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(a)
Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) times (i) Executive’s annual base salary (such multiple of such annual base salary, the " Base Severance Benefit ") in effect on the date of termination; plus (ii) the total dollar value of the average annual bonus (whether paid in cash, in the form of equity or a combination thereof) paid to Executive in the three years prior to termination (such multiple of such average annual bonus, the “ Bonus Amount ”). The Base Severance Benefit shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments over eighteen (18) months immediately following the date of termination in accordance with the Company's regular salary payment schedule from time to time. The Bonus Amount shall be paid in cash in two equal annual installments on the first and second anniversaries of the termination of employment. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to receive any amounts payable under Section 6.5.1 above. The payments contemplated herein shall not be subject to any duty of mitigation by Executive nor to offset for any income earned by Executive following termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, continuing payments of the Base Severance Benefit and the Bonus Amount shall immediately cease and any such payments of the Base Severance Benefit and the Bonus Amount that have not yet been paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7.
(b)
Executive shall also be entitled to receive health benefits coverage for Executive and her dependents, and disability insurance coverage for Executive, under the same plan(s) or arrangement(s) under which Executive and her dependents were covered immediately before her termination of employment or plan(s) established or arrangement(s) provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereafter for the benefit of senior executives (the " Health and Disability Coverage Continuation ") until the earliest of (i) twenty-four (24) months; and (ii) the date Executive (and in the case of her dependents, the dependents) becomes covered or eligible for coverage under any other group health plan or group disability plan (as the case may be) not maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that if such other group health plan excludes any pre-existing condition that Executive or Executive’s dependents may have when coverage under this Section 6.5.2 shall continue (but not beyond the period described in clause (i) of this sentence) with respect to such pre-existing condition until such exclusion under such other group health plan lapses or expires. The Company shall pay any applicable premiums on such insurance coverage; provided,

8




however, that if at any time the Company determines that its payment of such premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) or any other Code section, law or regulation of similar effect (including but not limited to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of paying such premiums, the Company will instead pay to Executive a fully taxable monthly cash payment in an amount such that, after payment by Executive of all taxes on such payment, Executive retains an amount equal to the premiums the Company would have paid for such month, with such monthly payment being made on the last day of each month for the remainder of the twenty four (24) month period. In the event Executive is required to make an election under Sections 601 through 607 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (commonly known as COBRA) to qualify for the benefits described in this Section 6.5.2, the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Section 6.5.2 shall be conditioned upon Executive’s timely making such an election. Nothing contained herein shall prevent Executive or her dependents from securing continued coverage under COBRA at their own expense to the extent permitted by COBRA or otherwise applicable law. Any payment or reimbursement of benefits under this Section 6.5.2 that is taxable to Executive or her dependents shall be made by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive or her dependent incurred the expense. Expenses eligible for reimbursement in any one taxable year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the right to expense reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Company’s equity plans or any applicable award agreements thereunder: (i) with respect to outstanding Equity Awards that do not contain performance-based vesting conditions, the portion of such Equity Award(s) that would have become vested and/or exercisable pursuant to any time-based vesting conditions during the eighteen (18) month period following the date of the termination of employment shall continue to vest on the schedule set forth in the applicable award agreement as if Executive’s employment had not terminated; provided, however, that such continued vesting shall immediately cease and any Equity Award that has not been exercised and/or paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive

9




materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7 (such “ material ” qualifier to apply to all Equity Awards where such breach provision exists); (ii) with respect to any outstanding equity-based awards with performance-based vesting conditions, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in such performance-based awards on a pro-rata 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 pro-rata portion of such performance-based awards, if any, shall be equal to (a) the number of full months Executive was employed during the applicable performance period divided by (b) the full length of such performance period (expressed in months), and on that pro-rated basis shall vest and/or be paid on the schedule set forth in the applicable award agreement as if Executive’s employment had not terminated; provided, however, that such continued accrual of service credit shall immediately cease and any such performance-based awards that have not yet been exercised and/or paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7 (such “ material ” qualifier to apply to all Equity Awards where such breach provision exists).
6.5.3     Termination for Death or Disability . If Executive dies or the Company terminates Executive’s employment due to Disability, the following shall apply:
(a)
Executive shall be entitled to receive any amounts payable under Section 6.5.1 above.
(b)
Executive shall also be entitled to Health and Disability Coverage Continuation for Executive and her dependents until the earliest of (i) twenty-four (24) months; and (ii) the date Executive (and in the case of her dependents, the dependents) becomes covered or eligible for coverage under any other group health plan or group disability plan (as the case may be) not maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that if such other group health plan excludes any pre-existing condition that Executive or Executive’s dependents may have when coverage under this Section 6.5.3 shall continue (but not beyond the period described in clause (i) of this sentence) with respect to such pre-existing condition until such exclusion under such other group health plan lapses or expires. The Company shall pay any applicable premiums on such insurance coverage; provided, however, that if at any time the Company determines that its payment of such premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal

