UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
____________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
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(Mark One)
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number: 1-12882
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BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Nevada | 88-0242733 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Ninth Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89169
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(702) 792-7200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 Website, 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | o | |||
Non-accelerated filer | o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | o | |||
Emerging growth company | o | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
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 June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange for such date, was approximately $2.0 billion.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Outstanding as of February 21, 2018 | |||
Common stock, $0.01 par value | 112,507,885 | |||
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the registrant's fiscal year end of December 31, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No. | ||
PART I | ||
ITEM 1. | ||
ITEM 1A. | ||
ITEM 1B. | ||
ITEM 2. | ||
ITEM 3. | ||
ITEM 4. | ||
PART II | ||
ITEM 5. | ||
ITEM 6. | ||
ITEM 7. | ||
ITEM 7A. | ||
ITEM 8. | ||
ITEM 9. | ||
ITEM 9A. | ||
ITEM 9B. | ||
PART III | ||
ITEM 10. | ||
ITEM 11. | ||
ITEM 12. | ||
ITEM 13. | ||
ITEM 14. | ||
PART IV | ||
ITEM 15. | ||
ITEM 16. | ||
PART I
ITEM 1. Business
Overview
Boyd Gaming Corporation (the "Company," the "Registrant," "Boyd Gaming," "we" or "us") is a multi-jurisdictional gaming company that has been in operation since 1975. Headquartered in Las Vegas, we have 24 wholly owned gaming entertainment properties in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Our primary areas of focus are: (i) ensuring our existing operations are managed as efficiently as possible and remain positioned for growth, including our strategic investing in non-gaming amenities; (ii) improving our capital structure and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, improving operations and diversifying our asset base; and (iii) successfully implementing our growth strategy, which is built on identifying development opportunities and acquiring assets that are a good strategic fit and provide an appropriate return to our shareholders.
Over the past several years, we have undertaken several programs aimed at reducing our cost structure in an effort to manage our properties' operations under tightened revenue trends. We have established a more efficient business model that we believe is helping us realize improved results, and we believe we have an opportunity to realize additional cost savings by leveraging our size and scale. We have strategically reinvested in our non-gaming amenities, including hotel rooms and restaurants, via a multi-year program that has now been completed to better capitalize on customers' evolving spending behaviors. We continue to manage our cost and expense structure to adjust to current business volumes and to generate strong and stable cash flows.
During 2017, we completed several transactions that improved our long-term financial position and strengthened our balance sheet. During first quarter 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 2 and Refinancing Amendment to our credit agreement which combined the Term B-1 Loan and Term B-2 Loan into the Refinancing Term B Loans. Since first quarter 2017, we have paid $85.0 million in prepayments on our Refinancing Term B Loans. On May 2, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had reaffirmed the Company's existing share repurchase program and authorized the reinstatement of the Company’s cash dividend program. Starting in second quarter 2017, the Company repurchased 1.2 million shares. The Company declared quarterly dividends of $0.05 per share on May 2, 2017, September 6, 2017 and December 7, 2017.
We continually work to position our Company for greater success by strengthening our existing operations and growing through capital investment and other strategic initiatives. An example is our recent strategic initiative to enhance our non-gaming amenities at properties across the country that is designed to ensure our properties remain competitive and compelling to customers across generations. This initiative began in 2014 and continued into 2017, a period during which we invested over $100 million in these amenities. We have redesigned and enhanced approximately 3,100 hotel rooms at our properties across the country. We also introduced new food and beverage concepts across the Company, including Alder & Birch, Copper Whisk, Ondori, Bailiwick and the French Market Buffet at The Orleans, California Noodle House at the California, the Filament Bar at Fremont and the Filament Meetery & Eatery at Diamond Jo Dubuque, the Spotted Horse and Fast & Lucy’s Pub at Evangeline Downs, Angry Butcher and Big Mess BBQ at Sam's Town Las Vegas and Brigg’s Oyster Company at Suncoast.
On December 18, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement with Penn National Gaming, Inc. (the "Penn National Purchase Agreement"), to acquire the operations of four properties, which include Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Kansas City, both in Missouri, Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana, and Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, for total cash consideration of $575.0 million (the "Penn National Purchase"). As part of the transaction, we will enter into a master lease agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. ("GLPI"), which owns the real estate of Ameristar St. Charles, Ameristar Kansas City and Belterra Casino Resort. GLPI has entered into an agreement to purchase the real estate of Belterra Park from Penn National, and Belterra Park’s real estate will be leased to us as part of our master lease agreement with GLPI. The terms of our lease agreement will be substantially similar to Pinnacle’s current master lease with GLPI.
On December 20, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement with Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, L.P. (the "Valley Forge Merger Agreement"), to acquire Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for total cash consideration of $280.5 million (the "Valley Forge Merger").
The purchase price in each acquisition is subject to adjustment based on cash, working capital and indebtedness at closing. The completion of each acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. In addition, the Penn National Purchase is also contingent upon the successful completion of Penn National’s proposed acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Both acquisitions are currently expected to close in the second half of 2018.
We believe that the following factors have contributed to our success in the past and are central to our success in the future:
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• | nine of our Las Vegas properties are well-positioned to capitalize on the attractive Las Vegas locals market; |
• | our three downtown Las Vegas properties focus a majority of their marketing programs on, and derive a majority of their revenues from, a unique niche - Hawaiian customers; |
• | our operations are geographically diversified within the United States; |
• | we have strengthened our balance sheet and have increasing free cash flow; |
• | we have the ability to expand certain existing properties and make opportunistic and strategic acquisitions; and |
• | we have an experienced management team. |
Properties
As of December 31, 2017, we own and operate 24 properties offering a total of 1,358,856 square feet of casino space, 30,267 slot machines, 632 table games and 9,372 hotel rooms. We derive the majority of our gross revenues from our gaming operations, which generated approximately 75% of gross revenues for both 2017 and 2016 and 76% of gross revenues in 2015. Food and beverage gross revenues represent our next most significant revenue source, generating approximately 13% of gross revenues for 2017, 2016, and 2015. Room revenues and other revenues each contributed less than 10% of gross revenues during each year.
We view each operating property as an operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our properties into three reportable business segments: (i) Las Vegas Locals; (ii) Downtown Las Vegas; and (iii) Midwest and South.
As a result of the sale of our equity interest in Borgata (see Note 2, Acquisitions and Divestitures), we report our interest in Borgata as discontinued operations. As of September 27, 2016, our Las Vegas Locals segment includes our wholly owned subsidiary Aliante, and as of December 20, 2016, our Las Vegas Locals segment includes our wholly owned subsidiaries Cannery and Eastside Cannery. See Note 2, Acquisitions and Divestitures, to our consolidated financial statements presented in Part II, Item 8 for further discussion of these activities.
For financial information related to our segments as of and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, see Note 13, Segment Information, to our consolidated financial statements presented in Part II, Item 8.
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding our properties (listed by the Reportable Segment in which each such property is reported), as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017:
Year Opened or Acquired | Casino Space (Sq. ft.) | Slot Machines | Table Games | Hotel Rooms | Hotel Occupancy | Average Daily Rate | ||||||||||||
Las Vegas Locals | ||||||||||||||||||
Las Vegas, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||
Gold Coast Hotel and Casino | 2004 | 88,915 | 1,768 | 49 | 712 | 81 | % | $ 58 | ||||||||||
The Orleans Hotel and Casino | 2004 | 137,000 | 2,407 | 60 | 1,885 | 84 | % | $ 66 | ||||||||||
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall | 1979 | 120,681 | 1,876 | 28 | 645 | 87 | % | $ 60 | ||||||||||
Suncoast Hotel and Casino | 2004 | 95,898 | 1,830 | 32 | 427 | 84 | % | $ 80 | ||||||||||
Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel | 2016 | 63,879 | 1,170 | 13 | 306 | 78 | % | $ 62 | ||||||||||
North Las Vegas, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||
Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa | 2016 | 125,000 | 1,825 | 37 | 202 | 91 | % | $ 101 | ||||||||||
Cannery Casino Hotel | 2016 | 86,000 | 1,531 | 22 | 200 | 91 | % | $ 66 | ||||||||||
Henderson, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||
Eldorado Casino | 1993 | 17,756 | 310 | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Jokers Wild Casino | 1993 | 23,698 | 394 | 6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Downtown Las Vegas | ||||||||||||||||||
Las Vegas, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||
California Hotel and Casino | 1975 | 35,848 | 985 | 28 | 781 | 84 | % | $ 45 | ||||||||||
Fremont Hotel and Casino | 1985 | 30,244 | 944 | 26 | 447 | 91 | % | $ 49 | ||||||||||
Main Street Station Casino, Brewery and Hotel | 1993 | 26,918 | 824 | 19 | 406 | 94 | % | $ 48 | ||||||||||
Midwest and South | ||||||||||||||||||
East Peoria, Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino | 1996 | 26,116 | 907 | 25 | 202 | 80 | % | $ 68 | ||||||||||
Michigan City, Indiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa | 1999 | 65,000 | 1,690 | 40 | 486 | 79 | % | $ 78 | ||||||||||
Dubuque, Iowa | ||||||||||||||||||
Diamond Jo Dubuque | 2012 | 43,495 | 918 | 20 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Northwood, Iowa | ||||||||||||||||||
Diamond Jo Worth | 2012 | 38,721 | 915 | 32 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Mulvane, Kansas | ||||||||||||||||||
Kansas Star Casino | 2012 | 70,010 | 1,769 | 52 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Amelia, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Amelia Belle Casino | 2012 | 27,484 | 838 | 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Vinton, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel | 2001 | 15,000 | 1,632 | — | 370 | 68 | % | $ 72 | ||||||||||
Opelousas, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino | 2012 | 39,208 | 1,360 | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Shreveport, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino | 2004 | 29,285 | 999 | 25 | 514 | 73 | % | $ 74 | ||||||||||
Kenner, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
Treasure Chest Casino | 1997 | 25,000 | 1,016 | 32 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Biloxi, Mississippi | ||||||||||||||||||
IP Casino Resort Spa | 2011 | 81,700 | 1,538 | 52 | 1,089 | 85 | % | $ 69 | ||||||||||
Tunica, Mississippi | ||||||||||||||||||
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall | 1994 | 46,000 | 821 | 19 | 700 | 52 | % | $ 56 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,358,856 | 30,267 | 632 | 9,372 | ||||||||||||||
N/A = Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
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In addition to these properties, we own and operate a travel agency and a captive insurance company that underwrites travel-related insurance, each located in Hawaii. Financial results for these operations are included in our Downtown Las Vegas segment, as our Downtown Las Vegas properties concentrate their marketing efforts on gaming customers from Hawaii.
Las Vegas Locals Properties
Our Las Vegas Locals segment consists of nine casinos that primarily serve the resident population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Las Vegas has historically been characterized by a vibrant economy and strong demographics that include a large population of retirees and other active gaming customers. In recent years, the Las Vegas economy has strengthened, as reflected in the positive trends in employment, construction activity and visitation. Our Las Vegas Locals segment competes directly with other locals casinos and gaming companies, some of which operate larger casinos and offer different promotions than ours.
Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Gold Coast Hotel and Casino ("Gold Coast") is located on Flamingo Road, approximately one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip and one-quarter mile west of Interstate 15, the major highway linking Las Vegas and southern California. Its location offers easy access from all four directions in the Las Vegas valley. The primary target market for Gold Coast consists of local middle-market customers who actively gamble. Gold Coast's amenities include 712 hotel rooms and suites along with meeting facilities, multiple restaurant options, a 70-lane bowling center and gaming, including slots, table games, a race and sports book and a bingo center.
The Orleans Hotel and Casino
The Orleans Hotel and Casino ("The Orleans") is located on Tropicana Avenue, a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip. The target markets for The Orleans are both local residents and visitors to the Las Vegas area. The Orleans provides an exciting New Orleans French Quarter-themed environment. Amenities at The Orleans include 1,885 hotel rooms, a variety of restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness center, 18 stadium-seating movie theaters, a 70-lane bowling center, banquet and meeting space, and a special events arena that seats up to 9,500 patrons.
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall ("Sam's Town Las Vegas") is located on the Boulder Strip, approximately six miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, and features a contemporary western theme. Its informal, friendly atmosphere appeals to both local residents and visitors alike. Amenities at Sam's Town Las Vegas include 645 hotel rooms, a variety of restaurants and bars, 18 stadium-seating movie theaters, and a 56-lane bowling center.
Suncoast Hotel and Casino
Suncoast Hotel and Casino ("Suncoast") is located in Peccole Ranch, a master-planned community adjacent to Summerlin, and is readily accessible from most major points in Las Vegas, including downtown and the Las Vegas Strip. The primary target market for Suncoast consists of local middle-market customers who gamble frequently. Suncoast features 427 hotel rooms, multiple restaurant options, 25,000 square feet of banquet and meeting facilities, 16 stadium-seating movie theaters, and a 64-lane bowling center.
Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel
Eastside Cannery is located directly south of Sam's Town Las Vegas at the intersection of Boulder Highway and Harmon Avenue in Las Vegas. Its location offers easy access for both the Las Vegas and Henderson valleys. Eastside Cannery has a 63,879-square-foot casino, 306 hotel rooms, five restaurants and four bars, 20,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, and a 250-seat entertainment lounge.
Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa
Aliante is located in North Las Vegas adjacent to an 18-hole championship golf course and has convenient access to major freeways connecting it to points throughout Las Vegas. The primary target market for Aliante consists of local high-end customers who gamble frequently. Aliante features a full-service Scottsdale-modern, desert-inspired casino and resort, which includes 202 hotel rooms, multiple restaurant options, 125,000 square feet of gaming space, a 200-seat bingo room, a 16-screen movie theater complex, a 587-seat showroom, a spa, and a resort style pool with cabanas.
Cannery Casino Hotel
Cannery is located in the Eastern part of the Las Vegas Valley and has convenient access to major freeways connecting it to points throughout Las Vegas. The primary target market for Cannery consists of local, casual working-class customers who gamble frequently. The Cannery has an 86,000-square-foot casino, a 200-room hotel, five restaurants and five bars, a 30,000 square foot entertainment venue and a 14-screen movie theater.
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Eldorado Casino and Jokers Wild Casino
Located in downtown Henderson, the Eldorado Casino ("Eldorado") is approximately 14 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Jokers Wild Casino ("Jokers Wild") is also located in Henderson. The amenities at each of these properties include a sports book and dining options, as well as gaming, including slots at both properties and table games at Jokers Wild. The principal customers of these properties are Henderson residents.
Downtown Las Vegas Properties
Our three Downtown Las Vegas properties directly compete with eight other casinos that operate in downtown Las Vegas. As such, we have developed a distinct niche for our downtown properties by focusing on customers from Hawaii. Our downtown properties focus their marketing on gaming enthusiasts from Hawaii and tour and travel agents in Hawaii with whom we have cultivated relationships since we opened our California Hotel and Casino (the "Cal") in 1975. Through our Hawaiian travel agency, Vacations Hawaii, we operate as many as four charter flights from Honolulu to Las Vegas each week, helping to provide air transportation for our customers. We also have strong, informal relationships with other Hawaiian travel agencies and offer affordable all-inclusive packages. These relationships, combined with our Hawaiian promotions, have allowed the Cal, Fremont Hotel and Casino ("Fremont") and Main Street Station Casino, Brewery and Hotel ("Main Street Station") to capture a significant share of the Hawaiian tourist trade in Las Vegas. During the year ended December 31, 2017, patrons from Hawaii comprised approximately 69% of the occupied room nights at the Cal, 37% of the occupied room nights at Fremont, and 45% of the occupied room nights at Main Street Station.
California Hotel and Casino
The Cal's amenities include 781 hotel rooms, multiple dining options, a sports book, and meeting space. The Cal and Main Street Station are connected by an indoor pedestrian bridge.
Fremont Hotel and Casino
Fremont is adjacent to the principal pedestrian thoroughfare in downtown Las Vegas, known as the Fremont Street Experience. The property's amenities include 447 hotel rooms, a race and sports book, and meeting space.
Main Street Station Casino, Brewery and Hotel
Main Street Station's amenities include 406 hotel rooms and three restaurants, one of which includes a brewery. In addition, Main Street Station features a 96-space recreational vehicle park, the only such facility in the downtown area.
