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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K

(Mark One)    

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                             to                            

Commission file number 0-24206

Penn National Gaming, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  23-2234473
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

825 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 200
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

19610
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 373-2400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
None   None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Series C Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
(Title of Class)

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý    No o

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 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 ý    No o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý    No o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

          As of June 30, 2015 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.34 billion. Such aggregate market value was computed by reference to the closing price of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2015.

          The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of March 10, 2016 was 81,288,782.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

   


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   
  Page
PART I    

ITEM 1.

 

BUSINESS

 

1
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS   18
ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS   35
ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES   35
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   38
ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES   39

PART II

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

40
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA   40
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   43
ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK   78
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA   79
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE   135
ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   135
ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION   139

PART III

 

 

ITEM 10.

 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

139
ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   139
ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS   139
ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE   139
ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES   139

PART IV

 

 

ITEM 15.

 

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

140

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IMPORTANT FACTORS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This document includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are included throughout the document, including the section entitled "Risk Factors," and relate to our business strategy, our prospects and our financial position. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," "should" or "anticipates" or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussions of future events, strategies or risks and uncertainties. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements concerning:

        Although Penn National Gaming, Inc. ("Penn") and its subsidiaries (together with Penn, collectively, the "Company") believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our subsidiaries and us, and accordingly, our forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors described below and in the information incorporated by reference herein. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, risks related to the following:

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        All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this document. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document may not occur.

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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Overview

        We are a leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1982 as PNRC Corp. and adopted its current name in 1994, when the Company became a publicly traded company. In 1997, we began our transition from a pari-mutuel company to a diversified gaming company with the acquisition of the Charles Town property and the introduction of video lottery terminals in West Virginia. Since 1997, we have continued to expand our gaming operations through strategic acquisitions, greenfield projects, and property expansions. We, along with our joint venture partner, opened Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway on February 3, 2012. In Ohio, we have opened four new gaming properties over the last four years, including: Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012, Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014. In addition, on November 2, 2012, we acquired Harrah's St. Louis, which we subsequently rebranded as Hollywood Casino St Louis.

        On June 24, 2015, we opened Plainridge Park Casino, an integrated racing and slots-only gaming facility in Plainville, Massachusetts. On August 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of our first Las Vegas strip asset, Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. On September 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Prairie State Gaming, one of the largest video gaming terminal route operators in Illinois. In addition, we are developing a Hollywood Casino branded gaming facility on the Jamul Indian Village near San Diego, California, which we will manage upon its anticipated opening in mid-2016. Also during the year ended December 31, 2015, we established a new business line to implement our interactive gaming strategy through our new subsidiary, Penn Interactive Ventures, which included building out a new interactive team, launching our Hollywood Casino branded Play4Fun social gaming partnership with Scientific Games and establishing other partnerships that we expect to launch in 2016.

        We believe that our portfolio of assets provides us the benefit of a geographically diversified cash flow from operations. We continue to expand our gaming operations through the implementation and execution of a disciplined capital expenditure program at our existing properties, the pursuit of strategic acquisitions and the development of new gaming properties, particularly in attractive regional markets.

        In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms "we," "us," "our," the "Company" and "Penn" refer to Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust

        On November 1, 2013, the Company completed its plan to separate its gaming operating assets from its real property assets by creating a newly formed, publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT"), known as Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. ("GLPI"), through a tax free spin-off (the "Spin-Off"). Penn effected the Spin-Off by distributing one share of common stock of GLPI to the holders of Penn common stock and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock") for every share of Penn common stock and every 1/1000th of a share of Series C Preferred Stock that they held at the close of business on October 16, 2013, the record date for the Spin-Off. Peter M. Carlino and the PMC Delaware Dynasty Trust dated September 25, 2013, a trust for the benefit of Mr. Carlino's children, also received 882,129 additional shares of GLPI common stock, in exchange for 2,167,393 shares of Penn common stock that they transferred to Penn immediately prior to the Spin-Off, and Mr. Carlino exchanged certain options to acquire Penn common stock for options to acquire GLPI common stock having the same aggregate intrinsic value. Penn engaged in these

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exchanges with Mr. Carlino and his related trust to ensure that each member of the Carlino family beneficially owned 9.9% or less of the outstanding shares of Penn common stock following the Spin-Off, so that GLPI could qualify to be taxed as a REIT for United States ("U.S.") federal income tax purposes.

        In addition, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, Penn contributed to GLPI substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as all of the assets and liabilities of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville, which are referred to as the "TRS Properties." As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets as of such date and leases back those assets (other than the TRS Properties) to Penn for use by its subsidiaries, under a "triple net" master lease agreement (the "Master Lease") (which has a fifteen-year initial term that can be extended at Penn's option for up to four five-year renewal terms), as well as owns and operates the TRS Properties. Penn continues to operate the leased gaming facilities and holds the associated gaming licenses with these facilities. As a result of the Spin-Off, the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2013 only include the TRS Properties for the period January 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013. The TRS properties have been reported as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements.

        The Company received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service relating to the tax treatment of the separation and the qualification of GLPI as a REIT. The private letter ruling is subject to certain qualifications and based on certain representations and statements made by the Company and certain of its shareholders. If such representations and statements are untrue or incomplete in any material respect (including as a result of a material change in the transaction or other relevant facts), the Company may not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. The Company received opinions from outside counsel regarding certain aspects of the transaction that are not covered by the private letter ruling.

        Prior to the Spin-Off, we entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement with GLPI setting forth the mechanics of the Spin-Off, certain organizational matters and other ongoing obligations of the Company and GLPI. The Company and GLPI or their respective subsidiaries, as applicable, also entered into a number of other agreements prior to the Spin-Off to provide a framework for the restructuring and for the relationships between GLPI and the Company.

Master Lease

        As of December 31, 2015, the Company leased from GLPI real property assets associated with eighteen of the Company's gaming and related facilities used in the Company's operations. The following summary of the Master Lease is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Master Lease which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as exhibit 10.20 to our Form 10-K/A. It was determined that the Master Lease did not meet the requirements of a normal leaseback under ASC 840 due to prohibited forms of continuing involvement and is therefore accounted for as a financing obligation.

        The payment structure under the Master Lease, which became effective November 1, 2013, includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to a floor of zero (i) every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change to net revenues of all facilities under the Master Lease (other than Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo) during the preceding five years, and (ii) monthly by an amount equal to 20% of the change in net revenues of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo during the preceding month. In addition, with the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in the third quarter of 2014,

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our annual payment related to the Master Lease increased by approximately $19 million, which approximates ten percent of the real estate construction costs paid for by GLPI related to these facilities.

        In April 2014, an amendment to the Master Lease was entered into in order to revise certain provisions relating to our Sioux City property. In accordance with the amendment, upon the cessation of gaming operations at Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014 due to the termination of its gaming license, the annual payment to GLPI was reduced by $6.2 million. Additionally, the Company finalized its calculation of the coverage ratio in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Master Lease to determine if an annual base payment escalator is due. The calculation of the escalator resulted in an increase to our annual payment of $5.0 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

        The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to financing obligation payments, the Company is required to pay the following, among other things: (1) all facility maintenance; (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties; (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor); and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.

        At the Company's option, the Master Lease may be extended for up to four five-year renewal terms beyond the initial fifteen-year term, on the same terms and conditions. If we elect to renew the term of the Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease, provided that the final renewal option shall only be exercisable with respect to certain of the barge-based facilities—i.e., facilities where barges serve as foundations upon which buildings are constructed to serve as gaming or related facilities or serve ancillary purposes such as access platforms or shear barges to protect a gaming facility from floating debris—following an independent third party expert's review of the total useful life of the applicable barged-based facility measured from the beginning of the initial term. If the final five-year renewal term would not cause the aggregate term to exceed 80% of the useful life of such facility, the facility shall be included in the five-year renewal. In the event that a five-year renewal of such facility would cause it to exceed 80% of the estimated useful life, such facility shall be included in the renewal for the period of time equal to but not exceeding 80% of the estimated useful life.

        We do not have the ability to terminate our obligations under the Master Lease prior to its expiration without GLPI's consent. If the Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with GLPI's consent, we may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued lease payments through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the leased property.

Segment Information

        Our Chief Executive Officer and President, who is the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") as that term is defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), measures and assesses the Company's business performance based on regional operations of various properties grouped together based primarily on their geographic locations. In January 2014, the Company named Jay Snowden as its Chief Operating Officer and the Company decided in connection with this announcement to re-align its reporting structure. Since January 2014, the Company's reportable segments are: (i) East/Midwest, (ii) West, and (iii) Southern Plains. See "Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 16—Segment Information."

        The East/Midwest reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Bangor, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course,

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Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which opened on August 28, 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, which opened on September 17, 2014, and Plainridge Park Casino, which opened on June 24, 2015. It also includes the Company's Casino Rama management service contract. It also previously included Hollywood Casino Perryville, which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013 and is reported as discontinued operations.

        The West reportable segment consists of the following properties: Zia Park Casino, M Resort, and Tropicana Las Vegas, which was acquired on August 25, 2015, as well as the Hollywood Casino Jamul—San Diego project with the Jamul Indian Village, which the Company anticipates completing in mid-2016.

        The Southern Plains reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Boomtown Biloxi, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, and Prairie State Gaming, which the Company acquired on September 1, 2015, and includes the Company's 50% investment in Kansas Entertainment, LLC ("Kansas Entertainment"), which owns the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. This segment previously included Argosy Casino Sioux City, which closed on July 30, 2014 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013 and is reported as discontinued operations.

        The Other category consists of the Company's standalone racing operations, namely Rosecroft Raceway, Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, and the Company's joint venture interests in Sam Houston Race Park, Valley Race Park, and Freehold Raceway. It also previously included the Company's Bullwhackers property, which was sold in July 2013. If the Company is successful in obtaining gaming operations at these locations, they would be assigned to one of the Company's regional executives and reported in their respective reportable segment. The Other category also includes the Company's corporate overhead operations, which does not meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280, and Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary which represents its social online gaming initiatives and would meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280 but is currently immaterial to the Company's operations.

Properties

        Penn National Gaming, Inc. owns, operates, or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations with a focus on slot machine entertainment. As of December 31, 2015, we operated twenty-seven facilities in the following seventeen jurisdictions: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario. The Company, on August 25, 2015, acquired Tropicana Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip for $357.7 million. In Illinois, the Company acquired Prairie State Gaming, a video gaming terminal operator, on September 1, 2015. The Company, along with its joint venture partner, opened Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway on February 3, 2012. In Ohio, the Company opened four new gaming properties over the last three years, including: Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012, Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014. In addition, on November 2, 2012, the Company acquired Harrah's St. Louis, which we subsequently rebranded as Hollywood Casino St. Louis. On July 30, 2014, the Company closed its facility in Sioux City, Iowa, and on July 1, 2013, the Company sold its Bullwhackers property located in Colorado. As such, the Company no longer has any operations in Iowa and Colorado. Additionally, as a result of the Spin-Off, Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in Louisiana and Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland were contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013.

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        The real estate of the Master Lease properties described below was contributed to GLPI as part of the Spin-Off; however, Penn continues to operate the leased gaming facilities. The following table summarizes certain features of the Master Lease properties operated and managed by us as of December 31, 2015:


Master Lease Properties

 
  Location   Type of Facility   Approx.
Property
Square
Footage(1)
  Gaming
Machines
  Table
Games(2)
  Hotel
Rooms
 

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

  Charles Town, WV   Land-based gaming/Thoroughbred racing     511,249     2,640     91     153  

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

  Lawrenceburg, IN   Dockside gaming     634,000     1,796     60     295  

Hollywood Casino Toledo

  Toledo, OH   Land-based gaming     285,335     2,045     59      

Hollywood Casino Columbus

  Columbus, OH   Land-based gaming     354,075     2,244     78      

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

  Dayton, OH   Land-based gaming/Harness racing     191,037     990          

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

  Youngstown, OH   Land-based gaming/Thoroughbred racing     177,448     940          

Hollywood Casino St. Louis

  Maryland Heights, MO   Dockside gaming     645,270     2,110     57     502  

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

  Grantville, PA   Land-based gaming/Thoroughbred racing     451,758     2,391     55      

M Resort

  Henderson, NV   Land-based gaming     910,173     1,339     40     390  

Argosy Casino Riverside

  Riverside, MO   Dockside gaming     450,397     1,484     37     258  

Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast

  Bay St. Louis, MS   Land-based gaming     425,920     1,116     17     291  

Hollywood Casino Tunica

  Tunica, MS   Dockside gaming     315,831     1,066     20     494  

Hollywood Casino Aurora

  Aurora, IL   Dockside gaming     222,189     1,127     20      

Boomtown Biloxi

  Biloxi, MS   Dockside gaming     134,800     955     16      

Hollywood Casino Joliet

  Joliet, IL   Dockside gaming     322,446     1,100     23     100  

Hollywood Casino Bangor

  Bangor, ME   Land-based gaming/Harness racing     257,085     787     12     152  

Argosy Casino Alton(3)

  Alton, IL   Dockside gaming     241,762     838     12      

Argosy Casino Sioux City(4)

  Sioux City, IA   Dockside gaming                  

Zia Park Casino

  Hobbs, NM   Land-based gaming/Thoroughbred racing     193,645     750         154  

Total

            6,724,420     25,718     597     2,789  

(1)
Square footage includes conditioned space and excludes parking garages and barns.

(2)
Excludes poker tables.

(3)
Excludes the riverboat, which continues to be owned by Penn.

(4)
This facility was closed on July 30, 2014.

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        The following table summarizes certain features of the properties that are not subject to the Master Lease and are owned and operated, or managed, by us as of December 31, 2015:


Other Properties

 
  Location   Type of Facility   Approx.
Property
Square
Footage(1)
  Gaming
Machines
  Table
Games(2)
  Hotel
Rooms
 

Owned Properties:

                                 

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway(3)

  Kansas City, KS   Land-based gaming     244,791     2,000     40      

Beulah Park(4)

  Grove City, OH   Thoroughbred racing                  

Freehold Raceway(5)

  Freehold, NJ   Standardbred racing     132,865              

Raceway Park(6)

  Toledo, OH   Standardbred racing                  

Rosecroft Raceway

  Oxon Hill, MD   Standardbred racing     183,950              

Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club

  Longwood, FL   Greyhound racing     58,940              

Plainridge Park Casino(7)

  Plainville, MA   Land-based gaming/Harness racing     196,473     1,250          

Sam Houston Race Park(8)

  Houston, TX   Thoroughbred racing     283,383              

Valley Race Park(8)

  Harlingen, TX   Greyhound racing     118,216              

Tropicana Las Vegas(9)

  Las Vegas, NV   Land-based gaming     1,183,984     775     36     1,470  

Managed Property:

                                 

Casino Rama(10)

  Orillia, Ontario   Land-based gaming     840,928     2,537     98     289  

VGT-route Operations:

                                 

Prairie State Gaming(11)

  Illinois   Land-based gaming     N/A     1,100          

Total

            3,243,530     7,662     174     1,759  

(1)
Square footage includes conditioned space and excludes parking garages and barns.

(2)
Excludes poker tables.

(3)
Pursuant to a joint venture with International Speedway Corporation ("International Speedway").

(4)
Operations for this property have been relocated to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course located in Austintown, Ohio. The facility closed on May 3, 2014.

(5)
Pursuant to a joint venture with Greenwood Limited Jersey, Inc., a subsidiary of Greenwood Racing, Inc.

(6)
Operations for this property have been relocated to Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway located in Dayton, Ohio. The facility closed on June 30, 2014.

(7)
Opened on June 24, 2015.

(8)
Pursuant to a joint venture with MAXXAM, Inc. ("MAXXAM").

(9)
Acquired on August 25, 2015.

(10)
Pursuant to a management contract.

(11)
Video-gaming terminal ("VGT") route operator acquired on September 1, 2015.

        As mentioned above, we organize the properties we operate, manage and own, as applicable, into three segments, East/Midwest, West and Southern Plains. Below is a description of each of our properties by segment.

East/Midwest Properties

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

        Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, within approximately a one-hour drive of the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. markets. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races features 511,249 of property square footage with 2,640 gaming machines, 91 table games and 26 poker tables and a 153-room hotel. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also features various dining options, including a high-end steakhouse, a sports bar and entertainment lounge, as well as an Asian themed restaurant. The complex also features live thoroughbred racing at a 3/4-mile all-weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack with a 3,000-seat grandstand, parking for 5,781 vehicles and simulcast wagering and dining.

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Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

        Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is located in Grantville, Pennsylvania, which is 15 miles northeast of Harrisburg. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course features 451,758 of property square footage with 2,391 slot machines, 55 table games and 16 poker tables. The facility also includes an entertainment bar and lounge, a sports bar, a buffet, a high-end steakhouse and various casual dining options, as well as a simulcast facility and viewing area for live racing. The facility has ample parking, including a five-story self-parking garage, with capacity for approximately 2,200 cars, and approximately 1,500 surface parking spaces for self and valet parking. The property includes a one-mile all-weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack and a 7/8-mile turf track. The property also includes 393 acres that are available for future expansion or development.

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

        Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg is located on the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, approximately 15 miles west of Cincinnati. The Hollywood-themed casino riverboat has 634,000 square feet of property square footage with 1,796 slot machines, 60 table games and 19 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg also includes a 295-room hotel, as well as a restaurant, a bar, a nightclub, a sports bar, two cafes and meeting space.

        The City of Lawrenceburg Department of Redevelopment constructed a hotel and event center located less than a mile away from our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property. Effective in mid January 2015, by contractual agreement, the hotel and event center is owned and operated by a subsidiary of the Company. The hotel and event center includes 168 rooms, approximately 18,000 square feet of multipurpose space and 19,500 square feet of ballroom and meeting space.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

        Hollywood Casino Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and opened on May 29, 2012. Hollywood Casino Toledo is a Hollywood-themed casino featuring 285,335 of property square footage with 2,045 slot machines, 59 table games and 20 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Toledo also includes multiple food and beverage outlets, an entertainment lounge, and structured and surface parking for approximately 3,300 spaces.

Hollywood Casino Columbus

        Hollywood Casino Columbus is located in Columbus, Ohio and opened on October 8, 2012. Hollywood Casino Columbus is a Hollywood-themed casino featuring 354,075 of property square footage with 2,244 slot machines, 78 table games and 36 poker tables. Hollywood Casino Columbus also includes multiple food and beverage outlets, an entertainment lounge, and structured and surface parking for 4,616 spaces.

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

        Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is located in Dayton, Ohio and opened on August 28, 2014. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is a Hollywood-themed facility featuring 191,037 of property square footage with 990 video lottery terminals and a 5/8-mile standardbred racetrack. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway also includes various restaurants, bars, surface parking for 1,806 spaces and other amenities.

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

        Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course is located in Youngstown, Ohio and opened on September 17, 2014. Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course is a Hollywood-themed

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facility featuring 177,448 of property square footage with 940 video lottery terminals and a one-mile thoroughbred racetrack. Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course also includes various restaurants, bars, surface parking for 1,251 spaces and other amenities.

Hollywood Casino Bangor

        Hollywood Casino Bangor, which is located in Bangor, Maine, includes 257,085 of property square footage with 787 slot machines, 12 table games and four poker tables. Hollywood Casino Bangor's amenities include a 152-room hotel with 5,119 square feet of meeting and multipurpose space, three eateries, a buffet, a snack bar and a casual dining restaurant, a small entertainment stage, and a four-story parking garage with 1,500 spaces. Bangor Raceway, which is adjacent to the property, is located at historic Bass Park and includes a one-half mile standardbred racetrack and grandstand to seat 3,500 patrons.

Plainridge Park Casino

        Plainridge Park Casino, which opened on June 24, 2015, is located 20 miles southwest of the Boston beltway just off interstate 95 in Plainville, Massachusetts. Plainridge Park Casino features 196,473 of property square footage with 1,250 gaming devices. Plainridge Park Casino offers various restaurants, bars, 1,620 structured and surface parking spaces, and other amenities. Plainridge Park Casino also includes a 5/8-mile live harness racing facility with approximate 55,000 square foot, two story clubhouse for simulcast operations and live racing viewing.

Casino Rama

        Through CHC Casinos Canada Limited ("CHC Casinos"), our indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary, we manage Casino Rama, a full service gaming and entertainment facility, on behalf of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ("OLGC"), an agency of the Province of Ontario. Casino Rama is located on the lands of the Rama First Nation, approximately 90 miles north of Toronto. The property has 840,928 of property square footage with 2,537 gaming machines, 98 table games and 12 poker tables. In addition, the property includes a 5,000-seat entertainment facility, a 289-room hotel and 3,642 surface parking spaces.

        The Development and Operating Agreement (the "Agreement"), which we refer to as the management service contract for Casino Rama, sets out the duties, rights and obligations of CHC Casinos and our indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary, CRC Holdings, Inc. The compensation under the Agreement is a base fee equal to 2.0% of gross revenues of the casino and an incentive fee equal to 5.0% of the casino's net operating profit.

        In June 2014, we signed an agreement to extend the Casino Rama Agreement on a month-to-month basis with a 60-day notice period for up to a maximum period of forty-eight months. There can be no assurance as to how long the OLGC will continue to engage us to manage the property.

West Properties

M Resort

        The M Resort, located approximately ten miles from the Las Vegas strip in Henderson, Nevada, is situated on over 90 acres on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway. The resort features 910,173 of property square footage with 1,339 slot machines and 40 table games. The M Resort also offers 390 guest rooms and suites, six restaurants and six destination bars, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a 4,700 space parking facility, a spa and fitness center and a 100,000 square foot events piazza.