10




Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) or any other Code section, law or regulation of similar effect (including but not limited to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of paying such premiums, the Company will instead pay to Executive a fully taxable monthly cash payment in an amount such that, after payment by Executive of all taxes on such payment, Executive retains an amount equal to the premiums the Company would have paid for such month, with such monthly payment being made on the last day of each month for the remainder of the twenty four (24) month period. In the event Executive is required to make an election under Sections 601 through 607 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (commonly known as COBRA) to qualify for the benefits described in this Section 6.5.3, the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Section 6.5.3 shall be conditioned upon Executive’s timely making such an election. Nothing contained herein shall prevent Executive or her dependents from securing continued coverage under COBRA at their own expense to the extent permitted by COBRA or otherwise applicable law. Any payment or reimbursement of benefits under this Section 6.5.3 that is taxable to Executive or her dependents shall be made by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive or her dependent incurred the expense. Expenses eligible for reimbursement in any one taxable year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the right to expense reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Company’s equity plans or any applicable award agreements thereunder: (i) with respect to outstanding Equity Awards that do not contain performance-based vesting conditions, such Equity Award(s) that would have become vested and/or exercisable pursuant to any time-based vesting conditions shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable and may be exercised in accordance with their terms and Section 6.6 hereof; provided, however, that any Equity Award that has not been exercised and/or paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7 (such “ material ” qualifier to apply to all Equity Awards where such breach provision exists); and (ii) with respect to any outstanding Equity Awards with performance-based vesting conditions, all such performance-based awards shall continue to vest and/or be paid on

11




the schedule set forth in the applicable award agreement as if Executive’s employment had not terminated; provided, however, that such continued vesting shall immediately cease and any such performance-based awards that have not yet been exercised and/or paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7 (such “ material ” qualifier to apply to all Equity Awards where such breach provision exists). 
6.5.4     Termination Without Cause or Termination by Executive for Good Reason at the Time of or Within Twenty-Four (24) Months After a Change of Control . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason at the time of or within twenty-four (24) months after a Change of Control, the following shall apply:
(a)
Executive shall be entitled to receive any amounts payable under Section 6.5.1 above.
(b)
The Company shall pay to Executive in lieu of the Base Severance Benefit and the Bonus Amount, in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the termination of Executive’s employment, an amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the sum of Executive’s annual base salary in effect on the date of termination and the Target Bonus for the year of termination.
(c)
In addition, Executive shall also be entitled to receive continuation of health and disability insurance coverage as specified in Section 6.5.2(b) and all unvested Equity Awards, including any unvested replacement Equity Awards that may have been granted to Executive to replace unvested Equity Awards that expired by their terms in connection with a Change of Control, shall immediately become fully vested and may be exercised in accordance with their terms and Section 6.6 hereof 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 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 Executive for the Equity

12




Awards; and (b) the value of any replacement Equity Awards realized by Executive through or as a result of such termination.
(d)
For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Change of Control ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
(i)
The direct or indirect acquisition by an unrelated "Person" or "Group" or "Beneficial Ownership" (as such terms are defined below) of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company's issued and outstanding voting securities in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;
(ii)
The direct or indirect sale or transfer by the Company of substantially all of its assets to one or more unrelated Persons or Groups in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;
(iii)
The merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity in which the Beneficial Owners of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company's issued and outstanding voting securities immediately before such merger or consolidation do not own more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or other entity immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or
(iv)
During any consecutive 12-month period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of the Company (together with any new Directors whose election to such Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the Directors of the Company then still in office who were either Directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of the Company then in office.
None of the foregoing events, however, shall constitute a Change of Control if such event is not a "Change in Control Event" under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or successor IRS guidance. For purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, the following Persons and Groups shall not be deemed to be "unrelated": (A) such Person or Group directly or indirectly has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting power of the Company's voting securities immediately before the transaction in question, (B) the Company has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such Person or Group, or