Midwest and South Properties
Our Midwest and South properties consist of three land-based casinos, five dockside riverboat casinos, two racinos and two barge-based casinos that operate in six states in the Midwest and southern United States. Generally, these states allow casino gaming on a limited basis through the issuance of a limited number of gaming licenses. Each of our Midwest and South properties generally serve customers within a 100-mile radius and compete directly with other casino facilities operating in their respective immediate and surrounding market areas, as well as with gaming operations in surrounding jurisdictions.
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino ("Par-A-Dice") is a dockside riverboat casino located on the Illinois River in East Peoria, Illinois that features a 202-room hotel. Located adjacent to the Par-A-Dice riverboat is a land-based pavilion, which includes four restaurants and a gift shop. Par-A-Dice is strategically located near Interstate 74, a major east-west interstate highway, and it is the only casino gaming facility located within approximately 90 miles of Peoria, Illinois.
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa
Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa ("Blue Chip") is a dockside riverboat casino located in Michigan City, Indiana, which is 40 miles west of South Bend, Indiana and 60 miles east of Chicago, Illinois. The property competes primarily with five casinos in northern Indiana and southern Michigan and, to a lesser extent, with casinos in the Chicago area and racinos located near Indianapolis. The property features 486 guest rooms, a spa and fitness center, dining and nightlife venues, and meeting and event space, including a land-based pavilion.
Diamond Jo Dubuque
Diamond Jo is a land-based casino located in the Port of Dubuque, a waterfront development on the Mississippi River in downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Diamond Jo is a two-story, approximately 188,000 square foot property that includes 918 slot machines and 20 table games. Additional amenities include a 30-lane bowling center, a 33,000 square foot event center, and two banquet rooms. The property also features several dining outlets, including the Kitchen Buffet, a 190-seat live action buffet, Woodfire Grille, the casino's 118-seat high-end restaurant, The Filament, a new and electrifying-yet-casual restaurant and bar, and Mojo's, a 122-seat sports bar, as well as three full service bars and Mississippi Moon Bar, a live music venue.
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Diamond Jo Worth
Diamond Jo Worth is a land-based casino situated on a 46-acre site in Northwood, Iowa, which is located in north-central Iowa, near the Minnesota border and approximately 30 miles north of Mason City. The casino currently has 915 slot machines and 32 table games in operation, as well as a 5,200 square foot event center and several dining options, including the Kitchen Buffet, a 190-seat buffet restaurant, and Woodfire Grille, a 114-seat high-end restaurant. There is a 102-room hotel attached to the casino and a 60-room hotel adjacent to the casino, both of which are owned and operated by third parties. Under terms of an agreement with the owner, Diamond Jo Worth has the option to purchase the 102-room hotel.
Kansas Star Casino
Kansas Star serves as Lottery Gaming Facility Manager for the South Central Gaming Zone on behalf of the Kansas Lottery pursuant to the Lottery Gaming Facility Management Contract (the "Kansas Management Contract"). The casino is located in Mulvane, Kansas, approximately 20 miles south of Wichita, Kansas and has 1,769 slot machines, 52 table games, a 250-seat buffet, a 140-seat steakhouse and a number of other amenities including a deli, noodle bar and casino bars. Kansas Star also has a 162,000 square foot arena designed to host various events, including concerts, trade shows and equestrian events. In addition, the property has an event center for conventions, banquets and other events and an equestrian pavilion that includes a practice arena and covered stalls. There is a 300-room hotel adjacent to the casino that is operated by a third party.
Amelia Belle Casino
The Amelia Belle Casino is located in south-central Louisiana, and is a three-level riverboat with gaming located on the first two decks, and includes 838 slot machines and 15 table games. The first deck of the riverboat includes a 20-seat café with the third deck of the riverboat including a 140-seat buffet and banquet room.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel ("Delta Downs") is located in Vinton, Louisiana and conducts horse races on a seasonal basis and operates year-round simulcast facilities for customers to wager on races held at other tracks. In addition, Delta Downs offers slot play and a 370-room hotel. Delta Downs is approximately 25 miles closer to Houston than the next closest gaming properties, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and is conveniently located near a travel route taken by customers traveling between Houston, Beaumont and other parts of southeastern Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 2016, we completed a $45 million expansion of Delta Downs that added a new hotel tower, redesigned all existing rooms and food and beverage facilities, and expanded the special events center.
Evangeline Downs
The Evangeline Downs is a land-based racino located in Louisiana. The racino currently includes a casino with 1,360 slot machines and a 23,000 square foot convention center. The racino features multiple food venues, including The Cajun Buffet, a 300-seat buffet; Café, an 89-seat restaurant; The Spotted Horse Tavern and Dining Parlor, a 132-seat restaurant and tavern; and Fast and Lucy’s Pub, a newly renovated 110-seat restaurant and bar. The racino includes a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track and stables for 968 horses. The Clubhouse, together with the grandstand and patio area, provides seating capacity for up to 4,295 patrons. In the Clubhouse, Silk's Fine Dining offers a varied menu and the grandstand area contains a concession and bar. There is also a 117-room hotel adjacent to the racino, which is operated by a third party.
Evangeline Downs currently operates three Off Track Betting ("OTB") locations in Henderson, Eunice and St. Martinville, Louisiana. Each OTB offers simulcast pari-mutuel wagering and video poker. Under Louisiana's racing and off-track betting laws, we have a right of prior approval with respect to any applicant seeking a permit to operate an OTB within a 55-mile radius of the Evangeline Downs racetrack, which effectively gives us the exclusive right, at our option, to operate additional OTBs within such a radius, provided that such OTB is not also within a 55-mile radius of another horse racetrack.
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino ("Sam's Town Shreveport") is a dockside riverboat casino located along the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Amenities at the property include 514 hotel rooms, a spa, four restaurants, a live entertainment venue, and convention and meeting space. Feeder markets include east Texas (including Dallas), Texarkana, Arkansas and surrounding Louisiana cities, including Bossier City, Minden, Ruston and Monroe.
Treasure Chest Casino
Treasure Chest Casino ("Treasure Chest") is a dockside riverboat casino located on Lake Pontchartrain in the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana. The property is designed as a classic 18th century Victorian style paddlewheel riverboat, with a total capacity for 1,925 people. The entertainment complex located adjacent to the riverboat houses a 120-seat Caribbean showroom and two restaurants. Located approximately five miles from the New Orleans International Airport, Treasure Chest primarily serves residents of suburban New Orleans.
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IP Casino Resort Spa
The IP Casino Resort Spa ("IP") overlooks the scenic back bay of Biloxi and is one of the premier resorts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and a recipient of a AAA Four Diamond Award. The property features more than 1,000 hotel rooms and suites; 81,700-square-feet of casino space with 1,538 slot machines and 52 table games; more than 65,000 square feet of convention and meeting space; a spa and salon; a 1,383-seat theater offering regular headline entertainment; six lounges and bars; and eight restaurants, including a steak and seafood restaurant and an upscale Asian restaurant.
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall ("Sam's Town Tunica") is a barge-based casino located in Tunica County, Mississippi. The property has extensive amenities, including 700 hotel rooms, an entertainment lounge, four dining venues, and the 1,600-seat River Palace Arena.
Competition
Our properties generally operate in highly competitive environments. We compete against other gaming companies as well as other hospitality, entertainment and leisure companies. We face significant competition in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Such competition may intensify in some of these jurisdictions if new gaming operations open in these markets or existing competitors expand their operations. Our properties compete directly with other gaming properties in each state in which we operate, as well as in adjacent states. We also compete for customers with other casino operators in other markets, including casinos located on Native American reservations, and other forms of gaming, such as lotteries and internet gaming. Many of our competitors are larger and have substantially greater name recognition and marketing and financial resources. In some instances, particularly with Native American casinos, our competitors pay substantially lower taxes or no taxes at all. We believe that increased legalized gaming in other states, particularly in areas close to our existing gaming properties and the development or expansion of Native American gaming in or near the states in which we operate, could create additional competition for us and could adversely affect our operations or future development projects.
Future Development Opportunities
Development agreement with Wilton Rancheria
We have a development agreement and a management agreement with Wilton Rancheria, a federally-recognized Native American tribe located southeast of Sacramento, California, to develop and manage a gaming entertainment complex, subject to approval by the National Indian Gaming Commission. In January 2017, the tribe received a favorable Record of Decision from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and in February 2017, the land was taken into trust on behalf of the tribe. In September 2017, the California State Legislature unanimously approved, and the Governor of California executed, a tribal-state gaming compact with the tribe allowing the development of the casino. With the compact now in place, we are in the process of finalizing project design and construction planning. Once commenced, the construction timeline is expected to span 18 to 24 months. The land parcel taken into trust is located next to a mall being developed by the Howard Hughes Corporation, approximately 15 miles southeast of Sacramento. The project is located on Highway 99, one of the two major north-south freeways in the Sacramento area.
Frequent Player Loyalty Programs
B Connected
We have established a nationwide branding initiative and loyalty program. Our players use their "B Connected" cards to earn and redeem points at nearly all of our properties. The "B Connected" club, among other benefits, rewards players for their loyalty as well as entitles them to qualify for promotions and earn rewards toward slot, video poker, or table games play.
In addition to the "B Connected" player loyalty program, we operate the "B Connected Mobile" program, the first multi-property, loyalty program-based iPhone and Android applications of its kind in the gaming industry. B Connected Mobile is a personalized mobile application that delivers customized offers and information directly to a customer’s iPhone, iPad or Android device, making "B Connected Mobile" the first application of its kind available on multiple platforms. The application further expands the benefits of the "B Connected" program by providing real-time personalized information on hotel, dining and gaming offers when a customer visits a Boyd property, instant access to event information, schedules and special offers, a search engine that allows customers to find Boyd Gaming casinos that have their favorite machines and displays the games’ locations on a casino floor map, the ability to track "B Connected" point balances in real time, and the ability to make immediate hotel or restaurant reservations. These tools allow our customers to receive the greatest value from their "B Connected" membership, and ensure that our marketing is as effective as possible.
We further improved our "B Connected" loyalty program with the introduction of "B Connected Social" in 2012, which rewards users for using "B Connected Online", "B Connected Mobile", or sharing offers and events on social networks. "B Connected Social" is a dynamic network loyalty program that allows "B Connected" members to share offers with friends, connect to their favorite social networks, check in online via certain social networks, as well as participate in a variety of online activities including
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interfacing with "B Connected Online" or "B Connected Mobile", participate in online contests, and register for alerts to deliver targeted information specific to the "B Connected" member.
Other Programs
Kansas Star, Diamond Jo Dubuque, Aliante, Cannery, and Eastside Cannery continue to sponsor their own player loyalty programs to build brand awareness and leverage loyalty through marketing and promotional programs to retain existing customers, maintain trip frequency, acquire new customers, and recover lapsed customers. These properties offer their guests comprehensive, competitive and targeted marketing and promotion programs. Each program offers players a hassle-free way of earning points redeemable at each respective property for slot and table games play, food, beverage and retail items as well as complementaries and other rewards and benefits based on play. In addition, each property strives to differentiate its casino with high-quality guest services to further enhance overall brand and customer experience.
In the future we plan to extend the B Connected program to these properties, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. The implementation of "B Connected" will replace the individual property programs described above and provide our customers at these properties even more value for their rewards with a multi-property player loyalty program.
Other Promotional Activities
We provide other promotional offers and discounts targeted towards new customers, frequent customers, inactive customers, customers of various levels of play, and prospective customers who have not yet visited our properties, and mid-week and other promotional activities that seek to generate visits to our properties during slower periods. Complementaries are usually in the form of monetary discounts, and other rewards generally can only be redeemed at our restaurants, retail and spa facilities.
Government Regulation
We are subject to extensive regulation under laws, rules and supervisory procedures primarily in the jurisdictions where our facilities are located or docked. Some jurisdictions, including Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, empower their regulators to investigate participation by licensees in gaming outside their jurisdiction and may require access to periodic reports respecting those gaming activities. Violations of laws in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. A detailed description of the governmental gaming regulations to which we are subject is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is herein incorporated by reference.
If additional gaming regulations are adopted in a jurisdiction in which we operate, such regulations could impose restrictions or costs that could have a significant adverse effect on us. From time to time, various proposals have been introduced in the legislatures of some of the jurisdictions in which we have existing or planned operations that, if enacted, could adversely affect the tax, regulatory, operational or other aspects of the gaming industry and us. We do not know whether or not such legislation will be enacted. The federal government has also previously considered a federal tax on casino revenues and the elimination of betting on NCAA events and may consider such a tax or eliminations on betting in the future. In addition, gaming companies are currently subject to significant state and local taxes and fees in addition to normal federal and state corporate income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. Any material increase in these taxes or fees could adversely affect us.
Employees and Labor Relations
At December 31, 2017, we employed approximately 19,707 persons, and had collective bargaining agreements with two unions covering 1,811 employees. Negotiations for a first contract with an organized bargaining unit are in progress at several of our Las Vegas properties. Negotiations for contract renewal are also in progress at two of our Midwest and South properties.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Nevada in June 1988. Our principal executive offices are located at 3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Ninth Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89169, and our main telephone number is (702) 792-7200. Our website is www.boydgaming.com.
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These filings are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549 and may obtain additional information and guidance by calling the SEC Investor Information Service at 1-800-SEC-0330. You also may read and copy reports and other information filed by us at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. A copy of this Annual Report on Form 10-K will be provided to a stockholder, with exhibits, without charge upon written request to Boyd Gaming Corporation, 3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Ninth Floor, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, (702) 792-7200, Attn: David Strow, Vice President Corporate Communications.
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We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports, available free of charge on our corporate website as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Stock Option Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are available on our website. We will provide reasonable quantities of electronic or paper copies of filings free of charge upon request. In addition, we will provide a copy of the above referenced charters to stockholders upon request.
Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such statements contain words such as "may," "will," "might," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "could," "would," "estimate," "pursue," "target," "project," "intend," "plan," "seek," "should," "assume," and "continue," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include:
• | The risk that the conditions to the closing of the Penn National Purchase or the Valley Forge Merger are not satisfied, that we fail to consummate such acquisitions, when anticipated, or at all, or that we fail to complete financing activities to obtain funds for such acquisitions. |
• | The effects of intense competition that exists in the gaming industry. |
• | The risk that our acquisitions and other expansion opportunities divert management’s attention or incur substantial costs, or that we are otherwise unable to develop, profitably manage or successfully integrate the businesses we acquire. |
• | The fact that our expansion, development and renovation projects (including enhancements to improve property performance) are subject to many risks inherent in expansion, development or construction of a new or existing project. |
• | The risk that any of our projects may not be completed, if at all, on time or within established budgets, or that any project will not result in increased earnings to us. |
• | The risk that significant delays, cost overruns, or failures of any of our projects to achieve market acceptance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
• | The risk that new gaming licenses or jurisdictions become available (or offer different gaming regulations or taxes) that results in increased competition to us. |
• | The risk that negative industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows, disruptions to our business, slower growth rates or lack of growth in our business, may result in significant write-downs or impairments in future periods. |
• | The risk that regulatory authorities may revoke, suspend, condition or limit our gaming or other licenses, impose substantial fines and take other adverse actions against any of our casino operations. |
• | The risk that we may be unable to refinance our outstanding indebtedness as it comes due, or that if we do refinance, the terms are not favorable to us. |
• | The effects of the extensive governmental gaming regulation and taxation policies that we are subject to, as well as any changes in laws and regulations, including increased taxes, which could harm our business. |
• | The effects of federal, state and local laws affecting our business such as the regulation of smoking, the regulation of directors, officers, key employees and partners and regulations affecting business in general. |
• | The effects of extreme weather conditions or natural disasters on our facilities and the geographic areas from which we draw our customers, and our ability to recover insurance proceeds (if any). |
• | The effects of events adversely impacting the economy or the regions from which we draw a significant percentage of our customers, including the effects of economic recession, war, terrorist or similar activity or disasters in, at, or around our properties. |
• | The risk that we fail to adapt our business and amenities to changing customer preferences. |
• | Financial community and rating agency perceptions of us, and the effect of economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy and the gaming and hotel industry. |
• | The effect of the expansion of legalized gaming in the regions in which we operate. |
• | The risk of failing to maintain the integrity of our information technology infrastructure causing the unintended distribution of our customer data to third parties and access by third parties to our customer data. |
• | Our estimated effective income tax rates, estimated tax benefits, and merits of our tax positions. |
• | Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes. |
• | The risks relating to owning our equity, including price and volume fluctuations of the stock market that may harm the market price of our common stock and the potential of certain of our stockholders owning large interest in our capital stock to significantly influence our affairs. |
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• | Other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects, and business strategies. |
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information contained in this report on Form 10-K, the following Risk Factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business.