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Zia Park Casino

        Zia Park Casino is located in Hobbs, New Mexico and includes a casino, as well as an adjoining racetrack. The property includes 193,645 of property square footage with 750 slot machines and two restaurants. The property has a one-mile quarter/thoroughbred racetrack, with live racing from September to December, and a year-round simulcast parlor. In August 2014, we opened a new hotel, which includes 148 rooms, six suites, a board/meeting room, exercise/fitness facilities and a breakfast venue.

Tropicana Las Vegas

        The Company acquired Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015. Tropicana Las Vegas, located on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, is situated on a 35-acre land parcel at the corner of Tropicana Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard. The resort features 1,183,984 of property square footage with 775 slot machines and 36 table games. Tropicana Las Vegas offers 1,470 guest rooms, a sports book, three full services restaurants, a food court, a 1,200-seat performance theater, a 300-seat comedy club, over 100,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, and a five-acre tropical beach event area and spa.

Southern Plains Properties

Hollywood Casino Aurora

        Hollywood Casino Aurora, part of the Chicagoland market, is located in Aurora, Illinois, the second largest city in Illinois, approximately 35 miles west of Chicago. This single-level dockside casino provides 222,189 of property square footage with 1,127 slot machines, 20 gaming tables and six poker tables. The facility features a steakhouse with a private dining room, a VIP lounge for premium players, a casino bar with video poker, a buffet, and a deli. Hollywood Casino Aurora also has a surface parking lot, two parking garages with approximately 1,500 parking spaces, and a gift shop.

Hollywood Casino Joliet

        Hollywood Casino Joliet, part of the Chicagoland market, is located on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois, approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago. This barge-based casino provides two levels with 1,100 slot machines, 23 table games and three poker tables. The land-based pavilion includes a steakhouse, a buffet and a sports bar. The casino barge includes a deli and entertainment lounge. The complex also includes a 100-room hotel, a 1,100 space parking garage, surface parking areas with approximately 1,500 spaces and an 80-space recreational vehicle park. In total, the facility includes 322,446 of property square footage.

Argosy Casino Alton

        Argosy Casino Alton is located on the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois, approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis. Argosy Casino Alton is a three-deck gaming facility featuring 241,762 of property square footage with 838 slot machines and 12 table games. Argosy Casino Alton includes an entertainment pavilion and features a 214-seat buffet, a restaurant, a deli and a 475-seat main showroom. The facility also includes surface parking areas with 1,341 spaces.

Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast

        Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast (formerly Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis), which is located in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, features 425,920 of property square footage with 1,116 slot machines, 17 table games, and five poker tables. The waterfront Hollywood Hotel features 291 rooms, a 10,000 square foot ballroom, and nine separate meeting rooms offering more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast offers live concerts and various entertainment on weekends. The

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property also features The Bridges golf course, an 18-hole championship golf course. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast has various dining facilities including a steakhouse, a buffet, a grill and a clubhouse lounge as well as an entertainment bar. Other amenities include a recreational vehicle park with 100 spaces and a gift shop, lazy river, spa, and pool cabanas.

Argosy Casino Riverside

        Argosy Casino Riverside is located on the Missouri River, approximately five miles from downtown Kansas City in Riverside, Missouri. The property features 450,397 of property square footage with 1,484 slot machines and 37 table games. This Mediterranean-themed casino and hotel features a nine-story, 258-room hotel and spa, an entertainment facility featuring various food and beverage areas, including a buffet, a steakhouse, a deli, a coffee bar, a VIP lounge and a sports/entertainment lounge and 19,000 square feet of banquet/conference facilities. Argosy Casino Riverside also has parking for approximately 3,000 vehicles, including a 1,250 space parking garage.

Hollywood Casino Tunica

        Hollywood Casino Tunica is located in Tunica, Mississippi. This single-level property features 315,831 of property square footage with 1,066 slot machines, 20 table games and six poker tables. Hollywood Casino Tunica also has a 494-room hotel and 123-space recreational vehicle park. Entertainment amenities include a steakhouse, a buffet, a grill, an entertainment lounge, a premium players' club, a themed bar facility, an indoor pool and showroom as well as banquet and meeting facilities. In addition, Hollywood Casino Tunica offers surface parking with 1,635 spaces.

Boomtown Biloxi

        Boomtown Biloxi is located in Biloxi, Mississippi and offers 134,800 of property square footage with 955 slot machines and 16 table games. It features a buffet, a steakhouse, a 24-hour grill, a noodle bar and an RV park with 50 spaces. Boomtown Biloxi also has 1,450 surface parking spaces.

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

        Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, our 50% joint venture with International Speedway, is located in Kansas City, Kansas and opened on February 3, 2012. The facility features 244,791 of property square footage with 2,000 slot machines, 40 table games and 12 poker tables. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway offers a variety of dining and entertainment facilities as well as has a 1,253 space parking structure.

Hollywood Casino St. Louis

        Hollywood Casino St. Louis is located adjacent to the Missouri River in Maryland Heights, Missouri, directly off I-70 and approximately 22 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The facility is situated on 248 acres along the Missouri River and features 645,270 of property square footage with 2,110 slot machines, 57 table games, 21 poker tables, a 502 guestroom hotel, nine dining and entertainment venues and structured and surface parking for approximately 4,600 spaces. At the end of 2013, we completed the transition of the property to our Hollywood Casino brand name.

Prairie State Gaming

        The Company acquired Illinois Gaming Investors, LLC, d/b/a Prairie State Gaming, a licensed video gaming terminal route operator in Illinois, on September 1, 2015. Prairie State Gaming's operations include more than 1,100 video gaming terminals across a network of approximately 270 bar and retail gaming establishments in seven distinct geographic areas throughout Illinois.

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Other Properties

Rosecroft Raceway

        Rosecroft Raceway, located approximately 13 miles south of Washington, D.C., is situated on 125 acres just outside the Washington I-495 Beltway in Prince George's county, Maryland. The Rosecroft facility features a 5/8-mile standardbred race track with a seven race paddock, a 53,000 square foot grandstand building, and a 96,000 square foot three story clubhouse building with dining facilities.

Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club

        Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club is a 1/4-mile greyhound facility located in Longwood, Florida. The facility has capacity for 6,500 patrons, with seating for 4,000 and surface parking for 2,500 vehicles. The facility conducts year-round greyhound racing and greyhound, thoroughbred, and harness racing simulcasts.

Freehold Raceway

        Through our joint venture in Pennwood Racing, Inc. ("Pennwood"), we own 50% of Freehold Raceway, located in Freehold, New Jersey. The property features a half-mile standardbred race track and a 117,715 square foot grandstand.

Sam Houston Race Park and Valley Race Park

        Our joint venture with MAXXAM owns and operates the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas and the Valley Race Park in Harlingen, Texas, and holds a license for a planned racetrack in Laredo, Texas. Sam Houston Race Park is located 15 miles northwest from downtown Houston along Beltway 8. Sam Houston Race Park hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing and offers daily simulcast operations, as well as hosts various special events, private parties and meetings, concerts and national touring festivals throughout the year. Valley Race Park features 118,216 of property square footage as a dog racing and simulcasting facility located in Harlingen, Texas.

Off-track Wagering Facilities

        Our off-track wagering facilities ("OTWs") and racetracks provide areas for viewing import simulcast races of thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing, televised sporting events, placing pari-mutuel wagers and dining. We operate two OTWs in Pennsylvania, and through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own 50% of a leased OTW in Toms River, New Jersey. In addition, in accordance with an operating agreement with Pennwood, the Company constructed an OTW in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, which opened in July 2014. Per the operating agreement, this OTW is operated by us; however, Pennwood has the option to purchase the OTW once the Company has received its total investment as defined in the operating agreement.

Trademarks

        We own a number of trademarks and service marks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("U.S. PTO"), including but not limited to, "Hollywood Casino®," "Hollywood Gaming®," "Argosy®," "M Resort®," "Hollywood Poker®," "Marquee Rewards®" and "Telebet®." We believe that our rights to our marks are well established and have competitive value to our properties. We also have a number of trademark applications pending with the U.S. PTO.

        As part of our acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas in August 2015, we assumed a trademark settlement agreement with Tropicana Entertainment, LLC, an affiliate of Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCPA) that is not related to the Company, which, subject to other terms, conditions, and advertising limitations set forth in the agreement, confirms, among other things, that (i) Tropicana Las

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Vegas owns and has the exclusive right to use the "Tropicana Las Vegas" and the "Tropicana LV" marks within 50 miles of the "Las Vegas Property" for the purpose of providing goods and services in the field of entertainment and hospitality and in the natural scope of expansion thereof (the "Services"), and for "Internet Uses" (as defined in the Agreement) without geographic limitation, (ii) Tropicana Las Vegas may advertise the Services identified by the "Tropicana Las Vegas" and the "Tropicana LV" marks worldwide provided that the advertisements explicitly reference the location of the Tropicana Las Vegas Property, and (ii) Tropicana Entertainment, LLC owns and has the exclusive right to use the "Tropicana" and "Trop" marks, in connection with a modifier indicating the type of service being provided or a modifier designating an accurate geographic location of a property, outside of the Las Vegas area, and may advertise the Services worldwide provided that the advertisements explicitly reference the location of the properties.

        Pursuant to a License Agreement with Boomtown, Inc., dated August 8, 2000, our subsidiary BTN, LLC (successor to BTN, Inc.) uses "Boomtown" and other trademarks.

Competition

        The gaming industry is characterized by an increasingly high degree of competition among a large number of operators, including riverboat casinos, dockside casinos, land-based casinos, video lottery, video gaming terminals (VGTs) at taverns in certain states, such as Illinois, as well as the potential legalization of VGTs in Pennsylvania, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, Native American gaming, emerging varieties of Internet and sports gaming, and other forms of gaming in the U.S. In a broader sense, our gaming operations face competition from all manner of leisure and entertainment activities, including: shopping; athletic events; television and movies; concerts and travel. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S., in several Canadian provinces and on various lands taken into trust for the benefit of certain Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada. Other jurisdictions, including states adjacent to states in which we currently have facilities (such as in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Maryland), have legalized and expanded or have plans to license additional gaming facilities in the near future. In addition, established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion or relocation of existing gaming operations. New, relocated or expanded operations by other persons will increase competition for our gaming operations and could have a material adverse impact on us. Finally, the imposition of smoking bans and/or higher gaming tax rates have a significant impact on our properties' ability to compete with facilities in nearby jurisdictions.

        Our racing operations face significant competition for wagering dollars from other racetracks and OTWs, some of which also offer other forms of gaming, as well as other gaming venues such as casinos and historic racing. Additionally, for a number of years, there has been a general decline in the number of people attending and wagering on live horse races at North American racetracks due to a number of factors, including increased competition from other wagering and entertainment alternatives and unwillingness of customers to travel a significant distance to racetracks. Our account wagering operations compete with other providers of such services throughout the country. We also may face competition in the future from new OTWs, new racetracks, instant racing, or new providers of account wagering. From time to time, states consider legislation to permit other forms of gaming. If additional gaming opportunities become available near our racing operations, such gaming opportunities could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        East/Midwest.    Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has been and will continue to be negatively impacted by competition in the Baltimore Maryland market, which includes Maryland Live! and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Maryland Live!, a casino complex at the Anne Arundel Mills mall in Anne Arundel, Maryland, opened on June 6, 2012 with approximately 3,200 slot machines. Maryland Live! significantly increased its slot machine offerings by mid-September 2012 to approximately 4,750 slot machines, opened table games on April 11, 2013, and opened a 52 table poker room in late August

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2013. Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened at the end of August 2014 with 2,500 video lottery terminals and more than 100 table games. In December 2013, the sixth casino license for Maryland in Prince George County was granted to MGM. MGM National Harbor, a proposed $1.3 billion casino featuring approximately 3,600 slots and 160 table games, is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016. MGM National Harbor is anticipated to adversely impact our financial results as it will create additional competition for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

        In November 2011, the Expanded Gaming Act was signed into law in Massachusetts, which allows up to three destination resort casinos located in three geographically diverse regions across the state and a single slots facility for one location statewide. In February 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission ("MGC") awarded us the slots-only gaming license and in June 2015, we opened Plainridge Park Casino. The licenses for two of three casino resorts have been awarded with the remaining license in Southeastern Massachusetts still open. A decision from the MGC on whether to issue the license is expected in April. MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts is expected to be completed in late 2018 and Wynn Everett in Eastern Massachusetts is scheduled to open by the end of 2018. There is also a proposed tribal casino in Taunton, Massachusetts that could open within the next few years. In addition, a proposal to relocate a casino to Tiverton, Rhode Island, which is very close to the Massachusetts border, is currently being considered. The increased competition in Massachusetts will have a negative impact on the operations of Plainridge Park Casino; however, it should be the sole gaming facility in Massachusetts until 2018.

        In Ohio, voters passed a referendum in 2009 to allow four land-based casinos in four cities, one of which was in downtown Cincinnati, which is the primary feeder market for our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property. The Cincinnati casino opened on March 4, 2013 and has had and will continue to have an adverse impact on Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. However, this referendum also resulted in the Company operating two of the four land-based casinos. We opened Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012 and Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012. Additionally, the State of Ohio approved the placement of video lottery terminals at the state's seven racetracks. On June 1, 2012, a new racino at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio opened, which has had a negative impact on Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg's financial results and competes aggressively in the same market as Hollywood Casino Columbus. In addition, a racino at Miami Valley Gaming (formerly known as Lebanon Raceway) opened in mid-December 2013, and a racino at Belterra Park (formerly known as River Downs) opened in May 2014. Both of these racinos compete with Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. Conversely, we have opened our own racinos in Ohio, with Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway opening on August 28, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course opening on September 17, 2014. As a result, in a relatively short period of time, Ohio has gone from having no gaming facilities to having four casinos and seven video lottery terminal facilities. In addition, we continue to fight illegal gaming operations, such as internet sweepstakes.

        In addition, legislators in Kentucky regularly consider new gaming legislation. The commencement of gaming in Kentucky would negatively impact certain of our existing properties in the East/Midwest segment. Finally, Pennsylvania is considering the potential legalization of gaming at private clubs and taverns as well as the addition of slot machines at certain satellite locations.

        West.    Our West segment contains our M Resort property and recently acquired Tropicana Las Vegas property. M Resort and Tropicana Las Vegas compete directly with other Las Vegas hotels, resorts, and casinos, including those located on the Las Vegas Strip, on the basis of overall atmosphere, range of amenities, level of service, price, location, entertainment offered, convention and meeting facilities, shopping and restaurant facilities, theme, and size. In addition, a substantial number of customers are drawn from geographic areas outside of Las Vegas, particularly California and Arizona. Specifically, in California, we expect increasing competition from casinos operated on Native American tribal lands, which could negatively impact the Las Vegas market.

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        Southern Plains.    In Illinois, there have been perennial gaming expansion proposals introduced in the legislature, which we expect to continue. Additionally, in July 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, cleared the way for the 2009 Illinois Video Gaming Act to go forward, which authorized a limited number of video gaming terminals (VGTs) in licensed bars and taverns across Illinois, subject to host community approval. In October 2012, video gambling in Illinois was officially launched with the first locations being allowed to operate VGTs. Currently, there are over 22,000 terminals at numerous locations throughout the state, which has had a negative impact on our casinos near or in Illinois. In September 2015, we purchased Prairie State Gaming, which is a licensed VGT operator in Illinois, whose operations include more than 1,100 video gaming terminals. In addition, legislators in Nebraska are currently considering VGT legislation. The commencement of gaming in Nebraska or the expansion of gaming in Illinois would negatively impact certain of our existing properties in the Southern Plains segment. In the Mississippi Gulf Coast market, a casino in D'Iberville, Mississippi opened on December 9, 2015, which will likely have an adverse effect on the financial results of our Boomtown Biloxi property.

U.S. and Foreign Revenues

        Our net revenues in the U.S. for 2015, 2014, and 2013 were approximately $2,828.1 million, $2,578.8 million, and $2,905.6 million, respectively. Our revenues from operations in Canada for 2015, 2014, and 2013 were approximately $10.3 million, $11.7 million, and $13.2 million, respectively.

Management

        The persons listed below represent executive officers of the Company.

Name
  Age   Position

Timothy J. Wilmott

    57  

President and Chief Executive Officer

Jay Snowden

    39  

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Saul V. Reibstein

    67  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Carl Sottosanti

    51  

Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

William J. Fair

    53  

Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer

        Timothy J. Wilmott.    Mr. Wilmott joined us in February 2008 as President and Chief Operating Officer and was named Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2013. In addition, in September 2014, Mr. Wilmott was appointed to the Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Wilmott served as Chief Operating Officer of Harrah's Entertainment, a position he held for approximately four years. In this position, he oversaw the operations of all of Harrah's revenue-generating businesses, including 48 casinos, 38,000 hotel rooms and 300 restaurants. All Harrah's Division Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents of Brand Operations, Marketing and Information Technology personnel reported to Mr. Wilmott in his capacity as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his appointment to the position of Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Wilmott served from 1997 to 2002 as Division President of Harrah's Eastern Division with responsibility for the operations of eight Harrah's properties.

        Jay Snowden.    Mr. Snowden is currently our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Snowden joined us in October 2011 as Senior Vice President-Regional Operations and in January 2014 became our Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Snowden is responsible for overseeing all of our operating businesses, as well as human resources, marketing, and information technology. Prior to joining us, Mr. Snowden was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars and Harrah's in Atlantic City, and prior to that, held various leadership positions with them in St. Louis, San Diego and Las Vegas.

        Saul V. Reibstein.    Mr. Reibstein is currently our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Reibstein joined us in December 2013 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

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Officer and became Treasurer in November 2014. From June 2011 to December 2013, Mr. Reibstein served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board's Audit Committee. For eleven years, Mr. Reibstein served as a partner at BDO Seidman, LLP (now BDO USA, LLP), a professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly-traded and privately-held companies. At BDO, he was the partner in charge of the Philadelphia office from June 1997 to December 2001 and Regional Business Line Leader from December 2001 until September 2004. In 2004, Mr. Reibstein became a member of the senior management team of CBIZ, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed professional services company. During his tenure at CBIZ, he held a number of positions including, most recently, Senior Managing Director with responsibility for the firm's New York practice beginning in January 2012. He also oversaw the firm's business development efforts and managed nine of the firm's business units within its Financial Services Group. In addition, since July 2010, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Vishay Precision Group, Inc., a publicly traded company, where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of both the Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees.

        Carl Sottosanti.    Mr. Sottosanti is currently our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In February 2014, Mr. Sottosanti was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel and became Secretary in November 2014. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Sottosanti served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel since 2003. Before joining Penn, Mr. Sottosanti served for five years as General Counsel at publicly traded, Sanchez Computer Associates, Inc. and had oversight of all legal, compliance and intellectual property matters. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Sottosanti was the Assistant General Counsel for Salient 3 Communications, Inc., a publicly traded telecommunications company. Mr. Sottosanti began his legal career in 1989 with the Philadelphia law firm Schnader Harrison, Segal & Lewis LLP.

        William J. Fair.    Mr. Fair is currently our Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer. In January 2014, Mr. Fair joined us as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. Previously, Mr. Fair worked in development leadership positions for Universal Studios and Disney Development. Most recently, Mr. Fair was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Skiing Company, where he had oversight of ten ski mountain resorts which included ski operations, nine hotels, condominium operations, food and beverage operations, retail and rental operations, real estate brokerage and development.

Governmental Regulations

        The gaming and racing industries are highly regulated and we must maintain our licenses and pay gaming taxes to continue our operations. Each of our facilities is subject to extensive regulation under the laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdiction where it is located. These laws, rules and regulations generally concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of the owners, managers, and persons with financial interests in the gaming operations. Violations of laws or regulations in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. A more detailed description of the regulations to which we are subject is contained in Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

        Our businesses are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in addition to gaming regulations. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions and conditions concerning alcoholic beverages, environmental matters, employees, health care, currency transactions, taxation, zoning and building codes, and marketing and advertising. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect our operating results.

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Employees and Labor Relations

        As of December 31, 2015, we had 18,204 full- and part-time employees.

        The Company is required to have agreements with the horsemen at the majority of its racetracks to conduct its live racing and/or simulcasting activities. In addition, in order to operate gaming machines and table games in West Virginia, the Company must maintain agreements with each of the Charles Town horsemen, pari-mutuel clerks and breeders.

        At Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, the Company renewed an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association that expires on June 18, 2018. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also renewed an agreement with the breeders that expires on June 30, 2016. Additionally, the pari-mutuel clerks at Charles Town are represented under a collective bargaining agreement with the West Virginia Union of Mutuel Clerks, which expired on December 31, 2010 and has been extended on a month-to-month basis.

        The Company's agreement with the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was renewed through January 31, 2017. The Company had a collective bargaining agreement with Local 137 of the Sports Arena Employees at Penn National Race Course with respect to on-track pari-mutuel clerks and admissions personnel which expired on December 31, 2011. In August 2012, Local 137 of the Sports Arena Employees announced that they entered into a "voluntary supervision" agreement with their international union, Laborers' International Union of North America ("LIUNA") Local 108. In February 2014, a new agreement with LIUNA Local 108 for on-track and OTWs bargaining units was ratified for three years. In August 2015, the company entered into a three year collective bargaining agreement with the International Chapter of Horseshoers and Allied Equine Trades Local 947.

        The Company's agreement with the Maine Harness Horsemen Association at Bangor Raceway continued through the conclusion of the 2015 racing season.