13




(C) more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such Person or Group are owned, directly or indirectly, by Beneficial Owners of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting power of the Company's voting securities immediately before the transaction in question. The terms "Person," "Group," "Beneficial Owner," and "Beneficial Ownership" shall have the meanings used in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) Persons shall not be considered to be acting as a "Group" solely because they purchase or own stock of the Company at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering, (II) however, Persons will be considered to be acting as "Group" if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction, with the Company, and (III) if a Person, including an entity, owns stock both in the Company and in a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, with the Company, such shareholders shall be considered to be acting as a Group with other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in the corporation before the transaction.
6.5.5     I.R.C. Section 409A . (a) The compensation arrangements under this Agreement are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, " Code Section 409A "), and will be interpreted in a manner intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Code Section 409A. If any payment of money or other benefits due to the Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Code Section 409A (a " 409A Tax "), the Company, in its sole discretion, may decide such payments or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company, that does not cause such 409A Tax; provided, however, neither the Company, nor its respective officers, employees and/or representatives, shall have any liability to the Executive with respect to any such determination, or any such taxes, interest or penalties, or liability for any other alleged damages related thereto. (b) In the event that any compensation with respect to Executive's separation from service is "deferred compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 409A, the stock of the Company or any affiliate is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, and Executive is determined to be a "specified employee," as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, payment of such compensation shall be delayed as required by Code Section 409A. Such delay shall last six months from the date of Executive's separation from service, except in the event of Executive's death. Within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period, or, if earlier, Executive's death, the Company will make a catch-up payment to Executive equal to the total amount of such payments that would have been made during the six-month period but for this Section 6.5.4. Whenever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Payments of compensation or benefits on Executive's termination of employment (other than accrued salary and other accrued amounts that must be paid under applicable law, and "welfare benefits" specified in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(a)(5)) shall be paid only if and when the termination of employment constitutes a "separation from service" under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
6.5.6     Suspension . In lieu of terminating Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause under Section 6.1, the Company shall have the right, at its sole election, to suspend the

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performance of duties by Executive under this Agreement during the continuance of events or circumstances under Section 6.1 for an aggregate of not more than thirty (30) days during the Term (the “ Default Period ”) by giving Executive written notice of the Company’s election to do so at any time during the Default Period. The Company shall have the right to extend the Term beyond its normal expiration date by the period(s) of any suspension(s). The Company’s exercise of its right to suspend the operation of this Agreement shall not preclude the Company from subsequently terminating Executive’s employment hereunder; provided nothing herein shall eliminate the Company’s obligation to provide required written notice, or prevent Executive from having the opportunity to cure any defect raised in such notice, to the extent applicable under the relevant subsection of Section 6.1. Executive shall not render services to any other person, firm or corporation in the casino business during any period of suspension. Executive shall be entitled to continued compensation and benefits pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement during the Default Period.
6.6     Exercisability and Termination of Equity Awards . Notwithstanding anything contained in any award agreement or plan to the contrary, all of Executive’s vested Equity Awards that contain exercise periods will terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of their stated terms or (b) two (2) years after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the cause of such termination, except that, (x) in the event of Executive’s termination of her employment without Good Reason, all vested Equity Awards will terminate on the earlier of (I) the expiration of the stated term, or (II) eighteen (18) months after the termination, and (y) in the event of a termination for “Cause,” all vested Equity Awards will terminate on the earlier of (I) the expiration of the stated term, or (II) thirty (30) days after the termination; provided, however , that in the event of a termination under Section 6.5.2 or 6.5.3 or Executive’s termination of her employment without Good Reason or a termination for “Cause,” any Equity Award that has not been exercised and/or paid shall be forfeited in the event Executive materially breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in Article 7 (such “ material ” qualifier to apply to all Equity Awards where such breach provision exists). Notwithstanding anything contained in any award agreement or plan to the contrary, all of Executive’s unvested Equity Awards will terminate on the termination of Executive’s continuous status as an employee, director, or consultant with the Company, except to the extent that such Equity Awards become vested as a result of such termination (or to the extent such Equity Awards are expressly stated to continue to vest as if Executive’s employment had not terminated or to continue to accrue service credit) under the terms of the governing Equity Award agreement, this Agreement or the applicable Company equity plan in which the Equity Awards were granted to Executive.
6.7     No-Exclusivity of Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or its subsidiaries and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with the Company or its subsidiaries at or subsequent to the Termination Date ("Other Benefits"), which such Other Benefits shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive receives payments and benefits pursuant to Article 6

