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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☑
☐
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2023
For the transition period from ____ to ____
Commission File No. 001-32583
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
13-3391527
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Suite 680, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $0.0001 per Share
(702) 221-7800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Trading Symbol
FLL
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of class)
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ◻ No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ◻ No þ
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 þ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes þ No ◻
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
Non-accelerated filer
◻
◻
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
þ
þ
Emerging growth company
☐
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. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. þ
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously
issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers
during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No þ
The aggregate market value of Registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, as of June 30, 2023 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently
completed second fiscal quarter), was: $218.4 million. As of March 13, 2024, there were 34,590,150 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The information required by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in
2024, which definitive proxy statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
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FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Summary of Risk Factors
Item 1. Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
PART I
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
SIGNATURES
PART IV
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) for which the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor. These
forward-looking statements can be identified by use of terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,”
“objectives,” “goals,” “aims,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “future,” “possible,” “seeks,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “might,” “likely,” “enable,”
or similar words or expressions, as well as statements containing phrases such as “in our view,” “we cannot assure you,” “although no assurance
can be given,” or “there is no way to anticipate with certainty.” Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we
make regarding our plans, beliefs or expectations regarding our growth strategies; our expected construction budgets, estimated commencement
and completion dates, expected amenities, and our expected operational performance for Chamonix and American Place; our expectations
regarding the legal proceedings related to the process whereby we were granted the gaming license for American Place; our expectations regarding
our ability to generate operating cash flow and to obtain debt financing on reasonable terms and conditions for the construction of the permanent
American Place facility; our investments in capital improvements and other projects, including the amounts of such investments, the timing of
commencement or completion of such capital improvements and projects and the resulting impact on our financial results; our sports wagering
contracts with third-party providers, including the expected revenues and expenses and our expectations regarding the operation and usage of our
available idle sports wagering contracts, our ability to replace any terminated sports wagering contracts or our ability to operate sports wagering
contracts ourselves; our expectation to exercise our buyout option on the Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel; adequacy of our financial resources to
fund operating requirements and planned capital expenditures and to meet our debt and contractual obligations; expected sources of revenue;
anticipated sources of funds; anticipated or potential legislative actions; beliefs in connection with our marketing efforts; factors that affect the
financial performance of our properties; adequacy of our insurance; competitive outlook; outcome of legal matters; impact of recently issued
accounting standards; and estimates regarding certain accounting and tax matters, among others.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current
beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends,
the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks
and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition
may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking
statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-
looking statements include, among others, the factors as discussed throughout Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7. “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which this statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, events or conditions, except as required by law. New risks emerge from
time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ significantly from those forecast in any forward-looking
statements. You should also be aware that while we communicate from time to time with securities analysts, we do not disclose to them any
material non-public information, internal forecasts or other confidential business information. Therefore, you should not assume that we agree with
any statement or report issued by any analyst, irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities
analysts contain projections, forecasts or opinions, those reports are not our responsibility and are not endorsed by us.
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Summary of Risk Factors
The following is a summary of the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K. This summary should be
read in conjunction with those Risk Factors and should not be relied upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing our business.
Risks Related to our Business and Operations
● We face significant competition from other gaming and entertainment operations.
● We may face revenue declines if discretionary consumer spending drops, including due to an economic downturn.
● We cannot assure you that any of our contracted sports betting parties, through the use of our permitted website “skins,” will be able to
compete effectively, that our contracted sports parties will have the ability and/or willingness to sustain sports betting operations should
they experience an extended period of unprofitability, or that we will have the ability to replace existing partners or vendors on similar
terms as our existing contractual revenue minimums.
● Marine transportation is inherently risky, and insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our assets or result from our
ferry boat operations.
● Our Mississippi casino hotel and Illinois casino operations currently generate a significant percentage of our revenues and Adjusted
EBITDA. Our ability to meet our operating and debt service requirements is dependent, in part, upon the continued success of those
properties.
● We derive our revenues and operating income from our properties located in Mississippi, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada and Illinois, and are
especially subject to certain risks, including economic and competitive risks, associated with the conditions in those areas and in the
states from which we draw patrons.
● Some of our operations are located on leased property. If the lessor of the Grand Lodge Casino exercises its buyout rights or fails to
extend the lease, or if we default on this or certain of our other leases, the applicable lessors could terminate the affected leases and we
could lose possession of the affected casino.
● A prolonged closure of our casinos would negatively impact our ability to service our debt.
● Adverse weather conditions, road construction, gasoline shortages and other factors affecting our facilities and the areas in which we
operate could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to our properties and deter customers from visiting our properties.
● Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the occurrence of natural disasters, including
as a result of climate change, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, pandemics, epidemics, widespread health emergencies, or outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the coronavirus pandemic, or other catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and gun violence.
● Several of our properties, including Silver Slipper, Chamonix, Bronco Billy’s and Rising Star, are accessed by our customers via routes
that have few alternatives.
● We may incur property and other losses that are not adequately covered by insurance, including adequate levels of Weather Catastrophe
Occurrence/Named Windstorm, Flood and Earthquake insurance coverage for our properties.
● We depend on our key personnel and our ability to attract and retain employees.
● Higher wage and benefit costs could adversely affect our business.
● Rising operating costs at our gaming properties could have a negative impact on our business.
● We face the risk of fraud and cheating.
● Win rates for our gaming operations depend on a variety of factors, some beyond our control.
● The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry could impose additional costs on us.
● Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking.
● We rely on, among other things, trademarks, licenses, confidentiality procedures, and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual
property rights and we may be unable to protect or may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property rights.
● Our commercial success depends upon us avoiding the infringement of intellectual property rights owned by others and any such
infringements, including those that are inadvertent, may have a material adverse effect on our business.
● We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility and reputation.
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Risks Related to Development and Growth Opportunities
● We are engaged from time to time in one or more construction and development projects, such as Chamonix and American Place, and
many factors could prevent us from completing them as planned.
● The construction costs for our growth projects, including Chamonix and American Place, may exceed budgeted amounts plus
contingencies. This may result in insufficient funds to complete these projects or the need to raise additional capital.
● There is no assurance that any growth projects, such as American Place, will not be subject to additional regulatory restrictions, delays, or
challenges.
● A lawsuit was filed by an unsuccessful bidder for the Waukegan casino license, which could also have a negative impact on the
development of our permanent American Place facility.
● There is no assurance that our growth projects, including Chamonix and American Place, will be successful.
● Failure to comply with the terms of our construction disbursement agreement related to Chamonix could limit our access to funds.
● We face a number of challenges prior to opening new or upgraded facilities.
● We may face disruption and other difficulties in integrating and managing facilities we have recently developed or acquired, or may
develop or acquire in the future.
● The construction of Chamonix and the permanent American Place facility may inconvenience customers and disrupt business activity at
our adjoining casino facilities.
● The permanent American Place facility, additional growth projects or potential enhancements at our properties may require us to raise
additional capital.
● The casino, hotel and resort industry is capital intensive, and we may not be able to finance expansion and renovation projects, which
could put us at a competitive disadvantage.
● We may face risks related to our ability to receive regulatory approvals required to complete certain acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures,
and other developments, as well as other potential delays in completing certain transactions.
● If we fail to obtain necessary government approvals in a timely manner, or at all, it can adversely impact our various expansion,
development, investment and renovation projects.
● Insufficient or lower-than-expected results generated from our new developments and acquired properties may negatively affect our
operating results and financial condition.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
● Our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.
● The indenture governing the Notes and the Credit Facility impose restrictive covenants and limitations that could significantly affect our
ability to operate our business and lead to events of default if we do not comply with the covenants.
● To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond
our control.
● We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service all of our indebtedness and fund our operating expenses, working capital
needs and capital expenditures, and we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may
not be successful.
● We depend on our subsidiaries for certain dividends, distributions and repayment of our indebtedness, including the Notes and any
borrowings under the Credit Facility.
● Our ability to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms may be limited.
● The obligations under the Notes and the Credit Facility are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets. If we
default on those obligations, the holders of the Notes and lenders under the Credit Facility could foreclose on our assets. In addition, the
existence of these security interests may adversely affect our financial flexibility.
● We and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, including subordinated debt, which could further exacerbate
the risks described above.
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Risks Related to our Legal and Regulatory Environment
● We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities and the cost of compliance or failure to comply with such
regulations may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
● Changes in legislation and regulation of our business could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows.
● Stockholders may be required to dispose of their shares of our common stock if they are found unsuitable by gaming authorities.
● We are subject to environmental laws and potential exposure to environmental liabilities.
● We are subject to litigation which, if adversely determined, could cause us to incur substantial losses.
● Our ferry boat service is highly regulated, which can adversely affect our operations.
Risks Related to Technology
● Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services and an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. If we experience damage or
service interruptions, we may have to cease some or all of our operations, which will result in a decrease in revenue.
● Our information technology and other systems are subject to cybersecurity risk, misappropriation of customer information and other
breaches of information security.
General Risks
● Our ability to utilize our net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
● The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and investors may not be able to sell their stock at a favorable price, or at all.
● The exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock may result in substantial dilution and may depress the trading price of our
common stock.
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Item 1. Business.
PART I
References in this document to “Full House,” the ”Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Full House Resorts, Inc. and its subsidiaries,
except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.
Introduction
Formed as a Delaware corporation in 1987, Full House Resorts, Inc. owns, leases, operates, develops, manages, and/or invests in casinos
and related hospitality and entertainment facilities.
We currently operate seven casinos: six on real estate that we own or lease and one located within a hotel owned by a third party. In
December 2023, we began the phased opening of our newest property, Chamonix Casino Hotel (“Chamonix”), located adjacent to our existing
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado. We are currently designing our permanent American Place casino destination, which
will be built adjacent to a temporary facility that we opened in February 2023. We are currently permitted to operate the temporary American Place
facility until August 2027. Additionally, we benefit from seven permitted sports wagering “skins” – three in Colorado, three in Indiana, and one in
Illinois. Other companies currently operate the active online sports wagering websites under their brands, paying us a percentage of revenues, as
defined, subject to annual minimum amounts. Regarding our remaining idle skins, we continue to evaluate whether to operate them ourselves or to
have other third parties operate them. However, there is no certainty that we will be able to enter into agreements with replacement operators or
successfully operate the skins ourselves.
The following table presents selected information concerning our casino resort properties as of December 31, 2023:
Segments and Properties
Midwest & South
American Place*
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel
Rising Star Casino Resort
West
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Chamonix Casino Hotel*
Grand Lodge Casino
(leased and part of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino)
Stockman’s Casino
Contracted Sports Wagering
Locations
Waukegan, IL (northern suburb of Chicago)
Hancock County, MS (near New Orleans)
Rising Sun, IN (near Cincinnati)
Cripple Creek, CO (near Colorado Springs)
Incline Village, NV
(North Shore of Lake Tahoe)
Fallon, NV (one hour east of Reno)
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), one of which is currently idle
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), two of which are currently idle
One sports wagering website (“skin”), commenced in August 2023
Colorado
Indiana
Illinois
__________
*
The temporary American Place facility and Chamonix opened on February 17 and December 27, 2023, respectively.
We manage our casinos based primarily on geographic regions within the United States and type of income. Our corporate headquarters is
in Las Vegas, Nevada. Starting in the first quarter of 2023, we updated our reportable segments to Midwest & South, West, and Contracted Sports
Wagering, reflecting a realignment within the Company as a result of our continued growth.
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Our mission is to maximize stockholder value, while also being good employers and community participants. We seek to increase
revenues by providing our customers with their favorite games and amenities, high-quality customer service, and appropriate customer loyalty
programs. Our customers include nearby residents who represent a high potential for repeat visits, along with drive-in tourist patrons. We
continuously focus on improving the operating results of our existing properties through a combination of revenue growth and expense
management efforts. The casino resort industry is capital-intensive, and we rely on the ability of our properties to generate operating cash flow to
pay interest, repay debt, and fund maintenance and certain growth-related capital expenditures. We also continually assess the potential impact of
growth and development opportunities, including capital investments at our existing properties, the development of new properties, and the
acquisition of existing properties.
Our casino properties generally operate 24 hours each day, 365 days per year. We also generally operate the hotel, food and beverage, and
other on-site operations at our properties, although the steakhouse at Chamonix will be operated by a third party upon its expected opening in
March 2024. Additionally, we operate a golf course, recreational vehicle park (“RV park”) and ferry service at Rising Star and an RV park at Silver
Slipper. At Grand Lodge Casino (“Grand Lodge”), the adjoining hotel and the food and beverage outlets are managed by Hyatt Regency Lake
Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino (“Hyatt Lake Tahoe”).
Operating Properties
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel (Hancock County, Mississippi)
The Silver Slipper is the western-most casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, midway between Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans,
Louisiana. The property sits at the western end of an approximately eight-mile-long white sand beach, the closest such beach to the New Orleans
and Baton Rouge metropolitan areas. Its customers are primarily from communities in southwestern Mississippi and southern Louisiana, including
the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metropolitan areas. In addition to its large, modern casino, the Silver
Slipper offers 129 hotel rooms or suites, an on-site sportsbook, a fine-dining restaurant, a buffet, a quick-service restaurant, an oyster bar, a casino
bar and a beachfront pool and bar. It also manages a nearby beachfront RV park.
The primary lease for the Silver Slipper includes approximately 38 acres, consisting of the seven-acre parcel on which the casino and
hotel is situated and approximately 31 acres of protected marshlands. The lease term ends in April 2058. Through October 1, 2027, we have the
option to buy out the lease.
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel / Chamonix Casino Hotel (Cripple Creek, Colorado)
Bronco Billy’s and Chamonix are two integrated and adjoining casinos, and are operated by our management team as a single entity. This
property is located in Cripple Creek, Colorado, a historical gold mining town located approximately one hour from Colorado Springs and two
hours from Denver. Its customers are primarily from the Colorado Springs/Pueblo/Cañon City metropolitan area, the second-largest metropolitan
area in Colorado, with a population of approximately 985,000 residents. Its secondary market, the Denver metropolitan area, has a population of
approximately four million people. It occupies a significant portion of the key city block of Cripple Creek’s “casino strip.” Chamonix began its
phased opening on December 27, 2023. When complete, the combined Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix complex will offer two large integrated casinos,
approximately 300 luxury guest rooms, 14 additional hotel rooms located nearby, three casual dining outlets, a steakhouse managed by a third-
party, parking garage, rooftop pool, and spa.
We own much of the real estate for these two properties, but also lease certain parking lots and buildings, including a portion of the hotel
and casino, under a long-term lease. The lease has six renewal options in three-year increments through January 2035, and we have the right to buy
out the lease at any time during its term.
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We are allowed to offer online sports wagering through three sports “skins” in Colorado. Rather than operate these sports skins ourselves,
we historically have contracted with outside companies to operate such skins under their own brands in exchange for a percentage of revenues, as
defined in each contract, subject to annual minimum amounts paid to us. As of December 31, 2023, two of our three skins were live. For our idle
skin, we continue to evaluate whether to operate it ourselves or to utilize a replacement operator. There is no certainty that we will be able to enter
into an agreement with a replacement operator or successfully operate the skin ourselves.
Rising Star Casino Resort (Rising Sun, Indiana)
Rising Star is located on the banks of the Ohio River in Rising Sun, Indiana, approximately one hour from Cincinnati, Ohio, and within
two hours of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to its riverboat-based casino, Rising Star offers a land-
based pavilion with approximately 31,500 square feet of meeting and convention space; a contiguous 190-guest-room hotel; an adjacent, leased
104-guest-room hotel set on three acres; a 56-space RV park; four dining outlets; surface parking; and an 18-hole golf course on over 230 acres.
The 104-guest-room hotel is leased pursuant to an agreement that expires in October 2027 and contains a bargain purchase option, whereby we
have the right to purchase the hotel and the landlord has the right to put the hotel to us, in both cases for $1 upon maturity of the lease. We also
own 1.3 acres located in Burlington, Kentucky that is used as part of our ferry boat operations, which connects the more populous Boone County,
Kentucky to our Rising Star property in Indiana.
We are allowed to offer online sports wagering through three sports “skins” in Indiana. As in Colorado, we historically have contracted
with outside companies to operate such skins under their own brands in exchange for a percentage of revenues, as defined in each contract, subject
to annual minimum amounts. As of December 31, 2023, one of our three skins was live. For our two idle skins, we continue to evaluate whether to
operate them ourselves or to utilize replacement operators. There is no certainty that we will be able to enter into agreements with replacement
operators or successfully operate the skins ourselves.
Stockman’s Casino (Fallon, Nevada)
Stockman’s is located in Churchill County, Nevada, approximately one hour from Reno, Nevada. Stockman’s primarily serves the local
market of Fallon and surrounding areas, including the nearby Fallon Naval Air Station, which is the Navy’s premier air training facility, informally
referred to as the “Top Gun” school. In addition to its casino, Stockman’s offers a bar, fine-dining restaurant and coffee shop.
Grand Lodge Casino (Incline Village, Nevada)
We operate Grand Lodge at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe under a lease with Incline Hotel, LLC. Grand Lodge is located within the Hyatt Lake
Tahoe in Incline Village, Nevada on the north shore of Lake Tahoe and includes approximately 20,990 square feet of leased space. The Hyatt Lake
Tahoe is one of three AAA Four Diamond hotels in the Lake Tahoe area. Our casino’s customers consist of both locals and tourists visiting the
Lake Tahoe area.
Our lease currently expires on December 31, 2024. The lease was entered into in 2011 and has been extended several times, although
there is no certainty that this will continue to be the case. The lease is secured by our interests under such lease, consisting of certain collateral (as
defined and described in a security agreement), and is subordinate to both our 8.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 and Revolving Credit Facility
due 2026. We own the personal property, including slot machines. The landlord currently has an option to purchase our leasehold interest and
operating assets of the Grand Lodge Casino at a defined price based partially on earnings.
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American Place (Waukegan, Illinois)
American Place is located in Waukegan, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Waukegan is the county seat of Lake County, which has a
population of approximately 709,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lake County is the third most populous county in the state, and one of
the wealthier counties in both Illinois and the United States. American Place is currently located in a temporary facility that we are permitted to
operate until August 2027, which includes a large casino floor, a center bar, a fine-dining restaurant, two additional full-service restaurants, and
two customized Airstream trailers located within the casino that serve beverages and quick meals.
We are currently developing the permanent American Place casino, which is projected to be completed in 2027 and will be located
adjacent to the temporary facility. The permanent American Place is slated to include a world-class casino with a state-of-the-art sports book, a
premium boutique hotel comprised of 20 luxurious villas, assorted eateries and bars, and other amenities designed to attract gaming and non-
gaming patrons from throughout Chicagoland and beyond.
American Place is located on approximately 42 acres of land, consisting of approximately 10 acres of owned land and an adjoining
approximately 32 acres that are under a 99-year lease with the City of Waukegan. We have an option to buy out the lease at any time for
$30 million. If we do so prior to the opening of the permanent American Place facility, then we must continue to pay rent due to the City of
Waukegan under this lease until the permanent casino is open.
Government Regulation
The gaming industry is highly regulated. We must maintain our licenses and pay gaming taxes to continue our operations. Each of our
casinos is subject to extensive regulation under the laws, rules, and regulations of the jurisdiction in which it is located. These laws, rules, and
regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability, and character of the owners, managers, and persons with financial interests in
the gaming operations and include, without limitation, the following conditions and restrictions:
● Periodic license fees and taxes must be paid to state and local gaming authorities;
● Certain officers, directors, key employees, and gaming employees are required to be licensed or otherwise approved by the gaming
authorities;
● Individuals who must be approved by the gaming authorities must submit comprehensive personal disclosure forms and undergo an
extensive background investigation;
● Changes in any licensed or approved individuals must be reported to and/or approved by the relevant gaming authority;
● Failure to timely file the required application forms by any individual required to be approved by the relevant gaming authority may
result in that individual’s denial and the gaming licensee may be required by the gaming authority to disassociate with that
individual; and
● If any individual is found unsuitable by a gaming authority, the gaming licensee is required to disassociate with that individual.
Violations of gaming laws in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. A summary of the governmental
gaming regulations to which we are subject is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is herein incorporated by reference.
Our businesses are also subject to other various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations include, but are
not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, smoking, environmental matters, employees, currency transactions,
taxation, zoning and building codes, construction, land use, and marketing and advertising. We also deal with significant amounts of cash in our
operations and are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations. Such laws and regulations could change or could be
interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Material changes, new laws or regulations, or material
differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our operating results. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors
– Risks Related to our Legal and Regulatory Environment” for additional discussion.
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Costs and Effects of Compliance with Environmental Laws
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern our operations, including emissions and
discharges into the environment, and the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes. For example, our Indiana
property is subject to environmental regulations for its riverboat, ferry boat and golf club operations. Our Mississippi property is located near
environmental wetlands. In Colorado and Illinois, we are building, or have recently built, major new casino hotels and such construction must also
adhere to certain environmental regulations. Our Colorado facilities, for example, are in historical mining areas. Failure to comply with applicable
laws and regulations could result in costs for corrective action, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities or restrictions. We also are subject to
laws and regulations that impose liability and clean-up responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Under certain of
these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of the property may be liable for the costs of remediating contaminated soil or
groundwater on or from its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the contamination, and may also incur
liability to third parties impacted by such contamination. The presence of contamination, or failure to remediate it properly, may adversely affect
our ability to use, sell or rent the property. To date, none of these matters or other matters arising under environmental laws has had a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations; however, we cannot assure you that such matters will not have such an
effect in the future.
Competition
The gaming industry is highly competitive. Gaming activities with which we compete include traditional commercial casinos and casino
resorts in various states, including on tribal lands and at racetracks; state-sponsored lotteries; video poker, sports betting, and slot machines in
restaurants, bars, sports arenas, and hotels; pari-mutuel betting on horse racing; and card rooms. We also face competition from Internet lotteries,
sweepstakes, and other Internet gaming services, beyond those in which we participate. Internet gaming services, which are legal in some states,
allow customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and play Las Vegas-style casino games from home or in non-casino settings.
Although there is no meaningful evidence to date that this has been the case, this could divert customers from our properties, and thus, adversely
affect our business. All of our casinos, as well as other casinos that we may develop or acquire, compete with all these forms of gaming. We also
compete with any new forms or jurisdictions of gaming that may be legalized, as well as with other types of entertainment. Some of our
competitors have more personnel and greater financial or other resources than we do. The principal methods of competition are: location, with
casinos located closer to their feeder markets at an advantage; casino, lodging, entertainment and other hospitality product quality in terms of
facilities, customer service and ease of access; breadth of offerings, including the types of casino games and other non-gaming amenities; and
marketing, including the amount, quality, and frequency of promotions offered to guests.
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel
Silver Slipper is in Mississippi, but is close to the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, one of the most affluent and fastest-growing regions
in Louisiana. Louisiana law permits 15 riverboat casinos, one land-based casino, four casinos at racetracks, and in certain areas, a limited number
of slot machines at qualifying truck stops and off-track betting parlors. The legislation permitting riverboat and truck stop casinos requires a local
referendum. At this time, all licenses for riverboat casinos in Louisiana have been granted. Of such casinos, only one is not currently in operation
and is not located near our Silver Slipper facility. Mississippi does not have a limitation on the number of casino licenses, but requires casinos to
be within approximately 800 feet of the Mississippi River shoreline or the Gulf of Mexico, as defined by state law. There are occasionally
proposals to relocate casinos within Louisiana or to develop new casinos in Mississippi, but there are considerable political and economic
constraints on such potential competition. A proposal in 2021 to relocate an existing riverboat casino license to the North Shore of Lake
Pontchartrain failed to achieve approval in a local referendum by a 63-to-37 margin.
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Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix Casino Hotel
Bronco Billy’s and Chamonix are located in Cripple Creek, Colorado, which is a historical gold mining town located less than one hour
from Colorado Springs, on the west side of Pikes Peak. Cripple Creek is one of only three locations in Colorado where commercial gaming is
permitted. The other two locations are in cities that adjoin each other and are approximately one hour west of Denver and two hours from Colorado
Springs. Downtown Denver and Colorado Springs are approximately 70 miles apart and certain suburbs of each metropolitan area largely merge
into the other. Two Native American gaming operations also exist in southwestern Colorado and there are tribal casinos in Oklahoma, but these are
much further from Colorado Springs and Denver than Cripple Creek. There are no federally-recognized Native American tribes in the Colorado
Front Range, which includes Denver and Colorado Springs. As of December 31, 2023, Bronco Billy’s and Chamonix were two of ten gaming
facilities operating in Cripple Creek. Chamonix is significantly larger and higher in quality than any of the existing casinos in Cripple Creek.
Rising Star Casino Resort
Rising Star Casino Resort is located on the banks of the Ohio River in Rising Sun, Indiana, approximately one hour from Cincinnati,
Ohio, and within two hours of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. One of three casinos in southeastern Indiana, its
closest competitors in Indiana are each approximately 15 miles away, near bridges crossing the Ohio River. There is no bridge at Rising Star, but in
September 2018, we commenced a ferry boat service connecting Rising Sun, Indiana, to the populous Northern Kentucky region. Rising Star also
competes with a large land-based casino near Louisville; casinos in Ohio (including in downtown Cincinnati) and elsewhere in Indiana; and slot
parlors associated with racetracks in Kentucky. A significant slot parlor associated with a racetrack opened in Northern Kentucky in September
2022.
Stockman’s Casino
Stockman’s Casino is the largest of several casinos in Churchill County, Nevada, which has a population of approximately 25,000
residents. Churchill County is also the home of the Fallon Naval Air Station, the United States Navy’s premier air training facility, informally
referred to as the “Top Gun” school. While the Navy appears to be expanding its base in Fallon, a reduction of its activities at the base would likely
have an adverse effect on Stockman’s results of operations. Fallon is approximately 30 minutes east of the large Tesla battery factory and other
developments in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. Stockman’s also competes with casinos in other rural communities in the area, as well as with
casinos in Reno, some of which are significantly larger and offer more amenities.
Grand Lodge Casino
Grand Lodge is located in Incline Village, Nevada, and is one of three casinos located within a five-mile radius in the North Lake Tahoe
area. Grand Lodge is the only casino in Incline Village itself, which is a high-end residential and tourism community. Grand Lodge also competes
with casinos in South Lake Tahoe and Reno. Additionally, there are numerous Native American casinos in California serving the Northern
California market.
American Place
American Place competes against two existing casinos that primarily serve the northern suburbs of Chicago, a tribal casino in Milwaukee,
and slot machines in bars (limited to six machines per bar) in many parts of Illinois. American Place is the only full-service casino in Lake County,
Illinois, which has a population of approximately 709,000 residents. Including areas neighboring Lake County, we estimate that American Place is
the closest casino to more than one million individuals.
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Marketing
Our marketing efforts are conducted through various means, including our customer loyalty programs and specialized marketing
campaigns, such as our seasonal “Christmas Casino” event at Rising Star Casino Resort. We advertise through various channels, including radio,
television, Internet, billboards, newspapers and magazines, direct mail, email and social media. We also maintain websites to inform customers
about our properties and utilize social media sites to promote our brands, unique events, and special deals. Our customer loyalty programs include
the Slipper Rewards Club, the Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix Mile High Rewards Club, the Rising Star VIP Club, the Grand Lodge Players Advantage
Club, the Stockman’s Winner’s Club, and American Place’s Legacy Rewards. Under these programs, customers earn points based on their volume
of wagering that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as “free play,” complimentary dining, and hotel stays.
Our properties do not have coordinated loyalty programs, due to their disparate locations. Instead, our loyalty programs focus on
providing each casino’s customers the amenities they most prefer in each market.
Intellectual Property
We use a variety of trademarks, patents and copyrights in our operations and believe that we have all the licenses necessary to conduct our
continuing operations. We have registered several trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or otherwise acquired the
licenses to use certain trademarks, patents and copyrights that are material to conduct our business.
Employees
As of March 1, 2024, we had 13 full-time corporate employees. We had four executive officers and three additional senior management
employees. Our casino properties had 1,536 full-time and 286 part-time employees, as follows:
Employee Count by Property / Location
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel
American Place
Rising Star Casino Resort
Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix Casino Hotel
Grand Lodge Casino
Stockman’s Casino
Corporate
Total Employees
March 1, 2024
Full-time
Part-time
422
493
222
263
75
61
13
1,549
49
75
72
66
17
7
—
286
We believe that our relationship with our employees is excellent. None of our employees are currently represented by labor unions.
Available Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Full House Resorts, Inc., 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Suite 680, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135,
and our telephone number is (702) 221-7800. Our website address is www.fullhouseresorts.com. We make available, free of charge, on or through
our Internet website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those
reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such
material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet website and information contained on our Internet website are not part of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K and are not incorporated by reference herein.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
An investment in our securities is subject to risks inherent to our business. We have described below what we currently believe to be the
material risks and uncertainties in our business. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties
described below, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We also face other risks and uncertainties beyond what is described below. This Annual Report on Form 10-K is qualified in its entirety
by these risk factors. 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 securities, including our common stock, could decline significantly. You could lose all or
part of your investment.
Risks Related to our Business and Operations
We face significant competition from other gaming and entertainment operations.
The gaming industry is characterized by an increasingly high degree of competition among a large number of participants. Our casinos
and contracted sport wagering businesses compete with other forms of gaming, such as casinos, racetracks, state-sponsored lotteries, sweepstakes,
charitable gaming, video gaming terminals at bars, restaurants, taverns and truck stops, sports books at sports stadiums, illegal slot machines and
skill games, fantasy sports and internet or mobile-based gaming platforms, including online gaming and sports betting. Certain state and other
jurisdictions are considering expansion of such forms of gaming. Each of these could divert customers from our casinos and services, and thus
materially and adversely affect our business.
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. As competing properties and new
markets are opened, our operating results may be negatively impacted. In addition, some of our direct competitors in certain markets may have
superior facilities and/or operating conditions. We expect each existing or future market in which we participate to be highly competitive. The
competitive position of each of our casino properties is discussed in Part I, Item 1. “Business – Competition.”
In a broader sense, our casinos and sports wagering businesses face competition from all manner of leisure and entertainment activities,
including other non-gaming resorts and vacation destinations, shopping, athletic events, television and movies, concerts, and travel.
We may face revenue declines if discretionary consumer spending drops, including due to an economic downturn.
Our revenues are highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our properties and, as such, our business has
been in the past, and could be in the future, adversely impacted by economic downturns. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending or changes
in consumer preferences brought about by factors such as, but not limited to, lackluster recoveries from recessions; increases in interest rates;
increases in costs of goods and services due to continued or increased inflationary pressures; pandemics, epidemics, widespread health
emergencies, or outbreaks of infectious diseases; high unemployment levels; higher income taxes; low levels of consumer confidence; weakness or
uncertainty in the housing market; cultural and demographic changes; the impact of high energy, fuel, food and healthcare costs; fears of war or
actual conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, civil unrest, terrorism or violence; and increased stock market volatility may negatively
impact our revenues and operating cash flow. This could lead to a reduction in discretionary spending by our guests on entertainment and leisure
activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, cash flow and results of operations. Furthermore, during periods of
economic contraction, our revenues may decrease while many of our costs remain fixed and some costs may increase, resulting in decreased
earnings.
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We cannot assure you that any of our contracted sports betting parties, through the use of our permitted website “skins,” will be able
to compete effectively, that our contracted sports parties will have the ability and/or willingness to sustain sports betting operations should they
experience an extended period of unprofitability, or that we will have the ability to replace existing partners or vendors on similar terms as our
existing contractual revenue minimums or operate the skins ourselves.
Our contracted sports betting parties, through the use of our permitted website “skins,” compete in a rapidly evolving and highly
competitive market. The success of their sports betting operations is dependent on a number of factors that are beyond their control, and ours,
including the ultimate tax rates and license fees charged by jurisdictions across the United States; their ability to gain market share in a newly
developing market; the timeliness and the technological and popular viability of their products; their ability to compete with new entrants in the
market; marketing offerings of their competitors; changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; and the availability and
popularity of other forms of entertainment. While our current agreements with our contracted sports betting parties provide us with contractual
minimums for revenue upon their launch of operations, we cannot assure you that any of our contracted sports parties will be able to compete
effectively or that they will have the ability or willingness to sustain sports betting operations for an extended period of unprofitability. Should any
of our contracted sports betting parties cease operations, as has happened in the past, whether due to unprofitability or for other reasons, there can
be no assurance that we will be able to replace them on similar terms as our existing agreements or at all, or that we will be able to successfully
operate the skins ourselves.
Marine transportation is inherently risky, and insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our assets or result from
our ferry boat operations.
The operation of our ferry boat is subject to various inherent risks, including:
● catastrophic marine disasters and accidents;
● adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
● mechanical failure or equipment damage;
● hazardous substance spills; and
● navigation and human errors.
The occurrence of any of these events may result in, among other things, damage to or loss of our ferry boat, damage to other vessels and
the environment, loss of revenues, short-term or long-term interruption of ferry boat service, termination of our regulatory permission to operate,
fines, penalties or other restrictions on conducting business, damage to our reputation and customer relationships, and death or injury to personnel
and passengers. Such occurrences may also result in a significant increase in our operating costs or liability to third parties.
Our Mississippi casino hotel and Illinois casino operations currently generate a significant percentage of our revenues and Adjusted
EBITDA. Our ability to meet our operating and debt service requirements is dependent, in part, upon the continued success of those properties.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated 31.9% of our revenues and 37.9% of our Adjusted EBITDA from our casino in
Illinois. Similarly, we generated 32.1% of our revenues and 30.7% of our Adjusted EBITDA from our casino resort in Mississippi. Therefore, until
Chamonix has fully ramped up its operations, our results will be dependent on the regional economies and competitive landscapes at our Illinois
and Mississippi properties. Likewise, our ability to meet our operating and debt service requirements is dependent, in part, upon the continued
success of these properties.
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We derive our revenues and operating income from our properties located in Mississippi, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada and Illinois, and
are especially subject to certain risks, including economic and competitive risks, associated with the conditions in those areas and in the states
from which we draw patrons.