        In March of 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course entered into an agreement with the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2014 commencement of video lottery terminal operations at that facility.

        In September 2015, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway entered into an agreement with the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association for racing at the property. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2015 effective date.

        Rosecroft Raceway entered into agreements with the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association ("CSOA") and Maryland Standardbred Breeder's Association ("MSBA") as of July 5, 2011. CSOA's agreement has been extended through December 31, 2017 with certain termination provisions. The MSBA agreement has been extended through December 31, 2017 with certain termination provisions. Additionally, Rosecroft Raceway has entered into agreements with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union ("UFCW") Local 27 and the Seafarers Entertainment and Allied Trade Union ("SEATU") for certain bargaining positions at the racetrack. The UFCW Local 27 agreement was ratified on December 13, 2014 and expires on November 30, 2019. The SEATU agreement expires on November 30, 2020.

        Across certain of the Company's properties, SEATU represents approximately 1,827 of the Company's employees under a National Agreement that expires on January 24, 2032 and Local Addenda that expire at various times between May 2016 and January 2024.

        SEATU agreements are in place at Hollywood Casino Joliet, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino Riverside, Argosy Alton, Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway, Hollywood Gaming Dayton, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley and Plainridge Park Casino. Argosy Alton has a wage

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reopener in May 2016; the remainder of the SEATU agreements have expiration dates in 2017 and beyond.

        At Hollywood Casino Joliet, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 1 represents approximately 186 employees under a collective bargaining agreement which expires on March 31, 2019. At Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo, a council comprised of the United Auto Workers and the United Steel Workers represents approximately 1,361 employees under a collective bargaining agreement which ends on November 15, 2019.

        On August 25, 2015, the Company acquired Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, which had seven existing collective bargaining agreements with the following unions: (1) Culinary & Bartenders (with a wage/reopener in 2016; expires on May 31, 2018.), (2) United Brotherhood of Carpenters (expires on July 31, 2019), (3) International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (expires on February 28, 2017), (4) International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (expires on December 31, 2018), (5) International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (expires on June 30, 2018), (6)/(7) Teamsters (front and back of the house, both expire on March 31, 2018).

        In addition, at some of the Company's properties, the Security Police and Fire Professionals of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 176 and 649, the LIUNA Public Serviced Employees Local 1290PE, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Locals 447 and 264, the United Industrial, Service, Transportation, Professional and Government Workers of North America, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Teamsters Union represent certain of the Company's employees under collective bargaining agreements that expire at various times between July 2016 and September 2025. None of these additional unions represent more than 91 of the Company's employees.

Available Information

        For more information about us, visit our website at www.pngaming.com. The contents of our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (including all Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports), including the exhibits, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC.

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business

         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, including riverboat casinos, dockside casinos, land-based casinos, video lottery, gaming at taverns in certain states, such as Illinois as well as the potential legalization in Indiana and Pennsylvania, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, Native American gaming and other forms of gaming in the U.S. Furthermore, competition from internet lotteries, sweepstakes, and other internet wagering services, which allow their customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and play Las Vegas-style casino games from home or in non-casino settings, could divert customers from our properties and thus adversely affect our business. Such internet wagering services are often illegal under federal law but operate from overseas locations, and are nevertheless sometimes accessible to domestic gamblers. Currently, there are proposals that would legalize internet poker and other varieties of internet gaming in a number of states and at the federal level. Several states, such as Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, have enacted legislation authorizing intrastate internet gaming and internet gaming operations have begun in these states. Expansion of internet gaming in other jurisdictions (both legal and illegal) could further compete with our traditional operations, which could have an adverse impact on our business and result of operations.

        In a broader sense, our gaming operations face competition from all manner of leisure and entertainment activities, including: shopping; athletic events; television and movies; concerts; and travel. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S., in several Canadian provinces and on various lands taken into trust for the benefit of certain Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada. Other jurisdictions, including states adjacent to states in which we currently have facilities (such as in Ohio and Maryland), have recently legalized and implemented gaming. In addition, established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion or relocation of existing gaming operations. New, relocated or expanded operations by other persons could increase competition for our gaming operations and could have a material adverse impact on us.

        Gaming competition is intense in most of the markets where we operate. Recently, there has been additional significant competition in our markets as a result of the upgrading or expansion of facilities by existing market participants, the entrance of new gaming participants into a market or legislative changes. As competing properties and new markets are opened, our operating results may be negatively impacted. For example, new casinos and racinos have opened recently that compete in the same market as our Lawrenceburg property; there is increased competition to our Charles Town property from the opening of the casino complex at the Arundel Mills mall in Anne Arundel, Maryland in June 2012 and its addition of table games in the spring of 2013; the opening of Horseshoe Baltimore Casino in Baltimore, Maryland in 2014 and the expected opening of a casino at National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland are competing with our Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and to a lesser extent, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course; the opening of our joint venture casino project in Kansas in February 2012 which impacted Argosy Casino Riverside; and a casino that opened in July 2011 in Des Plaines, Illinois which negatively impacted our Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet properties. Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet have also been negatively impacted by the proliferation of gaming terminals at numerous locations throughout the state which are in the vicinity of our operations. 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 detail in the subsection entitled "Competition" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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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 expect to continue pursuing expansion opportunities, and we regularly evaluate opportunities for acquisition and development of new properties, which evaluations may include discussions and the review of confidential information after the execution of nondisclosure agreements with potential acquisition candidates, some of which may be potentially significant in relation to our size.

        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 particular, 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 (such as our 2015 opening in Plainridge, Massachusetts), may require that we increase our management resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to manage the combined operations effectively or realize any of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or development projects. We also cannot assure you that if acquisitions are completed, that 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.

        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.

         We may face risks related to our ability to receive regulatory approvals required to complete, or other delays or impediments to completing certain of our acquisitions.

        Our growth is fueled, in part, by the acquisition of existing gaming, racing, and development properties. In addition to standard closing conditions, our 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 acquisitions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

         We face a number of challenges prior to opening new or upgraded gaming facilities.

        No assurance can be given that, when we endeavor to open new or upgraded gaming 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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         A deterioration of our relationship with the Jamul Indian Village (the "Jamul Tribe") could cause delay or termination of the proposed development project in San Diego County and prevent or significantly impede recovery of our investment therein or in any future development projects.

        Good personal and professional relationships with the Jamul Tribe and its officials are critical to our proposed gaming operations and activities in San Diego County, including our ability to obtain, develop, execute management agreements and maintain other agreements. As a sovereign nation, the Jamul Tribe establishes its own governmental systems under which tribal officials or bodies representing the Jamul Tribe may be replaced by appointment or election or become subject to policy changes. Replacements of tribal officials or administrations, changes in policies to which the Jamul Tribe are subject, or other factors that may lead to the deterioration of our relationship with the Jamul Tribe may lead to termination of our proposed management agreement with the Jamul Tribe, which may have an adverse effect on the future results of our operations.

        In addition, we have made, and may continue to make, substantial loans to the Jamul Tribe for the construction, development, equipment and operations of the proposed development in San Diego County. It is possible that no third party funding is secured prior to the facility opening. Our only material recourse for collection of indebtedness from the Jamul Tribe or for money damages for breach or wrongful termination of a management, development, consulting or financing agreement is from revenues, if any, from casino operations.

         We lease a substantial number of our properties and financial, operational, regulatory or other potential challenges of our lessor may adversely impair our operations.

        We lease a substantial number of the properties that we operate and manage from GLPI under the Master Lease. If GLPI has financial, operational, regulatory or other challenges there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to comply with its obligations under its agreements with us.

         We are required to pay a significant portion of our cash flows as financing payments under the Master Lease, which could adversely affect our ability to fund our operations and growth and limit our ability to react to competitive and economic changes.

        We are required to pay more than half of our cash flow from operations to GLPI pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Master Lease. As a result of our current significantly reduced cash flow, our ability to fund our own operations or development projects, raise capital, make acquisitions and otherwise respond to competitive and economic changes may be adversely affected. For example, our obligations under the Master Lease may:

        Any of the above listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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         Substantially all of our gaming and racing facilities are leased and could experience risks associated with leased property, including risks relating to lease termination, lease extensions, charges and our relationship with GLPI, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

        We lease 18 of the gaming and racing facilities we operate pursuant to the Master Lease. The Master Lease provides that GLPI may terminate the lease for a number of reasons, including, subject to applicable cure periods, the default in any payment of rent, taxes or other payment obligations or the breach of any other covenant or agreement in the lease. Termination of the Master Lease could result in a default under our debt agreements and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. Moreover, since as a lessee we do not completely control the land and improvements underlying our operations, GLPI as lessor could take certain actions to disrupt our rights in the facilities leased under the Master Lease which are beyond our control. If GLPI chose to disrupt our use either permanently or for a significant period of time, then the value of our assets could be impaired and our business and operations could be adversely affected. There can also be no assurance that we will be able to comply with our obligations under the Master Lease in the future.

        The Master Lease is commonly known as a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, we are required to pay among other things the following: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. We are responsible for incurring the costs described in the preceding sentence notwithstanding the fact that many of the benefits received in exchange for such costs shall in part accrue to GLPI as owner of the associated facilities. In addition, if some of our leased facilities should prove to be unprofitable, we could remain obligated for lease payments and other obligations under the Master Lease even if we decided to withdraw from those locations. We could incur special charges relating to the closing of such facilities including lease termination costs, impairment charges and other special charges that would reduce our net income and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

         We may face reductions in discretionary consumer spending as a result of an economic downturn.

        Our net revenues are highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at properties we manage and as such our business has been adversely impacted by economic downturns. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending brought about by weakened general economic conditions such as, but not limited to, lackluster recoveries from recessions, high unemployment levels, higher income taxes, low levels of consumer confidence, weakness in the housing market, cultural and demographic changes, and increased stock market volatility may negatively impact our revenues and operating cash flow.

         We are or may become involved in legal proceedings that, if adversely adjudicated or settled, could impact our financial condition.

        From time to time, we are defendants in various lawsuits relating to matters incidental to our business. The nature of our business subjects us to the risk of lawsuits filed by customers, past and present employees, competitors, business partners and others in the ordinary course of business. As with all litigation, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of these matters and, in general, litigation can be expensive and time consuming. We may not be successful in these lawsuits, which could result in settlements or damages that could significantly impact our business, financial condition and results of operations (see, for example, the lawsuits described in Item 3 below).

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         We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities.

        Licensing requirements.    As managers of gaming and pari-mutuel wagering facilities, we are subject to extensive state, local and, in Canada, provincial regulation. State, local and provincial authorities require us and our subsidiaries to demonstrate suitability to obtain and retain various licenses and require that we have registrations, permits and approvals to conduct gaming operations. These regulatory authorities have broad discretion, and 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 or prevent us from owning the securities of any of our gaming subsidiaries or prevent another person from owning an equity interest in us. Like all gaming operators in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we must periodically apply to renew our gaming licenses or registrations and have the suitability of certain of our directors, officers and employees approved. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such renewals or approvals. Regulatory authorities have input into our operations, for instance, hours of operation, location or relocation of a facility, and numbers and types of machines. Regulators may also levy substantial fines against or seize our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries or the people involved in violating gaming laws or regulations. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        We have demonstrated suitability to obtain and have obtained all governmental licenses, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for us to operate our existing gaming and pari-mutuel facilities. We can give no assurance to you that we will be able to retain those existing licenses (for example the events related to Argosy Casino Sioux City) or demonstrate suitability to obtain any new licenses, registrations, permits or approvals. In addition, the loss of a license in one jurisdiction could trigger the loss of a license or affect our eligibility for a license in another jurisdiction. As we expand our gaming operations in our existing jurisdictions or to new areas, we may have to meet additional suitability requirements and obtain additional licenses, registrations, permits and approvals from gaming authorities in these jurisdictions. The approval process can be time-consuming and costly and we cannot be sure that we will be successful.

        Gaming authorities in the U.S. generally can require that any beneficial owner of our 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 generally 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 such 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.

        In addition, our proposed development project with the Jamul Tribe near San Diego is subject to the oversight of the National Indian Gaming Commission, which administers the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 with respect to the terms and conditions of management contracts and the operation of casinos and all gaming on land held in trust for Native American tribes in the U.S.

        Potential changes in legislation and regulation of our operations.    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 or other burdens on the way we conduct our business.

        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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        The passage of the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which became effective January 1, 2008 and bans smoking in casinos, has adversely affected revenues and operating results at our Illinois properties. In Pennsylvania, we are currently permitted to allow smoking on only up to 50% of the gaming floor of our Grantville facility and smoking is banned in all other indoor areas. Additionally, on July 1, 2012, a state statute in Indiana became effective that imposes a state wide smoking ban in specified businesses, buildings, public places and other specified locations. The statute specifically exempts riverboat casinos, and all other gaming facilities in Indiana, from the smoking ban. However, the statute allows local government to enact a more restrictive smoking ban than the state statute and also leaves in place any more restrictive local legislation that exists as of the effective date of the statute. To date, our facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana is not subject to any such local legislation. If additional smoking bans are enacted within jurisdictions where we operate or seek to do business, our business could be adversely affected.

        Taxation and fees.    We believe that the prospect of significant 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, local and provincial income taxes, and such taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. We pay substantial taxes and fees with respect to our operations. From time to time, federal, state, local and provincial legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, affecting the gaming industry. In addition, worsening 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. Such changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The large number of state and local governments with significant current or projected budget deficits makes it more likely that those governments that currently permit gaming will seek to fund such deficits with new or increased gaming taxes and/or property taxes, and worsening economic conditions could intensify those efforts. Any material increase, or the adoption of additional taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial results.

        Compliance with other laws.    We are also subject to a variety of other rules and regulations, including zoning, environmental, construction and land-use laws and regulations governing the serving of alcoholic beverages. If we are not in compliance with these laws, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also deal with significant amounts of cash in our operations and are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations. Any violation of anti-money laundering laws or regulations, or any accusations of money laundering or regulatory investigations into possible money laundering activities, by any of our properties, employees or customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

         We have two properties that each generated 10% or more of our net revenues.

        For the year ended December 31, 2015, we had two facilities—one in Charles Town, West Virginia and one in Grantville, Pennsylvania—that each generated approximately 10% or more of our net revenues. Our ability to meet our operating and debt service requirements is dependent, in part, upon the continued success of these facilities. The operations at these facilities and any of our other facilities could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including those described in these "Risk Factors" as well as more specifically those described below:

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        In addition, although to a lesser extent than our facilities in Charles Town, West Virginia and Grantville, Pennsylvania, we anticipate meaningful contributions from Hollywood Casino St. Louis and following the relocation of our two racetracks in Ohio in the third quarter of 2014, we now have four gaming facilities in the State of Ohio. Therefore, our results will be dependent on the regional economies and competitive landscapes at these locations as well.

         We depend on our key personnel.

        We are highly dependent on the services of our executive management team and other members of our senior management team. In 2013, in connection with the Spin-Off, we experienced some turnover, including the resignation of Peter M. Carlino from his position as our Chief Executive Officer (although he retained his position as Chairman of the Board). We have promoted various individuals (including our current CEO and COO) as well as hired executives from outside the gaming industry to fill these positions. 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.

         It is unclear what long-term impact our new business structure, which has no precedent within the gaming industry, will have on our key business relationships and our ability to compete with other gaming operators.

        As a result of the completed Spin-Off, we were the first gaming operator that leases the majority of its properties from a single lessor under a master lease arrangement. As a result, it is difficult to predict whether and to what extent our relationship with GLPI, including any actual or perceived conflicts of interest on the part of our overlapping directors, will affect our relationships with suppliers, customers, regulators and our ability to compete with other gaming operators that are not subject to a master lease arrangement with a single lessor.

         Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses and compliance risks.

        Changing laws and regulations relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including SEC regulations, generally accepted accounting principles, and NASDAQ Global Select Market rules, are creating uncertainty for companies. These changing laws and regulations are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, recent issuance and/or lack of guidance. As a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. In addition, further regulation of financial institutions and public companies is possible. This could result in continuing uncertainty and higher costs regarding compliance

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matters. Due to our commitment to maintain high standards of compliance with laws and public disclosure, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in increased general and administrative expense. In addition, we are subject to different parties' interpretation of our compliance with these new and changing laws and regulations. A failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could have a materially adverse effect on us. For instance, if our gaming authorities, the SEC, our independent auditors or our shareholders and potential shareholders conclude that our compliance with the regulations is unsatisfactory, this may result in a negative public perception of us, subject us to increased regulatory scrutiny, monetary penalties or otherwise adversely affect us.

         Inclement weather and other casualty events could seriously disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

        The operations of our facilities are subject to disruptions or reduced patronage as a result of severe weather conditions, natural disasters and other casualty events. Because many of our gaming operations are located on or adjacent to bodies of water, these facilities are subject to risks in addition to those associated with land-based casinos, including loss of service due to casualty, forces of nature, mechanical failure, extended or extraordinary maintenance, flood, hurricane or other severe weather conditions. For example, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, two of our properties in Mississippi were closed for almost one year. Many of our casinos operate in areas which are subject to periodic flooding that has caused us to experience decreased attendance and increased operating expenses. Any flood or other severe weather condition could lead to the loss of use of a casino facility for an extended period. For instance, Hollywood Casino Tunica was closed for 25 days due to flooding. In terms of casualty events, in 2009, our Hollywood Casino Joliet was closed for approximately three months following a fire that started in the land-based pavilion at the facility. On June 25, 2009, the casino barge reopened with temporary land-based facilities, and we began construction of a new land-based pavilion, which opened in late December 2010. In addition, on May 31, 2013, Hollywood Casino St. Louis sustained damage as a result of a tornado and was forced to close for approximately fourteen hours. Hollywood Casino Toledo was closed for brief periods in 2014 and 2015 due to harsh winter conditions. Most recently, we closed Argosy Casino Alton for several days in December 2015 due to flooding. Even if adverse weather conditions do not require the closure of our facilities, those conditions make it more difficult for our customers to reach our properties, which can have an adverse impact on our operations.

         The extent to which we can recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our properties in the event of future inclement weather and other casualty events could adversely affect our business.

        We maintain significant property insurance, including business interruption coverage, for these and other properties. However, there can be no assurances that we will be fully or promptly compensated for losses at any of our facilities in the event of future inclement weather or casualty events. In addition, our property insurance coverage is in an amount that may be significantly less than the expected and actual replacement cost of rebuilding certain facilities "as was" if there was a total loss. The Master Lease requires us, in the event of a casualty event, to rebuild a leased property to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before such casualty event. We renew our insurance policies (other than our builder's risk insurance) on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so material that we may need to further reduce our policy limits, further increase our deductibles, or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage.

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         Our gaming operations rely heavily on technology services and an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. Our security systems and all of our slot machines are controlled by computers and reliant on electrical power to operate.

        Any unscheduled disruption in our technology services or interruption in the supply of electrical power could result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenues due to a shutdown of our gaming operations. Such interruptions may occur as a result of, for example, a failure of our information technology or related systems, catastrophic events or rolling blackouts. Our systems are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks and similar events.

         Our operations in certain jurisdictions depend on management agreements and/or leases with third parties and local governments.

        Our operations in several jurisdictions depend on land leases and/or management and development agreements with third parties and local governments. If we, or if GLPI in the case of leases pursuant to which we are the sub-lessee, are unable to renew these leases and agreements on satisfactory terms as they expire or disputes arise regarding the terms of these agreements, our business may be disrupted and, in the event of disruptions in multiple jurisdictions, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, in Iowa, each gaming license is issued jointly to a gaming operator and a local charitable organization ("QSO"). The agreement between our gaming operator subsidiary in Iowa, Belle of Sioux City, L.P. ("Belle"), and its local QSO, Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. ("MRHD"), expired in early July 2012. An extension agreement with MRHD through March 2015 was signed by both parties; however, the validity of this agreement is currently the subject of litigation. Furthermore, in April 2013, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ("IRGC") awarded a new gaming license to operate a land-based casino in Woodbury County to Sioux City Entertainment ("SCE") and SCE opened a Hard Rock branded casino on August 1, 2014. Belle challenged the denial of its gaming license renewal, which is still pending, however, on July 30, 2014, Argosy Casino Sioux City was ordered to close.

        Similarly, in the Province of Ontario, through CHC Casinos, our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, we manage Casino Rama, a full service gaming and entertainment facility, on behalf of the OLGC, an agency of the Province of Ontario. In June 2014, we signed an agreement to extend the management agreement for Casino Rama on a month-to-month basis with a 60-day notice period for up to a maximum period of forty-eight months. No assurance can be given as to how long the OLGC will continue to engage us to manage the property.

         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. From time to time, we have incurred and are incurring costs and obligations for correcting environmental noncompliance matters. For example, portions of Tropicana Las Vegas are known to contain asbestos as well as other environmental conditions, which may include the presence of mold. The environmental conditions may require remediation in isolated areas. The extent of such potential conditions cannot be determined definitively. To date, none of these matters have had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance that such matters will not have such an effect in the future.

        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

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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. Under our contractual arrangements with GLPI, including the Master Lease, we will generally be responsible for both past and future environmental liabilities associated with our gaming operations, notwithstanding ownership of the underlying real property having been transferred to GLPI. Furthermore, we are aware that there is or may have been soil or groundwater contamination at certain of our properties resulting from current or former operations. By way of further example, portions of Tropicana Las Vegas are known to contain asbestos as well as other environmental conditions, which may include the presence of mold. The environmental conditions may require remediation in isolated areas. The extent of such potential conditions cannot be determined definitely, and may result in additional expense in the event that additional or currently unknown conditions are detected.

