Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Principles of Consolidation and Accounting

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.

Use of Estimates

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 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, such as its common stock warrant liability and interest rate cap. 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.

The Company utilizes Level 1 inputs when measuring the fair value of its Notes (see Note 6).

The Company utilizes Level 2 inputs when measuring the fair value of its asset purchases and acquisitions (see Note 8).

The Company utilizes Level 3 inputs when measuring the fair value of net assets acquired in business combination transactions, subsequent assessments for impairment, and most financial instruments, including but not limited to the estimated fair value of common stock warrants at issuance and for recurring changes in the related warrant liability (see Notes 6 and 12).

Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

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 initially totaling $180 million, which were placed into a construction reserve account to fund the completion of the Chamonix construction project. In January 2022, due to supply chain issues, inflation, and a difficult construction environment, the Company increased the balance of its construction reserve account to approximately $221 million, in accordance with its debt covenants. Such funds are being used to pay costs to develop the Chamonix property.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable consist primarily of casino, hotel and other receivables, are typically non-interest bearing, and are carried net of an appropriate reserve to approximate fair value. 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 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. Management believes that, as of December 31, 2021, no significant concentrations of credit risk existed for which a reserve had not already been recorded.

(In thousands)

December 31, 

    

    

2021

    

2020

Accounts receivable

$

4,950

$

5,080

Reserves

 

(257)

 

(176)

$

4,693

$

4,904

Inventories

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. 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:

    

Estimated

Class of Assets

Useful Lives

Land improvements

 

15 to 18 years

Buildings and improvements

 

3 to 44 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

2 to 10 years

Capitalized Interest

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.

Leases

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 and depreciation expense associated with the ROU asset; 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. 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 on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or useful life of the ROU asset 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 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, Rising Star Casino Resort 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. 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.

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.

Finite-lived Intangible Assets

Finite-lived Intangible Assets. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets includes 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

Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts. Debt issuance costs and debt discounts incurred in connection with the issuance of debt have been included as a component of the carrying amount of debt, and are amortized 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

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 Mile High Rewards Club, the Rising Star VIP Club, the Grand Lodge Players Advantage Club®, and the Stockman’s Winner’s Club. 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 were both $0.8 million for each of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and these amounts are included in “other accrued 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 and Colorado, as well as on-site sports wagering at Rising Star Casino Resort and at Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel (the “Sports Agreements”). As part of these long-term Sports Agreements, the Company received one-time market access fees totaling $6 million, which were recorded as long-term liabilities and are being recognized as revenue ratably over the initial term length of 10 years, beginning with the commencement of operations.

Indiana. Two of the Company’s Sports Agreements commenced operations in December 2019 and April 2021, respectively. The third party for the remaining Sports Agreement went live contractually in December 2021, with the last skin subsequently receiving gaming approval on February 28, 2022.

Colorado. The Company’s three Sports Agreements commenced online operations in June 2020, December 2020 and April 2021, respectively.

Deferred revenues also include a total of $2.0 million related to the annual prepayment of contracted revenue, as required in two of the Sports Agreements. We received $1.0 million of prepaid revenue for contracted sports operations that commenced in Colorado in December 2020, and $1.0 million for contracted sports operations that commenced in Indiana in April 2021. As of December 31, 2021, $0.8 million of such deferred revenue has been recognized.

Deferred revenues consisted of the following as discussed above:

(In thousands)

December 31, 

    

Balance Sheet Location

2021

    

2020

Deferred revenue, current

Other accrued liabilities

$

1,822

$

1,372

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

Contract liabilities, net of current portion

4,714

5,398

$

6,536

$

6,770

In February 2022, one of our three skin operators informed us of its intent to cease operations on May 15, 2022, which will create one available skin in each of Colorado and Indiana. We are currently negotiating with other companies to be the replacement operator for such skins, though there can be no guarantee that we will enter into any replacement contract on similar terms or at all.

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 13.

Advertising Costs

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 $2.8 million, $2.2 million, and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Project Development and Acquisition Costs

Project Development and Acquisition Costs. Project development and acquisition costs consist of amounts expended on the pursuit of new business opportunities and acquisitions, which are expensed as incurred. During 2021, these costs were associated with our pursuit of available gaming licenses in Waukegan, Illinois, and Terre Haute, Indiana. In 2020, project development costs were associated with our pursuit to develop and operate American Place in Waukegan, Illinois, and also included option deposits to secure land in New Mexico totaling $250,000. Management wrote off these option deposits, which expired in July 2020.

Share-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation. 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 other stock-based awards. The cost is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period of the award) net of forfeitures, which are recognized as they occur.

Income Taxes

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 deferred tax assets (“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.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Earnings (loss) per share

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 and warrants, using the treasury stock method.

(In thousands)

Year Ended

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Numerator:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income (loss) ─ basic

$

11,706

$

147

$

(5,822)

Net income (loss) ─ diluted

$

11,706

$

147

$

(5,822)

Denominator:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Weighted-average common and common share equivalents ─ basic

 

32,517

 

27,094

 

26,980

Potential dilution from share-based awards

2,429

690

Weighted-average common and common share equivalents ─ diluted

 

34,946

 

27,784

 

26,980

Anti-dilutive share-based awards excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share

 

149

 

1,943

 

3,851

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. 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