Because we derive our revenues and operating income from properties concentrated in five states, we are subject to greater risks from
regional conditions than a gaming company with operating properties in a greater number of different geographic regions. A decrease in revenues
from, or an increase in costs for, one of these locations is likely to have a proportionally greater impact on our business and operations than it
would for a gaming company with more geographically diverse operating properties. Risks from regional conditions include the following:
● regional economic conditions;
● regional competitive conditions, including legalization or expansion of gaming in Mississippi, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, Illinois or
in neighboring states;
● allowance of new types of gaming, such as the introduction of online sports wagering or Internet gaming;
● reduced land or air travel due to increasing fuel costs or transportation disruptions; and,
● vulnerability to regional economic downturns in the markets in which we operate.
Some of our operations are located on leased property. If the lessor of the Grand Lodge Casino exercises its buyout rights or fails to
extend the lease, or if we default on this or certain of our other leases, the applicable lessors could terminate the affected leases and we could
lose possession of the affected casino.
We lease certain parcels of land at our Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel in Mississippi, certain land and buildings at Bronco Billy’s Hotel
and Casino in Colorado (much of which is to be utilized for Chamonix), one of the two hotels at our Rising Star Casino Resort in Indiana, and
certain parcels at American Place in Illinois. We also lease casino space at our Grand Lodge Casino in Nevada. Unless we have a purchase option
under such leases and exercise such option, we will have no interest in the improvements thereon at the expiration of the leases. We have purchase
options on substantially all of our leased property, except for our corporate offices, the Grand Lodge Casino, and certain storage facilities. It is
either currently more advantageous for us to continue to lease rather than exercise such buyout options, or we have certain restrictions which only
allow us to exercise the purchase option during certain future time periods. The obligations under the Notes and the Credit Facility are
collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets. The Notes contain representations and warranties, financial covenants, and
restrictions on dividends customary for notes of this type. Mandatory prepayments, in whole or in part, of the Notes will be required upon the
occurrence of certain events, including sales of certain assets (unless the proceeds from the sale are reinvested in other facilities within specified
periods), upon certain changes of control, or should the Company have certain unused funds in the construction disbursement account following
the completion of Chamonix. The Credit Facility contains a number of negative covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, are substantially
similar to the covenants contained in the Notes. The Credit Facility also requires compliance with a financial covenant as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter, such that Adjusted EBITDA (as defined) for the trailing twelve-month period must equal or exceed the utilized portion of the
Credit Facility, if drawn. Under certain circumstances and at the expirations of the underlying leases, we might be forced to exercise our buyout
options in order to continue to operate those properties. There is no certainty that the funds could be raised at that time at a reasonable cost, or at
all, to exercise some or all of the buyout options. The operating lease at the Grand Lodge Casino, which is set to expire on December 31, 2024,
includes certain lessor buyout rights based upon a multiple of EBITDA that, if exercised, could result in the lessor purchasing our leasehold
interest and the operating assets on terms that may be less than fair market value or financially unfavorable to us.
Since we do not completely control the land, buildings, hotel and space underlying our leased properties, a lessor could take certain
actions to disrupt our rights under the long-term leases, which are beyond our control. If the entity owning any leased land, buildings, hotel or
space were to disrupt our use either permanently or for a significant period of time, and we were not in a position to exercise our buyout rights at
that 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 the
lease, then the lessor could terminate the affected lease and we could lose possession of the affected land, buildings, hotel or space and any
improvements thereon. The loss of a lease could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and
we may then be unable to operate all or portions of the affected facilities, which, in turn, may result in a default under our debt agreements.
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A prolonged closure of our casinos would negatively impact our ability to service our debt.
Our casinos are our primary sources of income and operating cash flows that we rely upon to pay all of our obligations and to remain in
compliance with debt covenants under any indebtedness we may incur and meet our obligations when due. Because we operate in several different
jurisdictions, we are subject to different legal and market conditions in order to remain open. We have no control over and cannot predict the
length of any future operating restrictions or future closures of our casinos and hotels. Any required closures may require us to seek to amend our
debt agreements, though there is no certainty that we would be successful in such efforts. Additionally, we may be required to seek additional
liquidity through the issuance of new debt or equity, or through the sale of certain assets. Our ability to obtain additional financing would depend
in part on factors outside of our control.
Adverse weather conditions, road construction, gasoline shortages and other factors affecting our facilities and the areas in which we
operate could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to our properties and deter customers from visiting our properties.
Our continued success depends upon our ability to draw customers from each of the geographic markets in which we operate. Adverse
weather conditions or road construction can deter our customers from traveling to our facilities or make it difficult for them to frequent our
properties. Moreover, gasoline shortages or fuel price increases could make it more difficult for potential customers to travel to our properties and
deter customers from visiting. Our dockside gaming facility in Indiana is also subject to risks, in addition to those associated with land-based
casinos, which could disrupt our operations. Although our Indiana casino vessel does not leave its moorings in normal operations, there are risks
associated with the mooring of vessels on waterways, including risks of casualty due to river turbulence, flooding, collisions with other vessels and
severe weather conditions. Our ferry boat that we operate at Rising Star has similar risks as our Indiana casino vessel, as well as additional risks
related to ferry boat operations.
Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the occurrence of natural disasters,
including as a result of climate change, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, pandemics, epidemics, widespread health emergencies, or
outbreaks of infectious diseases such as the coronavirus pandemic, or other catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and gun violence.
Natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, potentially exacerbated by climate change, such as major hurricanes, tornadoes,
typhoons, floods, fires and earthquakes, could adversely affect our business and operating results. Certain of our properties are located in areas that
may be subject to extreme weather conditions. Hurricanes are common in the area in which our Mississippi property is located. The severity of
such natural disasters is unpredictable. In October 2020, Hurricane Zeta caused the temporary closure of the Silver Slipper and caused
approximately $5 million of damage, most of which was covered by insurance. In 2005, prior to the development of the Silver Slipper, Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita caused significant damage in the Gulf Coast region. Additionally, our Indiana property is at risk of flooding due to its proximity
to the Ohio River. Wildfires are a significant risk in the Colorado and Sierra Nevada regions. Chamonix, Bronco Billy’s and Grand Lodge can be
adversely affected by nearby forest fires and the impacts therefrom, as well as significant snowfall events. Changes in federal, state, and local
legislation and regulation based on concerns about climate change could result in increased regulatory costs, which may include capital
expenditures at our existing properties to ensure compliance with any new or updated regulations. This may also adversely affect our operations.
There can be no assurance that the potential impacts of climate change and severe weather will not have a material adverse effect on our
properties, operations or business.
If a pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease occurs in the United States or on a global scale, our business may be
adversely affected. As described elsewhere in these Risk Factors, such events may result in closures of our properties, a period of business
disruption, and/or in reduced operations, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Catastrophic events, such as terrorist and war activities in the United States and elsewhere, when they occur, have had a negative effect on
travel and leisure expenditures, including lodging, gaming and tourism. Gun violence has also occurred at casinos, including a mass shooting at a
casino in Las Vegas in 2017. We cannot accurately predict the extent to which such events may affect us, directly or indirectly, in the future. There
also can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain or choose to purchase any insurance coverage with respect to occurrences of terrorist and
violent acts and any losses that could result from these acts. If there is a prolonged disruption at our properties due to natural disasters, terrorist
attacks or other catastrophic events, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Several of our properties, including Silver Slipper, Chamonix, Bronco Billy’s and Rising Star, are accessed by our customers via
routes that have few alternatives.
The Silver Slipper is located at the end of a dead-end road, with no other access. Chamonix and Bronco Billy’s are accessed by most
guests via a mountain pass; if that pass is closed for any reason, the alternative is longer. Rising Star’s primary access from Cincinnati is via a road
alongside the Ohio River; if this road is closed, for example, by flooding, the alternative routes involve a ferry boat or more winding roads through
the rolling hills inland from the river. If access to any of these roads is blocked for any significant period, our results of operations and financial
condition could be materially affected.
We may incur property and other losses that are not adequately covered by insurance, including adequate levels of Weather
Catastrophe Occurrence/Named Windstorm, Flood and Earthquake insurance coverage for our properties.
Although we maintain insurance that our management believes is customary and appropriate for our business, there can be no assurance
that insurance will be available at reasonable costs in any given year or adequate to cover all losses and damage to which our business or our assets
might be subjected. The lack of adequate insurance for certain types or levels of risk could expose us to significant losses in the event that a
catastrophe occurred for which we are uninsured or under-insured. Any losses we incur that are not adequately covered by insurance may decrease
our future operating income, require us to find replacements or repairs for destroyed property, and reduce the funds available for payments of our
obligations. In addition, certain casualty events, such as labor strikes, nuclear events, acts of war, declines in visitation and loss of income due to
fear of terrorism or other acts of violence, loss of electrical power due to catastrophic events, rolling blackouts or otherwise, deterioration or
corrosion, insect or animal damage, pandemic-related shutdowns and pollution, may not be covered at all under our policies. The occurrence of
any of the foregoing could, therefore, expose us to substantial uninsured losses.
There is no certainty that insurance companies will continue to offer insurance at acceptable rates, or at all, in hurricane-prone areas or
other areas affected by extreme weather, including the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Our cost of insurance has risen significantly in recent years. We
have attempted to ameliorate such increased costs with reduced coverages and higher deductibles, in part creating additional risks. Some insurance
companies may significantly limit the amount of coverage they will write in these markets and increase the premiums charged for this coverage.
Additionally, uncertainty can occur as to the viability of certain insurance companies. While we believe that the insurance companies from which
we have purchased insurance policies will remain solvent, there is no certainty that this will be the case.
We depend on our key personnel and our ability to attract and retain employees.
We are highly dependent on the services of our executive management team and other members of our senior management team. Our
ability to attract and retain key personnel is affected by the competitiveness of our compensation packages and the other terms and conditions of
employment, our continued ability to compete effectively against other gaming companies, and our growth prospects. The loss of the services of
any members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have faced increased challenges in attracting and retaining qualified employees, particularly in light of recent labor shortages. If we fail to
retain our current employees, it would be difficult and costly to identify, recruit and train replacements needed to continue to conduct and expand
our business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain and motivate our employees.
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Higher wage and benefit costs could adversely affect our business.
While the majority of our employees earn more than the minimum wage in their relative jurisdictions and many receive medical plan
benefits from us, changes in federal and state minimum wage laws and other laws relating to employee benefits, including the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act, have in the past, and could in the future, cause us to incur additional wage and benefits costs. Increased labor costs
brought about by changes in either federal or state minimum wage laws, other regulations or prevailing market conditions have recently, and could
in the future, further increase our expenses, which could have an adverse impact on our profitability, or decrease the number of employees we are
able to employ, which could decrease customer service levels at our gaming facilities and therefore adversely impact revenues.
Rising operating costs at our gaming properties could have a negative impact on our business.
The operating expenses associated with our gaming properties could increase due to, among other reasons, the following factors:
● continued or increased inflationary pressures;
● supply chain issues that are beyond our control;
● changes in federal, state or local tax or regulations, including gaming regulations or gaming taxes, could impose additional
restrictions or increase our operating costs;
● aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns by our competitors for an extended period of time could force us to increase our
expenditures for marketing and promotional campaigns in order to maintain our existing customer base or attract new customers;
● as our properties age, we may need to increase our expenditures for repairs, maintenance, and to replace equipment necessary to
operate our business in amounts greater than what we have spent historically;
● our reliance on slot play revenues and any additional costs imposed on us from slot machine vendors;
● availability and cost of the many products and services we provide our customers, including food, beverages, retail items,
entertainment, hotel rooms, spa services and golf;
● availability and costs associated with insurance;
● increases in costs of labor;
● our properties use significant amounts of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy, and energy price increases may adversely
affect our cost structure;
● our properties use significant amounts of water, and a water shortage may adversely affect our operations; and
● at Grand Lodge, we rely on Hyatt Lake Tahoe to provide certain items at reasonable costs, including food, beverages, parking and
rooms. Any change in its pricing or the availability of such items may affect our ability to compete.
If our operating expenses increase without any offsetting increase in our revenues, our results of operations would suffer.
We face the risk of fraud and cheating.
Our gaming customers may attempt or commit fraud or cheat in order to increase winnings. Acts of fraud or cheating could involve the
use of counterfeit chips or other tactics, possibly in collusion with our employees. Internal acts of cheating could also be conducted by employees
directly or through collusion with dealers, surveillance staff, floor managers or other staff. While we carry insurance for employee theft, such
insurance may not cover all or any of such losses. Failure to discover such acts or schemes in a timely manner could result in losses in our gaming
operations. In addition, negative publicity related to such schemes could have an adverse effect on our reputation, potentially causing a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Win rates for our gaming operations depend on a variety of factors, some beyond our control.
The gaming industry is characterized by an element of chance. In addition to the element of chance, win rates are also affected by other
factors, including players’ skill and experience, the mix of games played, the financial resources of players, the spread of table limits, the volume
of bets played and the amount of time played. Our gaming profits are mainly derived from the difference between our casino winnings and the
casino winnings of our gaming customers. Since there is an inherent element of chance in the gaming industry, we do not have full control over our
winnings or the winnings of our gaming customers. If our winnings do not exceed the winnings of our gaming customers by enough to cover our
operating costs, we may record a loss from our gaming operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry could impose additional costs on us.
A majority of our revenues are attributable to slot machines and related systems operated by us at our gaming facilities. It is important, for
competitive reasons, that we offer popular and up-to-date slot machine games to our customers. A substantial majority of the slot machines sold in
the U.S. in recent years were manufactured by only a few companies, and there has been recent consolidation activity within the gaming
equipment sector. In recent years, slot machine manufacturers have frequently refused to sell slot machines featuring the most popular games,
instead requiring participation lease arrangements. Participation slot machine leasing arrangements typically require the payment of a fixed daily
rental or a percentage payment of coin-in or net win. Generally, a participation lease is more expensive over the long term than the cost to purchase
a new machine. For competitive reasons, we may be forced to purchase new slot machines or enter into participation lease arrangements that are
more expensive than our current costs associated with the continued operation of our existing slot machines. If the newer slot machines do not
result in sufficient incremental revenues to offset the increased investment and participation lease costs, it could hurt our profitability.
Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking.
Legislation in various forms to ban indoor tobacco smoking has been enacted or introduced in jurisdictions in which we operate. Except
for our casinos in Colorado and Illinois, the gaming areas of our properties are not currently subject to tobacco restrictions. If additional
restrictions on smoking are enacted in jurisdictions in which we operate, we could experience a decrease in gaming revenue. This is particularly
the case if such restrictions are not applicable to all competitive facilities in that gaming market.
We rely on, among other things, trademarks, licenses, confidentiality procedures, and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual
property rights and we may be unable to protect or may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property rights.
Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop brands and to successfully obtain or acquire proprietary or statutory
protection for our intellectual property rights and to implement new or improved technologies purchased or licensed from third parties. We rely on,
among other things, trademarks, licenses, confidentiality procedures, and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. While
we enter into license, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements to attempt to limit access to, and distribution of, proprietary and confidential
information, it is possible that:
● some or all of our confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements will not be honored;
● disputes concerning the ownership of intellectual property will arise with our strategic partners, users or others;
● unauthorized disclosure or use of our intellectual property, including know-how or trade secrets, will occur;
● we will be unable to successfully enforce our trademark or copyright rights; or
● contractual provisions may not be enforceable.
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in protecting our intellectual property rights or that we will become aware of third-
party infringements that might be occurring. Inability to protect our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our
prospects, business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Our commercial success depends upon us avoiding the infringement of intellectual property rights owned by others and any such
infringements, including those that are inadvertent, may have a material adverse effect on our business.
The industries in which we compete have many participants that own, or claim to own, intellectual property, including participants that
own intellectual property similar to our own, and proprietary rights for technologies similar to those used or licensed by us. Some of this
intellectual property may provide very broad protection to the third-party owners thereof. Patents in particular can be issued very rapidly and there
is often a great deal of secrecy surrounding pending patent applications. We cannot determine with certainty whether any existing third-party
intellectual property or the issuance of any new third-party intellectual property would require our partners or suppliers to alter their technologies
or services, pay for licenses, challenge the validity or enforceability of the intellectual property, or cease certain activities. Third parties may assert
intellectual property infringement claims against us and against our partners and/or suppliers. We may be subject to these types of claims either
directly or indirectly through indemnities assuming liability for these claims that we may provide to certain partners or suppliers. There can be no
assurance that our attempts to negotiate favorable intellectual property indemnities in favor of us with our partners or suppliers for infringement of
third-party intellectual property rights will be successful or that a partner’s or supplier’s indemnity will cover all damages and losses suffered by us
and our partners and other suppliers due to infringing products, or that we can secure a license, modification or replacement of a partner’s or
supplier’s products with non-infringing products that may otherwise mitigate such damages and losses.
Some of our competitors have, or are affiliated with companies that have, substantially greater resources than us, and these competitors
may be able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property infringement litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than us.
Regardless of whether third-party claims of infringement against us have any merit, these claims could:
● adversely affect our relationships with our customers;
● be time-consuming to evaluate and defend;
● result in costly litigation;
● result in negative publicity for us;
● divert our management’s attention and resources;
● cause product and software delivery delays or stoppages;
● subject us to significant liabilities;
● require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements;
● require us to develop possible workaround solutions that may be costly and disruptive to implement; or
● require us to cease certain activities or to cease providing services in certain markets.
In addition to being liable for potentially substantial damages relating to intellectual property following an infringement action against us,
we may be prohibited from commercializing certain technologies, or products or services unless we obtain a license from the holder of the
applicable intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such license or acquire intellectual property on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we do not obtain such a license, our prospects, business, operating results and financial condition could
be materially adversely affected and we could be required to cease related business operations in some markets and restructure our business to
focus on continuing operations in other markets.
We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility and reputation.
Many factors influence our reputation and the value of our brands, including the perception held by our customers, business partners,
other key stakeholders and the communities in which we do business. Our business faces increasing scrutiny related to environmental, social and
governance activities and risk of damage to our reputation and the value of our brands if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as
diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, climate change, workplace conduct, human rights, philanthropy and support for local
communities. Any harm to our reputation could impact employee engagement and retention and the willingness of customers and our partners to
do business with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
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Risks Related to Development and Growth Opportunities
We are engaged from time to time in one or more construction and development projects, such as Chamonix and American Place, and
many factors could prevent us from completing them as planned.
We are currently in the final stages of construction at Chamonix in Cripple Creek, Colorado, adjoining and connected to our existing
Bronco Billy’s casino. We also intend to construct the permanent American Place facility in Waukegan, Illinois, located adjacent to its current
temporary facility.
Construction of these types of projects have certain inherent risks, including the risks of fire, structural collapse, human error and
electrical, mechanical and plumbing malfunction. Our development and expansion projects are exposed to significant risks, including:
● shortage of materials, including due to supply chain issues that are beyond our control;
● shortage of skilled labor or work stoppages;
● unforeseen construction scheduling, engineering, excavation, environmental or geological problems;
● increases in the cost of steel and other raw materials for construction, driven by inflation, U.S. tariffs on imports, demand, higher
labor and construction costs and other factors, may cause price increases beyond those anticipated in the budgets for our
development projects;
● natural disasters, hurricanes, weather interference, changes in river levels, floods, fires, earthquakes, the impacts of pandemics, or
other casualty losses or delays;
● unanticipated cost increases or delays in completing the project;
● delays in obtaining, or inability to obtain or maintain, necessary licenses or permits;
● lack of sufficient funds, or delays in the availability of, financing;
● failure to comply with the terms of our disbursement agreements under our indenture could limit our access to funds for the projects;
● changes to plans or specifications;
● performance by contractors and subcontractors;
● disputes with contractors;
● mechanic’s liens on real property collateral that may have priority over the liens securing our indebtedness;
● personal injuries to workers and other persons;
● structural heights and the use of cranes;
● disruption of our operations caused by diversion of management’s attention to new development projects and construction at our
existing properties;
● potential remediation of environmental contamination at our proposed construction sites, which may prove more difficult or
expensive than anticipated in our construction budgets;
● failure to obtain and maintain necessary gaming regulatory approvals and licenses, or failure to obtain such approvals and licenses on
a timely basis;
● requirements or government-established “goals” concerning union labor or requiring that a portion of the project expenditures be
through companies controlled by specific ethnic or gender groups, goals that may not be obtainable, or may only be obtainable at
additional project cost; and
● other unanticipated circumstances or cost increases.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could increase the total costs of a project, or delay or prevent its construction, development,
expansion or opening. Escalating construction costs may cause us to modify the design and scope of projects from those initially contemplated or
cause the budgets for those projects to be increased. We generally carry insurance to cover certain liabilities related to construction, but not all risks
are covered, and it is uncertain whether such insurance will provide sufficient payment in a timely fashion even for those risks that are insured and
material to us.
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The construction costs for our growth projects, including Chamonix and American Place, may exceed budgeted amounts plus
contingencies. This may result in insufficient funds to complete these projects or the need to raise additional capital.
Delays in the completion of the plans and specifications for our growth projects, including Chamonix and the permanent American Place
facility, could delay completion of the projects. In addition, completion of the plans and specifications while construction is in progress could
cause inefficiencies, and certain items may need to be modified or replaced after they have been purchased, constructed or installed in order to
conform to building code requirements or subsequently-developed plans and specifications. Although construction of Chamonix is nearing
completion, the Pre-Construction Services Agreement and Letter of Intent with our general contractor for Chamonix provides that the cost of
construction may increase and the deadlines for the contractor’s obligations to complete construction may be adjusted for alterations in the
project’s scope. We may enter into similar arrangements with the general contractor for the permanent American Place facility. We can give no
assurance that changes in the scope of these projects will not increase the cost of the projects or extend their completion dates. We establish
budgets for the projects based, in part, on our estimate of the cost of various construction goods and services for parts of the projects that, in some
cases, are not yet fully designed. If the actual cost with respect to these allowance items exceeds the estimated amount, we will be responsible for
the payment of those excess amounts out of the cash flow from our other operations and from cash balances and other financial resources. Our
cash flow, cash reserves and other financial resources may not be adequate at any given time to address balancing of the construction budgets if
there are increased costs. If our contingency, cash flow from operations and anticipated excess liquidity are insufficient to cover any shortfall, we
may not have sufficient funds to complete the projects without seeking additional capital or at all.
A lawsuit was filed by an unsuccessful bidder for the Waukegan casino license, which could also have a negative impact on the
development of our permanent American Place facility.
On October 21, 2019, the Forest County Potawatomi Community, the owner/operator of a competing casino in downtown Milwaukee and
one of the unsuccessful bidders for the Waukegan casino license, sued the City of Waukegan seeking further consideration of its casino proposal.
In its complaint, the plaintiff alleges several violations of law and seeks monetary damages from the City of Waukegan. In January 2020, the City
of Waukegan removed the lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Federal Action”). The City of Waukegan has
moved for summary judgment on all claims brought in the Federal Action; such motion has been fully briefed since January 2022, and the parties
are waiting for the judge’s ruling on the motion.
On November 17, 2021, the same plaintiff filed a second lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County against the City of Waukegan, the
Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”), members of the IGB, and the IGB Administrator (the “State Action”). Per the State Action, the plaintiff sought,
among other relief, temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief enjoining the IGB from taking formal steps toward issuing the
Waukegan casino license; a declaration that the City failed to comply with the statutory requirements to certify applicants for the IGB; and a
finding that the IGB, therefore, had no jurisdiction to issue an owner’s license for the Waukegan casino. The judge denied the plaintiff’s request
for a temporary restraining order, which was later affirmed by the Appellate Court. On May 13, 2022, defendants in the State Action filed a
motion to dismiss the State Action based upon the plaintiff’s lack of standing relating to the purported lack of compliance by the City with the
certification process and that the Illinois Gambling Act does not provide for a private right of action. The trial court granted the motion and the
plaintiff appealed. While the appeal was pending, on June 15, 2023, the IGB issued us an owner’s license for American Place, our Waukegan
casino. Subsequent to the issuance of the owner’s license, defendants in the State Action sought to dismiss the appeal in the State Action as moot,
given the IGB’s issuance of the owner’s license. The court granted such dismissal. However, on July 28, 2023, the Illinois Appellate Court
reversed the lower court’s dismissal of the State Action, finding that the plaintiff’s action was not a private right of action under the Illinois
Gambling Act and that the plaintiff had standing to pursue its claims. The Illinois Appellate Court decision was appealed to the Illinois Supreme
Court. Although we are not a party to either lawsuit, court rulings in these actions could negatively impact our ability to secure financing for the
permanent American Place facility, delay the opening of the permanent facility, or otherwise affect our licensing, which would have a negative
impact on us. If the City of Waukegan and/or regulatory agencies were found to have operated improperly, we would likely have certain rights to
protect or recoup our Waukegan investment. If the plaintiff were found to be filing frivolous lawsuits to delay the development of a competing
casino, we also could have certain rights against the tribe.
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There is no assurance that any growth projects, such as American Place, will not be subject to additional regulatory restrictions,
delays, or challenges.
We are still developing our plans related to the permanent facility for American Place. Such plans will be subject to regulatory approval.
While Illinois regulations allow us to operate the temporary American Place facility until August 2027, the design and construction of the
permanent American Place facility may require several years and may not be completed within this timeframe. We intend to avoid having an
extended period of time between the closing of the temporary and the opening of the permanent American Place facilities, as it could be
detrimental to our business, but there is no certainty that this can be achieved. Completion of the permanent American Place facility could also be
delayed by weather, labor shortages, supply chain issues or other construction delays. There is no assurance that construction projects such as the
permanent American Place facility will not be subject to additional restrictions, delays, or challenges.
There is no assurance that our growth projects, including Chamonix and American Place, will be successful.
In addition to the construction and regulatory risks associated with the development of our growth projects, including Chamonix and
American Place, we cannot assure you that the level of consumer demand for these projects will meet our expectations. The operating results of
these projects may be materially different than expected due to, among other factors, consumer spending and preferences in the geographic areas,
competition from other markets, or other developments that may be beyond our control. In addition, these projects may be more sensitive than
anticipated by management to certain risks, including risks associated with downturns in the economy. Further, these projects may not generate
cash flows on our anticipated timeline. We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy with respect to these projects, capital
investments, and acquisitions. There is no assurance that these projects will result in a more successful business operation, or that these projects
will increase clientele or revenues. With respect to Chamonix, there is no assurance that a more modern expansion will attract new visitors to a city
with historic architecture. The occurrence of any of these issues could adversely affect our prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to comply with the terms of our disbursement agreement related to Chamonix could limit our access to funds.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $37.6 million deposited in a construction disbursement account for Chamonix. The
funds in the construction disbursement account, which will be used to fund the completion of the design, development, construction, equipping and
opening costs of Chamonix, will be disbursed pursuant to the terms of our Cash Collateral and Disbursement Agreement. Funds will be distributed
from this account only upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including the approval of the disbursements by an independent construction
consultant, as contemplated by the Cash Collateral and Disbursement Agreement. Such agreement is designed to ensure that the funds in the
construction disbursement account at each test date are sufficient to fund the anticipated costs to complete the Chamonix project. If we fail to
satisfy draw conditions or the independent construction consultant does not give its approval to construction draws, in each case under our Cash
Collateral and Disbursement Agreement, we may have to put additional funds into the construction disbursement account. There is no certainty
that we would have access to funds when needed to keep the account “in balance,” which could cause delays in the construction of Chamonix.
We face a number of challenges prior to opening new or upgraded facilities.
No assurance can be given that, when we endeavor to open new or upgraded facilities, the expected timetables for opening such facilities
will be met in light of the uncertainties inherent in the development of the regulatory framework, construction, the licensing process, legislative
action and litigation. Delays in opening new or upgraded facilities could lead to increased costs and delays in receiving anticipated revenues with
respect to such facilities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We may face disruption and other difficulties in integrating and managing facilities we have recently developed or acquired, or may
develop or acquire in the future.
We may face certain challenges as we integrate the operational and administrative systems of recently developed or acquired facilities
into our business. As a result, the realization of anticipated benefits may be delayed or substantially reduced. Events outside of our control,
including changes in state and federal regulations and laws, as well as economic trends, also could adversely affect our ability to realize the
anticipated benefits from the acquisition or development.
We expect to continue pursuing expansion opportunities. We regularly evaluate opportunities for acquisition and development of new
properties. We could face significant challenges in managing and integrating our expanded or combined operations and any other properties we
may develop or acquire, particularly in new competitive markets. The integration of properties we may develop or acquire will require the
dedication of management resources that may temporarily divert attention from our day-to-day business. The process of integrating properties that
we may acquire also could interrupt the activities of those businesses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, the development of new properties may involve construction, local opposition, regulatory, legal
and competitive risks, as well as the risks attendant to partnership deals on these development opportunities. In projects where we team up with a
joint venture partner, if we cannot reach agreement with such partners, or our relationships otherwise deteriorate, we could face significant
increased costs and delays. Local opposition can delay or increase the anticipated cost of a project. Finally, given the competitive nature of these
types of limited license opportunities, litigation is possible.
Management of new properties, especially in new geographic areas, may require that we increase our management resources. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to manage any new or acquired operations effectively or realize any of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions.
We also cannot assure you that, if acquisitions are completed, the acquired businesses will generate returns consistent with our expectations. Our
ability to achieve our objectives in connection with any acquisition we may consummate may be highly dependent on, among other things, our
ability to retain the senior-level property management teams of such acquisition candidates. If, for any reason, we are unable to retain these
management teams following such acquisitions or if we fail to attract new capable executives, our operations after consummation of such
acquisitions could be materially adversely affected. If we make new acquisitions or new investments, we may face additional risks related to our
business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, ability to satisfy financial covenants and comply with other restrictive covenants
under our indenture, and ability to pay or refinance our indebtedness.
The occurrence of some or all of the above-described events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
The construction of Chamonix and the permanent American Place facility may inconvenience customers and disrupt business activity
at our adjoining facilities.
Although we have attempted to minimize operational disruptions, continuing construction of Chamonix has required portions of the
adjoining Chamonix/Bronco Billy’s complex to be closed or disrupted. For example, while Chamonix began its phased opening in December
2023, guests continue to be impacted by construction necessary to complete its remaining amenities, including the rooftop pool, spa, and a new
Italian restaurant. The temporary American Place facility was designed so that construction of its permanent facility on adjoining land should not
materially disrupt business activity, but there is no certainty that this will be the case. Disruptions in operations at our Colorado or Illinois facilities
could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The permanent American Place facility, additional growth projects or potential enhancements at our properties may require us to
raise additional capital.
We may need to access financial institution sources, capital markets, private sources or otherwise obtain additional funds to fund the
permanent American Place facility. Additional capital may also be needed to fund other growth projects or potential enhancements we may
undertake at our other properties. We do not know when, or if, financial institution sources, capital markets or private sources will permit us to
raise additional funds for such phases and enhancements in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all. Inability to access financial institution
sources, capital markets or private sources, or the availability of capital only on less-than-favorable terms, may cause or force us to delay, reduce,
or cancel our growth and enhancement projects.
Our ability to obtain additional funding may also be limited by our financial condition, results of operations or other factors, such as our
credit rating or outlook at the time of any such financing or offering and the covenants in our existing debt agreements, as well as by general
economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. As we seek additional financing, we will be subject to the
risks of rising interest rates and other factors affecting the financial markets.
The casino, hotel and resort industry is capital intensive, and we may not be able to finance expansion and renovation projects, which
could put us at a competitive disadvantage.
Our properties have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements to remain competitive, including replacement, from
time to time, of furniture, fixtures and equipment, including slot machines. We may also need to make capital expenditures at our casino properties
to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Renovations and other capital improvements at our properties may require significant capital expenditures. In addition, renovations and
capital improvements sometimes generate little or no cash flow until the projects are completed. We may not be able to fund such projects solely
from existing resources and cash provided from operating activities. Consequently, we may have to rely upon the availability of debt or equity
capital to fund renovations and capital improvements, and our ability to carry them out could be limited if we cannot obtain satisfactory debt or
equity financing, which will depend on, among other things, market conditions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional
equity or debt financing, if needed, or that we will be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms. A failure to renovate or properly maintain
our properties may put us at a competitive disadvantage.
We may face risks related to our ability to receive regulatory approvals required to complete certain acquisitions, mergers, joint
ventures, and other developments, as well as other potential delays in completing certain transactions.
Our growth may be fueled, in part, by the acquisition of existing gaming and development properties. In addition to standard closing
conditions, our material transactions, including but not limited to acquisitions, are often conditioned on the receipt of regulatory approvals and
other hurdles that create uncertainty and could increase costs. Such delays could significantly reduce the benefits to us of such transactions and
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to obtain necessary government approvals in a timely manner, or at all, it can adversely impact our various expansion,
development, investment and renovation projects.
The scope of the approvals required for expansion, development, investment or renovation projects can be extensive and may include
regulatory 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, entitlements and approvals within the anticipated time frames, or at all.
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Insufficient or lower-than-expected results generated from our new developments and acquired properties may negatively affect our
operating results and financial condition.
We cannot assure you that the revenues generated from our new developments and acquired properties will be sufficient to pay related
expenses if and when these developments are completed; or, even if revenues are sufficient to pay expenses, that the new developments and
acquired properties will yield an adequate or expected return, or any return, on our significant investments. As previously discussed, the
development of new properties may involve construction, regulatory, legal and competitive risks or local opposition, any of which can
significantly increase the anticipated cost of a project. Our projects, if completed, may not achieve the level of guest acceptance and patronage we
anticipate. For this or other reasons, such projects may take significantly longer than we expect to generate returns, if any. If our new developments
or acquired properties do not achieve the financial results anticipated, it could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. Moreover,
lower-than-expected results from the opening of a new facility may make it more difficult to raise capital.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
Our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.
As of December 31, 2023, the total principal amount of our indebtedness, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, was $450.0 million,
consisting entirely of the Notes. Our Credit Facility remains outstanding for $27.0 million as of this report date. The Notes and the Credit Facility
are summarized in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We
also have a finance lease at our Rising Star Casino Resort with an outstanding balance of $2.2 million.