        Additionally, certain of the gaming chips used at many gaming properties, including some of ours, have been found to contain some level of lead. Analysis by third parties has indicated the normal handling of the chips does not create a health hazard. We have disposed of a majority of these gaming chips. 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, there can be no assurance that such matters will not have such an effect in the future.

         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 the most popular and up to date slot machine games with the latest technology to our customers.

        A substantial majority of the slot machines sold in the U.S. in recent years were manufactured by a few select companies, and there has been extensive recent consolidation activity within the gaming equipment sector, including the recent acquisitions of Multimedia Games, Inc. by Global Cash Access, Bally Technologies, Inc. by Scientific Games Corporation, International Gaming Technologies by GTECH Holdings and previous acquisitions of WMS Industries Inc. by Scientific Games Corporation, which closed in October 2013, and the acquisition of SHFL Entertainment, Inc. by Bally Technologies, Inc. which closed in November 2013.

        In recent years, slot machine manufacturers have frequently refused to sell slot machines featuring the most popular games, instead requiring participation lease arrangements in order to acquire the machines. Participation slot machine leasing arrangements typically require the payment of a fixed daily rental. Such agreements may also include a percentage payment of coin-in or net win. Generally, a participation lease is substantially more expensive over the long term than the cost to purchase a new machine.

        For competitive reasons, we may 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.

         We depend on agreements with our horsemen and pari-mutuel clerks.

        The Federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, as amended, the West Virginia Race Horse Industry Reform Act and the Pennsylvania Racing Act require that, in order to simulcast races, we have certain agreements with the horse owners and trainers at our West Virginia and Pennsylvania racetracks. In addition, West Virginia requires applicants seeking to renew their gaming license to demonstrate they have an agreement regarding the proceeds of the gaming machines with a representative of a majority of the horse owners and trainers, a representative of a majority of the pari-mutuel clerks and a representative of a majority of the horse breeders.

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        At Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, we have an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association that expired on December 31, 2013 and has been extended on a month-to-month basis while negotiations are in progress. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also has an agreement with the breeders that expires on June 30, 2015. Additionally, the pari-mutuel clerks at Charles Town are represented under a collective bargaining agreement with the West Virginia Union of Mutuel Clerks, which expired on December 31, 2010 and has been extended on a month-to-month basis.

        Our agreement with the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course expires on January 31, 2016. We had a collective bargaining agreement with Local 137 of the Sports Arena Employees at Penn National Race Course with respect to on-track pari-mutuel clerks and admissions personnel which expired on December 31, 2011. In August 2012, Local 137 of the Sports Arena Employees announced that they entered into a "voluntary supervision" agreement with their international union, LIUNA Local 108. In February 2014, a new agreement with LIUNA Local 108 for on-track and OTWs bargaining units was ratified for three years.

        Our agreement with the Maine Harness Horsemen Association at Bangor Raceway continued through the conclusion of the 2015 racing season. In March of 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course entered into an agreement with the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The term is for a period of ten years from the September 2014 commencement of video lottery terminal operations at that facility. The Company's agreement with the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association for racing at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway expired on December 31, 2014 but is still in effect pending the ongoing negotiations of a successor agreement. Rosecroft Raceway entered into agreements with the CSOA and MSBA as of July 5, 2011. CSOA's agreement has been extended through December 31, 2020 with certain termination provisions. The MSBA agreement has been extended through December 31, 2020. Additionally, Rosecroft Raceway has entered into agreements with the UFCW Local 27 and the SEATU for certain bargaining positions at the racetrack. The UFCW Local 27 agreement was ratified on December 13, 2014 and expires on November 30, 2019. The SEATU agreement expires on November 30, 2020.

        If we fail to present evidence of an agreement with the horsemen at a track, we will not be permitted to conduct live racing and export and import simulcasting at that track and OTWs and, in West Virginia, our video lottery license may not be renewed. In addition, our simulcasting agreements are subject to the horsemen's approval. If we fail to renew or modify existing agreements on satisfactory terms, this failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

         We restated certain of our previously issued financial statements, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including regulatory investigations, shareholder litigation, loss of investor confidence and negative impacts on our stock price.

        We recently completed a restatement of certain of our prior period financial statements. The restatement corrected certain errors in our previously filed financial statements, including errors related to the accounting of certain complex lease transactions. We cannot be certain that the measures we have taken since we completed the restatement will ensure that restatements will not occur in the future. Our recently completed restatement and any future restatement may raise reputational issues for our business and may result in a loss of investor and partner confidence in us and have a negative impact on our stock price. In addition, we may be subject to regulatory investigations and shareholder litigation as a result of the restatement. Any such investigation or litigation, regardless of outcome, may consume a significant amount of our internal resources, including the time and attention of our management. The loss of investor and partner confidence in us or the commencement of a regulatory

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investigation or litigation as a result of the restatement could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

         We identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting which resulted in a restatement of our financial statements, and which, if not remediated, could result in additional material misstatements in our financial statements.

        Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). As disclosed in Item 9A, management identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the evaluation and accounting of certain complex and non-routine transactions and the calculation of impairment charges for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of these material weaknesses, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Management has developed a remediation plan designed to address these material weaknesses. If the remediation measures are insufficient to address the material weakness or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results.

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

        Some of our employees are currently represented by labor unions. A lengthy strike or other work stoppages at any of our casino properties or construction projects could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Given the large number of employees, labor unions are making a concerted effort to recruit more employees in the gaming industry. In addition, organized labor may benefit from new legislation or legal interpretations by the current presidential administration. Particularly, in light of current support for changes to federal and state labor laws, we cannot provide any assurance that we will not experience additional and more successful union organization activity in the future.

         Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risk including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security.

        We rely on information technology and other systems to maintain and transmit customers' personal and financial information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions, mailing lists and reservations information. We have taken steps designed to safeguard our customers' confidential personal information. However, our information and processes are subject to the ever-changing threat of compromised security, in the form of a risk of potential breach, system failure, computer virus, or unauthorized or fraudulent use by customers, company employees, or employees of third party vendors. The steps we take to deter and mitigate these risks may not be successful, and any resulting compromise or loss of data or systems could adversely impact operations or regulatory compliance and could result in remedial expenses, fines, litigation, disclosures, and loss of reputation, potentially impacting our financial results.

        Further, as cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we may incur significant costs in our attempts to modify or enhance our protective measures or investigate or remediate any vulnerability.

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         We have recently announced several initiatives in the social gaming space, which is a new line of business for us and a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively or that our new initiatives will be successful.

        We have recently announced several initiatives in the social gaming space and expect to continue to invest in and market social gaming and other mobile gaming platforms to our customers in casinos and beyond. Social gaming is a new line of business for us, which makes it difficult to assess its future prospects. Our products will compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market against an increasing number of competitors, including Caesars Interactive, Churchill Downs and Zynga. Given the open nature of the development and distribution of games for electronic devices, our business will also compete with developers and distributors who are able to create and launch games and other content for these devices using relatively limited resources and with relatively limited start-up time or expertise. We have limited experience operating in this rapidly evolving marketplace and may not be able to compete effectively.

        In addition, our ability to be successful with our social gaming platform is dependent on numerous factors beyond our control that affect the social and mobile gaming industry and the online gaming industry in the United States, including the occurrence and manner of legalization of online real money gaming in the United States beyond Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey; changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; changing laws and regulations affecting social and mobile games; the reaction of regulatory bodies to social gaming initiatives by holders of gaming licenses; the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment; any challenges to the intellectual property rights underlying our games; and outages and disruptions of our online services that may harm our business.

        Our social gaming initiatives will result in increased operating expense and increased time and attention from our management. Our social games will be complementary to our current operations and offer additional avenues of access and interaction for our customers. We do not expect our initial social gaming applications to be available for real money gaming, and we do not expect our social gaming initiatives to generate significant revenues in the near future. Our inability to ultimately monetize our investment in social gaming initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

         Our social gaming initiatives may result in increased risk of cyber attack, hacking, or other security breaches, which could harm our reputation and competitive position and which could result in regulatory actions against us or in other penalties.

        As our social gaming business grows, we will face increased cyber risks and threats that seek to damage, disrupt or gain access to our networks, our products and services, and supporting infrastructure. Such cyber risks and threats, including to virtual currencies that may be used in the games, may be difficult to detect. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches or cyber risk could result in interruptions to the services we provide, degrade the user experience, and cause our users to lose confidence in our products. The unauthorized access, acquisition or disclosure of consumer information could compel us to comply with disparate breach notification laws and otherwise subject us to proceedings by governmental entities or others and substantial legal and financial liability. Our key business partners also face these same risks with respect to consumer information they collect, and data security breaches with respect to such information could cause reputational harm to them and negatively impact our ability to offer our products and services through their platforms. This could harm our business and reputation, disrupt our relationships with partners and diminish our competitive position.

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         The success of our VGT operations in Illinois is dependent on our ability to renew our contracts and expand the business.

        On September 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Prairie State Gaming, one of the largest VGT operators in Illinois. Our ability to compete successfully in this new line of business depends on our ability to retain existing customers and secure new establishments, both of which are dependent on the level of service and variety of products that we are able to offer to our customers. VGT contracts are renewable at the option of the owner of the applicable bar and retail gaming establishments and, as our contracts expire, we will be subject to competition for renewals. In addition, VGT operations in Illinois are subject to approval by local municipalities, and therefore our ability to retain and expand our VGT business depends, in part, on such approvals. In addition, there is a risk that the market for VGTs in Illinois could become oversaturated. If we are unable to retain our existing customers or their results suffer as a result of competition or because the market becomes oversaturated or if certain municipalities in Illinois elect to prohibit VGTs, our business and operations could be adversely impacted.

Risks Related to the Spin-Off

         If the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

        We received a private letter ruling (the "IRS Ruling") from the IRS substantially to the effect that, among other things, the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and/or 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The IRS Ruling does not address certain requirements for tax-free treatment of the Spin-Off under Section 355, and we received from our tax advisors a tax opinion substantially to the effect that, with respect to such requirements on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied. The IRS Ruling, and the tax opinions that we expect to receive from our tax advisors, relied on and will rely on, among other things, certain representations, assumptions and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of GLPI's business, and the IRS Ruling and the opinions would not be valid if such representations, assumptions and undertakings were incorrect in any material respect.

        Notwithstanding the IRS Ruling and the tax opinions, the IRS could determine the Spin-Off should be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings that were included in the request for the IRS Ruling are false or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinions that are not covered by the IRS Ruling.

        If the Spin-Off fails to qualify for tax-free treatment, in general, we would be subject to tax as if we had sold the GLPI common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value.

        Under the tax matters agreement that GLPI entered into with us, GLPI generally is required to indemnify us against any tax resulting from the Spin-Off to the extent that such tax resulted from (1) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of GLPI, whether by merger or otherwise, (2) other actions or failures to act by GLPI, or (3) any of GLPI's representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated. GLPI's indemnification obligations to Penn and its subsidiaries, officers and directors will not be limited by any maximum amount. If GLPI is required to indemnify Penn or such other persons under the circumstance set forth in the tax matters agreement, GLPI may be subject to substantial liabilities and there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to satisfy such indemnification obligations.

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         Peter M. Carlino, our Chairman, and David A. Handler, one of our directors, may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions at GLPI.

        Peter M. Carlino serves as our Chairman and as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI. In addition, David A. Handler, one of our directors, is also a director of GLPI. While we have procedures in place to address such situations, these overlapping positions could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our or GLPI's management and directors pursue the same corporate opportunities, such as greenfield development opportunities or potential acquisition targets, or face decisions that could have different implications for us and GLPI. Further, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between us and GLPI (or its subsidiaries) regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship, between us and GLPI, such as under the Master Lease . Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if we and GLPI enter into any commercial or other adverse arrangements with each other in the future.

         The Spin-Off could give rise to disputes or other unfavorable effects, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

        Disputes with third parties could arise out of the Spin-Off, and we could experience unfavorable reactions to the Spin-Off from employees, shareholders, lenders, ratings agencies, regulators or other interested parties. These disputes and reactions of third parties could lead to additional legal proceedings being instituted against us and those lawsuits could result in settlements or liability for damages which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, disputes between us and GLPI and its subsidiaries could arise in connection with any of the agreements that we entered into with GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off, including the Master Lease, a separation and distribution agreement (the "separation and distribution agreement"), a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement or other agreements.

         In connection with the Spin-Off, GLPI agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that GLPI's ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

        Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, GLPI has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that GLPI agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that GLPI will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from GLPI any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from GLPI.

         A court could deem the distribution in the Spin-Off to be a fraudulent conveyance and void the transaction or impose substantial liabilities upon us.

        If the transaction is challenged by a third party, a court could deem the distribution of GLPI common shares or certain internal restructuring transactions undertaken by us in connection with the Spin-Off to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. Fraudulent conveyances or transfers are defined to include transfers made or obligations incurred with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud current or future creditors or transfers made or obligations incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value when the debtor was insolvent, or that rendered the debtor insolvent, inadequately capitalized or unable to pay its debts as they become due. In such circumstances, a court could void the transactions or impose substantial liabilities upon us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations. Among other things, the court could require our shareholders to return to us some or all of the shares of our common stock issued in the distribution or require us to fund liabilities of other companies involved in the restructuring transactions for the benefit of creditors. Whether a

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transaction is a fraudulent conveyance or transfer will vary depending upon the laws of the applicable jurisdiction.

         If we and GLPI are treated by the IRS as being under common control, both we and GLPI could experience adverse tax consequences.

        If we and GLPI are treated by the IRS as being under common control, the IRS will be authorized to reallocate income and deductions between us and GLPI to reflect arm's length terms. If the IRS were to successfully establish that rents paid by us to GLPI are excessive, (1) we would be denied a deduction for the excessive portion and (2) we would be subject to a penalty on the portion deemed excessive, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, our shareholders would be deemed to have received a distribution that was then contributed to the capital of GLPI.

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

         Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness.

        We incurred a substantial amount of indebtedness, as well as a significant fixed annual lease payment to GLPI, in connection with the Spin-Off and in connection with our 2015 acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas. Our substantial indebtedness and additional fixed costs via our Master Lease obligation could have important consequences to our financial health. For example, it could:

        Any of the above listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The terms of the debt incurred in connection with the Spin-Off do not, and any future debt may not, fully prohibit us from incurring additional debt, including debt related to facilities we develop or acquire. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

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         Volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets and adverse changes in the global economy may negatively impact our revenues and our ability to access favorable financing terms.

        While we intend to finance expansion and renovation projects with existing cash, cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, we may require additional financing to support our continued growth. However, depending on then current economic or capital market conditions, our access to capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Further, if adverse regional and national economic conditions persist or worsen, we could experience decreased revenues from our operations attributable to decreases in consumer spending levels and could fail to satisfy the financial and other restrictive covenants to which we are subject under our existing indebtedness. Finally, our borrowing costs under our senior secured credit facility are tied to LIBOR. We currently have no hedges in place to mitigate the impact of higher LIBOR rates and as such significant increases in LIBOR could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

         The availability and cost of financing could have an adverse effect on business.

        We intend to finance some of our current and future expansion, development and renovation projects and acquisitions with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and equity or debt financings. In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into approximately $1,550 million of new debt financing, which includes a five year revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $500 million, a five year $500 million Term Loan A facility and a seven year $250 million Term Loan B facility under our senior secured credit facility and $300 million of 5.875% senior unsecured notes. In addition, following the Spin-Off, we are required by the Master Lease to, in the case of certain expansion projects, or may choose, in the case of other development projects, to provide GLPI the right to provide the financing needed for such purposes. Depending on the state of the credit markets, if we are unable to finance our current or future projects, we could have to seek alternative financing, such as through selling assets, restructuring debt, increasing our reliance on equity financing or seeking additional joint venture partners. Depending on credit market conditions, alternative sources of funds may not be sufficient to finance our expansion, development and/or renovation, or such other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a timely manner or at all. In addition, our existing indebtedness contains restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we could be forced to limit or suspend expansion, development and renovation projects and acquisitions, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Following an amendment to our senior secured credit facility during 2015, the capacity under our revolving credit facility, which expires in 2018, has increased to $633.2 million via a bank group that is comprised of various large financial institutions with the top four institutions providing approximately 45% of the facility. If a large percentage of our lenders were to file for bankruptcy or otherwise default on their obligations to us, we could experience decreased levels of liquidity which could have a detrimental impact on our operations, including being able to fund our current project pipeline. There is no certainty that our lenders will continue to remain solvent or fund their respective obligations under our senior secured credit facility.

         Our indebtedness imposes restrictive covenants on us that could limit our operations and lead to events of default if we do not comply with those covenants.

        Our senior secured credit facility requires us, among other obligations, to maintain specified financial ratios and to satisfy certain financial tests, including interest coverage, senior secured net leverage and total net leverage ratios. In addition, our credit facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, repay certain other indebtedness or amend debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on our assets, make investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates or

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otherwise restrict corporate activities. In addition, the indenture governing the 5.875% senior unsecured notes restricts, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness (excluding certain indebtedness under our credit facility), issue certain preferred stock, pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock, make certain investments, create liens on our assets to secure certain debt, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer and sell assets and designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the documentation governing any of our indebtedness, termination of the Master Lease (subject to certain exceptions) or the occurrence of certain defaults under the Master Lease could lead to an event of default thereunder that could result in an acceleration of such indebtedness. Such acceleration would likely constitute an event of default under our other indebtedness, which event of default could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable and could permit certain of our lenders to foreclose on any of our assets securing such debt.

         To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash, which depends on many factors 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 under our senior secured credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs, including with respect to our indebtedness. We also may incur indebtedness related to facilities we develop or acquire prior to generating cash flow from those facilities. If those facilities do not provide us with cash flow to service that indebtedness, we will need to rely on cash flow from our other properties, which would increase our leverage. In addition, if we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly. As we are required to satisfy amortization requirements under our senior secured credit facility or as other debt matures, we may also need to raise funds to refinance all or a portion of our debt. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt, including our senior secured credit facility, on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our future operating performance and our ability to service, extend or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

         The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

        Our stock price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as variations in operating results, actions by various regulatory agencies and legislatures, litigation, operating competition, market perceptions, progress with respect to potential acquisitions, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the actions of rating agencies, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        The following describes our principal real estate properties by segment:

East/Midwest

        Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.    We lease 300 acres on various parcels in Charles Town and Ranson, West Virginia of which 155 acres comprise Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The facility includes a 153-room hotel and a 3/4-mile all-weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack, a training

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track, two parking garages, an employee parking lot, an enclosed grandstand/clubhouse and housing facilities for over 1,300 horses.

        Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.    We lease 574 acres in Grantville, Pennsylvania, where Penn National Race Course is located on 181 acres. The facility includes a one-mile all-weather lighted thoroughbred racetrack and a 7/8-mile turf track, a parking garage and surface parking spaces. The property also includes 393 acres surrounding the Penn National Race Course that are available for future expansion or development.

        Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg.    We lease 53 acres in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a portion of which serves as the dockside embarkation for the gaming vessel, and includes a Hollywood-themed casino riverboat, an entertainment pavilion, a 295-room hotel, two parking garages and an adjacent surface lot. In addition, we lease 53 acres on Route 50 used for remote parking. Effective January 2015, we own and operate a hotel and event center located less than a mile away from our Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg property, which includes 168 rooms, approximately 18,000 square feet of multipurpose space and 19,500 square feet of ballroom and meeting space.

        Hollywood Casino Toledo.    We lease a 44-acre site in Toledo, Ohio, where we opened Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking.

        Hollywood Casino Columbus.    We lease 116 acres of land in Columbus, Ohio, where we opened Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking.

        Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.    We lease 118 acres on the site of an abandoned Delphi Automotive plant in Dayton, Ohio, where we relocated Raceway Park and opened a new gaming facility on August 28, 2014. The facility includes a 5/8-mile standardbred racetrack and 1,806 parking spaces.

        Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.    We lease 193 acres in Austintown, Ohio, where we relocated Beulah Park and opened a new gaming facility on September 17, 2014. The facility includes a one-mile thoroughbred racetrack and 1,251 parking spaces.

        Hollywood Casino Bangor.    We lease the land on which the Hollywood Casino Bangor facility is located in Bangor, Maine, which consists of over 9 acres, and includes a 152-room hotel and four-story parking. In addition, we lease 25 acres located at historic Bass Park, which is adjacent to the facility, which includes a one-half mile standardbred racetrack and a grandstand with over 12,000 square feet and seating for 3,500 patrons.

        Plainridge Park Casino.    We own a 90-acre site in Plainville, Massachusetts, where we opened Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015. The property includes the casino as well as structured and surface parking. The facility also includes a 5/8-mile live harness racing track, and a two story clubhouse.

        Casino Rama.    We do not own any of the land located at or near the casino or Casino Rama's facilities and equipment. The OLGC has a long-term ground lease with an affiliate of the Rama First Nation, for the land on which Casino Rama is situated. Under the Agreement, CHC Casinos and CRC Holdings, Inc. have been granted full access to Casino Rama during the term of the Agreement to perform the management services under the Agreement. The Casino Rama facilities are located on 61 acres.

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West

        M Resort.    We lease 88 acres on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway in Henderson, Nevada, where the M Resort is located. The M Resort property includes a 390-room hotel, a 4,700 space parking facility, and other facilities. We also lease 4 acres of land which is part of the property.