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of this Agreement, Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy of the Company and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific reference in or to this Agreement.
6.8     Full Settlement . Except as expressly provided for herein, in no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment.
6.9     Release . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, it shall be a condition for Executive's right to receive any severance benefits hereunder that she execute a general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates in the form as attached hereto and Appendix B and covering such additional matters as may be reasonably requested by the Company, which release shall not encompass the payments contemplated hereby; provided, however that the requirement that Executive execute such a general release shall not apply in the event of a termination due to death under Section 6.5.3 (Termination for Death or Disability) hereof. The timing of payments under this Agreement upon the execution of the general release shall be governed by the following provisions:
(a)
The Company must deliver the release to Executive for execution no later than fourteen (14) days after Executive's termination of employment. If the Company fails to deliver the release to Executive within such fourteen (14) day period, Executive will be deemed to have satisfied the release requirement and will receive payments conditioned on execution of the release as though Executive had executed the release and all revocation rights had lapsed at the end of such fourteen (14) day period.
(b)
Executive must execute the release within forty-five (45) days from its delivery to her.
(c)
If Executive has revocation rights, Executive shall exercise such rights, if at all, not later than seven (7) days after executing the release.
(d)
In any case in which the release (and the expiration of any revocation rights) could only become effective in a particular tax year of Executive, payments that are subject to Code Section 409A and are conditioned on execution of the release shall begin within twenty (20) days after the release becomes effective and revocation rights have lapsed.
(e)
In any case in which the release (and the expiration of any revocation rights) could become effective in one of two taxable years of Executive depending on when Executive executes the release, payments that are subject to Code Section 409A and are

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conditioned on execution of the release shall not begin before the first business day of the later of such tax years.
6.10     Excise Tax Limitation .
6.10.1    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) in the event that any payment or benefit (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to be paid or made payable to Executive or for Executive's benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, Executive's employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on a “change of control” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (a " Payment " or " Payments ") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the " Excise Tax "), and (ii) (A) the net amount of the Payments Executive would retain after payment of the Excise Tax and federal and state income taxes on the Payments would be less than (B) the net amount of the Payments Executive would retain, after payment of the Excise Tax and federal and state income taxes on the Payments, if the Payments were reduced to the extent necessary that no portion of the Payments would be subject to the Excise Tax (the " Section 4999 Limit "), then the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Section 4999 Limit. If a reduction in the Payments is necessary so that the Payments do not exceed the Section 4999 Limit and none of the Payments constitute non-qualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), then the reduction shall occur in the manner Executive elects in writing prior to the date of payment.  Any notice given by Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other agreement, plan or arrangement governing Executive's rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation. If any Payment constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation or if Executive fails to elect an order, then the Payments to be reduced will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to Executive and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, will be reduced in the inverse order of when payment would have been made to Executive, until the reduction is achieved.  For purposes of the calculations described above, it shall be assumed that Executive's tax rate will be the maximum marginal federal and applicable state income tax rate on earned income (taking into account the deductibility of any state taxes for purposes of calculating any federal taxes).
6.10.2    All determinations required to be made under this Section 6.10 (each, a "Determination") shall be made, at the Company's expense, by the accounting firm which is the Company's accounting firm prior to a “change of control” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) or another nationally recognized accounting firm designated by the Board (or a committee thereof) prior to the change of control (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, both to the Company and to Executive before payment of Executive's Severance Payment hereunder (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive (in either case provided that the Company or Executive believes in good faith that any of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). Within ten (10) calendar days of the delivery of the Determination to Executive, Executive shall have the right to dispute the Determination (the "Dispute"). The existence of any Dispute shall not in any way affect Executive's right to receive the Payments in accordance with the Determination. If there is no

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Dispute, the Determination by the Accounting Firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive, subject to the application of Section 6.10.3.
6.10.3    As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections 4999 and 280G of the Code, it is possible that the Payments either will have been made or will not have been made by the Company, in either case in a manner inconsistent with the limitations provided in Section 6.10.1 (an "Excess Payment" or "Underpayment", respectively). If it is established pursuant to (i) a final determination of a court for which all appeals have been taken and finally resolved or the time for all appeals has expired, or (ii) an Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") proceeding which has been finally and conclusively resolved, that an Excess Payment has been made, such Excess Payment shall be deemed for all purposes to be a loan to Executive made on the date Executive received the Excess Payment and Executive shall repay the Excess Payment to the Company on demand, together with interest on the Excess Payment at one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code) compounded semi-annually from the date of Executive's receipt of such Excess Payment until the date of such repayment. If it is determined (i) by the Accounting Firm, the Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company, together with its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return) or the IRS, (ii) pursuant to a determination by a court, or (iii) upon the resolution to Executive's satisfaction of the Dispute, that an Underpayment has occurred, the Company shall pay an amount equal to the Underpayment to Executive within ten (10) calendar days of such determination or resolution, together with interest on such amount at one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the applicable federal rate compounded semi-annually from the date such amount should have been paid to Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but for the operation of this Section 6.10.3, until the date of payment.     
ARTICLE 7.
CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1     Nondisclosure of Confidential Material . In the performance of her duties, Executive may have access to confidential records, including, but not limited to, development, marketing, organizational, financial, managerial, administrative and sales information, data, specifications and processes presently owned or at any time hereafter developed or used by the Company or its agents or consultants that is not otherwise part of the public domain (collectively, the “Confidential Material”). All such Confidential Material is considered secret and is disclosed to Executive in confidence. Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Material constitutes proprietary information of the Company which draws independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who could obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and that the Company has taken efforts reasonable under the circumstances, of which this Section 7.1 is an example, to maintain its secrecy. Except in the performance of her duties to the Company or as required by a court order or any gaming regulator or as required for her personal tax or legal advisors to advise him, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly for any reason whatsoever, disclose, divulge, communicate, use or otherwise disclose any such Confidential Material, unless such Confidential Material ceases to be confidential because it has become part of the public domain (not due to a breach by