Our debt could, among other things:
● require us to dedicate a large portion of our cash flow from operations to the servicing and repayment of our debt, thereby reducing
funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions, and other general corporate requirements;
● limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate
requirements;
● limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;
● restrict our ability to make strategic acquisitions or dispositions or to exploit business opportunities;
● increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions and increases in interest rates;
● place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
● adversely affect our credit rating, which may adversely affect our cost to borrow funds or the market price of our common stock.
Any of these risks could impact our ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our business, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
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The indenture governing the Notes and the Credit Facility impose restrictive covenants and limitations that could significantly affect
our ability to operate our business and lead to events of default if we do not comply with the covenants.
The indenture governing the Notes and the Credit Facility impose restrictive covenants on us and our subsidiaries that may limit our
current and future operations. The restrictions that are imposed include, among other obligations, limitations on our and our subsidiaries’ ability to:
● incur additional debt and guarantee indebtedness;
● make payments on subordinated obligations;
● make dividends or distributions and repurchase stock;
● make investments;
● enter into transactions with affiliates;
● grant liens on our property to secure debt;
● sell assets or enter into mergers or consolidations;
● sell equity interest in our subsidiaries;
● make capital expenditures; or
● amend or modify our subordinate indebtedness without obtaining certain consents from the holders of our indebtedness.
These restrictions could adversely affect our ability to:
● obtain additional financing for our operations;
● make needed capital expenditures;
● make strategic acquisitions or investments or enter into alliances;
● withstand a continued and sustained downturn in our business or the economy in general;
● engage in business activities, including future opportunities, that may be in our interest; and
● plan for or react to market conditions or otherwise execute our business strategies.
Our ability to comply with the covenants under the indenture, the Credit Facility, or in any instrument governing future indebtedness, may
be affected by general economic conditions, industry conditions, and other events beyond our control, including delays in the completion of new
projects under construction. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with these covenants. Our failure to comply with
the covenants contained under the indenture, the Credit Facility, or in any instrument governing future indebtedness, including failure to comply as
a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default. If there were an event of default and it is not waived by the requisite
parties (at their option), the agent, the trustee or holders, as applicable, could cause all the outstanding obligations under the Notes, the Credit
Facility or other future indebtedness to be due and payable, subject to applicable grace periods, which could materially and adversely affect our
operating results and our financial condition. Additionally, this could trigger cross-defaults under other debt obligations. We cannot assure you that
our assets or cash flow would be sufficient to repay our obligations under the Notes, the Credit Facility or any future outstanding debt obligations,
if accelerated upon an event of default, or that we would be able to borrow sufficient funds to refinance the Notes, the Credit Facility or any future
debt instruments.
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.
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We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or asset sales, our anticipated growth in
operations, including through our expansion efforts, will be realized, or that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to
enable us to repay the Notes, and any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and to fund our other liquidity needs. In addition, as we
undertake substantial new developments or facility renovations or if we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements
may increase significantly and we may need to obtain additional equity or debt financing or joint venture partners. Any increase in our level of
indebtedness could impose additional cash requirements on us in order to support interest payments. If we incur additional debt, the related risks
that we now face could intensify.
If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to repay the Notes or any amounts outstanding under the Credit
Facility, as needed, or to obtain adequate additional financing, we may have to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying
planned expenses and capital expenditures, selling assets, or issuing equity.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service all of our indebtedness and fund our operating expenses, working
capital needs and capital expenditures, and we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which
may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our indebtedness will depend upon our future operating performance and our
ability to generate cash flow in the future, which are subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future
borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or fund our other liquidity or operational needs. If
our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be
forced to reduce or delay investment and capital expenditures, dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional debt or equity capital or
restructure or refinance our indebtedness. Such alternative measures, if necessary, may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all
and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. The indenture governing the
Notes and the Credit Facility restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from asset dispositions, and may also restrict our ability
to raise debt or equity capital to repay or service our indebtedness. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and,
as a result, our lenders could declare all outstanding amounts to be due and payable and foreclose against the collateral securing such debt, and we
could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects and could result in you losing your investment in us.
We depend on our subsidiaries for certain dividends, distributions and repayment of our indebtedness, including the Notes and any
borrowings under the Credit Facility.
The source of much of our cash flow to pay our obligations under the Notes and any borrowings under the Credit Facility and to make
payments on any other indebtedness will be dividends and distributions from our subsidiaries. If our subsidiaries are unable to make dividend
payments or distributions to us and sufficient cash or liquidity is not otherwise available, we may not be able to pay interest or principal under the
Notes or borrowings under the Credit Facility. Unless they guarantee the Notes and the Credit Facility, our subsidiaries (a) will not have any
obligation to pay amounts due under the Notes and the Credit Facility or to make funds available for that purpose and (b) may not be able to, or be
permitted to, make distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness, including the Notes and the Credit Facility. Each of
our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash
from our subsidiaries. In addition, while the indentures governing the Notes and the Credit Facility limit the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to
restrict the payment of dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations will be subject to certain qualifications and
exceptions. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required principal and interest
payments on our indebtedness, including the Notes and the Credit Facility.
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Our ability to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms may be limited.
Although we believe that our cash, cash equivalents, working capital, future cash from operations, and the capital obtained from the Notes
and available borrowing under the Credit Facility will provide adequate resources to fund completion of Chamonix and ongoing operating
requirements, we may need to refinance or seek additional financing to compete effectively or grow our business, including to complete the
permanent American Place facility. These financing strategies may not be completed on satisfactory terms, if at all. In addition, certain financing
transactions require approval of gaming regulatory authorities. Some requirements may prevent or delay us from obtaining necessary capital. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any additional financing, refinance our existing debt, or fund our growth efforts. If we are unable
to obtain financing on commercially reasonable terms, it could:
● reduce funds available to us for purposes such as working capital, capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions and other general
corporate purposes;
● restrict our ability to capitalize on business opportunities;
● increase our vulnerability to economic downturns and competitive pressures in the markets in which we operate; and
● place us at a competitive disadvantage.
The obligations under the Notes and the Credit Facility are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets. If we
default on those obligations, the holders of the Notes and lenders under the Credit Facility could foreclose on our assets. In addition, the
existence of these security interests may adversely affect our financial flexibility.
The obligations under the Notes and any borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our
assets. As a result, if we default under our obligations under the Notes or the Credit Facility, the holders of the Notes and the lenders under the
Credit Facility, acting through their appointed agent, could foreclose on their security interests and liquidate some or all of these assets, which
could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations and could require us to reduce or cease operations. In addition, the pledge of
these assets and other restrictions may limit our flexibility in raising capital for other purposes. Because substantially all of our assets are pledged
under these financing arrangements, our ability to incur additional secured indebtedness or to sell or dispose of assets to raise capital may be
impaired, which could have an adverse effect on our financial flexibility.
We and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, including subordinated 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 indentures governing the Notes and the
Credit Facility do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. If new debt is added to our or our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the
related risks that we or they now face could intensify.
Risks Related to our Legal and Regulatory Environment
We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities and the cost of compliance or failure to comply with such
regulations may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Licensing. The gaming industry is highly regulated, and we must maintain our licenses and pay gaming taxes to continue our operations.
The ownership, management and operation of gaming facilities are subject to extensive state and local regulation in the jurisdiction in which it is
located. These laws, rules and regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners, managers, and
persons with financial interest in the gaming operations. The regulatory authorities in jurisdictions where we operate have broad discretion. They
may, for any reason set forth in the applicable legislation, rules and regulations, limit, condition, suspend, fail to renew or revoke a license or
registration to conduct gaming operations. Furthermore, because we are subject to regulation in each jurisdiction in which we operate, and because
regulatory agencies within each jurisdiction review our compliance with gaming laws in other jurisdictions, it is possible that gaming compliance
issues in one jurisdiction may lead to reviews and compliance issues in other jurisdictions.
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Taxation and fees. We believe that the prospect of significant tax revenue is one of the primary reasons that jurisdictions permit legalized
gaming. As a result, gaming companies are typically subject to significant revenue-based taxes and fees in addition to normal federal, state, and
local income and employment taxes. Such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. From time to time, federal, state, and local legislators
and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. In addition, any downturn in
economic conditions could intensify the efforts of state and local governments to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes and/or property
taxes. It is not possible to determine with certainty the likelihood of changes in tax laws or in the administration of such laws. Any material
increase, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Compliance with other laws. 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, environmental matters, employment, currency
transactions, taxation, construction, zoning, land-use laws, marketing and advertising, smoking, and regulations governing the serving of alcoholic
beverages.
The Bank Secrecy Act, enforced by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) of the U.S. Treasury Department, requires us
to report currency transactions in excess of $10,000, including groupings of related transactions, occurring within a gaming day, including
identification of the guest by name and social security number, to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). This regulation also requires us to report
certain suspicious activity, including any transaction that exceeds $5,000 that we know, suspect or have reason to believe involves funds from
illegal activity or is designed to evade federal regulations or reporting requirements. Periodic audits by the IRS and our internal audit function
assess compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, and substantial penalties can be imposed against us if we fail to comply with this regulation. In
recent years, the U.S. Treasury Department has increased its focus on Bank Secrecy Act compliance throughout the gaming industry. Recent public
comments by FinCEN suggest that casinos should make efforts to obtain information on each customer’s sources of income. This could impact our
ability to attract and retain casino guests.
We also deal with significant amounts of cash in our operations and are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering
regulations. Any violations of anti-money laundering laws or regulations by any of our properties could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws
and regulations could be enacted.
Our riverboat and ferry boat operations at Rising Star must comply with certain federal and state laws and regulations with respect to boat
design, on-board facilities, equipment, personnel and safety. In addition, we are required to have third parties periodically inspect and certify our
boats for safety, stability and single compartment flooding integrity. All of our casinos also must meet local fire safety standards. We could incur
additional costs if our gaming facilities are not in compliance with one or more of these regulations.
Changes in legislation and regulation of our business could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
Regulations governing the conduct of gaming activities and the obligations of gaming companies in any jurisdiction in which we have or
in the future may have gaming operations are subject to change and could impose additional operating, financial, competitive or other burdens on
the way we conduct our business.
In particular, certain areas of law governing new gaming activities, such as the federal and state law applicable to sports betting, are new
or developing in light of emerging technologies. New and developing areas of law may be subject to the interpretation of the government agencies
tasked with enforcing them. In some circumstances, a government agency may interpret a statute or regulation in one manner and then reconsider
its interpretation at a later date. No assurance can be provided that government agencies will interpret or enforce new or developing areas of law
consistently, predictably, or favorably. Moreover, legislation to prohibit, limit or add burdens to our business may be introduced in the future in
states where gaming has been legalized. In addition, from time to time, legislators and special interest groups have proposed legislation that would
expand, restrict or prevent gaming operations or which may otherwise adversely impact our operations in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Any expansion of gaming or restriction on or prohibition of our gaming operations or enactment of other adverse regulatory changes could have a
material adverse effect on our operating results.
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Stockholders may be required to dispose of their shares of our common stock if they are found unsuitable by gaming authorities.
While gaming authorities generally focus on stockholders with more than 5% and often 10% of a company’s shares, such authorities
generally can require that any beneficial owner of our common stock and other securities file an application for a finding of suitability. If a gaming
authority requires a record or beneficial owner of our securities to file a suitability application, the owner must apply for a finding of suitability
within 30 days or at an earlier time prescribed by the gaming authority. The gaming authority has the power to investigate an owner’s suitability
and the owner must pay all costs of the investigation. If the owner is found unsuitable, then the owner may be required by law to dispose of our
securities. Our certificate of incorporation also provides us with the right to repurchase shares of our common stock from certain beneficial owners
declared by gaming regulators to be unsuitable holders of our equity securities. The price we may pay to any such beneficial owner may be below
the price such beneficial owner would otherwise accept for his or her shares of our common stock.
We are subject to environmental laws and potential exposure to environmental liabilities.
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern our operations, including emissions and
discharges into the environment, and the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes. Failure to comply with
such laws and regulations could result in costs for corrective action, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities or restrictions. We also are
subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and clean-up responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Under
certain of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating contaminated
soil or groundwater on or from its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the contamination, as well as
incur liability to third parties impacted by such contamination. The presence of contamination, or failure to remediate it properly, may adversely
affect our ability to use, sell or rent property. There can be no assurances that these matters or other matters arising under environmental laws will
not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations in the future.
We are subject to litigation which, if adversely determined, could cause us to incur substantial losses.
From time to time during the normal course of operating our businesses, we are subject to various litigation claims and legal disputes.
Some of the litigation claims may not be covered under our insurance policies, or our insurance carriers may seek to deny coverage. As a result, we
might also be required to incur significant legal fees, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position. In addition, because we
cannot accurately predict the outcome of any action, it is possible that, as a result of current and/or future litigation, we will be subject to adverse
judgments or settlements that could significantly reduce our earnings or result in losses.
Our ferry boat service is highly regulated, which can adversely affect our operations.
Our ferry boat service at the Rising Star Casino Resort is subject to stringent local, state and federal laws and regulations governing,
among other things, the health and safety of our passengers and personnel, and the operation and insurance of our vessel. Many aspects of our ferry
boat service are subject to regulation by a wide array of agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal authorities, the State of Indiana
and Commonwealth of Kentucky authorities, as well as local authorities in Ohio County, Indiana and Boone County, Kentucky. In addition, we are
required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain, maintain and periodically renew certain permits, licenses and
certificates with respect to our ferry boat service. Compliance with or the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations can be costly. In addition,
failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or, in certain cases, the
suspension or termination of our ferry boat service.
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Risks Related to Technology
Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services and an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. If we experience damage
or service interruptions, we may have to cease some or all of our operations, which will result in a decrease in revenue.
Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services and an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. Our security system and all of
our slot machines are controlled by computers and reliant on electrical power to operate. A loss of electrical power or a failure of the technology
services needed to run the computers could make us unable to run all or parts of our gaming operations. Any unscheduled interruption in our
technology services or interruption in the supply of electrical power is likely to result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenue
due to a shutdown of our gaming operations. Although we have designed our systems around industry-standard designs to reduce downtime in the
event of outages or catastrophic occurrences, they remain vulnerable to damage or interruption from floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication
failures, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks and similar events. Additionally, substantial increases in the cost of
electricity and natural gas could negatively affect our results of operations.
Our information technology and other systems are subject to cybersecurity risk, misappropriation of customer information and other
breaches of information security.
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 reputation or brand
names or otherwise harm our business. Additionally, disruptions in the availability of our computer systems, through cyber-attacks or otherwise,
could impact our ability to service our customers and adversely affect our sales and the results of operations. 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, and disruptions in
our computer systems can occur notwithstanding the data security measures and disaster recovery plans that we have in place. The cost and
operational consequences of implementing further data security measures could be significant and there is no certainty that such measures, if
purchased, could thwart all threats. Additionally, while we maintain cyber risk insurance to assist in the cost of recovery from a significant cyber
event, such coverage may not be sufficient.
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 are 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. Any loss, disclosure of,
misappropriation of, or access to customers’, employees’ or other personal, proprietary information or any other breach of our network or
information security could result in extensive legal proceedings or legal claims, including regulatory investigations and actions, or liability for
failure to comply with state or federal privacy and information security laws, including for failure to protect personal information or for misusing
personal information. These items could disrupt our operations, cause extensive damage to our reputation, and expose us to legal claims from
customers, employees, financial institutions, regulators, payment card associations, and other persons, any of which could adversely affect our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
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There are also laws and regulations governing the collection and use of biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans. For
example, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS 14/1 et seq. (“BIPA”) applies to the collection and use of “biometric
identifiers” and “biometric information” which include fingerprints and facial scans. BIPA requires written notice and consent before a private
entity (like us and our subsidiaries) may collect or disseminate biometric information. It further provides that any private entity in possession of
biometric information must establish, publish and comply with a policy regarding its schedule for destroying biometric information and follow
reasonable security measures to protect such information. Individuals are afforded a private right of action under BIPA and may recover statutory
damages equal to the greater of $1,000 (or $5,000 for reckless violations) or actual damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs for each
unlawful collection of biometric information, which the Illinois Supreme Court has interpreted to include not only the initial collection of
information to create a biometric template, but also, each subsequent scan of biometric information to identify an individual. Many Illinois
businesses, including casinos, have been accused of using biometric-enabled devices, including hand or fingerprint scanners for timekeeping or
security purposes, and facial recognition technology for security purposes, without the required policy, notice or consent. Any biometric-enabled
devices or technologies used by us in Illinois must comply with BIPA’s notice, consent, policy and security requirements to avoid potential
liability. In addition to BIPA, a number of other proposals exist for new federal and state privacy legislation that, if passed, could increase our
potential liability, increase our compliance costs and materially adversely affect our business.
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 (including class actions) or restrictions on
our use or transfer of personal information (including biometric information).
General Risks
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
Our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes that would otherwise be
due is dependent upon our generation of future taxable income before the expiration dates, if applicable, of the NOL carryforwards, and we cannot
predict with certainty when, or whether, we will generate sufficient taxable income to use all of our NOL carryforwards.
Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership
change,” generally defined as a greater than 50 percentage point change (by value) in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-
year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research and
development tax credits) to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We have experienced ownership changes in the past, and we
may experience ownership changes in the future and/or subsequent shifts in our stock ownership (some of which may be outside our control). As a
result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-change NOL carryforwards to offset U.S. federal taxable income may be subject to
limitations under Section 382, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. In addition, at the state level, there may be
periods during which the use of NOL carryforwards is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase state taxes
owed.
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The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and investors may not be able to sell our stock at a favorable price or at all.
Many factors could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall, including:
● actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations;
● change in market valuations of companies in our industry;
● change in expectations of future financial performance;
● regulatory changes;
● fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes;
● issuance of common stock market prices and volumes;
● the addition or departure of key personnel; and
● announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments, dispositions, joint ventures or other significant business
decisions.
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, for example, as a result of the coronavirus epidemic or increases in the borrowing rates set
by the Federal Reserve. 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, stockholder derivative lawsuits and/or
securities class-action litigation has sometimes been instituted against that company, sometimes irrespective of whether the company took any
action contributing to such volatility. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s
attention and resources.
The exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock may result in substantial dilution and may depress the trading price of
our common stock.
If our outstanding options to purchase shares of our common stock are exercised and the underlying shares of common stock issued upon
such exercise are sold, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution and the market price of our shares of common stock could decline.
Further, the perception that such securities might be exercised could adversely affect the trading price of our shares of common stock. During the
time that such securities are outstanding, they may adversely affect the terms on which we could obtain additional capital.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
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Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
Risk Management and Strategy
Risk Assessment. We have incorporated policies and procedures aimed at securing and protecting company records and operations. At a
minimum, our cybersecurity programs are benchmarked against and aligned to the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Version 8 framework ⸺ a
universally accepted and recognized controls standard published in 2021 ⸺ to guide annual risk assessments and ongoing control monitoring
activities. External experts are also utilized for both annual and periodic risk assessments, as needed, to ensure broad and in-depth evaluations of
the transforming cybersecurity environment.
Incident Response and Recovery Planning. We have established comprehensive incident response and recovery plans and continue to
regularly test and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans, while also providing necessary training tools and guidance for company personnel. All
of these items are incorporated into our overall risk management program.
Third-Party Risk Management. As part of our risk identification efforts and overall cybersecurity risk management framework, we have
processes in place to assess and manage third-party service provider cybersecurity risks. Such processes include initial and periodic reviews of
independent attestation reports, as well as additional evaluation and due diligence that are dependent on our classification of data stored or
processed by the third-party provider.
Governance
Qualifications. We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility. To that end, the members of our Cybersecurity Committee represent a
range of functions from across our company, including our property information technology directors, Corporate Controller, Vice President of
Internal Audit and Compliance, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, and the Western Director of Finance. This group has primary
responsibility for assessing and managing material cybersecurity risks. The combined experience of this group consists of approximately 14
decades of direct information technology leadership experience, in addition to multiple degrees and specialized training and certifications in the
information technology and cybersecurity field.
External Assessments. We engage independent third parties to conduct infrastructure and application security assessments and
penetration testing. These third parties also help us assess our internal preparedness.
Management’s Role. Our Cybersecurity Committee members and external experts meet quarterly, at a minimum, with the primary
purpose of identifying emerging company risks and related solutions, and evaluating the progress of previously-identified risk mitigation activities.
Board Oversight. Our Board, with direct oversight by the Audit Committee and senior management, ultimately presides over our
management of cybersecurity risk. The Board routinely receives reports from the Cybersecurity Committee, via the Audit Committee, about the
prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, including material security risks and information system security
vulnerabilities.
There can be no guarantee that our policies and procedures will be properly followed in every instance or that those policies and
procedures will be effective. Further, although we have not experienced any recent material cybersecurity incidents, we face a number of
cybersecurity risks in connection with our business. Other casino companies have reported large-scale cybersecurity incidents. We can provide no
assurance that there will not be incidents in the future or that they will not materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of
operations, or financial condition. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Technology” for additional discussion.
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Item 2. Properties.
Substantially all of our assets collateralize our indebtedness, as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in
Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Several of our facilities are subject to leases of the underlying real estate assets,
which may, among other things, include the land underlying the facility and, in some cases, buildings used in business operations, as discussed in
Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” See Part I, Item 1.
“Business — Operating Properties” for additional discussions.
Segments and Properties
Locations
Midwest & South
American Place(a)
Silver Slipper
Casino and Hotel
Rising Star Casino Resort
West
Bronco Billy’s /
Chamonix Casino Hotel(c)
Grand Lodge Casino
Stockman’s Casino
Waukegan, IL
Hancock County, MS
Rising Sun, IN
Cripple Creek, CO
Incline Village, NV
Fallon, NV
Owned
Land
(acres)
9.95
0.03
289.58
6.20
─
4.73
December 31, 2023
Leased
Land
(acres)
31.70 (b)
44.18 (b)
3.01 (b)
4.13 (b)
0.48
─
Slot
Machines
Table
Games
Hotel
Rooms
937
759
633
606
265
189
48
20
16
16
9
3
─
129
294
313
(d)
─
__________
(a) The temporary American Place facility opened on February 17, 2023 and does not have hotel operations. The permanent American Place
facility (under development) is currently expected to have 1,640 slot machines, 100 table games, and a premium boutique hotel comprised of
20 luxury villas.
(b) The Company has the right to buy out such leases at a fixed price.
(c) Bronco Billy’s and Chamonix are two integrated and adjoining casinos, operated by our management team as a single entity. Chamonix began
its phased opening on December 27, 2023.
(d) Located within the Hyatt Lake Tahoe, which offers 422 rooms.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
A discussion of our legal proceedings is contained in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLL.”
On March 13, 2024, we had 70 “registered holders” of record of our common stock. We believe that a substantial number of stockholders
hold their common stock in “street name” or are otherwise beneficial holders whose shares of record are held by banks, brokers, and other
financial institutions. Such holders are not included in the number of “registered holders” above.
Dividend Policy
We do not currently pay dividends on our common stock. The payment of dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of
directors and will be contingent upon our revenues and earnings, if any; the terms of our indebtedness; our capital requirements; growth
opportunities; and general financial condition. Our debt covenants currently restrict the payment of dividends and it is the present intention of our
board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations, debt reduction and growth initiatives, reinvesting such earnings
on behalf of stockholders. Accordingly, we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition should be read together with the other financial information
and consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of
factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations
for the periods reflected herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for future periods. Full House Resorts, Inc., together
with its subsidiaries, may be referred to as “Full House,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us.”
Executive Overview
Our primary business is the ownership and/or operation of casino and related hospitality and entertainment facilities, which includes
offering, among other amenities, casino gambling, hotel accommodations, dining, golf, RV camping, sports betting, entertainment and retail
outlets. We currently operate seven casinos: six on real estate that we own or lease and one located within a hotel owned by a third party. In
December 2023, we began the phased opening of our newest property, Chamonix Casino Hotel (“Chamonix”), located adjacent to our existing
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado. We are currently designing our permanent American Place casino destination, which
will be built adjacent to a temporary facility that we opened in Waukegan, Illinois, in February 2023. We are currently permitted to operate the
temporary American Place facility until August 2027. Additionally, we benefit from seven permitted sports wagering “skins” – three in Colorado,
three in Indiana, and one in Illinois. Other companies operate the active sports wagering websites under their brands, paying us a percentage of
revenues, as defined, subject to annual minimum amounts. Regarding our remaining idle skins, we continue to evaluate whether to operate them
ourselves or to have other third parties operate them. However, there is no certainty that we will be able to enter into agreements with replacement
operators or successfully operate the skins ourselves.
Starting in the first quarter of 2023, we updated our reportable segments to Midwest & South, West, and Contracted Sports Wagering.
This change reflects a realignment within the Company as a result of our continued growth. See Note 11 for additional information about our
segments, which are based primarily on geographic regions within the United States and type of income.
The following table presents selected information concerning our segments:
Segments and Properties
Midwest & South
American Place*
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel
Rising Star Casino Resort
West
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Chamonix Casino Hotel*
Grand Lodge Casino
(leased and part of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino)
Stockman’s Casino
Contracted Sports Wagering
Locations
Waukegan, IL (northern suburb of Chicago)
Hancock County, MS (near New Orleans)
Rising Sun, IN (near Cincinnati)
Cripple Creek, CO (near Colorado Springs)
Incline Village, NV
(North Shore of Lake Tahoe)
Fallon, NV (one hour east of Reno)
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), one of which is currently idle
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), two of which are currently idle
One sports wagering website (“skin”), commenced in August 2023
Colorado
Indiana
Illinois
__________
*
The temporary American Place facility and Chamonix opened on February 17 and December 27, 2023, respectively.
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Our financial results are dependent upon the number of patrons that we attract to our properties and the amounts those guests spend per
visit. While we provide credit at some of our casinos where permitted by gaming regulations, most of our revenues are cash-based, through
customers wagering with cash or paying for non-gaming services with cash or credit cards. Our revenues are primarily derived from slot machines,
but also include other gaming activities, including table games, keno and sports betting. In addition, we derive a significant amount of revenue
from our hotels and our food and beverage outlets. We also derive revenues from our golf course and ferry boat service at Rising Star, our RV
parks owned at Rising Star and managed at Silver Slipper, and retail outlets and entertainment. We often provide hotel rooms, food and beverages,
entertainment, ferry usage, and golf privileges to customers on a complimentary basis; the value of such services is included as revenue in those
categories, offset by contra-revenue in the casino revenue category. As a result, the casino revenues in our financial statements reflect patron
gaming wins and losses, reduced by the retail value of complimentary services, the value of free play provided to customers, the value of points
earned by casino customers that can be redeemed for services or free play, and adjustments for certain progressive jackpots offered by the
Company.
We set minimum and maximum betting limits for our slot machines and table games based on market conditions, customer demand and
other factors. Our gaming revenues are derived from a broad base of guests that includes both high- and low-stakes players. At Silver Slipper, our
sports book operations are in partnership with a company specializing in race and sports betting. At Rising Star, Bronco Billy’s, and American
Place, we have contracted with other companies to operate our online sports wagering skins under their own brands in exchange for a percentage
of revenues, as defined, subject to annual minimum amounts. Our operating results may also be affected by, among other things, overall economic
conditions affecting the disposable income of our guests, weather conditions affecting access to our properties, achieving and maintaining cost
efficiencies, taxation and other regulatory changes, and competitive factors, including but not limited to, additions and improvements to the
competitive supply of gaming facilities, as well as pandemics and similar widespread health emergencies.
We may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to seasonality, variations in gaming hold percentages
and other factors. Consequently, our operating results for any quarter or year are not necessarily comparable and may not be indicative of results in
future periods.
Our market environment is highly competitive and capital-intensive. Nevertheless, there are significant restrictions and barriers to entry
vis-à-vis opening new casinos in most of the markets in which we operate. We rely on the ability of our properties to generate operating cash flow
to pay interest, repay debt, and fund maintenance and certain growth-related capital expenditures. We continuously focus on improving the
operating margins of our existing properties through a combination of revenue growth and expense management. We also assess growth and
development opportunities, which include capital investments at our existing properties, the development of new properties, and the acquisition of
existing properties.
Recent Developments
Chamonix Casino Hotel. On December 27, 2023, we began the phased opening of Chamonix in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Designed to
integrate with our adjacent Bronco Billy’s Casino, the combined gaming complex currently offers a large, modern casino; luxury hotel with
approximately 300 guest rooms; 14 additional guest rooms located nearby; parking garage; meeting and entertainment facilities; high-end
steakhouse; and two additional casual restaurants. When complete later this year, the destination will also include a spa, rooftop pool, and a new
Italian restaurant. Chamonix is the only luxury casino hotel located near the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
American Place. In February 2023, we opened our temporary American Place facility in Waukegan, Illinois, which we intend to operate
while we design and construct the larger, permanent American Place facility. We recently received approvals to operate the temporary American
Place facility until August 2027. It currently includes approximately 940 slot machines, 48 table games, a fine-dining restaurant, two additional
restaurants, a center bar and a sportsbook. The permanent American Place facility is expected to include a world-class casino with a state-of-the-art
sportsbook, a premium boutique hotel comprised of 20 luxurious villas, and various food and beverage outlets.
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Key Performance Indicators
We use several key performance indicators to evaluate the operations of our properties. These key operating measures are presented as
supplemental disclosures because management uses these measures to better understand period-over-period fluctuations in our casino and hotel
operating revenues and as a measure of our performance. These key performance indicators include the following and are disclosed in our
discussions, where applicable, for certain jurisdictions on segment performance:
Gaming revenue indicators:
Slot coin-in is the gross dollar amount wagered in slot machines and table game drop is the total amount of cash or credit exchanged into
chips at table games for use by our customers. Slot coin-in and table game drop are indicators of volume, and are monitored on a consolidated
basis in relation to slot and table game win. Such metrics can be influenced by marketing activity and are not necessarily indicative of profitability
trends.
Slot win is the difference between customer wagers and customer winnings on slot machines. Table game hold is the difference between
the amount of money or markers exchanged into chips and customer winnings paid. Slot win and table game hold percentages represent the
relationship between slot win and coin-in and table game win and drop. Both the slot win and table game hold percentages are monitored on a
consolidated basis in our evaluation of Company performance.
Room revenue indicators:
Hotel occupancy rate is an indicator of the utilization of our available rooms. Complimentary room sales, or the retail value of
accommodations furnished to customers on a complimentary basis, are included in the calculation of the hotel occupancy rate.
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Segment EBITDA, Adjusted Segment EBITDA Margin and Adjusted Property EBITDA:
Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of our performance. For a description of Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP
Financial Measure.” We utilize Adjusted Segment EBITDA as the measure of segment profitability in assessing performance and allocating
resources at the reportable segment level. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements
set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Additionally, we use Adjusted Segment EBITDA Margin, which is
calculated by dividing Adjusted Segment EBITDA by the segment’s total revenues.
Same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA is Adjusted Segment EBITDA further adjusted to exclude the Adjusted Property EBITDA of
properties that have not been in operation for a full year. Adjusted Property EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest and other non-operating
income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening expenses, certain impairment charges, asset write-offs, recoveries, gain (loss)
from asset disposals, project development and acquisition costs, non-cash share-based compensation expense, and corporate-related costs and
expenses that are not allocated to each property.
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Results of Operations 2023 Compared to 2022
Consolidated operating results
The following tables summarize our consolidated operating results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
(In thousands)
Revenues
Operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net
Income tax expense (benefit)
Net loss
(In thousands)
Casino revenues
Slots
Table games
Other
Non-casino revenues, net
Food and beverage
Hotel
Other
Total revenues
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
241,060
242,222
(1,162)
22,593
1,149
(24,904)
$
$
163,281
150,598
12,683
27,518
(31)
(14,804)
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
148,363
28,122
448
176,933
33,980
9,428
20,719
64,127
241,060
$
$
Year Ended
December 31,
99,490
13,535
851
113,876
26,494
9,282
13,629
49,405
163,281
(In thousands)
2023
2022
Slot coin-in
Slot win(1)
Slot hold percentage(2)
Table game drop
Table game win(1)
Table game hold percentage(2)
$
$
$
$
2,605,335
191,556
7.4 %
152,854
28,372
18.6 %
$
$
$
$
1,837,852
135,793
7.4 %
76,130
13,733
18.0 %
Increase /
(Decrease)
47.6 %
60.8 %
(109.2)%
(17.9)%
3,806.5 %
68.2 %
Increase /
(Decrease)
49.1 %
107.8 %
(47.4)%
55.4 %
28.3 %
1.6 %
52.0 %
29.8 %
47.6 %
Increase /
(Decrease)
41.8 %
41.1 %
— pts
100.8 %
106.6 %
0.6 pts
__________
(1) Does not reflect reductions in casino revenues from “discretionary comps.” For details on our customer loyalty programs, see Note 2 to the
consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(2) The three-year averages for slot hold percentage and table game hold percentage were 7.4% and 18.3%, respectively. Longer-term hold
percentages can vary due to a number of factors, including the addition of new properties like Chamonix and American Place, or changes in
our game mix.
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The following discussion is based on our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Revenues. Consolidated total revenues increased by 47.6% (or $77.8 million) in 2023, reflecting the February 2023 opening of American
Place, which contributed $77.0 million during the year. This increase also reflects the termination of two sports wagering agreements in September
2023, which contributed $5.8 million in accelerated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023. Excluding revenue contributions from
American Place, total revenues increased $0.8 million (0.5%) when compared to 2022, despite lower gaming volumes in 2023.
For more information, see “Supplemental Information – Same-store Operating Results.”
Operating expenses. Consolidated operating expenses increased by 60.8% (or $91.6 million) in 2023, which was primarily due to the
commencement of operations at American Place, including $23.7 million in selling, general and administrative costs, $23.6 million in depreciation
and amortization, and $10.0 million of preopening costs for the year ended December 31, 2023. Operating expenses in 2023 also included
$5.7 million of preopening costs related to the construction and opening of Chamonix.
See further information within our reportable segments described below.
Interest and other non-operating expense, net.