        Zia Park Casino.    Our casino adjoins the racetrack and is located on 317 acres that we lease in Hobbs, New Mexico. The property includes a one-mile quarter/thoroughbred racetrack. In August 2014, we opened a new hotel, which includes 148 rooms, six suites, a board/meeting room, exercise/fitness facilities and a breakfast venue.

        Tropicana Las Vegas.    We own 35 acres on the strip of Las Vegas, Nevada. The property includes the casino as well as a 1,470-room hotel and 2,095 parking spaces.

Southern Plains

        Hollywood Casino Aurora.    We lease a dockside barge structure and land-based pavilion in Aurora, Illinois. We lease the land, which is 0.4 acres, on which the pavilion is located and a pedestrian walkway bridge. We also lease a parking lot and two parking garages, together comprising over 2 acres.

        Hollywood Casino Joliet.    We lease 276 acres in Joliet, Illinois, which includes a barge-based casino, land-based pavilion, a 100-room hotel, a 1,100 space parking garage, surface parking areas and a recreational vehicle park.

        Argosy Casino Alton.    We lease 3.6 acres in Alton, Illinois, a portion of which serves as the dockside boarding for the Alton Belle II, a riverboat casino. The dockside facility includes an entertainment pavilion and office space, as well as surface parking areas with 1,341 spaces.

        Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast.    We lease 580 acres in the city of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The property includes a land-based casino, 18-hole golf course, a 291-room hotel, a 20-slip marina, a 100-space RV Park and other facilities.

        Argosy Casino Riverside.    We lease 41 acres in Riverside, Missouri, which includes a barge-based casino, a 258-room luxury hotel, an entertainment/banquet facility and a parking garage. We also lease 6.8 acres which is primarily used for overflow parking.

        Hollywood Casino Tunica.    We lease 68 acres of land in Tunica, Mississippi. The property includes a single-level casino, a 494-room hotel, surface parking and other land-based facilities.

        Boomtown Biloxi.    We lease 18.2 acres, most of which is utilized for the gaming location. We also lease 5 acres of submerged tidelands at the casino site from the State of Mississippi, 1.1 acres for parking, 1.2 acres of land mostly used for parking and welcome center, and 0.4 acres of undeveloped land, as well as the barge on which the casino is located and all of the land-based facilities.

        Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.    Through our joint venture with International Speedway, we own 101 acres in which Hollywood Casino sits on Turn Two of the Kansas Speedway.

        Hollywood Casino St. Louis.    We lease 248 acres along the Missouri River in Maryland Heights, Missouri, which includes a 502-room hotel and structure and surface parking.

        Prairie State Gaming.    The Company acquired Prairie State Gaming, a licensed video gaming terminal operator in Illinois, on September 1, 2015. Prairie State Gaming's operations include more than 1,100 video gaming terminals across a network of approximately 270 bar and retail gaming establishments in seven distinct geographic areas throughout Illinois.

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Other

        Rosecroft Raceway.    Rosecroft Raceway is situated on 125 acres, which we own. The Rosecroft facility features a 5/8-mile standardbred race track with a seven race paddock, a 53,000 square foot grandstand building, and a 96,000 square foot three story clubhouse building.

        Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club.    We own 26 acres in Longwood, Florida where Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club is located. The property includes a 1/4-mile racing surface, a clubhouse dining facility and a main grandstand building. Kennel facilities for up to 1,300 greyhounds are located at a leased location approximately 1/2 mile from the racetrack enclosure.

        Freehold Raceway.    Through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own a 51-acre site in Freehold, New Jersey, where Freehold Raceway is located. The property features a half-mile standardbred race track and a grandstand. In addition, through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own a 10-acre site in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which is currently undeveloped.

        Sam Houston Race Park and Valley Race Park.    Through our joint venture with MAXXAM, we own 168 acres at Sam Houston Race Park and 71 acres at Valley Race Park. Sam Houston Race Park includes a one-mile dirt track and a 7/8-mile turf track as well as a 226,000 square foot grandstand and pavilion centre. Valley Race Park features 118,216 of property square footage as a dog racing and simulcasting facility located in Harlingen, Texas.

        Off-track Wagering Facilities.    The following is a list of our three OTWs and their locations:

Location
  Approx. Size
(Square Ft.)
  Owned/Leased   Date Opened

York, PA

    25,590   Leased   March 1995

Lancaster, PA

    24,000   Leased   July 1996

Clementon, NJ

    15,000   Leased   July 2014

        In addition, through our joint venture in Pennwood, we own 50% of a leased OTW in Toms River, New Jersey, that has 28,160 square feet.

        Corporate.    We lease 49,116 square feet of executive office and warehouse space for buildings in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and 3,370 square feet of executive office space in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        The Company is subject to various legal and administrative proceedings relating to personal injuries, employment matters, commercial transactions and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the final outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. In addition, the Company maintains what it believes is adequate insurance coverage to further mitigate the risks of such proceedings. However, such proceedings can be costly, time consuming and unpredictable and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of such proceedings may not materially impact the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that the amount or scope of existing insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover losses arising from such matters.

        The following proceedings could result in costs, settlements, damages, or rulings that materially impact the Company's consolidated financial condition or operating results. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses, claims and/or counter-claims with respect to these proceedings, and intends to vigorously defend itself or pursue its claims.

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        With the acquisition of the Tropicana Las Vegas and its associated entities in August 2015, the Company assumed litigation arising from the Bankruptcy Chapter 11 reorganization ("Bankruptcy") of Tropicana Las Vegas' former affiliate, Tropicana Entertainment Holdings, LLC ("TEH").

        In this Bankruptcy proceeding, there is an unresolved dispute related to the payment of certain professional fees and expenses totaling approximately $13.5 million. TEH takes the position that, pursuant to an Intercompany Agreement signed by TEH and Tropicana, Tropicana must reimburse TEH for a portion of certain professional fees that were incurred and paid by TEH during the Chapter 11 cases. Tropicana Las Vegas contends that it owes no reimbursement to TEH for the professional fees paid by TEH prior to effective date of the bankruptcy plan, and as a result, its potential liability in respect of such claimed professional fees and expenses should be limited to an amount below the current balance of the professional fee escrow account of approximately $3.8 million. On January 5, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order consistent with Tropicana Las Vegas's position.

        On January 19, 2016, TEH and other parties appealed the order. This appeal remains pending. At this point, management cannot predict the outcome and ultimate resolution of this disputed claim and no assurance can be provided regarding Tropicana Las Vegas's liability in this regard.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

        Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Range of Market Price

        Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PENN." The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 
  High   Low  

2015

             

1/1/15-3/31/15

  $ 16.84   $ 13.19  

4/1/15-6/30/15

    18.66     14.82  

7/1/15-9/30/15

    19.50     16.04  

10/1/15-12/31/15

    18.80     14.83  

2014

             

1/1/14-3/31/14

  $ 14.16   $ 11.09  

4/1/14-6/30/14

    13.39     10.80  

7/1/14-9/30/14

    12.46     10.18  

10/1/14-12/31/14

    14.67     10.68  

        The closing sale price per share of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 2, 2016 was $14.02. As of March 2, 2016, there were approximately 501 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividend Policy

        Since our initial public offering of common stock in May 1994, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all of our earnings to finance the development of our business, and thus, do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Payment of any cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our future earnings, operations and capital requirements, our general financial condition and general business conditions. In addition, our senior secured credit facility and senior notes restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends. In addition, future financing arrangements may prohibit the payment of dividends under certain conditions.

Stock Repurchase

        We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in the fourth quarter of 2015.

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following selected consolidated financial and operating data for the five-year period ended December 31, 2015 is derived from our consolidated financial statements that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The selected consolidated financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements

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and notes thereto, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the other financial information included herein.

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015(1)   2014(2)   2013(3)   2012(4)   2011  
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)
 

Income statement data:

                               

Net revenues

  $ 2,838,358   $ 2,590,527   $ 2,777,886   $ 2,688,822   $ 2,510,373  

Total operating expenses

    2,370,512     2,333,339     3,201,754     2,291,366     2,064,767  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    467,846     257,188     (423,868 )   397,456     445,606  

Total other expenses

    (411,236 )   (410,491 )   (202,509 )   (72,429 )   (104,082 )

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes

    56,610     (153,303 )   (626,377 )   325,027     341,524  

Income tax (benefit) provision

    55,924     30,519     (33,580 )   137,449     127,331  

Net (loss) income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interests

    686     (183,822 )   (592,797 )   187,578     214,193  

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

                     

Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and subsidiaries

  $ 686   $ (183,822 ) $ (592,797 ) $ 187,578   $ 214,193  

Net (loss) income from discounted operations net of tax

  $   $   $ 11,545   $ 22,919   $ 26,684  

Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of Penn

  $ 686   $ (183,822 ) $ (581,252 ) $ 210,497   $ 240,877  

Per share data:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Basic (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ 0.01   $ (2.34 ) $ (7.59 ) $ 1.98   $ 2.22  

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ 0.01   $ (2.34 ) $ (7.59 ) $ 1.81   $ 2.00  

Basic (loss) earnings per common share from discontinued operations

    N/A     N/A   $ 0.15   $ 0.24   $ 0.28  

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from discontinued operations

    N/A     N/A   $ 0.15   $ 0.22   $ 0.25  

Weighted shares outstanding—Basic(5)

    80,003     78,425     78,111     76,345     77,991  

Weighted shares outstanding—Diluted(5)

    90,904     78,425     78,111     103,804     107,051  

Other data:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 398,982   $ 262,223   $ 453,767   $ 507,189   $ 567,365  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (781,005 )   (375,536 )   (180,357 )   (1,188,487 )   (338,802 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    410,359     28,991     (240,882 )   703,325     (236,508 )

Depreciation and amortization

    259,461     266,742     303,404     233,407     199,057  

Interest expense

    443,127     425,114     159,897     82,124     100,251  

Capital expenditures

    199,240     228,145     196,600     467,795     284,793  

Balance sheet data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 237,009   $ 208,673   $ 292,995   $ 260,467   $ 238,440  

Total assets

    5,138,752     4,664,894     4,467,587     5,619,383     4,586,511  

Total financing obligation

    3,564,628     3,611,513     3,534,809          

Total debt(6)

    1,710,959     1,241,430     1,044,995     2,719,508     2,034,792  

Shareholders' equity

    (678,043 )   (708,014 )   (550,852 )   2,241,590     1,963,767  

(1)
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded other intangible assets impairment charges of $40.0 million related to the write-off of our Plainridge Park Casino gaming license and a partial write-down of the gaming license at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway due to a reduction in the long term earnings forecast at both of these locations.

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(2)
During the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges of $155.3 million as we determined that a portion of the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets was impaired due to our outlook of continued challenging regional gaming conditions which persisted in 2014 at certain properties in our Southern Plains segment, as well as for the write-off of a trademark intangible asset in the West segment. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.6 million to write-down certain idle assets to their estimated salvage value. Interest expense on the Master Lease financing obligation, which became effective November 1, 2013, was $379.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

(3)
We recorded impairment charges of $724.2 million, which included the impact of the spin-off, during the year ended December 31, 2013. In addition, as a result of a new gaming license being awarded for the development of an additional casino in Sioux City, Iowa to another applicant in April 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $71.8 million for Argosy Casino Sioux City during the year ended December 31, 2013. Additionally, in conjunction with the relocation of our two racetracks in Ohio, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. Furthermore, for 2013, we incurred a $61.7 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt, transaction costs associated with the Spin-Off of $39.5 million, and interest expense on the Master Lease financing obligation of $62.1 million. Finally, we recorded a valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2013 of which $90.3 million was recorded as income tax provision and $599.9 million was recorded as part of the Spin-Off transaction [see Note 13—Income Taxes for additional details].

(4)
During the year ended December 31, 2012, we incurred non-deductible lobbying costs of $45.1 million associated with our unsuccessful efforts to oppose an expansion of gaming in the State of Maryland and transaction costs associated with the Spin-Off of $7.1 million.

(5)
Since we reported a loss from operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we were required to use basic weighted-average common shares outstanding, rather than diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding, when calculating diluted loss per share for those periods.

(6)
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted ASU 2015-03 and retrospectively reclassified the amount of deferred financing fees previously recorded as an asset, to an offset to the Company's long-term debt.

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, the Company restated its audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The impact of the restatement is reflected in Management's Discussion and Analysis of financial condition and result of operations below.

Our Operations

        We are a leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations. The Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1982 as PNRC Corp. and adopted its current name in 1994, when the Company became a publicly traded company. In 1997, we began our transition from a pari-mutuel company to a diversified gaming company with the acquisition of the Charles Town property and the introduction of video lottery terminals in West Virginia. Since 1997, we have continued to expand our gaming operations through strategic acquisitions, greenfield projects, and property expansions. We, along with our joint venture partner, opened Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway on February 3, 2012. In Ohio, we have opened four new gaming properties over the last four years, including: Hollywood Casino Toledo on May 29, 2012, Hollywood Casino Columbus on October 8, 2012, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014. In addition, on November 2, 2012, we acquired Harrah's St Louis, which we subsequently rebranded as Hollywood Casino St Louis. On June 24, 2015, we opened Plainridge Park Casino an integrated racing and slots-only gaming facility in Plainville, Massachusetts. On August 25, 2015 we completed the acquisition of our first Las Vegas strip asset, Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. On September 1, 2015 we completed our acquisition of Prairie State Gaming, one of the largest video gaming terminal route operators in Illinois. In addition, we are developing a Hollywood Casino branded gaming facility on the Jamul Indian Village near San Diego, California, which we will manage upon its anticipated opening in mid-2016.

        As of December 31, 2015, we owned, managed, or had ownership interests in twenty-seven facilities in the following seventeen jurisdictions: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario. On July 30, 2014, the Company closed its facility in Sioux City, Iowa. In addition, Beulah Park and Raceway Park in Ohio were closed as the racetracks were relocated to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, respectively, both of which opened in the third quarter of 2014.

        The vast majority of our revenue is gaming revenue, derived primarily from gaming on slot machines (which represented approximately 86% and 84% of our gaming revenue in 2015 and 2014, respectively) and to a lesser extent, table games, which is highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our properties. Other revenues are derived from our management service fee from Casino Rama, our transition service fees from GLPI, our hotel, dining, retail, admissions, program sales, concessions and certain other ancillary activities, and our racing operations. Our racing revenue includes our share of pari-mutuel wagering on live races after payment of amounts returned as winning wagers, our share of wagering from import and export simulcasting, and our share of wagering from our off-track wagering facilities.

        Key performance indicators related to gaming revenue are slot handle and table game drop (volume indicators) and "win" or "hold" percentage. Our typical property slot hold percentage is in the range of 6% to 10% of slot handle, and our typical table game win percentage is in the range of 14% to 27% of table game drop.

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        Slot handle is the gross amount wagered for the period cited. The win or hold percentage is the net amount of gaming wins and losses, with liabilities recognized for accruals related to the anticipated payout of progressive jackpots. Our slot hold percentages have consistently been in the 6% to 10% range over the past several years. Given the stability in our slot hold percentages, we have not experienced significant impacts to earnings from changes in these percentages.

        For table games, customers usually purchase cash chips at the gaming tables. The cash and markers (extensions of credit granted to certain credit worthy customers) are deposited in the gaming table's drop box. Table game win is the amount of drop that is retained and recorded as casino gaming revenue, with liabilities recognized for funds deposited by customers before gaming play occurs and for unredeemed gaming chips. As we are primarily focused on regional gaming markets, our table win percentages are fairly stable as the majority of these markets do not regularly experience high-end play, which can lead to volatility in win percentages. Therefore, changes in table game win percentages do not typically have a material impact to our earnings.

        Our properties generate significant operating cash flow, since most of our revenue is cash-based from slot machines, table games, and pari-mutuel wagering. Our business is capital intensive, and we rely on cash flow from our properties to generate operating cash to satisfy our obligations under the Master Lease, repay debt, fund capital maintenance expenditures, fund new capital projects at existing properties and provide excess cash for future development and acquisitions.

        We continue to expand our gaming operations through the implementation and execution of a disciplined capital expenditure program at our existing properties, the pursuit of strategic acquisitions and the development of new gaming properties, particularly in attractive regional markets. Additional information regarding our capital projects is discussed in detail in the section entitled "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures" below.

Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust

        On November 1, 2013, the Company completed its plan to separate its gaming operating assets from its real property assets by creating a newly formed, publicly traded REIT, known as GLPI, through a tax free Spin-Off. Penn effected the Spin-Off by distributing one share of common stock of GLPI to the holders of Penn common stock and Series C Preferred Stock for every share of Penn common stock and every 1/1000th of a share of Series C Preferred Stock that they held at the close of business on October 16, 2013, the record date for the Spin-Off. Peter M. Carlino and the PMC Delaware Dynasty Trust dated September 25, 2013, a trust for the benefit of Mr. Carlino's children, also received 882,129 additional shares of GLPI common stock, in exchange for 2,167,393 shares of Penn common stock that they transferred to Penn immediately prior to the Spin-Off. Based on the closing price of the GLPI common stock on October 30, 2013, the aggregate consideration transferred totaled $39.1 million. On that same date, based on the closing price of Penn common stock, the aggregate consideration received totaled $28.4 million. As a result, the consideration transferred exceeded the amount received by approximately $10.7 million. This excess was accounted for as a transaction cost associated with the Spin-Off within general and administrative expenses with the value of the Penn shares acquired as the cost of the treasury stock.

        Mr. Carlino also exchanged certain options to acquire Penn common stock for options to acquire GLPI common stock having the same aggregate intrinsic value. Penn engaged in these exchanges with Mr. Carlino and his related trust to ensure that each member of the Carlino family beneficially owns 9.9% or less of the outstanding shares of Penn common stock following the Spin-Off, so that GLPI can qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        In addition, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, Penn contributed to GLPI substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as all of the assets and liabilities of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and

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Hollywood Casino Perryville, which are referred to as the "TRS Properties." As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets as of such date and leases back those assets (other than the TRS Properties) to Penn for use by its subsidiaries, under the Master Lease (which has a fifteen-year initial term that can be extended at Penn's option for up to four five-year renewal terms), as well as owns and operates the TRS Properties. Penn continues to operate the leased gaming facilities and hold the associated gaming licenses with these facilities. As a result of the Spin-Off, the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2013 only include the TRS Properties for the period January 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013. The TRS properties have been reported as discontinued operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

        On November 1, 2013, Penn entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with GLPI, which governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of the two companies after the Spin-Off with respect to payment of tax liabilities, entitlement of refunds, and filing of tax returns and sets forth certain covenants and indemnities. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Penn was required to prepare and file a federal consolidated income tax return for 2013, which included a combination of Penn and GLPI legal entities for the activity prior to the Spin-Off, with any adjustments for the impact of the final consolidated income tax return recorded to either shareholders' equity or the statement of income depending on the specific item giving rise to the adjustment. In conjunction with the filing of the final 2013 federal consolidated income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service, Penn recorded an decrease to shareholders' equity of $2.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

        The Company received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service relating to the tax treatment of the separation and the qualification of GLPI as a REIT. The private letter ruling is subject to certain qualifications and based on certain representations and statements made by the Company and certain of its shareholders. If such representations and statements are untrue or incomplete in any material respect (including as a result of a material change in the transaction or other relevant facts), the Company may not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. The Company received opinions from outside counsel regarding certain aspects of the transaction that are not covered by the private letter ruling.

        The Company incurred transaction costs of $0.9 million, and $39.5 million (which includes the $10.7 million transaction cost related to the Carlino exchange mentioned above and in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, associated with the Spin-Off, which were included in general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations.

Segment Information

        Our Chief Executive Officer and President, who is the Company's CODM as that term is defined in ASC 280, measures and assesses the Company's business performance based on regional operations of various properties grouped together based primarily on their geographic locations. In January 2014, the Company named Jay Snowden as its Chief Operating Officer and the Company decided in connection with this announcement to re-align its reporting structure. Since January 2014, the Company's reportable segments are: (i) East/Midwest, (ii) West, and (iii) Southern Plains. The prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the Company's new reporting structure in accordance with ASC 280.

        The East/Midwest reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Bangor, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which opened on August 28, 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, which opened on September 17, 2014, and Plainridge Park Casino, which opened on June 24, 2015. It also includes the Company's Casino Rama management service contract. It also

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previously included Hollywood Casino Perryville which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013 and is reported as discontinued operations.

        The West reportable segment consists of the following properties: Zia Park Casino, M Resort, and Tropicana Las Vegas, which was acquired on August 25, 2015, as well as the Hollywood Casino Jamul—San Diego project with the Jamul Indian Village, which the Company anticipates completing in mid-2016.

        The Southern Plains reportable segment consists of the following properties: Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Argosy Casino Riverside, Hollywood Casino Tunica, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Boomtown Biloxi, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, and Prairie State Gaming, which the Company acquired on September 1, 2015, and includes the Company's 50% investment in Kansas Entertainment, which owns the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. On July 30, 2014, the Company closed Argosy Casino Sioux City. This segment previously included Argosy Casino Sioux City, which closed on July 30, 2014 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, which was contributed to GLPI on November 1, 2013 and is reported as discontinued operations.

        The Other category consists of the Company's standalone racing operations, namely Rosecroft Raceway, Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, and the Company's joint venture interests in Sam Houston Race Park, Valley Race Park, and Freehold Raceway. It also previously included the Company's Bullwhackers property, which was sold in July 2013. If the Company is successful in obtaining gaming operations at these locations, they would be assigned to one of the Company's regional executives and reported in their respective reportable segment. The Other category also includes the Company's corporate overhead operations, which does not meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280 and Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary which represents its social online gaming initiatives and would meet the definition of an operating segment under ASC 280, but is currently immaterial to the Company's operations.