If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value of our securities, including our common stock and senior notes, could decline significantly, and investors could lose all or part of their investment.
This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.
Risks Related to our Business
Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in discretionary consumer spending as a result of downturns in the economy.
Consumer demand for entertainment and other amenities at casino hotel properties, such as ours, are particularly sensitive to downturns in the economy and the corresponding impact on discretionary spending on leisure activities. Changes in discretionary consumer spending or consumer preferences brought about by factors such as perceived or actual general economic conditions, effects of declines in consumer confidence in the economy, including the past housing, employment and credit crises, the impact of high energy and food costs, the increased cost of travel, the potential for bank failures, decreased disposable consumer income and wealth, or fears of war and future acts of terrorism could further reduce customer demand for the amenities that we offer, thus imposing practical limits on pricing and negatively impacting our results of operations and financial condition.
For example, beginning in 2007 we experienced one of the toughest economic periods in Las Vegas history. The housing crisis and economic slowdown in the United States resulted in a significant decline in the amount of tourism and spending in Las Vegas and other locations in which we own or invest in casino hotel properties. While the economy has improved significantly since the end of the recent economic recession, our business continues to be impacted from changes in consumer spending habits due to the recession. Our customers spend less per visit and differently than prior to the recession, including focusing more on non-gaming amenities. We cannot say when, if ever, or to what extent, customer behavior in our various markets will fully-revert to pre-recession behavior trends. If customers spend less per visit or customers prefer non-gaming amenities of our competitors, and we are unable to increase total visitation, our business may be adversely affected. Since our business model relies on consumer expenditures on entertainment, luxury and other discretionary items, a slowing or stoppage of the economic recovery or a return to an economic downturn will further adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Intense competition exists in the gaming industry, and we expect competition to continue to intensify.
The gaming industry is highly competitive for both customers and employees, including those at the management level. We compete with numerous casinos and hotel casinos of varying quality and size in market areas where our properties are located. We also compete with other non-gaming resorts and vacation destinations, and with various other casino and other entertainment businesses, including online gaming websites, and could compete with any new forms of gaming that may be legalized in the future. The casino entertainment business is characterized by competitors that vary considerably in their size, quality of facilities, number of operations, brand identities, marketing and growth strategies, financial strength and capabilities, level of amenities, management talent and geographic diversity. In most markets, we compete directly with other casino facilities operating in the immediate and surrounding market areas. In some markets, we face competition from nearby markets in addition to direct competition within our market areas.
With fewer other new markets opening for development, competition in existing markets has intensified in recent years. We and our competitors have invested in expanding existing facilities, developing new facilities, and acquiring established facilities in existing markets. This expansion of existing casino entertainment properties, the increase in the number of properties and the aggressive marketing strategies of many of our competitors have increased competition in many markets in which we compete, and this intense competition can be expected to continue. For example, in December 2014, a new property opened in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that increased competition with Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. At the end of December 2015, a new casino opened in D'Iberville, Mississippi that competes with IP Casino Resort Spa. In Illinois, the legalization of video lottery terminals in recent years has added more than 22,000 new gaming devices across the state, including nearly 4,000 in the immediate market of the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, increasing competition for that property. In January 2018, a new tribal casino in South Bend,
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Indiana opened, which competes with Blue Chip for gaming customers. Additionally, competition may intensify if our competitors commit additional resources to aggressive pricing and promotional activities in order to attract customers.
Also, our business may be adversely impacted by the additional gaming and room capacity in states where we operate or intend to operate. Several states are also considering enabling the development and operation of casinos or casino-like operations in their jurisdictions.
The possible future expansion of gaming in Wisconsin or the possible expansion of gaming in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, if approved, could impact the operating results of the Diamond Jo Dubuque. Further, Kansas Star could, in the future, face competition from the Wichita Greyhound Park, located approximately 30 miles away in Park City, Kansas. While gaming is not currently permitted in Sedgwick County, Kansas (the site of the Wichita Greyhound Park), the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act permits the installation of slot machines at race tracks under certain conditions. If the Kansas legislature authorized a new gaming referendum in Sedgwick County and such referendum was approved, and certain other regulatory conditions were satisfied, the Wichita Greyhound Park could be permitted to install slot machines.
We also compete with legalized gaming from casinos located on Native American tribal lands. Expansion of Native American gaming in areas located near our properties, or in areas in or near those from which we draw our customers, could have an adverse effect on our operating results. For example, increased competition from federally recognized Native American tribes near Blue Chip and Sam's Town Shreveport has had a negative impact on our results. Native American gaming facilities typically have a significant operating advantage over our properties due to lower gaming fees or taxes, allowing those facilities to market more aggressively and to expand or update their facilities at an accelerated rate. Although we expanded our facility at Blue Chip in an effort to be more competitive in this market, competing Native American properties could continue to have an adverse impact on the operations of both Blue Chip and Sam's Town Shreveport. Kansas Star may face additional competition in the Wichita, Kansas metropolitan area. The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma previously filed an application with the U.S. Department of Interior to have certain land located in Park City, Kansas (in the Wichita metro area) taken into trust by the U.S. Government and to permit gaming. In July 2014, the U.S. Department of Interior rejected the Wyandotte Nation's trust application for the Park City land. However, the Nation has indicated it will seek to appeal this ruling. If an appeal were filed and ultimately successful, the Wyandotte Nation would be permitted to open a Class II gaming facility, and upon successful negotiation of a compact with the State of Kansas would be permitted to open a Class III gaming facility.
In addition, we also compete to some extent with other forms of gaming on both a local and national level, including state-sponsored lotteries, charitable gaming, on-and off-track wagering, and other forms of entertainment, including motion pictures, sporting events and other recreational activities. It is possible that these secondary competitors could reduce the number of visitors to our facilities or the amount they are willing to wager, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue or maintain our profitability and cash flows.
If our competitors operate more successfully than we do, if they attract customers away from us as a result of aggressive pricing and promotion, if they are more successful than us in attracting and retaining employees, if their properties are enhanced or expanded, if they operate in jurisdictions that give them operating advantages due to differences or changes in gaming regulations or taxes, or if additional hotels and casinos are established in and around the locations in which we conduct business, we may lose market share or the ability to attract or retain employees. In particular, the expansion of casino gaming in or near any geographic area from which we attract or expect to attract a significant number of our customers could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, increased competition may require us to make substantial capital expenditures to maintain and enhance the competitive positions of our properties, including updating slot machines to reflect changing technology, refurbishing public service areas periodically, replacing obsolete equipment on an ongoing basis and making other expenditures to increase the attractiveness and add to the appeal of our facilities. Because we are highly leveraged, after satisfying our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness, there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient funds to undertake these expenditures or that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing to fund such expenditures. If we are unable to make such expenditures, our competitive position could be materially adversely affected.
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We may incur impairments to goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, or long-lived assets.
In accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets, we test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or if a triggering event occurs. We perform our annual impairment testing for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1. While no impairment charges were recorded as a result of the 2017 test, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $36.9 million in connection with the 2016 annual impairment test, comprised of impairment charges of $23.6 million to the Par-A-Dice gaming license, $12.5 million to Amelia Belle goodwill, and $0.8 million to trademarks in the Midwest and South segment. In connection with the 2015 annual impairment test, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $17.5 million to the Par-A-Dice gaming license.
If our estimates of projected cash flows related to our assets are not achieved, we may be subject to future impairment charges, which could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.
We face risks associated with growth and acquisitions.
As part of our business strategy, we regularly evaluate opportunities for growth through development of gaming operations in existing or new markets, through acquiring other gaming entertainment facilities or through redeveloping our existing gaming facilities. For example, on December 18, 2017, we entered into a definitive agreement with Penn National Gaming, Inc. to acquire four properties in the Midwest and on December 20, 2017, we entered into a definitive agreement with Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, L.P., to acquire Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (together the "Pending Acquisitions"). In the future, we may also pursue expansion opportunities, including joint ventures, in jurisdictions where casino gaming is not currently permitted in order to be prepared to develop projects upon approval of casino gaming.
Although we only intend to engage in acquisitions that, if consummated, will be accretive to us and our shareholders, acquisitions require significant management attention and resources to integrating new properties, businesses and operations. Additionally, once the Pending Acquisitions have closed, we will need to successfully integrate the additional properties into Boyd Gaming’s operating structure in order to realize the anticipated benefits of the Pending Acquisitions. Potential difficulties we may encounter as part of the integration process include the following:
• | the inability to successfully incorporate the assets in a manner that permits us to achieve the full revenue and other benefits anticipated to result from the Pending Acquisitions; |
• | complexities associated with managing the combined business, including difficulty addressing possible differences in cultures and management philosophies and the challenge of integrating complex systems, technology, networks and other assets of each of the companies in a seamless manner that minimizes any adverse impact on customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies; and |
• | potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses associated with the Pending Acquisitions. |
In addition, it is possible that the integration process could result in:
• | diversion of the attention of our management; and |
• | the disruption of, or the loss of momentum in, each our ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, |
any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies or our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits, or could reduce our earnings or otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire, develop or profitably manage additional companies or operations or successfully integrate such companies or operations, including the properties associated with the Pending Acquisitions into our existing operations without substantial costs, delays or other problems. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will receive gaming or other necessary licenses or approvals for new projects that we may pursue or that gaming will be approved in jurisdictions where it is not currently approved.
Ballot measures or other voter-approved initiatives to allow gaming in jurisdictions where gaming, or certain types of gaming (such as slots), was not previously permitted could be challenged, and, if such challenges are successful, these ballot measures or initiatives could be invalidated. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that there will not be similar or other challenges to legalized gaming in existing or current markets in which we may operate or have development plans, and successful challenges to legalized gaming could require us to abandon or substantially curtail our operations or development plans in those locations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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There can be no assurance that we will not face similar challenges and difficulties with respect to new development projects or expansion efforts that we may undertake, which could result in significant sunk costs that we may not be able to fully recoup or that otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to consummate the Pending Acquisitions is contingent upon the receipt of governmental approvals and satisfaction of certain closing conditions.
The consummation of the Pending Acquisitions is subject to customary conditions and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including, among others, approval by the state gaming commissions and the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ("HSR"), as amended. In addition, the Penn National Purchase is also contingent upon the successful completion of Penn National’s proposed acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Further, the review of the Pending Acquisitions by the state gaming commissions is currently ongoing, and we have not yet received approval for from the state gaming commissions. If we fail to receive all such required regulatory approvals, or any required closing condition is not satisfied (or waived, where applicable), we will be unable to consummate the Pending Acquisitions and our business will be negatively affected. Such effects could include, but are not limited to, the failure to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Pending Acquisitions, the loss of management’s time and the expense expended with respect to investigating, entering into, and attempting to consummate such acquisition, as well as other related costs to Boyd Gaming’s business. Further, the failure to consummate the Penn National Purchase could result in a reverse termination fee payment of up to $58 million in certain circumstances.
Our expansion and development opportunities may face significant risks inherent in construction projects.
We regularly evaluate expansion, development, investment and renovation opportunities.
Any such development projects are subject to many other risks inherent in the expansion or renovation of an existing enterprise or construction of a new enterprise, including unanticipated design, construction, regulatory, environmental and operating problems and lack of demand for our projects. Our current and future projects could also experience:
• | changes to plans and specifications; |
• | delays and significant cost increases; |
• | shortages of materials; |
• | shortages of skilled labor or work stoppages for contractors and subcontractors; |
• | labor disputes or work stoppages; |
• | disputes with and defaults by contractors and subcontractors; |
• | health and safety incidents and site accidents; |
• | engineering problems, including defective plans and specifications; |
• | poor performance or nonperformance by any of our joint venture partners or other third parties on whom we place reliance; |
• | changes in laws and regulations, or in the interpretation and enforcement of laws and regulations, applicable to gaming facilities, real estate development or construction projects; |
• | unforeseen construction scheduling, engineering, environmental, permitting, construction or geological problems; |
• | environmental issues, including the discovery of unknown environmental contamination; |
• | weather interference, floods, fires or other casualty losses; |
• | other unanticipated circumstances or cost increases; and |
• | failure to obtain necessary licenses, permits, entitlements or other governmental approvals. |
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The occurrence of any of these development and construction risks could increase the total costs of our construction projects or delay or prevent the construction or opening or otherwise affect the design and features of our construction projects, which could materially adversely affect our plan of operations, financial condition and ability to satisfy our debt obligations.
In addition, actual costs and construction periods for any of our projects can differ significantly from initial expectations. Our initial project costs and construction periods are based upon budgets, conceptual design documents and construction schedule estimates prepared at inception of the project in consultation with architects and contractors. Many of these costs can increase over time as the project is built to completion. We can provide no assurance that any project will be completed on time, if at all, or within established budgets, or that any project will result in increased earnings to us. Significant delays, cost overruns, or failures of our projects to achieve market acceptance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although we design our projects to minimize disruption of our existing business operations, expansion and renovation projects require, from time to time, all or portions of affected existing operations to be closed or disrupted. Any significant disruption in operations of a property could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The failure to obtain necessary government approvals in a timely manner, or at all, can adversely impact our various expansion, development, investment and renovation projects.
Certain permits, licenses and approvals necessary for some of our current or anticipated projects have not yet been obtained. The scope of the approvals required for expansion, development, investment or renovation projects can be extensive and may include gaming approvals, state and local land-use permits and building and zoning permits. Unexpected changes or concessions required by local, state or federal regulatory authorities could involve significant additional costs and delay the scheduled openings of the facilities. We may not obtain the necessary permits, licenses and approvals within the anticipated time frames, or at all.
Failure to maintain the integrity of our information technology systems, protect our internal information, or comply with applicable privacy and data security regulations could adversely affect us.
We rely extensively on our computer systems to process customer transactions, manage customer data, manage employee data and communicate with third-party vendors and other third parties, and we may also access the internet to use our computer systems. Our operations require that we collect and store customer data, including credit card numbers and other personal information, for various business purposes, including marketing and promotional purposes. We also collect and store personal information about our employees. Breaches of our security measures or information technology systems or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive personal information or confidential data about us, or our customers, or our employees including the potential loss or disclosure of such information as a result of hacking or other cyber-attack, computer virus, fraudulent use by customers, employees or employees of third party vendors, trickery or other forms of deception or unauthorized use, or due to system failure, could expose us, our customers, our employees or other individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, result in litigation and potential liability for us, damage our casino or brand names and reputations or otherwise harm our business. We rely on proprietary and commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of customer information, such as payment card, employee information and other confidential or proprietary information. Our data security measures are reviewed and evaluated regularly, however they might not protect us against increasingly sophisticated and aggressive threats. The cost and operational consequences of implementing further data security measures could be significant.
Additionally, the collection of customer and employee personal information imposes various privacy compliance related obligations on our business and increases the risks associated with a breach or failure of the integrity of our information technology systems. The collection and use of personal information is governed by privacy laws and regulations enacted in the United States and other jurisdictions around the world. Privacy regulations continue to evolve and on occasion may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. Compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products, properties and services to our customers. In addition, non-compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations by us (or in some circumstances non-compliance by third party service providers engaged by us) may also result in damage of reputation, result in vulnerabilities that could be exploited to breach our systems and/or subject us to fines, payment of damages, lawsuits or restrictions on our use or transfer of personal information.
While we maintain cyber insurance coverage to protect against these risks to the Company, such insurance is unlikely to fully mitigate the impact of any information breach.
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Risks Related to the Regulation of our Industry
We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, as well as federal, state and local laws affecting business in general, which may harm our business.
Our ownership, management and operation of gaming facilities are subject to extensive laws, regulations and ordinances which are administered by the Nevada Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board, Mississippi Gaming Commission, Indiana Gaming Commission, Illinois Gaming Board, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the Kansas Lottery Commission, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, the Louisiana State Gaming Control Board, the Louisiana State Racing Commission and various other federal, state and local government entities and agencies. We are subject to regulations that apply specifically to the gaming industry and horse racetracks and casinos, in addition to regulations applicable to businesses generally. A more detailed description of the governmental gaming regulations to which we are subject is filed as Exhibit 99.1 herewith. If additional gaming regulations are adopted in a jurisdiction in which we operate, such regulations could impose restrictions or costs that could have a significant adverse effect on us. From time to time, various proposals are introduced in the legislatures of some of the jurisdictions in which we have existing or planned operations that, if enacted, could adversely affect the tax, regulatory, operational or other aspects of the gaming industry and our company.