Interest Expense
Interest expense, net, consists of the following:
(In thousands)
Interest expense (excluding bond fee amortization and discounts/premiums)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums
Capitalized interest
Interest income and other
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
39,860
2,793
(15,938)
(3,738)
22,977
$
$
33,496
1,649
(10,802)
(1,355)
22,988
$
$
Net interest expense for 2023 was relatively flat, reflecting an increase in capitalized interest related to the construction of Chamonix and
additional interest income earned from our cash balances, which nearly offset an increase in interest expense due to additional borrowings in the
first quarter of 2023. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data” for a more detailed discussion.
Other non-operating expense, net
In 2023, we had $0.4 million of other non-operating income, consisting of insurance settlement proceeds from hurricane damage at Silver
Slipper in 2020. In 2022, we incurred $4.5 million of other non-operating expense, primarily consisting of debt modification costs related to our
offering of $100 million of additional notes in February 2022.
Income taxes. Our effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were (4.8%) and 0.2%, respectively. Our
tax rates differ from the statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to changes in our valuation allowance and items that are permanently treated
differently for GAAP and tax purposes. During 2023, we continued to provide a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), net
of any available deferred tax liabilities, as applicable, based on our analysis of the timing of reversal of such deferred taxes. For 2023, the
valuation allowance was $24.0 million, compared to $15.2 million for 2022. In future years, if it is determined that we meet the more-likely-than-
not threshold of utilizing our DTAs, then we may reverse some or all of our valuation allowance.
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We do not expect to pay any federal income taxes or receive any federal tax refunds related to our 2023 results. Due to the
commencement of business operations at American Place, we expect to pay a state income tax in Illinois of $0.5 million. We used net operating
loss carryforwards from previous years to offset federal taxable income generated in 2023. Due to the level of uncertainty regarding sufficient
prospective income as measured under GAAP, we maintain a valuation allowance against our DTAs, as mentioned above. See Note 8 to the
consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a more detailed discussion.
Operating Results — Reportable Segments
We manage our casinos based primarily on geographic regions within the United States and type of income. For more information, please
refer to our earlier discussion within the “Executive Overview” section.
The following table presents detail by segment of our consolidated revenues and Adjusted EBITDA (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measure”
for more information). Additionally, management uses Adjusted Segment EBITDA as its measure of segment profitability in accordance with
GAAP.
(In thousands)
Revenues
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports Wagering
Adjusted Segment EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports Wagering
Adjusted Segment EBITDA
Corporate
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted Segment EBITDA Margin
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports Wagering
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
192,358
35,888
12,814
241,060
39,028
2,408
11,663
53,099
(4,542)
48,557
$
$
$
$
119,950
36,135
7,196
163,281
26,376
4,220
7,127
37,723
(5,589)
32,134
Increase /
(Decrease)
60.4 %
(0.7)%
78.1 %
47.6 %
48.0 %
(42.9)%
63.6 %
40.8 %
(18.7)%
51.1 %
20.3 %
6.7 %
91.0 %
22.0 %
11.7 %
99.0 %
(1.7) pts
(5.0) pts
(8.0) pts
$
$
$
$
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Supplemental Information — Same-store Operating Results
The following table presents the financial results of our Midwest & South operations on a same-store basis for the years ended December
31, 2023 and 2022 for revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA; see “Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Segment EBITDA, Adjusted Segment
EBITDA Margin and Adjusted Property EBITDA” for additional information.
Same-store operations exclude results of new and acquired operating segments that have not been in operations for longer than a year,
starting from the date of commencement or acquisition through the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, for Midwest & South, we have
excluded the results of American Place for periods subsequent to its commencement of operations.
(In thousands)
Midwest & South same-store total revenues(1)
American Place
Midwest & South total revenues
Midwest & South same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA(1)
American Place
Midwest & South Adjusted Segment EBITDA
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
115,371
76,987
192,358
20,619
18,409
39,028
$
$
$
$
2022
119,950
—
119,950
26,376
—
26,376
$
$
$
$
Midwest & South same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin(1)
American Place
Midwest & South Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin
17.9 %
23.9 %
20.3 %
22.0 %
— %
22.0 %
__________
N.M. Not meaningful.
(1) Same-store operations exclude results from American Place, which opened on February 17, 2023.
Increase /
(Decrease)
(3.8)%
N.M.
60.4 %
(21.8)%
N.M.
48.0 %
(4.1) pts
23.9 pts
(1.7) pts
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The following table presents the financial results of our Contracted Sports Wagering operations on a same-store basis for the years ended
December 31, 2023 and 2022 for revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA; see “Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Segment EBITDA, Adjusted
Segment EBITDA Margin and Adjusted Property EBITDA” for additional information.
Same-store operations exclude results of new and acquired operating segments that have not been in operations for longer than a year,
starting from the date of commencement or acquisition through the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, for Contracted Sports Wagering, we
have excluded the results in Illinois for periods subsequent to its contractual commencement of revenue payments. For comparability, we also
excluded accelerated revenues due to contract terminations from same-store operations.
(In thousands)
Contracted Sports Wagering same-store total revenues(1)
Accelerated revenues due to contract terminations(2)
Illinois
Contracted Sports Wagering total revenues
Contracted Sports Wagering same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA(1)
Accelerated revenues due to contract terminations(2)
Illinois
Contracted Sports Wagering Adjusted Segment EBITDA
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
$
4,773
5,794
2,247
12,814
3,717
5,794
2,152
11,663
$
$
$
$
5,555
1,641
—
7,196
5,486
1,641
—
7,127
Increase /
(Decrease)
(14.1)%
253.1 %
N.M.
78.1 %
(32.2)%
253.1 %
N.M.
63.6 %
Contracted Sports Wagering same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin(1)
Illinois
Contracted Sports Wagering Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin
77.9 %
95.8 %
91.0 %
98.8 %
— %
99.0 %
(20.9) pts
95.8 pts
(8.0) pts
__________
N.M. Not meaningful.
(1) Same-store operations exclude results from Illinois, which contractually commenced on August 15, 2023. For enhanced comparability, we
also excluded accelerated revenues due to contract terminations from same-store operations.
(2) For enhanced comparability, we also excluded accelerated revenues due to contract terminations from same-store operations. Such
adjustments reflect two sports skins that ceased operations in the third quarter of 2023, and two sports skins that ceased operations in the
second quarter of 2022.
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Midwest & South
Our Midwest & South segment includes Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel, Rising Star Casino Resort and American Place, which opened in
Waukegan, Illinois, in February 2023. Compared to 2022, total revenues in 2023 increased by 60.4% (or $72.4 million), primarily due to the
opening of American Place. Excluding results from American Place, same-store revenues declined by 3.8% (or $4.6 million), primarily due to
lower casino revenue during the year.
Reflecting the February 2023 opening of American Place, casino revenue increased by 78.0% (or $63.7 million), led by a 70.2% increase
in slot revenue (or $50.0 million). Table games revenue increased by 146.8% (or $14.1 million). Excluding results from American Place, same-
store casino revenue declined by 9.9% (or $8.0 million), primarily due to lower slot and table games hold percentages at Silver Slipper and
changes in promotions versus the prior year. To a lesser extent, same-store slot revenue for 2023 was adversely impacted by lower slot volumes at
Rising Star versus the prior year, likely due to the opening of a new, competing racetrack casino in September 2022 in Northern Kentucky.
Non-casino revenue increased by 22.7% (or $8.7 million), largely due to increases in food and beverage revenue. Food and beverage
revenue rose 29.7% (or $7.0 million), including $3.8 million generated by American Place. Non-casino revenue also benefited from $1.4 million in
ATM and related surcharge income at American Place during 2023. Hotel revenues for the segment remained relatively flat during the year, as the
temporary American Place facility does not have hotel operations.
Adjusted Segment EBITDA increased by 48.0% (or $12.7 million) from the prior year, reflecting the February 2023 opening of American
Place, which generated $18.4 million of Adjusted Property EBITDA, offsetting a same-store Adjusted Segment EBITDA decline of $5.8 million
(21.8%) during 2023. Same-store operations were primarily affected by declines in casino revenues and higher operating costs at Silver Slipper,
such as property insurance, as well as increases in labor expenses generally.
Of note, the temporary American Place facility was not operating at full capacity during 2023. American Place operated only one of its
major restaurants in the first quarter, followed by a second restaurant that opened in April 2023. In February 2024, its high-end restaurant opened,
thus completing the temporary American Place facility. Also, in September 2023, an on-site sportsbook commenced operations.
West
Our West segment includes Grand Lodge, Stockman’s Casino, Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel, and Chamonix Casino Hotel, which
opened on December 27, 2023. The market in Cripple Creek, Colorado, is seasonal, favoring the summer months. Our Nevada operations have
historically been seasonal, with the summer months accounting for a disproportionate share of annual revenues. Additionally, snowfall levels
during the winter months can often affect operations, as Grand Lodge is located near several major ski resorts. While Grand Lodge typically
benefits from a “good” snow year, resulting in extended periods of operation at the nearby ski areas, excessive snow levels can also result in
challenging driving conditions or the closure of roads leading to the property.
Total revenues decreased by 0.7% (or $0.2 million), primarily due to planned business disruptions to accommodate the construction of
Chamonix. These significant construction disruptions included temporarily-reduced gaming and restaurant capacity at Bronco Billy’s, as well as
the absence of all on-site hotel rooms and on-site self-parking until Chamonix’s opening at the end of 2023. To alleviate the lack of on-site parking
during 2022 and nearly all of 2023, Bronco Billy’s offered, and incurred the cost of offering, complimentary valet parking, as well as a free shuttle
service to an off-site parking lot.
Casino revenue decreased by 2.0% (or $0.7 million), largely due to the construction disruptions at Bronco Billy’s mentioned above. Slot
revenue declined by 3.9% (or $1.1 million), despite an increase in slot hold percentages at Bronco Billy’s and Grand Lodge. Table games revenue
improved by 11.4% (or $0.4 million) due to an increase in table games drop at Bronco Billy’s, as Bronco Billy’s was undergoing a casino
refurbishment for a majority of 2022, and an increase in the table games hold percentage at Stockman’s. Adverse weather also negatively affected
gaming volumes in Nevada, especially at Grand Lodge, where heavy snowfall in February and March 2023 created challenging driving conditions
and trip cancellations to our property. During the second quarter of 2023, lingering snowfall near Lake Tahoe delayed the return of seasonal
residents to Incline Village, which also adversely affected Grand Lodge’s results.
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Non-casino revenue improved by $0.4 million during 2023, primarily due to an increase in food and beverage revenues of the same
amount, while hotel revenue remained relatively flat during the year.
Adjusted Segment EBITDA decreased by $1.8 million to $2.4 million in 2023 from $4.2 million in the prior year. The segment’s
profitability was adversely affected by disruptions from the construction of Chamonix described above, including additional operating expenses
related to the operation of our new valet and parking shuttle service. Bronco Billy’s also maintained much of its payroll, despite reduced activity
levels, in anticipation of the larger workforce required to open and operate Chamonix. As mentioned, there was also adverse weather at Grand
Lodge during the first half of 2023.
In addition to construction disruption due to our neighboring Chamonix project, we are currently undergoing a modest refurbishment of a
portion of Bronco Billy’s, which began in May 2022. While Bronco Billy’s casino refurbishment was completed in December 2022, the restaurant
refurbishment will continue to impact the property until its anticipated completion in the second half of 2024. With Chamonix now open, Bronco
Billy’s is benefiting from its integration with Chamonix, including its new parking garage and approximately 300 on-site guestrooms.
Contracted Sports Wagering
The Contracted Sports Wagering segment consists of our on-site and online sports wagering skins in Colorado, Indiana and Illinois.
For 2023, this segment’s revenues grew 78.1%, from $7.2 million in 2022 to $12.8 million in 2023, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA rose
63.6%, from $7.1 million to $11.7 million. These results reflect the launch of our permitted Illinois sports skin in August 2023. Under the Illinois
sports wagering agreement, we receive a percentage of revenues (as defined), subject to an annualized minimum of $5 million, with minimal
expected expenses. Additionally, we receive a percentage of on-site sports revenue, as defined. Such agreement contributed $2.2 million each in
revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA during 2023.
Additionally, these results reflect the acceleration of revenues from the termination of two contracted sports wagering agreements in
September 2023, which contributed $5.8 million in revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA for 2023, as well as a provision for credit losses on
sports wagering receivables of $1.0 million, which adversely affected Adjusted Segment EBITDA for 2023. For the prior year, we recognized
accelerated revenues of $1.6 million in 2022, when one of our contracted parties ended its online and retail operations in May 2022 in Indiana and
Colorado. We replaced one of these terminated contracts in December 2022, when we entered into a new sports wagering agreement in Colorado,
which began contributing to our results in March 2023.
We currently have two idle sports skins in Indiana and one idle sports skin in Colorado. We continue to evaluate whether to operate our
idle skins ourselves or to have other third parties operate them. However, there is no certainty that we will be able to enter into agreements with
replacement operators or successfully operate the skins ourselves.
Corporate
Corporate expenses declined by 18.7% (or $1.0 million), as an increase in third-party professional services was more than offset by a
decrease in accrued bonus compensation. For the years ended 2023 and 2022, corporate expenses were $4.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measure
“Adjusted EBITDA” is earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization,
preopening expenses, certain impairment charges, asset write-offs, recoveries, gain (loss) from asset disposals, project development and
acquisition costs, and non-cash share-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA information is presented solely as supplemental disclosure
to measures reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) because management
believes this measure is (i) a widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming and hospitality industries and (ii) a principal basis for
valuation of gaming and hospitality companies. In addition, a version of Adjusted EBITDA (known as Consolidated Cash Flow) is utilized in the
covenants within our credit facility, although not necessarily defined in the same way as above. Adjusted EBITDA is not, however, a measure of
financial performance or liquidity under GAAP. Accordingly, this measure should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for net income
(loss) or cash flows as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
(In thousands)
Net loss
Income tax expense (benefit)
Interest expense, net
Loss on modification of debt
Gain on settlements
Operating (loss) income
Project development costs, net
Preopening costs
Depreciation and amortization
Loss on disposal of assets
Stock-based compensation
Adjusted EBITDA
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
(24,904)
1,149
22,977
—
(384)
(1,162)
53
15,685
31,092
7
2,882
48,557
$
$
(14,804)
(31)
22,988
4,530
—
12,683
228
9,558
7,930
42
1,693
32,134
49
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The following tables present reconciliations of operating income (loss) to Adjusted Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
Year Ended December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Operating
Income
(Loss)
Depreciation
and
Loss on
Disposal
Amortization of Assets
Project
Development
Costs
Preopening
Costs
Stock-
Based
Compensation
Adjusted
Segment
EBITDA and
Adjusted
EBITDA
Reporting segments
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports
Wagering
Other operations
Corporate
$
428
(5,654)
$
11,663
6,437
(7,599)
(1,162)
$
$
28,593
2,377
—
30,970
122
31,092
$
$
7
$
—
—
7
—
$
7
— $
—
10,000
5,685
$
—
—
—
15,685
— $
—
—
—
39,028
2,408
11,663
53,099
53
53
$
—
$
15,685
2,882
2,882
$
(4,542)
48,557
Year Ended December 31, 2022
(In thousands)
Depreciation
and
Loss /
(gain)
on
Disposal
Amortization of Assets
Operating
Income
(Loss)
Project
Development
Costs
Preopening
Costs
Stock-
Based
Compensation
Adjusted
Segment
EBITDA and
Adjusted
EBITDA
$
13,053
394
$
7,127
20,574
(7,891)
12,683
$
$
5,150
2,399
—
7,549
381
7,930
$
$
$
47
(5)
—
42
— $
—
—
—
$
8,126
1,432
—
9,558
— $
—
—
—
26,376
4,220
7,127
37,723
—
$
42
228
228
$
—
$
9,558
1,693
1,693
$
(5,589)
32,134
Reporting segments
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports
Wagering
Other operations
Corporate
Operating expenses deducted to arrive at operating income (loss) in the above tables include facility rents related to: (i) Midwest & South
of $5.0 million in 2023 and $2.0 million in 2022, and (ii) West of $1.9 million in 2023 and $1.8 million in 2022. During 2023, $0.8 million of
qualifying rent in our West segment was reclassified to preopening costs for our Chamonix construction project, while such amount in 2022 was
$0.9 million. Finance lease payments of $0.7 million in both 2023 and 2022 related to Rising Star’s smaller hotel within the Indiana segment are
not deducted, as such payments are accounted for as interest expense and amortization of debt related to the finance obligation.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2023, we had $73.8 million of cash and equivalents, including $37.6 million of restricted cash dedicated to the
construction of Chamonix. We estimate that between $10 million and $15 million of cash is used in our day-to-day operations, including on-site
cash in our slot machines, change and redemption kiosks, and cages. We believe that current cash balances, together with the available borrowing
capacity under our revolving credit facility and cash flows from operating activities across our seven properties, will be sufficient to meet our
liquidity and capital resource needs for the next 12 months of operations.
Cash flows – operating activities. On a consolidated basis, cash provided by operations during 2023 was $22.3 million, compared to
$4.4 million in 2022. Trends in our operating cash flows tend to follow trends in operating income, excluding non-cash charges, but are also
affected by changes in working capital. Our operating cash flows increased in 2023 primarily due to the opening of American Place in February
2023.
Cash flows – investing activities. On a consolidated basis, cash used in investing activities during 2023 was $198.8 million, which
includes a gaming license payment of $50.3 million required to open American Place, as well as capital expenditures for Chamonix and American
Place. In 2022, such amount was $172.1 million, which primarily related to capital expenditures for Chamonix and American Place.
Cash flows – financing activities. On a consolidated basis, cash provided by financing activities during 2023 was $59.0 million, while
cash provided by financing activities during 2022 was $93.6 million. During 2023, net borrowings from the Credit Facility totaled $27.0 million,
and we received $40.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of our Additional Notes to open American Place. In February 2022, we received
$102.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of additional senior secured notes to develop American Place.
Other Factors Affecting Liquidity
We have significant outstanding debt and contractual obligations, in addition to planned capital expenditures related to the construction of
Chamonix and American Place. Our principal debt matures in February 2028. Certain planned capital expenditures designed to grow the Company,
such as the permanent American Place facility and the potential future expansion of Silver Slipper, may require additional financing and/or
temporarily reduce the Company’s ability to repay debt.
Our operations are subject to financial, economic, competitive, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Such
future developments are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
Long-Term Debt. At December 31, 2023, we had $450.0 million of principal indebtedness outstanding under the Notes, and
$27.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. We also owe $2.2 million related to our finance lease of a hotel at Rising Star. With the
exception of our Credit Facility, all of our debt is at fixed interest rates.
See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for details
on our debt obligations.
Hyatt Option to Purchase our Leasehold Interest and Related Assets. Our lease with Hyatt to operate the Grand Lodge Casino
currently has an option for Hyatt to purchase our leasehold interest and related casino operating assets. The lease, which has been extended several
times in the past, currently expires on December 31, 2024. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8.
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information about this option and related rental commitments that could affect our
liquidity and capital resources.
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Capital Investments. In addition to normal maintenance capital expenditures, we expect to make significant capital investments related
to the construction of Chamonix and American Place.
Chamonix ⸺ As discussed in “Operating Properties — Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel / Chamonix Casino Hotel” under Part I, Item 1.
“Business,” we began the phased opening of Chamonix on December 27, 2023. To fund Chamonix’s construction, we issued our 2028 Notes and
placed a portion of such proceeds into a restricted cash account dedicated to Chamonix’s construction (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial
statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). As of December 31, 2023, the balance of such restricted
cash account was approximately $37.6 million. We expect to invest all of such amount in 2024, with the expected March 2024 completion of
Chamonix’s high-end steakhouse and the expected mid-2024 completion of its spa and rooftop pool.
American Place ⸺ As discussed in “Operating Properties — American Place” under Part I, Item 1. “Business,” we were selected by the
IGB to develop and operate American Place in Waukegan, Illinois. While the larger permanent facility is under development, we are operating the
temporary American Place facility, which opened in February 2023. As previously noted, we have been approved to operate the temporary
American Place facility until August 2027, thus delaying any expected meaningful capital expenditures until 2026 or 2027 for the permanent
American Place facility. During 2024, we currently expect to invest modest additional amounts into the temporary American Place facility,
primarily related to the February 2024 completion of the property’s high-end restaurant and, potentially, modest additional amounts related to
construction planning for the permanent American Place facility. While we expect to internally generate a large percentage of the needed funds to
complete American Place, we will likely need some additional financing, as well. As detailed within Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, lawsuits filed
by an unsuccessful bidder for the Waukegan gaming license – and against parties unrelated to us – may impact our ability to arrange such
financing and, therefore, delay the start of meaningful construction.
Other Capital Expenditures ⸺ Additionally, we may fund various other capital expenditure projects, depending on our financial
resources. Our capital expenditures may fluctuate due to decisions regarding strategic capital investments in new or existing facilities, and the
timing of capital investments to maintain the quality of our properties. No assurance can be given that any of our planned capital expenditure
projects will be completed or that any completed projects will be successful. Our annual capital expenditures typically include some number of
new slot machines and related equipment; to some extent, we can coordinate such purchases to match our resources.
We evaluate projects based on a number of factors, including profitability forecasts, length of the development period, the regulatory and
political environment, and the ability to secure the funding necessary to complete the development or acquisition, among other considerations. No
assurance can be given that any additional projects will be pursued or completed or that any completed projects will be successful.
Principal Debt Arrangements
See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more
information.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. Certain of our accounting policies require that we apply significant judgment in defining the appropriate assumptions for calculating
estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosures. By their nature, judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty, and therefore,
actual results may differ from our estimates. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the most significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
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Impairment of Long-lived Assets, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles
Our long-lived assets include property and equipment, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangibles, and are evaluated at least annually (and
more frequently when circumstances warrant) to determine if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances that might indicate impairment testing is warranted might include, as
applicable, an adverse change in the legal, regulatory or business climate relative to gaming nationally or in the jurisdictions in which we operate,
or a significant long-term decline in historical or forecasted earnings or cash flows or the fair value of our property or business, possibly as a result
of competitive or other economic or political factors. In evaluating whether a loss in value is other than temporary, we consider: (i) the length of
time and the extent to which the fair value or market value has been less than cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the casino
property, including any specific events which may influence the operations; (iii) our intent related to the asset and ability to retain it for a period of
time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value; (iv) the condition and trend of the economic cycle; (v) historical and forecasted
financial performance; and (vi) trends in the general market.
We review the carrying value of our property and equipment used in our operations whenever events or circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual
disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the
carrying value, then an impairment is recorded based on the fair value of the asset. Fair value is typically measured using a discounted cash flow
model whereby future cash flows are discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital, developed using a standard capital-asset pricing model,
based on guideline companies in our industry.
We test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or when a triggering event
occurs. For our 2023 annual impairment test, we performed selective qualitative and quantitative analyses for our goodwill and indefinite-lived
intangibles and concluded it was more likely than not that the fair values of such intangibles exceeded their carrying values. For 2022, we utilized
the option to perform a qualitative analysis for our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles and similarly concluded it was more likely than not
that the fair values of such intangibles exceeded their carrying values. Any impairment charges incurred are not reversed if a subsequent evaluation
concludes a higher valuation than the carrying value. For further discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 2 and Note 4 to the
consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Fixed Asset Capitalization and Depreciation Policies
We define fixed assets as certain property and equipment with economic useful lives that extend beyond a year. Such fixed assets are
stated at cost. For a significant amount of our property and equipment, cost was determined at the acquisition date based on estimated fair values.
We acquired Bronco Billy’s in May 2016, Silver Slipper in October 2012, Rising Star in April 2011 and Stockman’s in January 2007. Project
development costs, which are amounts expended on the pursuit of new business opportunities, acquisition-related costs, as well as other business
development activities in the ordinary course of business, are expensed as incurred. Maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the
value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life are also expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For our constructed assets, we capitalize direct costs of the project, including fees paid to
architects and contractors and property taxes. Salaries are capitalized only for employees working directly on the project. In addition, interest cost
associated with major development and construction projects is capitalized as part of the cost of the project. Interest is typically capitalized on
amounts expended on the project using the weighted-average cost of our outstanding borrowings. Capitalization of interest starts when
construction activities begin and ceases when construction is substantially complete or development activity is suspended for more than a brief
period.
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Table of Contents
We must make estimates and assumptions when accounting for capital expenditures. Whether an expenditure is considered a maintenance
expense or a capital asset is sometimes a matter of judgment. When constructing or purchasing assets, we must determine whether existing assets
are being replaced or otherwise impaired, which also may be a matter of judgment. In addition, our depreciation expense is highly dependent on
the assumptions we make about our assets’ estimated useful lives. We determine the estimated useful lives based on our experience with similar
assets, engineering studies, and our estimate of the usage of the asset. Whenever events or circumstances occur, which would change the estimated
useful life of an asset, we account for the change prospectively. The depreciation expense for tax purposes follows different rules than under
GAAP and can sometimes result in a significantly different depreciation schedule.
Income Taxes
We are subject to federal and state taxes in the United States. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income
taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against our net DTAs. Such valuation allowance was
$24.0 million for 2023 and $15.2 million for 2022. We make these estimates and judgments about our future taxable income that are based on
assumptions that are consistent with our future plans. Tax laws, regulations, and administrative practices may be subject to change due to economic
or political conditions, including fundamental changes to the applicable tax laws.
Our income tax returns are subject to examination by the IRS and other tax authorities. Positions taken in tax returns are sometimes
subject to uncertainty in the tax laws and may not ultimately be accepted by the IRS or other tax authorities. We assess our tax positions using a
two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a more-likely-than-not threshold. It is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that
is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Additionally, we recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax
benefits in income tax expense. For further discussion of income taxes, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item
8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a
discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
As a smaller reporting company during the year ended December 31, 2023, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not
required to provide the information required by this Item.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (PCAOB ID 34)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:
Note 1
Note 2
Note 3
Note 4
Note 5
Note 6
Note 7
Note 8
Note 9
Note 10
Note 11
Organization
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Property and Equipment, Net
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Accrued Liabilities
Long-Term Debt
Leases
Income Taxes
Commitments and Contingencies
Stock-Based Compensation
Segment Reporting and Disaggregated Revenue
55
Page
56
57
59
60
61
62
64
64
64
71
72
74
74
77
80
82
83
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Full House Resorts, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Full House Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Company and our report dated March 15, 2024, expressed
an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We
are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the
U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the
design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary
in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A
company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2024
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Full House Resorts, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Full House Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years in
the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
Company’s
in
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our
report dated March 15, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
of December
established
reporting
financial
internal
control
criteria
based
2023,
over
31,
on
as
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included
performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated
or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements
and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any
way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a
separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
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Table of Contents
Goodwill ─ Refer to Notes 2 and 4 of the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the
respective reporting units to their carrying value.
The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units in consideration of the income-based and market-based approaches. The key inputs in
determining the fair value of a reporting unit include expected cash flows and projected financial results, including forecasted revenues and
expenses (collectively the "forecasts”), the selection of the discount rate, and valuation multiples.
The determination of the Company’s Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel reporting unit fair value requires management to make significant
assumptions and estimates around forecasts and the selection of discount rates and valuation multiples. Therefore, our audit procedures to evaluate
the reasonableness of management’s forecasts required a higher degree of auditor judgment, increased level of audit effort, and use of more
experienced audit professionals, as well as the involvement of valuation specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to management’s forecasts, discount rates and valuation multiples used by management to determine the fair value of
the Company’s Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel reporting unit included the following, among others:
● We tested the effectiveness of controls over determining the fair value of the Company’s Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel reporting unit,
including controls over the forecasts, discount rates, and valuation multiples.
● We evaluated the reasonableness of the assumptions and estimates included in management’s forecasts by:
o Comparing forecasts to information included in the Company’s communications to the Board of Directors, industry reports, and
analyst reports for the Company and certain of its peer companies.
o Comparing the forecasts to historical financial results.
o Evaluating the impact of changes in the regulatory environment on management’s projections.
o Conducting inquiries with management.
o Assessing the reasonableness of strategic plans incorporated by management into the projections.
o Evaluating whether the forecasts were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
● With the assistance of our valuation specialists, we evaluated the discount rate and valuation multiples selected by management by:
o Testing the inputs underlying the determination of the discount rate and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation.
o Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management.
o Testing the source information underlying the determination of the valuation multiples.
o Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to valuation multiples selected by management.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
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Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Revenues
Casino
Food and beverage
Hotel
Other operations, including contracted sports wagering
Operating costs and expenses
Casino
Food and beverage
Hotel
Other operations
Selling, general and administrative
Project development costs, net
Preopening costs
Depreciation and amortization
Loss on disposal of assets
Operating (loss) income
Other (expense) income
Interest expense, net
Loss on modification of debt
Gain on settlements
Loss before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Net loss
Basic loss per share
Diluted loss per share
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
176,933
33,980
9,428
20,719
241,060
68,061
33,240
4,840
3,498
85,746
53
15,685
31,092
7
242,222
(1,162)
(22,977)
—
384
(22,593)
(23,755)
1,149
(24,904)
(0.72)
(0.72)
$
$
$
$
113,876
26,494
9,282
13,629
163,281
39,788
26,372
4,806
2,168
59,706
228
9,558
7,930
42
150,598
12,683
(22,988)
(4,530)
—
(27,518)
(14,835)
(31)
(14,804)
(0.43)
(0.43)
$
$
$
$
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
34,519,993
34,519,993
34,354,847
34,354,847
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable, net of provision for credit losses of $1,189 and $249
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Deposits and other
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Income taxes payable
Construction payable
Accrued payroll and related
Accrued interest
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities
Current portion of operating lease obligations
Current portion of finance lease obligations
Operating lease obligations, net of current portion
Finance lease obligations, net of current portion
Other long-term liabilities, net of current portion
Long-term debt, net
Deferred income taxes, net
Contract liabilities, net of current portion
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 35,302,549 and 35,302,549
shares issued and 34,590,150 and 34,407,654 shares outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock, 712,399 and 894,895 common shares
Accumulated deficit
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
60
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
36,155
37,639
5,332
1,839
3,674
84,639
457,907
44,704
2,318
21,286
76,271
1,332
688,457
12,794
489
20,667
4,097
14,248
19,779
4,784
1,694
78,552
40,248
2,705
16,075
465,153
1,684
6,192
610,609
4
113,329
(869)
(34,616)
77,848
688,457
$
56,589
134,587
4,082
1,479
6,184
202,921
339,057
15,771
3,808
21,286
10,869
1,617
595,329
4,602
—
30,279
3,784
12,966
9,964
2,485
1,581
65,661
13,418
4,727
—
401,852
1,024
8,856
495,538
4
110,590
(1,091)
(9,712)
99,791
595,329
Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)
Balances, January 1, 2022
Net loss
Issuance of stock on
options exercised and
restricted stocks vested
Stock-based compensation
Balances, December 31, 2022
Net loss
Issuance of stock on
options exercised and
restricted stocks vested
Stock-based compensation
Balances, December 31, 2023
Common Stock
Shares
35,302
—
$
—
—
35,302
—
—
—
35,302
$
Dollars
4
—
—
—
4
—
—
—
4
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
$
108,911
—
(14)
1,693
110,590
—
(143)
2,882
113,329
$
Treasury Stock
Dollars
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares
1,060
—
(165)
—
895
—
(183)
—
712
$
(1,292) $
—
5,092
(14,804)
$
112,715
(14,804)
201
—
(1,091)
—
222
—
$
(869) $
—
—
(9,712)
(24,904)
187
1,693
99,791
(24,904)
—
—
(34,616) $
79
2,882
77,848
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums
Non-cash change in ROU operating lease assets
Stock-based compensation
Loss on disposal of assets
Provision for credit losses
Gain on settlements
Loss on modification of debt
Other operating activities
Deferred income taxes
Increases and decreases in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Income taxes payable
Operating lease liabilities
Contract liabilities
Accounts payable and other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from insurance settlement related to property damage
Acquisition of intangible assets
Other
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Senior Secured Notes due 2028 borrowings
Proceeds from premium on Senior Secured Notes due 2028 borrowings
Payment of debt discount and issuance costs
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
Repayment of revolving credit facility borrowings
Repayment of finance lease obligations
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
62
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
(24,904)
$
(14,804)
31,092
2,793
3,586
2,882
7
940
(384)
—
506
660
(2,190)
2,150
—
489
(3,390)
1,889
6,219
22,345
(148,585)
355
(50,528)
—
(198,758)
40,000
—
(6,493)
42,950
(15,950)
(1,477)
79
(78)
59,031
(117,382)
191,176
73,794
$
$
7,930
1,649
3,397
1,693
42
(8)
—
4,530
319
(31)
619
(2,277)
(386)
—
(3,509)
3,970
1,243
4,377
(170,939)
—
—
(1,175)
(172,114)
100,000
2,000
(7,945)
—
—
(514)
187
(108)
93,620
(74,117)
265,293
191,176
Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – (Continued)
(In thousands)
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Accounts and construction payables related to property and equipment
Note payable incurred for asset acquisition
Accrued liability related to asset acquisition
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases
Financing leases
Right-of-use asset and liability remeasurements:
Operating leases
Financing leases
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
63
$
$
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
22,463
22,507
1,500
14,905
30,178
—
2,341
(150)
19,589
30,995
—
—
1,121
3,498
1,846
—
Table of Contents
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Formed as a Delaware corporation in 1987, Full House Resorts, Inc. owns, leases, operates, develops, manages, and/or invests in casinos and
related hospitality and entertainment facilities. References in this document to “Full House,” the ”Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Full
House Resorts, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.
The Company currently operates seven casinos: six on real estate that we own or lease and one located within a hotel owned by a third party. In
December 2023, we began the phased opening of our newest property, Chamonix Casino Hotel (“Chamonix”), located adjacent to our existing
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado. We are currently designing our permanent American Place casino destination, which
will be built adjacent to a temporary facility that we opened in February 2023. We are currently permitted to operate the temporary American Place
facility until August 2027. Additionally, we benefit from seven permitted sports wagering “skins” – three in Colorado, three in Indiana, and one in
Illinois. Other companies currently operate the active online sports wagering websites under their brands, paying us a percentage of revenues, as
defined, subject to annual minimum amounts. Regarding our remaining idle skins, we continue to evaluate whether to operate our remaining idle
skins ourselves or to have other third parties operate them. However, there is no certainty that we will be able to enter into agreements with
replacement operators or successfully operate the skins ourselves.