Executive Summary

        Recently we have begun to see improved customer spending behavior patterns at the majority of our geographically diversified regional gaming properties. Nevertheless, the expansion of newly constructed gaming facilities continues to impact the overall domestic gaming industry as well as our operating results in certain markets.

        We operate a geographically diversified portfolio comprised primarily of new and well maintained regional gaming facilities. This has allowed us to develop what we believe to be a solid base for future growth opportunities. During the third quarter of 2015, we acquired Tropicana Las Vegas, at which we plan to make additional capital improvements over the next few years. We believe this acquisition and subsequent improvements will incent our regional gaming customers who visit the Las Vegas Strip a reason to stay and game at this facility. We also believe the addition of the Tropicana Las Vegas may benefit our regional operations by allowing customers to redeem their loyalty points earned at our regional casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

        Additionally during the third quarter of 2015, we acquired Prairie State Gaming ("PSG") an Illinois video gaming terminal ("VGT") route operator, which has over 1,100 VGTs over a network of 270 bar and retail gaming establishments. The VGT market is relatively new to Illinois and we intend to leverage our gaming experience, relationships and purchasing power to improve PSG's performance and expand its network. We have also made investments in joint ventures that we believe may allow us to capitalize on additional gaming opportunities in certain states if legislation or referenda are passed that permit and/or expand gaming in these jurisdictions and we are selected as a licensee.

        Historically, the Company has been reliant on certain key regional gaming markets (for example, its results from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg). Over

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the past several years, the Company has diversified its operations via development of new facilities and acquisitions and anticipates further diversifying its reliance on specific properties as we continue to execute on our current development pipeline. For example, we expect our recently opened facility in Plainville, Massachusetts and our proposed management contract with the Jamul Indian Village outside of San Diego, California (which we expect to open in mid-2016) to generate significant free cash flow, since these properties are not part of the Master Lease and as such do not have any financing obligation.

Financial Highlights:

        We reported net revenues and income from operations of $2,838.4 million and $467.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to net revenues and income from operations of $2,590.5 million and $257.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding period in the prior year. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, were:

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Segment Developments:

        The following are recent developments that have had or will have an impact on us by segments:

East/Midwest

West

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Southern Plains

Critical Accounting Estimates

        We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes and litigation, claims and assessments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.

        We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.

        The development and selection of the critical accounting estimates, and the related disclosures, have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

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Long-lived assets

        At December 31, 2015, we had a net property and equipment balance of $2,980.1 million within our consolidated balance sheet, representing 58.0% of total assets. We depreciate property and equipment on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives are determined based on the nature of the assets as well as our current operating strategy. We review the carrying value of our property and equipment for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. The factors considered by us in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors. For purposes of recognizing and measuring impairment in accordance with ASC 360, "Property, Plant, and Equipment," assets are grouped at the individual property level representing the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment, we must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets. Such an impairment loss would be recognized as a non-cash component of operating income.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

        At December 31, 2015, the Company had $911.9 million in goodwill and $391.4 million in other intangible assets within its consolidated balance sheet, representing 17.7% and 7.6% of total assets, respectively, resulting from the Company's acquisition of other businesses and payment for gaming licenses. Two issues arise with respect to these assets that require significant management estimates and judgment: (i) the valuation in connection with the initial purchase price allocation; and (ii) the ongoing evaluation for impairment.

        In connection with our acquisitions, valuations are completed to determine the allocation of the purchase prices. The factors considered in the valuations include data gathered as a result of our due diligence in connection with the acquisitions, projections for future operations, and data obtained from third- party valuation specialists as deemed appropriate. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits of a business combination measured as the excess purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, in two steps. In step 1 of the impairment test, the current fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow model which is then compared to the carrying value of each reporting unit including the allocation of the carrying value of certain consolidated obligations that benefit individual reporting units. The Company adjusts the carrying value of each reporting unit that utilizes property that is subject to the Master Lease by an allocation of a pro-rata portion of the GLPI financing obligation based on the reporting unit's estimated fair value as a percentage of the aggregate estimated fair value of all reporting units that utilize property that is subject to the Master Lease. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value in step 1 of the impairment test, then step 2 of the impairment test is performed to determine the implied fair value of goodwill for that reporting unit. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the goodwill allocated for that reporting unit, an impairment is recognized. In the event a reporting unit has a negative carrying amount, the Company first performs a qualitative evaluation to determine if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, and if so, it performs a step 2 of the impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment charge, if any.

        In accordance with ASC 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other," the Company considers its gaming licenses and other various intangible assets as indefinite-life intangible assets that do not require amortization based on our future expectations to operate our gaming facilities indefinitely (notwithstanding the recent events in Iowa, which we concluded was an isolated incident and the first

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time in our history a gaming regulator has taken an action which could cause us to lose our gaming license) as well as our historical experience in renewing these intangible assets at minimal cost with various state commissions. Rather, these intangible assets are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the recorded assets to their carrying amount. If the carrying amounts of the indefinite-life intangible assets exceed their fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company completes its testing of its intangible assets prior to assessing the realizability of its goodwill.

        The Company assessed the fair value of its indefinite-life intangible assets (which are primarily gaming licenses) using the Greenfield Method under the income approach. The Greenfield Method estimates the fair value of the gaming license using a discounted cash flow model assuming the Company built a casino with similar utility to that of the existing facility. The method assumes a theoretical start-up company going into business without any assets other than the intangible asset being valued. As such, the value of the gaming license is a function of the following items:

        The evaluation of goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets requires the use of estimates about future operating results of each reporting unit to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit and the indefinite-lived intangible assets. We must make various assumptions and estimates in performing our impairment testing. The implied fair value includes estimates of future cash flows (including an allocation of the Company's projected financing obligation payments to its reporting units) that are based on consistently applied, reasonable and supportable assumptions which represent our best estimates of the cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets including their eventual disposition. Changes in estimates, increases in our cost of capital, reductions in transaction multiples, changes in operating and capital expenditure assumptions or application of alternative assumptions and definitions could produce significantly different results. Future cash flow estimates are, by their nature, subjective and actual results may differ materially from our estimates. If our ongoing estimates of future cash flows are not met, we may have to record additional impairment charges in future accounting periods. Our estimates of cash flows are based on the current regulatory and economic climates, recent operating information and budgets of the various properties where we conduct operations. These estimates could be negatively impacted by changes in federal, state or local regulations, economic downturns, or other events affecting our properties.

        Forecasted cash flows (based on our annual operating plan as determined in the fourth quarter) can be significantly impacted by the local economy in which our reporting units operate. For example, increases in unemployment rates can result in decreased customer visitations and/or lower customer spend per visit. In addition, the impact of new legislation which approves gaming in nearby jurisdictions or further expands gaming in jurisdictions where our reporting units currently operate can result in opportunities for us to expand our operations. However, it also has the impact of increasing competition for our established properties which generally will have a negative effect on those locations' profitability once competitors become established as a certain level of cannibalization occurs absent an overall increase in customer visitations. Lastly, increases in gaming taxes approved by state regulatory bodies can negatively impact forecasted cash flows.

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        Assumptions and estimates about future cash flow levels and multiples by individual reporting units are complex and subjective. They are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors, such as industry, geopolitical and economic trends, and internal factors, such as changes in our business strategy, which may reallocate capital and resources to different or new opportunities which management believes will enhance our overall value but may be to the detriment of an individual reporting unit.

        Consistent with prior years, the Company's annual goodwill and other indefinite-life intangible assets impairment test is performed on October 1st of each year.

        For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded other intangible assets impairment charges of $40.0 million, as of the valuation date of October 1, 2015, related to the write-off of our Plainridge Park Casino gaming license and a partial write-down of the gaming license at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway due to a reduction in the long term earnings forecast at both of these locations.

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges of $155.3 million, as of the valuation date of October 1, 2014, as it determined that a portion of the value of its goodwill and other intangible assets was impaired due to the Company's outlook of continued challenging regional gaming conditions at certain properties which persisted in 2014 in its Southern Plains segment, as well as for the write-off of a trademark intangible asset in the West segment. The impairment charges by segment were as follows: Southern Plains, $153.9 million and West, $1.4 million.

        For 2013, as the Spin-Off was a significant financial event, an interim goodwill and other indefinite-life intangible assets impairment test as of November 1, 2013, the Spin-Off date, was performed. For the November 1, 2013 impairment test, the forecasted cash flows for each applicable property was updated to include the obligations to be paid to GLPI under the Master Lease. As of a result of our fourth quarter 2013 impairment testing, we recorded impairment charges of $724.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as we determined that a portion of the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets was impaired. The impairment charge by segment was as follows: East/Midwest, $416.4 million; Southern Plains, $269.8 million; West, $1.8 million; and Other, $36.2 million.

        Additionally, as a result of a new gaming license being awarded for the development of a new casino in Sioux City, Iowa to another applicant in April 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $71.8 million for Argosy Casino Sioux City during the three months ended June 30, 2013, as we determined that the fair value of our Sioux City reporting unit was less than its carrying amount based on the Company's analysis of the estimated future expected cash flows the Company anticipated receiving from the operations of this facility.

        Consistent with prior years, we believe at this time all of our reporting units with goodwill and other intangible assets are at risk to have impairment charges in future periods regardless of the margin by which the current fair value of our reporting units exceed their carrying value and that such margin cannot and should not be relied upon to predict which properties are most at risk for future impairment charges. This is because the revenue and earning streams in our industry can vary significantly based on various circumstances, which in many cases are outside of the Company's control, and as such are extremely difficult to predict and quantify. We have disclosed several of these circumstances in the "Risk Factors" section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For instance, changes in legislation that approves gaming in nearby jurisdictions, further expansion of gaming in jurisdictions where we currently operate, new state legislation that requires the implementation of smoking bans at our casinos or any other events outside of our control that make the customer experience less desirable.

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        Once an impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-life intangible assets has been recorded, it cannot be reversed. Because our goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets are not amortized, there may be volatility in reported income because impairment losses, if any, are likely to occur irregularly and in varying amounts. Intangible assets that have a definite- life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or related service contract. We review the carrying value of our intangible assets that have a definite-life for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the intangible assets that have a definite-life exceed their fair value, an impairment loss is recognized.

        The Company's remaining goodwill and other intangible assets by reporting unit at December 31, 2015 is shown below (in thousands):

Reporting Unit
  Goodwill   Other
Intangible
Assets
 

Hollywood Casino St. Louis

  $ 205,783   $ 58,418  

Hollywood Casino Aurora

    207,207      

Argosy Casino Riverside

    154,332     4,964  

Zia Park Casino

    142,359      

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

    15,339     110,436  

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course

        125,000  

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

    1,497     67,607  

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

    63,189      

Hollywood Casino Tunica

    44,042      

Praire State Gaming

    22,937     15,151  

Boomtown Biloxi

    22,365      

Argosy Casino Alton

    9,863     8,285  

Tropicana Las Vegas

    14,821      

Others

    8,208     1,581  

Total

  $ 911,942   $ 391,442  

Income taxes

        We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and are measured at the prevailing enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences are settled or realized. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

        The realizability of the net deferred tax assets is evaluated quarterly by assessing the valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of the allowance, if necessary. We consider all available positive and negative evidence including projected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. The evaluation of both positive and negative evidence is a requirement pursuant to ASC 740 in determining more-likely-than-not the net deferred tax assets will be realized. In the event the Company determines that the deferred income tax assets would be realized in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

        In connection with the failed spin-off-leaseback, the Company recorded real property assets and a financing obligation of $2.00 billion and $3.52 billion, respectively, on November 1, 2013, which resulted in a substantial increase to our net deferred tax assets of $599.9 million. ASC 740 suggests that additional scrutiny should be given to deferred tax assets of an entity with cumulative pre-tax losses

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during the three most recent years and is widely considered significant negative evidence that is objective and verifiable and therefore, difficult to overcome. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had or expected to have cumulative pre-tax losses and considered this factor in our analysis of deferred taxes. Additionally, we expect to remain in a three year cumulative loss position in the near future. As a result, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets, excluding the reversal of deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite-lived assets. We intend to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets until there is sufficient positive evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances.

        ASC 740 also creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions, and clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise's financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. At December 31, 2015, we had a net liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.2 million, of which $4.0 million is included in other liabilities and $1.8 million is included in other assets within our consolidated balance sheets. We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audits in each jurisdiction. These audits can involve complex issues that may require an extended period of time to resolve. In our opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all open periods.

Litigation, claims and assessments

        We utilize estimates for litigation, claims and assessments. These estimates are based on our knowledge and experience regarding current and past events, as well as assumptions about future events. If our assessment of such a matter should change, we may have to change the estimate, which may have an adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Results of Operations

        The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute to our operating performance:

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        The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:

Year Ended December 31,
  2015   2014   2013  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Revenues:

                   

Gaming

  $ 2,497,497   $ 2,297,175   $ 2,479,601  

Food, beverage and other

    485,534     432,021     450,568  

Management service fee

    10,314     11,650     13,176  

Revenues

    2,993,345     2,740,846     2,943,345  

Less promotional allowances

    (154,987 )   (150,319 )   (165,459 )

Net revenues

    2,838,358     2,590,527     2,777,886  

Operating expenses:

                   

Gaming

    1,271,679     1,146,159     1,247,515  

Food, beverage and other

    349,897     319,792     336,279  

General and administrative

    449,433     446,436     516,143  

Depreciation and amortization

    259,461     266,742     303,404  

Impairment losses

    40,042     159,884     798,305  

Insurance recoveries, net of deductible charges

        (5,674 )   108  

Total operating expenses

    2,370,512     2,333,339     3,201,754  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 467,846   $ 257,188   $ (423,868 )

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        Certain information regarding our results of operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is summarized below:

 
  Net Revenues   Income (loss) from Continuing
Operations
 
Year Ended December 31,
  2015   2014   2013   2015   2014   2013  
 
  (in thousands)
 

East/Midwest

  $ 1,682,440   $ 1,467,380   $ 1,575,053   $ 372,698   $ 332,869   $ (57,351 )

West

    285,933     241,410     240,083     53,438     56,928     45,464  

Southern Plains

    849,049     857,447     930,762     230,337     46,395     (186,846 )

Other

    20,936     24,290     31,988     (188,627 )   (179,004 )   (225,135 )

Total

  $ 2,838,358   $ 2,590,527   $ 2,777,886   $ 467,846   $ 257,188   $ (423,868 )

Adjusted EBITDA

        Adjusted EBITDA is used by management as the primary measure of the Company's operating performance. We define adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, stock compensation, debt extinguishment charges, impairment charges, insurance recoveries and deductible charges, depreciation and amortization, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent purchase price to the previous owners of Plainridge Racecourse, gain or loss on disposal of assets, and other income or expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is also inclusive of results from discontinued operations, income or loss from unconsolidated affiliates, with our share of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization) added back for our joint venture in Kansas Entertainment. Adjusted EBITDA has economic substance because it is used by management as a performance measure to analyze the performance of our business, and is especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino projects because it provides a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We also present adjusted EBITDA because it is used by some investors and creditors as an indicator of the strength and performance of ongoing business operations, including our ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value companies within our industry. In addition, gaming companies have historically reported adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to financial measures in accordance with GAAP. In order to view the operations of their casinos on a more stand-alone basis, gaming companies, including us, have historically excluded from their adjusted EBITDA calculations certain corporate expenses that do not relate to the management of specific casino properties. However, adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA information is presented as a supplemental disclosure, as management believes that it is a widely used measure of performance in the gaming industry, is the principal basis for the valuation of gaming companies, and that it is considered by many to be a better indicator of the Company's operating results than net income (loss) per GAAP. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of the operating performance of its segments, including the evaluation of operating personnel. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as alternatives to operating income, as indicators of the Company's operating performance, as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities, as measures of liquidity, or as any other measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in adjusted EBITDA. It should also be noted that other gaming companies that report adjusted EBITDA information may calculate this metric in a different manner than the Company and therefore, comparability may be limited.

        A reconciliation of the Company's net income (loss) per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA, as well as the Company's income (loss) from operations per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA, is included below.

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Additionally, a reconciliation of each segment's income (loss) from operations to adjusted EBITDA is also included below. On a segment level, income (loss) from operations per GAAP, rather than net income (loss) per GAAP, is reconciled to adjusted EBITDA due to, among other things, the impracticability of allocating interest expense, interest income, income taxes and certain other items to the Company's segments on a segment by segment basis. Management believes that this presentation is more meaningful to investors in evaluating the performance of the Company's segments and is consistent with the reporting of other gaming companies.

        The reconciliation of the Company's (loss) income from continuing operations per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA, as well as the Company's net (loss) income per GAAP to adjusted EBITDA, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014and 2013 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
  2015   2014   2013  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Net (loss) income

  $ 686   $ (183,822 ) $ (581,252 )

Income tax (benefit) provision

    55,924     30,519     (33,580 )

Other

    (5,872 )   (2,944 )   (8,004 )

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

            61,660  

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

    (14,488 )   (7,949 )   (9,657 )

Interest income

    (11,531 )   (3,730 )   (1,387 )

Interest expense

    443,127     425,114     159,897  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

            (11,545 )

(Loss) income from continuing operations

  $ 467,846   $ 257,188   $ (423,868 )

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

    1,286     738     3,682  

Insurance recoveries, net of deductible charges

        (5,674 )   108  

Impairment losses

    40,042     159,884     798,305  

Charge for stock compensation

    8,223     10,666     22,809  

Plainridge contingent purchase price

    (5,374 )   689      

Depreciation and amortization

    259,461     266,742     303,404  

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

    14,488     7,949     9,657  

Non-operating items for Kansas JV(1)

    10,377     11,809     11,595  

Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations

            35,374  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 796,349   $ 709,991   $ 761,066  

(1)
Adjusted EBITDA excludes our share of the impact of non-operating items (such as depreciation and amortization expense) from our joint venture in Kansas Entertainment.

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        The reconciliation of each segment's (loss) income from operations to adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31, 2015
  East/Midwest   West   Southern
Plains
  Other   Total  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 372,698   $ 53,438   $ 230,337   $ (188,627 ) $ 467,846  

Charge for stock compensation

                8,223     8,223  

Impairment losses

    40,042                 40,042  

Depreciation and amortization

    101,359     14,530     43,120     100,452     259,461  

Plainridge contingent purchase price

    (5,374 )               (5,374 )

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

    (295 )   510     735     336     1,286  

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

            15,289     (801 )   14,488  

Non-operating items for Kansas JV

            10,377         10,377  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 508,430   $ 68,478   $ 299,858   $ (80,417 ) $ 796,349  

 

Year ended December 31, 2014
  East/Midwest   West   Southern
Plains
  Other   Total  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 332,869   $ 56,928   $ 46,395   $ (179,004 ) $ 257,188  

Charge for stock compensation

                10,666     10,666  

Impairment losses

    4,560     1,420     153,904         159,884  

Insurance recoveries

            (5,674 )       (5,674 )

Depreciation and amortization

    101,891     7,411     58,598     98,842     266,742  

Plainridge contingent purchase price

    689                 689  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

    (75 )   211     624     (22 )   738  

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

            10,720     (2,771 )   7,949  

Non-operating items for Kansas JV

            11,809         11,809  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 439,934   $ 65,970   $ 276,376   $ (72,289 ) $ 709,991  

 

Year ended December 31, 2013
  East/Midwest   West   Southern
Plains
  Other   Total  

(Loss) income from operations

  $ (57,351 ) $ 45,464   $ (186,846 ) $ (225,135 ) $ (423,868 )

Charge for stock compensation

                22,809     22,809  

Impairment losses

    416,380     1,812     341,683     38,430     798,305  

Insurance deductible charges, net of recoveries

            108         108  

Depreciation and amortization

    142,442     11,883     108,201     40,878     303,404  

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

    774     2,365     853     (310 )   3,682  

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

            10,735     (1,078 )   9,657  

Non-operating items for Kansas JV

            11,595         11,595  

Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations

    15,334         20,040         35,374  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 517,579   $ 61,524   $ 306,369   $ (124,406 ) $ 761,066  

2015 Compared to 2014

        Adjusted EBITDA for our East/Midwest segment increased by $68.5 million, or 15.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015, a full year of operations for Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which together increased adjusted EBITDA by 67.0 million, improved results from Hollywood Casino Columbus and

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Hollywood Casino Toledo and a property tax refund received in the first quarter of 2015 for $2.0 million, all of which were partially offset by decreased adjusted EBITDA at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg primarily due to competition discussed below.

        Adjusted EBITDA for our Southern Plains segment increased by $23.5 million, or 8.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increased EBITDA at Hollywood St. Louis as a result of a $15.4 million property tax credit and the acquisition of Prairie State Gaming on September 1, 2015.

        Adjusted EBITDA for our West segment increased by $2.5 million, or 3.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to improved results at M Resort and the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015, partially offset by decreased adjusted EBITDA at Zia Park as low oil prices have affected the economy in this area.

        Adjusted EBITDA for Other declined by $8.1 million, or 11.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increased corporate overhead costs 12.6 million, primarily due to higher cash-settled stock-based compensation charges of $13.3 million mainly due to stock price increases for Penn and GLPI common stock during 2015 compared to stock price declines in 2014, as well as increased bonus accruals, all of which was partially offset by lower lobbying costs of $7.2 million due to the Massachusetts campaign in 2014.