18




Executive of her obligations hereunder). Executive shall also take all reasonable actions appropriate to maintain the secrecy of all Confidential Information. All records, lists, memoranda, correspondence, reports, manuals, files, drawings, documents, equipment, and other tangible items (including computer software), wherever located, incorporating the Confidential Material, which Executive shall prepare, use or encounter, shall be and remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property and shall be included in the Confidential Material. Upon termination of this Agreement, or whenever requested by the Company, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company any and all of the Confidential Material, not previously delivered to the Company, that is in the possession or under the control of Executive.
7.2     Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights . Any ideas, processes, know-how, copyrightable works, maskworks, trade or service marks, trade secrets, inventions, developments, discoveries, improvements and other matters that may be protected by intellectual property rights, that relate to the Company’s business and are the results of Executive’s efforts during the Term (collectively, the “Executive Work Product”), whether conceived or developed alone or with others, and whether or not conceived during the regular working hours of the Company, shall be deemed works made for hire and are the property of the Company. In the event that for whatever reason such Executive Work Product shall not be deemed a work made for hire, Executive agrees that such Executive Work Product shall become the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and Executive hereby assigns to the Company her entire right, title and interest in and to each and every patent, copyright, trade or service mark (including any attendant goodwill), trade secret or other intellectual property right embodied in Executive Work Product. The Company shall also have the right, in its sole discretion to keep any and all of Executive Work Product as the Company’s Confidential Material. The foregoing work made for hire and assignment provisions are and shall be in consideration of this agreement of employment by the Company, and no further consideration is or shall be provided to Executive by the Company with respect to these provisions. Executive agrees to execute any assignment documents the Company may require confirming the Company’s ownership of any of Executive Work Product. Executive also waives any and all moral rights with respect to any such works, including without limitation any and all rights of identification of authorship and/or rights of approval, restriction or limitation on use or subsequent modifications. Executive promptly will disclose to the Company any Executive Work Product.
7.3     No Unfair Competition After Termination of Agreement . Executive hereby acknowledges that the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of any of the Company’s Confidential Material obtained by Executive by any means whatsoever, at any time before, during or after the Term shall constitute unfair competition. Executive shall not engage in any unfair competition with the Company either during the Term or at any time thereafter.
7.4     Covenant Not to Compete . In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Company or by Executive, for a reason other than one specified in Section 6.2 or the expiration of the Term without this Agreement being renewed, then during the Restriction Period (as defined below), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, work for or provide services to or own an equity interest (except for a Permissible Investment) in any person, firm or entity engaged (directly or indirectly or through an investment in another entity) in the

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casino gaming, card club, VLT or horseracing business that competes against the Company in any market as defined in the following sentence (including without limitation any person, firm or entity whose only competitive relationship with the Company is in the market as defined in the following sentence in which the Company has its principal place of business but does not also own or manage a casino in such market). For purposes of this Agreement, “market” shall be defined as the area within a 100 mile radius of the Company’s principal place of business or of any casino, card club, VLT or horseracing facility owned (directly or indirectly or through an investment in another entity) or operated or under construction by the Company or its affiliates, except that for Louisiana, the area shall be limited to the following Louisiana parishes: Calcasieu Parish, Bossier Parish, Caddo Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Mary Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Avoyelles Parish, St. Landry Parish, Allen Parish, and Jefferson Davis Parish.
7.5     No Hire Away Policy . In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated prior to the normal expiration of the Term, either by the Company, or by Executive, for any reason, then during the Restriction Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for herself or on behalf of any entity with which she is affiliated or employed, hire any person known to Executive to be an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or any person known to Executive to have been such an employee within six (6) months prior to such occurrence). Executive shall not be deemed to hire any such person so long as she did not directly or indirectly engage in or encourage such hiring.
7.6     No Solicitation . During the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or during the Restriction Period after the earlier termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement prior to expiration of the Term, and regardless of the reason for such termination (whether by the Company or Executive), Executive shall not directly or indirectly, for herself or on behalf of any entity with which she is affiliated or employed, solicit any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or any person who was such an employee within six (6) months prior to such occurrence) or encourage any such employee to leave the employment of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
7.7     Non-Solicitation of Customers . During the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or during the Restriction Period after the earlier termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Term, and regardless of the reason for such termination (whether by the Company or Executive), Executive shall not solicit any customers of the Company or its subsidiaries or any of their respective casinos, card clubs, VLT or horseracing facilities, or knowingly encourage any such customers to leave the Company’s casinos, card clubs, VLT or horseracing facilities or knowingly encourage any such customers to use the facilities or services of any competitor of the Company or its subsidiaries. Executive shall at no time use proprietary customer lists or Confidential Material to solicit customers.
7.8     Irreparable Injury . The promised service of Executive under this Agreement and the other promises of this Article 7 are of special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, or intellectual