Starting in the first quarter of 2023, the Company updated its reportable segments to Midwest & South, West, and Contracted Sports Wagering.
This change reflects a realignment within the Company as a result of our continued growth. See Note 11 for additional information about the
Company’s segments, which are based primarily on geographic regions within the United States and type of income.
The following table presents selected information concerning our casino resort properties as of December 31, 2023:
Segments and Properties
Midwest & South
American Place*
Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel
Rising Star Casino Resort
West
Bronco Billy’s Casino and Chamonix Casino Hotel*
Grand Lodge Casino
(leased and part of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino)
Stockman’s Casino
Contracted Sports Wagering
Locations
Waukegan, IL (northern suburb of Chicago)
Hancock County, MS (near New Orleans)
Rising Sun, IN (near Cincinnati)
Cripple Creek, CO (near Colorado Springs)
Incline Village, NV
(North Shore of Lake Tahoe)
Fallon, NV (one hour east of Reno)
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), one of which is currently idle
Three sports wagering websites (“skins”), two of which are currently idle
One sports wagering website (“skin”), commenced in August 2023
Colorado
Indiana
Illinois
__________
* The temporary American Place facility and Chamonix opened on February 17 and December 27, 2023, respectively.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Accounting. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Full House and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Except when otherwise required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and disclosed herein, the
Company measures all of its assets and liabilities on the historical cost basis of accounting.
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Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. These principles require the Company’s
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value and the Fair Value Input Hierarchy. Fair value measurements affect the Company’s accounting for net assets acquired in acquisition
transactions and certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value measurements are also used in its periodic assessments of long-lived tangible and
intangible assets for possible impairment, including for property and equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value is defined as the
expected price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the
measurement date.
GAAP categorizes the inputs used for fair value into a three-level hierarchy:
● Level 1: Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
● Level 2: Comparable inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for similar assets or liabilities in less active markets; and
● Level 3: Unobservable inputs, which may include metrics that market participants would use to estimate values, such as revenue and
earnings multiples and relative rates of return.
Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are affected by the duration of the instruments and other factors
used by market participants to estimate value. The carrying amounts for cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts
payable approximate their estimated fair value because of the short durations of the instruments and inconsequential rates of interest.
Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. Cash equivalents include cash involved in operations and cash in excess of daily requirements that is
invested in highly liquid, short-term investments with initial maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Restricted cash balances consist of funds placed into a construction reserve account to fund the completion of the Chamonix construction project,
in accordance with the Company’s debt covenants. Chamonix began its phased opening on December 27, 2023 and is expected to be fully
complete in mid-2024.
Accounts Receivable and Credit Risk. Accounts receivable consist primarily of casino, hotel, certain sports wagering contracts that pay us in
arrears, and other receivables. Accounts receivable are typically non-interest bearing, recorded initially at cost, and are carried net of an
appropriate reserve to approximate fair value. Loss reserves are estimated based on specific review of customer accounts including the customers’
willingness and ability to pay and nature of collateral, if any, as well as historical collection experience and current and expected economic and
business conditions. Accounts are written off when management deems the account to be uncollectible and recoveries of accounts previously
written off are recorded when received.
(In thousands)
Casino
Hotel
Trade Accounts
Other Operations, excluding Contracted Sports Wagering
Contracted Sports Wagering
Other
Less: Provision for credit losses
December 31,
2023
2022
343
1
3,479
185
1,932
581
6,521
(1,189)
5,332
$
$
333
52
1,114
175
1,658
999
4,331
(249)
4,082
$
$
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The following table shows the movement in the provision for credit losses recognized for accounts receivable that occurred during the period:
(In thousands)
Balance at January 1
Current period provision for credit losses
Balance at December 31
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
249
940
1,189
$
$
257
(8)
249
At December 31, 2023, estimated loss reserves include $1.0 million in connection with two online sports wagering agreements, which remain
active in Colorado and Indiana as of this report date. Management continues to monitor economic conditions and forecasts in its evaluation of the
adequacy of the recorded reserves and believes that, as of December 31, 2023, no significant concentrations of credit risk existed for which a
reserve had not already been recorded.
Inventories. Inventories consist primarily of food, beverage and retail items, and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs are
determined using the first-in, first-out and the weighted average methods.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost and are capitalized and depreciated, while normal repairs and maintenance
are expensed in the period incurred. A significant amount of the Company’s property and equipment was acquired through business combinations,
and therefore, were recognized at fair value measured at the acquisition date. Gains or losses on dispositions of property and equipment are
included in operating expenses, effectively as adjustments to depreciation estimates.
Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment should be
assessed, including, among others, a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a particular market, or a
current period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future losses. For assets to be held and used, the Company
reviews for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company
estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (or asset group) and its eventual disposition. These estimated future cash
flows are consistent with those we use in our internal planning. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is
indicated. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, then the
Company would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the asset, typically measured using a discounted cash flow model.
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the lease,
whichever is appropriate under the circumstances. The Company determines the estimated useful lives based on our experience with similar assets,
estimated usage of the asset, and industry practice. Whenever events or circumstances occur, which change the estimated useful life of an asset, the
Company accounts for the change prospectively.
Depreciation and amortization is provided over the following estimated useful lives:
Class of Assets
Land improvements
Buildings and improvements
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Estimated
Useful Lives
10 to 18 years
3 to 44 years
2 to 10 years
Capitalized Interest. Interest costs associated with major construction projects are capitalized and included in the cost of the projects. When no
debt is incurred specifically for construction projects, interest is capitalized on amounts expended using the weighted average cost of the
Company’s outstanding borrowings. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project is substantially complete or construction activity is
suspended for more than a brief period.
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Leases. The Company determines if a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception or modification of the agreement. A contract is, or contains, a
lease if there are identified assets and the right to control the use of an identified asset is conveyed for a period of time in exchange for
consideration. Control over the use of the identified asset means that the lessee has both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic
benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset.
For material leases with terms greater than a year, the Company records right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, as
measured on a discounted basis. For finance leases, the Company recognizes interest expense associated with the lease liability, as well as
depreciation (or amortization) expense associated with the ROU asset, depending on whether those ROU assets are expected to transfer to the
Company upon lease expiration. If ownership of a finance lease ROU asset is expected to transfer to the Company upon lease expiration, it is
included with the Company’s property and equipment; other qualifying finance lease ROU assets, based on other classifying criteria under
Accounting Standards Codification 842 (“ASC 842”), are disclosed separately on their own line, “Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net.” For
operating leases, the Company recognizes straight-line rent expense.
The Company does not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. However, costs related to short-term
leases with terms greater than one month, which the Company deems material, are disclosed as a component of lease expenses when applicable.
Additionally, the Company accounts for new and existing leases containing both lease and non-lease components (“embedded leases”) together as
a single lease component by asset class for gaming-related equipment; as a result, the Company will not allocate contract consideration to the
separate lease and non-lease components based on their relative standalone prices.
Finance and operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the
expected lease term at commencement, plus any qualifying initial direct costs paid prior to commencement for ROU assets. As the implicit rate is
not determinable in most of the Company’s leases, management uses the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as estimated by third-party
valuation specialists in determining the present value of future payments based on the information available at the commencement date and/or
modification date. The expected lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will
exercise such options. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term for operating
leases. For finance leases, the ROU asset depreciates/amortizes on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or useful life of the ROU
asset as applicable, and the lease liability accretes interest based on the interest method using the discount rate determined at lease commencement.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel, Silver
Slipper Casino and Hotel, and Stockman’s Casino over the estimated fair value of their net tangible and other intangible assets on the acquisition
date, net of subsequent impairment charges, if any. The Company’s other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily include certain license rights
to conduct gaming in certain jurisdictions and trade names. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are
periodically tested for impairment. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
Tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets start with a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a
quantitative test. Items that are considered in the qualitative assessment include, but are not limited to, the following: macroeconomic conditions,
industry and market conditions and overall financial performance. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate it is more likely than not that
a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, a quantitative test is
performed.
If quantitative tests are performed, the Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit and asset group using both income and market-based
approaches. The evaluation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets requires the use of estimates about future operating results,
valuation multiples and discount rates to determine the estimated fair value. Changes in the assumptions can materially affect these estimates.
Thus, to the extent that gaming volumes deteriorate in the near future, discount rates increase significantly, or reporting units do not meet projected
performance, the Company could have impairments to record in the future and such impairments could be material. These tests for impairment are
performed annually during the fourth quarter or when a triggering event occurs.
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Finite-lived Intangible Assets. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets primarily include land lease acquisition costs and water rights. Finite-
lived intangible assets are amortized over the shorter of their contractual or economic lives. The Company periodically evaluates the remaining
useful lives of these intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization
and the possible need for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If
the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, then the Company would
recognize an impairment loss.
Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts/Premiums. Debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums incurred in connection with the issuance
of debt have been included as a component of the carrying amount of debt, and are amortized/accreted over the contractual term of the debt to
interest expense, using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. When its existing debt agreements are
determined to have been modified, the Company amortizes such costs to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the
modified debt agreement.
Revenue Recognition:
Accrued Club Points and Customer Loyalty Programs: Operating Revenues and Related Costs and Expenses. The Company’s revenues consist
primarily of casino gaming, food and beverage, hotel, and other revenues (such as sports wagering, golf, RV park operations, and entertainment).
The majority of its revenues are derived from casino gaming, principally slot machines.
Gaming revenue is the difference between gaming wins and losses, not the total amount wagered. The Company accounts for its gaming
transactions on a portfolio basis, as such wagers have similar characteristics and it would not be practical to view each wager on an individual
basis.
The Company sometimes provides discretionary complimentary goods and services (“discretionary comps”). For these types of transactions, the
Company allocates revenue to the department providing the complimentary goods or services based upon its estimated standalone selling price,
offset by a reduction in casino revenues.
Many of the Company’s customers choose to earn points under its customer loyalty programs. The Company’s properties have separate customer
loyalty programs: the Slipper Rewards Club, the Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix Casino’s Mile High Rewards Club, the Rising Star VIP Club, the
Grand Lodge Players Advantage Club®, the Stockman’s Winner’s Club, and American Place’s Legacy Rewards. As points are accrued, the
Company defers a portion of its gaming revenue based on the estimated standalone value of loyalty points being earned by the customer. The
standalone value of loyalty points is derived from the retail value of food, beverages, hotel rooms, and other goods or services for which such
points may be redeemed. A liability related to these customer loyalty points is recorded, net of estimated breakage and other factors, until the
customer redeems these points under such loyalty programs for various benefits, such as “free casino play,” complimentary dining, or hotel stays,
among others, depending on each property’s specific offers. Upon redemption, the related revenue is recognized at retail value within the
department providing the goods or services. Unredeemed points are forfeited if the customer becomes and remains inactive for a specified period
of time. Liabilities based on the standalone retail value of such benefits was $0.8 million at December 31, 2023 and $0.7 million at
December 31, 2022, and these amounts are included in “other accrued expenses and current liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.
Deferred Revenues: Market Access Fees from Sports Wagering Agreements. The Company entered into several agreements with various
unaffiliated companies allowing for online sports wagering within Indiana, Colorado and Illinois, as well as on-site sports wagering at American
Place (the “Sports Agreements”). As part of these long-term Sports Agreements, the Company received one-time “market access” fees, which are
recorded as long-term liabilities and then recognized as revenue ratably over the initial contract terms (or as accelerated due to early termination),
beginning with the earlier of operations commencement or contractual commencement. During 2023, one of the Company’s contracted parties
ceased online operations in Indiana and Colorado. Accordingly, this accelerated the revenue recognition of $1.5 million in related market access
fees, which was recognized in the third quarter of 2023, and resulted in one available skin in each of Indiana and Colorado.
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Table of Contents
Indiana. The Company’s three Sports Agreements commenced operations in December 2019, April 2021, and December 2021. Two of
these Sports Agreements ceased operations, one in May 2022 and the second in September 2023. Under the Company’s remaining active Sports
Agreement in Indiana, we receive a percentage of revenues (as defined), subject to an annualized minimum of $1.0 million. For its two idle skins,
the Company could operate the skins itself or utilize replacement operators. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to enter into
agreements with replacement operators or successfully operate the skins itself.
Colorado. The Company’s three Sports Agreements commenced operations in June 2020, December 2020 and April 2021. Two of these
Sports Agreements ceased operations, one in May 2022 and the second in September 2023. In December 2022, the Company signed a Sports
Agreement with a new third party for one of its available skins. The upfront fee was deferred upon signing. In March 2023, when the Sports
Agreement began its contractual term, we began amortization of the upfront fee over the 10-year term of the agreement. Under the Company’s two
current Sports Agreements in Colorado, we receive a percentage of revenues (as defined), subject to annualized minimums totaling $2.0 million.
For its idle skin, the Company could operate the skin itself or utilize a replacement operator. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to
enter into an agreement with a replacement operator or successfully operate the skin itself.
Illinois. In May 2022, the Company signed a Sports Agreement for its sole Illinois sports skin and received an upfront fee of $5.0 million,
which was deferred. In August 2023, when the Sports Agreement began its contractual term, we began amortization of the upfront fee over the
eight-year term of the agreement. The Company will also receive a percentage of revenues (as defined), subject to a minimum of $5.0 million per
year.
In addition to the market access fees, deferred revenue includes quarterly and annual prepayments of contracted revenue, as required in four of the
Sports Agreements. As of December 31, 2023, $4.9 million of such deferred revenue has been recognized during the year.
Deferred revenues consisted of the following as discussed above:
(In thousands)
Deferred revenue, current
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities
Contract liabilities, net of current portion
Balance Sheet Location
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
6,175
6,192
12,367
$
$
1,651
8,856
10,507
Other Revenues. The transaction price of rooms, food and beverage, and retail contracts is the net amount collected from the customer for such
goods and services. The transaction price for such contracts is recorded as revenue when the good or service is transferred to the customer over
their stay at the hotel or when the delivery is made for the food, beverage, retail and other contracts. Sales and usage-based taxes are excluded
from revenues.
Revenue by Source. The Company presents earned revenue as disaggregated by the type or nature of the good or service (casino, food and
beverage, hotel, and other operations comprised mainly of retail, golf, entertainment, and contracted sports wagering) and by relevant geographic
region within Note 11.
Advertising Costs. Costs for advertising are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, and are included in selling, general
and administrative expenses. Total advertising costs were $8.5 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022,
respectively.
Project Development and Acquisition Costs. Project development and acquisition costs consist of amounts expended on the pursuit of new
business opportunities and acquisitions, as well as other business development activities in the ordinary course of business, which are expensed as
incurred. During 2023, a nominal amount was spent to explore the online casino space, as well as to find replacement operators for the Company’s
three idle skins. In 2022, these costs were primarily associated with our efforts to successfully compete for the opportunity to develop American
Place.
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Table of Contents
Preopening costs. Preopening costs are related to the preopening phases of new ventures, in accordance with accounting standards regarding start-
up activities, and are expensed as incurred. These costs consist of payroll, advertising, outside services, organizational costs and other expenses
directly related to both the Chamonix and American Place developments.
Stock-based Compensation. The Company has various stock-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards including stock
options, time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Stock-based compensation costs are
measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options, and
based on the closing share price of the Company’s stock on the grant date for RSUs and PSUs. These costs are recognized as an expense on a
straight-line basis over the recipient’s requisite service period (the vesting period of the award), net of forfeitures and cancellations, which are
recognized as they occur, and are included within selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
Estimated compensation costs for PSUs, in particular, reflect meeting certain growth-rate targets for the applicable year-to-date period and are
subject to partial or full reversals if not completely met at year-end.
Income Taxes. We classify deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, as non-current on the consolidated
balance sheets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The
effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation
allowances are provided against DTAs when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the DTAs will not be realized within a
reasonable time period.
Our income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities. Positions taken in tax returns
are sometimes subject to uncertainty in the tax laws and may not ultimately be accepted by the IRS or other tax authorities. We assess our tax
positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a more-likely-than-not threshold, and is measured at the largest amount
of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Additionally, we recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to
unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Reclassifications. To conform to the current-period presentation, the Company made certain minor financial statement presentation
reclassifications to prior-period amounts. Such reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations or financial position.
Earnings (loss) per share. Earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-
dilutive securities, including stock options, restricted stock and performance-based shares, using the treasury stock method.
(In thousands)
Numerator:
Net loss ─ basic
Net loss ─ diluted
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares ─ basic
Potential dilution from share-based awards
Weighted-average common and common share equivalents ─ diluted
Anti-dilutive share-based awards excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share
70
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
(24,904)
(24,904)
$
$
(14,804)
(14,804)
34,520
—
34,520
4,015
34,355
—
34,355
3,710
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Accounting Pronouncements
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASC 326 “Financial
Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurements of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASC 326”), which replaces the existing
incurred loss model with a current expected credit loss (CECL) model that requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable
information to inform credit loss estimates. The Company adopted ASC 326 on January 1, 2023, which did not have a material impact on its
financial statements or accounting policies. The Company now utilizes a forward-looking current expected credit loss model for accounts
receivable. As of December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a provision in 2023 for credit losses of approximately $1.0 million, attributable
mostly to two of its online sports wagering agreements.
ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes, Topic 740, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“Update 2023-09”)
In December 2023, the FASB issued Update 2023-09 to improve income tax disclosure requirements, primarily related to rate reconciliations and
income taxes paid. Update 2023-09 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early
adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2023-09 to the consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting, Topic 280, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“Update 2023-07”)
In November 2023, the FASB issued Update 2023-07 to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced
disclosures about significant segment expenses. Update 2023-07 is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for financial statements issued for
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The
Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of Update 2023-07 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Company believes that there are no other recently-issued accounting standards not yet effective that are currently likely to have a material
impact on its financial statements.
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Land and improvements
Buildings and improvements
Furniture and equipment
Construction in progress
Less: Accumulated depreciation
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
37,601
256,722
88,522
188,841
571,686
(113,779)
457,907
$
$
26,477
120,732
51,336
227,006
425,551
(86,494)
339,057
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Property and equipment included assets under finance leases related to our hotel at Rising Star Casino Resort (see Note 7) are as follows:
(In thousands)
Leased land and improvements
Leased buildings and improvements
Leased furniture and equipment(1)
Less: Accumulated amortization(1)
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
215
5,787
1,133
7,135
(2,726)
4,409
$
$
215
5,787
1,724
7,726
(3,160)
4,566
__________
(1) Amounts shown for December 31, 2023 are after the effects of $0.6 million in disposals made in the third quarter.
4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Goodwill:
The following table sets forth changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment:
(In thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2022
Account activity
Balance, December 31, 2022
Account activity
Balance, December 31, 2023
Other Intangible Assets:
Midwest & South
14,671
$
—
14,671
—
14,671
$
West
6,615
—
6,615
—
6,615
$
$
Contracted
Sports
Wagering
$
$
—
—
—
—
—
Total Goodwill, Net
21,286
$
—
21,286
—
21,286
$
The following tables set forth changes in the carrying value of intangible assets other than goodwill:
(In thousands)
Land Lease and Water Rights
Development Agreement
Gaming Licenses
Trade Names
Trademarks
Weighted
Useful Life
(Years)
34.3
5.0
Indefinite
Indefinite
Indefinite
$
$
December 31, 2023
Gross
Carrying
Value
Additions
$
Accumulated
Amortization
(346)
—
—
—
—
$
(346)
— $
275
65,155
—
3
65,433
$
Other
Intangible
Assets, Net
1,074
275
72,998
1,800
124
76,271
1,420
—
7,843
1,800
121
11,184
$
$
72
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(In thousands)
Land Lease and Water Rights
Gaming Licenses
Trade Names
Trademarks
Weighted
Useful Life
(Years)
35.3
Indefinite
Indefinite
Indefinite
$
$
December 31, 2022
Gross
Carrying
Value
Additions
$
1,420
7,843
1,800
121
11,184
$
Accumulated
Amortization
$
Other
Intangible
Assets, Net
$
$
1,105
7,843
1,800
121
10,869
(315)
—
—
—
(315)
—
—
—
—
— $
There were no impairments to goodwill or other intangible assets during 2022 and 2023.
Land Lease Acquisition Costs and Water Rights. Upon its acquisition by the Company in 2012, Silver Slipper recognized intangible assets related
to its lease agreement with Cure Land Company, LLC (see Note 7). The lease was valued at $970,000 and represents the excess fair value of the
land over the estimated net present value of the land lease payments, and the water rights value of $450,000 represents the fair value of the water
rights based upon market rates in Hancock County, Mississippi.
Development Agreement. Chamonix recognized an intangible asset related to its payment of $275,000 in 2023 under an agreement with a third
party to design, develop, construct, and operate its high-end steakhouse under certain exclusivity provisions. Amortization is expected to begin
upon the commencement of operations in the first quarter of 2024 during the initial 5-year term of the contract.
Gaming Licenses. Gaming licenses primarily represent the value of the license to conduct gaming in certain jurisdictions, which are subject to
highly extensive regulatory oversight and, in some cases, a limitation on the number of licenses available for issuance. The values of gaming
licenses were primarily estimated using a multi-period excess earning method of the income approach, which examines the economic returns
contributed by the identified tangible and intangible assets of a company, and then isolates the excess return, which is attributable to the asset being
valued, based on cash flows attributable to the gaming license.
During 2023, a gaming license payment of $50.3 million was required to open American Place. At December 31, 2023, an additional $14.9 million
was added to the estimated cost of such acquisition, reflecting the contingent component of the one-time gaming license fee in Illinois (see
Note 9).
Trade Names. Trade names represents the value of the Bronco Billy’s casino name, which has existed for approximately 32 years and provides
brand recognition. The value was estimated using a relief-from-royalty method of the income approach based upon comparable trade name royalty
agreements.
Current and Future Amortization. Intangible asset amortization expense was approximately $31,000 each for the years ended December 31, 2023
and 2022.
Future amortization expense for intangible assets is as follows:
(In thousands)
For Years ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
73
$
Amortization Expense
77
86
86
86
86
928
1,349
$
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5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Contract and contract-related liabilities:
Players club points and progressive jackpots
Outstanding chip liability
Unpaid wagers and other
Other gaming-related accruals
Contract liabilities, current
Other accrued liabilities:
Gaming and other taxes
Real estate and personal property taxes
Professional fees
Short term portion of note payable for asset acquisition
Other
6. LONG-TERM DEBT
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
4,399
527
338
505
6,175
2,737
3,048
40
252
1,758
19,779
$
$
3,010
416
122
421
1,651
1,497
1,745
232
—
870
9,964
Senior Secured Notes due 2028. On February 12, 2021, the Company refinanced all of its outstanding Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “Prior
Notes”) with the issuance of $310 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The net
proceeds from the sale of the 2028 Notes were used to redeem all of the outstanding Prior Notes (including a 0.90% prepayment premium) and to
repurchase all outstanding warrants. Additionally, $180 million of bond proceeds were initially placed into a construction reserve account to fund
construction of Chamonix, which was later increased to $221 million in January 2022 to reflect an expansion of the project.
On February 7, 2022, the Company closed a private offering for an additional $100 million of Senior Secured Notes due 2028, which sold at a
price of 102.0% of such principal amount. Proceeds from this sale were used: (i) to develop, equip and open the temporary American Place facility,
which the Company intends to operate while it designs and constructs its permanent facility, (ii) to pay the transaction fees and expenses of such
offer and sale, and (iii) for general corporate purposes. The additional notes from this sale were issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of
February 12, 2021 (the “Original Indenture”), to which the Company issued the $310 million of 2028 Notes described above. In connection with
the issuance of the additional notes in February 2022, the Company and the subsidiary guarantors party to the Original Indenture also entered into
three Supplemental Indentures with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
On February 21, 2023, the Company issued an additional $40.0 million of senior secured notes (the “Additional Notes”), thereby increasing the
outstanding borrowing under the 2028 Notes to $450.0 million (collectively, the “Notes”). Related to the issuance of the Additional Notes, the
Company further amended the indenture governing the Notes (collectively, the “Amended Indenture”) and amended its revolving credit facility.
Proceeds from the offering of the Additional Notes, net of related expenses and discounts, were approximately $34 million and were used: (i) to
open American Place, including the payment of related Illinois gaming license fees in March 2023, and (ii) for general corporate purposes. The
Additional Notes are essentially identical to the 2028 Notes, as they are treated as a single series of senior secured debt securities with the 2028
Notes and also as a single class for all purposes under the Amended Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions
and offers to purchase.
The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.25% per year and mature on February 15, 2028. There is no mandatory debt amortization prior to the
maturity date. Interest on the Notes is payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
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The Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally (such guarantees, the “Guarantees”), by each of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries (collectively,
the “Guarantors”). The Notes and the Guarantees are the Company’s and the Guarantors’ general senior secured obligations, subject to the terms of
the Collateral Trust Agreement (as defined in the Amended Indenture), ranking senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s and the
Guarantors’ existing and future debt that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the Guarantees, if any. The Notes and the
Guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future senior debt.
The Notes contain representations and warranties, covenants, and restrictions on dividends customary for notes of this type. Mandatory
prepayments, in whole or in part, of the Notes will be required upon the occurrence of certain events, including sales of certain assets (unless such
net proceeds are reinvested in the business), upon certain changes of control, or should the Company have certain unused funds in the construction
disbursement account following the completion of Chamonix (expected in early 2024).
The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes for cash at the following redemption prices:
February 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025
February 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026
February 15, 2026 and Thereafter
Redemption Periods
Percentage Premium
104.125 %
102.063 %
100.000 %
Revolving Credit Facility due 2026. On February 7, 2022, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Credit Agreement with Capital One,
N.A. (“Capital One”), which, among other things, increased the borrowing capacity under the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of
March 31, 2021, from $15.0 million to $40.0 million. The amended $40.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility matures on
March 31, 2026 and includes a letter of credit sub-facility. The senior secured revolving credit facility may be used for working capital and other
ongoing general purposes.
On February 21, 2023, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement with Capital One, which, among other things,
increased the amount of additional indebtedness permitted under the Company’s Credit Agreement from $25.0 million to $40.0 million
(collectively, the “Credit Facility”). Such amendment permitted the issuance of the Additional Notes, as described above.
The interest rate per annum applicable to loans under the Credit Facility is currently, at the Company’s option, either (i) the Secured Overnight
Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a margin equal to 3.50% and a Term SOFR adjustment of 0.15%, or (ii) a base rate plus a margin equal to 2.50%.
Upon the opening of Chamonix (as defined in the agreement), the interest rate per annum applicable to loans under the Credit Facility was reduced
to, at the Company’s option, either (i) SOFR plus a margin equal to 3.00% and a Term SOFR adjustment of 0.15%, or (ii) a base rate plus a margin
equal to 2.00%. Terms regarding the annual commitment fee, customary letter of credit fees, and repayment date of March 31, 2026, remain
unchanged from the original Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2021.
The Credit Facility is equally and ratably secured by the same assets and guarantees securing the Notes. The Company may make prepayments of
any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility (without any reduction of the revolving commitments) in whole or in part at any time without
penalty.
The Credit Facility contains a number of negative covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, are substantially similar to the covenants contained
in the Notes. The Credit Facility also requires compliance with a financial covenant as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, such that Adjusted
EBITDA (as defined) for the trailing 12-month period must equal or exceed the utilized portion of the Credit Facility, if drawn. As of
December 31, 2023, Company was in compliance with this financial covenant and $27.0 million of borrowings remain outstanding under the
Credit Facility.
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Long-term debt consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility due 2026
8.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums, net
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
27,000
450,000
(11,847)
465,153
$
$
—
410,000
(8,148)
401,852
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $423.0 million for December 31, 2023 and
$360.6 million for December 31, 2022, which values were estimated using quoted market prices (Level 1 inputs). The fair value of the Credit
Facility approximates its carrying amount, as it is revolving, variable rate debt, and is classified as a Level 2 measurement.
Maturities of Long-Term Debt. As of December 31, 2023, future maturities under the Credit Facility and Notes are as follows:
(In thousands)
For Years ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Revolving Credit
Facility due 2026
Senior Secured
Notes due 2028
Total
$
$
—
—
27,000
—
—
—
27,000
$
$
—
—
—
—
450,000
—
450,000
$
$
—
—
27,000
—
450,000
—
477,000
The following table summarizes information related to interest expense:
(In thousands)
Interest expense (excluding bond fee amortization and discounts/premiums)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums
Capitalized interest
Interest income and other
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
39,860
2,793
(15,938)
(3,738)
22,977
$
$
33,496
1,649
(10,802)
(1,355)
22,988
$
$
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7. LEASES
The Company has no material leases in which it is the lessor. As lessee, the Company has finance leases for a hotel and certain equipment, as well
as operating leases for land, casino and office space, equipment, and buildings. The Company’s remaining lease terms, including extensions, range
from one month to approximately 98 years as of December 31, 2023. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value
guarantees or material restrictive covenants, but the land leases at Silver Slipper and American Place do include contingent rent, as further
discussed below.
Operating Leases
Waukegan Ground Lease through February 2122 and Option to Purchase. In January 2023, the Company’s subsidiary, FHR-Illinois, LLC,
entered into a 99-year ground lease (the “Ground Lease”) for approximately 32 acres of land (the ”City-Owned Parcel”) with the City of
Waukegan in Illinois (the “City”). The ground lease commenced concurrently with the opening of American Place on February 17, 2023. The City
Owned Parcel and an adjacent 10-acre parcel owned by the Company comprise the location of American Place, including its temporary facility.
Annual rent under the Ground Lease is the greater of (i) $3.0 million (the “Annual Guaranteed Minimum Rent”), or (ii) 2.5% of gross gaming
revenue (as defined in the lease) generated by American Place. We recognized $2.6 million of rent expense with no contingent rent during 2023.
The Company has the right to purchase the City-Owned Parcel at any time during the term of the Ground Lease for $30 million. If it does so prior
to the opening of the permanent American Place facility, then it must continue to pay rent due to the City under the Ground Lease until the
permanent casino is open.
Silver Slipper Casino Land Lease through April 2058 and Options to Purchase. In 2004, the Company’s subsidiary, Silver Slipper Casino
Venture, LLC, entered into a land lease with Cure Land Company, LLC for approximately 31 acres of marshlands and a seven-acre parcel on
which the Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel is situated. Annual minimum rent is $0.9 million throughout the lease term until 2058, plus contingent
rents of 3% of gross gaming revenue (as defined in the lease) in excess of $3.65 million per month. We recognized $1.7 million of rent expense,
including $0.8 million of contingent rents, during 2023, and $1.8 million of rent expense, including $0.9 million of contingent rents, during 2022.
Through October 1, 2027, the Company may buy out the lease for $15.5 million plus a seller-retained interest in Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel’s
operations of 3% of net income (as defined) for 10 years following the purchase date. In the event that the Company sells or transfers either:
(i) substantially all of the assets of Silver Slipper Casino Venture, LLC or (ii) its membership interests in Silver Slipper Casino Venture, LLC in its
entirety, then the purchase price will increase to $17.1 million, plus the retained interest mentioned above. In either case, the Company also has an
option to purchase a four-acre portion from the total 38 acres of leased land for $2.0 million in connection with the development of an owned
hotel, which may be exercised at any time and would accordingly reduce the purchase price of the remaining land by $2.0 million.
Bronco Billy’s / Chamonix Lease through January 2035 and Option to Purchase. The Company’s subsidiary, FHR-Colorado LLC, leases
certain parcels, including a portion of the hotel and casino, under a long-term lease. The lease term includes six renewal options in three-year
increments to 2035. The Company exercised its third renewal option to extend the lease term through January 2026, with current annual lease
payments of $0.4 million. Annual minimum rent will increase to $0.5 million starting in February 2026 with adjustments on each anniversary
thereafter, based on the consumer price index. The lease also contains a $7.6 million purchase option exercisable at any time during the lease term,
or as extended, and a right of first refusal on any sale of the property.
The Company’s related ROU asset and liability balances on its balance sheet factor in all renewal terms through January 2035, as the Company is
deemed likely to exercise each renewal unless it exercises its purchase buyout right.
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Grand Lodge Casino Lease through December 2024. The Company’s subsidiary, Gaming Entertainment (Nevada), LLC, has a lease with
Incline Hotel, LLC, the owner of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort (“Hyatt Lake Tahoe”), to operate the Grand Lodge Casino. It is
collateralized by the Company’s interests under the lease and property (as defined in the lease) and is subordinate to the liens of the Notes (see
Note 6). The lessor has an option to purchase the Company’s leasehold interest and related operating assets of the Grand Lodge Casino, subject to
assumption of applicable liabilities. The option price is an amount equal to the Grand Lodge Casino’s positive working capital, plus Grand Lodge
Casino’s earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the 12-month period preceding the acquisition (or
pro-rated if less than 12 months remain on the lease), plus the fair market value of the Grand Lodge Casino’s personal property.
The current annual rent of $2.0 million is applicable through the remaining lease term. In February 2023, the lease was amended to extend the
current term through December 31, 2024 (with no changes to rent). Accordingly, the Company remeasured this lease’s related ROU asset and
liability balances on its balance sheet upon the effective date of the amendment. We recognized $1.9 million of rent expense during 2023 and
$1.8 million during 2022.
Corporate Office Lease through January 2025. The Company leases 4,479 square feet of office space in Las Vegas, Nevada. Annual rent is
approximately $0.2 million and the term of the office lease expires in January 2025.
Finance Lease
Rising Star Casino Hotel Lease through October 2027 and Option to Purchase. The Company’s Indiana subsidiary, Gaming Entertainment
(Indiana) LLC, leases a 104-room hotel at Rising Star Casino Resort. At any time during the lease term, the Company has the option to purchase
the hotel, and approximately 3.01 acres of land on which it resides, at a price based upon the project’s original cost of $7.7 million (see Note 3),
reduced by the cumulative principal finance lease payments made by the Company during the lease term. At December 31, 2023, such net amount
was $2.2 million. Upon expiration of the lease term in October 2027, (i) the Landlord has the right to sell the hotel to the Company, and (ii) the
Company has the option to purchase the hotel. In either case, the purchase price is $1 plus closing costs.