To date, we have obtained all governmental licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for the operation of our properties. However, we can give no assurance that any additional licenses, permits and approvals that may be required will be given or that existing ones will be renewed or will not be revoked. Renewal is subject to, among other things, continued satisfaction of suitability requirements. Any failure to renew or maintain our licenses or to receive new licenses when necessary would have a material adverse effect on us.
Gambling
Legislative or administrative changes in applicable legal requirements, including legislation to prohibit casino gaming, have been proposed in the past. For example, in 1996, the State of Louisiana adopted a statute in connection with which votes were held locally where gaming operations were conducted and which, had the continuation of gaming been rejected by the voters, might have resulted in the termination of operations at the end of their current license terms. During the 1996 local gaming referendums, Lafayette Parish voted to disallow gaming in the Parish, whereas St. Landry Parish, the site of our racino, voted in favor of gaming. All parishes where riverboat gaming operations are currently conducted voted to continue riverboat gaming, but there can be no guarantee that similar referenda might not produce unfavorable results in the future. Proposals to amend or supplement the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act and the Pari-Mutuel Act also are frequently introduced in the Louisiana State legislature. In the 2001 session, a representative from Orleans Parish introduced a proposal to repeal the authority of horse racetracks in Calasieu Parish (the site of Delta Downs) and St. Landry Parish (the site of Evangeline Downs) to conduct slot machine gaming at such horse racetracks and to repeal the special taxing districts created for such purposes. If adopted, this proposal would have effectively prohibited us from operating the casino portion of our racino. In addition, the Louisiana legislature, from time to time, considers proposals to repeal the Pari-Mutuel Act.
The legislation permitting gaming in Iowa authorizes the granting of licenses to "qualified sponsoring organizations." Such "qualified sponsoring organizations" may operate the gambling structure itself, subject to satisfying necessary licensing requirements, or it may enter into an agreement with an operator to operate gambling on its behalf. An operator must be approved and licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The Dubuque Racing Association ("DRA"), a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of operating a pari-mutuel greyhound racing facility in Dubuque, Iowa, first received a riverboat gaming license in 1990 and, pursuant to the Amended DRA Operating Agreement, has served as the "qualified sponsoring organization" of the Diamond Jo since March 18, 1993. The term of the Amended DRA Operating Agreement expires on December 31, 2018. Diamond Jo Dubuque has entered into an amendment to the existing operating agreement with the qualified sponsoring organization. The new agreement will go into effect on January 1, 2019 and will extend for twelve years, expiring on December 31, 2030. The agreement is subject to review and approval by the state gaming commission. The Worth County Development Authority ("WCDA"), pursuant to the WCDA Operating Agreement, serves as the "qualified sponsoring organization" of Diamond Jo Worth. The term of the WCDA Operating Agreement expires on March 31, 2025, and is subject to automatic ten-year renewal periods. If the Amended DRA Operating Agreement or WCDA Operating Agreement were to terminate, or if the DRA or WCDA were to otherwise discontinue acting as our "qualified sponsoring organization" with respect to our operation of the Diamond Jo or Diamond Jo Worth, respectively, and we were unable to obtain approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to partner with an alternative "qualified sponsoring organization" as required by our gaming license, we would no longer be able to continue our Diamond Jo or Diamond Jo Worth operations, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.
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Regulation of Smoking
Illinois has adopted laws that significantly restrict, or otherwise ban, smoking at our properties in those jurisdictions. The Illinois laws that restrict smoking at casinos, and similar legislation in other jurisdictions in which we operate, could materially impact the results of operations of our properties in those jurisdictions. Indiana imposes a state wide smoking ban in specified businesses, buildings, public places and other articulated locations. Indiana's statute specifically exempted riverboat casinos, and all other gaming facilities in Indiana, from the smoking ban; however, the statute also allowed local governments to enact more restrictive smoking bans than the state statute and also left in place any more restrictive local legislation that existed as of the effective date of the statute. To date, neither Michigan City nor LaPorte County, where Blue Chip is located, has enacted any ordinance or other law that would impose a smoking ban on Blue Chip.
Regulation of Directors, Officers, Key Employees and Partners
Our directors, officers, key employees, joint venture partners and certain shareholders must meet approval standards of certain state regulatory authorities. If state regulatory authorities were to find a person occupying any such position, a joint venture partner, or shareholder unsuitable, we would be required to sever our relationship with that person, or the joint venture partner or shareholder may be required to dispose of their interest. State regulatory agencies may conduct investigations into the conduct or associations of our directors, officers, key employees or joint venture partners to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
Certain public and private issuances of securities and other transactions that we are party to also require the approval of some state regulatory authorities.
Live Racing Regulations
Louisiana gaming regulations and our gaming license for the Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs require that we, among other things, conduct a minimum of 80 live racing days in a consecutive 20-week period each year of live horse race meetings at the horse racetrack. Live racing days typically vary in number from year to year and are based on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the number of suitable race horses and the occurrence of severe weather. If we fail to have the minimum number of racing days, our gaming license with respect to the racino may be canceled, and the casino will be required to cease operations. Any cessation of our operation would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Regulations Affecting Businesses in General
In addition to gaming regulations, we are also subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting businesses in general. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, smoking, employees, currency transactions, taxation, zoning and building codes, and marketing and advertising. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. For example, Nevada enacted legislation that eliminated, in most instances, and, for certain pre-existing development projects, reduced, property tax breaks and retroactively eliminated certain sales tax exemptions offered as incentives to companies developing projects that meet certain environmental "green" standards. As a result, we, along with other companies developing projects that meet such standards, have not been able to realize the full tax benefits that were originally anticipated.
We are subject to extensive taxation policies, which may harm our business.
The federal government has, from time to time, considered a federal tax on casino revenues and may consider such a tax in the future. If such an increase were to be enacted, it could adversely affect our business, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flow. Our ability to incur additional indebtedness in the future to finance casino development projects could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, gaming companies are often subject to significant state and local taxes and fees, in addition to normal federal and state corporate income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time and which increase may be retroactive to prior years.
Currently, in Iowa, we are taxed at an effective rate of approximately 21.5% of our adjusted gross receipts by the State of Iowa, we pay the city of Dubuque a fee equal to $500,000 per year and we pay a fee equal to 4.5% and 5.76% of adjusted gross receipts to the DRA and WCDA, respectively. In addition, all Iowa gaming licensees share equally in the costs of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and related entities to administer gaming in Iowa, which is currently approximately $0.8 million per year per facility. Currently, at Evangeline Downs, we are taxed at an effective rate of approximately 36.5% of our adjusted gross slot revenue and pay to the Louisiana State Racing Commission a fee of $0.25 for each patron who enters the racino on live race days from the hours of 6:00 pm to midnight, enters the racino during non-racing season from the hours of noon to midnight Thursday through Monday, or enters any one of our off-track betting parlors. Our Amelia Belle riverboat casino in Louisiana pays an annual state gaming tax rate of 21.5% of adjusted gross receipts. In April 2017, the agreement Amelia Belle had with the Parish of St. Mary to permit the berthing of the riverboat casino in Amelia, Louisiana was modified. Prior to June 1, 2017, Amelia Belle paid
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a percentage fee based on the level of net gaming revenue as follows: the first $60 million, 2.5%; $60 to $96 million, 3.5%; and greater than $96 million, 5.0%. The annual minimum fee due under this agreement was $1.5 million. Under the revised agreement with the Parish of St. Mary, Amelia Belle was to pay a flat fee of $1.5 million by June 1, 2017, which was met. Subsequent annual payments are due on June 15th of each year based on a net gaming proceeds for each twelve calendar month period of operation as follows: $1.4 million fee on net gaming proceeds up to $45 million, $1.5 million fee on amounts from $45 million to $50 million, $1.6 million fee on amounts from $50 million to $52.5 million, and $1.7 million fee on net gaming proceeds above $52.5 million. Kansas Star, pursuant to its Management Contract with the State of Kansas pays total taxes of between 27% and 31% of gross gaming revenue, based on achievement of the following revenue levels: 27% on gross gaming revenue up to $180 million, 29% on amounts from $180 million to $220 million, and 31% on amounts above $220 million in gross gaming revenue. Kansas Star is also contractually obligated to pay its proportionate share of certain expenses incurred by the Kansas Lottery Commission and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which historically have ranged from $3.0 million to $3.5 million on an annual basis.
If there is any material increase in state and local taxes and fees, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to our Properties
We own real property and are subject to extensive environmental regulation, which creates uncertainty regarding future environmental expenditures and liabilities, and could affect our ability to develop, sell or rent our property or to borrow money where such property is required to be used as collateral.
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, including those governing discharges to air and water, the generation, handling, management and disposal of petroleum products or hazardous substances or wastes, and the health and safety of our employees. Permits may be required for our operations and these permits are subject to renewal, modification and, in some cases, revocation. In addition, under environmental laws, ordinances or regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of investigation and removal or remediation of some kinds of hazardous substances or petroleum products on, under, or in its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time they occurred. Additionally, as an owner or operator, we could also be held responsible to a governmental entity or third parties for property damage, personal injury and investigation and cleanup costs incurred by them in connection with any contamination. The liability under those laws has been interpreted to be joint and several unless the harm is divisible and there is a reasonable basis for allocation of the responsibility. The costs of investigation, remediation or removal of those substances may be substantial, and the presence of those substances, or the failure to remediate a property properly, may impair our ability to use our property.
The presence of, or failure to remediate properly, such substances may adversely affect the ability to sell or rent the property or to borrow funds using the property as collateral. Additionally, the owner of a site may be subject to claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from a site.
As part of our business in Worth County, Iowa, we operate a gas station, which includes a number of underground storage tanks containing petroleum products.
We have reviewed environmental assessments, in some cases including soil and groundwater testing, relating to our currently owned and leased properties in Dubuque, Iowa, and other properties we may lease from the City of Dubuque or other parties. As a result, we have become aware that there is contamination present on some of these properties apparently due to past industrial activities. Furthermore, the location of Kansas Star is the site of several non-operational oil wells, the remediation of which has been addressed in connection with the construction of the development project there. We have also reviewed environmental assessments and are not aware of any environmental liabilities related to any of our other properties.
Future developments regarding environmental matters could lead to material costs of environmental compliance for us and such costs could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Additionally, our horse racing operations are subject to oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), including regulations governing concentrated animal feeding operations and the related processing of animal waste water. In 2015, Delta Downs commenced a remediation project, as a result of an EPA examination, to ensure its future compliance with the Clean Water Act. However, the ongoing operations of our horse racing operations could result in future violations of EPA regulations and exposure to associated potential fines.
We own facilities that are located in areas that experience extreme weather conditions.
Extreme weather conditions may interrupt our operations, damage our properties and reduce the number of customers who visit our facilities in the affected areas.
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For example, certain of the properties we operate have been forced to close for extended periods due to floods and hurricanes, including Treasure Chest and Delta Downs, which have experienced closures for over 40 days on separate occasions in the past.
Blue Chip, Par-A-Dice, Sam's Town Tunica, Sam's Town Shreveport and Treasure Chest are each located in an area that has been identified by the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") as a special flood hazard area, which, according to FEMA statistics, has a 1% chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year. Furthermore, our properties in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana are at risk of experiencing snowstorms, tornadoes and flooding.
In addition to the risk of flooding and hurricanes, snowstorms and other adverse weather conditions may interrupt our operations, damage our properties and reduce the number of customers who visit our facilities in an affected area. For example, during the first quarter of 2011, and again in 2014, much of the country was impacted by unusually severe winter weather, particularly in the Midwest. These storms made it very difficult for our customers to visit, and we believe such winter weather had a material and adverse impact on the results of our operations during such times. If there is a prolonged disruption at any of our properties due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
To maintain our gaming licenses for our Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs racinos, we must conduct a minimum of 80 live racing days in a consecutive 20-week period each year of live horse race meetings at each racetrack, and poor weather conditions may make it difficult for us to comply with this requirement.
While we maintain insurance coverage that may cover certain of the costs and loss of revenue that we incur as a result of some extreme weather conditions, our coverage is subject to deductibles and limits on maximum benefits. There can be no assurance that we will be able to fully collect, if at all, on any claims resulting from extreme weather conditions. If any of our properties are damaged or if their operations are disrupted as a result of extreme weather in the future, or if extreme weather adversely impacts general economic or other conditions in the areas in which our properties are located or from which they draw their patrons, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all possible losses that our properties could suffer, our insurance costs may increase, and we may not be able to obtain similar insurance coverage in the future.
Although we have "all risk" property insurance coverage for our operating properties, which covers damage caused by a casualty loss (such as fire, natural disasters, acts of war, or terrorism), each policy has certain exclusions. In addition, our property insurance coverage is in an amount that may be significantly less than the expected replacement cost of rebuilding the facilities if there was a total loss. Our level of insurance coverage also may not be adequate to cover all losses in the event of a major casualty. In addition, certain casualty events, such as labor strikes, nuclear events, acts of war, loss of income due to cancellation of room reservations or conventions due to fear of terrorism, deterioration or corrosion, insect or animal damage and pollution, may not be covered at all under our policies. Therefore, certain acts could expose us to substantial uninsured losses.
We also have "builder's risk" insurance coverage for our development and expansion projects. Builder's risk insurance provides coverage for projects during their construction for damage caused by a casualty loss. In general, our builder's risk coverage is subject to the same exclusions, risks and deficiencies as those described above for our all-risk property coverage. Our level of builder's risk insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all losses in the event of a major casualty.
We maintain cyber insurance coverage that insures against certain expenses incurred by the Company in the event of any information breach, as well as insuring against certain costs and damages associated with losses by third parties. However, such insurance is unlikely to fully mitigate the impact of such an information breach.
Blue Chip, Par-A-Dice, Sam's Town Tunica, Sam's Town Shreveport and Treasure Chest are each located in an area that has been identified by the director of the FEMA as a special flood hazard area. Our level of flood insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all losses in the event of a major flood.
We renew our insurance policies (other than our builder's risk insurance) on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so high that we may need to further reduce our policy limits or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage.
Our debt instruments and other material agreements require us to meet certain standards related to insurance coverage. Failure to satisfy these requirements could result in an event of default under these debt instruments or material agreements.
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We draw a significant percentage of our customers from certain geographic regions. Events adversely impacting the economy or these regions, including public health outbreaks and man-made or natural disasters, may adversely impact our business.
The California, Fremont and Main Street Station draw a substantial portion of their customers from the Hawaiian market, with such customers historically comprising more than half of the room nights sold at each property. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending, as well as an increase in fuel costs or transportation prices, a decrease in airplane seat availability, or a deterioration of relations with tour and travel agents, particularly as they affect travel between the Hawaiian market and our facilities, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Las Vegas properties also draw a substantial number of customers from certain other specific geographic areas, including the Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas local markets. Native American casinos in California and other parts of the United States have diverted some potential visitors away from Nevada, which has had and could continue to have a negative effect on Nevada gaming markets. In addition, due to our significant concentration of properties in Nevada, any man-made or natural disasters in or around Nevada, or the areas from which we draw customers to our Las Vegas properties, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Each of our properties located outside of Nevada depends primarily on visitors from their respective surrounding regions and are subject to comparable risk.
The strength and profitability of our business depends on consumer demand for hotel casino resorts in general and for the type of amenities our properties offer. Changes in consumer preferences or discretionary consumer spending could harm our business. Terrorist activities in the United States and elsewhere, military conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, outbreaks of infectious disease and pandemics, adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, among other things, have had negative impacts on travel and leisure expenditures. In addition, other factors affecting travel and discretionary consumer spending, including general economic conditions, disposable consumer income, fears of further economic decline and reduced consumer confidence in the economy, may negatively impact our business. We cannot predict the extent to which similar events and conditions may continue to affect us in the future. An extended period of reduced discretionary spending and/or disruptions or declines in tourism could significantly harm our operations.
Energy price increases may adversely affect our cost of operations and our revenues.
Our casino properties use significant amounts of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy. In addition, our Hawaiian air charter operation uses a significant amount of jet fuel. While no shortages of energy or fuel have been experienced to date, substantial increases in energy and fuel prices, including jet fuel prices, in the United States have, and may continue to, negatively affect our results of operations. The extent of the impact is subject to the magnitude and duration of the energy and fuel price increases, of which the impact could be material. In addition, energy and gasoline price increases could result in a decline of disposable income of potential customers, an increase in the cost of travel and a corresponding decrease in visitation and spending at our properties, which could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our facilities, including our riverboats and dockside facilities, are subject to risks relating to mechanical failure and regulatory compliance.