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character, which gives them peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law.
7.9     Remedies for Breach . Executive agrees that money damages will not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of the obligations under this Article 7 and Article 2 hereof and that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief (which shall include, but not be limited to, restraining Executive from directly or indirectly working for or having an ownership interest (except for a Permissible Investment) in any person engaged (directly or indirectly or through an investment in another entity) in the casino gaming, card club, VLT or horseracing businesses in any market (as defined in Section 7.4 hereof), and/or using or disclosing the Confidential Material) and to specific performance as remedies for any such breach. Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to such relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of proving actual damages and without the necessity of posting a bond or making any undertaking in connection therewith. Any such requirement of a bond or undertaking is hereby waived by Executive and Executive acknowledges that in the absence of such a waiver, a bond or undertaking might otherwise be required by the court. Such remedies shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for any breach of the obligations in this Article 7, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity.
7.10     Restriction Period . As used in this Agreement, the term “Restriction Period” shall mean a period equal to (i) a period of eighteen (18) months after the effective date of termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement in the case of a termination without Cause by the Company or Executive’s termination for Good Reason (other than in connection with a Change of Control as contemplated by Section 6.5.4), or (ii) a period of one (1) year after the effective date of termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement in all other cases (including, without limitation, in the case of a termination without Cause by the Company or Executive’s termination for Good Reason in connection with a Change of Control as contemplated by Section 6.5.4).
ARTICLE 8.
ARBITRATION
8.1     General . Except for a claim for injunctive relief under Section 7.9, any controversy, dispute, or claim between the parties to this Agreement, including any claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the formation, interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, before a single arbitrator, in accordance with this Article 8 and the then most applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any state or federal court having jurisdiction thereof. Such arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for determining any such dispute, regardless of its nature. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may in an appropriate matter apply to a court for provisional relief, including a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, on the ground that the award to which the applicant may be entitled

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in arbitration may be rendered ineffectual without provisional relief. Unless mutually agreed by the parties otherwise, any arbitration shall take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
8.2     Selection of Arbitrator . In the event the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, the parties shall select a single arbitrator from a list of nine arbitrators drawn by the parties at random from the “Independent” (or “Gold Card”) list of retired judges or, at the option of Executive, from a list of nine persons (which shall be retired judges or corporate or litigation attorneys experienced in executive employment agreements) provided by the office of the American Arbitration Association having jurisdiction over Las Vegas, Nevada. If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator from the list so drawn, then the parties shall each strike names alternately from the list, with the first to strike being determined by lot. After each party has used four strikes, the remaining name on the list shall be the arbitrator. If such person is unable to serve for any reason, the parties shall repeat this process until an arbitrator is selected.
8.3     Applicability of Arbitration; Remedial Authority . This agreement to resolve any disputes by binding arbitration shall extend to claims against any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of each party, and, when acting within such capacity, any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of each party, or of any of the above, and shall apply as well to claims arising out of state and federal statutes and local ordinances as well as to claims arising under the common law. In the event of a dispute subject to this paragraph the parties shall be entitled to reasonable discovery subject to the discretion of the arbitrator. The remedial authority of the arbitrator (which shall include the right to grant injunctive or other equitable relief) shall be the same as, but no greater than, would be the remedial power of a court having jurisdiction over the parties and their dispute. The arbitrator shall, upon an appropriate motion, dismiss any claim without an evidentiary hearing if the party bringing the motion establishes that she or it would be entitled to summary judgment if the matter had been pursued in court litigation. In the event of a conflict between the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association and these procedures, the provisions of these procedures shall govern.
8.4     Fees and Costs . Any filing or administrative fees shall be borne initially by the party requesting arbitration. The Company shall be responsible for the costs and fees of the arbitration, unless Executive wishes to contribute (up to 50%) of the costs and fees of the arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the prevailing party in such arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator, and in any enforcement or other court proceedings, shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law, to reimbursement from the other party for all of the prevailing party’s costs (including but not limited to the arbitrator’s compensation), expenses, and attorneys’ fees.
8.5     Award Final and Binding . The arbitrator shall render an award and written opinion, and the award shall be final and binding upon the parties. If any of the provisions of this paragraph, or of this Agreement, are determined to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be reformed to the extent necessary to carry out its provisions to the greatest extent possible and to ensure that the resolution of all conflicts between the parties, including those arising out of statutory claims, shall be resolved by neutral, binding