The components of lease expense are as follows:
(In thousands)
Lease Costs
Operating leases:
Fixed/base rent
Short-term payments
Variable payments
Finance leases:
Classification within
Statement of Operations
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Amortization of leased assets
Interest on lease liabilities
Total lease costs
Depreciation and Amortization
Interest Expense, Net
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
7,933
22
1,213
1,496
371
11,035
$
$
4,833
136
1,366
266
138
6,739
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Leases recorded on the balance sheet consist of the following:
(In thousands)
Leases
Assets
Operating lease assets
Finance lease assets
Finance lease assets
Total lease assets
Liabilities
Current
Operating
Finance
Noncurrent
Operating
Finance
Total lease liabilities
Balance Sheet Classification
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net(1)
Property and Equipment, Net(2)
Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net(3)
Current Portion of Operating Lease Obligations(1)
Current Portion of Finance Lease Obligations
Operating Lease Obligations, Net of Current Portion(1)
Finance Lease Obligations, Net of Current Portion
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
$
44,704
4,409
2,318
51,431
4,784
1,694
40,248
2,705
49,431
$
$
$
$
15,771
4,566
3,808
24,145
2,485
1,581
13,418
4,727
22,211
__________
(1) The increases in operating lease assets and operating lease obligations are primarily due to the land lease for a portion of the American Place
site.
(2) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $2.7 million (after the effects of $0.6 million in disposals) and
$3.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(3) These finance lease assets are recorded separately from Property and Equipment due to meeting qualifying classification criteria under
ASC 842, but ownership of such assets is not expected to transfer to the Company upon term expiration. Additionally, amortization of these
assets are expensed over the duration of the lease term or the assets’ estimated useful lives, whichever is earlier.
Maturities of lease liabilities are summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
Years Ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments
Less: Amount representing interest
Present value of lease liabilities
Less: Current lease obligations
Long-term lease obligations
Operating
Leases
Finance
Leases
$
$
7,735
5,722
4,864
4,515
4,515
312,066
339,417
(294,385)
45,032
(4,784)
40,248
$
$
1,957
1,721
652
489
—
—
4,819
(420)
4,399
(1,694)
2,705
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Other information related to lease term and discount rate is as follows:
Lease Term and Discount Rate
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Operating leases
Finance leases
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases
Finance leases
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
(In thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases
Operating cash flows for finance leases
Financing cash flows for finance leases
8. INCOME TAXES
December 31,
2023
67.9 years
2.8 years
10.91 %
7.46 %
2022
23.2 years
3.7 years
9.73 %
7.08 %
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
7,737
371
1,477
$
$
$
4,944
138
514
The income tax expense (benefit) attributable to the Company’s loss before income taxes consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Current Taxes
Federal
State
Deferred Taxes
Federal
State
Increase in valuation allowance
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
—
489
489
(5,007)
(3,108)
8,775
660
1,149
$
$
—
—
—
(4,077)
(1,279)
5,325
(31)
(31)
$
$
A reconciliation of the federal income tax statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
(In thousands)
Tax Rate Reconciliation
Federal income tax benefit at U.S. statutory rate
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Change in valuation allowance
Permanent differences
Credits
Other
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
Percent
Amount
Percent
Amount
21.0 %
11.0 %
(36.9)%
(0.7)%
0.8 %
— %
(4.8)%
$
$
(4,988)
(2,621)
8,775
168
(191)
6
1,149
21.0 %
8.6 %
(35.9)%
(0.5)%
0.7 %
6.3 %
0.2 %
$
$
(3,115)
(1,279)
5,325
77
(110)
(929)
(31)
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The Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation
Intangible assets and amortization
Net operating loss carry-forwards
Accrued expenses
Credits
Loan Fees
Interest limitation
Lease liabilities
Deferred revenues
Valuation allowance
Other
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation of fixed assets
Amortization of indefinite-lived intangibles
Right-of-use assets
Other
December 31,
2023
2022
2,452
6,071
12,158
804
1,152
1,269
4,418
12,085
1,781
(23,966)
354
18,578
(1,777)
(5,621)
(12,033)
(831)
(20,262)
(1,684)
$
$
1,673
3,972
8,364
603
916
1,206
1,668
4,718
789
(15,191)
144
8,862
(423)
(4,021)
(4,739)
(703)
(9,886)
(1,024)
$
$
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards totaling $26.0 million and state tax carryforwards of
$137.0 million. In general, our federal tax net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely and our state tax carryforwards can
be carried forward 20 years. The Company also has general business credits of $1.2 million, which begin to expire in 2035.
In assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), the Company considered whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all
of the DTAs will not be realized. The ultimate realization of DTAs is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considered all of the available positive and negative evidence when
determining the need for a valuation allowance, including, but not limited to, the scheduled reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities, projected
future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As of December 31, 2023, the Company continues to provide a
valuation allowance against its DTAs that cannot be offset by existing deferred tax liabilities. In accordance with ASC 740, this assessment has
taken into consideration the jurisdictions in which these DTAs reside. The valuation allowance against DTAs has no effect on the actual taxes paid
or owed by the Company. In the future, if it is determined that we meet the more-likely-than-not threshold of utilizing our deferred tax assets as
required under ASC 740, we may reverse some or all of our valuation allowance. We will continue to evaluate the need for the valuation allowance
during each interim period in 2024. Should net income improve in the future, the valuation allowance could be reversed by the end of 2024, absent
any unforeseen impact to our operations.
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The Company’s utilization of net operating loss (“NOL”) and the general business tax credit carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation
under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “IRC”), and similar state provisions due to ownership changes that may
have occurred or that could occur in the future. These ownership changes may limit the amount of NOL and tax credit carryforwards that can be
utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. In general, an ownership change, as defined by IRC Sections 382 and 383,
results from transactions increasing ownership of certain stockholders or public groups in the stock of the corporation by more than 50 percentage
points over a three-year period. The Company has completed a Section 382 analysis as of the date of this report and determined that it is more
likely than not that there have not been any of such greater-than-50% ownership changes within a three-year period during the last five years that
would require an analysis of any potential limitation.
Management has made an annual analysis of its federal and state tax returns and concluded that the Company has no recordable liability, as of
December 31, 2023 or 2022, for unrecognized tax benefits as a result of uncertain tax positions taken.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is generally not subject to
federal or state examination for periods prior to December 31, 2020. However, as the Company utilizes its NOLs, prior periods can be subject to
examination.
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
The Company is party to a number of pending legal proceedings related to matters that occurred in the normal course of business. Management
does not expect that the outcome of any such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial
position, results of operations and cash flows.
Contingent Gaming License Fees in Illinois
As required for its gaming licensure at American Place, the Company may be required to make a “Reconciliation Payment” to the State of Illinois.
The Reconciliation Payment is calculated three years after the commencement of gaming operations in Illinois in an amount equal to 75% of the
adjusted gross receipts for the most lucrative trailing 12-month period of operations, offset by certain licensing fees already paid by the Company
in the first quarter of 2023 (the “Position Fee”). The Reconciliation Payment is due in annual installments over a period of six years, beginning in
the fourth year of gaming operations.
As of December 31, 2023, management accrued for a long-term obligation, discounted at $14.9 million (with a corresponding increase to the
Illinois gaming license valuation), in order to reflect performance of gaming operations at American Place during the year, net of $35.0 million that
the Company paid in Position Fees.
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan for all eligible employees providing voluntary contributions by eligible employees and
matching contributions made by the Company. Matching contributions made by the Company were $0.3 million for 2023, and $0.2 million for
2022, excluding nominal administrative expenses. For both years, the Company’s employer matching contribution rate was at 50% and up to 4%
of eligible compensation.
Liquidity, Concentrations and Economic Risks and Uncertainties
The Company carries cash on deposit with financial institutions that may be in excess of federally-insured limits. The extent of any loss that might
be incurred as a result of uninsured deposits in the event of a future failure of a bank or other financial institution, if any, is not subject to
estimation at this time.
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10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”), as approved by stockholders and further amended in May 2021,
allows for the issuance of up to 4,500,000 shares of common stock. The 2015 Plan allows for stock-based awards to be granted to directors,
employees and consultants and allows for a variety of forms of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock,
restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and performance-based compensation. Stock option awards have maximum 10-year terms and no
awards issued under the 2015 Plan vest on an accelerated basis if there is a change in control of the Company, unless the awards are not assumed
by the successor, as defined.
Performance-Based Shares. The Company issued a total of 120,356 performance-based shares to its executives in 2023. The vesting for these
performance-based shares is based on the compounded annual growth rate of the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow Per Share, as
defined, for the three-year periods ending December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2025. For the 2023 period, one-third of such
performance-based shares either vested or will vest on the anniversary date of the awards, as both of the Company’s growth-rate targets for such
period were achieved. Vesting of the remaining performance-based shares requires satisfaction of similar conditions for the 2024 and 2025 periods.
Restricted Stock Awards. On May 18, 2023, the Company issued to non-executive members of its Board of Directors, as compensation for their
annual service, a total of 70,945 restricted shares under the 2015 Plan, with a one-year vesting period.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 671,041 stock-based awards authorized by stockholders and available for grant from the 2015 Plan.
Stock Options. The following table summarizes information related to the Company’s common stock options:
Number
of Stock
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Options outstanding at January 1, 2023
Granted
Exercised
Canceled/Forfeited
Expired
Options outstanding at December 31, 2023
Options exercisable at December 31, 2023
3,503,235
350,754
(56,762)
(20,000)
(20,000)
3,757,227
3,059,868
Compensation Cost. Compensation expense is as follows for 2022 and 2023:
(In thousands)
Compensation Expense
Stock options
Restricted and performance-based shares
$
$
$
$
$
2.80
7.40
1.40
6.88
3.22
3.22
2.27
4.31
3.31
$
$
10,280,758
10,221,180
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
1,517
1,365
2,882
$
$
1,150
543
1,693
As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $2.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted by
the Company, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. As of such date, there was also $1.3 million of
unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted and performance shares, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-
average period of 1.2 years.
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The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Option valuation
models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, and changes in assumptions used can materially affect the fair value estimate. Option
valuation weighted-average assumptions were as follows:
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
Expected term (in years)
Weighted average risk-free rate
Year Ended December 31,
2023
69.54 %
— %
6.00
3.72 %
2022
68.38 %
— %
6.00
2.56 %
Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. Dividend yield is based on the estimate of annual dividends expected to
be paid at the time of the grant. The expected term considers the contractual term of the option as well as historical exercise and forfeiture
behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the rates in effect on the grant date for U.S. Treasury instruments with maturities matching the
relevant expected term of the award.
Therefore, the weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted is as follows for 2022 and 2023:
Weighted average grant date fair value
11. SEGMENT REPORTING AND DISAGGREGATED REVENUE
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$
4.79
$
4.39
The Company manages its reporting segments based on geographic regions within the United States and type of income. Starting in the first
quarter of 2023, the Company changed its reportable segments to Midwest & South, West, and Contracted Sports Wagering. This change reflects a
realignment within the Company as a result of its continued growth. The Company’s management views the regions where each of its casino
resorts are located as reportable segments, in addition to its contracted sports wagering segment. Reportable segments are aggregated based on
geography, economic characteristics, types of customers, types of services and products provided, the regulatory environments in which they
operate, and their management and reporting structure.
The Company utilizes Adjusted Segment EBITDA as the measure of segment profitability in assessing performance and allocating resources at the
reportable segment level. Adjusted Segment EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), taxes,
depreciation and amortization, preopening expenses, certain impairment charges, asset write-offs, recoveries, gain (loss) from asset disposals,
project development and acquisition costs, non-cash share-based compensation expense, and corporate-related costs and expenses that are not
allocated to each segment.
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The following tables present the Company’s segment information:
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Revenues
Casino
Food and beverage
Hotel
Other operations,
including contracted sports wagering
Adjusted Segment EBITDA
Other operating costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization
Corporate expenses
Project development costs
Preopening costs
Loss on disposal of assets
Stock-based compensation
Operating loss
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net
Gain on settlements
Loss before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net loss
Midwest & South
West
$
$
$
145,391
30,762
8,792
7,413
192,358
39,028
$
$
$
31,542
3,218
636
492
35,888
2,408
$
$
$
Contracted
Sports
Wagering
Total
— $
—
—
12,814
12,814
11,663
$
$
$
176,933
33,980
9,428
20,719
241,060
53,099
(31,092)
(4,542)
(53)
(15,685)
(7)
(2,882)
(1,162)
(22,977)
384
(22,593)
(23,755)
1,149
(24,904)
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Table of Contents
(In thousands)
Revenues
Casino
Food and beverage
Hotel
Other operations,
including contracted sports wagering
Adjusted Segment EBITDA
Other operating costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization
Corporate expenses
Project development costs
Preopening costs
Loss on disposal of assets
Stock-based compensation
Operating income
Other expenses:
Interest expense, net
Loss on modification of debt
Loss before income taxes
Income tax benefit
Net loss
(In thousands)
Total Assets
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports Wagering
Corporate and Other
(In thousands)
Property and Equipment, net
Midwest & South
West
Contracted Sports Wagering
Corporate and Other
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Contracted
Sports
Wagering
Total
Midwest & South
West
$
$
$
81,681
23,717
8,650
5,902
119,950
26,376
$
$
$
32,195
2,777
632
531
36,135
4,220
$
$
$
— $
—
—
7,196
7,196
7,127
$
$
$
113,876
26,494
9,282
13,629
163,281
37,723
(7,930)
(5,589)
(228)
(9,558)
(42)
(1,693)
12,683
(22,988)
(4,530)
(27,518)
(14,835)
(31)
(14,804)
194,033
351,069
1,658
48,569
595,329
150,214
188,449
—
394
339,057
December 31,
2023
2022
298,072
372,875
977
16,533
688,457
$
$
December 31,
2023
2022
152,106
305,528
—
273
457,907
$
$
$
$
$
$
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures — As of December 31, 2023, we completed an evaluation, under the supervision
and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based upon that
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and
procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
We have established controls and procedures designed at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be
disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and
the principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — Our management is responsible for establishing and
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our
management and board of directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and our directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on its assessment, management concluded that, as of
December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
appears herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — There have been no changes during the quarter ended December 31, 2023
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading
arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
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Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
PART III
The information required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance” and elsewhere in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2023 (our “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this Item will be set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” and elsewhere in our Proxy
Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management” and “Executive Compensation — Equity Compensation Plan Information” and elsewhere in our Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this Item will be set forth under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and
“Independence of Directors” and elsewhere in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required by this Item will be set forth under the caption “Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm” and elsewhere in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.
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Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
PART IV
(a) Financial statements of the Company (including related Notes to consolidated financial statements) included herein under Item 8 of
Part II hereof are listed below:
● Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
● Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
● For the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
● Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
◦
◦
◦
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
3.1
3.2
4.1*
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
10.1
Description
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended to date (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on May 9, 2011).
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Full House Resorts, Inc., effective July 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on July 2, 2020).
Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
“Registered Securities of Full House Resorts, Inc.”
Specimen Certificate for Shares of Full House Resorts, Inc.’s Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (Incorporated by
reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC file No. 333-213123) filed on August 15, 2016).
Indenture (including form of Notes), dated as of February 12, 2021, among Full House Resorts, Inc., the guarantors party
thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 12, 2021).
Form of Senior Secured Note due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.3) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 12, 2021).
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2022, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and
Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 2, 2022).
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 7, 2022, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and
Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 8, 2022).
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 3, 2022, among Full House Resorts, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and
Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 15, 2022).
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2023, among Full House Resorts, Inc., the guarantors party thereto
and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 22, 2023).
Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase dated as of November 17, 2004, by and between Cure Land Company, LLC, as
landlord, and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, as tenant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 6, 2013).
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Table of Contents
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16+
First Amendment to Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase dated as of March 13, 2009, by and between Cure Land
Company, LLC, as landlord, and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, as tenant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12
to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 6, 2013).
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase dated as of September 26, 2012, by and between Cure
Land Company, LLC, as landlord, and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, as tenant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 6, 2013).
Third Amendment to Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase dated as of February 26, 2013, by and between Cure Land
Company, LLC, as landlord, and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, as tenant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14
to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 6, 2013).
Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase dated as of March 20, 2020, by and between Cure Land
Company, LLC, as landlord, and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, as tenant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on May 13, 2020).
Casino Operations Lease dated June 28, 2011 by and between Hyatt Equities, L.L.C. and Gaming Entertainment
(Nevada) LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-
32583) filed on June 30, 2011).
First Amendment to Casino Operations Lease dated April 8, 2013 by and between Hyatt Equities, L.L.C. and Gaming
Entertainment (Nevada) LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
(SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on April 11, 2013).
Second Amendment to Casino Operations Lease effective as of November 25, 2015, by and between Gaming Entertainment
(Nevada) LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, and Hyatt Equities, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on
December 17, 2015).
Third Amendment to Casino Operations Lease, effective August 29, 2016, between Hyatt Equities, L.L.C. and Gaming
Entertainment (Nevada) LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC
File No. 1-32583) filed on August 30, 2016).
Fourth Amendment to Casino Operations Lease dated November 13, 2019 by and between Hyatt Equities, L.L.C., as
landlord, and Gaming Entertainment (Nevada) LLC, as tenant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 12, 2021.
Fifth Amendment to Casino Operations Lease dated July 31, 2020 by and between Hyatt Equities, L.L.C., as landlord, and
Gaming Entertainment (Nevada) LLC, as tenant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on August 13, 2020).
Sixth Amendment to Casino Operations Lease dated February 13, 2023 by and between Incline Hotel LLC, as landlord, and
Gaming Entertainment (Nevada) LLC, as tenant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 16, 2023).
Hotel Lease / Purchase Agreement dated August 15, 2013 by and between Rising Sun/Ohio County First, Inc. and Gaming
Entertainment (Indiana) LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A
(SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on August 22, 2013).
First Amendment to Hotel Lease / Purchase Agreement dated March 16, 2016 by and between Rising Sun/Ohio County
First, Inc. and Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 18, 2016).
Second Amendment to Hotel Lease/Purchase Agreement dated September 19, 2017, by and between Rising Sun/Ohio
County First, Inc. and Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Current Report on 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on September 21, 2017 ).
2015 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated by the Board effective April 6, 2021). (Incorporated by reference to
Annex 2 to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on April 14, 2021).
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Table of Contents
10.17+
10.18+
10.19+
10.20+
10.21+
10.22+
10.23+
10.24+
10.25+
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29†
10.30†
21.1*
23.1*
31.1*
31.2*
32.1**
32.2**
Form of Award Agreement pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 8, 2018).
Full House Resorts, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan for Executives (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on August 1, 2017).
Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2020, between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Daniel R. Lee (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on January 7, 2021).
Inducement Stock Option Agreement dated November 28, 2014 by and between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Daniel R. Lee
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on
December 1, 2014).
Award Agreement, dated May 24, 2017, between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Daniel R. Lee (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on May 30, 2017).
Employment Agreement, dated May 19, 2022, between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Lewis A. Fanger (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on May 23, 2022).
Inducement Stock Option Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015, by and between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Lewis A.
Fanger (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583)
filed on February 4, 2015).
Employment Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2022, by and between Full House Resorts, Inc. and Elaine L. Guidroz
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on
February 10, 2022).
Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2022, by and between Full House Resorts, Inc. and John Ferrucci
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on
May 10, 2022).
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2021, among the Company, as borrower, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto,
the lender parties thereto, and Capital One, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by referenced to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 31, 2021).
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2022, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and
Capital One, National Association, as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 8, 2022).
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2023, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto
and Capital One, National Association, as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on February 22, 2023).
Development and Host Community Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2023, by and between the City of Waukegan,
Illinois, and FHR-Illinois LLC, as developer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583) filed on March 16, 2023).
Ground Lease, dated as of January 18, 2023, by and between the City of Waukegan, as landlord, and FHR-Illinois LLC, as
tenant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 1-32583)
filed on March 16, 2023).
List of Subsidiaries of Full House Resorts, Inc.
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the Company.
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a), as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a), as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
91
Table of Contents
97.1*
99.1*
101.INS*
101.SCH*
101.CAL*
101.DEF*
101.LAB*
101.PRE*
104
Full House Resorts, Inc. Executive Officer Clawback Policy
Description of Governmental Gaming Regulations.
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL
tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
Cover Page Inline XBRL File (included in Exhibit 101).
__________
Filed herewith.
*
** Furnished herewith.
+
† Certain schedules and similar attachments have been omitted in reliance on Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish
Executive compensation plan or arrangement.
supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
We have elected not to disclose the optional summary information.
92
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
March 15, 2024
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
By: /s/ DANIEL R. LEE
Daniel R. Lee, Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name and Capacity
/s/ DANIEL R. LEE
Daniel R. Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date
March 15, 2024
/s/ LEWIS A. FANGER
March 15, 2024
Lewis A. Fanger, Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ KENNETH R. ADAMS
Kenneth R. Adams, Director
/s/ CARL G. BRAUNLICH
Carl G. Braunlich, Director
/s/ KATHLEEN MARSHALL
Kathleen Marshall, Director
/s/ ERIC J. GREEN
Eric J. Green, Director
/s/ MICHAEL P. SHAUNNESSY
Michael P. Shaunnessy, Director
/s/ MICHAEL A. HARTMEIER
Michael A. Hartmeier, Director
/s/ LYNN M. HANDLER
Lynn M. Handler, Director
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024
93
Exhibit 4.1
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Full House Resorts, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) has one class of securities registered
under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended: our Common Stock (as defined below).
The following description of our Common Stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject
to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended
(“Certificate of Incorporation”) and our amended and restated bylaws (“By-laws”), each of which is filed as an exhibit to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.1 is a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation,
our By-laws, and the applicable provisions of the General Corporation law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) for
additional information.
Authorized Shares
Our authorized capital consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). All outstanding shares of our Common
Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. As of December 31, 2023, we had 34,590,150 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding.
Common Stock
Dividends
Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our
board of directors out of legally available funds. The declaration and payment of dividends on our Common Stock is a
business decision to be made by our board of directors from time to time based upon results of our operations and our financial
condition and any other factors as our board of directors considers relevant. Under the DGCL, we can only pay dividends to
the extent that we have surplus ― the extent by which the fair market value of our net assets exceeds the amount of our
capital, or to the extent of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.
In addition, the payment of dividends may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other transactions entered into us
from time to time.
Voting Rights
Holders of Common Stock have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the
election of directors, except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or as provided with respect to any other class or series of
stock, if any. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. An affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at
a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present and entitled to vote thereon is sufficient for approval of all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. There is no cumulative voting.
Liquidation Rights
In the event we are dissolved and our affairs our wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our debts and
liabilities in accordance with applicable law, each holder of our Common Stock will receive dividends pro rata out of assets
that we can legally use to pay distributions.
Other Rights
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of Common Stock have equal dividend,
distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference or appraisal rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by
the DGCL. Furthermore, holders of our Common Stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or rights to
subscribe for any of our securities, except that our Certificate of Incorporation imposes certain obligations on holders of our
Common Stock relating to compliance with the gaming authorities and empowers the Company to redeem shares of Common
Stock under certain limited circumstances. For additional information, see “Description of Governmental Gaming
Regulations” in Exhibit 99.1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Listing
Our Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLL.”
Preferred Stock
Prior to the issuance of any shares of our Preferred Stock, an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation must be adopted
by our board of directors and approved by our stockholders to designate one or more series of such Preferred Stock and to fix,
for each series, the designations, powers and preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the
shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are permitted by the DGCL. Our Certificate
of Incorporation does not include a “blank check” provision that would otherwise authorize our board of directors to issue our
Preferred Stock in any number or series and to determine the rights of each series without needing additional stockholder
approval.
Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law
General. Certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-laws, and certain provisions of the DGCL could
make our acquisition by a third party, a change in our incumbent management, or a similar change of control more difficult.
These provisions, which are summarized below, are likely to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited proposal for the
restructuring or sale of all or substantially all of our assets or an unsolicited takeover attempt. The summary of the provisions
set forth below does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation
and our By-laws and the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Advance Notice Requirements. Stockholders wishing to nominate persons for election to our board of directors at an annual
meeting or to propose any business to be considered by our stockholders at an annual meeting must comply with certain
advance notice and other requirements set forth in our By-laws. Likewise, if our board of directors has determined that
directors shall be elected at a special meeting of stockholders, stockholders wishing to nominate or re-nominate persons for
election to our board of directors at such special meeting must comply with certain advance notice and other requirements set
forth in our By-laws.
Special Meetings. Our By-laws provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by our board of directors or at
the request in writing of stockholders owning at least forty percent (40%) of the shares entitled to vote.
Board Vacancies. Any vacancy on our board of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though
less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for a term expiring
at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. If one or more directors shall
resign from our board of directors effective at a future date, a majority of directors then in office, including those who have so
resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or
resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided for the filling of other vacancies.
Exclusive Forum Bylaws Provision. Our By-laws require that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Company
consents in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the Eighth Judicial District
Court of Clark County, Nevada, will be the sole and exclusive forum for any internal corporate claims. “Internal corporate
claims” means claims, including claims in the right of the corporation, (i) that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current
or former director or officer or stockholder in such capacity, or (ii) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL.
Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the consistent application of law in the
type of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and
officers.
Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock are generally available for our board of
directors to issue without stockholder approval. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes,
including future offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of our
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our
company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other transaction.
Section 203 of the DGCL. We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In
general, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation that is listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more
than 2,000 shareholders from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period
following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a
prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, certain mergers, asset or stock sales or other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status,
15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation
and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
● before the stockholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
● upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the
interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are
directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or
● at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of
directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote
of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
Exhibit 21.1
Name of Subsidiary
FHR Atlas LLC
FHR-Colorado LLC
FHR-Illinois LLC
Full House Subsidiary, Inc.
Full House Subsidiary II, Inc.
Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC
Gaming Entertainment (Kentucky) LLC
Gaming Entertainment (Nevada) LLC
Richard and Louise Johnson, LLC
Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC
Stockman’s Casino
Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Nevada
Nevada
Delaware
Delaware
Nevada
Nevada
Nevada
Nevada
Kentucky
Delaware
Nevada
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-260566 on Form S-3 and Registration Statement Nos. 333-
203046, 333-204312, 333-219294, and 333-258729 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 15, 2024, relating to the financial statements
of Full House Resorts, Inc. and the effectiveness of Full House Resorts, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Exhibit 23.1
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2024
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14(A)/15(D)-14(A) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 31.1
I, Daniel R. Lee, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Full House Resorts, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-
15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: March 15, 2024
By: /s/ DANIEL R. LEE
Daniel R. Lee
Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14(A)/15(D)-14(A) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 31.2
I, Lewis A. Fanger, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Full House Resorts, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-
15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: March 15, 2024
By: /s/ LEWIS A. FANGER
Lewis A. Fanger
Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Daniel R. Lee, Chief Executive Officer of
Full House Resorts, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
(1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Company as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: March 15, 2024
/s/ DANIEL R. LEE
By:
Daniel R. Lee
Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Lewis A. Fanger, Chief Financial Officer of
Full House Resorts, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
(1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Company as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: March 15, 2024
/s/ LEWIS A. FANGER
By:
Lewis A. Fanger
Chief Financial Officer
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER CLAWBACK POLICY
Approved by the Board of Directors on November 8, 2023 (the “Adoption Date”)
Exhibit 97.1
I.
Purpose
This Executive Officer Clawback Policy describes the circumstances under which Covered Persons of Full House Resorts,
Inc. and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (the “Company”) will be required to repay or return Erroneously-Awarded
Compensation to the Company.
This Policy and any terms used in this Policy shall be construed in accordance with any SEC regulations promulgated to
comply with Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the rules adopted by
Nasdaq.
Each Covered Person of the Company shall sign an Acknowledgement and Agreement to the Executive Officer Clawback
Policy in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A as a condition to his or her participation in any of the Company’s incentive-based
compensation programs.
II.
Definitions
For purposes of this Policy, the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a)
“Accounting Restatement” shall mean an accounting restatement (i) due to the material noncompliance of the
Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct
an error in previously issued financial restatements that is material to the previously issued financial statements (a “Big R”
restatement), or (ii) that corrects an error that is not material to previously issued financial statements, but would result in a material
misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (a “little r” restatement).
(b)
(c)
“Administrator” shall mean the Board or, if delegated by the Board, the Committee.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d)
“Clawback-Eligible Incentive Compensation” shall mean, in connection with an Accounting Restatement, any
Incentive-Based Compensation Received by a Covered Person (regardless of whether such Covered Person was serving at the time
that Erroneously-Awarded Compensation is required to be repaid) (i) on or after the Nasdaq Effective Date, (ii) after beginning service
as a Covered Person, (iii) while the Company has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or national securities
association and (iv) during the Clawback Period.
(e)
“Clawback Period” shall mean, with respect to any Accounting Restatement, the three completed fiscal years
immediately preceding the Restatement Date and any transition period (that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal year) of less
than nine months within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years.
(f)
“Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
1
(g)
“Covered Person” shall mean any person who is, or was at any time, during the Clawback Period, an Executive
Officer of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, Covered Person may include a former Executive Officer that left the Company,
retired or transitioned to an employee role (including after serving as an Executive Officer in an interim capacity) during the Clawback
Period.
(h)
“Erroneously-Awarded Compensation” shall mean the amount of Clawback-Eligible Incentive Compensation that
exceeds the amount of Incentive-Based Compensation that otherwise would have been Received had it been determined based on the
restated amounts. This amount must be computed without regard to any taxes paid.
(i)
“Executive Officer” shall mean the Company’s president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or
if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division, or function
(such as sales, administration, or finance), any other officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person (including an
officer of the Company’s parent(s) or subsidiaries) who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company. For the sake of
clarity, at a minimum, all persons who would be executive officers pursuant to Rule 401(b) under Regulation S-K shall be deemed
“Executive Officers”.
(j)
“Financial Reporting Measures” shall mean measures that are determined and presented in accordance with the
accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and all other measures that are derived wholly or in part
from such measures. For purposes of this Policy, Financial Reporting Measures shall include stock price and total stockholder return
(and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from stock price or total stockholder return).
(k)
(l)
“Incentive-Based Compensation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section III below.
“Nasdaq” shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market.
(m)
“Nasdaq Effective Date” shall mean October 2, 2023.
(n)
“Policy” shall mean this Executive Officer Clawback Policy, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time
to time.
(o)
“Received” shall mean Incentive-Based Compensation received, or deemed to be received, in the Company’s fiscal
period during which the Financial Reporting Measure specified in the Incentive-Based Compensation is attained, even if the payment
or grant occurs after the fiscal period.
(p)
“Repayment Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section V(d) below.
(q)
“Restatement Date” shall mean the earlier of (i) the date the Board, a committee of the Board or the officers of the
Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required, concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the
Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, or (ii) the date that a court, regulator or other legally authorized body
directs the Company to prepare an Accounting Restatement.
(r)
(s)
“SARs” shall mean stock appreciation rights.
“SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
2
III.
Incentive-Based Compensation
“Incentive-Based Compensation” shall mean any compensation that is granted, earned or vested wholly or in part upon the
attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure.
For purposes of this Policy, specific examples of Incentive-Based Compensation include, but are not limited to:
● Non-equity incentive plan awards that are earned based, wholly or in part, based on satisfaction of a Financial Reporting
Measure performance goal;
● Bonuses paid from a “bonus pool,” the size of which is determined, wholly or in part, based on satisfaction of a Financial
Reporting Measure performance goal;
● Other cash awards based on satisfaction of a Financial Reporting Measure performance goal;
● Restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units, stock options and SARs that are granted or become
vested, wholly or in part, on satisfaction of a Financial Reporting Measure performance goal; and
● Proceeds received upon the sale of shares acquired through an incentive plan that were granted or vested based, wholly
or in part, on satisfaction of a Financial Reporting Measure performance goal.
For purposes of this Policy, Incentive-Based Compensation excludes:
● Any base salaries (except with respect to any salary increases earned, wholly or in part, based on satisfaction of a
Financial Reporting Measure performance goal);
● Bonuses paid solely at the discretion of the Committee or Board that are not paid from a “bonus pool” that is determined
by satisfying a Financial Reporting Measure performance goal;
● Bonuses paid solely upon satisfying one or more subjective standards and/or completion of a specified employment
period;
● Non-equity incentive plan awards earned solely upon satisfying one or more strategic measures or operational measures;
and
● Equity awards that vest solely based on the passage of time and/or satisfaction of one or more non-Financial Reporting
Measures.
IV.
Determination and Calculation of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation
In the event of an Accounting Restatement, the Administrator shall promptly determine the amount of any Erroneously-
Awarded Compensation for each Covered Person in connection with such Accounting Restatement and shall promptly thereafter
provide each Covered Person with a written notice containing the amount of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation and a demand for
repayment or return, as applicable.
(a)
Cash Awards. With respect to cash awards, the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation is the difference between the
amount of the cash award (whether payable as a lump sum or over time) that was Received and the amount that should have been
received applying the restated Financial Reporting Measure.
(b)
Cash Awards Paid From Bonus Pools. With respect to cash awards paid from bonus pools, the Erroneously-Awarded
Compensation is the pro rata portion of any deficiency that results from the aggregate bonus pool that is reduced based on applying the
restated Financial Reporting Measure.
3
(c)
Equity Awards. With respect to equity awards, if the shares, options or SARs are still held at the time of recovery,
the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation is the number of such securities Received in excess of the number that should have been
received applying the restated Financial Reporting Measure (or the value in excess of that number). If the options or SARs have been
exercised, but the underlying shares have not been sold, the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation is the number of shares underlying
the excess options or SARs (or the value thereof). If the underlying shares have already been sold, then the Administrator shall
determine the amount which most reasonably estimates the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation.