Generally, all of our facilities are subject to the risk that operations could be halted for a temporary or extended period of time, as the result of casualty, forces of nature, mechanical failure, or extended or extraordinary maintenance, among other causes. In addition, our gaming operations, including those conducted on riverboats or at dockside facilities could be damaged or halted due to extreme weather conditions.
We currently conduct our Treasure Chest, Par-A-Dice, Blue Chip, Sam's Town Shreveport and Amelia Belle gaming operations on riverboats. Each of our riverboats must comply with the United States Coast Guard ("USCG") requirements as to boat design, on-board facilities, equipment, personnel and safety. Each riverboat must hold a Certificate of Inspection for stabilization and flotation, and may also be subject to local zoning codes. The USCG requirements establish design standards, set limits on the operation of the vessels and require individual licensing of all personnel involved with the operation of the vessels. Loss of a vessel's Certificate of Inspection would preclude its use as a casino.
USCG regulations require a hull inspection for all riverboats at five-year intervals. Under certain circumstances, alternative hull inspections may be approved. The USCG may require that such hull inspections be conducted at a dry-docking facility, and if so required, the cost of travel to and from such docking facility, as well as the time required for inspections of the affected riverboats, could be significant. To date, the USCG has allowed in-place underwater inspections of our riverboats twice every five years on alternate two- and three-year schedules. The USCG may not continue to allow these types of inspections in the future. The loss of a dockside casino or riverboat casino from service for any period of time could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Indiana and Louisiana have adopted alternate inspection standards for riverboats in those states. The standards require inspection by ABS Consulting ("ABSC"). ABSC inspection for our riverboats at Blue Chip, Treasure Chest and Sam's Town Shreveport
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commenced during 2010. The Amelia Belle is also inspected by the ABSC. The Par-A-Dice riverboat will remain inspected by the USCG for the foreseeable future. ABSC imposes essentially the same design, personnel, safety, and hull inspection standards as the USCG. Therefore, the risks to our business associated with USCG inspection should not change by reason of inspection by ABSC. Failure of a vessel to meet the applicable USCG or ABSC standards would preclude its use as a casino.
USCG regulations also require us to prepare and follow certain security programs. In 2004, we implemented the American Gaming Association's Alternative Security Program at our riverboat casinos and dockside facilities. The American Gaming Association's Alternative Security Program is specifically designed to address maritime security requirements at riverboat casinos and their respective dockside facilities. Only portions of those regulations will apply to our riverboats inspected by ABSC. Changes to these regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Some of our hotels and casinos are located on leased property. If we default on one or more leases, the applicable lessors could terminate the affected leases and we could lose possession of the affected hotel and/or casino.
We lease certain parcels of land on which Eastside Cannery, Suncoast, Treasure Chest, Sam's Town Shreveport and IP's hotels and gaming facilities are located. In addition, we lease other parcels of land on which portions of the California and the Fremont are located. As a ground lessee, we have the right to use the leased land; however, we do not retain fee ownership in the underlying land. Accordingly, with respect to the leased land, we will have no interest in the land or improvements thereon at the expiration of the ground leases. Moreover, since we do not completely control the land underlying the property, a landowner could take certain actions to disrupt our rights in the land leased under the long-term leases. While such interruption is unlikely, such events are beyond our control. If the entity owning any leased land chose to disrupt our use either permanently or for a significant period of time, then the value of our assets could be impaired and our business and operations could be adversely affected. If we were to default on any one or more of these leases, the applicable lessors could terminate the affected leases and we could lose possession of the affected land and any improvements on the land, including the hotels and casinos. This would have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations as we would then be unable to operate all or portions of the affected facilities.
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2017, we had net operating losses ("NOLs") for federal income tax purposes. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, if a corporation undergoes an "ownership change" as defined in that section, the corporation's ability to use its pre-change NOLs and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may become subject to significant limitations. We may experience an ownership change in the future as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, which may result from the issuance of our common stock, the exercise of stock options and other equity compensation awards, as well as ordinary sales and purchases of our common stock, among other things. If an ownership change in our stock were to be triggered in the future, our subsequent ability to use any NOLs existing at that time could be significantly limited. Additionally, on December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act changed the carryback and carryforward periods for NOLs generated after December 31, 2017 and imposed annual limitations on the use of such NOLs. While the rules for NOLs generated prior to December 31, 2017 did not change, our NOLs all predate the change, it is possible future law changes could affect the ability to utilize NOLs prospectively.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
We have a significant amount of indebtedness.
If we pursue, or continue to pursue, any expansion, development, investment or renovation projects, we expect that our long-term debt will substantially increase in connection with related capital expenditures. This indebtedness could have important consequences, including:
• | difficulty in satisfying our obligations under our current indebtedness; |
• | increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
• | requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, expansion efforts and other general corporate purposes; |
• | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; |
• | placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and |
• | limiting, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds. |
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Our debt instruments contain, and any future debt instruments likely will contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things:
• | incur additional debt, including providing guarantees or credit support; |
• | incur liens securing indebtedness or other obligations; |
• | make certain investments; |
• | dispose of assets; |
• | make certain acquisitions; |
• | pay dividends or make distributions and make other restricted payments; |
• | enter into sale and leaseback transactions; |
• | engage in any new businesses; and |
• | enter into transactions with our stockholders and our affiliates. |
Failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Note 7, Long-Term Debt, included in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements presented in Part II, Item 8, contains further disclosure regarding our current outstanding debt.
To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures and expansion efforts will depend upon our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
It is unlikely that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Credit Facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, as such indebtedness matures and to fund our other liquidity needs. We believe that we will need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, at or before maturity, and cannot provide assurances that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. We may have to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying planned expenses and capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt, or obtaining additional equity or debt financing or joint venture partners. These financing strategies may not be affected on satisfactory terms, if at all. In addition, certain states' laws contain restrictions on the ability of companies engaged in the gaming business to undertake certain financing transactions. Some restrictions may prevent us from obtaining necessary capital.
We and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indentures governing our senior notes do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are effectively senior to our senior notes and the guarantees of our subsidiary guarantors to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such borrowings. If new debt is added to our, or our subsidiaries', current debt levels, the related risks that we or they now face could intensify.
If we are unable to finance our expansion, development, investment and renovation projects, as well as other capital expenditures, through cash flow, borrowings under the Credit Facility, access to the capital markets and additional financings, our expansion, development, investment and renovation efforts will be jeopardized.
We intend to finance our current and future expansion, which includes our Pending Acquisitions, development, investment and renovation projects, as well as our other capital expenditures, primarily with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our Credit Facility, and equity or debt financings. If we are unable to finance our current or future expansion, including our Pending Acquisitions, development, investment and renovation projects, or our other capital expenditures, we will have to adopt one or
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more alternatives, such as reducing, delaying or abandoning planned expansion, development, investment and renovation projects, terminating our Pending Acquisitions, as well as other capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt, obtaining additional equity financing or joint venture partners, or modifying the Credit Facility. These sources of funds may not be sufficient to finance our expansion, development, investment and renovation projects, and other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a timely manner, or at all. In addition, failure to consummate our Pending Acquisitions could have a material adverse impact on our business, and with respect to the Penn National Purchase could result in a reverse termination fee payment of up to $58 million in certain circumstances. In addition, our existing indebtedness contains certain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness.
Although we successfully refinanced a significant amount of our indebtedness in 2015, 2016 and 2017, we have no assurance that we will continue to have access to credit or capital markets at desirable times or at rates that we would consider acceptable, and the lack of such funding could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our ability to refinance Boyd Gaming's indebtedness, our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions and our ability or willingness to fund new development projects.
In the past, there have been significant disruptions in the global capital markets that adversely impacted the ability of borrowers to access capital. A crisis may greatly restrict the availability of capital and cause the cost of capital (if available) to be much higher than it has traditionally been. Although the financial markets have generally recovered from the most recent financial crisis and availability of capital has increased, the financial markets remain volatile. While we currently anticipate that we will be able to fund any expansion projects using cash flows from operations and availability under the Credit Facility (to the extent that availability exists after we meet our working capital needs), if availability under our Credit Facility does not exist or we are otherwise unable to make sufficient borrowings thereunder, any additional financing that is needed may not be available to us or, if available, may not be on terms favorable to us. As a result, if we are unable to obtain adequate project financing in a timely manner, or at all, we may be forced to sell assets in order to raise capital for projects, limit the scope of, or defer such projects, or cancel the projects altogether. In the event that we are unable to access capital with favorable terms, additional equity and/or credit support may be necessary to obtain construction financing for the remaining cost of the project.
We are not able to predict the duration or strength of the current economic recovery, the resulting impact on the solvency or liquidity of our lenders, or the possibility of a future recession. Prolonged slow growth or a downturn, or further worsening or broadening of adverse conditions in worldwide and domestic economies could affect our lenders. If a large percentage of our lenders were to file for bankruptcy or otherwise default on their obligations to us, we may not have the liquidity under the Credit Facility to fund our current projects. There is no certainty that our lenders will continue to remain solvent or fund their respective obligations under the Credit Facility. If we were otherwise required to renegotiate or replace the Credit Facility, there is no assurance that we would be able to secure terms that are as favorable to us, if at all.
Risks Related to our Equity Ownership
Our common stock price may fluctuate substantially, and a shareholder's investment could decline in value.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to many factors, including:
• | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations; |
• | announcements of significant acquisitions or other agreements by us or by our competitors; |
• | our sale of common stock or other securities in the future; |
• | trading volume of our common stock; |
• | conditions and trends in the gaming and destination entertainment industries; |
• | changes in the estimation of the future size and growth of our markets; and |
• | general economic conditions, including, without limitation, changes in the cost of fuel and air travel. |
In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to companies' operating performance. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholder derivative lawsuits and/or securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources.
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Certain of our stockholders own large interests in our capital stock and may significantly influence our affairs.
William S. Boyd, our Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, together with his immediate family, beneficially owned approximately 27% of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock as of December 31, 2017. As such, the Boyd family has the ability to significantly influence our affairs, including the election of members of our Board of Directors and, except as otherwise provided by law, approving or disapproving other matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including a merger, consolidation, or sale of assets.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
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ITEM 2. Properties
Information relating to the location and general characteristics of our properties is provided in Part I, Item 1, Business - Properties, and is incorporated herein by reference.
As of December 31, 2017, some of our properties are located on leased property, including:
• | Suncoast, located on 49 acres of leased land. |
• | Eastside Cannery, located on 30 acres of leased land. |
• | California, located on 13.9 acres of owned land and 1.6 acres of leased land. |
• | Fremont, located on 1.4 acres of owned land and 0.9 acres of leased land. |
• | IP, located on 24 acres of owned land and 3.9 acres of leased land. |
• | Treasure Chest, located on 14 acres of leased land. |
• | Sam's Town Shreveport, located on 18 acres of leased land. |
• | Diamond Jo Dubuque, located on 7 acres of owned land and leases approximately 2.0 acres of parking surfaces. |
• | Diamond Jo Worth, which leases 33 acres of land in Emmons, Minnesota that is used as a nine-hole golf course and a nine-station sporting clay course and hunting facility. |
• | Evangeline Downs, which leases the facilities that comprise the Henderson, Eunice and St. Martinville OTBs. |
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
We are parties to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that all pending claims, if adversely decided, would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
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PART II
ITEM 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BYD." Information with respect to sales prices and holders of record of our common stock is set forth below.
Market Information
The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange:
High | Low | ||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2017 | |||||||
First Quarter | $ | 22.01 | $ | 19.34 | |||
Second Quarter | 25.93 | 21.32 | |||||
Third Quarter | 26.79 | 24.40 | |||||
Fourth Quarter | 35.81 | 25.58 | |||||
Year Ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||
First Quarter | $ | 20.74 | $ | 14.96 | |||
Second Quarter | 21.35 | 17.45 | |||||
Third Quarter | 20.26 | 18.13 | |||||
Fourth Quarter | 21.46 | 17.00 | |||||
On February 21, 2018, the closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $35.01 per share. On that date, we had approximately 672 holders of record of our common stock and our directors and executive officers owned approximately 27% of the outstanding shares. There are no other classes of common equity outstanding.
Dividends
Dividends are declared at the discretion of our Board of Directors. We are subject to certain limitations regarding the payment of dividends, such as restricted payment limitations contained in our Credit Facility and the indentures for our outstanding notes.
On May 2, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the reinstatement of the Company’s cash dividend program. The dividends declared by the Board under this program are:
Declaration date | Record date | Payment date | Amount per share | |||
May 2, 2017 | June 15, 2017 | July 15, 2017 | $0.05 | |||
September 6, 2017 | September 18, 2017 | October 15, 2017 | 0.05 | |||
December 7, 2017 | December 28, 2017 | January 15, 2018 | 0.05 | |||
No dividends were declared during the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015.
Share Repurchase Program
The following table discloses share repurchases that we have made pursuant to our share repurchase program during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan | Approximate Dollar Value That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan | ||||||||||
October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017 | 114,706 | $ | 27.38 | 114,706 | $ | 66,748,649 | ||||||||
November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017 | 120,290 | 29.61 | 120,290 | 63,187,372 | ||||||||||
December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 | 93,119 | 32.92 | 93,119 | 60,122,294 | ||||||||||
Totals | 328,115 | 328,115 | $ | 60,122,294 | ||||||||||
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In July 2008, our Board of Directors authorized an amendment to our existing share repurchase program to increase the amount of common stock available to be repurchased to $100 million. On May 2, 2017 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had reaffirmed the Company's existing share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2017, $60.1 million of this authorization remained available to fund share repurchases. We are not obligated to repurchase any shares under this program. There were 1.2 million shares repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2017. Subject to applicable corporate securities laws, repurchases under this program may be made at such times and in such amounts as we deem appropriate. Repurchases are funded with existing cash resources and availability under the Credit Facility. We are subject to certain limitations regarding the repurchase of common stock, such as restricted payment limitations contained in our Credit Facility and the indentures for our outstanding notes.
We may acquire our debt or equity securities through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine.
Our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, incorporated herein by reference, contains information concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans within the captions Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Equity Compensation Plan Information.
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Stock Performance Graph
The graph below compares the five-year cumulative total return on our common stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index ("S&P 400") and to companies in our peer group, which is comprised of Penn National Gaming, Inc., Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Red Rock Resort, Inc. and Eldorado Resorts, Inc. The peer group has been revised from the group presented in 2016, which consisted of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., due to the acquisition of Isle of Capri by another company. The performance graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2012 in each of the Company's common stock, the S&P 400 and our peer group, and that all dividends were reinvested. For purposes of the performance graph, in cases in which a shareholder of a peer group company received shares of another company in a corporate transaction, the value of the additional shares received are considered to be a dividend and assumed to be reinvested in the stock of the peer company on the date of the transaction. The stock price performance shown in this graph is neither necessarily indicative of, nor intended to suggest, future stock price performance.
Indexed Returns | |||||||||||
Boyd Gaming Corp. | S&P 400 | Peer Group | |||||||||
December 2013 | $ | 169.58 | $ | 133.50 | $ | 129.09 | |||||
December 2014 | 192.47 | 146.54 | 123.68 | ||||||||
December 2015 | 299.25 | 143.35 | 172.72 | ||||||||
December 2016 | 303.77 | 173.08 | 182.10 | ||||||||
December 2017 | 530.67 | 201.20 | 363.48 | ||||||||
The performance graph should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act of 1934, unless we specifically incorporate the performance graph by reference therein.
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ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data presented below has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes thereto.
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) | 2017 (a) | 2016 (b) | 2015 (c) | 2014 (d) | 2013 (e) | ||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 2,383,707 | $ | 2,183,976 | $ | 2,199,432 | $ | 2,142,255 | $ | 2,198,738 | |||||||||
Operating income | 343,495 | 260,627 | 271,202 | 173,732 | 231,217 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 170,807 | 7,987 | 4,061 | (56,033 | ) | (55,887 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | 167,801 | 205,473 | 10,695 | (50,625 | ) | (63,571 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 21,392 | 212,530 | 36,539 | 8,987 | (44,983 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation | 189,193 | 418,003 | 47,234 | (53,041 | ) | (80,264 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.46 | $ | 1.79 | $ | 0.10 | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (0.65 | ) | |||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.78 | $ | 0.10 | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (0.65 | ) | |||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.15 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 203,104 | $ | 193,862 | $ | 158,821 | $ | 145,341 | $ | 140,311 | |||||||||
Total assets | 4,685,930 | 4,670,751 | 4,350,900 | 4,422,384 | 5,657,522 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | 3,051,899 | 3,199,119 | 3,239,799 | 3,375,098 | 3,482,610 | ||||||||||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 1,100,976 | 934,126 | 508,011 | 438,087 | 650,437 | ||||||||||||||
Other Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (f) | 1.9x | 1.0x | 1.0x | — | — | ||||||||||||||
(a) 2017 includes a full year of financial results for Aliante, Cannery and Eastside Cannery. Additionally, 2017 includes a noncash income tax benefit of $60.1 million related to the changes in tax legislation. Discontinued operations for 2017 include our after-tax share of the proceeds related to the final settlement of Borgata’s property tax disputes with Atlantic City. The Company has accounted for its 50% investment in Borgata as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.