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arbitration. If a court should find that the arbitration provisions of this Agreement are not absolutely binding, then the parties intend any arbitration decision and award to be fully admissible in evidence in any subsequent action, given great weight by any finder of fact, and treated as determinative to the maximum extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE 9.
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1     Amendments . The provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, altered, amended or repealed in whole or in part except by the signed written consent of the parties sought to be bound by such waiver, alteration, amendment or repeal.
9.2     Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the total and complete agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements heretofore made, including the Current Agreement which is hereby terminated, and there are no other representations, understandings or agreements.
9.3     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one of more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
9.4     Severability . Each term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement shall be viewed as separate and distinct, and in the event that any such term, covenant, condition or provision shall be deemed by an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the court or arbitrator finding such invalidity or unenforceability shall modify or reform this Agreement to give as much effect as possible to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Any term or provision which cannot be so modified or reformed shall be deleted and the remaining terms and provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
9.5     Waiver or Delay . The failure or delay on the part of the Company, or Executive to exercise any right or remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall not operate as a waiver thereof. A waiver, to be effective, must be in writing and signed by the party making the waiver. A written waiver of default shall not operate as a waiver of any other default or of the same type of default on a future occasion.
9.6     Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties to it and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, except as otherwise provided herein. Except as provided in this Section 9.6, without the prior written consent of Executive, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. "Company" means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its

23




business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
9.7     No Assignment or Transfer by Executive . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits, obligations or duties hereunder may be assigned or transferred by Executive. Any purported assignment or transfer by Executive shall be void.
9.8     Necessary Acts . Each party to this Agreement shall perform any further acts and execute and deliver any additional agreements, assignments or documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions or to effectuate the purpose of this Agreement.
9.9     Governing Law . This Agreement and all subsequent agreements between the parties shall be governed by and interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.
9.10     Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of service, if personally served on the party to whom notice is to be given, or forty-eight (48) hours after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and properly addressed to the party at her address set forth as follows or any other address that any party may designate by written notice to the other parties:
To Executive:    Donna S. Negrotto
at the current address on file with
the Company from time to time.
Telephone: 702 541-7777
Facsimile: 702 541-7773

To the Company:    Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
3980 Howard Hughes Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89169
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 702 541-7777
Facsimile: 702 541-7773

9.11     Headings and Captions . The headings and captions used herein are solely for the purpose of reference only and are not to be considered as construing or interpreting the provisions of this Agreement.
9.12     Construction . All terms and definitions contained herein shall be construed in such a manner that shall give effect to the fullest extent possible to the express or implied intent of the parties hereby.
9.13     Counsel . Executive has been advised by the Company that she should consider seeking the advice of counsel in connection with the execution of this Agreement and Executive

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has had an opportunity to do so. Executive has read and understands this Agreement, and has sought the advice of counsel to the extent she has determined appropriate. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable fees and expenses of Executive’s counsel in connection with this Agreement not to exceed $10,000.
9.14     Withholding of Compensation . Executive hereby agrees that the Company may deduct and withhold from the compensation or other amounts payable to Executive hereunder or otherwise in connection with Executive’s employment any amounts required to be deducted and withheld by the Company under the provisions of any applicable Federal, state and local statute, law, regulation, ordinance or order.
9.15     References to Sections of the Code . All references in this Agreement to sections of the Code shall be to such sections and to any successor or substantially comparable sections of the Code or to any successor thereto.
9.16     Effect of Delay . Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including without limitation the right of Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 6.4, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

25






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed this 23 rd day of May, 2016 and effective as of July 1, 2016.