(d)
Compensation Based on Stock Price or Total Stockholder Return. For Incentive-Based Compensation based on (or
derived from) stock price or total stockholder return, where the amount of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation is not subject to
mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the applicable Accounting Restatement, the amount shall be determined by
the Administrator based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Accounting Restatement on the stock price or total stockholder
return upon which the Incentive-Based Compensation was Received (in which case, the Administrator shall maintain documentation
of such determination of that reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to Nasdaq in accordance with applicable listing
standards).
V.
Recovery of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation
Once the Administrator has determined the amount of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation recoverable from the applicable
Covered Person, the Administrator shall take all necessary actions to recover the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation. Unless
otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Administrator shall pursue the recovery of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation in
accordance with the below:
(a)
Cash Awards. With respect to cash awards, the Administrator shall either (i) require the Covered Person to repay the
Erroneously-Awarded Compensation in a lump sum in cash (or such property as the Administrator agrees to accept with a value equal
to such Erroneously-Awarded Compensation) within ninety (90) days following the Restatement Date or (ii) if approved by the
Administrator, offer to enter into a Repayment Agreement. If the Covered Person accepts such offer and signs the Repayment
Agreement within a reasonable time as determined by the Administrator, the Company shall countersign such Repayment Agreement.
Unvested Equity Awards. With respect to those equity awards that have not yet vested, the Administrator shall take
all necessary action to cancel, or otherwise cause to be forfeited, the awards in the amount of the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation.
(b)
(c)
Vested Equity Awards. With respect to those equity awards that have vested and the underlying shares have not been
sold, the Administrator shall take all necessary action to cause the Covered Person to deliver and surrender the underlying shares in the
amount of the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation.
In the event that the Covered Person has sold the underlying shares, the Administrator shall either (i) require the Covered
Person to repay the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation in a lump sum in cash (or such property as the Administrator agrees to accept
with a value equal to such Erroneously-Awarded Compensation) within ninety (90) days following the Restatement Date or (ii) if
approved by the Administrator, offer to enter into a Repayment Agreement. If the Covered Person accepts such offer and signs the
Repayment Agreement within a reasonable time as determined by the Administrator, the Company shall countersign such Repayment
Agreement.
4
(d)
Repayment Agreement. “Repayment Agreement” shall mean an agreement (in a form reasonably acceptable to the
Administrator) with the Covered Person for the repayment of the Erroneously-Awarded Compensation as promptly as possible without
unreasonable economic hardship to the Covered Person.
(e)
Effect of Non-Repayment. To the extent that a Covered Person fails to repay all Erroneously-Awarded
Compensation to the Company when due (as determined in accordance with this Policy), the Company or the Administrator on behalf
of the Company shall, or shall cause one or more other members of the Company to, take all actions reasonable and appropriate to
recover such Erroneously-Awarded Compensation from the applicable Covered Person. The applicable Covered Person shall be
required to reimburse the Company for any and all expenses reasonably incurred (including legal fees) by the Company in recovering
such Erroneously-Awarded Compensation in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.
The Administrator shall have broad discretion to determine the appropriate means of recovery of Erroneously-Awarded
Compensation based on all applicable facts and circumstances and taking into account the time value of money and the cost to
stockholders of delaying recovery. However, in no event may the Company or the Administrator on behalf of the Company accept an
amount that is less than the amount of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation in satisfaction of a Covered Person’s obligations
hereunder.
VI.
Discretionary Recovery
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Administrator on behalf of the Company shall
be required to take action to recover Erroneously-Awarded Compensation if any one of the following conditions are met and the
Administrator determines that recovery would be impracticable:
(a)
The direct expenses paid to a third party to assist in enforcing this Policy against a Covered Person would exceed the
amount to be recovered, after the Company has made a reasonable attempt to recover the applicable Erroneously-Awarded
Compensation, documented such attempts and provided such documentation to Nasdaq;
(b)
Recovery would violate home country law where that law was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, provided that,
before determining that it would be impracticable to recover any amount of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation based on violation of
home country law, the Company has obtained an opinion of home country counsel, acceptable to Nasdaq, that recovery would result in
such a violation and a copy of the opinion is provided to Nasdaq; or
Recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available
to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(13) or 26 U.S.C. 411(a) and regulations thereunder.
(c)
VII.
Reporting and Disclosure Requirements
The Company shall file all disclosures with respect to this Policy in accordance with the requirements of the federal securities
laws, including the disclosure required by the applicable filings required to be made with the SEC.
5
VIII. Effective Date
This Policy shall apply to any Incentive-Based Compensation Received on or after the Nasdaq Effective Date.
IX.
No Indemnification
The Company shall not indemnify any Covered Person against the loss of Erroneously-Awarded Compensation and shall not
pay, or reimburse any Covered Persons for premiums, for any insurance policy to fund such Covered Person’s potential recovery
obligations.
X.
Administration
The Administrator has the sole discretion to administer this Policy and ensure compliance with Nasdaq Rules and any other
applicable law, regulation, rule or interpretation of the SEC or Nasdaq promulgated or issued in connection therewith. Actions of the
Administrator pursuant to this Policy shall be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. The Administrator shall, subject to the
provisions of this Policy, make such determinations and interpretations and take such actions as it deems necessary, appropriate or
advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive.
XI.
Amendment; Termination
The Administrator may amend this Policy from time to time in its discretion and shall amend this Policy as it deems
necessary, including as and when it determines that it is legally required by any federal securities laws, SEC rule or the rules of any
national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Company’s securities are then listed. The Administrator
may terminate this Policy at any time. Notwithstanding anything in this Section XI to the contrary, no amendment or termination of
this Policy shall be effective if such amendment or termination would (after taking into account any actions taken by the Company
contemporaneously with such amendment or termination) cause the Company to violate any federal securities laws, SEC rule, or the
rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Company’s securities are then listed.
XII.
Other Recoupment Rights; No Additional Payments
The Administrator intends that this Policy will be applied to the fullest extent of the law. The Administrator may require that
any employment agreement, equity award agreement or any other agreement entered into on or after the Adoption Date shall, as a
condition to the grant of any benefit thereunder, require a Covered Person to agree to abide by the terms of this Policy. Any right of
recoupment under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights under applicable law, regulation or rule or pursuant
to the terms of any similar policy in any employment agreement, equity plan, equity award agreement or similar arrangement and any
other legal remedies available to the Company. However, this Policy shall not provide for recovery of Incentive-Based Compensation
that the Company has already recovered pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or other recovery obligations.
XIII.
Successors
This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Covered Persons and their beneficiaries, heirs, executors,
administrators or other legal representatives.
6
Exhibit A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT
TO THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER CLAWBACK POLICY
OF
FULL HOUSE RESORTS, INC.
By signing below, the undersigned acknowledges and confirms that the undersigned has received and reviewed a copy of Full
House Resorts, Inc.’s Executive Officer Clawback Policy (the “Policy”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this
Acknowledgement Form (this “Acknowledgement Form”) shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Policy.
By signing this Acknowledgement Form, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned is and will continue
to be subject to the Policy and that the Policy will apply both during and after the undersigned’s employment with the Company.
Further, by signing below, the undersigned agrees to abide by the terms of the Policy, including, without limitation, by returning any
Erroneously-Awarded Compensation (as defined in the Policy) to the Company to the extent required by, and in a manner permitted
by, the Policy.
Signature
Name
Date
7
Exhibit 99.1
DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNMENTAL GAMING REGULATIONS
Nevada Regulatory Matters
In order to own or lease Stockman’s Casino, the Grand Lodge Casino or any other gaming operation in Nevada, we are subject to
the Nevada Gaming Control Act and to the licensing and regulatory control of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Nevada Gaming
Commission, and various local, city and county regulatory agencies.
In May 2006, we applied for registration with the Nevada Gaming Commission as a publicly traded corporation, which was
granted on January 25, 2007. We must regularly submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Certain loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions must also be reported to or approved by the Nevada Gaming
Commission.
The Nevada Gaming Commission may also require anyone having a material relationship or involvement with us to be found
suitable or licensed, in which case those persons are required to pay the costs and fees of the Nevada Gaming Control Board in connection
with the investigation.
Any person who acquires more than 5% of any class of our voting securities must report the acquisition to the Nevada Gaming
Commission. Any person who becomes a beneficial owner of 10% or more of our voting securities is required to apply for a finding of
suitability. The Nevada Gaming Commission may also, in its discretion, require any other holders of our debt or equity securities to file
applications to be found suitable to own the debt or equity securities. If the Nevada Gaming Commission determines that a person is
unsuitable to own such security, then pursuant to the regulations of the Nevada Gaming Commission, we may be sanctioned, including the
loss of our approvals, if, without the prior approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission, we:
pay to the unsuitable person any dividends, interest or any distribution whatsoever;
recognize any voting right by such unsuitable person in connection with such securities;
pay the unsuitable person remuneration in any form; or
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● make any payment to the unsuitable person by way of principal, redemption, conversion exchange, liquidation or similar
transaction.
Under certain circumstances, an “institutional investor,” as such term is defined in the regulations of the Nevada Gaming
Commission, which acquires more than 10%, but not more than 25% of our voting securities, may apply to the Nevada Gaming
Commission for a waiver of such finding of suitability requirements, provided the institutional investor holds the voting securities for
investment purposes only.
Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or a license within 30 days after being ordered to do so by the
Nevada Gaming Commission may be found unsuitable based solely on such failure or refusal.
We are required to maintain a current stock ledger in Nevada which may be examined by the Nevada Gaming Commission at any
time, and to file with the Nevada Gaming Commission, at least annually, a list of our stockholders. The Nevada Gaming Commission has
the power to require our stock certificates to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to the Nevada Gaming Control Act and
the regulations of the Nevada Gaming Commission.
As a licensee or registrant, we may not make certain public offerings of our securities without the prior approval of the Nevada
Gaming Commission. We have received a waiver of the prior approval requirement with respect to public offerings of securities subject to
certain conditions. Also, changes in control through merger, consolidation, acquisition of assets, management or consulting agreements or
any form of takeover cannot occur without prior investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and approval by the Nevada Gaming
Commission.
The Nevada Legislature has declared that some repurchases of voting securities, corporate acquisitions opposed by management,
and corporate defense tactics affecting Nevada gaming licensees, and registered companies that are affiliated with those operations, may be
harmful to stable and productive corporate gaming. Because we are a registered company, approvals may be required from the Nevada
Gaming Commission before we can make exceptional repurchases of voting securities above their current market price and before a
corporate acquisition opposed by management can be consummated. The Nevada Gaming Control Act also requires prior approval of a
plan of recapitalization proposed by a registered company’s Board in response to a tender offer made directly to its stockholders for the
purpose of acquiring control.
Licensee fees and taxes, computed in various ways depending on the type of gaming or activity involved, are payable to the State
of Nevada and to the counties and cities in which the Nevada licensee’s respective operations are conducted. Depending upon the particular
fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable monthly, quarterly or annually and are based upon either:
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a percentage of the gross revenues received;
the number of gaming devices operated; or
the number of table games operated.
A live entertainment tax is also paid on admission charges where entertainment is furnished. Nevada licensees that hold a license
as an operator of a slot route, a manufacturer or a distributor also pay certain fees and taxes to the State of Nevada.
The Nevada Gaming Commission enacted a cybersecurity regulation in December 2022, which requires us to conduct a risk
assessment to develop cybersecurity best practices by December 31, 2023, and designate an individual to be responsible for cybersecurity,
as well as to have our independent accountant annually review the cybersecurity best practices we develop. The Nevada regulation also
contains reporting obligations to the Nevada Gaming Control Board in the event we experience a cyber-attack. We were in compliance for
2023 and have aligned our practices with recognized industry standards for cybersecurity controls. We view cybersecurity as a shared
responsibility and additional discussion can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under
Part I, Item 1C. “Cybersecurity”.
Any person who is licensed, required to be licensed, registered, required to be registered, or who is under common control with
those persons, collectively, “licensees,” and who proposes to become involved in a gaming venture outside of Nevada, is required to
deposit with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and thereafter maintain, a revolving fund in the amount of $10,000 to pay the expenses of
investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board of the licensee’s participation in foreign gaming. We currently comply with this
requirement. The revolving fund is subject to increase or decrease at the discretion of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Licensees are
required to comply with the reporting requirements imposed by the Nevada Gaming Control Act. A licensee is also subject to disciplinary
action by the Nevada Gaming Commission if it:
●
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●
knowingly violates any laws of the foreign jurisdiction pertaining to the foreign gaming operation;
fails to conduct the foreign gaming operation in accordance with the standards of honesty and integrity required of Nevada
gaming operations;
engages in any activity or enters into any association that is unsuitable because it poses an unreasonable threat to the control
of gaming in Nevada, reflects or tends to reflect, discredit or disrepute upon the State of Nevada or gaming in Nevada, or is
contrary to the gaming policies of Nevada;
engages in activities or enters into associations that are harmful to the State of Nevada or its ability to collect gaming taxes
and fees; or
employs, contracts with or associates with a person in the foreign operation who has been denied a license or a finding of
suitability in Nevada on the ground of unsuitability.
Indiana Regulatory Matters
We own and operate a wholly-owned subsidiary, Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC, which acquired and operates Rising Star
Casino Resort in Rising Sun, Indiana. The ownership and operation of casino facilities in Indiana are subject to extensive state and local
regulation, including primarily the licensing and regulatory control of the Indiana Gaming Commission (“IGC”).
The Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act (“Riverboat Act”) and the Gambling Games at Racetracks Act, together and as amended (the
“Indiana Acts”), allow up to thirteen commercial (non-tribal) casinos in the State of Indiana. Specifically, the IGC has presently authorized:
(i) owner’s licenses for the operation of four riverboat casinos in counties contiguous to Lake Michigan in northern Indiana, as well as five
riverboat casinos in counties contiguous to the Ohio River in southern Indiana; (ii) one operating agent contract permitting a private
company to operate a land based casino in French Lick, Indiana; and (iii) two gambling game licenses for the operation of land based
casinos at Indiana’s two pari-mutuel horse racing tracks. In 2019, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation that allowed one of the
owner’s licenses allocated to one of the riverboats previously located in a county contiguous to Lake Michigan in northern Indiana to be
moved to a land-based casino in Terre Haute, Indiana. The same legislation allowed the holder of another of the riverboat casino licenses
located in northwest Indiana to move to a land-based site, still located in a county contiguous to Lake Michigan, in Gary, Indiana. The Terre
Haute casino license was awarded in November of 2021 and is presently expected to open April 5, 2024, with a hotel set to open in May.
In 2015, Indiana enacted legislation that would have allowed both racinos to begin offering live table games after March 1, 2021.
However, the legislation enacted in 2019 (as noted above) enabled the racinos to begin offering live table games on January 1, 2020, which
both locations implemented at that time. The 2015 legislation also authorized an increase of each racino’s maximum size to 2,200 gambling
games (beginning on January 1, 2021), while imposing a cap on the size of all other casino properties that is equal to the greatest number of
gambling games offered by the applicable casino property since January 1, 2007. The 2015 legislation also permitted riverboat owners to
relocate an owner’s gaming operation from a riverboat facility to an inland facility, provided such inland facility is, among other things,
located on a parcel that is adjacent to the dock site of the licensed owner’s riverboat. Any such inland casino is subject to the same
gambling game cap applicable to the riverboat. Since passage of the 2015 legislation, the IGC has demonstrated a willingness to consider
and approve requests to relocate certain gaming devices to off-riverboat locations that are adjacent to still-functioning riverboat casinos,
thus enabling partial land-based gaming without relocating the entire gaming facility to land.
In 2015, Public Law 255-2015 specified a process for entering into tribal-state compacts concerning Indian Gaming, a procedure
not previously contemplated under Indiana law. Prior to that, in May of 2012, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (the “Band”)
submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs a fee-to-trust application to take 165 acres of land in South Bend into trust. In 2017, the Band
opened a Class II gaming facility in South Bend, Indiana. In 2019, the Band began negotiations with the State of Indiana to enter into a
tribal-state compact to allow for Class III gaming at the facility in South Bend, Indiana. In April of 2021, the Indiana General Assembly
passed legislation to ratify and codify a tribal-state compact negotiated between the Band and the State of Indiana. In May of 2021, it was
announced that the Band had finalized and executed the compact with the State. The Pokagon Band is currently operating a Class III
facility in South Bend, Indiana.
The Indiana Acts strictly regulate the facilities, persons, associations and practices related to gaming operations pursuant to the
police powers of Indiana, including comprehensive law enforcement provisions. The Indiana Acts vest the IGC with the power and duties
of administering, regulating and enforcing the system of casino gaming in Indiana. The IGC’s jurisdiction extends to every person,
association, corporation, partnership, owner, and trust involved in casino gaming operations in Indiana and grants the IGC the authority to
request specific information from all such persons or entities.
An Indiana owner’s license allows the licensee to own and operate one riverboat casino per license granted. An owner’s license is
not a property right and remains, at all times, the property of the State of Indiana. The Riverboat Act allows a person to hold up to a 100%
ownership interest in not more than six of any combination of riverboat licenses or gambling game licenses issued under IC 4-35 (racino
licenses). Each owner’s license is subject to renewal on an annual basis upon a determination by the IGC that the licensee continues to be
suitable to hold an owner’s license pursuant to the Riverboat Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder. A licensee may not
lease, hypothecate, borrow money against or lend money against an owner’s license. An ownership interest in an owner’s license may only
be transferred in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the IGC under the Riverboat Act. Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC
applied for and, on March 15, 2011, was granted the transfer of a riverboat owner’s license. Thereafter, Gaming Entertainment (Indiana)
LLC has renewed its license annually, effective on September 15 of each year.
The Riverboat Act requires that a licensed owner undergo a complete re-investigation every three years. If for any reason the
license is terminated, the assets of the riverboat gaming operation cannot be disposed of without the approval of the IGC. The IGC also
requires a comprehensive disclosure of financial and operating information by licensees, by their principal officers and by their parent
corporations.
If an institutional investor acquires a beneficial ownership interest of 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly
traded corporation, the investor is required to notify the IGC and may be subject to licensure and a finding of suitability. Institutional
investors who acquire a beneficial ownership interest of 15% or more of any class of voting securities are subject to a full investigation and
finding of suitability. In addition, the IGC may require an institutional investor that acquires 15% or more of certain non-voting equity units
to apply for a finding of suitability. Any person who is not an institutional investor that acquires beneficial ownership of 5% or more of any
class of voting securities of a licensee is required to apply for a finding of suitability.
The Riverboat Act prohibits contributions to a candidate for any state, legislative, or local office; to a candidate’s committee; or to
a regular party committee by: (i) the holder of an owner’s license; (ii) a person holding at least 1% interest in an owner licensee; (iii) an
officer of an owner licensee; (iv) an officer of a person that holds at least 1% interest in an owner licensee; or (v) a political action
committee of an owner licensee. The prohibition on political contributions is applicable while an owner licensee holds the license and for a
period of three years following the expiration or termination of such license.
In 2009, the Indiana General Assembly enacted legislation requiring all casino operators to submit for approval by the IGC a
written power of attorney identifying a person who would serve as a trustee to temporarily operate the casino in certain rare circumstances,
such as: the revocation or non-renewal of any owner’s license; the denial of an owner’s license to a proposed transferee and the person
attempting to sell the riverboat is unable or unwilling to retain ownership or control; the involuntary bankruptcy of the licensed owner; or a
licensed owner’s agreement in writing to relinquish control of the riverboat. During any time period that the trustee is operating the casino,
the trustee has exclusive and broad authority over the casino gambling operations. The IGC most recently approved Gaming Entertainment
(Indiana) LLC’s power of attorney renewal in September of 2023.
The IGC requires licensees to maintain a cash reserve equal to a licensee’s average payout for a three-day period based on the
licensee’s performance during the prior calendar quarter. The cash reserve can consist of cash on hand, cash maintained in Indiana bank
accounts and cash equivalents not otherwise committed or obligated. The IGC also prohibits distributions, other than distributions for the
payment of state or federal taxes, by a licensee to its partners, shareholders, itself or any affiliated entity if the distribution would impair the
financial viability of the gaming operation.
The Indiana Acts do not limit the maximum bet or loss per patron. Each licensee sets minimum and maximum wagers on its own
games. Players must use chips or tokens because, according to the Indiana Acts, wagering may not be conducted with money or other
negotiable currency. No person under the age of 21 is permitted to wager or enter a casino. With the exception of permitted sports wagers
that are accepted through licensed mobile sports wagering operations, as is discussed in greater detail below, casino wagers may only be
made by persons who are physically present at a licensed casino.
Contracts to which Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC is a party are subject to regulatory oversight by the IGC including, in
certain circumstances, disclosure and approval processes imposed by Indiana regulations. An owner licensee may not enter into or perform
any contract or transaction in which it transfers or receives consideration which is not commercially reasonable or which does not reflect
the fair market value of the goods or services rendered or received. All contracts are subject to disapproval and/or cancellation by the IGC.
Through the establishment of purchasing goals for licensees, the IGC encourages minority business enterprises and women
business enterprises to participate in the gaming industry. The goals must be derived from the statistical analysis of utilization studies of
licensee contracts for goods and services. Any failure by a licensee to meet these goals will be scrutinized heavily by the IGC and the
Riverboat Act authorizes the IGC to suspend, limit, or revoke an owner’s gaming license, or to impose a fine, if the licensee does not
demonstrate compliance within ninety days of a finding of noncompliance.
Pursuant to a 2019 amendment to the graduated wagering tax portion of the Riverboat Act, licensees that receive Adjusted Gross
Receipts (“AGR”) under $75 million in the preceding state fiscal year are subject to the following graduated wagering taxes (for state fiscal
years beginning after June 30, 2021):
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2.5% on the first $25 million of AGR for state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2021.
10% on the AGR in excess of $25 million, but not exceeding $50 million, for state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2021.
20% on the AGR in excess of $50 million, but not exceeding $75 million, for state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2021.
30% of the AGR in excess of $75 million, but not exceeding $150 million.
35% of all AGR in excess of $150 million, but not exceeding $600 million.
40% of all AGR exceeding $600 million.
“AGR” is the total of all cash and property received from gaming, less cash paid out as winnings and uncollectible gaming
receivables (not to exceed 2%). Legislation passed in 2013 permitted all Indiana casinos to begin deducting from AGR certain amounts
attributable to “qualified wagering” incentives. Such qualified wagering incentives (commonly referred to as “free play”) are defined as
wagers made by patrons using non-cashable vouchers, coupons, electronic credits or electronic promotions offered by a licensee. For state
fiscal years ending after June 30, 2013 and before July 1, 2015, the maximum amount of permitted qualified wagering deductions was
$5 million per casino. In 2015, that maximum deduction was increased to $7 million for fiscal years following June 30, 2015. In 2019, the
maximum deduction was increased to $9 million for fiscal years following June 30, 2021. A licensed owner may assign all or part of the
amount of the permitted $9 million deduction that is not claimed by the licensed owner for a state fiscal year to another licensed casino
operator.
In addition to wagering taxes, an admissions tax of $3 per admission was previously assessed for all casinos other than the casino
operating in French Lick, Indiana, the two racinos, and the land-based casino operating in Evansville, Indiana. Pursuant to legislation
passed in 2017, as soon as the operator of the Evansville casino relocated its riverboat casino to a land-based facility, it began paying a
“supplemental wagering tax” equal to three percent (3%) of AGR in lieu of continuing to pay admissions tax. Pursuant to the same 2017
legislation, all other casinos for whom the admissions tax had been applicable began paying a supplemental wagering tax on July 1, 2018.
The supplemental wagering tax replaced the admissions tax for these casinos. The Supplemental wagering tax rate varies by location based
on a statutory formula but was capped at four percent (4%) of AGR until June 30, 2019, and three and five tenths percent (3.5%) of AGR
thereafter. The Riverboat Act provides for the suspension or revocation of a license if the wagering taxes, admissions taxes, and/or
supplemental wagering taxes are not timely remitted.
Pursuant to a development agreement between the Company and the City of Rising Sun, Indiana, we are required to pay annually
to the Rising Sun Regional Foundation a sum equal to either: (i) 1.55% of AGR, if AGR is $150 million or less; or (ii) 1.6% of AGR, if
AGR is greater than $150 million.
Real property taxes are imposed on riverboats at rates determined by local taxing authorities. Income to us from Rising Star
Casino Resort is also subject to the Indiana adjusted gross income tax, which has traditionally been calculated in a manner that required
“adding back” the value of any federal income tax deductions that were allowable for wagering taxes paid to the state. Legislation passed in
2017 permits for the gradual phase-out of the add back calculation, such that beginning in the first taxable year following
December 31, 2025, no such add back shall be required. Sales on a riverboat and at its related amenities, other than gaming revenues, are
subject to applicable use, excise, and retail taxes. The Riverboat Act requires a licensee to directly reimburse the IGC for costs associated
with gaming enforcement agents, which are required to be present at the casino while gaming is conducted.
An owner licensee or an affiliate thereof may enter into debt transactions of $1 million or greater only with the prior approval of
the IGC. Such approval is subject to compliance with requisite procedures and a showing that each person with whom the licensee enters
into a debt transaction would be suitable for licensure under the Riverboat Act. Unless waived, approval of debt transactions requires
consideration by the IGC at two business meetings. The IGC, by resolution, has authorized its executive director, subject to subsequent
ratification by the IGC, to approve debt transactions. Such approval may occur following appropriate review of the transaction along with
concurrence by: (i) the executive director, (ii) IGC’s Chair, and (iii) the IGC member who is a certified public accountant.
The Riverboat Act provides that the sale of alcoholic beverages at casinos is subject to licensing, control and regulation pursuant
to Title 7.1 of the Indiana Code and the rules adopted by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
In 2019, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation legalizing certain sports wagering and mobile sports wagering activities
and operations in the State of Indiana (the “Indiana Sports Wagering Act”) (See IC 4-38). In the same year, the IGC approved emergency
rules to regulate licensed sports wagering operations. The Indiana Sports Wagering Act allowed sports wagering operations to commence in
Indiana on September 1, 2019, subject to regulatory approval by the IGC for individual operators to begin accepting wagers. Permanent
sports wagering rules were promulgated in 2021.
Under the Indiana Sports Wagering Act, a licensed operator of an Indiana riverboat casino, a racino, or an off-track facility where
horse wagering is allowed (a “Satellite Facility”) is granted the opportunity to apply for and receive a Certificate of Authority to conduct
sports wagering (thereby becoming a “Certificate Holder”). A Certificate Holder is entitled to operate an on-site retail sportsbook at the
casino, racino, or Satellite Facility affiliated with the Certificate of Authority, as well as to contract with up to three individually branded
sports wagering vendors (a “Vendor”) for the conduct of mobile sports wagering through digital platforms. There are currently sixteen
licensed Certificate Holders and fifteen licensed mobile Vendors in Indiana. Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC holds a permanent
Certificate of Authority, which renews annually in the ordinary course and was last renewed on November 7, 2023, effective November 7,
2023 through November 6, 2024. Rising Star is presently using one of the three mobile Vendors that it is permitted to use under the
Certificate of Authority. Sports wagers may not be placed either in-person at a retail location or via mobile platform by an individual less
than 21 years of age. All mobile sports wagering patrons must undergo “Know Your Customer” age and identification verification
processes prior to using a mobile device to place sports wagers. This process may be undertaken via mobile device remotely and does not
require in-person registration at a casino. Additionally, all mobile sports wagering patrons must undergo geolocation measures prior to
placing wagers using an internet or mobile device to ensure their physical presence in the State of Indiana. Each Vendor is subject to
corporate and individual licensing and findings of suitability by the IGC and is responsible for compliance with all relevant sports wagering
laws and regulations relevant to their retail and/or mobile sports wagering operations. Each of Rising Star’s sports wagering Vendors is
required by Indiana regulations to perform an annual system integrity and security assessment of sports wagering systems and online sports
wagering systems. The assessment must be conducted by an independent professional selected by the Vendor and is subject to the approval
of the IGC executive director.
Mississippi Regulatory Matters
Our ownership and operation of the Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel is subject to the Mississippi Gaming Control Act
(“Mississippi Act”) and to the licensing and regulatory control of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Department of
Revenue and various local, city and county regulatory agencies.
The Mississippi Act provides for legalized gaming in each of the fourteen counties that border the Gulf Coast or the Mississippi
River; however, gaming is legal only if the voters in the county have not voted to prohibit gaming in that county. Voters have approved
gaming in nine of the fourteen counties and currently occurs in seven counties. The Mississippi Act originally required gaming vessels to
be located on the Mississippi River or on navigable waters in eligible counties along the Mississippi River, or in the waters lying south of
the counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. However, the Mississippi Act was amended to permit licensees in the three counties along
the Gulf Coast to establish casino structures that are located in whole or part on shore and land-based casino operations, provided the land-
based gaming areas do not extend more than 800 feet beyond the nineteen-year mean high water line, (except in Harrison County where the
800-foot limit can be extended as far as the greater of 800 feet beyond the 19-year mean high water line or the southern boundary of
Highway 90). Due to another change in the interpretation of the Mississippi Act, the Mississippi Gaming Commission has also permitted
licensees in approved Mississippi River counties to conduct gaming operations on permanent structures, provided that the majority of the
gaming floor in any such structure is located on the river side of the “bank full” line of the Mississippi River.
There are no limitations on the number of gaming licenses that may be granted. Further, the Mississippi Act provides for 24-hour
gaming operations and does not limit the maximum bet or loss per patron or the percentage of space that may be utilized for gaming. In
2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted regulations permitting race books and sports pools to be operated by licensed
Mississippi gaming operators. Although mobile wagering is permitted, such wagers may be made only while the patron is on the property
of a licensed gaming establishment.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC is licensed as the operator of the Silver Slipper Casino and
Hotel. A Mississippi gaming licensee must maintain a gaming license from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, subject to certain
conditions, including continued compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations. If we fail to satisfy the requirements of the
Mississippi Act and regulations, we and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC cannot own or operate gaming facilities in Mississippi. Gaming
licenses are issued for a three-year period, are not transferable, and must be renewed periodically thereafter. There is no assurance that a
new license can be obtained at the end of each three-year period of a license. Silver Slipper Casino and Hotel was most recently granted a
renewal of its license by the Mississippi Gaming Commission on June 17, 2021, effective July 20, 2021. The license expires on
July 19, 2024.
The Mississippi Act and the Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations require that certain of our officers and directors and
certain key employees of Silver Slipper Hotel and Casino be found suitable or approved by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. A finding
of suitability is comparable to licensing, and both require submission of detailed personal and financial information followed by a thorough
investigation. We believe that we have obtained, applied for or are in the process of applying for all necessary findings of suitability,
although the Mississippi Gaming Commission, in its discretion, may require any individual who has a material relationship to, or material
involvement with, a licensee to file an application to determine whether the individual is suitable to be associated with a gaming licensee.
As the sole member of Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, we applied for registration with the Mississippi Gaming Commission
as a publicly traded corporation, which was granted on September 20, 2012. As a registered, publicly-traded corporation, we are required
periodically to submit financial and operating reports, and any other information that the Mississippi Gaming Commission may require.
Certain loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions must also be reported to or approved by the Mississippi Gaming
Commission.
Any person who acquires more than 5% of any class of our voting securities must report the acquisition to the Mississippi Gaming
Commission and may be required to file an application for a finding of suitability. If a security holder who must be found suitable is a
corporation, partnership or trust, it must submit detailed business and financial information, including a list of its beneficial owners. The
Mississippi Gaming Commission may require us to disclose the identities of the holders of our debt or other securities, and, in its
discretion, require such holders to file applications, be investigated and be found suitable to own our debt or equity securities. Although the
Mississippi Gaming Commission generally does not require the individual holders of such securities to be investigated and found suitable,
it retains the right to do so for any reason deemed necessary by the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
If the Mississippi Gaming Commission determines that a person is unsuitable to hold, directly or indirectly, voting securities of a
registered publicly traded corporation, any beneficial ownership of such securities by the unsuitable person beyond such period of time as
may be prescribed by the Mississippi Gaming Commission is a misdemeanor. We are subject to disciplinary action if, after we receive
notice that a person is unsuitable to be a security holder or to have any other relationship with us, we:
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pay that person any dividend or interest upon our voting securities;
recognize the exercise, directly or indirectly of any voting right conferred through securities held by that person;
pay the unsuitable person any remuneration in any form for services rendered or otherwise, except in certain limited and
specific circumstances; or
fail to pursue all lawful efforts to require the unsuitable person to divest himself of the securities including, if necessary, the
immediate purchase of the securities for cash at fair market value.
Under certain circumstances, an “institutional investor,” as such term is defined in the regulations of the Mississippi Gaming
Commission, which acquires more than 10%, but not more than 25% of our voting securities, may apply to the Mississippi Gaming
Commission for a waiver of such finding of suitability requirements, provided the institutional investor holds the voting securities for
investment purposes only.
No person may receive any percentage of gaming revenue from a Mississippi gaming licensee without first obtaining the
necessary licensing and approvals from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The Mississippi Gaming Commission may also require
anyone having a material relationship or involvement with us to be found suitable or licensed, in which case those persons are required to
pay the costs and fees of the Mississippi Gaming Commission in connection with the investigation. Any person who fails or refuses to
apply for a finding of suitability or a license within 30 days after being ordered to do so by the Mississippi Gaming Commission may be
found unsuitable based solely on such failure or refusal.
We are required to maintain a current stock ledger in Mississippi, which may be examined by the Mississippi Gaming
Commission at any time, and to file with the Mississippi Gaming Commission, at least annually, a list of our stockholders. The Mississippi
Gaming Commission has the power to require our stock certificates to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to the
Mississippi Gaming Control Act and the regulations of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. We obtained a waiver of this requirement on
September 20, 2012.
Substantially all material loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions by a registered corporation or a
Mississippi gaming licensee must be reported to and approved by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Changes in control through merger,
consolidation, acquisition of assets, management or consulting agreements or any form of takeover cannot occur without prior investigation
and approval by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. We may not make certain public offerings of our securities without the prior
approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Such approval, if given, does not constitute a recommendation or approval of the
investment merits of the securities subject to the offering. We have received a waiver of the prior approval requirement with respect to
public offerings of securities subject to certain conditions.