2014 Compared to 2013

        Adjusted EBITDA for our East/Midwest segment decreased by $77.6 million, or 15.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to competition discussed below, which impacted Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, weakened regional economic conditions for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, and a $15.3 million decline in adjusted EBITDA due to the contribution of Hollywood Casino Perryville to GLPI on November 1, 2013, all of which was partially offset by the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014. Additionally, results for the year ended December 31, 2014 included pre-opening costs of $10.2 million for both Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, as well as the Plainville project in Massachusetts, which the Company expects to open in June 2015.

        Adjusted EBITDA for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $30.0 million, or 9.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily from a $20.0 million decline in adjusted EBITDA due to the contribution of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to GLPI on November 1, 2013, and decreased adjusted EBITDA for Argosy Casino Sioux City primarily due to its closure on July 30, 2014.

        Adjusted EBITDA for our West segment increased by $4.4 million, or 7.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a termination charge associated with the Spin-Off of $3.8 million incurred in the third quarter of 2013.

        Adjusted EBITDA for Other improved by $52.1 million, or 41.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to lower Spin-Off transaction and development costs of $40.7 million, lower costs on cash-settled stock based awards of $13.9 million primarily due to the favorable impact from declines in GLPI's stock price for GLPI awards held by Penn employees and the fact that certain members of Penn's executive management team transferred their employment to GLPI as part of the Spin-Off, and higher transition service fees received from GLPI of $1.2 million, all of which was partially offset by higher lobbying costs of $3.5 million.

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Revenues

        Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31,
  2015   2014   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Gaming

  $ 2,497,497   $ 2,297,175   $ 200,322     8.7 %

Food, beverage and other

    485,534     432,021     53,513     12.4 %

Management service fee

    10,314     11,650     (1,336 )   (11.5 )%

Revenues

    2,993,345     2,740,846     252,499     9.2 %

Less promotional allowances

    (154,987 )   (150,319 )   (4,668 )   3.1 %

Net revenues

  $ 2,838,358   $ 2,590,527   $ 247,831     9.6 %

 

Year ended December 31,
  2014   2013   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Gaming

  $ 2,297,175   $ 2,479,601   $ (182,426 )   (7.4 )%

Food, beverage and other

    432,021     450,568     (18,547 )   (4.1 )%

Management service fee

    11,650     13,176     (1,526 )   (11.6 )%

Revenues

    2,740,846     2,943,345     (202,499 )   (6.9 )%

Less promotional allowances

    (150,319 )   (165,459 )   15,140     (9.2 )%

Net revenues

  $ 2,590,527   $ 2,777,886   $ (187,359 )   (6.7 )%

        In our business, revenue is driven by discretionary consumer spending, which has been impacted by a slow economic recovery that has resulted in declines in the labor force participation rate, and increased stock market and commodity price volatility. The expansion of newly constructed gaming facilities has also increased competition in many regional markets (including at some of our key facilities). However, recently we have seen signs of stabilization at the majority of our properties and have seen low single digit increases in customer spending.

        We have no certain mechanism for determining why consumers choose to spend more or less money at our properties from period to period and as such cannot quantify a dollar amount for each factor that impacts our customers' spending behaviors. However, based on our experience, we can generally offer some insight into the factors that we believe were likely to account for such changes. In instances where we believe one factor may have had a significantly greater impact than the other factors, we have noted that as well. However, in all instances, such insights are based only on our reasonable judgment and professional experience, and no assurance can be given as to the accuracy of our judgments.

Gaming revenue

2015 Compared with 2014

        Gaming revenue increased by $200.3 million, or 8.7%, to $2,497.5 million in 2015, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Gaming revenue for our East/Midwest segment increased by $199.9 million in 2015, primarily due to the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015, which generated $88.0 million of gaming revenue, a full year of operations Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which generated increased gaming revenue of $63.5 million and $58.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015. These increases were partially offset by decreased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg primarily due to the continued impact of competition in Ohio, namely the opening of a casino in Cincinnati in March 2013 and the

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openings of a racino at Belterra Park in May 2014 and our own Dayton, Ohio facility in August 2014, and decreased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races primarily due to increased competition from the Baltimore Maryland market, which includes Maryland Live! and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, which opened at the end of August 2014.

        Gaming revenue for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $11.8 million in 2015, primarily due to decreased gaming revenue at Argosy Casino Sioux City of $25.5 million due to its closure on July 30, 2014, and decreased gaming revenues at Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast and Boomtown Biloxi primarily due to competition. These decreases were partially by offset increased gaming revenues from the acquisition of Prairie State Gaming on September 1, 2015 and increased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino St. Louis and Argosy Riverside.

        Gaming revenue for our West segment increased by $12.2 million in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Gaming revenue decreased by $182.4 million, or 7.4%, to $2,297.2 million in 2014, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Gaming revenue for our East/Midwest segment decreased by $103.4 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races of $64.0 million primarily due to the continued impact of the opening of a casino complex at the Arundel Mills mall in Maryland in 2012, which added table games in April 2013 and a 52 table poker room in late August 2013, decreased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg of $71.9 million primarily due to new competition, namely a new casino that opened in March 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio and to a lesser extent the openings of a racino at Miami Valley Gaming in mid-December 2013, a racino at Belterra Park in May 2014, and our own Dayton facility in late August 2014, and decreased gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course of $19.6 million primarily due to regional economic conditions. These decreases were partially offset by the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, which generated $28.6 million and $27.3 million, respectively, of gaming revenue for the year December 31, 2014.

        Gaming revenue for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $74.5 million in 2014, due to decreased gaming revenue at Argosy Casino Sioux City of $23.4 million primarily due to its closure on July 30, 2014, and general softness in the regional markets in which our Southern Plains properties compete, as well as additional competition from video lottery terminals in Illinois.

Food, beverage and other revenue

2015 Compared with 2014

        Food, beverage and other revenue increased by $53.5 million, or 12.4%, to $485.5 million in 2015 primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Food, beverage and other revenue for our East/Midwest segment increased by $19.8 million in 2015, primarily due to increased food, beverage and other revenue from the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015, which had food, beverage and other revenue of $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and a full year of operations at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, which together had increased food, beverage and other revenue of $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

        Food, beverage and other revenue for our West segment increased by $36.9 million in 2015, primarily due to increased food, beverage and other revenue from the acquisition of Tropicana Las

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Vegas on August 25, 2015, which had food beverage and other revenue of $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Food, beverage and other revenue decreased by $18.5 million, or 4.1%, to $432.0 million in 2014, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Food, beverage and other revenue for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $10.4 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased food, beverage and other revenue at Hollywood Casino St. Louis primarily due to reduced complimentaries offered to customers.

        Food, beverage and other revenue for our East/Midwest segment decreased by $5.7 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased food, beverage and other revenue at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races of $5.9 million and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg of $6.5 million primarily due to the competition mentioned above, decreased food, beverage and other revenue at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course of $5.9 million primarily due to regional economic conditions and the closure of one of its OTWs in August 2013, all of which were partially offset by the acquisition of Plainridge Racecourse in 2014, which had food, beverage and other revenue of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, which together generated $6.5 million of food, beverage and other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014. The first quarter of 2014 compared to the prior year was also impacted by adverse weather on racing for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Promotional allowances

        The retail value of accommodations, food and beverage, and other services furnished to guests without charge is included in gross revenues and then deducted as "promotional allowances." Our promotional allowance levels are determined based on various factors such as our marketing plans, competitive factors, economic conditions, and regulations.

2015 Compared with 2014

        Promotional allowances increased by $4.7 million, or 3.1%, to $155.0 million in 2015, primarily due to increased promotional allowances from the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Promotional allowances decreased by $15.1 million, or 9.2%, to $150.3 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased promotional allowances at Hollywood Casino St. Louis primarily due to reduced complimentaries offered to customers, decreased promotional allowances at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg primarily due to reduced redemptions.

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Operating Expenses

        Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31,
  2015   2014   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Gaming

  $ 1,271,679   $ 1,146,159   $ 125,520     11.0 %

Food, beverage and other

    349,897     319,792     30,105     9.4 %

General and administrative

    449,433     446,436     2,997     0.7 %

Depreciation and amortization

    259,461     266,742     (7,281 )   (2.7 )%

Impairment losses

    40,042     159,884     (119,842 )   (75.0 )%

Insurance recoveries, net of deductible charges

        (5,674 )   5,674     (100.0 )%

Total operating expenses

  $ 2,370,512   $ 2,333,339   $ 37,173     1.6 %

 

Year ended December 31,
  2014   2013   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Gaming

  $ 1,146,159   $ 1,247,515   $ (101,356 )   (8.1 )%

Food, beverage and other

    319,792     336,279     (16,487 )   (4.9 )%

General and administrative

    446,436     516,143     (69,707 )   (13.5 )%

Depreciation and amortization

    266,742     303,404     (36,662 )   (12.1 )%

Impairment losses

    159,884     798,305     (638,421 )   (80.0 )%

Insurance deductible charges, net of recoveries

    (5,674 )   108     (5,782 )   (5,353.7 )%

Total operating expenses

  $ 2,333,339   $ 3,201,754   $ (868,415 )   (27.1 )%

Gaming expense

2015 Compared with 2014

        Gaming expense increased by $125.5 million, or 11.0%, to $1,271.7 million in 2015, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Gaming expense for our East/Midwest segment increased by $111.5 million in 2015, primarily due to the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015 and a full year of operations for Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, partially offset by an overall decrease in gaming taxes resulting from decreased taxable gaming revenue as mentioned above at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg.

        Gaming expense for our Southern Plains segment increased by $5.9 million in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Prairie State Gaming on September 1, 2015 and an overall increase in gaming taxes resulting from increased taxable gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino St. Louis, Argosy Riverside and Hollywood Casino Joliet, partially offset by the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014 and an overall decrease in gaming taxes resulting from decreased taxable gaming revenue at Hollywood Casino Aurora, Argosy Casino Alton and Boomtown Biloxi.

        Gaming expense for our West segment increased by $7.2 million in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Gaming expense decreased by $101.4 million, or 8.1%, to $1,146.2 million in 2014, primarily due to the variances explained below.

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        Gaming expense for our East/Midwest segment decreased by $57.2 million in 2014, primarily due to an overall decrease in gaming taxes resulting from decreased taxable gaming revenue mentioned above at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, in addition to an overall decrease in payroll costs at these properties, and decreased marketing costs at Hollywood Casino Columbus primarily due to realignment of costs. These decreases were partially offset by the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014.

        Gaming expense for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $40.0 million in 2014, primarily due to an overall decrease in gaming taxes resulting from decreased taxable gaming revenue mentioned above at our properties in the Southern Plains segment, in addition to an overall decrease in payroll and marketing costs, and the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014.

Food, beverage and other expense

2015 Compared with 2014

        Food, beverage and other expense increased by $30.1 million, or 9.4%, to $349.9 million in 2015, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Food, beverage and other expense for our East/Midwest segment increased by $14.1 million in 2015, primarily due to increased food, beverage and other expense from the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015 and a full year of operations for Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

        Food, beverage and other expense for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $4.8 million in 2015, primarily due to decreased food, beverage and other expense at Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Hollywood Casino Joliet and Boomtown Biloxi due to lower food and beverage costs and the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014, partially offset by increased food and beverage costs at Hollywood Casino St. Louis.

        Food, beverage and other expense for our West segment increased by $23.4 million in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Food, beverage and other expense decreased by $16.5 million, or 4.9%, to $319.8 million in 2014, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        Food, beverage and other expense for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $13.1 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased food, beverage and other expense at Hollywood Casino St. Louis primarily due to lower food and beverage costs as well as payroll costs and lower payroll costs at Hollywood Casino Joliet due to cost containment measures.

        Food, beverage and other expense for our East/Midwest segment increased by $0.9 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased food, beverage and other expense at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course primarily due to lower food and beverage costs and payroll costs, all of which were partially offset by the acquisition of Plainridge Racecourse in 2014 and the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014. The first quarter of 2014 compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was also impacted by reduced purse expense due to adverse weather conditions at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

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General and administrative expense

        General and administrative expenses include items such as compliance, facility maintenance, utilities, property and liability insurance, surveillance and security, and certain housekeeping services, as well as all expenses for administrative departments such as accounting, purchasing, human resources, legal and internal audit. General and administrative expenses also include lobbying expenses.

2015 Compared with 2014

        General and administrative expenses increased by $3.0 million, or 0.7%, to $449.4 million in 2015, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        General and administrative expenses for Other increased by $6.2 million in 2015, primarily due to higher cash-settled stock-based compensation charges of $13.3 million mainly due to stock price increases for Penn and GLPI common stock during 2015 compared to stock price declines in 2014, partially offset by lower lobbying expenses of $7.2 million due to the Massachusetts campaign in 2014.

        General and administrative expenses for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $29.7 million in 2015, primarily due to favorable property tax settlements of $15.4 million, closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014, as well as cost containment measures at Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast and Boomtown Biloxi.

        General and administrative expenses for our West segment increased by $11.8 million in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015.

        General and administrative expenses for our East/Midwest segment increased by $14.7 million in 2015, primarily due to the opening of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2014 and a full year of operations at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood gaming at Dayton Raceway, partially offset by a favorable $5.4 million adjustment in the fair value of the contingent purchase price for Plainridge Racecourse.

2014 Compared with 2013

        General and administrative expenses decreased by $69.7 million, or 13.5%, to $446.4 million in 2014, primarily due to the variances explained below.

        General and administrative expenses for Other decreased by $66.6 million in 2014, primarily due to lower Spin-Off transaction and development costs of $40.7 million, lower costs on cash-settled stock based awards of $13.9 million primarily due to the favorable impact from declines in GLPI's stock price for GLPI awards held by Penn employees and the fact that certain members of Penn's executive management team transferred their employment to GLPI as part of the Spin-Off, lower stock-based compensation costs of $12.1 million primarily due to lower aggregate executive compensation following the Spin-Off, and a reduction in various other items due to cost containment measures, all of which was partially offset by higher lobbying costs of $3.5 million.

        General and administrative expenses for our Southern Plains segment decreased by $10.3 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased rental expense for leases assigned to GLPI in conjunction with the Spin-Off, and the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014. In addition, the majority of our Southern Plains properties had decreased payroll costs for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

        General and administrative expenses for our West segment decreased by $3.7 million in 2014, primarily due to a termination charge associated with the Spin-Off of $3.8 million incurred in the third quarter of 2013.

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        General and administrative expenses for our East/Midwest segment increased by $10.8 million in 2014, primarily due to the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014 and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, as well as the acquisition of Plainridge Racecourse in 2014. In addition, the majority of our East/Midwest properties had decreased payroll costs for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

Depreciation and amortization expense

2015 Compared with 2014

        Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $7.3 million, or 2.7%, to $259.5 million in 2015, primarily due to the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014, which had $10.1 million of depreciation expense in the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, we recorded lower depreciation expense at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg primarily due to assets purchased for the 2009 expansion being fully depreciated in July 2014 and lower depreciation expense at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course primarily due to assets purchased for the 2008 opening being fully depreciated in February 2015, which were partially offset by the openings of Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015 and full year of operations at Tropicana Las Vegas, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood gaming at Dayton Raceway.

2014 Compared with 2013

        Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $36.7 million, or 12.1%, to $266.7 million in 2014, due to higher depreciation expense of $18.3 million in 2013 due to certain assets, mainly slots and furniture, fixtures and equipment, being fully depreciated at several of our properties, primarily Hollywood Casino Joliet, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Casino Bangor and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, as well as lower gaming license intangible amortization and depreciation expense of $7.6 million at Argosy Casino Sioux City with the awarding of the gaming license to another gaming operator in April 2013 (see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further details). Additionally, the reclassification of the assets of our Beulah Park and Raceway Park facilities as assets held for sale at December 31, 2013 resulted in lower depreciation expense of $9.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2014.

Impairment losses

        For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded other intangible assets impairment charges of $40.0 million related to the write-off of our Plainridge Park Casino gaming license and a partial write-down of the gaming license at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway due to a reduction in the long term earnings forecast at both of these locations.

        During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges of $155.3 million, respectively, as it determined that a portion of the value of its goodwill and other intangible assets was impaired due to the Company's outlook of continued challenging regional gaming conditions which persisted in 2014 at certain properties in its Southern Plains segment, as well as for the write-off of a trademark intangible asset in the West segment. The impairment charges by segment were as follows: Southern Plains, $153.9 million and West, $1.4 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.6 million in the East/Midwest segment to write-down certain idle assets to an estimated salvage value.

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        During the three months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded impairment charges of $724.2 million, as we determined that a portion of the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets was impaired. The impairment charge by segment was as follows: East/Midwest, $416.4 million; Southern Plains, $269.8 million; West, $1.8 million and Other, $36.2 million.

        Additionally, as a result of a new gaming license being awarded for the development of a new casino in Sioux City, Iowa to another applicant in April 2013, we recorded an impairment charge of $71.8 million in the Southern Plains segment for Argosy Casino Sioux City for the three months ended June 30, 2013, as we determined that the fair value of our Sioux City reporting unit was less than its carrying amount based on the Company's analysis of the estimated future expected cash flows the Company anticipated receiving from the operations of the Sioux City facility. In addition, in conjunction with the relocation of our two racetracks in Ohio, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.2 million in Other during the three months ended December 31, 2013 for the parcels of land that the racetracks resided on, as the land was reclassified as held for sale.

Insurance recoveries, net of deductible charges

        Insurance recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2014 were related to an insurance gain in our Southern Plains segment of $5.7 million for the 2013 tornado damage at Hollywood Casino St. Louis.

        Insurance deductible charges, net of recoveries during the year ended December 31, 2013 were related to a net insurance loss in our Southern Plains segment of $0.1 million for the tornado damage at Hollywood Casino St. Louis.

Other income (expenses)

        Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31,
  2015   2014   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Interest expense

  $ (443,127 ) $ (425,114 ) $ (18,013 )   4.2 %

Interest income

    11,531     3,730     7,801     209.1 %

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

    14,488     7,949     6,539     82.3 %

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

                N/A  

Other

    5,872     2,944     2,928     99.5 %

Total other expenses

  $ (411,236 ) $ (410,491 ) $ (745 )   0.2 %

 

Year ended December 31,
  2014   2013   Variance   Percentage
Variance
 

Interest expense

  $ (425,114 ) $ (159,897 ) $ (265,217 )   165.9 %

Interest income

    3,730     1,387     2,343     168.9 %

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

    7,949     9,657     (1,708 )   (17.7 )%

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

        (61,660 )   61,660     N/A  

Other

    2,944     8,004     (5,060 )   (63.2 )%

Total other expenses

  $ (410,491 ) $ (202,509 ) $ (207,982 )   102.7 %

Interest expense

        Interest expense increased by $18.0 million, or 4.2%, to $443.1 million in 2015, due to $6.6 million for the accretion of the relocation fees associated with our two racinos in Ohio, both of which opened

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in the third quarter of 2014, and higher borrowings on the Term Loan A portion of the senior secured credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to prior year.

        Interest expense increased by $265.2 million, or 165.9%, to $425.1 million in 2014, due to the full year impact of expense recognized under our financing obligation with GLPI which was $379.2 million incurred in 2014 compared to $62.1 million in 2013 partially offset by lower levels of indebtedness subsequent to the Spin-Off.

Interest income

        Interest income increased by $7.8 million, or 209.1%, to $11.5 million in 2015, primarily due to higher interest accrued on the loan to the Jamul Tribe (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further details).

        Interest income increased by $2.3 million, or 168.9%, to $3.7 million in 2014, primarily due to higher interest accrued on the loan to the Jamul Tribe (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further details).

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

        Income from unconsolidated affiliates increased by $6.5 million, or 82.3%, to $14.5 million in 2015, primarily due to increased earnings related to our joint venture in Kansas Entertainment primarily due to growth in its market share as the property continues to improve its efficiency from its February 2012 opening.

        Income from unconsolidated affiliates decreased by $1.7 million, or 17.7%, to $7.9 million in 2014, primarily due to our portion of the loss in the joint venture with Cordish Companies in New York. We anticipate this joint venture will be dissolved in 2015 and our investment has been written down to zero at December 31, 2014.

Other

        Other changed by $2.9 million, or 99.5%, to $5.9 million in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to increased foreign currency translation gains for the year ended December 31, 2015.

        Other changed by $(5.1) million, or (63.2)%, to $2.9 million in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to the contribution of management service fees from TRS Properties for the year ended December 31, 2013. Before the Spin-Off to GLPI, TRS Properties were contributing management service fees equal to 3% of net revenues.

Taxes

        Our income tax expense from continuing operations was $55.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to an income tax expense of $30.5 million in the prior year period. Our effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income taxes) was 98.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to (19.9)% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company's effective tax rate in the current year is higher than the federal statutory tax rate of 35% due to the effect permanent items such as lobbying as well as a decrease in the non deductible portion of our goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges, increase in state taxes, increase in reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and the increase in our valuation allowance during the year compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Our effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income taxes) was (19.9)% for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to a tax benefit of 5.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our low levels of pre-tax earnings has magnified the impact on our effective tax rate from non-deductible expenses such as lobbying, increases in reserves for uncertain tax

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positions, changes in our valuation allowance and a decrease in the non-deductible portion of our goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

        Our effective income tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings and the level of our tax credits. Additionally our effective tax rate is significantly impacted by non-deductible impairment charges and changes in our deferred tax assets that result from principal reductions in our GLPI financing obligation since the Company has recorded a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. Certain of these and other factors, including our history and projections of pre-tax earnings, are taken into account in assessing our ability to realize our net deferred tax assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Historically and prospectively, our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been and will be cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $399.0 million, $262.2 million, and $453.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $136.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was comprised primarily of an increase in cash receipts from customers of $244.1 million, offset by an increase in cash paid to suppliers and vendors of $78.1 million and an increase in cash paid to employees of $40.8 million. The increase in cash receipts collected from our customers, cash paid to suppliers and vendors, and cash paid to employees for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year was primarily due to the openings of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course on September 17, 2014, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on August 28, 2014, and Plainridge Park Casino on June 24, 2015, as well as the acquisitions of Tropicana Las Vegas on August 25, 2015 and Prairie State Gaming on September 1, 2015, partially offset by the closure of Argosy Casino Sioux City on July 30, 2014.