(b) 2016 includes $38.3 million in pretax, non-cash impairment charges which includes non-cash impairment charges of $23.6 million, $12.5 million and $0.8 million for a gaming license, goodwill and trademarks, respectively, in our Midwest and South segment; and $42.4 million in pretax loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt. Additionally, 2016 includes a noncash income tax benefit of $201.5 million resulting from the release of a previously recorded deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The financial results of Aliante are included in these financial results from its September 27, 2016 date of acquisition, and the financial results of Cannery and Eastside Cannery are included from their December 20, 2016 date of acquisition. Discontinued operations for 2016 include an after-tax gain on the sale of our equity interest in Borgata of $181.7 million.
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(c) 2015 includes $18.6 million in pretax, non-cash impairment charges, which includes a $17.5 million non-cash impairment charge for a gaming license in our Midwest and South segment; and $40.7 million in pretax loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt.
(d) 2014 includes $48.7 million in pretax, non-cash impairment charges, which includes impairment charges of $39.8 million for gaming licenses and $0.3 million of trademarks in our Midwest and South segment, and a $8.7 million charge to write down the value of certain non-operating assets.
(e) 2013 includes $5.4 million in pretax, non-cash impairment charges; and $28.3 million in pretax loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt. We completed the sale of certain assets and liabilities of the Dania Jai-Alai business on May 22, 2013, and have presented its results as discontinued operations for all periods presented. As a result of the sale of the Echelon site on March 4, 2013, we ceased consolidation of LVE Energy Partners, LLC, as of that date.
(f) For purposes of computing this ratio, "earnings" consist of income before income taxes and income/(loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and distributed income of equity investees. "Fixed charges" include interest whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt expense, discount, or premium related to indebtedness (included in interest expense), and such portion of rental expense that we deem to be a reasonable representation of the interest factor. Due primarily to certain non-cash charges deducted in the determination of our earnings, the earnings were less than fixed charges by $57.3 million and $57.0 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
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ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and other financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the historical information, certain statements in this discussion are forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those projected in such forward-looking statements.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Boyd Gaming Corporation (the "Company," "Boyd Gaming," "we" or "us") is a multi-jurisdictional gaming company that has been in operation since 1975.
As of December 31, 2017, we are a diversified operator of 24 wholly owned gaming entertainment properties. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, we have gaming operations in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. We view each operating property as an operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our wholly owned properties into the following three reportable segments:
Las Vegas Locals | |
Gold Coast Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada |
The Orleans Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Suncoast Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa | North Las Vegas, Nevada |
Cannery Casino Hotel | North Las Vegas, Nevada |
Eldorado Casino | Henderson, Nevada |
Jokers Wild Casino | Henderson, Nevada |
Downtown Las Vegas | |
California Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Fremont Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Main Street Station Casino, Brewery and Hotel | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Midwest and South | |
Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino | East Peoria, Illinois |
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa | Michigan City, Indiana |
Diamond Jo Dubuque | Dubuque, Iowa |
Diamond Jo Worth | Northwood, Iowa |
Kansas Star Casino | Mulvane, Kansas |
Amelia Belle Casino | Amelia, Louisiana |
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel | Vinton, Louisiana |
Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino | Opelousas, Louisiana |
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino | Shreveport, Louisiana |
Treasure Chest Casino | Kenner, Louisiana |
IP Casino Resort Spa | Biloxi, Mississippi |
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall | Tunica, Mississippi |
In addition to these properties, we own and operate a travel agency and a captive insurance company that underwrites travel-related insurance, each located in Hawaii. Financial results for these operations are included in our Downtown Las Vegas segment, as our Downtown Las Vegas properties concentrate their marketing efforts on gaming customers from Hawaii.
On May 31, 2016, we announced that we had entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement to sell our 50% equity interest in the parent company of Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa ("Borgata") to MGM Resorts International ("MGM"). This transaction closed
on August 1, 2016. We accounted for our investment in Borgata by applying the equity method and reported its results as discontinued operations for all periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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On September 2, 2016, the Peninsula Gaming, LLC ("Peninsula") debt was refinanced, eliminating the financing structure that restricted our ability to transfer cash from Peninsula to Boyd Gaming. As a result of the elimination of this restriction, management concluded that the properties previously comprising the Peninsula segment would be aggregated into the Midwest and South reportable segment.
Our Las Vegas Locals segment includes our wholly owned subsidiaries Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa ("Aliante") for the period following its September 27, 2016 acquisition, and Cannery Casino Hotel and Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel (together, the "Cannery Properties") for the period following their December 20, 2016 acquisition. See Note 2, Acquisitions and Divestitures, to our consolidated financial statements presented in Part II, Item 8.
We operate gaming entertainment properties, most of which also include hotel, dining, retail and other amenities. Our main business emphasis is on slot revenues, which are highly dependent upon the number of visits and spending levels of customers at our properties, which affects our operating results.
Our properties have historically generated significant operating cash flow, with the majority of our revenue being cash-based. While we do provide casino credit, subject to certain gaming regulations and jurisdictions, most of our customers wager with cash and pay for non-gaming services by cash or credit card.
Our industry is capital intensive and we rely heavily on the ability of our properties to generate operating cash flow in order to fund maintenance capital expenditures, fund acquisitions, provide excess cash for future development, repay debt financing and associated interest costs, repurchase our debt or equity securities, and pay income taxes and dividends.
Our primary areas of focus are: (i) ensuring our existing operations are managed as efficiently as possible, and remain positioned for growth, including our strategic investing in non-gaming amenities; (ii) improving our capital structure and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, improving operations and diversifying our asset base; and (iii) successfully implementing our growth strategy, which is built on identifying development opportunities and acquiring assets that are a good strategic fit and provide an appropriate return to our shareholders.
Our Strategy
Our overriding strategy is to increase shareholder value by pursuing strategic initiatives that improve and grow our business.
Strengthening our Balance Sheet
We are committed to finding opportunities to strengthen our balance sheet through diversifying and increasing cash flow to reduce our debt.
Operating Efficiently
We are committed to operating more efficiently, and endeavor to prevent unneeded expense in our business. As we continue to experience revenue growth in both our gaming and non-gaming operations, the efficiencies of our business model position us to flow a substantial portion of revenue growth directly to the bottom line.
Evaluating Acquisition Opportunities
Our evaluations of potential transactions and acquisitions are strategic, deliberate, and disciplined. Our goal is to identify and pursue opportunities that are a good fit for our business, deliver a solid return for shareholders, and are available at the right price.
Maintaining our Brand
The ability of our employees to deliver great customer service helps distinguish our Company and our brands from our competitors. Our employees are an important reason that our customers continue to choose our properties over the competition across the country.
Our Key Performance Indicators
We use several key performance measures to evaluate the operations of our properties. These key performance measures include the following:
• | Gaming revenue measures: slot handle, which means the dollar amount wagered in slot machines, and table game drop, which means the total amount of cash deposited in table games drop boxes, plus the sum of markers issued at all table games, are measures of volume and/or market share. Slot win and table game hold, which mean the difference between customer wagers and customer winnings on slot machines and table games, respectively, represent the amount of wagers retained by us and recorded as gaming revenues. Slot win percentage and table game hold percentage, which are not fully |
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controllable by us, represent the relationship between slot handle to slot win and table game drop to table game hold, respectively.
• | Food and beverage revenue measures: average guest check, which means the average amount spent per customer visit and is a measure of volume and product offerings; number of guests served ("food covers") is an indicator of volume; and the cost per guest served is a measure of operating margin. |
• | Room revenue measures: hotel occupancy rate, which measures the utilization of our available rooms; and average daily rate ("ADR"), which is a price measure. |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 2,383.7 | $ | 2,184.0 | $ | 2,199.4 | |||||
Operating income | 343.5 | 260.6 | 271.2 | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations, net of tax | 167.8 | 205.5 | 10.7 | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax | 21.4 | 212.5 | 36.5 | ||||||||
Net income | 189.2 | 418.0 | 47.2 | ||||||||
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased approximately $199.7 million, or 9.1%, for 2017 as compared to 2016 due primarily to the acquisitions of Aliante and the Cannery Properties (the "Acquisitions") in September and December 2016, respectively. In addition, net revenues related to our Las Vegas Locals segment, excluding the Acquisitions, and the Downtown Las Vegas segment, increased $13.3 million and $7.2 million, respectively, from the prior year comparable period. These increases are offset by declines in net revenues in the Midwest and South segment, primarily at Evangeline Downs and Amelia Belle, due to localized economic weakness.
Net revenues decreased approximately $15.5 million, or 0.7%, for 2016 as compared to 2015 due to a $55.4 million decrease in net revenues in the Midwest and South segment, primarily in gaming revenue. These decreases were primarily at IP, Evangeline Downs and Par-A-Dice. The three markets in which these casinos operate continue to struggle with soft markets and increased gaming capacity. Offsetting this decrease were increases of $37.8 million and $2.2 million in net revenues in the Las Vegas Locals segment and the Downtown Las Vegas segment, respectively.
Operating Income
In 2017, our operating income increased $82.9 million as compared to 2016, which reflected the addition of the Acquisitions, as well as the impact of our continuing cost control efforts. Changes in operating margins are discussed in detail below. The increase was also driven by project development, preopening and writedowns expense decreasing by $7.7 million as compared to the prior year, along with the inclusion in the prior year of $38.3 million in impairments of intangible assets, both of which are discussed in their respective sections below. Corporate expense increased $15.5 million over the comparable prior year due to costs related to creation of back-of-house support functions as part of the implementation of our business improvement initiatives.
In 2016, our operating income decreased $10.6 million as compared to 2015 due to a $19.7 million increase in impairment charges and a $15.2 million increase in project development, preopening and writedowns costs over the prior year period, related primarily to costs surrounding our Acquisitions, which more than offset decreases in maintenance and utilities and depreciation and amortization expenses.
Income From Continuing Operations, Net of Tax
Income from continuing operations, net of tax was $167.8 million in 2017, as compared to $205.5 million in 2016, a decrease of $37.7 million. This decrease was attributable to a $200.5 million change in the income tax provision primarily due to the release in the prior year of a valuation allowance on our federal and unitary state income tax net operating loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets, offset by a noncash income tax benefit of $60.1 million related to the changes in tax legislation in 2017. Partially offsetting this benefit, is a $40.8 million decline in loss on early extinguishments of debt compared to the prior year period due to the modification of the Boyd Gaming Credit Facility, redemption of our 9.0% senior notes due 2018 and Peninsula Gaming's 8.375% senior notes due 2018, and the extinguishment of the Peninsula Gaming bank credit facility. In addition, operating income increased $82.9 million from the prior year period for those factors mentioned above and interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, declined by $39.6 million due to a decrease in average outstanding borrowings of $129.7 million, along with a decline in the weighted average interest rate of 0.9%.
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Income from continuing operations, net of tax in 2016 increased $194.8 million, as compared to the comparable prior year period, due to an income tax benefit of $201.5 million related to the release of a valuation allowance on our federal and state income tax net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, for 2016 decreased $11.9 million compared to the prior year primarily due to interest rate effects of our debt refinancing transactions. These items were offset by the increase in impairment charges and in project development, preopening and writedowns expenses.
Income From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects the results of our equity method investment in Borgata. The 2017 results include property tax recovery proceeds of $36.2 million related to the final settlement of Borgata's property tax disputes with Atlantic City. In 2016, the Company recorded a $181.7 million after-tax gain on the sale of our equity interest in Borgata and property tax refunds of $9.1 million, which were received after the sale, both of which are included in discontinued operations in 2016. The 2015 activity includes our share of Borgata's net income.
Net Income
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net income was $189.2 million, compared with net income of $418.0 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The $228.8 million change is primarily due to the decrease in income from continuing operations, net of tax along with a $191.1 million decrease in income from discontinued operations from the prior year (both items discussed above).
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net income was $418.0 million, compared with net income of $47.2 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The $370.8 million increase is primarily due to an income tax benefit of $201.5 million related to the release of a valuation allowance on our federal and state income tax net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets and to the gain on the sale of our equity interest in Borgata on August 1, 2016.
Operating Revenues
We derive the majority of our gross revenues from our gaming operations, which generated approximately 75% of gross revenues for both 2017 and 2016 and 76% of gross revenues in 2015. Food and beverage gross revenues represent our next most significant revenue source, generating approximately 13% of gross revenues for 2017, 2016, and 2015. Room revenues and other revenues separately contributed less than 10% of gross revenues during each year.
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
REVENUES | |||||||||||
Gaming | $ | 1,972.4 | $ | 1,820.2 | $ | 1,847.2 | |||||
Food and beverage | 349.3 | 306.1 | 307.4 | ||||||||
Room | 188.7 | 170.8 | 163.5 | ||||||||
Other | 132.7 | 122.5 | 124.0 | ||||||||
Gross revenues | 2,643.1 | 2,419.6 | 2,442.1 | ||||||||
Less promotional allowances | 259.4 | 235.6 | 242.7 | ||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 2,383.7 | $ | 2,184.0 | $ | 2,199.4 | |||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES | |||||||||||
Gaming | $ | 923.3 | $ | 880.7 | $ | 900.9 | |||||
Food and beverage | 194.5 | 170.1 | 168.1 | ||||||||
Room | 52.2 | 44.2 | 41.3 | ||||||||
Other | 77.1 | 76.7 | 80.5 | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses | $ | 1,247.1 | $ | 1,171.7 | $ | 1,190.8 | |||||
MARGINS | |||||||||||
Gaming | 53.19 | % | 51.61 | % | 51.23 | % | |||||
Food and beverage | 44.32 | % | 44.45 | % | 45.32 | % | |||||
Room | 72.34 | % | 74.10 | % | 74.74 | % | |||||
Other | 41.90 | % | 37.33 | % | 35.05 | % | |||||
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Gaming
Gaming revenues are comprised primarily of the net win from our slot machine operations and to a lesser extent from table games win. The $152.2 million, or 8.4%, increase in gaming revenues during 2017 as compared to the prior year, was primarily due to the addition of the Acquisitions to our Las Vegas Locals segment. Partially offsetting this increase, is a decrease in gaming revenues in the Midwest and South segment. The Midwest and South segment experienced a 1.5% decline in slot handle, along with a 2.8% decrease in table game drop. Gaming margins slightly increased as compared to prior year due to top line gaming revenue growth and effective cost control.
Gross gaming revenues decreased by $27.0 million, or 1.5%, during 2016 as compared to the prior year, which was due to a decrease of $58.3 million in the Midwest and South segment. The Midwest and South segment experienced a 4.8% decrease in slot handle and a 5.1% decrease in table game drop. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase of $29.2 million in the Las Vegas Locals segment attributable primarily to the Acquisitions, an overall increase in both table game drop and slot hold, as well as a $2.1 million increase in the Downtown Las Vegas segment. Gaming expenses decreased by $20.2 million, or 2.2%, reflective of the overall reduction in gaming revenues.
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage revenues increased $43.1 million, or 14.1%, during 2017 as compared to prior year due primarily to the Acquisitions, along with an increase in the Las Vegas Locals segment, excluding the Acquisitions, of $8.0 million, as food covers increased 33% and average check increased 16.3% in the segment. Food and beverage margins remained consistent as compared to prior year.
Food and beverage revenues decreased $1.3 million, or 0.4%, during 2016 as compared to 2015 due to a $7.2 million decrease in the Midwest and South segment, primarily at Par-A-Dice and Evangeline Downs. The decrease in food and beverage revenue was also a result of a decline in food covers across all segments. Offsetting this decrease were increases of food and beverage revenues of $5.2 million and $0.7 million in the Las Vegas Locals segment and Downtown Las Vegas segment, respectively, related to the Acquisitions and to increases in average guest check. Food and beverage expenses increased by $2.0 million and margin remained consistent as compared to last year.