    
THE COMPANY
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Anthony M. Sanfilippo
 
 
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE
DONNA S. NEGROTTO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Donna S. Negrotto

26




APPENDIX A

POLICY ON RECOVERY OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
IN EVENT OF FINANCIAL RESTATEMENT


The following rules shall apply if (1) there is a restatement of the Company's 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 (2) the Compensation Committee determines that a participant has received an "excess bonus" for the relevant fiscal year.
1.
The amount of the excess bonus shall be equal to the difference between the bonus paid to the participant and the payment or grant that would have been made based on the restated financial results.
2.
The requirement to repay all or a portion of the excess bonus as determined by the 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.
3.
The 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 participant 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 the exercise of stock options, and direct repayment by the participant. Participant's receipt of the bonus constitutes her agreement that, if requested by the Compensation Committee, she shall repay to the Company the excess bonus (or that portion thereof specified by the Committee) within 90 days of the time that Executive is notified by the Committee of the overpayment. Application of this policy does not preclude the Company from taking any other action to enforce a participant's obligations to the Company, including termination of employment or institution of civil or criminal proceedings.
This Policy shall be applicable to all incentive compensation paid subsequent to the adoption of the Policy.
This Policy is in addition to the requirements of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are applicable to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. This Policy shall apply to all executive officers, senior vice presidents, and the chief accounting officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

1




APPENDIX B

RELEASE and RESIGNATION


For valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned Donna S. Negrotto ("Executive"), for herself and her heirs, estate, administrators and executors, hereby fully and forever releases and discharges Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and each of its subsidiaries and the officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents of the Company and each such subsidiary, of and from any and all claims, demands, causes of action of any kind or nature, in law, equity or otherwise, whether known or unknown, which Executive has had, may have had, or now has, or may have, arising out of or in connection with Executive's employment with the Company and/or its subsidiaries or the termination of such employment; provided, however, that nothing contained herein is intended to nor shall constitute a release of the Company from any obligations it may have to Executive under any written employment agreement between Executive and the Company in effect as of the date hereof, or any deferred compensation plan or arrangement in which Executive participates or any rights of indemnification under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, indemnification agreements or the like, or coverage under Director and Officer Insurance, nor shall it prevent Executive from exercising her rights, if any, under any such employment agreement or under any stock option, restricted stock or similar agreement in effect as of the date hereof in accordance with their terms.
Executive represents and warrants that she has not assigned or in any way conveyed, transferred or encumbered all or any portion of the claims or rights covered by this release.
Executive hereby resigns from all positions as an officer, director or employee of the Company and each of its subsidiaries or affiliates effective the date hereof and further agrees to execute such further evidence of such resignations as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the foregoing.
Executed this _____ day of _________, 20__.
______________________________________
Executive

1



Exhibit 11
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Computation of Earnings Per Share
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
Basic
 
Diluted (a)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
60,791

 
60,976

 
60,791

 
60,976

Potential dilution from share-based awards

 

 

 
2,379

Total shares
60,791

 
60,976

 
60,791

 
63,355

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(489,202
)
 
$
15,793

 
$
(489,202
)
 
$
15,793

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
271

 
4,699

 
271

 
4,699

Net income (loss)
(488,931
)
 
20,492

 
(488,931
)
 
20,492

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(7
)
 
(1,252
)
 
(7
)
 
(1,252
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
(488,924
)
 
$
21,744

 
$
(488,924
)
 
$
21,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.28

 
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.27

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
0.00

 
0.08

 
0.00

 
0.07

Net income (loss) per common share
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.36

 
$
(8.04
)
 
$
0.34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Basic
 
Diluted (a)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Average number of common shares outstanding
61,077

 
60,808

 
61,077

 
60,808

Average common shares due to assumed conversion of stock options

 

 

 
2,165

Total shares
61,077

 
60,808

 
61,077

 
62,973

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(448,309
)
 
$
42,872

 
$
(448,309
)
 
$
42,872

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
396

 
4,916

 
396

 
4,916

Net income (loss)
(447,913
)
 
47,788

 
(447,913
)
 
47,788

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(15
)
 
(1,262
)
 
(15
)
 
(1,262
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
$
(447,898
)
 
$
49,050

 
$
(447,898
)
 
$
49,050

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(7.34
)
 
$
0.73

 
$
(7.34
)
 
$
0.70

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
0.01

 
0.08

 
0.01

 
0.08

Net income (loss) per common share
$
(7.33
)
 
$
0.81

 
$
(7.33
)

$
0.78


(a)
When the impact of share-based awards is anti-dilutive, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share.


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Anthony M. Sanfilippo, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 11, 2016
/s/ Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Carlos A. Ruisanchez, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 11, 2016
/s/ Carlos A. Ruisanchez
Carlos A. Ruisanchez
President and Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the quarterly report of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016 , as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Quarterly Report”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as an officer of the Company, for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of his knowledge:
1.
The Quarterly Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: August 11, 2016

 
 
/s/ Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Name:
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
/s/ Carlos A. Ruisanchez
Name:
Carlos A. Ruisanchez
Title:
President and Chief Financial
Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.