        Net cash used in investing activities totaled $781.0 million, $375.5 million, and $180.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in net cash used in investing activities of $405.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily due to our acquisitions of Tropicana Las Vegas and Prairie State Gaming for a total of $399.5 million in 2015, increased advances to the Jamul tribe of $58.6 million, purchase of a subordinated promissory note from the previous developer of the Jamul project for $24.0 million, and a return of cash in escrow in the first quarter of 2014 of $18.0 million, all of which were partially offset by our Massachusetts gaming license payment of $25.0 million in March 2014, the acquisition of Plainridge Racecourse in April 2014 for $42.0 million, and decreased capital maintenance expenditures of $20.7 million, as well as decreased capital project expenditures of $8.2 million primarily due to decreased expenditures in 2015 for a new hotel at Zia Park Casino and the new Ohio racinos, all of which opened in 2014, partially offset by increased expenditures in 2015 for Plainridge Park Casino, which opened in June 2015.

        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities totaled $410.4 million, $29.0 million, and $(240.9) million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities of $381.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily due to higher net borrowings on our long-term debt of $391.5 million and lower principal payments on long-term obligations of $11.7 million, both of which were partially offset by lower proceeds from insurance financing of $24.2 million.

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Capital Expenditures

        Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.

        The following table summarizes our capital project expenditures by segment for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 
  Actual(1)  
 
  (in millions)
 

East/Midwest(2)

  $ 134.2  

West

    0.8  

Southern Plains

    1.5  

Other

     

Total

  $ 136.5  

(1)
Excludes licensing and relocation fees and is net of reimbursements.

(2)
Capital expenditures from our East/Midwest segment related to the construction cost of Plainridge Park Casino which opened June 24, 2015, construction costs of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course which opened on September 17, 2014, and constructions costs at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway which opened on August 28, 2014.

        On February 28, 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded the Company a Category Two slots-only gaming license, and on June 24, 2015, the Company opened Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts. Plainridge Park Casino is a $266 million (which is inclusive of an increase to our original budget of $225 million principally due to our decision to purchase rather than lease certain games and equipment for $27.7 million as well as $9 million higher than anticipated pre-opening costs and cage cash requirements) fully integrated racing and gaming facility featuring live harness racing and simulcasting with 1,250 gaming devices, various dining and entertainment options, structured and surface parking, and a two story clubhouse with approximately 55,000 square feet. As of December 31, 2015, total cumulative costs were $262.8 million, which includes a $25 million gaming license fee, which was paid in March 2014, and the acquisition of Plainridge Racecourse for $42.4 million, which was paid in April 2014.

        Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, with a $161 million budget, inclusive of a $75 million relocation fee and $50 million license fee, opened on September 17, 2014. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, with a $165 million budget, inclusive of a $75 million relocation fee and $50 million license fee, opened on August 28, 2014. The $75 million relocation fee for each Ohio racetrack is based on the present value of the contractual obligation, of which $7.5 million was paid upon opening, with 18 additional semi-annual payments of $4.8 million due beginning one year after opening. For the license fee for each Ohio racetrack, we paid $10 million in the second quarter of 2014 as well as $15 million upon opening and paid the remaining license fee of $25 million on the one year anniversary of the commencement of gaming. As of December 31, 2015, Penn has incurred cumulative costs of $104.0 million and $94.4 million for the Mahoning Valley facility and the Dayton facility, respectively, which includes the payments made to date for the relocation fee and license fee previously mentioned. As part of the spin-off transaction that was effective November 1, 2013, GLPI was responsible for certain real estate related construction costs for the Mahoning Valley facility and the Dayton facility, and as such, these facilities are now subject to the Master Lease.

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        During the year ended December 31, 2015, we spent $62.3 million for capital maintenance expenditures, with $24.8 million at our East/Midwest segment, $8.2 million at our West segment, $25.0 million at our Southern Plains segment, and $4.3 million for Other. The majority of the capital maintenance expenditures were for slot machines and slot machine equipment.

        Cash generated from operations and cash available under the revolving credit facility portion of our senior secured credit facility funded our capital projects, capital maintenance expenditures and the Jamul Tribe project in 2015 to date.

        The following table summarizes our expected capital project expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2016 by segment:

 
  Total for 2016(1)  
 
  (in millions)
 

East/Midwest(2)

  $ 3.7  

West(3)

    27.7  

Southern Plains

     

Total

  $ 31.4  

(1)
Excludes licensing and relocation fees.

(2)
Expected capital expenditures in 2016 for our East/Midwest segment includes $3.7 million, for final construction related costs for the Plainridge Park Casino.

(3)
Expected capital expenditures in 2016 for our West segment includes $27.7 million, for renovation costs at the Tropicana Las Vegas.

Jamul Tribe

        Advances to the Jamul Tribe, which totaled $197.7 million and $62.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, are accounted for as a loan on the consolidated balance sheet and as such is not included in the capital expenditures table presented above. The budget for this development project is $390 million. We expect the project to be completed in mid-2016 which will include the construction of a three-story gaming and entertainment facility of approximately 200,000 square feet featuring over 1,700 slot machines, 43 live table games, including poker, multiple restaurants, bars and lounges and a partially enclosed parking structure with over 1,800 spaces. The Company has been and will continue to explore other financing options to provide more permanent, lower cost terms for the Jamul Tribe.

        In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company acquired for $24 million pre-existing indebtedness of the Jamul Tribe at a significant discount from a successor to a previous developer of the project. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further details.

Debt

        On October 30, 2013, the Company entered into a new senior secured credit facility. This facility consists of a five year $500 million revolver, a five year $500 million Term Loan A facility, and a seven year $250 million Term Loan B facility. The Term Loan A facility was priced at LIBOR plus a spread (ranging from 2.75% to 1.25%) based on the Company's consolidated total net leverage ratio as defined in the new senior secured credit facility. The Term Loan B facility was priced at LIBOR plus 2.50%, with a 0.75% LIBOR floor. In connection with the repayment of the previous senior secured credit facility, the Company recorded a $21.5 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt for the

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year ended December 31, 2013 related to debt issuance costs write-offs and the write-off of the discount on the Term Loan B facility of the previous senior secured credit facility.

        On April 28, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to amend its senior secured credit facility. In August 2015, the amendment to the senior secured credit facility went into effect increasing the capacity under an existing five year revolver from $500 million to $633.2 million and increased the existing five year $500 million Term Loan A facility by $146.7 million. The seven year $250 million Term Loan B facility remained unchanged.

        The Company's senior secured credit facility had a gross outstanding balance of $1,259.7 million at December 31, 2015, consisting of a $592.7 million Term Loan A facility, a $245.0 million Term Loan B facility, and $422.0 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility. This compares with a $807.5 million gross outstanding balance at December 31, 2014 which consisted of a $475.0 million Term Loan A facility and an $85.0 million Term Loan B facility. Additionally, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the senior secured credit facility with face amounts aggregating $23.4 million and $23.0 million, respectively, resulting in $187.7 million and $392.0 million of available borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, under the revolving credit facility.

        The payment and performance of obligations under the senior secured credit facility are guaranteed by a lien on and security interest in substantially all of the cash, equity and personal property (other than excluded property such as gaming licenses) of the Company and its subsidiaries.

        In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company redeemed all of its $325 million 83/4% senior subordinated notes, which were due in 2019 ("83/4% Notes"). In connection with this redemption, the Company recorded a $40.2 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to debt issuance costs write-offs of $5.5 million and the call premium on the 83/4% Notes of $34.7 million.

        On October 30, 2013, the Company completed an offering of $300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2021 (the "5.875% Notes") at a price of par. Interest on the 5.875% Notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The 5.875% Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The 5.875% Notes will not be guaranteed by any of the Company's subsidiaries except in the event that the Company in the future issues certain subsidiary-guaranteed debt securities. The Company may redeem the 5.875% Notes at any time, and from time to time, on or after November 1, 2016, at the declining redemption premiums set forth in the indenture governing the 5.875% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Prior to November 1, 2016, the Company may redeem the 5.875% Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.875% Notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the 5.875% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, the 5.875% Notes may be redeemed prior to November 1, 2016 from net proceeds raised in connection with an equity offering as long as the Company pays 105.875% of the principal amount of the 5.875% Notes, redeems the 5.875% Notes within 180 days of completing the equity offering, and at least 60% of the 5.875% Notes originally issued remains outstanding.

        The Company used the proceeds of the new senior secured credit facility, new 5.875% Notes, and cash on hand, to repay its previous senior secured credit facility, to fund the cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its 83/4% Notes and the related consent solicitation to make certain

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amendments to the indenture governing the 83/4% Notes, to satisfy and discharge such indenture, to pay related fees and expenses and for working capital purposes.

        The Company's Master Lease with GLPI that became effective November 1, 2013 was accounted for as a financing obligation and totaled $3.56 billion and $3.61 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company assumed a term of 35 years as it was determined that the lease term should include all option periods since renewal was reasonably assured given the high percentage of earnings from the Master Lease properties operations to the Company and the lack of alternative economically feasible leasing options for such real estate. The future minimum lease payments at lease inception were discounted at 9.7% which represents the estimated incremental borrowing rate over the term of the lease. The financing obligation decreased by $46.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year due to principal payment reductions. Interest expense recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $390.1 million and $379.2 million, respectively.

        Immediately before the Spin-Off on October 30, 2013, while GLPI was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLPI raised $2.35 billion of debt financing, which was part of the net assets contributed to GLPI as part of the Spin-Off. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

        Other long term obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $147.0 million and $135.0 million, respectively, included $131.7 million and $135.0 million, respectively, related to the relocation fees for Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and $15.3 million related to the repayment obligation of a hotel and event center located near Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg at December 31, 2015; all of which are more fully described below.

        In June 2013, the Company finalized the terms of its memorandum of understanding with the State of Ohio, which included an agreement by the Company to pay a relocation fee in return for being able to relocate its existing racetracks in Toledo and Grove City to Dayton and Mahoning Valley, respectively. Upon opening of these two racinos in Ohio in the third quarter of 2014, the relocation fee for each new racino was recorded at the present value of the contractual obligation, which was calculated to be $75 million based on the 5% discount rate included in the agreement. The relocation fee for each facility is payable as follows: $7.5 million upon the opening of the facility and eighteen semi-annual payments of $4.8 million beginning one year from the commencement of operations. This obligation is accreted to interest expense at an effective yield of 5.0%. The amount included in interest expense related to this obligation was $6.7 million and $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

        The City of Lawrenceburg Department of Redevelopment recently completed construction of a hotel and event center located less than a mile away from Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. Effective in mid-January 2015, by contractual agreement, a repayment obligation for the hotel and event center was assumed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in the amount of $15.3 million, which was financed through a loan with the City of Lawrenceburg Department of Redevelopment. The Company is obligated to make annual payments on the loan of approximately $1 million for twenty years beginning January 2016. This obligation is accreted to interest expense at its effective yield of 3.0%. The amount included in interest expense related to this obligation was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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        In September 2012, the Company received $10 million under a subscription agreement entered into between A3 Gaming Investments, LLC, an investment vehicle owned by the previous owner of the M Resort ("A3 Gaming Investments"), and LV Gaming Ventures, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and holder of the assets of the M Resort ("LV Gaming Ventures"). The subscription agreement entitled A3 Gaming Investments to invest in a limited liability membership interest in LV Gaming Ventures, which was scheduled to mature on October 1, 2016. The investment entitled A3 Gaming Investments to annual payments and a settlement value based on the earnings levels of the M Resort. In accordance with ASC 480, "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity," the Company determined that this obligation was a financial instrument and as such should be recorded as a liability within debt. Changes in the settlement value, if any, were accreted to interest expense through the maturity date of the instrument. In September 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to terminate the subscription agreement, which was repaid on October 22, 2013 for $16 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a charge of $3.8 million, and $2.2 million in interest expense on this instrument.

        Capital leases are primarily comprised of a ten year corporate airplane lease that expires in August 2016, which has a ten year renewal option. The lease obligation has been recorded at the lessor's initial cost of the plane, of $24.9 million at both December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, since the agreement has broad based default provisions that could result in potential damages equal to this amount. The lease obligation was classified as a capital lease based on the provisions of ASC 840 "Leases" which requires that the remedies for events of default under the provision described in this scenario be included in the minimum lease payment calculation for purposes of lease classification and that the probability of such an event of default will occur is not relevant to this determination.

        The Company's senior secured credit facility and $300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes require us, among other obligations, to maintain specified financial ratios and to satisfy certain financial tests, including fixed charge coverage, interest coverage, senior leverage and total leverage ratios. In addition, the Company's senior secured credit facility and $300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes restrict, among other things, its ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, amend debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on assets, make investments, engage in mergers or consolidations, and otherwise restrict corporate activities.

        At December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants. In connection with the recent restatement of the Company's consolidated financial statements, the Company received a waiver from its lenders under its senior secured credit facility to file its consolidated financial statements with the SEC by March 15, 2016.

        The Spin-Off has had and will continue to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, capital structure and management. For a discussion of these impacts, see "Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust" and "Risk Factors" of this report. Based on our current level of operations, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our senior secured credit facility, will be adequate to meet our anticipated Master Lease obligations, debt service requirements, capital expenditures and working capital needs for the foreseeable future. However, we cannot be certain that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that our anticipated earnings projections will be realized, or that future borrowings will be available under our senior secured credit facility or otherwise will be available to enable us to service our indebtedness, including the senior secured credit facility and the

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$300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes, to retire or redeem the $300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes when required or to make anticipated capital expenditures. In addition, we expect a majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming properties at reasonable valuations, greenfield projects, jurisdictional expansions and property expansion in under-penetrated markets. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future or undertake any significant property expansions, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we may need to make additional borrowings or complete equity or debt financings to meet these requirements. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks related to our capital structure.

        We have historically maintained a capital structure comprising a mix of equity and debt financing. We vary our leverage to pursue opportunities in the marketplace and in an effort to maximize our enterprise value for our shareholders. We expect to meet our debt obligations as they come due through internally generated funds from operations and/or refinancing them through the debt or equity markets prior to their maturity.

Commitments and Contingencies

        At December 31, 2015, there was approximately $187.7 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility. The following table presents our contractual cash obligations at December 31, 2015:

 
  Payments Due By Period  
 
  Total   2016   2017-2018   2019-2020   2021 and After  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Senior secured credit facility

                               

Principal

  $ 1,259,740   $ 51,895   $ 970,345   $ 237,500   $  

Interest(1)

    116,395     41,357     56,380     18,658      

5.875% senior unsecured notes

                               

Principal

    300,000                 300,000  

Interest

    105,750     17,625     35,250     35,250     17,625  

Purchase obligations

    87,111     62,654     14,223     6,464     3,770  

Capital expenditure commitments(2)

    2,023     2,023              

Capital leases

    28,666     26,814     1,785     67      

Financing obligation to GLPI(3)

    10,848,146     389,496     768,212     649,638     9,040,800  

Operating leases

    27,625     4,223     5,873     2,698     14,831  

Ohio Payments(4)

    245,406     31,224     60,448     62,448     91,285  

Other liabilities reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets(5)

    13,779     13,779              

Total

  $ 13,034,641   $ 641,090   $ 1,912,516   $ 1,012,723   $ 9,468,311  

(1)
The interest rates associated with the variable rate components of our senior secured credit facility are estimated, based on the forward LIBOR curves plus the current spread based on our current levels of indebtedness over LIBOR as of December 31, 2015. The contractual amounts to be paid on our variable rate obligations are affected by changes in market interest rates and changes in our spreads which are based on our leverage ratios. Future changes in such ratios will impact the contractual amounts to be paid.

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(2)
The Company anticipates spending approximately $31.4 million for future construction projects over the next year, of which the Company has been contractually committed to spend approximately $2.0 million at year-end.

(3)
Reflects the undiscounted future minimum lease payments to GLPI over the lease term, including renewal options. The amounts above exclude contingent payments (See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion).

(4)
The Company agreed to pay $110 million (of which $80.0 million remains to be paid) to the State of Ohio over ten years in return for certain clarifications from the State of Ohio with respect to various financial matters and limits on competition within the ten year time period. This amount also includes the remaining portion of the relocation fees to be paid associated with our two new facilities in Dayton and Mahoning Valley, Ohio (See Note 10 and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements).

(5)
Primarily represents liabilities associated with reward programs that can be redeemed for cash, free play or services. Does not include any liability for unrecognized tax benefits, as the Company cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority. Additionally, it does not include an estimate of the payments associated with our contingent obligation to the former owners of Plainridge Racecourse (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements), as these amounts will be determined based on the annual performance of this facility once it becomes operational.

        The following table presents our material commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015 for the following future periods:

 
  Total Amounts
Committed
  2016   2017-2018   2019-2020   2021 and After  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Letters of Credit(1)

  $ 23,444   $ 23,444   $   $   $  

Total

  $ 23,444   $ 23,444   $   $   $  

(1)
The available balance under the revolving credit portion of our senior secured credit facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit.

New Accounting Pronouncements

        In February 2016, the FASB issued its new lease accounting guidance. Under the new guidance, ASU 2016-02, Leases, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessor's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control use of, a specified asset for the lease term for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the adoption date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, ending after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual financial statements net yet issued. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Management is currently assessing the impact the new lease guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

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        In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires entities to present deferred tax assets (DTAs) and deferred tax liabilities (DTLs) as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The amended guidance simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. For public entities, the amendments are effective after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted for any interim or annual financial statements not yet issued. Entities are permitted to apply the amendment either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company early adopted FASB accounting standard ASU 2015-17 to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes. The Company is applying the amendment on a retrospective basis and, therefore, the December 31, 2014 balance sheet has been reclassified to reflect the change in accounting principle. This change in accounting principle decreased the current deferred tax assets and decreased noncurrent deferred tax liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014 by $40.3 million.

        In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations as part of its simplification initiative. Under previous guidance, when an acquirer identified an adjustment to provisional amounts during the measurement period, it was required to revise comparative information for prior periods, as if the accounting for the business combination had been completed as of the acquisition date. Under the new guidance, an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The effect resulting from the change to provisional amounts must be calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date and must be recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and not retrospectively. The guidance also requires disclosure on the face of the income statement or in the notes thereto, of the portion of the amount recorded in the current period that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those fiscal years after December 15, 2015. The ASU must be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. Management plans to implement this change in accounting principle in 2016 and does not anticipate a material impact from this new guidance.

        In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance cost as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. This is only a clarification to the April 2015 ASU noted below, which we have early adopted in 2015.

        In April 2015, the FASB issued revised guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The revised guidance requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the existing presentation of debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this revised guidance, and therefore there is no impact to the statement of income. The revised guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this revised guidance is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. An entity should apply the revised guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the revised guidance. The Company has elected to early adopt the revised guidance and as such debt issuance costs are now presented as a direct reduction of long-term debt on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 4 for further information regarding debt issuance costs.

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        In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 with new consolidation guidance which modifies the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The main provisions of the new guidance include modifying the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, the evaluation of fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, and the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, as well as provides a scope exception for certain investment funds. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. A reporting entity may apply the new guidance using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the new guidance retrospectively. Management is in the process of assessing the impact of the new guidance on existing consolidation conclusions and equity method investments, but does not anticipate any change.

        In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve the core principle, the new guidance implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This new guidance was originally to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is prohibited. In April 2015, the FASB issued a one-year deferral of the effective date of this new guidance resulting in it now being effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. Entities can transition to the new guidance either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Management is currently assessing the impact the new revenue recognition guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        The table below provides information at December 31, 2015 about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, the table presents notional amounts maturing during the year and the related weighted-average interest rates by maturity dates. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments to be exchanged by maturity date and the weighted-average interest rates are based on implied forward LIBOR rates at December 31, 2015.

 
  2016   2017   2018   2019   2020   Thereafter   Total   Fair Value
12/31/15
 
 
  (in thousands)
 

Long-term debt:

                                                 

Fixed rate

  $   $   $   $   $   $ 300,000   $ 300,000   $ 291,000  

Average interest rate

                                  5.88 %            

Variable rate

 
$

51,895
 
$

68,360
 
$

901,984
 
$

2,500
 
$

235,000
 
$

 
$

1,259,739
 
$

1,251,975
 

Average interest rate(1)

    3.28 %   3.33 %   1.80 %   4.70 %   4.14 %   0.00 %            

(1)
Estimated rate, reflective of forward LIBOR plus the spread over LIBOR applicable to variable-rate borrowing.

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors
Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Subsidiaries

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 15, 2016, expressed an adverse opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

   

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 15, 2016

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Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2015   2014  

Assets

             

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 237,009   $ 208,673  

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,428 and $2,004 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

    45,186     41,618  

Prepaid expenses

    76,784     70,785  

Other current assets

    13,497     11,189  

Total current assets

    372,476     332,265