Room
Room revenues increased $17.9 million, or 10.5%, in 2017 compared to 2016 due to the addition of the Acquisitions in the Las Vegas Locals segment along with a $4.4 million increase in the Downtown Las Vegas segment. The Downtown Las Vegas segment's occupancy rate stayed consistent year-over-year however the average daily rate increased by 22.3% from the prior year. The growth in this segment over the prior year is due in part to the completion of the 300-room hotel renovation at the California property in August 2017. Overall, room margins decreased to 72.3% in 2017 from 74.1% in 2016, due primarily to increased costs as the cost per room increased by 7.0% whereas the average daily rate only increased by 6.0%.
Room revenues increased $7.3 million, or 4.5%, in 2016 compared to 2015 due to increases in average daily rates across all segments. The increase was offset by a $0.4 million decrease in the Midwest and South segment due primarily to a 3.1% decrease in hotel occupancy over the prior year.
Other
Other revenues relate to patronage visits at the amenities at our properties, including entertainment and nightclub revenues, retail sales, theater tickets and other venues. Other revenues increased by $10.3 million, or 8.4%, during 2017 as compared to the prior year due primarily to the Acquisitions, which accounted for an increase to other revenue in the Las Vegas Locals segment.
Other revenues decreased by $1.5 million, or 1.2%, during 2016 as compared to the prior year due to decreased visitor spending.
Revenues by Reportable Segment
The following table presents our net revenues by Reportable Segment:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net Revenues by Reportable Segment | |||||||||||
Las Vegas Locals | $ | 858.9 | $ | 647.9 | $ | 610.1 | |||||
Downtown Las Vegas | 243.6 | 236.4 | 234.2 | ||||||||
Midwest and South | 1,281.2 | 1,299.7 | 1,355.1 | ||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 2,383.7 | $ | 2,184.0 | $ | 2,199.4 | |||||
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Las Vegas Locals
Net revenues increased $211.0 million, or 32.6%, during 2017 as compared to the comparable prior year period primarily due to the addition of the Acquisitions.
Net revenues increased $37.8 million, or 6.2%, during 2016 as compared to the comparable prior year period. Gaming revenues increased $29.2 million, or 6.4%, due primarily to the Acquisitions. Table game drop and slot hold increased 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively, as compared to prior year. Room revenue increased $7.3 million resulting from increases of 2.7% in ADR and 0.8% in hotel occupancy rate. Food and beverage revenues increased by 5.0%, due primarily to a 2.0% increase in average guest check, offset by a 3.7% decrease in food covers.
Downtown Las Vegas
Net revenues increased by $7.2 million, or 3.0%, in 2017 as compared to the prior year, reflecting revenue increases in all departmental categories. We continue to tailor our marketing programs in the Downtown segment to cater to our Hawaiian market. Our Hawaiian market represented approximately 54% and 52% during 2017 and 2016, respectively, of our occupied rooms in this segment.
Net revenues increased by $2.2 million, or 0.9%, in 2016 as compared to the prior year due to an increase in all Downtown Las Vegas revenue sources. Gaming revenues increased $2.1 million, resulting from an 0.8% increase in slot handle. Additionally, food and beverage increased $0.7 million due to 2.7% increase in average guest check, which more than offset a 2.7% decrease in food covers. Room revenues and other revenues remained largely consistent with the prior year.
Midwest and South
Net revenues decreased 1.4%, during 2017 as compared to 2016, primarily due to a gaming revenue decrease resulting from a 1.5% decline in slot coin, along with a 2.8% decrease in table game drop. Due to the decline in gaming revenue, there was a corresponding decrease of promotional allowances of $6.7 million. The results for this segment were impacted by Evangeline Downs and Amelia Belle experiencing localized economic weakness. The declines are partially offset by room revenue growth of $2.9 million at Delta Downs due to the opening of the new hotel tower and newly renovated rooms. The average daily rate at Delta Downs increased by 24.6% over the prior year.
Net revenues decreased $55.4 million, or 4.1%, during 2016 as compared to 2015 due to a decrease in all revenue sources at many of the Midwest and South properties. This decrease was primarily due to a $58.3 million, or 4.7%, decrease in gaming revenues coupled with a $7.2 million, or 4.8%, decrease in food and beverage, offset by an $11.0 million decrease in promotional allowances. The decrease in food and beverage revenues from the prior year was due primarily to a 7.3% decrease in food covers. Room revenues remained largely consistent with the prior year.
Other Operating Costs and Expenses
The following operating costs and expenses, as presented in our consolidated statements of operations, are further discussed below:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | $ | 362.0 | $ | 322.0 | $ | 322.4 | |||||
Maintenance and utilities | 109.5 | 100.0 | 104.5 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 217.5 | 196.2 | 207.1 | ||||||||
Corporate expense | 88.1 | 72.7 | 76.9 | ||||||||
Project development, preopening and writedowns | 14.5 | 22.1 | 6.9 | ||||||||
Impairment of assets | (0.4 | ) | 38.3 | 18.6 | |||||||
Other operating items, net | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | ||||||||
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses include marketing, technology, compliance and risk, surveillance and security. These costs, as a percentage of gross revenues, were 13.7%, 13.3% and 13.2% for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We continue to focus on disciplined and targeted marketing spend and on our cost containment efforts.
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Maintenance and Utilities
Maintenance and utilities expenses, as a percentage of gross revenues, were 4.1% for both 2017 and 2016 and 4.3% in 2015. The decreases between the periods are primarily due to the fact that no major maintenance projects were undertaken in the periods, coupled with cost reductions associated with the Company's energy savings initiatives.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of gross revenues, was 8.2%, 8.1% and 8.5% for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $21.3 million in the current year as compared to prior year due to the Acquisitions and recent capital expenditures. The decrease in depreciation and amortization from 2015 to 2016 was primarily due to the decrease in intangible asset amortization for the Midwest and South segment as its customer relationships were amortized using an accelerated method over their approximate useful life of five years.
Corporate Expense
Corporate expense represents unallocated payroll, professional fees, rent and various other administrative expenses that are not directly related to our casino and/or hotel operations, in addition to the corporate portion of share-based compensation expense. Corporate expense, represented 3.3%, 3.0% and 3.2%, of gross revenues, for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Project Development, Preopening and Writedowns
Project development, preopening and writedowns represent: (i) certain costs incurred and recoveries realized related to the activities associated with various acquisition opportunities, strategic initiatives, dispositions and other business development activities in the ordinary course of business; (ii) certain costs of start-up activities that are expensed as incurred in our ongoing efforts to develop gaming activities in new jurisdictions and expenses related to other new business development activities that do not qualify as capital costs; and (iii) asset write-downs. The decreases in such costs in the current year as compared to the prior year are due primarily to the Acquisitions that occurred in the prior year, with no similar transactions in the current year. The increase in such costs in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to the costs incurred related to the Acquisitions and the pursuit of strategic initiatives.
Impairment of Assets
Impairments of assets in 2017 include a $0.6 million write down of a land parcel in Missouri that was sold during the period. This impairment charge is offset by a $1.0 million excess reserve recovery related to the Echelon project. The value of the remaining Echelon inventory is fully reserved.
Impairments of assets of $38.3 million in 2016 include non-cash impairment charges of $23.6 million for a gaming license, $12.5 million for goodwill and $0.8 million for trademarks in our Midwest and South segment.
Impairment of assets of $18.6 million in 2015 include a $17.5 million non-cash impairment charge for a gaming license in our Midwest and South segment and a $1.1 million charge to write down the value of certain non-operating assets.
Other Operating Items, Net
Other operating items, net, is generally comprised of miscellaneous non-recurring operating charges, including direct and non-reimbursable costs associated with natural disasters and severe weather, including hurricane and flood expenses and subsequent recoveries of such costs, as applicable.
Other Expense (Income)
Interest Expense, net
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Interest Expense, net | $ | 171.3 | $ | 209.7 | $ | 222.7 | |||||
Average Long-Term Debt Balance | 3,207.2 | 3,337.0 | 3,416.5 | ||||||||
Loss on Early Extinguishments and Modifications of Debt | 1.6 | 42.4 | 40.7 | ||||||||
Weighted Average Interest Rates | 4.4 | % | 5.3 | % | 5.3 | % | |||||
Mix of Boyd Gaming Corporation Debt at Year End | |||||||||||
Fixed rate debt | 48.1 | % | 45.7 | % | 43.6 | % | |||||
Variable rate debt | 51.9 | % | 54.3 | % | 56.4 | % | |||||
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Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income, for 2017 decreased $38.4 million, or 18.3%, due to the redemptions of our 9.0% senior notes and the Peninsula 8.375% senior notes, the payoff of the Peninsula bank credit facility, the refinancing of the Boyd Gaming Credit Facility in September 2016 and the refinancing of Term B Loans in March 2017. These transactions led to a reduction in the average long-term debt balance of $129.7 million and a reduction in the weighted average interest rate from 5.3% to 4.4% for 2017.
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income, for 2016 decreased $13.0 million, or 5.8%, due to the reduction in our average long-term debt balance during the period.
Loss on Early Extinguishments and Modifications of Debt
The components of the loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt, are as follows:
December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Boyd Gaming Credit Facility deferred finance charges | $ | 1.1 | $ | 6.6 | $ | 2.0 | |||||
Refinancing Amendment | 0.5 | — | — | ||||||||
9.00% Senior Notes premium and consent fees | — | 15.8 | — | ||||||||
9.00% Senior Notes deferred finance charges | — | 6.0 | — | ||||||||
8.375% Senior Notes deferred finance charges | — | 4.5 | — | ||||||||
9.125% Senior Notes premium and consent fees | — | — | 24.0 | ||||||||
9.125% Senior Notes deferred finance charges | — | — | 4.9 | ||||||||
HoldCo Note | — | — | 7.8 | ||||||||
Peninsula Credit Facility deferred finance charges | — | 9.5 | 2.1 | ||||||||
Total loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt | $ | 1.6 | $ | 42.4 | $ | 40.8 | |||||
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 1.8%, (2,472.2%) and (163.4%), respectively. In 2017, our tax provision was favorably impacted by the change to the federal statutory tax rate on our net deferred tax liability. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act makes changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from a top marginal rate of 35% to a flat rate of 21%; (2) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT); (3) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) changing bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property; (5) changing the limitations on executive compensation (6) altering the rules with respect to net operating losses generated after December 31, 2017. These changes have various effective dates. As a result of the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate, we have revalued our net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2017. Based on this revaluation, we have recorded a discrete tax benefit of $60.1 million.
During 2016, our tax benefit was primarily a result of the release of a valuation allowance on our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. The tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was favorably impacted by impairment charges to indefinite lived intangible assets which resulted in a reduction in our recognized deferred tax liability on these assets and adversely impacted by an accrual of non-cash tax expense in connection with the tax amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets. The deferred tax liabilities created by the tax amortization of these intangibles could not be used to offset our net operating loss or other deferred tax assets in determining our valuation allowance. In 2015, the tax benefit was favorably impacted by the partial release of the valuation allowance attributable to income from continuing operations and the federal and state release of unrecognized tax benefits (including associated interest reserves) in connection with our Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and New Jersey income tax examinations.
Valuation allowances are evaluated periodically and subject to change in future reporting periods as a result of changes in the factors noted above. As part of our review in determining the need for a valuation allowance, we assess the positive and negative evidence in each tax jurisdiction. In performing our analysis in 2016, we determined that the positive evidence in favor of releasing the valuation allowance, particularly evidence that was objectively verifiable, outweighed the negative evidence. We utilize a rolling twelve quarters of pretax income adjusted for permanent book to tax differences as a measure of cumulative results in recent years. We transitioned from a cumulative loss position to a cumulative income position over the rolling twelve quarters during 2016. Other evidence considered in the analysis included, but was not limited to, a trend reflective of improvement in recent earnings, forecasts of profitability and taxable income and the reversal of existing temporary differences. The change in these conditions during 2016 provided positive evidence that supported the release of the valuation allowance against a significant portion of our deferred tax assets. As such, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the benefit from these deferred tax
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assets would be realized. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we released $201.5 million of valuation allowance on our federal and state income tax net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets.
We have maintained a valuation allowance of $28.7 million against certain federal and state deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017 due to uncertainties related to our ability to realize the tax benefits associated with these assets. We considered, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of profitability and taxable income, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with the utilization of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before expiration and tax planning strategies.
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects the results of our equity method investment in Borgata, which we sold in August 2016. The results for the year ended December 31, 2017 include property tax recovery proceeds of $21.4 million, net of tax, related to the final settlement of Borgata's property tax disputes with Atlantic City. The corresponding period of the prior year, includes the $181.7 million after-tax gain on the sale of our equity interest in Borgata, our share of the results of Borgata through the date of sale and our portion of property tax refunds received in 2016 subsequent to the sale of our ownership interest. The Company applied the equity method of accounting to its 50% investment in Borgata.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial Position
We operate our business with minimal or negative levels of working capital in order to minimize borrowings and related interest costs. Our cash and cash equivalents balance was $203.1 million and $193.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our working capital deficit at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $50.6 million and $57.6 million, respectively.
Our credit facility generally provides any necessary funds for day-to-day operations, interest and tax payments, as well as capital expenditures. On a daily basis, we evaluate our cash position and adjust the balance under our credit facility, as necessary, by either borrowing or paying down debt with excess cash. We also plan the timing and the amounts of our capital expenditures. We believe that the borrowing capacity under our credit facility, subject to restrictive covenants, and cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our projected operating and maintenance capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. The source of funds available to us for the repayment of our debt or to fund development projects is derived primarily from our cash flows from operations and availability under our credit facility, to the extent availability exists after we meet our working capital needs, and subject to restrictive covenants.
We could also seek to secure additional working capital, repay current debt maturities, or fund development projects, in whole or in part, through incremental bank financing and additional debt or equity offerings. If availability does not exist under our credit facility, or we are not otherwise able to draw funds on our credit facility, additional financing may not be available to us, and if available, may not be on terms favorable us.
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Cash Flows Summary
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 414.9 | $ | 302.9 | $ | 325.8 | |||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (190.4 | ) | (160.4 | ) | (131.2 | ) | |||||
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received | (1.2 | ) | (592.7 | ) | — | ||||||
Advances pursuant to development agreement | (35.1 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Other investing activities | 0.7 | 14.1 | 4.5 | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (226.0 | ) | (739.0 | ) | (126.7 | ) | |||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||||
Net payments of debt | (161.5 | ) | (97.9 | ) | (203.4 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid | (11.3 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Shares repurchased and retired | (31.9 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Share-based compensation activities, net | (7.7 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 3.7 | ||||||
Other financing activities | (2.9 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (215.3 | ) | (99.2 | ) | (199.7 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by discontinued operations | 35.7 | 570.3 | 14.1 | ||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9.3 | $ | 35.0 | $ | 13.5 | |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, we generated net operating cash flow of $414.9 million, $302.9 million and $325.8 million, respectively. Generally, operating cash flows increased $112.0 million in 2017 compared to 2016 due to the flow through effect of higher revenues, including the impact of the Acquisitions, and the timing of working capital spending. Generally, operating cash flows decreased $22.9 million in 2016 compared to 2015 due to the flow through effect of lower revenues and increased project development expenses, offset by reduced interest expense.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Our industry is capital intensive and we use cash flows for acquisitions, facility expansions, investments in future development or business opportunities and maintenance capital expenditures.
During 2017, we incurred net cash outflows for investing activities of $226.0 million. The decline in outflows as compared to the prior year is due to the Acquisitions. Capital expenditures for 2017 include $43.0 million paid in February 2017 to exercise a purchase option to acquire leased land underlying The Orleans Hotel and Casino. In January 2017, we paid $35.1 million for the acquisition of land that is the intended site of the Wilton Rancheria casino, pursuant to our development agreement with the Wilton Rancheria Tribe. This cost will be reimbursed to us when the Tribe obtains permanent financing for the project.
During 2016, we incurred net cash outflows for investing activities of $739.0 million due to our Acquisitions and capital expenditures during the period of $160.4 million.
In 2015, we incurred net cash outflows for investing activities of $126.7 million due to our capital expenditures during the period of $131.2 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
We rely upon our financing cash flows to provide funding for investment opportunities, repayments of obligations and ongoing operations.