The Mississippi legislature has declared that some repurchases of voting securities, corporate acquisitions opposed by
management, and corporate defense tactics affecting Mississippi gaming licensees, and registered companies that are affiliated with those
operations, may be harmful to stable and productive corporate gaming. Because we are a registered company, approvals may be required
from the Mississippi Gaming Commission before we can make exceptional repurchases of voting securities above their current market
price and before a corporate acquisition opposed by management can be consummated. The Mississippi Gaming Control Act also requires
prior approval of a plan of recapitalization proposed by a registered company’s Board in response to a tender offer made directly to its
stockholders for the purpose of acquiring control.
A Mississippi licensee may not guarantee a security issued by an affiliated company pursuant to a public offering, or pledge its
assets to secure payment or performance of the obligations evidenced by a security issued by an affiliated company, without the prior
approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. We have obtained waivers from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, effective
September 20, 2021 through September 19, 2024, for such guarantees, pledges and restrictions in connection with public offerings of our
securities, subject to certain restrictions. A pledge of the stock of a Mississippi licensee and the foreclosure of such a pledge are ineffective
without the prior approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
All legal gaming conducted in the state is subject to taxation. Gaming fees and tax calculations are generally based upon a
percentage of the gross revenue and the number of gaming devices and table games operated by the casino. The license fee payable to the
State of Mississippi is based upon gross revenue (generally defined as gaming receipts less payout to customers as winnings) and equals
4% of gross revenue of $50,000 or less per calendar month, 6% of gross revenue in excess of $50,000 but less than $134,000 per
calendar month, and 8% of gross revenue in excess of $134,000 per calendar month. Each licensee must pay an annual license fee of
$5,000. Each licensee must pay an annual fee based on the number of games, both electronic gaming devices and table games, it operates at
its establishment. Licensees operating thirty-five (35) games pay a fee of $81,200 for the first 35 games, plus $100 for each game over 35.
Licensees located within certain municipalities or counties may be required to pay fees to those municipalities or counties based on the
licensees’ gross revenues. These fees are paid in the same manner as the state gross revenue fees. The fees payable to the county in which
Silver Slipper Hotel and Casino operates is an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of all gross revenue and an annual license fee of
$100 per gaming device.
The Gaming Commission imposes a flat annual fee on each casino operator licensee, payable quarterly, covering all investigative
fees for that year associated with an operator licensee, any entity registered as a holding company or publicly traded corporation of that
licensee, and any person required to be found suitable in connection with that licensee or any holding company or publicly traded
corporation of that licensee. The annual fee is based on the average number of gaming devices operated by the licensee during a twelve-
month period, as reported to the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The investigative fee is $325,000 for licensees with 1,500 or more
gaming devices, $250,000 for licensees with 1,000 to 1,499 gaming devices, and $150,000 for licensees with less than 1,000 gaming
devices. The fee is payable in four equal quarterly installments.
Neither we nor Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC may engage in gaming activities outside of Mississippi without approval of, or
a waiver of such approval by, the Mississippi Gaming Commission. We have approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission for
foreign gaming operations in that such approval for foreign gaming operations is automatically granted under the Mississippi regulations in
connection with foreign operations conducted within the 50 states or any territory of the United States, or on board any cruise ship
embarking from a port located therein.
A violation of the Mississippi gaming laws could result in a fine; revocation or suspension of, or a limitation or condition on, the
gaming license, and criminal action. Disciplinary action in any jurisdiction may lead to disciplinary action in Mississippi, including, but not
limited to, the revocation or suspension of the Silver Slipper Casino Venture, LLC gaming license.
Colorado Regulatory Matters
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (the “Colorado Commission”) initially approved all our necessary licenses on
February 18, 2016, to acquire the operating assets and assume certain liabilities of Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek,
Colorado, which closed on May 13, 2016. The license approvals initially issued and subsequently renewed include (i) an Operator’s license
for Full House Resorts, Inc.; (ii) three (3) Retail Licenses for our wholly owned subsidiary, FHR-Colorado, LLC, which operate as Bronco
Billy’s Casino, Billy’s Casino, and our newly opened Chamonix Casino & Hotel, which such license previously operated under the name of
Sir William’s Casino (iii) three (3) Master Sports Betting licenses, each associated with the three (3) Retail Licenses held by FHR-Colorado
LLC; (iv) a Manufacturer/Distributor’s License for FHR-Colorado, LLC; (v) findings of suitability for key personnel and our Board of
Directors. We continue to renew these licenses every two years, with our licenses most recently renewed through February 18, 2026,
which includes the “rebranding” of one of our retail licenses to open our new Chamonix Casino & Hotel as our third Retail License.
Under the Colorado Limited Gaming Act of 1991 (the “Colorado Act”), the ownership and operation of limited-stakes gaming
facilities in Colorado are subject to the Colorado Gaming Regulations (the “Colorado Regulations”) and final authority of the Colorado
Commission. The Colorado Act also created the Colorado Division of Gaming (the “Division of Gaming”) within the Colorado Department
of Revenue to license, supervise and enforce the conduct of limited stakes gaming.
No person may offer limited gaming to the public unless such person holds a valid retail gaming license, which must be renewed
every two years. Our licenses were most recently renewed on February 17, 2024, expiring on February 18, 2026. The Colorado Act requires
that licensees file applications for renewal with the Colorado Commission not less than 120 days prior to their expiration.
Limited-stakes gaming became lawful in the cities of Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek when the state constitution was
amended, effective October 1, 1991 (“Colorado Amendment”). Currently, “limited-stakes gaming” means a maximum single bet of $100 on
slot machines, blackjack, poker, craps and roulette, and it is permitted 24 hours a day.
Limited-stakes gaming is confined to the commercial districts of these cities as defined by Central City ordinance on
October 7, 1981, by Black Hawk ordinance on May 4, 1978, and by Cripple Creek ordinance on December 3, 1973. Additionally, the
Colorado Amendment restricts limited-stakes gaming to structures which conform to the architectural styles and designs which were
common to the areas prior to World War I and that conform to the requirements of applicable city ordinances regardless of the age of the
structures. Under the Colorado Amendment, no more than 35% of the square footage of any building and no more than 50% of any one
floor of any building may be used for limited-stakes gaming. Persons under the age of 21 cannot participate in limited-stakes gaming.
Under Colorado state law, smoking is not permitted in any indoor area, including limited gaming facilities and any other facilities in which
any gaming or gambling activity is conducted.
The Colorado Commission has delegated authority to the Division of Gaming to conduct background investigations and review of
financial documents, issue certain types of licenses, and approve certain limited changes in ownership. With limited exceptions applicable
to licensees which are publicly traded entities, no person may sell, lease, purchase, convey or acquire any interest in a retail gaming,
manufacturer or distributor, associated equipment supplier, or operator license or business without the prior approval of the Colorado
Commission or the Division of Gaming.
As a general rule, the Colorado Act prohibits any person from having an “ownership interest” in more than three retail gaming
licenses in Colorado. The Colorado Commission has ruled that a person does not have an ownership interest in a retail gaming licensee for
purposes of the multiple license prohibition if any of the following apply:
● A person has less than a 5% ownership interest in an institutional investor that has an ownership interest in a publicly traded
licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee;
● A person has a 5% or more ownership interest in an institutional investor, but the institutional investor has less than a 5%
ownership interest in a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee;
● An institutional investor has less than a 5% ownership interest in a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company
affiliated with a licensee;
● An institutional investor possesses voting securities in a fiduciary capacity for another person and does not exercise voting
control over 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a publicly traded licensee or of a publicly traded company
affiliated with a licensee;
● A registered broker or dealer retains possession of voting securities of a publicly traded licensee or of a publicly traded
company affiliated with a licensee for its customers and not for its own account, and exercises voting rights for less than 5%
of the outstanding voting securities of a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee;
● A registered broker or dealer acts as a market maker for the stock of a publicly traded licensee or of a publicly traded
company affiliated with a licensee and exercises voting rights in less than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the
publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee;
● An underwriter is holding securities of a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee as part
of an underwriting for no more than 90 days after the beginning of such underwriting if it exercises voting rights of less than
5% of the outstanding voting securities of a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee;
● A book entry transfer facility holds voting securities for third parties, if it exercises voting rights with respect to less than 5%
of the outstanding voting securities of a publicly traded licensee or publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee; or
● A person’s sole ownership interest is less than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the publicly traded licensee or
publicly traded company affiliated with a licensee.
The Colorado Commission has enacted Rule 4.5, which imposes requirements on publicly traded corporations holding gaming
licenses in Colorado and on gaming licenses owned directly or indirectly by a publicly traded corporation, whether through a subsidiary or
intermediary company. Such requirements automatically apply to any ownership interest held by a publicly traded corporation, holding
company or intermediary company thereof, where the ownership interest directly or indirectly is, or will be upon approval of the Colorado
Commission, 5% or more of the entire licensee. However, the Colorado Commission also has the discretion to require that any publicly
traded corporation, subsidiary, intermediary, or holding company that it determines has the actual ability to exercise influence over a
licensee, regardless of ownership percentage, comply with the disclosure regulations and requirements contained in Rule 4.5.
Additionally, the Colorado Regulations require that every officer, director and stockholder of private corporations or equivalent
office or ownership holders for non-corporate applicants, and every officer, director or stockholder holding either a 5% or greater interest or
controlling interest of a publicly traded corporation or owners of an applicant or licensee, shall be a person of good moral character and
submit to, and pay for, a full background investigation conducted by the Division of Gaming and the Colorado Commission. The Colorado
Commission may require any person having an interest in a license to undergo a full background investigation and pay the cost of
investigation in the same manner as an applicant.
Licensees are required to provide information and file periodic reports with the Division of Gaming, including identifying (i) those
who have a 5% or greater ownership, financial or equity interest in the licensee, (ii) those who have the ability to control or exercise
significant influence over the licensee, (iii) those who loan money or other things of value to a licensee, and (iv) those who have the right to
share in revenue derived from limited gaming, or to whom any interest or share in profits of limited gaming has been pledged as security
for a debt or performance of an act. Additional reporting requirements include (i) notifying the Division of Gaming if any licensee,
including its parent company or subsidiary, applies for, or holds a license to conduct foreign gaming operations, and (ii) reporting any
criminal convictions or charges against all persons licensed by the Colorado Commission and any associated person of a licensee.
The Colorado Commission and Division of Gaming also may require information regarding every person who is a party to a
“gaming contract,” defined as an agreement where a person does business with, or that is conducted on the premises of, a licensed entity, or
a lease with a licensee (or applicant). In that event, such person must promptly provide the Colorado Commission or the Division of
Gaming requested information, which may include a financial history, description of financial holdings, real and personal property
ownership, interests in other companies, criminal history, personal history and associations, character, reputation in the community and all
other information which might be relevant to a determination of whether a person would be suitable to be licensed by the Colorado
Commission. Failure to provide all information requested constitutes sufficient grounds for the Colorado Commission or the Division of
Gaming to require a licensee or applicant to terminate its gaming contract or lease with any person who failed to provide the information
requested. The Colorado Commission or the Division of Gaming may also require that the gaming contract be amended prior to approval of
an application or commencement of the contract.
The Colorado Commission and the Division of Gaming have interpreted the Colorado Regulations to permit the Colorado
Commission to investigate and find suitable persons or entities providing financing to or acquiring securities from us. As previously noted,
any person or entity that is required to provide information, submit an application, or be found suitable, must pay all application and
investigation fees and costs. Although the Colorado Regulations do not require prior approval for the execution of credit facilities or
issuance of debt securities, the Colorado Commission reserves the right to approve, require changes to or require the termination of any
financing, including, but not limited to, situations where a person or entity is required to be found suitable and is not found suitable. In any
event, note holders, lenders and others providing financing will not be able to exercise certain rights and remedies without the prior
approval of the Colorado Commission. Information regarding any changes in holders of securities may be required to be periodically
reported to the Colorado Commission or the Division of Gaming. Any changes in lending relationships or terms or conditions must be
immediately reported to the Division of Gaming.
The Colorado Constitution provides for a tax on the total amount wagered, less all payouts to players, which is known as the
adjusted gross proceeds (“AGP”). For poker, the tax is calculated based on the sums wagered which are retained by the licensee as
compensation, consistent with the minimum and maximum amounts established by the Colorado Commission. The Constitution sets a
maximum tax rate of 40%, and voter approval of a constitutional amendment would be required to increase this maximum rate.
The Colorado Commission votes annually on the structure of the gaming taxes. Currently, the tax structure is tiered with a
graduated rate of between .25% and 20% of AGP. Specifically, the rate tiers are:
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0.25% up to and including $2 million of AGP;
2.0% on amounts from $2 million to $5 million of AGP;
9.0% on amounts from $5 million to $8 million of AGP;
11.0% on amounts from $8 million to $10 million of AGP;
16.0% on amounts from $10 million to $13 million of AGP; and
20.0% on amounts over $13 million of AGP.
These rates became effective July 1, 2012. Pursuant to the Colorado state constitution, any Commission decision to increase the
tax levels on the adjusted gross proceeds of limited gaming requires statewide voter approval.
Effective July 1, 2021, the Colorado Commission also implemented a three-year pilot program to allow casinos to receive a tax
rebate equal to the amount of tax paid on free play coupons for the preceding year. Casinos are eligible for this rebate if the gaming tax
revenue paid to the State grew by at least 3.5%, compounded annually, over the preceding year. If eligible, the casino will receive a credit
against the following month’s tax payment. If total free play and total gaming revenue have grown by at least 10.87% after the first
three years, the rebate program would become permanent, effective July 1, 2025. In August 2023, FHR-Colorado received a rebate in the
amount of $74,224.22 for the preceding fiscal year (July 2022 through June 2023).
On November 5, 2019, Colorado voters approved sports betting offered at casinos in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City
or through Internet sports betting operators that are associated with brick-and-mortar casinos in those towns. The state imposes a tax of
10% on “net sports betting proceeds” which is distinct and taxed separately from limited gaming “adjusted gross proceeds.” The state also
imposes multiple fees to pay for: (1) the privilege of being licensed to operate as a sports betting licensee; (2) the costs of applicant
investigation; and (3) the Division of Gaming’s ongoing regulation of sports betting. The City of Cripple Creek may also impose device
fees on sports betting gaming equipment used at casinos licensed if they are used to conduct a sports betting operation. Those device fees
may be more, less, or the same as the current fee imposed by the City on limited gaming devices. Sports betting became legal in Colorado
on May 1, 2020. In January 2020, FHR-Colorado LLC applied for three (3) master sports betting licenses to be associated with each of its
three (3) retail licenses. We received our three (3) Master Licenses on March 19, 2020, and their renewal and expiration dates coincide with
our three (3) Retail Licenses (February 2026). FHR-Colorado LLC is presently using one of its master sports betting licenses to contract
with a third-party vendor who offers mobile sports wagering. No person under 21 years of age may place any sports wager in Colorado. All
mobile sports wagering patrons must undergo “Know Your Customer” age and identification verification processes prior to using a mobile
device to place sports wagers. This process may be undertaken via mobile device remotely and does not require in-person registration at a
casino. Additionally, all mobile sports wagering patrons must undergo geolocation measures prior to placing wagers using a mobile device
to ensure their physical presence in the State of Colorado. Each third-party sports wagering vendor must be licensed by the Colorado
Commission, and any vendor director, officer, key employee, and affiliated business may be required to either be licensed or found suitable
by the Commission. Depending on whether they share in sports betting revenues or what types of goods or services they provided,
businesses involved with sports wagering operations may also be required to be licensed. All licensed entities and licensed persons are
responsible for compliance with all relevant sports wagering laws and regulations relevant to their retail and/or mobile sports wagering
operations.
On November 3, 2020, Colorado voters approved Amendment 77, which allowed the Cities of Central City, Black Hawk, and
Cripple Creek to (1) approve a maximum single bet limit of any amount and (2) expand allowable game types in addition to slot machines,
blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps.
In the City of Cripple Creek, pursuant to Article 5 of the municipal code, the City Clerk is authorized to calculate, collect, and
enforce a gaming device fee, which may be amended from time to time by the City Council. For purposes of Article 5, a gaming device
means “any slot machine, poker table and/or blackjack table. The term gaming device shall include each table manned by a single dealer
for the games of blackjack and/or poker and shall include each slot machine.”
Currently, this gaming device fee is paid quarterly, in advance, on the first day of the month for each quarter. The fee amount
depends on a number of factors, including when the device is placed into service, and the total number of gaming devices the licensee has
in operation. For example, each gaming licensee shall pay $374.91per gaming device for its first three (3) months of operation, and each
new gaming device added shall have a gaming device fee of $374.91, regardless of the day the device is placed into service. The sale of
alcoholic beverages in gaming establishments is subject to strict licensing, control, and regulation by State and local authorities. There are
various classes of retail liquor licenses which may be issued under the Colorado Liquor Code, and no person may be financially interested
in more than one such class of liquor license. A retail gaming tavern licensee may sell malt, vinous or spirituous liquors only by the
individual drink for consumption on the premises. An application for an alcoholic beverage license in Colorado requires notice, posting and
a public hearing before the local liquor licensing authority prior to approval. The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement
Division must also approve the application on behalf of the state. Each of FHR-Colorado LLC’s retail locations has obtained the requisite
liquor license to offer alcoholic beverages for consumption on its casino, hotel, and restaurant premises.
All persons who directly or indirectly hold a 10% or greater interest in, or 10% or more of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of, a licensee must file applications and may possibly be investigated by state and local liquor authorities. The Colorado liquor authorities
also may investigate persons who, directly or indirectly, loan money to or have any financial interest in liquor licensees. In addition, there
are restrictions on stockholders, directors and officers of liquor licensees preventing such persons from being a stockholder, director, officer
or otherwise interested in certain persons who lend money to liquor licensees and from making loans to other liquor licensees. Persons
directly or indirectly interested in any of our Colorado gaming properties may be limited with regard to certain other types of liquor
licenses in which they may have an interest, and specifically cannot have an interest in a retail liquor store license. No person can hold
more than three retail gaming tavern liquor licenses. In addition, the remedies of certain lenders may be limited by applicable liquor laws
and regulations. Alcoholic beverage licenses are revocable and nontransferable. State and local licensing authorities have full power to
limit, condition, suspend for as long as six months or revoke any such licenses for violations of the liquor and regulatory requirements,
which could have a material adverse effect upon our operations.
Illinois Regulatory Matters
Following a competitive bidding process, on December 8, 2021, the Illinois Gaming Board (the “IGB”) unanimously selected us
for the development of a casino in Waukegan, Illinois. On January 27, 2022, the IGB unanimously granted us approval to amend our
application pending before the IGB to change the applicant thereunder from Full House Resorts, Inc. to our wholly-owned subsidiary,
FHR-Illinois, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FHR-IL”).
On February 16, 2023, the IGB’s Administrator granted FHR-IL a temporary operating permit authorizing us to conduct gaming
operations at our temporary casino facility, The Temporary, beginning February 17, 2023. Operations commenced on February 17, 2023 at
The Temporary’s grand opening. On June 15, 2023, the IGB issued FHR-IL its owners license (replacing the temporary operating permit).
Casino gaming in Illinois is permitted by the Illinois Gambling Act, 2030 ILCS 10/1 et seq. (the “Illinois Act”) and the rules of the
IGB promulgated thereunder. The State of Illinois legalized riverboat gambling in 1990. Initially, the Illinois Act authorized the IGB to
issue up to ten (10) owners licenses authorizing the holders thereof to conduct gambling operations on riverboats located on any water
within the State of Illinois or any water other than Lake Michigan which constitutes a boundary of the State of Illinois. The original ten
owners licenses are in operation in Alton, Aurora, East Peoria, East St. Louis, Elgin, Joliet (2 licenses), Metropolis, Rock Island, and Des
Plaines, Illinois.
On June 28, 2019, the Illinois Act was amended by Public Act 101-0091 (“PA 101-0091”) which implemented historic gaming
expansion throughout Illinois. Among other things, PA 101-0091 amended the Illinois Act to: (a) authorize an additional six (6) casinos in
the following locations: City of Chicago, City of Danville, City of Waukegan, City of Rockford, Williamson County, and any one of the
following townships in Cook County – Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth; (b) permit casinos to be land-based (including
allowing Illinois’ existing riverboat casinos to relocate on land); and (c) permit each racetrack facility licensed pursuant to the Illinois
Horse Racing Act of 1975 (“Organization Licensees”) to apply for an Organization Gaming License, which authorizes table games and slot
machines at the Organization Licensee’s racetrack facilities.
The Illinois Act strictly regulates the facilities, persons, associations and practices related to gaming operations. It grants the IGB
specific powers and duties, and all other powers necessary and proper to fully and effectively execute the Illinois Act for the purpose of
administering, regulating and enforcing the system of casino gaming. The IGB has authority over every person, association, corporation,
partnership and trust involved in casino gaming operations in the State of Illinois.
The Illinois Act requires the owner of a casino gaming operation to hold an owners license issued by the IGB and restricts the
number of gaming positions that may be operated under each owners license. Initially, each of Illinois’ original ten (10) owners licensees
were limited to operating 1,200 gaming positions. PA 101-0091, however, authorized each of these existing ten (10) owners licensees
permission to expand gaming operations from 1,200 to 2,000 gaming positions, subject to the payment of a per gaming position fee of
$17,500 (or $30,000 if located within Cook County) (the “Position Fee”). Only one of the original ten (10) owners licensees expanded its
gaming positions to 2,000 gaming positions. With respect to the six (6) casinos authorized under PA 101-0091, the owners license in the
City of Chicago is authorized to operate up to 4,000 gaming positions, the owners license in Williamson County is limited to 1,200 gaming
positions, and the other four new owners licenses (including the owners license held by us), are permitted a maximum of 2,000 gaming
positions, subject to payment of the applicable Position Fee. The number of gaming positions are determined in accordance with the IGB’s
rules.
Each owners licensee of the six (6) casinos authorized by PA101-0091 (including FHR-IL) must make a reconciliation payment
(the “Reconciliation Payment”) to the State of Illinois. The Reconciliation Payment is calculated 3 years after the date the owners licensee
begins operating in an amount equal to 75% of the adjusted gross receipts for the most lucrative 12-month period of operations, minus an
amount equal to the aggregate Position Fee paid by such owners licensee. The Reconciliation Fee is paid as follows: (1) $15,000,000 is
paid upon issuance of the owners license (this amount has been paid by FHR-IL); and (2) the remainder of the Reconciliation Fee, if any, is
paid in installments over a period of six years (without interest) beginning in year four of the owners licensee’s operations. If the
calculation of the Reconciliation Fee results in a negative amount, the owners licensee is not entitled to reimbursement of any fees
previously paid.
Under the Illinois Act, each owners licensee of the six (6) casinos authorized under PA101-0091, may conduct gaming at a
temporary casino facility pending the construction of a permanent casino facility for up to 24 months after the temporary casino facility
begins to conduct gaming. Upon request by an owners licensee and upon a showing of good cause by the owners licensee: (i) for an owners
licensee authorized in Waukegan, the IGB extend the period during which the licensee may conduct gaming at a temporary casino facility
by up to 30 months; and (ii) for the other five (5) owners licensees, the IGB shall extend the period during which the licensee may conduct
gaming at a temporary casino facility by up to 12 months. In January 2024, FHR-IL requested IGB approval to conduct gaming operations
at The Temporary by 30 months. On January 27, 2024, the IGB unanimously granted FHR-IL’s request for extended operations at
The Temporary. Given this approval, under the Illinois Act, FHR-IL may conduct gaming operations at The Temporary until August 17,
2027.
Each owners license is valid for four years. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a new owners license is $250,000. An owners
licensee is eligible for renewal upon payment of the applicable fee and a determination by the IGB that the licensee continues to meet all of
the requirements of the Illinois Act and IGB’s rules. An ownership interest in an owners license may not be transferred or pledged as
collateral without the prior approval of the IGB.
Pursuant to the Illinois Act, in determining whether to approve direct or indirect ownership or control of an owners license, the
IGB must consider the impact of any economic concentration caused by such ownership or control. No direct or indirect ownership or
control may be approved which will result in undue economic concentration of the ownership of a casino gambling operation in Illinois.
The Illinois Act specifies a number of criteria for the IGB to consider in determining whether the approval of the issuance, transfer or
holding of a license will create undue economic concentration. The IGB’s application of such criteria could reduce the number of potential
purchasers for American Place.
The Illinois Act does not limit the maximum bet or per patron loss. Minimum and maximum wagers on games are set by the
holder of the owners license. Wagering may only be conducted with money or other negotiable currency. No person under the age of 21 is
permitted to wager and wagers may only be received from a person present at the casino. With respect to electronic gaming devices, the
payout percentage may not be less than 80% or more than 100% unless approved by the IGB’s Administrator. Since January 1, 2008, all of
Illinois’ casinos, bars, restaurants and other public establishments have been smoke-free.
Illinois imposes an admission tax and a wagering tax on all Illinois casinos. From time to time, the Illinois legislature has taken
actions to change these taxes. Historically, these legislative changes have resulted in tax increases. Currently, the admission tax is $3.00
per person admitted into the casino (except for the casino in Rock Island, which is subject to an admissions tax of $2.00 per person
admitted). The wagering tax is imposed on the “adjusted gross receipts,” as defined in the Illinois Act, of a gambling operation. The
owners licensee is required, daily, to wire the wagering tax payment to the IGB. For all casinos (other than the Chicago casino, which is
subject to a higher tax rate), the wagering tax for all gambling games other than table games, including, but not limited to, slot machines,
video game of chance gambling, and electronic gambling games is assessed at the following rates:
● 15.0% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25.0 million;
● 22.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25.0 million but not exceeding $50.0 million;
● 27.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $50.0 million but not exceeding $75.0 million;
● 32.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $75.0 million but not exceeding $100.0 million;
● 37.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $100.0 million but not exceeding $150.0 million;
● 45.0% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $150.0 million but not exceeding $200.0 million; and
● 50.0% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $200.0 million.
For all casinos (other than the Chicago casino), the wagering tax for table games is assessed at the following rates:
● 15.0% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25.0 million; and
● 20.0% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25.0 million
A holder of any gaming license in Illinois is subject to imposition of fines, suspension or revocation of such license, or other
action for any act or failure to act by the licensee or the licensee’s agents or employees, that is injurious to the public health, safety, morals,
good order and general welfare of the people of the State of Illinois, or that would discredit or tend to discredit the Illinois gaming industry
or the State of Illinois. The IGB may revoke or suspend licenses, as the IGB may determine and, in compliance with applicable Illinois law
regarding administrative procedures, may suspend an owners license, without notice or hearing, upon a determination that the safety or
health of patrons or employees is jeopardized by continuing such gambling operations. The suspension may remain in effect until the IGB
determines that the cause for suspension has been abated and it may revoke the owners license upon a determination that the owner has not
made satisfactory progress toward abating the hazard.
If the IGB has suspended, revoked or refused to renew an owners license or if a casino gambling operation is closing and the
owner is voluntarily surrendering its owners license, the IGB may petition the local circuit court in which the casino is situated for
appointment of a receiver. The circuit court has sole jurisdiction over any and all issues pertaining to the appointment of a receiver. The
IGB specifies the powers, duties and limitations of the receiver.
The IGB requires that each “Key Person” of an owners licensee submit a Personal Disclosure or Business Entity Disclosure Form
and be investigated and approved by the IGB. The IGB determines which positions, individuals or business entities are required to be
approved by the Board as Key Persons. Once approved, such Key Person status must be maintained. Key Persons include:
● any business entity and any individual with an ownership interest or voting rights of more than 5% in the licensee or applicant
and the trustee of any trust holding such ownership interest or voting rights;
● the directors of the licensee or applicant and its chief executive officer, president and chief operating officer or their functional
equivalents;
● a Gaming Operations Manager (as defined in the IGB’s rules) or any other business entity or individual who has influence
and/or control over the conduct of gaming or the Casino Gaming Operation (as defined in the IGB’s rules); and
● all other individuals or Business Entities that, upon review of the applicant’s or licensee’s organizational structure, the Board
determines hold a position or a level of ownership, control or influence that is material to the regulatory concerns and
obligations of the IGB for the specified licensee or applicant.
Each owners licensee must provide a means for the economic disassociation of a Key Person in the event such economic
disassociation is required by an order of the IGB. Based upon findings from an investigation into the character, reputation, experience,
associations, business probity and financial integrity of a Key Person, the IGB may enter an order upon the licensee or require the
economic disassociation of the Key Person.
Applicants for and holders of an owners license are required to obtain the IGB’s approval for changes in the following: (i) Key
Persons; (ii) type of entity; (iii) equity and debt capitalization of the entity; (iv) investors and/or debt holders; (v) sources of funds;
(vi) economic development plans or proposals; (vii) casino capacity or significant design changes; (viii) gaming positions; (ix) anticipated
economic impact; or (x) agreements, oral or written, relating to the acquisition or disposition of property (real or personal) of a value
greater than $1 million. Illinois regulations provide that a holder of an owners license may make distributions to its stockholders only to
the extent that such distributions do not impair the financial viability of the owner. Additionally, the IGB requires each holder of an owners
license to obtain the IGB’s approval prior to issuing a guaranty of any indebtedness.
The IGB requires that each “institutional investor,” as that term is defined by IGB, that, individually or jointly with others,
cumulatively acquires, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly-traded licensee or a licensee’s
publicly-traded parent corporation (like Full House) shall, within no less than ten (10) days after acquiring such securities, notify the IGB
of such ownership and shall, upon request, provide such additional information as may be required by the IGB (which additional
information may include requiring the filing of an “Institutional Investor Disclosure Form”). An institutional investor that, individually or
jointly with others, cumulatively acquires, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly-traded licensee
or a licensee’s publicly-traded parent corporation must file an “Institutional Investor Disclosure Form,” provided by the IGB, within 45
days after cumulatively acquiring such level of ownership interest, unless such requirement is waived by the IGB. Additionally, we must
notify the IGB as soon as possible after we become aware that we are involved in an ownership acquisition by an institutional investor.
The IGB may waive any licensing requirement or procedure provided by rule if it determines that the waiver is in the best interests
of the public and the gaming industry. Also, the IGB may, from time to time, amend or change its rules.
Beginning August 1, 2020, the IGB established benchmark contract utilization goals for owners licensees as set forth below:
● 11% for minority-owned businesses;
● 7% for women-owned businesses;
● 2% for businesses owned by persons with disabilities; and
● 3% for veteran-owned businesses.
Each owners licensee is required to submit to the IGB proposed contracting goals for the coming calendar year and final
contracting goals shall be established through a consultation process with each owners licensee and subsequent IGB evaluation and
approval. By March 31st of each year, each owners licensee is required to file with the IGB an annual report of its utilization of minority-
owned businesses, women-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities and veteran-owned businesses during the
preceding calendar year. The IGB strongly encourages compliance with these benchmarking goals. Any failure by an owners licensee to
meet these goals will be scrutinized by the IGB, and if the IGB determines that its goals and policies are not being met by an owners
licensee, then the Board may recommend remedies for these violations in accordance with the IGB’s rules.
In addition to the amendments to the Illinois Act (described above), PA101-0091 enacted the Illinois Sports Wagering Act (230
ILCS 45/25-1 et seq.) (the “Illinois Sports Wagering Act”) legalizing retail and mobile sports wagering in Illinois. Under the Illinois Sports
Wagering Act, each owners licensee and Organization Licensee and up to seven (7) sports facilities is granted the opportunity to apply for
and receive a Master Sports Wagering License to conduct sports wagering (or to contract with a licensed Management Services Provider to
conduct sports wagering on its behalf) at a retail sportsbook located (1) for an owners licensee, at its casino, (2) for an Organization
Licensee, at its racetrack and up to off track betting facilities, and (3) for a sports facility, at or within five blocks of the sports facility, as
well as to operate one mobile sports betting “skin”. FHR-IL received is Master Sports Wagering License on June 15, 2023. FHR-IL
contracted with Circa Sports Illinois LLC to serve as its Management Services Provider to operate retail and mobile sports wagering in
Illinois.
Sports wagers may be made only by individuals who are 21 years of age or older. All mobile sports wagering patrons must
undergo “Know Your Customer” age and identification verification processes prior to using a mobile device to place sports wagers. This
process may be undertaken via mobile device remotely and does not require in-person registration at a casino. Additionally, all mobile
sports wagering patrons must undergo geolocation measures prior to placing wagers using a mobile device to ensure their physical presence
in the State of Illinois. Each Master Sports Wagering Licensee and Management Services Provider is subject to corporate and individual
licensing and findings of suitability by the IGB and is responsible for compliance with all relevant sports wagering laws and regulations
relevant to their retail and/or mobile sports wagering operations.
On July 13, 2009, Illinois enacted the Video Gaming Act, 230 ILCS 40/1 et seq. (the “Video Gaming Act”) which initially
legalized the use of up to five (5) video gaming terminals in most bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and veterans’ organizations
holding valid Illinois liquor licenses, as well as at qualifying truck stops. Effective October 9, 2012, video gaming in Illinois became
operational. The video gaming terminals in licensed establishments allow patrons to play games such as video poker, line up and
blackjack. PA101-0091 similarly expanded the Video Gaming Act by authorizing the use of up to six (6) video gaming terminals
(increased from five(5)) in most bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and veterans’ organizations holding valid Illinois liquor licenses
and created a new category of licensure for “large truck stop establishments” that are authorized to operate up to ten (10) video gaming
terminals. As of December 7, 2023, there were approximately 46,900 video gaming terminals in operation in Illinois. Revenues at
American Place (including The Temporary) may be adversely impacted by the availability of video gaming terminals in non-casino
establishments proximately located to its customer base.
From time to time, various proposals have been introduced in the Illinois legislature that, if enacted, would affect the taxation,
regulation, operation or other aspects of the gaming industry. The Illinois legislature regularly considers proposals that would expand
gaming opportunities in Illinois. Some of this legislation, if enacted, could adversely affect the gaming industry. No assurance can be
given whether such or similar legislation will be enacted.