In 2017, 2016 and 2015, our net cash outflows for financing activities totaled $215.3 million, $99.2 million and $199.7 million, respectively. The net cash outflows for financing activities in 2017, reflect primarily the use of excess cash to reduce our outstanding debt, repurchase outstanding common stock under our share repurchase program and pay cash dividends to our shareholders. The net cash outflows in 2016 reflect primarily the redemption of our 9.00% senior notes due 2020 and Peninsula Gaming's 8.375% senior notes due 2018, and extinguishment of the Peninsula Gaming bank credit facility during the period, using the net cash proceeds from the sale of our equity interest in Borgata, and cash flow from the Refinancing Amendment. In 2015, we used cash generated from operations to extinguish outstanding debt.
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Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations activities in 2017, 2016 and 2015 represent Borgata. The net cash inflow of $35.7 million in 2017 includes property tax recovery proceeds related to the final settlement of Borgata's property tax disputes with Atlantic City. The net cash flow in 2016 includes the pretax cash proceeds of $589 million received from the sale of our 50% equity interest in the parent company of Borgata, to MGM in August 2016.
Indebtedness
The balances of our long-term debt and the changes in those balances, are as follows:
(In millions) | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | Decrease | ||||||||
Bank credit facility | $ | 1,621.1 | $ | 1,782.5 | $ | (161.4 | ) | ||||
6.875% senior notes due 2023 | 750.0 | 750.0 | — | ||||||||
6.375% senior notes due 2026 | 750.0 | 750.0 | — | ||||||||
Other | 0.5 | 0.6 | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Total long-term debt | 3,121.6 | 3,283.1 | (161.5 | ) | |||||||
Less current maturities | 24.0 | 30.3 | (6.3 | ) | |||||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | $ | 3,097.6 | $ | 3,252.8 | $ | (155.2 | ) | ||||
The amount of current maturities includes certain non-extending balances scheduled to be repaid within the next twelve months under the bank credit facilities.
Boyd Gaming Corporation Debt
Bank Credit Facility
On March 29, 2017, the Company, as borrower, entered into Amendment No. 2 and Refinancing Amendment (the "Refinancing Amendment") with the lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A. ("Bank of America"), as administrative agent. The Refinancing Amendment modifies the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended prior to the execution of the Refinancing Amendment, the "Existing Credit Agreement"), dated as of August 14, 2013, among the Company, certain financial institutions, and Bank of America, as administrative agent. The Refinancing Amendment modified the Existing Credit Agreement and is referred to as the "Amended Credit Agreement" (together referred to as the "Credit Facility").
The Amended Credit Agreement provides for (i) commitments to make Term B Loans in an amount equal to $1,264.5 million (the "Refinancing Term B Loans"), with the proceeds used to refinance in full the Company’s Term B-1 Loans and Term B-2 Loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement and (ii) certain other amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement. The revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") of $775.0 million and the senior secured term A loan (the "Term A Loan") of $225.0 million were not modified in the Refinancing Amendment.
The Refinancing Term B Loans mature on September 15, 2023 (or earlier upon occurrence or non-occurrence of certain events). The Revolving Credit Facility and the Term A Loan mature on September 15, 2021 (or earlier upon occurrence or non-occurrence of certain events).
The Credit Facility includes an accordion feature which permits an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility and the issuance and increase of senior secured term loans in an amount up to (i) $550.0 million, plus (ii) certain voluntary permanent reductions of the Revolving Credit Facility and certain voluntary prepayments of the senior secured term loans, plus (iii) certain reductions in the outstanding principal amounts under the term loans or the Revolving Credit Facility, plus (iv) any additional amount if, after giving effect thereto, the First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) would not exceed 4.25 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis, less (v) any Incremental Equivalent Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility (i) the loans under the Term A Loan amortize in an annual amount equal to 5.00% of the original principal amount thereof, commencing December 31, 2016, payable on a quarterly basis, (ii) the loans under the Refinancing Term B Loans amortize in an annual amount equal to 1.00% of the original principal amount thereof, commencing June 30, 2017, payable on a quarterly basis, and (iii) beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, the Company is required to use a portion of its annual Excess Cash Flow, as defined in the Credit Agreement, to prepay loans outstanding under the Credit Facility.
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The interest rate on the outstanding balance from time to time of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term A Loan is based upon, at the Company’s option, either: (i) the Eurodollar rate or (ii) the base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. Such applicable margin is a percentage per annum determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on the total leverage ratio and ranges from 1.75% to 2.75% (if using the Eurodollar rate) and from 0.75% to 1.75% (if using the base rate). A fee of a percentage per annum (which ranges from 0.25% to 0.50% determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on the total leverage ratio) will be payable on the unused portions of the Revolving Credit Facility.
The interest rate on the outstanding balance of the Refinancing Term B Loans under the Amended Credit Agreement is based upon, at the Company’s option, either: (i) the Eurodollar rate or (ii) the base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. Such applicable margin is a percentage per annum determined in accordance with the Company’s secured leverage ratio and ranges from 2.25% to 2.50% (if using the Eurodollar rate) and from 1.25% to 1.50% (if using the base rate).
The "base rate" under the Credit Agreement remains the highest of (x) Bank of America’s publicly-announced prime rate, (y) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (z) the Eurodollar rate for a one-month period plus 1.00%.
The blended interest rate for outstanding borrowings under for the Credit Facility was 3.9% at December 31, 2017 and 3.4% at December 31, 2016.
Amounts outstanding under the Refinancing Amendment may be prepaid without premium or penalty, and the commitments may be terminated without penalty, subject to certain exceptions.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Company may be required to repay the amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility in connection with certain asset sales and issuances of certain additional secured indebtedness.
The Credit Facility contains certain financial and other covenants, including, without limitation, various covenants: (i) requiring the maintenance of a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio 1.75 to 1.00; (ii) establishing a maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio; (iii) establishing a maximum permitted secured leverage ratio; (iv) imposing limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness; (v) imposing limitations on transfers, sales and other dispositions; and (vi) imposing restrictions on investments, dividends and certain other payments.
The Company's obligations under the Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions, are guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries and are secured by the capital stock of certain subsidiaries. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, the Company and each of the guarantors will grant the administrative agent first priority liens and security interests on substantially all of their real and personal property (other than gaming licenses and subject to certain other exceptions) as additional security for the performance of the secured obligations under the Credit Facility.
The outstanding principal amounts under the Credit Facility are comprised of the following:
December 31, | |||||||
(In millions) | 2017 | 2016 | |||||
Revolving Credit Facility | $ | 170.0 | $ | 245.0 | |||
Term A Loan | 211.0 | 222.2 | |||||
Refinancing Term B Loans | 1,170.0 | — | |||||
Term B-1 Loan | — | 271.8 | |||||
Term B-2 Loan | — | 997.5 | |||||
Swing Loan | 70.1 | 46.0 | |||||
Total outstanding principal amounts under the Credit Facility | $ | 1,621.1 | $ | 1,782.5 | |||
After consideration of $12.9 million allocated to support various letters of credit, approximately $522.0 million of availability remained under our Credit Facility at December 31, 2017.
Senior Notes
6.875% Senior Notes due May 2023
On May 21, 2015, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior notes due May 2023 (the "6.875% Notes"). The 6.875% Notes require semi-annual interest payments on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2015. The 6.875% Notes will mature on May 15, 2023 and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by certain of our current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned by us.
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The 6.875% Notes contain certain restrictive covenants that, subject to exceptions and qualifications, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the base and supplemental indentures governing the 6.875% Notes, together, the "6.875% Indenture") to incur additional indebtedness or liens, pay dividends or make distributions or repurchase our capital stock, make certain investments, and sell or merge with other companies. In addition, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 6.875% Indenture), we will be required, unless certain conditions are met, to offer to repurchase the 6.875% Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 6.875% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest (as defined in the 6.875% Indenture), if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase. If we sell assets or experience an event of loss, we will be required under certain circumstances to offer to purchase the 6.875% Notes.
At any time prior to May 15, 2018, we may redeem the 6.875% Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, plus a make whole premium. After May 15, 2018, we may redeem all or a portion of the 6.875% Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) ranging from 105.156% in 2018 to 100% in 2021 and thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest.
6.375% Senior Notes due April 2026
On March 28, 2016, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due April 2026 (the "6.375% Notes"). The 6.375% Notes require semi-annual interest payments on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2016. The 6.375% Notes will mature on April 1, 2026 and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by certain of our current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned by us. Net proceeds from the 6.375% Notes were used to pay down the outstanding amount under the Revolving Credit Facility and the balance was deposited in money market funds and classified as cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets.
In conjunction with the issuance of the 6.375% Notes, we incurred approximately $13.0 million in debt financing costs that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the 6.375% Notes using the effective interest method.
The 6.375% Notes contain certain restrictive covenants that, subject to exceptions and qualifications, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the base and supplemental indentures governing the 6.375% Notes, together, the "6.375% Indenture") to incur additional indebtedness or liens, pay dividends or make distributions or repurchase our capital stock, make certain investments, and sell or merge with other companies. In addition, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 6.375% Indenture), we will be required, unless certain conditions are met, to offer to repurchase the 6.375% Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 6.375% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest (as defined in the 6.375% Indenture), if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase. If we sell assets or experience an event of loss, we will be required under certain circumstances to offer to purchase the 6.375% Notes.
At any time prior to April 1, 2021, we may redeem the 6.375% Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, plus a make whole premium. After April 1, 2021, we may redeem all or a portion of the 6.375% Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) ranging from 103.188% in 2021 to 100% in 2024 and thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest.
In connection with the private placement of the 6.375% Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers in which we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC to permit the holders to exchange or resell the 6.375% Notes. We filed the required registration statement and commenced the exchange offer during December 2016. The exchange offer was completed on February 10, 2017 and our obligations under the registration rights agreement have been fulfilled.
9.00% Senior Notes due July 2020
On September 6, 2016 we redeemed all of our 9.00% senior notes due July 2020 (the "9.00% Notes") at a redemption price of 104.50% plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was funded using cash on hand. As a result of this redemption, the 9.00% Notes have been fully extinguished.
Peninsula Gaming Debt
Peninsula Credit Facility
On September 2, 2016, Peninsula repaid all of the outstanding amounts, including all principal and accrued interest amounts, under the Peninsula senior secured credit facility (the "Peninsula Credit Facility") pursuant to the Peninsula Credit Agreement. In connection with the repayment in full of the Peninsula Credit Facility (the "Repayment"), the Peninsula Credit Agreement was terminated.
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8.375% Senior Notes due February 2018
On September 2, 2016, we redeemed all of our 8.375% senior notes due February 2018 (the "8.375% Notes") at a redemption price of 100.0% plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was funded using cash on hand. As a result of this redemption, the 8.375% Notes have been fully extinguished.
Covenant Compliance
As of December 31, 2017, we believe that we were in compliance with the financial and other covenants contained in our debt instruments.
Scheduled Maturities of Long-Term Debt
The scheduled maturities of long-term debt, as discussed above, are as follows:
(In millions) | Total | ||
For the year ending December 31, | |||
2018 | $ | 24.0 | |
2019 | 24.0 | ||
2020 | 24.0 | ||
2021 | 430.0 | ||
2022 | 12.8 | ||
Thereafter | 2,606.8 | ||
Total outstanding principal of long-term debt | $ | 3,121.6 | |
Dividends
Dividends are declared at the discretion of our Board of Directors. We are subject to certain limitations regarding payment of dividends, such as restricted payment limitations related to our outstanding notes and our Credit Facility. On May 2, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the reinstatement of the Company’s cash dividend program. The dividends declared by the Board under this program are:
Declaration date | Record date | Payment date | Amount per share | |||
May 2, 2017 | June 15, 2017 | July 15, 2017 | $0.05 | |||
September 6, 2017 | September 18, 2017 | October 15, 2017 | 0.05 | |||
December 7, 2017 | December 28, 2017 | January 15, 2018 | 0.05 | |||
No dividends were declared during the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015.
Share Repurchase Program
Subject to applicable corporate securities laws, repurchases under our stock repurchase program may be made at such times and in such amounts as we deem appropriate. We are subject to certain limitations regarding the repurchase of common stock, such as restricted payment limitations related to our outstanding notes and our Credit Facility. Purchases under our stock repurchase program can be discontinued at any time that we feel additional purchases are not warranted. We intend to fund the repurchases under the stock repurchase program with existing cash resources and availability under our Credit Facility.
In July 2008, our Board of Directors authorized an amendment to our existing share repurchase program to increase the total amount of common stock available to be repurchased to $100 million. We are not obligated to purchase any shares under our stock repurchase program. The Board reaffirmed this program in May 2017 and we repurchased 1.2 million shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2017. There were no common stock repurchases during 2016 and 2015. We are currently authorized to repurchase up to an additional $60.1 million in shares of our common stock under the share repurchase program.
We have in the past, and may in the future, acquire our debt or equity securities through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine.
Other Items Affecting Liquidity
We anticipate the ability to fund our capital requirements using our free cash flow from operations and availability under our Credit Facility, to the extent availability exists after we meet our working capital needs for the next twelve months. Any additional financing that is needed may not be available to us or, if available, may not be on terms favorable to us. The outcome of the following specific matters, including our commitments and contingencies, may also affect our liquidity.
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Divestiture of Borgata
The proceeds we received upon the sale of our equity interest in Borgata did not include our 50% share of any future property tax settlement benefits, from the time period during which we held a 50% ownership in MDDHC, later received by Borgata and to which Boyd Gaming retained the right to receive payment. During 2016, we recognized $9.1 million in income, which was included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the cash we received for our share of property tax benefits realized by Borgata subsequent to the closing of the sale. On February 15, 2017, Borgata announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement under which it would receive payments totaling $72 million to resolve the property tax issues. Borgata received full payment, and we received our share of the proceeds, in June 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $36.2 million in income for the cash we received for our share of property tax benefits realized by Borgata after the closing of the sale. These payments, net of tax of $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, are included in discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements.
Commitments
Capital Spending and Development
We continually perform on-going refurbishment and maintenance at our facilities to maintain our standards of quality. Certain of these maintenance costs are capitalized, if such improvement or refurbishment extends the life of the related asset, while other maintenance costs that do not so qualify are expensed as incurred. The commitment of capital and the related timing thereof are contingent upon, among other things, negotiation of final agreements and receipt of approvals from the appropriate regulatory bodies. We must also comply with covenants and restrictions set forth in our debt agreements.
We currently estimate that our annual cash capital requirements to maintain our properties to our quality standards ranges from between $140 million and $160 million. We intend to fund such capital expenditures through our credit facility and operating cash flows.
In addition to the capital spending discussed above, we also continue to pursue other potential development projects that may require us to invest significant amounts of capital. For example, we continue to work with Wilton Rancheria, a federally-recognized Native American tribe located about 15 miles southeast of Sacramento, California, to develop and manage a gaming entertainment complex. In September 2017, the California State Legislature unanimously approved, and the Governor of California executed, a tribal-state gaming compact with the tribe allowing the development of the casino. With the compact now in place, we are in the process of finalizing project design and construction planning. Once commenced, the construction timeline is expected to span 18 to 24 months.
Pending Acquisitions
On December 18, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement with Penn National Gaming, Inc (the "Penn National Purchase Agreement"), to acquire the operations of four properties, which include Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Kansas City, both in Missouri, along with Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana, and Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, for total net cash consideration of $575.0 million (the "Penn National Purchase").
On December 20, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement with Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, L.P. (the "Valley Forge Merger Agreement"), to acquire Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for total cash consideration of $280.5 million (the "Valley Forge Merger").
The completion of the Penn National Purchase and the Valley Forge Merger are each subject to customary conditions and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including, among others, approval by the required state gaming commissions and the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. In addition, the Penn National Purchase is also contingent upon the successful completion of Penn National’s proposed acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the respective conditions in each of the Penn National Purchase Agreement and the Valley Forge Merger Agreement, we currently expect each of the transactions to close during the second half of 2018. The acquisitions will be funded with cash on hand and available revolver capacity under the Bank Credit Facility.
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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following summarizes our contractual obligations, excluding the Penn National Purchase Agreement and the Valley Forge Merger Agreement discussed above, as of December 31, 2017:
Year Ending December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Total | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank credit facility | $ | 1,621.1 | $ | 23.9 | $ | 23.9 | $ | 23.9 | $ | 429.9 | $ | 12.7 | $ | 1,106.8 | |||||||||||||
6.375% senior notes due 2026 | 750.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 750.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
6.875% senior notes due 2023 | 750.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 750.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | 3,121.6 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 430.0 | 12.8 | 2,606.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on Fixed Rate Debt | 669.6 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 172.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on Variable Rate Debt (1) | 313.5 | 62.6 | 61.7 | 60.7 | 54.9 | 44.3 | 29.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Leases | 396.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||